skip to main |
skip to sidebar
The Abrahamic covenant was an unconditional covenant promise between God and Abraham. God guaranteed the covenant himself. There was nothing required of Abraham but faith. This covenant would be passed on through Israel.
Gen 12:1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
Gen 12:2 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:
Gen 12:3 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.
Gen 15:18 In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:
Gen 15:19 The Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites,
Gen 15:20 And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims,
Gen 15:21 And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.
Generally it is believed that Israel never occupied all the land promised in the covenant, but in Joshua it says they did inhabit all of the promised land.
Jos 21:43 And the LORD gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein.
Jos 21:44 And the LORD gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand.
Jos 21:45 There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.
The sign of the covenant
Gen 17:11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.
This covenant is kept by Israel and through Israel came the promised blessings for all nations, Jesus Christ the Lord. Through faith in him all nations would be blessed, for he would take away their sins.
As I was reading through Zecharia, I came to an important verse showing the touchdown, the second coming of Jesus to earth. In the end times, the Day of the LORD comes and at the end of tribulation, Jesus returns. Let's look at the end of the first coming and the start of the second coming of Christ.
The first coming of Christ ended when he ascended into the clouds to heaven from the Mt. of Olives.
The Ascension
Act 1:9 ... as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.
Act 1:10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes,
Act 1:11 and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."
Jesus came the first time as a gentle Lamb to be the sin offering for his people. He will return as a warrior king at the end of the time of tribulation, fighting against his enemies.
Mat 24:29 "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
Mat 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Mat 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
The prophet Zecharia prophesied of the second coming of the Lord.
Zec 14:3 Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.
Zec 14:4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.
The mount of Olives will split and be divided when the Lord's feet touch down and there shall be a great valley.
Mic 1:3 For, behold, the LORD cometh forth out of his place, and will come down, and tread upon the high places of the earth.
Mic 1:4 And the mountains shall be molten under him, and the valleys shall be cleft, as wax before the fire, and as the waters that are poured down a steep place.
The kingdom of God will come to a renewed earth and there will be peace for a thousand years with Jesus as King.
Hosea 8:7 For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up.
Hos 8:11 Because Ephraim hath made many altars to sin, altars shall be unto him to sin.
Hos 8:12 I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing.
Hos 8:13 They sacrifice flesh for the sacrifices of mine offerings, and eat it; but the LORD accepteth them not; now will he remember their iniquity, and visit their sins: they shall return to Egypt.
Hos 8:14 For Israel hath forgotten his Maker, and buildeth temples; and Judah hath multiplied fenced cities: but I will send a fire upon his cities, and it shall devour the palaces thereof.
Israel had left their God for idols. They had ignored their God and his commands. They had sown to the wind of disobedience. Many in our nation have ignored the LORD and his commands. They consider abortion a right and a virtue. They have elected godless leaders who are enemies of God and his laws. America has sown the wind of godlessness and shall it not reap the whirlwind? It is time for the Church to pray and repent for our nation.
1Pe 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
1Pe 4:18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
1Pe 4:19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
2Ch_7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Gen 22:20 And it came to pass after these things, that it was told Abraham, saying, Behold, Milcah, she hath also born children unto thy brother Nahor;
Gen 22:21 Huz his firstborn, and Buz his brother, and Kemuel the father of Aram,
Gen 22:22 And Chesed, and Hazo, and Pildash, and Jidlaph, and Bethuel.
Gen 22:23 And Bethuel begat Rebekah: these eight Milcah did bear to Nahor, Abraham's brother.
My attention goes to Huz and Buz. Such unusual names, but first, what is happening in this story? Abraham had returned from Mt. Moriah, also called "Jehovahjireh, Jehovah will see," where the LORD had sent him to sacrifice his only son, Isaac. The LORD provided a ram for a sacrifice and was pleased that Abraham was obedient to him. The LORD gave to him covenant promises, the Abrahamic Covenant.
Abraham's brother was Nahor and his wife Milcah, who had born eight sons. The firstborn was Huz, meaning "wooded". The second son was Buz, meaning "contempt". I wonder what made them name their son contempt? I think of the buzzing of a bee or perhaps a mosquito? Perhaps Buz was born and not planned. There are many like that, but God has a plan for them. The last son of Nahor and Milcah was Bethuel, meaning "God destroys" or "man of God" or "dweller in God". In the choices of names, the last shall be first, in my opinion. Bethuel was the father of Rebekah, who would become the wife of Isaac, the promised son of Abraham and Sarah in their old age. Isaac and Rebekah would have twins; Esau the father of the Arab nations and Jacob who would be named Israel, the people of God's promises.
I see that we may be drawn to the Huz and Buz sounds of life, but we should look for the better things; to be a man or woman of God or a dweller in God.
Psa 63:3 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.
Psa 63:4 So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.
1Co 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
1Co 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
1Co 2:11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
1Co 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
1Co 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
Reading the news about the experts who have advised us about the Wuhan Virus. It seems that they were just guessing. I look around and see that many of our constitutional freedoms are at risk as governors seek to control their citizens with drones and other ways of spying to keep them isolated. Can they take away our freedoms? If we are in Christ Jesus, the Son of God, we are free because he has given to us the Holy Spirit and the Sprit makes us free.
John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
1Co 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
What things are freely given to us? Spiritual things; liberty and freedom.
Gal 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
We are given the fruit of the Spirit.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Gal 5:23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Gal 5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
Gal 5:26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
We are taught by the Holy Ghost, or Holy Spirit "comparing spiritual things with spiritual."
The Holy Bible is Spiritual. We compare Spiritual things within the framework of the Bible. The word of God explains itself if taken in context. My mother used to say that people make the Bible say anything that they want. That is not using the Bible correctly. The best way to read the Bible is to read through each book and allow the Spirit to speak or if there is a question, go deeper using the whole Bible and searching a topic using a concordance. If we continue in reading the Bible and prayer, then we remain free indeed.
Hosea 6:1 Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.
Hosea 6:2 After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.
This scripture I will apply to the Wuhan Virus. We were stricken, put in quarantine, and for a spiritual purpose to think about our lives, to see what is important and to return to the God of our fathers. We wait for the second day, our revival, the day of healing. Spiritually, we look to Jesus on the cross and remember the prophecy from Isaiah regarding the healing of body and soul.
Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
On the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. It was on the third day that Jesus arose from the grave and because of this he gives salvation and eternal life for all who trust in him for the remission of their sins. In him we live in his sight and are with him forever, amen.
Hos 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
Hos 4:7 As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame.
Hos 4:8 They eat up the sin of my people, and they set their heart on their iniquity.
Have many churches sinned in not seeking after the truth of God, just as Israel in Hosea's time worshipped false idols? Have they been seduced by preachers with worldly messages? What kind of spirit have the churches that promote the supernatural? Are these churches filled with unsaved people who do not know the truth? Any church that claims to be the only true church, is probably a cult.
Jas 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Jas 4:5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
Jas 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Jas 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
2Ti 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
2Ti 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
I think that the virus plague in part is judgment on the church, that is supposed to be the salt and light of the world. I too need the grace of God.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Progressive socialism pretends to care for the middle class, but in truth they seek to destroy them. They divide people telling the poor that government will take care of them.
Job had friends, that were more as his accusers. Eliphaz the Temanite said to him as he was covered in boils.
Job 22:5 Is not thy wickedness great? and thine iniquities infinite?
He was blaming him for the misdeeds that he must have had. In truth the LORD highly respected Job. He allowed satan to put him through this test of his faith. Eliphaz blamed Job and made up falsehoods. False accusers are everywhere in our time. He goes on to accuse Job saying:
Job 22:9 Thou hast sent widows away empty, and the arms of the fatherless have been broken.
I thought about the arms of the fatherless being broken. Regardless if you are an orphan or a child of an abusive parent, if you have arms to work with you can earn respect from a job well done. Under socialism you do not have that chance. Big government owns you. Another verse I like reminds me of members of my family and others who have worked hard and were respected because of the fruit of their labor.
Pro 22:29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.
In America under a free society, we may rise in esteem because of a job well done. God Bless America for this freedom and our freedom comes from God. Thank you our God for freedom and may you be honored as the source of all good work. Lord may we be able to return to work soon and we give you all the glory.
Eaglewings Ministries Home
Do you remember all those plans that you had? Your regular meetings and gatherings are on hold because of a virulent noxious virus. It is pandemic, widespread and world wide. Most of the world is quarantine. Bustling freeways in Los Angeles are now empty. Businesses are closed, children and families are at home. Appointment calendars are empty. For the first time, not only your plans have been cancelled, but most everyone's plans have been cancelled. This really highlights some familiar scriptures from the book of James, the book of putting action to our faith.
Jas 4:13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”—
Jas 4:14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.
Jas 4:15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”
Jas 4:16 As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.
Jas 4:17 So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
How are our cancelled plans a sin, and what is the right thing to do? We are to ask the Lord's will concerning our plans. He gave us a conscience to know right from wrong, but even greater is the Holy Spirit that resides with a Christian. We are not to act independently and ignore the God who made us for his purpose. He loves us and cares for us. At this time he is calling the whole world to pray and to seek him. What are our eternal plans? We cannot set dates, be we can be ready for his coming.
Recently our pastor thought he heard from God to turn the signs around at the church parking lot exits. The signs read "You are now entering the mission field." We thought that the LORD was saying that we were to be doing the work of evangelizing in the church. The signs were turned. Shortly afterwards there was found the Corona virus in the church, brought from a member who had surgery in an out of town hospital and the virus had infected some in our church. Was the Lord giving us a sign that we were to be quarantined? Most all churches have been quarantined, but our pastor was warned to obey him and he did. God likes it when he tells us to do something and we do it. What is God telling the world, our nation, our church, and our self? We are to pray and seek to do the will of God. He is looking out for us.
We have the greatest economy and the strongest military, but can we count on these in a time of epidemic? Millions are not working, and even our military is being effected by the deadly virus.
I remember the 1950's movie, "War of the Worlds". Aliens came in their flying saucers. Science and the military could not stop their invasion. Surprisingly they began to die. They were dying from a virus. We can't see the virus with the eye, but it is here. It kills and we need God's help. We need his wisdom and grace.
Psa 20:4 May he grant you your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans!
Psa 20:5 May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners! May the LORD fulfill all your petitions!
Psa 20:6 Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand.
Psa 20:7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
Psa 20:8 They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright.
Psa 20:9 O LORD, save the king! May he answer us when we call.
