Category: Prophecy

Discourse of the King: Matthew 23-25

Exploring the narrow side streets of a European city always gives me a thrill. Recently I had the opportunity to travel to Italy for a family wedding. My husband, sons and I made a brief stopover in Florence, a city I last visited over 30 years ago. I enjoyed showing my family a few highlights like Michelangelo’s exquisite sculpture of David, Botticelli’s iconic painting The Birth of Venus, and the ornate white marble Duomo di Firenze. I also loved  expanding my knowledge of the city by biking thorough it with a local tour guide. True to form, I already have a list of additional places to explore if I’m ever fortunate enough to return to Tuscany.

Studying the Bible can be a bit like my recent travel experience. As we re-visit familiar passages and study them further our knowledge increases, our understanding grows, and our curiosity widens. Maybe you’re familiar with the highlights of Matthew chapters 23-25 but haven’t had the chance to delve much deeper. So today, let’s take a tour of these three dense chapters to increase or understanding of them. This post is longer than usual but bold headings will help you focus on the parts that are most helpful to you. I’ve borrowed quite a bit from a teaching by Jen Wilkin listed at the bottom.1

Chapter 23 Woes

Woes are messages of lament and warning of impending judgement and calamity. In this chapter, Jesus pronounces judgement on the Pharisees who have been the target of His rebukes throughout Matthew’s Gospel. Now in Jerusalem and nearing the end of His ministry, Jesus doesn’t hold back from speaking harsh truth about hard hearts. Wilkin points out that each of the seven woes corresponds to the blessings in the Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount. More modern translations like the NIV do not include Matthew 23:14 which, when included, makes the eight woes correspond to the eight beatitudes. (The missing verse is “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.” 23:14, KJV)

Blessings (5:3-10) Woes (23:13-33)
Poor in spirit, theirs is the kingdom of heaven You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces (thus making it inaccessible)
Those who mourn, they will be comforted You devour widows/ mourners
The meek who will inherit the earth You travel the earth to make converts who are sons of hell
Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness You make hollow, false oaths with no regard for righteousness
The merciful Neglect justice, mercy & faithfulness
The pure in heart Hypocrites- clean on the outside but impure on the inside; full of greed & self-indulgence
The peacemakers Hypocrites- appear righteous but filled with wickedness (robbing people of peace)
Those persecuted because of righteousness Took part in persecuting and shedding blood of righteous prophets

Jesus concludes the woes with an expression of grief: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’” (23:37-39, NIV) The city that should celebrate Him as the Messiah and King will reject and crucify Him in a matter of days.

Chapter 24 Signs of the End of the Age

 Jesus delivers this fifth and final chunk of teaching in Matthew’s Gospel known as the “Olivet Discourse” while sitting with His disciples on the Mount of Olives. Three prevailing schools of thought affect the way the signs of the end of the age are interpreted:

  1. Those who see events described in this chapter as historical and fulfilled when Rome conquered Jerusalem and destroyed the temple in 70 AD.
  2. Those who believe the events described are a future reality. (This view came into prominence in the 20th century and was popularized by books, movies, and songs about the rapture.)
  3. Those who believe the descriptions in this passage are multi-layered and that some have taken place whiles others have yet to occur.

Common Ground Between All Three Viewpoints:

  • Jesus will appear in a way that all nations will see Him
  • Jesus will come with power and great glory
  • Angels will sound a loud trumpet to gather God’s people
  • The elect will be gathered from all parts of the world

For a more detailed explanation of these three views, see the appendix at the end of this post. Below are a few new insights I learned about these chapters.

Destruction of the Temple

Chapter 24 opens, “Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. “’Do you see all these things?’ he asked. ‘Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.’ As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. ‘Tell us,’ they said, ‘when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?’” (24:1-3, NIV)

Many of the events Jesus describes here came to pass in 70 AD when the Roman General Titus conquered Jerusalem and destroyed the temple. Jerusalem was subjected to a brutal five- month siege that culminated when the Romans committed the ultimate sacrilegious act by carrying their religious and military symbol of an eagle into the Holy of Holies. This may be what Jesus foreshadows in verses 15-28 when He says, “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand— then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.” (24:15-16, NIV) The abomination that causes desolation would have been like Israel’s 9/11 or Pearl Harbor. It was an event that marked them that they would never forget.

The historian Josephus says over 350,000 Jews lost their lives during this period while other historians say up to 1 million may have perished. Multitudes suffered and fled the city to save their lives. Jesus said the events He was describing would happen within “this generation” (verse 34). A generation in the Bible is about 40 years; this teaching occurred in 33 AD, and Rome destroyed the temple in 70 AD. So, the temple’s destruction  happened within that generation.

Carcass, Vultures, Sun, Moon, Stars

Jesus describes a chilling scene: “Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather. Immediately after the distress of those days ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’” (24:28-9, NIV)

Jen Wilkin explains that carcass/ vulture imagery is symbolic. The word “eagles” can also be translated as “vultures.” So, eagles/ vultures could represent the Roman legions circling around Israel, symbolized as a carcass. The sun, moon, and stars also have a metaphorical element. Since they were worshipped by different cultures who influenced the Israelites at various times, this could be a comment about the ultimate end of idolatry when Christ returns.

The Son of Man Coming on the Clouds

Scholars agree that Jesus’ description of His return is a future reality: “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.” (24:30-31, NIV)

This calls to mind the same prophecy recorded by John in Revelation: “’Look, he is coming with the clouds,’ and ‘every eye will see him, even those who pierced him’; and all peoples on earth ‘will mourn because of him.’ So shall it be! Amen.” (Revelation 1:7, NIV)

The Day and the Hour Unknown

Jesus speaks of His return by comparing it to the days of Noah: “For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.” (24:38-41, NIV)

The return of Son of Man hasn’t happened yet—this is pointing to end of age and consummation of all things.  Several sources assert that this passage has been  wrongly associated with the idea of the rapture. Instead “Jesus’ reference of Noah’s flood suggests that those who are taken away are taken in judgment. The taken will be destroyed, just as the ungodly of Noah’s day were swept away by the flood…They will be continuing with life as normal when judgment suddenly befalls them. Jesus’ second coming and the accompanying judgment will be sudden and surprising for the unprepared.”2 (If, like me, you read the Left Behind series, this is a huge paradigm shift for you. Some scholars like N.T. Wright even assert that the notion of the rapture is a misinterpretation of 1 Thessalonians 4:17)3

If you studied Revelation with me last year, you may remember that events described there were often symbolic and layered—they could mean several things at the same time and still be true. Just as history repeats itself, prophecies have truth that pushes beyond the boundaries of specific times and places. Some of what Jesus describes in this chapter took place within that generation; other events happened then and will happen again, and some are yet to take place.

Regardless of the era of history, the common theme is for believers to remain faithful and obedient to the Lord and to live anticipating Christ’s return. “The one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” (24:14, NIV)

Chapter 25

In this chapter, Jesus tells three parables to illustrate the mindset and actions believers need to have as we await His return.

The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids/ Virgins emphasizes that every person is responsible for his or her own spiritual condition. “Spiritual preparation cannot be bought or borrowed at the last minute. Our relationship with God must be our own.”4  The parable highlights the contrast of people who are unprepared (subject to woe) and others prepared and waiting expectantly (receiving blessing).

The Parable of the Talents illustrates the importance of being good stewards of resources entrusted to us by God. “We are responsible to use well what God has given us. The issue is not how much we have but how well we use what we have.”5  Jen Wilkin asserts that the foolish servant represents hypocrites who will reject the Messiah when He comes while the faithful servants represent those who prepare for and accept the Messiah.This parable should prompt us to consider how we invest our time, resources, and abilities.

The Sheep and the Goats (Final Judgement): In this illustration of final judgement, the sheep represent those who are blessed, and the goats represent those who are cursed. It is similar to the “sorting” parables of the wheat/weeds and good/bad fish in Matthew 13. This parable contrasts followers of Christ with those interested in religion for the sake of self-promotion. True followers of Christ will reveal themselves by the fruit of their deeds towards those with the greatest needs. Jesus describes those who show tangible mercy to those in need, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” (Matthew 25:40, NIV)  When we’ re ministering to others, we’re ministering to Jesus– no matter how mundane or trivial it may seem.

As you prayerfully examine your life in light of these parables, consider how you’re living in preparation for Christ’s return. Ask the Lord to give you the strength and courage to act on any areas that could be more aligned with His will so you can look forward to hearing Him say “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21, NIV)

Follow along with our study by ordering your copy of Tara Leigh Cobble’s Knowing Jesus as King.

Was this forwarded to you? You can receive new posts automatically in your inbox by going to www.marybethmccullum.com, entering your e-mail address and clicking “subscribe.”

  1. Jen Wilkin, Matthew: Warnings of Judgement, The Village Church, Feb. 1, 2018
  2. “What does it mean that one will be taken and the other left (Matthew 24:40)?” got questions.org
  3. N.T. Wright, “Farwell to the Rapture”
  4. NIV Life Application Study Bible, Zondervan, 1988, 1712.
  5. ibid

Appendix

1) Preterist or Postmillienialism: This interpretation views the events in chapter twenty four as having been already completed, It emphasizes the historical destruction of the temple by the Romans in Jerusalem in 70 AD as the fulfillment of Matthew 24-25. It contends that Christian influence on the world will continue to spread until the second coming of Christ.

2) Futurist or Premillenialism: This interpretation views the events in chapter twenty four as a future reality. It emphasizes the final return of Christ and the events leading up to it. It contends that Christians will be increasingly persecuted, there will be a literal tribulation, and a millennial (1000 year) reign of Christ on earth before the establishment of the New Heavens and New Earth. This is the most common interpretation that became the prevailing view in the 20thcentury. The Left Behind series and other books, movies and music focused on the rapture of all believers from earth.

3) Hybrid or Amillenialism: This interpretation emphasizes the destruction of Jerusalem as a foreshadowing of the final return of Christ at the end of time. It contends that God’s triumph in the current age is primarily spiritual rather than material. The Church will continue to experience persecution. There is no literal millennium and the final reign of God will be established with the second coming of Christ. The end times began at the ascension of Christ and will culminate with His return.

Tensions of the King: Matthew 20-22

Intensity builds in Matthew’s gospel as we move into the final week of Jesus’ life. Kicking off this section, Jesus tells a parable about workers in a vineyard. Those hired first agree to a fair wage and toil throughout the day while others join them at different points. When it’s time to clock out, all of the workers receive the same wage, despite the differing numbers of hours worked. This is a picture of God’s audacious unfairness—the generosity He shows by allowing the undeserving to receive what they did not earn. He reveals this in every sinner who claims righteousness through Christ.

The chapter continues with Jesus predicting His death and resurrection for a third time as He makes His way to Jerusalem with His disciples for Passover. Next the mother of James and John asks Jesus to grant her sons the privilege of sitting at His right and left hands when He comes into His kingdom. Jesus uses her request to reiterate His purpose: “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (20:26-28, NIV)

Chapter 20 opens with the Triumphal Entry, marking Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem to celebrate the Jewish festival of Passover and the beginning of the last week of His pre-resurrection life. If you grew up in church, you may remember waving palm fronds on Palm Sunday to open Holy Week.

Approaching Jerusalem, Jesus sends two of the disciples ahead saying “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

Matthew explains, “This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:‘Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

The disciples do as Jesus instructs and bring the donkey and colt back. As they lead Him into Jerusalem “A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!’” (21:2-4, 8-9, NIV)

Matthew writes this gospel to convince Jewish people that Jesus actually was the Messiah and King they’d been anticipating for centuries. He quotes the prophecy from Zechariah 9:9 to show that Jesus fulfills it by entering Jerusalem riding on the foal of a donkey. In the ancient Middle Eastern world, leaders rode horses if they rode to war, but donkeys if they came in peace. Tara Leigh Cobble explains, “He entered in meekness—not majesty—on an animal made for service, not battle.”1

The people shouted “Hosanna” which means “Save now!” It was both a praise and a petition that they were reciting from Psalm 118. The Jewish people were desperate for relief from the oppression of Rome and expected the Messiah to arrive as a political hero and a conquering king. They wanted Him to fix their problems in the moment and didn’t understand His greater purpose. Jesus came to offer reconciliation and eternal peace with His Father, but the people were only looking for relief in their current circumstances. They cared more about what was happening outside of them than within their own hearts.

While it’s easy to see how they missed the point, we may be more like the crowd than we’d like to admit. Sometimes we want Jesus to wave a magic wand and make everything better when He’s inviting us into something of eternal significance that’s much bigger and deeper. Following Jesus brings lasting, inner peace that far exceeds the comfort we find in circumstances going the way we want. In the Gospel of John Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27, NIV)

The Triumphal Entry was the official presentation of Jesus as the Messiah—the rightful descendant of King David. Matthew highlights to the Jewish people that Jesus is the Savior and King they’d been waiting for who had been promised in the Old Testament starting in Genesis 3. The crowd jumps on the bandwagon to worship Jesus but (spoiler alert) they will be quick to turn on Him a few days later and call for His crucifixion.

I wonder sometimes, how are we like the crowd on Palm Sunday? Are we more interested in a Jesus who provides quick fixes for our current circumstances than heart-level life transformation? Do we join the enthusiastic crowd that praises Jesus when He’s popular without bothering to pursue Him privately when no one else is looking? Or, do we recognize that He’s King but refuse to relinquish control of our lives to Him?

In the remaining passages in chapters 21 & 22, Jesus continues to emphasize the importance of genuine faith, humility, and purity of heart. He overturns tables in the temple courtyard to chastise opportunistic businesspeople who are taking advantage of others. He goes head to head with the Pharisees who are trying to entrap Him and teaches several parables that contrast the hard hearts of the prideful Jewish elite with the receptivity of sinners and outcasts. This section also includes the greatest commandment: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (22:37-40, NIV)

As our study moves towards Jesus’ final teachings and the events of Holy Week, let’s stop and consider our own hearts. What are you learning in Matthew’s gospel that’s changing the way you see yourself and how you respond to the Lord? Pray that God continues to soften your heart, open your eyes, and draw you deeper into life in His upside kingdom.

Follow along with our study by ordering your copy of Tara Leigh Cobble’s Knowing Jesus as King.

Was this forwarded to you? You can receive new posts automatically in your inbox by going to www.marybethmccullum.com, entering your e-mail address and clicking “subscribe.”

  1. Tara Leigh Cobble, Knowing Jesus as King, Bethany House Publishers, 2024, 161

From Beginning to Forever

Each week as we’ve studied Elizabeth Woodson’s From Beginning to Forever the lesson has ended with an opportunity to summarize the portions of Scripture covered that week. So, by the end of the study, participants have written an overview of the entire Bible. Following the chapters of the study, here’s my humble attempt at re-telling the highlights of the grand narrative of Scripture:

The Creation and Corruption of the Kingdom: Genesis

In the beginning God creates the heavens, the earth and everything in them including the sun, moon, stars, plants, animals, and people. God creates humans in His image and tells them to multiply His kingdom and to rule and subdue the earth. The first two humans, Adam and Eve, succumb to temptation and choose to do the one forbidden thing—eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This breaks their fellowship with God and brings the pollution of sin into the pure and perfect world. God promises one day Eve’s offspring will crush the serpent who led them to sin, giving the first prophecy of the Messiah.

A Promise to Restore the Kingdom: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy

God makes a covenant with Abraham promising him land, numerous descendants, and blessing that will impact all people on earth. The Lord confirms this covenant with Abraham’s son, Isaac, and his grandson, Jacob. God changes Jacob’s name to Israel (although both names continue to be used interchangeably after this.) Later, Jacob’s sons sell their brother, Joseph, to slave traders who take him to Egypt. After many trials, Joseph becomes second in command of Egypt and, through God’s direction, prepares the country for a severe famine. The rest of Jacob’s family later emigrates to Egypt to escape the famine. After several generations Jacob’s descendants (known as Hebrews or Israelites) became slaves in Egypt. About 400 years later, God uses Moses to deliver the Israelites from slavery, to lead them to the promised land, and to help them become a distinct nation with clear laws and boundaries.

A Divided Kingdom: Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther

After 40 years in the desert, Joshua leads the Israelites into the promised land to take possession of it and fulfill God’s promise. A series of judges rule Israel until the people demand a king. Saul becomes the first king, but his disobedience displeases God and he loses His favor. David becomes the next king. Although he’s imperfect, he seeks to follow God’s heart and the Lord promises his offspring will rule eternally, foreshadowing the Messiah. Solomon succeeds David as king and is wise and wealthy, but unfaithful to God by marrying Gentiles and worshipping their gods. The kingdom divides when Solomon’s foolish son, Rehoboam, becomes king (the northern kingdom is called Israel, the southern kingdom is called Judah). Disobedience causes both kingdoms to be taken captive about 130 years apart–the northern kingdom is exiled to Assyria and the southern kingdom is exiled to Babylon. After exile, King Cyrus of Persia allows the Jews of the southern kingdom to return and rebuild their temple in Jerusalem under Ezra’s leadership and King Artaxerxes of the citadel of Susa allows the rebuilding of the city walls under Nehemiah’s leadership. The Israelites continue to struggle with disobedience and worship of false gods through subsequent generations.

Life in the Kingdom: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs

Wisdom literature in Job, Psalms, and Proverbs provides guidance, encouragement, and warning for people living in the time period covered in the previous section. These writings give a framework for a life of flourishing that includes: 1) acquiring wisdom and following the law 2) fearing the Lord 3) submitting to suffering. Prophets enforce God’s covenants and remind people of the blessings and curses God will bring as a result of their obedience or disobedience. The Israelites are supposed to exemplify God’s love and faithfulness but worship idols and participate in sin and social injustice instead. As a consequence, God exiles them to Assyria and Babylon (mentioned in the previous section). Prophets give the people hope that a Messiah will come to bring salvation and restore them. Despite their sinfulness, the Lord continues to be faithful.

The Arrival of the King: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John

God remains silent for 400 years between the books of Malachi and Matthew. The New Testament opens with the birth of the promised Messiah, Jesus.  Throughout the course of His life He fulfills all the prophecies and covenants related to the Messiah in the Old Testament, overcomes temptation, and remains sinless. During His years of ministry He heals people, casts out demons, brings dead people back to life, and preaches about the kingdom of God. Jesus teaches that belief in Him will bring eternal life and reconciliation with God, His Father. Despite His innocence, Jewish leaders accuse Him of blasphemy and convince the Romans to charge Him with treason and crucify Him. Three days after dying on the cross, Jesus resurrects from death and appears to many of His followers to give them final instructions and prepare them  for the arrival of His Holy Spirit.

The Kingdom Community: Acts thru Jude

Before ascending into heaven, Jesus gives His followers the mission to go make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and teaching the to obey everything He commands. His followers receive the Holy Spirit and become witnesses for Him in Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond. In the book of Acts God shows Peter that the gospel is for everyone–Jews and Gentiles can both be included in the family of God through Christ. Paul preaches the gospel far and wide to both Jews and Gentiles, teaching them that they are saved through faith in Jesus by God’s grace. The epistles explain God’s call for  believers to be ambassadors of Christ and to walk worthy of their calling in Him. Additionally, the epistles warn against false teaching and encourage believers in the midst of the trials and persecution they face while living as aliens and strangers in the world.

 The Kingdom is Restored: Revelation

Exiled on the Island of Patmos, the elderly Apostle John receives a series of visions revealing events that will unfold before and during Jesus’ return to earth. In his vision, John witnesses the throne room of heaven, God’s wrath poured out on rebellious and sinful people, the final judgement, the defeat of Satan, and the physical return of Christ. John sees the old heaven and earth pass away and the merging of a new heaven and earth. In the New Jerusalem God dwells with His people and Jesus rules and reigns with them for eternity. The shalom of the garden is finally restored and God’s plans and purposes prevail.

Understanding the Kingdom- A Worthy Endeavor

I’ve been learning about the Bible all of my life, have read it from start to finish several times, and have been studying it consistently for the past 25 years. Despite all of this time in God’s Word, I’ve never been able to summarize it like this before (shout out to Elizabeth Woodson for crafting a study that made it possible for me to give this overview). The more I learn, the more I realize how beautiful and multi-faceted Scripture is.  Reading it, believing it, and applying it is truly a worthy endeavor. God’s Word is living and active; it shows us everything needed to live a life of purpose and flourishing now and forevermore.

Elizabeth Woodson, From Beginning to Forever: A Study of the Grand Narrative of Scripture, Lifeway Press, 2022.

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Heaven’s View of Christmas

Each December we read the beloved story of Christmas from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. We remember Mary and Joseph, shepherds and angels, wise men and the star, and, of course, baby Jesus. We find comfort and hope in the familiar plot, people, and places. But this year, I heard a sermon with a new perspective on the Christmas story that’s straight from Scripture, but often overlooked. It’s a narrative that steps back to give us a broader view of Christ’s birth from the perspective of heaven.

The apostle John, known as “the disciple Jesus loved” wrote the book of Revelation while in exile at the end of his life. He wrote about visions and prophecies revealed to him by God to give hope and encouragement to persecuted believers around the world. In his vision from chapter 12, John describes the birth of Christ. One aspect of this incredible event we rarely consider is the cosmic conflict that it caused:

“A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth. Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on its heads. Its tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that it might devour her child the moment he was born. She gave birth to a son, a male child, who ‘will rule all the nations with an iron scepter.’ And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne… Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.” (Revelation 12:1-9, NIV)

Pastor Rick Atchley contends that the woman in John’s vision represents both Israel and Jesus’ mother, Mary, who birthed the Messiah as the Savior for all of humankind. He believes that the Revelation passage describes Christ’s birth and the devil’s attempt to intervene and prevent Him from fulfilling the purposes for which He was born. War breaks out between God and Satan and the enemy ultimately is cast out of heaven and hurled to earth with his minions. 

Christ’s birth from heaven’s perspective shows us that there is a huge story playing out. There is a dark lord fighting against a promised King. But the outcome of their conflict has already been determined:

“Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: ‘Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short’…  Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.” (Revelation 12:10-12, 17, NIV)

Bible scholars have differing opinions on the time frames and specifics for the events described in the passage above. Regardless, the vision helps us to understand why bad things happen to us even though Jesus was victorious. It’s because we still contend with an unseen reality: the devil who roams the earth. He is the one behind all the hurt, pain, and evil in this world. The dragon knows Jesus was born to rule the earth and he knows God’s kingdom is invincible, but he will continue to wage war and spread misery on the earth until Jesus returns.

Right now, there’s an ongoing battle all around us in the spiritual realm: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12, NIV) All people on earth in every generation get to decide which side of the battle they want to be on, but only one of the opponents will stand the test of time: “Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever!” (Revelation 1:5 & 6, NIV)

Celebrating Christmas reminds us the enemy’s reign has an expiration date. Regardless of which interpretation of Revelation we align with, we can be encouraged by taking a bigger view of Jesus when we face earthly problems and struggles. We can remind ourselves that the King of Kings who conquered death will one day rule all nations and make all things right. We can rejoice that our true hope isn’t in human empires or worldly comforts but in the absolute sovereignty of Christ. 

Before Pastor Atchley’s sermon begins, a short video depicts a classic nativity scene with Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. As the narrator speaks, the camera pulls back to reveal angels singing above the manger and then further still to reveal stars, constellations, a throne and a dragon. The narrator describes each scene saying: “There’s the story we know: The King of Kings born in a lowly manger. But the story we know is part of a bigger story. A story that unfolds not just in a stable, but on the stage of history played out among the stars and the heavenly hosts. It’s a story of cosmic conflict; of good and evil locked in battle; of a victorious king enthroned forever. The story we know reaches far beyond the little town of Bethlehem into every corner of the cosmos.”1

May this Christmas leave you in awe that the King of Kings who existed before time began came to earth to rescue and redeem us and give us everlasting hope. Let “King of Kings” by Hillsong Worship give you a moment to stop and praise God for this incredible truth. Click here to listen.

1. “A Cosmic King” Series: Cosmic Christmas, Rick Atchely, The Hills Church. Click here to watch the full sermon. 

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Judah’s Blessing

For the past few months we’ve walked closely with Joseph through Genesis 37-50 and have seen many examples God’s faithfulness. Now, as the end of the story comes into view, we’re beginning to notice many threads of the Lord’s redemptive plan weaving together. Today we’ll take a closer look at a prophetic blessing Jacob gave at the end of his life that still has relevance for us today.

As the favorite son of Jacob, we would expect Joseph to receive the most important blessing. So, it’s surprising to discover that instead, Jacob reserved the most significant blessing for one of Joseph’s older brothers:

“Judah, your brothers will praise you; your hand will be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons will bow down to you. You are a lion’s cub, Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness—who dares to rouse him? The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his.” (Genesis 49:8-10, NIV)

Despite being Jacob’s fourth son, Judah received the distinct honor of being the one through whom God’s blessing would continue. Jacob prophesied that the mantle of lordship and power, symbolized by the scepter, would remain in Judah’s family line until “he to whom it belongs” came. He was talking about the Messiah.

Kelly Minter explains, “If I had written the story, no doubt I would have chosen for the Messiah to come through Joseph’s line instead of Judah’s. But God’s grace is on full display here. God sent a Savior through those and to those who don’t deserve it. And He raised up Joseph to save a nation, a foreshadowing of Jesus’ ultimate salvation…The One to whom the kingdom belongs has come. His name is Jesus. He will come again, and all nations will be obedient to Him.” (page 192) Let’s take a moment to unpack this amazing truth together.

The promise of the Messiah whom Jacob describes began with Adam and Eve. We see this when God said that Eve’s offspring would one day crush the head of the serpent, Satan (see Genesis 3:14). The promise continues with Abraham when the Lord says his offspring will be a blessing to all people on earth (see Genesis 12:3). With Abraham’s great-grandson, Judah, we see the Messiah symbolized as a strong lion that will ultimately command the obedience of the nations.

The name “Lion of Judah” next appears in Revelation, the last book of the Bible. In this yet-to-be fulfilled prophesy, the writer, John, describes the Messiah as both a lion and a lamb. In his vision of the heavenly throne room, John sees a scroll in the “right hand of him who was seated on the throne.” He begins to despair because there is no one found worthy to approach the hand of God to take and open the scroll. Others in the vision provide hope to John:

“Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals… He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.’” (Revelation 5:5, 7-9, NIV)

John describes how Jesus, the Messiah, fulfills the prophecies made thousands of years earlier. As the sacrificial lamb, He washes away the stain of sin through His death on the cross, crushing the serpent’s head and claiming His ultimate victory over death. At the same time, Jesus blesses all people on earth by making salvation from sin possible for them. As the lion, He represents the conquering King who will return one day to slay the enemies of God.

Remember the last sentence of Jacob’s blessing for Judah? He says Judah’s family line will rule until One came who would command the obedience of the nations. Now, read this verse from Revelation:

“Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!’” (Revelation 5:13, NIV)

John’s prophesy mirrors Jacob’s—both show that a day will come when the whole earth will have no choice but to bow down and worship at the feet of the Lion of Judah: Jesus.

Stepping back to view the bigger picture gives us deeper understanding of God’s greatness and shows how His perfect plan unfolds in His impeccable timing. Pause for a moment and be amazed by our Savior. The seamlessness of the Bible leaves me in awe. Jesus is woven throughout the pages, from Genesis to Revelation.

So, what’s the appropriate response to this good news? Scripture urges us to join with the many witnesses of God’s faithfulness who have gone before us—people we’ve been studying in Genesis like Jacob and Joseph who are also mentioned in the “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews 11. As we remember their stories displaying God’s faithfulness, we choose to “strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up” and “run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.” (Hebrews 12:1-2, NLT)

As Christ’s followers, we can marvel at the finished work of the cross and celebrate the riches we have in Him. Every day is a new opportunity to run with our gaze fixed on Jesus, to honor Him through the way we live, and to be filled with hope as we await His eventual return.

Revel in God’s redemptive plan that threads from Genesis to Revelation by enjoying “The Lion and the Lamb” by Big Daddy Weave.

Kelly Minter, Finding God Faithful: A Study on the Life of Joseph, Lifeway Press, 2019.

*Some material for this blog came from: http://www.gotquestions.org/Lion-and-the-Lamb.html

Lion drawing by Brooke McCullum

The Lion of Judah

Reading the Chronicles of Narnia as a child, I became captivated by Lucy, Edmund, Susan, Peter and their many adventures in the magical land of Narnia. As an adult, I re-read the books to my kids and reveled in them again. C.S. Lewis portrays the central character, Aslan, as a Christ figure. His choice to use a lion for this role is no coincidence; he knew the deep biblical symbolism associated with this majestic animal.

Near the end of Jacob’s life, he pronounced a blessing on each of his sons. His words for Judah relate directly to the symbolism C.S. Lewis borrowed to create the character of Aslan:

“Judah, your brothers will praise you; your hand will be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons will bow down to you. You are a lion’s cub, Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness—who dares to rouse him? The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his.” (Genesis 49:8-10, NIV)

Despite being Jacob’s fourth son, Judah received the distinct honor of being the one through whom God’s blessing would continue. Jacob prophesied that the mantle of lordship and power, symbolized by the scepter, would remain in Judah’s family line until “he to whom it belongs” came (the Messiah). And ultimately, He would command the obedience of the nations.

The promise of the Messiah began in Genesis, first with Adam and Eve when God said that Eve’s offspring would one day crush the head of the serpent, Satan (see Genesis 3:14). The promise continued with Abraham, whose offspring would bless all people on earth (see Genesis 12:3). With Abraham’s great-grandson, Judah, we see the Messiah symbolized as a strong lion that would one day command the obedience of the nations. (We are still waiting for this part of the promise to be fulfilled).

The next time we see this term used is in Revelation, the last book of the Bible. In this yet-to-be fulfilled prophesy, the writer, John, describes the Messiah as both a lion and a lamb. The scene he describes is a vision of the heavenly throne room. In it, John sees that there is a scroll in the “right hand of him who was seated on the throne.” He begins to despair because there is no one found worthy to approach the hand of God to take and open the scroll. But John’s fears are unfounded:

“Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals… He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.’” (Revelation 5:5, 7-9, NIV)

This connection between the first and last book of the Bible amazes me. John describes how Jesus, the Messiah, fulfills the prophetic statements made thousands of years earlier. As the sacrificial lamb, He washes away the stain of sin through His death on the cross, making it possible for all who follow Him to share in His ultimate victory over death. As the lion, He represents the conquering King who will return to slay the enemies of God.

Remember the last sentence of Jacob’s blessing to Judah? He talked about Judah’s family line ruling until One came who would command the obedience of the nations. Now, read this verse from Revelation:

“Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!’” (Revelation 5:13, NIV)

John’s prophesy mirrors Jacob’s—both show that one day the whole earth will have no choice but to bow down and worship at the feet of the Lion of Judah who the New Testament reveals as Jesus.

The seamlessness of the Bible leaves me in awe. Jesus is woven throughout the pages, from Genesis to Revelation. Taking a step back to view the bigger picture every now and then gives us an even deeper understanding of God’s greatness and the way His perfect plan unfolds in His impeccable timing.

So what’s the appropriate response to this amazing news? Scripture urges us to join with the many witnesses of God’s faithfulness who have gone before us—people we’ve been studying in Genesis like Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph also mentioned in the “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews 11. As we remember their stories displaying God’s faithfulness we, “strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up” and “run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.” (Hebrews 12:1-2, NLT)

As Christ’s followers, we can marvel at the finished work of the cross and celebrate the riches we have in Him. Every day is a new opportunity to run with our gaze fixed on Jesus and to honor Him through the way we live.

Revel in the consistency of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation by enjoying “The Lion and the Lamb” by Big Daddy Weave.

*Some material for this blog came from an article on gotquestions.org. To read it, click here.

Between Flood and Fire

Disconcerting news headlines featuring stories about hatred, divisions, and acts of violence constantly demand our attention. Sometimes it’s hard to believe that the world was even worse in ancient times. And yet, Scripture tells us:

“The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. So the Lord said, ‘I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.’” (Genesis 6:5-7, NIV)

Thankfully, in the midst of pure evil, one man stood apart: “But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord…Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God.”  (Genesis 6:8-9b)

Many of us know the story because of its fantastic imagery and outrageous events. We marvel at the thought of an enormous ark roughly the size of a football field, the pairs of animals that came to Noah to be herded onto it, and the deluge of rain that lasted forty days and forty nights.

What we don’t think about is that the earth will be destroyed again. In the New Testament, we find a parallel between the first destruction by flood and the future one by fire: “Long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.” (2 Peter 3:5b-7, NIV)

Before you start to panic, be encouraged by what Peter says next: “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:8-9, NIV)

Rest assured, God isn’t gleefully rubbing His hands together counting the days until fire rains down on the earth. He’s waiting patiently, hoping as many people as possible will choose to seek forgiveness for their sins, accept Jesus as their savior, and begin a relationship with Him. He’s merciful and longs for all people to choose the gift of grace He offers. And while the eventual destruction of the earth sounds upsetting, the good news is that God will create a new heaven and a new earth.

So, what are we called to do during this season between the flood and the fire? Here’s what Peter says:

“Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him…Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:11-14. 17-18, NIV)

Although we live in a depraved world, we can be thankful that there are many who still seek God and that the inclinations of all people aren’t “only evil all the time.” Together, we can follow Noah’s example of obedience and heed Peter’s warnings. Here are three things to keep in mind:

-We should be people whose priorities reflect our beliefs. If we believe what the Bible says, we know the world is temporary and we should live for the One who is eternal. We need to ask ourselves regularly if we’re living for things that will fall away or things that will last forever. If we are consumed with what we have and don’t have in this life, our hearts and minds are blocked from focusing on things that are of eternal significance.

-We shouldn’t delay in receiving the Lord’s forgiveness and beginning a personal relationship with Him. If we know Him, we should be intentional and prayerful about sharing Him with others. God is patiently waiting for as many people as possible to come to Him, but there will come a day when the waiting will end.

-We should keep growing in grace and knowledge. If we’re not moving forward in our faith journey, we’re slipping backward. We must guard what Christ has given us and continually nurture our new nature.

Click on the link and enjoy the final words of 2 Peter 3 in “The Benediction” by Timothy James Meaney.

Jen Wilkin, God of Creation Week 8, Lifeway Press 2017

The three bullet points at the end of the post are a compilation of a sermon by John Durham, Lead Pastor of Highland Church in Waco, TX (Nov. 4, 2018).

The Lion of Judah- Women of the Word Part 5

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Reading the Chronicles of Narnia as a child, I became captivated by Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter and their many adventures in the magical land of Narnia. As an adult, I re-read the books to my kids and reveled in them again. C.S. Lewis portrays the central character, Aslan, as a Christ figure. His choice to use a lion for this role is no coincidence; he knew the deep biblical symbolism associated with this majestic animal.

If you’ve been following along with this series of posts based on Women of the Word: The Family Tree of Jesus, then you know the next two characters in the family tree are Leah and Tamar. Both women were closely connected to Judah, Jacob’s fourth born son. Near the end of Jacob’s life, he pronounced a blessing on each of his sons. His words for Judah relate directly to the symbolism C.S. Lewis borrowed to create the character of Aslan:

“Judah, your brothers will praise you; your hand will be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons will bow down to you. You are a lion’s cub, Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness—who dares to rouse him? The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his.” (Genesis 49:8-10, NIV)

 Despite being Jacob’s fourth son, Judah received the distinct honor of being the one through whom God’s blessing would continue. Jacob prophesied that the mantle of lordship and power, symbolized by the scepter, would remain in Judah’s family line until “he to whom it belongs” came (The Messiah). And ultimately, He would command the obedience of the nations.

The promise of the Messiah began in Genesis, first with Adam and Eve when God said that Eve’s offspring would one day crush the head of the serpent, Satan (see Genesis 3:14). The promise continued with Abraham, whose offspring would bless all people on earth (see Genesis 12:3). With Abraham’s great-grandson, Judah, we see the Messiah symbolized as a strong lion that would one day command the obedience of the nations. (We are still waiting for this part of the promise to be fulfilled).

The next time we see this term used is in Revelation, the last book of the Bible. In this yet-to-be fulfilled prophesy, the writer, John, describes the Messiah as both a lion and a lamb. The scene he describes is a vision of the heavenly throne room. In it, John sees that there is a scroll in the “right hand of him who was seated on the throne.” He begins to despair because there is no one found worthy to approach the hand of God to take and open the scroll. But John’s fears are unfounded:

“Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals… He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.’” (Revelation 5:5, 7-9, NIV)

This connection between the first and last book of the Bible amazes me. John describes how Jesus, the Messiah, fulfills the prophetic statements made thousands of years earlier. As the sacrificial lamb, He washes away the stain of sin through His death on the cross, making it possible for all who follow Him to share in His ultimate victory over death. As the lion, He represents the conquering King who will return to slay the enemies of God.

Remember the last sentence of Jacob’s blessing to Judah? He talked about Judah’s family line ruling until One came who would command the obedience of the nations. Now, read this verse from Revelation:

“Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!’” (Revelation 5:13, NIV)

John’s prophesy mirrors Jacob’s—both show that one day the whole earth will have no choice but to bow down and worship at the feet of the Lion of Judah who the New Testament reveals as Jesus.

The seamlessness of the Bible leaves me in awe. Jesus is woven throughout the pages, from Genesis to Revelation. Taking a step back to view the bigger picture every now and then gives me an even deeper understanding of God’s greatness and the way His perfect plan unfolds in His perfect timing.

I’ve attached a song that ties together the tremendous symbolism of the Lion and the Lamb. Although this is an audio version with no lyrics written out, you can clearly understand the words of Doug Eltzroth’s song “Judah’s Great Lion Now Lamb.” So click on the link, close your eyes and take a moment to worship Jesus, Judah’s great Lion who became a lamb so that we could know God and enjoy eternity with Him. And if you haven’t read the Chronicles of Narnia, go find a copy of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe and get started!

Continue reading “The Lion of Judah- Women of the Word Part 5”