Ye Shall Be A Blessing

February 11, 2011 By

YE SHALL BE A BLESSING

Zechariah 8:13 And it shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, but let your hands be strong. 14 For thus saith the LORD of hosts; As I thought to punish you, when your fathers provoked me to wrath, saith the LORD of hosts, and I repented not: 15 So again have I thought in these days to do well unto Jerusalem and to the house of Judah: fear ye not. 20 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities: 21 And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts: I will go also. 22 Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD. 23 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.
As Ye Were A Curse
The last word in the Old Testament is curse! And the ending of the Old Testament economy, based on the blood of bulls and goats, ended with our Savior becoming a curse for us, in order to provide us with the new and living way to God! Gal. 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: For as the flesh of the Son of God was being torn on the cross, God, at that time, tore the veil of the temple, thus polluting that holy place, and ending the physical sacrificial system for ever! Heb. 10:20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
The curse God had promised national Israel for failing to keep his commandments fell on them! Deut. 28:15 But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee: For the law was not given for the atonement of one single sin! But it was given to reveal the exceeding sinfulness of sin! Galatians 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. Romans 7:13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
So Will I Save You
How then can those who were a curse become a blessing? We must notice the words which come between these two conditions, as revealed in verse thirteen, listed above! – so will I save you!
Remember what the Lord had said as recorded in Zechariah 3:9! … and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day. And there was a specific day – a literal twenty four hour period – that began as the sun arose, and before that sun went down to end that unique day, the Final Sacrifice had cried with a loud voice, “It is finished!” (John 19:30). And as prophesied, he had then finished the transgression and made an end of sins, and brought in everlasting righteousness! (Daniel 9:24).
Romans 4:24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. Something eternal happened at the cross! Hebrews 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Redemption Alone Made the Difference!
What the Jews did not realize, (and it seems most in our day don’t either), is that they were sinners! And as sinners, they needed a Savior! This little bit of news, proclaimed by the Apostle Paul got him rejected and even stoned by his countrymen! For they didn’t believe themselves to be sinners like the Gentiles! This is what he is laboring to set forth in his Roman letter! Here is but a portion:
Romans 3:9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; 10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
King Jesus Questions a Master
Did you ever look at the recorded conversation between King Jesus and his servant Nicodemus, and wonder how it was Nicodemus was supposed to know about the new birth? Well, that is exactly what the Lord held him accountable for knowing! John 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. 9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? 10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
Since there were only the Old Testament writings at that time, there had to be a revelation of salvation by grace alone, and by the new birth contained within them! For that is where the Apostles obtained it! 1 Peter 1:10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
Our limited space will not allow the listing out of all the verses, but here are just some of those revelations of the new birth in the Old Testament: 1 Sam. 15:22; Psalms 40:6-9; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:25-27, 37:9-14. Our Lord even preached upon the subject of Ezekiel 37:12 in his discourse in John 5:21, 25-29! Therefore this was the Lord God’s intent all the while!
The Blessing of Abraham
At the very beginnings of God’s dealings with human kind, he promised that there would be those whom he would cause to be a blessing. In Genesis 12:2, 3 we read: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. The promise from God to Abraham – a Gentile! – was that all families of the earth SHALL be blessed through him! How then can we exclusively ascribe to national Israel alone, this promise from Zechariah 8:13?!?
Lets allow the New Testament to reveal the mind of God who made the promise! We’ve already quoted Galatians 3:13 to show how Christ removed the curse from us by becoming a curse himself! Now listen to the next verse of Galatians 3:14: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Amazing grace!
Abraham’s blessings did not just come on Jews, but also on Gentiles, like himself, and not through national heritage, but through faith! But wait! The next two verses of Galatians chapter three are very noteworthy! Gal. 3:15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. 16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. Wow!
The one whom the Lord God has been referring to, concerning blessings from the very beginning of his dealings with man, has been his only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ! Abraham saw Christ’s day and was made joyful! John 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
Abraham walked up on Mt. Moriah, (Gen. 22:2), which mountain is called Calvary in the New Testament! Like God, he went up as a Father to sacrifice his long awaited for son of promise! His son had the wood on his back. The Son of God had the cross on his back. Abraham had the fire and knife at hand. God the Father had the fire of his wrath and the knife of his justice that had to be satisfied! Abraham believed his son would be resurrected! Gen. 22:5 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you. God the Son had faith in the Father’s assurance that he would rise again! Psalm 16:10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
And the seed of Abraham was Christ! (Gal. 3:16). Therefore it is in Christ that all the families of the earth shall be blessed! Gal. 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Ephesians 3:14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
And do you remember that thing about the new birth, concerning which the Lord Christ questioned the Israeli Master, Nicodemus? That is of supreme importance! For God considers none but these to be the true Israel! Gal. 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. 16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. The only Israel of God now is that which is not identified by circumcision, but by being a new creature, by the new birth in Christ Jesus!
For there are not two churches – one Jewish and another Gentile! Christ’s cross destroyed all such distinctions and made both one body of believers through faith! Ephesians 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Now all believers, regardless of national origin, are made a blessing through Christ who dwells within them by the Spirit!
Pastor Gene Breed.
February 11, 2011

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A Priest Upon His Throne

January 21, 2011 By

A PRIEST UPON HIS THRONE

Zechariah 6:9 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 10 Take of them of the captivity, even of Heldai, of Tobijah, and of Jedaiah, which are come from Babylon, and come thou the same day, and go into the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah; 11 Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them upon the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest; 12 And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD: 13 Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both. 14 And the crowns shall be to Helem, and to Tobijah, and to Jedaiah, and to Hen the son of Zephaniah, for a memorial in the temple of the LORD. 15 And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of the LORD, and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. And this shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God.
What a glorious passage! Here the brilliance of the types and shadows of the Old Economy, revealing Christ, shine most brightly! Here we see the eternal mind of God in his purposes through the holy Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ! For he establishes here, once and for all that he shall reign, not primarily through the office of the king, but through the office and officer of the priest! For it is his mercy that he emphasizes shall endure forever! (Psa. 136) And it is in the forgiveness of sin and the benefit of having our names written in heaven in which we are told to rejoice! (Luke 10:20). The glory of God in the highest is his bringing on earth peace, good will toward men! (Luke 2:14).
Make no mistake, however! He reigns as the King Priest! He shall never be divested of his sovereignty and omnipotence! For him to bear the glory (v.13 above) includes both the Sovereignty of the King, and the Mediation of the Priest! Rev. 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Remember the two anointed ones of Zechariah 4:15? They represented the kingly office exacting discipline, and the priestly office affording worship. And these are the two criteria for the identity of the true church – discipline and worship! Recorded in Revelation seventeen John was amazed at the appearance of the Whore church with her outward show of finery. And she is shown to him to be THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS (17:5). But in chapter eleven of Christ’s Revelation, John is given instruction as to the proper identification of the true church. Rev. 11:1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. He came to understand that only those that were within the limits of the measuring reed of the rod (same word sceptre in Hebrews 1:8), and those that worship at the altar were then identified as the true church of the Lord Jesus Christ!
We have also quoted above Revelation 1:6 wherein we are shown to be formed by regeneration to be both kings and priests, for we are predestinated to be conformed to the image of God’s dear Son!. (Rom. 8:29). And he is Prophet, Priest and King! And he being King of Kings, that is, prince of these believer kings, they are caused to have a glory by which to adorn his church, which is his Body, the holy city! Rev. 21:24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.
For those who are suffering with him in the fellowship of his sufferings (Phil. 3:10), are also reigning with him in their present sojourn on earth! 2 Timothy 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
Revelation 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
Ephesians 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
By their gospel witness in voice and conduct, and by their prayers they have sway over the matters of providence! Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. 1 Peter 3:1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation (not her speech, but her manner of life), of the wives;
We see the effectual power of the righteous man’s prayers clearly set forth in this passage: Rev. 8:3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand. 5 And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. 6 And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.
This earthquake represents the shaking down of the purposes and the projects of man in order to make way for the spiritual and eternal kingdom of Christ! Hebrews 12:27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.
No National Crown!
The king’s crown in Israel was eliminated, not to appear again until it rested on the blessed head of the Lord Jesus Christ! In this next passage we have a reprobate Moabite (Sanballat), declaring that there is a king in Israel. Then we have a Spirit led Israelite (Nehemiah), stating that this is a lie made up in the mind of that Moabite! (We have the same thing going on today with those who are determined to have a national king in national Israel, while true spiritual believers know that there is no national king! For Christ, the King of all kings must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet! – 1Cor. 15:25.)
Nehemiah 6:6 Wherein was written, It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel: for which cause thou buildest the wall, that thou mayest be their king, according to these words. 7 And thou hast also appointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together. 8 Then I sent unto him, saying, There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart.
Now listen to the words of the Lord God concerning this subject! Ezekiel 21:26 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high. 27 I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him.
And the Father has given it to his only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ! Philippians 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Behold the Man!
In verse eleven of our passage it is commanded to have the crowns set on the head of Joshua, the high priest. And then in verse twelve Zechariah, the prophet is commanded to say, Behold the man, turning the minds of all present to the Messiah, who is there identified, as he is in numerous bible passages as, The BRANCH! Would you believe that these same words were spoken by Pilate when he brought forth the Lord Jesus wearing his crown of thorns? John 19:5 Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man! God will have his dear Son recognized as reigning Lord in whatever presentation he is set forth! For whether crowned with glory, or crowned with sufferings, he is seen as exalted over all! Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. 10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
Bear the Glory!
One thing that man has never been able to handle, either before or after the fall, has been to bear the glory of God! That indeed, is his sin! That is the point at which he first fell short! Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; And until that is remedied, he cannot return into the presence of the Lord God! 1Cor. 1:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
Every man who has been exalted and praised by others has been caught up in pride, which always goes before a fall! Whether it be an entertainer, a sports figure, or a politician, every last one, without Christ, has been ruined in attempting to bear the glory! But wonderful news! For we read in verse thirteen of our passage that our reigning high priest shall be able to do that on behalf of those for whom he mediates! …and he shall bear the glory!
The true believers know assuredly that they can only glory in the implement that restricts the flesh in its desire to exalt itself – the effectual workings of the cross of Christ! Gal. 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
And listen to what glory he bears as our one Mediator! John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Therefore all shall praise him, ascribing all glory to him! Revelation 5:12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. 13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
Listen at Daniel 7:14 which gives us the scene of the Son’s ascension into heaven, where he is received by the Ancient of days (God, the Father): And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
And by him alone the saints are brought back into a higher degree of glory than ever they had in the first Adam! 1Thess. 2:12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
They That Are Far Off!
In verse fifteen of our Zechariah passage we read that the prophet authenticates his mission and his message by stating that when they that are far off shall be involved in building the temple all would know that the Lord had sent him. And we readily know that those three Jews who had just arrived from far off Babylon are included in this confirmation. But still more confirmation is received in another Jew’s writing, many years from that day. His name was Saul of Tarsus. But after his regeneration his new name became Paul, the Apostle! And he used these same words in setting forth the ingathering of the Gentile believers, who would themselves be built into the living organism of the church, God’s temple. And they actually become builded on the foundation of Jesus Christ, who comes to dwell in them!
Ephesians 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Therefore, those of you reading this, who are born of the Spirit, are actual proof that Zechariah was sent of God to deliver this message that long ago day!
Pastor Gene Breed
January 21, 2011

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