"BE DILIGENT TO COME TO ME QUICKLY"

"Be diligent to come to me quickly" (2 Tim 4:9)

In the above verse Paul:

A. Wants Timothy to join him as soon as possible.
B. Doesn’t care when Timothy comes, he just wants Timothy to travel rapidly once he departs.
C. Is thinking that Timothy might make it in about 2000 years, give or take a couple hundred.

Without doubt, Paul desired Timothy to join him as soon as possible. In fact, the second and third options appear laughable and not really an option at all. But isn't this exactly how some want us to understand the following?

He who testifies to these things says...
---“Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Both instances of “quickly” in these verses come from the same root in the Greek. Yet, in order to avoid the obvious implication that Jesus claimed He was coming soon, there are those who would have us believe that Jesus was not proclaiming when He was coming, but how—rapidly.

His Second Coming might not occur until centuries after He spoke these words, but once it commenced it would not be a drawn-out affair—it would occur rapidly! Would we accept that meaning for quickly in Paul’s request of Timothy? If not, then perhaps we should question that meaning for Jesus’ statement in Revelation.

YES...WE BURNED A PIANO

Yes we did!!! We burned that piano.

Believe it or not, this is a long standing military tradition. Particularly an Air Force tradition. It comes from World War II. In England a gentleman who had played the piano at the officer's club had been on a mission over Germany. Well the bad news is, he did not come back. The Brits being somewhat morbid, got a little too many pints in them, and decided that if Ole "So-and-so" could not play the piano...then nobody would. So in honor of "So-and-so", they burned the piano to the ground.

We at the Air Force Academy did not need so many pints, just some lighter fluid, a road-side flare, and permission from the base fire chief.

It really was a lot of fun.

Oh yeah...and we did eat a whole bunch of good Chicken!!

THE 70th WEEK OF DANIEL

Below is my A T & T position…(my At This time position). I am still learning and I intend to continue to study even more. But if you can show me where I have missed something, please let me know.






Luke 3:1-2 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of
1 --Tiberius Caesar,
2 --Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and
3 --Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother
4 --Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and
5 --Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,
6 --Annas and
7 --Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.

This is the most concisely dated event in the entire bible. And the ONLY dated event in the New Testament. Many dozens and even perhaps hundreds of events are dated throughout the old testament, why is this the ONLY dated event in the New testament?

I propose that we are better off to let the scripture define the times for us. In the passage in John 12, there is no textual link to the prophecy of Daniel. The only connection is the extrapolations of men who attempt to figure out the dates, years, calendars etc. Many of these who attempt to try to define the 483 years from the decree of Cyrus to the coming of Messiah redefine the years as 360 days, some say we must use only 30 day months, others insist on using Jewish calendars while yet others insist on the calendars of the gentile nations. I think this is folly. Why would we rely on the scholarship of men when God gives us times and seasons in the text of scripture.

The seminal event of ALL of history is the coming of the Messiah, Daniel’s prophecy is intended to define exactly that. 70 weeks of years or 490 years are determined upon THIS PEOPLE and the city of JERUSALEM. The prophecy concerns God’s dealing with the nation of Israel and Jerusalem and their relationship to their coming Messiah. If we see the first 7 weeks where the wall and temple are rebuilt in troublesome times, we can date the beginning of the prophecy from the historic decree of Cyrus. These troublesome times are recorded for us in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Then we have 62 more weeks of years until Messiah. This takes us not to the entrance of Messiah into the city in the week of his crucifixion, but it takes us to the coming of the Messiah. His entrance into public ministry. At the age of thirty, also recorded for us in Luke three, he entered into his public ministry. And the fore-runner John the Baptist made no small matter out of this. Why such a big deal if this was not the time of God’s revealing of Israel’s Messiah. This was indeed a Grand revealing, where all the people were in expectation…They knew that the timing of Daniels prophecy was at hand, at the door, in the words of John the Baptist, the ace is even now laid at the root of the tree.

Luke 3:15-17 And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not; John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.
Why were the people in expectation? Did they understand the timing of Daniels prophecy? I think that they did. And what was it they were expecting? They were expecting their Messiah, and that is why they asked John if HE was the Christ (Messiah). He of course admitted that he was not…but that the true Messiah was about to show up…that was John’s express purpose, to announce Messiah. And he did.

Luke3:21-23 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,

So Jesus was baptize in this text, and it is clear that the dating of the event was intentional. In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, and corresponding to the time or the ruling of 4 other national and local political leaders, and 2 other religious leaders, I think that this narrows the timing of the event to a preciseness that only God could have intended. Why such preciseness? We may have trouble with the exact year of the decree of Cyrus, or the exact year of Christ’s birth or crucifixion. But in God’s mind, there are no lost years, weeks, days, hours or minutes. In John chapter 12 we have Jesus for the first time declaring… “The hour IS COME”. John 12:23, & 27-28 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.

Not only do we have Jesus declaring the time of his glorification (his crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection) but we have God endorsing his statement with words directly from heaven. But this is not the time of the beginning of the week, it is the time in the midst of the 70th week when Messiah would be cut off. Throughout the New testament God is always right on time, never a second late or early.

Galatians 4:4 But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

Daniel 9:26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

Clearly Daniel 9:26 Is describing the crucifixion. Or else, where was Messiah cut off other than at the cross? Daniel continues counting the time of his prophecy.

Daniel 9:25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

Daniel 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
Jesus was crucified in the midst of the week in the language of Daniel. I say this because the sacrifice ceased to be the sacrifice recognized by God immediately after Jesus said from the cross, “It is Finished”. God immediately rent the veil from top to bottom signifying that the way into the holy of holies was made open. As Hebrews indicates, there was “no more offering for sin” once Christ’s offering was “FINISHED”. Now we have boldness to enter and have had since God rent the old veil. Now we enter through the veil of his “flesh”, “Rent” for us.

So we see the ending of the sacrifice dated by Daniel and God as in the “Midst of the 70th week” (not the beginning or end of it) and by necessity the sacrifice ended in correspondence to Christ’s sacrifice being “FININSHED”.

Hebrews 10:18-20 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

We have already been told in verse 25 by Daniel that it would be 69 complete weeks and then Messiah the Prince would come. So when we proceed to verse 26 we are told that AFTER the 69 weeks Messiah will be cut off. After 69-comes 70. We know that Messiah was cut off 3-1/2 years (or half of a prophetic week) after the 69th week ended. So he was cut off in the midst of the 70th week.

Remember that this is a prophecy that is specifically intended for the people of Israel and the city of Jerusalem. “Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city”. With that in mind, what occurred 3-1/2 years AFTER Messiah was cut off is very instructive.

Acts 10:1-5 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:

Here we see that a Gentile was addressed by God in a vision. Why would God go to a gentile man if he was not finished with the Jews. The gospel went first to the Jews and then to the gentiles. I think that it is absolutely amazing that this occurred 3-1/2 years after the cutting off of Messiah. The timing on this is uncanny. How would God have described it any better if he intended to illustrate for us the events of the 70th week?

Acts 10:9-16 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

Not only did God address Cornelius about this covenantal change, but he also ensured that the chief apostle would understand that from now on there is nothing special about the clean or unclean. This was a clear illustration of God’s intent to fulfill his purpose with the gentiles.

Acts 10:19-28 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come? And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee. Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him. And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together. And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
Here by inspiration of the Spirit of God we have Peter declaring that the vision of the clean and unclean animals was intended by God to teach both Peter and us that the gospel is now going to the gentiles.

Acts 10:34-48 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

Here at the end, God confirms His intention of going to the gentiles by the indication of the gift of tongues signifying that Cornelius (a gentile) had the very same Holy Spirit as the Jews did from the day of Pentecost. The fact that this can be shown to be 3-1/2 years after Messiah was cut off is very revealing that this is intended to show the end of the 70th week of Daniels prophecy.

1. "To finish the transgression,"
- This was fulfilled. (Luke 11:47-51 ; Matt 23:29-32; Matt 21:33-45)
2. "Make an end of sins,"
- This was fulfilled. (John 1:29; Matt 1:21; Acts 10:43; Hebrews 9:26)
3. "Make reconciliation for iniquity,"
- This was fulfilled. (II Cor 5:18-21; Hebrews 2:17; Col 1:20; Romans 5:10)
4. "Bring in everlasting righteousness,"
- This was fulfilled. (Romans 3:25,26; Hebrews 9:12; II Thess 2:16; II Cor. 9:9)
5. "Seal up vision and prophecy,"
- This was fulfilled. (Hebrews 1:1-2; John 1:1; II Peter 1:19-21)
6. "Anoint the most holy (or holy place)."
- This was fulfilled. (Matthew 3:15-17; Luke 4:18; Acts 4:26,27; 10:38)

THE LION LYING DOWN WITH THE LAMB

Often a cross reference is made between Isaiah 65:25 and Isaiah 11:6-9 with which I fully agree with.

Isaiah 65:25 The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, but dust will be the serpent's food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain," says the LORD.
However, while I agree with the cross reference, I do not think the cross reference supports the stated position. The case was made that this passage refers to the 1000 year millennium period. But using the context of the cross reference, this is hard to see.

The part that certainly ties the two texts together is clear. In verses 6-9 of Isaiah 11 we see the very same theme declared in Isaiah 65:25.

Isaiah 11:6-9, 6 The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. 7 The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. 8 The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child put his hand into the viper's nest. 9 They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.

But then we read in verse one

Isaiah 11:1, A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.

This is a clear reference to the coming of Christ. This is further elaborated in verse 10 where Isaiah uses the phrase, “In THAT DAY”. Which “DAY” is he speaking of? Clearly he is speaking the day in which the wolf will lie with the lamb and the wild animals become docile and tame, and a child will play with snakes and lead around large wild formerly carnivorous animals. It is also (based on the context) clearly a reference to the day when the root of Jesse is revealed, for that is what he says in verse 10.

Isaiah 11: 10-12, 10 In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious. 11 In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to reclaim the remnant that is left of his people from Assyria, from Lower Egypt, from Upper Egypt, from Cush, from Elam, from Babylonia, from Hamath and from the islands of the sea. 12 He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; he will assemble the scattered people of Judah from the four quarters of the earth.

When is it that the root of Jesse is revealed? We know that this is a reference to his first coming because it declares that in this same day he will “Raise a banner for the nations (that is gentiles). Even Paul under inspiration of the spirit, writing in Romans 15 uses this verse (Isaiah 11:10) to confirm that Isaiah was speaking of Christ’s first coming. Not only that, but he reaffirms his application of this passage to the gentiles 6 times in the context of Romans 15:9-12

Romans 15:9-12 And (1)that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause (2) I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. (3) And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. (4) And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people. (5) And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles;(6) in him shall the Gentiles trust.

Notice also that in Isaiah 11:11 he includes in the, “In THAT DAY”, statement; the re-gathering of the “Remnant” “of His People”. This is the promised re-gathering of the children of Israel…but only of the remnant of them, not in any way a re-gathering of them en masse.

Isaiah 11: 11, 11 In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to reclaim the remnant that is left of his people from Assyria, from Lower Egypt, from Upper Egypt, from Cush, from Elam, from Babylonia, from Hamath and from the islands of the sea.

This re-gathering is not in the “millennium” but it is, “In THAT DAY” referring to the same day as the revealing of the “Root of Jesse”, and the same day as the wild animals becoming docile and tame. This particular re-gathering of the people of Israel is a re-gathering of the remnant into the body of Christ wherein the wall of partition has been broken down and the formerly two men have been made one through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ as is explained by Paul very clearly in Ephesians chapter 2.

Ephesians 2:11-19 “Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making PEACE; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached PEACE to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;”

This is the joining of Jew and Gentile into one body…that had formerly been at enmity with one another. In other words, they were like a lion and a lamb. Left alone, the lion would devour the lamb, but now in Christ in one body, the lion lays peacefully with the lamb. BUT NOW, in Christ, we (Jew and Gentile/Lion and Lamb) are “Made Nigh”, Are “One New Man”, are at “PEACE”, “We Both Have Access”, and “Are No More Strangers and Foreigners” but are “Fellow-citizens”. This is the picture intended by Isaiah in his wild-to-tame illustration.

So, what do we have, in Isaiah 65:25? We have the description of wild animals being changed so that they are docile and tame. Then in Isaiah 11:6-9 we have the very same description of wild animals being transformed. Then in the context of Isaiah 11 we have the time frame clearly laid out for us as the time of the revealing of the Root of Jesse. Paul Then in Romans 15 confirms for us without any doubt that this revelation of the Root of Jesse is clearly the first coming of Christ and the fulfillment of God’s intention to bless the gentiles. How then can this in any way be placed in a time period of a literal 1000 year future millennium? By the clear context of the passages, this must only be the church age beginning with the appearing of Christ in the first century continuing on even until today.

"THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS"

Knowing therefore the terrors of the Lord, let me persuade you to close with Christ, and never rest till you can say, "the Lord our righteousness." Who knows but the Lord may have mercy and abundantly pardon you?

Beg of God to give you faith; and, if the Lord gives you that, you will by it receive Christ with His righteousness and His All. You need not fear the greatness or number of your sins.

For are you sinners? So am I. Are you the chief of sinners? So am I. Are you backsliding sinners? So am I. And yet the Lord (forever adored be His rich, free and sovereign grace), the Lord is my righteousness.

Come then, O young man, who (as I acted once myself) is playing the prodigal, and wandering away far away from your heavenly Father's house. Come home. Come home and leave your swine's trough. Feed no longer on the husks of sensual delights.

For Christ's sake arise and come home! Your heavenly Father now calls you. See yonder the best robe, even the righteousness of His dear Son, awaits you. See it. View it again and again.

Consider at how dear a rate it was purchased, even by the blood of God. Consider what great need you have of it. You are lost, undone, damned forever without it.

George Whitefield 1714-1770