LUKE 24

 On the first day of the week, in the early morning, the women went (with the prepared spices) to the tomb and found it empty. The body of Jesus Christ was not there. Instead two men in shining garments stood by, and the women were afraid. The men asked why they sought the living among the dead. "He is not here, but is risen!" They reminded them that He said the Son of Man would be delivered and crucified and rise the third day. And they remembered. 

The women told the disciples, but they thought they were "idle tales." However, Peter ran to the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying by themselves, marveling at what happened.

Meanwhile, two men were walking from Jerusalem when Jesus joined them in conversation, asking what they were discussing. One of them asked how He could not know what had happened. And they explained to Him about Jesus who did mighty deeds, how the religious rulers condemned Him to death and crucified Him. They had expected Him to redeem Israel, and now women in their company reported His body was missing from the tomb and that they saw angels who said He was alive. 

Jesus called them foolish because they had not believed the prophets: that Jesus had to suffer these things to enter into His glory, such as the things spoken of from Moses and all the prophets, in the Scriptures. 

Jesus stayed with them awhile and broke bread with them, and as their eyes were opened, they realized it was Him, but He vanished. They declared that their hearts had burned within them while He opened the Scriptures to them. They immediately returned to Jerusalem and told the eleven disciples, 

He is risen indeed! 

Suddenly, Jesus appeared to them all in the room, saying, "Peace to you." They were afraid, and Jesus asked why they had doubts in their hearts. "Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have." Then they ate with Him.

Jesus told them that the things that happened were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Him. 

And He opened their understanding that they might comprehend the Scriptures.

He told them that it was necessary for Him to suffer and rise from the dead the third day and that "repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." 

Then He sent them to Jerusalem to await the promise and power of the Holy Spirit. He walked with them until Bethany, blessed them, and then ascended to heaven. They worshipped Him and continued to Jerusalem with great joy. 

COMMENTARY

"The Bible can only be divinely understood. Human intellect is simply not enough to comprehend its truths." The Lord opened their understanding (of the Scriptures) that they might understand. In 1 Cor. 2:14, Paul said, "But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." Only the Holy Spirit can make them real to us. Again, in order to understand the Bible you have to have the Holy Spirit open your mind and heart. 

The gospel message from Jesus to His disciples and to the world was that Jesus died and rose again from the dead, and that by trusting Him, sinners could be saved. The power of the Holy Spirit, through His disciples and all believers would carry the message to the ends of the earth. 

Supper at Emmaus - Stom, 1632

 

LUKE 3

 During the rule of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate as governor of Judea, Herod, Philip, and Lysanias, all tetrarchs, and Annas and Caiaphas as high priests, John the Baptist preached "baptism of repentance for the remission of sins," fulfilling the words of Isaiah, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness..."

The multitudes came out to be baptized by him, and he called them a "brood of vipers" and warned them that the "...ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."

When the people asked him what they should do, he told them to share what they had with the poor; to tax collectors, he told them to take only what was appointed; to soldiers, he told them to be just and not complain. He said that he baptized with water, but the One coming after him will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire.

His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.

John also baptized Jesus, and while Jesus prayed, "the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him and a voice came from heaven which said, 'You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased'." However, at a later time, John rebuked Herod for marrying his brother Philip's wife, and other evil things Herod did; therefore, Herod imprisoned John.

Next, Luke noted that Jesus began His ministry at thirty years of age, and then he listed the genealogy of Christ through Mary, His mother, through David, and to Adam, and the son of God. 

COMMENTARY

John the Baptist was the last of the prophets. His message was of repentance, to turn away from sin, and turn to God. He also warned the nation Israel that if it does not bear fruit, the ax would come down on the root of the tree.

When John said that the One coming after him would baptize with Spirit and water, he meant that Jesus, who was the One coming, would baptize with the Holy Spirit, which is what happens when you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ; but the fire is the judgment of His second coming, which is still future.

At the time of Jesus' baptism, the Trinity was displayed: the God the Spirit descended upon God the Son, and God the Father spoke from heaven.

Matthew gave the genealogy of Jesus through Joseph, beginning with Abraham, through David and Solomon, because the legal title to the throne came through Joseph. Luke listed Jesus' genealogy through Mary, in reverse order from David to Adam. The royal blood of David and Nathan is traced through Mary because her line holds the blood title to the throne. 

Baptism of Christ by D. Zelenka 2005

 

LUKE 1

Luke wrote "an orderly account...that [we] may know the certainty of those things in which [we are] instructed.

Back in the days of King Herod (of Judea), there was a priest of the Levitical order, Zacharias. He and his wife Elizabeth were righteous people, but old and childless. Nonetheless, they prayed for a son. 

When an angel of the Lord appeared to Him during his service in the temple, he was afraid. The angel told him not to be afraid, that his prayer had been heard, and that he and his wife would bear a son and his name would be John. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit and turn many children of Israel to the Lord their God. "He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah...to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."

However, Zacharias doubted; therefore, the angel, Gabriel, who "stands in the presence of God...sent to speak to" Zacharias, told him he would be made mute until the birth of his son. 

After those days, Elizabeth conceived, knowing the Lord remembered her and answered her prayers for a son. 

In the sixth month of her pregnancy, Gabriel visited Mary, a young virgin betrothed to Joseph, a man of the house of David. He said to her: "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!"

She was troubled, but he told her not to be afraid because she had found favor with God. He told her she would conceive a Son and His name would be Jesus. "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Highest and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end."

Mary asked how this could happen since she had not been with a man ;and the angel said the Holy Spirit will come upon her and the power of God will overshadow her: "...and the One who is to be born will be called the Son of God." Gabriel also told her about her cousin Elizabeth and that she had conceived in her old age because "For with God nothing will be impossible." Then Mary yielded to God: "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word."

Mary then visited Elizabeth and upon meeting, Elizabeth's baby "leaped in her womb, and she was filled with the Holy Spirit." She said: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord."

Then Mary sang her song, magnifying and rejoicing in the Lord, proclaiming mercy on those who fear Him. She acknowledged God's strength, scattering the proud, putting down the mighty, exalting the lowly, filling the hungry, and sending the rich away empty, and remembering His promises to Abraham and Israel forever. 

When Elizabeth gave birth to her son, the people expected that they would name him Zacharias, after his father. Zacharias asked for a tablet to write: His name is John, and immediately he was able to speak, and he praised God. All those who heard were amazed and pondered these events in their heart.

Now Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit and he prophesied:

Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people, and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of David, as He spoke...of His holy prophets...that we should be saved from our enemies and...[those] who hate us, to perform mercy promised to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant...which He swore to...Abraham:...that we might serve Him without fear...all the days of our life.

And about John the Baptist, he prophesied:

...you, child, will be called prophet of the Highest...to prepare His ways, to give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God...to give light to those who sit in darkness...to guide our feet into the way of peace. 

COMMENTARY

 Before these events, God had been silent for 400 years. Then His angel appeared before Zacharias, who had been praying for a son. The reason we know his prayer is because the angel told him: Your prayers have been heard. You will have a son. 

The reason Zacharias was struck dumb is because he did not believe the message, which was delivered by Gabriel, an angel who stood in the presence of God! When we pray, we must pray with faith, knowing that if God wills to answer our prayer, He will and He can. If we pray with doubt, we are double-minded. The Lord knew Zacharias and Elizabeth were old, but He also choose them to have a son. Elizabeth never doubted that God was able, if He was willing, to give them a son. 

Note that God chose Mary because she was "highly favored." She was to be blessed AMONG women, not above anyone. She is not lifted up, but lifted up womanhood. When the angel, Gabriel, the same angel who had visited Zacharias, told her she would have a baby, she asked how it was possible since she had not been with a man. She was not doubting; she understood science. When explained that it would be by the Holy Spirit, she submitted to His revelation. That was good enough. 

In both the birth of John the Baptist and the virgin birth of Jesus, nothing shall be impossible with God, so long as He wills it to be. Both Mary and Elizabeth were filled with the Holy Spirit through their faith in God, and they both praised Him and gave Him glory. Elizabeth was able to recognize that Mary was the mother of her Savior, when her son lept in her womb at her arrival. And Mary sang a song about redemption, recalling her need for a Savior; of the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world; that God has shown His strength and power and mercy; and also she sang of Abraham, that God had  remembered His promises.

When Elizabeth gave birth to John, Zacharias was then filled with the Holy Spirit, and he, too, recalled the promises God made to Abraham, and he believed. He also received his voice again when he obeyed the Lord and called his son, John. 

credit: Bible.com

 

Jeremiah 50

The word of the LORD by Jeremiah said: "Declare...proclaim -- do not conceal -- Babylon is taken, Bel is shamed. Merodach is broken...; her idols are humiliated...for out of the north a nation comes up against her, which shall make her land desolate, and no one shall dwell therein."

And yet, good news!!!

In those days and in that time, the children of Israel shall come...and Judah together; with continual weeping they shall come and seek the LORD their God...in perpetual covenant that will not be forgotten. 

My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them astray...they have forgotten their resting place. All who found them have devoured them...because they have sinned against the LORD, the habitation of justice, the LORD, the hope of their fathers. 

Israel and Judah will seek the LORD and they will follow a never-changing covenant forever. 

Meanwhile, the LORD will cause nations to come up against Babylon and the Chaldeans; they will be plundered. The land will be uninhabited, "a dry land and a desert." 

The LORD promised: 

I will punish the king of Babylon and his land, as I have punished the king of Assyria. But I will bring back Israel to his home...his soul shall be satisfied...in those days and in that time, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought, but there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, but they shall not be found; for I will pardon those whom I preserve. 

And again:

Their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of hosts is His name. He will thoroughly plead their case, that He may give rest to the land...

By the way, this is both prophecy fulfilled and prophecy to come. It was Cyrus and the Medo-Persians "from the north" who put an end to the Chaldeans of Babylon (539 B.C.); but there is a future promise yet to be completed against Babylon (see Revelation), far worse than Cyrus. And Israel still has not lived in peace with the LORD their God or is at rest in the land. That time is still future. Be ready.

COMMENTARY

At this time, it may have seemed that all was lost for Israel and Judah as a nation and people, and that  Babylon should rule forever. But that was not the very clear message Jeremiah had. Let us just say: the LORD compared the destruction of Babylon to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. And His message for Israel and Judah was not only that they would return to the land, but they would seek the LORD their God, and when anyone seeks the LORD, they will find Him and have rest forever. 

credit: A Little Perspective

 

Jeremiah 49

While the LORD was handing out prophecies about Egypt, this chapter included prophecies about other  surrounding nations. 

First was Ammon. The Ammonites descended from Lot, and they lived north of Moab. They worshipped Milcham or Molech. The people trusted in their treasures. According to Jeremiah's prophecies, Ammon would be burned and become desolate. However, the LORD promised to "bring back the captives of the people of Ammon."

Next was Edom, descendants of Esau. Their prophecy is not as promising because not only will calamity be brought upon them and the descendants plundered, but there shall be no males left to protect the women and children. Edom will be despised among the nations, an astonishment, and no one shall remain there. They mighty men shall become like women in labor. And, no, there is no future for Edom. 

Following Edom was Damascus, which is Syria's capital today. Nebuchadnezzar conquered Damascus in 605 BC. 

Next were two cities, Kedar and Hazor, located in the Arabian desert, conquered by Nebuchadnezzar in 599/98 BC. 

Finally, Elam, east of Babylon, later was to come under Persian control. Again, the LORD warned Elam of its calamity, but promised in latter days to bring back its captives. Some Elamites were among the men who were present during Pentecost. But this promise may also have End Times implications as well. 

COMMENTARY

To retrace our steps: the remnant in Judah disobeyed God and sought a place of safety and provision. They left Judah, which was a rubble waste, and trekked down to Egypt. The LORD warned them because He was also in the process of punishing surrounding nations for their idol worship and pride. The remnant should have remained in Judah and cleaned up the place, while technically being under the care and protection of Babylon. 

However, the LORD brought Nebuchadnezzar to Egypt, and the people ended up suffering again. 

As per McGee: "When our attitudes and actions and goals are not based on a desire to live for God, when God's truth is no longer our guide, we have sunk to a low level which won't bring peace or plenty. History has great lessons to teach us if we will but listen."

In conclusion, chapter 49 covered prophecies and promises of the nations. Only two are to be restored in later days: Ammon and Elam; and while Damascus was destroyed, today the name is used as the capital of Syria. However, Edom is still deserted and Kedar and Hazor are no more.

Jeremiah 47-48

Chapters 47-48 are messages from the LORD to two other nations, the Philistines in Gaza and the Moabites in Moab. They are also messages to the remnant on the run who were looking to be dependant on other nations, even their enemies. Instead of looking to and trusting God, they would rather look to their enemies. 

The LORD said that Gaza would be plundered (by the "waters...out of the north," which is the Chaldeans). But it is really the LORD who "shall plunder the Philistines." 

O you sword of the LORD, how long until you are quiet? Put yourself up into your scabbard, rest and be still! How can it be quiet, seeing the LORD has given it a charge...? There He has appointed it. 

Against Moab: she is to be cut off as a nation...destroyed...."because [they] have trust in [their] works and...treasures." 

For her cities shall be desolate, without any to dwell in them. Cursed is he who does the work of the LORD deceitfully.

However, the LORD will bring back a remnant (captives) from Moab "in the latter days." 

COMMENTARY

The people who lived in Gaza were called the Philistines, and they were conquered by the Chaldeans; therefore, the remnant of Judah could not look to them to save them. And they could not look to Moab, which is where Jordan is today, because Moab was going to be conquered also. 

According to the Bible, the Moabites are related by blood to Abraham. They came through Lot's sons, who were conceived through incest with his daughters. Bottom line, they did not trust in the LORD, and this was their judgment time. 

HOWEVER, in the Millennium period, the LORD will keep His promise and bring back a remnant from the Moabites. 

 

Jeremiah 45-46

CHAPTER 45

This is a short chapter that was inserted here in Jeremiah, but it was given back around the time of chapter 36, the year 605 BC, to Baruch, Jeremiah's friend and associate who had aided him over the years. Baruch was anxious about the turn of events, and Jeremiah meant to encourage him. Baruch had great expectations; therefore, disasters were too much for him. He must be content with such things as they are, and suffering is one way God teaches us contentment. (A good lesson for all of us to know.)

COMMENTARY

Baruch was the friend and assistant to Jeremiah who wrote his letter while he was in prison, the one King Jehoiakim burned in the fire; and Baruch also took care of the legal paperwork when Jeremiah bought the property in Anathoth. 

The LORD wanted Baruch to understand that while events were going to get worse, it was He who was responsible. The LORD was in control. He also wanted Baruch to know that he would get through these times, and God will preserve his life. 

CHAPTER 46

This chapter returns to the current time while the remnant and Jeremiah are in Egypt, and it is prophecy against Egypt and those who trust in Pharaoh Necho. The LORD will take vengeance on His adversaries. Nebuchadnezzar will strike the land of Egypt, in Migdol. God explained that it is He who will drive away Egypt's mighty men, and many will fall. 

GOD'S PROMISE TO ISRAEL

YET!!! There is good news! 

But do not fear, O My servant Jacob, and do not be dismayed, O Israel! For behold, I will save you from afar, and your offspring from the land of their captivity; Jacob shall return, have rest and be at ease; no one shall make him afraid. Do not fear, O Jacob My servant, for I am with you for I will make a complete end of all the nations to which I have driven you, but I will not make a complete end of you. I will rightly correct you, for I will not leave you wholly unpunished.  

 COMMENTARY

Now fast forward to Egypt: God told Jeremiah that He would bring Nebuchadnezzar to Egypt, and Pharaoh could not protect anyone who trusted in him. The remnant should have trusted in the LORD.

Nonetheless, Jeremiah also gave promising news (because that is how God has always shown Himself to be). The LORD is not done with Israel and Judah. They shall return to the land and live in peace and not in fear of any nation. While He must punish them for disobedience, He will correct them. The LORD will make a complete end of the nations they were driven; however, He will not make an end of Israel. 

Again, this is FUTURE PROPHECY and PROMISES, yet to be fulfilled. Given the horrible news today, how Israel has such vile, wicked neighbors, and how the world has turned its back on Israel in her troubles, one day her evil neighbors will not exist, and all nations around the world will support Israel forever. Israel will never live in fear or be led astray ever again. God's Word is true!

credit: Live and Learn Journey Lifestyle Blog

 

Jeremiah 33

Again, the Lord spoke to Jeremiah while he was in prison, encouraging him to pray to Him and He will answer and show Jeremiah things he does not know. 

The Lord reiterated that He will heal His people and "reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth." He will restore them to the land, cleanse them from sin, pardon them, and show them mercy. They will be an example to all the nations of the earth, and all the people will know of His goodness. 

In those days and at that time I will cause to grow up to David a Branch of righteousness; He shall execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell safely. And this is the name by which she will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

COMMENTARY

God is going to "reaffirm the covenant He made with David in 2 Samuel 7"...that He will sit on the throne forever. 

"In those days" means the Day of the Lord, which is coming. It has not happened, yet. There has not been a righteous Branch, yet, (which is Jesus Christ); when He sits on the throne in Jerusalem, He will execute judgment and righteousness in the land. For now, God is calling out a people to His name, preparing to put His Son on the throne. 

credit: SincerelySarahD

 

Jeremiah 32

 God is awesome! 

It was the tenth year of Zedekiah, king of Judah, and Jeremiah was sitting in jail, thanks to Zedekiah. Meanwhile, the king of Babylon was outside the doors of Jerusalem, and Zedekiah questioned why Jeremiah continued prophesying the Chaldeans were going to sack the city.

And yet, God told Jeremiah to purchase land from a relative. Jeremiah obeyed but questioned God's timing, when he believed the LORD that the Babylonians were about to take the city. Jeremiah prayed:

Ah, Lord God! You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power...there is nothing too hard for You. You show lovingkindness...and repay the iniquity...You are great in counsel and mighty in work, for Your eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men...You have brought Your people Israel out of the land of Egypt...You have given them this land...And they came in and took possession of it, but they have not obeyed Your voice...therefore, You have caused all this calamity to come upon them. 

What You have spoken has happened...And You have said to me, O Lord God, "Buy the field for money, and take witnesses!" - yet the city has been given into the hand of the Chaldeans. 

The Lord then answered Jeremiah:

Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?...Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the Chaldeans...

Behold, I will gather them out of all countries where I have driven them in My anger,...and I will cause them to dwell safely. They shall be My people, and I will be their God; then I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever...And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from doing them good; but I will put My fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me. Yes, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will assuredly plant them in this land, with all My heart and with all My soul.  

Just as I have brought all this great calamity on this people, so I will bring on them all the good that I have promised them. 

The Lord assured Jeremiah that men will buy land with money and take witnesses again, "for I will cause their captives to return." 

COMMENTARY

Jeremiah wanted to understand why the Lord had him purchase land at this particular time? He trusted God, and therefore, he brought his genuine questions to Him. There is nothing wrong with asking God the questions on your heart. He wants us to be honest like Jeremiah. Take it to the Lord in prayer. Nothing is too hard for Him, and He will encourage us. 

As for Israel...there is a day coming when the Lord will restore the people to the land and to fellowship with Him. 

credit: DailyVerses.net

 

 

Jeremiah 31

 Chapter 31 is a promise of hope for Israel. These are God's promises to Israel:

He will be the God of all the families of Israel and they will be His people. He will rebuild Israel. There is a remnant of Israel, and the LORD will bring them from the north country and gather them from the ends of the earth. They shall return with weeping and supplication (while the LORD leads them). He, who scattered them, will gather them, because He redeemed them. Their souls will be like a well-watered garden, and they will sorrow no more.

There is hope in your future, that your children shall come back to their own border.

The LORD called Israel "a backsliding daughter" and He "created a new thing in the earth - a woman shall encompass a man." 

This brought such peace to Jeremiah because "the days are coming...when the LORD will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man and the seed of beast." He will "watch over them to build and to plant..." 

The days are coming...when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah... 

I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God and they shall be My people...For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more. 

The days are coming that the city shall be built for the LORD...

COMMENTARY 

After the Great Tribulation (the time of Jacob's trouble), Israel will be restored to the land. This is a future promise and has not come true, yet. While some say Israel has been restored to their land, they have not returned to God. Also, there are more Jews living outside of Israel than live in Israel.

The reason God is going to restore Israel is because He loves them with an everlasting love. He is a father to Israel and "Ephraim is [His] firstborn." 

The verse regarding "a backsliding daughter..," John MacArthur called it "the most puzzling statements in Jeremiah." The word woman does not mean a virgin, so it cannot refer to Christ. Possibly it means a former virgin, like Israel, now a disgraced, divorced wife. One day she will return to her husband, the LORD, and He will forgive her and take her back. That would be "a new thing in the earth." 

There will be a new covenant that God will make with Israel, with all twelve tribes of Israel, and it will be different from the one made with Moses. The law will be engraved on their hearts, not on stone. And this covenant will never be changed or repealed.

credit: Guide Makombo (LinkedIn)

Jeremiah 30

 The LORD told Jeremiah to write in a book all of His words... 

...the days are coming that I will bring back from captivity My people Israel and Judah. And I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it. 

JACOB'S TROUBLE

There is a great day of fear, not peace, that is coming. It is called "the time of Jacob's trouble," a time of great tribulation, "but [Israel] shall be saved out of it. In that day, foreigners shall no more enslave them. But they shall serve the Lord their God, and David their king, Whom I will raise up for them." (v. 9)

The LORD shall make a full end of all nations where He had scattered Israel and Judah, yet He will not make a complete end of Israel. But the LORD will correct Israel with justice and her sins will not go unpunished. 

The LORD will have mercy on Israel and bring them back, and Jerusalem will be rebuilt, and the people will rejoice and multiply and have children. The LORD will glorify them and a congregation will be established before Him. 

And their Governor shall come from their midst; then I will cause Him to draw near, and He shall approach Me....You shall be My people, and I will be your God. 

In these latter days, the LORD will violently destroy the wicked. YAY!

COMMENTARY

 At this time, Jeremiah had been arrested and he was writing from jail. He saw the great Day of the LORD coming, which previous prophets, like Isaiah, had also written. The time of trouble is the tribulation period, following the rapture of the church but preceding the Second Advent of Christ. The LORD will save Israel from that terrible period and return the people to the land He had given to them. 

Now, according to McGee, David is literally placed on the throne as governor, as Scripture plainly says in v 21. However, John MacArthur notes that David represents the Messiah (from v. 9, which says: But they shall serve the LORD their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up for them.) So, this I do not know. 

So, in this chapter, we get a glimpse of future promises for Israel, talk of "latter days," and the kingdom age. These are both terrifying and exciting times to come. 

From What's in the Bible

Jeremiah 25

The LORD had been coming to Jeremiah for twenty-three years and giving him His word, which Jeremiah had been sharing with the people of Judah. However, they would not listen. Other prophets had also told the people to repent of their evil ways, stop worshipping other gods, and not to provoke the LORD to anger; but they would not listen. 

Because the people had ignored the prophets' warnings, the LORD said He will permit Nebuchadnezzar, God's servant, to take the people to Babylon. The LORD will remove their laughter, joy, marriage, burdens, and light. The people will live in captivity for seventy years.

When the seventy years are completed, then the LORD will punish the king of Babylon and the land of the Chaldeans, "according to the works of their own hands."

Then God proclaimed judgment upon all the nations all over the world, to drink the cup of God's fury. 

...all the kings of the north, far and near, one with another; and all the kingdoms of the world which are on the face of the earth.

Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Drink, be drunk, and vomit! Fall and rise no more, because of the sword which I will send among you. 

...for I will call for a sword on all the inhabitants of the earth.

And there is more:

The LORD will roar from on high and utter His voice from His holy habitation.

Behold, disaster shall go forth from nation to nation...

And at that day the slain of the LORD shall be from one end of the earth even to the other end of the earth. They shall not be lamented, or gathered,m or buried; they shall become refuse on the ground. 

COMMENTARY

The prophecy in chapter 25 was actually given seventeen or eighteen years prior to chapter 24. The Book of Jeremiah is not necessarily in chronological order. 

The prophecy foretold how God would use Nebuchadnezzar as His instrument to judge the people and the land of Judah. God would remove all of their pleasure and joy, and for seventy years they will live in captivity, in Babylon. 

Why seventy years? Because the people had not kept the sabbatic year for 490 years. (The sabbatic year was to be observed every seventh year, in which the people were to let the land rest. But they certainly neglected this command.) Therefore, the people were removed from the land that it may rest and recover those sabbatic years. Once the land had rested, the prophecy was completed. 

But the LORD gave another prophecy that has yet to be completed. The LORD said that all the nations of the earth will drink the cup of His wrath. Because all of the nations and their kings and political "shepherds" are accountable to God, they will receive His judgments. This is obviously a future promise because it has not happened, yet, and it will take place in the Tribulation period.

from Bible Hub

 

Jeremiah 24

The LORD showed Jeremiah two baskets of figs -- figs represent Judah -- after Nebuchadnezzar carried away Jeconiah and other important people of Judah. One basket had ripe figs, good to eat, and the other had rotten figs, which could not be consumed. 

The LORD explained that the good figs were those who were carried away "for their own good." The LORD will watch over them and bring them back to the land, and He will give them a heart to know Him, that He is their God, and they are His and "...shall return to Me with their whole heart."

The bad figs are the ones who the LORD will deliver up to "trouble into all the kingdoms of the earth, for their harm, to be a reproach and a byword, a taunt and a curse, in all places where I shall drive them. And I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence among them, till they are consumed from the land that I gave to them and their fathers." 

COMMENTARY

Chapter 24 took place after Jeconiah was in captivity, during the reign of Zedekiah. Jeremiah saw the vision of the two baskets, representing two classes of people. 

The good figs were sent away into captivity for their own good. Eventually they will be restored to the land, but not during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah. This is a future promise of restoration during the Millennium because the LORD said they will return to Him with their whole heart. That has not happened, yet.

The bad figs were the ones who remained in Jerusalem and eventually went to Egypt in "defiance of God's Word." And they will be in a lot of trouble when the LORD is done with them. 

from 88.3 the Journey

 

Jeremiah 23

Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!

The LORD is against the leaders and rulers who did not take care of His people, but instead sent them in the wrong direction with lies, scattering them. He will deal with those false teachers accordingly.

However, the Lord will gather together the remnant of His people from all the countries they were scattered and bring them back into the fold, where they will be "fruitful and increase." Then there will be good shepherds over them who will care for them, and the people will "fear no more." (This is a future promise that has yet to happen.)

Behold, the days are coming, that I will raise to David a Branch of Righteousness; a KING shall reign and prosper and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely; now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. 

(This is Jesus to come, and who has come and will come again.)

The LORD said, "...behold the days are coming that they shall...say...As the LORD lives who brought up and led the descendants of the house of Israel from the north country and from all the countries where I had driven them. And they shall dwell in their own land." (More future promises.)

The LORD lamented over the false prophets and the curse over the land. He warned the people not to listen to them because of the lies that come from them. 

The anger of the LORD will not turn back until He has executed and performed the thoughts of His heart. In the latter days you will understand it perfectly. (Still has not happened, yet.)

Beware of false teachers. They existed for Israel, and they are plenty more today. "For every man's word will be his oracle, for you have perverted the words of the living God..."

I, will utterly forget you and forsake you, and the city that I gave you and your fathers, and will cast you out of My presence. And I will bring an everlasting repreach upon you, and a perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten.  

COMMENTARY

In chapter 23, the LORD judged the rulers of Israel. 

He also promised to come and take over and care for the poor, who were being neglected and abused. The Jews will return to their land after the church has been raptured, and the LORD will send "faithful shepherds" to care for them. (Future promises.)

When Jesus came to earth, He said: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." He was telling them that their King had arrived. But they rejected Him then. However, He says He will return and set up His kingdom, and righteousness will reign.

The day is coming when I will bring them back into their land that they will forget the deliverance out of Egypt and they will remember this new deliverance which I intend to accomplish. 

God is not through with Israel!

The false prophets always spoke of peace, but men cannot bring peace on the earth. Even if man could it would be a false peace and very temporary. Only Jesus can and will bring peace. "The heart of a man is desperately wicked."

The LORD is patient, but His judgment is coming. 

from Bible Study Tools

 

Jeremiah 3

This is a wonderful chapter that demonstrates God's love and mercy. It is a continuation from chapter two. 

The Lord asked that if a man divorced his wife and she joined with another man, could he return to her again after she was "greatly polluted?" See, Israel "...played the harlot with many lovers; Yet return to Me, says the Lord."

Israel had "polluted the land with...harlotries and...wickedness." Therefore, God had withheld rain from them. 

Now God called them to repentance. After they had done these things, He would still take them back, if they would return to Him. Judah saw that Israel had defiled the land and committed adultery, and God had to turn His back on her.

Nonetheless, God called Israel to "acknowledge your iniquity, that you have transgressed against the Lord your God..." 

Return, O backsliding children...for I am married to you...I will bring you to Zion. I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding. 

Then the Lord moved to future prophecy and said:

At that time Jerusalem shall be called The Throne of the Lord, and all the nations shall be gathered to it, to the name of the Lord, to Jerusalem. No more shall they follow the dictates of their evil hearts. 

In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given as an inheritance to your fathers. 

Next, a voice (Jeremiah) was heard weeping for the children of Israel. They had forgotten their God: "Return, you backsliding children, and I will heal your backsliding." 

Jeremiah continued:

Truly, in the Lord our God is the salvation of Israel...We lied down in our shame, and our reproach covers us. For we have sinned against the Lord our God, we and our fathers, from our youth...and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God.

COMMENTARY 

To clarify, sometimes Jeremiah refers to Judah as Israel, but Israel had already gone into captivity. The warning for Judah was that they will end up like Israel if they do not repent and return to the Lord.

IDOLATRY

Judah was committing idolatry, and there was immorality in the land. Idolatry is anything that a man "gives himself to wholeheartedly." The moment a man turns away from God, he fills that vacuum with something else to worship.

McGee quoted Dr. G. Campbell Morgan on the nature of idolatry and the worship of the true God. He said that "when a man makes a god according to the pattern of his own being, he makes a god like himself...[which] will demand from him that which is according to his own nature. 

Take Islam, for example: 

It is clearly evident in Mohammedanism...the blighting sensuality of the man curses the whole of Islam today. Men will be faithful to those gods who make no demands upon them which are out of harmony with the desires of their own hearts. 

Dr. Morgan: "When God calls men, it is the call of the God of holiness, the God of purity, the God of love; and He demands that they rise to His height....He will not consent to the things of desire within them that are of impurity and evil. He calls men up, and even higher, until they reach the height of perfect conformity to His holiness. God's call to humanity is always first pure, and then peaceable; first holy, and then happy; first righteous, and then rejoicing."

BACKSLIDING

God told Judah that He was already judging them by withholding rain. Then He charged the people with backsliding, which meant that when you refuse to obey God, you are rebelling against Him, and this will move you further back and away from Him. 

Again, God warned them to look at Israel, whom He had also warned to return to Him, though they rebelled. Now they were in captivity. But if Judah returned to Him, He would receive them again. However, since they had Israel as an example, it will be much worse for Judah if they do not obey. 

The same can be true for us today. Those of us who have no excuse to hear the truth, but rebel, will be held to a higher account, and "God will judge us according to the opportunities He [gave] us."

Now, there will be a revival under King Josiah, however, it was superficial. A true revival is through the Word of God and a transformation of individual hearts. A superficial revival is more of an emotional experience and response that does not last beyond the first disappointment or desire for sin. 

One important aspect to conversion is a confession of sin. People must confess their iniquity. In chapter three, the voice weeping was Jeremiah. He was moved to confess the sins of Judah, as well as his own. We, too, must humble ourselves before God and recognize how short we fall of His glory. And thank Him for Jesus who died for our sins. 

Ezekiel 44 - 48

The last five chapters of Ezekiel continue the details of the sanctuary, worship specifics, and the division of land. Israel will worship again one day in their temple and their land, just as the Lord had intended from the beginning. 

Chapter 44 covers the East Gate and the Prince, who will be from the line of David. 

God told Ezekiel to see and hear all that He said concerning the ordinances of the house of the Lord and all its laws. Tell the house of Israel: "Let Us have no more of all your abominations...No foreigner, uncircumcised in heart or...in flesh, shall enter My sanctuary, including any foreigner who is among the children of Israel."

The Lord told Ezekiel the laws concerning the priests, that the Levites will be God's ministers and they shall teach His people the difference between holy and unholy and to discern between unclean and clean. 

Chapter 45 is about the division of the land, including a section for the sanctuary, the priests, and the prince. The prince has the responsibility to judge righteously. And also there are instructions for keeping the Feasts, such as the Passover. 

Chapter 46 concerns the manner of worship, in which the prince shall be present, the priests shall prepare the offerings, and the people will come and worship.

Chapter 47 is about the healing waters and trees. Water will flow from the temple toward the front of the temple. The man with the measuring rod brought Ezekiel through the waters so that it was up to his ankles, then his knees, then his waist, and then high enough so that he had to swim. Wherever the river flowed everything lived. There were also an abundance of trees that were year-long fruit-bearing trees for food. 

Next there were instructions for drawing the borders to divide the land as an inheritance among the twelve tribes of Israel. 

The last chapter, 48, continues the division of land, and the names of the twelve tribes. The name of the city from that day shall be THE LORD IS THERE.

COMMENTARY

McGee confirms that the prince is not Jesus Christ, but he is either David or he comes from David's line. He also is said to have sons. 

Chapter 45 informs us that the Feast of Passover will be kept. Passover refers to Christ because He is the passover sacrificed for us (1 Cor. 5:7). All of the sacrifices in the Old Testament were fulfilled in Christ, so why are they restored during the Millennium? McGee believes that they are reminders to the people of Israel how they were redeemed, similar to the way the Lord's Supper looks back to that event. The reminders will be for those on earth, while Christ will be in heaven to remind the church.

Chapters 47-48 looks at the division of land during the millennial. The water flows from the altar, which is where all blessings originate. The water is a type of Holy Spirit. When Ezekiel said the waters were to the ankles, it represents the walk of the believer in the Spirit; to the knees, this represents prayer; to the waist, it is when we gird up our loins for service in Christ; and to swim in the waters means "the fullness of the Spirit, looking forward to the day when God will pour out His Spirit upon these people." 

The trees represent the fruit of the land. There will be an eternal spring of water coming from the altar going out into the land. 

And finally, Ezekiel described the division of the land among the twelve tribes, and ended with the name of the city: The Lord is there. 

Ezekiel 41-43

Chapters 41-43 deal with the new temple, including the specific dimensions of and designs for the sanctuary and the temple, chambers for the priests, outer dimensions of the temple, the altar, and the dwelling place of the Lord. 

Ezekiel was brought into the sanctuary, and the man who measured told him that this "is the Most Holy Place." He also described the make up and measurements of the altar, "the table that is before the Lord." He showed Ezekiel the priest's chambers, where they will eat the most holy offerings.

Then "the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east. His voice was like the sound of many waters and the earth shone with His glory. It was like the appearance of the vision which I saw when I came to destroy the city...and I fell on my face." Ezekiel saw the Lord come into the temple by the east gate, and "the Spirit lifted him up and brought him into the inner court, and behold, the glory of the Lord filled the temple."

Then Ezekiel heard Him speak from the temple, and He said, "...this is the place of My throne and the place of the soles of My feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel forever. No more shall the house of Israel defile My holy name,...by their harlotry or with the carcasses of their kings on their high places...I will dwell in their midst forever."

God commanded Ezekiel to make known to the house of Israel the design of the temple and all its details, and write it down in their sight, so they may keep its whole design and do it. And He gave also the specifics for the day of its consecration. 

When these days are over it shall be, on the eighth day and thereafter, that the priests shall offer your burnt offerings and your peace offerings on the altar; and I will accept you.    

Ezekiel 40

Chapter 40 describes the new temple in the new city of Jerusalem in Israel during the Millennial period. God transported Ezekiel back to Israel and showed him a vision of what the new temple will look like. Ezekiel witnessed a man "whose appearance was like the appearance of bronze. He had a line of flax and a measuring rod in his hand, and he stood in the gateway."

The man (who MacArthur says was an angel, but could have been the Angel of the Lord, since he is called "LORD") measured the temple from gateway to gateway (north, south, east, and west). Ezekiel is commanded to see with his eyes and hear with his ears everything shown to him, that he may go back and tell the house of Israel.

In this chapter it is noted that sacrifices will be conducted again in the new temple. There were chambers for each of the offerings, as well as chambers for singers and chambers for priests, who "are the sons of Zadok, from the sons of Levi, who come near the Lord to minister to Him."

COMMENTARY

According to McGee, the new temple is in the new city in Israel, where Jews will go to worship; but Christians will be with Jesus in New Jerusalem where there is no temple (Rev. 21:22) because Jesus is our temple. 

To recap: after the enemy is put down (Ezekiel 38-39), God's children come into the Millenium, and there will be a new temple in Israel for them to worship inside. Great detail is given about its dimensions. "...the Mosaic system will be restored with the reinstating of the levitical liturgy and the burnt offering, sin offering and trespass offering."

The New Temple

Ezekiel 38

This chapter is a little tricky, therefore, I am using several sources to figure it out. 

First, Ezekiel said that God told him to set his face against Gog, of the land of Magog, prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against them. 

Sources agree that Gog is another term for supreme leader or prince. And they agree that this time period is a future battle against Israel. Some believe it happens after the false peace which began the seven-year Tribulation period. McGee and MacArthur believes at the halfway mark, three and one half years in, Israel will be attacked. 

In Ezekiel 38, God told the prophet that a coalition of nations will rise against Israel, and He named Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya, along with a group from the far north. There will be a whole army. This "prince" sees Israel living safely in their land, a land that was once desolate but is now inhabited by God's people, and that they have acquired livestock and goods; this price or Antichrist will devise an evil plan to attack Israel and plunder their goods. In fact, God is going to have His hand in bringing this army specifically to and against Israel.

But God will cause such a great earthquake in that time that all creatures and man will shake at His presence. Mountains shall be thrown down and walls and steep places shall fall to the ground. Such fear will come upon the enemies of God that they will turn their swords on one another. God will bring judgment upon them through pestilence and bloodshed, hailstones, fire, and brimstone. (You may find more of this in Revelation, which describes the battle at the end of the Tribulation.)

Thus I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the Lord. 

God will protect Israel from her enemies, and Israel will glorify God.

COMMENTARY

So now let us see what McGee says about chapter 38. This chapter is about the final enemy that will come against Israel in the last days. McGee said it is Russia.

McGee says Gog is a word for ruler. Magog means head, and in Hebrew, it is Rosh. McGee also sources two scholars who say the Hebrew word Rosh should be Russia. And he explains that Rosh as a proper name signified the inhabitants of Scythia, which is modern Russia. And Russia was first called Moscovy, derived from Meshech. And Meshech and Tubal sound like Moscow and Tobolsk, which are in Siberia. McGee called this the Linguistic Phenomenon. 

He also added that since Israel is the geographical center of the earth, as far as the bible is concerned, and if one went far north (from Israel), where God said Israel's enemy would come from, he would end up in Russia. 

And finally, because Ezekiel 38 described a nation which was against God, Russia has been a nation that has (through communism) declared that there is no God. Most nations have their own man made gods. Russian leaders at one time embraced the idea that no God existed. Well, that was in the 80s. Today, Putin has actually called Russia a Christian nation, in response to America's godlessness and moral bankruptcy. It could be a ploy, and we shall see what comes of Russia's declaration of religion or faith. 

When will the invasion happen? There are numerous interpretations of this. McGee and MacArthur agree it will be at the middle end of the Tribulation period. When the final Antichrist comes to power, he will do so using his platform of peace and safety. 

For the first half of the Tribulation, there is a false peace, but after three and one half years, Russia will come down from the north into Israel and this event will trigger the Great Tribulation by ending the false peace agreement between Israel and the Antichrist. War will break out, the Great Tribulation period (second half) will begin, and the whole earth will suffer a short while.

McGee said that God will give Russia and the other nations reasons to come, so that they will all be situated in Israel, thinking they are going to invade, but instead it is where they will be judged by the living God. Instead of using other nations to judge Israel, God will bring those nations to Israel to be judged themselves, and they will not return to their homes again. 

McGee then explained why he believes Russia will "invade" Israel, such as a need for access to the Mediterranean and for oil from the Middle East or even for mineral deposits from the Dead Sea. Whatever the reasons, chapter 38 said they wanted to plunder what Israel had. 

Ezekiel 37

 THE DRY BONES LIVE

This is a great chapter with more promises of hope for Israel's future.

God gave Ezekiel a vision of a valley full of dry bones and told him to prophesy to the bones that God will cause breath to enter into them and they shall live. "He will put sinews on them and bring flesh upon them, cover them with skin and put breath in them." 

Ezekiel did as commanded and he heard the noise of the bones coming together. He saw the sinews and flesh come upon them and skin cover them. Then God told Ezekiel to prophesy to the breath and tell it to breathe on the slain that they may live; and Ezekiel did as commanded, and he saw "breath come into them and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army."

God described the bones as the whole house of Israel. They were hopeless and cut off, but God said:

Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up...and bring you into the land of Israel...I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land."

God also told Ezekiel to take two sticks, and upon one write Ephraim and the other Joseph, and join them together. Not only will God take the children of Israel from among the nations and bring them into their own land, but Israel shall never be two nations, but one, and they shall live in the land under one King, who is JESUS!!! (It does not say the name Jesus, and rather it says David; however, it is to be understood as Jesus.)

Even better, they will be cleansed of all unrighteousness, walking in the Lord's judgments and observing His statues. They will be able to obey the Lord. Furthermore, God will make an everlasting covenant with them and will dwell with them forever. 

My tabernacle also shall be with them; indeed I will be their God, and they shall be My people. The nations also will know that I, the Lord, sanctify Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst forevermore.

COMMENTARY

It is important to note that the reference to the dry bones coming to life represents the future resurrection of the nation of Israel -- a spiritual revival or restoration -- not individual resurrection or a resurrection of the dead saints of the Christian church. This was a vision that God gave to Ezekiel, in which he literally moved the prophet, "carried" him out in the spirit of the Lord, to a valley of dead, dry bones. 

God is the One who will give life to the spiritually dead, but was through Ezekiel who spoke God's words to the hearers, much like a preacher does. When Ezekiel obeyed God and spoke to the scattered, dead bones, they obeyed and came together. But they were still without a spiritual life.

God then spoke (through Ezekiel) the life-giving breath into the spiritually dead bodies. First, they were scattered bones, then they came together and were bodies, but still dead; finally they were made alive. All three of these stages represent what must happen to the nation of Israel before it is restored. 

Today, Israel is not restored to God, but they are not hopeless. Before 1948, they were as the dry, scattered bones. Since 1948, they have been brought together under a flag and constitution and even a prime minister. However, they are still without spiritual life. 

One day, God is going to make the nation of Israel spiritually alive again. He will bring together all twelve tribes from both the northern and southern kingdoms, and they shall never be two nations again. They will have one Shepherd, which is Jesus Christ. McGee believe David will serve as a regent under Jesus for both the Millennial and the eternal kingdoms. 

Finally, God's sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore. The Nation of Israel and an eternal temple will be here on this earth.

There are two kinds of people on earth: living people and dead people. Those who have Jesus have life and those who do not have the Son, do not have life (John 3:36) and are dead in their sins. You can come to life. Know Jesus as your Savior and live.