Dear Friends,

Greetings in Christ!

This post is part of a continuing series that I began following the 2016 elections. The previous posts in the series can be found here:

The New Civil War Part 1 (04/07/17)
The New Civil War Part 2 (02/15/19)
The New Civil War Part 3 (05/22/20)

From the beginning of the series, I have emphasized how the new civil war is different from previous wars. This war is a worldwide cold conflict between the new world order and the resistance against it. The new world order clearly wants a conventional kinetic war between the Left and the Right here in the US, but that is the last thing we need and their attempts to divide us and coerce us into a civil war must be resisted. As we see attempts to steer us in this direction from both the Left and the Right, we must be obedient to our precious Prince of Peace and walk in his ways. We are already at war with the new world order. Each successive war that we allow them to manipulate us into is a win for them and a loss for everyone else.

The two major conflicts currently taking place in this regard would be the war in Ukraine and the war in the Gaza Strip. Both these wars are pet projects of the new world order. In the past, I have often drawn the ire of people for defending the US and Israel, either for saying that the US is not bad or for saying God loves Israel. I think much of the disagreement in this regard has to do with one’s point of view. When most people reference a country, what they have in mind is the country’s government. When I reference a country, what I generally have in mind is the people who live there. Of course I have serious issues with the governments of both the US and Israel. On the other hand, I do not see what that has to do with the citizens of these countries. I have never been to DC. I do not believe there is much I could do to have any effect on the US government or its policies, prayer notwithstanding. On the other hand, I have visited nearly every state in the US and lived in four of them. I have found the US to be a nice place to live. When I visited Israel, I traveled from the Golan Heights to Eilat, from Tel Aviv to the River Jordan. I found Israel to be a nice place to visit, if not to live. Nevertheless, God has his own issues with Israel. He is dealing with his chosen people in his own way as He sees fit. I do not consider that any of my business (Rom 14:4). After the great tribulation period, Israel is going to be the head and not the tail, so you might as well get used to them. (Isa 2:3; Jer 33:20f; Rom 11:25f et al)

The fact of the matter is that events are unfolding according to God’s prophetic pattern. It has been said the prophetic design of history is like a train. It is going to arrive on time regardless of what the passengers do. They can move up and down through the cars as the train travels down the line, but nothing they do will affect the ultimate destination. Likewise, the outcomes recorded in Scripture are immutable. As the eyes of the world are on the war in the Gaza Strip, it seems to me the disproportionate response to the October 7 attack is prepping and priming Russia and its allies for the Magog invasion of Ezekiel 38, 39. It seems to me Russia’s inevitable victory in Ukraine will embolden them in this regard.

Let us pray: Father, we know and believe that all of the promises in your Son are yea and in Him Amen. Help us to take a reasoned look at the things that are taking place in the world today and how best to occupy until You send your Son back to receive us. Give us the wisdom to make good decisions. Help us walk in the Spirit and rightly represent You as long as we remain in this world. Give us understanding now as we read thy word. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

Psalm 2
WHY do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,
3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.
5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.
10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
Psalm 2

 

The most consequential political figure of our time by far is Donald Trump. In my 2021 Review 2022 Preview, I said I will not vote for Trump again, but I am starting to rethink that. Lately I have been hearing some of our fellowservants whom I respect draw parallels between Trump and Hitler. While I have reservations about voting for him again, I feel that comparing Trump to Hitler is nothing short of TDS. I cannot see any reasoned, rationale for this position. For starters, Trump is loved by people of all colors who love America and see him as someone who will preserve traditional American values. Trump is loved in Israel. So on the race issue, Trump is not Hitleresque. Secondly, Trump proved in his first term that he is the closest thing to a peace president that we have had in the 21st Century. There were no new wars and it could be argued that the ones we had in progress when Trump was elected were scaled back. So on the world conquest issue, Trump is not Hitleresque. (At least not in a military way.)

What I think some people are seeing is a parallel to how the Weimar Republic had become a cesspool of debauchery — like America has — and how Hitler attracted people who wanted to restore Germany to its former glory. Hitler enlisted church leaders to get behind his cause, and jailed church leaders who opposed him. To make this stretch and apply it to Trump is, again, nothing short of TDS in my opinion. It is true that people like Steve Bannon and Michael Flynn have claimed the name of Christ in support of Trump at the ReAwaken America meetings, but this is nothing more than plain-old pandering, a clownish attempt to appeal to Christians with clownish ‘Trump prophets’. There are no plans for a ‘national church’ like Hitler’s Evangelische Reichskirche. There is no Kirchenkampf, or ‘church struggle’ like what took place between the Confessing Church and the clergy members who supported Hitler. Furthermore, the Vatican supported Hitler and signed a concordat with Germany in 1933, yet from all outward appearances, the Vatican seems to hate Trump.

When Dietrich Bonhoeffer publicly opposed Hitler, his February 1, 1933, radio broadcast was cut short by someone who turned the microphone off before the speech had even ended. Bonhoeffer opposed Hitler not only because of his persecution of the Jews, but as a matter of doctrinal principle. Bonhoeffer understood that the salvation of Germany could only be found in Christ. He saw people looking at Hitler as the Savior of Germany, which was theologically inconsistent. I know that there are some naive Christians who see Trump as a savior but even that similarity seems to me to be a stretch too far. Trump is not about to defrock seminary professors who oppose him like Hitler did Bonhoeffer. He is certainly not about to jail pastors who speak against him, like Hitler did Martin Niemöller and many others. Can anyone seriously suppose that Christians would ever deem it necessary to engage in an underground secret resistance against Trump like Bonhoeffer did against Hitler? In Bonhoeffer’s case, it was an honorable endeavor, although it failed and led to his execution.

From my point of view, well-meaning Christians who compare Trump to Hitler have a very shortsighted view of history and a very shortsighted view of our current political landscape in America. We are never going to get another Jack Kennedy for president. Whoever occupies the Oval Office is going to be new world order. In my opinion Haley would probably take us to war and RFK Jr would probably turn out to be a climate change Nazi. At least with Trump, we know what we are getting. The fact of the matter is most of the major problems facing our nation are not going to be solved by the president. If there is going to be significant change, it is going to have to happen at the local level. For proof that this is an effective strategy moving forward, we need look no further than the Amish community. They were unaffected by what were for most of us the most significant events of the 21st century. Why? Because they did not have TVs in their houses with talking heads telling them what to think and what to do. The Amish are completely unvaccinated. They eat healthy organic food that they grow themselves. Because the Amish are self-sufficient and independent, they went about their business without being bribed or blackmailed into being vaccinated, or getting trapped in hospitals with invasive ventilators forced down their windpipes, not to mention being given toxic therapeutics like remdesivir.

Therefore, let us be mindful that local governments can still offer solutions through nullification. Even the new world order understands that local politics are highly effective, which is why George Soros has sunk millions of dollars into local campaigns to get his people elected. One of the most important elected officials is the local sheriff. One church in Illinois managed to stay open during the plandemic because the local sheriff, who was a member, had his deputies posted outside the church during the service. This is known as the doctrine of lesser magistrates and it is a very essential concept to understand. It is how America was originally designed to operate. I touched on this concept and provided links for more information in my post on July 4, 2022. Peaceful protesting in civil disobedience is far more effective than any militia-style armed resistance, which would be a trap, just like January 6, 2021, was a trap. The new world order would love an excuse to persecute more Americans. Even the new world order knows peaceful methods work better. That is how they have managed to further their agenda through the UN and the WEF after their military efforts in WWII failed under the Nazi regime.

For better or for worse, Planet Earth is transitioning to global governance. I can recall sitting in church in the mid-nineties and hearing that ‘none of the major governments are still functioning the way they are supposed to. Rather, they are merely competing over who will be in charge of the new world order’. Here we are three decades later and that truth is nakedly on display for all to see. The highly politicized and biased $355 million judgment against Trump by Judge Engoron is merely a manifestation of the game of thrones that is being played out in the corridors of power.

How then, shall God’s people respond and occupy in light of these events? I have observed that when it comes to politics, people have a tendency to either flippantly critique, mock, and dismiss the person in the seat of power, or else embrace and idolize the man. This is far different from the biblical model of the prophets who advised kings and rebuked them when necessary. Whether the king was good or bad, the prophets always offered serious, godly, counsel. Their frank and candid counsel sometimes cost the prophets their lives, but oftentimes it helped to steer the nation in the right direction. What that means to me is as Christians we should always tell the truth, yet we should not be arrogant. Paul told the Christians in Thessalonica to study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we have commanded you (1 Thess 4:11). Whoever emerges as the winner in this year’s election will be in many ways like the king of Babylon was to the Jewish captives in the sixth century. We should give the winner a chance and respond accordingly. Jeremiah advised the people of that day, And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace. (Jer 29:7) I am looking at Trump the same way the Jews were told to look at the king of Babylon. If he wins, I believe we should give him another chance to prove himself. We should speak to him in the same matter-of-fact way that Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, spoke to Nebuchadnezzar.

In the meantime, consider the wisdom of the Amish. I think they have a lot to teach us. I have often wondered what it was in particular that made them shun technology. As it turns out, the Amish saw technology as something that would make them dependent on the world. By simply trusting God and loving their neighbors, they have thrived and avoided a lot of problems that other Christians have — especially health problems. I’m not going to convert but I will take note and do my utmost to put my trust in God, being very skeptical of what the world is saying. I will do my best to be independent. I will do my best to do as the church in Philadelphia did, ie to keep the word of his patience. Yes, we are in the midst of a new civil war of sorts. I say, let the new world order play this game amongst themselves, and let us sit it out. The only way to win this game is not to play. If I as a Christian have anything to say to today’s politicians, it is to read Psalm 2. King Nebuchadnezzar eventually found that he had to submit to the God of Israel, but he learned it the hard way. Jesus is offering a much easier route. If you put your trust in Him it will have to be on his terms, but you will truly be blessed. If you receive Christ as your Saviour, No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

Some may be thinking that we do not have to roll up our sleeves and work locally because the rapture is going to save us, but such thinking is foolish. Before I ever even heard the word, rapture, I used to think Jesus would probably not come back until around 2036. Lately, I have been thinking the same thing again. Incidentally, I recently ran across someone who makes a pretty compelling argument for Jesus returning around this same time. Of course, I put no more faith in her theory than the scores of other theories about when it’s going to be, but I found it interesting. A wiser approach than hoping the rapture will save us is to anticipate the next moves of the new world order and prepare accordingly. Just as they told us in advance that COVID was coming, we are now being told Disease X is coming next. They can predict these things not because they are prophets, but because they are orchestrating these events. Dr Bryan Ardis has made some sensational claims concerning COVID which I initially dismissed, but after hearing his rebuttal to the criticisms against him, I am not so sure. If Disease X turns out to be something that causes severe lung damage or massive hemorrhaging in the vaccinated, it will vindicate Dr Ardis. Time will tell. If that happens, I think I will probably do what I did in 2020, ie move to the country and wait it out. Above all, we must not give in to fear. I will never be afraid to lay hands on a sick person (vaccinated or otherwise) and pray for him.

Staying healthy and vaccine-free is key. Healthy organic FOOD is what is important. That is why the WEF is so focused on food. Although the Youngevity products are a bit expensive, I have begun using them again and I noticed immediate results:

• Beyond Tangy Tangerine 2.0
• Beyond Osteo fx (liquid)
• Ultimate EFA

If you have been vaccinated I highly recommend these products as an initial step in the detoxification process. You also might want to try apple pectin. A daily dose of turmeric is essential. If you are suffering any effects from being vaxxed I highly recommend you contact the people at myfreedoctor.com and get some prescription therapeutics. (For some reason the URL works on my phone but not on my computer.)

Beyond that, the only other physical preparations I am making have to do with protecting what savings I have by investing in hard assets and things that are detached from the US dollar. The monetary velocity of the US dollar is rapidly decreasing, indicating inflation will get worse. NVDA may go to the moon but if the dollar collapses the shares will be worthless. In other words, you might be able to make a killing but then again you might not. (For me, profiting off AI is not something I feel comfortable with.) While I try to be prudent, I recognize my investments cannot save me. (Jam 5:3)

Ultimately our hope is not in any government. I reject their pejorative label of ‘Christian Nationalist’. I am a Christian. My Lord’s kingdom is not of this world. I am merely a stranger and a pilgrim here on this earth. (Heb 11:13; 1 Pet 2:11) George Washington said, “Government is not reason, it is not eloquence,— it is force! Like fire, it is a dangerous servant, and a fearful master.” This quote was cited in the first book I ever read after committing my life to Christ in 1995: A Fearful Master — A Second Look at the United Nations (Western Islands, 1964) by G Edward Griffin. Griffin is 92 years old now. He is most well known for The Creature From Jekyll Island. (American Media, 1994) A year ago someone asked this wise old sage in an interview what his advice would be to the generation following behind him. He thought about it and said to watch out for controlled opposition. That sounds like good advice to me.*

Finally, What is far more important than physical preparations is being prepared spiritually. One day the rapture is going to happen. I don’t know when but I know it will happen. Without doubt. In the Revelation, Jesus rebuked the church in Thyatira. He said that those who committed adultery with the false prophetess, Jezebel, would be cast into great tribulation. Contrariwise, Jesus told the church in Philadelphia Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. I believe one interpretation for Jezebel would be the cult of the new world order (Rev 17:3ff). I believe one interpretation of keeping the word of his patience would be trusting that Jesus is the only way. Jesus said the way is narrow that leads to life and few find it (Matt 7:14). He said the way that leads to destruction is broad and many are on it (Matt 7:13). You do not want to be one of those people who say Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? They were religious and they claimed the name of Christ, but they were lost. If we trust in the word of his patience like the church in Philadelphia, we will be saved from the great tribulation period. Nevertheless, the Bible says we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. (It does not say we must through the great tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.) The way to deal with pain is to lean into it. Use the pain to draw you closer to Christ. (1 Pet 4:12f) I believe a lot of pain is caused when we focus our attention on the wrong things. Consciousness is a zero-sum game. Ultimately we can only focus our attention on so many things at one time. If we focus on the world rather than on Christ, we will get stressed and depressed, but if we focus on Christ, we will be blessed. Exactly how we balance our civic duty in our local community with our directive to be salt and light while keeping our eyes on Christ is something we each have to work out for ourselves. I will leave that for your prayerful consideration.

Father thank You for giving us your word which is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. Thank You that Satan is a defeated foe and we have already won through faith in your Son. Thank You for revealing things unto us that are hidden from the wise and prudent. Thank You for never leaving us or forsaking us. Thank You most of all for giving us your Son. He is more precious than anything else imaginable. Please account us worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass and to stand before Him, in his holy and precious name, the name above all names. Amen.

 

* The MO of the enemy is deception. (Matt 24:4) Therefore, we need to reevaluate who we can trust. For example, Infowars did a lot of good reporting up until right around the time of the COVID debacle. Instead of calling foul, however, Infowars (along with most of the rest of the so-called alternative media) engaged in the same hysterics as the mainstream media. At that time I wrote that they were ‘falling into the trap set by the new world order’ but in hindsight I believe they knew what they were doing. I have come to the conclusion that Infowars was heavily involved in the QAnon psyop. Alex regularly hosted Steve Pieczenik, a key figure in the Q movement. Jerome Corsi made an entire Infowars show out of ‘deciphering’ Q early on when the movement first appeared. Corsi was fired from Infowars but other things continued to persist. Before the rally in DC on January 6, 2021, which Alex promoted, Infowars reporter David Knight was warning people that it was a trap and that people were putting themselves in danger by going there. Knight was subsequently fired, but vindicated in spades after the arrests were made. Alex would regularly disavow Q but then continue to host Steve Pieczenik. Eventually, Alex stopped hosting Pieczenik when it could no longer be denied he was a purveyor of QAnon-stye disinformation. When Trump was preparing to roll out the shots at ‘warp speed’, Infowars claimed Trump’s shots would be a safe alternative based on the classic vaccine model of a dead or weakened pathogen used to create antibodies. It appears the old ‘alternative press’ has become the new ‘mainstream-alternative-press’. Therefore, for trustworthy news and commentary we need an ‘alternative-alternative-press’. Pray and ask for discernment. Whatever news source you are looking at, check for links to support the claims. Consider the facts of the article but reject the spin. Watch out for propaganda. Eat the watermelon and spit out the seeds.

Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.
Jeremiah 6:16

 

Dear Friends,

For me, the most encouraging (and under-reported) trend in 2023 was the awakening to the existential threat of global governance. More or less everything I have written concerning current events since 2020 was quietly acknowledged to be true in 2023. In some places, state and local governments are beginning to push back against the agenda of the Great Reset, while in other places they are doubling down. Far and away the most important matter for 2024 is nurturing and maintaining our relationship with the Lord. Moving forward, I plan to look to the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein — prayer, fasting, and Bible meditation. Father, direct our paths in 2024. Help us to take heed that no man deceive us. Give us the wisdom to make good decisions. I pray for the peace of Jerusalem, the Middle East, and the nations of the world. Please account us worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before your Son, in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

John Commentary

Genesis Commentary

Daniel Commentary

1st and 2nd Thessalonians Commentary

Revelation Commentary

Joel Commentary

Hosea Commentary

Pointers for Bible Study

One Anothers of the New Testament

John Commentary

Genesis Commentary

Daniel Commentary

1st and 2nd Thessalonians Commentary

Revelation Commentary

Joel Commentary

Hosea Commentary

Pointers for Bible Study

One Anothers of the New Testament

 

Dear Friends,

I am pleased to offer my complete notes on John’s Gospel in pdf form, which can now be downloaded here.

I’ve added other commentaries under the download menu (hover cursor over menu then click on file, don’t click directly on the download menu). Thank you for reading. Father, thank You for speaking to us through thy word. Help us to prepare to meet your Son, that we may be ready when You send Him to fetch us home. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 14:1-6

Dear Friends,

Greetings in Christ!

In our last post, Jesus appeared to the disciples after rising from the dead. One of the things I found interesting in Israel was how they know where everyone is buried. The tombs of the patriarchs are in Hebron. Rachel’s tomb is in Bethlehem. Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi are buried on the Mount of Olives. The tombs of David and Absalom are in Jerusalem, as is the tomb of Mary the mother of Jesus. There is no consensus on the location of Jesus’ tomb, however, because it is empty. Praise be to God. After appearing to the disciples, Jesus then sent them to serve even as He was sent by his Father. (John 20:21) However, He was not just speaking to the apostles. The disciples who met Him on the road to Emmaus were there as well. (Cf Luke 24:33ff) All of us who believe are sent. We are part of the New Testament priesthood of believers. (1 Pet 2:5, 9) We have been given authority. (John 1:12; Mark 13:34; Rev 1:6) We have been sent. (John 20:21)

Speaking of Hebron, I found the Muslim marketplace there to be almost as interesting as the tombs of the patriarchs. I met a Palestinian lady who wanted to talk so I asked her how she felt about Jesus. When I told her He is coming back soon, she agreed. She said as a Muslim it is her belief that there will be an impostor who will preceed Him. She said she believes that those who are deceived by the impostor will be damned, and then Jesus will return. Of course, I told her that is what the Bible says too.

In this post, we come to the last chapter in John’s epic account of the life and times of Jesus Christ, THE KING OF THE JEWS … King of nations … KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS, King of me. I hope He is your King too. Father, thank You for this glorious journey through John’s Gospel. I pray You will help us unpack this final chapter, that we may finish strong, hearing and receiving all that You wish to share with us for your glory, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

John 21
1 After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.
2 There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.
3 Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.

People often find fault with Peter for going back to fishing. Maybe Peter did indeed go back to fishing when he ought to have been preaching. I tend to think that is so, but maybe he was just hungry? In any case, I believe the fish in our narrative represent souls. If you are going to go evangelizing, you need to keep Jesus at the center of all you do. (John 15:5) They toiled all night and caught nothing, but when Jesus shows up, suddenly the situation changes.

4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.
5 Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.

As always, Jesus knew the answer before He asked.

6 And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.

If you are feeling some déjà vu that would be because this same thing happened when Jesus called Peter the second time. (Luke 5:4ff) Could this mean this is the third time Jesus is calling Peter?

7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved [John] saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.

Fishing naked? And they say this guy was the first pope?? Peter was certainly not anything like a pope. (1 Pet 5:2f)

8 And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.
9 As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.
10 Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.
11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.

Why did the net not break as it did in Luke 5? Simple: they left the net in the water. Without the strain of lifting the net up out of the water, the net stayed intact. However, there is a fundamental spiritual truth here. New Christians need the word. If you catch a fish, you need to keep him in the water by the word (John 15:3; Eph 5:26) if you do not want him to get away. That is your responsibility as the one who caught him. I believe that is the significance behind the number of fish that they caught. Why would Jesus have them count the fish? Simple: The fish represent Christian souls. When you lead people to Christ you need to keep track of each and every one of them and be sure none are neglected.

12 Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.
13 Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.

Just as the bread and the fish represented the word of God and Christian souls when Jesus fed the multitude in Chapter 6, so do they here in Chapter 21. (This is what is known as the law of expositional constancy.)

14 This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.
15 ¶ So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

Who are these? Some are of the opinion that Jesus was asking Simon if he loved Him more than the other disciples did. Peter made that claim and then failed. (Mark 14:29) Maybe Jesus was exhorting Peter not to be cocky. If so, Peter not only learned his lesson but preached it as well. (1 Pet 5:5f) Others say the these Jesus was referring to were the fish. Since Peter was fishing again, Jesus was asking him if he loved fishing more than Him. Either view seems to fit; something to meditate on. 

16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

According to the Bible, love is not an emotion, but an action. (1 John 5:2f) Jesus is in effect saying Peter, if you love me, show it. I once heard of a church that had ‘Feed My Sheep’ painted on the side of their food van that distributed food to the poor. I thought they were being witty, as Jesus was speaking figuratively, telling Peter He wants him to teach the word. (Matt 4:4; Luke 4:4) But later I learned that John used two different Greek words for feed to describe what Jesus told Peter in Aramaic. I think that church may have been spot-on in their interpretation of what Jesus meant. Ie, feed them both physically and spiritually.

Jesus also used two different words for sheep and two different words for love; something else to meditate on:

boskó + poimainó = feed them his word and tend to them in other practical ways as well?
lambs + sheep = feed both the children and the adults?
agapeó + phileó = Because these two words seem to be used interchangeably in many cases in the New Testament, some feel it is splitting hairs to consider why the two different words are used. Notwithstanding, on a technical level agapeó signifies a deeper love; this is the word Paul used in 1 Corinthians 13. The word phileó is more of a brotherly love or affection. The first two times Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him, He used agapeó, while Peter responded using phileó. Maybe Peter did not feel worthy to use agapeó; considering his failure on the night of the crucifixion, that would be understandable. The third time Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him, Jesus used phileó. Peter responded again, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I philó thee. I will leave it to you to decide whether I am splitting hairs by bringing this up.

17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

Peter denied Jesus three times, and three times Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him. This grieved Peter, but he needed to hear it or else Jesus would not have repeated Himself three times. Three times Jesus reminds Peter, Feed my sheep.

18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.
19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

Jesus tells Peter that although he failed Him before, when the time comes Peter will give his life for Him and will not fail. Peter will be crucified. Jesus then repeats the same thing He said the first time He called Peter (Matt 4:19): Follow me. The first time, Jesus said Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. I think Peter remembered that as Jesus said once more, Follow me.

20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?
21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?

I thank God for Peter. He reminds me that maybe I’m not so bad after all. Jesus just got done telling him to feed his sheep and to follow Him … to the cross. Immediately, Peter puts his foot in his mouth and says “But what about John??”

22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.

Again, Jesus needs to remind Peter to follow Him and mind his own business. Peter may not look like much now, but he gets better. Before too long, in the Book of Acts, Peter will start leading people to Christ by the thousands. (Ie after Pentecost, when the church was empowered by the Holy Spirit.) In fact, Peter will become so spiritual that just passing by someone and touching them with his shadow will heal them. (Acts 15:15f)

23 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?
24 This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.
25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.
John 21

 

Jesus is everything. He is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. Jesus is Prophet, Priest, and King. He is our Provider, our Righteousness, our Healer, our Saviour. If we do as He commands, He is our Brother and our Friend. (Mark 3:35; John 15:14) His commandment is that we love one another, as He has loved us. (John 13:34; 15:12, 17) John started by telling us Jesus is the Word made flesh. He ends with Jesus risen from the dead. I do not believe John was speaking figuratively when he made the statement about the world not being able to contain all the books that could be written about what Jesus did. Einstein said there are two ways of looking at things, either nothing is a miracle or everything is a miracle. I choose the latter. And if everything is a miracle that means a lot of books could be written about the things Jesus has done. And He’s just getting started. If the 7000-year timetable corresponding to the seven days of creation is correct — a model that goes all the way back to several of the church fathers — then soon and very soon this earth will experience a millennium of peace with Christ as King. (Acts 13:41) Father, thank You for all You have done through your Son, and thank You for all You have in store for us in the future. All creation groans in travail and earnest expectation over the Revelation of your Son. Please send Him quickly, Father. Please account us worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass and to stand before Him. I pray this in his holy and precious name. The name above all names. Amen.

 

CODA: As I begin drafting this post, I am finishing up my one-month trip to the holy land. One of the many places I enjoyed visiting was the Shrine of the Book at the Israel Museum. There is a plaque in the shrine inscribed with Ezekiel 37:14: And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD. We are indeed living in the times of the signs. There in the Shrine of the Book they have a scroll of Isaiah, discovered at Qumran, that predates the time of Christ. It matches the Book of Isaiah in the Aleppo Codex word for word. Also housed in the Shrine of the Book, the Aleppo Codex was written in the 10th Century AD. Edited by Ben Asher, the last of the Masoretes, the Aleppo Codex was the oldest manuscript available until the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls. (The King James translators used the Mikraot Gedolot of Ben Hayyim, which follows the Ben Asher text of the Aleppo Codex.) The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls at Qumran proves (yet again) that we have God’s word preserved for us today. When a scroll is found that predates the oldest manuscript we had by 1000 years and matches it exactly, that should settle the issue. The word of God is living. (Heb 4:12) The word of God cannot be broken. (John 10:35) Jesus said Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

Dear Friends,

Greetings in Christ! When we left off in our last post, Jesus appeared to Mary and told her to go tell the disciples that He was ascending to his Father and her Father, to his God and her God. As we pick up in Chapter 20, Mary goes to tell the disciples as Jesus instructed. But before we continue, let us consider the implications of the miracles that accompanied the crucifixion. These phenomena show not only how the God who attends the funeral of every sparrow (Matt 10:29) was grieving over the death of his Son, but what his death and resurrection mean in terms of the new covenant:

• As there was a ‘thick darkness’ at the giving of the law (Ex 20:21), so was there at the fulfillment of it. (1)
• As there was an earthquake at the giving of the law (Ex 19:18), so was there at the fulfillment of it. (2)
• As the law required a veil to separate man from God (Ex 26:33), the fulfillment of the law rent the veil in two. (3)
• As the giving of the law brought death (Ex 32:28), the fulfillment of the law brought life from death. (4)

These phenomena demonstrated that the time of the new covenant had arrived. (Jer 31:31; Heb 8:8) Together with the miracles of Jesus and the miracles of the apostles, there was abundant evidence for the new and living faith of Christianity — freedom from dead works; a personal relationship with the Creator of the universe through faith alone in Christ alone; the fulfillment of the promise of the coming Messiah. Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Give us understanding, Father, as we read thy word, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

John 20:18-31
18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.
19 ¶ Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

Just as Jesus did not need the stone to be rolled away to leave the tomb (the angel rolled the stone away for the disciples, not for Jesus), He did not need an open door to enter where the disciples were assembled. We will likewise receive bodies with extra-dimensional capabilities after the pattern of Jesus. Always patient and understanding, Jesus does not ask them why they are not on their way to Galilee as He instructed. (Matt 28:7; Mark 16:7) He simply blesses them.

20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.
21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

Here we have yet another demonstration of Jesus’ divinity. Just as God (the Son, I believe) breathed the breath of life into Adam (Gen 2:7), Jesus breathed the life-giving Holy Ghost into the apostles. Receiving the Holy Spirit is what brings us from death to life. (Rom 8:11; 1 Cor 12:13) It is the Holy Spirit that empowers the Christian. I ask to be filled with the Spirit every day.

23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
24 ¶ But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
26 ¶ And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.

Verse 26 shows how they began meeting on Sunday immediately following the resurrection. In verse 19, it says they were meeting on the same day Jesus rose — the first day of the week. Here they are after eight days, meeting again on Sunday. The practice of meeting on Sunday continues in the Book of Acts and the epistles. (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor 16:2) I would never be legalistic about which day is the right one to meet on (Rom 14:5), but these verses show that the early church did indeed meet on Sunday.

27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

Jesus freely received this confession from Thomas, showing Jesus truly is God. (Isa 9:6; John 1:1; 8:58; Phil 2:6; 1 Tim 3:16; Heb 1:8; 1 John 5:7; Rev 1:8, 11, 17, 18; et al.) The apostles did not permit men to bow to them. When we see angels in Scripture, they likewise refuse worship. But Jesus freely accepts Thomas’ confession that He is God.

29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
30 ¶ And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
31 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.
John 20:18-31

 

John concludes Chapter 20 with his reason for writing his Gospel: that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. This is the reason John is a great book to give a nonChristian. Isaiah 55:10, 11 says For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. If God had John write his Gospel so people will believe, they will. 1 John is another good choice to use for evangelizing, for the same reason. (1 John 5:13)

Our key verses in this section are 19, 21, and 26. The disciples had their peace stolen from them when Christ was crucified, but now He comforts and assures them by saying Peace be unto you. I believe He is saying the same thing to us. The fact that Jesus conquered the grave gives me great peace, but to have this peace, one must believe. Why was Thomas not with the others when Jesus appeared unto them? It does not say, but if I were to make an educated guess, I would say it was because of his unbelief. I suspect that even before they saw Jesus, the others had a measure of faith, and that is why they were together. Because of Thomas’ unbelief, he missed the blessing of seeing Jesus. He also missed the blessing of receiving the Holy Ghost when Jesus breathed on the disciples (v 22). Yet once Thomas saw the risen Lord, he confessed Jesus as My Lord and my God. He finally believed.

That, my friend, is the key to peace: Believing that God loves us enough to become a man, then suffer and die for us. Believing that He rose again from the dead. Believing that He freely forgave the ones who forsook Him and fled, denied Him, and doubted Him. Believing that He now lives in our hearts through faith (Eph 3:17) and all we have to do to receive his Spirit is ask. (Luke 11:13) Jesus said unbelief will weaken our ability to overcome the enemy. (Matt 17:20) The writer to the Hebrews puts it even more plainly:

…..Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
Hebrews 3:12

When I read the headlines of our day, it seems apparent why the world has no peace; why they are turning to opioids and committing suicide; I can see why their hearts are going to fail them for fear. (Luke 21:26) Yet in Christ, we have great peace — peace that passes understanding. In closing, if you are having trouble finding peace, especially if it is because of a trial you are going through, remember that the peace of God does not come from understanding. God’s peace passes understanding. (Phil 4:7) Father, thank You for giving us your Son. Increase our faith, Father, that we may sojourn here in peace, that we may boldly come before your throne of grace, and that we may have the confidence to follow wherever You may lead. That we may patiently occupy as we wait for your Son to return and fetch us home. We pray this in Jesus’ holy and precious name. Amen.

 

Prophecy Update: On several occasions, I have posted that the events of the last three years are leading to a worldwide digital ID, a precursor to the mark of the beast. (Rev 13:16-18) It is now being reported that the United Nations (UN) is planning to do just that, create a digital ID that will be linked to all bank accounts. Their plan is similar to a plan by the World Economic Forum (WEF) for digital IDs. Since its inception in 1945, the UN has been working toward the goal of world governance. While the UN functions as the administrative body, the more recent WEF raises funds from corporations and recruits world leaders to implement the UN plans. Incidentally, the WEF also has plans for Artificial Intelligence (AI) to write a new Bible that is “correct.” I have previously posted about how I believe AI will be an integral part of the new world order. Maybe even more so than I thought. These things are not to be ignored. Along with all the signs that Jesus gave us to look for, these events are converging with the apocalyptic pattern composed by the prophets. They are clarion calls telling us to get ready. It gives me great peace, knowing that Jesus knew what would happen and He told us in advance. The disciples seemed to often be worried and troubled but Jesus would then remind them not to fear and not to worry. Even when He was crucified, what looked like the greatest tragedy in the history of the world turned out to be history’s greatest victory. Yes, judgment is coming, but in the Bible, judgment is always paired with deliverance. Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.

 

(1) Luke 23:44. The darkness during the last three hours of the crucifixion was observed as far away as Rome. According to Spurgeon, historical records show it was said at the time, “God is suffering, or the world is perishing.”
(2) Matthew 27:51. A modern geological study found evidence an earthquake took place at this time.
(3) Mark 15:38. The veil was torn from top to bottom, showing it was God who did it. Ancient Jewish writings testify the veil in the temple was a handbreadth thick, 60’ tall, and 30’ wide. It took 300 priests to move it. This description matches the description of the veil given by the Temple Institute in Jerusalem. Only God could have rent such a veil, just as He rent the rocks (Matt 27:51). Other similar rendings of statures and buildings at that time were noted by Seneca. By rending the veil in the temple, God demonstrated how the true Holy of Holies in heaven is now open to all who believe. (Heb 8-10) We no longer need a priesthood to mediate our approach to God as we now have access through Jesus, our High Priest. (1 Tim 2:5; Heb 4:14-16)
(4) Matt 27:52, 53. And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.