A message from the series “Malachi 2010.” In Malachi’s day, from all appearances the people looked spiritual and had a good relationship with God. God saw things differently and sent this prophet to open the eyes of the people so they would see how they were coming far short in their worship and obedience to the Lord. Malachi addressed several issues regarding their tithes and sacrifices. The people also needed correction in the areas of marriage and family. Lastly, he gave the people hope as he gave the prophecies about the coming Messiah.
A message from the series “Zechariah 2010.”
A message from the series “Zechariah 2010.” As spiritual worship was being established the question was raised concerning the fasting practices of the past. The religious leaders had added to what God had required for fasting and as such it was a practice that was mere form only. God does not want hollow rituals, but hearts that will obey His Word. Beyond this, Zechariah hears further from the Lord concerning Israel’s hopeful future and the restoration that will eventually come to God’s people.
A message from the series “Zechariah 2010.” Some have said that Zechariah is the book of Revelation of the Old Testament because of its many visions and prophecies that pertain to the time the book was written and also to the future end times. We looked at some of those visions and prophecies in the previous study. The remaining ones are in chapters 4-6. The ones in the last chapters of Zechariah are more direct, less difficult and provide great insights. The visions are for the most part interpreted by the Angel of the Lord with Zechariah, which requires us to follow biblical constancy for proper interpretation.
A message from the series “Zechariah 2010.” Zechariah and Haggai were prophets sent by God to encourage the Jews, who had returned from Babylon, to establish true spiritual worship by rebuilding the Temple and reestablishing the Levitical priesthood. Some have said that Zechariah is the book of Revelation of the Old Testament because of its many visions and prophecies that pertain to the time the book was written and also to the future end times. In chapter three, we see a beautiful picture of the Lord defending His choice of Joshua to be the high priest as Satan stands to oppose him. This tells us that our Lord does the same for us when the enemy tries to slander us.
A message from the series “Micah 2009.”
A message from the series “Obadiah-Jonah 2009.” Obadiah, unlike most of the prophets who prophesied to the Jews, directed his prophecy to the nation of Edom telling of its coming destruction because of its anti-semitism toward the people of God. Edom was a relative of Israel since they were descendants of Esau.
Jonah was the only Jewish prophet who, all be it reluctantly, went outside the borders of Israel because God had called him to go to Nineveh of Assyria. In chapter three we find one of the most amazing stories of repentance and revival recorded in the Scriptures. Of course Jonah is mainly known for his unique means of transportation by being transported in the belly of a great fish.
A message from the series “Amos 2009.” Amos, one of two prophets sent by God to the Northern Kingdom of Israel (the other was Hosea), was God’s call to this wayward kingdom to return to Him. Through Amos He pleads for their return warning them of the coming destruction if they don’t repent. Because they did not repent, God had no choice but to foretell of the coming destruction and dispersion. Yet in spite of their rejection of Him, God through Amos ends this prophetic book by describing the ultimate restoration of the Kingdom when Jesus, the Messiah, will come.
A message from the series “Amos 2009.” Like most of the minor prophets, Amos’ message is that of coming judgment due to sin. Amos, who was a shepherd, was sent by God in the days of king Uzziah to cry out to the Northern Kingdom of Israel announcing the coming judgment of God. Again and again, he enumerates the sin of the people and God and the resulting judgment for their sin showing to them and us that the wages of sin is death.
A message from the series “Ezekiel 2009.” These last few chapters of Ezekiel are all future prophecies that will be fulfilled during the millennial reign of Jesus Christ. During that time, sacrificial worship will be restored to the nation of Israel, which will be memorial sacrifices all pointing to the work that Jesus did on the cross. Additionally, God’s word describes the division of the land and Israel’s national boundaries. One of the most amazing things that will happen is a river will flow out from under the Temple toward the East and heal the Dead Sea.
