Today we will begin in chapter 16 of Matthew and continue from there.
Matthew 16
The pharisees and sadducees normally came in tempting Jesus either to get Him to say something they can kill Him with or attempting to get Him to lose His cool as Moses did. Here they asked for a sign from Heaven; and Jesus told them they know how to look in the sky and tell if a storm is coming; but they cannot look at all the things the Messiah was to do according to the scriptures and tell that He was here.
Are you still waiting on a sign to show you God is real? At the end of it, JESUS gave them the same sign He gave earlier: 4A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.
6Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
12Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
It's a fair warning in these days as well, beware of the doctrine of the modern day leaders of religions by really investigating what they are telling you in Jesus name.
The Christ
Jesus asked His disciples who men think He is, and who they think He is. They replied that men say He was a former prophet come back to life; but they were not quick to answer when He asked about Himself.
Then Peter replied that He is the Messiah they have been waiting for, that Jesus was and is the Son of the living God. From that Jesus gave Peter the keys to the kingdom. He told His disciples not to tell anyone that He was Jesus the Anointed One from God (v13-20).
Jesus was an excellent teacher, He did not flat out tell anyone, even His disciples that He was the Messiah, He let them figure it out for themselves before He graduated them. Let me share with you what I mean by this.
21From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
Previously Jesus never told them about how He was going to be killed and raised on the third day. But now that they knew He was the Christ, He could explain more deeper seeded details with them.
Peter Rebuked!
Peter did not like the fact that Jesus had to die. Obviously Peter did not read Isaiah chapter 53 with his glasses on or he read it in a dark room without a flash light; because he should have known that the Messiah had to die for the sins of the people. When he emotionally told Jesus that He wouldn't die, Jesus quickly rebuked him calling him Satan and telling him he is an offense to Him because he emotionally wanted the things that men want and not what God wants. This is when Jesus told us to deny ourselves and lose our desires and cater to His so that we can find life (v22-27). Because He will come back with His angels and give rewards according to every man's works!
28Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.
This chapter ends with this verse and the next chapter is a continuation of this verse and the conversation with Peter being rebuked. So with understanding I want us to go into the next chapter understanding it is literally a continuation of events.
Matthew 17
Six days ago they the disciples were with Jesus and He took some with Him into the mount (some standing here that shall not taste of death...). Six days later Peter, John, and James saw Jesus in a vision in His kingdom talking to Moses and Elijah. They didn't die and they saw His kingdom.
The zealous Peter ask if he can build tabernacles for Jesus and the two great prophets of the Lord; and that's when a voice (not the Father's voice although it spake the Father's words) from Heaven basically told Peter to shut up and listen to Jesus. They were so scared of the voice they fell down; and when they got up all they saw was Jesus (v1-9).
John the Baptist was Elijah (v10-13)
Prayer and Fasting
There was a man whose son was a lunatic and Jesus disciples could not heal him. So it was brought to Jesus and He called them all faithless because that is the main reason you cannot do something. First you do not believe you can, then you do not know how.
Jesus did it and told them with faith the size of a mustard seed you can do impossible things. But to do the big things you have to do it with prayer and fasting.
Jesus Pays Peter's Taxes
Jesus again tells that He would be killed and all the guys were sorry to hear this chiefly because they didn't understand the scriptures. Jesus could have easily told them, don't be sad, I'll be God in 3 days and 3 nights; but He left it for them to think and meditate on to and put together for themselves.
While there, tax collectors asked Peter if Jesus pays taxes. Peter says yes and proceeds to go get his money; but Jesus stopped him and asked, who do the kings of the earth tax, their children of strangers?
Peter said, strangers! Jesus then said that means the children should live free, meaning they should not have to pay taxes, however so that we don't get in trouble with the IRS, go get this fish and open it's mouth, get the money you find and give to them for both me and you (v22-27)! Jesus was one wise being; but then again He was God who became man, there is a a lot He will know.
Matthew 18
10Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
The disciples wanted to know who was going to be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, Jesus said the most humble man will be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Who ever receives a little child in Jesus name, receives Him and if you offend one of these children, it is better for you to put a anchor noose around your next and thrown in the sea.
So Jesus warns all should be careful not to offend the children and the "little people" of the earth. The people who people call no names, or regular Joe who is trying to do right. If you do, remember that the Father who is in Heaven has His angels who always come and report to Him what everyone on the earth is doing, from Barack Obama down to the 4 year old in Indonesia (v1-10).
One Dollar Better than $99
Jesus came to restore that which was lost, so as man has a hundred sheep and one goes astray, he will leave the 99 and go into the wild to get the one that went astray and when he finds it he rejoices over that one than the ninety-nine which were intact. Same with our Father in heaven. It's true with us, when we lose one dollar out of the hundred, when we find the dollar, we are happier with finding that dollar than we are of the 99 which was never lost. In essence, one dollar becomes better than 99 (v11-14).
Touching and Agreeing with Faith
Jesus said that if two agree on earth as touching anything and ask, it will be done for them by the Father, which is in Heaven. All you need is two or three to gather in the name of Jesus, and He will be in the midst of them (v19-20). Some people may not think this is true because they genuinely prayed with a group of people faithfully to restore the health of a friend or love one. However, when the person died, they figured prayer doesn't mean anything. That is wrong to think. The Lord answers prayers of faithful servants. Your prayer may be granted in the kingdom of God when that person awakes into God's kingdom.
You may get your riches in the kingdom when it means something; when you can buy a car that will last for 2 million years without one oil change. You must keep the faith in the Lord.
Forgiveness and Mercy (v21-35)
Peter asked Jesus how often should he forgive his brother for crossing him. Jesus replied seventy times seven, basically an unlimited amount. Forgiving is healthy for the soul to those who are able, but it is also a requirement. So Jesus told a story of a man who had a servant who owed him about $10,000 dollars and because he wasn't repaying his master the master was going to sell him, his wife, and kids to get his money. But the servant fell down and begged the master to have patience that he'd pay it all. The master has compassion with the man and forgave him of all his sins, I mean debt.
The same servant being let off the hook went and found a guy who owed him about ten to a hundred bucks and put his hands on him, choked him, and said pay me my money. I'm sure a few expletive were in there. The man fell down and told him to have patience that he'd get the money; but he didn't hear none of that; but threw the man in prison. When it got back to his lord, what do you think happened?
34And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
He put him in the worst jail until he payed all that was due. This is what the Father will do if does with us. If we cannot forgive people, even our own family that do us wrong, how is it that the Lord will forgive us?
Matthew chapter 19
Marriage and Divorce (v1-11)
There was a time when the disciples came on Jesus asking about why Moses allowed the written divorce and was it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason. Now for people who do not believe the Old Testament, you may have to reconsider because this is where Jesus went to address the pharisees question. In the beginning God made them male and female, and when a man leaves his parents and marries his wife, they are no longer two, but one flesh. And whatever God joined together, no man can separate; that Moses only allowed the men of old to divorce because it was the lessor of the evils. They would either abuse the women to death or right out kill them, so Moses took good judgment and did this. He should have consulted God, but from the beginning, divorce was never so.And Jesus says to them and us, who ever divorces their wife for any reason other than she went out and slept with another man, and he goes an marries another, commits adultery. Also, who ever marries a divorced woman is committing adultery. When his disciples heard how harsh the rules are around this, they came to the conclusion that it is just better not to get married. I would like to agree; but as Jesus said, who ever can receive this, let them receive it.
I'm Not Even Good But Be Poor Now and Rich Later and Keep My Commandments (v16-24)!
A man came and asked Jesus, calling Him Good Master, "what good thing should I do that I may have eternal life?" Jesus first off said, why are you calling Me good, only God is God. This does not mean Jesus was not God. He was referring to the fact that at the moment He was a man, and there is nothing good about being a man that will die and has no real powers. At any rate Jesus answered the mans question by telling him, if he wants to live forever, all he has to do is keep the commandments (Exodus 20). And Jesus ran all the commandments that he needed to keep, and He was speaking of them found in Exodus chapter 20.
20The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
Since the man tried to be a bit of a big shot, Jesus told Him to sell all his wealth and give it to the poor and follow Him. That is when you reach perfection. How many celebrities can do that today? How many rich men can do that today? Oprah would be deemed as crazy if she gave all her billions away and live off a modest amount, but Jesus said this is how you reach perfection. The man walked away sad, because he was wealthy.
23Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God (v24).
The Resurrection
Peter said to Jesus that they have given up a lot to serve and follow Him; what will they receive. This question applies to even us today, what are we going to get for reading this bible and doing what it command we do till the end?
28And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Jesus gave them what their jobs will be in the regeneration or the resurrection that they will be judges. Obadiah said in Mt. Zion there were saviors. Psalms said there were set thrones of judgment. Jesus will not be the only judge, those that follow Him will also join that group.
Matthew 20
Jesus gives us an example of the kingdom of heaven, that all who work to get into it will all receive the same pay. That pay is eternal life, the first will be last however, and the last will be first (v1-16).
The Last Will Be First (v25-28)
Jesus called a dispute between the disciples because one wanted to be Jesus right hand man in the kingdom. The Gentiles exercise authority over each other, Jesus tells us not to be like that but if you want to be a boss, a big timer, you should become a servant. Those who minister and serve others by default will become great and will be great in the Lord's kingdom.
Matthew chapter 21
5Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.
This should still be fresh in our minds that we read this prophecy in Zechariah chapter nine telling us that the daughters of Jerusalem (children of Israel), your King is coming riding on a donkey. Here Jesus and His disciples were coming up to a feast in Jerusalem and He is coming in as prophesied.
As He rode in bundles upon bundles of people followed Him shouting out Hosanna to the son of David, blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord. The Jews at that time thought they were being saved at that point, they thought this was the time where the Messiah will restore the kingdom of Israel.
When He came into Jerusalem, it was like an impromptu parade and Jesus went right into the temple where men were buying, selling, and trading, and Jesus threw there tables of money over, there were "money changers" in there as we have today and the Lord over threw them. Jesus was a bad guy, because anyone who can interrupt a dice game is not a soft guy.
15And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they were sore displeased,
16And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?
I just had to comment on this; the chief religious men saw the city in joyfulness and heard what they were shouting, and asked Jesus, "you hear what the people are saying." They were not happy, because they knew they'd be out of a job or busted for lying. Jesus answered them by asking them, have they read the scriptures? To know what is going on spiritually, you have to read the scriptures.
Prostitutes and Hookers & Tax Collectors Before Preachers (v28-32)
The Pharisees liked to ask mocking questions to Jesus so He asked them one. Two sons were asked the do a chore for the father, the first declined doing the task; but later on went back and did it. The second son said he'd do it; but later on, changed his mind and did not do it. The question is, who did the will of their father? The pharisees answered the first son. Of course Jesus trapped them so He can make a very easy point; prostitutes and tax collectors who the Father commanded to keep the commandments have said no; but have repented and changed their minds, starting with when John the baptist came on the scene.
These people will get into the kingdom of God before people like the pharisees because the Pharisees have not repented, nor have they believe.
Jesus then gave the parable of the vineyard where He made a vineyard (the house of Israel) and loan or rented it to husband men (ministers) who decided to keep the the vineyard for themselves. The Lord sent servants (prophets) to correct the men but they abused them, killing some. Finally, He sent His own Son thinking they'd have respect for Him, but they killed Him too. Jesus ask, what do they think the owner of the vineyard will do to the husband men? The pharisees answered, terribly destroy them.
The pharisees knew the parable was about them and they looked to kill Him, but backed off because the people loved Him and thought He was a prophet from God.
Matthew chapter 22
The Marriage of the Lamb; this is an invitation to a wedding of the Lord, and everyone is invited. However, some people are too busy to come get eternal at the wedding banquet the Father is hosting. They brought everyone, both good and bad to wedding.
10So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
11And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
12And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
13Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. When you go to a wedding, dress like you're going to a wedding. The Lord found a man who was a guest and he wasn't dressed well. He did not have the white robe of the righteousness; and the Lord asked Him why. Why have you not kept the Lord's commandments, and the man was speechless. They bound him hand and foot and through him into the lake of fire. Jesus parables and readings are even more admonishing of eternal suffering than the Old Testaments.
Jesus then addressed the Herodians and Pharisees who came to tempt Him concerning the paying of tribute. Jesus answered them and they were amazed and left Him alone that day. Then later that day, some Sadducees came and questioned Him about the resurrection because they did not believe in the resurrection. Boy will they be surprised when the Lord returns.
Anyway they give a scenario of a man who dies and she marries his brothers as the custom was in Israel, and they have no child each. So in the resurrection, who's wife will she be if she married all those brothers?
As a man I'd think either the first brother or the last; but Jesus cleared up the whole matter.
29Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
30For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.
31But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,
32I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
33And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.
34But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. When ever men came against Jesus first thing He would normally say is, you error in knowing the scriptures. In this case they did not understand the scriptures nor the power of God.
Because in the resurrection from the dead, no one marries or are given in marriage, but are like the angels of God in heaven. Every angel is single and not looking. Every angel does not procreate and thus they do not have sexual relations, which is the purpose of marriage. This statemen silences a lot of confusion around the resurrection, around marriage in the kingdom, and around the fallen angels who supposedly slept with Cain's seed.
However, concerning the resurrection, it is said that God is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. Therefore those men are living but alseep and will be resurrected. Just as I was when I read this with understanding and probably as you are, the people listening were astonished at the Lord's doctrine. And the Sadducees and Pharisees joined together to fight against Jesus. That's equivalent to the Methodist, Lutherans, and Baptist, joining together to fight the doctrine of the 7th day adventist.
The Great Commandment
36Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
37Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38This is the first and great commandment.
39And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Jesus says that on these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. It doesn't say replaces. In other words, if you look at the first 4 commandments of God, they teach you how to love the Lord, and the latter 6 teach you how to love your fellow man. The great commandment is to keep the commandments.
Jesus Strangles the Pharisees - "Leave Me Alone"
41While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,
42Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The son of David.
43He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,
44The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?
45If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?
46And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.
Jesus asked them about David and if the Messiah was His son. The Pharisees couldn't answer and from that day no one asked Him any more questions. It's now time to focus on killing Him because doctrine for doctrine they couldn't battle Him.
Matthew 23 2Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:
3All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.Jesus tells the people to do what the Pharisees tell you to do because they teach the law of God; but they just do not do the laws themselves. The Pharisees sit in Moses's seat in the way that they are the priest of God. They are suppose to be the representatives of God. Priest are suppose to be the Lord's mouth piece.
The Pharisees, however, are trying to be treated well by men; and respected by man rather than by God.
8But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
9And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
10Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
11But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
12And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
Jesus says not to call anyone Rabbi, which means Master, because the Messiah is our master, and all of us are equal brothers, so we shouldn't call each other Master. Also, we are not to call any man father on the earth; because we only have one Father, which is in heaven. Anyone with any sense knows this throws a monkey wrench at the Jewish people, who call their leaders rabbis and at the Catholics, who call their leaders father, but Jesus, the real leader said not to do this.
If you want to be great, become a servant and humble yourself. Get rid of all these big titles and self exaltation. Even if others exalt you, force them to stop and remain humble because this is how Jesus said you will become great.
Jesus warns us of the Pharisees and what they were doing to people. We have modern day Pharisees that you have to watch out for today as well that do the same.
They teach bad doctrine that closes the door to the kingdom not only on themselves, but to others who are looking to go in. They make those they teach double worse than them in being a child of hell.
28Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
The Pharisees of today and during the times of Jesus appear to be so nice, righteous, and clean outwardly, but inside, they are full of sin and filthiness. We see it all today, politicians and ministers who are so nice and appear so holy then a sexual scandal breaks out against them. Isn't that hypocritical?
The church buildings look so nice; but inside they are filled with a bunch of dead people inside because no one understands anything spiritually. You have men in Jesus day that said if I lived during the time of the prophets, I would not have killed them or let them be killed; but those same men hoisted Jesus onto the cross (v29-30).
33Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
Jesus sounds pretty upset in this chapter as He teaches the people by speaking against false prophets. Notice, all the prophets did this and ended up getting hurt, jailed, or killed. It makes me wonder why today's ministry of Jesus is so praised and accepted?
35That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.
The world has been killing righteous men all through the generations, from Abel to Zachariah, the prophet we just read about before Malachi, all these evil treatment will come back on the people who administered them.
Jerusalem killed the prophets sent to them. The husbandmen in the parable of the Vineyard, rejected and killed the prophets sent to them and are getting ready to kill the Son. Jesus says He would have gathered the children of Israel at any moment if they would only allow Him to. But they are now scattered all over the world and their land left desolate. They will not see Him till He returns (v36-39).
Matthew chapter 24
Jesus tells His disciples, who just asked Him about the Temple, that in some time it will be thrown down completely. This prompted them to ask about the sign of His return and the end of the world (as we know it).
The first response Jesus gives to their question is to make sure you are not deceived! 4And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
How is it possible to do this? If you do not know what the deception is, you can never know what, when, and how you are being deceived. If you know nothing about cars, you will know nothing about what the mechanic tells you. So it is imperative for you to learn what the bible says concerning many topics, so you can tell right away when a religion or a religious leader within a religion is speaking falsely. In Christianity, Jesus admonishes that many will come lying and will deceive many.
5For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. We have had people say they are the Messiah, they are the Christ; we have heard of many cult type religions that have mislead it's members. But pay attention to what Jesus also is saying here. He is not just referring to religious leaders who say of themselves that they are the Christ; but the preachers also who teach and say that Jesus was the Christ! However, in their teachings they mislead and deceive people by not teaching what Christ says to do!
We will hear of wars and rumours of wars, but the end is not yet. In our generations we've seen plenty of wars and rumors of more wars. Jesus said to not even worry about all of this.
7For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
8All these are the beginning of sorrows.
These are just the beginning of sorrows and pain.
11And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Again, many false prophets will rise up and deceive many people, and because the world is loaded with sin, the love of the law and general love will be cold. You're driving in a storm you see a little woman and her baby getting pushed by the wind and drenched in the rain; do you stop to help? No because it could be a set up. But if you endure this till the end, then you will be saved. According to Jesus, if you are not physically deceased, or He has not returned, then there is no way for you to be saved. You are still a working project on the path to be saved if you are walking in the Lord's word. But you are not saved until the end.
15When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
16Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
17Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
18Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
When you see this you are suppose to run. If you did not like to read the Old Testament you would have never received this vital warning. We read about this guy in Daniel, a religious organizations leader, will relocate his primary location from their current spot and into Jerusalem. When you see this, it is time to get out of Jerusalem, and other parts of the world that you are in and try to get to the place of safety, which is the wilderness.
It is so urgent it says if you are on the roof of your house working and you hear this news on the new channel; do not even go down to your house; simple take off. If you're at work and hear this, do not run home to get your stuff, just leave. Why is this the case?
21For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
22And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
The world will be so ugly till the Lord will have to shorten it before everyone is dead. Western Europe (the European Union) will try to force Eastern Europe (Russia) under their wings and when Russia resist a war will ensue. After a while people will try to do what North Korea has been talking about; pushing nuclear bomb buttons. The Lord is going to have come back and stop this from happening, because if He didn't no one would be left alive.
Jesus is Not in the Temple
If anyone tells you that Christ is in the temple, do not believe it. Everyone will see when Jesus returns; so do not fret about someone telling you about it; you will be saying to someone else, "what is that in the sky (v23-28)?" Furthermore, Jesus is going to return after the great tribulation.
29Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
30And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Just before the heat of the big war takes place you will see all of this. Since we are reading this, we will know it is the Lord. People who have not read this nor know about the Lord will not know it is Jesus; but they will surely know it is something they have never seen before in their lives.
The armies in battle will be instructed that aliens are invading because in other scriptures we'll read about it says they will fight against the Lord. Who will fight against an immortal powerful being? I wouldn't fight against Mike Tyson, the famous US boxer. I would not gun sling against the fictional character played by Clint Eastwood, Dirty Harry, because these are mortals who were deadly in their craft.
Jesus our Lord said all these things will happen, all His words will happen, so it's best to look out for it and be prepared. They partied and enjoyed life in the days of Noah, that means, Noah was warning the people that the flood was coming; but no one took heed. The same will happen with Jesus return, people are not going to stop dancing until the sky is broken back and destruction is sitting on their heads.
Jesus warns us not to be caught sleeping when He returns. Wait on it and teach your children to wait on it; because it will surely happen, even if it is not our generation; but I got a secret for you... it is!
Matthew 25
The Lord gives us talents, we are suppose to increase on these and not sit on them. If you simply sit on them, the talents you have will be taken away from you and cast you out of His sight. 30And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Another lake of fire reference.
Verse 31 through 46 is a chapter based the 1,000 year day of rest where the Lord will establish His kingdom and rule for a 1,000 years. He will separate the nations and put the good on His right and the bad on His left. It is up to each individual to decide which side they end up on.
Matthew chapter 26
2Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified. Jesus finished all His speaking about the end times and then moved His attention to the feast coming upon them. The passover was to be held in two days.
The chief priests all met at the High Priest's palace to discuss how they were going to kill Jesus. This is a straight up plotted out murder.
Jesus went to a man named Simon, and dined there and a woman poured out precious ointment on Him that made the disciples upset.
12For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.
Jesus knew it was to prepare His body for His burial. It was at this time that Judas went to meet with the chief priests to turn Jesus in for money. And he agreed to 30 pieces of silver, as I said earlier, I would have went for 31 or 29, but not 30 if I were him, but really Judas could not have know because he probably didn't read it or believe it (v14-16).
17Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover?
18And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples.
19And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.
According to Leviticus chapter 23 we read days ago, the passover comes first, you do eat unleavened bread on the passover, after the passover is the first day of the feast of unleavened bread. Here, the Jews and Jesus are preparing for the passover, the so-called "last supper" but it was simply a passover ordinance to be kept through out every generation.
21And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
26And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
27And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
28For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
This sounds like the communion, the last supper, the holy rites, but it is simply the Lord's passover, where He will actually PASS OVER our sins. Jesus began the New Covenant that He spoke about in the book of Jeremiah when He says in those days I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the House of Judah.
29But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
But Jesus won't take the passover until He does it new in His Father's kingdom. Jesus has to forgive everybody's sin, even those during the 1,000 year millennial period, so He will not drink of the passover until all has been passed over and that will be in the Father's kingdom.
Jesus Did Not Want to Die!
After He reminds the disciples that He would offend them this night according to prophecy, He kept asking them to watch and pray with Him. When you know you're going to die, it is a very burdensome feeling.
38Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
39And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
This was genuine prayer to perhaps push this thing to the next years passover, or to not have to have it this way at all. But in the end He submitted to the Father's will and not His and we have to do the same.
42He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
He went and prayed a second time that the Father might remove this great job from before Him; but He submitted to the Father.
44And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
He prayed three times for the Lord to remove this cup, but each time He submitted to the will of the Father. Then the chief priest came with Judas and laid hold to Jesus.
54But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
Some of the guys who rolled with Jesus were swordsman, probably equivalent to guys carrying guns for security purposes today. One of the men with Jesus struck one of the chief priest ear, slicing it right off. That's when Jesus told them to put away their weapons, that if He wanted helped He'd get it from the Father. But how then will the scriptures be fulfilled if they break out in fighting against the chief priest? This is the ultimate, stick to the script.
62And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?
63But Jesus held his peace, And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.
64Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
65Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.
They took Jesus in and scourged Him and Jesus would not answer them a word. Finally, the high priest commanded Jesus to tell them if He is the Messiah. Jesus responded and they found Him guilty of death. They began to beat the Lord and spit on Him, and Peter denied Jesus for the third time and he went off and wept.
This finishes today's reading, we will resume tomorrow at this very sad time in how the men of Judah killed the Lord; yet we are happy the Messiah was killed for our sins and that scripture was fulfilled.
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Peace & Grace
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