Bible In One Year-Day 51 (Thursday, February 20, 2014)

Commentary: Matthew1-3. Matthew revealed a lot of prophecies about Jesus Christ. Even when Herod heard about the birth, he gathered all the priests and inquired about Jesus. They confirmed it. You could imagine the priests having the knowledge of prophecies but no revelation about Jesus. They were loaded with the knowledge of the Old Testament but, unfortunately, there was no light to give understanding. This simply means that knowledge is different from revelation. One could have PhD in Bible knowledge but lack revelation of the truth in the scripture. In reality, facts are not the same as the truth. You could be taught about the facts, but you need the Spirit to reveal the truth. Jesus says in John14:6 “… I am the way, the TRUTH and the life: …” To know Jesus, you need the Spirit of Christ in you.

1 Corinthians 12:3 “Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Spirit.”

Peter received the revelation of who Christ is by the Spirit of God;

Matthew 16:17 “And Jesus answered and said to him, Blessed art thou, Simon-Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven.”

Nichodemus was a teacher of the word but did not understand being born of the spirit. Knowledge is brain power, but revelation carries light. The easterners who were gentiles got the revelation and were led by a star to where the revealed truth was. Those with the knowledge of prophecy did not see any star. A prophet could declare a prophecy to someone, it is the duty of that person to seek for more light into the prophecy. People who seek for prophecies don’t, in most cases, realize it because they could not get the understanding and the light in it. They may have the prophecy but without the revelation they can’t be led by any star. The easterners missed the way to Herod’s, the star did not follow them. But when they came out from Herod’s palace, the star led them again. The star was a guide to lead to the revealed truth. Revelations are to lead us. The moment you see that there is blankness or confusion, STOP and review your steps. There is always a lead to a revealed truth even if there are evil signboards (trials and temptations) on the way. Herod’s sword could silence the prophecy but could not kill the revelation. A child of God must seek for revelation in waiting and praying. Prophecies are not bad but revelation is better sought for, in order for you not to make a mistake. The Old Testament gave prophecies while the New Testament gave the revelations. The teachings and preaching of Jesus was a problem to the Old Testament priests because He taught and preached the revealed truth; what they thought they knew became foolish before Him.

Isaiah 44:25 “That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish;”

You need the light of God to understand prophecies. The book of Matthew started with the genealogy of Jesus Christ. Interestingly, it is only in Gen5 that you could see another book of genealogy and it is of Adam. These two genealogies are for the two Adams; first, how sin came into the world and second how grace and salvation came into the world, Rom5:11-17. God’s plan is wonderful, Isaiah55:8-11. Those who say the bible has errors and mistakes only need the light of God for their souls. We mostly criticize what we don’t understand. If the Holy Spirit did not interpret what He has written to a person, it could be difficult to understand. In Jesus’ genealogy, He was mentioned as the Son of David and the Son of Abraham. Talking about Abraham first; Abraham’s son was Isaac through whom God said He was going to have His covenant. Isaac was put on the altar for a sacrifice before God stopped him and mysteriously provided him with a ram caught in the woods; Jesus became the lamb for our sacrifice. David’s son was Solomon who built the temple; Jesus built the spiritual temple for the Holy Spirit to dwell in. the Holy Spirit is that light of heaven that gives deep revelation, 1Cor2:10.

1 Corinthians 2:10 “But God hath revealed them to us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yes, the deep things of God.”

To have this great grace, you must wait and desire Him. In teachings, counseling, preaching and evangelism, we need the Holy Spirit as light for edification and life. We have a lot of high priests in positions in different ministries who are loaded with the knowledge of the bible but with the light missing. I was shocked at a wedding where a retired Bishop of an orthodox church said emphatically that speaking in tongues is an insult on God and that churches that are claiming to be born again are misled. Remember that the high priests were the ones that planned the death of Jesus. Prayer: O Lord, help me for the bible I carry not to stand against me on the Day of Judgment in the name of Jesus. Next mile on the trip today is Matt4-6. Keep the fire burning and alive. Think JESUS and talk JESUS!