Ezekiel 26
Fall of Jerusalem added wealth to Tyre verse 1- 2
And it came to pass in the eleventh year
in the first day of the month
that the word of the LORD
came unto me – saying
Son of man
BECAUSE that Tyre has said against Jerusalem
AHA – she is broken that was the gates of the people
she is turned unto me
I shall be replenished
NOW she is lad waste
LORD declares judgment on Tyre verse 3- 6
THEREFORE thus
says the Lord GOD
BEHOLD I am against you – O Tyre
and will cause many nations to come up against you
as the sea causes his waves to come up
And they shall destroy the wall of Tyre
and break down her towers
I will also scrape her dust from her
and make her like the top of a rock
It shall be a place for the spreading of nets in the midst of the sea
for I have spoken it – says the Lord GOD
and it SHALL BECOME A SPOIL to the nations
and her daughters which are in the field
shall be slain by the sword
and they SHALL KNOW
THAT I AM THE LORD
LORD to bring King Nebuchadnezzer verse 7- 11
For thus says
the Lord GOD
BEHOLD I will bring upon Tyre
Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon
a king of kings – from the north
with horses – chariots
horsemen – companies
much people
He shall slay with the sword your daughters in the field
and he shall make a fort against you
and cast a mount against you
and lift up the buckler against you
He shall set engines of war against your walls
and with his axes he shall break down your towers
BY REASON of the abundance of his horse
their dust shall cover you
your walls shall shake
at the noise of the horsemen
and of the wheels – and of the chariots
when he shall enter into your gates
as men enter into a city wherein
is made a breach
with the hoof of his horse
shall he tread down all your streets
he shall slay your people by the sword
and your strong garrisons shall go
down to the ground
Tyre to be completed destroyed by Babylon verse 12- 14
They shall make a spoil of your riches
and make a prey of your merchandise
and they shall break down your walls
and destroy your pleasant houses
and they shall lay your stones and your timber and your dust
in the midst of the water
And I will cause the noise of your songs to cease
and the sound of your harps shall be no more heard
And I will make you like the top of a rock
you shall be a place to spread nets upon
you shall be built no more
FOR I the LORD have spoken it
says the Lord GOD
Funeral song to be sung over fall of Tyre verse 15- 18
Thus says the Lord GOD
to Tyre
Shall not the isles shake at the sound of your fall
when the wounded cry
when the slaughter is made
in the midst of you?
THEN all the princes of the sea shall come down from their thrones
and lay away their robes and put off their embroidered garments
they shall clothe themselves with trembling
they shall sit upon the ground
and shall tremble at every moment
and be astonished at you
And they shall take up a lamentation for you
and say to you
How are you destroyed – that was inhabited of seafaring men
the renowned city- which was strong in the sea
she and her inhabitants
which cause their terror to be on all
that haunt it
Now shall the isles tremble in the day of your fall
YEA – the isles that are in the sea shall be troubled
at your departure
Tyre will never come back verse 19- 21
For thus says the Lord GOD
When I shall make you a desolate city
like the cities that are not inhabited
When I shall bring up the deep upon you
and great waters shall cover you
When I shall bring you down with them
that descend into the pit
with the people of old time
and shall set you in the low parts of the earth
in places desolate of old
with them that go down to the pit
that you be not inhabited
and I shall set glory in the land of the living
I will make you a terror – and you shall be no more
though you be sought for
YET shall you never be found again
says the Lord GOD
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 3 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against you, O Tyrus, and will cause many nations to come up against you, as the seas causes his waves to come up. (5927 “cause”[‘alah] means to lead up, to lead out, ascend, climb, go up, to bring up, bring against, to rouse, to stir up, or used of God)
DEVOTION: The LORD is Sovereign over not only HIS people Israel in the Old Testament and the saints of the New Testament but over every person and nation that has ever existed or will ever exist. HE is sitting on the throne in heaven watching every event and knows what is going to happen before it happens. HE had a plan before the foundation of the world and HE is working HIS plan.
Too often we think that the LORD doesn’t know what is going on around us. We think sometimes that HE doesn’t care what is presently happening to us or to the people around us but that is not the truth of the Word of God. HE does care and HE is still in control of our world.
The nation of Tyrus thought that they were in control of their future because they were located in a place that they could defend against any enemy. They were wrong. The LORD sent the king of Babylon against them and he destroyed his land.
God allows what is going on in our world. HE brings up enemies to fight against those who don’t honor HIM. HE is longsuffering but there is limit to HIS patience with some nations.
Our nations today are not honoring HIM. HE is not pleased with even the nation of America because they are acting like HE doesn’t exist. That is what nations thought in the time of Ezekiel and they were wrong. They are wrong today as well.
The LORD is watching over those who are genuine followers of HIM. HE has a remnant in every nation that are following HIM and HE will take care of us. This doesn’t mean that we might not die but it means that HE will guide us into our special service for HIM until we die.
Ezekiel was honoring the LORD during troubled times for his people. God spoke through him to the nation. HE wants to speak through us during this time period. We need to open our mouths and share the truth of Scripture with those around us before HE allows us to be taken home to HIM.
CHALLENGE: Are you willing to be used of HIM during trying times? If so, ask HIM for guidance and direction each day of this year. We never know when our nation might not exist anymore.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 9 And he shall set engines of war against your walls, and with his axes he shall break down your towers. (6905 “engines” [qabal] means attacking engines, battering-rams, something in front, siege devise, or offensive weapon.)
DEVOTION: The LORD has established HIMSELF against the nation of Tyre. They had rejoiced over the defeat of Jerusalem. This displeased the LORD.
We get an idea about the war plan of Babylon. They bring all their knowledge of war against this nation. There were two locations for the city of Tyre. One location was on the mainland and the other location was on an island just off the mainland. The Babylonians came and destroyed the mainland but was unable to conquer the island.
But with the destruction of the mainland city their influence was reduced greatly. When Alexander the Great came he brought timber from Lebanon and used the remains of the main city to build a bridge to the island and destroyed it as well.
This fulfilled the prophecy of Ezekiel. They were judged for their relationship to Israel. The LORD blessed nations that blessed Israel and judged those who oppressed Israel.
There are many nations today that would like to destroy Israel. It is a very small nation but it has established that it will not be defeated easily. It will defend itself against any foe.
The LORD promises the children of Israel a future and a hope. There are many references to the Promised Land in the books of the Bible. There is a day coming with Jesus Christ will reign on a throne over the nation of Israel. Those of us who are believer will reign with HIM as well. Do we understand all the prophecies regarding the future? NO. Is God going to keep HIS promises to the Israel of the future? YES!
God’s word has come true through the prophecy of Ezekiel. It will come true in the future as well. We have to come to grips with the fact that God’s plan included Israel even in the future.
Our responsibility now is to witness to those individuals who are part of the nation of Israel that don’t believe in Jesus Christ as the Messiah. There are many Messianic Jews today who are witnessing for Jesus. We are to join them.
CHALLENGE: Our mind has to get around the fact that when God says something – it is going to happen. It may seem impossible to us but with God all things are possible.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 18 Now shall the isles tremble in the day of your fall; yea, the isles that are in the sea shall be troubled at your departure. (339 “isles” [‘iy] means coast, island, shore, or region.)
DEVOTION: The LORD is using the king of Babylon to punish the nation of Tyre. They have used their power to cause Israel harm. When the nations around Tyre see what happened to this powerhouse of the sea, they had two reactions. They were troubled and trembled.
They thought that because of the natural barrier of the sea, Tyre could not be defeated. They thought because they were islands, they could see the enemy coming and defeat them.
The LORD showed that Tyre and the other islands of the sea could be defeated too. The king of Babylon destroyed the cities around the island of Tyre. Then Alexander the Great used the material from these cities to build a ramp to the island. With the ramp the army entered the city and destroyed it. There was nothing left. The only thing that the island could be used for is the spreading out of fishnets to be repaired.
Some nations think that they can never be defeated. They have a strong army. They have plenty of money. They think that they can go against the God of the Bible and still be victorious against their enemies. They are wrong. Once a nation takes the God of the Bible out of their sight, they are headed for defeat at the hands of their enemies.
Not only nations think that they are to face their enemies without the LORD. Many people think that they are invincible. They think that there is no way that they can be defeated. Some people think that they are irreplaceable. Neither of these concepts is true when it comes to the LORD dealing with them. Throughout this section of Ezekiel the LORD continually states: “they shall know that I am the LORD.” HE also states: “I the LORD have spoken it.”
We need to be sure that we as a nation are trusting in the God of the Bible. We need to be sure as a church that we are honoring the LORD with all our decisions. We need to be sure as an individual that we are trusting in the LORD for every activity we do as a individual.
It should NEVER enter our minds that we can go against the LORD and win. Trust in the LORD with all our hearts. Nations have disappeared that went against the LORD. Churches have died without the LORD. Individuals who are genuine believers have died prematurely for living in sin.
CHALLENGE: Our nation is heading in the wrong direction. We need to pray for revival in our nation. It starts with us!!!
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: 21 I will make you a terror, and you shall be no more: though you be sought for, yet shall you never be found again, says the Lord GOD. (1091 “terror” [ballahah] means horror, destruction, calamity, dreadful event, sudden destruction, or an emotion or attitude that causes great distress or fear)
DEVOTION: Ezekiel was predicting that Tyre would go go down to the pit. There was a storm coming that the LORD was sending in judgment on the city. They were
entering the place of the departed dead and never be able to return to the land of the living. Those who loved the city would never see it again.
In the same breath the LORD is promising Israel that they would be blessed while others will be cursed for their actions. There are only two ways that eternity will go. People and nations will be judged for their actions.
Those who obey the LORD and try to honor the LORD will be blessed while those who dishonor the LORD will be cursed. The Bible gives a description of what it takes to honor the LORD in a nation. Anything less than honoring the LORD means judgment of the LORD.
Each individual will be judged on what they do with Jesus Christ in their life and how they serve HIM or don’t serve HIM.
Our responsibility is to present the truth of the Word of God to those we love and encourage them to honor the LORD.
In this chapter we find that nations have a relationship with the LORD and are judged accordingly. People make up the nations, so, the judgment can change with the actions of those who make up the nation. Are we as a nation honoring the LORD? Are individual believers honoring the LORD on a daily basis? Are we honoring the LORD daily?
CHALLENGE: Nations are made up of individuals who can cause the nation to serve the LORD or not serve the LORD. Which direction are you helping the nation you live in to go?
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DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
Word of the LORD verse 1
Thus says the Lord GOD verse 3, 7, 15, 19
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD – Jehovah (Covenant keeping, Personal) verse 1, 6, 14
Lord – Adonai (Master, Owner) verse 3, 5, 14, 15, 19, 21
GOD – Jehovah verse 3, 7, 14, 15, 19, 21
Lord GOD verse 3, 7, 14, 15, 19, 21
I am against Tyrus verse 3, 15
I will also scrape her dust from her, and make
her like the top of a rock verse 4
I the LORD have spoken it verse 5, 14
I am the LORD verse 6
I will cause the noise of your songs to cease verse 13
I will make you like the top of a rock verse 14
I shall make you a desolate city verse 19
I shall set glory in the land of the living verse 20
I will make you a terror verse 21
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Tyrus verse 2- 21
Many nations verse 3
Nations verse 5
Nebuchadrezzar – king of Babylon verse 7- 12
He shall slay with the sword
He shall make a fort against you and
cast amount against you
He shall set engines of war against
You
He shall slay your people by the sword
Princes of the sea shall come down from their
thrones verse 16
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Know the LORD verse 6
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Son of man = Ezekiel verse 2
Jerusalem verse 2
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
Pit verse 20
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QUOTES regarding passage
God promised to bring six judgments upon Tyre (vv. 3–6). First come words usually associated with military engagements. Many nations would “come against” the city (v. 3). The proliferation of the military opponents of Tyre was pictured as unrelenting waves pounding the city. Second, Ezekiel stated evidence of divine opposition to Tyre (v. 3). The emphasis of the text literally states, “Behold [I am] coming against you,” which calls attention to the events of judgment as having been divinely orchestrated. Third, the walls of Tyre would be destroyed (v. 4). In spite of all those who fought against Tyre, it was not until its conquest by Alexander the Great that this prophecy was fulfilled. Nevertheless, the prediction did come true.
Fourth, God promised that the island fortress would become a pile of rubble that would be scraped away. There would be no trace of the once-invincible city. Only a bare rock where fishermen would dry their nets would mark the spot (v. 4). Fifth, Tyre, known for its commercial and political power, would be an object of plunder for all the nations (v. 5). Sixth, the city on the mainland also would be destroyed and the area ravaged by the sword (v. 6) (Cooper, L. E. (1994). Ezekiel (Vol. 17, pp. 252–253). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)
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Verses 1b–6 compose the basic judgment speech against Tyre with the accusation (introduced by “because”) stated in v.2 and the verdict (introduced by “therefore”) delivered in vv.3–6. Tyre was accused of delighting in the prospects of Jerusalem’s downfall so that she might obtain the spoils of the city and the advantages of its fall (e.g., Jerusalem controlled the trade routes connecting Egypt and Arabia with the north). The interjection “Aha!” (heʾāḥ) (v.2) expresses Tyre’s satisfaction over Jerusalem’s misfortune (cf. 25:3; 36:2). Tyre looked forward to the “gate to the nations” being broken down. The term “doors” is plural and normally refers to doors of a house or a gate. In this passage reference is to the gates of Jerusalem, which would be broken for the access to the nations. Though commentators have sought to see commercial freedom or political accessibility in this phrase, it seems best to understand it as the Fall of Jerusalem. Her gates would be broken by Babylonia and opened to Tyre.
Tyre’s major desire was to be filled with the spoils of Jerusalem and with the opportunities that would then be hers in western Asia, since Jerusalem “lies in ruins.” The Babylonians had taken the city, leaving it open for Tyre to take advantage of the spoils of Jerusalem. It was this incessant desire for wealth and riches, now expressed toward God’s holy city and its people, that brought God’s wrath on Tyre in fulfillment of his promise in Genesis 12:3.
Proverbs 17:5b declares that “whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.” This was the theme of the verdict (vv.3–6). God, who personally would be against Tyre, would bring many nations successively, like the waves of the sea, to destroy Tyre and make her like a bare rock, useful only for drying nets (vv.3–5a). “Out in the sea” (v.5; cf. 27:4; 28:2 et al.) describes Tyre’s almost impregnable situation. The cliffs of Moab, the heights of Edom, and the island fortress of Tyre were no defense against the sovereign Lord. Tyre would become spoil for all nations, just as she sought to spoil Jerusalem (v.5b). Even Tyre’s outlying coastal settlements (lit., “daughters”) would be destroyed (v.6a). But even through this prolonged judgment, God’s purpose would be that Tyre would too come to know that he was the Lord, the only true God (v.6b). (Alexander, R. H. (1986). Ezekiel. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel (Vol. 6, p. 870). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
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26:3–6. God’s judgment against Tyre fit her crime. He said, I will bring many nations against you, like the sea casting up its waves. Tyre’s pride was her seagoing prowess. She knew the Mediterranean Sea better than most nations. So Ezekiel used the image of a violent ocean storm to picture God’s punishment. Like ocean waves, invading nations would pound against Tyre’s defenses, smashing her walls and towers. God added that He would scrape away her rubble and make her a bare rock. In an interesting word-play Ezekiel described Tyre’s fate. “Tyre” (ṣōr) means “rock” or a “hard pebble.” God would make the “rock” (ṣōr) a barren crag (sela‘). No longer being the central city of commerce, she would become a place to spread fishnets. Fishermen generally spread out their nets to dry on barren rocks, to keep them from becoming tangled in trees or bushes. Tyre would be so decimated that the once-bustling city would be barren enough to use as a drying place for nets. (Dyer, C. H. (1985). Ezekiel. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 1278). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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Tyre (Ezek. 26:1–21). Ezekiel devoted four messages to the sins and the fate of the capital of Phoenicia (vv. 1–21; 27:1–36; 28:1–10, 11–19). During their reigns, both David and Solomon were friendly with Hiram, king of Tyre (2 Sam. 5:11; 1 Kings 5:1ff), and King Ahab’s wife Jezebel was the daughter of Ethbaal, a later king of Tyre (1 Kings 16:31). The message in this chapter contains four parts, each beginning with a statement about the Word of the Lord (Ezek. 26:1–6, 7–14, 15–18, and 19–21).
Destruction announced (Ezek. 26:1–6). The image used here is that of a storm producing great destructive waves (vv. 3, 19). The city of Tyre was situated partly on the Mediterranean coast and partly on an island about half a mile from the coast, so Ezekiel’s storm image was appropriate. God was angry at Tyre for rejoicing at Jerusalem’s destruction and seeing it as an opportunity for Tyre to prosper even more. But the Lord announced that the nations would come like successive waves of the sea and bring Tyre to ultimate ruin. The name “Tyre” means “rock,” so the statement “like the top of a rock” (vv. 4, 14) is significant. Tyre did become a bare rock and a place where fishermen dried their nets.
Tyre was able to survive the Assyrian conquest, but when Babylon came to power, Nebuchadnezzar besieged the coastal city for fifteen years (586–571 b.c.) and overcame it, but he did not conquer the island city. In 322 b.c., Alexander the Great besieged Tyre for seven months, built a causeway to the island, and was able to conquer the city. (Wiersbe, W. W. (2000). Be reverent (pp. 123–124). Colorado Springs, CO: Chariot Victor/Cook Communications.)
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This prophecy was given about two years after the one we have just been considering, as recorded in the previous chapter. Ezekiel was commanded to prophesy against Tyre because she had rejoiced in the grief and sorrow that had come upon Jerusalem. He pictures her as exulting in the misfortunes of her neighbor, and counting that the troubles that had befallen Jerusalem would work out for the further upbuilding of Tyre herself. Because of her heartless attitude, Jehovah declared Himself to be against her, and announced that He would cause many nations to come up and besiege her, so that it would seem that the sea itself were hurling its waves upon the doomed city. The walls of Tyre should be destroyed; her towers broken down; the very dust of her foundations scraped away so that it would appear as but a bare rock in the midst of the water. So literally has this prophecy been fulfilled that even at this very day the rocky island on which Tyre once stood is now in exactly the same condition as foretold here. It is still a place for the spreading of the nets of fishermen, and has been the astonishment of many who have beheld it throughout the centuries. The outlying villages were to be destroyed with the mother city, and this, too, came to pass in due time. (Ironside, H. A. (1949). Expository notes on Ezekiel, the prophet. (pp. 175–176). Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Brothers.)
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FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
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Evidence of the Spirit’s Filling
“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18)
This classic verse on the filling of the Holy Spirit can be rendered as follows: “And don’t begin to be drunk with wine, which involves profligacy, but be continually being filled with the Spirit.” That is, one cannot be filled with the Holy Spirit (which implies complete control by the Holy Spirit) if he has come to even the slightest degree under the control of wine (or anything else, for that matter).
Being fully controlled and guided by the Spirit is not just a one-time experience. It should be a continual experience—a moment-by-moment control of one’s thoughts and actions by God. In practice, however, it is at best a repeated experience, whereas most Christians experience it quite rarely, if at all.
But how does one have such an experience, and what is the evidence that it is the real thing? To be controlled by the Spirit, one must yield control to Him and not let himself be controlled by anything or anyone else. In practice, this means believing and obeying the Word He inspired, consciously yielding one’s self as often as necessary. Jesus promised that “when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13).
It should be noted that the filling of the Spirit is not necessarily marked by any particular feeling or ecstatic experience. The real proof is in the life, manifested by such characteristics as are described in the context of the passages referring to the Spirit’s filling. In our text, it is obvious that such a filling is accompanied by redeeming one’s time (v. 16), understanding God’s will (v. 17), a happy and Bible-centered conversation (v. 19), a continuously thankful heart (v. 20), and a right attitude and relationship with one’s spouse (vv. 22-25). It is also evidenced by boldness in witnessing and in standing up for God’s truth (Acts 4:31; 13:9-10). (HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
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Samuel publicly introduces Saul to the nation of Israel.
INSIGHT
Leadership is at the same time a blessing and a curse. Leaders like to have the allegiance and esteem of their followers, but such is rarely the case. Inherent in humanity are differences of opinion, and those differences cause some to be for certain leadership and against other leadership.
The day Saul is presented as king over Israel, a faction of “worthless men” grumble against him. If you are in a position of leadership, you should not be insensitive to dissension, but you must also realize that you will never make all the people happy all the time. (Quiet Walk)
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OUTSPOKEN ABOUT SIN
It is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. Matthew 18:8
All talk about sin, say the self-expressionists, is utterly foolish, leading to self-repression, which is, they aver, the only sin. What used to be called sin is just expression of self, the greatest and the most vital possession that man has, they say. Not to sin, according to the old meaning of the term, is to do violence to the greatest gift he possesses. They plead, therefore, for the abolition of the word sin in its earlier associations. They deplore what they term the tragic spectacle of mankind shackled against its highest good by adherence to the warnings of the Bible, the Church, and the saints.
We can best consider this human view of life, and show its complete fallacy, by contrasting it with God’s view as stated in the Bible. The teachings of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, are outspoken against sin. He said, “Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting ?re. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire” (Matthew 18:8-9).
Now there we are reminded of the way in which every conceivable view of life and of men is invariably dealt with somewhere or another in the Scriptures. Modern man is constantly flattering himself and suggesting to himself that certain of his ideas are quite new. But here again we find an illustration of a view that prides itself on its modernity dealt with completely and exhaustively in the Bible.
A Thought to Ponder: The teachings of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, are outspoken against sin. (From Truth Unchanged, Unchanging, pp. 18-20, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
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The believers in Sardis had to recover the preciousness of God’s Word if they hoped to revive and rescue their dying church. (p. 129)
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In the midst of this dead church were a precious few who had not followed the church into sin and spiritual decay. There were a few genuine believers among the hypocrites, a few separated and spiritual among the carnal and the worldly. “The Lord had a small remnant of true Christians, leading pure, wholesome, Christlike lives in the midst of this dead, corrupt church. (p. 131) (Christ’s Call TO REFORM the Church by John MacArthur)
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