Wednesday, September 9, 2015

The Resurrection

King James Bible Daily Devotion – Learning Scripture One Day At A Time
Date: Wednesday, September 09, 2015
Chapters: Ezekiel 38-39 http://imfollowingjesus.com/Bible-Reading-252.html
Message Title: The Resurrection

Hello My Friend,

I remember when my nephew was little, whenever he got in trouble he would say, “I wanna be good”. He knew he did wrong and that he was going to get punished, he pleaded with us to forgive him and not punish him and swore that he would be good. As Christians, when we sin we do the same thing, we plead with God to forgive us and say to Him, “I wanna be good”. The amazing thing is that no matter how many times we sin, just like our parents, God always forgives us. That does not mean we will not face the consequences of those sins, but at least it will be less severe for admitting them. Praise God for His mercy and grace! “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” - Ephesians 2:8.

Gog and Magog, these two places are only mentioned in God's Word twice, and if you are a regular reader you would know they have something to do with the return of Christ and Armageddon, the war that would be the end of the world. Through Ezekiel, God foretells of Gog, who knew well of the warnings, but were not prepared for the battle that would literally bring hell on earth.

Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say unto Gog, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In that day when my people of Israel dwelleth safely, shalt thou not know it? And thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts, thou, and many people with thee, all of them riding upon horses, a great company, and a mighty army: And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes. And I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, saith the Lord GOD: every man's sword shall be against his brother. And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the LORD.” - Ezekiel 38:14-16,21-23.

Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself, when Christ returns He is not going to be the meek and gentle Christ that we know, He is coming with a vengeance and all will know He is the powerful and Almighty God. Many see a reference to the northern European powers headed by Russia in the last days to wage a great war. Mesheck (Moscow) and Tubal (Zobolsk) is thought to be clearly identified where the future battle of Armageddon will take place. We do not know when Christ will return, but we can be prepared, and it would be wise that His people be ready for that day. We are to live in a way that glorifies God and brings others to His Son before that day comes. “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” - Revelation 16:15.

Through Ezekiel, God foretells when all will know who Christ is. “So will I make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel; and I will not let them pollute my holy name any more: and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel. Behold, it is come, and it is done, saith the Lord GOD; this is the day whereof I have spoken. And they that dwell in the cities of Israel shall go forth, and shall set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the handstaves, and the spears, and they shall burn them with fire seven years: So that they shall take no wood out of the field, neither cut down any out of the forests; for they shall burn the weapons with fire: and they shall spoil those that spoiled them, and rob those that robbed them, saith the Lord GOD.” - Ezekiel 39:7-10.

It is come, and it is done, Christ had one purpose by coming to earth the first time, and that was to put an end to the death and hell curse that was placed upon all mankind for sin. When He died a sinless death on the cross, He died for all mankind, past, present, and future, the curse would be removed for anyone who believes in and accepts Him. There will come a time when every knee will bow and every tongue will acknowledge Christ as LORD, sadly, many will realize it when it's too late. “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” - John 5:28,29.



They that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. Perhaps one of the most controversial and often misunderstood topics of God's Word is the resurrection. The word resurrection means, a rising again, to return from the grave. Every person who has died in the flesh will be resurrected to stand before Christ for judgment. The word good means to be perfect, the only perfect one is Jesus Christ, therefore only those who know Him will receive the resurrection of life. During this time Israel will finally acknowledge Him as the Messiah they had been waiting for, and many will come to Him.

And I will set my glory among the heathen, and all the heathen shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid upon them. So the house of Israel shall know that I am the LORD their God from that day and forward. And the heathen shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity: because they trespassed against me, therefore hid I my face from them, and gave them into the hand of their enemies: so fell they all by the sword. According to their uncleanness and according to their transgressions have I done unto them, and hid my face from them. Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for my holy name; Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.” - Ezekiel 39:21-25,29.

The pouring out of the Spirit is a pledge that God's favor will continue, upon His people, He will hide his face no more from them. Only those who know Jesus Christ as their Saviour have God's Spirit upon them, He indwells them through the Holy Spirit, that is His promise to never leave nor forsake anyone who come to Him through His Son. This is true for Israel, and all who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Saviour, Christ suffered on the cross for every person and offers salvation to all who believe in Him. We can't escape death unless Jesus comes to rapture us before then, but we can escape the second death, eternal damnation by receiving Christ before we die. “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” - Hebrews 9:27,28.

Today's Prayer: God, We are encouraged and comforted by the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Your Son. It is because of His finished work that we have hope of our own resurrection, a day when our bodies will be stripped of the grave clothes of this mortal life, and will be clothed in eternal life. We will no longer be acquainted with sickness, sorrow, pain, or sin. The temptation to sin will not exist in our future life and our adversary, the devil, will bother us no more. What anticipation this builds when we see You face to face in our glorified, eternal bodies. Keep us faithful and looking unto Jesus until the day of His return, let us not cease from telling others about Him. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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