Jeremiah 50
Announcement of fall of Babylon verse 1- 3
The word that the LORD spoke against Babylon
and against the land of the Chaldeans by Jeremiah the prophet
Declare you among the nations – publish – set up a standard – publish
and conceal not – say
Babylon is taken – Bel is confounded
Merodach is broken in pieces
her idols are confounded
her images are broken in pieces
For out of the north there comes up a nation against her
which shall make her land desolate
and none shall dwell therein
they shall remove – they shall depart
both man and beast
Announcement of Israel returning verse 4- 5
In those days – and in that time – says the LORD
the children of Israel shall come
they and the children of Judah TOGETHER
going and weeping – they shall go
and seek the LORD their God
they shall ask the way to Zion with their faces
thitherward – saying
Come – and let us join OURSELVES
to the LORD in a perpetual covenant
that shall not be forgotten
Israel lost sheep verse 6- 7
MY people hath been lost sheep
their shepherds have caused them to go astray
they have turned them away on the mountains
they have gone from mountain to hill
they have forgotten their resting place
All that found them have devoured them – and their adversaries said
We offend not – because they have sinned against the LORD
the habitation of justice – even the LORD
the HOPE of their fathers
Remove out of the midst of Babylon
and go forth out of the land of the Chaldeans
and be as the he goats before the flocks
LORD raising an army against Babylon verse 8- 10
For – lo – I will raise and cause to come up against Babylon an
assembly of great nations from the north country
and they shall set themselves in array against her
from thence she shall be taken
their arrows shall be as of the mighty expert man
none shall return in vain
AND Chaldea shall be a spoil
all that spoil her shall be satisfied – says the LORD
Reason LORD raised army against Babylon verse 11- 13
BECAUSE you were glad – BECAUSE you rejoiced
O you destroyers of MINE heritage
BECAUSE you are grown fat as the heifer at grass
and bellow as bulls
Your mother shall be sore confounded
she that bare you shall be ashamed
BEHOLD – the hindermost of the nations shall be a wilderness
a dry land – and a desert
BECAUSE of the wrath of the LORD it shall not be inhabited
BUT it shall be wholly desolate
everyone that goes by Babylon shall be astonished
and hiss at all her plagues
LORD commands the destruction of Babylon verse 14- 16
Put yourselves in array against Babylon round about
all you that bend the bow – shoot at her –spare no arrows
for she has sinned against the LORD
Shout against her round about – she has given her hand
her foundations are fallen – her walls are thrown down
for it is the vengeance of the LORD
take vengeance upon her – as she has done – do unto her
Cut off the sower from Babylon
and him that handles and him that handles the sickle in the time of harvest
for fear of the oppressing sword they shall turn everyone
to his people
and they shall flee everyone to his own land
Israel compared to scattered sheep verse 17- 20
Israel is a scattered sheep
the lions have driven him away
first the king of Assyria hath devoured him
and last this Nebuchadrezzer king of Babylon
has broken his bones
THEREFORE thus says the LORD of hosts – the God of Israel
BEHOLD – I will punish the king of Babylon and his land
as I have punished the king of Assyria
And I will bring Israel again to his habitation
and he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan
and his soul shall be satisfied upon
mount Ephraim and Gilead
In those days – and in that time – says the LORD
the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for
and THERE SHALL BE NONE
and the sins of Judah
and THEY SHALL NOT BE FOUND
for I will PARDON them
whom I RESERVE
Babylon fought against the LORD verse 21- 28
Go up against the land of Merathaim – even against it
against the inhabitants of Pekod
waste and utterly destroy after them – says the LORD
and do according to all that I have commanded you
A sound of battle is in the land – and of great destruction
How is the hammer of the whole earth cut asunder and broken
How is Babylon become a desolation among the nations
I have laid a snare for you and you are also taken – O Babylon
and you were not aware – you are found – and also caught
BECAUSE you have striven against the LORD
The LORD has opened HIS armory
and has brought forth the weapons of HIS indignation
for this is the work of the Lord GOD of hosts
in the land of the Chaldeans
Come against her from the utmost border – open her storehouses
cast her up as heaps and destroy her utterly
let nothing of her be left
Slay all her bullocks
let them go down to the slaughter – woe unto them
for their day is come – the time of their visitation
The voice of them that flee and escape out of the land of Babylon
to declare in Zion the vengeance of the LORD our God
the vengeance of HIS temple
Archers called for a second time verse 29- 30
Call together the archers against Babylon – all you that bend the bow
camp against it round about
let none escape thereof – recompense her according to her work
according to all that she has done do unto her
for she has been PROUD against the LORD
against the Holy One of Israel
THEREFORE shall her young men fall in the streets
and all her men of war shall be cut off in that day – says the LORD
Sin of Babylon: Pride verse 31- 32
BEHOLD I am against you – O thou most proud
SAYS the Lord GOD of hosts
for your day is come – the time that I will visit you
AND the most PROUD shall stumble and fall
and NONE shall raise him up
and I will kindle a fire in his cities
and it shall and it shall devour all round about him
LORD is a Redeemer verse 33- 34
Thus says the LORD of hosts
The children of Israel and the children of Judah were oppressed together
and all that took them captives held them fast
they refused to let them go
Their Redeemer is strong – The LORD of hosts is his name
HE shall thoroughly plead their cause
that HE may give rest to the land
and disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon
Sword coming because of their love of false gods verse 35- 37
A sword is upon the Chaldeans – says the LORD
and upon the inhabitants of Babylon -her princes – her wise men
A sword is upon the liars – and they shall dote
a sword is upon her mighty men
and they shall be dismayed
A sword is upon their horses – chariots –
the mingled people that are in the midst of her
and they shall become as women
a sword is upon her treasures
and they shall be robbed
Babylon inhabited by wild animals verse 38- 40
A drought is upon her waters – they shall be dried up
for it is the land of graven images
and they are mad upon their idols
THEREFORE the wild beasts of the desert with the
wild beasts of the island shall dwell there
and the owls shall dwell therein
and it shall be no more inhabited forever
neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation
As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbor cities thereof
says the LORD so shall no man abide there
neither shall any son of man dwell therein
Medes and Persians coming verse 41- 43
BEHOLD – a people shall come from the north – and a great nation
and many kings shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth
they shall hold the bow and the lance
they are cruel – and will not show mercy
their voice shall roar like the sea
and they shall ride upon horses
every one put in array
like a man to the battle
against you – O daughter of Babylon
The king of Babylon has heard the report of them
and his hands waxed feeble – anguish took hold of him
and pangs as of a woman in travail
LORD likened to lion attacking sheep verse 44
BEHOLD he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan
unto the habitation of the strong
BUT I will make them suddenly run away from her
and who is a chosen man
that I may appoint over her?
for who is like ME?
and who will appoint ME the time?
and who is that shepherd that will stand
before ME?
Announcement by nations of fall of Babylon verse 45- 46
THEREFORE hear you the counsel of the LORD
that HE has taken against Babylon – and HIS purposes
that HE has purposed against the land of the Chaldeans
surely the least of the flock shall draw them out
surely HE shall make their habitation
desolate with them
At the noise of the taking of Babylon the earth is moved
and the cry is heard among the nations
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 6 MY people has been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their resting place. (8582 “astray” [ta’ah] means to cause someone to wander from a proper belief or course of action, to stagger, err, to go astray, be confused, mislead (mentally and morally), or deceive oneself.)
DEVOTION: Here we read of the nation of Israel going in the wrong direction. They were on a path that would take them further and further away from the LORD. They had leaders who were looking at the pleasure of sin for a season and though it was good to cause the rest of the nation to go in the same direction.
The religious leader was doing the same things as the other people of the nation. They were moving further away from the LORD.
The LORD sent captivity their way to show them they were going in the wrong direction but it didn’t seem to matter to them.
This even happens today. Those who claim Christ as their Savior seem to think that the church and their pastors are leading them in the right direction when many of them are leading them in the wrong direction.
It seems that entertainment is more important than the preaching of the Word of God. The services in many churches are forty-five minutes of entertainment and fifteen minutes of preaching.
Many of the message in the church that claim to be followers of the LORD are only a few minutes long with very little conviction of sin and service. So many people leave the church without a challenge to witness to others or grow in their personal lives.
So many of those who claim to be believers are not opening their Bibles between Sundays. So many are not reading the Bible or any other devotional book each day. It is hard to witness for the LORD if there is no growth happening each day in their spiritual life.
CHALLENGE: The LORD wants us to attend church each Sunday with the goal of growth in each Christian’s personal life. HE wants them to reach their world for the LORD during the week as well as grow themselves. If this is not happening in your life it is time to change!! Don’t be like the children of Israel – living in captivity.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 20 In those days, and in that time, says the LORD, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found: for I will pardon them whom I reserve. (5545 “pardon” [calach] means forgive, spare, release, or remove guilt.)
DEVOTION: Jeremiah uses this word nine times in his two books. In the midst of the LORD pronouncing judgment on Babylon, HE promises a future and hope for some of the children of Israel.
There is a group that is going to survive the captivity. This group is going to have their sins forgiven. The LORD is going to remove their guilt. HE is going to restore them to the land. It is a great promise to people who are in captivity.
The LORD throughout Scripture gives hope in the most trying circumstances to HIS people. HE never leaves them alone. HE never forgets them. They always have HIS attention.
We have the same promise in Christ. The LORD is going to remove our sin and guilt from our lives and give us a new life in HIM. This new life includes forgiveness of past, present and future sins because of the blood of Christ on the cross.
We truly have something to PRAISE THE LORD for each day of our lives. HE has blessed us beyond our wildest dreams. As I talked with a couple today they were relaying how they thought they were poor until they realized how much the LORD has given them.
They have the Holy Spirit within them witnessing to them the great LOVE of God. They have the promise of a mansion in heaven. They have someone to turn to during hard times. They have many earthly possessions to thank the LORD for each day. They have a wonderful family, and jobs that provide a weekly income.
Do we realize all we have in Christ? We have a place reserved for us in heaven! Are we a thankful people? Just think about the word “forgiven.” The children of Israel needed to hear that the LORD was still with them. We need to hear the same thing.
CHALLENGE: We need to be thankful for what the LORD has provided for us in HIS salvation.
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: 34 Their Redeemer is strong; The LORD of hosts is his name: he shall thoroughly plead their cause, that he may give rest to the land, and disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon. (1350 “Redeemer” [ga’al] means kinsman, ransom, deliver, purchase, buy back, or reclaim.)
The book of Ruth illustrates what it means to have a kinsman who can provide for us. Ruth was a foreigner that came to the home town of her husband’s family. Her husband had died. She was with her mother-in-law in a strange land.
The book also shows the providence of God for HIS people. Boaz became her kinsman and married her and provided a line for the birth of King David.
God is the deliverer of the children of Israel from the Babylonian captivity. The Israelites went into captivity because of their disobedience. The LORD continued to tell them that HE was going to bring them back into the land of promise. They were going to have to be in captivity for seventy years.
HE was pleading their cause. Our advocate is Jesus. HE is the one who pleads out case before the Father. We are going to have rest for eternity with HIM in heaven. During this time period in the history of Israel their rest was found in the Promised Land. During the Millennium with Christ on the throne all those who are alive will be delivered to a thousand years of time when Christ will reign.
Babylon represents the world without Christ. Babylon is said to fall in the end times. God is in control of our world.
CHALLENGE: LOOK for the coming Kinsman Redeemer when the trumpet sounds.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 40 As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbor cities thereof, says the LORD; so shall no man abide there, neither shall any son of man dwell therein. (4114 “overthrew” [mahpekah] means destruction, the termination of a people or ruler, always of Sodom and Gomorrah, overturning, demolishing, or ruin.
DEVOTION: The LORD wants us to look at history to see how HE acts in certain situations. HE wants us to know that HE is longsuffering but HE will punish in just the right time and in just the right way.
HE was judging Sodom and Gomorrah for their sin against HIM. HE had put up with it to the point that HIS longsuffering was over and it was time to act. HE will do the same to the nations who were used to judge Israel and Judah for their sins. HE had put up with their sin long enough and had to send judgment to show the world that HE wanted HIS people to serve HIM correctly or they would be judged.
Now we are living in a time period where there are men of God who have tried to warn us that we are killing innocent blood and are not honoring HIS word regarding marriage. HE is again longsuffering but there will be a day of judgment for any nation that disobeys HIM. HE seems to still be longsuffering toward nations that used to honor HIM with their prayers and offerings.
Obedience is what HE wants and expects from those who are genuine believers. HE will forgive if we repent and change our ways. We need those who are genuine believers to be witnesses to those around them regarding the truth of the Word of God and the judgment that is probable if we don’t turn from our evil ways and repent. No nation is too big to be terminated by the LORD!!
CHALLENGE: Do we want our nation to end up like Sodom and Gomorrah and the children of Israel through the judgment of God. Pray for revival!! First in our own hearts and then in the hearts of believers around the world.
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DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
Vengeance of HIS temple verse 28
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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
Word of the LORD verse 1
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD – Jehovah (Covenant keeping, Personal) verse 1, 4, 5, 7, 10, 13- 15, 18, 20, 21, 24, 25, 28- 30, 33- 35, Judgment of God on Babylon verse 1- 46
Set up a standard – publish verse 2
God – Elohim (Creator, Sovereign, Plural name) verse 4, 18, 28, 40
LORD their God verse 4
MY people (Israel) verse 6
has been lost sheep
LORD is habitation of justice verse 7
LORD the hope of their fathers verse 7
I will raise and cause to
come up against Babylon
an assembly of great nations verse 9
Wrath of the LORD verse 13, 25
Vengeance of the LORD verse 15
LORD of hosts verse 18, 33, 34
God of Israel verse 18
I will punish the king of Babylon and his land verse 18
I have punished the king of Assyria verse 18
I will bring Israel again to his habitation verse 19
I have commanded you verse 21
I have laid a snare against Babylon verse 24
LORD opened HIS armory verse 25
HIS indignation verse 25
Lord – Adonai (Owner, Master) verse 25, 31
GOD – Jehovah verse 25, 31
Lord GOD of hosts verse 25, 31
Work of the Lord GOD of hosts verse 25
Vengeance of the LORD our God verse 28
LORD our God verse 28
Holy One of Israel verse 29
I am against you – O thou most proud verse 31
I will kindle a fire in his cities verse 32
Redeemer is strong verse 34
HE shall thoroughly plead their cause verse 34
HE may give them rest verse 34
God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah verse 40
I will make them suddenly run away from verse 44
I will make them suddenly run away from her verse 44
Counsel of the LORD against Babylon verse 45
Purpose of the LORD verse 45
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
Redeemer verse 34
Plead the cause of Israel verse 34
Give rest verse 34
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Babylon verse 1- 46
Destroyers of MINE heritage
Wholly desolate
Every one that goes shall be astonished
and hiss at all her plagues
She has sinned against the LORD
Shout against her round about
Her foundation has fallen
Her walls are thrown down
Shall flee everyone to his own land
Become a desolation among the nations
Has striven against the LORD
Call together the archers against Babylon
Recompense her according to her work
She has been proud against the LORD
Her young men fall in the street
All her men of war shall be cut off in that day
Refused to let Judah and Israel go
LORD will disquiet the inhabitants
on her princes and wise men
Mighty men shall be dismayed
Sword is upon her treasures
They shall be robbed
Drought is upon her waters
Land of graven images
Hands shall wax feeble
Anguish took hold of him
Pangs as of a woman in travail
Taking of Babylon the earth is moved
Cry is heard among the nations
Land of Chaldeans verse 1, 8, 35, 45
LORD brought forth his indignation
Against
Let nothing of her be left
Slay all her bullocks
Time of their visitation
Nations verse 2, 46
Nation out of the north verse 3, 41
All that found (Israel) have devoured them verse 7
Adversaries of Israel verse 7
Assembly of great nations verse 9, 10
shall spoil Babylon
King of Assyria verse 17, 18
Has devoured Babylon
Nebuchadrezzar verse 17, 18, 43
Land of Merathaim verse 21
Inhabitants of Pekod verse 21
Sodom and Gomorrah verse 40
A people shall come from the north verse 41
a great nation
not show mercy
voice shall roar like the sea
against Babylon
come up like a lion
Cyrus = God’s chosen verse 44
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Conceal judgment verse 2
False gods worshiped verse 2, 38
Bel is confounded – false god
Merodach – false god
Idols are confounded
Images are broken in pieces
Forgetting covenant of LORD verse 5
Lost sheep verse 6
False shepherds – caused to go astray verse 6
Forgetting resting place verse 6
Sinned verse 7, 14
Glad and rejoice over fall of Judah verse 11
Iniquity verse 20
Sins verse 20
Proud verse 29, 31, 32
A sword is upon all liars verse 36
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Seek the LORD their God verse 4
Perpetual covenant to the LORD that shall not
be forgotten verse 5
Hope verse 7
Feed verse 19
Satisfied verse 19
Pardoned verse 20
Plead their cause verse 34
Rest verse 34
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Jeremiah – the Prophet verse 1
Declare you among the nations
Publish
Set up a standard
Conceal not
Children of Israel verse 4, 17- 20, 33
A scattered sheep
Oppressed together with Judah
Children of Judah verse 4, 33
Oppressed together with Israel
Ask the way to Zion verse 5, 28
God’s people verse 6
Remove out of the midst of Babylon verse 8
LORD will bring Israel to his habitation verse 19
Israel shall feed on Carmel and Bashan verse 19
Israel’s soul shall be satisfied upon
Mount Ephraim and Gilead verse 19
In those days the iniquity of Israel shall be
Sought for and there shall be none verse 20
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
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QUOTES regarding passage
50:34 Redeemer. The OT concept of kinsmen-redeemer included the protection of a relative’s person and property, the avenging of a relative’s murder, the purchase of alienated property, and even the marriage of his widow (cf. Lv 25:25; Nu 35:21; Ru 4:4). (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Je 50:34). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers)
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50:39–40. The bustling metropolis of Babylon, Jeremiah said, will become a deserted wilderness where desert creatures … hyenas, and owls will live. After this destruction Babylon will never again be inhabited (cf. comments on v. 3); her desolation will be as complete as that of Sodom and Gomorrah (cf. 49:18). This prediction has not yet been fulfilled. Babylon has been inhabited throughout her history, and the government of Iraq has begun restoring some portions of the ancient city. Iraq’s plans to restore Babylon are published in a pamphlet, Archaeological Survival of Babylon Is a Patriotic, National, and International Duty (Baghdad: State Organization of Antiquities and Heritage, 1982). The prophecy about Babylon’s complete ruin awaits a future fulfillment during the Tribulation period. (Dyer, C. H. (1985). Jeremiah. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 1201). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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Now the Lord told Babylon what to expect on the day of their judgment. The first picture is that of a sword going through the land and cutting down the people (vv. 35–38). God’s sword will even attack the waters and dry them up (v. 38). Why? Because “it is a land of idols” (v. 38, NIV) and God wanted to reveal that the idols were nothing. Like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah, nothing will be left. Babylon will become a haven for animals and birds, and the city will never be restored. (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). Be Decisive (p. 177). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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The next verse clearly tells the reason for so frightful a catastrophe. “A drought is upon her waters; and they shall be dried up: for it is the land of graven images, and they are mad upon their idols.” The Lord’s controversy was not with the people of Babylon and Chaldea alone, but with the whole demoniacal system which, from the days of Nimrod, had its centre in the plains of Shinar. “Therefore the wild beasts of the desert with the wild beasts of the islands shall dwell there, and the owls shall dwell therein; and it shall be no more inhabited forever; neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation” (vers. 38, 39). This is surely conclusive. To look for a resurrection of Babylon only that she may be again destroyed is, in our judgment, an idle dream. She has been blotted off from the face of the earth, and shall be so forever. “As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbor cities thereof, saith the Lord, so shall no man abide there, neither shall any son of man dwell therein” (ver. 40). (Ironside, H. A. (1906). Notes on the prophecy and Lamentations of Jeremiah (pp. 284–285). Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Brothers.)
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The substance of both these verses is, that Babylon should be totally ruined, as Sodom and Gomorrah, so as there should be no habitations for men, but wild beasts only of all sorts should inhabit and lodge in it. The fulfilling of this we have not in holy writ, only the beginning of its accomplishment, it being taken by Cyrus, who only made them tributaries, and took away their government. But they rebelling against the emperor of the Medes, Darius Hystaspes, a succeeding emperor, pulled down their walls. And about two hundred and fifty years after Seleucus Nicanor, a Grecian prince, the Medes being before conquered by Alexander the Great, utterly destroyed Babylon, so as in the time of Hadrian the Roman emperor there was nothing left standing of that great city but some pieces of walls. (Poole, M. (1853). Annotations upon the Holy Bible (Vol. 2, p. 639). New York: Robert Carter and Brothers.)
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Ver. 38. A drought is upon her waters, and they shall be dried up, &c.] Either on the waters of the land of Chaldea in general, from whence should follow barrenness, and so a want of the necessaries of life; hence Kimchi interprets it of a consumption of riches, and all good things; or on the waters of Babylon, the river Euphrates, which ran through it; the channel of which was diverted by Cyrus, and drained and made so dry, that he marched his army up it into the city. Some say Babylon was taken three times, by this stratagem of turning the river Euphrates another way; first by Semiramis; and after Cyrus by Alexander: this may well be applied to the drying up of the river Euphrates, upon the pouring out of the sixth vial, and to the destruction of the antichristian states, signified by the many waters on which the great whore of Babylon or Rome sitteth, Rev. 16:12 and 17:1, 15: for it is the land of graven images; much given to dolatry; had idols of gold, silver, brass, iron, wood, and stone, Dan. 5:2; Rev. 9:20: and they are mad upon their idols; greatly affected, and much devoted to them; superstitiously mad upon them: or, they gloried in them; as the Targum, Vulgate Latin version, and others; they praised and extolled them as true deities; as Belshazzar and his nobles did the very night Babylon was taken, Dan. 5:4 and this their idolatry was one cause of their ruin. The word for idols signifies terrors, or terrible things; because their worshippers stood in fear of them, as Kimchi observes. ( Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 5, p. 680). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
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FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
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There are millions of people who profess to be Christians, yet manage to avoid going after virtue, knowledge, self-control, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. You can have a reunion with them after thirty years and find they/re at the same level of spiritual maturity now as then – real tragedy. … They remain children by dozing off at the very entry point of their faith. (p. 84-85)
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As we read the headlines, consider our own business and housing decisions, and wonder what’s just around the corner in our culture, we need to pray daily that we be granted the ability to see with the eyes of God, think with the mind of Christ, and walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. (p. 85)
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The goal of my life is to teach that place where diligence to God’s will is my total passion. (p. 86) (Dr. David Jeremiah: “Living With Confidence in a Chaotic World)
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Alive with Christ
“Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.” (Romans 6:8-9)
The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead both guarantees the future bodily resurrection of the believer and associates uspositionally with Him now. Since He died for our sins, we, in effect, were “dead with Christ.” Therefore, when He defeated death and hell, and revived His own dead body in immortal power, He broke any dominion of death over Him or over those who were, positionally, with Him.
This is one of the grandest scriptural themes of the Christian life. We were dead with Christ, but now God “hath quickened us together with Christ” (Ephesians 2:5). Not only have we been “made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22) with Him, but we have also been “raised” with Him up from the grave and then into heaven where we are “seated” with Him on His throne! “[God] hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6).
This means also that we have been glorified with Him and are actually reigning with Him. “The Spirit [Himself] beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: . . . that we may be also glorified together” (Romans 8:16-17).
But if all this is only true in position, what meaning does His resurrection life have on our daily lives now? Simply this—that knowing these truths gives us the incentive and power to live them. “If (or, literally, ‘since’) ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:1-3). “For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you” (2 Corinthians 13:4). (HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
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After Jesus raises his close friend, Lazarus, from the dead, many believe in Him.
INSIGHT
Jesus was ministering on the east side of the Jordan River, about a day’s walk from Bethany, when Lazarus fell sick. Messengers were sent to tell Jesus, who waited two days before returning to Bethany. He found that Lazarus had been dead for four days, apparently having died the same day the messengers were dispatched. So Lazarus was dead by the time Jesus learned about his illness.
Why, then, did Jesus delay His return for two days? Jesus knew Lazarus’ condition. His delay was to heighten the manifestation of the power of God. Jesus called, “Lazarus, come forth!” And Lazarus came forth. The result of this miracle? Many of the Jews believed in Him, and the Son of God was glorified. (Quiet Walk)
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THE CROSS IS AN INVITATION
Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth. Isaiah 45:22
The cross is an invitation…”the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel” (Hebrews 12:24). Abel’s blood has no invitation in it. Abel’s blood cries out for retribution, for punishment; there is no invitation there to anybody, except to the wrath of a holy God. But in this other blood “that speaketh better things than that of Abel,” there is a word of invitation. And from your standpoint and mine, looking at it very practically, there is nothing more wonderful about the cross than this. We know that the cross is a historical event. It is a setting forth in public of this great act of God. But thank God it does not stop there. It is an appeal; it is an invitation; it asks us to listen as we value our own immortal souls.
You know the Old Testament prophets had seen something of this. But they had not seen it very clearly. They were not meant to, and they could not see so far off. They saw something of the sufferings of Christ and the glory that was to follow, but they had not seen this. One of them, at the height of his prophetic inspiration, put what he saw into the mouth of the Messiah that was to come when he said, “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 45:22). “Look unto me.” It is an invitation. That is not only proclamation—that is an invitation. “Look unto me”!
I like the way the apostle Paul puts it in Ephesians 2. It is so wonderful. He says, “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances…that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross” (verses 14-16).
A Thought to Ponder: The cross is an appeal; it is an invitation; it asks us to listen as we value our own immortal souls. (From The Cross, pp. 164-165, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
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