The Messiahs Zeal

By David Harrell Bible Text: Preached on: John 2:12-25 Sunday, Novem er 1!, 2"1#

Calvary Bible Church 52$5 Hi%h&ay $1-' Joel(on, TN #!")" Website: Online Sermons: &&&*+ +(n*or% &&&*sermonaudio*+om,!$-$15-

.( is &i(h u(mos( /oy (ha( . s(and e0ore you a%ain on ehal0 o0 our %lorious 1od (o minis(er his &ord (o you* 2ill you (a3e your Bi les and (urn (o (he %os4el o0 John 2* 2e 0ind ourselves (his mornin% in verses 12-25* .ve en(i(led my dis+ourse (o you 5The Messiahs Zeal*6 7e( me read (his 4assa%e (o you* 512 '0(er (his He &en( do&n (o 8a4ernaum, He and His mo(her and His ro(hers and His dis+i4les9 and (hey s(ayed (here a 0e& days* 1# The :assover o0 (he Je&s &as near, and Jesus &en( u4 (o Jerusalem* 1$ 'nd He 0ound in (he (em4le (hose &ho &ere sellin% o;en and shee4 and doves, and (he money +han%ers sea(ed a( (heir (a les* 15 'nd He made a s+our%e o0 +ords, and drove (hem all ou( o0 (he (em4le, &i(h (he shee4 and (he o;en9 and He 4oured ou( (he +oins o0 (he money +han%ers and over(urned (heir (a les9 1- and (o (hose &ho &ere sellin% (he doves He said, <Ta3e (hese (hin%s a&ay9 s(o4 ma3in% My =a(her>s house o0 mer+handise* 1! His dis+i4les remem ered (ha( i( &as &ri((en, <Zeal 0or (hy house &ill +onsume me* 1) The Je&s (hen said (o Him, <2ha( si%n do ?ou sho& us seein% (ha( you do (hese (hin%s@ 1A Jesus ans&ered (hem, <Des(roy (his (em4le, and in (hree days . &ill raise i( u4* 2" The Je&s (hen said, <.( (oo3 0or(y-si; years (o uild (his (em4le, and &ill ?ou raise i( u4 in (hree days@ 21 Bu( He &as s4ea3in% o0 (he (em4le o0 His ody* 22 So &hen He &as raised 0rom (he dead, His dis+i4les remem ered (ha( He said (his9 and (hey elieved (he S+ri4(ure and (he &ord &hi+h Jesus had s4o3en* 2# No& &hen He &as in Jerusalem a( (he :assover, durin% (he 0eas(, many elieved in His name, eholdin% His si%ns &hi+h He &as doin%* 2$ Bu( Jesus, on His 4ar(, &as no( en(rus(in% Himsel0 (o (hem, 0or He 3ne& all men, 25 and e+ause He did no( need anyone (o ear &i(ness +on+ernin% man, 0or He Himsel0 3ne& &ha( &as in man*6 May 1od add his lessin% (o (he readin% o0 his &ord* This is a 0as+ina(in% 4assa%e o0 S+ri4(ure, one (ha( has 4ro0ound im4li+a(ions &i(h res4e+( (o our 7ords Se+ond 8omin%* ?ou &ill re+all (ha( Johns %os4el 4or(rays (he 7ord Jesus 8hris( as (he Son o0 1od, (ha( is (he em4hasis, and (his mornin% (his as4e+( o0 his 4or(rayal &ill hel4 us see, . elieve, (hree (hin%s: 1* &e are %oin% (o see his Beal 0or

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holiness9 2* &e are %oin% (o see his 4o&er over dea(h9 and 0inally, his 3no&led%e o0 mens hear(s* Jesus 4or(rayal o0 Jesus as (he son o0 1od +anno( e unders(ood a4ar( 0rom (he 4ro+lama(ion o0 (he 3in% and his 3in%dom ein% o00ered ori%inally (o .srael alone* .(s im4or(an( 0or you (o unders(and (his* ?ou &ill re+all in Ma((he& 15:2$, Jesus said, 5. &as sen( only (o (he los( shee4 o0 (he house o0 .srael*6 'lso, in (he ori%inal mission o0 (he 12 a4os(les, (hey &ere e;4ressly 0or idden y (he 7ord (o %o (o (he 1en(iles or (o (he Samari(ans u( (o %o only, a++ordin% (o Ma((he& 1":5, (o (he los( shee4 o0 (he house o0 .srael* 7a(er, even (he s+o4e o0 (he minis(ry o0 (he !" (ha( Jesus sen( ou(, &as limi(ed (o .srael* To .srael alone elon%ed (he +ovenan(al ri%h(s o0 (he Davidi+ Cin%dom, so John (he Ba4(is(, you &ill re+all, +ame 4rea+hin% in (he &ilderness o0 Judea, sayin%, a++ordin% (o Ma((he& #, e%innin% in verse 2, 5De4en(, 0or (he 3in%dom o0 heaven is a( hand* =or (his is (he one re0erred (o y .saiah (he 4ro4he( &hen he said, <The voi+e o0 (he one +ryin% in (he &ilderness, 5Ma3e ready (he &ay o0 (he 7ord, ma3e his 4a(hs s(rai%h(*6 ?ou see, (his s4ea3s o0 (he Eld Tes(amen( ear(hly 3in%dom &hi+h &as a 4ar( o0 (he ' rahami+ and (he Davidi+ and (he Ne& 8ovenan( 4romises* Bu( you mus( unders(and (ha( (he ini(ial o00erin% o0 (he 3in%dom &as +ondi(ioned u4on .sraels re4en(an+e and 0ai(h in (heir 3in%* .n Mar3 1:15, Jesus says, 5The (ime is 0ul0illed and (he 3in%dom o0 1od is a( hand* De4en( and elieve in (he %os4el*6 The im4era(ives o0 (he %os4el o0 (he 3in%dom ma3es i( very +lear (ha( (he +hosen na(ion mus( ma3e a de+ision* 's &e read (he %os4el narra(ives, &e 0ind (he &ords 5re4en(, elieve, re+eive, +on0ess and 0ollo&*6 This &as (he ur%en( messa%e o0 Jesus and his messen%ers* Jesus &as o00erin% himsel0 (o .srael as (he 8hris(, (he Messiah o0 Eld Tes(amen( 4ro4he+y* .0 you &ill a++e4(, . &ill less you and (he 3in%dom &ould e es(a lished u4on ear(h and (here &ould e na(ional lessin%s u( i0 you re/e+(, (here &ill e /ud%men( and (he 3in%dom &ould e 4os(4oned and (here &ould e na(ional 4unishmen(* 'nd you 3no& (ha( (hey re/e+(ed and &e +on(inue (o see (he ou(+ome* Fn0or(una(ely, (hey re/e+(ed (heir Messiah and in John 1 &e read (ha( 5he +ame (o his o&n and (hose &ho &ere his o&n did no( re+eive him*6 No&, i(s im4or(an( 0or you (o unders(and as &ell, (ha( Jesus 3ne& (ha( (his &ould e (heir res4onse &hi+h led (o his announ+emen( o0 (he uildin% o0 a ne& (hin%, his +hur+h, (ha( he &ould uild and less, a ody o0 elievers, o(h Je&s as &ell as 1en(iles &hi+h &ould e inves(ed &i(h s4e+ial au(hori(y in (he 0u(ure 3in%dom (ha( he &ould es(a lish u4on (he ear(h* Bu( (he Messiah Cin% made i( very +lear (ha( (his es(a lishmen( o0 (he 3in%dom &ould e +onne+(ed &i(h (he Se+ond 8omin% o0 (he Cin% 0or &hi+h &e a&ai(* .(s im4or(an( also 0or you (o unders(and (ha( (he Je&ish re/e+(ion o0 (heir Messiah did no( nulli0y (he unila(eral, un+ondi(ional, irreversi le +ovenan(s (ha( 1od made &i(h ' raham and &i(h David +on+ernin% (he es(a lishmen( o0 (he ear(hly 3in%dom* .( only 4os(4oned i(* The +us(odianshi4 o0 divine (ru(h &ould e (a3en 0rom (he Je&s (ha( re/e+(ed i( and (rans0erred (o (he 1en(ile +hur+h (em4orarily* .n Ma((he& 21:$#, 5There0ore . say (o you,6 Jesus says, 5(he 3in%dom o0 1od &ill e (a3en a&ay 0rom you and e %iven (o a na(ion 4rodu+in% (he 0rui( o0 i(*6 .n 7u3e 2":1-, (his ma3es i( very +lear, 5The Je&s,6 he says, 5&ho 3illed (he 4ro4he(s and 3illed (he Son,6 re0errin% (o Jesus, 5&ill lose (he

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vineyard,6 (he vineyard ein% (he s4here o0 1ods savin% 4ur4oses and (hen (he 4rivile%e and (he res4onsi ili(y o0 dissemina(in% (ha( (ru(h &ould e %iven, (here0ore, (o (he 1en(ile +hur+h* So, 0or (his reason, (he %os4el &as even(ually (a3en (o (he 1en(iles* The 3eys o0 (he 3in%dom &ere (a3en 0rom (he Je&s, %iven (o a ne& 4eo4le, %iven (o a ne& se( o0 leaders, namely: (he a4os(les, (he Ne& Tes(amen( 4ro4he(s, evan%elis(s, (ea+hin% she4herds* These all e+ame (he ne& vine %ro&ers, you mi%h( say* So, (he Je&s &ere se( aside and a ne& %uardianshi4 &as es(a lished in (he 1en(ile +hur+h* Bu( you mus( remem er (ha( (his (rans0er is no( 4ermanen(* Jesus said in 7u3e 21:2$, 5Jerusalem &ill e (ram4led under0oo( y (he 1en(iles un(il (he (imes o0 (he 1en(iles e 0ul0illed*6 The '4os(le :aul said (he same in Domans 11:25 (ha( 5a 4ar(ial hardenin% has ha44ened (o .srael un(il (he 0ullness o0 (he 1en(iles has +ome in and (hus all .srael &ill e saved /us( as i( is &ri((en* The Deliverer &ill +ome 0rom Zion, he &ill remove un%odliness 0rom Ja+o and (his is my +ovenan( &i(h (hem &hen . (a3e a&ay (heir sins*6 So, my 0riends, &e mus( e very +are0ul no( (o 4ermanen(ly re4la+e .srael &i(h (he +hur+h and say (ha( 1od is 0inished &i(h .srael* 2e mus( e +are0ul no( (o say (ha( (he 4romised ear(hly 3in%dom has een 4ermanen(ly e;+han%ed 0or some s4iri(ual 3in%dom (ha( &ere livin% in no&* There is no( one verse, no( one verse in all o0 S+ri4(ure (ha( &ould su%%es( (ha( (he 4romises (o .srael are 4ermanen(ly +an+eled and (rans0erred (o (he +hur+h* No( one 4assa%e (ells us (ha( (he 0u(ure rei%n o0 8hris( on (he ear(h in a %lorious 3in%dom (ha( &as 4romised all (hrou%hou( (he Eld and even (he Ne& Tes(amen(, is +an+eled and no& re4la+ed y some mere s4iri(ual 3in%dom* . &ould hum ly su mi( (ha( . elieve a++ordin% (o S+ri4(ure, (ha( (ha( is a %rievous error* No&, as &e +ome a+3 (o (he (e;( in li%h( o0 (ha( a+3%round, here in John 2 in verse 1# and 0ollo&in%, &e see our 7ord Jesus 8hris( ma3e (he 0irs( %rea( 4u li+ asser(ion o0 his Messiani+ ri%h(s* 'nd ho& 0i((in% (his &as (o do so a( :assover* ?ou &ill re+all (ha( he has /us( le0( (he &eddin% 0eas( a( 8ana &here he (urned &a(er in(o &ine, &here you &ill re+all, (he &ine sym oliBed (he lood o0 8hris(* 'll o0 (ha( sym oliBed Jesus as (he Messiani+ ride%room &ho alone +ould su44ly (he &ine needed 0or (ha( Messiani+ anGue(, so (o s4ea3, (ha( he li3ened (o (he 3in%dom* So, (he &ine also e+ame o(h a sym ol o0 (he redeemin% and +leansin% 4o&er o0 (he lood o0 8hris( u( also a me(a4hor used (o des+ri e (he Ne& 8ovenan( (ha( &ould re4la+e (he Eld* Bu( no&, (hin3 a ou( i(, ho& 0i((in% i( is (ha( he asser( his Messiani+ ri%h(s a( :assover* 2hy@ Be+ause, a++ordin% (o (he la&, a( :assover every Je&ish 0amily had (o (horou%hly rid (heir homes o0 leaven e+ause leaven sym oliBed (he de0ilemen( o0 sin and ho& sin +an in0luen+e our lives* 2e all 3no& (ha( (ha(s &ha( leaven does* 'nd (his &ould, un0or(una(ely, +ause (hem (o e +eremonially un+lean* 2ell, (he same no& mus( e done in (he =a(hers house* This &as Jesus =a(hers house* This &as (he (em4le* The (em4le &as (he e4i+en(er o0 .sraels +eremonial 4uri(y, (he very 4la+e &here Jehovah &ould +ome and d&ell in (heir mids(* Bu( (here &as a i% 4ro lem: (he (em4le &as 0illed &i(h leaven, shall &e say* 5This is my =a(hers house,6 &e 3no& (ha(, Jesus said (ha(, u( no& i( needs (o e +leansed*

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?ou &ill re+all in 1 8orin(hians 5, e%innin% in verse -, (he '4os(le :aul says, 5Do you no( 3no& (ha( a li((le leaven leavens,6 &ha(@ 5The &hole lum4*6 .( /us( (a3es a li((le i(* .(s /us( li3e i0 youve %o( a li((le i( o0 +an+er, &ha(s %oin% (o ha44en@ Tha(s &hy even i0 youve %o( a li((le i( o0 i(, you &an( (o %e( rid o0 i(, i(s (he same idea* He &en( on (o say, 58lean ou( (he old leaven (ha( you may e a ne& lum4 /us( as you are in 0a+(, unleavened* =or 8hris( our :assover also has een sa+ri0i+ed* There0ore le( us +ele ra(e (he 0eas(, no( &i(h old leaven, nor &i(h (he leaven o0 mali+e and &i+3edness, u( &i(h (he unleavened read o0 sin+eri(y and (ru(h*6 Then, i(s in(eres(in%, he %oes on (o des+ri e some o0 (he 4eo4le (ha( &ould e indi+a(ive o0 leaven, 4eo4le (ha( &e should no( asso+ia(e &i(h and in verse 1", (hese 4eo4le in+lude: 5(hose &ho are immoral, +ove(ous, s&indlers, and idola(ers*6 ?e(, (hin3 a ou( i(: (he (em4le no& is 0illed &i(h (hese 3ind o0 4eo4le* Do you unders(and &hy (his had (o ha44en a( :assover@ So, &e read in verse 12, 5'0(er (his He &en( do&n (o 8a4ernaum, He and His mo(her and His ro(hers and His dis+i4les9 and (hey s(ayed (here a 0e& days*6 Then &e read, 5The :assover o0 (he Je&s &as near, and Jesus &en( u4 (o Jerusalem* 'nd He 0ound in (he (em4le (hose &ho &ere sellin% o;en and shee4 and doves, and (he money +han%ers sea(ed a( (heir (a les*6 No&, le(s %e( a 4i+(ure o0 (his: a( :assover (here &ould e (ens o0 (housands o0 &orshi4ers 0rom all over (he Doman &orld (ha( &ould +ome in(o Jerusalem, in(o (he (em4le, and (hey &ould &an( (o 4ur+hase an animal 0or (heir sa+ri0i+e* Mos( o0 (his (oo3 4la+e in (he ou(er +our( o0 (he (em4le &hi+h, y (he &ay, &ould e a ou( 1$ a+res i0 you &an( (o %e( a sense o0 (ha(* This &as se4ara(ed 0rom (he inner +our( o0 (he (em4le and (here &as a ou( a +hes( hi%h &all (ha( &ould have een (here and (here &ere si%ns on (ha( &all (ha( &ould say (ha( i0 youre a 1en(ile, i0 you %o eyond (his 4oin(, youre %oin% (o e 3illed* The ou(er ed%e o0 (his +our( &as %ra+ed y ma%ni0i+en( mar le +olonnades (ha( in+luded really 0our ro&s o0 4illars* There &as a i% +edar roo0 (ha( (hey had over i( (o %ive shade (o all o0 (he mer+han(s and (he money +han%ers do&n elo&* These money +han%ers &ere needed (o e;+han%e (he +oina%e o0 (he 4eo4le (ha( rou%h( (heir money 0rom various 4la+es, even (he Domans, e+ause i0 any o0 (he money had (he ima%e o0 a man, (ha( &ould de0ile (he (em4le and so 0or(h* So, you had (o e;+han%e your money u( i( +os( a li((le i( (o do (ha(* .n 0a+(, i( +os( a &hole lo( (o do (ha(* There &as usury %oin% on* Fnder (he +orru4( rule o0 (he 8hie0 :ries(, (he (em4le &as no lon%er (he %lorious sym ol o0 1ods 4resen+e9 i( &as no& a sym ol o0 mans de4ravi(y* .( &as a den o0 (hieves* .( &as a 4aradise 0or +on ar(is(s &ho &ere no(orious 0or s&indlin% (he 4oor* 2orse ye(, ima%ine i0 you &ere (here: i0 you 3no& any(hin% a ou( shee4, i0 you 3no& any(hin% a ou( +a((le, (hey s(in3 and (hey ma3e a lo( o0 noise* Then you have (he ois(erous vendors +rea(in% an a(mos4here o0 +haos, no( an a(mos4here o0 &orshi4* So, su+h dese+ra(ion o0 his =a(hers house enra%ed (he holy Messiah &i(h a ri%h(eous indi%na(ion and so: 1* &e see his Beal 0or holiness* No(i+e in verse 15, 5'nd He made a s+our%e o0 +ords, and drove (hem all ou( o0 (he (em4le, &i(h (he shee4 and (he o;en9 and He 4oured ou( (he +oins o0 (he money +han%ers and over(urned (heir (a les9 and (o (hose &ho &ere sellin% (he doves He said, <Ta3e (hese (hin%s a&ay9 s(o4 ma3in% My =a(her>s

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house a 4la+e o0 mer+handise*6 No&, my 0riends, 4lease no(e: here &e have a +lear a00irma(ion o0 his dei(y* He &as le((in% (hem 3no& (ha( he &as (he Son o0 1od* '%ain, (his is Johns 4ur4ose in his %os4el* So &ha( &e have here is (he Messiah Cin% o0 .srael +omin% (o 4ur%e his =a(hers house o0 sin* Bu( &e see some(hin% else here: here &e see (he Son o0 Man e;er+isin% his divine au(hori(y, an au(hori(y (ha( &as so 4o&er0ul and so su4erna(ural, so indes+ri a ly holy (ha( no one o00ers any resis(an+e* Don( you 0ind (ha( in(eres(in%@ There &ere (em4le %uards all around and overloo3in% (he &hole (hin% 0rom =or( 'n(onia, &ere all (he Doman %arrison (ha( &ere (here* They &ere &a(+hin% all o0 (his* :i+(ure (he s+ene: all o0 a sudden, some %uy +omes in and hes +hasin% all o0 (he animals and all o0 (he money +han%ers, all o0 (he 4eo4le a&ay, (urnin% over every(hin%, +oins 0lyin% every&here* My 0riends, one o0 (he (hin%s (ha( . &an( you (o ear in mind is (oo o0(en, . elieve, Jesus is +hara+(eriBed as some e00emina(e 4usillanimous %irly-man, (he 3ind (ha( %lided alon% in his ro e and he &ould ma3e %es(ures a( 4eo4le li3e (he 4o4e* My 0riends, (his is no( (he Jesus o0 (he Bi le* The Jesus o0 (he Bi le &as a mans man* He &as (he 4er0e+( s4e+imen o0 an un0allen man9 (he only one sin+e un0allen 'dam* =ur(hermore, (his is 1od in+arna(e* Thin3 a ou( i(: (his is (he un+rea(ed, sel0-e;is(en( 8rea(or and Sus(ainer o0 (he universe* Tha(s &ha( John has em4hasiBed in (he 0irs( +ha4(er* Tha(s &hos runnin% all (hese 4eo4le ou(* .n 0a+(, la(er on, you &ill re+all, &hen a44ro;ima(ely 1,""" soldiers +ome (o arres( him in (he %arden, (hey as3, 52here is Jesus o0 NaBare(h@6 'nd he says, 5. am he,6 and &ha( ha44ens@ Jus( (he sound o0 his voi+e (hro&s (hem all (o (he %round* So, .m sure his 4o&er someho& 4reven(ed anyone 0rom +omin% and s(o44in% him 0rom doin% &ha( he did* Eh dear 8hris(ian, (his is (he in+arna(e Cin% o0 3in%s and 7ord o0 lords* 'nd &e +anno( even ima%ine (he ma/es(y (ha( &ill e revealed &hen he +omes in all o0 his %lory* .n 0a+(, his unveiled dei(y a( his Se+ond 8omin% is 4re+isely &ha( is 4re0i%ured in (his a++oun(* There are several 4assa%es (ha( a((es( (o (ha(* =or e;am4le, Mala+his 4ro4he+y in Mala+hi #, e%innin% in verse 1, &e read (his, 5Behold, . am %oin% (o send My messen%er, and he &ill +lear (he &ay e0ore Me* 'nd (he 7ord, &hom you see3, &ill suddenly +ome (o His (em4le9 and (he messen%er o0 (he +ovenan(, in &hom you deli%h(, ehold, He is +omin%, says (he 7EDD o0 hos(s* Bu( &ho +an endure (he day o0 His +omin%@ 'nd &ho +an s(and &hen He a44ears@ =or He is li3e a re0iner>s 0ire and li3e 0ullers> soa4* He &ill si( as a smel(er and 4uri0ier o0 silver, and He &ill 4uri0y (he sons o0 7evi and re0ine (hem li3e %old and silver, so (ha( (hey may 4resen( (o (he 7EDD o00erin%s in ri%h(eousness* Then (he o00erin% o0 Judah and Jerusalem &ill e 4leasin% (o (he 7EDD*6 So, e+ause o0 his Beal 0or holiness, Jesus +leanses his =a(hers house a( :assover* .(s im4or(an( 0or you (o no(e (ha( he is %oin% (o do (his a%ain a( (he +lose o0 his minis(ry* No&, some (hin3 (ha( (his a++oun( here is a+(ually (he la((er +leansin%, (ha( (here &as only one +leansin%* There are many reasons &hy . 0ind (ha( 4osi(ion (o e un+onvin+in%* .m no( %oin% (o (a3e (ime (o %o in(o (hem u( . &ill men(ion one and (ha( is (ha( (he se+ond +leansin% re+orded in (he syno4(i+ %os4els o++urs durin% (he :assion 2ee3 o0 8hris(s

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minis(ry, no( (he onse( o0 his 4u li+ minis(ry &here (he 7ord here, . elieve, is revealed more as (he Messiani+ :ro4he( as &ell as Cin%* The se+ond +leansin% a( (he +lose o0 his minis(ry, i(s +learly hes revealin% his au(hori(y as (he Messiani+ Cin%* =or e;am4le, you may re+all (ha( (he se+ond +leansin% is %oin% (o e a 4ro4he(i+ 0ul0illmen( o0 Daniels 4ro4he+y in Daniel A* .n 0a+(, in verse 25, &e read a ou( a day (ha( is %oin% (o ha44en (ha( is %oin% (o +ome, a day &here (he :rin+e &ould arrive* .n (ha( 4assa%e &e read, 5.( &ill e 0rom (he issuin% o0 (he de+ree (o res(ore and re uild Jerusalem un(il Messiah (he :rin+e (here &ill e seven &ee3s and si;(y-(&o &ee3s*6 So, a very +lear and 4re+ise 4ro4he+y* Daniel 4redi+(ed (ha( (here &ould e -A &ee3s o0 4ro4he(i+ years o0 #-" days ea+h* By (he &ay, i0 you do (he ma(h, (ha(s 1!#,))" days* 'nd (hen on (ha( 0inal day, our 7ord &ould, as (he 4ro4he( says, ride in(o Jerusalem and 4resen( himsel0 (o .srael as (heir Messiani+ Cin%* 2ell, %uess &ha( ha44ened@ H;a+(ly on (ha( day as 4redi+(ed, &e have (he Trium4hal Hn(ry o0 8hris( and &ha( &as his ini(ial a+( &hen he +ame in(o Jerusalem@ To on+e more asser( his 7ordshi4 over (he (em4le* Tha(s his se+ond +leansin%* No&, &ill you also no(i+e (ha( 0rom (he very onse( o0 Jesus 4u li+ minis(ry his messa%e o0 (he 3in%dom &as me( &i(h o44osi(ion as he asser(ed his Messiani+ ri%h(s* He had no re%ard 0or di4loma+y* He had no re%ard 0or ein% 4oli(i+ally +orre+( or ma3in% sure every ody li3ed him so he +ould a((ra+( a +ro&d* .(s in(eres(in% (ha( he 4u li+ly viola(ed (he le%alis(i+ (radi(ions o0 (he Je&s &hi+h in+luded, 0or e;am4le, (he healin% o0 (he im4o(en( man on (he Sa a(h* 2ell read a ou( (ha( in John 5* ?e( he de0ended even (ha( a+( o0 +om4assion y sayin% in verse 1! o0 John 5, 5My =a(her is &or3in% un(il no& and . mysel0 am &or3in%*6 So, (he 4oin( is: (he only (hin% (ha( ma((ered (o our 4re+ious 7ord &as doin% (he &ill o0 his =a(her and (his a solu(ely in0uria(ed (he Je&s &ho sou%h( (o 3ill him* 2ould (ha( &ed e so old* He +hara+(eriBed (he rulin% eli(e o0 .srael as &e read in (he %os4els, y +allin% (hem hy4o+ri(es, &i+3ed and adul(erous %enera(ion, he said (he 4u li+ans (he harlo(s &ill en(er (he 3in%dom e0ore (hem, (hey &ere +hildren o0 hell, lind %uides &ho s(rain a( %na(s and s&allo& +amels, (hey are 0ull o0 e;(or(ion and e;+ess, &hi(e &ashed (om s 0illed &i(h dead mens ones, a %enera(ion o0 vi4ers* He /us( laid (ha( ou(, didn( he@ Iery +learly* ?ou see, he &as Bealous 0or holiness and (ha( 3ind o0 Beal reGuires a 4ro+lama(ion o0 (he (ru(h +ome &ha( may* So, here in (his 0irs( +leansin%, Jesus, (he Messiah Cin%, 4resen(s himsel0 in (he role o0 a 4ro4he( (o (he (em4le au(hori(ies and (hey re+o%niBed (his as &e &ill see* .(s in(eres(in%, Jesus dis+i4les mus( have een dum 0ounded &i(h all o0 (his* 8an( you ima%ine (heyre loo3in% around (hin3in%, 5My %oodness, &ha( is %oin% on@6 Bu( (hey &ere also e;hilara(ed e+ause &e see in verse 1!, John says, 5His dis+i4les remem ered (ha( i( &as &ri((en,6 y (he &ay, le( me s(o4 here* Demem er John &as one o0 (hem &a(+hin% all o0 (his and so hes asi+ally sayin% in so many &ords, 57e( me (ell you &ha( all o0 a sudden &e all said (o ea+h o(her*6 His dis+i4les remem ered &ha( &as &ri((en, 5Zeal 0or (hy house &ill +onsume me,6 :salm -A:A, &hi+h, y (he &ay, is a Messiani+ :salm o0 David and (he se+ond hal0 o0 (ha( verse, y (he &ay, reads, 5The re4roa+hes o0 (hose &ho re4roa+h you have 0allen on me*6

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=irs( &e see his Beal 0or holiness, se+ondly, his 4o&er over dea(h* No&, (hin3 a ou( &ha(s %oin% on* The (em4le au(hori(ies are &onderin%, you 3no&, &ho is (his %uy@ 'nd (hey &ould have een re4resen(a(ives o0 (he Sanhedrin &ho &ere ul(ima(ely in +har%e and no& (heyre %oin% (o +on0ron( Jesus and +hallen%e his au(hori(y (o a+( in su+h a &ay* Bu( (hey mus( have sus4e+(ed (ha( he &as some 3ind o0 a 4ro4he( and &e see (his y &ha( (hey say here in verse 1)* There &e read, 5The Je&s (here0ore ans&ered and said (o him, <2ha( si%n do you sho& (o us seein% (ha( you do (hese (hin%s@6 By (he &ay, (hey &ould no( have as3ed (his i0 (hey (hou%h( (ha( he &as some luna(i+ (ha( &as o00 o0 his medi+a(ion, you 3no&@ They had (o (hin3, 5This %uy mi%h( e a 4ro4he(*6 Bu( (hin3 o0 (he de4ravi(y in (heir Gues(ion: ra(her (han a+3no&led%in% (he (ru(h, ra(her (han e;aminin% (heir hear(s and +on0essin% (he &i+3edness (ha( had de0iled (he (em4le, (hey +hallen%ed Jesus (o de0end his au(hori(y* Beloved, you don( +hallen%e Jesus* ?ou o ey him* Ierse 1A, 3no&in% (heir evil hear(s, 5Jesus ans&ered (hem, <Des(roy (his (em4le, and in (hree days . &ill raise i( u4*6 This eni%ma(i+ mys(erious res4onse sho+3ed (he Je&s* 2e even 3no& (ha( i( sho+3ed his dis+i4les as &ere %oin% (o learn la(er* 8an( you ima%ine no&, (heres a &hole +ro&d o0 4eo4le and (heyre eavesdro44in%, (heyre lis(enin% (o &ha(s %oin% on and (hey heard &ha( Jesus said* The reason &e 3no& (ha( is (ha( la(er on (hey &ould re4ea( Jesus &ords &hen (hey mo+3ed him han%in% on (he +ross* Be+ause o0 (he hardness o0 (heir hear(s, Jesus res4onded (o (heir +hallen%e in a &ay (ha( (hey +ould no( unders(and* He &ould o0(en do (his (o /udi+ially seal un elievers in (heir un elie0* '++ordin% (o verse 21, &e read (ha( he &as s4ea3in% o0 (he (em4le o0 his ody* He &as no( s4ea3in% o0 (ha( ma%ni0i+en( (em4le (ha( Herod e%an uildin% some $- years earlier a( around 2" B8* Ierse 2", 5The Je&s (hen said, <.( (oo3 0or(y-si; years (o uild (his (em4le, and &ill ?ou raise i( u4 in (hree days@6 Beloved, isn( i( sad (o see (he +onseGuen+es o0 arro%an+e@ They +anno( unders(and s4iri(ual (hin%s* 2ha( a di00eren( ou(+ome i( &ould have een i0 (hey &ould have hum led (hemselves e0ore (heir Messiah and e%%ed 0or 0or%iveness* Then, 4erha4s, he &ould have said (o (hem, 5?ou 3no&, . have /us( +ome 0rom 8ana &here . (urned &a(er in(o &ine sym oliBin% (he lessin% (ha( . &ill lavish u4on you as (he resul( o0 (he Ne& 8ovenan(, (he ne& (ha( &ould re4la+e (he Eld and no& . +ome (o my =a(hers house and . &an( (o 4rovide some(hin% else ne& 0or you* . &an( (o 4rovide 0or you a ne& a++ess (o 1od in 4er0e+( ri%h(eousness (ha( &ill e made availa le y (he sheddin% o0 my lood, my a(onin% &or3 on (he +ross o0 sa+ri0i+e a++e4(a le (o 1od* Ene (ha( &ill e 4roven y my resurre+(ion 0rom (he dead on (he (hird day*6 E viously, none o0 (ha( ha44ened* They didn( unders(and (ha(* Beloved, don( miss (his: even as (he s(one 4o(s a( 8ana used 0or +eremonial +leansin% &ere made o sole(e y (he ne& &ine o0 (he Ne& 8ovenan(, so (oo (he Jerusalem (em4le &ould e made o sole(e y (he resurre+(ion o0 8hris( &hi+h &ould ul(ima(ely lay (he 0ounda(ion 0or (he ne& s4iri(ual (em4le (ha( &ould re4la+e i( and &ha( is (ha(@ .( is (he +hur+h* .( is you and me* 1 8orin(hians #:1-, :aul says, 5Do you no( 3no& (ha( you are a,6 &ha(@ 5' (em4le o0 1od and (ha( (he S4iri( o0 1od d&ells in you* .0 any man des(roys

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(he (em4le o0 1od, 1od &ill des(roy him, 0or (he (em4le o0 1od is holy, and (ha( is &ha( you are*6 2 8orin(hians -:1-, &e read, 52ha( a%reemen( has (he (em4le o0 1od &i(h idols@ =or &e are (he (em4le o0 (he livin% 1od*6 :aul says as &ell in H4hesians 2, e%innin% in verse 1A, (ha( 5as sain(s &e are 1ods household, havin% een uil( on (he 0ounda(ion o0 (he a4os(les and 4ro4he(s, 8hris( Jesus Himsel0 ein% (he +orner s(one, in &hom (he &hole uildin%, ein% 0i((ed (o%e(her, is %ro&in% in(o a holy (em4le in (he 7ord, in &hom you also are ein% uil( (o%e(her in(o a d&ellin% o0 1od in (he S4iri(*6 Bu( o viously, (he 7ord did no( reveal all o0 (hese %lorious (ru(hs (o (hem e+ause o0 (heir un elie0 and ye( (hese (ru(hs, (hese veiled (ru(hs, &ere (he si%n (ha( Jesus o00ered, si%ns 4er(ainin% (o his Messiani+ au(hori(y* '%ain, eloved, don( miss (his: ul(ima(ely i( &ould e in (he human ody o0 Jesus (ha( (he 4er0e+( and 0inal sa+ri0i+e &ould e made* .sn( i( amaBin%@ 2e unders(and (ha( no&, don( &e@ 2e +an see (ha( so +learly* Three days a0(er his dea(h and urial, (he 7ord Jesus 8hris(, (he (rue (em4le, &ould e raised u4* 7a(er on (he dis+i4les unders(ood (his* No(i+e verse 22, 5So &hen He &as raised 0rom (he dead, His dis+i4les remem ered (ha( He said (his9 and (hey elieved (he S+ri4(ure and (he &ord &hi+h Jesus had s4o3en*6 ?ou see, (hey s(ru%%led &i(h all o0 (his resurre+(ion s(u00 as &ell 0or a lon% 4eriod o0 (ime* 'nd &i(h (he resurre+(ion +ame some(hin% else: (he amaBin% %i0( o0 (he ind&ellin% S4iri( o0 1od (ha( &ould +ause (hem (o remem er (he S+ri4(ure and e a le (o a44ly i(, e a le (o see &i(h s4iri(ual eyes o0 dis+ernmen( all (ha( Jesus had said* :erha4s i(s 0or (his reason (ha( :e(er, an eye &i(ness o0 (his a++oun(, &ould la(er, y (he 4o&er o0 (he S4iri(, re+all :salm 1-:)-11 and (hen in+lude (ha( (e;( in his %rea( sermon a( :en(e+os( (ha( &e read a ou( in '+(s 2* .n verse 25, heres &ha( :e(er said, 5=or David says o0 him, <. sa& (he 7ord al&ays in my 4resen+e9 0or he is a( my ri%h( hand, so (ha( . &ill no( e sha3en* There0ore my hear(s &as %lad and my (on%ue e;ul(ed9 moreover my 0lesh also &ill live in ho4e9 e+ause you &ill no( a andon my soul (o Hades, nor allo& your holy one (o under%o de+ay* ?ou have made 3no&n (o me (he &ays o0 li0e9 you &ill ma3e me 0ull o0 %ladness &i(h your 4resen+e* Bre(hren,6 :e(er says, 5. may +on0iden(ly say (o you re%ardin% (he 4a(riar+h David (ha( he o(h died and &as uried, and his (om is &i(h us (o (his day* 'nd so, e+ause he &as a 4ro4he( and 3ne& (ha( 1od had s&orn (o him &i(h an oa(h (o sea( one o0 his des+endan(s on his (hrone, he loo3ed ahead and s4o3e o0 (he resurre+(ion o0 (he 8hris(, (he Messiah, (ha( he &as nei(her a andoned (o Hades, nor did his 0lesh su00er de+ay*6 This Jesus 1od raised u4 a%ain (o &hi+h &e are all &i(nesses* So, here John re+ords no( only (he Messiahs Beal 0or holiness u( also his 4o&er over dea(h &hi+h he 4ro4hesied as (he Messiani+ :ro4he(* Demem er i( (his &ay, . (hin3 (his mi%h( e hel40ul: (he 0eas( a( 8ana 4oin(ed (o his dea(h, (he 0eas( o0 :assover 4oin(ed (o his resurre+(ion* Bu( no(i+e &ha( John re+ords ne;( in verse 2#, 5No& &hen He &as in Jerusalem a( (he :assover, durin% (he 0eas(, many elieved in His name, o servin% His si%ns &hi+h He &as doin%*6 2ere no( (old (he si%ns (ha( he 4er0ormed (ha( day u( (here mus( have een many* Bu( +er(ainly (hey +a4(ured (he a((en(ion o0 many (ha( elieved in his name* 'l(hou%h, as &ere %oin% (o see, (hey elieved (he &ron% (hin%s 0or (he &ron% reasons and (heir 0ai(h &as no( a savin% 0ai(h* Bu( (hin3 a ou( i(: on+e a%ain, here (he Son (he 1od, (he Messiah Cin% o0 .srael &ho has +ome (o o00er his 3in%dom, is no( only

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e;er+isin% his au(hori(y y 4ur%in% (he (em4le u( also y 4er0ormin% mira+ulous si%ns* Beloved, (hin3 a ou( i(: here (he Messiani+ Cin% (a3es u4 residen+e in his o&n (em4le and no one sees i(* .n 0a+(, all (hrou%h his 4u li+ minis(ry, (he 4eo4le o0 .srael %e( a (as(e o0 (he %lorious lessin%s o0 (he Messiani+ Cin%dom 0rom (he hands o0 (he Cin% himsel0 and (hey don( see i(* By (he (ime o0 Jesus dea(h, (here is vir(ually no disease in :ales(ine* 2ha( (hey &i(nessed even here in (his +leansin%, &as a sam4le o0 &ha( +ould have een (heirs &i(hou( limi(, &i(hou( disru4(ion, had (hey only hum led (heir hear( and em ra+ed (heir Cin%* The S+ri4(ure re+ords, (he Cin% &ould &ee4 over his o&n +i(y, his o&n na(ion, e+ause o0 (heir un elie0* ?ou re+all (he (e;( in 7u3e 1#, e%innin% a( verse #$, Jesus says, 5E Jerusalem, Jerusalem, (he +i(y (ha( 3ills (he 4ro4he(s and s(ones (hose sen( (o herJ Ho& o0(en . &an(ed (o %a(her your +hildren (o%e(her, /us( as a hen %a(hers her rood under her &in%s, and you &ould no( have i(J Behold, your house is le0( (o you desola(e9 and . say (o you, you &ill no( see Me un(il (he (ime +omes &hen you say, <Blessed is he &ho +omes in (he name o0 (he 7ordJ6 My 0riend, (ha( day is +omin%* Bu( all (he lessin%s o0 Messiani+ Cin%dom &ould have een shor(-lived i0 (hey &ould have someho& unders(ood &ha( &as %oin% on, i0 (hey &ould have had no means, as &ell, o0 unders(andin% (he &ay 0or e(ernal li0e and, (here0ore, (he 7ord had (o %o (o (he +ross* 2hy have all o0 (he lessin%s and no( have e(ernal li0e@ 2hy have lessin%s here on ear(h and (hen 4erish in your sins@ So, (he +ross had (o (a3e 4la+e* So, ul(ima(ely &ha( &e have here is (he Messiah Cin% headin% (o&ards (he +ross* ?ou see, only his dea(h &ould rin% many sons (o %lory, He re&s 2:1"* Enly i0 he dies +an (here e mu+h 0rui( as John is %oin% (o say in John 12* Enly i0 he dies +an (ha( ha44en* '( (he end o0 his minis(ry, as he 4re4ared (o 0a+e (he +ross, Jesus said (his in John 12:2#, 5The hour has +ome 0or (he Son o0 Man (o e %lori0ied* Truly, (ruly, . say (o you, unless a %rain o0 &hea( 0alls in(o (he ear(h and dies, i( remains alone9 u( i0 i( dies, i( ears mu+h 0rui(*6 The 7ord 3ne& (his so he mar+hes (o (he +ross* Bu( John &en( on (o e;4lain (ha( even .sraels re/e+(ion o0 her Cin% &as 4ar( o0 1ods soverei%n 4lan even (hou%h she &ill e held res4onsi le as &ill all &ho re0use (o elieve* 'nd here &e see (his amaBin% mys(ery e(&een (he soverei%n(y o0 1od and (he res4onsi ili(y o0 man* John &en( on (o say in John 12:#!, 5Bu( (hou%h He had 4er0ormed so many si%ns e0ore (hem, ye( (hey &ere no( elievin% in Him*6 Then he says (his, 5This &as (o 0ul0ill (he &ord o0 .saiah (he 4ro4he( &hi+h he s4o3e: <7ord, &ho has elieved our re4or(@ 'nd (o &hom has (he arm o0 (he 7ord een revealed@ =or (his reason (hey +ould no( elieve, 0or .saiah said a%ain, <He has linded (heir eyes and he hardened (heir hear(, so (ha( (hey &ould no( see &i(h (heir eyes and re+eive &i(h (heir hear(, and e +onver(ed and . heal (hem*6 'no(her e;am4le o0 (ha( ins+ru(a le mys(ery o0 &ha( seems (o e in+om4a(i le and (ha( is (he na(ure o0 (he soverei%n(y o0 1od and mans res4onsi ili(y &hi+h is 4er0e+(ly +om4a(i le in (he mind o0 our %lorious 1od* =inally, &e see no( /us( his Beal 0or holiness and his 4o&er over dea(h u( his 3no&led%e o0 mens hear(s* No(i+e verse 2$, 5Bu( Jesus, on His 4ar(, &as no( en(rus(in% Himsel0 (o (hem, 0or He 3ne& all men, and e+ause He did no( need anyone (o ear &i(ness

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+on+ernin% man, 0or He Himsel0 3ne& &ha( &as in man*6 =ol3s, (his is o(h amaBin% as &ell as i( is so erin%* Thin3 a ou( i(: our 7ord has a solu(e 3no&led%e o0 our innermos( ein%* There is no(hin% &e +an hide 0rom him* His 4ene(ra(in% eye 4eers even in(o (he se+re( +averns o0 our ima%ina(ion* .ndeed, he is (he livin% &ord, ri%h(@ He is (he &ord, (here0ore, (ha( +an /ud%e (he (hou%h(s and (he in(en(ions o0 our hear(, He re&s $:12* 7i3e so many 4eo4le (oday, Jesus 3ne& (ha( (he only reason (he %eneral 4u li+ elieved in him &as e+ause o0 (he 4hysi+al lessin%s (ha( (hey (hou%h( he &ould %ive (o (hem, ho& (hey +ould someho& ene0i( 0rom his mira+les* Bu( (hey had a solu(ely no in(en(ion o0 o&in% e0ore him in %enuine re4en(an+e and o eyin% him as 7ord* My 0riends, &e mus( remem er (ha( all is no( %old (ha( %li((ers, as (he old sayin% %oes* DB1 Tas3er 4u( i( &ell, he said (his, 5Jesus re%arded all elie0 in him as su4er0i+ial &hi+h does no( have as i(s mos( essen(ial elemen(s (he +ons+iousness o0 (he need 0or 0or%iveness and (he +onvi+(ion (ha( he alone is (he media(or o0 (ha( 0or%iveness*6 My 0riends, elievin% in Jesus in(elle+(ually is al(o%e(her di00eren( (han elievin% in him as (he only ho4e o0 your salva(ion* The 0ormer &ill ma3e you reli%ious, (he la((er &ill ma3e you ri%h(eous* Hell &ill e 0illed &i(h reli%ious 4eo4le u( only (he ri%h(eous &ill en(er in(o heaven, (hose made ri%h(eous y 0ai(h in (he 7ord Jesus 8hris(, (he Son o0 1od* By &ay o0 a44li+a(ion, . &ish (o 0o+us on (hree (hin%s very Gui+3ly e+ause &e al&ays &an( (o as3 (he Gues(ion: &ha( does (his (e;( say (o us ri%h( no&@ .ve %iven you mu+h o0 (he (heolo%y o0 i(, mu+h o0 (he ri+hness o0 &ha( &as %oin% on and &here i(s leadin% u( &e +anno( lead i( (here* 2eve %o( (o +ome a+3 and say, 5S4iri( o0 1od, hel4 me (hin3 (hrou%h ho& +an (his (e;( ma3e me (hin3 and a+( di00eren( 0rom (his day 0or&ard*6 'nd . &ould su mi( (o you (ha( on (he asis o0 (his (e;(, (here are a( leas( (hree (hin%s (ha( emer%e (ha( should +hara+(eriBe our lives* 7e( me %ive (hem (o you and ela ora(e on (hem: &e need (o have a Beal 0or holiness, a hun%er 0or ri%h(eousness and a lon%in% 0or (he Cin% and his 3in%dom* 1* ' Beal 0or holiness* Do you hun%er 0or ri%h(eousness@ Do you lon% 0or (he 3in%dom@ Those (hree (hin%s, es4e+ially e%innin% &i(h a Beal 0or holiness* 'nd y (ha(, . mean, do you share 8hris(s Beal 0or 4uri(y@ :uri(y in your li0e@ ?oure (he (em4le no&, ri%h(@ The S4iri( o0 1od d&ells &i(hin you* Do you have a Beal 0or 4uri(y in your 0amily@ .n your +hur+h@ .s (here a +leansin% (ha( needs (o (a3e 4la+e@ Enly you +an ans&er (ha( Gues(ion* 're (here a((i(udes and a+(ions (ha( need (o e +hased ou( &i(h a s+our%e o0 ri%h(eous indi%na(ion a%ains( your o&n 0lesh@ 8hris(s Beal 0or holiness led him (o a +ross* He had one desire: (o do (he &ill o0 his =a(her* My 0riend, &ha( are you &illin% (o sa+ri0i+e@ Se+ondly, do you have a hun%er 0or ri%h(eousness@ No( a hun%er 0or reli%ion u( a hun%er 0or ri%h(eousness@ Do you merely elieve in Jesus as (hese 4eo4le did e+ause o0 some 4hysi+al ene0i( (ha( you (hin3 you +an re+eive 0rom him, (ha( you &an( him (o 4rovide 0or you@ Er do you elieve in Jesus e+ause you are horri0ied a( (he reali(y o0 your sin (ha( se4ara(es you 0rom a holy 1od and you 3no& (ha( only y 4la+in% your 0ai(h in him +an you ever e re+on+iled (o (ha( holy 1od@ Tha( only y him +an you (ruly re+eive his ri%h(eousness e+ause your ri%h(eousness is so &oe0ully inadeGua(e@

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Jesus said in Ma((he& 5:-, 5Blessed are (hose &ho hun%er and (hirs( 0or ri%h(eousness 0or (hey shall e sa(is0ied*6 My 0riends, &e +anno( e saved a4ar( 0rom (he ri%h(eousness o0 8hris( and (ha( +omes (o (ha( %rea( (ru(h o0 /us(i0i+a(ion &here y &e are de+lared ri%h(eous* The ri%h(eousness o0 8hris( is im4u(ed (o us so no& 1od no lon%er sees our sin u( sees us hidden in his eloved Son* Bu( (hen (here is also san+(i0i+a(ion (ha( e%ins (o (a3e 4la+e as (he S4iri( o0 1od +on0orms us (o (he ima%e o0 8hris(* This is 4ro%ressive ri%h(eousness (ha( o++urs as &e &al3 y (he S4iri( and e%in (o mani0es( (he 0rui(s o0 (he S4iri( as (he S4iri( o0 1od +on0orms us in(o (he ima%e o0 8hris(* Fl(ima(ely (here is %lori0i+a(ion &here (here is 4er0e+(ed ri%h(eousness* My 0riends, do you hun%er 0or (ha(@ .s your li0e +hara+(eriBed y (ha(@ =inally, do you lon% 0or (he Cin% and his 3in%dom@ Didn( Jesus (ea+h us (o 4ray, 5Thy 3in%dom +ome, (hy &ill e done on ear(h as i( is in heaven@6 My 0riends, is (his (he (heme o0 your 4rayers@ .s (his ever a 4ar( o0 your (hin3in%@ .s (his (he 4assion o0 your hear(@ Do you lon% (o see our Cin% %lori0ied on ear(h@ Does i( rea3 you hear( (o see Jesus mo+3ed and ridi+uled@ To you lon% (o see him re(urn in 4o&er and %rea( %lory and renova(e (his ear(h as he has 4romised and es(a lish his %lorious 3in%dom u4on (he ear(h@ Er are you more in(eres(ed in (he de(ails o0 your li0e@ May . remind you o0 some(hin% in +losin%@ '0(er Jesus resurre+(ion, he 4resen(ed himsel0 (o his a4os(les and 0or $" days he %ave (hem ins(ru+(ion a ou( (&o (hin%s: +on+ernin% himsel0, 7u3e 2$, and 5(he (hin%s +on+ernin% (he 3in%dom o0 1od,6 '+(s 1:#* 'nd &e 3no& (ha( (he sour+e o0 (he ma(erials (ha( he used &ere (he Eld Tes(amen( S+ri4(ures* .n 7u3e 2$:$$, &e read (ha( he used 5all (he (hin%s &hi+h are &ri((en a ou( me in (he la& o0 Moses and (he 4ro4he(s and (he 4salms mus( e 0ul0illed*6 2hi+h, y (he &ay, &as (he +us(omary (hree0old division o0 (he Eld Tes(amen( oo3s* .(s 0as+ina(in%* Jesus &an(ed (hem (o 3no& ho& o(h (he Cin% and (he Cin%dom are rou%h( (o%e(her as (he one +en(ral (heme o0 Eld Tes(amen( 4ro4he+y u4on &hi+h our 7ord res(ed his re%al +laims as (he Cin% o0 1ods Cin%dom on ear(h* 2hy &ould he do (ha(@ So (ha( (hey &ould (ea+h (hese (hin%s (o us and so (ha( &e &ould learn (hem and &e &ould loo3 0or&ard (o (ha( day &hen our Cin% is revealed* E eloved, do you have a Beal 0or holiness@ Do you have a hun%er 0or ri%h(eousness@ 'nd do you have a lon%in% 0or (he Cin%dom@ Be+ause (he Cin% is +omin% and i( +ould e very soon* 'nd e+ause o0 (his, la(er on John &ould &ri(e (his in 1 John #, 5Beloved, no& &e are +hildren o0 1od and i( has no( ye( a44eared &ha( &e shall e u( &e 3no& (ha( &hen he a44ears &e shall e li3e him e+ause &e shall see him /us( as he is*6 'nd he says (his a( (he +lose, 5'nd everyone &ho has (his ho4e 0i;ed on him 4uri0ies himsel0 /us( as he is 4ure*6 . 4ray (ha( (hese (hin%s &ill +hara+(eriBe your li0e and i0 (hey do, you &ill see 1od lessin% you in &ays (ha( you +anno( ima%ine* 2ha( a ho4e &e have in 8hris(* 'men* 2ha( a ho4e &e have* 7e(s 4ray (o%e(her* Father, may these great truths abide in our hearts in such a way as to cause us to be changed. And, Lord Jesus, we pray that you will come quickly. But we also pray that you

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will use us as mighty soldiers of the cross until you come and when you come, may you find us at our post, faithful for that for which you have called us. Lord, for anyone that does not know you as avior, ! pray that you will burden their heart and make them miserable in their sin, cause them to run to the foot of the cross and cry out to you for the mercy that you will give so graciously, so mercifully. "se us to these ends ! pray in Jesus# name. Amen. 2e 4ray youve een edi0ied y (his 4resen(a(ion* ?ouve een lis(enin% (o :as(or, Bi le Tea+her and 'u(hor, Dr* David Harrell* =or more in0orma(ion or 0or o(her messa%es 0rom Dr* Harrell, 4lease visi( (he Elive Tree 8hris(ian Desour+es &e si(e a( o(+r*or%

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