Did you ever stop to think, if you are a believer, that Jesus' perfectly obedient life was lived for you? That when God views you through Jesus your representative, he sees you as perfectly pleasing to himself? That is the astounding message of Hebrews 10:4-14. * * * Hebrews 10:10 is a gospel gem! The author has already told us that Jesus came to do God's will in a human body -- to offer God the living sacrifice of a sinless and obedient human life. Now he tells us that Jesus' obedience was for our benefit. "By this will" -- this life of perfect human obedience, this life lived fully in … [Read more...]
JESUS PLEASED GOD FOR YOU (1)
Did you ever stop to think, if you are a believer, that Jesus' perfectly obedient life was lived for you? That when God views you through Jesus your representative, he sees you as perfectly pleasing to himself? That is the astounding message of Hebrews 10:4-14. * * * The New Testament author of Hebrews says it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sin (10:4). "Why is that?" we ask. Because animals, being amoral creatures, are incapable of offering God what he most desires from his human creatures -- an obedient human life, lived in right relationship to the Creator from … [Read more...]
WHAT IS YOM KIPPUR? (3)
After the Romans destroyed the Jerusalem Temple in A.D. 69-70, Jews who accepted Jesus as Messiah were not nearly so dismayed as their fellow-Jews who did not, for they realized that all the rituals of high priests and sacrificial animals had reached their intended goal in the life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus of Nazareth -- "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." Those Jews who did not receive the Messiah were devastated and felt obligated to re-invent Judaism for a situation without any Temple or priests or sacrificial animals. Over time, repentance and prayer … [Read more...]
WHAT IS YOM KIPPUR? (2)
This all foreshadowed the realities that Jesus later brought to pass and anticipated the eternal atonement Jesus would make by his self-offering to God on the cross. The white linen spoke of purity and common humanity. Though deity incarnate, Jesus was fully man, and he went to the cross having kept God's laws perfectly and having lived in absolute covenant faithfulness to God. The word for the Mercy Seat in the Greek Old Testament was hilasterion, the "Propitiation," a word combining the ideas of appeasement and reconciliation. By offering himself, symbolized in the shedding of his blood on … [Read more...]
WHAT IS YOM KIPPUR? (1)
Yom Kippur is the Hebrew name for the Day of Atonement (literally, "Day of Covering"), the most holy day in the Jewish calendar. On this day, observant Jews worldwide repent of sins committed during the past year and seek God's merciful forgiveness. In keeping with these solemn exercises, a total fast is imposed, even from water, with certain merciful exceptions. The details for this day's original observance are recorded in Leviticus chapter 16, as given by God through Moses to the Israelites in the wilderness after their miraculous escape from Egyptian slavery and God's covenant-making with … [Read more...]
WHAT ORDINARY CHRISTIAN PROPHECY IS (Prophecy – 6)
We have seen that ordinary Christian prophecy does not result in new Scripture, new doctrine or new commands from God. It does not necessarily mean foretelling the future. It is not an infallible word from God. It is not the same ministry as preaching or teaching. If it is not all these things, just what is ordinary Christian prophecy -- that gift which Paul says we should especially desire and which Peter says God gives to his people in general during this era of messianic salvation and the Holy Spirit? As presented in the New Testament, ordinary Christian prophecy is a message that … [Read more...]
WHAT PROPHECY IS NOT (Prophecy – 5)
According to both the Old Testament (Joel) and the New Testament (Peter), one manifestation of God's Spirit in this messianic era is the widespread gift of prophecy -- not through a select few as in past ages but through God's children in general -- men and women, young and old, servant and master alike. Because God bestows this gift so indiscriminately, I refer to it as "ordinary Christian prophecy." Before we try to describe ordinary Christian prophecy in a positive way, it is helpful to note some things it is not. First, it has nothing to do with producing new Scripture. The Bible is … [Read more...]
HEBREW PROPHETS AND CHRISTIAN APOSTLES (Prophecy – 4)
Ordinary Christian prophecy comes through ordinary Christian people -- "your sons and daughters," to use Joel's words which Peter quoted on Pentecost (Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:17-21). As we learn more about ordinary Christian prophecy we will learn also not to confuse this kind of revelation with the "Thus says the LORD" messages given through Moses, Elijah, Isaiah and Jeremiah. The great prophets of the Old Testament spoke authoritatively and delivered the precise words of God (Jer. 1:9). What they predicted would certainly come to pass (1 Sam. 9:6). What they commanded, God's people were … [Read more...]
THE BIBLE IS NOT ‘PERFECTION’ (Prophecy – 3)
We will see later that ordinary Christian prophecy is fragmentary, time-oriented, specific and local. For all those reasons it is "in part," and it will cease "when perfection comes." Then we shall "see face to face" and "know fully" even as we are fully known (1 Cor. 13:8-12). Some believers think this text refers to the time when the last New Testament book was written and the Bible was completed. However, we have seen that "perfection" here refers to the fullness of God's saving purpose and the complete maturity of Christ's people when Jesus returns. Even if we did not know that, there are … [Read more...]
THE END OF A GOOD THING (Prophecy – 2)
Ordinary Christian prophecy is a hallmark of the Christian era and a particularly desirable gift (Acts 2:16-21; 1 Cor. 14:1). Yet when prophecy has fully served its purpose, it will come to an end. The Apostle Paul explains: "We know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. . . . Now we see but a poor reflection; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known" (1 Cor. 13:9-12). One day, when Jesus returns, God's plan will reach its full and perfect goal. Meanwhile, as Paul notes early in this … [Read more...]
