Jerusalem - The City Of God

This week we are starting a new series focusing on Jerusalem from the Garden of Eden to the New Jerusalem coming down from Heaven. This new study will include the Earthly Jerusalem and the Heavenly Jerusalem and how they were divided at the Fall of Man but will be united forever when Jesus returns to earth.

Is this study important? It has been said that all earthly events revolve around Jerusalem as the most significant city on earth. This week's message will give you an overview about Jerusalem to emphasize this importance. Please notice the title calls Jerusalem, The City Of God, as illustrated below:

"Since the day that I brought My people out of the land of Egypt, I have chosen no city from any tribe of Israel in which to build a house . . . But I have chosen Jerusalem, that My name may be there." (2Chronicles 6:5-6)

"For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His habitation. This is My resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it." (Psalm 132:13-14)

"The Lord loves the Gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken of you, O City of God!" (Psalm 87:2-3)

How important is Jerusalem to Jehovah God? Extremely important! Psalm 122:6-7 says, "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; may they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, prosperity within your palaces." Please notice this is a directive from God not a mere suggestion. Also, Isaiah 62:6-7 says, "I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem, who shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of The Lord, do not keep silent and give Him no rest till He establishes and till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth."

Our Lord God desires for His people to pray day and night for the physical protection of Jerusalem causing God to respond by allowing Him no rest. Jerusalem is important and special to our Lord God Almighty! It has been the capital of Israel for over 3,000 years and is mentioned in the Word of God 811 times. 

Most important, all who have received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will spend eternity in the New Jerusalem! 

HALLELUJAH . . . HALLELUJAH . . . HALLELUJAH

May The Lord Surround You With His Peace,

Frank    

 

Giving Thanks Continually

 "Oh come, let us sing to The Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with Psalms. For The Lord is the great God." Psalm 95:1-3

"Make a joyful shout to The Lord, all you lands! Serve The Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing. Know that The Lord He is God; it is He who made us and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise." Psalm 100:1-4

Last Thursday we dedicated a day for giving thanks to our Lord God for all the blessings in our lives. However, in our last message we recommended that everyday should be a Thanksgiving Day for all people. When we study these two Psalms, we notice three main themes:

We Should Worship Our Lord Everyday

We Should Come Into His Presence Everyday

We Should Offer Thanksgiving To Our Lord Everyday

Jehovah God desires for His People to worship Him on a daily basis not just on holidays and Sunday mornings. When we spend time before Him each day, it would please Him if we would start with worship. The two Psalms clearly encourage us in this regard. Also, Ephesians 5:19 says we would honor our Lord by "Speaking to one another in Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to The Lord." Hallelujah!

Please also notice that the Psalms promote coming into God's presence. We just finished studying how blessed we are to be living under The New Covenant. Hebrews 10:19-22 says, "Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith." We are encouraged to enter into God's presence anytime and anywhere through the shed blood of Jesus. Bless His Holy Name!

In conclusion, in addition to worshipping God in His Presence, we should come before Him with Thanksgiving. James 1:17 says, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning."

Thank The Lord for everything good in your life because it comes from Him and do it throughout the day in every situation! Our Lord God will be pleased!

Happy Thanksgiving This Day And Every Day,

Frank      

The New Covenant - Part Three

Our last two messages explained Jehovah God sent Jesus Christ to earth to establish the New Covenant by dying on a cross and rising again. The Old Covenant became obsolete since no one could totally keep the Law. Through Jesus's death and resurrection, forgiveness of sins, salvation and eternal life are now available. {Romans 10:9}

Who is eligible for the New Covenant? Notice when Jesus declared at the Last Supper, "This cup is the New Covenant in My blood." He was addressing only Jewish men! Does this mean the New Covenant is only for the Jewish people? Absolutely Not! Ephesians chapter 2 thoroughly illustrates that through the shed Blood of Jesus both Jews and Gentiles have become one before Jehovah God and are equally eligible for the New Covenant. Ephesians 2:13-14 is a message to Gentiles saying, "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been made near by the Blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one." We serve a loving and compassionate God!

We now raise the question - What has been the result of equal eligibility for the New Covenant? Currently, the majority of people receiving Jesus Christ as Savior are Gentiles. WHY? Romans 9:31-32 says, "But Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness. Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law." Israel is seeking Salvation by works not by faith!

Will this scenario ever change? YES, YES, YES And AMEN! The Apostle Paul answers this question emphatically in Romans 11:1,2,11 saying, "I say then, has God caste away His people? Certainly not . . . God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew . . . I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not!" Jehovah God has not abandoned His Chosen People!

In closing, we learn that the Jewish People will accept Jesus as their Messiah and Savior. Romans 11:26,27 says, "And so all Israel will be saved, as It is written: 'The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; for this is My Covenant with them, when I take away their sins.'"

Blessed Thanksgiving! May we remember to thank our Lord every day for all the Blessings in our lives and not just one day in November. Let Us Especially Thank The Lord For All The Blessings Of The New Covenant.

Frank

     

        

The New Covenant - Part Two

Hebrews 8:6,7 says about Jesus, "But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better Covenant, which was established on better promises. For if that first Covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second."

In our message last week, we started studying the New Covenant that Jesus established upon His Death and Resurrection. The basis of this message are the two verses above from Hebrews 8 that says Jesus came to earth to establish a New and Better Covenant. What was wrong with the Old Covenant? The Old Covenant referred to in Hebrews 8 is the Mosaic Covenant that established God's Law. The reason it needed to be replaced was that no one could keep all 613 Laws.

As a result, a system of sacrificing animals was established that was not the forgiveness of the sins of the people but just the covering over of their sins. Hebrews 10:3,4 says, "But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins."

What was God's solution to this situation in order that He could forgive the sins of people - Jews and Gentiles - and grant them Salvation and Eternal Life? He Sent His Son Jesus Christ To Earth! Referring to Jesus Hebrew 10:5-10 says, "Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: 'Sacrifice an offering You did not desire, but a body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. Then I said, behold, I have come - in the volume of the book it is written of Me - to do Your will, O God. "Previously saying, 'sacrifice and offering, burnet offerings and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them.' Then He said, 'Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.' He takes away the first that He may establish the second. By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."

The Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ established a New and Better Covenant! We should be thanking Jehovah God every day for His plan of Salvation, Eternal Life and Forgiveness of Sins! Bless His Holy Name!

May The Lord Bless And Keep You This Day And Every Day,

Frank  

The New Covenant

When Jesus shared the "Last Supper" with His Disciples shortly before His Crucifixion He said to them "This cup that is poured out for you is the New Covenant In My Blood." He was proclaiming to His Disciples that He was about to become the vehicle by which Jehovah God would initiate the New Covenant. The death and Resurrection of Jesus opened a pathway by which all people, Jews and Gentiles, can be saved. Romans 10:9 says, "That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."

Our messages of the New Covenant will last a number of weeks completing our study of the Covenants that identified Jesus as our Messiah and Savior. A number of Old Testament Books prophesy about the coming of the New Covenant. Jeremiah 31:31,33,34 illustrates God saying, "Behold, the days are coming, says The Lord, when I will make a new Covenant with the house of Israel . . . I will put My law in their minds and write it on their hearts . . . For I will forgive their iniquity and their sin I will remember no more." God is saying that through the shed blood of Jesus the law will become part of their being and they will be empowered to keep the law.

Also, Ezekiel 36:25-27 says, "Then I will sprinkle clean water on you and you shall be clean . . . I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you . . . I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes." Critically Important! Notice Jehovah God is declaring that once a person accepts Jesus as their Messiah and Savior, He will cleanse them from all uncleanness. He also at the same time will Give Them The Holy Spirit - Part Of The Triune God - To Live Within Them Helping Them Keep The Law. What A Mighty God We Serve!

Possibly, as you have read these messages about Jesus as our Messiah and Savior, you now realize it is time to receive Jesus as YOUR Messiah and Savior. Please pray this prayer with me:

Jesus, I Know I Am A Sinner

Please Forgive Me Of All My Sins - Past, Present, Future

I Proclaim Jesus Is Lord & God Raised Him From The Dead

Please Live In My Heart And Become My Savior

Thank You Jesus For Becoming My Savior

Thank You Jesus For Forgiving My Sins

Thank You Jesus For Giving Me Eternal Life

Blessings!

Frank         

Jesus - Our Messiah And Savior

During the last two months, For Zion's Sake Ministries has emphasized in its weekly messages the importance of all people knowing Jesus as their Messiah and Savior. We have illustrated that Jesus is Messiah and Savior in the entire Bible and we are studying the Covenants established by Jehovah God for His Covenant People as examples.

This week we will study the Davidic Covenant, God's promise to David that his descendants will rule in Israel forever. The book of 2 Samuel 7:12-14 shows God speaking to David through the Prophet Nathan, "When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his Father and he shall be My son."

These verses need explanation since they have a twofold meaning. In verse 12, God is saying to David that when he dies God will continue David's Kingdom through his son Solomon. Also in verse 13 God says Solomon will build a temple in Jerusalem.  However, there is also a spiritual message in verse 14 saying, "I will be his Father, and he shall be My son." Jehovah God is prophesying in verse 14 declaring that through David's lineage the Messiah will be born, Jesus of Nazareth. Bless His Holy Name!

We feel it is important to also point out that Jehovah God will never break any of the Covenants He established with His Covenant People. The Word of God illustrates David sinning numerous times. At the same time, we should notice Psalm 89:30-36 shows God saying about David, "If his sons forsake My law and do not walk in My judgements, if they break My statutes and do not keep My commandants, then I will visit their transgressions with the rod, and their iniquities with stripes. Nevertheless My lovingkindness I will not utterly take from him, nor allow My faithfulness to fail. My Covenant I will not break, nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips. Once I have sworn by My holiness; I will not lie to David; His seed shall endure forever."

In closing, the theme of Jesus reigning on David's throne is at the beginning of the Bible and also at the end. From the Old Testament, we shared with you from 2 Samuel. Notice also Revelation 5:5 refers to Jesus as "The Root of David" and Revelation 22:16 calls Jesus "The Root and The Offspring of David."

Jehovah God Keeps Every Covenant! Jesus Is Reigning On David's Throne! Hallelujah!,

Frank 

                 

Jesus - Our Messiah And Savior

A quick review of our recent weekly messages reveal that we have adopted a new theme, "Jesus - Our Messiah And Savior." Why did we make this change? After the take over of Afghanistan by the terrorist group Taliban, many prophets now sense  the Prophetic Calendar has been advanced. As a result, the message of Jesus as the Jewish Messiah and Savior of the world we believe has become a more urgent message and is the message of the entire Bible. 

Last week we studied the Abrahamic Covenant and we will now study the Mosaic Covenant showing Jehovah God presenting His Law to Moses on MT. Sinai for His Chosen People. There is an important difference between these two Covenants. The Abrahamic Covenant is Unconditional meaning God will keep all His promises not depending on the response of His People. The Mosaic Covenant is Conditional meaning God will keep His promises based on His People obeying His Law. God's People responded to the receiving of God's Law saying in Exodus 19:8 "All that The Lord has spoken we will do." 

In reality, how did God's Covenant People respond? They were not able to keep their promise of Exodus 19:8 and not one person alive today is able to totally obey God's Law. This raises an important question - what is the purpose of God's Law? The Law was not given as a path to salvation! The main purpose of The Law was to show people how they were unable to live a life without sin and needed a Savior! Jesus Christ fulfilled the Mosaic Covenant by living a sinless life.

When a person receives Jesus Christ as their Messiah and Savior, they receive Forgiveness Of Sins, Salvation and Eternal Life. Does The Law play any role in their lives? Yes It Most Certainly Does! The Law is still the standard for Holiness! Also, the infilling of The Holy Spirit at Salvation empowers us to obey The Law by faith. Amen And Hallelujah!

If you have never accepted Jesus as your Messiah and Savior and now realize this is an important decision to make in your life, please pray this prayer with me:

Jesus, I Know I Am A Sinner

Please Forgive Me Of All My Sins - Past, Present And Future

I Believe In My Heart And Confess With My Mouth Jesus Is Lord

And That God Raised Him From The Dead

Please Come To Live In My Heart And Grant Me Salvation

Thank You Jesus For Saving My Soul

I Ask You To Help Me Live A Life Pleasing To You

BLESSINGS!

Frank