Good Friday Meditation #2 - Acting and Abiding in Jesus

Mark 1:1-3 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,“Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, 3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’”

Yesterday we did a Good Friday meditation on how Isaiah predicts the Suffering Servant, and how Mark's Gospel identified the Suffering Servant to be Jesus Christ.  In today's blog I want us to further consider Mark's message in preparation for Good Friday. 

The message and outline of Mark's Gospel
The key verse to Mark's Gospel is found in Mark 10:45 - "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  As we noted yesterday, Mark purposefully relied upon Isaiah's prophecies in his overall portral of Jesus' life, death, burial and resurrection.  In the opening of today's blog you may had noticed that Mark attributes John the Baptist's ministry to predictions made by Isaiah - thus further demonstrating how much Mark saw the person of Jesus Christ as being the very fulfillment and explanation of Old Testament expectation.  Below is a brief outline of the book:

           Mark's Gospel: Jesus the Divine Son of God came to 
                   serve and give His life a ransom for many
Preparation for Jesus' public ministry.  Mark 1:1-13
           John the Baptist's preaching about Jesus.  Mark 1:1-8
           Jesus Baptism and temptation.                   Mark 1:9-13

Public Ministry of Jesus.                       Mark 1:14-10:52
           Jesus' preaching and miracles - Cycle # 1 Mark 1:14-3:12
           Jesus' preaching and miracles - Cycle #2  Mark 3:13-4:41
           Jesus' preaching and miracles - Cycle #3  Mark 5:1-43
           Jesus' preaching and miracles - Cycle #4   Mark 6:1-56
           Jesus' preaching and miracles - Cycle #5  Mark 7:1-8:26
           Jesus' preaching and miracles - Cycle #6  Mark 8:27-9:13
           Jesus' preaching and miracles - Cycle #7  Mark 9:14-10:52

Preparation for Jesus' presentation as King.         Mark 11:1-10
Presentation and Rejection of Jesus as King.       Mark 11:11-13:37

Preparation for Jesus' crucifixion and death.         Mark 14:1-42
          Anointing of Jesus for burial                        Mark 14:1-11
          Jesus final meal with the disciples.              Mark 14:12-42
Jesus' crucifixion, death and burial.                   Mark 14:43-15:47       

Preparation by women to travel to Jesus' tomb   Mark 16:1-3
Women find empty tomb, Jesus is alive!             Mark 16:4-20

A curious feature of Mark that may clue us in on a two-fold truth on what it means to follow Jesus - Activity and Abiding
As you study Mark's Gospel, the one word that is repeated on over 40 occasions is the term "immediately".1  In every chapter except chapters 13 and the first half of chapter 14, you will find this word.  The word "immediately" was inserted to keep the reader's attention and to move the account of Jesus' life at a fast and rapid pace.  Yet when we come to those particular sections that deal with Jesus' last sermon and His preparations for His death and Gethsemane, the word "immediately" is absent.  Why? I want to suggest that in the midst of all the activity of Jesus' mission, there needed to be an opportunity to also "slow down", "take a breather" and "abide".  

Fleshing out some thoughts on "acting" and "abiding" in Jesus as depicted in Mark's Gospel
In our 21st century life, we all know what it means to be active.  In fact, activity is a vital part of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.  In those sections of Mark's Gospel where we see the word "immediately", the activities being encouraged include:

1. Immediate Obedience to Jesus.  Mark 1:3, 10,12,18,20, 21; 2:12
2. Urgency to fulfill the mission of salvation.  Mark 4:5,15,16,17,29 and 14:72.

In many ways, urgency and activity should mark our Christianity.  However what I find to be less obvious are the periods of rest and reflection that are needed in our Christian walk.  As I read and study Mark's fast pace Gospel, I find his lack of the word "immediately" to be intentional.  The last thing we want to do is to rush through the heart and purpose for why Jesus came.  Let the reader note: where we find no mention of the word "immediate" in Mark's Gospel is a clue to our need to "abide":

1. Abide in the truth of Christ's second coming.  Mark 13:1-37
2. Abide in developing a deeper love for Jesus. Mark 14:1-11
3. Abide in the significance of Jesus' once for all sacrifice. Mark 14:12-31
4. Abide in cultivating a willingness to do the Father's will, like Jesus did.  Mark 14:32-42

It is in these particular passages of Mark that we do not find the word "immediately" - and rightly so, since without those times of abiding, we can miss out on what the Lord is communicating to us through His word. 

As we prepare out hearts for Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday, may we be sure to not only be active for our Lord, but moreso to take the time to abide in our Lord. 


End Notes___________________
1. Being that Mark's audience was composed of practically minded Roman people, not much time is spent in details surrounding Jewish life and history like Matthew and Luke. Furthermore, since the Roman mind was more prone to short, sweet and to the point types of thinking, Mark's Gospel is the shortest and most quickly moving of the four Gospels. Then finally, early church history tells us that Mark recorded by Divine inspiration the Apostle Peter's preaching about Jesus, resulting in the Gospel of Mark.

Good Friday Meditation #1: Predictions of the Suffering Servant

Isaiah 49:5 "And now the Lord says, he who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him; and that Israel might be gathered to him—for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord, and my God has become my strength." (ESV)

Mark 10:45 "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (ESV)

In preparation for Good Friday, I thought it would benefit us greatly to consider what the scripture has to say about Jesus Christ in His sufferings and death.  The two books of Isaiah and Mark unfold the particular way in which Jesus Christ came as the suffering and victorious Servant of the Lord. Why study the prophecies of Isaiah and the Gospel of Mark to understand the meaning of Jesus' sufferings? Because Isaiah predicted the mission of Jesus' sufferings, while Mark detailed the fulfillment of Isaiah's predictions.  May today's blog encourage you to consider more closely Jesus Christ and the significance of this time of year as we look forward to Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday.

Isaiah's four predictions of Jesus the suffering servant and the fulfillments of those predictions in Mark's Gospel
In the Old Testament book of Isaiah, there are four sections called "servant songs".  The reason for this name is because of the frequent occurance of the name "servant" and because the sections in question are structured in the form of prophetic, poetic songs.  Isaiah lived over 700 years before Jesus Christ, and yet his predictions of the person and work of Jesus Christ in his death, burial and resurrection stand out as the most striking and detailed prophecies of those truths.  I will first list the servant songs, their verse references and brief commentary, so as to give you the reader the wonder that is the predictions of the Suffering Servant Jesus Christ.  As each Servant song is listed, the appropriate section in Mark's Gospel will be included to reveal how Jesus came as the predicted Suffering Servant to die and raise from the dead.   

1. The Ministry of the Predicted Servant Isaiah 42:1-13; Mk 1-10 
Isaiah 42:1 reads - "Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations." (NASB)  This first Servant Song focuses upon what will be the ministry of the predicted Servant.  Remarkably, in Mark's Gospel, we see John the Baptist heralding the coming of Jesus in Mark 1:1-13, followed by Jesus' public ministry in Mark 1:14-10:52.  It is in that first major section of Mark that we see the main verse of Mark's Gospel, Mark 10:45, where Jesus states Himself as the Son of Man who "came to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." 

2. The Majesty of the Rejected Servant.  Isaiah 49:1-7; Mark 11-13
Isaiah 49:7 states - "Thus says the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel and its Holy One, To the despised One, To the One abhorred by the nation, To the Servant of rulers, "Kings will see and arise, Princes will also bow down, Because of the LORD who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel who has chosen You."  This second of Isaiah's Servant Songs sees the predicted Servant commissioned by Jehovah to be a light to the nations (49:1-6).  Sadly, this Servant will be seen by His people and kings alike, only to be rejected (49:7)  In Mark's Gospel, we see a second major section depicting Jesus Christ riding into Jerusalem to present Himself as Israel's King. (Mark 11:1-13:37)  In keeping with the sequence of Isaiah's Prophecies, Jesus would be rejected by His people, despite being God in human flesh, the very light sent by God the Father. 

3. The Murder of the Suffering Servant. Isaiah 50:1-11; 52:13-53:12; Mark 14-15
We now see the third (Isaiah 50:1-11) and Fourth (Isaiah 52:13-53:12) songs of Isaiah detailing the remarkable predictions of the betrayal and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.  In Mark 14-15 we see the fulfillment of these predictions.  Scripture tells us that the crucifixion of our Lord was ultimately planned by God the Father and the Son in eternity, as evidence by the Son of God coming to fulfill the Gospel or Good News. (Mark 1:1; Acts 2:23-24)  Second, scripture also tells us that Jesus Himself went willingly, as evidenced by His choice to do the will of His Father in Gethesemane. (Mark 14:32-42) Then finally, on the human side of the crucifixion, Jesus' death had been premeditated by the Jewish leaders, Pilate and other enemies. (Mark 3:6, 4:5,15, 16-17, 6:25,27; 14:43, 45; 15:1) 

4. Massive Victory of the Risen Servant.  Isaiah 53:10-12; Mark 16
In the fourth servant song of Isaiah, we see a prediction of Christ's resurrection.  Consider Isaiah 53:11 "As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, As He will bear their iniquities."  How can the Servant "see and be satisfied" after having underwent so much suffering and agony?  Mark 16:6 tells us - "And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him." 

May the Lord richly bless you dear reader as you fix your eyes on Jesus. 

P2 - Who and what is Anti-Christ?

1 John 4:1-3 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.

Yesterday we aimed to identify the what, when, and who of the Anti-Christ throughout the scriptures. We first proposed four ways in which scripture identifies "Anti-Christ", and then unfolded the first one: Anti-Christ will be the Ultimate Rebel against Jesus Christ.

Today we will continue our study, focusing attention on the remaining three meanings of "anti-Christ" in scripture:

-Anti-Christ refers to the historic rebellion against Jesus Christ
-Anti-Christ is any form of personal rebellion against Jesus Christ
-Anti-Christ is spiritual rebellion against Jesus Christ

Anti-Christ refers to the historic rebellion against Jesus Christ
The Holy Spirit says in 1 John 2:18 "Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many anti- christs have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour."  John helps us to see that when speaking of "Anti-Christ", we not only need to understand that Anti-Christ is a person yet to come, but that "Anti-Christ" is also describing the general historic rebellion against Christ.1  Certainly those who oppose Christ throughout history could be easily included in this second category.  John writes elsewhere on this point in 2 John 1:7 "For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist." (ESV) John includes "many decievers" among the "defectors" who have "went out" from them.  The history of redemption is littered with examples of those who have opposed Jesus Christ:2 

Common to all the various historical "anti-Christs" is the perisistent attempt to destroy Christ and His people - whether by political, financial or religious maneuvering.  John is concerned for his flock, and for us reading his words.  We need to be aware of the historical meaning of anti-Christ, but we also need to be aware of a third category...

Anti-Christ is any form of personal rebellion against Jesus Christ
Having seen anti-Christ as referring to an ultimate rebel and the historic rebellion against Jesus Christ, John identifies a third meaning: personal rebellion in the form of unbelief about Jesus Christ.  As we have noted before, the term anti-Christ refers to a specific rebellion or attack against the person and work of Jesus Christ.  We see for example in 2 John 7 about those who denied Jesus Christ as having come in the flesh as being "anti-Christs and deceivers".  In 1 John 4:2-3 we see similar personal unbelief about the full humanity of Jesus Christ.  So to act like anti-Christ in a personal way deals first of all in denying Christ's full-humanity.  We also note secondly that to act personally like anti-Christ means to deny Christ's full Deity.  1 John 2:22 speaks of those who denied Jesus being the Christ, which by that point in John's way was tantamount to denying the full Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Additionally, to deny Jesus as Christ was to deny His mission as the Saving Messiah. 

In understanding the doctrine of anti-Christ to be personal as well as historical and future, we can see why John is so burdened to write these words of warning.  We as Christians need to pay heed, since we are living in an age predicted by scripture to be full of deoctrines of demons and a great falling away. (1 Timothy 4:15 & 2 Timothy 4:1-5)

But lets consider one final meaning of this term "anti-Christ in scripture, namely...

Anti-Christ is spiritual rebellion against Jesus Christ
John writes in 1 John 4:1-3 "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God 3and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God". (ESV) Anti-Christ can refer to a future ultimate rebel, a personal expression of unbelief or historical examples of rebellion against Jesus Christ.  However in this final category, the spiritual nature of anti-Christ is that it is a spirit or spiritual principle that runs through hostility against Christ in every age, including today.  We ultimately know for instance that Satan is the chief spirit who is energizing anti-Christ, whether personally, historically or what will be an ultimate ruler. 

All forms of anti-Christian doctrine, movements and persons are influenced by the forces of darkness that conspire against Christ and His people. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Ephesians 6:11-18)  This is why John urges his readers to "test the spirits".  If anyone or any movement claims to be Christian, and yet deny Christ's full deity or humanity, then they are not Christian by anti-Christian.  The spirit of anti-Christ speaks of the spiritual climate of our unbelieving culture, which we know is growing increasingly hostile to the Gospel.  

The great and blessed hope - both now and in the future
In this short series on the subject of "anti-Christ", we have considered four meanings of this term in scripture:

1. Anti-Christ will be the Ultimate Rebel against Jesus Christ
2. Anti-Christ refers to the historic rebellion against Jesus Christ
3. Anti-Christ is any form of personal rebellion against Jesus Christ
4. Anti-Christ is spiritual rebellion against Jesus Christ

We know that the great and blessed hope we have in defeating anti-Christ on all accounts is through the True and Living Christ.  We know that it is He who will slay the ultimate rebel, the Anti-Christ, the "son of perdition" by means of the breath of His mouth at His second coming. (2 Thesslonians 2:8)  Second, it is the promise of Jesus Himself that guarantees that despite what "anti-Christ" teachers may appear in history or on the local level, the truth of God's word is able to defeat error. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)  Thirdly, only the Lord Jesus Christ in conjunction with the Holy Spirit can defeat the personal rebellion of unbelief against Christ and His gospel. (2 Corinthians 4:1-6)  Then finally, we know that despite the influence of the forces of darkness and the spirit of anti-Christ operating in this world, greater is the Holy Spirit and Christ in us than that evil spirit who is operating in this world. (1 John 4:4-5). 

Endnotes____________
1. In the immediate context of John's writing he is referring to those "professing" believer's and teachers who walked away from the faith. I put the term "professing" in quotation marks, since the people of whom John wrote about were not true Christians to begin with - but rather make-believers.  

2. The chief mark of any of these distinctions of "anti-Christ" in the scripture is that they in some fashion specifically oppose Christ or anything having to do with Him.  Consider the following examples from history:

a. We could classify Cain as the first type or example of anti-Christ, since he rebelled against the idea of God-ordained salvation grounded in the death of an innocent sacrifice. His outcome was the killing of righteous Abel, his brother.

b. Nimrod, the builder of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 10, pictures Anti-Christ in that he constructed ancient Babylon and attempted to be the first world ruler who opposed God.

c. Moses had to contend with the likes of Korah, who challenged his God given authority as God's prophet in Numbers 16. Moses of course is a type or pattern of the Ultimate Prophet Jesus Christ (Hebrews 3:1-4), hence it follows that Korah represents anti-Christian rebellion and teaching. (compare Jude 11)

d. In Moses' time another deceiver arose to deceive the people through rebellion, sorcery and political intrigue - Balaam, the Pagan prophet in Numbers 22-24. We know Balaam is an example of the historic rebellion against Jesus Christ due to the fact that false teachers espousing the ways of Balaam in Revelation 2:14.

e. Who can forget the greatest traitor of all-time, Judas Iscariot. The Bible says in John 13:27 that Satan himself entered into Judas to betray the Lord Jesus Christ. Historically speaking Judas represents the very things John was warning his readers about.

f. Certainly in our past and most recent history, many examples of anti-Christ could be cited. In the early church for example, many of the Roman emporers such as Nero were viewed as "Anti-Christ". In the Middle ages (800 A.D-1500 A.D), various popes and false religious leaders were regarded as Anti-Christ. In the Reformation of the 1500's, Reformers like martin Luther regarded the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church system as Anti-Christ. During WW2, men like Stalin, Mussolini and Hitler were all thought to be Anti-Christ.

P1 - Who and what is Anti-Christ?

1 John 2:18 "Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour." (ESV)

Personal and Universal Spiritual Warfare
When you read the wider context of 1 John 2:14-29, you discover that John is speaking on the overall subject of spiritual warfare.  In 1 John 2:14-17 he deals first of all with spiritual warfare as personally experienced by individual Christians:

Christian spiritual warfare's adversary is satan.  1 John 2:14
Christian spiritual warfare's arena is the world.   1 John 2:15
Christian spiritual warfare's actual target = the flesh.  1 John 2:16
Christian spiritual warfare's active weapon = scripture. 1 John 2:17

With spiritual warfare unfolded on the small scale level, John then turns to the much grander view of spiritual warfare as experienced by the people of God at large in 1 John 2:18-29.  We know John is still concerned about the spiritual vulnerability of his readers as seen in 1 John 2:26 - "I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you." So the question is: who or what is leading this spiritual and doctrinal assault against Christians at large? In 1 John 2:18 we receive our answer - "Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour." In like manner John writes further in 1 John 2:22 - "Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son." 

A word of caution and encouragement
Two ditches must be avoided when studying the subject of Anti-Christ.  The one ditch to avoid is over-speculation.  Often I have heard well-meaning prophecy teachers spend inordinate amounts of time trying to identify the anti-Christ.  Now without a doubt, there is a duty to identify the influence of anti-Christ(ian) systems and individuals operating in our day and time.  The Apostle John in 1 John 2:26 makes a point to expose the general trend he saw of people following false teachers and movements.  However we know we are imabalanced whenever we talk more about anti-Christ than Jesus Christ.  Well-meaning interpreters of the Book of Revelation who fall into this ditch make the Book of Revelation to be more about identifying anti-Christ than focusing on the book's chief character - Jesus Christ.

The second ditch to avoid is apathy.  John is alerting his readers and us to the necessity of awareness about the prevailing spirit of anti-Christ.  We know we have fallen into the ditch of apathy whenever we find ourselves tolerating error for the sake of securing some level of acceptability in our culture or among our friends.  In scripture we find commands that urge the reader to carefully understand the details of prophetic scripture - including the warnings about anti-Christ. (Daniel 9:23, 12:8; Matthew 24:4,33; 1 Peter 3:15; Revelation 2:7,11,17, 29, 3:6,13,22)  

It is on this subject of the Anti-Christ that we turn our attention in today's blog. Our aim is to identify the what, when, and who of the Anti-Christ throughout the scriptures.  We will first propose four ways in which scripture identifies "Anti-Christ", and then unfold each of them one at a time:

1. Anti-Christ will be the Ultimate Rebel to Jesus Christ
2. Anti-Christ refers to the historic rebellion against Jesus Christ
3. Anti-Christ is any form of personal rebellion against Jesus Christ
4. Anti-Christ is spiritual rebellion against Jesus Christ

As important and as vast as this subject is, we will only cover the first point today, namely: Anti-Christ will be the Ultimate Rebel to Jesus Christ

Anti-Christ will be the Ultimate Rebel to Jesus Christ
What John writes about the Ultimate Rebel - The Anti-Christ
This is perhaps what most people think of when mention is made of the Anti-Christ.  I have purposely worded this first heading as "Anti-Christ will be" because there is something about Anti-Christ that is yet to come.  1 John 2:18a states - "Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming...".   The way John phrases the term "anti-Christ" in the Greek suggests that his readers would had recognized one particular individual.1  The question is: "From whom did they hear that the anti-Christ is yet to come?"  John of course is referring back to the words of Jesus in Matthew 24:15 “So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand)".  Even though Jesus does not uses the specific title "anti-Christ", the idea and identity of the person is unmistakable.  Jesus is referring to the prophecies of Daniel 9:27, 11:31 and 12:11 that all speak of a particular diabolical individual who will in function and rebellion be the Ultimate Rebel spoken of here in 1 John 2:18a. 

No other writer in the Bible speaks as much on the subject of Anti-Christ as the Apostle John.  As he speaks about anti-Christ the ultimate rebel against Jesus Christ - we must of course ask: when will this person emerge? John answers this in his other book: The Revelation, in Revelation 13.  Without going into too much detail, we see John explaining the following about this ultimate rebel against Jesus Christ:

1. Satanically energized. Revelation 13:1-4
2. Seeks to blaspheme God, His name, His people.  Rev 13:6-10
3. Schemes with a secondary figure, the second beast for false prophet in deceiving the world.  Revelation 13:11-14
4. Strategy is to rule the world spiritually, politically, economically. Revelation 13:15-18 

Other scriptures that speak about this ultimate rebel - the anti-Christ
In the course of events of the Book of Revelation, we would understand the Anti-Christ's movements to occur in the final seven years of this current age of history that is called "The Great Tribulation" (Matthew 24:21); "Time of Jacob's Trouble" (Jeremiah 30) and "the day of wrath, trouble, destruction, dark clouds, trumpet and battle cry and distress" (Zephaniah 1:15-17) among other names.  Daniel 9:23-27 sets the time of the event of Anti-Christ's tyranny - the final seven year tribulation period, whereas 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8 gives us the nature and depths of evil of which this chief opposer of Jesus Christ will exercise. 

More Tomorrow...

End Notes_______________

1. The Greek pre-fix "anti" in the word "anti-Christ" can have one of two basic meanings.  First, it refers to that which opposes something or that is the opposite of something.  Hence if I should get bit by a snake, I would request "anti-venom", which would act against the venom of the snake circulating in my body.  A second meaning of this Greek prefix is in reference to replacing something or "being instead of".  Hence in freezinng cold temperatures I would want to have "anti-freeze" running through my automobile "instead of water".  Now certainly, anti-freeze "opposes freezing", however it does so as an agent that takes the place of water.  In the New Testament, "anti-Christ" will be an ultimate rebel, is currently the historical, personal or spiritual hositility that not only opposes, but attempts to replace Jesus Christ as supreme Lord, Savior and Treasure. 

 

P3 - F.O.C.U.S on Christ's return

James 5:7-8 "Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand."

In yesterday's blog we reviewed the five benefits of focusing on Christ's return. We used the acrostic F.O.C.U.S to see why you and I should be focusing on the second coming of Jesus Christ:

1. Fights against worldliness. James 5:1-6
2. Operates endurance. James 5:7-8
3. Calms the saints. James 5:9-11
4. Undergirds the prayer-life James 5:12-18
5. Strengthens evangelism James 5:19-20

We looked specifically at how focusing on Christ's return operates the ability to endure in the Christian faith.  Furthermore, we also looked at how Christ's return calms the saint by providing a horizon by which to deal better with one another.  The hope of Christ's soon return breathes life into the faith of the believer like a set of bellows blowing fresh air into hot coals.  In today's blog we will conclude this blog series on why it is we are to f.o.c.u.s on Christ's return by noting the final two benefits of doing so, because it....

Undergirds the prayer-life James 5:12-18
James has specific points in this fifth chapter that alert us to when he is moving forward to his next thought.  In 5:1 he begins by saying "come now" to the professing unbelievers in his flock who are wealthy and worldly.  As you move into his second section of 5:7-8 we see him begin that second section with the word "therefore", alerting the reader that he is shifting gears to another topic - patience and endurance.  In James 5:9-11 we see him firing out a series of commands, heightening his emphasis to calm those who are undergoing difficult times.  All of these sections have as their anchoring point the perspective of how we can benefit from focusing on the second coming of Jesus Christ.

In James 5:12-18 we see the fourth section of this chapter start out with another transitional phrase: "But above all".  James is moving the reader forward to consider yet another subject - namely prayer.  All types of prayer are discussed: oaths (5:12), praise (5:13), healing prayers (5:14), confession (5:15-16) and intercessory prayer (5:17-18).  Prayer in the Christian life is oxygen to the lungs of faith.  Without oxygen to our physical lungs - we suffocate.  Prayerless Christianity is like a weight lifter on a ventilator - capable of doing much but powerless to do anything.  Prayer by its very nature is a pouring out of the soul to God, waiting on Him to fill the vessel of the heart.  How is it that we maintain our course in prayer? 

In centuries past the sailors of the high seas used the horizon line of the stars to guide them over dark waterways.  In the seasons of prayer: whether praise, healing, confession, intercession or commitment - we need a reference point to ensure we won't grow weary.  May I suggest that James is casting his conversation on prayer in 5:12-18 in light of the remarks he makes on Christ's return in 5:7-8. 

Jesus gives similar instruction on the nature of praying without ceasing in Luke 18:1-8.1  As Jesus closes out his instruction, He makes this comment in Luke 18:8 -  "I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”  Clearly Jesus is linking the urgency of prayer to the impending arrival of His second coming to our planet. 

James appears to be connecting his section of prayer to Christ's second coming in much the similar way.  The able commentator Herbert Lockyer in his book "All the prayers of the Bible" lists almost ten prayers in the Book of Revelation.2  If prayer and Bible prophecy are to go hand in hand, then why not use eschatology (study of last things, prophecy) to undergird your prayer life?  

So by focusing on Christ's second coming, we can fight of worldliness, operate in endurance, calm our hearts, undergird the prayer life and fifthly...

Strengthens Evangelism.  James 5:19-20
James 5:19-20 states in the ESV - "My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, 20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins."  The effectiveness of evangelism over the course of time has been strengthened when hitched to the doctrine of Christ's second coming.  James concludes his masterful epistle with an appeal of repentance to backsliders and lost people.  Again, all of what James writes is cast in light of the second coming that he states in James 5:7-8. 

Just as in the other portions of his writing, James mimics his half-brother in the flesh and Divine Savior - the Lord Jesus Christ.  When Jesus gave His final instructions for the Great commission in Matthew 28:18-20 - we find Christ's own second coming driving forth the mission.  

Jesus asserts His Absolute Sovereignty over all things, communicating His right to rule in verse 18.  In verse 19 Jesus Christ is with his church through the ministry of the Holy Spirit as the church depends upon Him in this church age.  It is in verse 20 that Jesus sets the limit of the mission- the End of the Age.  Evangelism's greatest text is connnected the events surrounding Christ's second coming.  Without Christ's return, we have no basis to urge men and women to repent and escape from the wrath to come. (Romans 5:10; 1 Thessalonians 1:10) 

Conclusion
More could be said, but I think you see now the five practical and beneficial reasons for f.o.c.u.sing on Christ's return as spelled out here in James 5:

1. Fights against worldliness. James 5:1-6
2. Operates endurance. James 5:7-8
3. Calms the saints. James 5:9-11
4. Undergirds the prayer-life James 5:12-18
5. Strengthens evangelism James 5:19-20

End Notes________________
1. He tells a parable of a widow in need of justice. She appeals her case to an unjust judge who grants her the request so as to get her out of his proverbial hair. Jesus uses the parable to drive home the point that God the Just judge will hear the cries of His elect saints who pray and seek Him both day and night. (Luke 18:7) 

2. Herbert Lockyer."All the Prayers of the Bible". Zondervan.   The passages in Revelation which Lockyer lists as prayers are the following: Revelation 5:8,9; 6:10; 7:9-12; 8:3; 11:15-19; 15:3-4; 19:1-10; 22:17,20 

P2 - F.O.C.U.S on Christ's return

James 5:7-8 "Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand." 

In yesterday's blog we considered the five benefits of focusing on Christ's return.  We used the acrostic F.O.C.U.S to see why you and I should be focusing on the second coming of Jesus Christ:

1. Fights against worldliness. James 5:1-6
2. Operates endurance. James 5:7-8
3. Calms the saints. James 5:9-11
4. Undergirds the prayer-life James 5:12-18
5. Strengthens evangelism James 5:19-20

We unfolded the first reason from James 5:1-6, noting that James' warnings against coveting this world's riches was cast in light of what he writes inn James 5:7-8.  Fixing one's mind and heart on the hope of the Lord's soon coming will provide the antidote against worldliness. (1 John 3:2-3) In today's blog we will consider other benefits of focusing on Christ's return -namely f.o.c.u.s on Christ's return because it....

Operates Endurance.  James 5:7-8
As we noted already, these two verses are the key to unlocking the whole chapter.  As you go down through the rest of the chapter, you will see reference to endurance in James 5:7-11:

"Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. 10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful." (ESV)

All the calls to "patience", "steadfastness" and "establishment" echo their way throughout James' words.  Whenever I set the watch of my heart according to the Lord's second coming, the grace for waiting and patience will never be in short supply.  To reinforce this benefit of focusing on the Lord's return, James illustrates his point by highlighting the endurance of Job. 

Having the endurance of Job
So why was Job so patient and enduring in his faith? one simple thought: the Lord's future coming.  In Job 14:14 Job is asking the questions as to whether or not the resurrection is a reality.  In Job 19:25-27, after much suffering at the hands of his supposed "friends", Job states - "For I know that my Redeemer lives,
and at the last he will stand upon the earth. 26 And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, 27 whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another.My heart faints within me!" (ESV)  James' reference to Job is one of the earliest references we have of anyone commenting on the future return of Jesus Christ.  If we take into account that Job was most likely a descendant of Esau, we may very well have record of a man who lived in the days of Jacob.1  Job was able to endure to the end because of the fact he gleaned His hope from the promise of seeing His redeemer in resurrected flesh. 

So focusing on the second coming of Jesus Christ aids us in the fight against worldliness and enables you and I to operate in endurace.  Lets consider one more benefit of fixing our f.o.c.u.s on Christ's return from James 5...

Calms the saints.  James 5:9-11
James writes in 5:9 "Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door."  We as Christians have got to be so careful in how we treat one another.  Whenever we lose our focus either off of Christ's first coming or second coming, we become too pre-occupied with ourselves and this world.  Soon we develop a spiritual short-sightedness which leads to an unsettledness.   Anxiousness can set in, leading to rash decisions and ungodly treatment of other fellow believers.  As Christians, we not only need to anchor our hearts to the accomplishment of Jesus' ist coming - Calvary, but also fix our minds on his second coming.  If we can view ourselves and one another in light of eternity, our treatment of one another and state of our hearts can radically change for the good.

This spiritual short-sightedness that results from not focusing on Christ's return is highlighted in another Bible book written by James' brother Jude.  The next to the last book of the Bible, the Book of Jude, is dedicated to contending for the truth of scripture and not getting to tied down to the things of this world.  Jude urges his readers to rest their faith in the coming Christ, rather than in the things of this world - and to fight the good fight of faith. What Jude dedicates his entire book to, James uses this fifth chapter to underscore - namely that only by focusing on Christ's soon return can the saint calm their heart. 

James' use of the imagery of the "Judge standing at the door" is designed to purify the saints and to develop the fear of God - since the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. (Proverbs 9:10)  Romans 11:22 tells us "Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God's kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off."  An increased awareness of Christ's second coming produces in  the saint a surge for godliness and a desire for His coming. 2

More tomorrow....

End Notes____________________

1. Conservative Bible scholar Gleason Archer dates the account of Job back to at least 1200 b.c.  On page 465 of his book: "A Survey of Old Testament - Introduction 2nd edition", Archer cites findings from cuneiform inscription of a Babylonian account that tells a similar story of a "Babylonian Job" going through trials and sufferings.  Archer concludes that the Babylonan account is most likely based off of the original material of Job, which would make the Biblical Job a far earlier record. 

2. For the child of God, consideration of the black cloth of God's Justice causes a renewed appreciation for the diamond ring of His mercy. Paul writes in Romans 2:4 "Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?" Whenever I get my eyes off of myself and my eyes back on Jesus and His second coming, I find a calm and assurance. (John 14:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:18)


 

P1 - F.O.C.U.S on Christ's return

James 5:8 You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.

The importance of focusing on Christ's return
The amount of space in the Bible devoted to Bible prophecy (eschatology, i.e study of last things) equals out to 1 out of every 5 Bible verses!1 James is a very practical book, connecting the relationship between one's profession and practice of faith.  When we come to the fifth chapter, James switches his focus from how to live as Christians in this present day world to that of living in light of Christ's second coming. 

The significance of James 5 in the study of Bible prophecy (eschatology)
Without a doubt the key verses in James 5:1-20 are found in James 5:7-8 "Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand."  The underlined phrases in these two verses are translations of one Greek word (parousia = pay-roo-see-a) that speaks of the "visible presence of the Lord at His coming".  In 16 other places in the New Testament we find the same Greek word in texts that deal with the second coming of Jesus Christ.2  Like a bull's eye, James 5:7-8 is central to guiding James' thoughts before and after the verses, driving home the point that his readers and us are  to exercise living active faith because the Lord is coming back!  

In today's blog we want to begin considering the five benefits of focusing on Christ's return. To aid us in our thinking, we will use the acrostic F.O.C.U.S to show why you and I should be focusing on the second coming of Jesus Christ:

1. Fights against worldliness. James 5:1-6
2. Operates endurance. James 5:7-8
3. Calms the saints. James 5:9-11
4. Undergirds the prayer-life James 5:12-18
5. Strengthens evangelism James 5:19-20

So let's consider that first benefit of focusing on Christ's return, namely that by doing so, we can....

Fight Against Worldliness.  James 5:1-6
How James echoes the outcry against worldliness found throughout scripture
When you read James 5:1-6 in light of James 5:7-8, you can see why James is coming down hard on those who have been seduced by the riches of this world. 3 Anytime we become worldly in our thinking as Christians, we are giving ourselves over in an area to the way we thought, acted or believed before salvation.  Sadly for unbelievers, this life and all of its possessions are as good as it gets.  In the true story of the rich man and Lazarus, the rich man in torments is reminded in Luke 16:25 "But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish."  Was Jesus against people having possessions? Hardly.  However Jesus was warning his listeners of the overall message touted in scripture: do not love the world.  In other places Jesus warns about what happens when we make the world and its possessions our gods: greed leads to prioritizing this life over one's soul. (Luke 12:21)4

The Apostle John echoes a similar warning in 1 John 2:15-16 "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world." (ESV)

James is echoing the deep concern and danger echoed by Jesus, John and the whole of scripture. In fact, the tenth commandment warns about the dangers of coveting - which is excessive desire for possessions and people not intended for nor belonging to us. The message could not be any clearer: there is nothing wrong with having possessions, just as long as you don't let your poessessions take hold of you.

How James specifically uses the second coming of Jesus Christ as the deterrent to worldliness
James uses the second coming of Jesus to curb the worldly tendencies of his listeners in this fifth chapter of his epistle.  Consider some of the following observations:

5:1 Ignorance is not bliss.  Too much enjoyment of riches can result in misplaced spiritual priorities and threat of judgment

5:2-3 Whatever is done on this earth will pass, but whatever is done for Christ will last.5   James uses the threat of temporal judgment and eternal judgment to shake his readers out of their complacency.  Ironically, James refers to their "gold and silver" having rusted, since precious metals are known for not being subject to decay nor rust. 

5:4-6 James emphasizes the fact that these people have not payed their laborers - likening their attitude to that of Pharoah in the Exodus.  For centuries God's people were under forced labor or slavery in Egypt.  Furthermore, James uses a particular name of God - Jehovah Sabaoth (Lord of Hosts) to contrast the decaying riches of his readers to the endless riches of God Himself.  In passages such as Isaiah 28:29 and Romans 9:29 we see this title "Jehovah Sabaoth" refer to the grandeur and Majesty of God. 6

Conclusion for today
By focusing on Christ's soon return, James gives the reader the antidote to worldliness.  We close today with words from the Apostle John in 1 John 3:2-3 wherein we see this promise: "Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears^a we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure."
 
More tomorrow.....
End Notes_________________

1. Of those over 6,000 Bible verses dealing with nearly 1,000 prophecies of all sorts of people and places, 224 of them are about Jesus Christ's second coming. 

2. For the informed reader, the Greek word translated "coming of the Lord" is the one Greek word "parousia" (pa-roo-see-a).  The following verses feature this word and it would be advisable for the student of scripture to read each one to grasp all that is said about this thought: Matthew 24:3, 27,37,39; 1 Corinthians 15:23; 1 Thessalonians 2:19; 1 Thessalonians 3:13, 4:15, 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 2:1,8,9; James 5:7,8; 2 Peter 1:16, 3:4,12; 1 John 2:28.  Interestingly enough, James was the first New Testament book written, predating Matthew by at least five years. 

3. We know from other scriptures that the love of money is the root of all sorts of evil. (1 Timothy 6:10) Having things is not wrong - as long as things don't have you. If we were to summarize James' teaching in these verses, it would come from the lips of Jesus in Luke 6:24 - “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation." (ESV)

4. In fact, Jesus uses the warning of getting consumed by too much riches as a sign that a person is not truly a disciple but rather lost, for as He notes in Mark 8:46 - "what does a profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses His own soul." 

5. I find it interesting that James does not address the rich people here with the well known title "brethren", indicating that perhaps his readers are uncoverted. The phrase "last days" is used some 15 times in the New Testament to refer to the events surrounding and leading up to Christ's second coming.

6. Certainly other places in scripture indicate that persistent love of this world and its riches is a sign that a person may not be a Christian. (1 John 2:15-17) Althought people from Abraham to David to Solomon had wealth, yet whenever the wealth came to be enjoyed above the giver of it (as in Solomon's case), spiritual decline resulted.