Living Word Magazine April 2015

The centurion watching Jesus saw the earthquake, and feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

www.biblestudiesonline.org.uk

In this issue: 4.

Vanguard of an Invasion Force

Edwin & Lillian Harvey (USA)

5.

You are NOT a Captive

Ken Legg (Australia)

6.

Faith: The Sixth Sense

Reinhard Bonnke (CfaN)

8.

The Poison of Unbelief (Part 2)

Daniel Kolenda (CfaN)

9.

Faith-builders Bible Study Luke 1:57–80

Derek Williams (UK)

11.

In Depth Study – Zechariah 9

Mathew Bartlett (UK)

14.

Stephen the Pentecostal Deacon

Haydn O. Williams (UK)

15.

The Winning Bet

Bible Studies Online

16.

Christ’s Appearances after His Resurrection

Mathew Bartlett (UK)

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Living Word is published in the UK by Sharon Full Gospel Church, 7 Park View, Freeholdland Road, Pontnewynydd, Pontypool, NP4 8LP Editor: Mathew Bartlett

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The Prophet of Messiah: Zechariah

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Vanguard of an Invasion Force

An extract from ”Kneeling We Triumph” by Edwin & Lillian Harvey BUY ON KINDLE! £3.86 Reproduced by kind permission of Harvey Publishers.

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Pray ye...Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done (Matt. 6:9, 10).

The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force (Matt. 11:12).

The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord (Rev. 11:15).

Don Richardson in a Memorial Service for the martyred missionaries in West Irian had this inspired explanation to give for the hatred and abuse heaped upon the loving ministries of the Christian.

This holds true in other than heathen lands but merely is shown in a more polished manner: “We may well ask, ‘Why is it that people who are loyal to Jesus Christ, who endeavor to be as He was, holy, harmless, undefiled— people whose desire is to live and teach the ethic of Heaven itself— why should they be, in every age, the objects of such furious hatred?’

“There are, perhaps, many reasons.

I will name what I believe is the main one. The ungodly of this world persecute the body of Christ because they instinctively recognize that body as the vanguard of an invasion from another world, a world diametrically opposed to this one. The ungodly are fighting to hold this planet against this invasion, even though it is an invasion by the greatest love and goodness that ever was.

The ungodly want to keep this planet a place where they can practice independent meaning in rebellion against God, even though the penalty for that rebellion is death itself, and so they resent every encroachment from that other world where the rule is that men practice dependent meaning in submission to God. “Some imaginative men have speculated about the possibility that this world may someday be invaded from outside itself. Little do they realize that an invasion of this world occurred two thousand years ago, an invasion far more subtle, far more sophisticated, far more certain of success than anything that the wildest flight of man’s imagination could conceive.

The Incarnation of Jesus Christ was that invasion and He is still carrying on His conquest, not by bringing in armies to suppress the earth, but by transforming His enemies into citizens of His kingdom through His Gospel.”—Helen Manning.

The continuance of this invasion is largely maintained by the secret prayer warriors described by S. D. Gordon:

in full touch with his Savior-Victor, and then incessantly, insistently, believingly claims victory in Jesus’ name. He is the one foe among men whom Satan cannot withstand.

He is projecting an irresistible spirit force into the spirit realm. Satan is obliged to yield. We are so accustomed through history’s long record to seeing victories won through force, physical force, alone, that it is difficult for us to realize that moral force defeats as the other never can. . . .

“Every time such a man prays it is a waving of the red-dyed flag of Jesus Christ above Satan’s head in the spirit world. Every such man who freely gives himself over to God and gives himself up to prayer is giving God a new spot in the contested territory on which to erect His banner of victory.”

Christian to arms! Behold in sight The treacherous, threatening sons of might; To arms! or thou art put to flight; Attest thy glorious chivalry.

Each moment’s respite sees thy wrong, Supinely thou hast dwelt too long.

Thy foes, alas! they grow more strong.

Arise! Acquit thee valiantly!

—Selected.

“The victor’s best ally in this conflict is the man, who while he remains down on the battlefield, puts his life 4

into the kingdom of the Son of His love’ (Col.1:13).

This has happened to us as a result of our union with Christ. In Romans 6:10 Paul explains, ‘For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.’ What does this mean?

Image © Eric Simard

You are NOT a Captive by Ken Legg When a circus elephant is just a baby its leg is tied to a leash which is attached to a peg or stake and hammered into the ground. As it tries to pull on the leash, the chain cuts into its leg causing soreness and bleeding. Over time, the wound becomes so sensitive that even the slightest pull on the chain is painful, and so eventually the elephant stops trying to free itself.

Amazingly, when it is full grown, the same chain and stake keep it bound to one location even though the adult elephant could easily pull the stake out of the ground. Why is that? The memories of the animal’s painful attempts to free itself in the past have become embedded in its mind. It has been programmed to believe that it is as powerless in the present as it was in the past. It is now held captive, not by the chain and peg, but by wrong thinking.

Before we were born again we were in the kingdom of darkness and under the dominion of Satan and the power of sin. But now we have been delivered ‘from the power of Satan to God’ (Acts 26:18). Paul says, ‘He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us

In other places the apostle tells us that Christ died for sin. But here he says He died to sin. It is obvious that he is not suggesting that Jesus stopped sinning, because He never sinned. What he means is that whilst Jesus temporarily left heaven and came to live in a realm where sin dominated, i.e. Earth, He no longer lives in that realm. After His death, resurrection and ascension, He left Earth and was raised to the Father’s right hand in heaven. Now He lives unto God. Sin has no place or power in this realm.

In the following verse he says, on the basis of our union with Christ, ‘Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord’ (Rom. 6:11).

He is not suggesting that we have died to the possibility of temptation or sinning, but that we have died to the sin nature which was the dominant power which reigned in us. In Christ, we are now seated in the heavenly places and alive unto God. We are partakers of the divine nature. Another power, much greater than sin, rules in us now; that is, the power of His grace.

We stand in the grace of God (see Rom.5:2; 1 Pet.5:12). Godliness is at the core of our being. It is the essence of our new nature. In the same way that sin produced the certainty of sinful behaviour, grace produces the certainty of holiness.

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As far as our unredeemed bodies are concerned, sin remains and will make its appeal to us from that base. If we are suffering from ‘circus elephant syndrome’ we will think that we are just the same now as when we were in Adam, so we will give in to sin’s demands.

That’s why Paul has taken time in the preceding chapter to explain that we are not in Adam anymore.

We are now in Christ. Therefore, sin is not our master. We are empowered by grace to reign: ‘... as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord’ (Rom.5:21).

We must not fall for the lies of some branches of modern psychology which would have us believe that we are victims of our upbringing and therefore doomed to problematic behaviour. That may be true of those in Adam, but not of those in Christ.

It’s not the way that we were raised that matters, but the way that He was raised! He died and was raised out of the realm of sin and death and now lives unto God. We were raised with Him that we might reign in life by the mighty working of His power in us. ‘Those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ’ (Rom.5:17)

Order ‘Grace: The Power to Reign’ PDF AUS $9 Print AUS $19

will help us get the definition straight.

Faith: The Sixth Sense

by Reinhard Bonnke Image © Grace21

Article reproduced with kind permission of Christ for all Nations

Introduction - Common Faith This Bible study has been taken from chapter 2 of FAITH THE LINK TO GOD'S POWER Some people have very odd ideas about faith, so odd that here we need to clarify what, in fact, we are discussing when we

talk about faith. Faith is not believing something you know is not true; neither is it believing something for which there is no evidence. That is simply foolishness. The Bible is a big book all about faith, and in it, we find a few facts about faith that

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The elementary fact is that faith is a built-in part of all humans.

We are born to be believers. If you think you have no faith, try it! Try not believing in anything or anybody—your wife, husband, doctor, bank, boss, baker, or chef. There are no guarantees, yet we put our lives into the hands of surgeons, and we trust drivers of trains, cars, and airplanes without thinking of faith. But that is what it is.

Faith is a kind of immune system to filter out fears that otherwise would paralyze all activity. When it fails, we develop all kinds of phobias and compulsions. It is a nervous breakdown. Jesus said to not have phobia but faith.

(See Luke 8:50.)

If you stopped using this faculty of faith, you would never get out of bed in the morning or step outside. You might think the sky could fall down. In this world, a million cobra troubles are coiled to strike, but we carry on, usu-ally quite aloof from them and confident. The Bible says, “God has dealt to each one a measure of faith” (Romans 12:3). Christ said, “Only believe” (Mark 5:36), because we can.

Getting married is the best illustration of faith I know of.

Has any bride or bridegroom ever imagined the other was perfect? Yet they commit them-selves to each other for life, for better or worse. One bride refused to repeat the

words, “I take thee for better or worse.” She said, “I only take him for worse. I know he’ll never be better.” She still went ahead, confident but not optimistic!

There is no mystique about faith.

Perhaps little children are the biggest believers. Many times I have lifted a child in my arms, but not once has the child screamed for fear of falling.

Jesus Himself carried a child as an illus-trated sermon. He said the child carried a passport to the kingdom of God. Faith does not come by murdering common sense. It is not a peculiar psy-chology developed with great effort by saints in caves and living on bread and water. It is not peculiar at all. It is natural.

Doubt is peculiar—irrational in fact. It is the only thing that ever surprised Jesus.

Sinners Can Believe The next thing we must understand is what it means to be holy, to be a saint. People often confuse faith and virtue.

Virtue is developed.

By con-trast, faith does not come in the same way that one learns the piano, grade by grade.

People talk about “big believers” as if believing came in sizes, like suit jackets. But we can have faith even when we know we are not very good. Sinners can have faith; otherwise, they could never be saved. Nobody is good, but Christ taught us that all can believe. He commended some people for their faith, but they

were foreigners, quite ignorant of doctrine.

The Bible does the same. It has an honor roll listing heroes and heroines of faith. (See Hebrews 11.) They are remembered not for valor or kindness but for their complete reliance upon God. Faith is a perfectly ordinary thing that makes us outstanding in the eyes of God, since “without faith it is impos­sible to please [God]” (Hebrews 11:6).

By faith it is possible to please God, and faith is possible for everybody.

Believe in What?

Another fact about faith is that we are what we believe. Thus, we need to monitor what we believe. We make the decision to believe, and what we believe, in turn, will define us. Some believe in UFOs, or that the earth is alive, or in voices from the dead; perhaps they just want to be different. In our lives, we are presented with millions of things we could believe in, but God is supreme. Above all else, He is the one worth believing in.

Even in this modern world, surveys show that practically everybody believes in God—in some sort of God, somewhere.

The question is, what sort?

Faith, the Character Test In this way, believing tests us.

The kind of God we believe in is a window into our souls—for example, the difference between believing in Christ or 7

Karl Marx. We are what we believe. What does it say about us if we follow a faith that only demands a few prayers?

Minimum-effort religions can be quite popular; they make small demands and gain a big following, cheap faith for lackadaisical people.

Jesus Christ asks for everything: “Son, give Me your heart.” A broad religion is an easy road, but it gets narrower and goes nowhere. Faith in Christ is a narrow road that gets wider and leads somewhere. “The path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day” (Proverbs 4:18).

BUY: Faith The Link With God's Power International Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke draws from his years of personal study and vibrant ministry to reveal that Faith itself is not the power, but it links us to the power source. It is not the size of our faith but the size of the God we believe in that determines the results. There is no link to God’s power without faith.

completely. Any way you look at it, faith is the key to powerful prayer.

This is the point Jesus made in this story.

The Poison of Unbelief Part 2 Bible Study by Daniel Kolenda (CfaN)

Photo: © Ellah

By kind permission of CfaN, an extract from Daniel’s new bookLive before you die. £9.99 BUY NOW. In Matthew 17:14-21, a certain man with a demon-possessed son had come to Jesus’s disciples for help, but when they could not cast out the evil spirits, they asked Jesus why they had been so unsuccessful.

He said to them, “Because of your unbelief” (v. 20). This is a very clear and precise explanation that Jesus reiterated by going on to say, “For verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you” (v. 20). So far this seems very straightforward. But the simplicity and clarity of this statement is often overshadowed by confusion over the next words Jesus spoke: “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting” (v. 21).

that the real antagonist in this story is not the demon but the spirit of unbelief. The disciples were concerned about the demon inside the boy, but Jesus was concerned about the unbelief inside His disciples. The disciples’ question was about casting out demons, but Jesus’s answer was about casting out doubt. Jesus knew that once unbelief has been cast out, exorcizing demons would be a piece of cake.

It almost sounds as if Jesus contradicted Himself. When asked why the disciples had not been able to exorcize the demon, He said it was because of unbelief. But now He seems to be saying that it is because they had not fasted and prayed enough. Which is it? The confusion comes when we fail to realize the moral of the story. At first glance it may appear that the demon is the focal point of this account, but a closer look will reveal

Much fasting and prayer may be necessary and useful in helping us gain victory over our own stubborn flesh and cast out the spirit of unbelief that blocks God’s power from flowing through us. It is this kind of unbelief that goes out only “by prayer and fasting. It is also worth mentioning that some manuscripts do not contain the statement about prayer and fasting at all, which is why many Bible translations have left it out

Sometimes we have to pray long prayers and fast for many days before we get the victory, but it is not because our appeals coerce God into doing something. And it is not because we have finally earned the answer to our prayers by logging enough credit hours into our spiritual bank account.

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In Matthew 9:25, when Jairus’s daughter died, Jesus had to send everyone out of the room before He could raise her from the dead. Why didn’t He allow all those scornful skeptics to see the miracle with their own eyes? Because He had to cast the unbelief out. Peter did the same thing in Acts 9:40: “But Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, ‘Tabitha, arise.’ And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up” (NAS). Jesus taught His disciples a lesson: Cast the spirit of unbelief out, and nothing will be able to stand against you. Demons, death, and even the most formidable mountains will obey your command.

Investors often “diversify” their investments because if one venture doesn’t work out, they want to have something else to fall back on. So a common idiom in the business world is, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” That means, don’t put all your resources into one investment because if one of your “baskets” breaks and all your “eggs” are in it, you will lose everything.

You see, if you are holding back some of your “eggs,” it means you are not 100 percent confident that a particular basket will hold. You may be 50 percent confident or even 99 percent confident, but that small percentage of apprehension is what I am calling “unbelief.” So how do you know when you’ve gotten rid of all the unbelief? When you’ve put all of your eggs into God’s basket.

The Faith-builders Bible study series The ‘Faith-builders Bible study series’ has been developed a useful resource for today’s students of God’s Word and their busy lifestyles.

Pastors, home or study group leaders and indeed for anyone wishing to study the Bible for themselves will benefit from using Faith-builders studies.

Each volume is the result of many years of group Bible study, and has been revised again and again to be relevant, challenging and faith building whilst remaining clear and easy to understand.

Each chapter has thought provoking questions to aid study and sample answers are provided.

Below is an extract from the study notes for Luke 1:57-80

Luke Chapter 1:57-80

By Derek Williams & Mathew Bartlett (UK) Image © Rorem The Birth of John the Baptist

them, insisting that his name was John. The people could not understand why she would choose a name other than that of her husband or another respected relative.

Williams & Mathew Bartlett

1:65 All their neighbours were filled with fear, and throughout the entire hill country of Judea all these things were talked about.

Mark Chapter 2 (abstract)

1:57-58 Now the time came for Elizabeth to have her baby, and she gave birth to a son. Her neighbours and relatives By heard Derek that the Lord had shown great 1:62-63 So they made signs to mercy to her, and they rejoiced the baby's father, inquiring what with her. he wanted to name his son. He asked for a writing tablet and When the time came, Elizabeth wrote, "His name is John." And gave birth to a son just as the they were all amazed. angel Gabriel had said; and all her neighbours and relatives It is strange to think that they heard God had been merciful in made signs to Zechariah to ask healing her barrenness, and they what name he wanted to give gathered to share her joy. his son, for he was not, so far as we know, deaf, only dumb.

1:59-61 On the eighth day they Another translation puts they came to circumcise the child, and asked him. In reply, he motioned they wanted to name him for them to give him a writing Zechariah after his father. But tablet and he wrote on it that his mother replied, "No! He must the child’s name was John. be named John." They said to her, "But none of your relatives 1:64 Immediately Zechariah's bears this name." mouth was opened and his tongue released, and he spoke, According to the Law of Moses, blessing God. when the boy was eight days old they took him to the synagogue As soon as Zechariah had done to be circumcised (Genesis this, as the angel had previously 17:10-14). They were about to commanded him, his speech was call him Zacharias after his restored and he began praising father, but Elizabeth stopped God. 9

(UK) Image © Rorem Great awe fell on all those who were present and on all throughout the Judean hills who heard the news of what had happened.

1:66 All who heard these things kept them in their hearts, saying, "What then will this child be?"

For the Lord's hand was indeed with him.

Clearly, the people thought that the manner of John’s birth and naming, involving Zechariah’s vision, dumbness and subsequent healing foreshowed that God would be involved in this child’s life – and they wondered for what purpose God would raise him up. The only other children since the patriarchs whose birth was spoken of in such terms in the Scriptures were Moses, Samson and Samuel, all great judges and prophets. And throughout his lifed, God’s hand was with him.

Zacharias’ Prophecy 1:67 Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied.

Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied concerning his son in terms of his God given mission of preparing the way for the long awaited Messiah, Jesus; and so he begins by praising God for the coming Messianic kingdom.

1:68 "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, because he has come to help and has redeemed his people.

Zechariah first praises God for visiting His people. The birth of John announced that the coming near of Go din the person of the Messiah was imminent.

Zechariah further reveals the purpose of this coming; he (God, through the Messiah) has come to redeem His people and Zechariah’s new-born child would grow to announce this coming to Israel.

1:69-71 For he has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from long ago.

That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us.

A ‘horn’ is a figure for a mighty deliverer; a king from the lineage of David (Psa. 18:2). In Zechariah’s eyes he would save the people of Israel from their enemies, just as God had made known through His prophets since the world began (Acts 3:21-24). Perhaps Zechariah especially has in mind the first prophecy in the Bible (verse 70 can read ‘since the world

began’), where the enemy who brought sin, death and estrangement from God into the world is depicted as being defeated by the Messiah, and the effects of his work are undone (Gen. 3:15; 1 John 3:8).

1:72 He has done this to show mercy to our ancestors, and to remember his holy covenant.

He is fulfilling His promise of mercy that He made to Israel’s forefathers (especially Abraham) and has remembered the covenant He had made with them; a covenant which Paul explains was to be made with all people through one of Abraham’s descendants -the Messiah (Gal. 3:15-17).

1:73-75 The oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham. This oath grants that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, may serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him for as long as we live.

Indeed, Zechariah elaborates on what he has said already. This is the covenant which He made with Abraham after he offered up his son Isaac (Gen. 22:16-17), granting Israel deliverance from sin so that they could serve Him in holiness, consecration and righteousness (Eph. 4:24) without any fear (Isa. 45:17).

1:76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High. For you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways.

Zechariah’s prophesy now turns to John, who would be called the prophet of the Most High for he will go before the Lord Jesus Christ preparing the way for Him (Mal. 3:1 and Mal. 4:5).

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1:77 To give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins.

John was to make known the way of salvation to the people, firstly through preaching that they should repent in order to be ready for the Messiah; and then by pointing him out to them, the one who would forgive their sins (Luke 3:3).

1:78 Because of our God's tender mercy the dawn will break upon us from on high.

Thus the mission of John and that of Christ would be accomplished by God's tender love, mercy and grace. What is more, the time is imminent for Messiah’s appearing; the sun is about to rise for a new day of grace.

1:79 To give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Through the Messiah’s coming, God will cause his light to shine into the hearts of those who are lost in the darkness of sin and held captive by the fear of death (Eph. 5:8 and Heb. 2:15); leading sinners into the way of peace (Eph. 2:14).

1:80 And the child kept growing and becoming strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day he was revealed to Israel.

John grew up and become spiritually strong, that is mature his knowledge, understanding and strength of the Lord. He lived in isolation in the desert until the time came for him make himself known to Israel.

Our In Depth Study Zechariah Chapter 9

By Mathew Bartlett Photo © Jacob Gregory

Scripture taken from the NET

Bible®.

This article is an extract from The Prophet of Messiah – a Zechariah Bible Commentary

Buy Paperback £3.73

Prophecies Against Israel’s Enemies 9:1 This is a message from the LORD: His eyes are on everyone, especially the tribes of Israel. So he pronounces judgment against the cities of Hadrach and Damascus.

(CEV) An oracle is a heavy burden, a prophetic message which weighed the prophet down because of its gravity and seriousness. The oracle concerns the nations along the Mediterranean coast which were Israel’s enemies and neighbours – Syria and Philistia. Originally, when Israel invaded the Promised Land, God included these territories in their inheritance (Num. 34:5-6); but Israel had never conquered them completely. Hadrach was to the north of Hamath, and Hamath was nearer to the Syrian capital Damascus. Tyre and Sidon were also along this same coast.

The prophet speaks of the defeat of these fortresses as coming from the Lord, without naming the armies responsible or giving further details of the time and circumstances of these conquests. For this reason experts argue over when these prophecies were written (and consequently whether or not they were all written by Zechariah). It is

possible that each verse depicts a different time in history. Baldwin explains that some suppose the defeat of Hamath and Damascus by Jeroboam II to be depicted here (2 Kings 14:28); but it is also true that the Assyrians and Greeks fought these cities in later times, and that it was Alexander the Great who eventually overcame Tyre. The Philistine cities mentioned in vv. 5-6 were subdued by Nebuchadrezzar before the exile, and so some scholars suppose that this is an earlier prophecy inserted by the editor.

The key to why this allusion of God’s actions against Israel’s enemies is made by the prophet is found in verse 8. Many of the returned exiles faced hostility from the surrounding nations (e.g. Neh. 2:10), and God wanted to reassure them that he would keep them safe from enemy invasion. Clearly this promise was not open ended – Jerusalem and the temple were much later invaded by the Romans; but it was a promise which held for that time. God’s eyes were upon the children of Israel to watch over and guard them, just as his eyes were upon their enemies in order to bring calamity on them. I have quoted the CEV above because I 11

think it is a better rendering than those translations which suggest humanity’s eyes being on the Lord.

9:2-4 as are those of Hamath also, which adjoins Damascus, and Tyre and Sidon, though they consider themselves to be very wise. Tyre built herself a fortification and piled up silver like dust and gold like the mud of the streets! Nevertheless the Lord will evict her and shove her fortifications into the sea — she will be consumed by fire.

Using its wisdom – the technology available in those days – the island of Tyre had built an almost impenetrable sea defence, and became a wealthy trade centre.

Nevertheless, Alexander overcame these defences ‘by building a mole from the mainland’ and dealt ruthlessly with the people of Tyre. It never again rose to power.

9:5-7 Ashkelon will see and be afraid; Gaza will be in great anguish, as will Ekron, for her hope will have been dried up. Gaza will lose her king, and Ashkelon will no longer be inhabited. A mongrel people will live in Ashdod, for I will greatly humiliate the Philistines. I will take away their abominable religious practices; then those who survive will become a community of

believers in our God, like a clan in Judah, and Ekron will be like the Jebusites.

What is interesting about the depicted humbling of the Philistines is that God would use it to bring them into fellowship with himself and his people. They were to be absorbed into the population of Israel just as the Jebusites (the original inhabitants of Jerusalem) had been by David when he took Jerusalem. It was necessary of course for their religious practises to change for this to become possible.

Nevertheless, perhaps it was not until the days of the early church that this scripture was entirely fulfilled. For when Philip came to this region (Acts 8:40), it seems many were added to the Lord, and the text of Acts shows how these were commanded to abstain from blood etc., and became fully accepted as part of the people of God, with Israel and the Gentiles were made equal partners in God’s new believing community (Eph. 2:15).

The Lord Defends His People 9:8 Then I will surround my temple to protect it like a guard from anyone crossing back and forth; so no one will cross over against them anymore as an oppressor, for now I myself have seen it.

Whilst this verse refers in the first instance to the temple itself, its message encompasses the whole nation which was home to that temple. God would be on guard and keep watch (‘I myself have seen it’) over his people continually. Baldwin notes the structure of this poem follows that of the earlier verses, and so we might infer the unity of

this chapter’s composition, even if it was a redaction of various original sources. Nevertheless, the details of this section remain somewhat obscure and it requires a good deal of interpretation of the context in order to understand them. We will assume the messages to be relevant to the post exilic period; although they also contain a good deal of Messianic allusions. Whatever the circumstances and time of the prophecy, the truth expounded to God’s people is enduring. God would uphold and defend the cause of his own people and fulfil his purpose for the nations in relation to the coming of the Messiah King.

The Coming King and His Reign of Abundance and Peace 9:9 Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout, daughter of Jerusalem!

Look! Your king is coming to you: he is legitimate and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey — on a young donkey, the foal of a female donkey.

This verse was used by the gospel writers to relate to the time of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem (Matt.

21:5; John 12:15). The rightful and eternal King of Israel comes with meekness, riding the young unbroken colt, accompanied by its mother, into the city of Jerusalem to shouts of rejoicing and cries of ‘hosanna’. As Zechariah depicts, he comes bringing salvation; though the nature of that salvation was until his death and resurrection quite unknown to humanity.

9:10 I will remove the chariot from Ephraim and the warhorse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be removed. Then he will announce peace to the nations. His dominion will be from sea to sea and from the 12

Euphrates River to the ends of the earth.

The Messiah being King over Israel is not the total extent of his glory.

He will reign from sea to sea, from the River Euphrates to the ends of the earth. This is a worldwide reign of peace – and the verse insists that it is only the Christ who will introduce this peace to the nations.

The chariot, war horse and bow were the artillery, cavalry and infantry of the ancient world. Today one might think in terms of the removal of tanks, war planes and guns, but the picture is the same.

The reign of Christ over the earth will bring an end to war.

9:11-12 Moreover, as for you, because of our covenant relationship secured with blood, I will release your prisoners from the waterless pit. Return to the stronghold, you prisoners, with hope; today I declare that I will return double what was taken from you.

There is some debate over who the prisoners are who are in this waterless pit, and what that pit represents. It may be that God is promising the removal of affliction and famine conditions, to restore his exiled people to the stronghold of Jerusalem and to bless them with a measure that would outweigh the pain of their exile in captivity.

On the other hand, the verse can be used to describe the work Christ had achieved through his introduction of a new covenant ratified with his own blood shed on the cross. He has delivered those who were prisoners of sin and Satan and who therefore were without the living water of a relationship with God and who were doomed to

an eternity in the waterless pit of hell where ‘the fire is not quenched’ (Mark 9:43). In this case, the stronghold referred to would be God our refuge, or even Christ our refuge (Heb. 6:18) who rescues us from the wrath to come (1 Thess.

1:10). As for the ‘double’ restoration of God’s blessings upon those redeemed by Christ’s blood, these could be enumerated at length from many New Testament writers. As Isaac Watts in his hymn ‘Jesus Shall Reign’ succinctly notes that ‘In him the tribes of Adam boast more blessings than their father lost.’

9:13-14 I will bend Judah as my bow; I will load the bow with Ephraim, my arrow! I will stir up your sons, Zion, against yours, Greece, and I will make you, Zion, like a warrior's sword. Then the LORD will appear above them, and his arrow will shoot forth like lightning; the Lord GOD will blow the trumpet and will sally forth on the southern storm winds.

We may be uncertain of the exact circumstances in which this promise was given. Perhaps the returned exiles feared the rising power of Greece, or perhaps this note was inserted by a later writer to encourage Israel at a time when the Greeks actually did invade the land.

Actually, the mention of Greece has been omitted by some translators altogether, who see in this verse a broader reference to God’s victory over all nations. Whatever the case, the overarching message of the text remains clear. God is not helpless against his enemies. He is able to take hold of human weakness and glorify his name. Nor will he abandon his chosen people, for he will take hold of little Judah and Ephraim to defeat far more

powerful foes; he will take hold of the foolish to confound the wise and the weak to confound the strong (1 Cor. 1:27-29). In the picture given in verse 14 we see God acting on behalf of his people, regardless of human agency.

We might be weak, foolish and few, but the Lord can give victory to his people by his own supernatural agency.

9:15 The LORD who rules over all will guard them, and they will prevail and overcome with sling stones. Then they will drink, and will become noisy like drunkards, full like the sacrificial basin or like the corners of the altar.

No matter what weapons come against the people of God (here sling stones may be used against them as much as by them) they will overcome because it is God who guards them. Their victory will be complete; as symbolised by the fullness of their cups, (not actually cups of alcoholic drink nor blood, but full cups of blessing brought about by the blood of the new covenant) – a fullness further symbolised by the basins used in the temple to collect the blood of sacrifices (Lev. 4:7). The noise of the victorious crowd, although resembling that of drunkards, owes its origin to a more noble cause; as was seen on the Day of Pentecost as the fullness of the Spirit becomes the church’s possession as a spoil of Christ’s absolute victory (Acts 2:15; Eph. 5:18).

9:16 On that day the LORD their God will deliver them as the flock of his people, for they are the precious stones of a crown sparkling over his land.

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God’s people with whom he has made his covenant are precious to him: they are the flock of which he is pleased to be the shepherd, and they are the crown of his glory – as the writer of Ephesians explains, nothing will so glorify God throughout eternity as those whom he has redeemed by his grace (Eph. 1:12).

9:17 For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids. (AV) I have elected to use the Authorised Version for this verse, since it seems to make better sense. Admittedly, the subject (who is great in goodness and beauty?) is unclear in this verse, but perhaps in context it is in praise of all that God has done.

God’s grace itself is a beautiful treasure; and the objects of grace are also made beautiful by him (Eph. 5:25-27). His abundant blessing (symbolised by new wine and grain) is poured out on all, whether male or female.

Baldwin sees in this a more direct reference to God not only protecting his people but also providing for them. There was to be no more famine, but sufficient rain to produce bumper crops, if God’s people would inquire of him for it (10:1); and this would result in great rejoicing throughout this pastoral society of Judah. Nevertheless, Baldwin points further to the abiding spiritual significance of these words. To be alienated from God is to be in an arid and barren place; whereas to be reconciled to God is to be blessed in unspeakably bountiful terms.

Stephen the Pentecostal Deacon Acts 6:8–8:1 Brief extract of a forthcoming book based on studies by the late Haydn O. Williams. Image © Dvest I give Stephen the title ‘Pentecostal Deacon’ not as a denominational tag, but because he was filled with the Holy Spirit as were the 120 on the Day of Pentecost, and was gifted with the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the same way. This remarkable man was: Characterised by Fullness The word of God gives the qualifications for deacons (1 Tim. 3:8) though when Stephen was chosen these had not yet been committed to writing. Instead, Peter said to the church “look ye out seven men full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom" (Acts 6:3). These men were tested and known to be of honest report. They were to serve the church and the cause of the Lord. There is a great reward for such ministry.

Filled with the Spirit and Faith It was not long after the church began to multiply that they found they needed deacons. Stephen was chosen because he was full of the Holy Spirit. We don't know if he was one of the original 120 who were filled, but he was known for his fullness in the Spirit. In my experience I have discovered a great difference between a filled and a non-filled believer.

(Acts 6:5). Stephen was also notable for his faith, his ability to believe

and trust God. This was evidenced by the works of faith which he did, the signs and miracles which were done through his ministry.

Filled with Wisdom (Acts 6:5) The deacons were chosen because they were full of wisdom.

Stephen exercised great wisdom, but it was not merely human wisdom; it was given by the Holy Spirit.

When Stephen was persecuted, his enemies could not resist the wisdom by which he spoke (or rather, by which the Holy Spirit spoke through him) Acts 6:10 (see Matt. 10:20).

Filled with God's Word Acts chapter 7 contains 60 verses mostly spoken by this Pentecostal deacon, giving an account of God's dealings with the children of Israel; showing that Stephen was well versed in Old Testament history.

Filled with Power (Acts 5:8) Jesus said you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you. How true this was in Stephen's experience. It was nothing of physical or mental ability. He was full of the Holy Spirit, and the faith, wisdom, and knowledge that come with it. God can and will give us the same gifts.

Characterised by Fearlessness 14

When Stephen began to demonstrate the power of God, he met with opposition. The word of God has forewarned us, ‘in the world you will have tribulation’. So Stephen found persecution, lies were told about him. When we begin to work for God, the devil does not like it. He will stir up trouble for us. Yet Stephen was given strength and courage to speak out against evil the sin of the people who had rejected Jesus.

Fearless in Death The words of Stephen brought out their wrath as they shut their ears and took him out of the city to stone him to death. As Luek describes Stephen’s vision of Christ standing at the right hand of God, I cannot help feeling that Jesus was thrilled with the faithfulness of Stephen. He was a faithful witness, unto death. He would have heard our Lord say to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant’.

Forgiving in Death He was truly filled with the Holy Spirit for he not only demonstrated the power and gifts but also the fruit of the Spirit. His dying prayer manifested the nature of a Christlike Spirit. ‘Lay not this sin to their charge’ he prayed in Acts 7.60; an echo of what Jesus prayed on the cross, ‘Father forgive them.’

Our latest Gospel tract Free UK delivery. soon, but death will surely come to us all. We simply cannot avoid it; it is appointed for people to die. Equally certain is the fact that all of us will one day stand before God to be judged for our sins.

I grew up around horse racing. In our house all the talk was about the tip for the 2:30 at Chepstow or who was favourite for the 3:30 at Newmarket. I knew the names of jockeys and trainers and I could work out the odds on an each-way accumulator before I was 10!

As a young boy—even though it was illegal—I would sneak in to see my mum in the betting shop where she worked. All the men (it was usually men) were watching the horse racing and exchanging tips. One thing all the punters were looking for was a winning bet, especially if the odds were long. Many times someone would put a pile of cash on a ‘dead-cert’ only to lose heavily. They found out the hard way that the only certainty with gambling is this – the bookmaker always wins.

Of course, there are some things which are certainties in life.

Death, for instance. No one knows when death will come, and we all hope it will not be too

For centuries people have sought for a way to avoid death and to live forever. Many books and films have been made about the subject – it is a problem which vexes the whole human race.

Yet God has already given us the answer to this seemingly insurmountable problem. Jesus Christ came to abolish death and bring eternal life and immortality to the human race.

God’s eternal son left heaven and became one of us, sharing our flesh and blood nature, so that he could die.

Everyone has sinned, and since the penalty for sin is death, all humanity was awaiting punishment of eternal death and separation from God in hell. But Jesus allowed himself to be nailed to a Roman cross and died in our place—bearing our sin—so that we might live forever.

After Jesus had died, his friends took his body down from the cross and laid it in a nearby tomb. Three days later, Jesus rose from the dead and now he 15

is alive forever. He has immortal and eternal life–and is willing to share it with you.

When you ask Jesus into your life, his spirit enters into your heart, so that you share eternal life with him. When this happens, all your sins are forgiven and you become a child of God. The death sentence for sin no longer has power over you. Think of it this way: if you committed a crime, and the penalty was a fine—but a friend paid the fine for you—would you have to pay the fine as well?

Jesus died to pay the price for your sin so that you will never need to.

God loves you, and he has promised to give you eternal life if you put your faith in his son Jesus. Have you put your trust in the Lord Jesus? Have you asked him to save you from your sin?

When you do so, he will give you a life that will never end. And when inevitably death comes for you, you will no longer have to face judgment – instead you will be immediately present with the Lord Jesus, in a place of joy where there is no pain or sorrow forever.

Tracts are A5 folded to A6 finish, full colour double sided. £1.99 per 50 includes UK postage (MAINLAND UK ONLY).

Christ’s Appearances after His Resurrection Sermon Outline by Mathew Bartlett

Image © Connie Larsen

Every Easter Sunday we celebrate Christ’s rising from the dead. But that was not the end of the story.

The Bible says that Jesus appeared again and again to his disciples in various ways over the 40 days following his resurrection, giving them many infallible proofs that he was alive. What was the purpose of these post resurrection appearances of Christ?

They Were Regenerating When Christ appeared to Mary Magdalene, the women, the eleven disciples, and all the others in the upper room after his resurrection, his purpose was that by believing in him (as the Christ who had died and was risen) they might be born again to eternal life. This new birth is called regeneration. In the upper room, Jesus Christ breathed on his disciples and through the operation of the Holy Spirit they were born again—or born from above—with a new spiritual nature, the nature of God. It is the same for every one of us today. Jesus died and rose again for you. He wants you to believe this

even without seeing him. There is enough power in his resurrection to bring you from spiritual death to spiritual life.

That is why the Bible says “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Rom. 10:9 ESV) One of the apostles, Thomas, was not with the others when Jesus appeared to them on the first Easter Sunday, and he refused to believe their story without seeing the risen Christ for himself. When the Lord appeared to Thomas one week later, he rebuked him for his unbelief, and said "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

(John 20:29 ESV) Today when you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ who died for you, and who rose again and is alive today, you will experience a spiritual regeneration—you will be born again and receive the gift of eternal life.

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Restoring You may remember that before his crucifixion all of Jesus’ disciples failed him. Not only did they fall asleep in the garden of Gethsemane (when he had commanded them to watch and pray), but they all forsook him in his hour of need and fled for their lives.

Whilst all of them had failed the Lord, the one most keenly felt his failure was Simon Peter. He had followed Jesus to the High Priest’s house where he saw the Lord stand trial before the Sanhedrin—but when challenged by a young servant girl, Peter denied his Lord three times.

Peter wept bitterly over his failure, as Satan sifted him as wheat. But Christ had spoken of his restoration even before his failure. When Peter declared “Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you and die with you.”

Jesus answered, “The cock will not crow till you have denied me three times. But the Lord said this “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you

that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” (see Luke 22:31–32, 61) Peter watched his Lord’s crucifixion afar off. During the three says that Jesus body lay in the tomb, he no doubt thought that he had failed too miserably to be restored. But he had not taken into account the resurrection power of Jesus—its ability to renew and restore. After all, the power that brings life from death is able to transform any situation; it will restore the failing, revive the fainting, and renew the backslider’s faith.

So on the first day of the week, before he appeared to all the disciples together, but after he had been seen by the women, Christ appeared privately to Peter. We are not sure of the details of this encounter.

After Peter had discovered the empty tomb, we are simply told that he left, wondering about what had happened (Luke 24:12). But by that night the apostles said “The Lord is risen indeed and has appeared to Simon!” (Luke 22:34) They were not prepared to accept the testimony of the women—but Simon, whom they held as their leader (after Christ), that was a different matter.

Peter had experienced regeneration, but there was more work to be done. He now had to experience restoration.

On another occasion when Jesus appeared to them, quite early on in those 40 days, Peter and some other disciples were fishing on the Sea of Galilee. The Lord stood on the shore and called out “Children, have you any fish” No they replied, for although they had fished all night they had caught nothing (see John 21:1–14). In their hearts they

could remember the very first time they had encountered Jesus and were challenged to follow him. On that occasion too they had fished all night and caught nothing. Following his resurrection the Lord repeated the miracle that had first convinced them that he was the Son of God. Christ had taken them right back to the same place and the same experience they had when they first met the Lord. He has to do the same for us sometimes. The trials of life, and the problems we encounter, can cause us to lose faith, and lose sight of Jesus. But how gracious our Lord is, the God of restoration brings us back to himself to restore our faith in God. I notice the one great difference between this second miracle and the first miraculous catch of fish— on this second occasion the nets were not broken; a symbol of the power which had conquered death and of the person for whom nothing is impossible. If Christ wanted the nets to break they would have; but if Christ said they would not break, then they would break not even if a hundred Great White sharks swam into them.

When they got back to shore, Jesus invited the disciples to have breakfast with him, for he had a fire already burning with hot coals and the fish was already cooked. Now, I wager anything that Christ did not dirty his hands getting that meal ready—it was spoken into existence by the word of God—yet it was real fish (had he not spoken fish into existence on Day 5?) and it made a very good meal.

Having ministered to the stomachs of the disciples, refreshing them after a night of toil with food and friendship, Jesus turned his attention once again to Peter, 17

whom he invited to walk with him in private conversation along the beach, a little out of earshot of the others. Jesus did not want to embarrass Peter in front of the others. In the past Jesus had rebuked Peter in front of them all, but here was a matter to be dealt with in private. It was between the two of them.

Peter had denied his Lord three times and the Lord knew how to restore him. Three times he looks into his soul and asks “Do you love me most of all?” (see John 21:17) Peter was hurt that the Lord demanded he say it three times.

When a wound scabs over, if it is infected, it must first be reopened before the poison can be taken out.

The Lord did not bring up Simon’s failure because it had not been forgiven. He was not telling Peter that he needed to repent all over again; he was simply healing the wound. He was restoring Peter so that he could start again. And Peter responded to the restoration.

The word of God tells us today that those how fall into sin are to be gently restored in this way—the word used for ‘restore’ is the same as that which is used for setting a bone after it has been fractured.

We have been forgiven so much; we ought to help others find forgiveness too. James writes that “whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.” (James 5:20) Even the adulterer at Corinth was (after discipline) fully restored, which was the intention of the discipline all along—there was no other reason for it. Paul said “I wanted you to know the proof of my love for you…Now you ought

rather to forgive him and comfort him.” (see 2 Cor. 2:4-8) If you have failed the Lord, or failed in your faith, the risen Lord Jesus Christ is still able to restore your soul. As the scripture says, “If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) God’s restoration is never partial, only complete. In the words of an ancient hymn “perverse and foolish oft I strayed, and yet in love he sought me, and on his shoulders gently laid, and home rejoicing brought me.”

Instructing Luke recounts how after his resurrection, the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to them over 40 days, and spoke about the kingdom of God. Whatever did he teach them about?

We have some of his post resurrection teaching recorded for us.

He instructed them fulfilment of scripture.

in

the

On the road to Emmaus, Jesus, beginning with Moses and all the prophets, explained all things that were written about him in the scriptures: “Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?"

(Luke 24:26) On appearing to his disciples again he “opened their understanding to the scriptures” (Luke 24:45).

The preaching of the gospel His opening their minds to understand the scriptures meant that now they could preach the gospel. He instructed them in this.

He said, in effect, “I am sending you just as my father sent me. I am giving you a message of

forgiveness.” (see John 20:23) The apostles announced the grounds on which sins may be forgiven; being at the same time forewarned that their mission to preach the gospel would eventually reach every creature.

The Coming of the Holy Spirit And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high." (Luke 24:49 ESV) The Second Coming of Christ As Jesus gathered his disciples at the top of Mount Olivet, the last time he appeared to them, with over 500 present at once, they asked him again “Lord, is this the time you will restore the kingdom the Israel.” To which Jesus replied, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons.” (see Acts 1:6–8) It was at this time that “as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:10–11) In the midst of all this postresurrection instruction, perhaps the most famous part of it, was the great commission.

Christ’s post-resurrection appearances were commissioning Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptised shall be saved and he who believes not shall be damned. Teaching them to observe all things whatever I have commanded you. (Mark 16:15–16 and Matt. 28:19–20)

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In the great commission Christ gave his disciples: Purpose Go into all the world and preach the gospel... We have a message of salvation to proclaim and we must proclaim it fearlessly to all mankind, regardless of whether they accept it or not. Theirs is to accept or reject, but ours is to proclaim it without prejudice. God is not willing that any should perish. Pentecostal pioneer missionary and apostle William Burton said when he arrived in central Africa “We couldn’t got the wrong place—we had to preach it to them all.” For all our lives we have a purpose. Every little church across the countryside, and the big churches in the cities, all have an equal share in this purpose—to make the gospel message known to all people so that they might be saved. Let’s get on with the job. Through platform preaching, tract distribution, personal witness, and in many other ways, the gospel must be made known. Every church should have a prayer meeting and every prayer meeting, whatever else it may contain, must always contain fervent prayers for the lost, for it is God's heart and God wants us to enter in and share his burden through prayer.

Power You will receive power after that the Holy Spirit has come on you and you will be my witnesses. Having instructed them to preach the gospel in all the world, Jesus then delayed them. Remain in Jerusalem until you have been clothed with power from on high. There is no point going to work without your tools. And the tools given by a supernatural Christ for a

supernatural task are necessarily supernatural.

And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover. (Mark 16:17–18) So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs. (Mark 16:19– 20) The tragedy of evangelism today is that many who go forth to preach who have not yet received this power from on high. They are like men going to dig the road with a tea spoons—they have not got the proper tools for the job. Far worse, it is disobedience to the Lord Jesus Christ and irreverence for God’s way of doing things.

When Paul preached he said my preaching was not with wise and persuasive words but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. When we preach the gospel today we must do so in the fullness and power of the Spirit of God; we must expect supernatural manifestation to confirm God’s word.

Wherever we go with the gospel, whatever challenges we face, even the rejection and persecution of the people, God is still with us. The Lord Jesus Christ accompanies us.

The Prophet of Messiah

It was because of that presence that the apostles could sing when locked in jail, bleeding from a beating. It was because of that same presence that the earth shook, the prison doors opened and a number of souls were added to the church.

We cannot stop the progress of God. He will build his church and no man can stop it. Let opponents of the cross atheists write as many books and produce as many films as they like—no one can stop the Lord from accomplishing his purposes.

Let us be humbly encouraged by this. We are weak but God is strong.

On one occasion, Moses said to God “if your presence goes not with us let us not go up hence”, but God in reply assured him “My presence will go with you and I will give you rest.” (see Ex. 33:14-15) To Joshua, the Lord said—as he says to us—“I will be with you, I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (see Joshua 1:5 and Hebrews 13:5)

The encouragement which Zechariah's prophecies brought to the Jews at the time of their return from exile helped them to rebuild not only their temple but also their national identity.

Yet Zechariah's message of hope pointed beyond the glory of the temple to one greater than the temple: the Anointed One (Messiah) who would become both priest and king forever over all nations.

Available at Amazon The Prophet of Messiah: The Book of Zechariah Paperback: £3.73 & free UK delivery.

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