Isaiah 2:1-5 "The WORD that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the GOD of Jacob; and HE will teach us of HIS ways, and we will walk in HIS paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the Law, and the WORD of the LORD from Jerusalem.
And HE shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD."
Premillennialism is the belief that the LORD JESUS CHRIST will reign for 1000 years over a literal kingdom on this earth. The WORD also implies that this kingdom will not exist until the LORD HIMSELF returns to establish it. Today's reading reveals a number of interesting facts about this coming kingdom. First, it will occur "in the last days" (v.2), within GOD's program for the nation of Israel. Verse one declares that this WORD came to Isaiah "concerning Judah and Jerusalem." While today some would regard Israel as "an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword" (Deut.28:37), the prophet Isaiah states that Israel, during the kingdom, will be exalted above all the other nations, which will "go up to the mountain of the LORD" to worship HIM and learn of HIS commandments and precepts(v.3).
Second, during the kingdom, "the WORD of the LORD" will go out worldwide "from Jerusalem" (v.3). All nations will be governed equitably and will have the same laws, ordinances, and commands (v.4a). Today, the world's nations spend enormous amounts of time and money devising military strategies for the purpose of defending themselves against their enemies or seeking to destroy other nations. The stockpiles of weapons developed and amassed by many of the world's governments in this present age will be unnecessary and even non-existent during the millennial kingdom when CHRIST rules in perfect righteousness and justice. This will be a glorious time of peace, prosperity, and equity for all people. It is little wonder that the disciples longed for this kingdom (Acts 1:6), as should we (Matthew 6:10, 33). GDF
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: The Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission. www.feasite.org
Ephesians 2:1-9 "And you hath HE quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience: among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
But GOD, WHO is rich in mercy, for HIS great love wherewith HE loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with CHRIST, (by grace ye are saved;) and raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in CHRIST JESUS: that in the ages to come HE might show the exceeding riches of HIS grace in HIS kindness toward us through CHRIST JESUS.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of GOD: not of works, lest any man should boast."
What comes to mind when you think of the Gospel ? The word itself is easy to understand; it means "a good message." It finds its source in two words that mean "well or good" and "an angel or messenger." So this message is that of glad tidings, good news, a good message. What is it about this message that makes it "good news" ? According to 1st.Corinthians 15, the Gospel involves the crucifixion and burial of JESUS CHRIST as well as HIS resurrection (1st.Corinthians 15:1-8). Furthermore, 1st.Corinthians 15:12-19 powerfully expresses the importance of the resurrection, emphasizing the fact that if there had been no resurrection, the Gospel is meaningless and worthless. This good news (the death, burial, and resurrection of JESUS CHRIST) should fill us with wonder. It is a message of GOD's grace - HIS unmerited favor. HE gave us something we did not deserve, yet HE gave it freely (Romans 3:24). This amazing grace so fully permeates the "good news" that is literally called "the Gospel of the grace of GOD" (Acts 20:24).
Nowhere is this grace more evidently displayed than in Ephesians 2:1-9. In this text the LORD takes us from the depths of depravity to the mountaintops of grace. The Apostle Paul begins with the pitiful biography of every single person - no exceptions (vv.1-3; Romans 3:23) ! He depicts man's natural tendency toward sin and rebellion. Then, He aptly introduces the second section (vv.4-9) with the words "But GOD." Those described in the first three verses are doomed to wrath -- But GOD ! The only explanation from what occurs in salvation is summed up with the word grace, explained here as "HIS kindness toward us through CHRIST JESUS" (v.7). This is very GOOD NEWS indeed ! (JED)
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide
Used with permission. www.feasite.org
