Monday, December 1, 2008

Prophetic Maltreatment of Christ
Isaiah 53:1-3

As men we have no ability to perfectly know the future. No matter how we project and prudently plan for the future we still can not entirely know what tomorrow will bring. Christ is entirely different. As an omniscient person He knows what tomorrow will bring. This has an advantage and disadvantage. As sinful people once we determine with certainty how people will treat you then we would avoid engagement with such people group. But not with the Messiah—He knew beforehand that the people would reject and undermine Him, yet He still proceeded to minister to them!

Our text is a part of the prophecy of Isaiah on the sufferings of the coming Messiah. The entire prophecy was fulfilled in the New Testament. But I want to focus only on the first three verses. They are about people’s maltreatment of the Messiah. Considering the entire context already mentioned, these first three verses also found fulfillment in the New Testament. But I want still to show you from the Bible how these first three verses were indeed fulfilled. Then, we shall consider its implications upon our lives and ministry.
Signs of Rejection and Fulfillment

The text lists down eight (8) specific acts of rejection of the Messiah. Primarily, the people of Israel will reject Him. Later, as we see in the Gospels account in the New Testament, others will also reject Him. First, they rejected His message (v.1). Thousands of people heard Him preach and saw Him heal the sick yet they rejected His kingdom message. Very few submitted to embrace His message. The very source of God’s word was the one who spoke, still they refused His sermons. The Pharisees rejected His sermons and answers. The rich young ruler found His requirements of salvation very heavy, so he left without salvation. Second, they saw no attraction in the Messiah that would drive people to Him (v.2). As the prophet said, there is no beauty in Him. He must have been engrossed on physical trade works. Such will affect Him physically. The nationalists have insinuated to lead them into national liberation from the Roman oppression yet when He refused they left Him. They rejected His message. They only wanted to use Him for their own agenda. They saw no appeal in His sermons.

Third, the Messiah was despised by the people (v.3). What a great blasphemy that He was charged with being of Beelzebub. They were full of ignorance in declaring this error. People belittled Him as an illegitimate son of Mary. He was rumored to be an outcast due to this false impression. Fourth, the Messiah was rejected by the people (v.3). Once, the people asked Him to leave their place as His messages brought them economic hardship. They were seriously concerned with their business or livelihood rather than their soul destiny and earthly life quality. Here is a classic example of a village of Gadarene treating Him as persona non grata. It is like church members rejecting the instruction of God’s words because they will lose loved ones. Fifth, the Messiah endured sorrows (v.3). As a person from an economically poor family and village of Nazareth, what can you expect from Him in terms of property? Thus, He grew up working to feed Himself and His siblings. He was unlike the corrupt and greedy Romanists and cultists who preyed upon their victims to expand their wealth holdings. He was unlike the pastors who unceasingly exact funds from the people and elsewhere to bloat their pockets and to address their whims in stead of advancing the local church into distant territories.

Sixth, He was acquainted with grief (v.3). He struggled with God the Father at the garden of Gethsemane to obey the latter’s will. Many times He faced the grief brought by the desertion of His disciples. He even felt the weight of the world’s sin as he was hanging there at the cross. What a mixture of physical, emotional, and spiritual grief! So as His servants and His children we ought not to complain at the slightest grief we face in the ministry. Remember Him who was grieved by His own disciples and relatives as well as by the very people of Israel for whom He came. Seventh, people hid from Him as if they did not want to be with Him (v.3). He was regarded as a leper by some people. So He was brought outside the city as a sign of being a castaway. What an embarrassing moment when people hide from our home calls and saints’ visitation for revival! If you felt such neglect and show of insignificance then we know the heart of our Messiah when He was here.

And finally, people did not show Him respect (v.3). As a person of highest authority and power in the entire universe, He deserves the highest honor which He did not get here. Paul understood the contrasting truth in Philippians 2:9-11 where everyone must give the highest respect and submission to Christ. So every time a person refuses to do this truth he has no right to remain in this universe. For such disrespect is a blatant and horrible attack upon the Lordship and dominion of Christ over the entire universe.

As saved people we must tremble to obey Him and His words rather than get terrified over our secular superiors. The sinning and corrupt national leaders and their equally dishonest critics are given more importance as they pass by our places while the servants and workers of the Lord are insignificantly overlooked. What a terrible wickedness! When church members and leaders disregard the godly biblical counsel of God’s man it is also a sign of disrespect! There is sorrow in my heart to hear and to see people disrespect Christ and His biblical demands. Surely, when He comes he will judge them with the most just punishment. See Jn. 12:48 and 2 Thess. 1:3-10 for basis of these divine forthcoming acts.
Implications of Prophecy

Having seen that Gods’ prophecy through prophet Isaiah was fulfilled in the New Testament let us then contemplate upon its impact on our thoughts and acts. First, it shows God’s words are reliable and certain. What God has said came to pass. So what God has said in the New Testament will also come to pass. None of it could ever fail. It shows the need to deepen our resolve and usage of God’s word in all life areas. Second, we are forewarned that belittling God’s counsel as given by His servants is a form of rejection. Thus, we must seriously obey to pastoral guidance and counsel as this is designed for our safety and success in the way of the Lord. Rejection and neglect of such biblical pastoral direction is contrary to Hebrews 13:17 and leads to ruin and grief.

Third, ministers and missionaries ought to bear the sufferings of their members’ backsliding, rebellion to authority, and rejection of godly counsel.
Such patient and enduring attitude signifies Christ’s influence upon their lives. Since He has called us to serve Him at the local church then we must patiently bear the burdens of the ministry in which He has placed us. Fourth, earthly life and work is not always blissful until we reach the abode of God. Why is this? The world is not ours. We are strangers in it as Peter declared it in 1 Peter 2:11. The world is also raging against God. It is zealously in pursuit of betterment apart from God’s program and principles.

Fifth, as Christ’s servants, we must endure maltreatment from people around us. Jesus was not accepted by His own siblings until His resurrection. He was deserted by His own disciples at the crucial hour. He was spitted upon by soldiers. They even desecrated His holiness by gambling at the foot of His cross. They also grumbled over before Him. None would like to be with Him. If this is how He was treated as Lord and Savior then it is presumptuous to expect applause and high respect from this world. As His followers and servants we must expect, without desiring it, the rejection of our worldly counterparts who reject Him and His words. Amen!

Ang Propesiya Ukol sa Pagiging Puspos
ni Jesus ng Banal na Espiritu
Isaias 11:2

Sinabi ni propeta Isaias, “At ang Espiritu ng Panginoon ay sasa kaniya ang diwa ng karunungan at ng kaunawaan, ang diwa ng payo at ng katibayan, ang diwa ng kaalaman at ng takot sa Panginoon.” Ito ang propesiya ukol sa pagdating ng Mesiyas na pupuspusin at pangungunahan ng Banal na Espiritu sa Kaniyang ministeryo dito sa lupa. Isa sa mga sanhi ng matagumpay na ministeryo ni Jesus sa lupa ay ang kadahilanang ang buhay Niya’y puspos ng Banal na Espiritu. Ito rin ang kinakailangan ng bawat mananampalatayang nagnanais na maglingkod sa Panginoong Jesus.

Sinasaad ng ating teksto na ang Banal na Espiritu ay sasa-Kaniya. Ang ibig sabihin ng salitang “sasa-Kaniya” ay mahulog o manatili, na nagsasaad ng ideya ng pananahan. Dahil ang salita’y ginamit sa panghinaharap na panahon (“ay sasa Kaniya”), ito’y nagpapahiwatig ng panghinaharap na kaganapan. Ang panghalip na “Kaniya” ay tumutukoy sa personang binanggit sa simula ng talata “usbong sa puno ni Isai, at isang sanga mula sa kaniyang mga ugat.” Samakatuwid, ang Banal na Espiritu ay mananahan sa Mesiyas. At ang pananahang ito’y mayroong mga direktang ebidensiya na nasasaad rin sa teksto. Ito’y ang mga sumusunod: (1) diwa ng karunungan at ng kaunawaan; (2) diwa ng payo at ng katibayan; at (3) diwa ng kaalaman at ng takot sa Panginoon. Nakita ni propetang Isaias, anim na raang taon bago pa man ito mangyari, ang magiging ministeryo ng Mesiyas sa lupa. At ating tungkuling tuklasin sa pamamagitan ng masigasig na pag-aaral kung ang propesiyang ito’y tunay ngang natupad sa Bagong Tipan.

Hayaan ninyong bigyan ko kayo ng anim na pangyayari sa buhay at gawain ng Mesiyas na nagpapakitang Siya’y puspos at pinananahanan ng Banal na Espiritu. Ang listahang ito’y hindi lubos at ang pakay lamang ay hikayatin ang mga magbabasa na pag-aralan ng mas malalim ang nasabing paksa.

1. Mateo 1:18,20 - ang pagsilang ng Mesiyas ay ipinahayag rin ng isang anghel. Si Maria at Jose ay kapwang sinabihan ng anghel ng Diyos na dadalhin ni Maria sa kaniyang sinapupunan ang Anak ng Diyos sa pamamagitan ng kapangyarihan ng Banal na Espiritu. Kaya’t sa pabubuntis pa lamang ni Maria, si Kristo ay puspos na ng Banal na Espiritu. Samakatuwid, sa Kaniyang kapanganakan, Siya’y pinananahanan na ng Banal na Espiritu.

2. Lucas 2:52 – Ang Mesiyas ay sumailalim sa impluwensiya ng Banal na Espiritu sa Kaniyang kabataan. Tingnan ang sinasaad sa teksto “lumago sa … pagbibigay lugod sa Diyos…”. Ang kalagayang ito’y hindi matatamo kung wala ang kapangyarihan ng Banal na Espiritu. Si Jesus ay patuloy na pinanahanan ng Banal na Espiritu sa panahong yaon. Dinaanan Niya ang normal na proseso ng pagiging musmos hanggang kabataan na hindi natikman ang karnalidad ng kamunduhan dahil patuloy na namalagi ang Banal na Espiritu sa Kaniya.

3. Mateo 3:16 – kaagad na bumaba ang Banal na Espiritu sa Mesiyas pagkatapos na Siya’y bawtismuhan ni Juan Baptista. Bakit? Bilang pagsunod sa kalooban ng Diyos Ama na Siya’y bawtismuhan ni Juan Baptista sa ilog Jordan. Hindi Niya ito kailangan upang maligtas dahil Siya mismo ang Manliligtas. Hindi rin Niya kinakailangan ito upang makagawa ng mabuti dahil Siya ang nagbibigay kalakasan sa tao upang makagawa ng mabuti. Ginawa Niya ito sa ikalulugod ng Ama (v. 17). Ginawa rin Niya ito upang tayo, na Kaniyang mga tagasunod, ay magkaroon ng modelong masusundan.

4. Mateo 4:1 – ang Mesiyas ay pinangunahan ng Banal na Espiritu sa kasukalan upang tuksuhin ng demonyo. Ang panunuksong ito ng Demonyo’y kalooban rin ng Diyos. Ang Kaniyang tagumpay laban sa mga panunuksong ito’y patunay na Siya’y pinanahanan at pinatnubayan ng Banal na Espiritu. Isaalang-alang natin ang katotohanang maaari rin tayong akayin ng Diyos patungo sa mga kahirapan kung saan ang kalakasan ng Banal na Espiritu ay magagamit ng lubusan patungo sa tagumpay. Ikumpara ito sa Lucas 4:1 kung saan hayagang sinabi ng manunulat na ang Mesiya’y puspos ng Banal na Espiritu nang Siya’y tumungo sa kasukalan.

5. Lucas 4:14 – Ang Mesiyas, pagkaraan ng Kaniyang tagumpay sa kasukalan, ay kaagad na tumuloy sa lalawigan ng Galilea kung saan Siya’y tinawag ng Diyos Ama upang magministeryo sa mga tao. Tingnan kung paano Siya pumunta duon upang tupdin ang gawain ng Ama. Siya’y nasa ilalim ng kapangyarihan ng Espiritu. Ang gayong matagumpay na ministeryo ay masusukat sa mga naging resulta nito. Una, Siya ay nagturo sa sinagoga, dala ang kapangyarihan ng Espiritu, na kinamangha ng lahat ng tagapakinig. Pangalawa, Siya’y naging tanyag sa lalawigan ng Galilea (v.14b) at sa mga karatig na rehiyon (v.37). Hindi siya kumuha ng isang tagapalaganap upang gawin iyon para sa kaniya. Ang Diyos ang nagtaas at nagpalaganap ng Kaniyang pangalan sa buong rehiyon. Ito rin ang resulta ng buhay at ministeryo ni Juan Baptista (Mateo 3:5). Pangatlo, Siya’y niluwalhati (v.15) ng lahat ng nakapakinig sa Kaniya. Nuong panahong iyon, Siya’y kinikilala pa lang bilang lingkod ng Diyos at hindi pa bilang Mesiyas. Marami ang matututunan natin dito para sa ating buhay at ministeryo. Huwag nating alalahanin ang sinasabi ng mundo patungkol sa ating biblikal na ministeryo. Bagkus ay maging abala tayo sa pagtiyak na tayo’y puspos at pinapangunahan ng Banal na Espiritu sa ating gawain.

6. Lucas 4:18-19 – itinuro ng Mesiyas na patungkol sa Kaniya ang propesiyang nasusulat sa Isaias 61:1-2. Sa madaling salita, sinabi Niyang Siya ang tinutukoy ng propeta. Ipinapakita nito ang magiging buhay at ministeryo Niya. Muli, ang lahat ng mga ito ay natupad.

Nawa’y ang bawat isa sa inyo, mga minamahal na taga-Cornerstone, ay mapuspos ng banal na Espiritu pagkaraang kayo’y mapanahanan Niya. Mga minamahal na mambabasa, nasa inyo na ba ang Banal na Espiritu? Siya ba’y nananahan na sa inyo? Siya’y lubos na nagnanais na gawin ito kung Siya ay inyo lamang pahihintulutan—kung kayo’y magsisi sa inyong mga kasalanan at magtitiwala kay Kristong iligtas ang inyong kaluluwa sa apoy ng impiyerno. Alalahaning binayaran na ng Panginoong Jesus ang ating mga kasalanan sa krus ng kalbaryo. Mga Kristiyano, nawa’y magpatuloy kayo sa pag-aaral ng Salita ng Diyos upang makalakad ng naaayon sa kalooban ng Diyos at mapalawak ng Diyos ang lokal na iglesiang kung saa’y inilagay Niya kayo. Siya nawa!

Prophecy on Global Supremacy of Christ
Isaiah 2:3-5

As the world gets deeper into chaos, confusion, and conflict, people keep asking, “Who is in charge, the devil or the Lord?” Some are frustrated to consider Christian biblical propositions to address society’s evils. They often cite the continual deterioration in society which appears irreversible. Saved people are also influenced away by frustrated attitude towards God. They too began to consider the view of the unbelieving towards God and society.

So the whole world engages in continual search for solution to address the global troubles. They keep on searching for answers to climate change. They continue discussing how to defeat terrorism. Recently, they have been conversing to provide economic security to the global financial crisis.

In all these strivings to secure the globe from the impending problems, they are neglecting the word of God in the pursuit for answers. In such a case then, how can they resolve problems perceived only by fallible human beings? If humanity has learned from the past Great Depression of 1930s then why did it recur in this modern age? Many have specific answers to these troubles. First, this has recurred due to human fallibility. He really can not fully secure himself apart from God’s provisions. Second, without man’s recognition, the world is being prepared into the stage of the last days where the rule of the antichrist will take place. Third, after the reign of the antichrist, the King of Kings will reign supreme. This last event will transpire regardless of the world’s attitude towards Him. Whether they accept Him or not, He will come anyway and do His way.

For the saved, the current troubles the world faces are not unusual. We hear the great financial crisis surrounding the globe. So nations react by preparatory discussion on a global scale. We see terrible and massive loss of human lives through the criminal acts of religious Islamists. The nations involved spend resources to protect their respective boundaries against these perpetrators. They see the coming supremacy of their false religion via coercion and various threats. The Romanist flexed her religious muscles to get into the centerfold of global pursuits. She too does not want to be left behind. As always she wants to capitalize on the current world engagement to increase her gains. She seems yet unsatisfied with the existing wealth of her already wealthy city. So her solution is the pursuit of religious ecumenism. Our own president has joined the bandwagon of interfaith dialogue through the proposal of the political structure of the United Nations.

Even if these humanistic solutions prevail they still could not exact what the very rule Christ will have in the coming years. Christ will reign supreme in the spread of His word at His dominion. Then, He will exact the perfect rule upon the whole earth in His kingdom. This will be an incomparable reign. The strivings of nations and their rulers can not match this forthcoming perfect reign. Finally, as the world will fail to compel Israel on her knees, Christ will demonstrate His rule upon Israel and it shall be supreme. Only Christ could move her to go down on her knees before Him.

Our text is a prophecy of Isaiah on the forthcoming millennial kingdom. He discussed some of its aspects. Three of them are prophesied in this text. First, the supremacy of Christ’s words shall be felt globally (v.3). God’s words shall emanate from Zion, the city of God which is Jerusalem. Regardless of the Palestinian Liberation Organization’s denial of this city as belonging to the nation of Israel, this city shall be given to the people of Israel. God’s words shall unceasingly flow from this city. Christ will teach His words to His people. These include the saints of all ages including the people of Israel. And the saints shall live by these words of God. Moving back to verse 2, one could see that all nations will flock to the city of God- Zion. They will do this to hear and learn God’s words.

In the millennial reign of Christ, His words shall be perfectly spread throughout the globe. The center of its teaching and expansion is Jerusalem. There will be no other city where this great propagation of God’s words shall be declared. For us today who zealously promote God’s words, yet experience harassment from socialist states and left-leaning bureaucrats in the garb of democratic agencies, we can rejoice in this forthcoming victory. We don’t have to enter socialist bureaucracy to defeat suppression for we can not expect massive expansion of God’s word in this dispensation prior to the millennial reign. The smell of victory in the prophetic manner is very exciting. We are privileged in having a part in this victory. This is taught in Rev. 5:10. We are certain of this rejoicing while the unsaved is sure of defeat. For now the center of God’s words propagation is the local church and not any para-church institution. Christ has established this institution for this purpose. Let us keep on teaching, preaching, and publishing God’s words in and through the local church. We are not to be weakened by the magnitude of the propagation task, for God does not expect us to reach the world if it is beyond the God given available resources. We need to be content with His chosen institutional method of promoting God’s words.

Second, the supremacy of Christ’s authority shall be seen globally (v. 4). Currently, the world is not under the reign of Christ or under the words of Christ. The nations’ leaders and inhabitants keep rejecting His word and its impact upon various human pursuits. Almost all sectors of human pursuits have been decaying due to the heavy dominance of humanistic thought. God’s words are swept under its former dominance. However, when Christ reigns in His time all shall be subjected to His power. None could refuse submission. No nation could reject His embargo neither could neutralize His imposition of punishment. When He corrects an erring nation and ruler or people no one could question His judgment. There is no appeal to higher court. There is no charge of human rights violation. Christ’s judgment shall be swift and His penal system shall be powerfully perfect.

Ironically, the United Nations uses the phrase in this verse “…and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks…” to provide seeming Biblicist basis for their mandate. Examining however, the UN goals, processes, and programs, will show the opposite. It is planning and acting in an unscriptural manner. They deliberately forgot that such goal can only be achieved if Christ is the one reigning and not any human fallible leader. Thus, this is an example of deception, where an organization uses biblical propaganda to enlist the biblical followers into joining a seeming biblical institution! The reality is those who join will be terribly deceived.

The reign of Christ is supreme in that it will have no wars unlike what the world has faced many of all sorts, i.e., economic, religious, cultural, and political invasion. In the reign of Christ funds allocated for military defense shall be used for economic promotion and welfare of the inhabitants. No nation will go bankrupt due to overspending on military adventures. Resources allocated for economic intelligence and piracy will be realigned for greater causes. This is the best stewardship of God given resources!

In this era of the local church, we are taught to submit to Christ’s headship through the human leadership of the church pastor. God’s words shall be our rule as translated into domestic rules for implementation. We must submit to such biblical leadership entrusted to the church pastor who is tasked to rule the local church (1 Tim. 3:4-5; 1 Thess. 5:12,14; and Heb. 13:7,17). This practice is a demonstration of our belief and submission to the biblical norm. When the world rejects this practice it simply shows its repugnance to and replacement of God’s words with their best fallible alternatives. We are never to allow the supremacy of Christ over the local church to be clouded by any human replacement.

As saved people we must be desirous for the coming of Christ’s reign. We must long for this perfect system as we encounter the frailty of human system. The weaknesses of Christian rulers at our local churches should all the more move us to see the forthcoming reign of Christ.

Third, the supremacy of Christ’s people shall be demonstrated in this world (v.5). The prophet invites the people of Israel, via prophecy, to join him in the life of walking before the Lord. At the time of prophecy Israel was not pleasing before the Lord. She was not right in the Lord. The darkness of idolatry and its consequences were dominant in Israel. However, in the millennial period, she will be different. Israel will not only be supreme in politics and in other areas of human life. But she will be spiritual before the Lord. She will walk right before Him. The light of the Lord will be her guide in her conduct.

Presently, Israel is not walking in the Lord. She is in national rejection of the Lord’s authority over her. She even opposes God’s words’ influence upon her. She does not recognize the Lord Jesus Christ as the Messiah and the coming King of Kings, the Liberator of Israel from the power of antichrist. But there will be a change, as prophet Ezekiel prophesied. God is able to revive even dead bones, a picture of the spiritual condition of Israel. Her rejection will culminate at the antichrist’s deception over her as she desires national security in Palestine. When the antichrist succeeds to deceive her, the nations will think that they have triumphed. But only for a while, as the King of Kings will come to liberate her from such deception. Then Israel will be exalted into global prominence as God’s people. She will be shown to the world as supreme due to Christ’s power.

Consider that in this period, you and me as saved people are part also of Christ’s supreme reign on earth with His beloved nation Israel. This truth must be shown in the affairs of the local church. What a great privilege to share in the reign of the Lord Jesus Christ with His chosen people! The world may take all the power so long as I have the certainty of Christ’s reign both in spirit and on earth! The world may rob our cherished hard earned resources so long as we are certain of Christ’s rewards both in His judgment seat and at His earthly kingdom rule. The world may strip the local church of her earthly belongings so long as she is sure of Christ’s eternal garb. As we wait for the establishment of the Son of God’s millennial kingdom we must demonstrate His supremacy over the local church in every pursuit. Amen!