The Coming Messiah

Read Malachi 3:1-4

“Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts” (v. 1).

This prophecy was given about four centuries before its fulfillment. It is very obvious that John, the Baptist, was the fulfillment of this prophecy. He was promised to a childless couple who had long past given up on any hope of having children. The incredulous Zacharias was struck dumb because of his unbelief. His son John became a very important part of laying a foundation for the future ministry of Christ. Indeed, John baptized Jesus in Jordan and introduced Jesus as the one who would take away the sin of the world. Jesus came as the fulfillment of this prophecy. He came to satisfy the need for a perfect sacrifice. His initial entry into this world was not recognized by many of His own people, but His soon-to-be second coming will be seen by all and recognized by all when He comes on a white horse with tens of thousands of His saints. (Lonnie R. Witt)

The infant Christ came to redeem us from sin. He’s coming quite soon His reign to begin. — Lonnie R. Witt

Keep looking above; the King is coming.

2018-12-05T10:00:26+00:00December 5th, 2018|Categories: Opening the Word|Tags: , , , , |0 Comments

How to Prepare for the King of Glory

In "Biblical Perspective" Gordon Snider writes concerning Psalm 24:7:

The background of this Psalm seems to have been a procession of worshipers, perhaps Levites, accompanying the ark of God as they approached Jerusalem. As they approached the city, a part of the group would sing, Lift up your heads, O ye gates. While the previous verses spoke of the need for people to prepare to ascend “the hill of the LORD,” the psalmist here figuratively called on the city gates themselves to prepare for His entrance. The meaning of the imagery of the gates is unclear — whether the gates of the Temple, of eternity, of the city of Jerusalem, or some other gates. But the focus is upon the King of glory.

Source: Studies in the Psalms: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 19.

2016-09-16T09:00:00+00:00September 16th, 2016|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: |0 Comments

King of Kings

“The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret” (Daniel 2:47).

Each ancient nation had its own god. These gods were territorial gods who ruled the land in which their worshipers lived. Jehovah is unique. He is not a god; He is the God of gods. He is the creator of the heavens and the earth.  The Babylonians considered Marduk as supreme in the pantheon of gods. However, when Nebuchadnezzar saw the power of Daniel’s God, he exclaimed, “Of a truth, your God is a God of gods and a Lord of kings.”
In the ancient world, the status of a god gave status to his worshipers. The Jewish people were captives, but they were worshipers of the King of kings. How they must have rejoiced when even Nebuchadnezzar recognized the power and majesty of their God. 
Today, Christians face scorn from society’s elites. But never forget that you serve the King of kings. Someday, every knee will bow before Him. Regardless of the opposition of this world, our Lord reigns forever and ever. (Randall McElwain)

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
King of Kings! And Lord of Lords!
And He shall reign forever and ever. Hallelujah!
(Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus: Public Domain)

<
p style="text-align:center;font-style:italic;">Do not live in defeat and discouragement.
You are a child of the God of gods and King of kings.
This devotional is the Saturday, September 3, 2016 entry of Opening the Word.

2016-09-01T09:00:00+00:00September 1st, 2016|Categories: Opening the Word|Tags: |0 Comments

The King of Glory

“Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory” (v. 10).

Cassius Marcellus Clay, one of our nation’s boxers of renown, said of himself, "It's hard to be humble when you're as great as I am." Athletes are not the only segment of society that hold high opinions of themselves or are worshiped by people who do. A singer who was popular in the 60's was and still is referred to as the King. Both boxer and singer reveled in the adulation given them. But their fame does not begin to compare to that of the King of glory! In that comparison, all the praise, honor, and fame of man’s history would look like a teardrop compared to the world’s oceans.
Who is the King of glory? He is the Lord of hosts. Is He only Lord over the angels of heaven? No. More. He is the Creator and Sustainer of this tiny terrestrial ball called Earth, but He keeps all the orbits of the planets in proper alignment so as to compliment and keep this world functioning. He is the designer of every atom of every living thing. But more than that – He so loved that He planned and executed His redemptive purpose to allow us to be in right relationship with Him now and prepared to live in His house eternally. He is the King worthy of all glory! Amen and Amen! (Lonnie Witt)
<
p style="text-align:center;font-style:italic;">“All the praise and all the glory,
Of earth’s most noted men
Pales before the splendor
Of the coming King of Kings.” (Gordon Snider)
This devotional is the Tuesday, June 28, 2016 entry of Opening the Word.

2016-07-02T16:15:00+00:00July 2nd, 2016|Categories: Opening the Word|Tags: |0 Comments

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