A study on the doctrine of predestination as found in scripture and its many implications for the end time.
This document seeks to look at the scriptural teaching of predestination and where the completion of the purposes of predestination should be expected to be carried out. Clear pinpoint links between predestination, election, justification, sanctification and glorification presented. Prayerful reading required.
Reading time: Approximately 30 minutes.
Predestination is one of the most widely taught doctrines in Calvinism. The biblical understanding of this passage reveals a much deeper underlying principle and a richer store of information than can be imagined.
God want's to do great things for us. A scripture based study into predestination reveals that God wants to glorify us. Allow the scriptures to open the pathway that God desires to bring us on.
Predestination is one of the most widely taught doctrines in Calvinism. The biblical understanding of this passage reveals a much deeper underlying principle and a richer store of information than can be imagined.
God want's to do great things for us. A scripture based study into predestination reveals that God wants to glorify us. Allow the scriptures to open the pathway that God desires to bring us on.
Let this mind be in you. Christ is the perfect pattern of a complete humankind. Our lives show to which power we yield allegiance.
Find out more - https://www.upliftingchrist.net
We have it as we fully believe we are God's children. Moreover, we need Jesus abiding in our hearts - His presence by faith. This reward of joy does not wait until our entrance into the city of God.
Find out more - https://www.upliftingchrist.net
This is a series of messages on the fullness of the Holy Spirit. We tend to fall short of this goal and have only a fraction of what he wants to be in our lives.
Galatians 3, Seed, Children Of is To Be Like; Are Christians Spiritual Jews, ...Valley Bible Fellowship
Galatians Chapter 3, Abraham’s Simple Faith Credited As Righteousness; Seed Not Seeds; All Nations Are Blessed by Abraham; The Law Was A Tutor To Lead Us To Christ; “sons of God”= Direct Creations Of God; Equal and One in Christ; Are Christians Spiritual Jews?; hanged on a tree; redemption salvation, redeemed, The Redeemer
Christ is the ground of our hope. God with us end for us. Humans have no power to regenerate themselves. Therefore we need Christ- the Son of the living God.
Find out more - https://www.upliftingchrist.net
Love is the ruling principle of action. This love is only found in the heart where Jesus reins. Thus the inward person is renewed in the image of God.
Find out more - https://www.upliftingchrist.net
Bible Alive Jesus Christ 012: "Jesus is LORD!"BibleAlive
See what Son of God (a Davidic title) meant for the earliest Christians illuminated by Easter. Discover the significance of the Pauline formula: “the Son of God according to the Spirit of Holiness.” Learn how the earliest believers, having experienced the Risen Christ, could dare to think Jesus is God. See that when Jesus’ divinity is expressed conceptually in the New Testament, the drama of our redemption appeared in a new light. Finally, in respect we look at the Old Testament’s relationship to the New.
Let this mind be in you. Christ is the perfect pattern of a complete humankind. Our lives show to which power we yield allegiance.
Find out more - https://www.upliftingchrist.net
We have it as we fully believe we are God's children. Moreover, we need Jesus abiding in our hearts - His presence by faith. This reward of joy does not wait until our entrance into the city of God.
Find out more - https://www.upliftingchrist.net
This is a series of messages on the fullness of the Holy Spirit. We tend to fall short of this goal and have only a fraction of what he wants to be in our lives.
Galatians 3, Seed, Children Of is To Be Like; Are Christians Spiritual Jews, ...Valley Bible Fellowship
Galatians Chapter 3, Abraham’s Simple Faith Credited As Righteousness; Seed Not Seeds; All Nations Are Blessed by Abraham; The Law Was A Tutor To Lead Us To Christ; “sons of God”= Direct Creations Of God; Equal and One in Christ; Are Christians Spiritual Jews?; hanged on a tree; redemption salvation, redeemed, The Redeemer
Christ is the ground of our hope. God with us end for us. Humans have no power to regenerate themselves. Therefore we need Christ- the Son of the living God.
Find out more - https://www.upliftingchrist.net
Love is the ruling principle of action. This love is only found in the heart where Jesus reins. Thus the inward person is renewed in the image of God.
Find out more - https://www.upliftingchrist.net
Bible Alive Jesus Christ 012: "Jesus is LORD!"BibleAlive
See what Son of God (a Davidic title) meant for the earliest Christians illuminated by Easter. Discover the significance of the Pauline formula: “the Son of God according to the Spirit of Holiness.” Learn how the earliest believers, having experienced the Risen Christ, could dare to think Jesus is God. See that when Jesus’ divinity is expressed conceptually in the New Testament, the drama of our redemption appeared in a new light. Finally, in respect we look at the Old Testament’s relationship to the New.
Is Jesus Christ the only way to salvation? Our answer is "Yes". In a world today where pluralism and relativism are readily embraced, where people try to accommodate every idea and notion, and pretentiously overlook obvious contradictions, truth that is "hard and fast" is not readily welcomed. But our goal is not to please people but to proclaim the truth in love and understanding. Each one is free then to make their own decision after having heard the truth. We present 3 simple, yet important reasons why.
Download the notes / slides/ audio of this message from our website http://www.apcwo.org/sermons
Ephesians 3:14-21 God's blessings, He settled may largest debt - sacrifice, he satisfied my deepest need - forgiveness, he provided my greatest desire - guidance, he prepared my highest longing - heaven.
The inverse English vowel version of the Inductive Bible Study Method -- urge, observe, interpret, empathize, and apply. Observe with 8 kinds of questions -- 7 W's and 1 H. Interpret with 8 C's.
Presents a detailed description of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, including redemption, justification, righteousness, regeneration, reconciliation, propitiation, adoption, sanctification, glorification
A look at the close ties between the 70 week prophecy and the first four weeks. A demonstration of how the outpouring of the Holy Spirit 50 days after the resurrection was predicted in the sanctuary service and is tied with Jesus' inauguration as high priest in heaven.
A presentation that is based on the parable of the sower in a developmental parallel setting. It admonishes that the correct seed should be watered that our Christian spirituality can grow and that the carnal nature can be crushed. By starving the carnal nature the Spiritual nature will become a plant that is a tree of righteousness,
A bible study spread over two articles, October 3 and 10 of 1893, using the principles of typology and explaining the position one should occupy in relation to the organized body of Seventh-day Adventists at this present hour.
A prayerful read of these two articles is recommended.
A series of articles from the pen of Ellen G. White which was written in 1893 in response to a compilation entitled "the Loud Cry" which claimed that the Seventh-day Adventist church was Babylon and persons needed to separate from the organization.
Many practical lessons are brought forth and a Bible Study is used to show the correct typology that is to be applied to the Seventh-day Adventist church in these last days. The Articles start on July 25, 1893 and run all the way to October 31, 1893. Included is the full set of articles.
Be blessed as you read.
In recent times many have laid claim to the title of being a prophet. This claim requires a look into scripture to reveal whether this is true or not. This presentation seeks to look at several tests that should be applied to claimants of the gift of prophecy and the tests as applied to an individual who actually passed all of them.
The protestants of 1529 grounded their teachings on the fact that anything that didn't agree with scripture it was their task to reject it. This presentation looks at two contrasting views. One advanced by the Catholic church and the other view advance by Seventh-day Adventists. We then compare these views with scripture.
An outline of the study of the sanctuary in scripture form. It has been placed in a print friendly form that can be used as the basis of a Biblical study on the sanctuary.
I have been reading volume six of the Testimonies, and I find in this little book instruction that will help us to meet many perplexing questions. How many have read the article “Evangelistic Work” in this volume? I advise that these directions and warnings and cautions be read to our people at some time when they are gathered together. By far too small a portion of our people are in possession of these books. {Lt292-1907 (September 21, 1907) par. 9}
Popular teaching says that the Sabbath was abolished at when Jesus died on the cross. Is this true? The Bible has clear instructions and identifies whether or not the Sabbath is relevant in our time. In the light of God's glory how does the Sabbath stack up against the other commandments? This Presentation seeks to compare scripture with scripture to obtain a view of what is needed in this end time.
A word document looking at the Sabbath through the concept of glory to better appreciate the importance and modern relevance of the Sabbath debate. An important and testing look it brings clarity to many issues surrounding the Sabbath question.
Some things get better with prayer. Such is what happens when you are study the revelation of God's glory. Yes God does want to glorify a people and bring them to heavenly places. A foretaste of heaven is on offer and through faith in Jesus we may access it.
God desires to sanctify us with His glory and the cross paid the price and through the resurrection of Jesus and His ascension into glory we are assured that it will be done in God's people.
What has been God's desire from the moment He created us? Did you know that desire has not changed? The coming of Christ to this earth has been a matter of much study yet many fail to grasp the reason for Christ's coming. Christ did not come that we could merely be forgiven; Christ came so we could be restored. God created us for His glory and through the plan of redemption He intends to carry out the original plan.
What is the Spirit of prophecy? Is it a person? Is it applicable in our present time?
The many challenges that have been manifested in recent times over the Spirit of Prophecy has caused many to question and some to study to find out what is truth. Truth clearly revealed in the bible is what we seek and as such we look carefully at whether or not the writings of Sister White pass the test using a simple comparison.
The sanctuary has deep relations between Christ and the desire He has for His people especially in this end time. A serious look into the importance of studying the sanctuary and the way sanctuary terminology is woven through out the scriptures.
Clearly reveals how a knowledge of the sanctuary affects your lifestyle and the food we eat. A truly enriching and Christ centred and biblical study.
A presentation using four biblical experiences from Three books of the bible of experiences we will have in the last days and how we are to react to these circumstances.
Presents how Joseph's encounters in Egypt; the four Hebrews ' triumphs in Babylon and Joshua and Caleb meeting with lack of faith in the camp of Israel can be used to teach us principles of facing the challenges of modern times.
Much sought after James White article. Bible based look at the validity of using Leviticus 26 to expouse the popular 2520 prophecy. James uses the biblical rules coupled with principles of language investigation to "prove all things." His conclusions are revelatory. Copied from the January 26, 1864 Review and Herald articles on egwwritings.org.
To the point. Contains sentences and also short extracts of various paragraphs that contain the message message of what we are to be doing now. Inspired by present truth and present realities; this compilation was assembled in the light that "now is the acceptable time, NOW is the day of salvation."
A compilation of Quotes from the writings of Sister White that manifest the context of various quote with the phrase "now is the time". Reveals the work we ought to be doing now and the preparation needed during this period of time. Sure to be a blessing to earnest seekers for truth.
1. PredestinationStudy
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the
image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called,
them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. (Romans
8:29-30)
Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification
of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace
unto you, and peace, be multiplied. (1 Peter 1:2)
Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord
knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ
depart from iniquity. (2 Timothy 2:19)
For many are called, but few are chosen. (Matthew 22:14) (The Greek word used for
chosen represents the act of electing someone.)
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies,
kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one
another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even
as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity,
which is the bond of perfectness. (Colossians 3:12-14) (Note that word perfectness has been
replaced in usage by the word perfection)
The above verses should remind us of:
And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and
proclaimed the name of the LORD. And the LORD passed by before him, and
proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering,
and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving
iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty;
visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's
children, unto the third and to the fourth generation. (Exodus 34:5-7) (Vital here to
2. note that the Hebrew word used for name [shem] can also be translated character) This clearly
reveals that the elect are supposed to have God’s character.
Of course this putting on would lead us to “the best robe” (Luke 15:22) “put ye on the Lord
Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:14) among others. There is one we cannot miss though “white
Raiment”(Revelation 3:18). These of course represent the wedding garment also mentioned in
Revelation 19:8 which is the imparted righteousness of Christ.
Note: Clearly we have just tapped into the Laodicean message
Key word here; what is said to be the bond of perfection? Charity. It is vital to take note of the
importance of charity in the doctrine of Paul and the other apostles. 1 Corinthians 13 reveals that
Charity (agape love – this is really the love that comes from God and flows through us to others)
is the foundation for everything that is done.
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and
grounded in love <agape> (Ephesians3:17)
2 Peter 1:5-7 reveals that Charity is the highest quality that the Christian can attain.
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue
knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to
patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly
kindness charity <agape>. (2 Peter 1:5-7)
This clearly reveals that God’s love is to be the only motivation of all Godly action. It also
reveals that the highest ideal is God’s love expressedin our Character. Thus we find Jesus
showing that love is the foundation of Obedience when He says:
If ye love <agapao> me, keep my commandments. (John 14:15)
John writing under the guidance of the Holy Spirit reveals that love is what is expressed in ideal
behaviour when he says:
By this we know that we love <agapao> the children of God, when we love
<agapao> God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love <agape> of
God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not
grievous. (1 John 5:2-3)
3. Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of
God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;(Titus 1:1)
(The Faith of God’s elect must be the Faith of Christ, because Christ isGod’s elect)
Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I
have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
(Isaiah 42:1)
Jesus confirms He is the elect of God when He says:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me … And he began to say unto them, This day is
this scripture fulfilled in your ears. (Luke 4:18, 21)
This of course identifies the concept of the elect directly with the Third Angel’s Message:
Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments
of God, and the faith of Jesus. (Revelation 14:12)
IMPORTANT NOTE: Part-way through our study we have thus recognized that the “Third
Angel’s message” and the “Laodicean message” are one and the same message as proved by
the clear links both messages have to predestination. The fact that the elect are indelibly
identified with the 144, 000 must mean as well that the Sealing message of Revelation 7 is also in
line with the study of predestination.
Of course when we hit the concept of “Faith of Jesus” or “Faith of Christ” we know that we are
talking of justification by Faith.
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of
Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified
by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the
law shall no flesh be justified. (Galatians 2:16)
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law,
but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God
by faith: (Philippians 3:9)
Let us look again at Romans 8:30
Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called,
them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
4. Look closely at the steps:
1. Predestinate
2. Called
3. Justified
4. Glorified
Now we know none is glorified when sin is in them. Now the question is when does God desire
to glorify us?
Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the
glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:11)
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience
and longsuffering with joyfulness; (Colossians 1:11)
And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be
filled with all the fulness of God. (Ephesians3:19)
“Why is this so important?” one may ask.
To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery
among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach,
warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present
every man perfect in Christ Jesus: (Colossians 1:27-28)
The message of predestination is also observed through other scriptures; particularly in the book
of Ephesians.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us
with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath
chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy
and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the
adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure
of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us
accepted in the beloved.
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,
according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all
5. wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will,
according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the
dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things
in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In
whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to
the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of
your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that
Holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the
redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians
1:3-14)
Of course this is necessarily the message of the gospel. By far the greatest gospel preacher was
Christ so let us look at His two first sermons:
1. The first sermon recorded as given by the Saviour was a private talk he had with
Nicodemus:
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a
man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith
unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the
second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered,
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the
Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the
flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (John 3:3-6)
Thus we have here the fact that we need to be born again, born of the spirit in order to
have access to the kingdom of God. Why do we need to be born again? Cause we have
the wrong Father: “Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you,
Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.” “Ye are of your father
the devil”. (John 8:34, 44)
We remain with the apostle John to reveal: He that committeth sin is of the devil;
for the devil sinneth from the beginning (1 John 3:8). If we read up to verse 10 we
realize as well that love only occurs when we are born of God.
6. Jesus then reveals that He is the One that men are to look to in order to be saved and no
other as it is He who is sent to take the sins of the world.
And [Jesus], if [Jesus] be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto
me. (John 12:32)
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he
shall save his people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21).
Note also John the Baptist: The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him,
and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the
world. (John 1:29)
Paul then clearly reveals the work of Christ for fallen man: For what the law could
not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in
the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That
the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after
the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:3-4)
2. The other sermon as recorded is a direct quote of scripture from Isaiah 61 so let us go to
the source document to see what the full sermon says:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach
the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to
preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to
set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the
Lord. (Luke 4:18)
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed
me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the
brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the
prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the
LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for
ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of
heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting
of the LORD, that he might be glorified. (Isaiah 61:1-3)
Of course the sermon doesn’t finish there; the response of the people of God is interesting
7. in light of what we are studying:
I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he
hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with
the robe of righteousness. (Isaiah 61:10). (Note the words: garments, robe of
righteousness)
Jesus is of course is our prime example.
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving
us an example, that ye should follow his steps:(1 Peter 2:21)
He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he
walked. (1 John 2:6)
Speaking of His life Peter reveals that the point of highest interest in His life is: For he
received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice
to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well
pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with
him in the holy mount (2 Peter 1:17-18). (see that word glory again).
What happened in the mount? And was transfigured before them: and his face did
shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. (Matthew 17:2)
How does Luke speak of this event? And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance
was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. (Luke 9:29)
Did this happen to any other human being? And he was there with the LORD forty days
and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon
the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments. And it came to
pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of
testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses
wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him. (Exodus 34:28)
So Jesus is not only our sacrifice but also our example:
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving
us an example, that ye should follow his steps: (1 Peter 2:21)
8. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he
walked. (1 John 2:6)
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with
another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John
1:7)
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psalms 119:105)
For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of
instruction are the way of life: (Proverbs 6:23)
It was because Jesus walked in the light that his garments were made “white as light”
(Matthew 17:2). Christ “did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth” (1 Peter 2:22);
hence, he was worthy to exhibit the glory of God. Jesus even requested the same: “Father,
glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both
glorified it, and will glorify it again.” (John 12:28)
What was the reason to be glorified? “Jesus, … lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said,
Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:”
(John 17:1)
Moses was a man like us he had sinned and through repentance was allowed in the presence of
God. The first time Moses came off the mount after communing with God his face did not shine
(see Exodus 32) however when Moses came down the second time His face shone to the extent
that He had to hide his face in order to speak to the children of Israel.
We find that the difference between both occasions is revealed as the request that Moses made
on the second occasion. Listen to the request of Moses:
And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. (Exodus 33:18)
Are we desirous of seeing God’s glory? Do we desire that God will glorify us so we can glorify
him?
Remember that text from (1 Peter 2:22) “neither was guile found in his mouth” “And in
their mouth was found no guile” (Revelation 14:5).
The 144, 000 will be glorified so that they can glorify God.
Of course it is very important to note that after Moses and Jesus the next person who is
prominently spoken of as having that experience of glorification is Stephen. Note:
9. And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had
been the face of an angel. (Acts 6:14-15).
What does an angel’s face look like? And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for
the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the
stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and
his raiment white as snow:(Matthew 28:2)
Compare with: And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as
no fuller on earth can white them. (Mark 9:3)
Moses was a type of Christ: The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet
from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall
hearken; (Deuteronomy 18:15).
And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the
heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath
spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. For Moses
truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you
of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he
shall say unto you. ... Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent
him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities. (Acts 3:20-
26)
Of interest we note what John in his gospel reveals about the relationship between Moses and
Jesus: For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
(John 1:17)
Moses was sent to take the literal children of Israel out of darkness and bring light to them
through the sanctuary system. This system of things revealed clearly the coming Messiah and the
work that would be performed when He came on earth. Moses gave to Israel the sanctuary
system; which he had received from God. Jesus was the substance of that system fulfilling the
types in their order and showing Himself to be the perfect fulfilment of the types.
Here we find that Moses was the one who gave the system that begun the literal nation of Israel
while Jesus personally presented the principles that were to be the foundation of the Christian
church. Here we find interest in the fact that Moses was, to literal Israel, the foundation prophet;
10. while Jesus was revealed as the more perfect prophet. Moses the type was glorified on the Mount
and Jesus was also glorified on the mount.
In Matthew 24 we see revealed a mixture of signs that reveal not merely the closing events of
earth’s history but also the events leading to Jerusalem’s destruction. This then reveals to us that
in the events that lead to the close of probation for the Jews will be revealed what will happen in
the close of probation for the world. Of course the question that comes to us is; “What really led
to the close of Jewish probation?”
Jewish probation was closed in 34 AD at the stoning of Stephen. It was after this event that Paul
was called ‘an apostle to the gentiles’ it was also after this event that Peter was shown a
vision that it was time to take the message to the centurion. What happened though?
Let us note two things that occurred: And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly
on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel. (Acts 6:15)
But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw
the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said,
Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right
hand of God. (Acts 7:55-56)
Here we recognize that the close of probation for the Jews was marked by the fact that they
rejected the message of one who was obviously in communion with heaven. This is clearly the
greatest act of rebellion when one attributes to satan the work of God even to the point of
carrying out the very sentence that was to be given to those who were leading Israel into
idolatrous worship.
If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of
thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly,
saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor
thy fathers; Namely, of the gods of the people which are round about you, nigh
unto thee, or far off from thee, from the one end of the earth even unto the
other end of the earth; Thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him;
neither shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou
conceal him: But thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to
put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people. And thou shalt
stone him with stones, that he die; because he hath sought to thrust thee away
11. from the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the
house of bondage. (Deuteronomy 13:6-10)
A nation in rebellion having accepted falsehood refused to be corrected even when there was an
obvious manifestation of the fact that the message being delivered was of God. This of course
reveals the same thing that will afflict the people at the close of earth’s history. The 144, 000
after being sealed and glorified will take the message of Revelation 18 to the world however men
who have submitted themselves to the mark of the beast will refuse the correction that can bring
them into a saving relationship with God. This indeed marks the close of earth’s probation; the
rejection of the message from those who have experienced the transfiguration on account of
being cleansed by the gospel.
By God’s grace let us pray fervently that God will reveal His will in our lives and strengthen us.
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.
For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people:
but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And
the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
(Isaiah 60:1-3 KJV)
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come
people, and the inhabitants of many cities: And the inhabitants of one city shall
go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD, and to seek
the LORD of hosts: I will go also. Yea, many people and strong nations shall
come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD.
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men
shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the
skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that
God is with you. (Zechariah 8:20-23 KJV)
And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having
great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. (Revelation 18:1)
For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest,
until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof
as a lamp that burneth. And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all
kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of
12. the LORD shall name. Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the
LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God. (Isaiah 62:1-3)