|
|
The Prophecy Revealed In Matthew
|
Lesson Fifty-four: by turtle
As I was looking over last week lesson before typing out this weeks lesson, I forgot to mention there is only One Lord. Yet two witness of God were of
Himself. He testified through the first person of the trinity Jehovah(Father) and then as His Son Jesus. The third person of the Trinity is seen in both the
Father and the Son and is always the Spirit of both the Father and Son, it is the part that unites them as one. These are Christ own words concerning this
fact.
John 17:11 KJV
(11) And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou
hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
John 10:38 KJV
(38) But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.
John 14:10-11 KJV
(10) Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth
in me, he doeth the works.
(11) Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.
The Spirit of God is what unites us to God, He is who comes and lives in us. He is who reminds us of the Word of God.
John 14:16-20 KJV
(16) And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
(17) Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you,
and shall be in you.
(18) I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
(19) Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
(20) At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
Part of sharing these verse this morning is to help clarify something’s from last weeks lesson. I tend to go over these points time and time again, for the
benefit of the reader, who is still learning about the Godhead bodily/Trinity. Some things must be understood as faith and other things can be explained
clearly. This weeks lesson is about clarification of what is what and who is who’s, as well as some questions the Pharisees and Sadducees had. Jesus
always taking time to get to the heart of the real questions of these religious leaders. Sometimes are question when we prayer are not always so simple to
understand from God. His answers are sometimes learning process with repetition. It is never wrong to ask God questions and it is never wrong to expect
and answer, but remember God will reveal it to you when you are ready to understand the answer. Some answers are taking things by faith and not to
over analyze the question. Something we must remember not to do is be like the Pharisees and try to entangle God with our questions. Pharisees were
always looking for a way to trap Jesus in the things He said. A good lawyer will try and do just that. However some answers are as simple as yeah and
nay. Let us begin my looking at the first question asked to Jesus.
Matthew 22:15-22 KJV
(15) Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.
(16) And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth,
neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.
(17) Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?
(18) But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?
(19) Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.
(20) And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?
(21) They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are
God's.
(22) When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.
Jesus lived on earth at time of Roman Empire who controlled most or nearly all the known world. However the Jews still obeyed the Jewish laws. There
question might be more suited to ask if they had to obey Roman law or not. Whether they had to pay Caesar his money. Part of living for God is obeying
the laws and the governing body over the land in which you live. It is paying those taxes or fees common to all citizens of that government. Jesus Instructed
to give to Caesars his rightful money and give to God what is God’s. What is God’s. Everything is owned by God, yet God put us in place to take care of
the things of God. Each of us is responsible for taking care of those things God entrust us with. God will take care of His own for obedience. Example in
the Old Testament would be Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. They could bow to Nebuchadnezzar or they could give God His honor that is due Him.
They chose to give to God what was God’s and survived the ordeal of the fiery furnace.
Daniel 3:16-30 KJV
(16) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
(17) If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
(18) But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
(19) Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and
commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.
(20) And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery
furnace.
(21) Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery
furnace.
(22) Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abednego.
(23) And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
(24) Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into
the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.
(25) He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of
God.
(26) Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of
the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire.
(27) And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no
power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.
(28) Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his
servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own
God.
(29) Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.
(30) Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon.
Nebuchadnezzar set a trap for those that worshipped God. Many none believers will try and ensnare a believer, that is when a believer must seek godly
wisdom on how to answer. Jesus being God, was able to search the hearts of those who question Him and knew himself what they really wanted to
know. As a believer we can only guess at the heart and not see it, yet reliance on God will allow us to know how to answer people.
The Next question in Matthew 22 came from the Sadducees, concerning the resurrection. The first question is where in the Old Testament was the
resurrection even understood. It is important to understand that Pharisees did believe in the resurrections, yet the Sadducees did not. There question was
mainly to test Jesus with His knowledge of the Old Testament laws, but it was also one of the question that seems to be on the hearts of those that are
materialistic and self satisfaction would ask. Sadducees are looking to satisfy there own desires and looking for a better reward then just simply being with
God. Let us begin first with reading of the next section in Matthew and then I will post some scripture of proof of the resurrection as well as the Old
Testament law the Sadducees were inquiring about.
Matthew 22:23-33 KJV
(23) The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,
(24) Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
(25) Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother:
(26) Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.
(27) And last of all the woman died also.
(28) Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.
(29) Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
(30) For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.
(31) But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,
(32) I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
(33) And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.
The question concerning the resurrection looking from the Old Testament. Was their prophesy concerning the resurrection. We know Enoch in chapter 5
of Genesis was translated by God, meaning take by God to heaven. He was man that followed after God. Then there is the story of Elijah and his ascent
into heaven.
Genesis 5:24 KJV
(24) And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
2 Kings 2:11-12 KJV
(11) And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both
asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
(12) And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of
his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.
To be resurrected is to come up out of a grave. Yet here is two accounts of heavenward without being resurrected, Much like those who are on earth
walking and talking that are believers will find themselves in on Christ return’s. Yet what about those that are not so heaven bound before death. Abraham
after was righteous man and Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. What are some Old Testament verse that talk of those that passed on are alive or
will experience a resurrection.
Job 14:12-15 KJV
(12) So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.
(13) O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and
remember me!
(14) If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.
(15) Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands.
Job 19:25-26 KJV
(25) For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
(26) And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
Psalms 16:9-11 KJV
(9) Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.
(10) For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
(11) Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Psalms 17:15 KJV
(15) As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
Psalms 49:15 KJV
(15) But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.
Isaiah 25:8 KJV
(8) He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from
off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.
Isaiah 26:19-20 KJV
(19) Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and
the earth shall cast out the dead.
(20) Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be
overpast.
Ezekiel 37:1-5 KJV
(1) The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of
bones,
(2) And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry.
(3) And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest.
(4) Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.
(5) Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live:
Daniel 12:2 KJV
(2) And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
Sadducees first mistake was questioning Jesus about the Resurrection they did not agree with, yet they also tried to entrap Christ with who would a
woman who had remarry wife be. State of marriage to our earthly spouse does not continue into heaven. After all there are some that do not believe, and
salvation is individual through faith in Christ Jesus. However what law is Sadducees referring too about marriage.
Deuteronomy 25:5-11 KJV
(5) If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband's brother
shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband's brother unto her.
(6) And it shall be, that the firstborn which she beareth shall succeed in the name of his brother which is dead, that his name be not put out of Israel.
(7) And if the man like not to take his brother's wife, then let his brother's wife go up to the gate unto the elders, and say, My husband's brother refuseth
to raise up unto his brother a name in Israel, he will not perform the duty of my husband's brother.
(8) Then the elders of his city shall call him, and speak unto him: and if he stand to it, and say, I like not to take her;
(9) Then shall his brother's wife come unto him in the presence of the elders, and loose his shoe from off his foot, and spit in his face, and shall answer
and say, So shall it be done unto that man that will not build up his brother's house.
(10) And his name shall be called in Israel, The house of him that hath his shoe loosed.
(11) When men strive together one with another, and the wife of the one draweth near for to deliver her husband out of the hand of him that smiteth him,
and putteth forth her hand, and taketh him by the secrets:
God places laws and ordinances in our land. This is a law of Moses, not necessarily a law of God in the spiritual since. This is earthly law. It is a law that is
not enforced in modern society in the USA. It not a law that is necessarily still common place in all society. However like Islam they wanted those riches
of many wives in heaven. In the great debate of Sadducees they wanted to know who would get this woman. God inheritance is not about wealth of
natural things, but spiritual things. A physical law need not apply in a spiritual realm even though our bodies be resurrected.
The next question comes from a lawyer who was part of the religious leaders. This question has to do with the Law and what the greatest law was. The
leaders were seeking to see if Jesus would make error and yet, Jesus always answers wisely those question that are easily understood when one has the
answer.
Matthew 22:34-40 KJV
(34) But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.
(35) Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,
(36) Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
(37) Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
(38) This is the first and great commandment.
(39) And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
(40) On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Take time to read the Ten commandments today. It is found IN Exodus 20. These ten laws which all ordinance and other laws are based upon can be
summoned up in two commands. Yet both of these commands have to with love. First to love God and the second to love others. These two laws in itself
are basic law of life no matter where are who you are to live by. To love is not to hate, but to have compassion for others. Many do the second
commandment but not the first. Yet the first commandment to love the Lord with all they heart, mind and soul is the greatest because this law to love God
is to demonstrate the love of God towards others. To love God is to obey Him.
Now Jesus ask a question in the last of chapter 22 in Matthew. And His question, He receives no answer. They have no clue how to reply. Let us look to
what Jesus ask and what passage of scripture Christ refers too.
Matthew 22:41-46 KJV
(41) While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,
(42) Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David.
(43) He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,
(44) The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?
(45) If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?
(46) And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.
For Christian this is easy answer for this question, yet first we must look at the reference to Psalms 110.
Psalms 110:1 KJV
(1) A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
With the knowledge that the Messiah would come from the ancestry line of David, we can rest assured that Jesus was of house of David, yet Jesus was
before the beginning. The Word being Jesus. God came in human flesh, just like you and I enter the world He to was born of woman to teach us how to
live as a human. With all the pain, tribulation and suffering of mankind. Yet the religious leaders was living in the day of The Messiah life on earth, yet could
not see the signs or understand Christ words, for they themselves did not believe Jesus was the Messiah. If one does not understand that there is a
resurrection one can not understand the idea of Christ coming back to redeem His people. We live on the side that is waiting for Christ return, with the
knowledge of the linage of Christ as well as knowing by faith He rose from the grave. Do have faith enough to believe in His return according to the
scriptures? Graves were opened at the time of Christ death and the holy people of old walked out of the tomb’s this is not the resurrection which is to
come. When we die we are absent from the body and present with the Lord. We receive our incorruptible body, yet when Christ return those that are
believers will be caught up in the air to be with Christ and the saints.
Matthew 27:52-53 KJV
(52) And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
(53) And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
1 Corinthians 15:52-55 KJV
(52) In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be
changed.
(53) For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
(54) So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is
written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
(55) O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 KJV
(15) For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are
asleep.
(16) For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall
rise first:
(17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the
Lord.
Romans 8:10-11 KJV
(10) And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
(11) But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies
by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
2 Corinthians 5:7-9 KJV
(7) (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
(8) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
(9) Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
|
|
|
|
|
