Feasts

O. T. #2336  "Feasts"

Dec. 9, 2022

Summary of Zechariah

There is a memory which I share with my siblings and children-Christmas dinner feast at Mom's house. She took pride in providing everything on a beautifully set table for her loved ones to enjoy. There would be a golden, juicy turkey and dressing, cranberry sauce, all sorts of vegetables, not to forget mashed potatoes and gravy, plus homemade rolls. The desserts were spectacular-pies and cakes, not to forget the homemade assortment of candies on the freezer in the laundry room. I can't compare with her feasts, but I can still share her love that flowed from her heart to her family and others.

Looking back over this book of prophecy, we find Zechariah received 8 visions in the night, 4 messages, and 2 burdens from the Lord God. The 4 messages are found in chapters 7-8:

• Obedience is better than fasting. (7:1-7)
• Disobedience leads to severe judgment. (7:8-14)
• God's jealousy over His people will lead to their repentance and blessing. (8:1-17)
• The fasts will become feasts. (8:18-23) [Resource: Liberty Bible Commentary]

Because the Lord desires a relationship with us, He also wants obedience from us. When we pull away, He becomes jealous toward whatever has become more important in our life than He. Especially during this time of the year, do we not tend to have this problem? We get caught up in the decorating, buying of gifts, send out cards, and cooking, that we lose sight of the meaning of Christmas-worshiping Jesus as our Savior every day? 

So let us draw near to God and He will draw near to us. Encourage others to remember the reason for the season. Sing His praises throughout the day. 

Glory to God in the Highest and on earth, peace, goodwill toward men..

Blessings Overflowing

O. T. #2335 "Blessings Overflowing"

Dec. 8, 2022

Summary of Zechariah 

We have been blessed beyond all thoughts. Our church has been such a loving and giving family to us. We can't out give them. It is so amazing. In 40 years of ministry, we have never experienced anything like them. How God has blessed our faithful service to Him. Our cup overflows.

Chapters 9-14 reveals a Word from God after the Temple is completed. We read of the prophecy of the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, entering Jerusalem. This was some 500 years before it all happened. The gospels tell of this event happening in Matt. 21:5, Mark 11:9, and John 12:15. 

Then the prophecy of the Millennial reign of Christ for 1,000 years in Jerusalem. The Jews will then recognize Him as the Messiah predicted so many years earlier by the prophets. Jesus said He came to fulfill the law, not change it. 

We read of all the many blessing upon Israel and Jerusalem:

• hope-Israel will be victorious over their enemies. (9:12-16)
• a bountiful land-corn, wine, strong young men (9:17)
• deliverance from idols (10:2)
• Deliverer is recognized as the Messiah (10:2-7)
•  restoration by the Messiah-Redeemer Jesus Christ (10:8)
• national redemption (10:9-11)

 Israel will receive the New Covenant-God the Father, Christ the Savior-Messiah, part of the Trinity. DAniel had predicted that the Gentiles (you and me) will be a part of God's plan and program-grace and mercy through faith in Christ and salvation only in Him. (church age) The devil, the antichrist, and their followers will be destroyed eventually. 

As the servant of God, we should be wholehearted ly devoted to our Savior. Are we loving Him and others today? Is our service faithful to the Lord? Are we obeying the Word? These are all challenges for us today. 

Keep Christ in this season as we we shop, decorate, give gifts. Do all to the glory of God.

. 

Failed Dreams and Hope

 O. T. #2334

Dec. 7, 2022 "Failed Dreams and Hope"

Summary of Zechariah

It is good to have hope. But putting our hope in plans, expectations, dreams, outcomes, jobs, bank accounts, medicine, people, timelines, and any of those things can wander off, fall through, disappear, taking your hope with them. We're not meant to find hope in anything in this world; we are meant to lose hope in all the things here. Hope Himself never looses track of you. Jesus our Hope is the one constant you can count on because you can count on Jesus constantly with you. (Waymaker by Ann Voskamp)

As we continue reviewing verses, here are some I highlighted:

Execute true judgment, and show mercy and compassions every man to his brother. And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor: and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart. (7:9-10)

God's standards have not changed. We can't be right with God if we aren't right with people in our life. Let us consider the reason behind our giving to others-love or recognition? Are we showing mercy and compassion as we shop this season?

All this may seem impossible to you now, a small remnant of God's people. But is it impossible for Me says the LORD of Heaven's Armies? (8:6)

He is speaking about the time of the Millennial reign of Christ. Peace in the streets and with enemies? Nothing is impossible with God. (Luke 1:37) 

O house of Judah, house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, but let your hands be strong. (8:13b)

God gives rich rewards and blessings when we are obedient and faithful to Him-tell the truth, exercise justice, and love peacefully. 

Rejoice, O people of Jerusalem! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet He is humble, riding on a donkey-riding on a donkey's colt. (9:9)

The Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem is recorded in Matt. 21:5; Mark 11:9; John 12:15.

God keeps His word and is faithful in doing what He has said. Are you ready for the rapturing of God's children from this world, friend? Asking Jesus into your heart to be your Savior and forgive your sins will be your ticket out of here when that time comes. Don't be left behind.

Return, Sing, and Obey

O. T. #2333 "Return, Sing, and Obey"

Dec. 6, 2022 

Summary of Zechariah 

On my dirt road, houses are popping up right and left. There are currently two houses not completed. One has only the frame up and the other has the frame and walls up. Work has stopped on the houses, probably because of the supplies being on back order.  This is similar to the returnee Jews to Jerusalem. They had stopped working on the Temple when God spoke to Zechariah with messages to make rebuilding a priority. The first messages were given to encourage them to finish the Temple and return to worshiping the Lord there. (chapters 1-8)

• Return to Me, and I will return to you, says the LORD of Heaven's Armies. (1:3)
• I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy. (1:14)
• Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD. (2:10)
• For, behold, I will bring forth My servant the BRANCH. (3:8)
• Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the LORD of Hosts. (4:6)
• Even He shall build the Temple of the LORD; and He shall bear the glory, and shall sit, and rule upon His throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both. (6:13)

God wanted complete obedience from the Jews. They had only shown partial-obedience by not finishing the Temple. God wanted a relationship with His people, yet they were distracted. 

Are we completely obeying the Lord or just partially? Are we doing His will or ours; doing things how we want or how He wants? God will bless complete obedience. Let's get back to the basics of life-setting aside Sundays for worship and fellowship with believers, studying the Word daily. 

Who is Jesus to You?

 O. T. #2332 "Who is Jesus to You?"

Dec. 5, 2022

Summary of Zechariah

As many of you faithful readers know, I like to summarize what we have studied when finishing a book of the Bible. Also, I share meaningful verses to me. 

Zechariah ministered with Haggai during the difficult days when the returnees of 50,000 Jews to Jerusalem. It was around the year 536-535 BC when they laid the foundations for the Temple. However, opposition arose and the work stopped. So the Lord raised up those two prophets in order to stir up the leaders and the people to finish the Temple. Zechariah was a young man who was both a prophet and a priest. (Neh. 12:4,16) His name means "Jehovah remembers." 

The city of Jerusalem is mentioned some 40 times. A key verse is 1:14-17, God is jealous for Jerusalem. He will punish the heathen for what they did to His city; and one day He will restore it in glory and peace. God has chosen Jerusalem as His beloved city with grace and mercy and will one day dwell there. History tells us that the armies of Alexander the great and the Romans conquered Jerusalem and corrupted the Temple. 

Jerusalem will be delivered, cleansed, and reestablished in peace and prosperity. (chapters 1-6) Fasting should come from the heart, not out of habit or ritual, as done in Babylon by the Jews. (chapters 7-8) Then, God will have victory over the enemies of Jerusalem and Israel. (chapters 9-14)

Zechariah shows us Jesus Christ in many aspects of His ministry:

• the King (9:9; Matt. 21:4-5)
• the Stone (3:9' Rom. 31-33)
• the Slave sold for 30 pieces of silver (11:12; Matt. 27:3-10)
• the smitten Shepherd (13:7; Matt. 26:31)
• the Branch (3:8; Isa. 4:2, 11:1)
• the glorious Ruler (14:1-4, 9, 16-17)

[Resource: Wiersbe's Exposditory Outlines on the Old Testament]

In his prophecies, Zechariah did not see Israel as a weak nation, nor a ruined city of Jerusalem. He was given the opportunity to look down through the centuries and see the future of the beautiful city where its King and Messiah will reign.

 

Surely, this same God can look down through our years and see our needs and provide for them as He did Jerusalem and the Jews. In Matthew 5, Jesus told us that we are blessed when we are poor in spirit, mourn, gentle, hunger and thirst after righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers and persecuted. As we are, then we will be comforted, obtain heaven, be satisfied, and called sons of God. Jesus tells us to rejoice and be glad, for our reward is great in heaven. Remember that they persecuted the prophets, too. 

As we have entered the Christmas season, may we be assured that Jesus is no longer a baby in a manger, but sits at the right hand of the Father God. He intercedes for His believers. May we keep our eyes and ears open for the trumpet announcing the return of the Savior!

Who is Jesus to you? Is He your Savior, Redeemer, Almighty God? He wants to be the love of your life? Have you let Him come in and dwell with you? Is Jesus your King today? If not, simply ask Jesus to forgive your sins and be your Savior. How blessed you will be.

Skillets, Pots, and Bowls

 O. T. #2331 "Skillets, Pots, and Bowls"

Dec. 2, 2022

Zechariah 14-Part 5

LET IT GLOW

All is well. Doesn't our heart long to be able to experience all being well in our life, our family, and our world? There will be a time in this world when all will be well. Continue to read about it as the prophecies of Zechariah come to an end.

In that day, of the Millennial Kingdom Age, when Jesus Christ will reign as King-Priest, the earth will be a wonderful place in which to live. And it will last 1,000 years. Hard to imagine the peacefulness of such an environment in which to live, isn't it? All of those who survived the Tribulation, remaining a faithful believer in Jesus, will enjoy such a place. If there is rebellion by not going to Jerusalem to participate in the Feast of Tabernacles, then their land would have no rain and thus no crops for food. Open rebellion against the Messiah will be quickly crushed, because Jesus will be ruling with an iron rod.

In that day,

•  the harness bells of the horses will be inscribed with these words: Holiness Unto The LORD; (verse 20) Even such a lowly item will be used for the glory of God.
•  the cooking pots in the Temple of the LORD will be as sacred as the basins used beside the altar; (verse 20) The bowls and cooking pots were to be made of gold, which were used in the first Tabernacle for offerings.
• even in the private homes, vessels are holy unto the Lord. (verse 21)

LET IT GROW

In that day, everything will be sacred, and the whole earth will be permeated by the holiness of the Lord. (Tony Evans)

That skillet you have, the pot for cooking beans or cabbage, in that day, all will be for the service of God. Everything will be dedicated to Him. ((McGee)

Holiness will pervade the land and become the way of life. Every unbeliever will be removed, and there will be none in the service of God unless they belong to Him. There will be no longer a distinction between sacred and secular, in that day. Every aspect of daily life will be a manifestation of holiness.

For the believer today, the Old Testament version of 1 Corinthians 10:3 applies, Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 

Everything comes from God and should be used for His glory, now and in time to come. Are we using our "things" for His glory?

This knowledge of God's glorious future for His people should motivate believers of every age to endure and obey. Let us joyfully worship the One who will bring history to its divinely ordained conclusion. (Evans)

LET IT GO

Our hope is in You, Jesus, for You are in complete control of the world and our life.

Holy God, You are Way Maker, Miracle Worker, Promise Keeper, that is who You are God.

All that we have is Yours and You and provided it all for us.

May we use it for Your glory.

What's the Millennial Going to be Like?

O. T. #2330 "What's the Millennial Going to be Like?"

Dec. 1, 2022

Zechariah 14-Part 4

LET IT GLOW

So far, we have learned some things that will take place during the Lord Jesus' reign on earth as King-Priest:

• The land will be healed. (verse 8)
• The topography will be changed. (verse s 10-11) Land around Jerusalem will not be hilly any longer, but a plain, and Jerusalem will be raised above it.
• All dangers will be removed. (verse 11) Israel's enemies will be destroyed, so there will be safety in the streets.
• The Gentiles will worship at Jerusalem. (verse 16)
• The Lord will exercise justice. (verses 17-19)

Since unbelievers will be destroyed at this time, the Gentiles (and Jews) will go up to Jerusalem to worship Jesus as Savior and Messiah. Keep in mind that the people will still have a sin-nature. During the Millennial reign, all people are required to participate in the Feast of Tabernacles. disobedience will result in rain being withheld, so no crops will be harvested. 

The Feast of the Tabernacles will be the only feast out of the 7, which will be celebrated during this time. The others will have been fulfilled by this time: Passover-death of Christ for our sins, Firstfruits of His resurrection, the week-long Feast of Unleavened Bread-believers in Jesus and the church are saved and separated from their sins, Pentecost-baptized believers recognize Christ's sacrifice of blood and body, filled with the Spirit, and the Feast of Trumpets-people gathered together, the Day of Atonement-Israel recognizes Christ is the Messiah, repents, and is cleansed from their sins. 

Friend, we no long celebrate those special times setting aside certain days but rejoice in Christ having fulfilled them. Can you rejoice with us this Christmas that a Savior was born to take away our sins, cleanse our heart, and restore our relationship with God the Holy Father?

LET IT GROW

What happened during the Feast of the Tabernacles?

• Its purpose was to remind Israel of the blessings God gave them in the past-deliverance from slavery in Egypt.
• During the week, the priests would have offered 199 animals for the sins of the people and Israel.
• The scattered people would gathered, the sinful people would be cleansed, and the sorrowful people would rejoice.

The Jews added two extra rituals-pouring out water from the Pool of Siloam, recalling water provided in the desert traveling toward the Promised Land; and placing 4 lighted large candlesticks to recall the pillar of fire leading them in the desert.  

[Resource: The Wiersbe Bible Commentary]

Jesus is our living water for our soul and light for us. (John 7-8)

May we be reminded that Jesus Christ died for our sins so we do not have to pay for them, arose from the grave and lives forever. Christ is coming again to earth, to rule as King of kings and Lord of lords. Hallelujah, what a Savior!

LET IT GO

Help us be ready for Your return, Jesus.

Thank You for Your love and mercy for us sinners.