Christians have the privilege of coming to God in prayer. We are to come in the Name of Jesus and He will be attentive to our prayers. Perhaps these words of Solomon will help us pray that God will be with us and each person for whom we pray, as the matter may require.
Samuel wrote that he would not sin against the Lord by not praying for those the people.
A Prayer Of Solomons “May the Lord our God be with us, as He was with our fathers. May He not leave us nor forsake us, that He may incline our hearts to Himself, to walk in all His ways, and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, which He commanded our fathers. And may these words of mine, with which I have made supplication before the Lord, be near the Lord our God day and night, that He may maintain the cause of His servant and the cause of His people Israel, as each day may require, that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God; there is no other. Let your heart therefore be loyal to the Lord our God, to walk in His statutes and keep His commandments, as at this day.”” I Kings 8:57-61 NKJV
”For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink.” 1 Corinthians 12:13
MESSAGE TO JEWS
“Peter began to speak: “Now I truly understand that God doesn’t show favoritism, but in every nation the person who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. He sent the message to the Israelites, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ — he is Lord of all.” Acts 10:34-36 CSB
“A man is not a Jew because he is one outwardly, nor is circumcision only outward and physical. No, a man is a Jew because he is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise does not come from men, but from God.” Romans 2:28-29
MESSAGE TO GENTILES
“At that time you were without Christ, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility. In his flesh,” Ephesians 2:12-14 CSB
“I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying—my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit 2 that I have great sorrow and continuous pain in my heart. 3 For I almost wish that I myself could be cursed and separated from Christ in place of my brothers, my relatives according to the flesh, 4 those who are Israelites. Theirs are the adoption as sons, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. 5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, came the Christ, who is God over all, eternally blessed. Amen. This does not mean that God’s word has failed, because not all who are descended from Israel are really Israel, 7 and not all who are descended from Abraham are really his children. On the contrary, “Your line of descent will be traced through Isaac.” 8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are counted as his descendants.9 For this is what the promise said: “I will arrive at this set time, and Sarah will have a son….Romans 9:1-9
What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who were not pursuing righteousness, have obtained righteousness, a righteousness that is by faith. 31 But Israel, while pursuing the law as a way of righteousness, did not reach it. 32 Why? Because they kept pursuing it not by faith, but as if it comes by works.They stumbled over the stumbling stone. 33 Just as it is written:
Look, I am putting a stone in Zion over which they will stumble and a rock over which they will fall. The one who believes[ in him will not be put to shame. Romans 9:30-33
HAS GOD FORSAKEN HIS PEOPLE, ISRAEL?
Paul was asked this question and his answer was “Certainly not! Read Romans 11 for an explanation. And God answered through the prophet Jeremiah that It is not going to happen.
“Thus says the Lord: “If the heavens above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth below can be explored, then I will cast off all the offspring of Israel for all that they have done, declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 31:37
PRAISE GOD AND GIVE THANKS
“But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you. Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life.” Isaiah 43: 1-4
Since the vicious, inhumane attacks against the people of Israel on October 7th by terrorist called Hamas, Israel has become front and center in world news headlines. Christians wonder if the prophecy in Zechariah 12 is being fulfilled:
“I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling. Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem. On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves.” (Zechariah 12:2-3)
THE USA AND ANTI-SEMITISM
In America, a place that has spent over a century working to eradicate racism and prejudice, the recent attacks on Israel and Israel’s subsequent national defense, along with demands for the return of hostages, has brought to light an ugly and raging racist, anti-Semitic movement that has been festering in our universities. Christians still support Israel, but the USA has lost our young college aged-generation. Today’s young people ridicule Christ, hate Jews, and are intolerant of Israel’s right to exist. They claim to hate racism and genocide while embracing a hatred for Jews and calling for their destruction.
HISTORY OF ISRAEL
The Bible is our primary resource when studying Israel. The word “Israel” occurs 2,568 times in 2,294 verses in the KJV of the Bible. The story of Israel, (along with God’s promises to the nation), is found in scripture. Israel begins with the man Jacob, evolves into a nation, is established permanently in Christ, and culminates in Christ’s Kingdom and New Jerusalem. It is a work of Almighty God!
“I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.” Isaiah 46:13 KJV
Luke recorded the words of Simeon when he saw Christ Jesus. Simeon is described as a just man who was devout and the Holy Ghost was upon him. His words in Luke 2:30-32 reveal Christ as the glory of Israel.
GOD ESTABLISHES THE NATION
The nation begins with Almighty God and His promise to Abram. The promise is first recorded in Genesis 12:2. Six times God repeats His promise to Abram, who is later called Abraham…
”And I will make of thee a greatnation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing.” Genesis 12:2
The first mention of the nation by name is in Genesis 32: 8 where God tells Jacob:
“Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.”
The story of Israel, formerly called Jacob is given to us in God’s word. Israel has 12 sons from which God established twelve tribes and from these 12 tribes, God established the nation of Israel! The nation grew and eventually we read:
“And what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for you great things and terrible, for thy land, before thy people, which thou redeemedst to thee from Egypt, from the nations and their gods?” 2 Samuel 7:23
”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: 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: 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.“ Genesis 12:1-3 KJV
Some of what is written is written as factual information. An example is Deuteronomy
”It is a land the Lord your God cares for. He is always watching over it from the beginning to the end of the year.“ Deuteronomy 11:12 CSB
God promised Abram that He would bless those who blessed Abram.
The details of the history of Israel are found in the Torah or first five books of the Hebrew Bible. It became a country when the 12 tribes settled in Canaan and a Kingdom under King Saul. Rome conquered Israel between 63-37 BC. The Kingdom was dissolved following the destruction of Judea and the resulting diaspora around 114-155 AD. Israel ceased to exist until the creation of the modern State of Israel in 1947-1948 by the United Nations.
In February 1947, Great Britain gave up control of the land known as Palestine to the United Nations. On November 29, 1947, the General Assembly of the United Nations voted to provide Arabs and Jews with their own land. The rebirth of the nation of Israel was official and legal, but the Palestinians refused to accept Israel and war broke out almost immediately. Many, however view this as the fulfillment of the prophecy in Amos:
“I will restore the fortunes of My people Israel. They will rebuild and occupy ruined cities, plant vineyards and drink their wine, make gardens and eat their produce. I will plant them on their land, and they will never again be uprooted from the land I have given them. Yahweh your God has spoken.” Amos 9:14-15 HCSB
Battles continued until the United Nations Security Council called for a permanent armistice on December 29, 1948. On July 5, 1950, the state of Israel passed the Law of Return. Its opening line read: “Every Jew has the right to immigrate to the country.” The population more than doubled in the next five years as Jews returned to their homeland.
As the reborn nation struggled to meet the challenges of different Jewish groups, economic challenges and Arab resistance, life was often difficult. In the 1950s, the Arab world attempted to pressure Israel through economic sanctions; Israeli ships could not use Arab ports, and Israeli airplanes could not use Arab air space. In 1955, Egypt purchased large amounts of weapons from the Soviet Union and Czechoslovakia. The next year it announced the nationalization of the Suez Canal. These events led to intervention by the UN and eventually the six day war in 1967.
In May 1967, Egypt expelled the United Nations Emergency Force from the Sinai Peninsula and amassed 100,000 soldiers at the border with Israel. The Six-Day War began on June 5, 1967, when the IDF, led by Chief of Staff Yitzhak Rabin, preemptively attacked Egypt’s air force and Jordan attacked Israel.
WHY WAS THERE A PREEMPTIVE STRIKE BY ISRAEL?
May 14, 1967, the Egyptian Prime Minister, Nasser mobilized Egyptian forces in the Sinai. Then on May 18 he made a formal request asking for the removal of the UNEF (United Nations Emergency Force) that had been stationed there. On May 22 he closed the Gulf of Aqaba to Israeli shipping, which blockaded the port city of Elat in southern Israel. Seeing Egypt prepare for war, Israel tool action.
In these six days of war, Israel gained control of Jerusalem and the West Bank. Jordan had occupied this territory since 1948. Israel also gained control of the Gaza Strip (which Egypt had occupied since 1948), the strategic Golan Heights from Syria, and the Sinai Peninsula. No longer were Jews barred from the western wall or their own Jewish cemetery which was on Mount Olives. Land that God had originally given to them through Abraham was restored. Amazingly, when Israel gained East Jerusalem in 1967, it gave each religious group control over its own holy sites. Christianity, Islam, and Judaism – all consider Jerusalem to be a sacred place. Now each have a district in Jerusalem.
Jesus spoke of a future time when there will be a desolation of the city. This will be followed by the return of the Lord Jesus Christ and His millennial reign. Judgement follows this period and then, the New Jerusalem will be established that last eternally.
““When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that its desolation has come near. …But when these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near! ” Luke 21:20, 28 HCSB
In America, a place that has spent over a century working to eradicate racism and prejudice, the recent attacks on Israel and Israel’s subsequent national defense, along with demands for the return of hostages, has brought to light an ugly and raging racist, anti-Semitic movement that has been festering in our universities. Christians still support Israel, but the USA has lost a generation. Today’s young people ridicule Christ, hate Jews, and are intolerant of Israel’s right to exist. They claim to hate racism and genocide while embracing a hatred for Jews and calling for their destruction.
According to the web-site, Israel Today, a majority (66%) of all Jewish Israelis believe that yes, the rebirth of the State of Israel has changed the way Christians see Jews. Three out of every four Israelis (75%) say that Christians (Evangelicals mostly) changed their attitudes towards Jews because they support Israel.
WHAT ARE WE WHO LOVE GOD AND LOVE ISRAEL TO DO?
Praying for the peace of Jerusalem means praying they will come to know and receive Messiah, Jesus the Christ (Yeshuah). Love the Jews and be a witness. Helped them know that Joel spoke of Jesus. The angels declared “Peace on earth good will to men” at His birth.
“Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are small among the clans of Judah; One will come from you to be ruler over Israel for Me. His origin is from antiquity, from eternity. Therefore, He will abandon them until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of His brothers will return to the people of Israel. He will stand and shepherd them in the strength of Yahweh, in the majestic name of Yahweh His God. They will live securely, for then His greatness will extend to the ends of the earth.” Micah 5:2-4 HCSB
There are “religions” on earth today deceiving millions about who Christ is, about His Kingdom, and about how long He will reign? This deception is from Satan. Christ Jesus will rule and reign eternally! God, YHWH, makes this clear: not only is this clearly stated, it is stated in different ways to cast down all arguments and every high-minded thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive to obey Christ! (found in 2 Corinthians 10:4-5)
The same way we learn that God sends Messiah, Emmanuel, into the world is the way we know! It is written…
”He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end“. Luke 1:33 HCSB
ABOUT CHRIST, OUR REDEEMER, WHO IS RIGHTEOUS AND JUST
”Zion will be redeemed by justice, her repentant ones by righteousness.“ Isaiah 1:27 HCSB
”Your throne, God, is forever and ever; the scepter of Your kingdom is a scepter of justice.“ Psalms 45:6 HCSB
”For to which of the angels did He ever say, You are My Son; today I have become Your Father, or again, I will be His Father, and He will be My Son?…And about the angels He says: He makes His angels winds, and His servants a fiery flame, but to the Son: Your throne, God, is forever and ever, and the scepter of Your kingdom is a scepter of justice.“ Hebrews 1:5, 7-8 HCSB
”I continued watching in the night visions, and I saw One like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was escorted before Him. He was given authority to rule, and glory, and a kingdom; so that those of every people, nation, and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will not be destroyed.“ Daniel 7:13-14 HCSB
…for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you. 2 Peter 1:11
”Christ died and came to life for this: that He might rule over both the dead and the living.“ Romans 14:9 HCSB
Sunday is the day we celebrate victory in Jesus. Resurrection Sunday!
Prior to Resurrection Sunday, Christian’s partake of the sacraments in obedience to Christ…
“This do in remembrance of Me.” Luke 22:19
Why do those who are in the New Covenant teach and preach Jesus and Him crucified, buried, and resurrected? It is because in Christ we have hope and a future! Without Christ there is no hope for the future and we are, as Paul said, most miserable or wretched. The entire message of the Bible is the gospel. Jesus was in the beginning (John 1:1), He led the Israelites…
They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:3-4
Christ was the fourth man in the fire with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and He was spoken of by all the prophets!
After His obedience, suffering, and passion, Jesus has been given the Name above all names, all power and authority in heaven and on earth. (Matthew 28:18, Philippians 2:9)
Jesus said we should follow Him and serve Him… He took on our sins, suffered and died so we might be clothed in His righteousness. There is no other way, no other Name – Jesus paid it all.
The Father has said, “Hear Him…”
Jesus said
”My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me.“ John 10:27
”If anyone serves me, he must follow me. Where I am, there my servant also will be. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.“John 12:26
”And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.“ Mark 1:17
”But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.“ Matthew 8:22
”And whoever doesn’t take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.“ Matthew 10:38
”If you want to be perfect,” Jesus said to him, “go, sell your belongings and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Matthew 19:21
Peter, who had been with Jesus, said:
”He sent the message to the Israelites, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ — he is Lord of all.“ Acts 10:36
”If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.“ 1 Peter 4:14
“There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
Paul said:
”The righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe, since there is no distinction.“ Romans 3:22
“I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.“ 1 Corinthians 2:2
Writer of Hebrews: ”The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of his nature, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.“ Hebrews 1:3
”Then he said to them all, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.“ Luke 9:23
After the resurrection Jesus instructed His disciples…
“And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.“ Matthew 28:9-10
Thanks be to God that we who follow Jesus have reason to celebrate!
When Peter and the Apostles preached Christ and Him crucified and resurrected, the Sanhedrin and Sadducees locked them in prison. An Angel released them, however, the Sanhedrin wanted to try and keep them locked up to stop them from telling others about Jesus. A Pharisee named Gamaliel had enough wisdom to speak out. Gamaliel was respected by the people and the Sanhedrin heard him and heeded his advice!
GAMALIEL’s ADVICE
”So in the present case, I tell you, stay away from these men and leave them alone. For if this plan or this work is of human origin, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even be found fighting against God.” They were persuaded by him. Every day in the temple, and in various homes, they continued teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.“ Acts 5:38-39, 42 CSB
Over 2000 years later, we can and do testify that the movement DID NOT FAIL.
(This is an edited version of a post by Josiah Pitcarn…Thank you, Joseph!)
Let us ponder for a moment , what is the calling of a Christian ?
For we are instructed:
” Walk worthy of the calling with which you were called “. Ephesians 4 v 1
Our calling is to fellowship with our Savior the Lord Jesus.
As the scripture says:
“God is faithful, by whom you were CALLED into the FELLOWSHIP of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord .” 1 Corinthians 1 v 9
The word fellowship or communion , which is the same word in Greek, means to communicate, to talk.
This is extremely important, for all the Godly fruit which we bear in our lives comes out of our personal relationship with Jesus.
And this calling to share our lives with Jesus will result in us sharing his glory throughout eternity:
” To which HE CALLED YOU by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 2 v 14
Nothing, no one, no group is to take the place of Christ in the life of a Christian!
For the scripture teaches about the Lord Jesus:
“Who DIED for us, that whether we WAKE or SLEEP, we should LIVE TOGETHER with Him.” 1 Thessalonians 5 v 10
Moving on now to the Holy Spirit , scripture teaches that true believers enjoy fellowship with the Holy Spirit also.
As we are taught by that wonderful Trinity verse:
“The grace of the Lord JESUS CHRIST, and the love of GOD, and the FELLOWSHIP of the HOLY SPIRIT be with you all. Amen.” 2 Corinthians 13 v 14.
Scripture teaches us that He abides within us as our guide, our comforter, and our teacher who has sealed us for the day of redemption.
And the ‘Good News’ is that with the Holy Spirit indwelling us, we have access to his Father also:
” For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear. But you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ” Abba, Father!” Romans 8 v 15
And therefore we fellowship with the Father also:
“Truly our FELLOWSHIP is with the FATHER and with His SON Jesus Christ.” 1 John 3b.
So then , as we can see from scripture, real Christians fellowship with all three members of the Trinity.
If a person isn’t in a right relationship with these Three, that person is missing out on the joys of a relationship with the living God, now and also throughout eternity. Only Christ can put us in a right relationship with God.
Run into the outstretched arms of Jesus and he will forgive your sins and heal your life.
”There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.”“ Acts 4:12 CSB
”…according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient and to be sprinkled with the blood of Jesus Christ. May grace and peace be multiplied to you.“ 1 Peter 1:2 CSB
For that is why he came, as he himself said:
” The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me.To preach good tidings to the poor. He has sent Me to HEAL THE BROKENHEARTED. To proclaim liberty to the captives. And the opening of the prison to those who are bound.” Isaiah 61 v 1
Traveling from Dover, England to Cincinnati, Ohio in 1871 was a challenging trip, but Louisa made the trip. She felt a call to missions, but due to her frailty, she married instead and became Louisa Stead or Mrs. William Stead. Her only child was a girl named Lily. Imagine her grief and fear when a few short years later William drowned off Long Island in NY while attempting to rescue a drowning child. ( There are various accounts about the identity of the child) The tragedy occurred while Louisa, William, and four year old Lily were enjoying a picnic on a beautiful sunny day. This caused her to spend years in deprivation, but God provided and Louisa followed her calling to serve in missions.
Louisa and Lily moved to South Africa where they became missionaries. While there Louisa married again. Her second husband was Robert Wodehouse. Due to ill health, she was forced to return to the United States in 1895. Five years later they returned to the mission field. This time they went into missions in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). Her daughter Lily (Some say she was the child who was rescued. Stories vary, but the one certainty is that William was drowned) survived the accident that killed her father, married D. A. Carson and became a missionary like her mother. Louisa retired from the mission field in 1911 and died in 1917.
Her story is interesting, however, she is best known as author of the hymn, “Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus.”
1 ‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, and to take him at his word; just to rest upon his promise, and to know, “Thus saith the Lord.”
Refrain: Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him! How I’ve proved him o’er and o’er! Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust him more!
2 O how sweet to trust in Jesus, just to trust his cleansing blood; and in simple faith to plunge me neath the healing, cleansing flood! [Refrain]
3 Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus, just from sin and self to cease; just from Jesus simply taking life and rest, and joy and peace. [Refrain]
In Psalms 9:10, we read that it is those who know God’s name who will trust in Him. In the Bible, God’s name is given, so doesn’t everyone know His name? Apparently not, because we know with certainty that not everyone trusts God.
God’s name often appears as a mystery because: 1) Everyone doesn’t know God’s name, even though it is given to us in scripture. Many have never read the Bible. Of those who have, different groups use different pronunciations, and these are speculative. 2) The pronunciation of YHVH, (יהוה), which is the Name given in Genesis to Moses, is not known today as it was lost when Israelites did not pronounce His name because it was considered too holy. The name, which some people pronounce as Yahweh and others (mostly Catholics and those in Watchtower) as Jehovah, appears 5,410 times in the Bible (1,419 of those in the Torah). 3) God also told Moses to call Him, ‘I AM’ or ‘I AM THAT I AM.’ 4) Zechariah spoke of a day that is coming when YHVH, (יהוה) will be King over all the earth and His Name one. 5) The New Testament reveals Jesus will be King and that His Name is the Name above all Names. 6) Jesus instructs us to call God, Father.
So who are they who know His name?
UNRAVELING THE MYSTERY
What must one know and believe to truly trust God? Under the New Covenant we must know Christ and believe the gospel. (John 3:1-18, Romans 10:8-10) When we are told that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, we also learn that we can receive Christ, the living Word:
”But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born, not of natural descent, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God.“ John 1:12-13 CSB
Paul wrote that he wanted to “know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings.” (Philippians 3:10) So as to what name the Psalmist is referring, perhaps the best way to unravel the mystery is to first look at the Hebrew word for God, Elohim. Elohim is always plural. This clearly indicates that we have a God who is more than one, yet scripture plainly tells us “The Lord our God is one YHVH, (יהוה). In light of the New Testament, the gospel, Christ’s death and resurrection, and the coming of Holy Spirit at Pentecost, it really isn’t a mystery that YHVH, (יהוה) is one God who is three Persons. It is difficult for our finite minds to comprehend the infinite, but we trust and know that Father, Son, and Spirit are One. These three are all active in the creation, in redemption, and are in the revelation of future events.
So to what name of God’s is Psalm 9:10 referring?
SCRIPTURES PROVIDE ANSWERS
The psalmist wrote:
The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know Your name trust in You, for You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.“Psalm 9:1-10
Later the Psalmist describes Almighty God…
”He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “You are my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler, and from the deadly plague. He will cover you with His feathers; under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and rampart… “Because he loves Me, I will deliver him; because he knows My name, I will protect him. When he calls out to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation.” Psalms 91:1-4, 14-16
This Most High God will cover us with His feathers and give us shelter under His wings. How would He do this? The answer is by sending His Son. Jesus said to those who were in Jerusalem…
”O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!“ Matthew 23:37 BSB
Who is this Son?
”The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead, so that in all things He may have preeminence. For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross. Once you were alienated from God and were hostile in your minds, engaging in evil deeds. But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy, unblemished, and blameless in His presence— if indeed you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope of the gospel you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.“ Colossians 1:15-23 BSB
JESUS – THE WORD OF GOD, KING OF KINGS, LORD OF LORDS
”In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.“ John 1:1-5, 14
”Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war. He has eyes like blazing fire, and many royal crowns on His head. He has a name written on Him that only He Himself knows. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is The Word of God. The armies of heaven, dressed in fine linen, white and pure, follow Him on white horses. And from His mouth proceeds a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. And He has a name written on His robe and on His thigh: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Revelation 19:11-16
There are those who have missed knowing Christ and the Name because Jesus called His Father, “my God.” They are unable to reconcile or comprehend how Christ is God if He called the Father, God. Jesus used an opportunity to shed light on this mystery and phenomenon in Matthew.
”While the Pharisees were assembled, Jesus questioned them: “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is He?” “David’s,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “How then does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord’? For he says: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand until I put Your enemies under Your feet.”’ So if David calls Him ‘Lord,’ how can He be David’s son?” No one was able to answer a word, and from that day on no one dared to question Him any further.“ Matthew 22:41-46
The Pharisees could only see Jesus as a man in the flesh. He pointed them to the Word who became flesh.
The number of verses or passages dealing with Christ second coming isn’t able to be determined quickly. Some sites say over 1,000. Others list 100. At Got?Questions.com there is a list of 30 important verses that leave no doubt that Christ hasn’t returned yet, but that He will return. Just as Old Testament saints were assured a Messiah would come and He would be called Emmanuel, New Testament saints are assured He will return a second time.
Here are some of the passages where He spoke of His return. In Luke, Jesus had already come in the flesh, so in 18:6-8 He is speaking of a second coming. In John’s gospel Jesus was preparing the disciples for what was about to happen on the cross, but also sharing their future hope that we, too, share. After His resurrection, Jesus spoke to Peter casually about His second coming in John 21:22. Later Peter preached to the early Christians that Christ will return. (2 Peter 3)
”Then the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. Will not God grant justice to his elect who cry out to him day and night? Will he delay helping them? I tell you that he will swiftly grant them justice. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” Luke 18:6-8 CSB
”In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also.“ John 14:2-3 CSB
Jesus saith unto him, “If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.“ John 21:22 KJV
Two Men Who Appear as Angels Announce That Jesus will Return
”He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After he had said this, he was taken up as they were watching, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going, they were gazing into heaven, and suddenly two men in white clothes stood by them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen him going into heaven.” Acts 1:7-11 CSB
It seems significant that two men in white appeared. Two witnesses as it were. God’s pure law required two witnesses so that truth was established. They stated clearly that “this same Jesus” would return in the manner the disciples saw Him leave.
Paul Taught That Jesus Will Return
Paul taught the church at Corinth, Philippi, Colossae, and at Thessalonica, (and actually to everyone who read the epistles) that Jesus will return to gather His church. The passage in Thessalonians is probably the most intriguing.
”We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For we say this to you by a word from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are still alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.“ 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 CSB
After Christ takes out the church, a period of trouble and tribulation will occur and then the words of Isaiah the prophet, found in chapter 52, will be fulfilled.
”The voices of your watchmen — they lift up their voices, shouting for joy together; for every eye will see when the Lord returns to Zion.“ Isaiah 52:8
Jesus Again Reveals To Believers The Event Of His Second Coming
”Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn over him. So it is to be. Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “the one who is, who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”“ Revelation 1:7-8 CSB
I suggest the following sites for further study. There are important passages not mentioned in this post shared on these sites.
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