April 6 Youth Reading Ezekiel 36:1-15

Israel, Prophesy, Youth Studies | Posted by Sam
Apr 06 2011

In today’s reading God tells the prophet Ezekiel that he will return His blessings to Israel.  However, God goes beyond this to say that those nations that oppressed Israel during her time of national tribulation, will be punished.  It is critical to remember that Israel is God’s chosen nation and the Jews are God’s chosen people.  This is as old as the nation of Israel, even older; it goes back to God’s covenant with Abraham.  This was not a bi-lateral covenant, it was a one-way agreement.  God chose Israel.  God promises to bless those who bless Israel and curse those who in curse Israel.  In verse 5, God tells Ezekiel some of the punishment that will come down to those who oppressed Israel during the captivity.

Therefore, thus saith the Lord God; Surely in the fire of my jealously have I spoken against the residue of the heathen, and against all Idumea, which have appointed my land into their possession with the joy of all their heart, with despiteful minds, to cast it out for a prey.

Those who oppressed Israel were to be punished. God specifically mentioned Idumea, the land of the Edomites. These people had oppressed the Israelites who remained in the land of Canaan during the captivity and had taken land that had belonged to Israel. God promises to avenge His people and to return their possessions to them. Moreover, God also promises a blessing to the returning Israelites in verses 10 and 11.

And I will multiply men upon you, all the house of Israel, even all of it; and the cities shall be inhabited, and the wastes shall be builded: And I will multiply upon you man and beast; and they shall increase and bring fruit; and i will settle you after your old estates, and will do better unto you than at your beginnings; and ye shall know that I am the Lord.

God promises the Jewish people that He will bring them back home. When this occurs, they are told they won’t be scattered abroad again and other nations will not harm or oppress them again. Sadly, once the Jews returned from the Babylonian captivity, things did not noticeably improve. From 516 BC until the time of Christ’s earthly ministry, conditions continued to be bad, and Jews were not really re-gathered to Israel; they were still scattered around the known world. They were not under the care and a good shepherd. When Jesus came to them on Palm Sunday in 30 AD, they did not recognize him as the Messiah and they rejected him. In 70 AD the Romans destroyed the temple after a rebellion of the Jews. Over 1 million Jews were killed and many of the rest were once again scattered. This proves that not all of the prophesies of Ezekiel have yet been fulfilled.

Today, I have heard of some evangelical Christians who think that those prophesies no longer are valid; that God will not fulfill His promises to national Israel. These people, I am told, think that the Jews forfeited their rights and God abandoned them when they rejected Christ. Nothing could be further from the truth. The promises made to Abraham by God were unilateral-only God made the pledge. At any time, any specific generation of national Israel will be blessed by obeying God. Ultimately, the fulfillment of the prophesy is based on God’s Sovereign Plan. He will make sure that the final generation of national Israel obeys and is faithful, and is therefore blessed.

Personal Application
All good things happen in God’s own time. He will bless us when we turn to Him and praise and worship Him. This blessing cannot be earned and cannot come until we surrender fully to Him. Once we hold nothing back, neither will God. The same holds true for the Jews of today. The Covenant of Abraham is still in existence in the Christian Era. God has turned the priority, if you will, to the Gentiles for the moment. However, as soon as all the Gentiles who will be saved are saved, He will turn His attention back to national Israel and the last remnants will return to the Land of Israel and receive His divine blessings. As evangelical Christians, we must always remember that God will save the remnants of the believing Jews. They have not forfeited their right to Heaven through the misdeeds of their ancestors. Christians must love and respect the Jewish people and recognize their place in God’s Sovereign Plan, even as we must recognize our duty and obligations to our fellow humans to allow them the opportunity to accept the salvation of Jesus Christ.

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March 30 Youth Reading Ezekiel 26:1-14

Christian World View, Youth Studies | Posted by Sam
Mar 30 2011

Ezekiel proclaims God’s judgment against the city of Tyre in today’s passages.  Tyre was a city of Phoenicia.   While Tyre had once been a friend to Israel, now in the time of Israel’s problems, she turned against God’s people.  God declared His intention to address Tyre’s change of heart.

Ezekiel 26:2-5

Son of man, because that Tyrus hath said against Jerusalem, Aha, she is broken that was the gates of the people; she is turned unto me; I shall be replenished, now she is laid waste. Therefore thus saith the Lord God: Behold I am against thee, O Tyrus, and will cause many nations to come up against thee, as the sea causeth his waves to come up. And they shall destroy the walls of Tyrus, and break down her towers; I will also scrape her dust from her, and make her like the top of a rock. It shall be a place for the spreading of nets in the midst of the sea; for I have spoken it, saith the Lord God; and it shall become a spoil to the nations.

The city of Tyre had an island fortress one half mile out in the Mediterranean Sea with 150 foot high walls. Invaders could conquer the mainland city, but not he island fortress. The Assyrians tried for five years and Nebuchadnezzar for 13 years. Finally, Alexander the Great was successful in just seven months. He defeated the island fortress by scraping the mainland city into the sea, forming a causeway 200 feet wide out to the island. Today, you can visit Tyre in Lebanon and see the bedrock where fishermen spread their nets to dry, as Ezekiel prophesied in verse 14.

And I will make thee like the top of a rock; thou shalt be a place to spread nets upon; thou shalt be built no more; for I the Lord have spoken it, saith the Lord God.

In all, Tyre received three chapters of condemnation (chapters 26-28). The reason is that Tyre had exported Baal and Asherah worship, which had perverted the spiritual life of Israel and Judah. This exportation of thier religion probably started with Solomon, as Solomon married the daughter of the King of Tyre. While Tyre and Israel had a mutually profitable alliance under Solomon and later kings, once Israel fell, Tyre saw a way to grab the land trade routes that Israel had controlled, on top of the sea routes Tyre already controlled. Tyre worked against Israel once hard times came to Israel. Through Ezekiel, God proclaimed condemnation upon Tyre and described its downfall. This downfall would begin when Nebuchadnezzar conquered the mainland city and ended when Alexander sacked the island fortress.

Personal Application
Tyre worshiped the same Baal and Asherah that brought Israel down. They had allied themselves with Israel when Israel was strong under Solomon, but was quick to abandon her in her distress. God has chosen Israel and people, and nation, oppress Israel at their peril. We must remember to pray for and support Israel and her people because they are God’s People. God promises to bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse her (Genesis 27:29, Numbers 24:9). We as Christians must remember that this applies today as much it did thousands of years ago.

Equally important, more I’d say for us, is to obey and worship God. We are not to worship other gods. This includes today’s equivalents. The pursuit of success and money, big houses, fancy cars, the praise and acknowledgment of men. None of these things are bad, in and of themselves. But, when we place them higher than God on our priority lists, they become our god. This, then, becomes a sin. God must always remain our highest priority and His pleasure our ultimate goal.

Ezekiel proclaims God’s judgment against the city of Tyre in today’s passages.  Tyre was a city of Phoenicia.   While Tyre had once been a friend to Israel, now in the time of Israel’s problems, she turned against God’s people.  God declared His intention to address Tyre’s change of heart.

Ezekiel 26:2-5

Son of man, because that Tyrus hath said against Jerusalem, Aha, she is broken that was the gates of the people; she is turned unto me; I shall be replenished, now she is laid waste. Therefore thus saith the Lord God: Behold I am against thee, O Tyrus, and will cause many nations to come up against thee, as the sea causeth his waves to come up. And they shall destroy the walls of Tyrus, and break down her towers; I will also scrape her dust from her, and make her like the top of a rock. It shall be a place for the spreading of nets in the midst of the sea; for I have spoken it, saith the Lord God; and it shall become a spoil to the nations.

The city of Tyre had an island fortress one half mile out in the Mediterranean Sea with 150 foot high walls. Invaders could conquer the mainland city, but not he island fortress. The Assyrians tried for five years and Nebuchadnezzar for 13 years. Finally, Alexander the Great was successful in just seven months. He defeated the island fortress by scraping the mainland city into the sea, forming a causeway 200 feet wide out to the island. Today, you can visit Tyre in Lebanon and see the bedrock where fishermen spread their nets to dry, as Ezekiel prophesied in verse 14.

And I will make thee like the top of a rock; thou shalt be a place to spread nets upon; thou shalt be built no more; for I the Lord have spoken it, saith the Lord God.

In all, Tyre received three chapters of condemnation (chapters 26-28). The reason is that Tyre had exported Baal and Asherah worship, which had perverted the spiritual life of Israel and Judah. This exportation of their religion probably started with Solomon, as Solomon married the daughter of the King of Tyre. While Tyre and Israel had a mutually profitable alliance under Solomon and later kings, once Israel fell, Tyre saw a way to grab the land trade routes that Israel had controlled, on top of the sea routes Tyre already controlled. Tyre worked against Israel once hard times came to Israel. Through Ezekiel, God proclaimed condemnation upon Tyre and described its downfall. This downfall would begin when Nebuchadnezzar conquered the mainland city and ended when Alexander sacked the island fortress.

Personal Application
Tyre worshiped the same Baal and Asherah that brought Israel down. They had allied themselves with Israel when Israel was strong under Solomon, but was quick to abandon her in her distress. God has chosen Israel and people, and nation; oppress Israel at their peril. We must remember to pray for and support Israel and her people because they are God’s People. God promises to bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse her (Genesis 27:29, Numbers 24:9). We as Christians must remember that this applies today as much it did thousands of years ago.

Equally important, more I’d say for us, is to obey and worship God. We are not to worship other gods. This includes today’s equivalents. The pursuit of success and money, big houses, fancy cars, the praise and acknowledgment of men. None of these things are bad, in and of themselves. But, when we place them higher than God on our priority lists, they become our god. This, then, becomes a sin. God must always remain our highest priority and His pleasure our ultimate goal.

 

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March 9 Youth Reading Luke 24:1-12

Youth Studies | Posted by Sam
Mar 09 2011

Following his crucifixion and burial, Jesus arose on the 3rd day, just as he had said. The women hurried to the tomb on the morning after the Sabbath, but found it empty, with only two men there. These men were actualy angels, as told in verses 4-7.

And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen; remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, “The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again”.

Here we see angels attending Jesus again. They were present at his birth, at his temptation, in his experience in the Garden of Gethsemane, and now at his resurrection. This time, however, they were not there to support Christ in his human weakness and frailty, they were there to proclaim his resurrection. New life had come. This is the new life that we, as believers, can embrace and share and be a part of.

The women remembered the words of Christ, once the angels reminded them. They returned to where the disciples were hiding and told them what had happened. The disciples were dubious, to say the least. There were not, after-all, gullible and blind followers. They had followed Jesus’ advice and counted the cost and followed him anyway. These were wise and intelligent men. When the women told them that Jesus had arisen, they, naturally, doubted. They had, after-all, seen him crucified and had probably been the ones that placed him in the tomb and sealed it. Peter, however, had enough faith to go and investigate. This is related in Verses 11 and 12.

And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not. Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulcher; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.

Peter then displayed the first example of the leadership that would make him a leader in the early church. He investigated, he did not take the women’s word for the resurrection. But, he apparently did remember the words of Jesus while he investigated. He remembered his Lord and saw that things were coming to pass just as Jesus had predicted.

Personal Application
Jesus had prophesied all and now it was come to pass. He was crucified, died and was buried and on the 3rd day he arose. With his resurrection, he defeated Satan. The crucifixion transferred all sins upon him, but the resurrection ensured humanity’s survival in heaven.

Christ’s weakness and human frailty were necessary for our salvation. It is the same for those who wish to follow after him. To be crucified with Christ, in faith, is to be resurrected with Christ into the new life. When we believe on the resurrection, we die to the old life and are born again.

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March 8 Youth Reading Luke 23:44-56

Uncategorized, Youth Studies | Posted by Sam
Mar 08 2011

Jesus has been tried by the Sanhedrin, by Pilate and by Herod.  The Sanhedrin, in a frenzy since Jesus would not bow to their political will, wanted him killed.  However, they did not that the legal right, under Roman law, to do so.  So, they had tried to present Jesus as a threat to Roman law and power.  Pilate had not bought into this, but to keep the peace with the Jewish leaders had consented to have Jesus executed by crucifixion.

This brings us to today’s passage.  Jesus was on the cross “until the 9th hour”, which I believe would have been about 3pm.  Verse 46 tells up of Jesus’ death and his cry to God.

And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit, and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

One member of the Sanhedrin, Joseph of Arimathea, had not gone along with the councils blood frenzy and knew that Jesus was Lord. He was waiting for the kingdom of God, and after Jesus’ death came forward to publicly show that he accepted Jesus as Lord by giving him a burial place. Verse 50-53 tells of Joseph’s coming out.

And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counselor; and he was a good man and just. (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them). he was of Arimathea, a city of the Jews; who also himself waited for the kingdom of God. This man went unto Pilate and begged the body of Jesus. And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulcher that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.

Jesus was crucified and buried. The manner in which he died made even gentiles realize he was righteous. Jesus’ followers buried him but were rushed in the preparation of the body for burial because of the coming of the Sabbath. Joseph had given him a place for burial, but the final preparations would have to wait until after the sabbath had ended. See that his followers still had not accepted that Jesus would arise from the grave, even though he had told them that he would.

Personal Application
Jesus died and was buried. He died for the sins of all mankind. Even a Roman solider, a gentile and a pgan, realized that Jesus was righteous (Verse 47). If someone not schooled in prophesy of the messiah can recognize his righteousness, why did not the Jewish leaders? Why can’t we? Jesus took my sins onto himself with his death. his death would save the world; his resurrection would defeat Satan.

 

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February 21 Youth Reading Luke 19:11-27

Youth Studies | Posted by Sam
Feb 21 2011

Jesus speaks of two themes in his parable of the traveling ruler.  In verse 14, several of his subjects reject him and rebel against him while he is away.

But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.

The readers of Luke in ancient times would have understood that the he was talking about the Jewish rejection of Jesus. I take it that Jesus is referring to his leaving after his crucifixion. These people who reject him think that he is gone now and we don’t have to accept him or worship him. They are wrong of course. Jesus is only gone temporarily; he will return and will take account of our actions when he returns. In verse 27, he tells what will happen to those that reject him and the Holy Spirit when the final accounting comes.

But these mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.

The penalty is death. However, the ultimate penalty is not physical death, it is spiritual death. Those who reject Jesus will ultimately be sent into hell. This is not a region which was designed for humans, it was designed for those angels who followed Lucifer in his rebellion against God. However, those humans who steadfastly reject Jesus and the Holy Spirit will be sentenced to eternity there, because to reject Jesus is to reject God. A rejection of God is a rebellion against God. We cannot reject God and expect to be accepted into Heaven.

The rest of the story regards the rewards of those who are saved. The money that is spoken of is, I believe, an illustration of certain gifts that God gives each of us. The gifts are to be used in God’s service and with a view to increasing God’s kingdom, they are not there for our benefit (directly) and are not to be hidden or sealed away. Verses 16-26 describe this. Each servant that had taken what the Lord had given him and increased it was rewarded beyond the value of what he had increased. The servant that had hidden the money away, and thus did not provided increase, had what little he had stripped from him. This is not to say that he was cast out of his Lord’s service, but rather that he was not rewarded. The summation of this concept is in verse 26.

For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.

There are two concepts that I read here. First if we reject Christ totally, we are doomed to everlasting spiritual death in Hell. Second, those who are saved are to use the gifts that God gives us upon salvation for the furtherance of His kingdom. We are not to hide away these gifts or to use them in a manner that does not extend God’s kingdom. If we are saved, we go to heaven, pure and simple. However, if we do not work to further God’s kingdom and work in His Service, our rewards in heaven are limited or stripped away. Those who do provide service for God’s Kingdom are rewarded in Heaven, and possibly here on Earth as well.

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February 16 Youth Reading Luke 17: 20-37

Youth Studies | Posted by Sam
Feb 16 2011

Jesus stresses spiritual preparedness and not a constant search for external signs.  In verse 25, he lets his listeners know of his crucifixion.

But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation.

Jesus was rejected and tortured for his assertions of being God and proclaiming the Gospel. He also alludes to a coming time when some will remain and some will be taken.  This might be  a reference to the rapture, the second coming of Jesus.  However, I am not sure that is entirely clear. Verses 27-30 describes the fact that the world will go on after his crucifixion and resurrection. People will marry, have children and go on living. But, he implores his listeners to prepare and be spiritually ready, this in verses 34-36. When the disciples asked for more detail, Jesus does not answer directly, he answers in alliteration. The eagles he mentions in Verse 37 are vultures. Just as vultures gather over carrion, so will the storms of judgment gather over those unprepared people all over the world when the time comes.

…Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.

Personal Application
The things of the world – marriage, sports, living – did continue after Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. They will also continue after he calls his people home. The difference will be that after that, great suffering will be in the world; even greater than now. Along with all Christians, I must remain true to God and persevere in His service. The unsaved will be taken unaware, but the saved must be ready to return to God at a second’s notice. We must be spiritually ready because it could happen at any time; it will happen at a time of God’s choosing, and searching for signs will not help us at all. Therefore I must, and all believers must, study the Bible diligently. But we must not simply do that. We are to evangelize and spread the Gospel to as many people as possible. That is our shared calling, not matter our professional vocation.

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Zechariah 5

Daily Bible Study | Posted by Sam
Feb 11 2011

In Chapter 5, the prophet sees two visions, one in which God pours out his judgment on the world and one in which God removes wickedness from the world.  In both cases, it is God performing the work, since it is beyond our ability to do so.  We cannot judge the world, because we are part and parcel of the world; it is only through the salvation of Jesus Christ that we are rescued from the world.  We also cannot rid the world of wickedness because we are, by nature, wicked and evil.  Through the Grace of God, we are saved, but the task of ridding the world of wickedness is simply beyond our capability, just as launching a rocket to the moon is beyond mine, since I have neither the training nor the talent.  We have our uses, the two mentioned in the visions are not ours.

The first vision is in verses 1-4, when Zechariah sees a flying scroll which contains the judgment of God on thieves and liars.  I think it can be expanded to all who refuse to honor God and reject him.  Verse 4 explains the vision and the ramifications.

I will bring it forth, saith the Lord of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.

The vision shows that those who sin openly will not prevent God’s plan from going forward. God’s judgment is upon them; they will not escape His wrath and judgment. I think it probably had an immediate meaning for the people of Zechariah’s time, that is not to hinder to work of rebuilding the temple. But I think it also was a future prophesy. For future Israel, at the coming of the Messiah, God is going to pour out his judgment over the entire world and remove the sinners from Israel and the Earth. I think that this refers to the second coming of Jesus. At his first advent, the purpose was to bring people to God, for Jesus to proclaim the Gospel message and get the church started; the church would then spread throughout the world. However, his second coming will be a different matter all together. He will first gather the believers to heaven, both those living and those who have already died. Then, a time of terror and horror will descend on the Earth, as described in the Book of Revelation. Finally, when all evil is gone and Satan finally defeated once and for all, God will establish the New Heaven that the New Earth and we will live for eternity with God and Jesus.

The second vision builds on (IMHO) the second. In it, God removes the the wickedness and evil from the world, very similar as in the seventieth week of Daniel. Verses 5-11 describes the vision, and that fact, which is central, that God will prevail and that God will remove all evil and wickedness, along with their systems and devices, from His World. The second vision is wrapped up and explained in verses 9-11.

Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and behold, there came out two women, and the wind was in their wings: for they had wings like the wings of a stork: and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven. Then said I to the angel that talked with me. Whither do these bear the ephah? And he said unto me, To build it a house in the land of Shinar; and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base.

There was a movie back in the 1980s call the Highlander, where many immortals fought; the only way they could die was to cut off their heads. They would fight individual duals with one winner. It all culminated in a final dual between the final two remaining immortals, one good and one evil, in New York City. Throughout, the motto of all the immortals was “There can be only one”. Well, in the end, there can be only one God. That is the God of Abraham and Jacob, the father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will ultimately triumph over evil and Satan in the final dual. We have to choose our Jesus Christ as savior and lord of our lives. God will ultimately triumph and His Will shall be carried out. We must, each of us individually, choose to serve Him and abide in His Will and be part of His Plan.

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February 11 Youth Reading Luke 15: 1-10

Youth Studies | Posted by Sam
Feb 11 2011

Today’s passage contains a couple of the most memorable of Jesus’ parables; that of the lost sheep and the woman who diligently searched for one lost coin.  The background of the parables was that pharisees and scribes, as they were wont to do, complained that Jesus was spending time with “publicans and sinners”.  The pharisees were above ministering to these people and held themselves aloof from people who actually needed spiritual guidance and assistance.  Compare that with Jesus Christ, the second person of the trinity, who freely and without hesitation associated with those who needed him most.  Verses 1 and 2 sets the stage for these parables.

Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

The first verse shows that those with the greatest need, those who knew that they were lost, came to Jesus and sought his help and guidance. The pharisees and scribes, the religious leaders of the time, condemned Jesus for letting them come; I guess they would have sent them away. But, not Jesus. Jesus begins by telling the story of the shepherd who searches for his one lost sheep in verse 4-6. Here, I think that Jesus is not only letting his listeners know about the joy that heaven feels who one lost soul is restored to God’s kingdom, he is also delivering a sentence to those who, through a feeling of spiritual superiority, don’t help those who need it. Verse 7 tells the story of heaven’s response.

I say unto you, that likewise, joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons which need no repentance.

The ninety-nine just and righteous people, if they are truly just, are already going to heaven, just as the ninety-nine sheep are going to definitely go the sheepfold that night. However, just like the one lost sheep, the lost soul is doomed to death and separation if the shepherd of the world does not find them and return them to the sheepfold. This is the message of the parable; God is concerned for each and every one of us. He and His heavenly court rejoice when every single sinner is returned to God and thus ensured a place in heaven. God is not an impersonal God who is only concerned with the “big picture”. He is a personal and caring God, who is focused on individual salvation and relationships.

Jesus repeats the message in his parable of the lost coins in verses 8 and 9, and repeats the message in verse 10. God cares for each and every one of us and desires for each and every one of us to spend eternity in heaven.

Each and every one of us desperately needs salvation and repentance. It is a personal and individual decision. None of us go to heaven based on the decisions and actions of our parents or grandparents. Just because we’ve gone to church our entire lives and our parents are saved, does not mean we are. We have to personally and individually accept Jesus Christ as Lord of our lives. From there our lives will be changed radically as we, day by day, are transformed from within by the Holy Spirit of God. We are saved instantaneously by the Grace of God as soon as we accept Jesus Christ; the Holy Spirit transforms us and remakes us every day for the rest of our lives to make us more and more like Christ in thought, action, and word.

Through us, it is possible that more souls can be won to Christ, and thus more souls enter into God’s kingdom. This is the ultimate purpose of our salvation. Not only that we personally enter heaven, although that is a huge part of it. It is also that we might reach those in our circles of influence for Christ. Our pastors and church leaders cannot reach the people that we can. Therefore, every believer is a missionary and ambassador for Jesus Christ. This is our ultimate and holy calling.

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Zechariah 4

Daily Bible Study | Posted by Sam
Feb 10 2011

The prophesies of Zechariah continue as he is shown that the future nation of Israel will be a blessing to the world through an overflowing of the Spirit of God. The main vision is in Verses 2 and 3.

And said unto me, What seeth thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold, a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes t the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof. And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.

The Nelson Study Bible explains that this vision foresees the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. This work would be done by God’s leaders, acting with the power given by the Spirit of God. The vision shows that Israel will be a blessing to all the nations of Earth because of the coming of Jesus Christ as Messiah and Savior of all mankind. Jesus Christ will unite the offices of priest and king in Himself.

I think that prophetic books are always hard to understand; although they can be fun to read. Here, once again, Zechariah is foretelling the future coming of Jesus Christ as Messiah and Savior of the world. Through Jesus, we will be saved, Jew and Gentile alike. The prophesy also mentions the two olive trees, identified as Joshua and Zerubbabel, who will act as God’s servants in the rebuilding of the temple. Joshua as high priest and Zerubbabel as governor be act as channels, if you will, for the Spirit of God, in the rebuilding of the temple. In verse 14, the angel tells Zechariah what the two olive trees signify: “These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.“. Whoever these two are, presumably Joshua and Zerubbabel, they are clearly devoted servants of God who will have a big impact on Israel and the world. They “stand by” God and are therefore obviously very favored.

The meaning of the vision of the candlesticks is made apparent in Verse 6.

Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.

This is, I think, the foundation of the prophesy. The temples will be rebuilt and the world will be saved. But not through human efforts or through human capabilities. These things will, and can, only be done through the power of the Spirit of our Holy God and through Jesus Christ. Christ did come to earth two millennium ago and through this we all are saved. We must simply believe in Jesus Christ and his divinity and the grace of God will do the rest. Zechariah foresaw this hundreds of years before the advent of Jesus Christ; and importantly, he foresaw the ramifications of the coming of Jesus, not just his arrival.

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February 10 Youth Reading Luke 14: 25-35

Youth Studies | Posted by Sam
Feb 10 2011

In today’s verses, Jesus describes what is necessary to be a true disciple of his.  The Nelson Study Bible indicates that by this time, he was attracting a sizable following, and the temptation among modern preachers may be to water down the message in order to continue to grow and attract new members.  Jesus did not do this; instead he pinpointed the problem.  In order to be a real disciple of Christ, we have to be ready to give up our worldly reputations and gains for him.  That’s not to say that Jesus only wants paupers, singles and the like.  However, our priority is to be Jesus Christ; if something is distracting us from Him, we must be ready to give up that thing.

There are a couple of key verses that I think really pinpoint the message.  Verses 26 and 27 talk about what we must be willing to forgo.

If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever, doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

Jesus is not teaching that we must alienate our families and friends and ultimately become martyrs. Some will become martyrs; especially those living for Christ in places like China, the Sudan, India, to name a few. However, all of us must be willing to give up our old lives and desires and replace them with new desires and motivations based on Jesus Christ.

Jesus is also not teaching that we must literally hate our families and friends. During some previous readings and research, I found that the word “hate”, when applied to ancient writings, has more to do with favor. In Genesis, it mentions that Abraham “loved” Jacob and “hated” Esau. Both were his sons, and I suppose that he loved both as a father. However, he gave his blessings to Jacob, to be his heir. Thus, the words “love” and “hate” had more to do with favor and priorities that emotional feelings. In the same way, we are to “love” the things of Jesus Christ over our families, friends and worldly ambitions. It is not that we are to discard them, unless they conflict with Jesus, but we are to make Jesus Christ the priority in our lives.

The next few verses Jesus uses to drive home his point in terminology that the people of the time would understand. He talks about kings and war, about financing for building. The bottom line is counting the cost; know what you are getting into. Jesus wants his followers to be disciples, but true disciples. To be a true disciple can have consequences, so Jesus wants them to come into discipleship with open eyes.

Jesus concludes his message in verses 33-35 by telling his listeners that they cannot continue as they were before being his follower and really be his disciple. Once we accept Christ, we must live by his teachings and give up the things of the world forever.

So likewise, whosoever he be of you that foresaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. Salt is good; but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land, not yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Jesus once again makes a reference to salt, which his listeners would be well acquainted with. Although we use salt for taste, it had real practicable uses in ancient times; for taste yes, but more importantly to season and keep meat good in a time before refrigeration. Jesus’ reference to salt is that disciples who don’t act like disciples are worthless, just like salt without taste is worthless. Disciples must live in constant readiness to put their means at God’s disposal. That could mean financial means and it could mean physical means. We must be ready to go where God tells us to go.

Personal Application
Jesus does not want blind followers. He wants people to understand that discipleship, while having great rewards, will come with a price here. People may mock and scorn the believer, and in some places there will be physical danger. Those who understand and follow anyway are the true disciples of Jesus. These are the people that Jesus wants. I think that anyone who simply follows a momentary emotional response, from a revival or a message, will fall away, or worse will be a bad example.

Bottom line, I must always be open to hearing what God wants me to do and to be ready to do it. Sometimes what God asks may not be easy. It is easy to write a check to help missionaries, it is harder to go on a short term, or longer, missionary trip. But if I get the prompting that God wants me to do that, I must go.

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