Podcasts about his anointed

This sermon was preached on Mother's Day in 2025, dealing with Hannah's prayer concerning the true and living God and His Anointed that He had sent into the world to save His people from their sins.

"The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against His Anointed." Christ shows especially in Luke the nature of His kingdom as upside down from the world. The disciples argue about who is the greatest. Pilate and Herod plot against Jesus. But Jesus comes as One Who Serves.

Leviticus chapter 9 tells of Aaron officiating at the altar on the eighth day. Verses 1-2 Aaron offered for himself the sin offering and the burnt offering. Verses 3-22 Aaron offers for the people the sin offering, burnt offering and peace offering. Verses 23-24 the glory of Yahweh appears and He consumes His portion of the offerings. Chapter 10 outlines the disruption of the ceremony through the sin of Nadab and Abihu. Verses 1-7 Nadab and Abihu, evidently under the influence of strong drink, offer strange fire and are struck dead. Verses 8-11 Aaron warned against the influence of strong drink. Verses 12-20 Moses attempts to complete the ceremony by instructing the priests to eat the people's portion of the offerings: a) the remainder of the peace offering)verses 12-13; cp. Leviticus 9:4, 17); b) the remainder of the peace offering (verses 14-15; cp. Leviticus 9:21); c) the remainder of the sin offering (Verses 16-20; cp. Leviticus 9:15). The above breakdown has been copied from brother John Martin's book, “The Schoolmaster – an exposition of the Book of Leviticus”. Psalm 108 is a song of David's in which he expresses thanks for past deliverance and expresses his confidence in Yahweh's continued help. In verses 1-4 David describes his unshakable conviction in God's stedfast love and the awesome deeds God has done for His people. Therefore the Psalmist will compose songs of praise to his Sovereign. Songs that will be acknowledged by all nations who have beheld the mighty power of the God of Israel. The LORD has promised deliverance to His faithful saints. Verses 7-10 recounts successful battle campaigns. Verses 11-13 are a plea for help against the Edomites having suffered earlier setbacks. The writer's confidence will stay firm. Psalm 109 is a Psalm of David. It is in first application calling for the LORD to execute retribution against David's treacherous counsellor, Ahithophel. But the Psalm is Messianic and principally applies prophetically to our Lord Jesus Christ and his betrayer, Judas Iscariot. Of this we can certain since the Apostle Peter speaks of Judas, when quoting this Psalm in Acts 1:16-20. It is verse 8 of the Psalm which was quoted. Why were such judgements called upon Judas? Because he failed to show pity to “the poor and needy man” (verses 16 and 22). The extortion era mentioned in this song were the priests of Israel, who paid Judas 30 pieces of silver for his part in the betrayal. The Psalm reveals much about the base character of Judas of which the gospels are silent. But the treachery of Judas was to no avail for Yahweh's care and love encompassed His Anointed; and delivered him. 2 Corinthians is often called Paul's great letter of comfort. Chapter 1 tells us that one purpose of suffering is to render the sufferer a reservoir of compassion and comfort for others. The Apostle described his rock as the One who raised the dead (compare 1 Corinthians 15:32 – details can only be conjecture). The coming of Timothy with the news he carried about the response of the believers at Corinth was a tonic that revived his spirit. Chapter 2 provided further advice for what to do next if the wrongdoer was to be fully recovered. The chapter tells us that in Troas he pondered his blessings in our Lord Jesus Christ. His imagery is drawn from the practices which accompanied the Roman Triumphal procession. His ironic language contrasts the Apostles' sufferings for proclaiming the Gospel's message with the indifferent and lavish lifestyle of the Corinthian believers. Paul concludes the chapter by a declaration that it is God who he seeks to please and not fickle people driven by their own motives.

Exodus 31 tells of the two skilled craftsman divinely equipped for the construction of the Tabernacle – Bezaleel (his name means “in the shadow of the Almighty”); and Aholiab (his name means “my Father's tent”). Bezaleel was skilled in metalworking. He made the furniture for the Tabernacle. Bezaleel is a type of the Messiah, as Moses tells us in the entirety of the 91st psalm. Aholiab had responsibility for the coverings of the Tabernacle and its embroidery – also for the veil between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place; and the clothes of the priests; as well as the cutting, polishing and engraving of the stones in the High Priest's breastplate (see Hebrews 8 verses 1-5 and 9 verses 1-5, 24-28, 10 verses 19-25). Verses 12-18 link the provision of the LORD's faithful servants (Bezaleel and Aholiab) with the providing of the Sabbath for His people (Mark 2 verses23-27). The Sabbath existed from the time of Creation, but it was made into an observable Feast at Sinai. It was Yahweh's sign between Himself and His covenant people for all time. Any of God's people who failed to observe the Sabbath were to be put to death. We are told that the lesson for us to cease from sinning and to serve our Sovereign on a daily basis. We must rest from our own interests and to choose those thoughts and ways that please our God (Isaiah 56:1-8; and Hebrews 4 verses 7-12). Moses tells Israel of the sanctity and seriousness of His Sabbath covenant with Israel. This covenant, says verse 18, was written by the finger of God. Chapter 32 speaks of yet another ascent into Mount Sinai to actually receive those two tables of stone upon which had been engraved the Ten Commandments. Whilst Moses was with the angel of the covenant in the mountain the Israelites committed gross immorality and breeched the covenant. They goaded Aaron into aiding them in the making of a golden, graven calf – no doubt the people had remembered the calf worship of the god Apis when they were slaves in Egypt. Aaron was weak and thought that he might be able to channel the people's intentions in a different direction. He sought to make the occasion a feast to Yahweh.See also thecomments in Psalm 106 verses19-23, which tell of the incident of the golden calf. Whilst in the mount both Joshua and Moses heard the noise from the camp. Joshua, who had gone only part of the way with Moses, mistook the noise for war. Moses suspected otherwise and the angel urged Moses to return to the camp and to deal with the corruption. Moses had not fully completed his descent from the mountain when he saw the nakedness of the people of God. In exasperation Moses cast down the two engraved stone tables. These tables shattered into pieces. In anger Moses ground the golden calf to powder and sprinkled the golden dust on the water forcing the people to drink this polluted water. Retribution was now to be taken on the immoral idolators. Moses asked, “Who is on Yahweh's side?” The Levites responded and without favour for any (including family) they slaughtered 3,000 of the brethren. For their faithfulness they were given priestly roles (replacing the family firstborn sons, who had until this time exercised that responsibility). The Israelites were severely rebuked for their breech of faith with their God. Moses also said that he would go back to the mountain and seek to atone for their sin. After this the LORD sent a plague as further punishment for His people. While in the mountain Moses requested that God put him to death as a substitute for the people's sin. God does not accept substitution for atonement. Psalm 89 concludes Book 3 and the Sanctuary psalms. It was written by Ethan the Ezrahite. The song celebrates the stedfast love of the LORD. The Psalm focusses on God's evident covenant love that was experienced by David. Verses 6-14 speak of Israel's God and His incomparable deeds done for His people. Verse 15 alludes to the tinkling of the bells on the High Priest's robe. The sound spoke of the joy of receiving the gospel message: Romans 10. Verses 16-18 describe the exultation of those, Yahweh's people. Verse 27 spoke of the Almighty's choice of David, the youngest of 8 sons, and his elevation to the highest rank of the LORD's firstborn to rule over a mighty kingdom. This was of course a type of Yahweh's Son, promoted above all of Adam's descendants to ultimately come to be the king of the entire earth. Verses 19-28 outline the LORD's defence of His Anointed; and that His covenant with David would endure. Verse 29-37 recall his Sovereign's enduring and sure covenant to David (see 2 Samuel 7 verses12-17, 19-25; and 2 Samuel 23 verses 1-8). Verses 32-38 tell of Israel's chastening for having departed from the laws of their God. Verses 39 tell of God's suffering nation and the afflictions which come upon all of Adam's children. The Psalm concludes with a plea for our Creator's stedfast love to abide upon His people. The letters to the Corinthians begin in the same way as every epistle of Paul prior to his first Imprisonment in Rome. Grace (‘karis' the Greek greeting) and peace (‘shalom' the Hebrew welcome). What more could be offered any believer than the grace and peace of the Father? The letters written between the two imprisonments contain the added dimension of ‘mercy', something we become more conscious of needing the older we get (the only exception to this pattern is in Paul's personal letter to Philemon). What wonderful words were told to the Corinthian readers, that by the Father's calling they were saints, or sanctified believers, incorporated into the fellowship of God and His Beloved Son. The Apostle informs his readers about the tragedy of forming factions. Christ's ecclesia – his body – cannot be divided into segments which follow human leaders. For that reason, despite the essential nature of baptism, Paul was thankful to have baptised only a few. The Apostle's prime focus was on forwarding the message of the Gospel. The essence of that message lay in the power of the preaching of Christ's crucifixion. Read aloud and ponder verses 18-31 (the last of those verses cites Jeremiah 9 verses 23-24). Chapter 2 outlines Paul's determination when he came to Corinth to teach among them nothing except the Christ as the crucified one. That was an unbelievable and inconceivable message, as his quote from Isaiah 64 verses 4-5 proves. But our Sovereign God has His love and wisdom shared with His children – known partly now with the added promise that the joys and blessings of the kingdom age cannot be understood simply through words which would fail to describe that experience of being the Father's immortalised children.

Exodus 15 records the deliverance Song of Moses. Miriam, Moses' sister led the women of Israel in singing and dancing, accompanied musically by timbrels. It celebrates Yahweh's mighty power and saving strength. Israel were now, finally, a freed nation. The immortalised believers of the Kingdom Age will likewise rejoice to the strains of an unrecorded song – the Song of Moses and the Lamb, who is our Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation 14 verses 2-5 compare with Revelation chapters 5 and 7). Chapter 14 tells us that the song sung at that time had particular relevance to the experiences of the redeemed. How true was this to what Israel had recently experienced in their deliverance by the Almighty. On being delivered out of prison David's experiences were similar (Psalm 40 verses 1-5). Another Psalm reminisces, “Some trust in chariots and horses, but we … in Yahweh”. How futile were Pharaoh's war chariots? How superior in every respect was Israel's “El”, – God, might, power, strength. Their Sovereign was exalted beyond measure and therefore to be praised for the deliverance He had brought. The Song recounted what Israel had witnessed; but it goes beyond that in revealing the mind of their great enemy. But their efforts were futile in the face of the forces opposing them. Nature was harnessed in Pharaoh's overthrowing. Yahweh's majesty and holiness are incomparable. He is exalted and He is to be praised. Verse 13 speaks of them being led through the sea (compare Isaiah 63 verses 11-12). Nations talked of this great event 40 years after it happened (Joshua 2 verse 10). Verses 15-16 tell of their journey to the Promised Land and their success in taking it. Verses 17-18 are prophetic of David's and Solomon's reigns and the dwelling place of God in the Sanctuary that was built. Verse 19 tells of Pharaoh's destruction in the midst of the Sea. The great victory is once again sung of at the end of the song in verse 21. Psalm 69 is from the pen of David and speaks of the life of the Messiah (our Lord Jesus Christ). It tells of God's deliverance of His Anointed out of exceptional troubles. And all those who were saved out of their trials will, verse 6 tells us, rejoice in that Yahweh is their constant hope. Verses 7-9 speak of the disdain shown to God's Anointed; but he bore it because of the zeal for His Father's House (John 2 verses 13-22). Verses 10-12 tell of Messiah's humility whilst bearing reproach. In verses 13-15 he makes his prayer, for help, to his Father. And from verses 16-19 speaks of his confidence in the Almighty's steadfast love for His Son. Verses 20-22 express the Son's need of comforters during his crucifixion; but, alas, finding none. He invokes his Creator's wrath upon his foes in verses 22-28. Messiah's adversaries had failed to see God's hand in the work of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Almighty would deliver His suffering Son, not from death, but rather, out of death. Messiah's death was needed for salvation to be brought to the race, descended from Adam. The humble offering, as a voluntary sacrifice, of His Son would please his Father (Isaiah 53 verses 10-12). Yahweh would be able to save believers through what was done in His Son's work (Hebrews 2 verses 12-18). This salvation would be realised in the Kingdom Age when God's Son rules the world from being the incomparable Son of Man the Lord of the Sabbath. Mark 3 describes the Sabbath healing of a man's withered hand. This was most likely a ploy to trap and discredit Jesus. But it failed miserably. Jesus is followed by crowds who were affected by the miracles. Our Lord Jesus, after a night of prayer with his Father, selects 12 special disciples, who were called Apostles because of the commission given them. Note in verse 14 that part of their calling was for Jesus' need for companionship. We all need friends – companionship. Verses 20-21 tell us that when our Lord comes back to Capernaum his family sought to curtail his behaviour which was upsetting the Jewish leaders. Did his family believe him to be unbalanced? A debate over the authenticity of Jesus' miracles ensues as his enemies attribute the miracles to Beelzebul (the lord of the dung heap). The Master shows how illogical this was and indicated that these rulers were speaking blasphemy against God's Holy Spirit power. The chapter concludes with a further attempt by his own family to get him to desist from upsetting the religious authorities. Jesus educates his natural family by stating that his true family were to be found among those who understood and supported Jesus in his Father's work.

What the Torah Teachers won't Teach James 3:1-5 The responsibility when a man thinks he knows the bible enough to start talking about it is enormous. We most often invoke this passage when speaking about bad teaching, but there's another type of bad teaching that needs to be addressed today – omission. Lots of folks sound like me but I'm afraid once we peel back the layers, we find they are still in that Babylonia system, especially when it comes to the identity of the Son of God. When people get into this walk, we often spend a TON of time learning about the Names Yahweh and Yeshua. However, the word we need to clearly define is neither of those. The word we need to define is Christ. Matthew 16:16 Christ is not a last name. Yes, I'm afraid most of the world thinks His first Name is Jesus and His last name is Christ. Not the case, Christ is a title, not a name, and one that has a specific definition. Part of the definition is right here in front of us. Son of God. And Yeshua blesses Peter for this being revealed to him by Yeshua's Father, who is a completely different being that was in heaven at that moment in time while His Son was on earth. The teachers never teach this one. They love to talk about calendars, ancient alphabets, pronunciations, or impossible to reconcile doctrines, but this right here is salvation. 1 John 5: 11-12 If you have the Son, you have life. If you do not, you don't. You can have the Father and deny the Son, by the way. And you can deny the Son by making Him out to be His own Father or making Him out to not be who He really is, the Son of God who is subordinate to His Father, who He Himself identifies as God. From Matthew, we know the Christ is synonymous with the Son of God. Is there anything more to that definition? Yes, look at Matthew again and scroll through the definitions. Anointed. That means somebody else anointed Him. Anointing is a calling, or an appointing, for a mission, specifically by Yahweh. Yeshua is not the only person to have this title, however He is THE Messiah while the others were just “a” Messiah. The word Christ is not a random word. In Greek, it means to put oil on something. It was chosen as the direct translation for the word Messiah in Hebrew. Understand, there is nothing pagan about this word and it was chosen to be used for Messiah when the LXX was made – 150 years before Yeshua. Switch to Brenton, search Christ, find Psalm 2, read, then switch to NASB95. Explain the word Messiah or Christ should be there, as well as other places. I don't know why the English translators never do this. Make it clear there is YHVH and there is His Anointed. It's two. Not some incomprehensible amalgamation. Not a mystery. Yahweh anointed Yeshua to be His servant. Down to verse 7 and we see this Anointed one is Yahweh's Son. He's not another Yahweh, but the Son of God. I am not making it up, folks, but this is the stuff your “Torah teacher” won't touch because they are terrified to teach you the truth and break with Trinitarianism. They need to realize they were not given the gift of speech so they can teach secondary and tertiary things. Acts 2: 22-24 this is why it's so important. God really did send His Son. His Son really did die. And God resurrected Him. These are not my words, friends. I have to tell you the truth lest I suffer judgment. Acts 2: 32-26 God made Him the Messiah. Again, not my words. These are Peter's words given to him by the Ruach ha Kodesh, the Holy Spirit. Acts 3: 13-15 Again, testifying that God raised Yeshua. Acts 4: 8-12 Finish here. Peter and John called as two witnesses to testify in front of the Sanhedrin. They said what they said. This is the Gospel. The most important information mankind can know, that God sent His Son, the Messiah, to pay the price for our sins. Do you accept Yeshua as the Messiah, the Son of God? https://firstcenturychristianity.net/

Israel's family had multiplied greatly with time. And the Egyptians were fearful that if a war happened the Israelites might side with Egypt's foes. For they were the friends of a former, but now despised dynasty – most probably that of the Hyksos shepherd-kings from Chaldea, who had conquered Egypt before the arrival of Israel's family. Although they were moderate in their rule they were despised as they had gained Egypt's wealth. The new regime enslaved Israel and killed their male children. The Israelites were constructing the new Pharaoh's treasure cities. The Hebrew midwives – Shiphrah and Puah – were commanded to throw the boys, born to the Hebrew mothers, into the Nile. But, the midwives failed to obey since they reverenced Yahweh more than the Pharaoh. And so the LORD blessed them. Chapter 2 tells of Moses' birth and the way in which he was providentially saved through the actions of his faithful family. Moses' birth was concealed for 3 months; but as he grew this task became harder. His parents knew that the deliverance from God was drawing nearer and they hoped that in Moses the LORD would raise up a saviour (see Acts 7 verses 17-22; Hebrews 11 verse 23). Jochabed, the mother of Moses, deliberately exposed her son to Pharaoh's childless daughter, who upon hearing Moses' cry was filled with compassion and the desire to adopt him. Miriam was there to advance this plan. Jochabed wet nursed Moses and had opportunity to instruct her son in the revealed plans from the LORD outlined in the promises. At the age of 40 Moses made a choice to align himself with the suffering people of God, rather than accept what Egypt was offering. Moses, perhaps, turned down the chance to become the next king (see Acts 7 verses 22-29; Hebrews 11 verses 23-26). He struck down and killed an Egyptian who had struck an Israelite slave. The body was hastily buried in the sand. The next day he sought to separate two fighting Israelites and tried to intervene; he was derided by his brother who knew of the former day's murder. Moses fled Egypt,to far away Midian, fearing Pharaoh's vengeance. Here he remained for 40 years of divine education in readiness for God's use, as a humbled servant. He met Reuel, the local wise priest, who had 7 daughters – also known as Jethro, Raguel – where he married Zipporah and became a shepherd. A son was born to them and named Gershom, signifying Moses' status as a sojourner, together with the patriarchal family. The chapter concludes by telling us that Yahweh has heard His childrens' groaning and as a loving Father will respond, ever faithful to His promises. Psalm 53 is a duplication of Psalm 14. Psalm 53 is an important record, “The fool has said in his heart, there is no God” – and is cited in Romans 3. Its message tells us more than that atheists are foolish. It is not those who simply speak the words; but, it applies to those whose actions say, ‘I can act as I please and will not be punished'. The heart's intentions are of great importance and determine our actions. Psalm 54 is another Maschil of David's designed for guidance to his listeners. It was written after David had been delivered from Saul's encirclement following the treachery of the Ziphites. God had heard his prayer, and yet again saved David from an impossible situation. Saul having surrounded David would have certainly captured him had to withdraw his army to defend the land from a Philistine invasion. The strangers, who had risen against David, failed because of David's trust in the Almighty. David will present to his God thanksgiving offerings and praise. Yet again Psalm 55 is a Maschil from the pen of David in which he celebrates his Sovereign's saving him again and again. The theme of the Psalm is for the heaters to “Cast your burden upon the LORD”; or, as the Hebrew language expresses, “Roll yourself on Yahweh”. David in his restless and oppressed state of mind calls upon his God to vanquish his sorrows and prevent his being overwhelmed with despair. The Psalmist prays for the wings of a dove, that he might fly away from all his troubles. He then beseeches his Omnipotent Creator to repay the evils of his enemies. He speaks of his chief adversary in verses 12-14; this is believed to have been David's supreme counsellor Ahithophel. This man had deep insights into the Scriptures, but became embittered against David when the king committed adultery with Ahithophel's granddaughter. The counterpart to Ahithophel is the betrayer of our Lord Jesus Christ – Judas Iscariot; who likewise had a spiritually perceptive mind, which was overcome by his covetousness. David (and the Messiah himself) invoke the LORD's vengeance upon those wicked men in verses 15-17. Not so for His Anointed, who was constantly in the care of his Creator – verses 16-19. And so the take home message in the concluding verses for all faithful believers is to, “Roll yourself on Yahweh and He will sustain (uphold, support) you”; whatever your troubles. Romans 7 starts with an analogy comparing the liberty to remarry providing the former spouse had deceased with the believer's freedom from the law because Christ's death was the death-knell for the Mosaic law. The chapter showed the law's purpose in provoking peoples' covetous lusts demonstrating human incapacity to be righteous on the basis of law keeping. A delight in God's law within our mind must make the coming freedom in Christ's Kingdom a foretaste of the final freedom when we will be set free. Romans 8 indicates that desire must be supported by a concerted attempt to live after the spirit by thinking spiritually and not carnally. What was impossible for the law to provide – a totally sinless being from Adam's progeny – our Heavenly Father produced in a unique man, completely possessed of every passion and frailty common to humanity; yet as a product of his divine parentage and strengthening by constant imprinting of Yahweh's Word a Victor over fleshly thinking. The chapter tells us that those, who like their Lord, are led by spirit thinking will likewise be God's children. The chapter tells us the steps involved in the process of our being saved, as verses 28-30, show. Finally the encouragement of verses 31-39 reveal to us that God has done above and beyond what we could conceivably think – so the remaining perceived impediments are minuscule by comparison. God's demonstrated desire to see the faithful in His Kingdom cam only be thwarted by ourselves. Read these verses aloud and marvel at the message of the love God has for His children and has been shown to us by the life, death and glorifying of His Son our Lord Jesus Christ.

Web Description: Psalm 2 states, “The kings of the earth take their stand … against the Lord and against His Anointed.” So there should be no confusion about the conflict happening in the world. The Kingdom of God is coming, and many governments are standing against it. Yet God's Kingdom is the answer for the world, and our focus is not on the conflict but on the solution. Father, Your Kingdom come, and Your will be done on the earth.   Show Notes: When a country goes through a change of government, it can experience turmoil. This concept helps us understand what is happening on a global scale today. The entire world is experiencing a governmental changeover as the Kingdom of God comes into the earth. And the reaction of many nations to the Kingdom of God is to reject it. They reject the laws, the conditions, and the requirements of God's Kingdom. And so a battle ensues.   We need to understand the nature of this battle. There are many wars and rumors of wars in the world today, but the prophecies in Scripture are not about random nations fighting one another. The war against the Kingdom is the war of nations against the Jewish people. That is why we are seeing so many attacks against Israel and against Jews worldwide. It is because they are the representatives of God's Kingdom. Israel is where the Kingdom will come on the earth, and the Jews are the people from whom it manifests.   We must stay focused on what God is doing and stay free from the negativity generated by the hostility of nations against Him and His people. God's purpose is not to bring war but to fulfill the promised blessings of His Kingdom. We might see many negative events in the days ahead, but it is important that we remember how it all turns out. Many nations and people will go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, to learn His ways and never again learn war. That is the focus of the last days, not the negative. That is our faith and intercession for His Kingdom to come.   Key Verses:   •       Philippians 2:10–11. “Every knee will bow … and … every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” •       Psalm 2:1–3. “The kings of the earth take their stand … against the Lord and against His Anointed.” •       John 4:22. “Salvation is from the Jews.” •       Psalm 2:4–12. “I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance.” •       Matthew 24:6. “You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars.” •       Isaiah 34:1–3. “The Lord's indignation is against all the nations.” •       Isaiah 2:1–4. “The law will go forth from Zion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.”   Quotes:   •       “The nations are in an uproar. Why? Because the Kingdom of God is drawing nearer and nearer.” •       “I think we're at the time where the nations have chosen and taken their stand against the Lord and against His anointed.” •       “The wars will pass away. The rumors of wars will pass away. And as the Kingdom of God sets in, no longer will nation lift up its sword against another nation.”   Takeaways:   1.    What we are witnessing in the world is a governmental changeover, and that is the Kingdom of God coming into the earth. This is not an easy transition as many nations, governments, and peoples will resist submitting to His Lordship. 2.    The focus of resistance and opposition to the Kingdom of God is and always has been the Jewish people because the Kingdom manifests from them. That is why we see increasing attacks against them and against the Jewish homeland of Israel. 3.    If the nations were able to bring peace and justice and solutions to the world's problems, they would have done so by now. The Kingdom of God has the answers that mankind has been seeking, and we should excitedly await and strive to be a part of it. 4.    We must not let our hearts become fearful or let our spirits faint. Let us proclaim His Word to break the lies that come against God's people and against His land. Let us pray that the truth of His justice and His love be known and that His government prevails.  

The world is a place of rebellion and conflict. Nations fight and war against each other, but underlying it all is the rage of the nations against the Lord and His Anointed. But resistance to God Almighty is in vain

Acts 4:13-31 13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them,they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened.22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.   23 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them.24 And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 25 who through the mouth of our father David, Your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, “‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? 26 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against His Anointed'—27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel,28 to do whatever Your hand and Your plan had predestined to take place. 29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to Your servants to continue to speak Your word with all boldness, 30 while You stretch out Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.   Key Words: Boldness, Opposition, Speak, Name, Jesus, Prayer, Hand, Word, Seen, Heard Keystone Verse: But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard. (Acts 4:19-20)     Bulletin

Why are the nations in an uproar And the peoples devising a vain thing? The kings of the earth take their stand And the rulers take counsel together Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, “Let us tear their fetters apart And cast away their cords from us!” He who sits in the heavens laughs, The Lord scoffs at them. Then He will speak to them in His anger And terrify them in His fury, saying, “But as for Me, I have installed My King Upon Zion, My holy mountain.” “I will surely tell of the decree of the Lord: He said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. ‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, And the very ends of the earth as Your possession. ‘You shall break them with a rod of iron, You shall shatter them like earthenware.'” Now therefore, O kings, show discernment; Take warning, O judges of the earth. Worship the Lord with reverence And rejoice with trembling. Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way, For His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!

Ps 20 describes Israel's spiritual preparation before an impending battle, a day of trouble (v1). It is a model for how to prepare ourselves in prayer, to walk in victory in our spiritual battles & days of trouble. It twins with Ps 21, describing the celebration after the victory (c.f 20:2,5 & 21:1; 20:4 & 21:2). The central character is the anointed king (v6), leading his people into battle. It finds its ultimate fulfilment in Christ, who leads His people to victory (battles of the Lord are pictures of His ultimate battle, when Christ personally overcomes all His enemies). Thus Ps 20 is messianic like Ps 21). The setting shows God's people gathering before Him before battle, dedicating their lives to God, and calling on the covenant-keeping God to go with them to battle & give them victory. Their trust in & submission to God was expressed thru the sacrifice the king offered up on behalf of the nation (v3, 1Sam 7:7-12). The efficacy of their prayers was based on the merits of the sacrifice, representing the Sacrifice of Christ. Likewise, we come to God on the basis of Christ's righteousness, given us thru His Sacrifice, and dedicate ourselves to God to do His will (Rom 12:1), acknowledging the battle belongs to Him & we fight in His Name, under His authority, for His glory & will to be done. Thru this dedication, His Presence comes on us transforming us into mighty warriors (Ro 12:2), for He gives grace to the humble. At this point the priests encouraged the army to fear not, even if the enemy seems superior, for God goes with them into the battle to fight for them (Deut 20:1-4). So, in our battles, we don't fight in our own strength, but daily come to God with a sacrifice of praise, dedicating ourselves for His will to be done thru us, and drawing on His grace. In v1-5, the people (‘we' in v5) pray for the anointed king (David), who speaks in v6. They are one with their king, so his victory is theirs. “May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble; may the Name (revealed nature) of the God of Jacob defend you (set you on high)” (v1). They call on God to manifest His Name on behalf of His people. “May He send you help from the Sanctuary (the Place of God's Presence) and strengthen you out of Zion” (v2). The key to victory is His Presence, so to receive help from God, we must draw near to Him, so His Presence fills us. The 1st key in spiritual warfare is to look to & submit to God, calling on Him to fill us with His Presence. “May He remember all your offerings and accept your burnt sacrifice. Selah” (v3). They offered their prayers on the foundation of the sacrifice. Likewise, when we pray, we trust in Christ's Sacrifice for God to accept our dedication & for our prayer to be answered. “May He grant you according to your heart's desire (the saving of his people, victory over God's enemies & God's glory) and fulfil all your purpose” (v4). Their prayer ends with assurance of victory, and readiness to go into battle under His Banner, as He goes with them to give them victory (Ex 17:15): “We will rejoice in your salvation (victory), and in the Name of our God, we will set up our banners! May the Lord fulfil all your petitions” (v5). Thus, true dedication to God brings assurance of God's Presence, which we confess with our lips, that God is with us. In response, the king declares his faith, that God's mighty right hand will give him the victory: “Now I know that the Lord saves (gives victory) to His anointed; He will answer him from His holy Heaven with the saving strength of His right hand” (v6). Then the people also declare their faith is in God, not in the strength of their forces. They focus on & make mention of (confess) His Name, His faithfulness to the covenant (v7), and, by faith they confess the final outcome of victory, before battle begins (v8). Again, we see it's important to confess our faith (Rom 10:8-10, 2Cor 4:13), as part of our spiritual preparation for battle. The concluding prayer in v8 is best translated: “O Lord, save (give victory to) the king, answer us in the day of our calling” (the origin of 'God save the king'). This is another link to Ps 21 (v1), v2 of which records the answer to this prayer. We show how Ps 20 was fulfilled by Christ, on His day of trouble, after which He was lifted up on high (v1), by God in Heaven (v2), who accepted His perfect Sacrifice (v3). God granted Jesus His heart's desire (our salvation, the defeat of all His enemies & the fulfilment of His purpose to establish His Kingdom over all, v4). God gave victory to His Anointed by raising Him from death by His mighty power (v6). His people call on the exalted King, who is also Lord, for salvation (v9, Rom 10:13). They now rejoice in His salvation, for He won the victory for us, and now ever-lives to make intercession for us (v5). They now trust in His Name, rather than their own resources (v7), and are assured of the final downfall of the wicked and their own future resurrection to life (v8).

Ps 20 describes Israel's spiritual preparation before an impending battle, a day of trouble (v1). It is a model for how to prepare ourselves in prayer, to walk in victory in our spiritual battles & days of trouble. It twins with Ps 21, describing the celebration after the victory (c.f 20:2,5 & 21:1; 20:4 & 21:2). The central character is the anointed king (v6), leading his people into battle. It finds its ultimate fulfilment in Christ, who leads His people to victory (battles of the Lord are pictures of His ultimate battle, when Christ personally overcomes all His enemies). Thus Ps 20 is messianic like Ps 21). The setting shows God's people gathering before Him before battle, dedicating their lives to God, and calling on the covenant-keeping God to go with them to battle & give them victory. Their trust in & submission to God was expressed thru the sacrifice the king offered up on behalf of the nation (v3, 1Sam 7:7-12). The efficacy of their prayers was based on the merits of the sacrifice, representing the Sacrifice of Christ. Likewise, we come to God on the basis of Christ's righteousness, given us thru His Sacrifice, and dedicate ourselves to God to do His will (Rom 12:1), acknowledging the battle belongs to Him & we fight in His Name, under His authority, for His glory & will to be done. Thru this dedication, His Presence comes on us transforming us into mighty warriors (Ro 12:2), for He gives grace to the humble. At this point the priests encouraged the army to fear not, even if the enemy seems superior, for God goes with them into the battle to fight for them (Deut 20:1-4). So, in our battles, we don't fight in our own strength, but daily come to God with a sacrifice of praise, dedicating ourselves for His will to be done thru us, and drawing on His grace. In v1-5, the people (‘we' in v5) pray for the anointed king (David), who speaks in v6. They are one with their king, so his victory is theirs. “May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble; may the Name (revealed nature) of the God of Jacob defend you (set you on high)” (v1). They call on God to manifest His Name on behalf of His people. “May He send you help from the Sanctuary (the Place of God's Presence) and strengthen you out of Zion” (v2). The key to victory is His Presence, so to receive help from God, we must draw near to Him, so His Presence fills us. The 1st key in spiritual warfare is to look to & submit to God, calling on Him to fill us with His Presence. “May He remember all your offerings and accept your burnt sacrifice. Selah” (v3). They offered their prayers on the foundation of the sacrifice. Likewise, when we pray, we trust in Christ's Sacrifice for God to accept our dedication & for our prayer to be answered. “May He grant you according to your heart's desire (the saving of his people, victory over God's enemies & God's glory) and fulfil all your purpose” (v4). Their prayer ends with assurance of victory, and readiness to go into battle under His Banner, as He goes with them to give them victory (Ex 17:15): “We will rejoice in your salvation (victory), and in the Name of our God, we will set up our banners! May the Lord fulfil all your petitions” (v5). Thus, true dedication to God brings assurance of God's Presence, which we confess with our lips, that God is with us. In response, the king declares his faith, that God's mighty right hand will give him the victory: “Now I know that the Lord saves (gives victory) to His anointed; He will answer him from His holy Heaven with the saving strength of His right hand” (v6). Then the people also declare their faith is in God, not in the strength of their forces. They focus on & make mention of (confess) His Name, His faithfulness to the covenant (v7), and, by faith they confess the final outcome of victory, before battle begins (v8). Again, we see it's important to confess our faith (Rom 10:8-10, 2Cor 4:13), as part of our spiritual preparation for battle. The concluding prayer in v8 is best translated: “O Lord, save (give victory to) the king, answer us in the day of our calling” (the origin of 'God save the king'). This is another link to Ps 21 (v1), v2 of which records the answer to this prayer. We show how Ps 20 was fulfilled by Christ, on His day of trouble, after which He was lifted up on high (v1), by God in Heaven (v2), who accepted His perfect Sacrifice (v3). God granted Jesus His heart's desire (our salvation, the defeat of all His enemies & the fulfilment of His purpose to establish His Kingdom over all, v4). God gave victory to His Anointed by raising Him from death by His mighty power (v6). His people call on the exalted King, who is also Lord, for salvation (v9, Rom 10:13). They now rejoice in His salvation, for He won the victory for us, and now ever-lives to make intercession for us (v5). They now trust in His Name, rather than their own resources (v7), and are assured of the final downfall of the wicked and their own future resurrection to life (v8).

Psalm 18 is a triumphant declaration at a time of great victory. David (and Christ) explode with love for the Lord (v1), who'd manifested His covenant love to them in many ways. They declare 9 Names of God, describing ways they knew God from personal experience thru many trials (v1-2). Many times they'd called on Him and He delivered them from their enemies. In particular, in the face of death they cried to God and He heard them (v3-6). In its fullest sense it applies to Christ who actually suffered, died & went to Sheol (v4-5), but called to God during this whole time (v6), and He answered. In v7-19, it reveals what happened in the Spirit as God manifested His glory & moved in majestic power at His death & resurrection, bringing darkness & shaking the earth (v7-9,11), personally coming down from Heaven (v10) releasing His arrows against His enemies (v12-14), then invading Hades (v15), and reaching down there by His mighty Arm, He pulled Christ out of the Prison of Hades (v16), rescuing Him from the devil & all His enemies, and raised Him from death & exalted Him to a high spacious place (v17-19). The basis for this divine deliverance was His perfect righteousness as a Man (v19-24): "He delivered me because He delighted in me" (v19b). Likewise, in Christ, God delights in us & delivers us. After His Ascension, God reigns over man thru Christ as His executive at His right hand (Ps 110:1-4). He is merciful, gracious & righteous in His rule, saving the humble & humbling the proud (v25-27). At His resurrection, God regenerated & glorified His human nature, lighting up His lamp, His human spirit (v28, Prov 20:27), anointing Him for victory over all His enemies (v29-36), and sharing His anointing & weapons with His people, who trust in Him, and engage in spiritual warfare in His Name (v30-31). Finally, in God's perfect timing He'll release Him to fully manifest His authority, power & glory to pursue & destroy all His enemies, at His 2nd Coming (v37-42). Then having put down all rebellion, He'll establish His Kingdom on earth and reign as Head of all nations (v43). At this time saved Gentiles, who hear of Him & submit to Him (v43-45) will be included in His covenant community (v49): "Therefore I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among (in fellowship with) the Gentiles, and sing praises to Your Name" - quoted in Rom 15:9 and applied to Christ, proving it's a messianic psalm. Rom 15:7-12 quotes 4 prophecies to prove when Christ comes, He'll bring salvation to the Gentiles, so they'll be included with the Jews in God's People. Though these prophecies originally spoke of the Messianic Kingdom, for the Church Age was a Mystery, not yet revealed, they revealed God's purpose to save Gentiles thru His Coming, so Gentile salvation in the Church Age thru the New Covenant is consistent with the revelation of the prophets, and is an initial fulfilment. So Jews & Gentiles in the Church should receive each other as equals (v7). The prophets saw His Coming to die, rise again & establish the new covenant, and had Israel received Him, He'd have established His Kingdom, with Jews & Gentiles equally saved, in fulfilment of the prophecies. But, when Israel rejected Him, instead of establishing the Kingdom, God brought in the Church Age, in which Jews & Gentiles are equally saved, as in the Kingdom. Thus, though He could not fulfil all the Kingdom prophecies, He did fulfil the prophecies of salvation in the new covenant for all who call on His Name, both Jew & Gentile. Similarly, in Acts 15:13-19, James quoted Amos 9:11-12 to show Gentile salvation in the Church Age is consistent with the prophets, as an initial fulfilment, and so Jewish believers should receive Gentiles into the Church as equals. Psalm 18 concludes with a Doxology of Praise, summarising all the great things God did to manifest His covenant love (v46-50), giving Him glory for being His strength & giving Him victory over all His enemies, especially the violent man (antichrist), and for executing justice and establishing His Kingdom on earth over all nations, with Christ exalted as Head. He also gives thanks for the salvation of Gentiles, now in union with Him (v49). He concludes with a summary statement: "Great deliverance He gives to His KING, and shows covenant love to His ANOINTED, to DAVID and his SEED (CHRIST) forevermore" (v50). This confirms Ps 18 was originally fulfilled (in type) to David, but the ultimate fulfilment is to David's SEED, Christ. Just as we are Abraham's Seed, as we're in Christ, the SEED of Abraham, and so inherit his blessing (Gal 3:14,26-29), so we are David's Seed, as we're in Christ, the SEED of David, and so are joint heirs of the covenant blessings (mercies) of David, described in Ps 18. Thus we share in Christ's victory, anointing & reign, thru our union with Him. Thus Ps 18 doesn't just describe God's covenant blessings to David & his Seed (Christ), but also to those in Christ, which we can apply to & appropriate for ourselves.

Psalm 18 is a triumphant declaration at a time of great victory. David (and Christ) explode with love for the Lord (v1), who'd manifested His covenant love to them in many ways. They declare 9 Names of God, describing ways they knew God from personal experience thru many trials (v1-2). Many times they'd called on Him and He delivered them from their enemies. In particular, in the face of death they cried to God and He heard them (v3-6). In its fullest sense it applies to Christ who actually suffered, died & went to Sheol (v4-5), but called to God during this whole time (v6), and He answered. In v7-19, it reveals what happened in the Spirit as God manifested His glory & moved in majestic power at His death & resurrection, bringing darkness & shaking the earth (v7-9,11), personally coming down from Heaven (v10) releasing His arrows against His enemies (v12-14), then invading Hades (v15), and reaching down there by His mighty Arm, He pulled Christ out of the Prison of Hades (v16), rescuing Him from the devil & all His enemies, and raised Him from death & exalted Him to a high spacious place (v17-19). The basis for this divine deliverance was His perfect righteousness as a Man (v19-24): "He delivered me because He delighted in me" (v19b). Likewise, in Christ, God delights in us & delivers us. After His Ascension, God reigns over man thru Christ as His executive at His right hand (Ps 110:1-4). He is merciful, gracious & righteous in His rule, saving the humble & humbling the proud (v25-27). At His resurrection, God regenerated & glorified His human nature, lighting up His lamp, His human spirit (v28, Prov 20:27), anointing Him for victory over all His enemies (v29-36), and sharing His anointing & weapons with His people, who trust in Him, and engage in spiritual warfare in His Name (v30-31). Finally, in God's perfect timing He'll release Him to fully manifest His authority, power & glory to pursue & destroy all His enemies, at His 2nd Coming (v37-42). Then having put down all rebellion, He'll establish His Kingdom on earth and reign as Head of all nations (v43). At this time saved Gentiles, who hear of Him & submit to Him (v43-45) will be included in His covenant community (v49): "Therefore I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among (in fellowship with) the Gentiles, and sing praises to Your Name" - quoted in Rom 15:9 and applied to Christ, proving it's a messianic psalm. Rom 15:7-12 quotes 4 prophecies to prove when Christ comes, He'll bring salvation to the Gentiles, so they'll be included with the Jews in God's People. Though these prophecies originally spoke of the Messianic Kingdom, for the Church Age was a Mystery, not yet revealed, they revealed God's purpose to save Gentiles thru His Coming, so Gentile salvation in the Church Age thru the New Covenant is consistent with the revelation of the prophets, and is an initial fulfilment. So Jews & Gentiles in the Church should receive each other as equals (v7). The prophets saw His Coming to die, rise again & establish the new covenant, and had Israel received Him, He'd have established His Kingdom, with Jews & Gentiles equally saved, in fulfilment of the prophecies. But, when Israel rejected Him, instead of establishing the Kingdom, God brought in the Church Age, in which Jews & Gentiles are equally saved, as in the Kingdom. Thus, though He could not fulfil all the Kingdom prophecies, He did fulfil the prophecies of salvation in the new covenant for all who call on His Name, both Jew & Gentile. Similarly, in Acts 15:13-19, James quoted Amos 9:11-12 to show Gentile salvation in the Church Age is consistent with the prophets, as an initial fulfilment, and so Jewish believers should receive Gentiles into the Church as equals. Psalm 18 concludes with a Doxology of Praise, summarising all the great things God did to manifest His covenant love (v46-50), giving Him glory for being His strength & giving Him victory over all His enemies, especially the violent man (antichrist), and for executing justice and establishing His Kingdom on earth over all nations, with Christ exalted as Head. He also gives thanks for the salvation of Gentiles, now in union with Him (v49). He concludes with a summary statement: "Great deliverance He gives to His KING, and shows covenant love to His ANOINTED, to DAVID and his SEED (CHRIST) forevermore" (v50). This confirms Ps 18 was originally fulfilled (in type) to David, but the ultimate fulfilment is to David's SEED, Christ. Just as we are Abraham's Seed, as we're in Christ, the SEED of Abraham, and so inherit his blessing (Gal 3:14,26-29), so we are David's Seed, as we're in Christ, the SEED of David, and so are joint heirs of the covenant blessings (mercies) of David, described in Ps 18. Thus we share in Christ's victory, anointing & reign, thru our union with Him. Thus Ps 18 doesn't just describe God's covenant blessings to David & his Seed (Christ), but also to those in Christ, which we can apply to & appropriate for ourselves.

Psalm 18 is a Thanksgiving Psalm of intense emotion giving God the glory for all the victories God gave David and His Son (Christ) in fulfilling His covenant promises to them (v50). It continues the story * typology from Psalm 17. The title is: "A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD, who spoke to the LORD the words of this song on the day that the Lord delivered him from the hand of all of his enemies and from the hand of Saul." This is clearly an important Psalm, as it is in 2Samuel 22. It's a Messianic Psalm - although it was spoken by David and corresponds to his own circumstances & prayer, it was written in a Spirit of Prophecy, and can only be perfectly fulfilled by the Messiah. This is clear by the magnitude of the language, the claims of perfect righteousness, and the fact Paul quotes v49 in Romans 15:9 and applies it to Christ (see also v2 and Heb 2:13). Moreover, v50 gives a summary: "Great deliverance He gives to His KING, and shows mercy to His ANOINTED, to David and his descendants (SEED = Messiah) forevermore." So this indicates it is about God's manifestation of His covenant love to both His anointed ones - David and Messiah, His Seed. The promises & blessings of this Psalm also apply to believers who are in Christ, the Seed of David. As the title indicates, it was sung after David conquered all his enemies, both internal & external. It gives thanks and glory to God for all the deliverances and victories over the years. David, the warrior king, is a type of Christ, and so the stages of his life foreshadow that of Christ: (1) His anointing, mighty feats, suffering & persecution from the governing authority (Saul) before he became king foreshadow Christ's earthly ministry before He was enthroned as King. (2) David's enthronement as King at Hebron corresponds to Christ's enthronement at His resurrection. At this point, most of Israel did not follow Him (only Judah, a remnant), and although there was a 7-year war between him and the house of Saul, he did not try to force His rule on the rest. He was depending on God to establish His throne. David waited for 7 years before all Israel came to him and submitted to him as King. This corresponds to the 7 years on Israel's Clock yet to run as the Tribulation (Dan 9:24-27) during which Israel will come to Christ (2Sam 3:1) - the typology jumps over the Church Age, which was a mystery. At the end of the 7 years all Israel will be saved and welcome Christ to be her King (2Sam 5:1-5, Matt 24:37-39). (3) At this point, with Israel now submitted to him, David immediately operated in his kingly anointing to conquer all the surrounding enemy nations, starting with Jerusalem (2Sam 5:6-12), where he established His throne, followed by the rapid defeat and conquest of the Philistines (2Sam 5:17-24, 8:1), Moab, Zobar, Syria, Ammon & Amalek (2Sam 8:2-14). Likewise, when Israel receives Him, Christ will return at Armageddon as King of kings and conquer all the enemy armies from every nation gathered against Israel, and sit on His throne in Jerusalem. (4) Then David reigned over Israel and was also the head of the surrounding nations (2Sam 8:15). Likewise, Christ will reign over Israel and all the nations, as King over all the world in the Millennium. At this point David wrote Psalm 18 to give thanks for the manifestation of God's covenant love and power (v1,50). Likewise, it's also the Psalm Christ will sing when He has defeated all His enemies and established His Kingdom, giving thanks for what God has done. We see the stages of the parallel exaltation of David & Christ reflected in the Psalm. In v1-3, Christ (as typified by David) gives thanks for His strength and protection during His earthly life. Then in v4-24 He thanks God for delivering Him from death and conquering all His enemies in His mighty resurrection. Then in v25-36, He describes His regeneration and anointing by God at His resurrection & ascension (coronation) to reign as Lord administering God's grace and justice in His dealings with mankind, and His empowerment to vanquish His enemies, at the appointed time. In the meantime, God anointed Him and His people to operate with strength and wisdom in the ongoing (spiritual) warfare. Then in v37-42, we see Him in His 2nd Coming destroying all the enemy armies at Armageddon (Rev 19) and judging the whole world, destroying all those who hate (reject) Him, grinding all the kingdoms of the world to fine dust (Daniel 2:35). Then, in v43-49, with Israel and the Gentiles in submission to Him, Christ establishes His Millennial Kingdom, becoming 'the Head of the nations' (King of kings) - 43. In this Kingdom, the Gentiles as well as the Jews will be saved and in covenant fellowship with Him (v43-45,49). At this time He will exalt the living God over all (v46), for God had delivered him from all His enemies and subdued them under His feet (v47-48).

Psalm 18 is a Thanksgiving Psalm of intense emotion giving God the glory for all the victories God gave David and His Son (Christ) in fulfilling His covenant promises to them (v50). It continues the story * typology from Psalm 17. The title is: "A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD, who spoke to the LORD the words of this song on the day that the Lord delivered him from the hand of all of his enemies and from the hand of Saul." This is clearly an important Psalm, as it is in 2Samuel 22. It's a Messianic Psalm - although it was spoken by David and corresponds to his own circumstances & prayer, it was written in a Spirit of Prophecy, and can only be perfectly fulfilled by the Messiah. This is clear by the magnitude of the language, the claims of perfect righteousness, and the fact Paul quotes v49 in Romans 15:9 and applies it to Christ (see also v2 and Heb 2:13). Moreover, v50 gives a summary: "Great deliverance He gives to His KING, and shows mercy to His ANOINTED, to David and his descendants (SEED = Messiah) forevermore." So this indicates it is about God's manifestation of His covenant love to both His anointed ones - David and Messiah, His Seed. The promises & blessings of this Psalm also apply to believers who are in Christ, the Seed of David. As the title indicates, it was sung after David conquered all his enemies, both internal & external. It gives thanks and glory to God for all the deliverances and victories over the years. David, the warrior king, is a type of Christ, and so the stages of his life foreshadow that of Christ: (1) His anointing, mighty feats, suffering & persecution from the governing authority (Saul) before he became king foreshadow Christ's earthly ministry before He was enthroned as King. (2) David's enthronement as King at Hebron corresponds to Christ's enthronement at His resurrection. At this point, most of Israel did not follow Him (only Judah, a remnant), and although there was a 7-year war between him and the house of Saul, he did not try to force His rule on the rest. He was depending on God to establish His throne. David waited for 7 years before all Israel came to him and submitted to him as King. This corresponds to the 7 years on Israel's Clock yet to run as the Tribulation (Dan 9:24-27) during which Israel will come to Christ (2Sam 3:1) - the typology jumps over the Church Age, which was a mystery. At the end of the 7 years all Israel will be saved and welcome Christ to be her King (2Sam 5:1-5, Matt 24:37-39). (3) At this point, with Israel now submitted to him, David immediately operated in his kingly anointing to conquer all the surrounding enemy nations, starting with Jerusalem (2Sam 5:6-12), where he established His throne, followed by the rapid defeat and conquest of the Philistines (2Sam 5:17-24, 8:1), Moab, Zobar, Syria, Ammon & Amalek (2Sam 8:2-14). Likewise, when Israel receives Him, Christ will return at Armageddon as King of kings and conquer all the enemy armies from every nation gathered against Israel, and sit on His throne in Jerusalem. (4) Then David reigned over Israel and was also the head of the surrounding nations (2Sam 8:15). Likewise, Christ will reign over Israel and all the nations, as King over all the world in the Millennium. At this point David wrote Psalm 18 to give thanks for the manifestation of God's covenant love and power (v1,50). Likewise, it's also the Psalm Christ will sing when He has defeated all His enemies and established His Kingdom, giving thanks for what God has done. We see the stages of the parallel exaltation of David & Christ reflected in the Psalm. In v1-3, Christ (as typified by David) gives thanks for His strength and protection during His earthly life. Then in v4-24 He thanks God for delivering Him from death and conquering all His enemies in His mighty resurrection. Then in v25-36, He describes His regeneration and anointing by God at His resurrection & ascension (coronation) to reign as Lord administering God's grace and justice in His dealings with mankind, and His empowerment to vanquish His enemies, at the appointed time. In the meantime, God anointed Him and His people to operate with strength and wisdom in the ongoing (spiritual) warfare. Then in v37-42, we see Him in His 2nd Coming destroying all the enemy armies at Armageddon (Rev 19) and judging the whole world, destroying all those who hate (reject) Him, grinding all the kingdoms of the world to fine dust (Daniel 2:35). Then, in v43-49, with Israel and the Gentiles in submission to Him, Christ establishes His Millennial Kingdom, becoming 'the Head of the nations' (King of kings) - 43. In this Kingdom, the Gentiles as well as the Jews will be saved and in covenant fellowship with Him (v43-45,49). At this time He will exalt the living God over all (v46), for God had delivered him from all His enemies and subdued them under His feet (v47-48).

Psalms 2 vs. 2-4 "The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, “Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision."

The war on Israel is a precursor to great change in the world. The change we are witnessing is a reordering of the world in preparation for the coming Kingdom of God.*What Is Happening In The Unseen RealmThe enemy is raging. "Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing?"Psalms 2:1The kingdoms of the world will become the kingdoms of our God and His Christ. But, the enemy is trying to disrupt the process. The kingdom of darkness is ordering their troops. They are ordering vessels of darkness to combat the coming Kingdom, the expanding Kingdom of God. The Lord is laughing. "The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, “Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision."Psalms 2:2-4The Lord says, “Don't be moved. With all the shaking in the world, it's a mirage. I'm the one behind the shaking. And the shaking can't shake me.”Support the showYou can support the ministry of FaithFire here. For text alerts when we go live or release future podcasts, text FAITHFIRE to 55498.

A new MP3 sermon from Christ Church of Acadiana is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Cyrus, His Anointed Subtitle: Study Through Isaiah Speaker: Brandon Nealy Broadcaster: Christ Church of Acadiana Event: Teaching Date: 3/15/2024 Bible: Isaiah 45 Length: 48 min.

In Revelation 19:11-18 is a description of Jesus that proceeds His reign on earth as promised King who will bring peace on earth. In our passage there are eight descriptions of King Jesus that highlight His authority and character as the Only One who is able to make what is wrong in our world right. Jesus is coming and will come to make peace in our world by waging war on the antichrist who is to come and all the peoples who will align themselves with Him. It will be the realization that perhaps there was some truth that all roads do in fact lead to God, with the major clarification that many lead to Him as judge and only one leads to Him as savior. All I want to do with the time that we have this morning is to show you who He really is. Jesus is a triumphant King. The color white does not symbolize purity here as it does when used to describe garments. The white war horse that Jesus descends from heaven on symbolizes His role as a conquering King, and what is impressive is that, in Revelation 19:1, the battle has not yet begun. Jesus is coming back. You dont have to believe it and you dont even have to live like it, but the fact of the matter is this: Jesus is coming again, and He is not coming to die like He did the first time He came, He is coming to judge! The Bible says, at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil. 2:10-11; see also Isa. 45:22-23). The Roman Senate had to give Julius Caesar permission to drive a chariot drawn by white horses through Rome to celebrate his victory in North Africa, but only after he defeated North Africa. When Jesus comes, He comes as a victorious King whose power will be demonstrated in such a way that every living creature will have no alternative but to bow before Him as the Lord. He rides a white horse signifying His victory because none can stay His hand. Jesus is a Faithful and True King (v. 11a). The second characteristic of Jesus is that He is faithful and true. When King Jesus comes to set up His kingdom, He will have no need to boast in a facade of faithfulness and truth because He is the very embodiment of faithfulness and truth. There is a lot of suffering in the world today. Every time there is a catastrophe in the world, governments rush with promises of help and often those who are left in the wake of tsunamis, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados, ethnic genocide, and the like, are left with empty promises of deliverance. Not so with Jesus! My dear brothers and sisters, many of you have been touched by divorce. Some of you have grown up with one broken promise after another. Some of you have been disappointed, have been hurt, have been mistreated, or perhaps taken advantage of. Take a look at verse 11 again, and permit me to ask you, Who is sitting on the white horse? Jesus is planning an eternity with His Bride, and He means to make a home for her that is characterized by holiness and righteousness. Jesus is a righteous King (v. 11b). When Jesus comes, He will come in righteousness to judge the nations. There will be no room to accuse Him as being harsh, rash, or unjust in the execution of His judgment. For many of you, the idea of righteousness and justice is something you have been thinking a lot about because of the politicking we are seeing on television. An election will be coming soon in the United States; promises will be made, and every candidate will claim some measure of integrity while maligning the other candidates. The wars we read about in our history books and the ones we hear on the news often leave a wake of injustice and suffering. Books have been written about The Just War. Whatever your views are concerning war and the one we may find ourselves in the future, one thing is sure: When Jesus comes to wage war on the nations, it will be completely and categorically just, for the Bible says of Jesus: Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. And He will delight in the fear of the Lord, and He will not judge by what His eyes see, nor make decisions by what His ears hear; but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and decide with fairness for the humble of the earth; and He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, And with the breath of His lips He will slay the wicked. Also righteousness will be the belt around His hips, and faithfulness the belt around His waist. (Isaiah 11:15) Jesus is an all-seeing King (v. 12a). This is the third time in Revelation that Jesus is described as having eyes like fire (see 1:14; 2:18); every time He is characterized this way, it is metaphorical of His ability to see all things, including the human heart. As King, Jesus will execute justice on all those who have rejected Him as the way, the truth, and the life. Jesus does not have to pretend at being able to see all things; He is able to see all things; He is all knowing, and the entire world will be held accountable for what they do and think, both in public and private. When He comes to judge the nations, He will do so intelligently, there will be no civilian casualties. Jesus is the King of kings (v. 12b). In verse 12b, John notices something on Jesus head: many crowns. The Greek word for crown is also diadēma (we get the word diadem from it), it also means rulers crown. It is used only three times in Revelation. It is used to describe the crown worn by the dragon (12:3), the beast (13:1), and Jesus Christ. The point that is being made here is that the dragon (Lucifer) and the beast pretend to be what Jesus is. Their authority is temporary and given by God, Jesus authority is absolute and universal (This is why John records that Jesus had many crowns. The use of many is one way of saying innumerable). When Jesus comes, not only does John see many crowns on His head, but John also sees the title King of kings and Lord of lords on His robe and thigh. Every king or ruler that had been born into this world has had a temporal reign limited by age and mortality. When it comes to our lifespan, we are all like blips on a radar flashing on the screen of life and fading out just as quickly as we came in; James 4:14 asks, You do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. For you are just a vapor that appears for a little while, and then vanishes away. Jesus reign and authority is eternal and genuine, He does not need to pretend. Jesus is a One-of-a-kind King (v. 12c) There is a lot of debate and theologizing over what name Jesus has that no one knows. There are two things we know about the ancient world of Johns day that may help us understand why Jesus has a name that no one knows. First, it was common in the world of Johns day to believe that both the gods and humans had a hidden name that contained their true essence, that defined their fundamental nature. Second, it was believed that to know a persons name was to exercise some level of control over that person. What is revealed of the Rider on the white horse is that His revealed name is called, The Word of God and what is tattooed on His thigh is the title: King of kings and Lord of lords. What we see in Revelation 19:11-18, Paul described in Philippians 2:9-11, which I believe helps us understand the unknown name that only He knows: For this reason also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. What Paul wrote in Philippians 2:9-11 would have given his readers goosebumps because of what is written in Isaiah 45:22-23, Declare and present your case; Indeed, let them consult together. Who has announced this long ago? Who has long since declared it? Is it not I, the Lord? And there is no other God besides Me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none except Me. Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is no other. I have sworn by Myself; The word has gone out from My mouth in righteousness And will not turn back, That to Me every knee will bow, every tongue will swear allegiance. (Isa. 45:2123) According to Isaiah, only Yahweh has the right to judge the nations, and it is to Yahweh that every knee will bow, and every tongue will swear allegiance. Yet, Paul tells us that it will be before and to Jesus that, every tongue will swear allegiance and every knee will bow. Revelation 19:11-18 described the day when that will happen. The name that Jesus has that no one knows is reveals his absolute authority as God in the flesh who will not nor cannot be manipulated. Jesus is a just and holy King (v 13a). Why is Jesus robe dipped in blood? Is His robe dipped in blood to symbolize what He did at Calvary? I do not think so. I think Isaiah 63:2-3 gives us a clue to the meaning behind what John sees, Why is Your apparel red, And Your garments like one who treads in the wine press? I have trodden the wine trough alone, and from the peoples there was no one with Me. I also trod them in My anger and trampled them in My wrath; and their lifeblood is sprinkled on My garments, And I stained all My clothes (Isa. 63:13). Jesus robe is dipped in blood to indicate how He intends to deal with the nations that conspire against Him. How will He accomplish this? Look at verse 15, From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron The justice Jesus will execute will flow out of His perfect holiness; it is the kind of judgment described in Psalm 2 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers conspire together against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, Lets tear their shackles apart And throw their ropes away from us! He who sits in the heavens laughs, The Lord scoffs at them. Then He will speak to them in His anger and terrify them in His fury, saying, But as for Me, I have installed My King Upon Zion, My holy mountain. I will announce the decree of the Lord: He said to Me, You are My Son, Today I have fathered You. Ask it of Me, and I will certainly give the nations as Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth as Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron, You shall shatter them like earthenware. (Psalm 2:29) Jesus, as the Word of God, is the Promised King. Jesus is the Word of God, a title that is not unfamiliar in the New Testament. It is fitting that John closes his description of Jesus with this title because it gets at the reason why Jesus is qualified to come and judge the nations: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him not even one thing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of mankind. And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not grasp it (John 1:15). However, while on earth, even with all the miracles that include His power over demons, disease, and even death (see Mark 5:1-43) the feeding of thousands with some kids five barley loaves and two fish (John 6:1-14), walking on water (6:15-25), and even His power over storms (Matt. 8::18-27), there were people who still refused to believe that He was the promised Messiah. This is why John continued in the opening statements of his Gospel account something to consider against the backdrop of what you have seen in Revelation 19:11-18, He was in the world, and the world came into being through Him, and yet the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own people did not accept Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of a man, but of God (John 1:1013). Conclusion As I consider this sermon series for Adventespecially what we have reflected on in Revelation 19, I am reminded of the conversation Lucy had with Mr. Beaver in C.S. Lewis The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe when Mr. and Mrs. Beaver tried to help Lucy understand who Aslan was (Aslan is Narnias Christ figure): "Is - is he a man?" asked Lucy "Aslan a man!" said Mr. Beaver sternly. "Certainly not. I tell you he is the King of the wood and the son of the great Emperor-Beyond-the-Sea. Don't you know who is the King of Beasts? Aslan is a lion, the Lion, the great Lion." "Ooh," said Susan, "I thought he was a man. Is he - quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion." "That you will, dearie, and make no mistake," said Mrs. Beaver; "if there's anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they're either braver than most or else just silly." "Then he isn't safe?" said Lucy. "Safe?" said Mr. Beaver; "don't you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the king I tell you." The Lion of Judah is not safe, but He is good. Hes the king I tell you, and His name is Jesus Christ. The question I ask of you is simply this: Who do you say Jesus is and do you really believe it? Have you come to know Him? Do you really believe in His name? Is Jesus a religious icon to you, is He only a baby in a manger, or is He the King? Wherever you are in your thoughts and convictions about Jesus, I leave you with the last two verses of Psalm 2, Serve the Lord with reverence and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, that He not be angry and you perish on the way, For His wrath may be kindled quickly. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him" (vv. 11-12).

In Revelation 19:11-18 is a description of Jesus that proceeds His reign on earth as promised King who will bring peace on earth. In our passage there are eight descriptions of King Jesus that highlight His authority and character as the Only One who is able to make what is wrong in our world right. Jesus is coming and will come to make peace in our world by waging war on the antichrist who is to come and all the peoples who will align themselves with Him. It will be the realization that perhaps there was some truth that all roads do in fact lead to God, with the major clarification that many lead to Him as judge and only one leads to Him as savior. All I want to do with the time that we have this morning is to show you who He really is. Jesus is a triumphant King. The color white does not symbolize purity here as it does when used to describe garments. The white war horse that Jesus descends from heaven on symbolizes His role as a conquering King, and what is impressive is that, in Revelation 19:1, the battle has not yet begun. Jesus is coming back. You dont have to believe it and you dont even have to live like it, but the fact of the matter is this: Jesus is coming again, and He is not coming to die like He did the first time He came, He is coming to judge! The Bible says, at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil. 2:10-11; see also Isa. 45:22-23). The Roman Senate had to give Julius Caesar permission to drive a chariot drawn by white horses through Rome to celebrate his victory in North Africa, but only after he defeated North Africa. When Jesus comes, He comes as a victorious King whose power will be demonstrated in such a way that every living creature will have no alternative but to bow before Him as the Lord. He rides a white horse signifying His victory because none can stay His hand. Jesus is a Faithful and True King (v. 11a). The second characteristic of Jesus is that He is faithful and true. When King Jesus comes to set up His kingdom, He will have no need to boast in a facade of faithfulness and truth because He is the very embodiment of faithfulness and truth. There is a lot of suffering in the world today. Every time there is a catastrophe in the world, governments rush with promises of help and often those who are left in the wake of tsunamis, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados, ethnic genocide, and the like, are left with empty promises of deliverance. Not so with Jesus! My dear brothers and sisters, many of you have been touched by divorce. Some of you have grown up with one broken promise after another. Some of you have been disappointed, have been hurt, have been mistreated, or perhaps taken advantage of. Take a look at verse 11 again, and permit me to ask you, Who is sitting on the white horse? Jesus is planning an eternity with His Bride, and He means to make a home for her that is characterized by holiness and righteousness. Jesus is a righteous King (v. 11b). When Jesus comes, He will come in righteousness to judge the nations. There will be no room to accuse Him as being harsh, rash, or unjust in the execution of His judgment. For many of you, the idea of righteousness and justice is something you have been thinking a lot about because of the politicking we are seeing on television. An election will be coming soon in the United States; promises will be made, and every candidate will claim some measure of integrity while maligning the other candidates. The wars we read about in our history books and the ones we hear on the news often leave a wake of injustice and suffering. Books have been written about The Just War. Whatever your views are concerning war and the one we may find ourselves in the future, one thing is sure: When Jesus comes to wage war on the nations, it will be completely and categorically just, for the Bible says of Jesus: Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. And He will delight in the fear of the Lord, and He will not judge by what His eyes see, nor make decisions by what His ears hear; but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and decide with fairness for the humble of the earth; and He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, And with the breath of His lips He will slay the wicked. Also righteousness will be the belt around His hips, and faithfulness the belt around His waist. (Isaiah 11:15) Jesus is an all-seeing King (v. 12a). This is the third time in Revelation that Jesus is described as having eyes like fire (see 1:14; 2:18); every time He is characterized this way, it is metaphorical of His ability to see all things, including the human heart. As King, Jesus will execute justice on all those who have rejected Him as the way, the truth, and the life. Jesus does not have to pretend at being able to see all things; He is able to see all things; He is all knowing, and the entire world will be held accountable for what they do and think, both in public and private. When He comes to judge the nations, He will do so intelligently, there will be no civilian casualties. Jesus is the King of kings (v. 12b). In verse 12b, John notices something on Jesus head: many crowns. The Greek word for crown is also diadēma (we get the word diadem from it), it also means rulers crown. It is used only three times in Revelation. It is used to describe the crown worn by the dragon (12:3), the beast (13:1), and Jesus Christ. The point that is being made here is that the dragon (Lucifer) and the beast pretend to be what Jesus is. Their authority is temporary and given by God, Jesus authority is absolute and universal (This is why John records that Jesus had many crowns. The use of many is one way of saying innumerable). When Jesus comes, not only does John see many crowns on His head, but John also sees the title King of kings and Lord of lords on His robe and thigh. Every king or ruler that had been born into this world has had a temporal reign limited by age and mortality. When it comes to our lifespan, we are all like blips on a radar flashing on the screen of life and fading out just as quickly as we came in; James 4:14 asks, You do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. For you are just a vapor that appears for a little while, and then vanishes away. Jesus reign and authority is eternal and genuine, He does not need to pretend. Jesus is a One-of-a-kind King (v. 12c) There is a lot of debate and theologizing over what name Jesus has that no one knows. There are two things we know about the ancient world of Johns day that may help us understand why Jesus has a name that no one knows. First, it was common in the world of Johns day to believe that both the gods and humans had a hidden name that contained their true essence, that defined their fundamental nature. Second, it was believed that to know a persons name was to exercise some level of control over that person. What is revealed of the Rider on the white horse is that His revealed name is called, The Word of God and what is tattooed on His thigh is the title: King of kings and Lord of lords. What we see in Revelation 19:11-18, Paul described in Philippians 2:9-11, which I believe helps us understand the unknown name that only He knows: For this reason also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. What Paul wrote in Philippians 2:9-11 would have given his readers goosebumps because of what is written in Isaiah 45:22-23, Declare and present your case; Indeed, let them consult together. Who has announced this long ago? Who has long since declared it? Is it not I, the Lord? And there is no other God besides Me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none except Me. Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is no other. I have sworn by Myself; The word has gone out from My mouth in righteousness And will not turn back, That to Me every knee will bow, every tongue will swear allegiance. (Isa. 45:2123) According to Isaiah, only Yahweh has the right to judge the nations, and it is to Yahweh that every knee will bow, and every tongue will swear allegiance. Yet, Paul tells us that it will be before and to Jesus that, every tongue will swear allegiance and every knee will bow. Revelation 19:11-18 described the day when that will happen. The name that Jesus has that no one knows is reveals his absolute authority as God in the flesh who will not nor cannot be manipulated. Jesus is a just and holy King (v 13a). Why is Jesus robe dipped in blood? Is His robe dipped in blood to symbolize what He did at Calvary? I do not think so. I think Isaiah 63:2-3 gives us a clue to the meaning behind what John sees, Why is Your apparel red, And Your garments like one who treads in the wine press? I have trodden the wine trough alone, and from the peoples there was no one with Me. I also trod them in My anger and trampled them in My wrath; and their lifeblood is sprinkled on My garments, And I stained all My clothes (Isa. 63:13). Jesus robe is dipped in blood to indicate how He intends to deal with the nations that conspire against Him. How will He accomplish this? Look at verse 15, From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron The justice Jesus will execute will flow out of His perfect holiness; it is the kind of judgment described in Psalm 2 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers conspire together against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, Lets tear their shackles apart And throw their ropes away from us! He who sits in the heavens laughs, The Lord scoffs at them. Then He will speak to them in His anger and terrify them in His fury, saying, But as for Me, I have installed My King Upon Zion, My holy mountain. I will announce the decree of the Lord: He said to Me, You are My Son, Today I have fathered You. Ask it of Me, and I will certainly give the nations as Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth as Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron, You shall shatter them like earthenware. (Psalm 2:29) Jesus, as the Word of God, is the Promised King. Jesus is the Word of God, a title that is not unfamiliar in the New Testament. It is fitting that John closes his description of Jesus with this title because it gets at the reason why Jesus is qualified to come and judge the nations: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him not even one thing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of mankind. And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not grasp it (John 1:15). However, while on earth, even with all the miracles that include His power over demons, disease, and even death (see Mark 5:1-43) the feeding of thousands with some kids five barley loaves and two fish (John 6:1-14), walking on water (6:15-25), and even His power over storms (Matt. 8::18-27), there were people who still refused to believe that He was the promised Messiah. This is why John continued in the opening statements of his Gospel account something to consider against the backdrop of what you have seen in Revelation 19:11-18, He was in the world, and the world came into being through Him, and yet the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own people did not accept Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of a man, but of God (John 1:1013). Conclusion As I consider this sermon series for Adventespecially what we have reflected on in Revelation 19, I am reminded of the conversation Lucy had with Mr. Beaver in C.S. Lewis The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe when Mr. and Mrs. Beaver tried to help Lucy understand who Aslan was (Aslan is Narnias Christ figure): "Is - is he a man?" asked Lucy "Aslan a man!" said Mr. Beaver sternly. "Certainly not. I tell you he is the King of the wood and the son of the great Emperor-Beyond-the-Sea. Don't you know who is the King of Beasts? Aslan is a lion, the Lion, the great Lion." "Ooh," said Susan, "I thought he was a man. Is he - quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion." "That you will, dearie, and make no mistake," said Mrs. Beaver; "if there's anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they're either braver than most or else just silly." "Then he isn't safe?" said Lucy. "Safe?" said Mr. Beaver; "don't you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the king I tell you." The Lion of Judah is not safe, but He is good. Hes the king I tell you, and His name is Jesus Christ. The question I ask of you is simply this: Who do you say Jesus is and do you really believe it? Have you come to know Him? Do you really believe in His name? Is Jesus a religious icon to you, is He only a baby in a manger, or is He the King? Wherever you are in your thoughts and convictions about Jesus, I leave you with the last two verses of Psalm 2, Serve the Lord with reverence and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, that He not be angry and you perish on the way, For His wrath may be kindled quickly. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him" (vv. 11-12).

In Psalm 2 we see the conspiracy of the nations' rulers against Yahweh and His Anointed, Yahweh's response to the rulers' plot, Yahweh's decree to His Anointed, and warnings of wisdom to the worlds' rulers.

In Psalm 2 we see the conspiracy of the nations' rulers against Yahweh and His Anointed, Yahweh's response to the rulers' plot, Yahweh's decree to His Anointed, and warnings of wisdom to the worlds' rulers.

In Psalm 2 we see the conspiracy of the nations' rulers against Yahweh and His Anointed, Yahweh's response to the rulers' plot, Yahweh's decree to His Anointed, and warnings of wisdom to the worlds' rulers.

When we think of meditation, a lot of us think of chanting and things affiliated with other religions--but at its core, that's not what it is. Meditation can simply be calming the mind by disciplined focus on some external stimulus, like your breath, your heart, or the ambient sounds around you... and if your mind is scattered and flitting from topic to topic, there is certainly great physiologic value in this, as it will get you out of "fight or flight" and into the parasympathetic "rest and digest" state. Also, if your mind is too loud, it makes it all but impossible for you to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit--so quieting your mind through this form of meditation is valuable for that reason as well. Biblically, though, meditation is more than just quieting your "monkey brain." That just gets you back to neutral. Rather, biblical meditation involves focused thought upon an idea long enough for you to get a picture in your mind of what you're contemplating. We all do this all the time; it's just a matter of what we're thinking about. Andrew Wommack likes to say that if you know how to worry, you know how to meditate. Worry is meditation upon something negative. Paul tells us what we should be meditating on in Philippians 4:8: "whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things." The reason this is so important is because scripture tells us that our thoughts determine what we believe, just like planting seeds will determine what kind of harvest we get. Proverbs 23:7 says, "for as a man thinks in his heart, so is he." We can act contrary to what we truly believe for a short period of time, but what we think in our hearts is who we really are, and it will come out eventually. This is why Jesus said that the most important parable He ever taught was the Parable of the Sower (Matt 13:3-23). In the parable, the "seed" is the Word of God, and soil is the hearts of the listeners. It's the state of the soil which determines how well that seed will grow and produce a harvest. There are other possible seeds besides God's word, though--in the parable, there were thorns and tares in one type of soil, too. Jesus later defines these for us as "the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches" (Matt 13:22), which can choke the Word such that it becomes unfruitful. Those sound like typical sources of worry to me. Think of thoughts in general--any type of thought--as a potential seed that can eventually bear a harvest if you plant it and cultivate it (or meditate upon it until you can see it in your mind). A stray thought here or there can't do this any more than a seed can without the right environment for it to grow--which is why we're told in scripture to take our thoughts captive (2 Cor 10:5). Think of this like weeding the 'garden' of your heart. If you don't want the harvest, then pluck up the plant before it can bear fruit--or, better yet, avoid exposing yourself to the seed in the first place, if you can control it. This isn't always possible, but we can choose what we watch, what we listen to, what kind of church we go to (one that preaches faith or unbelief), and what kind of people we spend time with. "Bad company corrupts good character" (1 Corinthians 15:33)--so if you surround yourself with people who are negative, complaining, undisciplined, or any other negative character trait, most likely it'll rub off on you eventually. Those people influence how you think, and unwittingly this plants "seeds" in your heart that will eventually bear a harvest, if they are allowed to do so. It takes discipline to control our imaginations, of course. Just like the Second Law of Thermodynamics describes entropy in the universe (which means that left to themselves, all systems go from order to disorder), so the tremendous power available in our minds will accomplish nothing if we don't focus it appropriately. Worse, if we use our imaginations for an actively destructive purpose like worrying, we might end up with exactly what we're essentially "believing" for. A medical example of this is the placebo versus the nocebo effect: about 30% of people (probably those who are most "suggest-able") in clinical trials will typically get better even if they're given a sugar pill rather than the actual medication being tested, because they believe it will help them. Their minds make it work. The nocebo is the same principle in reverse: if you believe something will make you worse, it very well might, even if the substance itself is neutral. This is the whole concept behind affirmations, or positive confessions: say something long or often enough, and eventually it'll sink down into your subconscious mind, and you'll start to believe it--even if you don't at first. Not what we superficially say, but what we truly believe, determines how we will act. Other religions and spiritual traditions jump onto this too, in books like "The Secret"--because it's a neutral principle which can work for us or against us. It's just part of the way God set up the world. In Genesis 11:6, speaking of the Tower of Babel, God says, "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, now nothing they imagine to do will be impossible for them." This was a negative story, but it illustrates the principle as God made it. Jesus said the same thing on the flip side when the disciples were amazed that the fig tree withered when he cursed it: "Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe you receive them, and you will have them." (Mark 11:23-24). When I was a kid, I read this verse, took it at face value, and commanded the mountain outside my bedroom window to be cast into the sea. Nothing happened, of course... but I also didn't expect anything to happen. That's the 'caveat'--you have to actually believe what you're saying, like Jesus did. And that's why it's so important for you to "guard your heart with all diligence"--because out of it literally "spring the issues of life" (Proverbs 4:20-23). But not immediately; as with any plant, harvests come "first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head" (Mark 4:28). Gardening is hard work; you have to constantly plant not just what you want, but you have to prepare the soil, water the seed, and pluck up competing weeds that might steal the nutrients from your fledgling little plant and choke it. It's just like that with our minds. That's why biblical meditation--using a positive imagination to picture what we want, to visualize God's promises coming to pass--is so important. Here's an overview of some of the Hebrew and Greek words in scripture translated to meditate (or to imagine, speak, ponder, etc), their context, and how they help to back up this idea. HAGAH: meaning to meditate, speak, imagine, study, mutter, utter, muse, devise Joshua 1:8: "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate H1897 therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success." Notice that God didn't tell Joshua to just read the book of the law. He told him to meditate on it day and night, to the point where it's coming out of his mouth continually. That's what was required for him to truly follow what was written. That's what was necessary for him to prosper and have success. Psalm 1:2-3: "But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate H1897 day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers." These are the results of meditating on God's word... versus: Psalm 2:1: "Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine H1897 a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, 'Let us break Their bonds in pieces and cast away Their cords from us.' He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall hold them in derision..." The ungodly use this same principle of meditation to produce evil. This psalm shows that it won't ultimately work for them, but only because God will step in in the end, just as He did at the flood when the imaginations of men's hearts were only evil all the time (Genesis 6:5) and then when the men of the repopulated earth tried to build the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:6). Psalm 2 looks ahead to when God will step in again, as described in the book of Revelation. Psalm 35:28: "And my tongue shall speak H1897 of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long." Psalm 63:6: "When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate H1897 on thee in the night watches." Psalm 71:24: "My tongue also shall talk H1897 of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt." Psalm 77:12: "I will meditate H1897 also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings." Psalm 143:5: "I remember the days of old; I meditate H1897 on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands." Consider the fact that the man who wrote these psalms started out a shepherd boy, the youngest of his brothers and some speculate that he was even illegitimate--and he became the greatest king Israel ever had, to the point where the Messiah was called by his name, "Son of David" (Luke 18:38). And much of what we know about meditation comes from him. Psalm 38:12: "They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine H1897 deceits all the day long." And yet, David knew that his enemies were using this same principle against him. He spent some 13-17 years on the run from these enemies (we don't know how old he was when he was anointed king, so we don't know exactly how long). It certainly looked to him like they were winning for quite awhile. Fortunately, David persisted in envisioning and trusting and believing in God's promises coming to pass, even when everything seemed to be against him, and circumstances went from bad to much worse. In 1 Samuel 30:1-6, David had finally fled with his men out of Israel altogether, and was dwelling in the land of his enemies, when their city (Ziklag) was burned to the ground, their wives and children and everything they had stolen, and his men turned on him and spoke of stoning him. The natural human response to this would have been to give in to emotions of despair, but instead David "strengthened himself in the Lord" (1 Sam 30:6). You know that this took incredible discipline on his part, to fix his thoughts on what God said and not his current circumstances. Some believe that David encouraged himself by writing Psalm 61 after Ziklag was burned. The result was that not only did David and his men recover everything that was taken from them, but within days, he was crowned king--at long, long last. Prov 15:28: "The heart of the righteous studieth H1897 to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things." Back to the idea of entropy: cultivating our minds to produce righteousness, wisdom, and a positive imagination doesn't just happen. We have to study. We have to do this work. This is the process of being transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). Prov 24:1-2: "Do not be envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them; For their heart studieth H1897 destruction, and their lips talk of mischief." The point here is that while the righteous studies wisdom and godly principles, the wicked are doing just the opposite. They too will reap what they sow (Gal 6:7). YETSER: imagination, form, framing, purpose, conception. Genesis 6:5: "And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination H3336 of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." Genesis 8:21: "And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination H3336 of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done." Deut 31:19-21: "Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel: put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel. For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant.And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them, that this song shall testify against them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination H3336 which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I sware." God knew long before the Israelites ever disobeyed Him that they would disobey. You can argue that this is because God is omniscient and knows the end from the beginning, and that's certainly true too--but this verse shows that God knew it (at least in part) because he could see what they were imagining. He knew their thoughts would determine their actions. This is exactly what happened in Numbers 13, when the Israelites sent the twelve spies into the Promised Land. God had promised to give them the land, but the spies returned with a "negative report". It wasn't an untrue report, mind you--the spies reported that the land was full of giants, and it was. Only Joshua and Caleb recognized that while true, that fact was irrelevant. What they should have been focused upon was God's promise that He would give the land to them, regardless of its current inhabitants. But the ten spies' negative report produced fear in the hearts of the people, and that entire generation never got to experience God's intended blessing for them. They died in the wilderness--all except for Joshua, who became the leader after Moses, and actually led the people in forty years later, and Caleb, who at eighty-five years old, was just as strong as he'd been in his forties (Joshua 14:11). He took the mountain of Hebron where the most intimidating Canaanites lived for his inheritance (Joshua 14:6-15). Psalm 103:14: "For he knoweth our frame; H3336 he remembereth that we are dust." The word 'frame' is also the word elsewhere translated meditation or thoughts, so it's not speaking just of the physical frame. The context here is speaking of our sins, and God's compassion upon us for our weakness. In other words, none of this is easy. God knows that. He pities us and has compassion upon us. Isaiah 26:3: "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind H3336 is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." I love this verse. It gives us the recipe for peace. "Perfect peace" in Hebrew is actually shalom shalom shalom: the word for peace written three times. The translators presumably didn't know how else to translate that but "perfect." David modeled this for us at Ziklag, intentionally turning his mind to the Lord. Jesus modeled this for us when sleeping on the boat in the middle of the storm (Mark 4:35-41). Abraham modeled this for us when he kept his mind on God's promise of a child and not the impossibility of his and Sarah's circumstances (Romans 4:18-22). It's not easy, but the result is shalom shalom shalom.  SIYACH: meditate, seek, pray, commune, muse, ponder. 1 Chronicles 16:9: "Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk H7878 ye of all his wondrous works." Psalm 77:6: "I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune H7878 with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search." Psalm77:12: "I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk H7878 of thy doings." Psalm 105:2: "Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk H7878 ye of all his wondrous works." Psalm 119:15: "I will meditate H7878 in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways." (and repeatedly throughout Psalm 119) Proverbs 23:7: "for as he thinks in his heart, so is he." Hope YAHAL: wait, tarry, trust, hope, be patient. Hope can be considered positive imagination. It's the precursor for faith (Hebrews 11:1). Romans 8:24-25: "For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it." Psalm 42:5: "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance."   Greek dianoia = mind, understanding, imagination This is a command. It's not merely talking about intellectual study, though of course that's part of it. What starts out as an intellectual exercise eventually becomes the mental picture of what we see on the inside. Matthew 22:37: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." Eph 1:18: "The eyes of your understanding G1271 being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints" Eph 4:18: "Having the understanding G1271 darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart" Col 1:21: "And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind G1271 by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled." Heb 8:10: "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, G1271 and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people" 1 Peter 1:13: "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, G1271 be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;" Greek logismos: thought, imagination, reasoning, judgment "Casting down imaginations, G3053 and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" A few more examples of this principle in action: Genesis 13:16: God showed Abram the dust of the earth as a symbol of his descendants, and the land of Canaan that would be filled with them. Genesis 15:5: God showed Abram the stars as a picture of his descendants Mark 6:41: before feeding the 5000 with five loaves and two fish, Jesus looks up (ANABLEPO), seeing into the unseen realm, and gives thanks. (2 Cor 5:7: we walk by faith, not by sight... and this works because that's where all the spiritual blessings already exist (Eph 1:3). Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Although the nations of the earth rebel against God and His Anointed prior to His return, the response of God is that He laughs at the politicians and rebukes them in His wrath.  This is the reason for the Great Tribulation Period, as the plan has always been to place Jesus Christ on the throne of the earth, ruling from Jerusalem.  God's advice to the kings of the earth is,  "Be wise."  When it comes to the great King Jesus Christ, the nations are not alway wise.  They are foolish.  

At the end of Acts, Paul continues to show that Jesus is the Messiah from Moses and the prophets.  It is the same that Jesus does from the end of Luke while on his way to Emmaus. Let's look at some of those Scriptures over the coming weeks. Today I would like to look at some prophecies in the Psalms: and why they are so important and valuable to all of us.  As I was reading Reflections on the Psalms by CS Lewis, I was quite taken by his insights into the topic of Praise. Why praise? Why is it so important? – Let's look at it from a non-Christian perspective:Many have said to me, why would I want to go to heaven? Sitting around and playing harps all day.How we view people who always want to be admired, constantly be assured of their virtue, or intelligence, how good they are at what they do?  We look down at the clouds that meet the demands of dictators and gratify their egos. So, what do we think of a god who demands praise from his followers?How are we to equate that with being humble of heart? 50:14,15Or it appears as though the Psalmists try and negotiate with God: if you do this for me, then I will do this for you. 54:1,6Or the blackmail technique: If you don't defeat my enemies, then I will go down to Sheol, and who will praise you then? 30:9Or why does God demand we praise him? Or encourage others to motivate us to praise him? Does he really need it? Is he like humans, wanting to to be number 1 and all the world to know it? 119In all of these negative approaches to Scripture, we fail to see the value and the importance of biblical praise. Let me begin with a couple of my experiences.  When the kids were little, Jan had to stay at home a lot. I traveled to May wonderful and exotic countries. The truth is, I only wanted to be there long enough to finish the work I came to do. I had no interest in sightseeing. Why, because Jan wasn't there to enjoy it with me.  Now, when we are just the two of us, I have very rarely traveled without her, and when we go places, we love to try new foods, see new things, examine the similarities and differences in culture and appreciate it together.  So our trip to New Zealand, or Manu other places lives on in our hearts, not because of the pictures, but because of our identification and expression of our admiration.This makes praising God different from seeing him as a benevolent dictator who wants to rob us of life and joy.Why does God demand our worship? As the all-sufficient one, why does he demand we go to church and not forsake the assembling of ourselves together? Because in the corporate worship he communicates his presence to mere mortals. It is not for his sake, but for our sake that praise is most needed. God is not so vain that he needs our complements, but it is us who need to get to know him, appreciate him, and understand his magnificent ways. When we praise, and examine his laws, his character, his virtues, his will, his thoughts, his desires, our hearts are flooded with his wisdom, his understanding, his joy, and we become partakes with him in these divine experiences.Often we only look at praise as being a complement, approval, or giving honor where it is due.  But look around us. Look at where praise happens: who do you praise? Your lover, your walks in the countryside, a good book, your favorite football club, a friend, your home, a picture, our lives overflow with enjoyment when we praise.  When we criticize, it falls flat and into arguments. Praise is what brings about encouragement and the best in all of us. It really begins when we can praise God.That is why in the Psalms we have so many clear indications of God's great plans and purposes. Hidden in dual meanings of the text, but which point directly to Jesus and his work and his joy and his salvation.It starts in Psalm 1 with a view of the glory of heaven – trees with fruit every month revelation 22:2“On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” Revelation 22:2Compare with this: “Blessed is the person who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the Law of the Lord, And on His Law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season, And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.” Psalms 1:1-3Then we see Jesus as the good shepherd in Psalm 23 and in John 10:11In Psalm 22 we see the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus: “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Far from my help are the words of my groaning. All who see me deride me; They sneer, they shake their heads, saying, “Turn him over to the Lord; let Him save him; Let Him rescue him, because He delights in him.” I am poured out like water, And all my bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax; It is melted within me. My strength is dried up like a piece of pottery, And my tongue clings to my jaws; And You lay me in the dust of death. For dogs have surrounded me; A band of evildoers has encompassed me; They pierced my hands and my feet. I can count all my bones. They look, they stare at me; They divide my garments among them, And they cast lots for my clothing. ¶I will proclaim Your name to my brothers; In the midst of the assembly I will praise You. All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, And all the families of the nations will worship before You. For the kingdom is the Lord's And He rules over the nations.” Psalms 22:1, 7-8, 14-18, 22, 27-28 - compare with Jesus in Luke 23:33-48 BibleIn Psalm 24 we see the triumph of Jesus over sin, death and the devil for all time, and his receiving the crown of glory with all authority in heaven and earth for the salvation of all who will call upon him. “Lift up your heads, you gates, And be lifted up, you ancient doors, That the King of glory may come in! Lift up your heads, you gates, And lift them up, you ancient doors, That the King of glory may come in! Who is this King of glory? The Lord of armies, He is the King of glory.”Psalms 24:7, 9-10 see Phil 2:9-11 and Eph 1:20-23“For this reason also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11 NASB2020“which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and made Him head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” Ephesians 1:20-23In Psalm 2 we see him as the conquering  king over all:  “Why are the nations restless And the peoples plotting in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand And the rulers conspire together Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, ¶He who sits in the heavens laughs, The Lord scoffs at them. “I will announce the decree of the Lord: He said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have fathered You. ‘Ask it of Me, and I will certainly give the nations as Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth as Your possession.” Psalms 2:1-2, 4, 7-8 and see Matt 28:18-20“And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”” Matthew 28:18-20 When that becomes clear to us, that God wants this known among all peoples everywhere, that his love surpasses all other loves, then the door that leads us into that courtyard is the door of praise. Our lives explode with the joy of worship and all finds its place of worth and value within the presence of the Lord. As we begin to live in praise, we start to praise one another, it changes our attitudes, it builds us all up, we become less critical of one another. It brings healing to our souls, our bodies, our approach to life.We praise what we value! And we want others to enjoy it with us. We have to tell others about it, and we want to tell those who will appreciate it the most! The reason we do that with others is that praise with others completes the enjoyment!  Our delight is something is incomplete until it is expressed! The worthier the object of our praise, the more intense our delight will be!  As imperfect our attempts of worship are, we do glimpse it at times when God breaks through into our lives and the flow of praise erupts, as we join even for a brief moment the wonder of heaven and glimpse a bit of the love God has for us. What we begin to experience in our own prayer closets, let us bring in joy as we worship him together. Let us consummate our enjoyment of Jesus and the Father by Tell it to him, and to each other!

It's time to wrap up our observations on Romans 13:1-7, though we're in for a lifetime of application. Some of the next few months might feel like a “lifetime.” I don't really expect to answer *all* the questions about our relationship to civil authorities, partly because it takes a lifetime of “constant practice to distinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:14). That said, we can keep working to develop our discernment powers.We've outlined the whole paragraph over three previous messages. Verse 1 calls every person to submit himself to governing authorities because all governing authority has been instituted by God. Verse 2 concludes that resisting authorities whom God has appointed will result in God-approved judgment. Verses 3-4 profile the purpose of governing authorities, namely that they've been delegated to promote good conduct and punish bad conduct, even to the death penalty. Verse 5 clarifies that we ultimately answer to God for our submission or lack of it. And verses 6-7 make clear that our support of the government should be both pecuniary and postural, paying taxes and honor.These verses teach in principle that the sphere of civil authority is God-given, and so to be seen by us as good and supported by us for our own good. In principle we learn that civil authorities are God's servants, and so our default position should be that of submission. God has given us rulers and rules and we're to be submissive and tax-paying citizens.And all God's people said, “But what about…?” Or, all God's people said, “You and what army?” I am going to attempt to answer, in principle, some of our responsibilities when the governors are *not* fulfilling their delegated responsibilities. This question has been asked before, not just by Junius Brutus, but by the sweet psalmist of Israel (as David is called in 2 Samuel 23:1):> “if the foundations are destroyed,> what can the righteous do?”> (Psalm 11:3 ESV)Seven considerations/consolations to cheer our souls when the cares of our hearts, especially regarding wicked rulers, are many (see Psalm 94:19-10).# There Is a Higher Throne (1)We do not care about governors governing for state/society's good more, or more carefully, than God Himself. The LORD is God, God is the ultimate authority. He is the only Sovereign who determines the allotted periods and boundaries of every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth (Acts 17:26).After asking what the righteous can do (Psalm 11:3), the faithful are encouraged that:> “The LORD is in His holy temple;> the LORD's throne is in heaven;> His eyes see, His eyelids test the children of man.> The LORD tests the righteous,> but His soul hates the wicked and the one> who loves violence.> (Psalm 11:4-5)Not only do we not care about earthly authorities as much as God, but not one of us comes close to the LORD's delight in His Anointed, in His Son, to whom all authority in heaven and on earth has been given (Matthew 28:18). Jesus Christ will be recognized as King of kings and Lord of lords on earth at His second coming (1 Timothy 6:14-15, Revelation 17:14, 19:16). We must learn to laugh along with the Father who holds the rebellious rulers in derision (Psalm 2, see especially verses 4 and 7-8 and 12). “Blessed are all who take refuge in Him,” and this is necessarily true for *all* nations, not just Israel.This means that as Christians we must care about what God cares about, we must honor His highest throne, and we must “fret not…because of evildoers” who “will soon fade like the grass” (Psalm 37:1). This is not a political punt on difficult questions, but it is the necessary perspective of faith. This is a reminder that “our citizenship…in heaven” (Philippians 3:20) colors all our submission on earth.# De Facto or De Jure or De Bate (2)First of all, I was helped to see that I was saying the second option wrong, it should be *day JOOR-ay*. We might not be able to fix the President's dementia, but I can at least fix my pronunciation.De facto means “of fact” or in fact, whether by right or not. De jure means “of law” or according to rightful entitlement or claim. (De bate is just my playful addition about the debate.)When it comes to the governing authorities in Romans 13, is Paul talking about *rightful* rulers or about *whatever* rulers? Think of an example close to home: if an elected official stole the election, must we submit to that cheater?The text itself answers: “the powers that be” (KJV), “those that exist” (ESV). In Latin law terms, Paul is talking about whatever governing authorities are in place, the de facto ones.But that only helps us so much. Our responsibility is higher than this.It doesn't matter if the authority got his power through all the right channels if he legislates the doing of evil. We cannot do evil “for sake of conscience” (Romans 13:5). And if the authority got his power illegitimately, we still must do good and not evil, whether or not he inconsistently promotes good law later. That said, doing good might include challenging the de facto's fraud.Perhaps more difficult is when others *act* as if they are an authority; ruling in rhetoric instead of ruling in reality. Brother doesn't submit to brother, just because he's older or bigger does not make him the boss. If you got a bill from the Canadian Prime Minister for using maple syrup, you don't have to pay it. The Colonists had an agreement with the King George III, not with Parliament, so by *law* Parliament wasn't their authority. That said, we know that they eventually went to war to be free from the overreach. But on the basic point, the colonists were submitting to what was lawful.Scripture is full of examples of God's appointment of wicked rulers as a scourge to wicked people. That said, Scripture also provides us with laments over it not silent, “sit there and take it” acquiescence. We pray for judgment on those rulers, and prophets call rulers and the people to repent and fear the Lord. Whether de facto or de jure doesn't change our responsibility to do good, even if it takes wisdom to know what is the best good to do.# Paper or Persons (3)I've mentioned previously the observation that Paul doesn't use the word “law” even once in this paragraph. He consistently talks about the servant-rulers not about their standard for rules. The Romans were known for establishing a legal system, with a decent set of agreeable, knowable, consistent laws, but whatever might have been on paper had to be enforced by persons.For us, as citizens of the United States, all our laws are on paper…somewhere, probably, if you can find it, or understand it. For us to apply/obey Romans 13:1, we expect the president to fulfill his oath:> "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." (From the [Inauguration oath of office](https://www.usa.gov/inauguration#:~:text=the%20U.S.%20Constitution%3A-,%22I%20do%20solemnly%20swear%20(or%20affirm)%20that%20I%20will,Constitution%20of%20the%20United%20States.%22))We say “no one is above the law” in reference to presidents, governors, legislators, judges, and law enforcement persons. We have a national Constitution with Amendments, we have a WA State Constitution, we have RCWs (Revised Code of Washington), along with County and City laws.Who, or what document, do we have to listen to? It's been said, when everyone is special, then no one is special. Well, when everyone is a lawyer, we all hate one another. Due to the corruption in our day, laws have about the same use as a batting average, interesting to argue about but no guarantee you ever get another hit.In a land where the happiness of the people is promoted, the laws are easy to find, easy to understand, and expected to be upheld. We are not in a happy place, whether men “frame injustice by statute” to “build disorder” (Psalm 94:20), or to provide cover under confusion, or enough people with enough power ignore the laws to make it miserable for everyone. Words have to matter, with definitions for terms that don't change, even when the words are on paper.Most of the chastisement, though, comes from pietistic, milk-of-the-Word drinkers, who read that submission is right, and are looking for the simplest understanding of that. The aftermath of so many court cases post 2020 has shown that churches that disobeyed the governors/persons were not the ones disobeying the law/papers, and so have won their cases. It's not surprising when criticisms come from the wanna-be tyrants, that's to be expected. But a lot of “friendly fire”/accusations were thrown by the stay-at-home Christians at the assembling-for-church Christians who were, turns out, the ones submitting to the law.In all this, Christians need to keep their discernment powers sharpened through mutual discernment, in good working condition.# Many Magistrates (4)What about conflicting (legitimate) authorities, in the same sphere, in layers of authority, let alone conflicting with authorities in other legitimate spheres? This has some similarity to the Paper vs. Persons, Constitution vs. President discussion, but carries over to authorities that are near and far.I've learned more about the “doctrine of the lesser magistrates” the last few years. Magistrate is another name for an authority, coming from *magister* in Latin meaning “master.” This “doctrine” is a political expression that recognizes that local authorities—so authorities over smaller areas and numbers of people—have responsibility to resist the higher authorities when the King, the governor, the higher-up has made an unlawful rule. For example, a week ago or so, the Governor of New Mexico banned the right to carry firearms in some public areas for at least 30 days (under a her emergency powers in the aftermath of a shooting), and a County Sheriff said he would not enforce that ban; a federal judge has also now blocked that ban. Good on them.While I appreciate the lesser magistrate piece, what if the lesser magistrate is the problem? What if the Mayor is a mini-despot and the Governor is a freedom-lover? It could look like we're just picking and choosing according to whatever we like, and, of course, people do that. But if we Christians are constantly distinguishing good from evil, then we would be constantly excited about whatever authority at whatever level is doing the same.The moral responsibility is the same, before God to do good. The strategic opportunity changes, to celebrate or to criticize different levels as necessary. This is not every man doing what is right in his own eyes, this is finding any man that will do what is right in God's eyes.Likewise, the church and the household have their own spheres of authority. A president does not have the authority to tell a pastor how to celebrate communion, and so a pastor *must* resist in that scenario. Pastors must also function as protection to their flocks from overreach.# Restrictions on Rulers (5)Submitting to authorities in the civil sphere does not equal the civil sphere being the “boss” sphere. The State, Church, and Household spheres are a divinely established checks-and-balances on each other.Are there limits on what the civil authority can legislate? How far does his jurisdiction extend? The men at the Kuyperian Camaraderie have been talking about this, and Grant and Philip have written up some of the options. If (righteous) civil life was a fenced in field, can the state roam anywhere he wants inside the fence, or is he on a leash, having access only to a smaller circumference? This is a good discussion, and you can read some of those posts here.Grant has written some about the issue here: https://cgweinberg.com/a-christians-responsibility-to-submit-to-authority/ and here: https://cgweinberg.com/why-christians-have-a-duty-to-defy-defend-some-governing-authorities/ And Philip wrote about it here: https://inmirkwood.com/garlic-lemon-butter-trout-is-served-best-in-blue-houses/Our national governing documents limit federal government, not just with checks and balances, but specifically Amendment IX and especially Amendment X were meant to clarify that, at least on the national level, if it's not in the Constitution or Bill of Rights, the power belongs to the State or remains with the people themselves. Again, it's good and sharpening to discuss these things, for sake of doing good for our neighbors.# Cross-Country Consequences (6)God is not mocked (Galatians 6:7). As US citizens we are connected to all the US citizens. And considered as a country, we are guilty of rebellion against and unbelief toward God.We are part of the same body-politic, and it hurts to get out of bed every morning. Most men don't want to be bothered, and it shows. There is some merit in the let your neighbor be, but not when we don't bother to pray, to pursue office, or to teach their kids lines of authority. Why should the devil have all the good politicians?The bandits and the stupid have a lot of energy, and we're getting what we deserve as a whole.That said, as Christians, we are also corporately guilty of tolerating junk in the church, among pastors, let alone in ourselves. We see the stream of stupidity in the State, and want it fixed, and fine. It's not an either/or effort. But the lack of faithfulness among Christians is the first and foremost pain, the mess we have most immediately responsibility for.# No Wasted Disobediences (7)The authorities murdered Jesus due to what they perceived as rival political claims (Luke 23). He was persecuted to death for “disobeying” the rulers. So consistently be on the lookout for the good to do, even when others call that good “disobedience”; your genuine good deeds will not be wasted, or overlooked (Hebrews 6:10).“Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good?” (1 Peter 3:13 ESV) Be *zealous*, don't hold back.“Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28 ESV)# Conclusion*Jesus is Lord*. We should act like it. Pray like it. Vote like it. Work like it. Be zealous for good like it. We should not be craven, milquetoast, or jello-spined. Do not give way before the wicked.> Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain> is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.> (Proverbs 25:26 ESV)We also must not qualify ourselves into anarchy; authority is good from God in principle. As we see so much of the foundations destroyed, we should seek a multitude of counselors in order to be as submissive as possible citizens for sake of conscience, with thanksgiving praying for and supplicating for and interceding for those in high positions (1 Timothy 2:1-2).----------## ChargeWhen we look around, it appears that we live in days of groaning and burden; it's *bleak*. We are tempted to say “behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.” But it is possible to be “always of good courage,” as long as “we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:6-7). Beloved, walking and working by faith is never vanity, it is victory.## Benediction:> But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.> Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:57–58, ESV)

Psalms 93 emphasizes the sovereign rule of Jehovah, the King of Israel, in the affairs of the nations. It was perhaps written by one of the Levites who returned to Judah with the Jewish remnant after the Babylonian captivity. The Jews, led by Zerubbabel the governor, Joshua the high priest, and the prophets Haggai and Zechariah were given permission to return to their own land, rebuild their temple, and restore their nation. It was an especially difficult time for the Jewish remnant and their work was interrupted, attacked, and neglected. The leaders and the people needed encouragement to continue the work, and this encouragement could come only from the Lord. This brief hymn magnifies the Lord by presenting three divine assurances.   In verse 1-2, the remnant was given the assurance that God reigns supremely. In verses 3-4, the people were reminded and assured that God is greater than our circumstances. The raging seas and the pounding waves are often used as symbols of the rise and fall of the nations and the great noise that rulers make as they try to impress people. No matter how stormy the nations on earth may become, God is still on His throne and is not frustrated by the foolish words and deeds of "great leaders" who are only made of clay. Do not focus on the threats around you; focus on the throne above you. Psalm 2:1-4: “Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, "Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us." He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The LORD shall hold them in derision.”   In verse 5, we also can be encouraged that God always keeps his Word! "Your testimonies are very sure". When the tempest is around us, we look by faith to the throne of grace above us and the Word of God before us. The truth about what is going on in this world is not in the cable news, but in the Scriptures. False prophets, false teachers, and scoffers abound (2 Peter 2-3), but God's promises will all be fulfilled in their time, and God's children live by promises, not explanations. Satan has attacked God's Word since he lied to Eve in Genesis 3, but the Word still stands. "The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations" (Psalm 33:11).   The Jewish remnant trusted God, labored, sacrificed, and completed the temple. We don't read that the glory of the Lord moved into the second temple, as it did the tabernacle (Ex. 40) and the first temple (1 Kings 8:10-11), but the Lord was with His people just the same and accomplishing His purposes. It is a holy people that makes the temple holy, and "the beauty of holiness" (29:2) is the greatest adornment for any structure dedicated to the Lord.   May the LORD help us today to wear His robe of “holiness” and walk in His “righteousness” so that His glory would be manifest to the scoffing world around us!   God bless!

Psalm 2:1-4 - Psalm 2:1-4 (NIV) 1Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? 2The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, 3Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles. 4The One enthroned in heaven LAUGHS; the Lord scoffs at them. Are you disturbed by world affairs. Don't be. No one is getting away with anything. The world is acting so foolish that God laughs at them. This is not a humorous laugh, but a dismissive laugh like thinking “you have to be kidding me”. The Creator of heaven and earth sees the nations conspire and plot out their human solutions. God sees the rulers band together against HIS Anointed, Jesus. They throw off anything that restricts their fleshly desires. God sees all this foolishness and HE is almost in disbelief thinking, “you have to be kidding me”. We are secure because we know that God is fully aware of the world situation and our situation. Therefore, we depend on God to guide and protect us based on truth.

Text: Psalm 2:1-12 1 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, 3 “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” 4 He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. 5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, 6 “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.” 7 I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. 8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. 9 You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.” 10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. 11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. GOD LAUGHS Pagan nations led by their rulers and kings, had opposed ‘the Lord and His Anointed'.[v.1-3] They take their stand proudly against God. They "set their counsel" here implies deliberate preparation and arrangement. It's ridiculous to think that one can overpower, undermine, or escape from the will of God, isn't it? Why? It's an attempt to throw off the authority of the Sovereign God and His Anointed One.[v.3] Anointed [mashiach], from which is derived the English word Messiah or Christos in Greek, is predictive of Jesus. The opposition to God and the Messiah are inseparable. John declares, “No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.”[1 John 2:23] Similarly Luke says, “The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me.”[Luke 10:16] But, our confidence is in the victory of the Messiah [v.4-9] God "sits", a reference to His throne (Isa 6:1), from which He rules heaven and earth. From that lofty and majestic position, He sees the frantic and feeble nations. He laughs. Isaiah declares, "Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are accounted as the dust on the scales; behold, he takes up the coastlands like fine dust. All the nations are as nothing before him, they are accounted by him as less than nothing and emptiness."[Isa 40:15,17] Take for example the proud Nimrod who built Babel who ultimately crumbled. Victory is certain. The sovereign Creator of the universe will set His King, the Lord Jesus Christ, Israel's Messiah on Mount Zion, His holy hill.[v.6] Let's recall Gabriel's address to Mary. He prophesied concerning Jesus: "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to 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" (Luke 1:32–33). As King David has ruled from Jerusalem, so King Jesus will rule from Jerusalem[Zion]! He is begotten.[v.7] Interestingly, in the ancient near east, a king was considered ‘begotten' when he entered into kingship. He is assured that the nations of the earth would be his heritage and the earth his possession. The prophet Zechariah anticipates Messiah's possession of the nations by declaring, "And many nations shall join themselves to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people. And I will dwell in your midst, and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you."[Zech 2:11] He would smash the rebellious with a rod of iron and break them into pieces as crushed pots. But, the Lord has offered hope to the nations.[v.10-12] God warned them to be wise and humble lest they be crushed. Pride is the recipe for destruction.[Prov 16:18] They must revere and serve Him. Serving God is the hallmark of Christianity, isn't it?

I'm convinced that true worship comes from a heart full of the Word of God, and the purest worship is when we read or sing God's own words of praise back to Him. Jesus prayed in John 17:17 “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” In verses 1-2, the psalmist is praying for “God to be merciful to us and bless us….”. Notice the emphasis on “us”. He is asking for God's blessings and glory to shine upon his people, the nation of Israel. God planted the nation of Israel in the “middle” of the Middle East, the center of the world, to make Himself known to the world through them. As they obeyed His Laws and submitted to His rule over them, He would bless them with abundance, with peace, with security, and most of all, with His glorious presence! Then all the nations of the world would want to know who their God is and accept Him as their own God (vv. 3-5). “Let the peoples praise You….”. And when they do, “the nations will be glad and sing for joy.” These three verses form the heart of the psalm and focus on the Gentile nations worshiping and praising the God of Israel. Today, the nations have conspired to dethrone the Lord, and they want nothing of "his ways" Psalm 2:1-3 describes this: “Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, "Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us." But the day will come when all the nations will come to the mountain of the Lord and worship the God of Jacob This will be the fulfillment of Isaiah's vision and prophecy in Isaiah 2:2-4: “Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the LORD'S house Shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And all nations shall flow to it. Many people shall come and say, "Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths." For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, And rebuke many people; They shall beat their swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, Neither shall they learn war anymore.” When Jesus Christ establishes His kingdom, He will “righteously judge the peoples and govern the nations on the earth” (v. 4).  The prayer in these verses is the Old Testament equivalent of "Thy kingdom come" in the Lord's Prayer (Matt. 6:9-13). Because there is no king in Israel today, the nations of the world are doing as they please (Judg. 17:6; 18:11; 19:1; 21:25), but that will all change when the kingdoms of the world belong to Jesus Christ (Rev. 11:15). Today, the people of the earth are blinded by Satan to the glory of God and the truth of His salvation through Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul describes this, and how we can bring the message of hope to them in 2 Corinthians 4:3-6: “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake. For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” My friend, the glory of God dwells in us as believers, and today in the midst of the darkness of this age, we have the great responsibility and privilege to reflect the glorious “face” and life of Jesus Christ in “our mortal bodies” (2 Cor. 4: 10-11). We do this as we humbly live in submission to His Word and will! God bless!

Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails." This episode digs into the plans of what God has for you may be bigger than you imagine. Many are the plans in a person's heart. A wise person commits their plans to the LORD. Proverbs 16:3 reads, "Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. In his heart, a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." A person whose plans oppose the LORD as in Psalm 2:1-3 "Why do the nations rage and the people's plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and their rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, 'Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us', may actually become God's enemy. But the person whose ways are from God will certainly succeed (Proverbs 16:1,9 reads (1) To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the proper answer of the tongue. (9) In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.) I like the way Pastor Evans laid it out for us to grasp a clear understanding of this scripture: "Many plans are in a person's heart, but above all else, we must believe the value of seeking God and His mind on all things. We can plan our schedules as much as we want, but what God has declared is guaranteed to take place. God did not create us and redeem us to live a plotless, purposeless existence. And that's good news!" We should not settle for just anything. God could have something that is bigger for us. If we step out of our own way and allow God's dream for us to materialize. Then we will behold His purpose and plans for us. Therefore, let's continue seeking Him for what it is in your calling for our lives. Blessings, Elder Barbara TTEBC|HBS

“Why are the nations in an uproar and the peoples devising a vain thing? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers take counsel together against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, ‘Let us tear their fetters apart and cast away their cords from us!' He who sits in the heavens laughs, the Lord scoffs at them. Then He will speak to them in His anger and terrify them in His fury, saying, ‘But as for Me, I have installed My King upon Zion, My holy mountain.' I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, ‘You are My Son, today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron, You shall shatter them like earthenware.' Now therefore, O kings, show discernment; take warning, O judges of the earth. Worship the LORD with reverence and rejoice with trembling. Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way, for His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!” (NASU).

Servants of God cover a wide array of people, here we study the Persian King Cyrus, who God calls His servant -Shepard, His Anointed-. Cyrus was named in Isaiah some 160 years before the event, that he would be the deliverer of God's people from bondage in Babylon. Describing how it would occur without resistance.

Servants of God cover a wide array of people, here we study the Persian King Cyrus, who God calls His servant -Shepard, His Anointed-. Cyrus was named in Isaiah some 160 years before the event, that he would be the deliverer of God's people from bondage in Babylon. Describing how it would occur without resistance.

Psalm 2:1-12 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, 3 “Let us burst Their bonds apart and cast away Their cords from us.” 4 He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. 5 Then He will speak to them in His wrath, and terrify them in His fury, saying, 6 “As for Me, I have set My King on Zion, My holy hill.” 7 I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to Me, “You are My Son; today I have begotten You. 8 Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your heritage, and the ends of the earth Your possession. 9 You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.” 10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. 11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, for His wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in Him. Key Words: Lord, Son, Nation, Kings, Rulers, Serve, Rejoice, Kiss, Refuge Keystone Verse: Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, for His wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in Him. (Psalm 2:12)

Psalm 2 The Messiah's Triumph and Kingdom 2 Why do the [a]nations [b]rage, And the people plot(imagine) a [c]vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the Lord and against His Anointed,[d]saying, 3 “Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us.” 4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision. 5 Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure: 6 “Yet I have [e]set My King [f]On My holy hill of Zion.” 7 “I will declare the [g]decree: The Lord has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. 8 Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession. 9 You shall [h]break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter's vessel.' ” 10 Now therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth. 11 Serve the Lord with fear, And rejoice with trembling. 12 [i]Kiss the Son, lest [j]He be angry, And you perish in the way, When His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him. Psalm 2 can be described as “Four Distinct Voices of Personification Speaking” The Resistance of the Nations to YHWH & His Anointed (Vs. 1-3) YHWH Laughing Mockingly at the Nations Futile Resistance To Him & Responding that He Has His Own King To Exalt(Vs. 4-6) Jesus , God's Anointed King Declares Himself To The Nations(Vs. 7-9) The Psalmist exhorts Leaders of The Nations They must Worship & Reverence The Lord & His Son lest they incur His Righteous Anger (Vs. 10-12)   PSALM 2:2-3 2 Why do the [a]nations [b]rage, And the people plot(imagine) a [c]vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the Lord and against His Anointed,[d]saying, 3 “Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us.”            The Resistance of the Nations to YHWH & His Anointed (Vs. 1-3) Vs. 1) “Why do the Nations rage”(To tumultuously assemble)…..               Ps. 46:6, Lk. 18:32, Acts 4:25,Acts 17:5,Lk.21:25 “Plot/Imagine” a vain thing…             Ge. 6:5-7   5 Then [a]the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and             that every intent[b] of the thoughts of his heart was only evil [c]continually. 6 And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7 So the Lord said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.” Vs. 2) Rulers set themselves against the Lord…..(They Resist)…..   Lk. 3:8-11 (Jesus Mocked)…Acts 12:1,2 (Peter & James…Herod killed James) Vs. )3break their bands/cords asunder…..  Jeremiah 5:5, Proverbs 29:18 PSALMS 2:4-6 4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision. 5 Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure: 6 “Yet I have [e]set My King [f]On My holy hill of Zion.” YHWH Laughing Mockingly at the Nations Futile Resistance To Him & Responding that He Has His Own King To Exalt(Vs. 4-6) Vs.4) “shall Laugh”……..Ps. 37:12,13…Ps. 59:8…Proverbs 1:26 Vs. 5) ‘He shall speak To them In His Wrath…'Psalm 50:16-22,Ps. 110:56, Zech. 1:15 Vs. 6) I have [e]set My King [f]On My holy hill of Zion.”………….Isaiah 9:6,7..Daniel 7:14 Jesus , God's Anointed King Declares Himself To The Nations(Vs. 7-9) PSALM 2:7-9 7 “I will declare the [g]decree: The Lord has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. 8 Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession. 9 You shall [h]break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter's vessel.' ” The Rule of JESUS: Matthew 28:18, Ephesians 1:20-22, I Peter 3:22 Revelation 1:5; 2:26,27 The  Psalmist exhorts Leaders of The Nations They must Worship & Reverence The Lord & His Son lest they incur His Righteous Anger (Vs. 10-12)   PSALM 2:10-12 10 Now therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth. 11 Serve the Lord with fear, And rejoice with trembling. 12 [i]Kiss the Son, lest [j]He be angry, And you perish in the way, When His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him. “KISS The SON” Kiss does mean just that…in Oriental custom shows great honor & respect for another, & blessing of another…Ge. 27:26-29Jacob kisses Isaac, Gen. 31:55;Hosea 13:2 kiss the calves..Luke 22:47-48 Jesus betrayed with a Kiss Also…To dispose or adjust  oneself to, To Honor one, To Put in order, To Fasten Oneself to (like fastening of a war tool…bayonet to rifle),To handle be equipped …To Touch gently (Eze. 3:13 Cherubim's wings ‘brushed together') A Kiss can also be used in Figurative, poetic language…as used here & Psalm 85:10 Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Holy Kiss among brethren…Romans 16:16,I Cr.16:20,II Cr. 13:12, I Th. 5:26, I Peter 5:14 KISS (continued) Showed a vow of loyalty, of being totally dependent on the one kissed To Honor your conqueror 3.To Identify with the SON…Jn. 1:12,Eph.1:5, I Cr.6:17,I Pe. 2:9… Gal. 3:27-28 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.   4.An Expression of Love & Worship…Mtt. 26:7 The woman & the alabaster box     .      5.A Reconciliation that brings fellowship…Genesis 33:4, Esau kisses Jacob   CONCLUSION: Lordship Isaiah 45:22-25/Romans 14:11,12 22 “Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. 23 I have sworn by Myself; The word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, And shall not return, That to Me every knee shall bow, Every tongue shall take an oath. 24 He shall say, [a]‘Surely in the Lord I have righteousness and strength. To Him men shall come, And all shall be ashamed Who are incensed against Him. 25 In the Lord all the descendants of Israel Shall be justified, and shall glory.' ” INTIMACY: Sng. 1:2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.    

Genesis 27:1-28:22 Roadmap: Jacob's continued wrestling The results of deception God's faithfulness Psalm 2:1-4 “Why are the nations in an uproar and the peoples of the earth devising a vain thing?  The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and His Anointed, saying, ‘Let us tear their fetters apart and cast away their cords from us!'  He who sits in the heavens laughs, the Lord scoffs at them. Job 42:2 “I know that Thou canst do all things and that no purpose of thine can be thwarted.”                                                                     Genesis 27:1-28:22 Lamentations 3:22-23 “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases.  His mercies never fail.  They are new every morning.  Great is Thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:21 “This I recall to mind and therefore I have hope…”        “For I do not seek to understand in order that I may believe, but I believe in order to understand.  For this also I believe – that unless I believe I shall not understand.” - St. Anselm of Canterbury

Psalm 2:1-6 “Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, "Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us." He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The LORD shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure: "Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion." It appears that Psalms 1 and 2 go together in a special way as the introduction to the book of Psalms. We believe that either David or Ezra wrote Psalm 1. We are pretty sure that David wrote the second Psalm because Peter quoted from it in his message in Acts 4:25-26 and said that David was the one who spoke these words by the Holy Spirit. Some believe that this Psalm was written on the occasion of Nathan the Prophet giving David the Promise of the Messianic Kingdom in 1 Chronicles 17:1-27. Also this Psalm may have grown out of the events described in 2 Samuel 5:17-25; 8:1-14; and 10:1-19. Yesterday we began looking at the contrast between Psalms 1 and 2. Psalm 1 begins with a beatitude and Psalm 2 ends with a beatitude. Psalm 1 is never quoted in the New Testament, while Psalm 2 is quoted or alluded to at least eighteen times, more than any single psalm. (See Matt. 3:17; 7:23; 17:5; Mark 1:11; 9:7; Luke 3:22; 9:35; John 1:49; Acts 4:25-26; 13:33; Phil. 2:12; Heb. 1:2, 5; 5:5; Rev. 2:26-27; 11:18; 12:5; 19:15). Psalm 1 deals with the blessing of the Jew (although it certainly applies to the Christian today), while Ps. 2 presents the judgment of the Gentile nations. It is a Messianic psalm, along with Pss. 8, 16, 22, 23, 40, 41, 45, 68, 69, 102, 110, and 118. The test of a Messianic psalm is that it is quoted in the New Testament as referring to Jesus (Luke 24:27, 44). In Ps. 1, we see Christ the Perfect Man; in Ps. 2, He is the King of kings. But this is also a royal psalm, referring to the coronation of a Jewish king and the rebellion of some vassal nations that hoped to gain their freedom. They do not want to be under the authority of the Righteous King but want to be free to do their abominations of wickedness. Other royal psalms are 18, 20, 21, 45 (a royal wedding), 72, 89, 101, 110 and 144. According to Acts 4:25, David wrote this psalm, so it may have grown out of the events described in 2 Samuel 5:17-25, 8:1-14, and 10:1-19. The twelve verses of Psalm 2 may be divided into four sections of three verses each, and in each section we can hear a different voice. Some Psalms you see (Pss. 114, 130, 133), some Psalms you feel (Pss. 22, 129, 137, 142), but here in Psalm 2 you hear, because it is a record of four voices. In Psalm 2:1-3, we hear the voice of the nations. In Psalm 2:4-6, we hear the voice of the Father. In Psalm 2:7-9, we hear the voice of the Son. And in Psalm 2:10-12, we hear the voice of the Spirit. Remember in Revelation 2-3, how each of the letters to the seven churches ended with, “He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches”. It is my prayer that we will hear what the Holy Spirit is saying to us, even today as we read and study these Psalms. God bless!

“Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, "Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us." He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The LORD shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure: "Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion." "I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter's vessel.' " Now therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, And rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, And you perish in the way, When His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.” Today we will begin looking at Psalm 2. Already as I was studying to do these chats, I begin to realize how little I really know about the Psalms and their background. It is like when we were going through Revelation, I was amazed at how I learned so much more about the book as we took time each day to look at a few verses. As I said a few days ago, I've read through the book of Psalms over 600 times in the past 50 years. Every day I read at least 5 Psalms. I've memorized hundreds of verses in the Psalms. I have preached many messages out of the Psalms over the years. But I've never gone through the Psalms, in a study like this. And already I have been very blessed and excited about what we are going to learn over the next several months as we study them together with you! The great pastor and preacher from yesteryear, Charles Spurgeon called Psalm 2, The Psalm of Messiah the Prince.” He also wrote a very large book on all the Psalms called the “Treasury of David”. It is still in print today and would be a great reference in your personal study of the Psalms. There is an interesting contrast between the first two psalms. Psalm 1 is personal and focuses on the Law, while Ps. 2 is national and focuses on prophecy. The New Testament writers looked at the Old Testament writers in two divisions and often referred to it as the Law and the Prophets. Even Jesus referred to the Old Testament in this way in Luke 24:27, 44, calling it the “Law of Moses and the Prophets”. We see another contrast in Psalm 1, where the people delighted and meditated on the law of God. But in Psalm 2, the people rebel and defy the law of God. A noticeable feature in the Book of Psalms is the systematic arrangement. The first psalm presents the perfect man, the happy man. (And I believe it pictures the Lord Jesus Christ as the last Adam.) Now in contrast to the perfect man, the blessed man in Psalm 1, we see the rebellious man in Psalm 2. We can call this the Genesis section of the Book of Psalms, and the parallel is striking. Genesis begins with the perfect man, the happy man, in the Garden of Eden. But he became the rebellious man who ran away from God, was no longer seeking Him, who had no capacity for Him. Now here in Psalm 2 we find the children of Adam – mankind in their rebellion against God. May the Lord use these studies in Psalms to motivate us to love and delight in the Lord our God more every day! God bless!

While the standard rule & legacy of mankind is violent rebellion toward God with consequent human misery, a rightly ordered nation is exceptional in its subordination to the authority of God and His Anointed and its consequent prosperity. American exceptionalism is the result of the Christian gospel and God's Word exerted over a civilization, and such exceptionalism is available to any nation that would so rightly order itself, constituted around God's holy law and according to God's design.

While the standard rule & legacy of mankind is violent rebellion toward God with consequent human misery, a rightly ordered nation is exceptional in its subordination to the authority of God and His Anointed and its consequent prosperity. American exceptionalism is the result of the Christian gospel and God's Word exerted over a civilization, and such exceptionalism is available to any nation that would so rightly order itself, constituted around God's holy law and according to God's design.

In this message we take a deeper look at Psalm 2:11 and discover what is manifested in and through us when we "serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling." We are in a mighty season where God is cleansing His house and purifying His people in order to establish "The Reign of His Anointed." Walk in a higher calling and greater authority through the realm of glory that opens up through surrender and serving, you chosen ones of the Lord!

When I was a young kid in school (years ago), I'll never forget how in gym class I always wanted to be chosen to be on the team that had the best players in whatever sport we were playing that day because I wanted to win so bad. I always wanted to be on the team that won! But you would never knew for sure until the game was over what the final score was that determined who won. Today, I'm thrilled to already know the final score on how this old sinful age ends as Jesus comes back the second time to defeat His enemies and prepare the earth for His thousand-year reign. Remember John described the Jesus Christ the Conqueror and emphasized His names in Rev. 19:11-16. Now in these verses (Rev. 19:17-20:3), John tells us about His conquests. The Rider on this white horse is the true Christ and He is not coming in the air to take His people home (1 Thes. 4:13-18), but to the earth with His people, to conquer His enemies and establish His kingdom. In this passage we are told how Jesus defeats the kings of the earth and their armies, the beast (Antichrist) and his false prophet, and finally Satan (Rev. 20:1-3). When Jesus returns with the armies of heaven it will be unnecessary for the army to fight, for Christ Himself will defeat the enemy through three great victories. The first enemy Jesus will defeat is the armies of the kings of the earth (vv. 17-19, 21). These warriors have assembled to fight "against the Lord and against His anointed" (Ps. 2:1-3), but their weapons prove futile. The battle turns out to be a slaughter—a "supper" for the scavenger birds! The first half of Revelation 19 describes the marriage supper of the Lamb; the last half describes the "supper of the great God" (see Matt. 24:28; Luke 17:37). Did you notice how the word flesh occurs six times in this paragraph. While John's immediate reference is to the human body, eaten by the vultures, there is certainly a deeper meaning here: man always fails because he is flesh and relies on flesh. The Bible has nothing good to say about fallen human nature. Recall the Lord's words before the Flood: "My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh" (Gen. 6:3). Jesus said, “The words I speak to you are spirit and they are life, the flesh profits nothing”(John 6:63). Paul said, “For I know that in me, that is in my flesh, dwells no good thing” (Rom. 7:18). Peter said it this way, "All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away, But the word of the LORD endures forever" (1 Peter 1:24-25). Yes, even today our flesh must be judged. This is the account of the well-known "battle of Armageddon," which was anticipated earlier (Rev. 14:14-20; 16:13-16). All that our Lord has to do is speak the Word, and "the sword of His mouth" will devour His enemies. Recently, like never before, as I read the Book of Psalms it seems like I see many of them speaking of the Lord and His final victory over His enemies. Today, I want to finish with Psalm 2:1-6 and see if you notice it too! “Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, "Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us." He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The LORD shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure: "Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion." Wow!!!! Be assured today that when you have Jesus, and are on His team, you always win! (Romans 8:31-18) We know the final score! God Bless!

Rev. Dr. Tim Saleska, professor of exegetical theology and Dean of Ministerial Formation at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 2. Psalm 2 pictures the nations and their rulers assembling together in an attempt to cast off the bonds of the LORD and His Anointed. Yet the LORD is the true King; He sits on His heavenly throne. He laughs, derides them, and speaks to them in wrath by proclaiming that His King, the Anointed One, has been set on Zion. The Anointed speaks concerning the decree that the LORD gave, in which the LORD promised His Anointed that His requests would be granted. The Psalm ends with instruction for all rulers to place themselves in subjection to the authority of the Son, the Anointed. Psalm 2 points us to Christ Jesus as the Son of God who did not ask His Father to be spared from death as He reigned from His cross. By His ascension, Jesus is the true King over all. Join Sharper Iron during the month of July to study several Psalms. In the Psalter, God speaks His Word to us and teaches us how to speak back to Him in prayer. Even in the great variety of the Psalms, each one points us to our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Why are the nations in an uproar And the peoples devising a vain thing? The kings of the earth take their stand And the rulers take counsel together Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, “Let us tear their fetters apart And cast away their cords from us!” He who sits in the heavens laughs, The Lord scoffs at them. Then He will speak to them in His anger And terrify them in His fury, saying, “But as for Me, I have installed My King Upon Zion, My holy mountain.” “I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. ‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, And the very ends of the earth as Your possession. ‘You shall break them with a rod of iron, You shall shatter them like earthenware.'” Now therefore, O kings, show discernment; Take warning, O judges of the earth. Worship the LORD with reverence And rejoice with trembling. Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way, For His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him! Psalms 2

Devotional Prayer by Be Inspired by His word © Song Let the living water flow over my soul Let the Holy spirit come and take control Of every situation that has troubled my mind All my cares and burdens unto I roll Jesus Jesus Jesus Father father father Spirit spirit spirit Why are the nations in an uproar [in turmoil against God], And why do the people devise a vain and hopeless plot? The kings of the earth take their stand; And the rulers take counsel together Against the Lord and His Anointed (the Davidic King, the Messiah, the Christ), saying, “Let us break apart their [divine] bands [of restraint] And cast away their cords [of control] from us.” Psalms 2:1‭-‬3 AMP Prayer Ancient of days I worship your majesty and honour your name King of kings thank you for this amazing day and grace of life Eternal rock of ages, have your way in my life and glorify yourself through me Lord have mercy on me and forgive all my shortcomings Lord have your way in this nation and nations around the world Lord I commit every office of authority into your hands have your way Lord terminate the rising of killings and blood shed of the innocent wordlwide Father terminate all occultic power ruling against your will nationwide Father eliminate all evil orchestration manifesting in and around this community Father destroy every plan that wants to make parents mourn their children worldwide Lord eliminate every unwanted news in and around me Ancient of days arise and vindicate me in all areas Lord destroy all evil accusations risen against my destiny in Jesus name I decree I will not suffer any loss known or unknown in Jesus name I decree all evil occurrence planned to jeopardize my purpose in life is destroyed I decree concerning the vessel used for this daily prayers all impacted by it and our household all evil agenda concerning our destiny is destroyed in Jesus name *Personal Prayer* Thank you ancient of days for answered prayers in Jesus name *Confess Daily; Sin shall not have dominion over me, I am operating in the power of the word of God. I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus by faith as Jesus is so am I in this world. The presence of God is upon my life, my days are filled with divine light. I will never walk in darkness, I am a living testimony. The miraculous power of God is at work in and through me and I am victorious always. Hallelujah!* Today's Prayer by Be Inspired (by His word)© 30th May 2022 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/be-inspired-by-his-word/message

"The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, And the time of the dead, that they should be judged, And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name, small and great, And should destroy those who destroy the earth." When the seventh angel blew the trumpet, three dramatic events occurred: First, an announcement of victory (v. 15). Secondly, an acclamation of praise (vv. 16-18). And third, an assurance of God's faithfulness (v. 19). Now here in Rev. 11:16-18, we have an acclamation of praise from the twenty-four elders, who give thanks for three special blessings: that Christ reigns supremely (Rev. 11:17), that He judges righteously (Rev. 11:18), and that He rewards graciously (Rev. 11:18). "The nations were angry." What do the nations have to be angry about? Certainly the Lord has been good and gracious to them. He has provided their needs (Acts 14:15-17; 17:24-31), assigned their territories, and graciously postponed His judgment to give men opportunity to be saved. Even more, He sent His Son to be the Savior of the world. Today, God offers forgiveness to the nations! What more could He do for them? Then, why are the nations angry? Because they want to have their own way. "Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, "Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us." (Ps. 2:1-3). They want to worship and serve the creature instead of the Creator (Rom. 1:25). Like adolescent children, the nations want to cast off all restraint; and God will permit them to do so. The result will be another "Babylon" (Rev. 17-18), man's last attempt to build his Utopia, a "heaven on earth." Note the change in attitude shown by the nations of the world. In Revelation 11:2, the nations ruthlessly take over Jerusalem. In Revelation 11:9, they rejoice at the death of the two witnesses. Then when the two witnesses resurrected and ascended into the clouds, they experienced great fear (vv. 11-3). But now they are angry; their arrogance and joy did not last very long. This belligerent attitude finally will cause the nations to unite to fight God at the great battle of Armageddon. Arrogance, aggression, rejoicing, fear and then anger! We see these same attitudes in those who reject God and His ways even today! "And Thy wrath is come." Satan's wrath, as cruel as it is, is no match for God's wrath (Rev. 12:17). There was intense suffering in the first half of the Tribulation, but only the last half will reveal the wrath of God (Rev. 11:18; 14:10; 16:19; 19:15). God's anger is not an outburst of temper; it is holy indignation against sin. God's anger is not dispassionate, for He hates sin and loves righteousness and justice; but neither is it temperamental and unpredictable. "And the time of the dead, that they should be judged" takes us to the very end of God's prophetic program. In one sense, every day is a "day of the Lord" because God is always judging righteously. God is longsuffering toward lost sinners and often postpones judgment, but there will be a final judgment of sinners and none will escape. This judgment is described in Revelation 20:11-15. Psalm 2, that describes the anger of the nations, ends with these words of instruction that we should heed today! “Now therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, And rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, And you perish in the way, When His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.” (Psalm 2:10-12) God bless!

In today's episode, we're going to encounter prophecy concerning Cyrus, King of Persia, whom YHWH calls His Anointed, as we look at Isaiah 45-48 .

Friday, 28 January 2022   The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against the Lord and against His Christ.' Acts 4:26   Note: You can listen to today's commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)   You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at "Discern the Bible" on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).   The words of the group, which are citing the 2nd Psalm, continue now with verse 2 of the psalm. This is a direct citing of the Greek translation of the psalm as well. As such, the words begin with, “The kings of the earth took their stand.”   At times, the word “kings” is used somewhat more freely than our modern sense of the word. Today we think of the sovereign over a nation, but the intent here can signify people in positions of power, especially when they represent another who is sovereign. Therefore, the thought of Pilate representing Caesar could fit into this thought. Further, there is Herod Antipas who was known as the “tetrarch of Galilee” in Luke 3:1, who is also known as a king in Mark 6:14.   As such, there is every reason to assume that this is considered fulfilled by past events in the eyes of the disciples, even if it continues to be true even to modern times. Kings of the earth continue to fight against the name of Jesus, but the disciples are looking at what occurred during Christ's ministry and are noting that it is an absolute fulfillment of David's words. What is also true is that the same ruling authorities would continue to do so, even as is recorded in Acts, such as in Acts 12 –   “Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. 2 Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 3 And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread. 4 So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover.” Acts 12:1-4   Next, the words of the psalm read, “And the rulers were gathered together.” This is recorded again and again in the gospels, even right up until the time of Christ's crucifixion. But more, and what probably brought the citing of the psalm to mind in the first place, is that they had continued to do so even after the resurrection.   The power of God in Christ is evident and on full display among the apostles, clearly demonstrating that He is both alive and in possession of the power of God, and yet the council had continued to stand against Him. That is seen in the third clause of the verse, saying, “Against the Lord and against His Christ.”   The original Hebrew reads, “Against Yehovah and against His Anointed.” The word “Anointed” is a translation from the Hebrew “Messiah,” and that is a direct equivalent to the Greek “Christ.” The meaning of this word does not necessarily have to refer to “THE MESSIAH,” but can refer to anyone who is anointed for a position.   Leviticus 4:3 speaks of the “anointed priest” with this word. David refers to the office of king, such as King Saul or himself, because they had been anointed to that position, for example –   “Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on his head, and kissed him and said: ‘Is it not because the Lord has anointed you commander over His inheritance?'” 1 Samuel 10:1   The title is given to Cyrus, King of Persia, in Isaiah 45:1. However, in the case of the psalm, it is speaking of a particular person who would come to fulfill a prophesied role. The Lord God anointed Jesus with His Spirit, and thus to come against Jesus, God's Anointed, is to come against the Lord Himself. The people mentioned in this verse had directly butted heads with the God of the universe.   Life application: As noted, the rulers of the world (obviously!) continue to set themselves against the Lord Jesus. The rulers of Israel do as well. They reject Christ as Lord, and many in the rabbinic and religious circles go futher, actively pursuing and attacking believers. There is an underlying enmity towards Jesus that permeates the Jewish society.   But that is not unlike much of the world, even the once Christian world. To mention Jesus in public can cause major division in Germany, the UK, the US, and so on. And yet, these nations once openly allowed the open exercise of faith in Him to one degree or another. This will certainly only get worse until the coming of the Lord for His church.   Until that happens, however, the Great Commission remains in effect. We have a job to do, and we have good news to share. But the Lord has not left us without His presence. He is here with us, and He will not leave us nor forsake us. If we get attacked, or even killed, for talking about Jesus, such is life. We have a job to do, and we should be willing to expend ourselves in doing it.   Be ready and willing to speak out this great and exalted Name. It is what we have been called to do.   Lord God, thank You for allowing us to be Your messengers of the wonderful news of salvation, reconciliation, and peace that is found in the gospel of Jesus. May we be responsible to uphold our part of this process by being willing to speak. To Your glory. Amen.

Word: Psalms 2 and Matthew 11:12 (KJV) 12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. In this episode of “God's Word in the Go”, Pastor Yvonne declares that “2022 will be the Year of War.” The “Good News” is, God and HIS Heavenly Host will be doing the fighting. We, HIS Anointed, still have our part to do. That part comes from Psalms 2. Listen and “Get in Position “ for 2022. Thank you for Listening to One Lord Teaching Ministry's “God's Word on The Go.”! Your host is Dr. Yvonne Scott Miller. She is the Pastor of One Lord House of Worship in Duluth, GA. The "God's Word on The God” Podcast is Now On: Apple.com, Outcast, Breaker, Anchor, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Spotify, Copy RSS and Google Podcasts . Please Like, Share and consider being a Financial Supporter of One Lord Teaching Ministry. A gift of as little as $5.00 per month helps move the Visions of One Lord Teaching Ministry forward. Until we meet again, “Be Blessed and Be a Kingdom Blessing.” For more information on Pastor Yvonne and One Lord Ministry COPY AND PASTE THE LINK BELOW: https://linktr.ee/yvonnescottmiller To Support this Ministry Podcast CLICK LIKE, SHARE AND SUPPORT BELOW. You can also Visit.. Cash App: $OneLordMinistry Givelify: One Lord Teaching Ministry, 3064 Old Norcross Road, Suite 200, Duluth, GA. 30096 PayPal: www.onelordteaching.org Zelle: yvonne1131@comcast.net Mail: 2200 Fountain Drive, Snellville, GA. 30078 --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/dr-yvonne-scott-miller/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-yvonne-scott-miller/support

5 December, 2021 Chris Athavle Psalm 2 2 Why do the [a]nations [b]rage, And the people plot a [c]vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the Lord and against His Anointed,[d] saying, 3 “Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords […]

“But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day; as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Jude starts out these three verses with, “I want to remind you”. Today, I want to remind us that, even though God is a God of infinite love and great mercy, He is also a just and Holy God Who must punish sin and is also a God of wrath! That what these next verses we are looking at are about. Jude has identified the apostate and false teachers as ungodly, and condemned to judgement because of their denial of Jesus Christ and their immorality. (Vs. 3-4) Now, like the Apostle Peter, Jude reaches back into Old Testament history and gives three examples of God's judgment on those who had resisted his authority and turned from the truth. Peter referred to the fallen angels, Noah, and Lot and followed the historical order. He also emphasized God's deliverance of the righteous as well as His judgment of the ungodly. Read 2 Peter 2:4-10 carefully and see the similarities: “For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one ofeight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; and delivered righteous Lot, who wasoppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented hisrighteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)-- thenthe Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries.” Jude, however, did not mention Noah and the Flood, but instead used the nation Israel as his example. The point Jude was making is that God judges apostates. Therefore, the false teachers who had crept into the church would also one day be judged. Their seeming success would not last; God would have the last word. This also reminds me of Psalm 2:1-6 “Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, "Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us." He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The LORD shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure: "Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion." Especially today, as the voices of the present anti-God culture and the immoral, ungodly people around us are loudly proclaiming their freedom from God and His archaic Word, and mocking those who would stand up for truth, we need to be reminded that “God has the final word!” Yes, God is a God of love and mercy and “is not willing that any should perish” (2 Peter 3:9), but He will one day call to account all those who deny Him and His Word! Keep looking up! Jesus is still sitting on His throne and is coming soon! God bless!

Septiembre 17: Profecía del Gran Rey.Salmos 2:1‭-‬12 RVA2015:¿Por qué se amotinan las naciones y los pueblos traman cosas vanas? Se presentan los reyes de la tierra, y los gobernantes consultan unidos contra el SEÑOR y su ungido, diciendo: “¡Rompamos sus ataduras! ¡Echemos de nosotros sus cuerdas!”. El que habita en los cielos se reirá; el Señor se burlará de ellos. Entonces les hablará en su ira y los turbará en su furor: “¡Yo he instalado a mi rey en Sion, mi monte santo!”. Yo declararé el decreto: el SEÑOR me ha dicho: “Tú eres mi hijo; yo te engendré hoy. Pídeme, y te daré por heredad las naciones, y por posesión tuya los confines de la tierra. Tú los quebrantarás con vara de hierro; como a vasija de alfarero los desmenuzarás”. Y ahora, oh reyes, sean sabios; acepten la corrección, oh gobernantes de la tierra. Sirvan al SEÑOR con temor y alégrense con temblor. Besen al hijo, no sea que se enoje y pierdan el camino; pues se enciende de pronto su ira. ¡Bienaventurados todos los que en él se refugian!Este es uno de los primeros salmos llamado mesiánicos porque fueron escritos muchos siglos antes de la venida de Cristo, y su contenido no es aplicable a ninguna otra persona, solo al Mesías.Si lees detalladamente este salmo y estuviste estudiando el libro de Apocalipsis, te vas a dar cuenta las similitudes con los últimos acontecimientos de Apocalipsis dónde muchos reinos y reyes se van a reunir para luchar contra el Señor pero el Señor los vencerá. Otra razón por la cual es considerado un salmo mesiánico es porque los mismos apóstoles utilizaron este salmo como referencia para confirmarle a los demás judíos de que Jesucristo era y es el Mesías prometido, el que habría de venir como los profetas lo estaban anunciando por muchos años y siglos.Permítanme leerles parte del capítulo 13 del libro de Hechos, donde esta referencia se encuentra desde el verso 26 al 33: “»Hermanos, hijos del linaje de Abraham, y los que entre ustedes temen a Dios: A nosotros nos ha sido enviado el mensaje de esta salvación. Porque los habitantes de Jerusalén y sus gobernantes, por no reconocer a Jesús ni hacer caso a las palabras de los profetas que se leen todos los sábados, las cumplieron al condenarlo. Sin hallar en él ninguna causa digna de muerte, pidieron a Pilato que lo matara. Y como habían cumplido todas las cosas escritas acerca de él, lo bajaron del madero y lo pusieron en el sepulcro. Pero Dios le levantó de entre los muertos. Y él apareció por muchos días a los que habían subido con él de Galilea a Jerusalén, los cuales ahora son sus testigos ante el pueblo. »Nosotros también les anunciamos las buenas nuevas de que la promesa que fue hecha a los padres, esta la ha cumplido Dios para nosotros sus hijos, cuando resucitó a Jesús; como también está escrito en el Salmo segundo: Mi hijo eres tú; yo te he engendrado hoy.”Qué hermosa Escritura, qué maravilloso es poder comparar y examinar las Escrituras del antiguo testamento con el nuevo testamento para confirmar que Jesús es el Salvador del mundo y el Rey de los cielos y la tierra.Tal vez hoy los reinos y los gobiernos atacan y menosprecian a todo aquel que rinda adoración a Jesucristo pero llegará un día en que el Señor va a venir a hacer justicia y a vencer todos los sistemas políticos, imperios y regímenes gubernamentales.Te animo en este día para que adores a Jesús llamándole Rey de reyes y Señor de señores, el que venció el imperio de la muerte, la esclavitud del pecado, el reino de Satanás, y nos devolvió el control de nuestras vidas por medio del poder de su santo Espíritu.Escucha la canción "El Rey ya viene", interpretada por Rocío Crooke.Soy tu amigo Eduardo Rodríguez. Que el Rey de reyes escuche hoy tu oración y te llene de muchas bendiciones. ========

How can anyone say Trump's election/Jan 6 rally are WORSE than 9/11? Only by sheer hatred. Liberalism RESENTS Gods law, his created order (patriarchy), & Christianity. Liberalism rails against authority. Why do the nations rage & plot in vain against the Lord & His Anointed? Ps 2

How can anyone say Trump's election/Jan 6 rally are WORSE than 9/11? Only by sheer hatred. Liberalism RESENTS Gods law, his created order (patriarchy), & Christianity. Liberalism rails against authority. Why do the nations rage & plot in vain against the Lord & His Anointed? Ps 2

A new MP3 sermon from Hopewell Associate Reformed Presbyterian is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: God's Mercy to His Anointed in Providence, Presence, and Prayer (FW in 2Sam 15:13–37) Subtitle: Family Worship Speaker: James Hakim Broadcaster: Hopewell Associate Reformed Presbyterian Event: Devotional Date: 6/23/2021 Bible: 2 Samuel 15:13-37 Length: 24 min.

A new MP3 sermon from Hopewell Associate Reformed Presbyterian is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: God's Mercy to His Anointed in Providence, Presence, and Prayer (FW in 2Sam 15:13–37) Subtitle: Family Worship Speaker: James Hakim Broadcaster: Hopewell Associate Reformed Presbyterian Event: Devotional Date: 6/23/2021 Bible: 2 Samuel 15:13-37 Length: 24 min.

A new MP3 sermon from Hopewell Associate Reformed Presbyterian is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: God's Mercy to His Anointed in Providence, Presence, and Prayer (FW in 2Sam 15:13–37) Subtitle: Family Worship Speaker: James Hakim Broadcaster: Hopewell Associate Reformed Presbyterian Event: Devotional Date: 6/23/2021 Bible: 2 Samuel 15:13-37 Length: 24 min.

A new MP3 sermon from Hopewell Associate Reformed Presbyterian is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: God's Mercy to His Anointed in Providence, Presence, and Prayer (FW in 2Sam 15:13–37) Subtitle: Family Worship Speaker: James Hakim Broadcaster: Hopewell Associate Reformed Presbyterian Event: Devotional Date: 6/23/2021 Bible: 2 Samuel 15:13-37 Length: 24 min.

This is a great Psalm and one that is often quoted in the New Testament as referring to Christ. What is it that makes the nations and kings and rulers so mad? Why do they feel so held by God’s cords or chains? Why do they want to break free? How do these things apply to David and how do they find their ultimate fulfilment in The Messiah, The Anointed One, The Christ. Find out in this message. Then follow the advice that the LORD gives through David in vv.10-12: Be Wise Be Instructed Serve The LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling Kiss The Son Put your trust in Him Will you do that and avoid God’s wrath? Whose side are you on? The side of The LORD and His Anointed, or those in opposition? To watch the Youtube video of this sermon, click on this link! The post Psalm 2: The Lord And His Anointed. appeared first on Living Rock Church.

During the worship time on March, 21, 2021, in the Sunday morning service, the Lord gave me a vision of a HUGE tidal wave of the Holy Spirit washing across the United States from coast to coast. It was moving fast. It was wide and deep and covered all 50 states. It quickly washed away all wickedness and evil and left the nation pure and holy. It was like the nation was born again.I sense we are to declare this vision of heavenly reality over our nationI believe this is what God intends. I believe it is His will. We can participate by seeing this, pondering it, and declaring it into the atmosphere. Here is the vision in the form of a declaration which we can speak aloud over our nation: I declare that there is a tidal wave of the Holy Spirit sweeping across the United States. It is a cleansing tide that is bringing holiness and revival as it immerses the nation. It is washing away wickedness and evil. It is leaving the nation spotless and new. This re-birthing of America is being done by the mighty hand of God and God receives all the glory. Thank You, Lord, for Your victory and cleansing of our nation.Let's also declare Ps. 2: Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, "Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us." He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The LORD shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure: "Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion." "I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter's vessel.' " Now therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, And rejoice with trembling. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.Resources40 Year Old Kenneth Hagin Prophecy NOW Coming to Pass  A written version of Hagin's prophecy Blog of this episodeSupport the show (https://www.cwgministries.org/store/donate-communion-god-ministries-one-time-gift)

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6) 154 You’re crying for a messiah here at Christmas time. Uh-huh. What did they get? They—they wanted it. They want to take it over. The world today wants to take over. The church wants to take over, each denomination. But look what God gave them! They wanted a military genius. They wanted a—a scientific genius, but God give them a Lamb, a Baby. What a contrast! You think they’d accept that crying Child? But that’s what they needed. God gives you according to your needs. Certainly. They…He got…They got a Baby when they was wanting a general; but they got a Baby, meek, lowly. God knew their needs, though. 155 He never came to be a national or a church politician. And if Messiah would come today, He would not be a national or a church politician. And if we cry for such a person, God will send us deliverance, but we got to receive It in the way that He sends It. They didn’t do it, they didn’t want It that way. The church cries today, “O Heavenly Father, will You please send Jesus to us? Will You please?” And when the Holy Spirit begins to move in, “Oh, that’s…We don’t want that.” See? Well, you be, “Oh, oh, we won’t have this man rule over us. Oh, I don’t want to hear That. No. My…I couldn’t accept That, my denomination won’t believe That.” Then you don’t want a Messiah, you don’t want the anointing. If God sent a Messiah, He’d be exactly Word by Word of the Bible, exactly what He was at the first time. The cry of the world, when we see politicians and everything else pinching out the very Life of the church, and we cry, and God sent it to us, then we’d refuse It. “That’s right, we wouldn’t want it. No, if it didn’t cope with our—our denominational beliefs, we couldn’t receive It.” See? Oh, don’t you see what real Christmas…The people don’t want It. They don’t want God’s way of sending It. They’re looking for something, but they don’t want It. 156 Now, God sent them, in the day that they were crying, not a military genius, not a great general coming down with buckle and armor, and with a supernatural sword or spear that he could yield and run Rome and Greek and the rest of them into the sea and drown them again. He didn’t send them something like that, though He said He did do it one time in Moses, but they needed it then. But He sent them a Saviour and they didn’t want It. They thought there was…they were saved. See? That’s the way with the churches today. Finds at this Christmas time with all the tinsel of Christmas, the Santa Claus lights, the pagan traits and things dropped into both Catholic and Protestant churches, and just as corrupt as it can be. And God sends them a Saviour. What? Back to the Word. The Holy Spirit, God’s Messiah, His Anointed, to anoint His church and send it back to the Word. Do you think they want It? No, sir. They won’t have It. They’ll turning her down just like they always do. 157 He sends a Saviour, but what does He send a Saviour for then? Want to drop a little something here that’ll help you. There is a predestinated people that’s going to receive It. There was when He come the first time, there will be when He comes the second time. No matter what the church world’s got to think about it, some…He don’t send It in vain. Somebody will receive It. There’s somebody’s going to get It, that’s all; but not the political world or the political church, or whatever it is. But when you cry out and God sends It, somebody’s going to—going to receive It. That’s right. 62-1216 - "The Falling Apart Of The World" Rev. William Marrion Branham --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ten-thousand-worlds/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ten-thousand-worlds/support

1 Why are the nations in an uproar And the peoples devising a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth take their stand And the rulers take counsel together Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, 3 “Let us tear their fetters apart And cast away their cords from us!” 4 He who sits in the heavens…

2020-12-06 Kiss the Sonby Pastor Eric McNeilScripture Reference: Psalm 2 1 Why are the nations in an uproar And the peoples devising a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth take their stand And the rulers take counsel together Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, 3 "Let us tear their fetters apart And cast away their cords from us!" 4 He who sits in the heavens laughs, The Lord scoffs at them. 5 Then He will speak to them in His anger And terrify them in His fury, saying, 6 "But as for Me, I have installed My King Upon Zion, My holy mountain." 7 "I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. 8 'Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, And the very ends of the earth as Your possession. 9 'You shall break them with a rod of iron, You shall shatter them like earthenware *.' " 10 Now therefore, O kings, show discernment; Take warning, O judges of the earth. 11 Worship the LORD with reverence And rejoice with trembling. 12 Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way, For His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!

Psalm 2:1-12 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, 3 “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” 4 He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. 5 Then He will speak to them in His wrath, and terrify them in His fury, saying, 6 “As for Me, I have set My King on Zion, My holy hill.” 7 I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. 8 Ask of Me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. 9 You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.” 10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. 11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, for His wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in Him.   Nick Batzig is an associate editor for Ligonier Ministries and is a pastor at Wayside PCA in Signal Mountain, TN. Nick served as the organizing pastor of New Covenant Presbyterian Church in Richmond Hill, GA from 2009-2018. Nick also served as the editor of Reformation21 and the Christward Collective—sites of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. Nick regularly writes for Tabletalk Magazine, He Reads Truth, Modern Reformation, Church Leaders, and Christianity.com. In July 2019, Nick accepted a new call to work as an associate editor for Ligonier Ministries and to serve as a pastor at Wayside PCA on Signal Mountain, TN. He is published in Jonathan Edwards and Scotland (Dunedin, 2011) and Jonathan Edwards for the Church (EP Publishing). From 2012–2016, Nick hosted the podcast, "East of Eden: The Biblical and Systematic Theology of Jonathan Edwards." Nick has taught on pastoral leadership at Reformed Theological Seminary in Atlanta, GA. Nick and his wife, Anna, have three son, Micah, Eli, and Judah. Key Words: Rage, Plot, Counsel, Laughs, Derision, Rod, Serve Keystone Verse: He who sits in the heavens laughs. (Psalm 2:4)  

'Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, “Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure: “Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion.” “I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’ ” Now therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, And rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, And you perish in the way, When His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.' Psalms 2:1-12

Revelation 14:1-5 Series: Just Conquer #39 INTRODUCTION Our study through the Apocalypse, which, you'll remember is a word that means "unveiling," keeps giving us opportunities to be blessed. Those who read and hear and keep the words of the prophecy will be blessed, so says John at both bookends (Revelation 1:3; 22:7). Our pace, approximately a paragraph at a time, is like a brisk walk but not so fast that we're skipping over things. This is pastoral strategery. One principle of Bible reading, study, and preaching, that I don't say out loud much these days is that for every text there is one interpretation with many possible applications. Some of you are blessed to own that principle as if it was a coating over every page of your Bible; you can't read otherwise. Some of you perhaps have never heard it before. The interpretation is what it means. There was an original author, moved by the Divine Author, writing to an original audience. The author intended a meaning for his readers to understand. We can acknowledge that none of us might know the correct meaning; being wrong takes barely any effort. We can also acknowledge that some meanings are debatable, as in, there's evidence for a variety of meanings. Many of those debates can be had in Christian charity. But humility, toward the text and toward one another, does not mean we give up the conviction that the meaning is there, even if we're ignorant about it. A number of the 16th century Reformers gave their lives translating the Bible into the common language so that non-scholars could read the Bible for themselves. I was reminded this past week that even the New Testament was written in the common language, Koine Greek; wherever Paul preached he could be understood. The Greek NT isn't a unique Holy Ghost mountain-top language that waits for academics to climb up to it. Now that we all have our own copies of God's Word, what a privilege, and a privilege we're to steward. I'm moving us through the book of Revelation and asking everyone to consider the meaning. My "rules" are that I wouldn't demean anyone by assuming what I'm trying to prove with a comment like "If you just read your Bible." We're reading it together, asking questions and making observations. My other rule is that I would hardly use the word "literal." It's tiresome, and typically patronizing. And, also, I don't think that means that all the images mean symbols. We just finished reading about the unholy trinity of the dragon, the sea-beast, and the earth-beast in chapters 12-13. This is satan, the embodied antichrist, and his false prophet. We had heard the sixth trumpet blow, but before the seventh trumpet blows and the seven judgment bowls are dumped over, John has seen these visions that portray why the sinfulness and depravity and spiritual conflict is so awful. It's part of a long war, with grudges as petty as they are old. Revelation 13 showed the final grasps for power by the ancient serpent and his successful, albeit temporary, dominion. He is praised for about as long as Trump has been president, three and a half years. The saints are outnumbered and outcast. But the saints still conquer with the Lamb. Chapter 14 reminds us of the commitment of those who stand with the Lamb, who endure, who love not their lives to death (as in 12:11). We see some of them in this chapter, though there is application for all of us. THE SEALED (verse 1) Here is another vision, another "And I saw," and this is much more encouraging than the previous. “Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads.” (verse 1) Instead of the dragon standing on the sand (12:18), anticipating those who would take on his mark, here is the Lamb standing on a mountain with those sealed for Him. Mount Zion is the place of God's temple, the place of His presence and rule, typically referring to the city fo Jerusalem. The Lord laughs at those who try to unseat Him, and anoints His Son in this very place. "He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.
 Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
 and terrify them in his fury, saying,
 “As for me, I have set my King
 on Zion, my holy hill.”
( Psalm 2:4-6) Consider this prophetic word from Joel: “And I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the LORD has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the LORD calls. “For behold, in those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. And I will enter into judgment with them there, on behalf of my people and my heritage Israel, because they have scattered them among the nations and have divided up my land, and have cast lots for my people, and have traded a boy for a prostitute, and have sold a girl for wine and have drunk it.” (Joel 2:30–3:3 ESV) Where is this Mount Zion? There are good reasons that some believe it is the heavenly Mount Zion (think Hebrews 12:22), but there are better reasons to understand it as on earth. The earthly Mount Zion contrasts with the earthly work of the beast. The earthly Mount Zion makes sense of why John hears a "voice from heaven" in the next verse. The earthly Mount Zion fits with the temple and the witnesses in Jerusalem in chapter 11. The earthly Mount Zion fits with these 144k. Here is “the end-time city where God dwells with and provides security for the remnant” (Beale). With the Lamb are 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads. The easiest part to understand about this is the unity of the Father and Son, the Ancient of Days and His Anointed. That's the easiest. We first read about the 144k in Revelation 7. There we saw them as the "sealed," those "from every tribe of the sons of Israel," 12k from 12 tribes, in contrast with the "great multitude that no one could number, from every nation" (verse 9). Another contrast in chapter 7 is that the innumerable group were already standing before the throne and before Lamb, clothed in white robes, while the 144k were sealed on earth. A lot of Bible readers believe that this group of 144k represents all of the redeemed. But that requires ignoring the distinctions in chapter 7, and it requires messing with the language in the rest of this paragraph. What if this is actually a finite group, a select group who are firstfruits, those who have the same sealing on their foreheads who are Israelite believers during the tribulation? What if these are the “rest of [the woman's] offspring” (Revelation 12:17). The name written on their foreheads is for security, not servility as with the mark of the beast. The beast sees his own as expendable, the Lamb sees His own as invaluable, as part of His glory, not a threat to it. THE SONG (verses 2-3) The 144k are key again. They are not the ones singing the song, but they are the ones who learn the song. ”And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps, (verse 2) With John we've heard a voice before, and this seems to be a collective voice, since verse 3 has a plural singing. The voice is loud, as the roar of the sea and the loud thunder of the sky. The voice is melodic, emphasized by a thrice cognate usage, as the KJV translates, it sounded like "harpists harping on their harps." He sees on Mount Zion, he hears from heaven. ”and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.” (verse 3) A new song is a frequent description, especially in the Psalms, which seems to be related to fresh deliverances by the Lord. The living creatures and elders sang the new song in 5:8-10. “Oh sing to the LORD a new song,
 for he has done marvelous things!
 His right hand and his holy arm
 have worked salvation for him.
 The LORD has made known his salvation;
 he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.
 He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness
 to the house of Israel.
 All the ends of the earth have seen
 the salvation of our God.”
 (Psalm 98:1–3) The singers here are not the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders any more than they are the throne, nor are the singers the 144k. The singers seem to be those saints already in heaven, those celebrating celestially, as in 7:10. But these 144k are encouraged by the worship service. It is an interesting statement to say that No one was able to learn the song except the 144k, and those 144k are the ones having been redeemed from the earth. Here is another part of the scene that makes less sense if the 144k represent all the saints; what would be the point about limiting who can learn the lyrics? Instead, it fits to say that there is something these chosen ones are able to understand differently than others. This "new song" is God's deliverance of them through His sealing in the midst of the dragon and beast's attack. THE SELECT (verses 4-5) Though the 144k are not written out again, they are described with three parallel phrases, "these...these...these.." ”It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb, and in their mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless.” (verses 4-5)
 First, the Select are pure. There is a good deal of debate over the nature of this purity. All those who understand the 144k as symbolic of all the saints must interpret this virginity metaphorically. And there is biblical context for a figurative lack of defilement with idols, sometimes referred to as spiritual adultery and even harlotry. But John's phrasing here is explicit: with women, not with idols, and called virgins. A question I like to ask is, if John had meant to describe physical purity, how could he have done it more clearly than this? Yes, marriage is good, instituted by God, and the marriage bed is blessed when it is undefiled. But there seems to be something unique about this group, who did not even get married, which would be a future application of Paul's instructions in 1 Corinthians 7:26 about a “present distress.” This is not a call for everyone, but for this particular group. Second, the Select are loyal. They are following the Lamb wherever He goes. Jesus' call to His disciples was, "Follow me." Third, the Select are honest. They are the ones having been redeemed from men to be firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. They were chosen and bought, and selected as a special offering. Perhaps the word “firstfruits” (aparche) is better understood as "contribution" rather than emphasizing the first part. Or it could mean that there are still a number of (Jews) to be saved, and the 144k are witnesses to them. It is hard to imagine why the 144k would be both part and all believers. But no lie was found in their mouths, which Zephaniah had prophesied (Zephaniah 3:13, see 3:11-17). During this time, society is a lie. The beast lies about his power, the second beast lies about the glory of the first. Men lie to each other about glory, even if they believe the lies they tell. The select won't abide fake news and false reports. So they are blameless, not as in without sin, but they do the truth. They take their stand with the Lamb, and have no deceit like Him in their suffering (Isaiah 53:9). CONCLUSION In summary, the 144k 1) stand with the Lamb on Mount Zion, 2) have His name on their forehead, 3) learn the new song, 4) are redeemed from earth, 5) are virgins, 6) follow the Lamb, 7) are a special contribution, 8) do not lie, 9) are blameless. And also, while I believe these describe a future generation of select believers who endured the Great Tribulation and see the Lamb on Mount Zion in His millennial kingdom, they provide a pattern for those of us living now in great tribulation. There is application for us. We are select for now, we are called to obey here, to not stand in the way of sinners but to follow Christ and speak the truth. Some of the most highly blessed have been some of the most severely tested. Don't despise the heat God uses to increase your capacity for joy. We are not the 144k, but we are offerings to God, who have been redeemed and sealed by the Spirit and given a song and follow the Lamb with loyalty and must resist the lies of the beast. As Psalm 107:2, let the redeemed of the Lord sing so. ---- Charge: The benediction for today is well-known. These are the final words before the apocalypse, they are fitting, fortifying. We are given over to the One who has selected us and who has strength to keep us on our feet until we see categorical glory with cosmic joy; misery swallowed up in majesty. Stand with the Lamb, follow Him wherever He goes. Benediction: "Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen." (Jude 24–25)

Audio Transcript: Good morning. My name is Jan. I'm one of the pastors here at Mosaic. If you're new, if you're visiting, welcome. We're so glad you are here. We'd love to connect with you. If you'd like to connect with us, we'll do that through the connection card that you hopefully received, or you can fill it out online. With that said, would you... Happy September, by the way. We're entering the most glorious season in Boston, September and October. It's all downhill from there, so enjoy.Would you pray with me over the preaching of God's Word? Holy God, we thank you that you are a great God. You are a glorious God. You are an all-powerful God. You care for us. I pray, Lord, that you bless these series in the Psalms. I pray, Lord, that you deepen our devotion for you as you expand our vision of you. Not only are you glorious, but you are beautiful. You are so creative. You are the greatest artist, and you're the greatest poet. I pray that your Psalms, your poetry, becomes our poetry, that these words become our words, that these prayers become our prayers. I pray that you teach us to love you not just with our minds. It's too easy to just stay there. I pray that you ignite our emotion for you, our affection for you, our imagination for you. Redeem our emotions, redeem our affections, our desires, and our imagination. Please do that through your Holy Word.Jesus, remind us that you are the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, and you call us to bring every single square inch of our lives under your dominion. You entrusted us to us so that we submit ourselves to you and as we do, we experience blessing. I pray everyone that hears these words find true blessing in life, finds the best life that there is, which is the blessed life from you. We pray that you bless our time in these Holy Scriptures. We pray this in Jesus name, amen.So we're starting a new sermon series called Balm Psalms. Balm, as you know, is... It's a soothing ointment. It's to soothe physical ailments, but in terms of the Psalms, we're talking about a Balm for our souls. And we are also... Right, it's a play on words, bomb, balm. It's theological bombs that God drops into our hearts, into our minds, into our lives to show us that our vision of God is too small. And that's one of the reasons why we don't experience God and the power of God as we should, His presence as we should.The series, hopefully, will be... I want to give you a taste. I want to give you the words. I want to give you a framework for studying the Psalms, for you to dive into them on a daily basis, to bathe your soul in this balm, in these bomb balms that absolutely obliterate these false categories that we have of God. My one goal, my one desire as we go through these series is to help you deepen your devotion to God, not just study theology dryly, but to love God, love His Words, love His work.Now the Psalms are... They're hymns. They're songs of praise. They're prayers, both individual and corporate. They show that praying is important. Singing is important. Experiencing God is important. Creativity is important. Beauty is important. God created all of these. The word for the psalter in the Hebrews, Psalms... It just means praises. It's the largest book in the Old Testament with 2,527 verses. It's quoted more often than any other book in the New Testament. It's quoted more than any other book from the Old Testament over 560 times, it was that important. There's hymns, there's laments, there's thanksgiving.By the way, some of the things I'm sharing with you... I just learned recently. I took a class on preaching through the Psalms at Westminster Seminary in Philadelphia just this summer and just so much goodness. I can't wait to share it with you. One of the things that my professor said is that God invented poetry. God designed poetry. And in the book of Psalms, He shows us how to use poetry as the greatest communicator, he communicates with poetry to communicate to the whole person. Prose... It speaks to the mind. Poetry speaks to the heart, the soul, to our emotions, to our imagination. He invented it to communicate to the whole person.Over 27% of Holy Scripture is poetry, almost a third. God invented it to communicate to us, to stimulate our affections for Him. They're dense. They're intense, emotional, little balms of emotion. It's better to express acute desires of lament, of praise, et cetera. It's given to the community to memorize. That's why these little tricks, these little lines of communicate, these techniques like simile are used, comparison of like or as. Metaphors are used. Metaphors are image based on similarity within difference. God is a sun, S-U-N. God is a rock. God is a lion. Christ is the lamb. God is a shepherd metaphors.There's also anthropomorphism, which are used to... We ascribe, in the poetry, human likeness, human attributes to God because we don't have other ways of understanding Him, so God moves with His fingers. He has hands. There's thick darkness under His feet. The psalmist says, "Lord, I pray that you keep me as the apple of your eye." Does God have an eye? No, but you know He's communicating.There's zoomorphism where we ascribe animal form or attributes to God. God, hide me in the shadow of your wing. I love that. You can see that image. Hide me in the shadow of your wing. There's laments. There's hymns. There's thanksgiving. There's psalms of ascent where the Israelites would sing on the way up to Jerusalem to celebrate the festival. There's songs of trust. This is how you trust God in times of chaos there's royal psalms to remind us that God is King. He deserves our submission and our affection. There's Psalms about Zion, about the city of God, salvation history. There's Torah Psalms, one of which we're going to cover today. Torah Psalms, Psalms 1, Psalm 19, Psalm 119. Torah doesn't just mean God's law. It means God's teaching. It means God's wisdom. He teaches us what His mind is like, how He thinks so that we think His thoughts after Him.There's five books of the Psalms. The Psalms is just one book, but there's five within Psalms 1 through 41... That's one book. Then 42 through 72, then 73 through 89, 90-106, then 107-150. Each book concludes with a doxology to praise Him, praise God. And the fifth book ends with a doxology of doxologies, five psalms just telling us to praise God, thank Him for who He is, and worship Him for who He is. God, thank you. God, thank you for being so amazing.Today we're going to cover Psalms 1 and 2 and I call this the two pillars into the temple that is the Psalms. They're meant to be read together, understood together. I'll just show you a few reasons why this is true. The first line of Psalm 1 begins with blessed or happy. This is the way to happiness. This is the way to true joy, a serenity of heart. The first line of the second Psalm ends also with blessed. This is the way to happiness. This is the way to blessing.Psalm 1:6, we see, it says, "For the Lord knows the ways or the path of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish." And Psalms 2:12, "Kiss the Son, lest he be angry. You perish in the way for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in Him." Psalm 1 talks about meditating on that which will lead to life and Psalm 2 talks about meditating on that which will lead to death. Psalm 1:2, "But His delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he mediates day and night." That same word is used in Psalm 2:1, "Why do the nations rage? And the peoples plot in vain." Plot, in Hebrew, same word as meditate. Some mediate to find out. What is God like? How can I be in tune with His will? And others meditate on how to rebel against God.So with that introduction, would you look with me, please, at Psalm 1 and Psalm 2. Psalm 1:1, "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers. But His delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.""Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, "Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us." He who sits in the heavens laughs. The Lord holds them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, "As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill." I will tell of the decree. The Lord said to me, "You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel." Now therefore, O kings, be wise. Be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him."This is the reading of God's holy, inerrant, infallible, authoritative Word. May He write these eternal truths upon our hearts. Two points to frame up our time together, only two, because that's all we need. We'll talk about the blessings of the law, and we'll talk about the blessings of the king. First, the blessings of the law. One things I just want to point out. As you study, I took six semesters of Hebrew in seminary, not enough. Just even a little study of the original language, you begin to see the wordplay. You begin to see God's genius in this book, in all of Holy Scripture. I'll just point one things out. This is just God flexing. The first word of Psalm 1 begins with aleph, which is the first letter in the Hebrew alphabet. And then the last word in the Psalm begins with tav, which is the last letter in the alphabet.This is what He's saying. He's saying, "This Psalm shows you the A through Z of how to live a godly, blessed life." God is about to expose to us, reveal to us a secret of the blessed life, of the happy life. Psalm 1, "Blessed is the man or blessed is the person who walks, not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers, but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night." Psalm 1 is a Torah psalm like 19 and 119, to teach us not just the law and a lot of us this is what we don't understand. When we think about God's law, we think of about God restricting us from keep from something fun, from something, something that will lead to life. No God's law isn't offense to keep us from joy and happiness.God's law is a guardrail to keep us from dying to keep us from perishing. So His law is actually good. Its His wisdom. And we know that God, when you understand, there are some laws that are just stupid in the United States, I can give you a lot of examples but my time is limited. There are some laws that are just arbitrary, like who invented this law? This is dumb. And because I don't know that the government loves me.The government never written me a letter that say, "Jan I really love you. I love you so much. I'm going to forgive you. All of your taxes. I'm going to forgive you all of your debts, someone has paid your debts for you." You know what? If that happened I'd be yeah, teach laws are good. These people have my best in mind. But when you read God's law, it's coming from a loving God who has the absolute but your best in mind.He wants you to flourish. It's like a father writing letters, writing guidelines to his children. I want you to prosper. This is the way to the best life. And the best life is the blessed life. And He begins by saying there's two, two wisdoms. There's a wisdom from God and there's counsel for God. And there's wisdom that's evil. So the man who's blessed is a person who does not take the advice of wicked people.Instead takes that advice and compares it to the advice of God. And I grew up in a Christian home. My dad taught me early on. He said, "Look, there's going to be people in your life especially when I went to college, there are people in your life who have PhDs, who have multiple PhDs who have accomplished a lot academically." He says but when you look at their life, morally they're fools, their lives have been lived in folly. And you can look at the consequences of that folly. You can be a genius in terms of the world and still be a fool from the perspective of God.So blessed is the person who does not take the counsel of the wicked. We take counsel wicked all the time. It's we're inundated with it. We drive in the car with my girls we're driving to visit my parents yesterday. And they're like, let's turn on the radio. I don't want to turn on the radio because there's so much trash on the radio that just inundating us. And this is advice. This is how to live. This is the best life. And we're getting these messages. We're getting this narrative from every which person that you can live your best life apart from God. So blessed is the person that does not take the counsel of the wicked.So meaning if you're a Christian, you will look different than the crowd, especially in a place like Boston. Your decision should be patently different, fundamentally different, your pattern of life, your lifestyle, the way you speak, the way you think, the way you live when no one is looking.And you see the progression here in verse one, it's about walking in the counsel than standing in the way of sinners and then sitting in the seat of scoffers. There's growing comfort with evil. First of all, you listen to it it's a casual acquaintance, and then you're standing in it. And then finally you sit down into the ways of evil. And He's not saying that we can't interact with those who are not Christians or those who don't love The Lord. Jesus He spend time with sinners. He would eat with sinners and fellowship with sinners in a sense in order to save them, in order to influence them to come onto the path of the Lord in order to have their sins forgiven.And we are to do the same. And this is just a basic question. Do your non-Christian friends influence you more than you influence them? Do they influence your life more than you influence their life? And it all begins with finding the true blessedness of the true wisdom verse two, His delight is in the law of the Lord. You don't just read it. You delight in it.And on His law. He meditates day and night. You so delight in it. You're always thinking about God's law. You're only speaking about God. You bring in God into every conversation. You're bringing God into every single decision God's law. Psalm 19:7-8, "And the law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandments of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes." Psalm 119:97, "Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day."So scriptures are not just to be read and not just to be studied they're to be heated absorbed. They're just saturate our minds and they're to be delighted in, the scriptures teach us the wisdom of God teaches us who God is, who we are about our human predicament, about the possibilities we are to pray the Psalms, trust the Psalms delight and meditate in them. This guides our path and keeps us from the path of perishing. Psalm 1:3, "He's like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither, in all that he does, he prospers." He's saying that the blessed people, those who meditate in God's law day and night, they're rooted. There's a stability. There's a profound peace. There's a groundedness or plantedness and there's also prosperity.That you do prosper you're alive. One of the things I do want to point out here is in the Hebrew for planted, is like a tree that's planted. It's a divine passive that's the term. It's a divine passive participle. He's planted the question is by whom? By whom is the righteous person planted? Is planted by the great gardener himself and actually in Hebrew. The word for planted is transplanted. Transplanted and is communicating the God finds us a wild shoe in an arid arid land. He digs us up and he transfers us to a place of streams of water, a place where we will flourish.A place that's well-watered and he plants us in Himself. He plants us in his word and our souls are nourished like streams of water through God's word. This is what salvation is like. Salvation is God pouring His spirit into our lives, transplanting us from a life of sin, into a life that honors God wants to be with God. John 4:14, this is Jesus with the woman, the Samaritan woman at the well and he tells her, "Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."God communicates the sin what sin does is it promises us water. Instead it makes us even more thirsty. It promises us refreshing water instead it gives us saltwater that makes us even more thirsty. So you need more and more and more of the sin. And you're never, you're never satisfied.John 7: 37-39, and the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, "If anyone thirst, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me as the scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." Now this, he said about the spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, and as yet, the spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. Saying the water waters, the stream of water it's the Holy Spirit. Are you planted next to the Holy Spirit? Are you watered on a daily basis by the Holy Spirit? That's why He starts with the word of God, because the word of God was written by the Holy spirit.You experienced the Holy spirit. As you read meditate, delight in what He wrote. He's always with us. And He fills us with satisfaction with delight. I've always loved the phrase in whatever he does he'll prosper. And I've always prayed that over my life, Lord, I want to prosper in everything I do. And for some reason, the very first thing that always comes to mind is money. God, you said I'm going to prosper. I Want to prosper in all that I do. I want to prosper in everything. And I just want to point out here, there is a prosperity when you live according to God's wisdom, there's a material prosperity that comes when this tree produces fruit for whom does the tree produce fruit? For itself? No trees can't eat fruit. The tree produces fruit to refresh others. So He's talking about prosperity in service, prosperity in generosity, prosperity in giving, prosperity in blessing. And this is where the teaching of Jesus Christ comes in and connects with Psalm 1.Jesus Christ said, "It's more blessed to give than to receive." The true blessing isn't when you hoard, when you get more for yourself, because what's the point of fruit being produced and then falling and rotting on the ground there's no point there.He's saying this is prosperity when it comes to the Kingdom of God. Psalm 1:4, "And the wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away." Chaff and here he's using the imagery of ancient farming practices, where they would get grains, sheaves of grain and they would bring them into the barn. And they will lay them down on the threshing floor and crushed the grain with a threshing sledge and then take a winnowing fork and toss up the grain. And as they toss up the grain, the grain, the heavy grain, the seed falls down to the floor while everything else gets blown away by the wind.And that's what chaff is. That's the chaff. And he says, righteous are like a tree they're well, water. The chaff is dry and it gets blown around by the wind dried up, not bearing fruit. It's worthless, it's dead. Psalm 1:5, "Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. And He's saying the judgment is imminent. It's inevitable. And God, the King, He will judge every single one of us." Psalm 1:6, "For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish." And the word here for knows is intimately knows. He's watching over. He's guiding as a father, as a shepherd, embraces cares for watches over as the righteous walks in the way, walks in the path that God has for us. In the book of Acts, the Christians were called people of the way as we followed Jesus.There's two ways in life when we talked about this last week, but it's all over scripture. One leading to life, the other to death, Deuteronomy 30:19-20, "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice holding fast to Him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, to Jacob, and give.Joshua 1:8 talks about the same thing as one of my favorite verses actually my senior in my yearbook, senior yearbook in high school, this verse was under my picture. Don't try to find that picture. That was back when boy bands were cool, bleached hair frosted tip, don't look at it, but there's still a Bible verse to show that there's redemption, even in folly. Joshua 1:8 "This book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on a day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous and then you will have good success.And He starts there because... And I start there because many Christians today, they have this perverted theology of Christianity where Jesus died on the cross for my sins. He forgives me and my sins so I can live any way that I want false. False if you're a true Christian. If your sins have been truly forgiven you're a Child of God, and you want to honor God who is a King, he is your Father, but he's still a King. And when he tells us something to do, we are to do it. Yes, there's forgiveness when we repent.But true repentance is turning away from sin, not just being sad for the consequence of the sin, not just being sad, that there is judgment for that sin. And then going back to the folly, no. Who is the ultimately blessed man? Is Jesus in the Psalm? Yes, of course he is the word for man blessed is the man, it's emphatically masculine for a reason. It's a reference to a particular man, the son of God, who is the son of man. He's the mediator between God and man, the man, Jesus Christ. Who delighted in God's law like nobody else, who did this perfectly, who meditated on the law of God day and night, who embodies this Psalm? It's Jesus Christ.Did Jesus care about the law. Yeah. His very first sermon. The Sermon on the Mount Matthew 5:17-18 He says, "Do not think that I've come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass away from the Law until it is accomplished."Jesus Christ came and He loved the Law so much. He loved God's wisdom so much. He fulfilled it completely. He did not sin once. Every single one of the 10 commandments, he fulfilled, he didn't just not do what was said, do not do this. He also did everything that was prescribed to do so. So as you take the 10 commandments there's sins of commission do not murder, do not covet, et cetera, et cetera. And then there's sins of omission. The opposite. The flip side is this is what you are to do.Thou shall not have no other gods before me, therefore, worship God and worship him alone. Jesus fulfilled the law and He goes to a cross and bears the penalty as if he did not obey the law. How does that happen? How does God the Father allow God the son to be punished for transgressing the Law. It says cursed is anyone who hangs on a tree. Jesus, hanged on a tree, bearing our curse upon Himself. He did it in order to save us. So he's talking, don't be wicked. Don't walk in the way of wicked. That was every single one of us.And Jesus comes and He lives the life that we were supposed to live, but didn't, and He goes to the cross and He bears the penalty that we deserve to bear so that we wouldn't have to. So how can I become this blessed person? How can I make sure that I don't bear the curse of God trust in Jesus Christ, give your life to Jesus Christ, repent of sin, turn to him and you become a Child of God. And he puts you on the path on the way where you will be blessed and find blessing as you delight in the word of God.Matthew 7:!3-14, "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few."Have you found this life? Have you found this way? Jesus welcomes us to Himself to the way, the second point blessings of the King in this Psalm there's opposition, between the righteous and the wicked. Again, these two categories and the different chaining factor between the righteous and the wicked is submission to the King.And the main theme of Psalm 2 is the kingdom and dominion of God. And this is why Jesus taught us to pray that kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. It's an invitation to a God-centered life, a God-centered world, dominion of God, the kingdom that was and is and is to come. So when we meditate on someone, when we meditate on God's Law, we hear the voice Of the King who gives that law and who enforces that law?The God is a God of law and order for prosperity sake and for His glory. So the keys to happiness in Psalm 1 and 2 is happy or blessed are those who meditate on the law of God, delight in the law of God. And then Psalm 2 is blessed and happy is everyone who takes refuge in the King, who takes refuge in God, in the gospel of Jesus Christ. God is in charge, God is in control of everything.Therefore we can rejoice. That's what Psalm 2 is about. And there's four acts in Psalm 2 and applies to King Dave, ultimately to the King of Kings, which is Jesus. So at first, the first act is verses one through three questions about chaos. The author is saying, "God, where are you?" When there's so much chaos and calamity in the world? God, where are you? This is Psalm 2:1, why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The Kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, "Let us burst their bonds apart and cast their cords from us."Who's this anointed capital A in the ESV. This is the Messiah. This is the one who is anointed to be the King of Kings. He's talking about the son of God, who was also the son of David. And He's saying the nations are gathering to get the Kings of the world are gathering to get the plot against God. God, we don't want to submit to you. We want to be kings of our own lives. We want to sit on our own thrones and He's so he's not just talking about political Kings. He's including those. Is talking about us. He's talking about every single human being who wants to be King of our lives. We want to decide what is law? What is good? What is evil what's allowed and what isn't. And the author of this rebellion is Satan himself. And Genesis 3:15 God says, "I'll put enmity between you Satan and the woman, between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel." He's talking about the offspring of the woman here is Jesus Christ, bruising the head of Satan. And He did that on the cross. And as he bruised and the image of Christ, putting his heel into the head of Satan, crushing, you said giving him a death blow.He didn't kill him. But on the cross he gave him a deathblow bruised... Satan bruised, the heel of Jesus and Jesus bruised Satan's head. But even that from the very beginning from the garden, there's still enmity between God and his people and Satan and his people. And God calmly sits on his throne. I love this image of our sick in verse four. He who sits in the heavens, laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. And he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury saying, "As for me, I've set my King on Zion, my holy hill."Does God laugh? God does laugh. God has a sense of humor. God invented laughter. And one of them there's lots of... you can prove that God has a sense of humor, by just looking at creation, just many, many examples where it's like, God's just messing with us. My favorite, perhaps this is new, but I've never heard anyone really talking about Luther mentioned this a little bit. God is sitting on his throne. He's sitting. He's not worried. And He's laughing at people who are sitting on their thrones. They're trying to be Kings and he's laughing at them because those same people who are Kings of this world, God created every single person in such a way.We're on a daily basis. You have to sit on a thrown. In order for cleansing to happen. So the most glorious Kings in all of creation, the most glorious presence, the most Napoleon and Alexander, the gray and everybody on a daily basis, they're humbled. There's a deep theology there. There's deep, deep theology. So next time you're on the throne actually as your body is being cleansed, repent.So your soul gets cleansed. You're welcome, is transformative. To God just creating a designing like humbling aspect God's laughing and God doesn't take pleasure in the death of the wicked. So He's not laughing like ha ha, I'm going to kill you. I can whack you in a second. He can. What scripture says, "He doesn't want the death of a wicked." So he puts a plan into place. How can I deal with the rebels? How can I redeem the rebels and bring them into my family? How can I do this? And still remain just, and we see that in this Psalm as well.God's anointed speaks and reveals God's plan for dealing with the rebellion. That's verse seven, I will tell you of the decree: The Lord said to me, this is Jesus speaking the Lord said to me, "You are my Son; today I have begotten you." Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.What's God's way of dealing with the rebellion without killing the rebels. He sends a son and he says, "Today I have begotten you." And a lot of people have misunderstood this language of begotteness. They think, oh, the Father created the sun and there's lots of cults and lots of heresies that have come from that theology. No, that's not what He's talking about. The sun hasn't been has existed before all of eternity, the son, there was never a moment when Jesus Christ was not.Jesus is part of the Trinity Father, Son, the Holy Spirit. So what's the begotten language today. I have forgotten you. He's talking about a particular day today on this day, when the identity of Jesus Christ was manifested. When the father bore witness to Christ as being his son and full power. When was Jesus Christ manifested as truly the Son of God in the resurrection, when he comes back from the dead. That's what the begotten language is talking about. The begotten is the resurrection. Where do you get that? In Romans 1:1-4, Paul, a servant of Chris Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord.You are my son today. I've begun He's talking about the resurrection. When the manifestation of Jesus, as the Son of God happened, and this, we see prophesied in Psalm 2 written over a thousand years before Jesus Christ was born. The genius of God's plan, the genius of God's word, who's the author talking about, of course Jesus Christ. Matthew 1:1, the book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of God, the son of Abraham. Revelation 17:14, they will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings. And those with him are called and chosen and faithful.So the promise happened that Jesus would be born, the King would come and the King came humbly to serve, to give his life as a ransom for many, resurrected ascends to heaven, and then he's coming back. So this Psalm is a warning and it's also an invitation warning judgment is coming invitation, repent of your sins. Every knee will bow Philippians 2:9-11, therefore God is highly exalted him and bestowed on him a name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.Everybody will bow and everybody will confess either you do it in humility in this life, or you'll do it in humiliation when Jesus returns. That's why He gives us this closing appeal in Psalm 2:9, you shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a Potter's vessel.Judgment is real. Jesus Christ is coming back. We live in 2020 with every single day. I'm like, Jesus coming back today. He's coming back, with every single new iteration of the 2020 craziness like Jesus coming back. He's got to come back. But it's true with every day brings us closer to the physical return of Jesus Christ in the second coming. Revelation 11:15, then the seventh angel blew his trumpet and there were loud voices in heaven saying the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ and He shall remain forever and ever.So Jesus is coming back. Why? To crush all opposition to reign and righteous and son David's throne. Revelation 19:15-16, from his mouth comes a sword, a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. And he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the wine press of the fury of the wrath of God almighty on his robe. And on his thigh, He has a name written King of kings and Lord of lords. When Jesus returns, he will return physical.And He will reign physically for a thousand years and Satan and all who, who followed Him will be thrown to lake of fire and tormented forever. That's a reality. That's a fact. And now the Psalmist ends with this appeal. Now, therefore, O Kings be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for the wrath his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.He goes, it's incredible back and forth, fear and trembling. He's coming as a King to vanquish all his enemies. So don't be his enemy. Take refuge in Him, submit to Him. Every single one of us we're in verse three, let us burst their bonds apart and cast away, their cords from us. Have you never had the thought how much life would be easier if there was no God, if there were no rules, if there were no commandments, can you, we've all been there.We've all wanted a reality apart from God, we all try to try to create these excuses and he's here. We've all done this. We've all fallen short of the glory of God, but he says, "Take refuge in him." Not from Him in Him, don't run from God. Run to God. There's no refuge from Him, but there's refuge in Him. So run to Jesus Christ, run to Christ today. King Jesus taught us the way of happiness the way of blessedness. And I'm going to read this, the introduction to the Sermon on the Mount. And that'll be our transition to Holy Communion. But this is Psalm 1 and 2 echoed in Jesus' first sermon, Matthew 5:2-11, and he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.And blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, and for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you amen.At this moment, we're going to transition to Holy Communion. I've been waiting for this for five months. You've got these cool little cups, they got both bread and the cup. If you are a Christian, a repentant Christian, if you have repented of your sins, and if you are continuing to repent of your sins, your welcome to participate in Holy Communion. If you are not a Christian, or if you are in sin, now that you have not repented off, please refrain from this part of the service.Instead, spend this time repenting of sin and meditating upon God. If someone who wants to participate in communion has not received one of these. We can bring you some, just raise your hand if you haven't received one of these. So the way it works is you take the top off and there's a little piece of bread right there. This is actually my first time ever doing this.And then there's little thing that you take off for the cup there it is. Alright. The night that Jesus Christ was betrayed, he took the bread and after breaking it, he said, "This is my body broken for you, take it and do this in remembrance of me."(silence)He then took the cup. He said, "This cup is a cup of the new covenant of my blood just pour out for the sins of many take drink, and do this in remembrance of me."Heavenly Father you are a great God. Thank you so much for sending your son, Jesus Christ, your beloved son, your begotten son, to die on a cross for our sins, bearing the full brunt of your wrath for the curse that we deserve for our law breaking. For our rebellion, for our sin and our sins. Lord, we thank you that you provided a way for the rebels to become your children. We pray Holy Spirit continue to fill each one of us.We want to be like the blessed person, the blessed man, the blessed woman planted by the streams of living water, which is the Holy Spirit. Lord we thank you for the songs and we pray that in this next season, you do deepen our devotion for you. We pray this in Christ's name. Amen.

The world will always remind chaos if we don't value the Holy Spirit, His Anointing and His Anointed

The world as well as the church will remain chaos and dry without placing a demand on the Holy Spirit, His Anointing and His Anointed.

Do you hear the laughter-- Mankind's revolution against God is raging. Baby murdering fornicators and adulterers are marching to war over the bodies of 1.6 billion babies in their bloody, genocidal sexual revolution against God. Homosexuals, lesbians, men pretending to be women, women pretending to be men, men pretending to be married to men, and women pretending to be married to women are marching to war in their perverse rebellion against God. Black Lives Matter rioters are marching to war for abortion, sexual perversion, and Marxism...against God and His design and definition of family and gender. Our cities are burning. Our statues are being toppled. Our streets are full of violence. Our police are despised, defunded, and disbanded. Anarchy is in the land. Plague and plague insanity are in the land. America and the Western World are crumbling. What is the answer-- What are Christians to do-- And what is that laughter I hear----Psalm 2-1-6-Why do the nations rage,-And the people plot a vain thing-- -2 The kings of the earth set themselves,-And the rulers take counsel together,-Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, -3 -Let us break Their bonds in pieces-And cast away Their cords from us.- -4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh--The Lord shall hold them in derision. -5 Then He shall speak to them in His wrath,-And distress them in His deep displeasure- -6 -Yet I have set My King-On My holy hill of Zion.-

Do you hear the laughter- Mankind's revolution against God is raging. Baby murdering fornicators and adulterers are marching to war over the bodies of 1.6 billion babies in their bloody, genocidal sexual revolution against God. Homosexuals, lesbians, men pretending to be women, women pretending to be men, men pretending to be married to men, and women pretending to be married to women are marching to war in their perverse rebellion against God. Black Lives Matter rioters are marching to war for abortion, sexual perversion, and Marxism...against God and His design and definition of family and gender. Our cities are burning. Our statues are being toppled. Our streets are full of violence. Our police are despised, defunded, and disbanded. Anarchy is in the land. Plague and plague insanity are in the land. America and the Western World are crumbling. What is the answer- What are Christians to do- And what is that laughter I hear---Psalm 2-1-6-Why do the nations rage,-And the people plot a vain thing- -2 The kings of the earth set themselves,-And the rulers take counsel together,-Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, -3 -Let us break Their bonds in pieces-And cast away Their cords from us.- -4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh--The Lord shall hold them in derision. -5 Then He shall speak to them in His wrath,-And distress them in His deep displeasure- -6 -Yet I have set My King-On My holy hill of Zion.-

Set Your Mind “Mind Set” – Part 2 (Set Your Mind) Text: Colossians 3:2-5 Colossians 3:2-5 (NKJV) 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. 5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Psalm 150:1-6 1Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. 2Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. 3Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. 4Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. 5Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. 6Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD. James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. 2 Chronicles 20:18-22 18And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD. 19And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high. 20And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. 21And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever. 22And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten. Psalm 103:1-5 1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. If you want to make the enemy look SMALL, then make God look BIG with your praise. PRAISE DOESN'T CHANGE GOD'S POWER, IT CHANGES OUR PERSPECTIVE! (It sets our MINDS on things above) Magnify the Lord in praise! Psalm 34:1-4 1 I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. 3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. •YOU CAN SET YOUR MIND THROUGH PRAISE… If you LAUNCH THE WEAPON OF PRAISE TO GOD – you will live in victory! THE WORSHIPPER'S ALPHABET (by Raymond Woodward) •You can talk about your ANXIETIES, or you can praise the Advocate, the All in All, the Almighty, the Alpha and Omega, the Altogether Lovely, the Amen, the Anointed, the Apostle of our Profession, the Author of Eternal Salvation, and the One who is Alive Forevermore. •You can talk about your BITTERNESS, or you can praise the Banner, the Bearer of Sin, the Beginning and the Ending, the Beloved, the Buckler, the Branch, the Bread, the Blessed Hope, the Bridegroom, the Bright and Morning Star, and the One who is Before All Things. •You can talk about your CONCERNS, or you can praise the Captain of our Salvation, the Chief Cornerstone, the Chosen of God, the Christ, the Chief Shepherd, the Cleft of the Rock, the Comforter, the Commander, the Consolation, the Counselor, the Creator, and the Chiefest Among Ten Thousand. •You can talk about your DEPRESSION, or you can praise the Daysman, the Day Spring from on High, the Daystar to Arise, the Defense, the Deliverer, the Desire of all Nations, and the Dwelling Place. •You can talk about your EMPTINESS, or you can praise the Elect, the Eternal God, the Everlasting Light, the Ensign, Emmanuel, the Everlasting Name, the Express Image of God, and the Everlasting Father. •You can talk about your FEARS, or you can praise the Faithful and True, the Finisher of your Faith, the First Begotten of the Dead, the Firstborn, the Faithful High Priest, the Firstfruits of Them that Slept, the Fortress, the Foundation, the Fountain of Living Waters, the Friend of Sinners, the Faithful and True, the Foreordained before the Foundation of the World, and the Friend that Sticketh Closer than a Brother. •You can talk about your GUILT, or you can praise the Gift of God, the Glorious Name, the Good Master, the Glory of God, God Blessed Forever, God Manifest in Flesh, God Who Avengeth Me, God With Us, God of My Strength, the Great Shepherd of the Sheep, the Guiltless, the Governor, the God of My Life, the Great God, the Guide, and the God of My Salvation. •You can talk about your HABITS, or you can praise the Habitation of Justice, the Head of all Principality and Power, the Head of the Body, the Heir of All Things, the Helper, the Hidden Manna, the Hiding Place, the High Priest, the High Tower, the Holy One, the Hope of Glory, the Horn of Salvation, the House of Defense, and the High and Lofty One who Inhabiteth Eternity. •You can talk about your INSECURITIES, or you can praise the I Am, the Innocent, Immanuel, and the Image of the Invisible God. •You can talk about your JEALOUSIES, or you can praise Jesus Christ, the Judge of the Quick and the Dead, the Jasper Stone, the Just One, and the Judge of All the Earth. •You can talk about your KNOWLEDGE, or you can praise the King of Glory, the King of Saints, the Keeper, the King Eternal, the King Immortal, the Kinsman, the King in His Beauty, the King Forever and Ever, the Kindness and Love of God, the King of Kings, and the King who Cometh in the Name of the Lord. •You can talk about your LONELINESS, or you can praise the Last Adam, the Lawgiver, the Life, the Lifter Up of Mine Head, the Light of the World, the Lily of the Valleys, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Living Bread, the Lord of Lords, the Living God, the Lord God Almighty, the Lord of Glory, the Lowly in Heart, the Lord God Omnipotent, and the Lamb that was Slain before the Foundation of the World. •You can talk about your MISERY, or you can praise the Magnified, the Maker, the Man Christ Jesus, the Man of Sorrows, the Manna, the Master, the Mediator, the Meek, the Mouth of God, the Merciful and Faithful High Priest, the Messiah, the Mighty God, the Morning Star, the Mystery of God, and the One who is Marvelous in our Eyes. •You can talk about your NEEDS, or you can praise the Nazarene, the Nail Fastened in a Sure Place, and the Name Above Every Name. •You can talk about your OFFENSES, or you can praise the Offering and Sacrifice, the Offspring of David, the Ointment Poured Forth, the Only Potentate, the Omega, the Only Wise God, and the Only Begotten of the Father. •You can talk about your PROBLEMS, or you can praise the Passover, the Pavilion, the Perfect Man, the Physician, the Place of Refuge, the Portion of Mine Inheritance, the Potter, the Precious Corner Stone, the Preeminence, the Priest of the Most High God, the Prince and Saviour, the Prophet, the Propitiation, the Purifier, and the Prince of Peace. •You can talk about your QUESTIONS, or you can praise the One who is the Quickening Spirit. •You can talk about your REASONS, or you can praise the Rain, the Ransom for All, the Rabbi, the Redeemer, the Redemption, the Refiner's Fire, the Resting Place, the Righteousness of God, the Refuge in Times of Trouble, the Rock of Our Salvation, the Root and Offspring of David, the Rose of Sharon, the Ruler, the Reward for the Righteous, the Riches of His Glory, the Righteous Judge, the River of Water in a Dry Place, the Resurrection and the Life, and the Rock that is Higher Than I. •You can talk about your SADNESS, or you can praise the Sacrifice for Sins, the Salvation of God, the Seed of the Woman, the Sanctuary, the Saving Strength of His Anointed, the Saviour of the World, the Scapegoat, the Scepter of Israel, the Secret, the Seed of Abraham, the Sent One, the Separate from Sinners, the Servant, the Shadow from the Heat, the Shelter, the Shepherd, the Shield, Shiloh, the Sign, the Son of the Living God, the Star of Jacob, the Sweet Smelling Savour, the Stone which the Builders Rejected, the Strength of my Life, the Strong Consolation, the Stronghold, the Strong Tower from the Enemy, the Sure Foundation, and the Same Yesterday, Today and Forever. •You can talk about your TRIALS, or you can praise the Tabernacle of God, the Temple, the Testator, the Treasure, the Teacher, the Testimony, the True Bread, the True Light, the True Vine, the True Witness, the Tender Mercy of God, the Truth, and the Tried Stone. •You can talk about your UNCERTAINTY, or you can praise the Undefiled, the Understanding, the Unknown God, the Unspeakable Gift, the Upright, and the Upholder of All Things. •You can talk about your VICTIMIZATION, or you can praise the Very Great, the Veil, the Victory, the Very God of Peace, the Vine, the Voice, and the Very Present Help in Time of Trouble. •You can talk about your WEAKNESSES, or you can praise the Wall of Fire, the Wave Offering, the Wedding Garment, the Well of Living Waters, the Wisdom of God, the Witness, the Well of Salvation, the Wonderful, the Word, the Worthy, the Wise Master Builder, and the Way, the Truth and the Life. •You can talk about your X-CUSES, or you can praise the One who is X-cellent! •You can talk about your YEARNINGS, or you can praise the One whose Yoke is easy and His Burden is Light. •You can talk about your ZEROS, or you can praise the One who is the Zeal of the Lord of Hosts. •The secret to setting your mind for victory is CONTINUAL PRAISE. Praise God when you are feeling like it, praise God when you don't feel like it! It's always the right time…so SET YOUR MIND, when you are focused on things above…out of your mouth will come the praises of God which will bring about your victory! SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS: Why is it so easy to speak negative and pessimistic things? What circumstances around you lately have tempted you to complain instead of praising? What are 3 things that you can praise God for today? After taking time to praise God for those things and think about the goodness of God – how does your mindset change?

A new MP3 sermon from Sovereign Grace Presbyterian Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Against the LORD and His Anointed Subtitle: Psalm 2 Speaker: Jonathan Mattull Broadcaster: Sovereign Grace Presbyterian Church Event: Prayer Meeting Date: 5/20/2020 Bible: Psalm 2:1-3 Length: 38 min.

Know that God establishes His Anointed -1-7, 2 Samuel 6, John 13-1, 3, Matt. 24-36--God breaks out to defend His Anointed -8-12, Jn. 4-34, Lk. 22-42--God guides His Anointed -13-17-

Service on 1/5/2020 Christmas 2Order/Rite Rite OneService NotesIntroit (printed in bulletin) will come before Entrance Hymn.Psalm 2 (Tone 4), p. 174IntroitWhen Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My Son. Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, Against the Lord and against His Anointed. Glory...GradualAlleluia! Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad before the Lord: for He has made known His salvation. Alleluia!ColorWhiteThemeGod's Protection: Fleeing to EgyptHymnsELH #161 vv. 1-4 O Jesus Christ, Thy Manger IsELH #163 O Rejoice, Ye Christians, LoudlyELH #313 I Come, O Savior, to Thy TableELH #161 vv. 5, 6 O Jesus Christ, Thy Manger IsELH #587 Jesus, Still Lead On

Please note that all new messages by Messianic Bible Teacher Paul Cohen are loaded onto the Brit Chadashah websitehttp://www.BritChadashah.com.au Pondering Psalm 2 1 Why are the nations in an uproar And the peoples devising a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth take their stand And the rulers take counsel together Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, 3 “Let us tear their fetters apart And cast away their cords from us!” 4 He who sits in the heavens laughs, The Lord scoffs at them. 5 Then He will speak to them in His anger And terrify them in His fury, saying, 6 “But as for Me, I have installed My King Upon Zion, My holy mountain.” 7 “I will surely tell of the decree of the Lord: He said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. 8 ‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, And the very ends of the earth as Your possession. 9 ‘You shall break them with a rod of iron, You shall shatter them like earthenware.’ ” 10 Now therefore, O kings, show discernment; Take warning, O judges of the earth. 11 Worship the Lord with reverence And rejoice with trembling. 12 Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way, For His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him! New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update, (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Ps 2:1–12.