Singing - Psalms 100:1-2

Psalms 100:1-2

 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!

 Serve the Lord with gladness!

 Come into his presence with singing!

Coming close to The Lord, we enter into the joy and gladness of His light. 

Singing is the natural outcome as we join in the song of love. 

Destroy This Temple - John 2:13-22

John 2:13-22

Jesus Cleanses the Temple

 The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money- changers sitting there. And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money- changers and overturned their tables. And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father's house a house of trade.” His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.”

 So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It has taken forty- six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his body. When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

The word translated "destroy" comes from a Greek word that includes the meaning of unloosing and unbinding.  Jesus is speaking of the true temple of His body which will be resurrected in three days and will be filled with the church of believers in the days to come. The bonds of death could not hold Him.  Ironically, the temple of the Jews would be destroyed, no longer needed in light of the new temple.  God builds a new temple, setting the cornerstone of a house built from above, without the hand of man.  This is the house of prayer inhabited by worshipers sought by God. 

Until Now - John 2:1-12

John 2:1-12

The Wedding at Cana

 On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

 Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

 After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days.

The first miracle recorded by John is a wedding in Cana. The wedding is a foreshadowing of the wedding feast to come between Christ and the Church.  "On the third day" brings the resurrection into view, and hints at our betrothal.  

The wine of the first covenant dries up.  His mother had been given the honor of bringing Jesus into the world.  It would appear here that she also has the honor of initiating His ministry.  She says, "they have no wine".  This would be true for the wedding and Israel.  His reply may be indicative of the change between being a son and being the Son of God.  His ministry and mission has begun.  She pays Him no mind, instructing the servants to do whatever He commands. 

The stone water jars each held a "bath" of water used for ceremonial washing.  They were empty, perhaps a sign the sacrificial system had not achieved a true cleansing. Jesus tells them to fill the jars, and they did so till they could add no more. 

As they take the water to the master of the feast, it turns to fine wine. This is the good news, the new covenant offered by God.  He has kept the good until now.  Now is the for our cup to run over. Drink freely. 

Do You Believe - John 1:43-51

John 1:43-51

Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael

 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

The Word of The Lord emerges from small and humble beginnings.  From a small town in the land of a small people comes the Savior of the world.  

This passage tells us that Phillip and Nathaniel believed, but one must ask what did they believe?  Most likely they believed that Jesus was the long awaited Messiah of Jewish expectation.  They had yet to see the passion of Christ or to understand their role in God's plan. 

The fig tree might symbolize Israel.  A fig is a common symbol for Israel.  It is under the shade of its branches that Nathaniel, an Israelite with no deceit, is found.  Through Israel comes the law which condemns man and through Israel comes the grace of God which saves man.  The fig leaf covered the nakedness of Adam becomes the nation through which God covers the nakedness of mankind when we choose to take His righteousness for ourselves.  

The greatest miracle performed by Jesus was opening heaven for you and me. That door is ever open. 

Eyes To Heaven - Daniel 4:34-35

Daniel 4:34-35 ESV 

 At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever,

 for his dominion is an everlasting dominion,

and his kingdom endures from generation to generation;

 all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,

and he does according to his will among the host of heaven

and among the inhabitants of the earth;

 and none can stay his hand

or say to him, “What have you done?”

Who said it is unreasonable to believe in God?

Believing God and in God is the highest form of reason possible. Lifting our eyes to heaven separates us from the beasts of the field. 

We are planted in this earth to yield a harvest for the glory of God. We were made to share in that glory. 

A Scroll Was In It - Ezekiel 2:8-10

Ezekiel 2:8-10 NASB 

“Now you, son of man, listen to what I am speaking to you; do not be rebellious like that rebellious house. Open your mouth and eat what I am giving you.” Then I looked, and behold, a hand was extended to me; and lo, a scroll was in it. When He spread it out before me, it was written on the front and back, and written on it were lamentations, mourning and woe.

Ezekiel is not to literally eat a scroll, but to ingest and digest the word given by God. 

The scroll is opened in Revelation by the ascended Lamb.  His reign begins and the Day of The Lord commences. 

Come And You Will See - John 1:35-42

John 1:35-42

 The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).

John again gives witness to the Lamb of God. This time two disciples leave John to follow Jesus. This is the prophet's mission and intent. They are not called by Jesus, but follow after Him.  This may explain why the apostles were so willing to obey without question when later He would say, "Come".  They knew who He was. 

Jesus turns saying, "What are you seeking?".  Their answer implies they were seeking His presence.  Jesus answers, "Come and you will see."  They would see where He was staying, but so much more. Jesu would open their eyes to the things of God. 

One of the disciples is unidentified, but it is widely thought this is John.  

Andrew tells his brother Simon about the arrival of Christ.  Upon Simon's arrival, Jesus sees the man and the man that he will be. 

You Will See Greater Things- John 1:43-51

John 1:43-51

 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

The Word of The Lord emerges from small and humble beginnings.  From a small town in the land of a small people comes the Savior of the world.  

This passage tells us that Phillip and Nathaniel believed, but one must ask what did they believe?  Most likely they believed that Jesus was the long awaited Messiah of Jewish expectation.  They had yet to see the passion of Christ or to understand their role in God's plan. 

The fig tree might symbolize Israel.  A fig is a common symbol for Israel.  It is under the shade of its branches that Nathaniel, an Israelite with no deceit, is found.  Through Israel comes the law which condemns man and through Israel comes the grace of God which saves man.  The fig leaf covered the nakedness of Adam becomes the nation through which God covers the nakedness of mankind when we choose to take His righteousness for ourselves.  

The greatest miracle performed by Jesus was opening heaven for you and me. That door is ever open. 

Behold - John 1:29-34

John 1:29-34

Behold, the Lamb of God

 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me. ’ I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. ’ And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”

The Old Testament prepares us for John's announcement and proclamation that Jesus is the One. 

"Behold the Lamb of God,

Who takes away the sin of the world!"

The law was given that we might know our sin. The sacrifice of the lamb would explain the spilling of blood necessary to atone for sin on our behalf.  It is there for all who would come.  Sin is singular in this passage and therefore inclusive of all sin.  For those who believe, all sin is washed away and we are transferred from the world and into the kingdom of God. 

Repentance leads to the revelation of God.  John was preparing Israel for the coming of The Lord.  It is the opening door for hearing the word and the beginning of wisdom. 

John could have known Jesus and not know He was the Anointed One.  The brothers and sisters of Jesus did not recognize Him as the Savior.  John waited for the sign. 

The Holy Spirit had been at work before Christ came, but this different.  John discerned that the Spirit had descended and remained on this man Jesus. This is a new thing God did and is doing.  The Spirit remains on and in the body of Christ at this very moment.  We are sealed in that Spirit as we await the time of our ascension. 

The Testimony - John 1:19-28

John 1:19-28

 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”

 (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

"Who are you?", asked those sent by the Pharisees of this man sent from God.  The two would meet in the wilderness.  This is where God has met us, the place where we wander without His grace. 

John's mission was to cry out in our wilderness to prepare us for the coming of The Lord. Through the water of repentance, the way is opened to the salvation of The Lord.  There are no trumpets sounded to announce the King of Kings, but a voice lifted up to speak of the coming Word.  

Prepare and repent. 

The baptism with water represented the cleansing that is made possible through repentance and points the way to Christ Who would forgive all sins.  Jesus would baptize us as only He can do: with the Holy Spirit. 

Loosening a sandal strap was considered too menial of a task for a disciple to perform for his teacher. John says that he is unworthy to even perform that deed for the coming one.  

Open My Lips - Psalms 51:15-17

Psalms 51:15-17

O Lord, open my lips,

and my mouth will declare your praise.

 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;

you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.

 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Open my lips

Open my heart

Break my spirit

So that it might

Be remade in Your image

That I would be a vessel of your light

To Be Justified - Galatians 2:17-21

Galatians 2:17-21 ESV 

But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too were found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor. For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.

Trying to justify our deeds confirms our misunderstanding and distance from the saving truth of the gospel. 

Our life depends solely on our faith in Christ and the grace He brings. When we are able to enter His life, His life enters us. We live by that faith. 

Made Him Known - John 1:14-18

John 1:14-18

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. ( John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me. ’”) For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.

He took on our form and content. He entered fully into the state of man, into our flesh and would become our sin, though He was sinless.  John reaffirms this by identifying Jesus by name. The divine did become a man.  He breathed the air of creation and felt the earth beneath His feet.  He occupied space and time.  He did this so we could enter His divinity, so heaven and earth would be joined.  The wedding feast of the Bride of Christ will be a celebration beyond compare. 

The same glory that filled the Tabernacle and Temple now filled the Son of Man.  From the Father comes grace and truth in the man Jesus. 

John alludes to the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and end, in describing Jesus as the one before him that would be following. 

The law was actually a grace given by God.  It was a revelation from God that disclosed how to approach His throne and our distance from His presence.  It would allow the grace and truth of Jesus to be understood. 

This translation says Jesus is at the Father's side. The underlying Greek says He was in the Father's bosom., which may more accurately describe the relationship between Father and Son.  It is within our hearts that the Father and Son come to abide in the heart of the believer. 

Until Jesus came, no one actually saw God.  Jesus came so the blind would see. 

Into Containers - Matthew 13:47-48

Matthew 13:47-48 ESV

 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad.

The Greek word translated as containers was used to refer to vessels. 

This parable might refer to our new immortal bodies we will receive when the fullness of time is complete and the full number of believers is achieved. We will leave behind these earthly vessels for the divine. 

The True Light - John 1:9-13

John 1:9-13

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

True light.  More and more the concept of truth is dismissed. This is a reflection of not knowing God, Who is truth.  Receiving God it too believe in His truth and to live in the truth of His light. It is God's will to share His life. 

There is one true light, for truth is exclusive.  Anything else is false. That is a defining aspect of truth. There is one truth because there is one God.  There is one way to the Father, for He said so.  Espousing multiple ways is disagreeing with God and pagan in nature.  Jesus says He is the door. 

I believe Him. 

Galatians 4:4-7

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

1 John 5:20

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

To Bear Witness - John 1:6-8

John 1:6-8

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

John was the greatest prophet born of woman under the old covenant. His purpose was to prepare the way for The Lord, in much the same way that Israel was to give witness to their God. 

He came as a witness to bear witness of the light of the world.  He was not in the kingdom of God, for it had not yet arrived. The light had not yet ascended to His throne in heaven.  Those in the coming kingdom would walk in that light and bear witness.  They were born of woman, but reborn from above.  Like Moses looking at the promised land from afar, John see the kingdom was not far away. 

John was not the light, as we are not the light, but His light is within us in the form of the Holy Spirit.  We become the Lamp-stand for the light of the world.  His light shines on us and through us. 

John's purpose was to enable belief in the one to come; to pave the way and draw attention to the Savior of the world.  He would do this. 

The Light Shines - John 1:3-5

John 1:3-5

All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John tells us that all things came through Him which can point us back to the One Who spoke the Word.  We return to the reality and mystery that God is one, though He is revealed as three.  God created the cosmos and revealed Himself in the creation He brought forth using that same Word. 

Earth is created in darkness, for light is not present. 

The first command recorded in Genesis is, "Let there be light"! That light continues to unfold today. We are told here that life equates to light.  It is not the same thing as the light given by the sun radiating out into space and falling on earth.  This life and light is uniquely given to men. This is the life and light of God.  It is God breathed. 

The light is given to the darkness.  In Genesis we read that before there was light, the earth was void and without form.  Darkness reigned on earth, but began to recede before the light.  In darkness there is no understanding.  Chaos has no part with order.  Life is in the Spirit.  Death resides in darkness.  Then can we say death precedes life?

In darkness we are unable to see our surroundings.  We can only guess at what is not seen and are confined to the limitations of our senses and understanding.  It is in the presence of His light that we are able to realize the reality that lies beyond our world. 

God's mercy allows the darkness to coexist with light.  It may be that we are able to see the light having known darkness.  This provides the path of choice.  The light will shine on every man, but not everyone will turn toward it. 

It became possible to see in the light a beacon that would begin to draw man to God and provide the way to reach Him.  It shines even now. 

Isaiah 45:12-13

I made the earth

and created man on it;

it was my hands that stretched out the heavens,

and I commanded all their host.

 I have stirred him up in righteousness,

 and I will make all his ways level;

 he shall build my city

 and set my exiles free,

not for price or reward,”

says the Lord of hosts.

Isaiah 35:5-6

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,

and the ears of the deaf unstopped;

 then shall the lame man leap like a deer,

and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.

 For waters break forth in the wilderness,

and streams in the desert;

Acts 26:22-23

To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”

1 Corinthians 8:6

yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

The Word - John 1:1-2

John 1:1-2 ESV

The Deity of Jesus Christ

 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.

The Word appears three times in verse one, which is the number associated with the divine. This underscores John's intent to present the divinity of Jesus. The Word is identified as God.  

A word has its origin with the speaker of that word. It is present before uttered. It represents order and implies the intelligence of that being. It is because this Word has been spoken that we are able to access the revelation of God. 

Genesis opens with the phrase "In the beginning God".  This time the Word is described in the same way and is equated with God. John's gospel opens with that same wording, linking the two events of an ongoing creation. We are given a new perspective of God.  The Word that spoke creation into being took form in that same creation to enable the creation of the new man. God took on the form of that new creature, the first of many that would come.

It is this Word that is written on our hearts and seals us in the truth, bringing us into the new and final form which encompasses the peace and perfection of God. 

Hebrews 13:8

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

1 John 1:1-2

 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us—

Romans 9:5

To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.

Be Strong And Do It - 1Chronicles 28:9-10

1 Chronicles 28:9-10 ESV 

David's Charge to Solomon

 “And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever. Be careful now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong and do it.”

David charges his son, Solomon to build God's temple. A wise man by all accounts, yet he was not able to serve The Lord with his whole heart. Though chosen by The Lord for this honor, Solomon began to forsake God for his many wives. 

We are found whether we seek God or turn the other way. He has chosen us to build a living temple as His sanctuary. He still searches all hearts and knows every thought. 

Be careful now, be strong and do it. 

In My Bones - Jeremiah 20:9

Jeremiah 20:9 NIV 

But if I say, “I will not mention his word

or speak anymore in his name,”

his word is in my heart like a fire,

a fire shut up in my bones.

I am weary of holding it in;

indeed, I cannot.

The word cannot be contained. It goes forth into and throughout creation. It has entered me. I feel the heat and light of that fire. 

It has entered you. It is performing the work of creation, a new creation. It shall not return unfulfilled. 

 

By Faith - Romans 1:16-17

Romans 1:16-17 ESV 

The Righteous Shall Live by Faith

 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Why is there a possibility for Paul to be ashamed of the gospel?  It is because it is foolishness to the world. It doesn't make sense without the working of the Holy Spirit. Paul does not suffer doubt about this for he knows this to be the truth and power of God. He would be ashamed if he failed to proclaim the good news. 

Though the Jews received gospel first, it was the Gentiles who first believed. The first become last and the last become first. 

Faith is the way to God and this is God's plan for man. It is the way for us to avail ourselves of the righteousness of God, as it is written. 

Desolation Has Come Near - Luke 21:20-24

Luke 21:20-24 ESV 

Jesus Foretells Destruction of Jerusalem

 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

This prophesy is against Jerusalem and Israel. The "days of vengeance" apply to "this people" primarily, and to Babylon secondarily. This is the judgement against a people chosen by God who rejected Him and blasphemed His dwelling place. 

Revelation represents this judgement and  conclusion from chapter four onward. The letters to the churches in chapters two and three pertain to the Church which is the outcome of Israel's failure and the fulfillment of God's will. 

The time is coming when Israel will come to the feet of Christ and witness to the nations. 

Literal Allegory - Galatians 4:21-26

Galatians 4:21-26

Example of Hagar and Sarah

 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise. Now this may be interpreted allegorically:these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.

Here is an example of Scripture using a literal meaning to provide a message beyond its literal interpretation.  Both are the word from God.  

Paul explains the allegory. Jerusalem is represented by the slave woman, for she is still held by the law.  The new Jerusalem is born from above and is free. It is born from the promise and is the promised land. 

Israel remains in the present Jerusalem, slave to the law. 

Bearing - Galatians 6:1-5

Galatians 6:1-5 ESV 

 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load.

At first glance, Paul might appear confused when telling us to bear each other's burdens, yet bear our own load. 

Looking a little closer, we find helping one another with the weight of our burdens fulfills the law of Christ. These we are to bear with humble grace and generosity of Spirit. 

We must bear something else, though a different Greek word is used here for "load".  We bear each other's burdens, but we will stand alone before Christ to give an account for our lives. We are not to compare ourselves with each other, but only to the Son. We are made in His image. 

Dragon In The Seas - Ezekiel 32:2-4

Ezekiel 32:2-4 ESV 

“Son of man, raise a lamentation over Pharaoh king of Egypt and say to him:

“You consider yourself a lion of the nations,

but you are like a dragon in the seas;

 you burst forth in your rivers,

trouble the waters with your feet,

and foul their rivers.

 Thus says the Lord God:

 I will throw my net over you

with a host of many peoples,

and they will haul you up in my dragnet.

 And I will cast you on the ground;

on the open field I will fling you,

and will cause all the birds of the heavens to settle on you,

and I will gorge the beasts of the whole earth with you.

We see an anticipation of the beast in Revelation and its ultimate defeat. The members of the army that gathers against The Lord with the beast are listed. 

The rivers will become clean again once the land is no longer fouled by the enemies of God.  The feast of The Lord is attended by the birds and beasts of the earth. 

The nations will then be able to live in peace and worship The Lord. 

Equality

Death is the great equalizer of men. It is the true democratic and equal state dreamed of by many, but so elusive here on earth. All glitter and striving will be reduced to the marrow of our soul; even that is not our own and will be judged. 

Creating a pile of possessions and seeking the trappings of success on earth have no relevance or value when compared to heavenly treasure. Arrogance and pride will find no room in heaven. 

It is a humble and pure heart which will find the peace of God. 

But A Son - Galatians 4:1-7

Galatians 4:1-7 ESV 

 I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

When I was a child I thought like a child and was no different than a slave.  In the fullness of time, I put away childish things and received the grace of God's Son. He now receives me as a son and I am able to call Him Father. 

Whether male or female, we all becomes sons when we put on Christ. No longer are we slaves to the elementary principles of the world, but heirs in the liberty of the kingdom which is God's house. 

Build A House - 1 Chronicles 17:25-27

1 Chronicles 17:25-27 ESV 

For you, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build a house for him. Therefore your servant has found courage to pray before you. And now, O Lord, you are God, and you have promised this good thing to your servant. Now you have been pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever before you, for it is you, O Lord, who have blessed, and it is blessed forever.”

David wanted to build a house for The Lord, but God tells David that He will build a house for David. One of his offspring will rule forever. This is none other than Jesus Christ. 

This is the house of The Lord, the new temple He made possible, and the kingdom which has no end. 

Gathered

Just as Israel will be regathered to Jerusalem from among the nations, so will the Bride of Christ who is gathered from the nations to populate the new Jerusalem. 

Built upon the rock of the Church with the Apostles as the foundation, Israel will be the gate to the nations that will never close. 

A Scroll Was In It - Ezekiel 2:8-10

Ezekiel 2:8-10 NASB 

“Now you, son of man, listen to what I am speaking to you; do not be rebellious like that rebellious house. Open your mouth and eat what I am giving you.” Then I looked, and behold, a hand was extended to me; and lo, a scroll was in it. When He spread it out before me, it was written on the front and back, and written on it were lamentations, mourning and woe.

Ezekiel is not to literally eat a scroll, but to ingest and digest the word given by God. 

The scroll is opened in Revelation by the ascended Lamb.  His reign begins and the Day of The Lord commences.