Turn From Sin to Him!

Joel 2:12-13 
12 “Now, therefore,” says the Lord, “Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.”  13 So rend your heart, and not your garments; return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; and He relents from doing harm."

God's constant call to us is to repent - turn away from doing what He commands not to do (sin), and turning towards Him who eagerly awaits us. A broken heart for our offending God leads us to His mercy and grace, not getting the just punishment we deserve and getting so much we could never even imagine to ask for - adoption as His sons and daughters! 

Repentance, Remission, and Real Life

Luke 24:47-49. 
47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things. 49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”

Acts 1:8. "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Follow Jesus, become a fisher of men.  By His Spirit living in us, we have the ability to bear true and effective witness to the message of repentance to have our sins taken away by His suffering, death, and resurrection.  So His will is simply to go to all the world with this good news of all He has done! The apostles had to wait after Jesus ascended to heaven before they had Him as Spirit living in them; we by our rebirth have Him without the wait - so let us go and tell without waiting, for we know repentance, remission of sin, and real life of abundance in Christ living within us! 

This is Grace.

Hosea 14:1-2, 9.   
1 O Israel, return to the Lord your God, For you have stumbled because of your iniquity; 2 Take words with you, and return to the Lord. say to Him, “Take away all iniquity; receive us graciously, for we will offer the sacrifices of our lips."

"9 Who is wise? Let him understand these things. Who is prudent? Let him know them. For the ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them."

We stumble and fall in our sin against God, but can and must admit (confess) we have done against Him, asking forgiveness.  He promises to take away what is due for our sin, taking us close to Himself again, and we should respond with thanks and praise to honor Him for who He is and all He does in this.  So wisdom then is to live as He wants from the beginning, to be holy because He is holy as it is written.  But such mercy when we do not with forgiveness that remembers no more.... This is grace. 

Redeemed from Death!

Hosea 12:6, 13:4  
6 So you, by the help of your God, return; observe mercy and justice, and wait on your God continually."  14 “I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. O Death, I will be your plagues!  O Grave, I will be your destruction!  Pity is hidden from My eyes.”

1 Corinthians 15:54-57.  "54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “O Death, where is your sting?  O Hades, where is your victory?”  56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

When we follow God, showing mercy and justice as He does, we are looking forward to the resurrection of completed redemption; He conquered death and hell's power to consume us, and we have certainty in the victory which is in Christ alone!  No longer working to earn salvation, we trust fully and solely in Him.  Let us walk that way.

Holy Mercy by Grace

Hosea 11:7-9   
7 My people are bent on backsliding from Me. Though they call to the Most High, none at all exalt Him.  9 I will not execute the fierceness of My anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim. For I am God, and not man, The Holy One in your midst; and I will not come with terror.

When we all in our sin wandered away from God, He sent His Son to quell His just anger for our sin against Him, choosing to forgive in mercy and unearned favor.  This grace promises forgiveness here and forever, paying our price for turning away from all He told us from Eden till now.  He is God, holy and not like us, so can choose not to execute judgment but show mercy.  But those who refuse to find refuge in Christ will still face that justice when face to face with Him.

Righteousness Sown and Rained Down

Hosea 10:12-13  
12 Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, till He comes and rains righteousness on you.  13 You have plowed wickedness; you have reaped iniquity. You have eaten the fruit of lies, because you trusted in your own way, in the multitude of your mighty men.

All we like sheep have wandered from God and live in sin without Christ.  Truly there is nobody who is righteous by His standards of perfection.  We sow our own strength and lies of self reliance intermingled with wicked thoughts and deeds that echo them.  Ah, but God desires mercy and brokenness intermingled in righteousness; but this is only possible in the righteous perfection of Jesus Christ as our Savior, Intercessor, and Lord.  He has come in the flesh to rain His righteousness on us.

Hearts will Fear Judgment

Hosea 10:8 
Also the high places of Aven, the sin of Israel, Shall be destroyed.  The thorn and thistle shall grow on their altars; They shall say to the mountains, “Cover us!” And to the hills, “Fall on us!”

- Luke 23:30.  "Then they will begin ‘to say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!” ’"

- Revelation 6:15-17  And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, 16 and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”"

When God justly deals with our sin at the end of time, men will panic and cry out to hide from His anger against sin, even trying to hide underground.  Nobody can hide or stand in their own perceived goodness; they will only know then they have none apart from that given by Christ.  He died to take our just punishment, and is the only way to be saved from God's just anger for and end of sin. 

Knowing God and Showing Mercy

Hosea 6:4-6  
4 “O Ephraim, what shall I do to you?  O Judah, what shall I do to you? For your faithfulness is like a morning cloud, and like the early dew it goes away.  5 Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets, I have slain them by the words of My mouth; and your judgments are like light that goes forth.  6 For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings."

Faithfulness should not blow away like fog in the morning, burning off as the heat of the day creeps in.  God saves by faith, and the just will then also live by faith, walking with Him in His mercy which we must share with others - no matter how difficult that is for us as mere men.  He wants us to know Him more, to trust Him always in all things, and not rely on what we give up or use in an attempt to somehow earn His favor.  God alone gives life or death, and He judges true - and offers grace freely. 

Turn to God from Sin and Pursue Him

Hosea 5:15 - 6:3. 
15 I will return again to My place till they acknowledge their offense. then they will seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.”    6:1 Come, and let us return to the Lord; For He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up.  2 After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live in His sight.  3 Let us know, let us pursue the knowledge of the Lord. His going forth is established as the morning; He will come to us like the rain, like the latter and former rain to the earth."

When we offend God, we must confess the sin and seek Him with all our heart.  He heals and bandages our wounds of our broken fallen deeds and thoughts, and we can look forward confidently to the resurrection with Him.  This hope should drive us to run after knowing Him, which begins with knowing as much as we can about Him and all creation from His perspective, the Bible.  He speaks to us to draw us to seek Him ever more. 

Stumbling or Humbling?

Hosea 4:4-6.  
4 “Now let no man contend, or rebuke another; for your people are like those who contend with the priest.  5 Therefore you shall stumble in the day; the prophet also shall stumble with you in the night; and I will destroy your mother.  6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.  Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children."

When God uses His servants to speak to His people and they argue against the truth instead of hearing and then checking the Scriptures to see if the things thought are so, then God will allow them to stumble in the dark until they humble themselves under His mighty hand.  So we still need to know and understand to develop a heart of wisdom.  If we reject this, then we will face the consequences. 

Mercy Sown in God's Chosen

Hosea 2:19-23  
19 “I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me In righteousness and justice, In lovingkindness and mercy; ... 23 Then I will sow her for Myself in the earth, And I will have mercy on her who had not obtained mercy; Then I will say to those who were not My people, ‘You are My people!’ And they shall say, ‘You are my God!’ ”

As the sand of the sea, so are we as God's people. Though not one of His chosen from the Jews, He has made me His, calling me out to Himself!  Now He calls me His child in Jesus Christ.  This is justice overwhelmed by mercy. 

Only Those Made Wise Understand

Daniel 12:4, 10  
4 “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.  10 Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand."

The things shown to Daniel were not to be revealed yet, yet at the end of time people would scramble to discover what God's words meant, increasing their knowledge and understanding - that is, those who are wise and turn from evil.  So those seeking will find, and Jesus will give understanding as we follow Him, seeking wisdom in the obedience of grace and mercy. 

Forever Written in His Book

Daniel 12:1-3 
1 “At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time.  And at that time your people shall be delivered, every one who is found written in the book.  2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt.  3 Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever."

At times dusk trouble will overwhelm the world as never before.  Yet those who have been reconciled to God in Christ will be saved from God's wrath, those written in the Lamb's Book of Life for eternity.   Others will be shamed and suffer for the same time unending.  So if we are wise, we will both now and then shine for Him by pleading with those facing shame and judgment to turn from their sin to Him. 

The Wicked and the Purified of God

Daniel 11:31-35  
31 And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation. 32 Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. 33 And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; ... 35 And some of those of understanding shall fall, to refine them, purify them, and make them white, until the time of the end; because it is still for the appointed time.

Daniel's prophecy is difficult to fully understand, yet the most important thing is that one will arise to act as God, speaking evil of Him and supporting those who also act against God.  Ah, but those who really know God will stay strong and do great things, including teaching others the truth of the Gospel.  Yes, some then will be persecuted to make them even better for God.  All is completely in His hands.  God is in absolute control, and the times are in His hands. 

Hear in Humility, Do Not Fear

Daniel 10:12 
Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words."

James 4:10. "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up."

1 Peter 5:6. "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,"

To understand what God says is the foundation; but without total reliance on God's grace in Christ, in humility, we will not be heard by God and we will not follow as we must.  He lifts us up - our attempts lead to falling in pride.  Therefore we listen to hear in humility and do not fear because He hears. 

The Crucified Lord Speaks

John 8:26-29  
26 I have many things to say and to judge concerning you, but He who sent Me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I heard from Him.”  28 Then Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. 29 And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.”

Jesus is God; the religious leaders, the Pharisees, could not grasp and would not accept this.  Jesus told them the proof was in speaking God's truth and acting only as the Father directed with the ability given by God alone.  So we need to imitate Christ's example - we must speak the truth from God's words (in love) and rely completely on Him with us and living in us (His Spirit) to please Him, and in so doing, to make disciples.  This is how we see that "many believed in Him." 

Called by His Name and Mercy Alone

Daniel 9:18-19  
18 O my God, incline Your ear and hear; open Your eyes and see our desolations, and the city which is called by Your name; for we do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of Your great mercies. 19 O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name.”

God's nature never changes; He still can be called upon and pleaded with as our broken and contrite hearts lead us to the throne of mercy and grace to find help for our ever needy souls.  For His glory we cry out, leaning on His great mercies.  We are called out by Him and so for Him, and prayer keeps us focused on and following Christ in us, the Hope of glory.  O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! 

Mercy and Forgiveness to Sinners

Daniel 9:9-13 
9 To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against Him. 10 We have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in His laws, which He set before us by His servants the prophets. 11 Yes, all Israel has transgressed Your law, and has departed so as not to obey Your voice; therefore the curse and the oath written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against Him. 13 As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us; yet we have not made our prayer before the Lord our God, that we might turn from our iniquities and understand Your truth.

God forgives because He shows mercy.  Even when we were still lost in our sin and living by lies, He gave us truth and called us to understand His grace and mercy.  We suffer under the curse of our sin until we believe this truth fulfilled in Jesus Christ alone.  Only then can we be changed and then find the way to live as He tells us and listen His truth with understanding for life - both now and into forever with Him. 

The Appointed Time of the End

Daniel 8:19, 25, 12  
19 And he said, “Look, I am making known to you what shall happen in the latter time of the indignation; for at the appointed time the end shall be.  25 “Through his cunning He shall cause deceit to prosper under his rule; and he shall exalt himself in his heart.  He shall destroy many in their prosperity.  He shall even rise against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without human means. 12 ... he cast truth down to the ground. He did all this and prospered.

The times in the end are mostly hidden, to be revealed as they unfold; yet there are indications and events so see what is happening before time ends.  Here truth is cast down as the evil one uses one to blaspheme God and attack His people. Lies and deception will be the government, and many will be no longer prosperous but cut down.  When he rises against Christ Himself though, he will be defeated.  In all this we cling to truth and know God is in absolute control.  Only those who do not know Him need fear. 

Judgment and God's Kingdom Given

Daniel 7:21-22, 25-27  
21 “I was watching; and the same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them, 22 until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom.   25 He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law.  Then the saints shall be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time.   27 Then the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.”

In the end before time stops the enemy will war against God's people, speaking against God and change everything (including laws) to attack God's name and His people.  But with finality Christ will conquer and then give the kingdom to us under Him forever in a new creation.  We will then serve Him and obey without sin in the way! 

Everlasting Kingdom of the Son of Man

Daniel 7:13-14, 18  
13 “I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him.  14 Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed."  18 But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.’"

Ah, when the Son of Man, the Son of God, comes back in the end He will reign as Lord and King forever.  He stepped down from His throne to allow Himself to suffer and be killed to pay our just sentence for sin, and will step down again in power and majesty to destroy the presence of evil, having already destroyed his power over us by sin in death and hell.  We who are His will then receive that kingdom with the end of time to go forever.  Ah, to serve Him and be in His presence forever! 

We Stand for the Indestructible Kingdom

Daniel 6:26-27  
26 I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For He is the living God, And steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, And His dominion shall endure to the end.  27 He delivers and rescues, And He works signs and wonders In heaven and on earth, Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.

Daniel prayed and worshipped even when his life was at stake.  Do we stand for Christ no matter the cost?  He is worthy - living, steadfast, eternal ruler and Lord of all.  He alone delivers and rescues, so all must fear and tremble before Him.  He does amazing things in heaven and earth; who delivers from sin and death and Hell but Jesus Christ, the only Son of the living God?  This is so much more than mere lions. Remember that even the demons tremble and fear before Him. 

Believe Jesus is God or Die in your SIns

John 8:12, 24 
12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.  "24 Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”

The way to see truly is Jesus Christ; we are blind without Him, and stumble in the darkness of our limited understanding of all He made and who God is.  If we do don't see with eyes opened by Him that Jesus is the I AM, God among us (Emmanuel), then we will die unreconciled to God in our sins. This is why Jesus is the only way, truth, and life for us forever. 

Weighed and Found Wanting?

Daniel 5:20, 23, 26-28 
20 But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him.   23 And you have lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven. ...and the God who holds your breath in His hand and owns all your ways, you have not glorified."  "26 This is the interpretation of each word. Mene: God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it; 27 Tekel: You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting; 28 Peres: Your kingdom has been divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.”

To deny God and His honor and glory only leads to destruction - both now and after death.  He has our breathe of life in His hands; how can we say He is not fair to take it away when we are made by Him for Him?  When we sin by disowning Him, we reap fair justice.  We will be counted with Christ or not, weighed by our response to that gospel, and divided as sheep and goats at the judgment seat of Christ.  We are to acknowledge His sovereignty and glorify Him.  Let us believe His Son and honor Him now! 

He Does all He Sovereignly Pleases

Daniel 4:34-37  
34 ... and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, And His kingdom is from generation to generation.  35 All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven And among the inhabitants of the earth.  No one can restrain His hand Or say to Him, “What have You done?”  37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down."

1 Peter 5:6. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,

God is sovereign, so He has every right to to as He wills, not as we expect or even dare to demand.  Who can hold back His hand or question what He allows or who He raises up or brings down?  He does everything justly and truly.  When we in pride say all is by our ability or effort, He will humble us - if we are listening.  Let God lift us up, not even thinking about doing so ourselves.  When we blow our own horn, it falls flat.  

Sovereign Source of Rulers

Daniel 4:17
"‘This decision is by the decree of the watchers, And the sentence by the word of the holy ones, In order that the living may know That the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, Gives it to whomever He will, And sets over it the lowest of men.’"

Luke 1:52 "He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly."

God gives ability, position, success, and authority.  It is not our effort or great ability, for all we have comes from Him alone.  This mindset is what it means to honor Him and give Him the glory - to give credit to the source of all we both have and are. 

Wonders of His Everlasting Kingdom and Dominion

Daniel 4:2-3
2 I thought it good to declare the signs and wonders that the Most High God has worked for me. 3 How great are His signs, And how mighty His wonders!  His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And His dominion is from generation to generation.

What God has done in history and for me personally must be told.  He works such great and awesome things, from creating the universe to making the blind see to changing my heart for His glory... He rules absolutely and forever.  He is in control of history, allowing what He will to show who He is in the end with judgment, mercy, vengeance, and grace.  I think it good to declare the signs and wonders He has done for me.  What wonders of His everlasting kingdom and dominion! 

God Delivers out of Fire by Christ

2 Corinthians 2:14-16 
14 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. 15 For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 16 To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things?"

The same God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego who delivers from fire leads us to victory in the unseen war for the souls of men.  Always.  This is to show life in Christ to those called out, and a warning to those refusing to hear Him.  It is as a smell of a sweet sacrifice rising up to God - the sacrifice of His Son for all who will hear, turn from sin to Him, believe, and be changed by that active faith.  To those who turn away from that message, there is only the stench of decay and death.  God delivers out of the fire by Christ. 

Worship No Other Gods

Daniel 3:17-18  
17 If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. 18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”

Daniel 3:25, 28  “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”"  "28 Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who sent His Angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him, and they have frustrated the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they should not serve nor worship any god except their own God!"

God will deliver or allow hardship and even death.  In all things He is sovereign and honors those who honor Him.  This is why we endure suffering and do not yield to worshipping other so-called gods or dishonor God by following the world opposed by sin to Him.  The Son of God walks among and in us. 

God Alone Knows Our Hearts and Minds

Daniel 2:47  
The king answered Daniel, and said, “Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, since you could reveal this secret.”

Psalms 44:21   "Would not God search this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart."

1 Corinthians 14:24-25   24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. 25 And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.

God knows our hearts, and He will reveal everything in them when we stand before Him.  God also chooses at times to show some of His people what is in others - by His word and Spirit living in us - so that they may see their need for Him and the truth of their offenses against God and man.  This brings God in Christ all the worship as they see Him through us.  It is not about us, but Him. 

Wisdom, Might, Light, and Hidden Things

Daniel 2:20-22 
20 Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His.  21 And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding.  22 He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, And light dwells with Him."

Giving glory to God includes things like these - acknowledging that all real wisdom and power belong and are handed out from God alone.  History and all events of time are sovereignty of Him revealed or hidden.  What is hidden can only really be found when He chooses to show it to us, good and bad.  In other words, that our intellect and might is non existent without God's say at each point along the way.  Let us admit this and so honor and glorify the only one who is worthy. 

God Reveals the Truth that We Might Live

Daniel 2:11, 18-19  
11 It is a difficult thing that the king requests, and there is no other who can tell it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.  18 that they might seek mercies from the God of heaven concerning this secret, so that Daniel and his companions might not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 19 Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. So Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

The king of Babylon demanded truth and not lies for his dream to both be revealed and explained; revealed to show divine knowledge as the source, and known to show understanding.  None but God could show this to a man - and Daniel prayed for mercy to know and understand.  God chose to show the dream and its meaning in a dream with inspiration to understand and wisdom to explain.  God honors those who honor Him, and delivers them.   He reveals the truth that we might live in Him 

The LORD is There!

Ezekiel 48:35

All the way around shall be eighteen thousand cubits; and the name of the city from that day shall be: THE LORD IS THERE (YHWH Shammah). 

This new city shown to Ezekiel after God's people were restored was called the place where the Lord is.  This again echoes Revelation with the New Jerusalem in a new earth in a new universe.  He will start over with the creation, but we who are reconciled by and bought at the price of the blood of Christ will live there forever.  And YHWH Shammah! 

Healing of Tree of Life for the Nations

Ezekiel 47:8,12  
8 Then he said to me: “This water flows toward the eastern region, goes down into the valley, and enters the sea. When it reaches the sea, its waters are healed." "12 Along the bank of the river, on this side and that, will grow all kinds of trees used for food; their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. They will bear fruit every month, because their water flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for medicine.”

In the end after the world is judged, there will be healing for all who are in the Lamb's book of life, who are called, chosen, and faithful.  There will be trees with leaves to heal, similar to the trees in Eden.  Fruit we can eat from, given by God and not forbidden, will sustain us as well.  The healing water of life from God's own throne is the source - Jesus said living water will flow in us now, and then also.

Revelation 22:1-2  1 And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 

Worship and Atonement

Ezekiel 45:19-20 
19 The priest shall take some of the blood of the sin offering and put it on the doorposts of the temple, on the four corners of the ledge of the altar, and on the gateposts of the gate of the inner court. 20 And so you shall do on the seventh day of the month for everyone who has sinned unintentionally or in ignorance. Thus you shall make atonement for the temple.

Just as God passed over His people before freeing them from bondage in Egypt, so here He told the priest to mark the blood to pass over unintentional or unknowing sin.  The entrance to the temple, the altar for atoning for sin, and the gate to the inner court nearer to God's presence - these all were so marked.  So we are forgiven in Christ by His blood when we sin, as we draw near in worship or seeking forgiveness.  His blood covers sufficiently. 

Difference Between Holy and Unholy

Ezekiel 44:4, 23  
4 Also He brought me by way of the north gate to the front of the temple; so I looked, and behold, the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord; and I fell on my face.   23 And they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the unholy, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.

Revelation 4:10-11   10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:  11 “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.”

God's glory seen in Him and His presence should drop us to our knees... And so must we take seriously the command to be holy as He is.  In the end we will bow before Him who only is worthy of all glory, honoring and acknowledging His power, His creation, and no other.   This is discerning the difference between the holy and unholy.  

Perfection's Glue

Colossians 3:14-16  
14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Love is essential to walking with Christ.  We must allow peace to rule our hearts as we know we are forgiven forever, and are putting to death our fleshly sins' desires.  All this comes from yielding to His word, giving it permission in a sense to fill our lives.  Love without truth is impossible in a godly sense; peace based on lies repeated to ourselves is no better.  Ah, but truth filling us allows solid peace with God and others so that we can truly love with no demand for anything in return.

Colossians 3:17  And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. 

The Throne Where God Dwells

Ezekiel 43:7, 12  
7 And He said to me, "Son of man, this is the place of My throne and the place of the soles of My feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel forever. No more shall the house of Israel defile My holy name, they nor their kings, by their harlotry or with the carcasses of their kings on their high places.   12 This is the law of the temple: The whole area surrounding the mountaintop is most holy. Behold, this is the law of the temple." 

God's temple for us now is our bodies; just as the building is where He put His throne to rule from and demanded that the temple is not defiled by sin, so we are to even more protect the holiness of our temples.  As it is written here, the whole area around the temple is to be holy, set aside to be used only as God says and so for His honor and glory.  And so our lives must be kept clean with what we surround ourselves with.  1 Peter 1:16 "because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” 

God's Glory in His Presence

Ezekiel 43:2-5 
2 And behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east. His voice was like the sound of many waters; and the earth shone with His glory.   4 And the glory of the Lord came into the temple by way of the gate which faces toward the east. 5 The Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the glory of the Lord filled the temple.

God's glory is seen in His a presence.  When He speaks, it is more awesome than bubbling multitudes of running water, melodious and fluid.  So when He shows His glory in the face of Jesus Christ to us, we must understand that we are the temple He lives in now, and so are to be set aside (holy) for Him to dwell in.  We worship from here, and He wants to fill us with His glorious presence. 

Spirit Poured Out to Show God

Ezekiel 39:29 
"And I will not hide My face from them anymore; for I shall have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel,” says the Lord God.

God's mercy on Israel for turning away from Him led to restoration and a promise - that He would pour His Spirit into them and show His face.  They would be able to see Him, as we now in Christ see Him and will see forever in His very presence.  God lives in us, and we gaze into the face of the almighty.  This is grace on top of mercy. 

He is All Mighty!

Ezekiel 38:19-20, 23.  
19 For in My jealousy and in the fire of My wrath I have spoken: ‘Surely in that day there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel, 20 so that the fish of the sea, the birds of the heavens, the beasts of the field, all creeping things that creep on the earth, and all men who are on the face of the earth shall shake at My presence. The mountains shall be thrown down, the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.  23 Thus I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the Lord.’ 

Jesus told us that the earth will suffer a great battle, a great earthquake, and judgment when He ends time and evil's rule here to usher in true peace forever in His presence.  In all of these things, in how He deals with sin and justice, He offers mercy and great grace before that time - all so we admit He is our Lord, and that He alone deserves honor, praise, and worship.  He is all-mighty! 

Eternal Covenant of Peace with God

Ezekiel 37:26-27 
26 Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them, and it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; I will establish them and multiply them, and I will set My sanctuary in their midst forevermore. 27 My tabernacle also shall be with them; indeed I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

Revelation 21:3  And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.”

God promised all His people that He would make a promise that is unbreakable to forgive and keep us.  He went further to assure us He would live within us, in our midst, because we are His people and He is our God.  This kingdom cannot be shaken, and the covenant of peace in Jesus Christ cannot be removed. 

This is True Life

Ezekiel 37:13-14  
13 Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. 14 I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken it and performed it,” says the Lord.’ ”

John 7:46   The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this Man!”

Jesus spoke of our redemption, being brought back to God from our sin, and being in dwelt by Himself as Spirit.  He also told us we will rise from death as He did first to prove it and calm our doubts.  We live now and forever with the one who spoke like no other, whose words are recorded for us to know He said it, did it, and so we believe and trust it all.   This is true life!  He has put His Spirit in us; God lives within us!  

A True Witness Seeks Good

Proverbs 14:22-25.  
22 Do they not go astray who devise evil?  But mercy and truth belong to those who devise good.  25 A true witness delivers souls, But a deceitful witness speaks lies.

There seems to be more and more false teachers and self proclaimed prophets lately, but they cannot be used to deliver souls.  By speaking lies, not truth, in what appears to be love, they deceive many.  True love does no harm to others; emotions and smiles without truth is not looking at their eternal destiny, and so is actually hateful. 

New Heart, New Spirit, New Birth

Ezekiel 36:23, 26-27, 31  
23 And I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am the Lord,” says the Lord God, “when I am hallowed in you before their eyes.  26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.  31 Then you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good; and you will loathe yourselves in your own sight, for your iniquities and your abominations.

God saves us for His name, His glory, above all - then for our good.  When someone says otherwise on this order, they are opposed to Him who gives a new heart and His own Spirit to those who are reborn as His children.  By His presence in us we can obey, pleasing and glorifying the One who reminds us of where we came from and where we are called to go.  If we are His truly and not by religious acts, then our resume from sin will make us willing slaves of righteousness.   By this new birth we have a new heart and a new spirit, with the Law written on our hearts and His Spirit in us to enable us to understand and obey. 

God's Shepherd Saves and Leads

Ezekiel 34:16, 23, 31  
16 “I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick; but I will destroy the fat and the strong, and feed them in judgment.  23 I will establish one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them—My servant David. He shall feed them and be their shepherd.  31 You are My flock, the flock of My pasture; you are men, and I am your God,” says the Lord God.

Jesus is the good shepherd; He saves the lost sheep who are broken, hungry, and sick from their own wanderings in sinful rebellion against God.  He feeds us and cares for us because He is our Lord God and Father - Lord as in authority and control over us, and Father who loves and cares for us so much as to give up His only Son for us.  The shepherd of mercy and grace seeks out the lost sheep to gather us to Himself. 

False Shepherds are Wolves in Suits

Ezekiel 34:2-3 
2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, “Thus says the Lord God to the shepherds: ‘Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks?  3 You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock.’”

There are many today who still claim to be shepherds, leading large ministries but with deceptive, false, and self seeking agendas.  Instead of humbly feeding the people, they ask for more from them and only give empty hope of health, wealth, and miracles.  The problem is that these go against God and His word, and leave the sheep to wander in hunger for truth with empty hopes.  They need Jesus Christ, walking by faith, solid teaching, and sacrificial examples.  False shepherds are merely wolves in suits. 

1 Peter 5:2-4.  2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; 4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. 

Heart's Pursuit

Ezekiel 33:31 
So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain.

Ezekiel 34:2.  “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, “Thus says the Lord God to the shepherds: ‘Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks?

Our fallen nature does not change; many still hear God's word from those He chose to speak, whether from a pulpit or along the way in teaching while making disciples.  They hear, talk of how much they love the person who spoke - but then go back to doing what they want, not why God calls us to.  And also there are those speaking who claim to speak from God, but again seek only gain for themselves.  These things should not be so!  We must pursue the things go God by heeding His word, and be servants, not master.  We should gain our souls and not the whole world.  

Our Righteousness Counts Against Us

Ezekiel 33:12 
“Therefore you, O son of man, say to the children of your people: ‘The righteousness of the righteous man shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression; as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall because of it in the day that he turns from his wickedness; nor shall the righteous be able to live because of his righteousness in the day that he sins.’”

This is echoed in Romans 3, where it is clear that we all have sinned against God and nobody is righteous to Him.  What we point out as righteousness amidst obvious sins can never earn our place in heaven; our hearts have sin in their motives (hate is murder, lust is adultery, and so on), so we all come short.  But the good news is that when we turn from sin (repentance) to Him in Jesus Christ by believing and receiving Him, we will not fall but live forgiven when God judges us all.  Jesus is the only way, for He is the truth and life.  Then we have His righteousness counted for us instead of our marred righteousness against us.  

Abundant Life in Obedience by Faith

1 Thessalonians 4:1-2 
1 Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; 2 for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

Hebrews 11:6   But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Pleasing God, giving Him the glory and honor due only to Him, not ourselves or others, this is what we should live for.  His word tells us how; we need only seek out each thing and by His Spirit's enabling read and study to walk it out in life.  This is becoming like Jesus, our goal to imitate as it is written in 1 Corinthians 11:1, "Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ." 

34th Second Birthday in the Light!

Acts 26:18 
to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’

As Wesley penned so long ago, on this day in 1980 in a Christian Servicemen's Center just off the San Antonio Riverwalk, God's good news of Christ's atoning death for me leapt from Scripture through my mind and into my heart!  The light of knowing God's glory in Jesus gazing at me from eternity flooded my soul as I was instantly reborn, and His word filled my understanding and moved my heart and soul to follow for 34 years now.  I press toward that goal as Paul wrote.

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,

Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;

Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—

I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;

My chains fell off, my heart was free,

I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

2 Corinthians 4:6   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.

1 Peter 1:23-25   23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, ... Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you. 

His Pleasure in in Our Life, Not Death

Ezekiel 33:9-11  
9 Nevertheless if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.  10 “Therefore you, O son of man, say to the house of Israel: ‘Thus you say, “If our transgressions and our sins lie upon us, and we pine away in them, how can we then live?” ’ 11 Say to them: ‘As I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’

God has set a Day to judge everyone in the world - by His perfect standards.  We who have been made right, justified and reconciled in Christ alone, we are given the task of warning others to pull them from the coming fire as Jude wrote.  God sent Jesus Christ to deliver us, not wanting to see us die in sin but turn and live.  Why should we die when the Father's love in His Son offers life through eternal forgiveness?  

Know He is the Sovereign Lord

Ezekiel 30:19.
"Thus I will execute judgments on Egypt, Then they shall know that I am the Lord."

Why do we wait for God to judge our rebellious sin before we admit He is The Lord - our Lord?  When we are faced with ultimate judgement for eternity, realizing what is coming, the we accept and confess that Jesus is Lord.  But in smaller matters of sin we take longer to deal with them - do we not remember He is our Lord?  Tragedies like 9/11 brought mortality and awareness to many who seemed to talk much of God, but why has that so quickly faded?  Remembering tragedy or sin that puts eyes on God should be in our minds now and every day.  

Trust in His Righteousness Alone

Ezekiel 29:16.  
No longer shall it be the confidence of the house of Israel, but will remind them of their iniquity when they turned to follow them. Then they shall know that I am the Lord God.

Israel trusted in the power and perceived safety of a nation, Egypt, instead of waiting on God in His timing to work in them.  We know The Lord God more as we trust Him, and do not lean on a country's protection for safety or to meet our needs.  No institution of man can sustain or protect, as they are not our God.  Neither nationalism nor church membership are substitutes for God; He alone is worthy of trust and worship, for He alone gets glory. 

Devilish Pride

Ezekiel 28:13-17  
13 You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering: The sardius, topaz, and diamond, Beryl, onyx, and jasper, Sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes Was prepared for you on the day you were created.  15 You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, Till iniquity was found in you.  17 ‘Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor; I cast you to the ground, I laid you before kings, That they might gaze at you.

The devil was once a beautiful angelic cherub, similar to those with flaming swords guarding the way back to Eden when sin caused us to be kept from living forever sinful.  He became proud and disobedient to God, and put looks over wisdom, and his eternal fate is a warning to us who sinned as he, sinful in our pride and intellect (still thinking we know good from evil apart from God).  The only beauty we have is in Christ, made in God's image anew, by His wisdom and grace. 

Christians Do Not Work to Become gods

Ezekiel 28:2, 3, 8-9  
2 “Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre, “Thus says the Lord God: “Because your heart is lifted up, And you say, ‘I am a god, I sit in the seat of gods, In the midst of the seas,’ Yet you are a man, and not a god, Though you set your heart as the heart of a god  3 (Behold, you are wiser than Daniel!  There is no secret that can be hidden from you!  8 They shall throw you down into the Pit, And you shall die the death of the slain In the midst of the seas. 9 “Will you still say before him who slays you, ‘I am a god’?  But you shall be a man, and not a god, In the hand of him who slays you.

People follow the Deceiver in working to become gods - Mormons even teach this heresy and dare to say they are not opposed to God.  Such claim to have superior wisdom to understand that others do not, even saying they know better than God who made all things!   Like Tyre, these will all go to the Pit, the lake of fire, in the end.  God's hand is never shortened against the proud and arrogant who pretend to sit on His throne.  Judgment comes to all who do not reconcile to God in Christ, who alone is worthy to be called God. 

Stand in the Gap with Testimony of Christ

Ezekiel 22:29-30.  
29 The people of the land have used oppressions, committed robbery, and mistreated the poor and needy; and they wrongfully oppress the stranger. 30 So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.

Romans 8:34.   Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

We all have gone our own way, and are born into a land of crime and harm to others.  No man can stand between us and God to turn away the anger justly deserved... But God Himself can, and came as a man to do just that.  Jesus Christ did all to stand in the gap sin makes between us and our Creator (Isa.59:2), and makes intercession for us to guarantee those who are His are forgiven and made holy to God's eyes and estimation. 

Sadness at the Judgement

Ezekiel 21:7  
And it shall be when they say to you, ‘Why are you sighing?’ that you shall answer, ‘Because of the news; when it comes, every heart will melt, all hands will be feeble, every spirit will faint, and all knees will be weak as water. Behold, it is coming and shall be brought to pass,’ says the Lord God.”

Luke 21:26-27  26 men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

When the end finally comes and those who laugh now at God and sin see what is happening - then their hearts will faint from dread at their error in disbelief, and they will fall to their knees.  Everything will be shaken, fallen, burned up...then made new.  Better to face God now than then. 

Our Wicked Ways Offend God

Ezekiel 20:43-44 
43 And there you shall remember your ways and all your doings with which you were defiled; and you shall loathe yourselves in your own sight because of all the evils that you have committed. 44 Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have dealt with you for My name's sake, not according to your wicked ways nor according to your corrupt doings, O house of Israel,” says the Lord God.’ ”

When we come to see our sin for all it's disgusting qualities, and how it offends a holy God, then we begin to hate ourselves, what we have done and become.  But when we know Him and how He deals with us by unearned goodness (grace) and mercy when we deserve punishment - then we understand our Father's infinite love for us.   And we know it is for His glory.