“For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: but even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.”

Paul here reminded the Thessalonians of the day that he came among them to minister the gospel. He referred to how he and Timothy and Silvanus were treated as they ministered in Philippi. The story is told in Acts 16 and 17.

These men were sent by the Lord to Macedonia, a state of the country of Greece. Having arrived, they came to Philippi. As they went about preaching the gospel, they were followed by a young girl who mocked the gospel. The scripture tells us that through the working of satan she had a spirit of divination: she was enabled to predict events. We are told that through this she was able to bring great gain to her masters. As her mocking continued many days, Paul, being grieved, rebuked the spirit, commanding it out of her in the name of Jesus.

The spirit having left her, she no longer was able to predict events as she once was. So, her masters were angry with Paul and the others because their source of income was ruined. They grabbed the men, took them to the marketplace, and lied about them to the leaders of the city. They falsely accused Paul, Timothy, and Silvanus regarding why they were there and what they were teaching. The leaders with the help of a crowd beat the men, and commanded that they be put into prison. The jailor put them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

Through this series of events, the gospel was preached to the jailor and his family, and they were all turned to the Lord! We are told that the jailor washed the wounds they received in the beating, and ministered to them with a meal. In Acts 17 we are told that Paul and his companions then left Philippi and went to Thessalonica.

Having come to Thessalonica, they met with similar treatment, and were hurried out of the city. From there they went to Berea. When the people of Thessalonica heard that he was there, they sent people to stir up that city against Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy.

Sometime later Paul wrote this letter to the people in Thessalonica. In the verses above he reminded them of these events. Paul had endured great affliction bringing the gospel to them. In 1 Thessalonians 1:6, 7 Paul wrote, “And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: so that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.” Now, the people of Thessalonica endured affliction because of the gospel. Paul’s intent in reminding them of his own afflictions was to encourage them to continue in the gospel, even in their afflictions.

The wonderful example of Paul is worth considering. After the treatment he received, beating and prison, mocking and lies spoken about him, and all in the context of going where the Lord had sent him, Paul continued to preach to the Thessalonians. He was not silenced, he continued preaching the gospel. The abuses did not deter him. Above he said they were “…bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.”

These things occur to this day. All believers have and do endure afflictions to varying degrees for their testimony in the gospel. Some have endured imprisonment like Paul. Some have endured mocking or shunning. Some have endured death. Jesus said that if the world hates us, we should remember that it hated Him, too. In fact, in Luke 6:22, 23, Jesus told His disciples, “Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.”

Though “…no chastening for the present seems joyous, it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them that are exercised thereby.” (Hebrews 12:11). As we go in service for the Lord, even under His clear direction as Paul did, we endure what the world might bring against us. But we must not let these afflictions deter us from service, just like Paul. He was bold in God to speak the gospel. We must serve God no matter events, knowing and trusting that He will glorify Himself in us!

Simply trust­ing ev­ery day,
Trusting through a stor­my way;
Even when my faith is small,
Trusting Je­sus, that is all.

Refrain

Trusting as the mo­ments fly,
Trusting as the days go by;
Trusting Him what­e’er be­fall,
Trusting Je­sus, that is all.

Brightly does His Spir­it shine
Into this poor heart of mine;
While He leads I can­not fall;
Trusting Je­sus, that is all.

Refrain

Singing if my way is clear,
Praying if the path be drear;
If in dan­ger for Him call;
Trusting Je­sus, that is all.

Refrain

Trusting Him while life shall last,
Trusting Him till earth be past;
Till with­in the jas­per wall,
Trusting Je­sus, that is all.

Refrain (Edgar P. Stites)

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:… therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.”

In this scripture Paul compared two men and the results of their lives. The comparison reveals the wonderful plan of salvation that the LORD has provided. Through one man, the human race fell into ruin. Through the other, reconciliation with God was accomplished. Those two men are Adam and Jesus.

Through Adam sin entered the world. The story is told in Genesis 3. He disobeyed the Lord’s command to not eat from the tree, which is recorded in Genesis 2:16, 17. Adam heard the Lord tell him this. But, when Eve was approached by the serpent, in Genesis 3: 2, 3, changes had been made to the command. So, she and Adam ate from the tree, disobeying God’s command. And Romans 5 makes it clear that Adam was the one who failed. Through him sin entered the world.

Ever since God gave commands to mankind, mankind has continually disobeyed God. It was true with Adam, it is true to this day. This is evidence of the sin nature that was passed from Adam and Eve to all of mankind. Sin has so impacted mankind that everything we touch is affected. No matter how well-built a building may be, it will one day be torn down and replaced. This is evidence of the sin nature. Further, our sinfulness is in the context of knowing God’s commands. Most people can quote the Ten Commandments, or at least their societies reveal the impact of the Ten Commandments on them. But, speaking of mankind, Paul wrote in Romans 1:32, “…who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Through Adam sin entered the world.

The Lord told Adam that the penalty for eating from the tree was, “in the day that you eat from it you will be doomed to die.” Above, Paul told the Romans that through Adam’s sin, “…death (entered the world) by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned…” From the history of the human race we see that everyone will die. The ways and means of death are everywhere around us. We cannot hide from it. This is evidence of the sin nature that we all have. Even God Himself, when He came to earth, died.

Which gets us to the second person Paul Who was speaking of in Romans 5: Jesus. Paul said, “…by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” What a contrast of events. Adam’s disobedience had a result. Here we find that Jesus’ obedience also had a result.

Speaking of Jesus, Paul used the same word in Philippians 2:5-8 we read, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

Obedience requires an object. And it was His Father who Jesus obeyed. This is clearly seen in the Garden of Gethsemane, “And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt… He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. (Matthew 26:39, 42)” By the end of that day, He was obedient unto the death of the cross. But He did not die for any sin He had committed, because He knew no sin. He was made sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21).

So, through Adam’s disobedience many became sinners, and through Jesus’ obedience many were made righteous. Sinners made righteous! Dead made alive! Because of Jesus!

But this righteousness is not universally applied. John 1:12 tells us, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:…” And in John 3:17, 18 Jesus said, “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

“…therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.”

Gone is all my debt of sin,
A great change is wrought with­in,
And to live I now be­gin,
Risen from the fall;
Yet the debt I did not pay—
Someone died for me one day,
Sweeping all the debt away—
Jesus paid it all.

Refrain

Jesus died and paid it all, yes,
On the cross of Cal­va­ry, Oh
And my sto­ny heart was melt­ed
At His dy­ing, dy­ing call;
Oh, His heart in shame was brok­en
On the tree for you and me, yes,
And the debt, the debt is can­celed,
Jesus paid it, paid it all.

Oh, I hope to please Him now,
Light of joy is on my brow,
As at His dear feet I bow,
Safe with­in His love.
Making His the debt I owed,
Freedom true He has be­stowed;
So I’m sing­ing on the road
To my home above.

Refrain

Sinner, not for me alone
Did the Son of God atone;
Your debt, too, He made His own,
On the cru­el tree.
Come to Him with all your sin;
Be as white as snow with­in;
Full sal­va­tion you may win
And re­joice with me.

Refrain (M. S. Shaffer)

“…because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.”

This is the last half of the last sentence of the sermon that Paul gave at Mars Hill in Athens. And, in this verse Paul spoke of two important matters.

The first is that a day of judgment is coming. It is an appointed day that the Lord has set, and it is known only to Him. While many details of it are described in scripture, particularly in the Revelation, the day of it is not known to us. It has been nearly 2,000 years since Paul said this to the people of Athens. The passage of time may make it seem that God is not really going to judge. But the delay does not mean that at all.

According to this verse, that day of judgment will be presided over by “that Man Whom He (God) hath ordained…” From scriptures it is certain that the Man that God ordained is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself said in John 5:22, 23: “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: that all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.”

Revelation 19 provides some details of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. In verses 11-16 John wrote, “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”

What a spectacular event that will be. Revelation 1:7 says that every eye shall see Him. And, in Revelation 20:11-15 John wrote, “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Yes, God is a God of justice. He will judge, and the day of judgment is certain. And Jesus is the Judge He has ordained.

Quoting from the above verse, the second matter of which Paul spoke is, “…whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.” In the context of the promise of judgment, Paul spoke of assurance, or confidence. How can anyone have confidence before God when faced with His wrath? Especially with the words of Revelation 20 which talks about the lake of fire? The answer is that God has raised Jesus from the dead. The same One to Whom God has committed judgement has been raised from the dead! To be raised from the dead this One had to have died. Why would that happen?

God’s plan from before the creation was to provide a way to reconcile mankind to Himself. Philippians 2:5-8 reveals that Jesus came in obedience to His Father to carry out that plan. Verse 8 tells us that He was obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. But since He was never guilty of any sin, death could not hold Him. As Paul said it, “He has raised Him from the dead…”

Romans 5:7-9 says, “For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” And so, we can have assurance in that day of judgment!

Each of us needs to realize that Jesus died for them. Each of us needs to realize that we need this kind of intervention by God. Each of us needs to see that this is a gift from God for the taking (Ephesians 2:8). If He hadn’t intervened, we would still be under His wrath, awaiting the promised coming of Jesus to earth, and certain, fearful looking for of judgment, which shall devour the adversaries in the eternal lake of fire.

’Tis not by works that we have done,
Our souls re­deemed will be;
But by the blood of God’s dear Son,
Who died on Cal­va­ry.

Refrain

By grace are ye saved,
By grace are ye saved thro’ faith,
And that not of your­selves,
It is the gift of God.
By grace are ye saved,
By grace are ye saved thro’ faith,
And that not of yourselves,
It is the gift of God.

’Tis not by works that we can do,
Our right­eous­ness is vain;
But by what Christ Him­self hath done,
Eternal life we gain.

Refrain

’Tis not by works of ours that we
Can know our sins for­giv’n;
But by the liv­ing word of Him
Who pleads for us in Heav’n.

Refrain

’Tis not our works, but Christ’s alone,
Then rest thy anx­ious soul;
For safe thou art on Him, thy rock,
While end­less ag­es roll.

Refrain (Fanny Crosby)

“And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: but these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”

In the end of his book John revealed his purpose for writing it. From the beginning to the end, he wrote so that his readers would believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God.

John 1:1 tells us, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Speaking of the Word, John 1:14 tells us, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, …full of grace and truth.” So, in the first 14 verses John says that Jesus, called the Word, is God, Who created all things and Who became flesh. The rest of the book tells how He lived, died on a cross, and rose again from the dead.

In John 2, Jesus went to the city of Cana for a wedding. In John 2:6-10 John wrote, “And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins (about 18-27 gallons) apiece. Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: …the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, and saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.” Jesus turned 162 gallons of water into the best wine.

In John 4 a man from Capernaum came to Cana where Jesus was; a twenty-mile trip. In John 4:47-50 John wrote, “When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death. …Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.” As he went, the man learned that his son had been healed, and he and his family believed on Jesus. The distance from Cana to Capernaum was no barrier to Jesus healing the boy.

In John 9 is the story of a man who was born blind. Jesus’ disciples wondered why the man was born blind. In John 9:3 Jesus said, “…Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” As the story continued, there was much controversy about what had happened. Stating the obvious, in John 9:25, the man himself “…answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.” Then the leaders of the synagogue cast the man out of their gathering, and in John 9:35-38 we read, “Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.” Jesus healed a man that was born blind!

We read in John 11 about Lazarus who took ill, and then died. Four days after his death Jesus came to his town. John wrote in John 11:39-45, “Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. …He cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.” Jesus brought Lazarus back from the dead!

All 879 verses of John reveal that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. In these few examples Jesus changed water to wine, healed a sick man from a distance, healed a man born blind, and raised someone who had been dead for four days. Is not Jesus God?

John wrote his book so that his readers would believe this about Jesus because by believing they might have life through His name. This is eternal life, and it is available only by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ. This means believing Who He said He was, Who His Works say He is, and why He came to earth. The last is told in John 3:16-18, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” What will each of us do with Jesus? Eternal life is waiting!

Oft times the day seems long, our trials hard to bear,
We’re tempted to complain, to murmur and despair;
But Christ will soon appear to catch His Bride away,
All tears forever over in God’s eternal day.

Refrain

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ.

Sometimes the sky looks dark with not a ray of light,
We’re tossed and driven on, no human help in sight;
But there is one in heav’n who knows our deepest care,
Let Jesus solve your problem – just go to Him in pray’r.

Refrain

Life’s day will soon be o’er, all storms forever past,
We’ll cross the great divide, to glory, safe at last;
We’ll share the joys of heav’n – a harp, a home, a crown,
The tempter will be banished, we’ll lay our burden down.

Refrain (Esther Kerr Rusthoi)

“Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.”

The man was from Capernaum. His son lay ill at home; at the point of death. Being a nobleman, the man likely spent as much as he could to have his son healed. But nothing availed. Then he heard that Jesus had come out of Galilee to Cana. He determined to make the twenty-mile journey to beseech Jesus for his son. He was certain that Jesus could do something, and he had run out of options.

And so he went. Finding Jesus, the man appealed to Him for his son. The conversation probably didn’t go the way that he had expected. Jesus seemed harsh, perhaps. He said, “Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.” It cannot be that Jesus was harsh. He certainly brought this up for a reason. He had come to Cana from Sychar, where He had met the woman at the well. He went there on purpose to meet her. And this encounter was no different. Jesus had come to Cana to have this conversation. The nobleman answered the Lord by repeating his appeal for his son, “Sir, come down ere my child die.”

Then Jesus replied, “Go thy way; thy son lives.” Now the man was faced with a decision. All he had was Jesus’ word. What would he do? The scriptures tell us, “…the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.” Off he went! Another twenty miles were before him. The amount of time he spent with Jesus was perhaps only minutes. The conversation that is recorded would only require five minutes. But off the man went toward home. He believed Jesus’ word.

On the way back he met some of his servants that were coming his way. They brought the wonderful news that his son had recovered from the point of death! So he asked at what time that had happened, and was told that it was the day before, at the seventh hour. And he knew that that was when Jesus had told him that his son lived. We are told then, in verse 53, that he and his family believed on Jesus.

Taking God at His word is the essence of faith. This man’s trust in the Lord resulted in his son being healed, and the salvation of his whole family. The distance from Cana to Capernaum did not figure into the man’s thinking. Though twenty miles distant, at a time when walking was the main form transportation, the man sent to see Jesus, and headed home at the Lord’s word that his son was alive.

By contrast, the Lord clearly told His command to Adam and Eve. In Genesis 2:15-17 we read, “And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”

This command of God was no more difficult than what Jesus told the nobleman: “Go thy way.” Both commands required belief and obedience. Belief will result in obedience. God’s command to Adam was soon violated. He and Eve didn’t believe what God told them. Perhaps the unheard-of consequences made it unbelievable. But what should have made it believable should have been Who it was that said it. The nobleman expected Jesus to go with him, but He didn’t. He simply told him to go his way. Which one did God’s will?

What command of God stands before us? All of mankind is faced with Romans 10:9-11, “… if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” Having believed this, the Christian life becomes a sort of school in which the believer learns to trust God more and more.

Come, eve­ry soul by sin op­pressed;
There’s mer­cy with the Lord,
And He will sure­ly give you rest
By trust­ing in His Word.

Refrain

Only trust Him, on­ly trust Him,
Only trust Him now;
He will save you, He will save you,
He will save you now.

For Je­sus shed His pre­cious blood
Rich bless­ings to be­stow;
Plunge now in­to the crim­son flood
That wash­es white as snow.

Refrain

Yes, Je­sus is the truth, the way,
That leads you into rest;
Believe in Him with­out de­lay
And you are ful­ly blessed.

Refrain (John H. Stockton)

“I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, and the name of the Chemarims with the priests; and them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops; and them that worship and that swear by the LORD, and that swear by Malcham; and them that are turned back from the LORD; and those that have not sought the LORD, nor enquired for him.”

The Lord’s chief complaint against Israel was their idolatry. Even a casual reading of the Old Testament prophets reveals this. Here was God, their creator and deliverer, arms open wide toward them, and they were attributing their blessings to pieces of gold or silver or stone or wood. Or, they decided to come to God in ways that they had made up, instead of following His clear direction and desires.

Two types are described by Zephaniah. The first is those who were guilty of blatant idolatry. These verses mention the names of Baal, Chemarims, and Malcham. They also speak of the worshippers of the heavens from the rooftops. And, they mention those that swear by the LORD and by Malcham.

Baal, Chemarims, and Malcham were idols at the time of Zephaniah. Each were part of systems of belief which Israelites held to. But they were not what the Lord had commanded. For example, child sacrifice was practiced in these religions. All of them included representative statues, believed to be the god, so called, which were worshipped. In the verses above God promised that He would cut off all of these idolatries from Judah and Jerusalem.

Others worshipped the heavens, the sun, the moon, and the stars. They were worshipping the creation, instead of the Creator. It is the Creator Himself that is worthy of worship, not the things that He has made. God promised to remove this practice from Judah and Jerusalem.

Some swore by the LORD and by Malcham. They were mixing their idolatry with the ways of the LORD. They figured that they needed to cover all possibilities, honoring the LORD and their idol. But God does not share His glory with any idol. Those practices, too, will be removed from Judah and Jerusalem by the Lord.

Those that were the LORD’s served Him. Those that served the idols at least acknowledged spiritual things, though went about it wrongly. But the second group of people had a different view. They had no interest in either the One True God, or the idols. This is the same problem displayed differently. While the idolators took up with some form of religious practice, acknowledging that something was worthy of worship, the second group had no use for any spiritual things. Both groups missed the mark regarding spiritual matters, and what pleased God.

In the second group there was “…them that are turned back from the LORD”. At one time they had some kind of inkling about God. They went along with the practices of their religion which brought enjoyment or satisfaction or inspiration in some way. But for some reason they turned back from the Lord. Maybe some devastating personal event caused them to doubt His existence, or His care. And since they were insincere in the first place, they concluded that it was a waste of time and energy. People who don’t hold to the Lord, but are “playing the game”, will easily become discouraged when life becomes difficult. Pain or loss takes away the enjoyment of the rituals, and they conclude that God does not care, and so they turn away.

Then there were some that “have not sought the LORD, nor enquired for Him.” God and His things didn’t enter their thinking. They had no interest in finding out Who He is. But, as Paul put it in Acts 17:27, 28, “…He be not far from every one of us: for in him we live, and move, and have our being…” The fact is God is near to us and interested in every aspect of our lives. He knows us completely, even our hearts. But they refuse to ask after Him or find out what He is like, or what it is that honors Him, or how to please Him.

But lest we think too harshly of those about whom Zephaniah wrote, their actions match the actions of all of mankind. We all are guilty of idolatry and rejection of God, just as Israel was. Those who are not of Israel are also guilty before God for idolatry and sin. To this day people think that God to be aloof or uninterested in their lives, or events on the earth. They think as the leaders of Israel did in the day of Ezekiel. In Ezekiel 9:9, the Lord told the prophet, “…they say, The LORD hath forsaken the earth, and the LORD seeth not.”

But nothing could be further from the truth. He cares so much for all of mankind that He made a plan to reconcile us to Himself. He came as a man, He did many wonderful things, healing the sick and raising the dead, to prove Who He was. But He was rejected by the world, and was nailed to a cross. He endured man’s wrath in beatings and tortures, and endured God’s wrath against mankind’s sin. He himself never sinned. How could He do that if He were aloof and uncaring? What more would we want Him to do?

Like Zephaniah said, the day will come, and soon, when all of these idolatrous behaviors will be cut off. Jesus will come again, and He will rule the earth. Every eye will see Him. As we read in Philippians 2:9-11, because of the willing sacrifice of Jesus, “…God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” All idolatry gone, all apathy gone, He will receive the glory He deserves!

Man of Sor­rows! what a name
For the Son of God, who came
Ruined sin­ners to re­claim.
Hallelujah! What a Sav­ior!

Bearing shame and scof­fing rude,
In my place con­demned He stood;
Sealed my par­don with His blood.
Hallelujah! What a Sav­ior!

Guilty, vile, and help­less we;
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
Full atone­ment! can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Sav­ior!

Lifted up was He to die;
It is fin­ished! was His cry;
Now in Heav’n ex­alt­ed high.
Hallelujah! What a Sav­ior!

When He comes, our glo­ri­ous king,
All His ran­somed home to bring,
Then anew His song we’ll sing:
Hallelujah! What a Sav­ior! (Philip P. Bliss)

“How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.”

In the verses prior to these, the Lord spoke through Hosea to Israel concerning their sin. The Lord had told them that their sin would bring His punishment. Nearly all of the prophets brought the same message. They could not say that they had not been warned.

Concerning God’s judgment of Israel for their idolatry, in Deuteronomy 29:23 we read, “…and that the whole land thereof is brimstone, and salt, and burning, that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath…” His warning included this outcome if they ignored Him. The verse above is clearly referring to this warning from Deuteronomy. And from it we also learn some geography.

Hosea referred to Admah and Zeboim. Deuteronomy 29 reveals that Admah and Zeboim were destroyed with Sodom and Gomorrah. There were five cities in that plain that were to be destroyed: Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboim, and Zoar. Zoar was spared because of Lot. An aspect of the judgment that fell that day was Sodom and Gomorrah received “top billing” while the other cities were not mentioned. Theirs was a further judgment because they are not remembered like Sodom and Gomorrah.

The LORD’s lament for Ephraim and Israel in Hosea includes this aspect. Not only were Admah and Zeboim judged, but they were set aside. Though mentioned a few times in the Word, Admah and Zeboim are less known. Israel was under God’s wrath for their idolatry, as Deuteronomy 29:23 promised, and facing the further prospect of being forgotten.

But this was not God’s desire for Israel. Though He had promised that He would punish them for their idolatry, He ultimately did not want that end for them. And we see that in the verse above. He would surely punish them like that, if necessary, but what He wanted more was for them to restore themselves with Him.

Through Hosea the LORD said, “…my heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.” The Lord’s heart is turned within Him for His people. His bowels yearned towards them, and his soul was grieved for their sin and misery. Judges 10:16 says, “…they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the LORD: and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.” And Jeremiah 31:20 says, “Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the LORD.”

The word repent is often used in the Old Testament, and it is almost exclusively speaks of the Lord repenting. For example, Genesis 6:5, 6 says, “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.” The Hebrew word translated repent could also mean to sigh, and one can imagine God sighing over the turn that His creatures had taken against Him and His ways. Like parents that suffer the behavior of their children, out of concern for their welfare, so the Lord has concern for His people.

With words reminiscent of Hosea 11:8, Peter wrote in 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” God’s heart, what He is like in His personality, is that people see Him for Who He is, and honor Him. While He promised judgment against sin, which His justice will require one day, His desire is that all come to repentance.

God is good, and His ways are always right. Here we see a glimpse of His heart for His people. But let it never be thought that this side of His nature will overrule any other part. His justice must be satisfied, for He has promised that there is punishment for the misdeeds of mankind, so those punishments will be come. Now is the time to be certain before Him of our standing. In Jesus Christ there is reconciliation with God. Without Him, as Hebrews 10:27 says, there is a certain, fearful looking forward to of judgment.

Great God of wonders! all Thy ways

Display Thine attributes divine;

But the bright glories of thy grace

Above Thine other wonders shine:

CHORUS

Who is a pardoning God like Thee?

Or who has grace so rich and free?

Who is a pardoning God like Thee?

Or who has grace so rich and free?

Such deep transgressions to forgive!

Such guilty sinners thus to spare!

This is Thy grand prerogative,

And in this honor none shall share:

CHORUS

Pardon, from an offended God!

Pardon, for sins of deepest dye!

Pardon, bestowed through Jesus’ blood!

Pardon, that brings the rebel nigh!

CHORUS (Samuel Davies)

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.”

The bumper sticker read, “There is no Planet B.” But this, and many other scriptures say differently. God’s plan from before the creation was to put in place a new heavens and a new earth.

Why would he have to do that? It started with the disobedience of Adam and Eve to God’s command in the garden of Eden, as recorded in Genesis 3. In Genesis 3:17-19 we read about the curse that God put on the earth because of their sin, “And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” The creation was cursed by God because they disobeyed.

 Romans 8:19-22 reveals the same thing, “For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.” There needs to be a new earth.

But why new heavens? There are at least three times in scripture where it is recorded that the enemy, satan, is in God’s presence: Job 1, Job 2, and Zechariah 3. Apparently, in God’s mercies and humility the enemy is allowed to have access to God’s presence. But the day is coming when he will be removed from heaven. Revelation 12:7-10 tells us, “And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.”

Here we learn two things. First, the end of the passage tells us that the enemy of our souls uses his access before God to accuse the saints. And he does it day and night! This reminds of Zechariah 3. The other thing we learn is that his access will end on the yet-to-come day when he will be cast out of heaven, with all of his minions, never again to enter there, as told in Revelation 12. Their next destination is the lake of fire. Never again will they come before God to accuse the saints, or for any other reason!

Those hallowed halls have endured the footprints of the enemy and his demons ever since the fall of man, perhaps even before. The glorious presence of the Lord God Almighty has been assaulted by the comings and goings of him who is not only the enemy of mankind, but the enemy of God! Revelation 12:10 shows rejoicing in heaven at the enemy’s departure.

So, there is also a need for a new heavens. God’s plan from before the foundation of the world was to provide redemption for mankind, and to undo His great creation and replace it with another: both heaven and earth. In 2 Peter 3:10 we read, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” According to timing revealed in scripture, this verse covers around 1,007 years. The end refers to the heavens passing away, and the earth being burned up. This will make way for the new heavens, and the new earth, described in Revelation 21 and 22.

Concerning that coming time of the end, in Revelation 22:12, 13 Jesus said, “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.” He is the beginning and the end. John 1:3 says of Jesus, “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.,” revealing that He was the beginning of all of creation. In that He is the end, this suggests that the end of all things, discussed above, is also in His almighty and capable hands. We can do nothing to coerce Him or force His hand. The day of the end will come at the time that He has set, and not a minute sooner.

Unlike a “Plan B” as we call it, where the first and best plan fails, so contingencies are put in place, God’s new heavens and new earth will be better than what we know now. As Peter tells it in 2 Peter 3:13, “Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” There is the difference. This earth seems void of righteousness, and as noted above, the enemy and his minions have access to God’s presence for a while, which will end in God’s timing. But the new heavens and the new earth will be characterized by nothing but righteousness! The new heavens and new earth will be glorious!

At the end of the verse above we read that there will be no more sea. This interesting comment reminds of Micah 7:19 where we read, “He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” According to this, until the day of the new heavens and new earth, the depths of the sea contain the sins of those that are redeemed. And in the new heavens and new earth, there will be no more sea. It and its contents will be taken away, never to be seen again. How wonderful is that!

John saw the Heav’n and earth made new,
The first had passed away,
The holy city coming down,
The new Je­ru­sa­lem.

And God Himself shall dwell with men,
And wipe away all tears,
There is no sorrow, pain or death,
Throughout the coming years.

Behold, I make all things anew,
These faithful words are true,
To him who overcometh sin,
On earth with God shall rule.

In beau­ti­ful Je­ru­sa­lem,
God’s glo­ry gives it light,
All kings and nations walk in it,
For there shall be no night. (Louise Lapp)

“…Which in His times He shall shew, Who is the Blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and the Lord of lords; Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; Whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to Whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen.”

The end of verse 14 speaks of the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ. This makes Him the subject of verses 15 and 16. These verses say that in His timing, Jesus will reveal Who is the Blessed and only Potentate, and King of kings and Lord of lords.

Jesus is, and will one day be, King of Kings and Lord of lords. Revelation 19 reports the coming of the Lord Jesus to the earth. In verses 11-16 John says, “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” All earthly kings will bend the knee, as will all inhabitants of the earth.

In his dream of a great statue, which represented the kingdoms of the world, Nebuchadnezzar saw a stone that was cut out without hands which struck and destroyed the statue. In Daniel 2:44, through Daniel the Lord revealed that as “…in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.”

Even before the time of Daniel the Lord had promised that He will reign on the earth. When that happens, His kingdom will last forever. God’s kingdom will destroy all the others, but it shall never be destroyed, and it will stand forever. He only is Blessed, and He only is the great authority over the earth, even now. The day will come when He will rule as King of kings and Lord of lords.

Mankind thinks that their governments will make things right. The truth is that all the kingdoms of the world are established by God. In Daniel 4:25 Daniel told King Nebuchadnezzar, “…the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.” Paul told the people of Athens in Acts 17:26, God has “…made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation…” Not only does God dictate the boundaries of the kingdoms, He dictates how long they will last. In His time Jesus shall reign, and human governments will be but a memory. He is King of kings and Lord of lords.

In His time Jesus will reveal Him Who “…only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto…” There is no overstating the greatness and the glory of God, Maker of Heaven and Earth and all that is in them. Almost every contact between men and God recorded in scripture resulted in the men falling on their faces as dead. Scripture says that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5).

In His time Jesus will reveal Him “…Whom no man hath seen, nor can see…” In Exodus 33:18-20 Moses requested that he may see God’s glory: “And Moses said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.” His presence and brightness are so great, that no mortal can endure it. Wonderfully, in Revelation 22:3, 4 were told, “And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: and they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.”

Concerning Jesus, Philippians 2:9-11 tells us, “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” In His time Jesus will show Him, “…to Whom be honor and power everlasting.” Jesus is that one that will be honored by all.

The day when Jesus will reveal these things is yet to come. World events suggest it will be soon. Since it is impossible for God to lie, no doubt He will surely come again and establish His kingdom on the earth. When He comes, He will be the Blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and the Lord of lords. And He shall reign for ever and ever.

Lift up your heads, pilgrims aweary,

See day’s approach now crimson the sky;

Night shadows flee, and your Belovèd,

Awaited with longing, at last draweth nigh.

Refrain

He is coming again, He is coming again,

The very same Jesus, rejected of men;

He is coming again, He is coming again,

With power and great glory, He is coming again!

Dark was the night, sin warred against us;

Heavy the load of sorrow we bore;

But now we see signs of His coming;

Our hearts glow within us, joy’s cup runneth o’er!

Refrain

O blessèd hope! O blissful promise!

Filling our hearts with rapture divine;

O day of days! Hail Thy appearing!

Thy transcendent glory forever shall shine.

Refrain

Even so, come, precious Lord Jesus;

Creation waits redemption to see;

Caught up in clouds, soon we shall meet Thee;

O blessèd assurance, forever with Thee!

Refrain (Mabel J. Camp)

“I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.  Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.”

In verse 75 the writer of Psalm 119 revealed that he understood that God’s judgment was upon him for sins he had committed. He knew and acknowledged that he was guilty. And he reveals a perspective that he gained in his affliction.

He said that he knew that God’s judgments are right, or righteous. A judgment is a verdict or a sentence. A verdict is made when there is guilt: it is the outcome. God said that the wages of sin is death. As far as the writer of Psalm 119, we have no idea what the writer had done. But we can be sure that he was of the human race. And the Lord said, “…all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) He also says in Romans 3:10, 11, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.” Such is the condition of mankind.

Whatever was going on, the writer knew that God’s judgments were righteous and just. Even though what he was enduring was because of his own sin, he said that he knew that God’s judgments are right. That which he received was what he was due for his sin. Every man, woman, and child needs to realize this to be true for themselves. We all stand guilty before God.

The revelation was he realized that God’s dealings with him were in faithfulness to him: “thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.” Another word for faithfulness is fidelity. The writer saw that God was being faithful to him in the things that he suffered. What an insight! God’s dealings with mankind are in faithfulness. The cross of Jesus revealed how far God was willing to go to be faithful to His people! Through it He restored mankind to Himself.

It may be difficult to understand how God’s afflictions are evidence of His faithfulness to us. Trials and anguish hurt. Illness and financial loss are frightening. The specter of death haunts us all. How could someone conclude that it was God’s faithfulness that such things had happened? These things come our way because of our nature that desires to sin against Him. God sees and knows all, including those things in our lives that offend Him. Being our Creator of us and all things, He surely deserves our respect. But we sin against Him. And yet, He is faithful to His people.

In Israel’s history, they were carried away by Nebuchadnezzar to Babylon. Through Jeremiah, the Lord promised that the captivity would last 70 years. In Ezra’s day, the Israelites returned to Jerusalem. In the book of Ezra, an idea is expressed that is similar to that in Psalm 119. As recorded in Ezra 9:13, Ezra said, “And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this…”

Sadly, in Ezra 8 and 9 they had again fallen into sin. As Ezra prayed to the LORD on that occasion, he appealed to God on the basis of His past dealings with them. His appeal was that God had previously punished them less than they deserved, and had even given them deliverance. Even in that situation they saw God’s faithfulness. Ezra went on to request God’s mercies in the matter at hand.

Then, the writer of Psalm 119 said in verse 76, “Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.” Having realized God’s faithfulness, the writer looks to the Lord for His lovingkindness: His mercy and kindness to him. How interesting that, in spite of the sin that he knew he had committed, in spite of the judgement he was suffering because of it, he looked to God for mercy and kindness. How unlike us God is in this. Someone that crosses us we are hard pressed to treat kindly. Think about what you might require of someone who had crossed you and desired kindness and mercy from you. What would it be? What do you suppose would God require?

The writer appeals to God for mercy and kindness according to His Word! Only the guilty need mercy. God promised that He is merciful and kind. It is repeated many times in the scriptures. One example is in Exodus 34:5-7, “And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin…” God says this about Himself.

God’s dealings are only and ever in mercy and kindness with His people, no matter how it may feel. As Abraham asked in Genesis 18:25, “…shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” He shall indeed. Praise Him for Who He is!

Does the Lord afflict His chosen?
’Tis to draw them nearer home;
Many are the wiles that lure them
From their Father’s house to roam.

Refrain

Listen to His loving whisper,
Weary soul, come unto Me;
Listen to His louder summons,
Still ’tis love that calleth thee.

Whom God loveth He chastiseth,
Grinds his idols into dust;
Turns earth’s pleasures into ashes,
Shows how vain in them to trust.

Refrain

All His raging waves and billows
O’er thee now may wildly roll,
Yet He surely will deliver
Every humble, contrite soul.

Refrain

He will ne’er forsake nor leave us,
He’ll complete the work begun,
We will trust Him, ever trust Him,
Till we hear His glad Well done.

Refrain (Annie K. Moulton)