2024 - Thoughts From Scripture*

      We have begun a new year. When considering what to expect for the new year, far too many are focused on the world and the agenda of men, rather than the Word of God. As we look at scripture this week, many of them will have a twenty or a twenty-four associated with them.

     Psalm 20 is a song in which David asked the LORD: "Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reigns and my heart...I will wash my hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD...I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth. Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men." (v. 1-9, excerpt). Our lives are to line up with God's Word as Paul wrote in Rom. 12:1-2. We are living in the time of "Jacob's Trouble", and we need to be following 2 Chron. 7:14, turning to God, seeking His forgiveness, and the healing of our land. This was David's attitude as he sought the LORD.

     In Mt. 24, Jesus is asked by His disciples to tell them the signs of His coming, and the end of the age. Jesus described many events that we are seeing today: wars, famines, pestilences, earthquakes, ethnic groups rising against other ethnic groups, the persecution of believers, and an increase in iniquity. We have seen great increases in the numbers of these troubling events in the last years. Jesus also warned His disciples that false Christs and false prophets would come deceiving many because they: "... shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." (v. 24). As Daniel's prophecy of the abomination of desolation to take place in the holy place (a third temple will be built) is fulfilled, Jesus warned that all inhabitants should flee at that time: "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened. there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened." (v. 21-22).  There will also be signs in the heavens: "Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken. And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 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...Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled...But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only." (v. 29-36). As Jesus spoke of "this generation", I believe that He is referring to the generation that will see all of these things occur.

     In this same chapter, Jesus said that the coming of the Son of man would be like the days of Noah. Before the devastating flood of judgment came, men went about their lives as they normally would: "...until the day that Noe entered into the ark.": (v. 37-38). They didn't know until the destroying flood suddenly came that the day of God's judgment was upon them and took them all away. It will be the same with the coming of the Son of man (v. 39). Then Jesus described certain ones who would be "taken" (paralambano - take up, to take with one's self, to join to one's self). The "joining to" in the Greek meaning of the word used here as "taken", should make us think of the marriage supper of the Lamb. Jesus warned here: "Watch therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come." (v. 42). To emphasize this truth, Jesus told the parable of the ten virgins who were all meant to greet the bridegroom when he came (Mt. 25:1-13). The point of the parable is that while all ten were meant to be there, only five were wise enough to be prepared for the unknown moment when the bridegroom would come by having enough oil on hand to light their lamps. Five were foolish and had not prepared enough oil for their lamps. When the bridegroom came suddenly at midnight, only the five wise went in with him to the marriage, and then, as with Noah's Ark, the door was shut. When the five foolish had gotten what they needed, they were too late, and the Lord would not let them into the marriage. He said to them: "Verily I say unto you, I know you not." (v. 12). Jesus warned His disciples again: "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh." (v. 13). Revelation 19 tells us that Jesus is coming for a bride who has made herself ready. Are we ready? Are our lamps lit with the oil of the Holy Spirit and set on a lampstand for the world to see?

     In Ezekiel 20, the prophet received the Word of the LORD concerning the defiance of Israel. As we look at the LORD's contention with Israel's disobedience, we can also see America's fall from the Word of God. The LORD had said to Israel before He delivered them from slavery in Egypt: "Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.' But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt...And I gave them my statutes, and shewed them my judgments, which if a man can do, he shall even live in them. Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them. But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they despised my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them;  and my sabbaths they greatly polluted: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them. But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, in whose sight I brought them out." (Ezek. 20:7-14, excerpt). Even the children of this rebellious generation of Israelites which saw the judgment of the LORD fall upon them, failed to take heed to the lesson to walk in the statutes and judgments of the LORD, and also rebelled against Him (v. 18-24). This is where we are as a nation today. We can't keep going against the LORD's Word and ways.

     In Ezek. 37, the LORD speaks to His prophet about a wonderful work He will do. He will cause His spirit to raise up His people and place them in their own land, which the LORD did when He re-established Israel as a nation after 2,000 years. The LORD promised to unite the half tribes (also half Gentile tribes) of Joseph and his companions the tribes of Israel, with Judah as one nation in the land, under one king (v. 14-22). About this united kingdom, the LORD prophesied: "Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwelling places, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so they shall be my people, and I will be their God. And David (who was long dead at this point) my servant shall be king (speaking of the Messiah/Christ) over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes and do them." (v. 23-24). Ezekiel also prophesied after this that nations would be compelled to attack Israel. The nations mentioned, Magog, Meshech, Tubal (parts of Russia), Persia (Iran), Ethiopia, Libya, Gomer, and Togarmah. represent many of the nations today that spread hostilities against Israel. The LORD identified this event as part of the "latter years", or last days, in which we are living (see Ezek. 38). Are we understanding these times in which we are living in 2024, as the LORD intends for us to do?

     Finally, in Psalm 24, we see the King of Glory entering through the gates: "Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? the LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle...The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah." (v. 7-10). Who will behold this wonderful and victorious sight? "Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? and who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lift up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah." (v. 3-6, see again 2 Chron. 7:14). It is only by the blood of Jesus, like the blood of the Passover Lamb on the doorposts that caused the angel of death to pass over, that we are blessed with the righteousness of God, our salvation. America, listen to the 2024 thoughts from scripture! Seek God for 2024, examine your hearts, and read His Word. Be as close to the LORD as possible.

       *Based upon Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson, Jr.'s 1/7/24 message to the church. If you would like to hear the complete message, you can find it on Dr. Stevenson's Facebook page. To contact or support this ministry, or to request prayer, you can write to PO Box 154221, Waco, TX, 76705.