“For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist” (2 John 1:7 NKJV)

December 6, 2015

When Christianity was barely 50 years old, already false doctrines were being taught concerning Jesus. The apostle John calls one who would give a different confession concerning Christ as “a deceiver and an antichrist.” It seems he was standing against an early deception called gnosticism, which believed that the flesh was evil and that only the spiritual was good. This belief therefore concluded that Christ could not have literally been in the flesh. This conclusion denied the incarnation. It denied the name given to Jesus at His birth, which was “Immanuel,” God with us. John guarded his eyewitness testimony that Jesus is God in the flesh. This was why he was so specific in his first letter to say he had seen, examined and touched Jesus (1 John 1:1). He was affirming the doctrine that the “Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). The incarnation is not only the central theme of Christmas, it is the true doctrine concerning Christ. Jesus is God in the flesh. He really came. He really died for our sins. He really rose from the dead and ascended to the Father. This is his-story.

“Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the Lord their God and David their king. They shall fear the Lord and His goodness in the latter days” (Hosea 3:5 NKJV)

December 5, 2015

God called the prophet Hosea to illustrate Israel’s idolatry by taking a harlot for a wife. Another detail of God’s character was here revealed. His love for Israel is like a husband’s jealous love (Exclusive love, not like the world’s jealousy). And when Israel worshiped other gods or burned incense to the baals, it was as adultery against God. Yet, God’s mercy and forgiveness are also revealed, in that He had plans to buy His people back from adultery. So, He had Hosea go and do the same (Hos. 3:2). God did all this so that in the “latter days” the children of Israel would return and seek the Messiah, which is Christ the Lord (“David their king”). This is still an unfulfilled prophecy, but a day is coming when a great revival will occur among the Jews and many will finally receive Christ as their Messiah.

“And he said, ‘Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end'” (Daniel 12:9 NKJV)

December 4, 2015

God revealed many details about Israel’s future to Daniel. Some of what was revealed pointed to Christ’s first coming and has already been fulfilled. But there is much that remains in Daniel’s prophecy that still awaits the “time of the end.” Daniel, like many of the other prophets, wrote of things that he himself didn’t fully understand. We can study these “end times” prophecies, but must admit, as Daniel did (Dan. 12:8), our lack of comprehension. Yet, as the “time of the end” draws closer, the opaqueness of these prophecies will grow steadily more clear to those who have the wisdom to understand (Dan. 12:10). In the meantime, Daniel was to “go his own way.” In other words, he wouldn’t see the fulfillment of this prophecy in his lifetime, so he should get back to living for today.

“But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?” (1 John 3:17 NKJV)

December 3, 2015

Love gives. That’s the proof of its authenticity. And those who claim to be children of God are to exhibit this proof. Do you see a brother in need? Don’t “shut up” your heart. Living in this world it’s easy to become hard hearted, but John tells us to live with open hearts and open hands towards those in need. Does the love of God “abide” in you?

“Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2 NKJV)

December 2, 2015

Do you ever ask questions of God like, “Why is this happening to me?” The apostle John answers saying not everything has been “revealed” yet, but one thing we can be sure of is that “we are children of God” and we shall “be like” Jesus. That’s God’s goal for us as believers. He is making us like Jesus. “Beloved,” whatever suffering or difficulty you may be going through today may be endured by keeping this end in sight. God is at work in His children, conforming them to the image of His Son (Rom. 8:29).

‘“Gabriel, make this man understand the vision.” So he came near where I stood, and when he came I was afraid and fell on my face; but he said to me, “Understand, son of man, that the vision refers to the time of the end”‘ (Daniel 8:16b-17 NKJV)

December 1, 2015

In Daniel’s vision, an angel named “Gabriel” (Hebrew: “God is my strength”) is charged with explaining the vision, so that Daniel might understand it. The Old Testament recorded many other angelic visitations, but Daniel is unique in that he is the only one to whom their names are revealed (“Gabriel” in 8:16; 9:21 and “Michael” in 10:13, 21; 12:1). Yet, even with Gabriel’s help, the vision is beyond his understanding (8:27). While the vision most likely contains “already/not yet” dual fulfillment material, the identification of the “Medes and Persians,” and of the kingdom of Greece points to the time leading up to the birth of Christ. The fact that Gabriel is the angel explaining this to Daniel and then later announcing it to Joseph and Mary in the gospels is not to be overlooked. Daniel saw a vision that has partially been fulfilled in Christ’s first coming. But there is still part that is yet unfulfilled, that must point to His return.

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life” (1 John 1:1 NKJV)

November 30, 2015

The apostle John opened his first letter as he did his gospel, and as Moses did the Torah, with the phrase: “the beginning.” Also, similar to his gospel, John referred to Christ as the “Word” (Greek: λόγος, logos). In John’s gospel, he spoke of the Word’s divine preexistence and agency in the beginning of creation, but here in John’s first epistle, he spoke of the beginning of the Word’s earthly ministry. In regards to his gospel, John surely spoke by faith and inspiration because he was not present to witness creation. But in his epistle, he clearly wants the reader to know that he was an eyewitness to Christ’s entire ministry. John, speaking of himself and of the other apostles, said, “We heard, saw, closely examined and touched Him.” John essentially said, “We witnessed the whole thing… the miracles, the crucifixion, the resurrection and the ascension…so, you can trust our account and believe!” That’s why John wrote. He wrote so that we might believe.

“I rise before the dawning of the morning, And cry for help; I hope in Your word” (Psalm 119:147 NKJV)

November 29, 2015

Better to put your hope in the unchanging Word than in the ever changing circumstances of this world. God’s Word will accomplish what it says. The one who wrote Ps.119 knew this. Take some time to study this the longest chapter in the Bible. List the different words used for Word, such as: “law, promise,” etc…

“For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning” (2 Peter 2:20 NKJV)

November 28, 2015

Who is in an “entangled” and “worse” condition? Understanding this verse means identifying who “they” are. There are two choices: The false teachers (2:1) that Peter has been describing or those that the false teachers “allure” (2:18). The description that “they” have “escaped” through the “knowledge” of Jesus points to the latter. These are immature believers who have been enticed back into a life of sin. How is their latter state worse? Is it because they have lost their salvation. Peter does not say this. Instead, he describes them as miserable and muddied, like a dog who returns to its vomit or a pig who returns to the mud. Unlike the unbeliever, who lives in ignorance, they wallow in sin having known better, yet once again “overcome” by it.

“Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease” (2 Peter 1:15 NKJV)

November 27, 2015

I’m thankful that the apostle Peter was “careful to ensure” that we have “reminders” from him to “stir” us up for the Lord. He surely had assurance from God that his writings would endure as they had been inspired by the Holy Spirit and were given for our encouragement and edification. Peter knew that he would not always be present, but his letters would live on. He wrote with an awareness of his soon “decease” (Greek: ἔξοδον, “exodus” – death, departure), knowing as the Lord Jesus had told him, that he would shortly “put off his tent.” Peter and the other apostles left us the spiritual legacy of the New Testament Scriptures. I’m thankful to God that He gave them not only the inspiration, but also the commission to write, so that we might “always have a reminder of these things.”