Tag Archives: pharisees

John

The Religious Response John 11:46-57

1 Comment

In the last segment, Jesus had just raised Lazarus from the dead, which is the seventh sign in the book of John. Many of the people who saw it believed upon him. Now it’s time to check in on the ones who didn’t.

John 11:46 But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done. (47) Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. (48) If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.

Let’s understand what they are saying here. The belief was that the Messiah would come and re-establish the kingdom like it was under king David. So what we have here is a worry that everyone will follow Jesus, that Jesus will rise up to claim He is the Messiah and try to take Jerusalem from Rome, and that He will fail.

One the surface, their worry isn’t misplaced. Ever since Judah had been placed under Roman rule, “messiahs” had been popping up and rallying the people to rise up. Rome would then kill these “messiahs,” along with many of their main supporters, and the people would return to the daily grind of oppression and high taxes. But if we take a closer look at what they said, we will see that there is more to this tale. Look at verse 48 again, and see what their first concern is: That the Romans will take away THEIR PLACE.

Under the Romans, the “chief priests and the Pharisees” had a pretty cushy existence. They had money and power, and people with money and power do not like to see anything that will upset the status quo.  I mean, consider the flip side. Jesus rises up, claims He is the Messiah, defeats Rome, and establishes a Davidic kingdom. Would Jesus, a man who has openly opposed them since the beginning of His ministry, keep them around in their same positions?

John 11:49 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, (50) Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. (51) And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; (52) And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.

To prophesy means to speak the future, or to speak the words of God. That doesn’t mean the speaker always understands what he or she is saying. Here, God is honoring the position of high priest and making his words come to pass, but clearly for Caiaphas, he means that if Jesus is taken out of the way, then the nation doesn’t need to suffer at the hands of the Romans.

John 11:53 Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.

Naturally! What else are good religious folk supposed to do with their day?

John 11:54 Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.

On most bible maps, you will find Ephraim just northeast of Jerusalem, but the true location of the city/village today is unknown.

John 11:55 And the Jews’ passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves.

This was a custom/law, to go to Jerusalem every year for the Passover.

2 Chronicles 30:5 So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel at Jerusalem: for they had not done it of a long time in such sort as it was written.

John 11:56 Then sought they for Jesus, and spake among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think ye, that he will not come to the feast? (57) Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should shew it, that they might take him.

The seventh sign, bringing Lazarus from the dead, leaves Jesus as the enemy of the state. Only the most wicked of men would seek murder for a solution to their problems and concerns. This just adds to their status as the sons of satan.

Thus we see that the seventh sign, bringing Lazarus from the dead, leaves Jesus as an enemy of the state, or more accurately an enemy of the religious community. It’s very easy for us today to sit back and say that we are not like the Pharisees and Sadducees and that we wouldn’t wish Jesus dead, that we would instantly recognize a work of God. Perhaps that is true, but in closing I would ask you to stop and ponder a work before you condemn it. Pause to at least ask yourself (or better yet ask God) if this is just another person or movement out for itself and its own glory, or if it is of God, and you simply do not yet understand. Look at the fruit of that work before you label it, because even the disciples struggled to keep up at times.

God Bless

John

Jesus vs the Pharisee Bullies John 8:45-59

We pick up on this beautiful day with Christ still speaking to these Jews, whom He said are not the seed of Abraham, but are of their father the devil and just as darkness doesn’t understand light, the children of Satan do not understand the Son of man.

John 8:45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. (46) Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?

Convince Him of sin? There are two types of people that try and convince you of sin. The first ones are the ones that are honestly thinking that they are doing what is right, and the other are those that purposely try to lead someone astray. We recently did an article on the former that you may want to check out. I believe most people fall into this category because most people do not understand God’s law. They have grown up and understand the ways of the world, but not the ways of our Father. The other category is Satan and his children. They know what is right, but love sin. Satan knows who God is yet still tried to tempt Christ in the wilderness.

John 8:47 He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

Some will make the case that the Israelites just can’t understand because God divorced them (Jeremiah 3:8). And they will go on to use Paul to back up their claim that Israel has a spirit of slumber (Romans 11:8) because he was persecuting Christians until he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9). The problem with that thought process is that it misses the point of Jesus ministry, and that, unlike Paul,  most of these Pharisees weren’t actually Israelites.

Matthew 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

As the above verse says, Jesus was here specifically for Israel, before salvation was opened to the gentiles. Those who  believe that God will not allow these Pharisees to understand Jesus, though they want to, miss the fact that when Israel heard the truth they came out in droves to the Jordan to be baptized. The fact is that if you love God and seek after Him and put aside your pride or prejudice you can hear His word no matter if you were born Israelite or Gentile. Doesn’t matter–we are all God’s children and there is but one vine to which you can be attached and receive everlasting life, and that is Christ.

John 8:48 Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?

What the Pharisees said here is so dumb it makes me laugh! It’s like they realized they are caught and are now just going to start tossing whatever they can to make them look better. Do you remember in school when someone makes the bully look dumb and he starts coming at that person with everything he can to try and make it stick?

John 8:49 Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me.

Bullies don’t like it when someone stands up to them. Most people in this day and age couldn’t read, thus they relied on the priests to tell them the laws and commandments of God. So these holy rollers were not used to someone who could stand toe to toe with them and question their authority. Truth be told, most people today cannot stand toe to toe with Satan’s own which is sad. That’s how Satan operates folks. He uses scripture and he will twist it into a thousand directions if you let him. That is why you need to know what God’s plan is and how our Father operates.

Think on this: if someone came to you and said your mother baked you these chocolate chip cookies, I bet you could look at them and know if she did or not, and if not by sight you would know the moment you tasted them. Now I know that some of you out there don’t have moms that bake chocolate chip cookies, but I’m sure you understand the principal. Whether it was good or bad, you know your mom’s cooking and I doubt anyone could copy it. How many wives out there wish they could? How many wives have had better cooking than their mother-in-laws and have to suffer because their husbands know and love the cooking of their parents? Our Father’s Word isn’t any different. If you delve into it and get familiar with Him and His Word, and understand how He works, then even when you are dealing with a bad translation, you know something isn’t right. If you can’t, I don’t say this to shame you. I say it to encourage you to get into your Father’s Word and start to talk with Him. He created us for His pleasure.

John 8:50-51 And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth. (51) Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.

That begs the question: whose glory are you after? Whose glory do you seek? If Jesus the Christ did not come to seek His own glory, who should you be glorifying? I hope you know the answer to that. I hope that you check yourself frequently because we all have pride and we all struggle with ego to one degree or another.

John 8:52 Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death.

Clearly these turkeys don’t know their Father’s word. “Oh but they didn’t have the New Testament and they didn’t know about life after death.” Oh really? David knew it. In second Samuel what did he say right after his first child with Bathsheba died?

2 Samuel 12:23 But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.

You see David knew where he was going and what about this:

Ecclesiastes 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

We came from God and we return to God. End of story. Jesus came from God too, just as Abraham did before he came to earth.

Naturally, we could talk about the Angel of the Lord that came to visit Abraham not to mention Melchizedek, but I wont at this time.

John 8:53 Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?

Maybe they would have more respect for Abraham and Moses if they realized that they were with the Father.

John 8:54 Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: (55) Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.

These guys are running around wanting to kill anyone who doesn’t do and say exactly what they want, and Christ is running around healing the sick and proclaiming the year of the Lord. You know it’s so easy to get caught up in chasing around false teachers and wanting to tear down their false houses, and I know that looking at them can make you sick, but that isn’t what Jesus did. Jesus went out and taught. He let those jokers come to Him and we need to follow that example. Get in God’s ark, keep the bow pointed toward the fixed point in the heavens, God, and put the throttle down. Don’t worry about the wake that the others are making; run over it. Let them worry about our wake.

John 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.

Of course he saw it. Christ came to him and promised him a son. He received a son (Isaac), and through him we got The Son. And he did see it because to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.

John 8:57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? (58) Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

Again He uses the sacred name because He was there. In the beginning was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God, (John 1:1).

John 8:59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

They started the chapter wanting to stone a woman, with no regard for the law, as that would require the man to be there as well. Now they want to stone Him, and to do it in the temple of all places. I told you in the beginning that this chapter is giving us a glimpse of the Millennium. Take what you will from that, for when Christ returns, every knee will bow and He will be in the temple, and by the end of the Millennium, many will fall away. I pray that wont be you. Stay in His Word and follow Him. Create your own wake and SHOW the world that you honor God. Words mean little next to deeds. Until next time, may God keep you and Bless you. Amen

John

Can Flesh Understand Christ? John 8:21-8:32

Today when you speak to someone about Jesus or God they have a lot of preconceived ideas about what you believe and are going to say which can make it hard for someone come to Christianity with an open mind. Some of this has to do with how our liberal television shows, movies, news, radio and schools cast unfavorable lights upon Christians as a whole. Some has to do with the money grabbing, or the worthless excuses for shepherds we have parading about on those same televisions and radios thumping their bibles and saying some of the most ridiculous things you have ever heard.

The Pharisees here are no different. They have preconceived ideas about who the Messiah will be, what His mission is, and how He will accomplish it. Truth be told, some believed the Messiah would be a woman, or so I have heard. Fighting preconceptions can be extremely difficult, and oft times people can believe that if they had just said the right thing or did it just a little bit differently that they would’ve gotten someone to “see.” Don’t worry about that; God has a plan for everyone, and it isn’t for us to judge when that someone’s time to “see” is. Remember that this chapter of John started out with Christ on the Mount of Olives, which means this chapter gives us a look at what will happen when He returns.

John 8:21 Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.

This verse calls to mind: Matthew 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (22) Many will say to me in that day, 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? (23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

It also makes me think if the Millennial Temple where only the overcomers can go into Him.

John 8:22 Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come.

Without the Holy Spirit, the only thing they can see is the flesh, and their minds work in the flesh. Be patient with those that think this way.

John 8:23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.

Heaven isn’t in the sky, and hell isn’t in the dirt, yet that was how people of they day thought about and/or visualized heaven. What He is talking about is the same thing that Paul told us here:

1 Corinthians 15:47-48 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. (48) As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.

John 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

Flesh man cannot understand the heavenly, but they can believe upon it and thereby transform themselves into spiritual beings that can.

John 8:25 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning.

He began (in the last section) by saying that He is the light of the world and His story hasn’t changed.

John 8:26 I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him. (27) They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.

Again, many wont understand, but it is not understanding that is required, it is belief. The belief and faith of a mustard seed.

John 8:28 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. (29) And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

He is speaking of both advents here, His crucifixion and His return. Many believed upon Him after the first crucifixion, however every knee shall bow at His ultimate return, and everyone will KNOW who He is.

John 8:30 As he spake these words, many believed on him.

Think about this as it pertains to both advents.

John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

A disciple is a disciplined student. Remember what the Parable of the Sower taught us:

Matthew 13:18-22 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. (19) When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. (20) But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; (21) Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. (22) He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Many people will take this verse and run with it, but it is only half the sentence. It starts with “If ye continue in my word.” To know anything it takes time. God doesn’t use magic to give us full understanding. The seed needs to grow and we must strive to set down roots. Sitting upon a seedling cannot give you the same view as sitting upon a hundred year old oak. Continue in His word, ponder it, and you will know Christ.

John

Christ gives His Credentials John 8:12-20

In our last post from the book of John, the pharisees brought Christ a woman caught in adultery and told him the law of Moses ordered her to be stoned and demanded what He would say about it. Now Christ is going to shift His focus from the adulterous woman to the pharisees. That is to say those that have sinned (Israel) and those that believe they are righteous (Kenites).

John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (13) The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true.

Christ forgave the woman because even thought she was in darkness, she went to the Light of the World when she saw Him. Her accusers on the other hand fled from the light. John 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

John 8:14 Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go.

Again darkness does not understand the light.

John 8:15 Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.

What does judging after the flesh really mean? It means that while we are in the flesh we cannot see or understand everything. We cannot see that the adulterous woman regretted her actions. Not truly. It is incredibly hard to understand if a person truly regrets their actions or only feel guilty because they got caught.

John 8:16 And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.

Oft times we can get unction from the Holy Spirit and He will tell us if something is true or not, but Christ and the Father are one, thus, if Christ judges we know it comes from the Father and it is good.

John 8:17 It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. (18) I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.

I like how Jesus says, “YOUR LAW,” to tell them that my their own set of standards He is true.  Remember they had just brought Him the adulterous woman and went on spouting law at Him. Watch how quickly they forget.

John 8:19 Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also. (20) These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come.

We will get into them not knowing His Father in the next post. Today I want to focus on an often overlooked fact before we close and that is WHERE Christ said these things, the treasury. I know I’ve said this many times, but I will say it again, where Christ said something is just as important as what He said.

The treasury is where the captured riches from other lands were stored along with the tithes. The tithes were supposed to go to the maintenance and running of the temple and to help care for the priests. It was supposed to be that these gifts were freely given to God, and from that, the Word of the Lord was to come from the temple. These pharisees were not using the tithes to spread the light of God; they were using it for their own selfish desires. Soon they would use that money to slay the Word of God by paying Judas with it.

 

Topic Discussions

The Parable of the Householder and His Vineyard

Have you ever wondered about God’s plan? Or do you wonder why He exhibits His wrath on those who refuse to revere Him, and instead decide they want to do what feels good to them and disregard and disrespect His message? This parable put forth by Jesus gives us a little taste of His point of view and what will happen in His response.

Jesus gives us this parable that was addressed to the Pharisees who questioned His authority to do the great things that He was doing:

(Mat 21:33) Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:

This householder is none other than the Father Himself. He created and established this vineyard, which represents the world in which we live in this flesh age. He put a hedge around this vineyard, which is a border that prevents us from leaving it. Everything we know is inside this vineyard. Everything outside this hedge or fence is not of the physical world. The grapes themselves represent those who live in this world, and the husbandmen are those who are supposed to tend to the grapes and make sure that they are taken care of and grown properly so that there is a bountiful harvest when the time comes. Once the grapes are harvested, they are put in the winepress to make wine. This winepress is reserved for the return of Jesus at the end of this flesh period.

(Rev 14:15) And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.
(Rev 14:16) And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.
(Rev 14:17) And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.
(Rev 14:18) And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.
(Rev 14:19) And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.
(Rev 14:20) And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.

God the Father also placed a watchtower in this vineyard. The watchmen, those appointed by God to oversee the world and warn the world of what is to come, are placed on top of this watchtower. These are God’s elect who are here to guide the world in the right direction by sharing the truth of God. Many of these elect, or watchmen, are given the role of prophets of God, among other roles.

This vineyard was leased out by God to priests, husbandmen, for them to take care of it, for better or for worse. Notice that these priests are leasing this vineyard and are not servants hired by the householder. They were not chosen or appointed, but chose to take the role, but are held responsible for the crop none-the-less, because the vineyard is still owned by the Householder, and they will be held responsible for the results. After the Householder set up this vineyard, and leased it out to caretakers, He left the vineyard and went outside the hedge that was placed around it, outside this physical world and left them in charge.

(Mat 21:34) And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it.

As time went on, the vineyard matured and grew closer to harvest time. So the householder sent his personal servants to the vineyard to collect the grapes that were already matured and ready to be picked. A vineyard in the northern hemisphere is generally harvested between late August and early October. September is the main space of time that the harvest occurs. So these servants are sent to collect those early grapes. These early grapes are those who are more spiritually mature and ready to hear a deeper message from God. So God sends these servants, His prophets, to give them His message and help them come closer to Him.

(Mat 21:35) And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.

These earlier servants are the earlier prophets who warned of the coming doom that would be seen if God’s children didn’t return to Him. They warned that His kingdom would go into captivity if they didn’t make a correction. Many of these grapes were matured and ready to hear the message and be gathered by the servants of the householder. But the priests had been tending to the vineyard and not doing it justice, so many of the grapes weren’t ready and those people didn’t listen. The priests didn’t like this, and instead they totally disregarded God’s prophets and continued leading God’s children astray, and did what they wanted, which basically amounts to idolatry. They put their own desires between them and God.

(Mat 21:36) Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise.

Then, because the householder never heard back from his servants, he sent more. So, God sent further prophets to try to guide His children back to Him. They warned that if they didn’t return to Him, there would be consequences. They were again there to gather those who were matured and ready back to God. Of course, the priests didn’t like this idea this time either. They wanted to be the big dogs and run the vineyard their own way and reap the reward. They didn’t want anyone else to receive the credit or the benefits. So they also completely disregarded these servants of God and continued leading His children astray.

(Mat 21:37) But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son.

Because he also didn’t hear back from the second group of servants, what did he do?

These householders had absolutely no respect for the householder’s servants. So if they should have respect for anyone, it should be his own son. They should revere his son just as they revere him right. After all, his son is his closest kin and representative. If they don’t respect his son, who will they respect? They certainly wouldn’t have reverence for him if they don’t even revere his son. So God sent His Son, this is His representative to man. Whatever way we treat His Son, Jesus Christ, is how we are also treating His Father, our Father, because Jesus is God. For all intents and purposes, the son was the householder. Jesus is the form God takes to present Himself in a form we are able to comprehend. We could never even comprehend our Father in Heaven.

So this son of the householder should have been treated just as they would treat the householder himself. Right?

(Mat 21:38) But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.

But, instead, they treated the son even worse. They understood how they should have treated the householder’s son, but they decided to choose to serve their own personal gain. The husbandmen knew that this son would inherit the entire vineyard, but they didn’t want to have to give it up to him eventually.

(Mat 21:39) And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.

They figured they could kill the son and take over the control of the vineyard themselves. So they killed God’s Son, His representative on earth. They killed God in the flesh. That should have been the end of it…or so they thought.

(Mat 21:40) When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?

When harvest time comes, then the householder returns to see how the vineyard turned out. What do you think the householder will do to those men who were supposed to take care of his vineyard and respect his servants and his own son?

(Mat 21:41) They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.

These husbandmen who were so disobedient aren’t going to have a fun time once the householder returns on the Lord’s Day. This flesh world is going to pass away in fervent heat. All that offends will be destroyed and we will enter into a period called the Millennium, a thousand year period in which Christ will rule on earth firsthand.

(2Pe 3:10) But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

He will return with a rod of iron and will not be meek as most would expect Him to be. If you accept Christ and submit to Him and listen to His words, and remain faithful to him until He returns as a good servant, then you will be put in charge of this next vineyard crop in the Millennium. If not, then, well just use your imagination.

Hopefully, He will give you a chance to be part of that vineyard crop to become spiritually mature and part of the good final harvest, at the end of the Millennium.

These who He puts in charge of His vineyard in the Millennium are those who He knows will bear good fruit because they have already proven themselves.

(Mat 21:42) Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

This Stone the builders rejected, the Son, is the very Stone that the Kingdom of God is built upon. The cornerstone is a stone that is put in the foundation of a building for its strength. It is a symbol of strength in the building’s foundation, and often, in ancient times, it was even anointed, just as Christ is anointed, and so are His servants. Christ is the most marvelous anointed one. There is no one above Him.

(Mat 21:43) Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

Jesus is getting to the point of this message to these Pharisees He’s talking to. He is telling them they will soon lose the priesthood and it will be given to those who are worthy. This not only applies to those Pharisees, but anyone who considers himself a priest of God, but leads God’s children astray. Do you know any of these? Beware of them.

(Mat 21:44) And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

Ultimately if these do not correct their ways, they will be destroyed in the second death of the Lake of Fire at the end of the Millennium.

(Rev 21:8) But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

(Mat 21:45) And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.

The Pharisees knew exactly who Jesus was talking about. It was them, and they hated Him for it. They hated the Son of the Householder. This is the very thing that He just warned them of.

(Mat 21:46) But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.

They knew that they could not kill the Son right now though, because so many that were around did, in fact, revere Him.
Though they knew He was talking of them, they still didn’t get the bigger picture, or even heed His warning.

Will you heed His warning and be a faithful servant?

John

Does Jesus need to prove who He Is? John 5:30-35

We return with Christ still speaking to the pharisees. Let’s dig in.

John 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

How are you with your judgments? Are you quick to judge? Do your judgments align with our Father’s? Can you be sure what God’s judgments are?

John 5:31 If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.

This is a very old principal that we see used everyday. If someone comes in and says they are great and they can do or have done all these things, what is your first reaction? We reject that person or we wish they would stop blowing their own horn, however if someone else introduces that same person and that person does not have to go on about themselves we are much more likely to listen.

John 5:32 There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true. (33) Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.

This was John the Baptist’s whole mission and he did it spectacularly. How easy would it have been for John to start to take pride in himself? John was Christ’s cousin. How easy would it have been to forget who Christ was, especially before His ministry began? The people flocked to him wandering out to the river Jordan to be baptized and hear him speak. How many people in the world would be able to not begin to think of themselves as great? Is it no wonder then that Christ said in Luke 7:28 For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

Stop and think about that for moment. There are a lot of big names to consider, Elijah, David, MOSES and Christ just placed John the Baptist on the top.

John 5:34 But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.

God does not want to see his children parish and he wasn’t born of woman and crucified on the cross just for kicks. He did it for us. He came here to show us the way for US. For you and for me. His words are important and if you have the desire to be saved I suggest you listen to what he has to say.

John 5:35 He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. (36) But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.

As great as John was, Christ works were greater. Christ didn’t need John to prove who he was. He could make the dead rise, heal the sick and produce endless supplies of food. Even though he could do all these things, this generation rejected him. They beat him, mocked him and cast lots for his clothes. When they took him in the night and Peter smote the ear of one of the guards, he healed it. He healed it. He knew what was coming, yet he stopped enough to heal the man’s ear. Why didn’t that man stop and wonder at His greatness? Wouldn’t you think the man would suddenly turn and fight to defend the life of this innocent man? Are we so much different? How hard is it to stop in the face of a mob and say, “This isn’t right?”

I digress. We will pick this up on the next post and finish this 5th chapter of John. God Bless.