The Living Word

The Living Word for Sunday, Nov 21, 2021, is a non-denominational Bible study which relies on the Bible explaining the Bible, uninfluenced by any church’s traditions or preferences, and following the Bible’s sequence of progressive revelation. Read the whole passage first and let the Holy Spirit begin speaking to you through it, then go deeper with the verse by verse commentary and reflections. The week’s readings are as set by the Revised Common Lectionary, an inter-denominational resource shared by many different churches and chapels. The Bible version, widely used in contemporary churches, is the NIV © Biblica. This post ref. TLW46B

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OT1: 2 Samuel 23:1-7 — David, the most renowned king of Israel, recalls God’s covenant with him and anticipates the promised descendant

OT2: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 — A glimpse of the majesty of heaven for Daniel

NT gospel: John 18:33-37 — Jesus, questioned by Pilate about who He is, explains that He has no political motive because His is a spiritual kingdom

NT letter: Revelation 1:4b-8 — We are set free to serve God as a fellowship of priests until Jesus returns as the completion of truth.

And also read: Psalm 132:1-18

Theme: Christ the King. Who is Jesus and what is His authority?

• See also this week’s linked article So, Who Is This Jesus? and introductory video Jesus — Just Who Is He Really

2 Samuel 23:1-7 — Final words from a renowned ruler of Israel

David recalls God’s covenant with him and anticipates the promised descendant

1 These are the last words of David. The inspired utterance of David son of Jesse, the utterance of the man exalted by the Most High, the man anointed by the God of Jacob, the hero of Israel’s songs:

“The utterance of the man exalted” – testimony to God’s work in his life, from shepherd to King of Israel, 2 Samuel 7ff. 

• For further study, read God’s covenant with David in  2 Samuel 7.

2 “The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me; His word was on my tongue.

“Spoke through me” – not presumptuous but expressing awe at God using Him prophetically.

3-4 “The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me: ‘When one rules over people in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God, he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings grass from the earth.’

“When one rules… in righteousness… in the fear of God” – David depicts a God-centred ruler (by contrast with a harsh one, vv.6-7) with allusions to Jesus Christ who he foreshadowed.

5 “If my house were not right with God, surely He would not have made with me an everlasting covenant, arranged and secured in every part; surely He would not bring to fruition my salvation and grant me my every desire.

“An everlasting covenant… secured in every part” – David believes that God’s promise recorded in 2 Sam. 7:12-16 will hold good, with his descendant as the Eternal King. Fulfilled in Jesus Christ vv.6-7 and note below.

• For further study, see similar OT prophecies in Isaiah 11:1-10; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Jer. 33:15-18; Zech. 9:9-10. In the NT, fulfilled in part, Matt. 4:14-16; Luke 24:25-27, 44-49; John 5:45-47; John 8:28-29.

6-7 “But evil men are all to be cast aside like thorns, which are not gathered with the hand. Whoever touches thorns uses a tool of iron or the shaft of a spear; they are burned up where they lie.”

“Cast aside like thorns” — worthless and needing to be shifted with determination. “Burned up” — the fate of the rebellious when the Messiah, fulfilling the Davidic Covenant, finally establishes His rule on earth, Isa. 63:1-6.

• For further study, see Isaiah 9;18; 10:17.

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 — A glimpse of the majesty of heaven for Daniel, who sees a throng of angels attending the throne of  God

9 As I looked, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of His head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze.

“The Ancient of Days” – pictures God as a king of great power, righteousness and wisdom (fire, white clothing, white hair) giving judgment in court. Similar description to the angel in Matthew 28:3 and Jesus in Revelation 1:14.

10 A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before Him. Thousands upon thousands attended Him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him.

The court was seated, and the books were opened.

“Thousands attended” – and John also recorded that ‘thousands and millions” are ministering around God’s throne. Angels are spiritual beings created by God for worship and for mission (as we are) who, largely unseen, help in carrying out God’s work on earth. 

13-14 In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a Son of Man,  coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshipped Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

“One like a son of man” – an Aramaic phrase ‘bar enash‘ meaning a human being, a phrase used throughout Ezekiel e.g. Ezek 2:1,3,6,8. But this appearance is “one like a son of man”. Various authors of the NT were sure this referred to Christ and may have been in Jesus’ mind when He used this of Himself, Matt. 8:20. With more than one time-frame in view, the NT uses these verses to teach the manner of Christ’s return at the end time to finally enforce the defeat of evil.

• For further study: Matt. 24:30; Mark 13:26; Mark 14:62; Luke 21:27; Rev. 1:7.

Reflection

SUMMARY  Two aspects of who God is, come through David’s final testimony about ruling in the fear of God, and Daniel’s picture of awe as he is given  a prophetic insight into the heavenly court — and the Son of Man approaching the Ancient of Days. Firstly, there is straightforward fear —  the consequences of getting it wrong, as in the fall of both kingdoms of Israel and the misery of the people enslaved in exile. However, this came after rejecting countless appeals by a number of God’s prophets. The second aspect, of awe, comes more from Daniel’s vision of the pure worship within the heavenly court, reminding us that God is love, and His overriding character qualities are mercy and truth.

APPLICATION There is a truth to mark here: how well do we really know God? As a consequence, how much do we desire to live out His character? This is the alternative fear of missing God’s best, and denying God His pleasure in us. For Christians, having come to know God personally through trusting Jesus, this is about His Lordship in our lives and over our church involvements. When relationships get strained, or vision confused, it is likely that what has slipped has been the awe, or fear, of God through really knowing Him and loving His ways.

QUESTION We can’t replicate Daniel’s vision of heaven, but what helps us to worship God as part of the heavenly gathering?

John 18:33-37 — Jesus is questioned by Pilate about who He is

Jesus explains that He has no political motive but His is a spiritual kingdom

33 Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

34 “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about Me”

“Are you…” – in all four gospels Pilate’s first words to Jesus are the same. The answer to the question would have very different implications – was Jesus a rebel leader in opposition to Roman rule, or was He the Messiah of the Jews?

35 “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”

“Pilate replied” – exasperated, not wanting to get involved with the Jews and their ways, yet seeing no real basis for their extreme animosity.

36 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now My kingdom is from another place.”

37 “You are a king, then!” said Pilate.

Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to Me.”

“My kingdom is from another place” — the place of eternal and absolute truth, heaven. Jesus came as the Way, the Truth and the Life, John 14:6. Relationship with Him is the only way to God and also the only means of that life-bringing truth being revealed, which offends our human logic. Jesus came as living truth for all who would receive Him. Pilate, a politician, considered all truth relative in the shifting sands of people’s opinions, but Jesus of Nazareth did not present as a threat to Roman law and order. 

Reflection

SUMMARY A third aspect of who God is, recalls the Son of Man who Daniel saw approaching the Ancient of Days. There is an ironic parallel here with Jesus being brought before Pilate, who at first saw Jesus as yet another political activist in his turbulent territory. In God’s providence, Pilate, a politician, who considered all truth relative in the shifting sands of people’s opinions, did not see Jesus of Nazareth as a threat to Roman law and order — however he ends up supporting the Jews’ grievance by allowing Jesus to be executed by being ‘lifted up’ and not by the Jewish execution of stoning.

APPLICATION Jesus corrects Pilate’s perception that He is another zealot leading a rebel faction by asserting that His “kingdom is from another place”. Human politics on earth and heaven’s purposes have different sources, often with contrasting agendas. However, we create a spiritual connection by praying down the Lord’s heavenly purpose, bringing His influence into a world dominated by man’s organisation and control.

QUESTION  If Jesus is king of another kingdom, discuss what it means to honour Him as king over us and practise allegiance to His rule and order.

Revelation 1:4b-8 — Set free to serve God as a fellowship of priests

Jesus, present from the beginning, will return as the completion of truth

4 To the seven churches in the province of Asia:

“The seven churches” — the letters were addressed so they could be sent out throughout the Roman province called Asia via the Roman road which circled north of Ephesus and back again.

Grace and peace to you from Him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before His throne…

“Seven spirits before His throne” – or ‘sevenfold spirit’, symbolising completeness and perfection. Also a possible allusion to the “angels of the seven churches”, Rev. 1:20.

5 …and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

5-6 To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve His God and Father — to Him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.

“Who loves us… has freed us…has made us…” – stated as present-time blessings.  There is a dimension of the kingdom of God (God’s reign bringing God’s order) that is experienced now, and fully when Jesus returns. 

“A kingdom and priests to serve” – stating the essential difference between the Old and New Covenant ways of relating to God. Under the Old Covenant it was through rules and formal rituals, led by a special order of priests as intermediaries between people, and God who is holy and remote. By contrast, the New Covenant relationship for those who are freed from the burden and guilt of sin by Jesus’ blood, is close and personal and needs no intermediary other than Jesus Himself.

7-8 “Look, He is coming with the clouds,”’ and “every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him;” and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of Him”. So shall it be! Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega”, says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty”.

“Look, He is coming” —the combined quotation is like a headline to the theme of Revelation, some mourning their sin and judgment before the majestic and holy Lord of Daniel 7:13-14 (above) while others rejoice at finding the grace promised in the Zechariah 12:10 passage. 

“I am the Alpha and the Omega” –  in the OT “I am” is the Lord’s name and to say He is the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet includes everything in between. His actions are all-encompassing and He is in control.

• For further study of Jesus’ coming, read 1 Thess. 4:16-17.

Reflection

SUMMARY Jesus is coming back to those who have found freedom from sin and condemnation in Him, and have the joy or being able to know God, know His love and draw close to Him without intermediaries. Other who have not responded to His grace will mourn their lack of repentance.

APPLICATION The description here challenges the stereotype of the institutional church. Challenging the common separation between some who are called clergy and others called laity, the church is comprised of believers all of whom are called to serve the Lord in worship and mission. All share the mission of representing God to those who do not yet know Him, and the pastoral role of representing them and their needs to God.

QUESTION  What should we call, and expect of, those who are set apart as preachers, shepherds and leaders in the church?

PRAYER Lord God Almighty, majestic in holiness yet loving us without condition:

May we grow in loving You and living in awe of You. Help us as we seek to represent You to our world, and bring the needs of our world to You. For Jesus’ sake and glory, Amen.

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PRINT EDITION  You can download a PDF of the print edition from the link below. It prints on A4 paper to produce a four-page Bible-size folder. Permission given to copy for your own use, for your Bible study or home group, or for inclusion with your church bulletin.

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The Living Word for Sunday, Nov 14, 2021, is a non-denominational Bible study which relies on the Bible explaining the Bible, uninfluenced by any church’s traditions or preferences, and following the Bible’s sequence of progressive revelation. Read the whole passage first and let the Holy Spirit begin speaking to you through it, then go deeper with the verse by verse commentary and reflections. The week’s readings are as set by the Revised Common Lectionary, an inter-denominational resource shared by many different churches and chapels. The Bible version, widely used in contemporary churches, is the NIV © Biblica. Ref. TLW45B

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OT1: 1 Samuel 1:4-20 – Hannah, unable to conceive, keeps trusting in God’s good purposes for her, and God’s answer to her desperate prayer impacts history

OT2: Daniel 12:1-3, Daniel’s vision of the end-time deliverance of those whose names are in the Book of Life

NT gospel: Mark 13:1-8 – Jesus foretells the destruction of the temple and, later, disasters and widespread spiritual deception in the end times

NT letter: Hebrews 10:11-25 — The Holy Spirit reveals the New Covenant we have through trusting in Jesus’ blood and sacrifice, which makes us confident believers

Theme: Confident hope arises from knowing God’s constant work of salvation

• See this week’s linked article ‘How God’s Repeated Works of Salvation Give Us Confidence’

• And this week’s video introduction to the message ‘What Is God’s Plan? Our Salvation!’

1 Samuel 1:4-20 – God’s answer to a desperate prayer impacts history

Hannah’s failure to conceive does not dampen her trust in God’s goodness

4-8 Whenever the day came for Elkanah to sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters. But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the Lord had closed her womb. Because the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the Lord, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat. Her husband Elkanah would say to her, “Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don’t you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?”

“Hannah” – the name means ‘grace’. The wider story is God’s miraculous intervention with this faithful woman, Hannah. She raised up the last of Israel’s judges who would give righteous leadership to the nation at a time of crisis as it moved towards a monarchy.

“Peninnah… Hannah” – although monogamy was the rule, two people becoming one flesh, Gen. 2:24, there were social pressures through young men being killed in battle.

9-11 Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s house. In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if You will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”

“Eli…on his chair by the…Lord’s house” – the chair is the priest’s place and authority; later, rabbis would sit to teach. Jesus is now seated at the right hand of the Father.

“Deep anguish” – barrenness in OT times was considered a failure and social embarrassment.

12-14 As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.”

“She kept on praying” – Hannah was mocked by a woman who shared her husband and dismissed by the high priest who failed to understand her motives. But she maintained her focus on God and as she prayed, opened the way for Him to work.

15-16 “Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.”

“Not… a wicked woman” — alcoholic consumption in the tabernacle precincts was a grave offence, Lev. 10:9; Ezek. 44:21.

17 Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of Him.”

18 She said, “May your servant find favour in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.

19-20 Early the next morning they arose and worshipped before the Lord and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah made love to his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her. So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him.”

“Samuel” — lit. ‘name of God’ but sounding like ‘heard by God’. God had heard her prayer,

Daniel 12:1-3 – End-times resurrection: either to everlasting life, or shame

1 “At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people — everyone whose name is found written in the book – will be delivered.

“At that time” – the antichrist’s attempt to annihilate the Jewish people, Daniel 11:36-45. A time of both unprecedented distress but also hope for true believers, who have turned in faith to their Messiah Jesus, Zech. 12:10; Romans 11:25-27.

“Name… written in the book” — the book of the saved, Malachi 3:16-4:3; Luke 10:20; Rev. 13:8.

2-3 “Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.”

“Some to everlasting life, others to shame” — the first resurrection reference, both the righteous to everlasting life and peace, and the wicked to rejection.

• For further study, read Job 19:25-26; Psalm 16:10; Isaiah 26:19; John 5:24-29.

“Everlasting life” – the phrase is unique here in the OT.

Reflection

SUMMARY The story of Hannah speaks of God’s goodness, to all who have been misunderstood, disappointed and put down by others. Her self-esteem had been shredded, but her faith was still growing. She knew that God is good, even though it didn’t feel that way to her, and she kept on praying.

APPLICATION Life’s more difficult experiences and God’s eternal plan of salvation are difficult for us to reconcile this side of heaven. Both Hannah’s story, and Daniel’s vision of the end time, remind us that God is always working for salvation, whatever conflict we may be experiencing.

QUESTION What does Hannah’s story and Daniel’s prophetic vision tell us about spiritual conflict in heaven and our experience on earth? What does it encourage us to do?

Mark 13:1-8 – Jesus foretells the destruction of the temple

The end times will bring wars, disasters and widespread spiritual deception

1 As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to Him, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!”

“Massive stones” – foundation stones the size of a double-decker bus. 

2 “Do you see all these great buildings?” replied Jesus. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

“Every one… thrown down’ – destroyed by the Romans in AD 70. The Jewish authorities, who didn’t welcome their Messiah but murdered Him, were ‘rebellious tenants’ marked for destruction.

• For further study, Mark 11:18 and 11:9-11, 27-33, Mark 12:9-10.

3-4 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked Him privately, “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?”

“What will be the sign” — the disciples were expecting the temple destruction to herald the last times. Jesus is speaking of future events but in a prophetic way, free of our sense of chronological order. 

5-8 Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many. When you hear of wars and rumours of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.”

“Watch out… be on your guard” — Jesus’ commanding tone points to deception being the primary danger for the disciples to guard against.

Reflection

SUMMARY  Jesus warned that the Jews’ rejection of their Messiah would result in the destruction of the new temple with its massive foundations, the landmark of their national pride — and it happened within a generation. This ‘sign of the end times’ came with terrible bloodshed as Jerusalem and its revolt was destroyed by the Romans.

APPLICATION  Jesus’ words for us, point to a greater conflict yet to come, as the end-times extend. Perhaps the greatest danger is satanic deception. The kingdom message: know God’s love, love Him and love others, is so straightforward we easily miss its simplicity and turn it into something else. With spiritual maturity, we recognise which kingdom is dark, and which is light.

QUESTION  What does this word and its fulfilment teach us about the consequences of our attitudes and actions?

Hebrews 10:11-25 — Knowing who we are in Jesus is our confidence

The Holy Spirit reveals the New Covenant we have in Jesus’ blood and sacrifice

11-14 Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this Priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time He waits for His enemies to be made His footstool. For by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

“Every priest stands… this Priest… sat down” – while every levitical priest stood to perform the repeated religious duties, Christ is seated, His work finished, brought out in the layered emphases: “one sacrifice”, “for all time”, “He sat down…and…waits” etc.

15-16 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First He says: “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put My laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.”

“I will put My laws in their hearts” – as Jeremiah had prophesied, Jer. 31:31-34, seeing a future era and what should be our post-resurrection experience of the Holy Spirit leading and guiding believers. These verses explain”being made holy” while also being described as “made perfect”, v.14, by the finished work of Christ. We are identified by our new nature in Christ, while being a work in progress.

17-18 Then He adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.

Sins…remember no more” – contrasts with “annual reminder of sins”, Heb. 10:3. We are not under the Old Covenant, needing to confess sins repeatedly because the New Covenant assures us that Christ forgives sins completely, Psalm 40:6-8. Sins we confess and renounce are both forgiven and forgotten.

19-25 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, His body, and since we have a Great Priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

“Therefore… let us…” — the incredible good news that we are forgiven is the best reason to keep on meeting joyfully and encouraging one another.

“Draw near… with…” — the confidence of freedom from guilt.

Reflection

SUMMARY  A key word in this passage is ‘confidence’ and confidence in God’s goodness is a fair definition for Christian hope, also prominent in this passage. This is confidence in Christ’s completed or perfect work which has redeemed and renewed us who have trusted Him — and set us on a path of growing holiness at the same time.

APPLICATION When we come to know God through trusting in Jesus, many changes in us occur. This is new life, with a new identity: not condemned to carry shame, but released and accepted — by God Almighty! As a result, we live differently — we raise our game. We don’t need a homily in church telling us to. After all, we belong to Him now! Almighty!

QUESTION  Does this passage tell you you are not worthy to gather up crumbs under the Lord’s table, or that you can confidently draw near in faith?

PRAYER Lord, no one knows the time of Your return and all we really understand about the end-times is that at the end of the book, the Lamb wins!

Fill use afresh with the Holy Spirit who gives holy confidence. Help us to maintain a praising spirit, able to declare the cost of Your victory in pain and blood but full of joy as those who know the closing score. Amen.

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PRINT EDITION  You can download a PDF of the print edition from the link below. It prints on A4 paper to produce a four-page Bible-size folder. Permission given to copy for your own use, for your Bible study or home group, or for inclusion with your church bulletin.

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