Good morning and here we are again getting closer to our goal of reading the Bible in 90 days.
Today we will start in Zechariah chapter 11.
7And I will feed the flock of slaughter, even you, O poor of the flock. And I took unto me two staves; the one I called Beauty, and the other I called Bands; and I fed the flock.
The Lord has Zechariah speaking against Israel calling them the flock of the slaughter. They are slaughter prone where ever the are in this captivity. The people who slay them do not feel any pity and are simply happy to say they are rich based on different comodies that has made them rich in using the children of Israel.
The Lord had two bands of the flock; one called Beauty and the other called Bands.
12And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver.
13And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD.
14Then I cut asunder mine other staff, even Bands, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.
The Lord cut off three kings in one month. The average good king in Israel reigned for at least 40 years. However, bad kings including the last three in Judah reigned combined less than 30 years. Thirty days is a month, example, because they were all wicked kings who hated God; and God hated them. We'll learn from Jesus in the New Testament how you hate Him.
And He took the one stave, Beauty, which was His covenant with the people and He broke it (because they broke their end). He also asked a price and they gave Him a price, thirty (30) pieces of silver. This is referring to Jesus, when Judas betrayed Him for 30 pieces of silver. Had Judas been reading the scriptures and not trying to steal money; he would have read this and asked for 31 pieces or no deal. He would have known that he was fulfilling prophecy on the bad end; and he could have walked away from the table.
Then the Lord cut the other staff, the Bands, and that broke the brotherly covenant between Judah and Samaria. Now they are always violent towards one another. One group frowns on the other, they have violence towards each other and it never ends because the Lord set it.
3And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.
The Word of God came to Zechariah concerning the end time; that the Lord will make Jerusalem a burden for all people, and everyone that burdens themselves with that land will be cut into pieces, even though all nations will be gathered to it in the war of Armageddon.
Take a look at your world today; the middle east primarily Israel is a start to many wars and conflicts. The constant argument between the Palestinians and the Jewish people has been perpetual. Other nations that come in to broker peace between the two find themselves engaging in war. It's a burden to whomever attempts to take over the land.
When the Lord returns and gives the land back to the people He gave it to originally; He will make them strong. They will be like David, and the house of David will be like God (because many of them will be immortal), like they have a mighty angel before them.
Nations that come against Jerusalem during the 1,000 year millennium will be destroyed, point blank.
10And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.
When that day comes Israel will see the Lord who they have pierced and they will mourn of guilt like one mourns for his only son; it will be a great mourning in Jerusalem for every family of Israel.
The Lord has Zechariah speaking against Israel calling them the flock of the slaughter. They are slaughter prone where ever the are in this captivity. The people who slay them do not feel any pity and are simply happy to say they are rich based on different comodies that has made them rich in using the children of Israel.
The Lord had two bands of the flock; one called Beauty and the other called Bands.
12And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver.
13And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD.
14Then I cut asunder mine other staff, even Bands, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.
The Lord cut off three kings in one month. The average good king in Israel reigned for at least 40 years. However, bad kings including the last three in Judah reigned combined less than 30 years. Thirty days is a month, example, because they were all wicked kings who hated God; and God hated them. We'll learn from Jesus in the New Testament how you hate Him.
And He took the one stave, Beauty, which was His covenant with the people and He broke it (because they broke their end). He also asked a price and they gave Him a price, thirty (30) pieces of silver. This is referring to Jesus, when Judas betrayed Him for 30 pieces of silver. Had Judas been reading the scriptures and not trying to steal money; he would have read this and asked for 31 pieces or no deal. He would have known that he was fulfilling prophecy on the bad end; and he could have walked away from the table.
Then the Lord cut the other staff, the Bands, and that broke the brotherly covenant between Judah and Samaria. Now they are always violent towards one another. One group frowns on the other, they have violence towards each other and it never ends because the Lord set it.
Zechariah 12
The Word of God came to Zechariah concerning the end time; that the Lord will make Jerusalem a burden for all people, and everyone that burdens themselves with that land will be cut into pieces, even though all nations will be gathered to it in the war of Armageddon.
Take a look at your world today; the middle east primarily Israel is a start to many wars and conflicts. The constant argument between the Palestinians and the Jewish people has been perpetual. Other nations that come in to broker peace between the two find themselves engaging in war. It's a burden to whomever attempts to take over the land.
When the Lord returns and gives the land back to the people He gave it to originally; He will make them strong. They will be like David, and the house of David will be like God (because many of them will be immortal), like they have a mighty angel before them.
Nations that come against Jerusalem during the 1,000 year millennium will be destroyed, point blank.
10And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.
When that day comes Israel will see the Lord who they have pierced and they will mourn of guilt like one mourns for his only son; it will be a great mourning in Jerusalem for every family of Israel.
Zechariah 13 The Lord is going to stop false prophets in that day, He will run them out of the land. If a man gets up and starts to preach and he is not from God, even his own parents will thrust him through for speaking lies in the name of the Lord.
We know we are not there yet with all the confusion in the world concerning matters pertaining to God, even the God of the Bible. If parents aren't going to have patience with their false prophet sons, you know no one else will.
Men of God who are false will no longer be able to deceive people with their clothing that is meant to look like they are some kind of clergy or respected man of God. People won't be deceived by the custom any longer.
In verse seven through nine; the Lord wakes the sword up against shepherd and hits the shepherd. When Jesus was arrested, and beaten, His sheep, starting with His disciples scattered from Him. No one defended Him nor went the walk with Him. And when He was killed, Israel was shortly scattered everywhere and the Lord sent after them in hostility.
Two-thirds of the children of Israel will be cut and killed and a third will be left in the captivity all around the world, and the Lord is going to take them through the fire, refine them like silver, try them like gold, He is really making sure they are ready to clean up their act and follow the Lord. Then they will be called by His name, and they will call Jesus their God.
This is an end time chapter concerning the return of the Lord and things that will be done. The Lord will gather all nations to Jerusalem to war; it will be an ugly war, the city will be taken, civilian houses will be shot up, women raped, and that is what the nations will do to each other.
Then the Lord is going to come down and fight against the nations. So in essence you're going to have Russia fighting against the west (EU); and when the battle is getting sore, nuclear weapons will be thought to be used and then the Lord will intervene. While He is descending, the nations will put their differences aside to fight against, what I'm guessing they believe to be aliens, but it will indeed be the Lord.
The Lord's feet will land on the mount of Olives and He will crush it into four pieces, this let's us know He is coming back in full strength.
All that know it's the Lord are going to run to valley to take safety in Him. It's going to be a different day. As verse six and seven explains it, the light won't be clear, but it won't be dark either. It won't be day and it won't be night. In the evening there will be light. This is really weird. You will be getting ready to go to sleep and it's as light as the noon day to you. That will be very different.
The Lord God, will be King over the entire earth and no one will ever knock Him off of His throne, as Daniel wrote, His dominion will be an everlasting dominion.
The Lord has some plagues that you might want to read about just in case you have a mind to rebel. He's going to have it wear your flesh is consumed away while you are standing on your feet. That sounds like something in a sci-fi movie; well you see where they read it from and entertain you with.
18And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.
19This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.
Also in that day, after the Lord kills all the rebels and unclean people, the nations that are left, will come up to Jerusalem every year to worship the King and keep the feast of Tabernacles. The feast that all should be keeping now; it will be require then still. And if a country decides not to come up, the Lord will stop the rain in their land. I perceive the Lord is serious about His feast days.
The Lord is going to set up His kingdom; and there will be surely a new, but old Sheriff in town.
3And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.
We move into Malachi; and the Lord is giving the burden of His word to the prophet telling him to tell Israel did not the Lord love them and hate Esau? Esau was laid waste with the dragons of the wilderness (who we'll find out who they are later). Edom will be called the border of wickedness, and the people who the Lord hated forever. I can certainly understand why that nation changed it's name.
6A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?
I love this question the Lord ask; a son is suppose to honor his father and a servant fear his master. Then the Lord says where is my honor, if He is a Father to us, and wear is His fear if He is a Lord to us? People have gotten away from these basics.
In verse eleven the Lord gives us His name. A lot of men like to argue what the Lord's name is; saying that Jesus is Greek word for Zeus and that His name was something else. Here the Lord give us His name.
11For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.
As the sun rises till it goes down, the Lord's name will be great among the Gentiles and everywhere prayer is being offered, His name will be there. His name will also be great among the nations. Think to yourself, concerning God, what name out there is greatest among people in referring to the Lord?
14But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the LORD a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith the LORD of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen. People were treating the Lord like a second class citizen, and have returned to that by giving offerings comparable to Cain's. You know how we do it at times, eat half the pizza then remember God and ask Him to bless the meal.
Who are the Lord's priest? The children of Israel, and among them, the Levites. The Lord says He will curse them and has already done so; but have not even laid it to heart that they are being cursed. The Lord has corrupted their children. We have to sort of look around the world and see what seed of man are most corrupt? What people's kids do you not want to be around?
Those are the Lord's priest children.
The Lord's priest always speak knowledge and they do and teach the law of the Lord always. However, many have caused others to stumble at His law, and even depart from it (v7-9).
16For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.
Another thing that priest and "men of God do" is pray to God for all day long and wonder why God is not hearing their prayer. God tells us clearly through Malachi; that it is because the way he is treating his wife. You made a covenant with this lady before God, now you want to treat her any old way? God is not listening to a man who treats his wife bad.
And do not attempt to divorce without a valid cause because the Lord hates divorce. I bet the preachers that preach to the Hollywood couples do not preach this. Divorce rates would be much less if they all knew about this. I read an article this morning where a German man married and got home and wanted a divorce after an argument with his wife.
You have asked the Lord to come witness your marriage, prayed to Him to bless it, promised do it to death, then you go home and file divorce. We have to remember, it says He made them one from the very beginning. To divorce is equivalent to slicing yourself right down the middle; and God hates it (v13-17).
1The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Here we are going to get the genealogy of Jesus, showing us that He was a Jew, an Israelite, a seed of Abraham, all the way back to Adam. Of course this is according to the flesh.
17So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.
This is important to know how the Lord does His generational counting.
Here we also read on the story of Joseph, Mary, and the birth of Christ, how she was a virgin and Joseph was shocked but the angel told him it was from the Lord.
21And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
23Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
The name Jesus came from heaven with the angel. Joseph and Mary had no say in the matter; and it fulfilled prophecy. I read a guys website who said the prophecy fail because Jesus was never called Emanuel. This is worth laughing at because we read it here; but what does Emmanuel mean? God with us; Jesus was God, came to be a man to die for the sins of the people, so it was essentially, God with us.
1Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
Let's look at some facts concerning the birth of Jesus. He was born in Bethlehem of Judaea during the days of Herod the king. Herod, being a paranoid lunatic concerning his throne, heard from wise men (not necessarily three), that they have come to worship He that is born king of the Jews.
When Herod heard this he was troubled and when he got trouble the whole city was troubled. And he went right to the priest to get the details on when Jesus was born. How did he know the priest would know? Because he knew God gave them the answers.
5And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
6And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
The priest told him in Bethlehem because it is written by the prophet. That is common knowledge. It's no different than someone asking you "when and where is Jesus coming back to the earth?"
You can say He will land on the mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and He will fight with the nations killing many, then He will go to the wilderness and talk to His people before he takes them into the land and set up His kingdom. How do you know all of that? It is because we just read it Zechariah.
So the wise men go see the baby Jesus, and give gifts, and in a dream they are warned not to return to Herod. Once Herod saw that they didn't come back; he decided to kill every male child from two years of age on down. I'm sure people were trying to convince Herodians that their 2 year old was 4; I know I would.
This added to Jesus being the Prophet like unto Moses; because both of them lived in a generation where all the males were killed that were their age. Both were hid in the house of Egypt from those that sought their lives.
15And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
This two-fold prophecy addresses Jesus, and the children of Israel.
22But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:
23And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.
When Herod died; Joseph and the family were told by the angel to go back to Judea; but Joseph was still worried about Herod's son who took over, so instead of living in Bethlehem, he went up the coast of Galilee in a place called Nazareth. This is a major reason why many of the Jews did not believe Jesus was the Messiah, because the bible said He would come out of Bethlehem Ephrathah and not Galilee.
Although scripture was fulfilled in Him being called a Nazarene, it was not because Jesus was a Nazarite, as in one that keeps the vow, but that He grew up in a town called Nazareth. Jesus of Nazareth, you've heard of Him being called that.
John the Baptist, preparing the way for the Lord as we read in Malachi chapter 4, preached in the wilderness telling people to repent because the kingdom of God is close at hand.
7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
Many of the people of Judah came out to get the baptism of repentance. This is a totally new thing to them, but some many were doing it and thought on his message that even the Pharisees and Sadducee's came out. John called them a generation of vipers while wondering who told them to flee the wrath that is to come?
9And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
10And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
11I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
They only came out because the people were coming out. So John warned them not to think they are going to get into God's kingdom because they are the seed of Abraham. John gives a reference to the lake of fire; saying anyone who does not have good fruit, and that is behavior in this instance, will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.
John was telling them to repent by doing better. Their actions are their fruit. Stop stealing, killing, lying, and committing adultery or you will be thrown in the fire.
John also told them that he is not the One; that the One that comes after me is the Messiah. John said he was not even worthy to untie Jesus shoe. Jesus will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.
17And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
The bible has skipped Jesus childhood as we see Him coming to be baptized by John. John didn't want to do it; saying he needed to be baptized by Jesus. Jesus had John baptize Him and when He came up, the heavens were opened and He saw the Spirit of God come down like dove shining on Him.
Then the voice from heaven proclaimed Jesus to be the Anointed One. Many people do not know that Jesus did not become the Christ or Messiah until He was baptized.
1Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 2And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
3And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 4But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
5Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 6And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
7Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 8Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
9And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
11Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
What you will notice in the temptation process is that Satan will come to you while you're at one of your weak points. Jesus was hungry after fasting for 40 days and nights. However, Jesus taught us how to fend off Satan; but using the scripture and what is written.
When you lust after that woman that is not your wife, you have to tell yourself and Satan, it is written, thou shall not commit adultery. That is the only way to win. Also at the end of this dialog, Satan left Jesus, and guess who comes in to strengthen you after you've resisted the devil? God's Holy Angels.
Around this time John was thrown in prison, the treatment prophets of the Lord receive for trying to spread the truth, and Jesus began to recruit and select His disciples.
23And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
Jesus taught in different churches, and healing many sick people with all kinds of diseases and He really began to be famous as men followed Him from all over Israel.
Two-thirds of the children of Israel will be cut and killed and a third will be left in the captivity all around the world, and the Lord is going to take them through the fire, refine them like silver, try them like gold, He is really making sure they are ready to clean up their act and follow the Lord. Then they will be called by His name, and they will call Jesus their God.
Zechariah Chapter 14
Then the Lord is going to come down and fight against the nations. So in essence you're going to have Russia fighting against the west (EU); and when the battle is getting sore, nuclear weapons will be thought to be used and then the Lord will intervene. While He is descending, the nations will put their differences aside to fight against, what I'm guessing they believe to be aliens, but it will indeed be the Lord.
The Lord's feet will land on the mount of Olives and He will crush it into four pieces, this let's us know He is coming back in full strength.
All that know it's the Lord are going to run to valley to take safety in Him. It's going to be a different day. As verse six and seven explains it, the light won't be clear, but it won't be dark either. It won't be day and it won't be night. In the evening there will be light. This is really weird. You will be getting ready to go to sleep and it's as light as the noon day to you. That will be very different.
The Lord God, will be King over the entire earth and no one will ever knock Him off of His throne, as Daniel wrote, His dominion will be an everlasting dominion.
The Lord has some plagues that you might want to read about just in case you have a mind to rebel. He's going to have it wear your flesh is consumed away while you are standing on your feet. That sounds like something in a sci-fi movie; well you see where they read it from and entertain you with.
18And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.
19This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.
Also in that day, after the Lord kills all the rebels and unclean people, the nations that are left, will come up to Jerusalem every year to worship the King and keep the feast of Tabernacles. The feast that all should be keeping now; it will be require then still. And if a country decides not to come up, the Lord will stop the rain in their land. I perceive the Lord is serious about His feast days.
The Lord is going to set up His kingdom; and there will be surely a new, but old Sheriff in town.
Malachi 1
We move into Malachi; and the Lord is giving the burden of His word to the prophet telling him to tell Israel did not the Lord love them and hate Esau? Esau was laid waste with the dragons of the wilderness (who we'll find out who they are later). Edom will be called the border of wickedness, and the people who the Lord hated forever. I can certainly understand why that nation changed it's name.
6A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?
I love this question the Lord ask; a son is suppose to honor his father and a servant fear his master. Then the Lord says where is my honor, if He is a Father to us, and wear is His fear if He is a Lord to us? People have gotten away from these basics.
In verse eleven the Lord gives us His name. A lot of men like to argue what the Lord's name is; saying that Jesus is Greek word for Zeus and that His name was something else. Here the Lord give us His name.
11For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.
As the sun rises till it goes down, the Lord's name will be great among the Gentiles and everywhere prayer is being offered, His name will be there. His name will also be great among the nations. Think to yourself, concerning God, what name out there is greatest among people in referring to the Lord?
14But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the LORD a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith the LORD of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen. People were treating the Lord like a second class citizen, and have returned to that by giving offerings comparable to Cain's. You know how we do it at times, eat half the pizza then remember God and ask Him to bless the meal.
Malachi 2
1And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you.Who are the Lord's priest? The children of Israel, and among them, the Levites. The Lord says He will curse them and has already done so; but have not even laid it to heart that they are being cursed. The Lord has corrupted their children. We have to sort of look around the world and see what seed of man are most corrupt? What people's kids do you not want to be around?
Those are the Lord's priest children.
The Lord's priest always speak knowledge and they do and teach the law of the Lord always. However, many have caused others to stumble at His law, and even depart from it (v7-9).
16For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.
Another thing that priest and "men of God do" is pray to God for all day long and wonder why God is not hearing their prayer. God tells us clearly through Malachi; that it is because the way he is treating his wife. You made a covenant with this lady before God, now you want to treat her any old way? God is not listening to a man who treats his wife bad.
And do not attempt to divorce without a valid cause because the Lord hates divorce. I bet the preachers that preach to the Hollywood couples do not preach this. Divorce rates would be much less if they all knew about this. I read an article this morning where a German man married and got home and wanted a divorce after an argument with his wife.
You have asked the Lord to come witness your marriage, prayed to Him to bless it, promised do it to death, then you go home and file divorce. We have to remember, it says He made them one from the very beginning. To divorce is equivalent to slicing yourself right down the middle; and God hates it (v13-17).
Malachi 3
The Lord tells us before He comes both times, the first and the second coming, He will send His messenger before Him to prepare the way. They have to do this to prepare the way because who will be able to abide in the day of His coming if they aren't prepared?
6For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
8Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
Here are some famous verses; the Lord does not change. So if He put a law of gravity in place, it's still in place. If women have the babies; it will remain like that, the Lord does not change.
Then we have the tithes verse; people are to give God 10 percent of their increase and you are stealing from God when you do not. But let's see here, the priest were not permitted to own land, nor work regular jobs, so the tithes went to their welfare. Many stopped paying their tithes and the priest had to go fend for a job and hustle till they could no longer do their job.
People have for years said there is no God and that there is no purpose in keeping His ordinance and we see these people very successful in life, that tempt God in such a way. But the Lord looks down and comes to those who fear Him and speak often of His name, and He writes their name in a book of remembrance because they fear Him and thought on His great name.
In the day of judgment, the Lord will remember them; and then those that don't believe in God or believe it is vanity to serve Him will know the difference between the righteous and the wicked and he that serves the Lord and he that does not.
Malachi 4
1For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
4Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.
5Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:
This short chapter is soley concerning the day of the Lord. It's going to be a hot day; but not to those who fear the Lord's name. Until that time the Lord wants us to remember the law of Moses to do them because this is His covenant. Before the Lord returns, He is going to send us a messenger who will be in the spirit of Elijah the prophet. He will do some major cleaning up before the Lord has to come put a major course of evil on the earth.
Congratulations
We just finished the Old Testament and can now move on to the New Testament. Congratulations!!!
Matthew Chapter 1
Here we are going to get the genealogy of Jesus, showing us that He was a Jew, an Israelite, a seed of Abraham, all the way back to Adam. Of course this is according to the flesh.
17So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.
This is important to know how the Lord does His generational counting.
Here we also read on the story of Joseph, Mary, and the birth of Christ, how she was a virgin and Joseph was shocked but the angel told him it was from the Lord.
21And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
23Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
The name Jesus came from heaven with the angel. Joseph and Mary had no say in the matter; and it fulfilled prophecy. I read a guys website who said the prophecy fail because Jesus was never called Emanuel. This is worth laughing at because we read it here; but what does Emmanuel mean? God with us; Jesus was God, came to be a man to die for the sins of the people, so it was essentially, God with us.
Matthew 2
Let's look at some facts concerning the birth of Jesus. He was born in Bethlehem of Judaea during the days of Herod the king. Herod, being a paranoid lunatic concerning his throne, heard from wise men (not necessarily three), that they have come to worship He that is born king of the Jews.
When Herod heard this he was troubled and when he got trouble the whole city was troubled. And he went right to the priest to get the details on when Jesus was born. How did he know the priest would know? Because he knew God gave them the answers.
5And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
6And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
The priest told him in Bethlehem because it is written by the prophet. That is common knowledge. It's no different than someone asking you "when and where is Jesus coming back to the earth?"
You can say He will land on the mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and He will fight with the nations killing many, then He will go to the wilderness and talk to His people before he takes them into the land and set up His kingdom. How do you know all of that? It is because we just read it Zechariah.
So the wise men go see the baby Jesus, and give gifts, and in a dream they are warned not to return to Herod. Once Herod saw that they didn't come back; he decided to kill every male child from two years of age on down. I'm sure people were trying to convince Herodians that their 2 year old was 4; I know I would.
This added to Jesus being the Prophet like unto Moses; because both of them lived in a generation where all the males were killed that were their age. Both were hid in the house of Egypt from those that sought their lives.
15And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
This two-fold prophecy addresses Jesus, and the children of Israel.
22But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:
23And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.
When Herod died; Joseph and the family were told by the angel to go back to Judea; but Joseph was still worried about Herod's son who took over, so instead of living in Bethlehem, he went up the coast of Galilee in a place called Nazareth. This is a major reason why many of the Jews did not believe Jesus was the Messiah, because the bible said He would come out of Bethlehem Ephrathah and not Galilee.
Although scripture was fulfilled in Him being called a Nazarene, it was not because Jesus was a Nazarite, as in one that keeps the vow, but that He grew up in a town called Nazareth. Jesus of Nazareth, you've heard of Him being called that.
Matthew 3
7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
Many of the people of Judah came out to get the baptism of repentance. This is a totally new thing to them, but some many were doing it and thought on his message that even the Pharisees and Sadducee's came out. John called them a generation of vipers while wondering who told them to flee the wrath that is to come?
9And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
10And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
11I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
They only came out because the people were coming out. So John warned them not to think they are going to get into God's kingdom because they are the seed of Abraham. John gives a reference to the lake of fire; saying anyone who does not have good fruit, and that is behavior in this instance, will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.
John was telling them to repent by doing better. Their actions are their fruit. Stop stealing, killing, lying, and committing adultery or you will be thrown in the fire.
John also told them that he is not the One; that the One that comes after me is the Messiah. John said he was not even worthy to untie Jesus shoe. Jesus will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.
17And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
The bible has skipped Jesus childhood as we see Him coming to be baptized by John. John didn't want to do it; saying he needed to be baptized by Jesus. Jesus had John baptize Him and when He came up, the heavens were opened and He saw the Spirit of God come down like dove shining on Him.
Then the voice from heaven proclaimed Jesus to be the Anointed One. Many people do not know that Jesus did not become the Christ or Messiah until He was baptized.
Matthew 4
3And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 4But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
5Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 6And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
7Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 8Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
9And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
11Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
What you will notice in the temptation process is that Satan will come to you while you're at one of your weak points. Jesus was hungry after fasting for 40 days and nights. However, Jesus taught us how to fend off Satan; but using the scripture and what is written.
When you lust after that woman that is not your wife, you have to tell yourself and Satan, it is written, thou shall not commit adultery. That is the only way to win. Also at the end of this dialog, Satan left Jesus, and guess who comes in to strengthen you after you've resisted the devil? God's Holy Angels.
Around this time John was thrown in prison, the treatment prophets of the Lord receive for trying to spread the truth, and Jesus began to recruit and select His disciples.
23And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
Jesus taught in different churches, and healing many sick people with all kinds of diseases and He really began to be famous as men followed Him from all over Israel.
