[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]If the example of pride presented in the hippopotamus repulsed us, far worse is Leviathan in chapter 41. He is the Nile crocodile, and is described as, "king over all the children of pride". Our Sovereign challenges Jobverses Try to subject and bring the crocodile under control. You can't do it with force; nor can you try to do it with persuasive words. Can you turn him into a servant, or make him an object of entertainment? In struggling with a crocodile, you will find that you have an impossible task on your hands. His hide and armour exceed that of the hippo. When he rages he is fierce beyond
imagination. He scoffs all attempts to subdue him. Metal weapons, arrows and sling stones are futile against him. There is not his like upon earth. And it is with "him" that we must struggle on a daily
basis. And without resisting him, i.e. our own human pride we cannot allow God's Word to humble us; in order that we may be able to draw near to our Creator King. In verses 1-6 of chapter 42 Job confesses his weakness and seeks for forgiveness. In verse 2 Job acknowledges, finally, the LORD's power and right to do with us as He wishes. The suffering servant's understanding of the Almighty has gone from a theoretical and untried faith to a faith that now entirety trusts his Maker, himself having been purged by his trials. Job had been proud of his relationship with the Almighty and yet he failed to understand God's right to test and prove him. Job had previously challenged God but now recognises his shortcomings. At last Job now has understanding of the infinite and uncreated power of the universe. In abject humility Job bows in reverence before his Sovereign. Verses 7-9 tell of Yahweh's rebuke of Job's 3 friends. The absence of Elihu from this group tells us that God is not displeased with him. The friends are told to offer sacrifices and seek for Job's intercession. Verses 10-17 explain that once Job had prayed for his friends God restored Job's losses twofold - except for his family; the presumption being that his lost family will be restored to Job in the Kingdom Age. Read aloud and slowly James 5verses11. Pause and ponder the principal lesson learned.
In Malachi 3 verses 1-5 we have the missions of John the Baptist and our Lord Jesus Christ explained. They were the forerunner and the messenger of the covenant - two more of God's
messengers. The Baptist was the preparer of the way, as Isaiah 40 outlined; and our Lord Jesus was the maker of the covenant of reconciliation. Additionally, our Lord would purge the corrupt Levitical priesthood; that they having been refined would come forth faithfully as tried gold (1 Peter 1verses4-7). Then will Judah's offerings be acceptable to the LORD and the oppressive ways of the priests of our Lord's day overturned. From verses 6-15 the prophet described the nation as robbing God - a charge which they vigorously denied. That failure was in not supporting the priests' maintenance through their tithes and offerings. And, although the Scriptures do not preach a prosperity gospel, their God would only bless them with rain and plentiful crops when they obeyed Him (compare Deuteronomy 27, 28). Other nations would acknowledge Israel as Yahweh's chosen and blessed people. The nation's arrogance and their sharp words of accusation against their Sovereign must cease. They had wrongfully asserted that God was distant and uninterested in their doings. The chapter finishes with a picture of God's love for His people. It shows a tender-hearted God yearning for His precious people - describing them as His jewels and beloved children. He yearns for the day when He will lavish His love on them. They are at the forefront of God's memory, presented poetically as a book. Chapter 4 describes the Great Day of Yahweh, when firstly the wicked will be consumed as chaff by the fires of judgment. Then the righteous will be blessed and prosper as fattened young calves and they will blaze brightly as the sun in their Father's kingdomverses Matthew 13verses43. For His Son, Jesus Christ the righteous, will be as the sun and he fill the earth with the understanding of his Father's Word and ways. The cherubic feet of the saints will reduce the wicked to ashes. Verses 4-6 bring together in their work 3 great servants of Yahweh - Moses
representing the Law, Elijah that of the ministry of the prophets and our Lord Jesus Christ God's only
begotten and beloved Son through whom the redemptive plan of the Father was sealed. These 3 were at our Lord's transfiguration and spoke of these matters. The book finishes with a dire warning, that unless the children of Israel's heart embraces the faith of their patriarchal fathers, the earth (eretz i.e. Israel) would be smitten with a curse. Thanks to the work of faithful saints such as John the Baptist that curse was averted and a faithful remnant will embrace their Messiah.
Revelation 21 provides a glimpse of the perfect state of the earth at the end of the kingdom age. In the first 8 verses we see new heavens and a new earth. This is because there is no longer any mortal population - no nations exist, as there is no more sea. And as there is no more death it means there is no more sin. Finally, the pure in heart will see God (Matthew 5verses8). No man can see God and live Moses was told; this is not the case for the immortals. God's people, Jews and Gentiles, dwell with Him as the prophet Hosea had said. The sorrows of their struggles before attaining to the Divine nature have been forgotten with the tender scene of their loving Father wiping away all tears. Everything upon earth has been renewed and perfected. The One declaring these things is the Alpha - the first and increate - and as the Omega (the final letter of the 24 lettered Greek alphabet) the bringer to finality of all things - "God all in all" 1 Corinthians 15verses28. Nothing that is morally corrupt is allowed in this perfected world. The vision of the new Jerusalem coming from God to earth is revealed in verses 9-27. It is described as a cube - perfect in each and every dimension. It is the 144,000 who are with the Lamb - 12 squared times 10 cubed. The Israel of God with admission gained via the 12 Apostolic gates each one based on a rare and precious gem. The transparent glass sea is indicative that there is no wickedness, only the tranquil calmness of full fellowship with the Almighty and His Son. This means there is no need of a priesthood, or Temple. No artificial light is required as the earth is full of the knowledge of the glory of Yahweh (Habakkuk 2verses14).
Revelation 22 backtracks to a vision of the kingdom age. There is seen a "wood" (Greek "xulon"), meaning forest, of life on both sides of the pure river issuing from Messiah's sanctuary. The trees in this paradise bare 12 different types of fruits; and their leaves were the medicine for the healing of the nations - today 90% of medicines are derived from plants. As in Revelation 14 the faithful have their minds sealed by the Father's Word. In addition to this encouraging vision, verses 8-21 tell the faithful disciples that the coming of Jesus Christ is near and certain. The witnesses must faithfully guard the message from their Messiah. John sought to worship the one revealing that message, but was forbidden. Constant application to virtue must be maintained if the saints are to receive the reward the Lamb will bring. The tree of Life from which Adam and Eve were separated after sinning has once more been opened to the redeemed servants of Christ. Verse 15 exhorts us as disciples to practise truth and righteousness - there cannot be the Truth without individuals governing their lives by truth (Zechariah 8verses16). Jesus describes himself as the root (i.e. origin, or source Micah 5verses2) and offspring (i.e. descendant) of David. Verses 17-19 are a final call for the thirsty seekers of immortality to respond (cp Isaiah 55verses1-4). The Lord Jesus Christ says in verse 20 "I am coming speedily"; and John responds, in verse 21, together with ourselves, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Amen (let it be so)".
Thanks for joining us - we pray you found these comments helpful in your appreciation of God's words, join again tomorrow
Penned by Warwick Rosser and his team, produced by Christadelphianvideo.org
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