November 12, 2010

2 Kings 25

God is severe. Yes, I said it, severe. It finally has happened. Judgment began with the household of God. He had told the people as far back as Moses that if they deviated from seeking His glory that he would curse them and move them out of the land. He told them in the days of Manasseh that He would wipe them like one wipes a dish. Only the repentance of Josiah postponed the destruction. Now, king Zedekiah experiences the full brunt of the wrath of the Lord through the wrath of the Babylonians. They killed Zedekiah’s sons before him, and then they put out his eyes. The next to last sight that Zedekiah would remember for the rest of his life would be the execution of his sons. That is severe. Others were executed as well. Most were deported. The temple was robbed. The city was looted and burned, and the walls were destroyed. That is severe.

Is that glory? Hmmm. . . What would the innocent people who were slaughtered under Manasseh and Amon say? What would the angels who have been observing this cosmic drama say? What would those who see the largest picture say? I know they would say, “Yes, that is glory for His justice is revealed. How sad it is that, like Josiah, they could also have experienced the mercy of the Lord if they had repented. Will God discipline His children if they do not repent? He certainly will. Doing so manifests His glory. Will God show mercy to His children who repent? He certainly will. Doing so also manifests His glory. Lord, Help me live a lifestyle of repentance! I want your mercy! Indeed we serve a glorious King. Speak His glory to someone today!

--Pastor john

Hebrews 9

The first covenant with its high priests and tabernacle and ark was a holy thing. Indeed anyone who did not treat it as holy was judged by God Himself. Take for instance Nadab and Abihu the sons of Aaron were instantly struck dead for offering strange fire. The Philistines who captured the ark of the covenant were struck hemorrhoids and infertility for their act. When David improperly transported the ark and Uzzah put his hand upon the ark to steady it, God killed Uzzah. When Uzziah (not Uzzah) was king, he proudly sought to take the role of a priest upon himself and burn incense in the sanctuary. Eighty priests opposed him. Uzziah became angry with the priests. In the midst of his anger, the Lord struck him with leprosy. The priesthood, the tabernacle and the furniture of the tabernacle were holy things. Trust in the sacrifices was able to procure temporary covering for sin. These things were all shadows or pictures, if you will, of Christ. They were not the real thing. They were simply teaching tools to tell of the sacrifice that Christ would do for our sin.

If these things were holy and effective, how much more effective is the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ? He did not enter into a physical sanctuary made by human hands. Having died and received the judgment of God against all the sins of the world upon the cross, He has now entered into the heavenly throne room of God. There He applies His own blood to the lives of those who trust him. His blood is so powerful that He need not do it time and time again. He does it once. That application is useful for all of our sins, past, present and future. When we die, we will be judged. The first standard of judgment will be, "Has the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ ever been applied to my life." If it has been applied, then we enter into His presence and at His judgment seat, we will be rewarded for the good works we have done. His blood is indeed powerful! If it has not been applied, then judgment awaits at the Great White Throne and after that, hell and the lake of fire. His wrath is indeed terrifying! He is indeed holy and effective! Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!

--Pastor John