8 Epiphany

8 Epiphany - Sunday (Variable)

Psalm 103:1-13; Hosea 2:14-16 (17-18) 19-20
2 Corinthians 3:1b-6
Mark 2:18-22

8 Epiphany - Monday Before Last Epiphany

To be used after the last Variable Sunday of Epiphany until Transfiguration

Psalm 50:1-6 Coming Judgment

God, the Almighty One, calls and summons the earth from its distant boundaries of east and west. God shines forth out of Zion (the heavenly city), beauty perfected.

Our God is coming, bringing devouring fire and mighty tempest. He summons heaven and earth; he will judge his people: he calls his faithful people to gather to him, those who have entered the covenant with God by sacrifice. "The heavens declare his righteousness, for God himself is judge" (Psalm 50:6).

Commentary:

Through Jesus Christ, God is calling to judgment all people who have ever lived on this earth. Jesus is the fulfillment of the light of God's righteousness (John 1:9; 8:12) shining forth from heaven, the New Creation, perfect paradise.

God is coming, through Jesus, and everyone who has ever lived in this world will hear his voice (John 5:28-29). He is bringing fire and tempest, with which to punish his enemies, those who do what is wicked and unrighteous according to his Word, revealed in the Bible and and in Jesus Christ, the "living Word," the fulfillment, embodiment, and example of God's Word lived in this world in human flesh (John 1:1-5, 14). All the people of earth and all the heavenly beings will be assembled for the Day of Judgment.

Jesus is God in human flesh, fully God and fully human (Colossians 2:8-9; John 20:28; John 14:8-9), the only righteous one who is worthy to judge the earth (2 Timothy 4:8). Jesus' death on the cross is the sacrifice and his blood, shed on the cross, seals the New Covenant of eternal salvation (from eternal condemnation) by grace (unmerited favor; a free gift from God) through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ. God's faithful ones are those who have accepted the New Covenant by faith (obedient trust in Jesus Christ (see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).

God's Word declares and Jesus has promised that he will return on the Day of Judgment to judge the living ("quickened") and the dead (1 Peter 4:5) in both the physical and spiritual senses (John 5:22, 27). Jesus is the righteous judge, and the standard of righteousness by which all will be judged. In that Day, those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and have trusted and obeyed Jesus will have been spiritually "reborn" (John 3:3, 5-8) by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). They will enter eternal life in paradise perfected, but those who have rejected Jesus and have refused or failed to trust and obey Jesus will be condemned to eternal destruction in the fires of Hell (Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

8 Epiphany - Tuesday Before Last Epiphany

To be used after the last Variable Sunday of Epiphany until Transfiguration

2 Kings 2:1-12a Elijah's Ascension

All the prophets of Israel knew that the Lord was about to take Elijah into heaven. At God's command Elijah had anointed Elisha to be Elijah's successor (1 Kings 19:16). Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal (north of Bethel). Elijah urged Elisha to remain there, but Elisha wanted to remain with Elijah as long as possible, so they went on together to Bethel. At Bethel there was a community of prophets who came out to Elisha and asked him if he knew that the Lord was about to take Elijah. Elisha did know, and told them to say no more.

Again Elijah told Elisha to remain in Bethel, because the Lord had sent Elijah on to Jericho, but Elisha declined to be parted from Elijah. At Jericho, another group of prophets asked Elisha knew that the Lord was going to take Elijah from him that day, and again Elisha said that he knew and asked them to say no more.

Again Elijah told Elisha to remain in Jericho, because the Lord was sending Elijah on to the Jordan, but Elisha declined to be separated from Elijah, so they went on together. Fifty men of the community of prophets went with them and watched from a distance as Elijah and Elisha came to the river. Elijah took his mantle (cloak), rolled it up, and used it (like a rod) to strike the water, and when he did, the waters of the Jordan parted in either direction, so that they could cross over on dry ground.

After crossing, Elijah asked Elisha what Elijah could do for him before Elijah was taken from him. Elisha asked to inherit a double measure of the spirit upon Elijah. Elijah said that it was a difficult request, but that if Elisha saw Elijah as he was being taken his request would be fulfilled. As they went on, a fiery chariot with horses of fire separated them, and Elijah ascended into heaven by a whirlwind. Elisha saw and cried out, addressing Elijah as "father," and saying that he had seen the chariots of Israel and its horsemen.

Commentary:

God had directed Elijah to anoint Elisha to be Elijah's successor, and when he came to Elisha, Elijah placed his mantle upon Elisha (1 Kings 19:19) and Elisha prepared to go with Elijah. Elisha wanted to stay with Elijah until the moment Elijah was taken, and did so. Elisha wanted a double measure of the spirit upon Elijah, and the fact that he saw the chariot and horsemen indicated that his request had been fulfilled.

Elijah was one of only two people, recorded in the Bible, taken up into heaven without physically dying; the other was Enoch (Genesis 5:24). Jesus ascended into heaven after his resurrection, and his ascension was witnessed by his disciples. At Jesus' ascension, two angels appeared to the disciples and told them that Jesus would return the same way they had seen him ascend (Acts 1:9-11).

Elijah's ascension foreshadowed Jesus' ascension. Elijah was expected to return to herald the coming of the Messiah and that prophecy was fulfilled publicly in John the Baptizer (Matthew 17:10-13), but also in the appearance of Moses and Elijah (Elias) on the mountain of transfiguration which only the three disciples of Jesus' inner circle witnessed (Matthew 17:1-9).

The parting of the Jordan River by Elijah's mantle transformed into a rod, recalls Moses' parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:16, 21-22), by the rod which was transformed into a snake and back into a rod (Exodus 4:2-4). With it Moses invoked the plagues against Egypt, through which Israel gained release from slavery in Egypt.

Joshua was Moses' successor, who led the Israelites into the Promised Land. The Jordan River was parted by the Ark of the Covenant, which contained the rod of Aaron which had budded and produced almonds overnight (Numbers 17:5-8). So the Israelites were able to enter the Promised Land without getting "wet feet."

The history of God's dealing with Israel recorded in the Bible is deliberately designed by God to be a visual parable. We are all enslaved by sin (disobedience of God's Word) and death (which is the penalty for sin Romans 6:23) in the "Egypt" of this present world order. Satan is "Pharaoh." The "Red Sea" symbolizes the waters of baptism into Jesus Christ, which separates us from our spiritual enemies. The Holy Spirit is the "pillar of fire and cloud" (Exodus 13:21-22) which leads us through the "wilderness" and spiritual "darkness" of this present lifetime. Jesus is our "Moses," the mediator of the New Covenant (Testament) of grace (Matthew 26:26-29 RSV note "g;" Hebrews 8:6-10; 12:24), and our "Joshua," who leads us through the "Jordan River" of physical death into the eternal "Promised Land," without getting "wet feet." The name "Jesus" is the Greek form of the Hebrew name "Joshua." The New Testament of the Bible means and describes The New Covenant.

The Holy Spirit is the "mantle" we receive through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ. The Church baptizes with water for repentance to prepare us to receive the Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is the "wedding garment" we must have to gain entrance to the marriage feast of Jesus and his bride, the Church, in heaven (Matthew 22:11-12; 26:29). The "anointing" (gift; "baptism") of the Holy Spirit is a discernible, ongoing event (Acts 19:2). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).

Jesus is the only way to escape slavery to sin and death, the only way to know God and divine, eternal truth, the only way through the river of physical death, the only way to have what is real, eternal, life, and to enter the Promised Land of God's eternal kingdom in heaven (Acts 4:12; John 14:6; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

8 Epiphany - Wednesday Before Last Epiphany

To be used after the last Variable Sunday of Epiphany until Transfiguration

2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2

The splendor of Old Covenant (“Testament”) of the Law of Moses was fading, in comparison with the New Covenant of Grace through Faith. We have great expectation in the splendor of the New Covenant, unlike Moses who hid, with a veil (or “vail”), the fading splendor reflected in his face. Paul said that there is a veil which lays over the minds of unbelievers, making their minds unable to understand the scriptures. Only when a person turns to Jesus (in faith -obedient trust) is the veil removed (Luke 24:45). “The Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17). We believers, with unveiled faces are able to see the glory of the Lord, and we are being changed, from one order of glory to a greater one; into the likeness of Jesus. “And this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18d).

Paul and all “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) Christians have a ministry by God's mercy (not because we are worthy), and so we do not lose enthusiasm and become discouraged. We renounce worldly ways of accomplishing our ministry in deceitful and underhanded ways. We refuse to accomplish our mission through craftiness, “or to tamper with God's Word," but by open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to every [person's] conscience in the sight of God (2 Corinthians 4:2).

Commentary:

When Moses had been in the presence of the Lord, his face was visibly radiant when he returned, and the people were afraid to look at him (Exodus 34:30-35). When Moses had been in the Lord's presence, he returned and spoke God's Word to the people with his face unveiled (so that they would know that he had been in the Lord's presence), and then he would replace the veil until the next time he spoke with the Lord.

The sanctuary of the temple was separated from the presence of God, where the Ark of the Covenant was, in the “holy-of-holies,” by a curtain (veil). Only the high priest was allowed to enter into the presence of God, only once a year, and he had to bring a blood sacrifice for himself and the people (compare Hebrews 9:7, 11-14). At Jesus crucifixion, the veil of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51), symbolizing that a new and better way had be opened through Jesus into the presence of God.

Jesus is the new and better way into God's presence. His blood was shed on the cross for our forgiveness of our sin (disobedience of God's Word) and our salvation from God's eternal condemnation. It was shed once for all time and all people who are willing to receive it by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ. His sacrifice purifies us and prepares us to receive the gift (“baptism;” “anointing”) of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17).

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9). Through the indwelling Holy Spirit we have continual fellowship with the risen Jesus and God the Father (John 14:23). It is by the indwelling Holy Spirit that we are spiritually “reborn” to eternal life. The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).

When we earnestly seek to read God's Word, the Bible, in order to understand, trust and obey it, the Lord opens our minds to understand the scriptures, will teach us all things, recall to our minds all that Jesus taught (John 14:26) and will guide us into all (divine, eternal) truth (John 16:13).

Jesus is the “New Moses,” the mediator of the New Covenant of Grace (unmerited favor; a free gift) to be received by faith (obedient trust; Hebrews 12:24). Jesus instituted the New Covenant on the night of his betrayal and arrest (Matthew 26:26-29) and it is sealed with the blood of Jesus Christ, shed on the cross (Hebrews 9:22).

The Old Covenant could not make us righteous in God's judgment; it could only reveal our sin. Only by the indwelling Holy Spirit can we fulfill the requirements of the Law (Romans 8:1-8). The righteousness of the Law shows us what God requires, but cannot help us attain it. We would constantly need to offer sacrifices for our sins, so the righteousness the Law reveals is fading.

The Covenant of Law was intended to be our custodian, to keep us from doing whatever we pleased, until the coming of Jesus and the dispensation of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 3:21-25). Then, provided that we are obedient to Jesus through the indwelling Holy Spirit, we are set free from the burden and demands of the Law (Romans 8:2, 4). Instead of fear of condemnation we are motivated by love and gratitude for what God has done for us in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit bridges the gap between our sinfulness and God's righteousness.

Following the guidance of the Holy Spirit with the resources he provides, we are being “discipled” unto spiritual maturity at the Day of Christ's return. We are being changed from who we were in human flesh, into the likeness of Jesus Christ (Matthew 10:24-25a).

Christians are, by definition, disciples of Jesus Christ (Acts 11:26c), who have been spiritually “reborn” by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Jesus commanded his disciples to wait in Jerusalem (the modern equivalent is the Church) until they had been reborn, and then they were to go into the world and make disciples, teaching them to trust and obey all Jesus' teachings (including waiting for the gift of the Holy Spirit). Then they were to be guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit to repeat the process (2 Timothy 2:2).

Paul (Saul of Tarsus) is the prototype and illustration of a “modern,” “post-resurrection,” “born-again” (john 3:3, 5-8) disciple and apostle of Jesus Christ. Much of the New Testament is written by or about Paul. He is intended to be our model. He was discipled by a “born-again” disciple, Ananias, until Paul had been reborn, and then Paul began making “born-again” disciples, not of himself, but of Jesus Christ (Acts 9:1-22), and his relationship with Timothy is an example (2 Timothy 1:6-7).

Paul preached the full and accurate Gospel truth, and did not “sugar-coat” it to make it more appealing (Acts 9:23-35; 13:49-50; 14:19). Paul warned that the day would come when people would not tolerate sound teaching but would get teachers who would tell them what they wanted to hear and make them feel good about themselves (2 Timothy 4:3-4). That day has come! Many people don't want to hear about sin, eternal condemnation, and destruction in Hell, and there are many “nominal” churches which design their program to be “seeker-friendly.” Many nominal “churches” fail to make disciples, and settle for making “members” (“fair-weather Christians”) and build “buildings” instead of building the eternal kingdom of God.

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

8 Epiphany - Thursday Before Last Epiphany

To be used after the last Variable Sunday of Epiphany until Transfiguration

Mark 9:2-9 Transfiguration

Jesus took the three disciples of his inner circle, Peter, James, and John, to the top of a mountain, where Jesus' appearance was transformed before them. His body and clothing became supernaturally luminous. Moses and Elijah (Elias) appeared and began talking with Jesus. The disciples were amazed and quite frightened and didn't know what to say. Peter suggested that they build three booths (shrines), one each for Jesus, Moses and Elijah.

A cloud overshadowed them and the voice of God from the cloud declared that Jesus was his beloved Son, and the disciples should listen to Jesus. Suddenly Moses and Elijah disappeared and the disciples were alone with Jesus. As they were coming down from the mountaintop Jesus told them not to reveal what had happened until after the “Son of man” (Jesus) was raised from the dead.

The three disciples were allowed to witness Jesus in the glory he had in heaven. They were also allowed to witness the fulfillment of the prophecy that Elijah was to return to herald the coming of the Messiah (Malachi 4:5).

John the Baptizer was the public manifestation of the return of “Elijah.” John the Baptizer wore the same garb as Elijah (2 Kings 1:8; Matthew 3:4). John fulfilled the prophecy of the role of the “herald” (Matthew 3:3; Isaiah 40:3; Malachi 3:1). John recognized his fulfillment of the prophecy of the role of the herald (John 1:23), but denied that he was as great as Elijah; he was just a voice crying in the wilderness. Jesus confirmed that he was the “Elijah” who was to come (Matthew 17:10-13).

Moses' face had been supernaturally luminous, reflecting the glory of God, after he had been in God's presence, and his appearance had frightened the people. So Moses would declare God's Word which he had received in God's presence, and his luminous face attested to the fact that he had been in God's presence. Then Moses would cover his face with a veil, until the next time he entered God's presence (Exodus 34:28-35).

Moses' face reflected the glory of God, but it gradually faded. The Apostle Paul suggested that the Old Covenant of Law that Moses mediated was temporal and fading away (2 Corinthians 3:7, 13), to be succeeded by the New Covenant of Grace, which is eternal and unfading (2 Corinthians 3:7-12), instituted and mediated by Jesus Christ on the night of his Last Supper before his arrest (Matthew 26:26-29).

The Lord didn't want the disciples to make shrines to glorify the prophets and patriarchs, or to elevate their teachings as equal to Jesus'. Jesus is the “New Moses,” who has been in God's presence, who teaches us God's Word, and who leads us through the wilderness of this lifetime and into the eternal Promised Land of God's Kingdom in heaven. Jesus is also the “New Elijah” who proclaims the Word of God. Jesus is the Word of God, fulfilled, embodied, and exemplified in human flesh in this world (John 1:1-5, 14). Jesus is the one to whom we must listen (hear, trust and obey).

Jesus was born in the flesh, and he set aside the glory he had in heaven and humbled himself and became obedient to God's Word even to death on the cross (Philippians 2:6-11). Jesus came to show us how to live according to God's Word. He showed us that God's Word is absolutely true and reliable. His resurrection demonstrated that God is able to bring us through any trouble, even physical death (Hebrews 2:14-15), and that there is existence beyond this physical lifetime.

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

8 Epiphany - Friday Before Last Epiphany

To be used after the last Variable Sunday of Epiphany until Transfiguration

Exodus 34:29-35 Moses' Veil

Moses' returned from Mount Sinai (Mt Horeb) with the two tablets of the (renewed*) Covenant (Testament) of the Law (the Ten Commandments; written “by the finger of God” upon tablets of stone). Moses wasn't aware that his face was luminous from being in God's presence on the mountaintop. When Aaron (Moses' brother; the high priest) and the people saw it they were afraid to come near Moses. But Moses called the leaders of the people to come to him and he talked with them (about all that the Lord had commanded on the mountaintop).

Afterward he spoke to the whole assembly, and told them also. Then he put a veil over his face. Whenever Moses went into God's presence he removed the veil until he had returned and spoken God's Word to the people. The people would see that Moses' face shone (and would know that Moses had been in God's presence). Then he would put the veil over his face again until the next time.

Commentary:

The first time that God manifested himself to Moses and the people at Mt Sinai, they were afraid at the supernatural thundering and trumpet sound that accompanied God's manifestation, so they asked Moses to be their intermediary, to tell them God's Word, because they were afraid to hear God himself speak to them (Exodus 19:9, 20:18-19). The manifestation was to let them know that it was God who was present on the mountain in his glory and power, and was making the covenant with the people.

When the covenant was renewed, Moses' face shone supernaturally with the reflected glory of God, as a sign to the people that Moses had been in the presence of God. Moses put on the veil after he had proclaimed God's Word to the people, so that they would not be afraid of Moses. The Apostle Paul later suggested that the veil hid the fading splendor of God's presence reflected in Moses' face, and symbolized the temporal, transient nature of the Old Covenant of Law fading to make way for the New Covenant of Grace (2 Corinthians 3:12-13) which was instituted by Jesus at his Last Supper (Matthew 26:26-29), which is eternal and unfading.

God gave Moses detailed instructions for building the tabernacle, which was the portable temple which they carried through the forty years of wanderings in the wilderness. The main part of the temple was separated by a veil (“vail;” curtain) from the “holy-of-holies,” where the Ark of the Covenant symbolizing the presence of God, was kept. The Ark of the Covenant contained the tablets of the Ten Commandments, the rod of Aaron, and a sample of manna, the food God gave them in the wilderness. On the top of the Ark was the “seat of mercy,' the throne of God.

Only the high priest was allowed to enter the holy-of-holies, only once a year, bringing a blood sacrifice for the himself and the people. At Jesus crucifixion, the veil of the temple was supernaturally torn in two (Matthew 27:51), symbolizing that Jesus had opened a new and better way into God's presence. Jesus' blood sacrifice on the cross is the one and only sacrifice acceptable to God, once for all time and people who are willing to accept it by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus, for our forgiveness and salvation from eternal condemnation.

The new and better way is by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). Through the indwelling Holy Spirit we are able to have daily fellowship, personally and individually, in the presence of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ within us. The blood of Jesus cleanses us and makes it possible for us to be the temple of the Lord individually through the indwelling Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit removes the “veil” that lays over our minds, to reveal the glory of God in the face of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6). The Israelites could not endure seeing God's glory in Moses' face (2 Corinthians 3:7-8, 14). Through the indwelling Holy Spirit we are able to behold, although dimly now, the glory of the Lord, as we are changed from the temporal, worldly order of glory to the eternal heavenly glory of the likeness of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18).

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9). Only the indwelling Holy Spirit, the Spirit of the risen Jesus, by our faith in him, removes the veil that lies over the minds of all people, which keeps us from understanding the Bible scriptures (Luke 24:45; 2 Corinthians 3:14-16).

Jesus is the “New Moses,” the mediator of the New Covenant of salvation by grace (as a free gift; undeserved favor) through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right). Jesus leads us out of slavery to sin and death, through the wilderness of this lifetime, and into the eternal Promised Land of God's eternal heavenly kingdom.

Jesus is God in human flesh (Colossians 2:8-9; John 20:28); God revealed to us in a non-threatening way. In Jesus we can behold the glory of God without fear (John 14:8-10). Though Jesus, by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, we can enter the presence of God without fear or danger.

Jesus is the “living Word” of God; God's Word, fulfilled, embodied, and exemplified in human flesh in this world (John 1:1-5, 14). Jesus' word is God's Word (John 14:10, 24), revealed in a non-threatening way. Jesus, through the gift of the Holy Spirit, makes us able to know, understand, trust and obey God's Word, without fear of punishment, but in love and gratitude for what God has done for us in Jesus Christ.

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

*The people had made the idol of the golden calf while Moses was on the mountain receiving the first tablets; he broke the tablets because the Israelites had broken the Laws they contained by idolatry (Exodus 31:18-32:20).

8 Epiphany - Saturday Before Last Epiphany

To be used after the last Variable Sunday of Epiphany until Transfiguration

2 Peter 1:16-21 Apostolic Teaching

The Apostle (disciple of Jesus and messenger of the Gospel) Peter (one of three of the inner circle of Jesus' Twelve original disciples) was an eyewitness to the coming, power, and majesty of our Lord Jesus Christ. He was not passing on myths which have been cleverly devised by mankind. Peter (and James and John) were present with Jesus on the mountain (at Jesus' Transfiguration; Matthew 17:1-9) when God gave him honor and glory. Peter heard the voice of God declare that Jesus was his beloved Son, with whom God was well pleased. The prophetic Word (of the Old Testament) has been verified (by eyewitness testimony). Seekers and believers are well-advised to give heed to those testimonies (taught by the Apostles and recorded in the New Testament). Those testimonies will be light (of spiritual enlightenment, righteousness, and eternal life) to us in the spiritual darkness of this world, until the day (of spiritual “rebirth;” John 3:3, 5-8; and of Jesus' Second Coming) dawns and the “morning star” (Jesus; Revelation 22:16) rises in our hearts.

Remember first and foremost that no prophecy in scripture is a matter of personal interpretation. The prophetic Word was recorded in the Bible by holy people who were inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Commentary:

The Bible is the Spirit-inspired Word of God, written by people who were obedient to, inspired and enabled by the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, its inspiration and truth as the Word of God has been attested to by all Godly believers ever since.

Jesus is the “living Word” of God; Jesus is the fulfillment, embodiment, and example of God's Word lived out in this world in human flesh (John 1:1-5, 14). Jesus' word is the Word of God (John 14:10, 24), with the creative force of God's Word (Mark 4:39-41; compare Genesis 1:3, 9-10).

The Bible is the standard against which Church preaching and doctrine must be judged. There were false teachers and false doctrines arising in the Church from its very beginning, which are present in the (nominal) Church today, and which are refuted in the New Testament (see False Teachings, sidebar, top right).

Believers (and seekers) need to read and know the Bible. God wants us to know his Word. That is why he inspired and directed its writing. One does not need to be formally educated in the Bible, nor does it require great effort. Anyone who wants to know God's Word with the intention of doing it will be guided and helped to understand by the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:45).

The Bible can easily be read from cover-to-cover in one year, and there are many “one-year” plans available (see Bible Study Tools, sidebar, top right). Reading the whole Bible is the place to start Bible study. I recommend a “one-year” plan which includes portions of both Old and New Testaments, so that one does not get bogged down in genealogies and legalisms. It is also important to understand the Old Testament laws from the perspective of the New Testament.

God designed Jesus into this Creation from the very beginning (John 1:1-5, 14). Jesus wasn't an afterthought, added after mankind had sinned through disobedience of God's Word (the definition of sin; Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7). God was aware that in giving mankind freedom to choose whether or not to obey God's Word, mankind would choose their own will rather than God's, and would have to learn by trial and error that God's way is our best interest.

We have all sinned (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10), and the penalty for sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23). Jesus is God's one and only plan for our forgiveness and salvation from eternal destruction (Acts 4:12; John 14:6; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).

God's Word has been prophesying the coming of the Savior, the Messiah (Christ; God's “anointed” eternal savior and king of God's kingdom), from the fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:15). Jesus is the fulfillment of the promise of God's eternal Savior and King.

The New Testament is the eyewitness testimony of the physical coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, the Lord of lords and King of kings, and his teaching by word and example in the Gospels (recorded in and by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), and in the Epistles (“letters”). The Epistles are the eyewitness accounts of the teachings, by the Apostles, which they learned directly from Jesus as his disciples.

The Apostles were the remaining eleven of the Twelve original disciples, minus Judas, the betrayer, plus Paul (Saul of Tarsus), the prototype and illustration of a “modern, “post-resurrection,” “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) disciple and apostle of Jesus Christ, as we all can become.

I believe that Paul was the one chosen by the Lord to replace Judas rather than Matthias whom the disciples chose by lot (by chance) before they were “reborn;” before they had the guidance of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:15-26; Acts 2:1-13). Most of Acts and the Epistles were written by or about Paul (but Matthias was never heard about, after his selection). The Lord specifically intended Paul to be the example for us, like Paul, who did not have an opportunity to know Jesus during Jesus' physical ministry on earth. Paul is an example of the teaching by the Holy Spirit within “born-again” Christians (John 14:15-17, 26; 16:13).

Jesus commanded his disciples to wait in Jerusalem (the Church is the New Jerusalem) for the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8), before going into the world with the Gospel to make disciples (Matthew 2:19-20). “Born-again” Christians have personally experienced and are being trained and guided by the indwelling Holy Spirit just as was Paul. We are spiritual “eyewitnesses,” testifying that the promises in God's Word are fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?