SEVENTY WEEKS

THE REVELATION OF THE SEVENTY WEEKS

Mark 11: 20-24

King James Version (KJV)

Verses 20-27. 

Seventy weeks.

 (Daniel 9; 24-27).

W

e have here the answer that was immediately sent to Daniel’s prayer, and it is a very outstanding one, as it contains the most illustrious prediction of Christ and gospel-grace that is extant in all the Old Testament. If John Baptist was the morning-star, this was the day-break to the Sun of righteousness, the day-spring from on high. Here is,

I. The time when this answer was given.

II. The messenger by whom this answer was sent. It was not given him in a dream, nor by a voice from heaven, but, for the greater certainty and solemnity of it, an angel was sent on purpose, appearing in a human shape, to give this answer to Daniel. Observe,

a). Who this angel, or messenger, was; it was the man Gabriel. If Michael the archangel be, as many suppose, no other than Jesus Christ, this Gabriel is the only created angel that is named in scripture. Gabriel signifies the mighty one of God; for the angels are great in power and might, 2 Pet. 2:11. It was he whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning. Daniel heard him called by his name, and thence learned it (Dan. 8:16); and, though then he trembled at his approach, yet he observed him so carefully that now he knew him again, knew him to be the same that he had seen at the beginning, and, being somewhat better acquainted with him, was not now so terrified at the sight of him as he had been at first. When this angel said to Zacharias, I am Gabriel (Luke 1:19), he intended thereby to put him in mind of this notice which he had given to Daniel of the Messiah’s coming when it was at a distance, for the confirming of his faith in the notice he was then about to give of it as at the door.

KINGDOM DYNAMICS

  

9: 24-27 The revelation to Daniel of seventy weeks came as an answer to his prayer.  God showed him that the refining judgments of Israel would come to an end, and their acceptance of the Messiah would bring in everlasting righteousness.  This prophecy provides a time frame for messianic prediction from the time of Daniel to the establishing of the millennial kingdom. It also establishes the fact that God is not finished with Israel as a nation.  To a great extent, Israel becomes God’s prophetic clock.

9: 24-26 The time frame of the seventy weeks or ″Seventy Sevens of Years″ is associated with Daniels people, the Jews, and the holy city, Jerusalem.  The fact that the weeks of years (490) are 360-day years is established by a comparison of 7:25 with Rev. 12:2, 3; 12:6, 14, and 13:5. The weeks of years began with the commandment by Artaxerxes in 445 B.C. to restore Jerusalem. Chronologically, they are divided as:

Seven sevens    49 years – 445 to 396 B.C.

(From Artaxerxes; decree to the arrival of Nehemiah and the covenant (renewal celebration at Jerusalem)

Sixty-two sevens 434 years – 396 B.C. to A.D. 32

(From the dedication of the second temple to the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ)  

One seven        7 years-Unfilled.

9: 26-27 He shall make it desolate. National Israel will enter into a covenant with the future little horn, the Roman prince (7:8, 11:36) or Antichrist for seven years (Daniel’s final or Seventieth Week).  In the middle of the week, the Antichrist will break the covenant and demand that the blood sacrifices, restored by Israel in the last days, must cease.  He will then set up his image in the Jewish temple and require worship. (Matt. 24:15; 2 Thess.2: 3, 4).

In Closing

D

ear Friends, Those of us who would understand the things of God must consider them, must apply their minds to them, ponder upon them, and compare spiritual things with spiritual. The reason why we are so much in the dark concerning the revealed will of God, and mistake concerning it, is want of consideration. This vision both requires and deserves consideration.

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Playwright/Screen Writer/Director

Published Author/Gospel Lyricist &Producer

FOUNDER/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts

THE TREE AND IT'S FRUIT

(Matthew 16)

 ¹⁶Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

The Parable of the Tree and its Fruits (also called the Trees and their Fruits) is a parable of Jesus about testing a person.

We are to Understand that the results of an individual’s life and work are better indications of personal motives than is appearance or claims.  There are many false prophets who pretend to be Christian guides, but whose real purpose is selfish and destructive.  We must test those claiming to prophesy by their fruit, that is, by their life-style, character, teaching, and influence and whether or not their predictions come to pass. 

Narrative

From Matthew 7:15–20 (KJV):

"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."

From Luke 6:43-45 (KJV):

"For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh."

A similar passage appears in the Gospel of Thomas 45 (Patterson-Meyer Translation):

"Grapes are not harvested from thorns, nor are figs picked from thistles, for they do not produce fruit. A good man brings forth good from his treasure. A bad man brings (forth) evil from the bad treasure that is in his heart, and (in fact) he speaks evil. For out of the abundance of the heart he brings forth evil." 

Matthew 7:15-20

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.  You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles?  So, every sound tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears evil fruit.  A sound tree cannot bear evil fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  Thus you will know them by their fruits.

Meditation:

What do grapes, thorns, figs, and thistles have to teach us about the kingdom of God?

 The imagery used by Jesus would have been very familiar to his audience.  A certain thorn bush had berries which resembled grapes.  And a certain thistle had a flower, which at least from a distance, resembled the fig.  Isn't it the same today?  What we "hear" might have a resemblance of the truth, but, in fact, when you inspect it closely, it's actually false.  False prophets or teachers abound today as much as they did in biblical times.

 

What's the test of a true or false teacher?

 Jesus connects soundness with good fruit.  Something is sound when it is free from defect, decay, or disease and is healthy. Good fruit is the result of sound living — living according to moral truth and upright character. The prophet Isaiah warned against the dangers of falsehood: Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness (Isaiah 5:20).  The fruits of falsehood produce an easy religion which takes the iron out of religion, the cross out of Christianity, and any teaching which eliminates the hard sayings of Jesus, and which push the judgments of God into the background and makes us think lightly of sin.

So, how do we avoid falsehood?

 By being true — true to God, his word, and his grace.  And that takes character!  Those who are true to God know that their strength lies not in themselves but in God who supplies what we need.   The fruit of a disciple is marked by faith, hope and love, justice, prudence, fortitude and temperance.  Do you cultivate good fruit in your life and reject whatever produces bad fruit?

Let us pray together.

"Lord, may each of us bear good fruit for your sake.  Help us all to reject whatever will produce evil fruit.  And help each of us to grow in faith, hope, love, sound judgment, justice, courage, and self control."  Amen.

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Playwright/Director/Screen Writer

Producer/Gospel Lyricist/Author

Founder/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts

NEW BIRTH

NEW BIRTH

       John 3: 1-16 (KJV)

3 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

Narrative - NICODEMUS

Who this Nicodemus was. Not many mighty and noble are called; yet some are, and here certainly was one. Not many of the rulers, or of the Pharisees; yet. Note:

a.)    . This was a man of the Pharisees, bred to learning, a scholar. Let it not be said that all Christ’s followers are unlearned and ignorant men. The principles of the Pharisees, and the peculiarities of their sect, were directly contrary to the spirit of Christianity; yet there were some in whom even those high thoughts were cast down and brought into obedience to Christ. The grace of Christ is able to subdue the greatest opposition.

b.)    He was a ruler of the Jews, a member of the great Sanhedrim, a senator, a privy-counsellor, a man of authority in Jerusalem. Bad as things were, there were some rulers well inclined, who yet could do little good because the stream was so strong against them; they were over-ruled by the majority, and yoked with those that were corrupt, so that the good which they wished to do they could not do; yet Nicodemus continued in his place, and did what he could, when he could not do what he would.

KINGDOM DYNAMICS

3:1-5 New Birth.  THE MESSAGE OF HE KINGDOM. 

Upon repentance, a new order of life opens to the believer in Jesus Christ.  Jesus used the figure of “new birth” to dramatically indicate three things:

1)      Without New Birth, there is no life and no relationship with God (14:6).

2)      In New Birth, new perspective comes as we “see the kingdom of God (3:3).  God’s Word becomes clear, and the Holy Spirit’s works and wonders are believed and experienced-faith is alive.

3)      Through New Birth we are introduced-literally we “enter” (v. 5)-to a new realm, where God’s new kingdom order can be realized (2 Cor. 5:17).  New Birth is more than simply being “saved.”  It is a prequalifying experience, opening up the possibilities of our whole being to the supernatural dimension of life, and fitting us for a beginning in god’s kingdom order.

                      (Matt. 3:1-2, 2:4-17/Mat. 13:1-52)

v  3:1 Nicodemus (“Conqueror of the People”) was an influential and respected member of the Sanhedrin.  As a Pharisee, Nicodemus was thoroughly trained in Jewish law and theology; Jesus therefore called him “teacher of Israel” (3:10)

v  3:2 Nicodemus may have come to Jesus at night because he was fearful of losing his reputation and position.  More likely he was a particular example of those mentioned 2:23; if so, his night visit would indicate a lack of certainty that Jesus was the Messiah Himself.

v  3:3, 4 The Greek word translated again can also be rendered “from above.”  Nicodemus clearly understood it in the former sense, whereas Jesus had both meanings in mind.  To enter the kingdom of God, one must be born again, not by experiencing a second biological birth, but by spiritual birth from above.

v  3:5 Water may refer to physical birth.  The Hebrews used terms such as ‘water’ and ‘drop’ in describing natural birth, and such an explanation fits the context.  However, some see a reference to the faith that is expressed in water baptism (not ‘for’ but ‘because of salvation).  Spirit refers to the spiritual birth brought about by the renewing and transforming power of the Holy Spirit.

v  3:14 The deliverance from sin described in Num. 21:4-9 is a type of the Crucifixion.

v  3:16 The theme of this summary of the gospel is God’s love made manifest in an infinitely glorious manner.

God Gave to Us First.  He Is Our Role Mode for Giving and Receiving. SEED FAITH. Do you find it difficult to believe that you should expect to receive back from your giving?  Then read again this most famous verse in all the Bible and notice these things:

1. God so loved. God’s motivation for giving was love.  Ours must be, too.
2. God gave.  God’s love was turned into an act of giving.
3. God gave His only begotten Son.  He gave His very best!  So must we also give our best.
4. God gave for a specific reason-to get man back from Satan.  God’s  deepest desire is to have man restored to Himself.  And to get that need met, He gave.  What is your need?  Our giving-as an act of our deepest love, and strongest faith-is the key to our having that need met.
5. God gave sacrificially. Our salvation cost Jesus His life (see John 12:24).  It also cost us-full repentance and the giving of our lives to God.
6. God’s plan works!  Souls are saved because god gave His best, gave first, and gave expecting to receive! God Himself is our role model for giving…and receiving!

Reflection:

U

nderstand that perceiving the kingdom of God and entering it are impossible without spiritual rebirth.

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Playwright/Screen Writer/Director

Published Author/Gospel Lyricist &Producer

FOUNDER/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts

PEACE BE STILL

MATTHEW 8: 23 - 27
King James Version (KJV)

 23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.

24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.

25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.

26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

27 But the men marveled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!

WORD RICHES

8:26 little faith.  ″faith″ describing a faith that lacks confidence or trust too little. Jesus used the word in various situations as a tender rebuke or corrective chiding (6:30; 8:26; 14:31; 16:8; Luke 12:28). Another way to term it is ″underdeveloped faith″ as opposed to outright unbelief or distrust.

Kingdom Dynamics

Christ had given sailing commands to his disciples (Matt. 8:18), that they should depart to the other side of the sea of Tiberias, into the country of Gadara, in the tribe of Gad, which lay east of Jordan; there he would go to rescue a humble creature that was possessed with a legion of devils, though he foresaw how he should be disrespected there.

Footnote: Jesus chose to cross the lake, that he might have occasion to manifest himself the God of the sea as well as of the dry land, and to show that all power is HIS, both in heaven and in earth.

His disciples followed him; the twelve kept close to him, when others stayed behind upon the ground, where there was sure footing.

      Now notice here,

a)   The danger and confusion of the disciples in this voyage; and in this appeared the truth of what Christ had just now said that those who follow him must count upon difficulties, Matt. 8:20.

b)   Understand that Christ could have prevented the storm, and have ordered them a pleasant passage, but that would not have been counted for His glory and the confirmation of their faith as their deliverance was: this storm was for their sakes, as John 11:4.

c)   Jesus Christ was asleep in this storm. We never read of Christ’s sleeping but at this one time; he was in watching often, and continued all night in prayer to God: this was a sleep of holy serenity, and dependence upon his Father.  Those of us who can lay our heads upon the pillow of a clear conscience, may sleep quietly and sweetly in a storm (Ps. 4:8), as Peter, Acts 12:6.

d)   Jesus slept at this time, to try the faith of HIS disciples, whether they could trust him when he seemed to slight them. He slept not so much with a desire to be refreshed, as with a design to be awaked.

8:24-25. Matthew contrasts Jesus physical state of peaceful sleep with the great tempest of nature and the disciples’ fearful cry.

8:25. We perish. “Lord, save us: we perish”. It was the language of their fervency; they pray as men in earnest, that beg for their lives; it becomes us thus to strive and wrestle in prayer; therefore Christ slept, that he might draw out this opportunity. 

8:26. Rebuked…sea demonstrates Jesus authoritative reign over the entire Earth, including inclement elements that might find their source in the destructive power of the Evil One.

      Jesus rebuked the disciples “ Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? He does not chide them for disturbing him with their prayers, but for disturbing themselves with their fears. Christ reproved them first, and then delivered them; this is HIS method, to prepare us for a mercy, and then to give it us.

      Notice: His dislike of their fears; “Why are ye fearful? Ye, my disciples? The fearfulness of Christ’s disciples in a storm, and their unbelief...the cause of it, are very displeasing to the Lord Jesus, for they reflect dishonor upon Him, and create disturbance to themselves.

      He rebukes the wind; the former he did as the God of grace, and the Sovereign of the heart, who can do what he pleases in us; this He did as the God of nature, the Sovereign of the world, who can do what he pleases for us. It is the same power that stills the noise of the sea, and the tumult of fear, Psalm. 65:7.

a)   Oh, Glory to God, how effectually it was done? Christ spoke the WORD, not only the storm ceases, but all the effects of it, all the remains of it. Great storms of doubt, and fear in the soul, under the power of the spirit of bondage, sometimes end in a wonderful calm, created and spoken by the Spirit of adoption.

b)   Their admiration of Christ; What manner of man is this! Even the winds and the sea obey him. Upon this account, Christ is to be admired, that he has a commanding power even over winds and seas. We know not the way of the wind (John 3:8), much less can we control it; but HE that ″bringeth forth the wind out of his treasury″ (Ps. 135:7), ″when it is out, gathers it into his fists″, Prov. 30:4. He that can do this, can do anything, can do enough to encourage our confidence and comfort in Him, in the stormiest day, within or without, Isa. 26:4. The Lord sits upon the floods, and is mightier than the noise of many waters. Christ, by commanding the seas, showed Himself to be the same that made the world, when, at His rebuke, the waters fled (Ps. 104:7, 8), as now, at His rebuke, they fell.

D

ear Friends, in closing, remember, they, and they only, will be found the true disciples of Christ, that are willing to go to sea with him, to follow him into dangers and difficulties. Many would be content to go the land-way to heaven, and those that will rather stand still, or go back, than venture upon a dangerous sea; but oh, Glory to God, those that would rest with Christ hereafter. We, as believers must follow HIM now wherever He leads them, into a ship or into a prison, as well as into a palace.

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Playwright/Screen Writer/Director

Published Author/Gospel Lyricist &Producer

FOUNDER/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts

THE BATTLE IS NOT YOURS

FASTING THROUGH SPIRITUAL BREAKTHROUGH

2 Chronicles 20:14-30

Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Kingdom Dynamics

20:15-22 Powerful Praise Births Victory. PRAISE PATHWAY.

Here is a great lesson on the power of praise. Judah was confronted by mortal enemies, Moab and Ammon. The people sought God in prayer and with faith in His Word (20:1-14).  Then came the word of the prophet: ″Be not afraid…for the battle is not yours but God’s″ (v.15).

The victory came in a strange but powerful manner.  The Levites stood and praised ″the Lord God of Israel with a loud voice on high″ (v.19).  Then  some were actually appointed to sing to the Lord and praise Him in the beauty of holiness.  These went before the army, saying: ″Praise the Lord, for his mercy endureth [last]forever (v.21).″  The result of this powerful praise was total victory.

2 Chronicles 20:14  The spirit came upon literally means ″the spirit clothed Himself with″ …The prophets understood that the source for prophets. Inspiration was the Spirit of God.

2 Chronicles 20:15-25  means to trust the Lord in battle and stand still to see His deliverance. Covet the presence of the Lord. Depend upon His presence  when confronting any opposition. Know that the battle is not yours, but His. Trust the Lord to do your fighting for you.

 

2 Chronicles 22,23  Employ  and  believe in praise as a mighty, effectual spiritual  weapon.

      These verses highlight the final key in Judah’s miraculous deliverance, that of praise (the name Judah means ″praise″). As they began to sing and to praise God with the expectancy that He would fight for them, their enemies were smitten. This activity is not unique to 2 Chr. But has parallels to other OT victories. See Josh. 6:10, 20; Judg.7:18-22;2 Kin. 7:3-16;19:35. Ps.22:3 explains that God is enthroned in the praises of His people. Whenever and wherever God’s people praise Him, He reigns among them and does miraculous things on their behalf.

 In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Playwright/Screen Writer/Director

Published Author/Gospel Lyricist &Producer

FOUNDER/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts

GOMER AND HOSEA

THE RESTORATION OF GOMER TO HOSEA

Hosea Redeems His Wife

Hosea 3:1-5

Contemporary English Version (CEV)

1 Once again the Lord spoke to me. And this time he said, “Hosea, fall in love with an unfaithful woman[a] who has a lover. Do this to show that I love the people of Israel, even though they worship idols and enjoy the offering cakes made with fruit.”

2 So I paid fifteen pieces of silver and about ten bushels of grain for such a woman.  

3 Then I said, “Now you are mine! You will have to remain faithful to me, though it will be a long time before we sleep together.”

4 It will also be a long time before Israel has a king or before sacrifices are offered at the temple or before there is any way to get guidance from God.  

5 But later, Israel will turn back to the Lord their God and to David their king. At that time they will come to the Lord with fear and trembling, and he will be good to them. 

3:1-5 Know that Hosea acted out God’s loving forgiveness for HIS people.  Emulate God’s forgiveness for His people in the way you continually forgive others. 

3:1 The Lord renews the call of Hosea to love his wife who has returned to her immoral life-style. 

3:2 Ex.32 give the price of a slave as 30 shekels, so Hosea pays part of the price in silver and part in goods. Fifteen pieces of silver was about 4/10 of an ounce. An homer…and an half homer was about 5 bushels.  

3:3 The return to the home involves a period of discipline.

3:4 During the Exile, Israel would be without all the structures and resources they had dependent on for help and guidance.  The list of things Israel would be without for guidance was a mixture of essentials ordained of God for Israel’s worship and practices forbidden by God, indicating how far the people had moved toward a syncretistic form of religion.  For example, the ephod was the part of the high priest’s clothing to which he Urim and Thummim were attached, but the teraphim were household gods, probably images of ancestors.

3:5 David is here the messianic king.  To fear…his goodness is to marvel at the gracious dealing''

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Playwright/Screen Writer/Director

Published Author/Producer

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts