Jesus Christ: Prophet, Priest ,and King--Psalm 23

The word shepherd is used many ways in scripture. Shepherds are those who care for sheep of course, and this is the poetic symbolism that David is trying to get us to understand--God shepherds His children. However, the word shepherd can also be used of a priest or king. In similar poetic fashion Ezekiel in chapter 34 points to a portion of Israel's downfall as due to a lack of adequate ministerial care that was to be given by the priests. My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them. Ezekiel 34:6 Ezekiel then predicts that "David" shall shepherd His people. Ezekiel 34:23 says, "And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd." Jesus Christ , the Son of David, fulfills this position. So what is Jesus doing today? It is evident in the Bible that He is serving as our only priest and that He is shepherding His people through the power of the Holy Spirit. "Who is the that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." Romans 8:34

It is important to see that the shepherding ministry of Jesus is always linked to his death. It is seen as a subsequent event. We now have a High Priest at the Father's right hand who makes intercession for us!

Notice, then, the placement of Psalm 23. It comes immediately after psalm 22 that outlines the sacrificial death of God's great prophet. Psalm 23 is the Psalm outlining the priestly ministry of Jesus Christ. Why then should I fear at all seeing I have such a great High Priest shepherding me daily. YHWH Rohi! The LORD is my shepherd! He is my great High Priest!

"Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession." Hebrews 4:14

Today's News

Clinton Greets Muslims, not Jews

One seed at a time, protecting the future of food In this video, we can get a glimpse of the 3rd horse of the Apocalypse, "And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine." Revelation6:6 We are engineering seeds to the point that almost all food production now comes from hybridized seeds that will not promulgate after year one. In short, we rely on the government and scientists to get the seeds necessary for our food production. What will happen to men when they can't buy, sell or even plant crops. They will sell their soul for the mark.

Svalbard Global Seed Vault

The World’s Third-Largest Seed Bank Established in Turkey

FOX News Poll: Opposition to Health Care Reform Grows Remember, this is not about health care but government control and national ID cards. The picture the Bible set thousands of years ago is playing out before our eyes. Don't risk putting off salvation today. Jesus is coming--accept him.

Jesus Christ: Prophet, Priest ,and King--Psalm 22

"My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?" Psalm 22:1 Other than Isaiah 53, there is not a text in the Old Testament that outlines the cross like this Psalm. It is also the Psalm that reveals the prophetic/sacrificial ministry of Christ that ultimately leads to His death on the old rugged cross. He says, "I am a worm." That is the word red for the color in the tabernacle (see "colors" above) We hear that he will be scorned and mocked. He would be compassed with wicked "believers" and unbelievers at His death. He would have His joints pulled out of place. He would be pierced. They would part His garments among them. What wonderful grace and mercy is found here for us in the vicarious, atoning death of Jesus, God's precious lamb. Thank God for the truth found in this Psalm of the Prophet--Psalm 22.

Today's Prophetic Headlines

US May Face 'Armageddon' If China, Japan Don't Buy Debt

World Bank Head Sees Dollar’s Role Diminishing

FOX News Poll: 61% Say Use Force To Stop Iran

Leaders offer condolences to Padang quake victims

Iran to Allow Inspection of Qom Facility

When God Laughs

The other day I discussed when God came down. Today I want to share when God laughs.

There are 5 discernible voices in Psalm 2. First, the voice of the Psalmist can be heard asking, "Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?", in verse 1. He then mentions the plot of worldly minded men as we hear their foolishness in verses 2 and 3. "The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed. Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us." There are so many like this today. "Let's get rid of the name of Jesus"; they say, "It is offensive." Many are going to great lengths in trying to forget God. Governments are legislating against Christianity. Unless you are living in a fog, it is evident that the US is sliding down this same slippery slope. Before long, we will be like Canada where Christian television is illegal. Some tracts are even considered "hate literature" there.

That is when we need to focus on the next voice. It is clearly the voice of the Father. "He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision," verse 4. God does not appear too worried about their attempts because He sees the end of their foolishness. There is coming a day, my friend, when there will be no godless government, no murderous abortion, no gay rights, no adultery and divorce crushing families, no pornography or child molestation, no lies taught as truth in the schools, and no rebellion of any kind. The Father's plan began with the Son who speaks in this verse, "I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee," verse 7.

Jesus Christ is soon to come and rule in absolute holiness. "Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel," verse 9. The sinfulness of this world will disappear in a reign of glory as Jesus governs for a thousand years.

It is our job then to allow the next voice to use us! It is the voice of the Holy Spirit who is revealing the son and reproving the world because of sin. "Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him," verses 10-12. Find someone to share the message of hope in Christ and the truth about eternity today. God means "never ending", and it is no joke.

Today's News

US warns Teheran of 'greater isolation'

For the First Time, Most Jewish Americans Support Iran Attack

Israel Gets Nuclear Capable German Submarines

W. Sumatra quake death toll reaches 75: Official

Today's Headlines

Analysis: The Islamic republic of Gaza

Iran's 'nuclear card' game

Iran: We Won't Discuss Nukes with P5+G

White House: Iran must prove it is not developing nukes

US under Obama could slide into military dictatorship, says Gore Vidal

The Rise of Sex Robots and Pleasure Machines What a sick world! We need absolute repentance! The judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah will soon visit this nation without a broken and contrite heart. God have mercy upon our sin and iniquity!

When God Came Down

The historic narrative of Genesis 11:1-9 is written in a symmetric or chiastic pattern.

The emphasis of the narrative is placed on one verse. I'll try to show the pattern.

a. The earth has a single language. v.1

b. The people settle together against God's will by unifying in disobedience. v.2

c. The people resolve to build a worldly kingdom. "Come, Let us..." v.3-4

d. Emphasis--God sees their plot. v. 5 THE LORD CAME DOWN!

c. The Lord resolves to destroy their worldly kingdom. "Come let us..." v. 6-7

b. God scatters the people who have unified against Him. v.8

a. The earth has many languages. v. 9

The emphasis is on the Lord coming down. Why does it say this? We understand from scripture that God is immutable, omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent. The focus is on God coming down when men unify in their rebellion against him.

Have you heard all the talk on "one" lately? A one world monetary system, one world court, one world government. Have you noticed that these "one worlders" seem unified in their effort to rebel against the God of Christianity. They all hate Israel for whom God has many promises to yet fulfill. Let me remind those rebuilding the tower of Babel, God is soon to come down and destroy your plot. He sees all you do! Nothing is hid from His sight. Soon the saints and angels of God will shout praises to God when this verse comes true, "And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen..." Revelation 18:2a

Jesus is soon to come back and the architects of this one world foolishness will face Him from whose face the heavens and earth flee. Bless Jesus Christ for whom the saints will shout--"The Lord God omnipotent reigns!

Today's Prophetic Headlines

SAUDIS WILL LET ISRAEL BOMB IRAN NUCLEAR SITE

Iran Says It Test-Fires Longest-Range Missiles

The Day of Atonement

Yom Kippur--the Day of Atonement. This is Israel's most holy day. It is marked by 10 previous days of repentance. This is the day that the high priest would enter into the holy of holies in the temple and offer blood for the sins of the nation.

Thank God our only mediator is on duty today. "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." 1 Timothy 2:5-6 Thank God for the precious blood that He shed! "But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 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. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance." Hebrews 9:11-15

"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:" 1 Peter 1:18-19

Praise God for the blood of Jesus the Messiah! Oh! The blood of Jesus!

Today's Prophetic Headlines

Iran to Test-Fire Missiles That Could Hit U.S. Bases

Clinton: We Are Going to Put Iran 'to the Test'

Robert Gates: Iranians intend to develop nuclear weapons

'Last chance for engagement with Iran'

Iran test-fires missiles during drill

US: Too Late to Stop Iran Heightened State of Alert as Yom Kippur Approaches Erekat: Israel deliberately escalating tensions in Jerusalem Obama to Usher In New World Order at G-20

Jesus Christ: Prophet, Priest ,and King--Tabernacle Colors

"Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work shalt thou make them."      Exodus 26:1

Four colors were visible throughout the tabernacle and the temple. They were white, scarlet, blue, and purple. White stands for righteousness, holiness, and purity. The righteousness of all believers is the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ. You have no true holiness outside of what He has bestowed upon you! Scarlet or deep crimson red was produced through crushing and drying a coccus ilicis which is a worm! It was said of Jesus, "But I am a worm, and not a man, A reproach of men, and despised by the people." This is found in Psalm 22:6. Don't forget Psalm 22, we will see it soon! The red color from a crushed worm points to the prophetic, sacrificial death of Jesus. The worm mentioned attaches itself to a tree and dies so that offspring may live! This is the color of a prophet. Ironically, illicis means "it is finished" in Latin!

The blue color speaks of heaven and it is the color used for priests since they are heaven's voice. The color came from the crushed shell of a helix ianthina snail. Notice the relation to death? Jesus priesthood is the result of Him being crushed for us at Calvary's cross.

Purple is the color of a king. This color also came from the shell of a crushed shellfish. Notice all three colors deal with death, for it was His obedience unto death that gave Him the power to rule all! He is coming soon not to be beaten but to rule!

"And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Phillipians 2:8-11

The very colors of the tabernacle show His ministry. Jesus Christ our prophet, priest and king.