Sat, Jun 9th - 8:48AM

THE LEVITICAL PRIESTHOOD

What did the Levitical priesthood know about the coming Messiah and when did they know it? They knew that none received salvation under the Law, as God appointed it to show that all men were abject sinners, but allowed temporary forgiveness only, until the next sin, nevertheless people died in sin as it was impossible for them to keep up with or even remember all the various sins they committed. For this reason, the whole of Israel begged God for a Deliverer, who would save them from all their sins permanently, which the Law never could as ordained by God.

This Deliverer was known to them by such names not only Deliverer, but Saviour, Messiah, Anointed One or Christ. Therefore, all Israel knew at the very beginning that God had planned the obsolescence of the Levitical priesthood through the promised coming of a new, and better covenant inaugurating a new eternal high priest in the Saviour to come, with a new priesthood under Him that would be for all believers, not just the nation of Israel.

Tue, Jun 5th - 8:41AM

THE LEVITICAL PRIESTHOOD

In this  study we take a hard look at the Levitical priesthood of the Law, given by God to obtain temporary atonement for men through offering of sacrifices for the sins of people who when they confessed them would escape punishment or death by substituting an animal in their place.

By the time of Malachi, the Levitical priesthood was in open disobedience to the Law. It is true that some were faithful, however God commanded that the whole Levitical priesthood was to be faithful. Instead, the majority of them had become so corrupt and greedy for money that the Bible tells us: Malachi 1: 10Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.

Before this in their greed they were doing many other corrupt things that greatly angered and insulted God,  Mal 1: 6A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name? 7Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible. 8And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil?

The Levitical priesthood is promoted in error by some as a great and good  example of faithfulness. The truth is that they were far from it, as they deliberately and openly rebelled against God, and became corrupters of the people by the multitude of their depraved examples.

Where is the good news in this bad news of the corrupt Levitical priesthood?

The good news is that the Law does exactly what God purposed; it reveals the eternal truth that all men, even those purported to be the best of men are sinners at heart, have no power over sin, and that neither they nor anyone can ever be made righteous under the Law. The Law establishes that all who violate the Law are all sinners perfectly deserving of its punishment, condemnation and death.

For this reason, we must beware of false teachers who preach that men can please God or obtain salvation under the Law whether in whole or in part. The only things certain in the Law is that all under It justly receive condemnation, punishment and death.

Fri, Jun 1st - 8:01PM

Fri, May 4th - 10:39AM

JEWELS FROM JOB:

Jewels From Job

Job – Chapter #20

This chapter could be outlined:

1. Short Joy for the Wicked (verses 1-9)

2. Certain Destruction of the Wicked (verses 10-22)

3. The End of the Wicked (verses 23-29)

1 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said: 2 "Therefore my anxious thoughts make me answer, Because of the turmoil within me. 3 I have heard the rebuke that reproaches me, And the spirit of my understanding causes me to answer. Job 20:1-3 (NKJV)

ZOPHAR’S SECOND ROUND

Zophar takes his second round of hits at Job.

Zophar says that because of the debate he is uneasy. He is not at rest – and needs to say something – so now we find his comments.

Job has been straight forward with those who were sitting with him. Through all the debate Job has claimed his innocence – yet his friends don’t believe him. In their minds God does not let the things that have happened to Job – happen to the innocent. God would bless the innocent and punish the wicked. That is justice. Since Job was afflicted it meant that he had sinned and should make full amends for his sin in order to restore his health. Job did not claim to be absolutely perfect, but he did deny that his affliction was not caused by sin in his life.

Zophar feels that he must explain further the understanding that he has. Understanding – a rational approach not from passion, but certain knowledge.

4 "Do you not know this of old, Since man was placed on earth, 5 That the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment? 6 Though his haughtiness mounts up to the heavens, And his head reaches to the clouds, 7 Yet he will perish forever like his own refuse; Those who have seen him will say, ’Where is he?’ 8 He will fly away like a dream, and not be found; Yes, he will be chased away like a vision of the night. 9 The eye that saw him will see him no more, Nor will his place behold him anymore. Job 20:4-9 (NKJV)

SHORT JOY FOR THE WICKED

Zophar looks back in history – to the beginning of time – that it is a fact that the wicked will prosper – but it will only be for a short period of time. How long was it between the sin of Adam and the day that he was held accountable for it? We are not certain – but it was a short time. Genesis says that God came in the “cool of the day”. It was probably the same day – but whatever the time span was the time between the sin and judgment was short. “The joy of the wicked has been brief and the happiness of the godless has lasted only a moment?” Job 20:5 (HCSB) “The good times of the wicked are short-lived; godless joy is only momentary.” Job 20:5 (MSG)

NOTE: The Hebrew word for man in verse four is literally “Adam”.

A wicked man may think he is mighty – but it is only for a moment. He will stand tall – so tall that his head seems to reach to heaven. Success is temporary – no matter how rich, famous, or secure he may be, the wicked person will eventually perish. Zophar used graphic images: he will go away like human excrement. People will then ask, “Where is he? Where did he go?” Here today, gone tomorrow! (Verses 6-7)

Mon, Apr 2nd - 7:59AM