1 Corinthians 1: 18

John would go from Passion Week to establish a number of churches in Asia Minor, Revelation 2-3. It was his ministry of teaching the truth about Jesus Christ that was such a personal blessing to John. But John's greatest joy was to see and hear, III John 4, of those he had ministered to that were walking in the truth.

In the Last Days men will pervert the truth. They will have difficulty telling the truth because they do not have Him who is the Truth. The truth is that the opposite of truth, false teaching and deception, will get so bad that The Truth will return to make everything right. Until that time, we must spread the Truth, walk in the Truth, and teach others the Truth. Like John, this will give us great joy.

PRAYER THOT: Thank you Lord for the Truth that sets me free, help me to spread the Truth to others.

III John 11 

Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

For further study - III John 5-12

As we read our extended reading for today, you may recognize someone like one of the leaders in your church. The man's name is Diotrephes. He is a leader of a church John wanted to visit but was kept from doing so by this one who took the preeminence in that church.

Remember, that John wrote III John just before he wrote Revelation while serving as a prisoner on an island in the Aegean Sea, on Patmos. John was most likely a "circuit rider" preacher. He may have started the churches of Revelation 2 and 3 or at least would visit these seven churches on a regular basis.

John would be a shepherd to these churches and present teaching that would build up not only the church, but the individual members as well.

John's ministry was being hindered by this church leader. John sees a need to name this man for all to know about his "evil" deeds, III John verse 11. In fact, John tells the church to not follow these evil deeds or the one that commits them. John condemns Diotrephes and his evil deeds publicly to teach those in that church and all who will read this letter.

Also in John's letter, the apostle points the readers to a good example of local church leadership, Demetrius, in III John verse 12. Demetrius is a leader who is reported to be a good leader among all men. Remember, Paul wrote of the qualifications for local church leadership in I Timothy 3.

Verse 7 of that passage says that the church leaders must have a good report of them that are without the church as well as within. The reason for this good report is so that this church leader will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil, which is exactly what Diotrephes had done.

Referring back once more to Paul's writings, the failure in leadership of Diotrephes is how it will be in the last days, II Timothy 3:1-5. Paul wrote of men, lovers of their own selves, high-minded, and having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.

In John's day, the attitudes and actions of Diotrephes were evidence of the last days. That was almost 2,000 years ago. How much more those attitudes and actions depict our day. This is setting the stage for the day of the Lord's return. We must all follow John's exhortation and follow not that which is evil, verse 11, but instead that which is good.

PRAYER THOT: Help me, dear Lord, to shun evil and follow good, Godly activities.

Isaiah 2 vs.2 - And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
For further study - Isaiah 2:1-5
This passage of scripture is a glimpse into the “Kingdom to come”. This will be the time when Jesus is the “King of Kings” and “Lord of Lords”.

Jesus will be on His throne in Jerusalem, in the Temple. At that time there will be a “theocratic” government in place and all living on the earth will live under the Lord's rule.

It will be a time of no war, in fact, people won't ever learn of war, verse 4. The soldiers will return to farming, using the farm implements formed out of swords and spears. Finally, “peace” will have come to earth.

The "Prince of Peace" will be on His throne in Jerusalem.

Jerusalem will be the central focus of the world. Not only will Jesus be there, He will teach us from there. Each of us will go and gather others to join us as we hurry to the "house of the Lord", the Temple, to hear Him teach.
The Lord will teach His ways from the "mountain of the Lord", another name for the Temple Mount which will be the location of the Messiah's Temple.

As He teaches us, we will go forward to walk in His paths.

There are several applications in this passage, one, His “word” is what we need to learn, as He teaches us, so we can then walk in His paths. This will be a part of the lifestyle of the future, forever.
Another application is that today there will be wars, but one day no more need for military armament, we won't even learn of war anymore. Because the Lord is there, Jerusalem will be the focus of the world, the center of our teaching and thus learning.
Notice the "word" of the Lord will go out and around the world from Jerusalem. It is the “word” that goes out and we should cherish, love, honor and obey His word today.
PRAYER THOT: Help me to study your word so I can walk in your paths.

Isaiah 4 vs5 

And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defense.

For further study - Isaiah 4:1-6

The passage chosen today for our devotional reading is actually a vision of the future kingdom of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. This is a vision that God gave to the ancient Jewish prophet Isaiah.

I chose this passage to confront the philosophy that is spreading among many churches and Christians today that we are now living in the kingdom here on earth. This "kingdom now" idea is totally contradictory to God's Word and plan for the Jewish people of the future.

For one thing, most "kingdom now" thinkers believe that the promise of the "kingdom" for the Jews has been negated and those promises now apply to the Church, Christians. That is not only anti-Biblical but it is very anti-Semitic.

Any thinking which says the "kingdom" promised to the Jews when Jesus Christ returns is not literal is saying that all of the covenants that God made with the Jews have been broken and basically the Lord is a liar.

We all know that God cannot lie so thus His "kingdom" promise to the Jews must be kept. Notice in verse 2 that the "Branch", that's Jesus Christ, in His beauty and glory will be back on earth and ruling from Jerusalem from a Temple He himself will build, Zechariah 6:12.

Verse 3 reveals to us that the "kingdom" headquarters will be Mt Zion, Jerusalem. These two, Zion and Jerusalem, are synonymous terms, they are the same geographical location.

Verse 4 says the time of the Kingdom will be when Messiah, Jesus Christ, has cleansed the Jewish people. That is yet future, after the seven year Tribulation Period.

The word "tabernacle" used in verse 6 is "suca" in Hebrew which is actually a "thatched hut" used by the Israelites during their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness before they entered the Promised Land.

Today during the "Feast of Tabernacles" Jewish people celebrate that seven-day Jewish feast by living, sleeping, eating and fellowshipping in a "suca" that they erect at their homes.

Remember Peter wanted to build three tabernacles, "suca's", on the Mount of Transfiguration, Matthew 17:4. Peter thought it was the "Kingdom" period and therefore the fulfillment of the Jewish "Feast of Tabernacles". Thus the three "suca's", one each for Jesus, Moses and Elijah.

The "Kingdom" is yet future, howbeit, the near future. The "Kingdom" is not in operation now. That is a very dangerous theology. When Hitler wanted to set up the "kingdom" he had to slaughter the Jews first.

The promise of the "Kingdom" for the Jews is yet to be fulfilled. Isaiah's "vision of the Kingdom" in our reading for today is a promise of that coming Kingdom, in a near by tomorrow.

PRAYER THOT: Thank You, Lord, for the Biblical basis for understanding the "end times."
Isaiah 6 vs8 

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

For further study - Isaiah 6:1-13

This chapter from the prophecy of Isaiah introduces us to a type of the “angelic bodies” that the Lord created on the first day of Creation between the creation of the heavens and the earth, Job 38:4-7. These creatures are "Seraphim", different from the “Cherubim” of Ezekiel 1.

Angels play a key role in our daily lives that we may not realize. Hebrews 1:14 reveals they are "ministering spirits" to those who know Jesus as Lord and Savior. Matthew 18:10 says they protect the little children. Luke 16:22 reports that angels will gather around us at death to take us into the presence of the Lord. Revelation 22:9 reveals to us that angels are "fellow servants" with us as we together serve the Lord.

There is much more we could write about angels, but we'll save that for another time. Notice how the angels honor the Lord as they cry out to the Lord saying, "holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts".

I love that next phrase, "the whole earth is full of His glory." This echoes the statement of Psalm 19 and extends the location of His glory also into the heavenlies.

Verse 5 reveals Isaiah the prophet as the man he really was, a man of unclean lips and undone. The reason he recognized who he was, was due to the fact that he had seen the King, the Lord of Hosts, a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ. The result of this face-to-face meeting with Jesus was that Isaiah was made to see who he was and what he must do.

When the Lord said, "Whom shall I send," Isaiah was ready to respond with the statement, "Here am I, send me." We'll look at the new commission given to Isaiah, verses 9-13 at another time. Let's think together of what happened in Isaiah's life that should happen in our lives.

First, Isaiah saw the glory of the Lord, a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus. I don't believe we can see Jesus today; however, we can see His glory as I said, in the heavens and in His creation that is displayed throughout all of the earth, Psalm 19.

We must take time to "stop and smell the roses." On days off, holidays, or vacation time, go spend time in the midst of the creation of the Lord.

Second, the realization of the hand of God in creation and the manifestation of His glory should cause us to be willing to say as the prophet did, "here am I, send me."

Isaiah's message was that Jesus Christ, the Messiah, was coming. This message should be our message, He is coming. Be prepared by trusting Jesus as your Lord and Savior.

PRAYER THOT: As I see “Your glory” dear Lord, in the heavens and in other acts of Creation, help me to be ready to go, wherever You may send me.

Isaiah 9 vs6 

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

For further study - Isaiah 9:1-7

Of the seventeen prophets whose writings are found in the Old Testament canon, "Isaiah" is known as the chief of the "writing prophets", and justly so.

Isaiah is writing about 750 years before the birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. The prophet reveals, predicting more than any other prophet, the activities and events in the life, on earth, of the coming Messiah.
In this prophetic book, the Messiah in his “person” and “sufferings”, and the blessing of the Gentiles through Him, are in full view, or should I say "full vision".
The seventeen prophets have unique ministries during the times before the exile in Babylon, during the Babylonian Captivity, and after the exile. Isaiah was chosen to do his prophetic ministry during the time leading up to the exile.
Some aspects of Isaiah’s prophetic ministry would be focused on what would happen to the Jews before they were carried away into the Babylonian Captivity.
Isaiah would focus his prophecies on the people of Judah, two of the twelve tribes that stayed in the south of Israel, at Jerusalem, when the division of the twelve tribes of Israel took place, as recorded in I Kings 11.
The Assyrians had defeated the "ten tribes", in the north, known as Israel, and these enemies of the Jewish people were now considering advancing south into Judah to defeat the "two southern tribes", Judah and Benjamin.
It is in this context that we come to our devotional passage for today. Isaiah was warning the Jews that the Assyrians would advance to the south and bring to an end the Jewish people and any semblance of a Jewish nation.
Couched among these prophecies of impending danger, Isaiah writes two verses that bring "hope", verses 6 and 7. These are two very "power-packed" verses foretelling the birth of the One who would take on His shoulders the government” of not “only the Jewish people, but of all "humankind".
Jesus would come as a "son", born into this world to bring "true peace". In fact, the only time in history of "real peace" will be when the "Prince of Peace" comes to set up His everlasting Kingdom, as He rules and reigns from His Temple in Jerusalem.
To confirm the Lord's promise to King David, the "Davidic Covenant", Isaiah reports that the fulfillment of the "Davidic Covenant" is to be confirmed with this "newborn son". During any season of the year it is so refreshing to once again read these very special promises knowing that, "the zeal of the Lord of host will perform this", verse 7.
The Lord God did keep His absolute promise of a "Son to be born unto us", verse 6. Everybody is talking about peace these days, but the only "peace" we will ever have in this world is centered in the person of Jesus Christ who is the "Prince of Peace".
As we remember, and yearly celebrate the first coming of this "Prince of Peace", we now await His return to set up His long promised Kingdom and in truth take the government of this world upon His shoulders.

PRAYER THOT: Thank You, Lord, for the best "gift" ever, the "Prince of Peace" who was born unto us and will rule over us one day, forever.
Isaiah 14 vs1

For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob.

For further study - Isaiah 14:1-17

What a powerful passage of scripture this is that we will use as our extended reading for our devotions today. There are several directions we could go in this passage; thus let me take each pathway, for a moment, in each direction.

The Prophet Isaiah reveals the promise of the Lord for the Jewish people and assures them of a special time ahead. When the Lord refers to "Jacob" in verse 1, He is actually speaking about not only Jacob, but His twelve sons that became the twelve tribes of the Jewish people, the “twelve tribes of Israel”.

The Lord promised to have "mercy" on Jacob, the nation of "Israel". The Lord had chosen these people in the past, Deuteronomy 7:6-8, and will "yet choose Israel" and "set them in their own land".

It really doesn't matter what the rest of the world may say about the land, God will set His chosen "Israel", the Jews of today, back in the land He has given them. From the sidelines we today can see the Lord beginning that process, the process that will move to completion after the Rapture and culminate at His Second Coming.

Verses 4-6 reveal a prophecy that will focus on "Babylon," and the "King of Babylon." This prophecy, according to the context of the passage, is at a time yet to take place, in the future.

Notice that verse 7 speaks of a time when "the whole earth is at rest and is quiet and they will break forth with singing". This is describing the "Kingdom" that Jesus will set up at His Second Coming.

"Babylon" will be a major focus in our world, as will the "King of Babylon," who the Lord will deal with before He sets up His Kingdom. The "King of Babylon" in this text is referring to the "Antichrist" who rules the world the last three and one-half years of the “terrible Tribulation” yet to come, from Babylon, Revelation 18, which is modern-day Iraq.
We are seemingly living in the days that are quickly approaching this prophetic scenario. One final thought before we leave this passage, verses 12-14 reveal to the reader the five "I wills" of Lucifer, the most prominent of all angels created.
Lucifer became Satan when he exercised his "free will" and basically rebelled against the Lord, as you can tell by reading these verses. Please notice the last "I will" in verse 13, "I will sit also upon the Mount of the Congregation, in the sides of the North."
According to Psalm 48:2 this is describing the city of Jerusalem. Satan said he will be worshiped in Jerusalem, actually on the Temple Mount. II Thessalonians 2:4 is the prophecy of when the Antichrist, energized by Satan, claims to be God, from the Temple on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.
There is Biblical evidence that the Antichrist is alive and on earth ready to appear. Remember, that the Temple could be built at any moment. There is only one thing that must happen before the Jews get all of the land God promised them, Babylon is dealt with and Satan, the Antichrist will be worshiped in Jerusalem.
That one thing is the Rapture of the Church when Jesus Christ calls us all into the heavenlies to be with Him forevermore. That could happen at any moment, keep looking up.

PRAYER THOT: Lord, help me to live today as if today is when that Rapture will take place.

Isaiah 19 vs.21
And the LORD shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the LORD in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the LORD, and perform it.
Isaiah 19:18-25
What an interesting portion of scripture for our devotion today.

Today is the Jewish holy day of Passover. Our reading speaks of the Egyptians speaking Hebrew and coming to Jerusalem to worship in the Temple. More on that in a moment but first to consider the Jewish holy day of Passover, which is the first of the seven Jewish feasts that God gave the Jewish people, (Leviticus 23).

On this day Jewish families around the world have gathered to eat the Passover Seder meal and then sit and rehearse for the entire family the story of the Exodus. You recall that the death angel would pass over the houses that had the blood of the lamb painted on their door post. This last judgment on the Egyptians would make the way for Moses to lead the Jews out of the Egyptian bondage, these Jews who had been slaves for over 300 years, and towards the Promised Land.
The Exodus was an event in history that was to be remembered by the Jewish people forever. God told the Jews through Moses that annually they were to sit as a family and renew the memories about the events surrounding the Exodus.
Now with that connection to the Egyptian established we look at the great prophecy written by Isaiah that brings the Egyptians not only into a good relationship with the Jews but with the Lord Himself. "In that day" is a phrase that is referring to the time when the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, will be seated upon His throne in the Temple on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.
It is at that time, in that day, when the Egyptians , once slave masters, will make their way along a special highway, verse 23, into Jerusalem to the Temple to offer sacrifice and to worship the Lord whom they shall know, as Lord, verse 21. Interestingly, the Egyptians will learn and be speaking Hebrew, verse 18, when they come to worship the Lord.
This prophecy will chronologically follow another prophecy in Daniel 11:40-45. Daniel's prophecy reveals that the Egyptians, the King of the South in the Daniel passage, will join with Syria, the King of the North, to try and destroy the Jewish people and the State of Israel. The stage is actually set for Daniel's prophecy to be fulfilled and Isaiah's prophecy for Egypt will follow.
PRAYER THOT: Keep me pure as I see fulfillment of prophecy coming to past.
Isaiah 45 vs.18 - For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.

For further study - Isaiah 45:1-25

I hope you have some time to spend in this forty-fifth chapter of Isaiah.

This is an excellent chapter of God's prophetic Word that reveals prophetic events that will happen, some of them only 150 years after they were given.

Other prophecies contained within the verses of this chapter will be fulfilled in the future, certainly future from Isaiah's day but also future from today.

The chapter also confirms that God is the creator of all things which gives Him the authority to reveal the future, the Creator can tell you what His creation will face at a future date.

There is no way I can point out everything I would like for you to see in this devotional for today. I'll hit some "high points" but please spend some good amount of time reaping a harvest of great truths from what I do not cover.

I must bring to your attention the name "Cyrus", verse 1. This is the man, Cyrus, the leader of the Medo-Persian Empire, that will allow Zerubabbel and fifty thousand Jews to return to Jerusalem after the Babylonian Captivity.

They return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple by permission of Cyrus and with funding from Cyrus as well.

Isaiah pre-wrote history that was fulfilled 150 years after he penned the prophecy, Isaiah 44:28 and 45:1-4. The record of the fulfillment of this prophecy is found in Ezra 1 and 2.

Notice the verses that confirm that God created the heavens, the earth and all that in them is, verses 7-8, 12 and 18. The Lord gives testimony to "who He is" also in this chapter, verses 5-6, 21-22.

This is a message from the one and only true God, through His spokesman, the Prophet Isaiah. God makes a commitment to save and give an everlasting salvation to the Jewish people, verses 17, 22 and 25. This is a prophecy that is yet to be fulfilled. Current events indicate we are in the process of moving toward the fulfillment of that prophecy.

Let me conclude my thoughts with verse 19, what a blessing this chapter is to the Jewish people, the "technical recipients" of these promises. It is also a blessing to us who are Christians who receive a "spiritual blessing" from these truths.

But you know, of course, that the entire book of Isaiah, in fact, the entire 66 books of the Bible are the spiritual "milk and meat" that we need on a daily basis. That's why the statement that God made about not speaking in "secret" is so good.

We all have His Word available to us so that we can receive the blessings from our time of reading and study of it. Dear Friend, join me as we "feast" on the "Word of God".

PRAYER THOT: Thank you Lord, for Your Word that You have spoken openly to me and all who will read it. It is a blessing Lord, to have the Creator of all things communicate with me daily.

Isaiah 51 vs.11 - Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.

For further study - Isaiah 51:1-23

This chapter in the prophetic book of Isaiah is like a "songbook" that contains great songs with lyrics, made up of Bible doctrine.

Our key verse is a prime example. Read slowly verse 11 and you can almost hear the melody that has been assigned to these words. In fact, the words of the verse speak of "singing and joy" as the way those that have been redeemed will return to Zion, Jerusalem.

Notice the "joy", it's "everlasting joy", joy that is forever. This is not "happiness" which is based upon "happenings" but instead "joy" that comes from the Lord. When you have "Godly joy", joy that comes from the Lord, "sorrow and mourning" shall flee away.

The One that gives us that " joy" along with a "song" for us to sing is the Creator of all things, verses 13 & 15. He is the "Lord thy maker".

"The One who stretched forth the heavens and laid the foundations for the earth, the One who divided the seas”.

As the Creator, He can give us a song to sing and everlasting joy. The Creator is the same One who will protect His people, verses 16 & 23. The phrase "cup of trembling" is speaking of those who are "intoxicated with power", the ones the Lord will bring back to reality through judgment.

Before we leave this passage, look back to verse 3 and let me explain the "truth" found in this passage. This verse is speaking of the most sacred piece of real estate in the world, "Eden, the Garden of the Lord".

The Temple Mount in Jerusalem is the original sight of the "Garden of Eden". (See my audio series, "Return to Eden".) This fact has been known by all Orthodox Jewish academic scholarship from the "beginning", 5,768 years ago.

Judaism believes that the original Garden of Eden is on the location of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem today. God's Word says that this is where all joy, gladness, thanksgiving, and the "voice of melody", singing, emanates from in our old world.

But notice the verse again, the Lord will return this spot to the Jews in the last days, Ezekiel 36:35 and Joel 2:3. This of course is the reason for Islam's strong desire to take control of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

Where the Lord began all things, He will return to in the last days. It will be the restored "Garden of Eden" on the location of the Creator's Kingdom headquarters, the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.
PRAYER THOT: Thank you Lord for the Word of God that explains current events in light of Biblical prophecy.

Isaiah 63 vs4 - For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.
For further study - Isaiah 63:1-6 & 61:1-2
In order to understand the harshness of this passage in Isaiah 63 you need to know some of the background of the passage.
The "day of vengeance" referred to by the Lord, speaking through the Prophet Isaiah, must be understood by looking back to Isaiah 61:1-2. This is the passage that Jesus Christ was asked to read in the synagogue in Nazareth, Luke 4:16-21.
In Dr Luke's record of Jesus in the synagogue you'll notice that our Lord did not finish verse 2, of Isaiah 61. The part He left out was, "and the day of the vengeance of our God, to comfort all that mourn," Isaiah 61:2b.
In our key verse, verse 4, Isaiah has recorded the prophetic words of the Lord, revealing, before the fact, what the Lord will say in the day described by our devotional passage for today.
Isaiah asked two questions, the first in verse 1, "Who is he that cometh from Edom, from Bozrah?" This is the geographical location of Petra in southern Jordan. The Lord responds with, "I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save."
In verse 2 the second question, "Why is his apparel stained with 'red'

like him that treadeth in the winefat?" The Lord responds to this question, verse 3, "That He had trodden the winepress alone."

The Lord said, their blood will be sprinkled upon His garments, "for the day of his vengeance is come", verse 4. It is in verse 4 that the Lord finishes the thought of Isaiah 61:2.
This prophetic account is what will happen after the Lord goes to the Jezreel Valley at the time of the Battle of Armageddon. After all the enemies are destroyed by Jesus Christ, He makes the trip to Petra, traveling the 176 miles predicted by John in Revelation 14:19-20.
The blood rises as high as the "horse bridles" for that trip. The blood comes from the bodies of the hundreds of millions of men who die on the "battle field." This will be a terrible time in history.
By the way, it is 176 miles from Megiddo in the Jezreel Valley to the entrance of Petra, the place prepared by God to protect the Jewish people in the last three and a half years in the Tribulation Period, Revelation 12:6.
This is the end time scenario of this terrible time of the end and the death of those who follow Satan instead of Jesus. It is a time when some of our loved ones may well be there because they have never trusted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.
What we should do, now that we understand these prophetic truths, is warn our loved ones, and in fact everybody, of this terrible time of judgment ahead and invite them to trust in Jesus Christ today before it's eternally too late.
We should not just study this for knowledge but for that which will motivate us to warn others of the coming time of judgment and lead them to Jesus Christ.
PRAYER THOT: Help me Lord to learn so that I can warn the lost before it's eternally too late.