The Redeemer Shall Come (8/31)

31 August 2015 - The Redeemer Shall Come – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Isaiah 59:20 KJV, “And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord.”

Reading made easy from NLT: “The Redeemer will come to Jerusalem,” says the Lord, “to buy back those in Israel who have turned from their sins. 21) And this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord. “My Spirit will not leave them, and neither will these words I have given you. They will be on your lips and on the lips of your children and your children’s children forever. I, the Lord, have spoken!” Isaiah 50:20-21.

This Redeemer is Jesus Christ. He will come to those who are honest to themselves when they turn away from their sins of unbelief and serve the Lord and to the true Israel. God said, “My Spirit and My Words will not leave them.” God promises those who turn from their sins and accept the Messiah that His Spirit will come upon them and His word will not depart from their mouths.

God was speaking about the baptism of the Holy Spirit when He said, “My Spirit and My words will not leave them.” When the Redeemer, the Messiah comes to Zion, the Jerusalem, there will be a great revival and a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon Israel, just like in the day of Pentecost according to the book of Acts 2:4. The Israel will be filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues or languages, as the Spirit keeps giving them the word, God’s languages.

It is important to understand what God is trying to tell us. When He says, “My Spirit and My Words will not leave them,” He meant the Comforter who will abide with you forever according to the Word of Jesus in John 14:16. It is also His promise to His people, the Israel that the Holy Spirit will abide with them forever.

*Many of the Christians have no idea what difference it would make if there were no Holy Spirit in this world. Without the Holy Spirit there would be no creation, no universe, no human race. Without the Holy Spirit there would be no Bible, No New Testament, no power to proclaim the gospel. Without the Holy Spirit there would be no faith, no new birth, no holiness, and no Christians at all in the world. [*Commentary]

The Holy Spirit is a divine Person like the Father and the Son. This is why God said, “My Spirit, the Holy Spirit will not leave you. My Words, the Holy Spirit will bring all things to your remembrance” (John 14:16, 26). Holy Spirit is the One that glorify Christ (John 16:14). It will be a great day when our Redeemer comes in His glory!

Song: Fairest Lord Jesus!

Fairest Lord Jesus! Ruler of all nature!

O Thou of God and man the Son!

Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor,

Thou, my soul’s glory, joy, and crown!

Fair is the sunshine, Fairer still the moonlight,

And all the twinkling, starry host.

Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer,

Than all the angels heav’n can boast!

(Lyrics: Munster Gesangbuch, 1677, Sing His Praise)

Fullness of Israel (8/29-30)

29-30 August 2015 - The Fullness of Israel – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Roman 11:12 KJV, “Now if the fall of them (Israel) be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them (Israel) the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their (Israel’s) fullness?” NTL, “Now if the Gentiles were enriched because the Jews turned down God’s offer of salvation, think how much greater a blessing the world would share when the Jews finally accept it.”

From Luke 19:41 *Jesus weeping over Israel’s rejection of God’s way of salvation to the whole world. *The fullness of Israel may refer to a time when many in Israel will believe in Jesus Christ as God’s divine Son and Messiah, bringing even greater blessing to the world (Rom. 11:12). Paul said, “I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall of salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy” (Rom. 11:11 KJV). [*Note from the commentary, The Full Life Study Bible]

Reading from New Century Version brings much clearer picture so let’s read from Roman 11:11-12. “So I ask: When the Jews fell, did that fall destroy them? No! But their mistake brought salvation to those who are not Jews (Gentiles), in order to make the Jews jealous. 12) The Jews’ mistake brought rich blessings for the world, and the Jews’ loss brought rich blessings for the non-Jewish (Gentile) people. So surely the world will receive much richer blessings when enough Jews become the kind of people God wants.”

Another translation is also good to read from NLT. Romans 11:11-12, “Did God’s people stumble and fall beyond recovery? Of course not! His purpose was to make His salvation available to Gentiles, and then Jews would be jealous and want it for themselves. 12) Now if the Gentiles were enriched because the Jews turned down God’s offer of salvation, think how much greater a blessing will share when the Jews finally accept it.” Praise the Lord! This is beyond our imagination!

Another interesting thing to notice is when the fullness of Gentiles comes to Christ and then all Israel will be saved. Let’s read Romans 11:25-26, NLT Paul said, “I want you to understand this mystery . . . Some of the Jews have hard hearts, but this will last only until the complete number of Gentiles comes to Christ. 26) And so all Israel will be saved. . .” So God’s sincere purpose is to have mercy on all, both Jews and Gentile, to include in His kingdom all people who believe in Christ.

Okay, there were three things that inspired me this month of August: 1) The fullness of time until Christ came (Gal.4:4); 2) the fullness of Gentiles preparing for marriage of the Lamb (Rom.11:25); 3) and the fullness of Israel when they will look upon the “Pierced One,” Jesus, the Messiah, in His mercy will have wide open arms to embrace His own brothers, His family (Rom.11:12; Zech.12:10).

Prayer: “Dear Heavenly Father, we want to thank You for Your marvelous plans when we see the whole thing that You are a merciful God, to the Gentiles and to Israel. You gave the prophets Your Words that “A Deliverer will come from Jerusalem, and He will turn Israel from all ungodliness. And then I will keep My covenant with them and take away their sins” (Rom.11:26-27; Isa.59:20-21). All things are for Your glory. Thank You for the wonderful Words of promise. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen!” 

Oh! What a day that will be when we will see Jesus!

Song: What A Day

What a day that will be

When my Jesus I shall see,

When I look upon His face,

The One who saved me by His grace

When He takes me by the hand

And leads me through the Promised Land

What a day, glorious day that will be.

(James Hill, Sing His Praise)

The Times of Gentiles (8/26-28)

26-28 August 2015 - The Times of the Gentiles – Manna By Dorothy Callies

Luke 21:24 “… Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.”

After reading some of the Scriptures and commentaries, I became so discouraged because some things were difficult for me to try to write some things down. When I came to Matthew 24:6 “…see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.” I felt the word of Jesus was saying, “Don’t panic. Don’t be afraid. These things must happen before the end comes.”

Then I remember Jesus’ words of comfort. “Let not your heart be trouble. Believe in God, believe also in Me” (John 14:1). I look it up and want to read on the words of encouragement. “In My Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:2-3). Thank You, Jesus!

Jesus had predicted that Jerusalem would be destroyed. In Luke 19:41-42 NLT, “But as they came closer to Jerusalem and Jesus saw the city ahead, He began to cry. I wish that even today you would find the way of peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from you.” Luke 19:44, NLT, “ … you have rejected the opportunity God offered you.”

Luke 21:24 NLT, “…Jerusalem will be conquered and trampled down by the Gentiles until the age of the Gentiles comes to an end.” In Luke 19:43 “Thine enemies . . . compass thee round.” Jesus’ prediction was fulfilled forty years later (A.D. 70) when Jerusalem was destroyed by the Roman army and hundreds of thousands of Jews were killed. In Scriptures, the Roman army were called, the Gentiles. 

In KJV, Luke 19:41 “… He beheld the city, and wept over it.” I like to share this commentary from The Full Life Study Bible on how He beheld the city, and wept. “Jesus, knowing that the people and their leaders expect a political Messiah and will ultimately reject Him as God’s promised Messiah, weeps in pity for the people who will soon suffer terrible judgment. The word “wept” in Greek means more than shedding tears. It suggests rather a lamentation, a wailing, a heaving of the bosom, the sob and the cry of a soul in agony. Jesus, as God, reveals not only His own feelings, but also the broken heart of God over the loss of the human race and their refusal to repent and accept salvation.” Here’s a song that fits this.

Song: He Has Surely Borne Our Sorrow

See on His brow the scars the thorns made;

See where the spear was thrust in His side;

See in His hands where nails were driven.

Oh, how He suffered and died!

Chorus:

He has surely borne our sorrow;

He has taken the sin-debt away.

He was bruised for our transgressions,

And by His stripes we are healed today.

(Written by Mosie Lister, Sing His Praise)

Songs of Caught Up in the Air (8/20-25)

20-25 August 2015 Songs of Rapture

Song: In the Twinkling of An Eye

Changed in the twinkling of an eye,

Changed in the twinkling of an eye,

The trumpet shall sound,

   the dead shall be raised,

Changed in the twinkling of an eye.

(Inspiring Choruses)

Song: Caught Up

We’ll be caught up to meet Him in the air,

We’ll be caught up His blessedness to share;

Very soon He will come to take His people home

And we’ll be caught up to meet Him in the air.

(Thoro Harris, Melodies of Praise)

Song: Signs Are Everywhere

The King is coming, hallelujah!

He’s coming in the air,

The fig-tree is budding,

The signs are everywhere,

The saints are looking ever upward

While journeying on the way,

He’s coming, hallelujah!

To catch His bride away.

(Mrs. F.W. Suffield, Melodies of Praise)

Song: We Shall See the King

We shall see the King,

We shall see the King,

We shall see the King when He comes;

He is coming in power,

We’ll hail the blessed hour,

We shall see the King when He comes.

(J.B. Vaughn, Melodies of Praise)

Song: When We See Christ

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus;

Life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ;

One glimpse of His dear face,

    all sorrow will erase;

so bravely run the race till we see Christ.

(Esther Kerr Rushoi, Sing His Praise)

References of Gentiles (8/20-25)

                       THE REFERENCES OF THE GENTILES

Malachi 1:11 KJV, God said, “… My name shall be great among the Gentiles …” Gal 3:14 KJV, “That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” Eph. 3:6 KJV, “That Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel.”

THE CHURCH AGE WAS THE TIME OF THE GENTILE’S OPPORTUNITY, SALVATION

Jesus said to Peter, “Upon this Rock I will build My Church” (Matt. 16:18). It is Jesus Christ who is the Rock, the first and great foundation of the church (1 Cor.3:11). The Greek word ekklesia (church) refers to a meeting of a people called out (Greek ekkaleo) and summoned together. One of the eleven meaning of The Church was: The church is the bride of Christ (2Cor.11:2; Eph.5:21-27; Rev. 19:7-9). This nuptial concept emphasizes both the loyalty, devotion, and faithfulness of the church to Christ, and Christ’s love for and intimacy with His church. [Commentary from The Full Life Study Bible]

THE RAPTURE: Paul said, “For the Lord himself shall descend from the heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain SHALL BE CAUGHT UP TOGETHER with them in the clouds, to meet the LORD IN THE AIR: so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thes. 4:16-17). At the point, we called it, “The Rapture” which means caught up in the air.

THE RAPTURE: Jesus said, “I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. And they answered and said unto Him, Where, Lord? And He said unto them, ‘Wheresoever the body is, [there] will the eagles be gathered together” (Luke 17:34-37)

THE BRIDE OF CHRIST: Rev. 19:7 KJV, “…for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 9) “Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb…”

THE TYPE of JOSEPH’S WIFE, THE GENTILE; THE LAMB’S WIFE, THE GENTILE: Joseph was given a wife, “And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt” (Genesis 41:45). Asenath was a Gentile and Joseph married her. Then eventually, the famine came which brought Joseph’s brother to buy food … soon after the second time, Joseph revealed himself to them.

Joseph was the type of Christ who is to be married to the Church, the bride, like Paul said ‘that Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel” (Eph. 3:6). ).  “… thou being a wild olive tree were grafted in among them, and with them partake of the root and fatness of the olive tree” (Rom. 11:17).

Fullness of Gentiles (8/20-25)

20-25 August 2015 -Fullness of the Gentiles – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Romans 11:25 KJV, “. . . until fullness of the Gentiles be come in.”

First, the fullness of time was about God sent His Son at the right time. Now the fullness of the Gentiles be comes in. In NLT, “. . . until the complete number of Gentiles comes to Christ.” What does that means?

My dear friends, there’s a lot of issue (point of debate) to cover what Paul wrote from the whole Chapter Romans 11. For this Manna, my key subject will be about the Gentiles. [I have been working on this for several days.]  

It is now August 21, 2015 and I realized that there were many references that covers this theme. So I Google and found that all three were put together: Rapture, the Bride of Christ and the Fullness of the Gentiles. No wonder! That made sense to me why those references were in that connections. So I had to stop and think. What got me to start about “the Gentiles”? What actually inspired me? I don’t want to remove all the references and start over. So I set aside and called it, “The References of the Gentiles.”

It started with story of Joseph: Joseph was given a wife, “And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt” (Genesis 41:45). Asenath was a Gentile and Joseph married her. Then eventually, the famine came which brought Joseph’s brother to buy food … soon after the second time, Joseph revealed himself to them. In the movie, Joseph’s wife, the Gentile stood at the high balcony and saw the great rejoicing time of “Joseph’s reunion with his brothers.” Joseph’s brothers were already his family.

Joseph’s wife became a family of the Jews. [From this movie, it thrilled me to realize that in the future, we, the Gentile will get to see the great reunion time of Christ and the Jews who will finally realize that it was “The Pierced One” … see Aug. 1-7 Manna.] So Joseph was the type of Christ who will marry the wife, the Gentile so that the Gentiles could become a family, officially.

Also I have heard of one preacher from Texas, preached about the body of Christ, the Church age, the Gentile. He said, “Any Jews who have accepted Christ are already His family. The Gentiles are the ones that need “to be married to Christ” so that we, who are Gentiles, could become a family and become God’s people, the Jews and the Gentiles alike.

So the “fullness of the Gentiles” means when the body of Christ, the Church Age is full and complete, at the right time the Rapture comes and the next thing will be  “…for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready” (Rev. 19:7). Oh boy, this is what Paul meant, “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27). 

May the Lord bless you and enrich you in Christ. Amen!

Fullness of Time (8/15-19)

15-19 August 2015 - Fullness of Time – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Galatians 4:4 “When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son.”

God’s timing is perfect in everything. Sometimes we sighed, perfect time? We are wondering why God doesn’t seem to be active when we have some unanswered prayers. God is working behind the scenes to prepare His moment of plan at the right time. Like Paul said, “When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son” at the right time.

When I say, “Trust Him. He knows just the right time to do it.” Do you need proof that God really does that? Here’s some history that might “perk you up.” This was the moment that really inspired me very much and I want to share this with you.

A quick look at the history shows that the coming of Christ was at just the right time. I like what New Living Translation quoted, “At last the time has come!” (Mark 1:15). For centuries the Jews had been wondering when their Messiah would come—but God’s timing was perfect. So what exactly was God doing before that right time came?

Let’s look at the nations that were surrounded from Israel before Jesus’ time. Each nation had their own original language. Now suppose a missionary might want to share the Good News, one would have to learn their original language that would have taken a long discouraging time. God saw that. God decided to do something. So Centuries earlier, Alexander the Great conquered the most of the known world, bringing with him the Greek culture and Greek language.

From my old dictionary states: Alexander the Great was the king of Macedonia from 336 to 323 B.C. He conquered the Greek city-states and the whole Persian Empire, from the coasts of Asia Minor and Egypt to India. From Google states: Alexander III of Macedon, commonly known as Alexander the Great, was a King of the Ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon.

The key was that Alexander the Great commanded the Greek language to become the second language that all nations were to learn from. So therefore, Israel learned the Greek language as their second language beside their original language was Hebrews and later Aramaic. That was not all God did. The next was under the Roman’s rule that the crucifixion took place, where the blood of Christ was shed for us.

It was under the rule of Roman that conditions were made ready for the spread of the gospel across three continents: good roads, territorial boundaries free of “passport” restrictions, and a unifying (unite) language which was the Greek language. God’s providence had put all the pieces in place for the perfect time to send His Son.

Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He commanded the disciples to “Go into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). God knew missionaries would need the nations to know the Greek language and be able to “hear” them preach the Gospel. Not only that, God also prepared a good and safe roads for missionaries to travel far and wide, and easy access to any countries. I have to say, “Wow,” God planned it all.

Prayer: Lord, in Your infinite wisdom and power, You work behind the scenes to prepare all things for just the right time. Teach me to wait well and to trust You to know when the fullness of time has come. Teach us O Lord, the disciplines of patience. For us to wait is often harder than to work. Thank you for the Manna that You remind us that Your timing is perfect in everything in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. 

Song: How big is God

How big is God: how big and wide His vast domain.

   To try to tell these lips can only start.

He’s big enough to rule His mighty universe

   Yet small enough to live within my heart.  

       (Inspiring Choruses)