The Living Word

Bible study on the set readings widely used by various churches and chapels and a weekly storytelling video. Also at www.medium.com/the-living-word and https://thelivingword.substack.com

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Archives for November 2022

Nov. 27: Living in Christlike order, expecting His imminent return

November 26, 2022 by Ian Greig Leave a Comment

Looking south from Hay Tor over the late autumn browns and greens of Dartmoor, Devon, SW UK.
Looking south from Hay Tor over the late autumn colours of Dartmoor, Devon, south-west UK.

This is The Living Word Bible study for groups and individuals, using the set Bible readings for November 27 taken from the interdenominational Revised Common Lectionary which is widely used by a variety of churches and chapels.

Psalm 122

Isaiah 2:1-5 — A time is coming when the world will seek its Lord

Matthew 24:36-44 — Make Jesus your Lord and be ready for His coming

Romans 13:11-14 — A wake up call for us to live the way Jesus wants

This week’s Advent Sunday theme: Living in Christlike order, expecting His imminent return


• See also this week’s article which tells the story through the main Bible readings set for Nov. 27.

• And you can listen to the podcast, or watch the video, on https://thelivingword.substack.com


Psalm 122

1 I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.”

2 Our feet are standing in your gates, Jerusalem.

3 Jerusalem is built like a city that is closely compacted together.

4 That is where the tribes go up — the tribes of the LORD — to praise the name of the LORD according to the statute given to Israel.

5 There stand the thrones for judgment, the thrones of the house of David.

6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be secure.

7-8 “May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.” For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you.”

9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your prosperity.

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Isaiah 2:1-5 — A time is coming when the world will seek its Lord

A picture of the Last Days with nations seeking to know God’s way of peace

1 This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:

“What Isaiah… saw” — a repetition of the title of Isaiah 1:1, suggesting that chapter 1 is the introduction to the whole book.

2 In the last days, the mountain of the LORD’S temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.

“In the last days…” — verses 2, 3 and 4 are almost identical to Isaiah’s younger contemporary Micah 4:1-3; they both foresaw a future time of divine messianic rule with the people of the earth learning the ways of God.

3 Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways, so that we may walk in His paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

“Teach us His ways… walk in His paths” — our “walk” is the way the Bible describes a dynamic and developing relationship with the Lord. The nations coming in would be ready to do God’s will, in contrast with Judah which had known the word, but not obeyed in that walk or relationship.

4 He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war any more.

“Swords into ploughshares ” — or hoes. A picture of a world of genuine peace with the Holy Spirit enabling everyone to live reflecting God’s character.

5 Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the LORD.

“Come… let us walk in the light” — Isaiah calls people to come back to the covenant and live in the “light” or revelation of God’s law that illuminates the path leading to the peace promised in the future vision.

Reflection

SUMMARY The pilgrims singing psalms of ascent like Psalm 122 were thinking about the coming of the Messiah for the first time, but Isaiah’s vision of the Last Days takes a longer future perspective. Like Micah’s similar prophetic word, the central thought is about many people coming, finding God and living His way.

APPLICATION It is a prophecy associated with the Christian liturgical season of Advent, originally a preparation time for teaching new disciples about the ‘walk’ of faith, leading to their baptism as believers early in the New Year. The idea of preparation for Christmas grew out of Victorian custom when (in the UK) most families would attend church at Christmas.

QUESTION How do we view Advent as a season? What spiritual preparation is most relevant when church attendance is declining?

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Matthew 24:36-44 — Make Jesus your Lord and be ready for His coming

He promises to return unexpectedly and gather His own to Himself

36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

“About that day or hour” — after teaching the seven woes, or warnings, against the hypocrisy of making converts to a religious tradition, Jesus left for the Mount of Olives where He answered the disciples’ questions about the end of the age and His return — at a time not even known to Him. Jesus, who is fully God, in becoming incarnate surrendered many divine attributes to become at the same time fully man, fully filled with the Holy Spirit.

• For further study: Jesus lays aside His glory, John 17:4-5, Phil. 2:5-8. Jesus’ superior insight and revelation, John 2:25, 16.30, 21:17.

37 “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.

“As… In the days of Noah” — a hint that Christ’s return will suddenly break in to a time of unbelief and indifference.

38-39 “For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.

“They knew nothing… until the flood came” — a picture of indifference and unpreparedness. By contrast, Jesus’ disciples are enabled to live as those prepared and ready for the unexpected.

40-41 “Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.

“One… taken… the other left” — a stark picture of separation at Christ’s return; some will be gathered by Him and others judged, in a separation of those who belong to Him, from those who have not made that choice.

• For further study, see John 3:14-18, John 6:47, Romans 10:9-10, 2 Cor. 5:17, Col. 2:6-7.

42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 

“Therefore…” — summary and application of verses 36-41. Believers have been tasked with the work of the Great Commission, Matt. 28:19-20, as an active watch, being always ready for Christ’s return, 1 Thess. 5:1-11; 1 Peter 4:7; 2 Peter 3:2-18.

• For further study, see this Bible study on accepting Christ which includes a prayer as a help for your own.

43-44 “But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him.”

“You… must be ready” — further emphasis on being prepared for the unexpected, like a householder wise not to leave the home unprotected against a burglar’s swift appearance. This is the first of four parable illustrations about readiness. See also the good and wicked servants, the 10 virgins and the talents, Matt. 24:45-25:30.

Reflection

SUMMARY This is the first of four parables about being ready for the sudden and unexpected second coming of the Lord. Just as a householder needs to make sure their own house is secure, we need to ensure that we are spiritually secure through believing in Jesus and receiving the good news of the kingdom of God for ourselves. The suddenness of the coming is emphasised; it will divide family members and work partners because making a choice for Jesus is a personal decision — no one (and no ritual or institutional belonging) can make that choice for us.

APPLICATION Being ready, as a disciple of Jesus, implies what has been taught earlier in all the gospel accounts, about believing who Jesus is and putting trust in Him as Saviour. Anyone who is not ‘ready’ to take that step of faith stands as having been judged already, John 3:18 and see note to v.41.

QUESTION As Jesus’ disciples, we are required to be in a good state of readiness. How ready are we?

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Romans 13:11-14 — A wake up call for us to live the way Jesus wants

It’s time to put on His values and show ourselves to be those who are His

11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.

“Do this” — everything Paul instructs in Romans 12:1-13:10 about practising love: firstly, in showing Christlike grace and harmony to one another as a diverse, gifted and mutual body of believers; secondly, by loving others outside the felowship without condition, and by respecting God’s order in the various authorities that exist.

“Our salvation” — there’s the salvation we gain in new life when we receive Jesus as Lord and trust Him with our lives; this will be followed by the final salvation at the end time. Then, the Lord Jesus will usher those that are His to a kind of ‘green channel’; others will have unredeemed sins to declare in the judgment of what we might imagine as the ‘red channel’.

12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armour of light.

“The day is almost here” — a good example of NT about living in anticipation of Christ’s imminent return. The early Christians were not mistaken about expecting Christ’s return, but saw His death and resurrection as history’s turning point that began the last days. However long the night may seem it is the connection to the next great event, Christ’s second coming, and therefore “nearly over”.

13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.

“Behave decently, as in the daytime” — a more literal translation (NKJ) is: “Let us walk properly, as in the day [of salvation], not in… lust… strife and envy.” In other words, live as those anticipating that climactic day when Jesus Christ will again appear in majesty. 

14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.

“Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ” — in other words, accept His lordship, putting on His values and willingly living by His guidance, rather than allowing the selfish drives of the flesh nature. 

Reflection

SUMMARY At Christ’s second coming, all will be revealed by the light of His presence — and we are taught to live in the light, and hurry to clothe ourselves with Christlike gracious attitudes, as if the full light could come on any minute.

APPLICATION Choosing to receive Jesus into your heart as Lord is a choice to live the Way of Jesus (v.14) and to reject old ways (v.13). The human spirit, now aligned with the Holy Spirit, is learning to live in new life and new identity. But the pull of the flesh and its old ways may seek to revert. We have to assert the non-negotiable choice we have made and follow the Spirit’s leading and not the flesh and its temptation.

QUESTION What does the flesh say about the apparent delay in Jesus’ return? And how does the Spirit respond?

PRAYER Father God, as we come to You in Jesus we hear again the urgency of His words telling us that we must be ready for the unexpected.

We confess that the flesh is weak, and also lax, and we ask You to fill us afresh with Your Spirit and to give us a spirit of urgency. So many have not heard the good news of the kingdom of God and others we know, will not hear of it.

As Your church of the last days, awaken and alert us to the urgency of the mission of our time. May we reach out to others with Your irresistible love as well as the truth of Your word. For Jesus our Saviour and Lord. Amen

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Filed Under: Advent to Christmas, Special day, Year A

Nov 20: Being Right with God is His Gift to Us in Jesus

November 20, 2022 by Ian Greig Leave a Comment

Light shines through a dark autumn evening churchyard scene
Light shines through a dark autumn evening churchyard scene

This is The Living Word Bible Study for Sunday, November 20, 2022

Theme: Being right with God is His gift to us in Jesus

Based on these Bible readings which are set for Nov.20 in the Revised Common Lectionary, widely followed by churches and chapels:

Jeremiah 23:1-6 – This shepherd imparts righteousness to His own

Psalm 46

Luke 23:33-43 — Anyone can turn to Jesus the Saviour for salvation

Colossians 1:9-20 — Jesus who is foremost, is our freedom bringer


• See also this week’s linked article, video and podcast How God Offers Us the Gift of Being Made Right with Him.

• Please consider giving your email to subscribe to The Living Word on Substack
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Psalm 46

1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

4-5 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.

6-7 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; He lifts his voice, the earth melts. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

8 Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations He has brought on the earth.

9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; He burns the shields with fire.

10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

11 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

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Jeremiah 23:1-6 – This shepherd imparts righteousness to His own

A corrupted lineage ends but a new branch of David’s root will appear

1 “Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of My pasture!” declares the LORD.

“Woe to the shepherds” – at a time when deportations were occurring, a succession of kings were like irresponsible shepherds, not gathering and protecting but “scattering” the flock in stubborn pride.

• For further study, read Jer. 22.

2 Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says to the shepherds who tend My people: “Because you have scattered My flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for the evil you have done,” declares the LORD.

“Scattered My flock” – the Lord is saying that the people are His and He will “take care of” them, and also “take care of” or punish the negligent leaders.

3 “I Myself will gather the remnant of My flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number.

“I… will… gather the remnant” – the ultimate Good Shepherd, the Lord, Psalm 23:1, John 14:11,14 will bring back faithful survivors to their land, Judah, in resettlements.

4 I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing,” declares the LORD.

“Shepherds… who will tend them” – God says He will raise up righteous leaders (like Ezra, Zerubbabel and Nehemiah). 

5 “The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a king who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land.

“Raise up for David a righteous branch” – a descendant of new growth rather than the main stem, the same idea as a “shoot… from the stump of Jesse”, Isaiah 11:1. A significant passage about the Messiah. The current king, unrighteous Zedekiah, will be the last of the line.

6 In His days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which He will be called: The LORD Our Righteous Saviour.

“The name” – Yahweh Tsidqenu, the Lord our righteousness. A play on the king’s name, Tsidqiyyahu or Zedekiah, ‘righteous is the Lord’ or ‘the Lord my righteousness’. Zedekiah’s mockery of His name is to be reversed in a ruler, not only righteous but imparting righteousness to those who believe in Him.

• For further study: This is justification by faith in Christ, where by no action other than our faith, His righteousness becomes imparted to us, 2 Cor. 5:21, Romans 4:5-8.

Reflection

SUMMARY This OT prophecy points us directly to Jesus. Jeremiah saw in the Spirit how God turned the name of the wicked king or ‘shepherd’ Zedekiah, the Lord my righteousness, into a new prophetic promise of huge significance. The coming Good Shepherd would be the Lord OUR righteousness.

APPLICATION Jeremiah here foretells the coming of Jesus Christ, and gives us the basis of our redemption and freedom. It is not about our striving to be righteous, but what the “Lord our righteous Saviour” has done for us. The good that we ‘do’ is to believe Him and trust Him for who He is.

QUESTION Why is the Old Testament important? How does it help us understand the New?

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Luke 23:33-43 — Anyone can turn to Jesus the Saviour for salvation

A criminal dying on a cross turns and trusts in Jesus for eternal life

33 When they came to the place called The Skull, they crucified Him there, along with the criminals — one on his right, the other on his left.

“The Skull” — Golgotha (Aramaic), Calvaria (Latin), probably a hill by a main road just outside the city. Either named as a public execution site, or because the rocks resembled a skull — or both.

34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His clothes by casting lots.

“They do not know” — the soldiers had no idea that they were fulfilling the words of Psalm 22:18. The fruit of Christ’s pronouncement of forgiveness was seen in thousands of Jewish salvations beginning at Pentecost.

35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”

“Rulers… sneered” — Luke’s quotation also looks back to Psalm 22:7-8: “All who see Me mock Me… ‘He trusts in the Lord… let the Lord rescue Him…’ “

36-37 The soldiers also came up and mocked Him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”

“Wine vinegar” — cheap, sour wine drunk to assuage thirst by labourers and soldiers: not a kind offering but one which would prolong the agony.

38 There was a written notice above Him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

“A written notice” — detailing the crime (crucifixion was a deterrent punishment) and Pilate’s way of mocking the Jewish leaders who had insisted on a death sentence.

“This is the King” — ironic: one who to appearances had lost a kingdom was just coming into a different one.

39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at Him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save Yourself and us!”

40-41 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into Your kingdom.”

“Jesus, remember me” — only Luke records the exchange with an insulting criminal, and the other who believed who He was and trusted Him. An important details, showing that our deeds do not save us, but our faith in Jesus Christ does, whoever we are.

43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in paradise.”

“Paradise” — a Persian word meaning garden, used to represent both the Garden of Eden and heaven, the place of eternal bliss for God’s people.

• For further study, see 2 Cor. 12:4; Rev. 2.7 and also Luke 16:22-23; 2 Cor. 5:8.

Reflection

SUMMARY Luke paints a vivid picture of what Jesus, the Righteous One has done, giving up life for us. We, like the criminal in the story, deserving to be put to death for our rebellion,. can choose to turn to Jesus and ask Him to receive us into His kingdom.

APPLICATION Can it be as simple as that? Can we really come to Jesus without any track record of our goodness or deservedness? The point is, the repentant criminal did just that and was assured of new and forgiven life. Rather than bringing Him our claim of merit, we need to humble ourselves before Jesus as those who have rebelled — and simply receive His forgiveness.

QUESTION  Why do many become Christians in prison, while those with well-ordered lives find it difficult?

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Colossians 1:9-20 — Jesus who is foremost, is our freedom bringer

The Son of God is the complete image, representation and fullness of God

9-10 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God…

“Knowledge of His will” — the Holy Spirit gives the believer an innate sense of God’s will, the key to a fruitful and growing life.

“Live a life worthy of the Lord” — not by religious traditions of Judaism but living in a way pleasing to Jesus as Lord.

11 …being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience…

“Strengthened with all power” — the same power that raised Jesus from the dead empowers Christians to live for Jesus with patience and joy in the face of trials.

12 ...and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of His holy people in the kingdom of light.

“Who has qualified you… to share…in the kingdom of light — a spiritual qualification; God counts us sufficient through Jesus Christ.

13-14 For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

“Dominion of darkness” — causes a spiritual blindness in the same way that nightfall hampers our ability to see physically; prevents unbelievers being aware of their spiritual condition.

15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

“Image of the invisible God” — the Greek word, also in 2 Cor. 4:4, means exact representation. The two truths set out here are that God is invisible, John 1:18 but Christ the eternal Son of God reflects and reveals what the Father is like. 

• For further study:John 14:9, Hebrews 1:3. 

16 For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him.

“Thrones or powers…” — false teachers in Colossae were deceiving with spiritual hierarchies and the worship of angelic beings alongside Christ, Col. 2:18. Paul asserts that Christ is the pre-eminent Creator, not created.

17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

“Before all things” — pre-existent, therefore eternal.

• For further study, see Micah 5:2; John 1:1, 2; 8:58; 1 John 1:1; Rev. 22:13.

18 And He is the Head of the body, the Church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy.

“Head of the body” — Paul wrote about the unity of Christ and His church as His body, 1 Cor. 12:27; here he further emphasises Christ as the Head, the authority and source.

19-20 For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the Cross.

“Fullness of God” — the totality of God, His attributes and all His powers.

“Peace” — cessation of conflict in the sense that dark heavenly powers, v.16, are subjugated.

Reflection

SUMMARY This is a powerful and plain statement of Jesus-centred faith. Simple, fundamental faith? The truth is not complicated. Anyone can get it. The truth is that Jesus did reconcile all things to Himself, and in Him all things really do hold together.

APPLICATION As Isaiah said, “all our righteous acts are like filthy rags”. There is only one thing we can do to truly please God, and that is to live a life worthy of Him by believing Him and choosing to make Him Lord. 

QUESTION  How much do we value the rescue, v.13,  Jesus offers? How much do we trust the rescuer?

PRAYER  Lord, Jesus, I praise You that in You all things hold together, and all man’s supposed powers and authorities have been created by You.

Forgive me for paying too much attention to the confusion of life without You.

 I look to You, Jesus, because You are the way and the truth and the life — and I pray for those exercising authority that they may find themselves moved by Your Spirit to trust You for guidance.

 You are Lord Jesus, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

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Filed Under: Pentecost to Advent, Year C

Nov. 13: Persecution points the way to Jesus’ return

November 10, 2022 by Ian Greig Leave a Comment


Weobley village, NW Herefordshire, from a vantage point
Weobley village, NW Herefordshire, from a vantage point

This is The Living Word Bible Study for Sunday, November 13, 2022 based on the set readings in the interdenominational Revised Standard Lectionary

Theme: Persecution points the way to Jesus’ return

Psalm 98

Isaiah 65:17-25 — A glimpse of the millennial kingdom to come

Luke 21:5-19 — Jesus prepares His disciples for times of trial

2 Thess. 3:6-13 — Don’t just wait for the Lord, prepare His way!


  • See also this week’s linked article
  • View or listen to the podcast ‘Seeing through the Pain into the Promise’ on video or podcast audio


Psalm 98

1 Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvellous things; His right hand and His holy arm have worked salvation for Him.

2 The Lord has made His salvation known and revealed His righteousness to the nations.

3 He has remembered His love and His faithfulness to Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

4-6 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn — shout for joy before the Lord, the King.

7 Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it

8-9 Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy; let them sing before the Lord, for He comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity.

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Isaiah 65:17-25 — A glimpse of the millennial kingdom to come

The pain of “former things” will be transformed into a new and joyful order

17 “See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.

“Former things” – the old order of things with pain and sorrow will give way to righteousness in “new heavens and a new earth”, 2 Peter 3:13, Rev. 21:4.

18 “But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy.

“I will create” – new, not a new version of the old city, Isaiah 62:7. 

19 “I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in My people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more.

“Rejoice over Jerusalem” – as God’s original intention, “the joy of the whole earth” Psalm 48:1, is fulfilled.

20 “Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years; the one who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere child; the one who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed.

“Dies at a hundred” – this verse supports a view of a temporal kingdom, with long but limited life, which precedes the eternal kingdom.

21-22 “They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit. No longer will they build houses and others live in them, or plant and others eat. For as the days of a tree, so will be the days of My people; My chosen ones will long enjoy the work of their hands.

“As the days of a tree” – trees are long-lived, unlike grass which withers, Isa. 40:7-8.

23 “They will not labour in vain, nor will they bear children doomed to misfortune; for they will be a people blessed by the LORD, they and their descendants with them.

“Labour in vain… doomed to misfortune” – reversing the curse of sin and independence from God, Genesis 3:16-19, Deut. 28:30.

24 “Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.

“Before they call” – living so close to the Lord that they pray for what He wants and He anticipates the prayer.

25 “The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, and dust will be the serpent’s food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all My holy mountain,” says the LORD.

“Wolf and lamb… together” – regenerated creation in the new order where animals relate without predatory instincts.

Reflection

SUMMARY For those who revere the name of the Lord, the pain behind the weeping and crying isn’t the end. It heralds God’s new order.

APPLICATION The day will come when all will be re-created to be the Lord’s delight and joy in this new place of blessing and peace. The details and the timing still require our faith and imagination , but it will happen – and it will be good.

QUESTION What is the difference between not remembering “the former things”, v.17 and the honouring pledge of “we will remember them”?

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Luke 21:5-19 — Jesus prepares His disciples for times of trial

They will face betrayal and hatred while knowing ultimate security

5 Some of His disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said…

“The temple was adorned” – Herod the Great’s temple precinct occupied one sixth of the city and was a mile to walk around. Decorated opulently with a golden vine and huge grape clusters, its massive marble blocks shone brilliantly.

6 …“As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.”

“Thrown down” – in the revolt of AD 70 the Roman army toppled the huge stones over the edge of the mount.

7 “Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”

“When” – prophecy events often spoke of more than one situation and time.

8 He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them.

“Many will come… claiming” – Jewish historian Josephus reports”false prophets” trying to emulate Moses or Joshua and claiming messianic status, after Jesus’ resurrection and before the destruction of Jerusalem.

9 “When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.”

“The end… not right away” – the events listed happen throughout the age, not just at the very end.

10-11 Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.

“Kingdom against kingdom” — increasing unrest, political and ecological, will herald the last times

12 “But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of My name.

“Persecute you” – persecution of Christians is higher now than ever.

“Hand you over to synagogues” – which doubled as community centres; punishments could be meted out there.

13 “And so you will bear testimony to Me.

“And so” – opposition highlights testimony; the early church thrived under persecution.

14-15 “But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.

“I will give you words” – Jesus promises the Holy Spirit’s imparted wisdom in giving testimony. Stephen was a shining example: “But [the Jews] could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke,” Acts 6:10.

16 “You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death.

“You will be betrayed” – betrayal by those assumed to be close is the hardest form of rejection. Jesus experienced this.

• For further study, read Luke 18:29-30, 22:1-6 and 47-62.

17 “Everyone will hate you because of Me.

“Because of Me” — where believers are free to practise their faith, ill-treatment comes in every age from defenders of the religious establishment.

18 “But not a hair of your head will perish.

“Not a hair” – protected spiritually and eternally, although persecution will come, v.12, for some, resulting in death, v.16.

19 “Stand firm, and you will win life.

“Win life” – most of the first disciples were martyred, but believers in Jesus are saved for eternal life.

Reflection

SUMMARY The temple of Jesus’ time had only been finished a few years when the Romans, in regaining control of the rebellious province, sacked the city and destroyed the landmark feature that rivalled any of the wonders of the ancient world. 

APPLICATION Jesus’ words about the temple came to pass within a generation. We have lived in the insecurity of the end times ever since, but there is a security to be found within it. It is the peace and joy of knowing Jesus, truly knowing Him through personal decision. That enables us to stand firm – and to win the life that endures.

QUESTION How do we live with reproach if we talk about Jesus as the Lord we know and love?

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2 Thess. 3:6-13 — Don’t just wait for the Lord, prepare His way!

Disciples should show themselves to be disciplined in the whole of life

6 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.

“Keep away from… idle and disruptive” – in the New King James, “withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly”. The expression was used of one who deliberately did not keep in step in a marching column. Here it refers to disruptive believers who know how to live right, but choose not to.

7-8 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, labouring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you.

“Follow our example. We were not idle” – some in Thessalonica who professed to believe in Jesus, expected the church to meet their needs rather than supporting themselves, perhaps out of a distorted sense of expecting Jesus to return imminently. 

9 We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate.

“A model for you to imitate” – Paul chose to support himself as a leather worker and tent maker.

• For further study, see 1 Cor. 9:3-14; Gal. 6:4; 1 Tim. 5:17, 18

10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”

“Unwilling to work” – Greek/Roman culture disdained manual work (seeing it as the role of slaves) but in Jewish culture, to be industrious was evidence of good character.

11-12 We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. 

“Busy… busybodies” – the English phrase represents well the similar wordplay in Greek. This teaching, now commanding and urging, follows up the exhortation of the first letter “to mind your own business and work with your hands”, 1 Thess. 4:11-12.

13 And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.

“Never tire of doing… good” – encouragement to church members to be caring in recognising genuine needs, less so for those (vv.7-8 above) awaiting the Lord rather than preparing for Him.

• For further study, help in the fellowship for situations of genuine need, Gal. 6:9-10; Eph. 4:28; 1 Tim. 5:3-8; Titus 3:14.

Reflection

SUMMARY Jews had a work ethic, but Greeks leaned towards philosophy. Some would rather debate the return of Jesus, than get ready for it. It was good that needs were being met through the fellowship, but not good if it created a passive “me too” expectation. Paul and his companions set an example by supporting themselves, Paul engaging in his trade as a leather worker alongside teaching the kingdom of God and its eternal values.

APPLICATION A living faith will find the imminent return of Jesus motivating — this is Jesus who asked how many with faith He would find on the earth on His return, Luke 18:8. And church planter and cross-cultural missionary Paul made much use elsewhere of engagement phrases like “run the race”, “fight the good fight”, “contend for the faith” and “make every effort”. 

QUESTION How do we anticipate Jesus returning without warning at any time? Are we waiting for it to happen, or are we at work preparing for when it happens?

PRAYER Lord, we struggle to understand the political and financial turmoil, protests and bullying, with free speech and democracy on trial, and an unprovoked war.
Even the planet and its ecosystems are unsettled.
As we seek You, help us to reconcile what we see around us with what You said would come.
May we gain the mind of Christ and an eternal timescale, with rising faith to pray down Your coming kingdom.
For Jesus to rule and reign. Amen.

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Welcome to The Living Word

You get a lot more out of the Sunday service readings if they are already speaking to you. TLW is about reading and re-reading these Scriptures with some commentary to bring out what is hidden and make connections with cross references. This is different from liturgy because it is a Bible study, putting the Bible passages in sequence from OT, through the NT gospel era, and then through the lens of the post-resurrection, early church in the power of the Spirit. Enabling this progressive revelation points to a theme.  The translation used is the readable and widely-used 2011 edition of the New International Version (NIV) Bible. Commentary is drawn from a wide range of sources and is Bible-centric and theologically neutral. As we read and reflect and allow the Holy Spirit to help us hear God through His word during the week, we prepare ourselves to hear afresh and receive the Sunday sermon in church or chapel.

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A little about me and my vision for The Living Word

I live in the Marches, a green and beautiful expanse of hills between England and Wales where churches and chapels share duty to the Christian faithful in every valley, and churchgoing is still part of the community life. However, there are few Bibles to be seen in these buildings, and home-based groups for fellowship and Bible study are rare.

I want to encourage Sunday worshippers in churches and chapels to enjoy reading the Bible during the week, to get used to hearing God for themselves through His word, and to be  spiritually prepared for the message they will hear on Sunday from the lectionary readings they all share. It is no substitute for meeting and worshipping together, nor for Holy Spirit-inspired preaching. It supports both by encouraging the personal growth of church and chapel members of any denomination. It offers faith encouragement for those no longer able to, or no longer wanting to take part in, formal physical church.

My background is not in churches that use the lectionary and I bring a breadth of tradition and spiritual understanding to the writing.  I have pastored a number of churches and been involved in a variety of other missional initiatives with a ‘kingdom of God’ agenda.

As well as The Living Word and its weekly video I also post regularly on www.freshbread.today and www.thelivingword.substack.com with a podcast as well as video and written content. There is also a Facebook page at fb.com/TLWbiblestudy

Revd Ian Greig BD (Hons), DPS

SEE ALSO other Living Word Publications

Substack newsletter and podcast (free subscription) — audio podcast, video and written content all in one place

Fresh Bread Today — the freshest bake, with a bit of a tang, unpackaged and uncut. His word to live by, today.

Believe the Good News – finding the good news and encouragement all through the Bible

GLOW – God’s Love Over Weobley, encouraging prayer and spiritual fellowship. With a local flavour for this NW Herefordshire village.

 

 

 

 

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