That It Might Be Fulfilled Which Was Spoken Part 2

“…He washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes.”

— Genesis 49:11

“And he was clothed with a vesture dripped in blood…he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.” — Revelation 19:13,15

As I have shown previously on the first half of Genesis 49:11, God has declared the end from the beginning. Liberal Christianity and anti-nomian “fundamentalists” alike tend to believe that there is a radical separation between the Old and New Testaments, and that God’s essential character and nature are somehow different between the two. But here we see that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.[1]

Just like Zechariah expounded the first half of Genesis 49:11 for us, Isaiah also gave us a deeper understanding of the second half. All the prophets refer back to the books of Moses and illuminate the darker sayings for us over the course of redemptive history. Therefore we should be skeptical of anyone claiming to have a "new revelation" from God, because even the tried and true prophets of the Lord did not always bring "new" revelation so much as they repeat, expand and expound the eternal and unchanging Word of God for us because unlike God we are dull of hearing and often forgetful of the everlasting covenant.

I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blook shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.[2]

It is interesting that there are relatively few depictions of this Jesus in Catholic art compared to the number of times Jesus is depicted as a helpless infant, or a dying man on the cross. But the scripture says that all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen,[3] not just those that tickle our fancy. Behold: The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.[4]

The Westminster Shorter Catechism has contained within it one of the most profound statements in the English language:

Q. What is the chief end of man?

A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.

Of course, the second half of that statement can only ever properly apply to the elect of God. All of mankind exists to glorify God, but only the elect will enjoy that fact forever. The ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous[5].

Today is the day to repent and obey the gospel of Jesus Christ. You must kiss the Son, lest he be angry.[6] We are not promised another day. We can bend the knee now and be safe from the wrath to come, or we can be tread down in the winepress of His fury on the Last Day.

Behold your God!

Scriptures:

[1] Hebrews 13:8

[2] Isaiah 63:3

[3] 2nd Corinthians 1:20

[4] Proverbs 16:4

[5] Ps 1:4-5

[6] Ps 2:12

That It Might Be Fulfilled Which Was Spoken Part 1

“Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass’s colt unto the choice vine…”

— Genesis 49:11

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout; O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.” — Zechariah 9:9

“All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet...”

— Matthew 21:4

Our God does not “predict” the future, he performs it. That is why some promises and prophecies of scripture are written as if they have already happened, because in a sense they have happened and in another sense, it is so certain that he can say a thing that is future from our perspective is as good as done. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified[1].

As you read the Old Testament more, the more amazing the four gospels become. You will start to notice how every word Jesus speaks and every little thing He does in His earthly ministry fulfills some part of the Old Testament. The apostles themselves give us clues in their writings, as Matthew points the readers back to Zechariah 9:9 to explain why Jesus required a donkey to ride on into Jerusalem. But Zechariah was expounding a Messianic prophesy penned by Moses. Indeed, all of the major and minor prophets everywhere refer back to the Law of Moses. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.[2]

Of course nowadays, when we have the canon of scripture complete and more Bibles in circulation than at any time in history we also somehow have the greatest amount of Biblical illiteracy. How is this possible?

Study to show thyself approved.[3]

Selah.

Scriptures: [1] Romans 8:30 [2] 2nd Peter 1:21 [3] 2nd Timothy 2:15

Not a Lucky Charm

Most agree that there is a God and that he sees everything. There is nothing that we do, even in the “privacy of our own homes”, that can be hidden. He sees it all.

This is not merely for His amusement as some like to joke, but it’s so that His justice can ultimately be served. The battle of good and evil will one day be reconciled, once and for all, in the last day, at the final judgement. The democrat vs republican war will finally be settled (Oh come Lord Jesus!), with many from both sides plunging into eternal hellfire.

“…every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”

Romans 14:12

So, if we believe that there will be a reconciling with our Creator, then there are only two paths in this life: The one where we earnestly seek the will of our Creator and the other where we seek our own will, believing we are good enough to escape His condemnation.

I worry for those who have heard the gospel of Jesus Christ and acknowledge his many blessings, but still choose their own paths. On the one hand, I can’t blame them; for the temptations of the world are powerful and the thought of having to die to them all is hard to fathom. The FOMO is real and it can only be cured by God's grace.

On the other hand, they seek the same peaceable and quiet lives as believers do, yet fail to connect with the Creator through the Redeemer, which is the only way to have such true peace.

Lord, we pray that you would act on those who have heard the Gospel and have turned away. We pray they’d see your amazing grace in Jesus Christ and that they would turn back to the church. Forgive them for calling upon your name and for using your church as a lucky charm, according to their own heart’s desires, rather than worshiping you in spirit and in truth. We pray for your truth be undeniable to our loved ones and that they may be converted.

God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

John 4:24

Going through rituals and traditions will not earn extra blessings, no matter the occasion. In fact, you might be heaping curses upon yourself.

Ye must be born again.

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

John 3:3