2019 Feb 02 Proverbs 2, Psalms, Revelation 2
2019 Feb 02 Proverbs 2, Psalms, Revelation 2
Wishing you well this day! Let's continue in Proverbs 2. Here we're coming to the end of a dissertation beginning with verse 10. Let's recap verses 10 and 11, then consider verses 16-19:
"10 When wisdom enters your heart And knowledge becomes pleasant to your soul, 11 Thinking ability will keep watch over you, And discernment will safeguard you,...16 It will save you from the wayward woman, From the smooth words of the immoral woman, 17 Who abandons the close companion of her youth And forgets the covenant of her God; 18 For her house sinks down into death, And her paths lead to those powerless in death. 19 None of those having relations with her will return, Nor will they regain the pathways of life."
Lest we misunderstand verse 19, let's supply some background. This was originally written for the nation of Israel, living under the Mosaic Law covenant, which condemned sexual immorality and especially the sin of adultery severely. The spiritual implications of a decadent immoral influence among God's people was so serious that it was capital punishment for both consenting sharers in adultery--death by stoning for the perpetrators, unless God in His mercy intervened. This is why it is written that they will not "regain the pathways of life." It is life under this system that was meant--the "unrighteous" could still in God's mercy come back in the future resurrection and willingly submit to God's law and direction, finding eternal life. (Acts 24:15). As 1Corinthians 6:9-11 shows for those becoming Christians, that some had been sexually "immoral, idolaters, adulterers," submitting to homosexual acts, and so on. But then the inspired word of God says "And yet that is what some of you were. But you have been washed clean; you have been sanctified; you have been declared righteous in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and with the spirit of our God." In harmony with God's love and will for humans, one vital principle of God's word declares: "Mercy triumphs over judgment." (James 2:13). And 2Peter 3:9 agrees, saying "Jehovah...does not desire anyone to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance."
Prove 2:10,11 It is divine knowledge and wisdom that is a protection from serious wrongdoing. Included in this is "thinking ability" and "discernment"--the ability to discern between such things as right and wrong, good and bad, wise and unwise, more important matters and lesser ones, though still required by law. With prudent shrewdness we can see the consequences of our decisions, and come to hate what is bad in the healthy "fear of Jehovah"--fearing to displease our loving Father, to hurt Him in any way.
Prove 2:16-19 A wayward or immoral woman could entice one lacking in true wisdom, thinking ability, or discernment. Her "smooth words" could penetrate one's mind and heart without the ability to reason on the matter, and see the implications of such a course. We must realize the spiritually destructive effects of sexual immorality, as well as the numerous benefits of treasuring the covenant of marriage God instituted from the beginning of the human family on earth. In this covenant, two can love God and each other like no one else on the planet, loyally caring for one another through thick and thin, in good times and bad, and have children that can be cherished and raised in a loving, peaceful, stable environment with the corrective influence of both a father and a mother, cooperating to bring them up in the "admonition of Jehovah." (Ephes 6:4). It is God's will that we come to find genuine satisfaction and happiness in this arrangement, with both persons learning to truly love Jehovah and each other in the way God instructs in His word. May we come to treasure this "good gift" of marriage, forgiving one another past mistakes, especially where no form of adultery has been committed, drawing closer together for as long as God blesses it to last, into God's new world and perhaps, beyond. (James 1:17). If serious sin is not committed, you may find great delight by loyally loving the one you're with--see what can grow between you!
Psalm 91 (Book 4, 2nd psalm) verses 1-8 reveals blessings of placing our full confidence in Jehovah. We will be protected from many spiritual dangers, plagues, and disasters. We may "lodge under the shadow of the Almighty." It is said that "His faithfulness will be a large shield and a protective wall." Many fears will be reduced or eliminated--"You will not fear the terrors of the night, Nor the arrow that flies by day, 6 Nor the pestilence that stalks in the gloom, Nor the destruction that ravages at midday." Compliance with God's warnings protect us from many problems, even in this imperfect system of things. Still, good people are generally still not to blame when bad things happen to them, as Job's example testifies. When God brings final judgment to remove the evil from this world, right-hearted ones will be spared: "You will only see it with your eyes As you witness the punishment of the wicked."
Revelation 2 - Recall from yesterday that Revelation has primary benefit to those living in our time, "the Lord's day," the sign of which Jesus explained in Matthew 24-25. If you wish, search "Nov 02" for an overview of Revelation 2, and specific comments on Jesus' words to Ephesus and Pergamum. Then let's consider the message to another congregation, Smyrna.
To Smyrna, Jesus says this: "These are the things that he says, ‘the First and the Last,’ who became dead and came to life again: 9 ‘I know your tribulation and poverty—but you are rich—and the blasphemy by those who call themselves Jews and really are not, but they are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not be afraid of the things you are about to suffer. Look! The Devil will keep on throwing some of you into prison so that you may be fully put to the test, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Prove yourself faithful even to death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 Let the one who has an ear hear what the spirit says to the congregations: The one who conquers will by no means be harmed by the second death.’"
Regarding the resurrection of Jesus, Acts 2:32 says "God resurrected this Jesus, and of this we are all witnesses," or as the King James Version (KJV) says: "This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses." Therefore, "God the Father" Jehovah brought Jesus back to life, in harmony with prophecy concerning his role to support God's purpose. He tells those Christians in Smyrna, that despite their poverty, they are spiritually "rich" in fine works, virtues, and relationships. In referring to "Jews," Jesus may have had reference in that day to insincere fleshly Jews who had, despite evidence, rejected Jesus as the Messiah, and persecuting Christians, so no longer truly "Jews" by faith, not having the faith of Abraham that would lead them to recognize Jesus and become true Christians. In our day, however, Jesus words may be applied to so-called Christians who reject truth and blaspheme or persecute those truly imitating Christ as genuine disciples. (Romans 2:28,29; Galat 6:16). Jesus then referred to the testing that may at times take place among true Christians, experiencing tribulation. It is especially anointed Kingdom co-rulers with Christ that are scourged and tested to the limit, to ensure their fitness for assisting mankind to perfection in God's new world. (Hebre 12:6). Still, all Christians should fear God more than what men can do, as men cannot bring the promised blessings eternally as God can. God can bring anyone back to a completely healthy life in the resurrection, for an eternity, if we only prove ever faithful to Him. May we likewise seek to obtain "the crown of life" by striving to be obedient to our loving Father, who will forever safeguard the righteous from calamity, but for a short time longer in this system of things, helps us endure difficulty, while He "will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, but along with the temptation he will also make the way out so that you may be able to endure it." (1Cori 10:13). Believers who prove faithful will be unharmed by the "second death," which, unlike the first death, is an everlasting one, for those that advance evil, refusing to be helped to live peaceably as one of the people of God forever. (Revel 20:6,14; 21:8)
Find Life and See
Between Winchester, Virginia, and hopefully, Washington D.C., having confidence that our thankful trust in God will not fail to inspire us to the peace He has purposed via His Kingdom!
