Only One Nation

~ Israel is the Only Resurrected Ancient Nation ~   

Biblical prophecy is fascinating!

We are living in exciting times!

We are living in a time which throughout history devout scholars of the Scripture would wish to live. 

Of all the nations which have come and gone, Israel is unique in that it has been resurrected—and its recreation occurred during the life of many who are alive today. On May 14, 1948, the United Nations approved the recreation of the Jewish State. As individuals need to be “born again” so the nation of Israel was in 1948 “born again.”  

This historical event was a fulfillment of prophecy in the Holy Scriptures made approximately 2500 years earlier. Listen to Scripture:

(1)  “‘Therefore behold, the days are coming,’ says the Lord, ‘that it shall no more be said, “The Lord lives who brought up the children of Israel from the land of Egypt,” but, “The Lord lives who brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north and from all the lands where He had driven them.” For I will bring them back into their land which I gave to their fathers’” (Jeremiah 16:14-15 NKJV).

(2)  “Therefore, give the people of Israel this message from the Sovereign Lord: I am bringing you back, but not because you deserve it. I am doing it to protect My holy name, on which you brought shame while you were scattered among the nations. I will show how holy My great name is—the name on which you brought shame among the nations.  And when I reveal My holiness through you before their very eyes, says the Sovereign Lord, then the nations will know that I am the Lord. For I will gather you up from all the nations and bring you home again to your land.  Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you.  I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey My regulations. And you will live in Israel, the land I gave your ancestors long ago. You will be my people, and I will be your God” (Ezekiel 36:22-28, NLT).

 (3)  “Also on that day, the Master for the second time will reach out to bring back what's left of His scattered people. He'll bring them back from Assyria, Egypt, Pathros, Ethiopia, Elam, Sinar, Hamath, and the ocean islands. And He'll raise that rallying banner high, visible to all nations, gather in all the scattered exiles of Israel, pull in all the dispersed refugees of Judah from the four winds and the seven seas” (Isaiah 11:11-12, The Message).

Note the phrase “visible to all nations.” What other small nation is so incredibly prominent in world affairs? None! 

This prophecy and fulfillment is incredible in another way. What other nation has been hated and persecuted to the degree that the Jewish people have been?  None! 

The most prominent example is during the Holocaust when Hitler’s armies murdered six million Jews. There have been many other attempts throughout history to eradicate the Jewish people. Yet the small nation of Israel is the only ancient nation to re-emerge.

World leaders today continue to search for an acceptable way to divide Israel into a “Two State Solution” which typically includes dividing or separating Jerusalem from Israel. Scholars of Scripture, however, are well aware of another prophesy in Scripture. God has made it clear that His temple will be rebuilt in Jerusalem. 

One example of current exciting events is in regard to the temple. Plans, resources, and organizing efforts are underway for the rebuilding of His temple.

the key question:  Are you ready for Jesus Christ’s sure return when He will take His people home to be with Him forever? 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Guaranteed Future!

~ It’s Better than Winning the Lottery! ~   

Question Set #1  ~  Have you ever made a significant purchase which was influenced by the manufacturer’s guarantee or warranty? Has a purchase been influenced by a consumer testing agencies test results or by third party seal of approval? Have you ever made a purchase based on the advice of a trusted friend? When making a major purchase have you ever been a little unsure but went ahead with your decision trusting the manufacturer and other relevant data?

Consider  ~  The salvation which is offered by Jesus Christ comes with proven results and guarantees! The Bible has been tested by millions and it has passed the test—according to previous users it can be trusted. “Word of mouth” is the is the best advertising there is! Millions have died for the name of Jesus Christ and millions more seek to live their lives for His honor.

“And Nathanael said to him, ‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ Philip said to him, ‘Come and see’” (John 1:46). “After that [Jesus Christ’s bodily resurrection] He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once” (1 Corinthians 15:6a). “‘One thing I [a full grown man who was blind from birth] know: that though I was blind, now I see.’ Then they said to him again, ‘What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?’ He answered them, ‘I told you already, and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become His disciples?’” (John 9:25b-27).

Question Set #2  ~  Have you ever wished you could win a major lottery? Wouldn’t it be great to pick up that first check knowing it was the first of many and that your could not outspend the inflow?

Consider  ~  The salvation which is offered by Jesus Christ comes with a status change and a down payment which provides full assurance of the reality.

“Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:2-3). “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs — heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together” (Romans 8:16-17). “Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee” (2 Corinthians 1:21-22). “Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee” (2 Corinthians 5:5).

Question Set #3  ~  Do you look back in your life and regret not having made a particular purchase of decision? Were you almost persuaded, but for one reason or another, decided not to purchase what you believed to be a good decision? With hindsight do you see your mistake? 

Consider  ~  The opportunity for salvation is now. One day, perhaps very soon, the door of opportunity will be closed. You are not guaranteed tomorrow. Jesus Christ may return at any time for His children. If you are not ready it will be too late.

“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2b). “I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left. Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left. Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left” (Luke 17:34-36). “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near” (Isaiah 55:6). “God's gifts and God's call are under full warranty — never canceled, never rescinded” (Romans 11:29 The Message).

The Most Important Question  ~  Why not seek Jesus Christ with an open mind and discover for yourself if His Word is true?

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Christ in the Book of Numbers

~ Jesus Christ is Seen in the Serpent of Bronze and More ~

The Bible is about Jesus Christ  ~  “Jesus said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter His glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself” (Luke 24:25-27).

In the book of Numbers Jesus Christ, the Messiah, is foreshadowed primarily by the Serpent made of bronze. He is also seen in a variety of other ways including the pillar of cloud by day, the pillar of fire by night, the smitten rock, the star of Jacob, and in the Tabernacle.

The Serpent of Bronze  ~  The serpent which Moses lifted up for all to see is a picture of Jesus Christ who would be lifted up on the Cross of Calvary for all to see.

“So the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many of the people of Israel died. Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, ‘We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord  that He take away the serpents from us.’ So Moses prayed for the people. Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.’ So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived” (Numbers 21:6-9). 

To be saved they were individually required to look up at the serpent in faith. Today we must look up individually to the Cross in faith. To be saved each of us must begin by acknowledging our need of a Savior because of our own personal sin. (How many banks must one rob to be a bank robber? Likewise, how many sins must one commit to be a sinner?)

Comment  ~  We have only touched the surface of Christ in the book of Numbers. Much more could be said about each of the previous examples.

additional comment: While on earth Jesus Christ often quoted the Scriptures including all five books of Moses. He recalled Moses lifting up the brass serpent saying, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:14-17).

The Apostle Paul told us the Scriptures present many shadows of things to come but the reality is found in Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:17). 

~~~ EXPLANATORY “JESUS CHRIST IN EVERY BOOK OF THE BIBLE” SERIES ~~~   

(1)  Approximately once a month ALN posts an overview of how Jesus Christ is seen in a specific book of the Bible.

(2)  In most cases these posts only scratch the surface regarding Jesus Christ in the particular book.

(3)  These posts will typically be in the same order as the books are found in the Bible.

(4)  These serial posts are in addition to our other ALN postings.

(5)  Subscription to ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog is simple—just use the link on the left sidebar.  Once subscribed you will not miss future posts.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Messiah, 91

~ Messiah Would Be Worshipped by Shepherds ~

“Search the Scriptures—they testify of Me.”

— Jesus Christ (John 5:39)

The Scripture

“Those who dwell in the wilderness will bow before Him”(Psalm 72:9a). 

The Messiah  

“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!’ So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us’” (Luke 2:8-15).

~~~ EXPLANATORY “MESSIAH” NOTES ~~~   

(1)  Each Saturday ALN posts an example of a Hebrew Scriptures prophecy (or foreshadowing) related to the coming Messiah which was fulfilled in the birth, life, death, or resurrection of Jesus Christ.

(2)  While extensive it will not be a complete list—there are hundreds of prophecies of the coming Messiah which have been fulfilled by one man—Jesus Christ at His First Coming.

(3)  It is important that there are many more prophecies of the Messiah, yet unfulfilled, which Christians believe will be fulfilled at the time of His Second Coming.  A particularly relevant Scripture verse in this regard is: “Do not despise prophesies” (1 Thessalonians 5:20).

(4)  These posts will typically consist only of Scripture—which speaks for itself.  Sometimes italicized or bold font will be used by ALN for emphasis.

(5)  The numbering of these fulfilled prophecies of the Messiah is used to differentiate individual posts. It is not chronological (either by time of the prophecy or by sequence in the life of the Messiah).  The posting sequence will, for the most part, be in the order that the prophecies appear in Scripture.

(6)  Because of the chosen methodology (#5 above) we will find many specific prophecies repeated multiple times throughout the Scriptures.

(7)  These serial posts are in addition to our regular Tuesday ALN postings on random topics.

(8)  Subscription to ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog is simple—just use the link on the left sidebar.  Once subscribed you will not miss future posts.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW