God's kingdom advances

New Guest: Like this one, most posts are devotional; those related to CAR BIZ can be found by searching for that title. You might start with 'Welcome,' the first post in the archives, dated November 12, 2008, where I introduce myself and the blog.

Monday, November 16, 2009
Devotions: Ps 89; 1 Macc 3:1-24; Rev 20:7-15; Mt 17:1-13

I will sing of YHWH’s steadfast love forever. God has made covenant with David and his descendants. The heavens and spiritual beings praise our God—He is Master of all beings and all creation. His rule is based on righteousness and justice; His people glorify His holy name. He offers his steadfast love and faithfulness, and He upholds those He places in positions of authority and leadership. We must continue to acknowledge God as our Father and Rock; He has established Jesus as King of kings. God will not revoke His promises or violate His covenant. In our sins, we can turn away from God, but He will not leave or forsake us. Blessed be YHWH, our God forever. Amen.

After the death of Mattathias, his sons in succession led Israel. (None who trust in God will lack strength.) Judas Maccabeus [‘The Hammer’] took command and led Israel, with valor and integrity, cleansing the nation of the ungodly. Appolonius gathered an army from Samaria, but Judas went out and defeated the army and killed Appolonius, taking his sword, which Judas used in battles the rest of his life. The Syrian commander Seron led an army of unbelievers against Judas, thinking to make a name for himself by defeating the Jewish hero. Judas went to meet him with a relatively small force, and his companions questioned how they could fight a much larger force. Judas responded: ‘It’s easy for a few to defeat many—the battle depends on God, not numbers; heavenly strength delivers victory. They come in lawlessness and greed; we fight for our lives and our Torah; don’t fear Seron; watch as YHWH crushes him!’ Judas led his men in a frontal attack, and they routed Seron and his forces; many died, and the remainder fled. Fear of Judas and his forces spread throughout the Gentiles, and reached the ears of the king Antiochus. The king gathered a great army and paid out a year’s wages in advance, and told the army to stand by for his signal to attack.

When the thousand years of his captivity are ended, Satan will be loosed for a season, and come forth to deceive the nations and to gather them for battle. In John’s vision, Satan’s gigantic army marched against Jerusalem and the saints gathered there. But heavenly fire fell and consumed them; the deceiving devil was cast into the lake of fire and sulphur, where the beast and false prophet had been sentenced, to be tormented forever. Then John witnessed a great white throne with Him Who sat upon it; from His presence the current earth and sky fled away. The dead, great and small, were summoned and stood before the throne, and books were opened, along with the book of life. The dead were judged by what they had done in life; and the sea, Death and Hades gave up their dead, and all were judged by what they had done. Death and Hades also were cast into the lake of fire—the second death, into which those whose names are not found in the book of life are thrown to exist in torment forever.

Having announced that some in His presence would not taste death before witnessing His glory, Jesus took Peter, James and John with Him and led them up a high mountain. In their presence, Jesus was transfigured before them: His face shone like the sun and His garments were white as light! They also saw Moses and Elijah talking with Jesus. Peter said, ‘Lord, it is well that we are here; if you wish, I will make three booths here, for you, Moses and Elijah.’ As Peter spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a Voice from the cloud said, ‘This is My beloved Son, with Whom I AM well pleased; listen to Him!’ Hearing this, the disciples fell facedown, filled with awe. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ‘Arise, and have no fear.’ When they looked up, they saw only Jesus. And as they descended from the mountain, Jesus commanded them to tell nothing of what they had witnessed, ‘until the Son of man is raised from the dead.’ The disciples questioned Jesus about the scribes’ saying that Elijah must return prior to the Messiah’s arrival. Jesus replied, ‘Elijah does come, and will restore all things; but I tell you, Elijah has already come; the scribes didn’t recognize him, and they did to him whatever they wanted. In the same way, the Son of man will suffer at their hands.’ They figured out that Jesus was talking about John the Baptist.