THE THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Sayings of the Wise
”20 Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, 21 That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?”
Proverbs 22:20-21
Trust in the Lord to give you His discernment
2 John 1
It is abundantly clear that as John was getting older, and may be the only living Apostle, he was in fact seeing the onslaught of false teachings in the early churches (Antichrist Deceivers). He, as well as Paul and Peter, were making great efforts to educate new Christians of false teaching as well as deter the false teachers by bringing them to the forefront.
2 John 7-11 (KJV), “7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.”
Jude 1
Jude was one of the sons of Mary and Joseph, Jesus’ half-brother, who did not initially believe He was the Messiah.
John 7:3-5 (KJV), “3 His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. 4 For there is no man that doeth anything in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world. 5 For neither did his brethren believe in him.”
Jude makes it very clear that sexual immorality is an abomination to God and destined for eternal damnation
Jude 7 (KJV), “Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.”
Apostates Predicted
Another example of trusting in the Lord to give you His discernment
Jude 17-19 (KJV), “17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. 19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.”
Jeremiah 18
God wanted to restore Israel and Judah but they would not have it. They wanted to proceed in their own ways
Jeremiah 18:12 (KJV), “And they said, There is no hope: but we will walk after our own devices, and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart.”
Proverbs 17 Sayings of the Wise
THE THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Think things through carefully before moving forward
”Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.”
Proverbs 25:8 (KJV)
3 John 1
This Epistle is addressed to a man named Gaius who was a member of an unnamed church that John had the oversight of. John calls this man a “dear friend. Gaius is commended for his hospitality to traveling preachers of the gospel; for his faithfulness; for his love; and for his walking in the truth. According to tradition this Gaius may be the one whom John appointed as bishop of Pergamum.
It is important to understand that God’s Word is not just historical content but live inspiration of wisdom and truth
Hebrews 4:12 (KJV), “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
1 Peter 1:23 (KJV), “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.”
How can there be a greater joy than watching your children grow up to be true faithful ministers of the gospel
3 John 3-4 (KJV), “3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”
Children
Strong’s Concordance (5043) – teknon: a child (of either sex).
As I mentioned before, though words used in today’s bible mean one things, they can easily be used differently based on context.
Thayer’s Greek Lexicon – b. metaphorically, the name is transferred to that intimate and reciprocal relationship formed between men by the bonds of love, friendship, trust, just as between parents and children.
Diotrephes was a self-seeking troublemaker in an unnamed local church in the first century. We know nothing of his background, other than he was probably a Gentile (his name means “nurtured by Jupiter”)
3 John 9-10 (KJV), “9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. 10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.”
There will always be people like Diotrephes who will challenge and fight against the Living Word
3 John 11 (KJV), “Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.”
Revelation 1
[1] “The key to Bible interpretation, especially for the book of Revelation, is to have a consistent hermeneutic. Hermeneutics is the study of the principles of interpretation. In other words, it is the way you interpret Scripture. A normal hermeneutic or normal interpretation of Scripture means that unless the verse or passage clearly indicates the author was using figurative language, it should be understood in its normal sense. We are not to look for other meanings if the natural meaning of the sentence makes sense. Also, we are not to spiritualize Scripture by assigning meanings to words or phrases when it is clear the author, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, meant it to be understood as it is written.” (Gotquestions.org)
John clearly pointed out that God spoke to him directly
Revelation 1:1-2 (KJV), “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: 2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.”
Revelation 1:9-11 (KJV), “I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.”
Revelation 1:19 (KJV), “Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter.”
When is John saying these things will come to pass?
Revelation 1:3 (KJV), “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand [time is near].”
TIME [is]
Strong’s Concordance (2540) – kairos: time, season. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon – the time when things are brought to a crisis, the decisive epoch waited for: so of the time when the Messiah will visibly return from heaven.
NEAR
Strong’s Concordance (1451) – eggus: near (in place or time). Thayer’s Greek Lexicon – 2. of Time; concerning things imminent and soon to come to pass.
Revelation 22:20 (KJV), “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”
Even if the end of all things didn’t take place right away, it was at hand—it was imminent.
QUICKLY
Strong’s Concordance (5035) – tachu: quickly; without unnecessary delay; used of God’s promptness characterizing how He has ordered all physical scenes of life to happen on His perfect timetable without unnecessary “delay”.
Jesus Christ instructs John of Patmos to: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven Churches: to (1) Ephesus, and to (2) Smyrna, and to (3) Pergamum, and to (4) Thyatira, and to (5) Sardis, and to (6) Philadelphia, and to (7) Laodicea
Revelation 1:4 (KJV), “John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne.”
This is a depiction of the Trinity: grace and peace are given by the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the three co-equal Persons of the Godhead.
THE THOUGHT FOR THE DAYWhen in a discussion with a fool, do not bring yourself to their level with a foolish response
“4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.”
Proverbs 26:4-5 (KJV)
Matthew 1
Verses 1 – 16 yield ultimately the genealogy of Jesus through His father, Joseph
From Abraham
Matthew 1:2 (KJV), “Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren.”
Through David
Matthew 1:6 (KJV), “And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias.”
Through the Babylonian captivity to Joseph
Matthew 1:16 (KJV), “And [2]Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.”
In total
Matthew 1:17 (KJV), “So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.”
No doubt that Joseph was not the birth father of our Saviour
Matthew 1:18 (KJV), “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.”
Strong’s Concordance (4905) – sunerchomai: to come together, by ext. to accompany.
Thayer’s Greek Lexicon – b. Like the Latinconvenio equivalent tocoeo: of conjugal cohabitation.
Matthew 1:25 (KJV), “And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.”
Thayer’s Greek Lexicon – is used of the carnal connection of male and female, remcumaliquo oraliquahabere.
Angel of the Lord
Matthew 1:20 (KJV), “But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.”
Strong’s Concordance (2962) – kurios: lord, master.
Thayer’s Greek Lexicon – c. this title is given to God, the ruler of the universe.
Isaiah’s prophecy of Jesus born to a virgin
Isaiah 7:14 (KJV), “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
Revelation 2
The entire chapter 2 was spoken by Jesus to John
The church of Ephesus – The Loveless Church
By the map located in the previous devotion, it is very obvious that the ‘Asia’ mentioned is not the current Asia.
Revelation 2:1 (KJV), “Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks.”
Strong’s Concordance (32) – aggelos: an angel, messenger. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon – 3. Guardian angels of individuals are mentioned in Matthew 18:10; Acts 12:15. ‘The angels of the churches’ in Revelation 1:20; Revelation 2:1, 8, 12, 18; Revelation 3:1, 7, 14 are not their presbyters or bishops, but heavenly spirits who exercise such a superintendence and guardianship over them that whatever in their assemblies is worthy of praise or of censure is counted to the praise or the blame of their angels also, as though the latter infused their spirit into the assemblies.
I reference the above because there are commentaries that regard the angels as the church elders
In the time of the book of Revelation, there were no physical churches
Strong’s Concordance (1577) – ekklésia: an assembly, a (religious) congregation. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon – b. a company of Christians, or of those who, hoping for eternal Salvation through Jesus Christ, observe their own religious rites, hold their own religious meetings, and manage their own affairs according to regulations prescribed for the body for order’s sake; aa. those who anywhere, in city or village, constitute such a company and are united into one body.
Jesus is holding the seven churches in the vision of seven lampstands
Ephesus was a loving and devoted church but was slipping away and Jesus warned them
We do not ever want to lose the grip Jesus has on us
Revelation 2:4-5 (KJV), “4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.”
The church of Smyrna – The Persecuted Church
Revelation 2:9-10 (KJV), “9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. 10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”
James 1:12 (KJV), “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”
[3] “The crown of life is not an actual ornamental headdress but a symbolic representation of God’s recognition for having spiritually triumphed in this life. In the original Greek, the word rendered “crown” in James 1:12 denotes a prize. The term does not refer to a royal crown like those worn by kings and rulers. This crown describes a garland or wreath of laurel foliage that, in ancient times, was placed upon the head of a victorious athlete as an emblem of honor and triumph in a contest.” (Gotquestions.org)
Born twice die once, born once die twice
Revelation 2:11 (KJV), “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.”
[1] https://www.gotquestions.org/Book-Revelation.html
[2] Matthan begot Jacob
Grow in the Word of the Lord 