Made it to Chapter 8

Image
One probably wonders what I’m working on.  As an Independent Scholar, as I am not attached to a University, I am writing a commentary on the first book of a personal journal written by a 2nd Century Roman Emperor. In that book he lists 16 names and describes what each person contributed to his life. That’s the short version. I’ve covered the first 8 so far and hit a wall. Now I’ve gone back and am editing Chapters 1-3 to keep my mojo going. Not sure when I’ll be done but hopefully by years’ end. I already have another project lined up. 

Does God Protect His Word (part 7)?

Matthew 24:35, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away."

Here are the words of our Lord Jesus Christ as He taught on the Mount of Olives. Leaving the city of Jerusalem, Jesus begins teaching about future events, prophecies concerning the temple and the return of Christ. The disciples ask, "what will be the sign of your coming at the end of the age?" (Mt 24:3; Mk 13:4; Lk 21:7) He answers, "the sing of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the son of man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory." (Mt 24:30) In other words, the sign of His coming will be His coming.

His coming will be preceeded by the "birth-pangs" of misleading false christs and the persecution of those who stand for the truth of the gospel (Mt 42:4-14; Mk 13:5-13; Lk 21:8-19). Past prophecies will be fulfilled and distress will grow as the deceptions of false christ's continue (Dan 9:27; 11:31; 12:11; Mt 24:15-28; Mk 13:14-23; Lk 21:20-24) then the Son of Man will come (Mt 24:29-31; Mk 13:24-27; Lk 21:25-27). Count on these things as surely just as a tree gives its fruit in season (Mt. 24:32-41; Mk 13:28-32; Lk 21:28-33).

Our Lord Jesus Christ emphasizes that heaven and earth itself will return to nothing before His words fail. Consider the role of prophecy here. So much time passes between their giving and fulfillment that it seems as if the words are forgotten or delayed; however, the fulfillment is in God's time. What is truly remarkable is that the prophetic words are made sure because they are God's words. Any other word man speaks, any ordinance, law, utterance, assertion--all the memorable speeches and quotes--will vanish, empty, while the words of Christ fulfill. When the sun, moon and stars cease their proper function, His word will be accomplished.

The sign His word is protected is in His returning.

Popular posts from this blog

Made it to Chapter 8

"On Keeping A Notebook" by Joan Didion