Looking for His glorious appearing! Titus 2:13

This Priesthood Was Royal
Jul 18th, 2020
Morning MeditationF. B. Meyer
Categories: Meditation;Inspirational;Book Study

"Melchizedec, King of Salem, priest." Here again there is no analogy in the Levitical priesthood.

The royal and priestly offices were carefully kept apart. Uzziah was struck with the which brand of leprosy when he tried to unite them. But how marvelously they blended in the earthly life of Jesus! As Priest, He pitied, and helped, and fed men: as King, He ruled the waves. As Priest, He uttered His sublime intercessory prayer: as King, He spoke the "I will" of royal prerogative. As Priest, He touched the ear of Malchus: as the disowned King, to whom even Caesar was preferred, He was hounded to the death. As Priest, He pleaded for His murderers, and spake of Paradise to the dying thief: whilst His Kingship was attested by the proclamation affixed to His cross. As Priest, He breathed peace on His disciples: as King, He ascended to sit down upon His throne.

He was FIRST "King of Righteousness," and after that also King of Salem, which is King of Peace (Hebrews 7:2). Mark the order. Not first Peace at any price, or at the cost of Righteousness, but Righteousness first -- the righteousness of His personal character; the righteous meeting, on our behalf, of the just demands of a Divine and holy law. And then founded on, and arising from, this solid and indestructible basis, there sprang the Temple of Peace, in which the souls of men may shelter from the shocks of time. "The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance for ever. And My people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet restingplaces" (Isaiah 32:17-18).

Ah, souls, what is your attitude towards Him? There be plenty who are willing enough to have Him as Priest, who refuse to accept Him as King. But it will not do. He must be King, or He will not be Priest. And He must be King in this order, first making thee right, then giving thee His peace that passeth all understanding. Waste not precious time in paltering, or arguing with Him; accept the situation as it is, and let thy heart be the Salem, the city of Peace, where He, the Priest-King, shall reign for ever. And none is so fit to rule as He who stooped to die. "In the midst of the throne stood a Lamb as it had been slain" (Revelation 5:6). Exactly! The throne is the befitting place for the Man who loved us to the death. - F. B. Meyer

Revelation 8: 6-9 - Exploring Revelation
Jul 18th, 2020
Exploring RevelationArt Sadlier
Categories: Commentary;Prophecy;Book Study

“And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound” vs.6. Now the trumpets are about to sound!

“THE FIRST ANGEL SOUNDED, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of the trees was burned up, and all the green grass was burnt up” vs.7. This first trumpet brings judgment upon the earth, man’s home. Remember in the garden the earth was cursed because of man’s sin, and in Romans we read that the earth is waiting for man’s redemption so that the curse can be lifted. (Rom. 8: 18-22). This judgment is upon the trees and upon the grass as one third are burned up, taking away much of man’s oxygen supply. There is no reason to believe that this is anything but a literal judgment.

The first four trumpet judgments are upon natural objects, earth, trees, grass, sea, rivers and lights of heaven. The judgments of the fifth and sixth trumpets are inflicted on man.

In the judgment of the trumpets, God allows Satan to bring havoc on the earth through his puppet, the Antichrist: showing Satan for what he really is, the enemy of man. As God allowed Satan to bring devastation into the life of Job, He now grants Satan permission to devastate the earth. Hail and fire and blood.

Imagine the scene, the forest fires we have heard about in Australia and in British Columbia and California are nothing compared to this. Another reason for this destruction of nature is because man in turning away from God has worshipped the earth, that is a growing reality today. Here God causes the eyes of man to be lifted up to God as the destruction of man’s god takes place.

“THE SECOND ANGEL SOUNDED, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood”; “a great mountain burning with fire,” I can’t explain this and I won’t try, literally on fire, “cast into the sea”, I take this literally! Look at the results, “the third part of the sea became blood” Man’s home is being destroyed! Satan thought he could manage the kingdom of earth better than God, he had said, “I will exalt my throne above the stars (angels) of God:” and “I will be like the most high.” Now the truth is being revealed, he cannot rule, and he cannot be like God.

What we are seeing is the climax of the contest between God and Satan, as the tribulation period began all restraints had been lifted from Satan, now the results are coming in, Satan’s boast is shown to be lies as his utter failure is now evident.

“And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.” We can conjecture how this happens, but it doesn’t change the results. Man’s home is being destroyed and Satan is being exposed as an utter failure and as an impostor as the God of this world. Surely all creation and all God’s people are now crying out for the rightful King to come and restore and bless man and his home. The amazing thing is that rebellious man only hardens his heart instead of repenting. That’s why hell is for ever!