Desire for the Word

Newsletter #303 - January 2004 - By Shepherds Chapel - http://www.shepherdschapel.com/

The word "desire" in the Greek language is an interesting word. It can mean to "crave" something. Jesus is the Living Word, and it is easy to understand how we can crave knowledge from the Word. Knowledge of the Word allows us to be successful in life. The Word tells us how to get along with other people, how to be successful in business, and most importantly how to please Father and receive His blessings. We can desire the things of this World, or we can desire God's Word. The choice is ours to make. Let's begin our study in the Book of Luke. We all look forward to the return of Christ. What is it going to be like?

Luke 17:20 And when He was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, He answered them and said, "The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:

Jesus is about to tell them, and us, exactly what must come to pass before His return. Unfortunately, a lot of people haven't read the Word enough that they will even notice when those things come to pass. Will you?

Luke 17:21 Neither shall they say, 'Lo here!' or, 'lo there!' for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you."

A kingdom is a king and his dominion. They are asking Him when the King will come to rule His dominion. We know that will be on the Lord's day.

Luke 17:22 And He said unto the disciples, "The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it.

Notice Jesus is addressing His disciple, not the Pharisees in this verse. Jesus knew there were some things that must come to pass before His return at the 2nd advent. He has forewarned us, and He has forearmed us with the Holy Spirit and the Word. If you haven't studied enough to be forewarned, you aren't forearmed. Many will be deceived.

Luke 17:23 And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them.

The antichrist returns before Jesus. When they say Jesus is here, or Jesus is there, don't believe them. If you're still in the flessh, Jesus hasn't returned (1 Cor. 15:52).

Luke 17:24 For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in His day.

Everyone will know when the true Christ returns. Be careful to note that happens "in His day". There are some things that must come to pass before the Lord's day.

Luke 17:25 But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation. 26 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.

"Noe" of the New Testament is "Noah" of the Old Testament. Go back to Genesis Capter 6 if you want to know what it is going to be like. It will be just like that.

Luke 17:27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.

It is going to be just like when the fallen angels were on earth the 1st time. The fallen angels will be kicked out of heaven and back onto earth (Revelation 12:6-7). This is one of your sign that the Lord's day is very near. Many of you have work to do then. Desire the Word now.

Luke 17:28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; 29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.

The people of Sodom were desiring things of the world, and they were destroyed. Desire the Word. Desire that which is eternal, not temporary. There is another fire coming at the end of the millennium. Don't be in it.

Luke 17:30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. 31 In that day, He which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.

What is this saying? On the Lord's day you aren't going to be needing physical belongings. You will be in your spiritual body. We have a lot better "stuff" waiting on us. When this day arrives, don't look back.

Luke 17:32 Remember Lot's wife. 33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.

Lot's wife looked back. Rather than desiring God's Word and promises, she was desiring the life of Sodom. If we desire this temporary word, we risk losing eternity.

Luke 17:34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. 35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

The traditions of men teach that we should hope to be the one taken. God's Wor teaches us to stay in the world working. The ones taken are deceived by antichrist.

Luke 17:36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left." 37 And they answered and said unto Him, "Where, Lord?" And He said unto them, "Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together."

This refers to Matthew 24 and Mark 13. The word "eagles" should be translated "vultures". Wherever there are spiritually dead bodies, the vultures will be there to take them. Don't be deceived by false doctrine. Be a spiritual virgin when Christ returns. Desire the Word! Turn with me to the Book of 1 Peter.

1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

We don't deserve His mercy, but Father stands ready to forgive us, if we repent of our sins.

1 Peter 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

Our spiritual inheritance is eternal. Things of the world are temporary. Which do you pace more importance in?

1 Peter 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

The flesh causes us to be tempted. We all fall short. It is Father's will that all come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Father doesn't want to destroy any of His children.

1 Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

Your faith will be tested. Those who will be worshiping antichrist at the 2nd appearing of Jesus Christ certainly won't have any praise and honor coming their way.

1 Peter 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in Whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

Have you seen God? Did you see Jesus on the Cross? The answer is no, but yet you believe. This is important to God. Your place in the eternity depends on your belief.

1 Peter 1:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.

The prophets sought to know the time the Messiah would come. This is very basic but important.

1 Peter 1:12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

Even the angels grave the Word. Desire the Word!

1 Peter 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

Grid the truth in your mind. Hold on to the Word.

1 Peter 1:14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15 But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, "Be ye holy; for I am holy."

Our Father is Holy, and we should do the best we can to follow His example. Always remember He sent His Son to the sinners. Don't be holier than thou.

1 Peter 1:17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

God knows your heart and mind. He shows no favoritism to one of His children over another. Spend your time in this temporary wold reverencing God.

1 Peter 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

Money won't buy your salvation. Understanding and doing His Word will earn you salvation.

1 Peter 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

This was God's plan from the beginning. It is made known to you through His Word in these last times.

1 Peter 1:21 Who by Him do believe in God, that raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. 22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

Don't pass up on your blessings. Put your faith and hope in God. Love the brethren with a pure heart.

1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:

Do you want to take part in the eternity or, do you want to plave your hopes in the flesh and the world?

1 Peter 1:25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

The Lord is forever, and His Word is forever. Place your faith and hope in God. Don't desire the things of this world. Desire the Word!

In His service,
Arnold Murray