Let me start this lesson with a brief historical background. The apostle John wrote the book of Revelation while he was exiled on the Isle of Patmos in the Aegean Sea. John was a disciple of Christ during Christ earthly ministry. John was exiled to the Isle of Patmos because Rome was becoming less and less tolerant of the gospel. Paul was executed and so was Peter during this particular time period. Many of the churches in that time period were facing tremendous suffering, spiritual warfare, heresy, sinful practices among their members. John was an old man at this time… he was preaching in Ephesus, ministering to the churches there and in the surrounding cities.
We can understand that the church was in a state of need for encouragement and hope. They needed to be reminded that God was still in charge and that it was He who was on the throne. That message is still relevant today. The church needs to know that regardless of the circumstances of this world, regardless of who gets elected President of the United States, regardless if Iran is allowed to get Nuclear weapon… God is in control and His sovereignty is not in doubt.
I want to make sure we have a basic understanding of these verses and thought it best to break them down verse by verse and give a commentary on them.
Rev 4:1-2
(1) After these things I looked, and behold, a door was opened in Heaven. And the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me, saying, Come up here, and I will show you what must occur after these things.
(2) And immediately I became in spirit. And behold, a throne was set in Heaven, and One sat upon the throne.
1st thing I want to discuss is the phrase “come up hither”. John heard a booming voice saying to him “come up hither”. This was an invitation that took no effort on John’s part. When you and the Holy Spirit are in tune together it takes no effort on your part.
The next part of the text I want to look at is the phrase “here after”. This simply implies that the prophecies he is about to see are thing that will happen in the future.
Then we have “I was in the spirit”. Now John was immediately transported to the third heaven. John is in the presence of Almighty God. John is not somewhere in the upper atmosphere nor is he in the starry heavens… John is in the third heaven… a place that no telescope will ever reveal.
When John says “I was in the spirit” he was refereeing to the Holy Spirit. This is important because we need to understand that all true prophecy has to come by the Holy Spirit. Peter said this in 2nd Peter 1:20-21.
2Pe 1:20-21
(20) Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
(21) For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Rev 4:3-4
(3) And He who sat there looked like a jasper stone and a sardius. And a rainbow was around the throne, looking like an emerald.
(4) And around the throne I saw twenty-four thrones. And on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white clothing. And they had crowns of gold on their heads.
“He that sat” is referring to God the Father. John was transported into the third heaven into the throne room of God.
The reference to there being a “rainbow round about the throne” is an interesting thing. Let me read to you what the New Bible Commentary has to say about the rainbow. The rainbow is primarily to conceal the form of God; yet it is significant that a rainbow and not an ordinary cloud performs this service, for the bow is a perpetual reminder of God’s covenant to restrain His wrath from man on earth; the memorial of the covenant in heaven is thus nothing less than the glory of God which hides Him from angelic view.
Next in verse 4 we see the 24 elders sitting, clothed in white robes with crowns of gold on their heads. There is a lot of different discussions about what this could represent. Some commentaries I read said that this could represent the 24 orders of priests during he days of David and Solomon. When they come together in meetings they represented the priesthood as well as the entire nation of Israel.
Some commentaries note that it could represent the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 disciples, thus the total 24. I’m not sure if one of these thoughts are right or not but I do believe that John saw 24 elders in white robes with golden crowns… that much I am sure of.
Rev 4:5-6
(5) And out of the throne came lightnings and thunderings and voices. And seven lamps of fire were burning in front of the throne, which are the seven spirits of God.
(6) And a sea of glass was in front of the throne, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind.
Now in verse 5 thunder and lightning are coming from the throne of God. Thunder and lightning signify that something important is about to happen. If you remember… on Mount Sinai this also happened just before God gave the Law to Moses. This thunder and lightning is happening to let us know that God’s judgment is coming. There are also many verses in the Bible that talks about a trumpet being sounded just before something important was going to happen… this happened in the Old Testament as well as the New. In Matthew 24 verse 31 Jesus talked about a sound of a trumpet that will signify something great is about to happen.
Mat 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
That is one trumpet I want to hear!!
Rev 4:7-11
(7) And the first living creature was like a lion, and the second living creature like a calf, and the third living creature had the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like a flying eagle.
(8) And each one of the four living creatures had six wings about him, and within being full of eyes. And they had no rest day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God, the Almighty, who was and is and is to come.
(9) And whenever the living creatures gave glory and honor and thanks to Him who sat on the throne, who lives forever and ever,
(10) the twenty-four elders fell down before the One sitting on the throne. And they worshiped Him who lives for ever and ever, and threw their crowns before the throne, saying,
(11) O Lord, You are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because You created all things, and for Your will they are and were created.
John seems to be drawn to the four living creatures that are in the midst of God’s throne. They are strange beings full of eyes and wings. Their sole purpose for being seems to be only to give praise and honor to a Holy God.
Some commentaries and concordances seem to draw an interesting correlation about the faces of these creatures and the four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
Matthew spoke often about Christ being the Lion of Judah. Mark portrayed Christ as the perfect servant… much like an ox in Biblical days was the perfect servant. Luke portrayed the Lord as the perfect man. And John wrote often about the deity of Christ, showing Him soaring like an eagle.
The four creatures never rest day or night from praising God and worshipping Him. The creatures are shouting Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!”
The 24 elders get into the act periodically and join in themselves in worshipping God. They fall prostate before God and cast their crowns before the throne and say “you are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.”
Let’s think about a few things here before we go on to part two of our lesson.
Let’s reflect on the classic hymn Holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty, God in three persons, Blessed trinity. That is a song with worship and adoration for the Almighty God that just pores out of that song. It is a worship song that will never grow old, that is never out dated, and will never lose it’s anointing because it is straight out of God’s Word.
The Holiness of God… that is something that I believe we can not truly comprehend it while on this earth. You know, when we get to heaven and we realize the love, mercy, grace and holiness of our God. But we will also understand the God requires justice. And we will understand how great the price that had to be paid for our salvation. I believe the realization of this will simply overwhelm us into praise and adoration. We will not be able to help ourselves… it will just well up within us. I believe you can have glimmers of this here on earth but it does not even compare to what we will experience when we approach the throne of God. We deserved justice but instead He gave us mercy and grace. That is something to get excited about.
Another thing to ponder is the casting of crowns that the elders did. My friends, when we get to heaven and receive our rewards we can not do anything else but cast them at the feet of Jesus. We will finally realize just how worthy of honor and praise He is and just how unworthy we are. We will truly realize that it is not about us but about God who gave us the abilities to receive our crowns and rewards.
One commentary I read stated that casting their crowns acknowledges that they understand that God is the only worthy to take preeminence in creation. By His sovereign will He willed the existence of all things and He has the right to deal with them as He pleases.
Part two of our lessons deals with chapter 5 verses 1-10. Worthy to Open the Book
Rev 5:1-4
(1) And I saw a book on the right of Him sitting on the throne, written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals.
(2) And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book and to loosen its seals?
(3) And no one in Heaven, nor on the earth, nor under the earth, was able to open the book or to look at it.
(4) And I wept very much, because no one was found worthy to open and to read the book, nor to look at it.
John saw a scroll in the right hand of God. The fact that the book (scroll) is in the right hand of God signifies how important it is. The seven seals signify the importance of the document and for the readers. Roman law required a will to be sealed by seven witnesses seven times and when opened it must be opened in the presence of the seven witnesses who sealed it and read out loud. This could also mean that this scroll with seven seals is a symbol of the promise of a future kingdom.
In verse 2 a “strong angel” proclaims with a loud voice – who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose it seals? The strong angel represents something like a bailiff in a courtroom. That type of authority figure. He steps up and with a strong loud voice makes his proclamation in the form of a question… “who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose it seals’?
Verse 3 states that no one in heaven nor on the earth, or under the earth was able to open the scroll and look at it.
This made John weep… because no one was found worthy. This emphasizes the importance of that book and the contents and revelations it contains.
This scroll contains the mystery of God that was foretold by Old Testament prophets according to Revelations 1o:7. It unveils the puzzle of the universe and how history will unfold for all the earth and its inhabitants. John weep because he thought no one was worthy to open this book and reveal its secrets.
Rev 5:5-8
(5) And one of the elders said to me, Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the book and to loose the seven seals of it.
(6) And I looked, and lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, amidst the elders, a Lamb stood, as if it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
(7) And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him sitting on the throne.
(8) And when He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one having harps and golden vials full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
Suddenly, in the midst of John crying; and elder speaks to John and tells him not to weep because the Lion of the tribe of Judah is able to open the book.
The Lion of the tribe of Judah is able to open the book. Back in Genesis 49 it is prophesied that the Messiah would come from Judah and the phrase Root of David also comes from prophesy in Isaiah 11:1 that indicated that the Messiah would be from the David’s lineage.
John must have rejoiced… he turns and he is likely expecting to see a power Lion or at least Jesus as he had known him in His earthly ministry. But instead, John sees a Lamb slain with the marks of death still written on His body.
These marks will be on Christ’s body for all eternity. You know it’s interesting and has been said that throughout all eternity to come with a less than perfect body will be the eternally perfect One Himself.
The slain lamb is described as having seven horns and seven eyes. The number seven in the Bible represents completion. The horn represents strength; therefore the seven horns represent the complete and omnipotent power. They eye represents knowing and understanding therefore the seven eyes represent Christ’s complete omniscience.
The beast and the elders all fall down and worship and adore the Lamb. They cannot contain themselves. They break out in spontaneous worship and praise.
In verse 8 the elders and the beast have a harp and golden bowls full of incense. The incense is the prayers of the saints. What strikes me is that our prayers are not ever lost. We may feel as if they are lost but God has them and they are precious to Him. They are so important to God that He has them in a golden bowl before His throne held by His beast and elders. They are so precious to Him that He keeps our prayers as treasures.
Rev 5:9-10
(9) And they sang a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the book and to open its seals, for You were slain and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation.
(10) And You made us kings and priests to our God, and we will reign over the earth.
“They sang a new song” – they have a reason to rejoice. The Lamb that was slain was found worthy - He alone was worthy to open the scrolls. The new song acknowledges all the works that Christ did on the cross by the shedding of His blood. He purchased our redemption… we are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.
The song is about how Christ made us to be Kings and priest to God and that we will reign over all the earth.
Without the holiness of God then there would be no provision for justice. Without the cross there would be no blood shed for the remission of sins to redeem us back to God. We would be lost and God’s justice would come down on us and we would be without hope. But thank God… the Lamb willingly was slain and we can be redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. Our sins can be washed away by His blood!
Part 3 of our lesson is entitled “Worthy Is the Lamb”
Rev 5:11
(11) And I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, and the living creatures and the elders. And the number of them was myriads and myriads, and thousands of thousands,
You know… there is something about corporate worship isn’t there. I mean, when you are in a crowd of believers and you are lifting up the name of Jesus and worshiping Him in spirit and in truth. There is something electric about that. When I went to the teen rally in Wake Forest I was totally blown away by the cooperate worship of 10,000 people worshiping and praising the Lord. It was AWESOME.
Angels are created beings by God to help carry out God’s work in all His creation. The number is staggering… 100 million and multiples of 1 million all encircling the Lamb and with worship and praise. Notice that this is not an unorganized event… it is not routine either but it is in order. When you are worshiping God in spirit and in truth your worship will be in order… there will be an agreement.
I can image John… here he had been with Jesus during Jesus earthly ministry. John had witnessed Jesus being beaten and crucified… and now he was seeing Him worship and praise. This must have thrilled John.
Rev 5:12-14
(12) saying with a great voice, Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.
(13) And I heard every creature which is in the Heaven and on the earth, and under the earth, and those that are in the sea, and all who are in them, saying, Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him sitting on the throne, and to the Lamb forever and ever.
(14) And the four living creatures said, Amen. And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the One living forever and ever.
Everyone around the Lamb… the Lamb is in the middle… and the words spoken are about the seven attributes of the Lamb – power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing.
Gill’s commentary states this:
Every Creature - Animate or inanimate, angels, and the spirits of just men made perfect, sun, moon, and stars, and the fowls of the air:
and on the earth; men and beasts, and every creeping thing, mountains, hills, fruitful trees, and all cedars: and under the earth: in the bowels of it, metals, minerals, and everything of that kind:
and such as are in the sea; that sail in ships upon the mighty waters, and fishes great and small that are therein:
and all that are in them; in heaven, earth, and sea:
All were giving blessing and honor and power to Him sitting on the Throne (God the Father) and to the Lamb (God the Son).
Why? Because everyone, everything will understand that HE IS WORTHY TO BE PRAISED!
Another thing that I want to mention about this event that John was seeing… remember now he was seeing he was seeing things that will take place in the future. So… this scene that he is describing is one that all born again saints that either passed away or were caught up with Jesus in the Rapture. Now I was there… if you are a born again you were there. Isn’t that awesome? John could have possible saw and heard me giving glory and honor to God! The thought of that just thrills me!!
Then in verse 14 they 4 living creatures that were round about the throne said amen… they agreed with the worship going on. And the 24 elders fell down again and started to worship all over again.
Oh that we would understand this scripture…. Oh that we would apply it’s truths to our hearts and begin to worship God in truth and in spirit. True worship!
Monday, August 25, 2008
Friday, August 8, 2008
Background
Last Sunday, I studied about the “Song of Moses”. And the lesson was about a time when God’s chosen people would forget Him, and this would cause Him to become angry, and allow Israel’s enemies to overtake them. This would bring Israel back to their knees and beg for forgiveness and cry out to God to save them. We learned that God is a ROCK that can be trusted… and I thought Ms Joyce did a great job bringing us that message. We learned that God never permanently abandons His people but comes to their rescue when they realize they need a savior.
We move forward several hundred years and we notice the same type of behavior still going on. Everything that Moses had sang about came to pass. Once Israel settled into the promise land, God blessed them, they began to indulge in the lifestyle of the Canaanites and forget the laws and ordinances of God. God allow them to be overrun by their enemies. They would cry out again and God this time sent one of the Judges to rescue them... and the vicious cycle would start all over again.
Eventually the Israelites wanted a king… this was a rejection of God. They chose Saul. If they would not serve a perfect God then how could they serve a human king who had human flaws?
But God was already planning a king for His people and His chosen representative was David.
This is where I want to pick up today... David running from Saul in Psalm 22… and then goes into his praise of God for coming to his aid in Psalm 118.
Psalms 22:1-8
(1) My God, my God, why have You forsaken me, and are far from my deliverance, and from the words of my groaning?
(2) O my God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not answer; and in the night, and am not silent.
(3) But You are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.
(4) Our fathers trusted in You; they trusted, and You delivered them.
(5) They cried to You, and were delivered; they trusted in You, and were not ashamed.
(6) But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised by the people.
(7) All who see Me mock me; they shoot out the lip; they shake the head, saying,
(8) He trusted on Jehovah; let Him deliver Him; let Him rescue Him, since He delights in Him!
Three questions seem to stand out in the first verse.
1. Why have You forsaken me?
2. Why is there no apparent attempt to rescue me?
3. Why have You not heard my cry?
You know what… I could sympathize with David. All David had been doing was the will of God… yet he was not on the run for his very life. He was running around and hiding in caves because Saul was out to kill him.
This is also a prophetic cry of the suffering that Christ endured on Calvary.
Christ Sufferings
The truth is that David was not forsaken… but Christ was truly forsaken. God would not rescue Christ because the very reason Christ came to earth was to be forsaken and bear the sins of the world that we might be saved. Christ was our atonement!
Think about Christ’s despair. He was overwhelmed with grief, and crushed with pain, He carried the sins of the world to that cross. All of this Christ suffered and endured knowing that he would have to endure to the end without hope of being rescued.
The Lord’s Track Record
In verses 3-5 of this passage we notice that David was attempting to grow his faith... he began to encourage himself in the Lord. He began to remember how God continually delivered Israel time and time again. He began for a brief moment to take his eyes off of his sufferings and where he was in his current situation and began to realize that God was in control and He would deliver Him again. He knew the Lord’s track record was too good for him to be left without deliverance.
Again… it’s prophetic in the sense of how Christ must have felt when He prayed in the Garden and on the Cross. David could encourage himself and feel God’s presence but Christ could not feel the presence of God because God TRULY had forsaken Christ. Christ was separated from God because of our sins.
Brick Wall
Have you ever felt like your prayers were hitting a brick wall? At these time we must rely on what we know His word says instead of what we feel. Feelings are great and we need them but it’s what you know that will make the difference in these critical times in your life.
In verses 2-6 David felt less than human… he compares himself to a worm. In those days most Jews held the view that if you were blessed with riches and good health that you had God’s approval but if you had disease, misfortune or were poor then this was signs of God’s disapproval with you. The Jews would have thought it foolish to trust God in the midst of your suffering if you were in this condition because they believed that God was the one who put you there.
Jesus also received these verbal abuses from his tormentors during His Crucifixion. The soldiers mocked Him, they spat on Him, they took a reed and struck Him on the head. The crowd blasphemed Him as he passed by on his was to calvary.
Christ was truly a Forsaken Savior.
Psalm 22:9-18 Suffering Savior
Psalms 22:9-18
(9) For You are He who took Me out of the womb, causing Me to trust while on My mother's breasts.
(10) I was cast on You from the womb; You are My God from My mother's belly.
(11) Be not far from Me; for trouble is near, for there is none to help.
(12) Many bulls have circled around Me; strong bulls Of Bashan have surrounded Me.
(13) They opened wide their mouths on Me, like a ripping and a roaring lion.
(14) I am poured out like water, and all My bones are spread apart; My heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of My bowels.
(15) My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and My tongue clings to My jaws;
(16) and You have brought Me into the dust of death. For dogs have circled around Me; the band of spoilers have hemmed Me in, piercers of My hands and My feet.
(17) I can count all My bones; they look and stare at Me.
(18) They divide My garments among them and cast lots for My clothing.
Change your focus
Verses 9-11 began again to reflect upon the faithfulness of God. For a brief moment again David changed his focus. He began to focus on God’s sovereignty and love for His people rather than thinking about his problems. That can be a hard thing to do when you are in the midst of a trouble but when you discipline yourself to focus on God and not the problem your attitude and outlook will change! The issue is already resolved and God is in control.
David felt as if the life had been drained out of him. And again David’s pain and suffering represent the sufferings that Jesus would endure. Verses 16 – 18 are perfect examples of this prophetic writing.
If you are a child of God and your sins have been washed away by the blood of Jesus; when you find yourself in a similar situation it is so helpful to encourage yourself with the Word of God. If you can just get these truths written in your heart that…
Nothing!
Nothing will ever happen to you that God does not already know about!
Psa 139:1-4
(1) You have searched me and have known me.
(2) You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off.
(3) You search my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.
(4) For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Jehovah, You know it altogether.
Nothing will ever happen to you that is a mistake!
Psa 139:4
(4) For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Jehovah, You know it altogether.
Psa 139:16
(16) Your eyes saw my embryo; and in Your book all my members were written, the days they were formed, and not one was among them.
Nothing will ever happen that you cannot handle by God's power and grace!
2Co 12:9-10
(9) And He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may overshadow me.
(10) Therefore I am pleased in weaknesses, in insults, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am powerful.
Nothing will ever happen to you that will not eventually be used by God for some good purpose in your life!
Rom 8:28
(28) And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Nothing will ever happen to you without God's presence!
Mat 28:20
(20) teaching them to observe all things, whatever I commanded you. And, behold, I am with you all the days until the end of the world. Amen.
Nothing will ever separate you from God's love!
Rom 8:38-39
(38) For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
(39) nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Read Psalm 118:19-29
Psalm 118 is radically different than Psalm 22. “Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the Lord”.
Psa 118:19-29
(19) Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will go into them, and I will praise Jehovah.
(20) This is the gate of Jehovah into which the righteous shall enter.
(21) I will praise You; for You have heard me, and are my salvation.
(22) The Stone which the builders refused has become the Head of the corner.
(23) This is from Jehovah; it is marvelous in our eyes.
(24) This is the day which Jehovah has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
(25) Save now, I beseech You, O Jehovah; O Jehovah, I beseech You, cause us to prosper now.
(26) Blessed is He coming in the name of Jehovah; we have blessed You out of the house of Jehovah.
(27) God is Jehovah, who gives light to us. Tie the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.
(28) You are my God, and I will exalt You; You are my God, I will praise You.
(29) Oh give thanks to Jehovah; for He is good; for His mercy endures forever.
This is a pure praise unto the Lord. This is part of the psalms traditionally used at Passover. It reflects on the confidence that can be experienced in the Lord because of His enduring mercy and on the way He delivers His people in times of trouble.
In those days only the righteous, those with absolute loyalty and trust in the Lord were allowed to enter the Temple.
There is none righteous but one and he is Jesus Christ. As we read the prophetic reference to Jesus again in Psalms 24:3,4. Only Christ could enter the “gate of the Lord” of His own accord!
The Cornerstone
New Unger’s Bible Dictionary states that A cornerstone is a stone at the corner of two walls that unites them, specifically, the stone built into the one corner of the foundation of an edifice as the actual or nominal starting point of a building.
Jesus himself identified Himself as the cornerstone in Matthew 21:42 and Paul said in Ephesians
Eph 2:19-20
(19) Now therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God,
(20) and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,
Why is Jesus being the cornerstone so important to know… well there are many reasons but the most important reason is He is the foundation of our faith. He is the standard and the only true benchmark for building our faith and relationship to God. You always check where you are based on your benchmark or cornerstone… this way you know that you are building your faith on solid ground if you keep in line with your cornerstone.
The Day of Thanksgiving
This verse is a popular song that we have sung at my church many times. This song reflects how God had delivered him our out danger and how full of joy and thankful he now is.
In closing
Both of our texts from Psalms 22 and Psalms 118 are prophetic in nature and speak to the coming of the Messiah. From these texts we can see a real picture of the Lord’s suffering some thousand years before it actually happened.
What is so awesome to me is that God was planning our redemption since before Adam fell in the Garden.
God Bless!
Last Sunday, I studied about the “Song of Moses”. And the lesson was about a time when God’s chosen people would forget Him, and this would cause Him to become angry, and allow Israel’s enemies to overtake them. This would bring Israel back to their knees and beg for forgiveness and cry out to God to save them. We learned that God is a ROCK that can be trusted… and I thought Ms Joyce did a great job bringing us that message. We learned that God never permanently abandons His people but comes to their rescue when they realize they need a savior.
We move forward several hundred years and we notice the same type of behavior still going on. Everything that Moses had sang about came to pass. Once Israel settled into the promise land, God blessed them, they began to indulge in the lifestyle of the Canaanites and forget the laws and ordinances of God. God allow them to be overrun by their enemies. They would cry out again and God this time sent one of the Judges to rescue them... and the vicious cycle would start all over again.
Eventually the Israelites wanted a king… this was a rejection of God. They chose Saul. If they would not serve a perfect God then how could they serve a human king who had human flaws?
But God was already planning a king for His people and His chosen representative was David.
This is where I want to pick up today... David running from Saul in Psalm 22… and then goes into his praise of God for coming to his aid in Psalm 118.
Psalms 22:1-8
(1) My God, my God, why have You forsaken me, and are far from my deliverance, and from the words of my groaning?
(2) O my God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not answer; and in the night, and am not silent.
(3) But You are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.
(4) Our fathers trusted in You; they trusted, and You delivered them.
(5) They cried to You, and were delivered; they trusted in You, and were not ashamed.
(6) But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised by the people.
(7) All who see Me mock me; they shoot out the lip; they shake the head, saying,
(8) He trusted on Jehovah; let Him deliver Him; let Him rescue Him, since He delights in Him!
Three questions seem to stand out in the first verse.
1. Why have You forsaken me?
2. Why is there no apparent attempt to rescue me?
3. Why have You not heard my cry?
You know what… I could sympathize with David. All David had been doing was the will of God… yet he was not on the run for his very life. He was running around and hiding in caves because Saul was out to kill him.
This is also a prophetic cry of the suffering that Christ endured on Calvary.
Christ Sufferings
The truth is that David was not forsaken… but Christ was truly forsaken. God would not rescue Christ because the very reason Christ came to earth was to be forsaken and bear the sins of the world that we might be saved. Christ was our atonement!
Think about Christ’s despair. He was overwhelmed with grief, and crushed with pain, He carried the sins of the world to that cross. All of this Christ suffered and endured knowing that he would have to endure to the end without hope of being rescued.
The Lord’s Track Record
In verses 3-5 of this passage we notice that David was attempting to grow his faith... he began to encourage himself in the Lord. He began to remember how God continually delivered Israel time and time again. He began for a brief moment to take his eyes off of his sufferings and where he was in his current situation and began to realize that God was in control and He would deliver Him again. He knew the Lord’s track record was too good for him to be left without deliverance.
Again… it’s prophetic in the sense of how Christ must have felt when He prayed in the Garden and on the Cross. David could encourage himself and feel God’s presence but Christ could not feel the presence of God because God TRULY had forsaken Christ. Christ was separated from God because of our sins.
Brick Wall
Have you ever felt like your prayers were hitting a brick wall? At these time we must rely on what we know His word says instead of what we feel. Feelings are great and we need them but it’s what you know that will make the difference in these critical times in your life.
In verses 2-6 David felt less than human… he compares himself to a worm. In those days most Jews held the view that if you were blessed with riches and good health that you had God’s approval but if you had disease, misfortune or were poor then this was signs of God’s disapproval with you. The Jews would have thought it foolish to trust God in the midst of your suffering if you were in this condition because they believed that God was the one who put you there.
Jesus also received these verbal abuses from his tormentors during His Crucifixion. The soldiers mocked Him, they spat on Him, they took a reed and struck Him on the head. The crowd blasphemed Him as he passed by on his was to calvary.
Christ was truly a Forsaken Savior.
Psalm 22:9-18 Suffering Savior
Psalms 22:9-18
(9) For You are He who took Me out of the womb, causing Me to trust while on My mother's breasts.
(10) I was cast on You from the womb; You are My God from My mother's belly.
(11) Be not far from Me; for trouble is near, for there is none to help.
(12) Many bulls have circled around Me; strong bulls Of Bashan have surrounded Me.
(13) They opened wide their mouths on Me, like a ripping and a roaring lion.
(14) I am poured out like water, and all My bones are spread apart; My heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of My bowels.
(15) My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and My tongue clings to My jaws;
(16) and You have brought Me into the dust of death. For dogs have circled around Me; the band of spoilers have hemmed Me in, piercers of My hands and My feet.
(17) I can count all My bones; they look and stare at Me.
(18) They divide My garments among them and cast lots for My clothing.
Change your focus
Verses 9-11 began again to reflect upon the faithfulness of God. For a brief moment again David changed his focus. He began to focus on God’s sovereignty and love for His people rather than thinking about his problems. That can be a hard thing to do when you are in the midst of a trouble but when you discipline yourself to focus on God and not the problem your attitude and outlook will change! The issue is already resolved and God is in control.
David felt as if the life had been drained out of him. And again David’s pain and suffering represent the sufferings that Jesus would endure. Verses 16 – 18 are perfect examples of this prophetic writing.
If you are a child of God and your sins have been washed away by the blood of Jesus; when you find yourself in a similar situation it is so helpful to encourage yourself with the Word of God. If you can just get these truths written in your heart that…
Nothing!
Nothing will ever happen to you that God does not already know about!
Psa 139:1-4
(1) You have searched me and have known me.
(2) You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off.
(3) You search my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.
(4) For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Jehovah, You know it altogether.
Nothing will ever happen to you that is a mistake!
Psa 139:4
(4) For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Jehovah, You know it altogether.
Psa 139:16
(16) Your eyes saw my embryo; and in Your book all my members were written, the days they were formed, and not one was among them.
Nothing will ever happen that you cannot handle by God's power and grace!
2Co 12:9-10
(9) And He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may overshadow me.
(10) Therefore I am pleased in weaknesses, in insults, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am powerful.
Nothing will ever happen to you that will not eventually be used by God for some good purpose in your life!
Rom 8:28
(28) And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Nothing will ever happen to you without God's presence!
Mat 28:20
(20) teaching them to observe all things, whatever I commanded you. And, behold, I am with you all the days until the end of the world. Amen.
Nothing will ever separate you from God's love!
Rom 8:38-39
(38) For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
(39) nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Read Psalm 118:19-29
Psalm 118 is radically different than Psalm 22. “Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the Lord”.
Psa 118:19-29
(19) Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will go into them, and I will praise Jehovah.
(20) This is the gate of Jehovah into which the righteous shall enter.
(21) I will praise You; for You have heard me, and are my salvation.
(22) The Stone which the builders refused has become the Head of the corner.
(23) This is from Jehovah; it is marvelous in our eyes.
(24) This is the day which Jehovah has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
(25) Save now, I beseech You, O Jehovah; O Jehovah, I beseech You, cause us to prosper now.
(26) Blessed is He coming in the name of Jehovah; we have blessed You out of the house of Jehovah.
(27) God is Jehovah, who gives light to us. Tie the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.
(28) You are my God, and I will exalt You; You are my God, I will praise You.
(29) Oh give thanks to Jehovah; for He is good; for His mercy endures forever.
This is a pure praise unto the Lord. This is part of the psalms traditionally used at Passover. It reflects on the confidence that can be experienced in the Lord because of His enduring mercy and on the way He delivers His people in times of trouble.
In those days only the righteous, those with absolute loyalty and trust in the Lord were allowed to enter the Temple.
There is none righteous but one and he is Jesus Christ. As we read the prophetic reference to Jesus again in Psalms 24:3,4. Only Christ could enter the “gate of the Lord” of His own accord!
The Cornerstone
New Unger’s Bible Dictionary states that A cornerstone is a stone at the corner of two walls that unites them, specifically, the stone built into the one corner of the foundation of an edifice as the actual or nominal starting point of a building.
Jesus himself identified Himself as the cornerstone in Matthew 21:42 and Paul said in Ephesians
Eph 2:19-20
(19) Now therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God,
(20) and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,
Why is Jesus being the cornerstone so important to know… well there are many reasons but the most important reason is He is the foundation of our faith. He is the standard and the only true benchmark for building our faith and relationship to God. You always check where you are based on your benchmark or cornerstone… this way you know that you are building your faith on solid ground if you keep in line with your cornerstone.
The Day of Thanksgiving
This verse is a popular song that we have sung at my church many times. This song reflects how God had delivered him our out danger and how full of joy and thankful he now is.
In closing
Both of our texts from Psalms 22 and Psalms 118 are prophetic in nature and speak to the coming of the Messiah. From these texts we can see a real picture of the Lord’s suffering some thousand years before it actually happened.
What is so awesome to me is that God was planning our redemption since before Adam fell in the Garden.
God Bless!
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