Israel's Hope

Throughout the Bible, we read about the Messiah. Israel's hope was that he would come and rescue them from their punishment for sinning. Though the people felt abandoned, God measured out the time of chastisement for their nation time after time. And even though they kept wandering away from him, he still cared about his chosen people.

One example of Israel's apostasy and their laments is written in Jeremiah 14:8 and 9 (BBE). "O you hope of Israel, its saviour in time of trouble, why are you like one who is strange in the land, and like a traveler putting up his tent for a night? Why are you like a man surprised, like a man of war who is not able to give help? but you, O Lord, are with us, and we are named by your name; do not go away from us."

I feel sad for all those generations of Israelites who waited for Messiah to come. God sent prophet after prophet, promising a coming saviour, but he seemed to take his time in arriving.

Why did it take Christ so long to come? Galatians 4:4 and 5 (BBE) explains, " But when the time had come, God sent out his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, That he might make them free who were under the law, and that we might be given the place of sons."

At the time of Christ's birth, the Holy Spirit told a man named Simon that he wouldn't die until he saw the Messiah. Luke 2:27-31 (BBE) records, "And full of the Spirit he came into the Temple; and when the father and mother came in with the child Jesus, to do with him what was ordered by the law, Then he took him in his arms and gave praise to God and said, 'Now you are letting your servant go in peace, O Lord, as you have said; For my eyes have seen your salvation, Which you have made ready before the face of all nations; A light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.'"

The Apostle Paul also spoke of Israel's hope to Jewish leaders when he was a prisoner in Rome. Acts 28:20 (BBE)quotes him as saying, "But for this reason I sent for you, to see and have talk with you: for because of the hope of Israel I am in these chains."

During the darkest time in the northern hemisphere, we acknowledge and celebrate the Light of the world: Jesus the Christ. Through him, all who call upon him for salvation are rescued from hell.

This is the main theme of my next book, You Think You're Going to Heaven? May the Lord bless this work of my hands.

Thursday's post will be about why Christ is called the Prince of Peace.

Who Were the Folks in Matthew 7:21-23?

John MacArthur said, and I agree, that this is the most frightening passage in the Bible. A vast number of people today claim to be doing miracles and speaking in "heavenly" languages but they are hellward bound.

Matthew 7:21-23 BBE) reads, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will go into the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the pleasure of my Father in heaven. A great number will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, were we not prophets in your name, and did we not by your name send out evil spirits, and by your name do works of power?' And then will I say to them, 'I never had knowledge of you: go from me, you workers of evil.'"


These "Lord! Lord!" people are those who think they serve Christ but they're really serving themselves. As Jesus said to his disciples in Luke 6:46 (BBE) "Why do you say to me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not the things which I say?"

Remember too that Judas Iscariot was one of the twelve. Before he betrayed Christ, he seemed like a model disciple. But Jesus wasn't fooled by his fakery. John 6:70 (BBE) proves his omniscience. "Then Jesus said, Did I not make a selection of you, the twelve, and one of you is a son of the Evil One?"


We can tell by these verses that Christ isn't fooled by fake praise. Many people act as if the Lord's name is a sort of magical invocation of power. But being in Christ's name and doing things in his name means that we've been adopted into his family. Check out what Galatians 4:4 and 5 (BBE) says. "But when the time had come, God sent out his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, That he might make them free who were under the law, and that we might be given the place of sons."

We also are assured in John 6:37 (BBE) of our acceptance in Christ's family. "Whatever the Father gives to me will come to me; and I will not send away anyone who comes to me." What an assurance that is!

But this adoption is conditional in that we must repent and surrender the running of our lives to Christ. Luke 18:17 (BBE) speaks of this total trust we must place in the Lord. "Truly I say to you, Whoever does not put himself under the kingdom of God like a little child, will not come into it at all."

This will be the main theme in my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? Far too many people assume they're saved but their deeds and lives betray them.

On Thursday, providing the Lord doesn't return before then, I'll post about five foolish virgins and who they were.