Posts with the tag “n-eschatological-deliverer”

Today's Reading: Revelation 5:1-14In this chapter we see that Jesus, who is described as a Lamb who was slain, is the fulfillment of several of the prophecies that we have read in this section that predicted the Messiah would come from the line of David.For those who have put their faith in Jesus, the opening of the scroll will be a joyous occasion because it means that Jesus is about to rule comp...  Read More

Today's Reading: Revelation 4:1-11The description of the four living creatures around the throne bear a lot of similarities to the vision of Ezekiel that we read about in Ezekiel 1. There are also some differences. As I commented previously, those differences are to be expected as both Ezekiel and John are trying to describe in human terms something that is indescribable.Again, we want to make sur...  Read More

Today's Reading: Acts 8:1-40We're going to focus on the last part of the chapter, beginning in verse 26. An Ethiopian official is traveling from Jerusalem to Gaza is reading from Isaiah 52-53, a passage that we read a couple weeks ago. There the prophet Isaiah describes the "suffering servant" who God is going to send to save His people from their sins.Here God sends Philipp to this official to ex...  Read More

Today's Reading: John 10:1-42When Jesus claims to be the "good shepherd", He is saying that He is the fulfillment of some of the prophecies that we have been reading about in this section, particularly Ezekiel 34. It is clear that Jesus is also claiming to be God in this passage. In this chapter we see two of the "I am" sayings of Jesus. The seven times that Jesus uses those words in John's gospel...  Read More

Today's Reading: Romans 15:1-33Beginning in verse 9, Paul cites a number of Old Testament passages to show that it was always God's intent to save both Jews and Gentiles through faith in the promised Messiah, Jesus. Included in those citations is Isaiah 11:10, which we read a couple weeks ago.Since most of us are not Jewish, this is certainly great news for us. So take some time today to thank God...  Read More

Today's Reading: Mark 13:1-37This is not an easy passage to understand and there are a lot of different views about the timing of the events that Jesus talks about here. The parallel passage in Matthew does give us some more clarity:Matthew 24:3 (ESV)As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your...  Read More

Today's Reading: Matthew 21:1-46This is a long chapter, but we're going to focus on verses 1-10. In that section, we see Jesus fulfilling the prophecy from Zechariah that we read a couple days ago. While most of the Jews of that day expected the Messiah to come as a conquering ruler, Jesus instead rode into Jerusalem on the most humble form of transportation - a donkey. Unfortunately, may of the s...  Read More

Today's Reading: Daniel 7:1-28The Book of Daniel employs a literary device known by the technical term of “recapitulation”. Recapitulation occurs when one event is viewed from two or more perspectives. This device can usually be identified because there are obvious similarities in the various accounts as well as striking differences that reflect the differing perspectives. This chapter is a recapi...  Read More

Today's Reading: Zechariah 9:1-17Like Haggai, Zechariah ministered among a small community of Jews who had returned to Jerusalem after being exiled in Babylon. Zechariah encouraged the leaders of Jerusalem and called the Jewish people to rebuild the temple. But his prophecies also look forward to a time when God will judge Israel's enemies and save His people.Verses 9-10 announce the return of a k...  Read More

Today's Reading: Ezekiel 34:1-31Like Isaiah, Ezekiel condemns Israel's leaders, who were taking advantage of the people for their own benefit instead of acting as shepherds for the benefit of the people. But the good news is that God promises to seek out His sheep so that He can rescue them. And He is going to set His own shepherd from the line of David over His people.As with most of the propheci...  Read More

Today's Reading: Ezekiel 1:1-28Ezekiel prophesied while living in exile in Babylon. He explained that God’s people had experienced God's judgment because they had worshiped idols and turned away from the Lord. There is judgment and mercy throughout the book; there is pain and new life.The description of the throne room of God has a lot of similarities with John's description in Revelation 4. I hav...  Read More

Today's Reading: Jeremiah 23:1-40Jeremiah pronounces judgment against Israel's leaders who should have protected the people like a shepherd protects his flock. But instead these leaders only protected their own interests. In particular the prophets spoke only their own words rather than proclaiming the word of God, like a true prophet does.One of those lies really caught may attention because it i...  Read More

Today's Reading: Isaiah 53:1-12Isaiah 52:13-53:12 comprise the last of four "servant songs" that are found in chapters 40-55 of the book of Isaiah. Here the Messiah is described as God's servant who will suffer in order for sinful men to be brought into a relationship with God. Isaiah recognizes that he, like the rest of mankind, has gone astray and that the suffering servant is God's chosen way t...  Read More

Today's Reading: Isaiah 52:1-15In verses 1-12, the Lord calls on Jerusalem to prepare to receive the returning exiles. But the redemption that was promised here was only partially fulfilled in that day. The final and full fulfilment awaits the second coming of Jesus.Of particular note here is that the people are exhorted to purify themselves in preparation for the coming if the Lord. Obviously no ...  Read More

Today's Reading: Isaiah 11:1-18Since I didn't take time to do it yesterday, let me provide a brief introduction to the ministry of Isaiah. His ministry spanned the reigns of four kings of Judah from 739-681 BC. He brought God's word to a nation that had turned a deaf ear to the Lord. The book of Isaiah provides us with the most comprehensive prophetic picture of Jesus Christ in the entire Old Test...  Read More

Today's Reading: Isaiah 9:1-21Today we begin a new section in our reading plan that we are calling "Anticipating an Eschatological Deliverer". Throughout the period of the prophets, we get glimpses of an eschatological savior-figure (a “Messiah,” though not always using that term) who will bring deliverance to God’s people.Like many of the prophecies of Jesus, this chapter has both a near term and...  Read More