2 Corinthians 6. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” Paul gave the believers the marks of the ministry, “Do not be yoked with unbelievers“, come out from among them and be holy.
Isaiah 14 speaks of the return of Israel to their own land, the fall of Babylon and the haughtiness of Lucifer. It ends with prophecies about Assyria and the Philistines.
2 Corinthians 5 gives the assurance of the resurrection, and we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. In the meantime we have been given the ministry of reconciliation, and “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” This verse was inscribed in the New Testament given to me at my confirmation in Sweden more than half a century ago. I didn’t understand it then, but since I became a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ it all started to make sense.
Isaiah 11 speaks of the Branch from Jesse, containing this gem “and a little child shall lead them”. Even the animals will make peace.
Isaiah 12 is a hymn of praise to finish up the first part of Isaiah, the future of Israel.
Isaiah 13 is a prophecy against Babylon.
Psalm 72, of Solomon. Most likely Solomon compiled Book Two of Psalms (Psalms 42-72) and composed or edited this psalm as a fitting end to the collection of mostly David’s psalms. It is a fitting conclusion, because it does not focus upon David himself, but on the coming Messiah – the King of Kings and Son of David.
2 Corinthians 4. Believers are treasures in jars of clay to proclaim the light of Christ’s gospel. They may be cast down but still unconquered “We believe and therefore speak” “we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” Read this chapter carefully with thought.
Isaiah 10 speaks of the punishment of Syria (and Assyria), after which the remnant of Israel shall return.
Psalm 71. This Psalm has the same theme as Psalm 70, but is much more detailed. It is of an older man, strong in faith, most probably David.
2 Corinthians 3. Believers are Christ’s Epistle with the the spirit of the living God living within them.“The letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life” , that is the glory of the New Covenant, and “where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty”
Isaiah 9. A must read chapter of Isaiah. It speaks of “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.” Then it states: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” It speaks of Christ, the coming Messiah, both his humanity (a child) and his deity (son of God).
2 Corinthians 2. The Apostle Paul sent a very loving and encouraging letter to the Corinthians. In it he emphasized they should be no more Sorrowful, forgive the offender and triumph in Christ.
In Isaiah 6 is told the famous call of Isaiah: “Here am I, send me“. God answered by telling Isaiah of all the hardships that will come with answering such a call. The people will harden their hearts as Pharaoh hardened his.
Isaiah 7. “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” After that promise God spoke of a coming disaster.
Isaiah 8. Prophetically Assyria will invade Israel, an instrument of God to execute judgement on the unfaithful. The remedy is to fear God and Him alone.
2 Corinthians 1. After Paul’s customary greeting he gave praise to the God of all comfort, which includes comfort in suffering and consolation from suffering. Paul told the Corinthians of his sincerity and his change of plans and of God sparing the Church.
Isaiah 4. “In that day”. This refers to the Messianic reign after the Day of the LORD. “The Branch” is introduced.
Isaiah 5. The Song of the Vineyard. The chapter starts out beautifully, but then tells of judgement. In chapter three was proclaimed two woes. In chapter five God proclaimed six more woes.
Acts 21. On the way to Jerusalem Paul was warned everywhere by the Holy Spirit not to go, but Paul continued unmoved, and people finally gave up, saying ‘The Lord’s will be done’. Paul was urged to make peace and purify himself with four other Jews that had taken a vow, which he did. A mob was stirred up anyway and Paul was arrested in the Temple. Because Paul was a Roman citizen he was allowed to address the Jerusalem mob.
2 Chronicles 30. Hezekiah celebrated the Passover and there was great joy in Jerusalem.
Psalm 49, of the Sons of Korah. This psalm is more of a teaching Psalm and give instruction on how to live and hope of salvation “But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave,For He shall receive me”
Acts 20:17-38. From Miletus Paul called the Ephesian Elders and when they arrived he exhorted them, said farewell and told them he would never see them again.
2 Chronicles 27. Jotham, king of Judah followed God, became mighty, reigned sixteen years and died.
2 Chronicles 28. Ahaz, king of Judah did not follow God, was defeated by Syria and Israel. Israel returned the captives taken. After Ahaz committed apostasy, he shut down the temple and died.
2 Chronicles 29. Hezekiah became king of Judah, cleansed the Temple and restored temple worship.
Psalm 116:15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
Our current President Joseph R. Biden Jr gave a highly anticipated speech on how to reduce crime, mostly through gun control, but also to attack the problem by using unspent Covid money. But a few of his other sayings were puzzling:
We just celebrated Juneteenth as the day the Republicans freed the Democrats slaves, and the Civil War was bloody and deadly indeed, and fought with physical guns. The Government likes to point to January 6 2021 as an armed insurrection to overthrow the government. Even though over 400 people are arrested and still held in D.C. prison on trespassing charges, none is accused of being armed with guns. The only casualty from guns is an unarmed protestor, Ashley Babbit, shot by an as of yet unidentified D.C. police. All the protestors demanded was a 12 day audit of the results in seven states to make sure all was done properly and in order. The Government should have welcomed an audit to finally lay to rest accusations of impropriety in the 2020 election.
No, the problem is much deeper, and it is spiritual. Both Republicans and Democrats are deeply flawed people, as are we all, in need of a redeemer. That is why the battle is spiritual. As the Scripture says in 2 Corintians 10:4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;).
So what are the weapons of our warfare? Ephesians 6:13-17
Yes, this battle is much bigger than gun control, bigger than Democrat versus Republican. It is a battle for good vs. evil, liberty vs. Government control of what defines freedom, anarchy vs. law and order, and most important is is a spiritual battle for the soul of every individual, the nation and the world.
Acts 17:1-15. Paul and Silas arrived in Thessalonica, preached in the Synagogue, many people were converted, the Jews didn’t like it and a crowd attacked Jason’s home. But in Berea they were welcomed: “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” The net result though was similar to what happened in Thessalonica, so Paul was escorted to Athens.
2 Chronicles 6 records Solomon’s speech when the work was completed and Solomon’s prayer of dedication.
2 Chronicles 7. Solomon dedicated the Temple, and God appeared to Solomon a second time, promising “ If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
2 Chronicles 8 lists more of Solomon’s achievements.
Len Bilén's blog, a blog about faith, politics and the environment. 