King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Tuesday, November 05, 2024
Chapters: Luke Chapters 20-21
Message: The Deception of False Religion
Hello My Friend,
I am not one to speak politically or endorse candidates running for office, in fact, I do not even know who half of them are or what they represent because I live in the most liberal ungodly city in Central Florida, but I saw an ad that had me laughing out loud. It was about Donald Trump and this was coming from Mormons, and they were attempting to say that he was the Antichrist. I also remember when people were saying that Obama was as well when he was in office. My point in bringing this up is just how clueless religion is and no different than the fools fighting for the right to kill a baby as the woman is giving birth and to smoke marijuana in public places where it gives off those intoxicating affects to everyone.
[Luke 20:46-47 Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts; 47 Which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.]
As we continue in the reading of the Gospels, Luke, gives his account of the events that took place leading up to Christ’s capture and crucifixion. Jesus, is in the temple teaching the people, who were quite taken by His knowledge and how He spoke with such authority. However, the chief priests, scribes, and some of the elders were beside themselves and demanded that He tell them where He got His authority.
[Luke 20:1-6 And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders, 2 And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority? 3 And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me: 4 The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? 5 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not? 6 But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.]
[The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?] Jesus, knew where His authority came from, He also knew where John the Baptist got his authority from, and they were one in the same. In other words, Jesus was asking them who sent him to preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, a doctrine the world had never heard of before? And who gave him a commission to even preach repentance over sacrifice? Well, they could not answer that question honestly because they knew it was from God and therefore, Jesus would not answer their question, but He did give them a parable to think about.
[Luke 20:9-12 Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time. 10 And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty. 11 And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty. 12 And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out.]
[planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen,] This is basically the same parable that Matthew and Mark had spoke about, but Luke tells in a way that showed the human side of Jesus. The prophets of old had been telling a form of the Gospel since creation and all of them had to face persecution from those who reject it, many even lost their lives. It is sad that so many people actually believe in God and yet deny Christ, but what is even more sadder is those who acknowledge Christ as the Son of God, yet still deny Him. As Jesus, continues the parable, He foretells of their killing Him in an attempt to get eternal life on their own.
[Luke 20:13-16 Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him. 14 But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours. 15 So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them? 16 He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.]
[What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them?] Exactly what did these fools expect to accomplish from killing Jesus anyway? Well, they actually thought that they were doing God a favor, but this had nothing to do with their faith in God. This was all about their losing their authority over the Jews and since they rejected Jesus, it was God who rejected them. We do need to understand that one; the Jews needed to reject Jesus before He would set His sights on the Gentiles. Two; Jesus, was not talking about all the Jews, He was referring to those who were following the Jewish religion. And three; Jesus, denied no one, even before His passion, He came to seek and save those who are lost, regardless of what family they came from, [Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.]
[And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.] The chief priests and scribes may not have understood the parable completely, but they did understand that it was directed toward them and they were not going to stand there and watch everything they accomplished crumble. They wanted to capture Him that instant, but decided it best not to, what they did do was send some impostors in an attempt to trip Him up.
[Luke 20:19-22 And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them. 20 And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor. 21 And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly: 22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?]
[so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.] Luke, points out that there really was nothing that they could catch Jesus doing that went against the Law so they could not legally execute Him. Now, their plan was to get Him to break a government law, which was the true reason for their question about paying taxes, but Jesus was well aware of what they were up to.
[Luke 20:23-26 But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me? 24 Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar’s. 25 And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s. 26 And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.]
[they could not take hold of his words before the people:] Their intention was to try and get Jesus to say something that would be treasonous, but His response made them speechless. Religion and the world despise each other, and will constantly be at odds except for one reason, They will band together in a heartbeat in an attempt to make Him and all His followers look as though they are fools. However, Jesus, is always one step ahead of them. Luke, also gives the account of the Sadducees trying to catch Jesus at His words by asking Him about the resurrection.
[Luke 20:28-33 Saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man’s brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. 29 There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children. 30 And the second took her to wife, and he died childless. 31 And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died. 32 Last of all the woman died also. 33 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife.]
[that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.] Their question had no merit, yes, the Law stated that if the eldest son, who was heir to the family name, were to die before his wife had a child, then the first born would receive the namesake of the heir, but the Law had nothing to do with what they were asking Jesus. Which is exactly why Jesus responded the way that He did.
[Luke 20:34-38 And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: 35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: 36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. 37 Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. 38 For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.]
[they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world…neither marry, nor are given in marriage:] Jesus, is referring to the world to come, the one in which eternal life and happiness is given to all who received Him as their Saviour, not by our own works and merits, but through His blood sacrifice. The reason they are no longer marry or are given in marriage is the fact that they will receive glorified, meaning immortal, bodies after the resurrection, [1 Corinthians 15:50-53 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.]
I am like everyone else who is saved, I know the truth and fully accept that in the next phase of my life I will be next to my husband as well as my love ones, but not like we are now. The human side of me is always wondering what will happen not only when Jesus returns and we reign with Him here, but join Him in the new earth, and whether or not God will actually start life there as He intended, using us as their spiritual guides. All I do know is that I will be there. Now, right after Jesus spoke here comes one of the scribes, impressed by how Jesus handled their questions, and had nothing more to say than how well He had spoken. That was when Jesus questioned them.
[Luke 20:41-44 And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David’s son? 42 And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, 43 Till I make thine enemies thy footstool. 44 David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son?]
[How say they that Christ is David’s son?] Jesus, is referring to the scholars, scientists, and doctors of Israel who were set on believing that everything can be explained through science, sight, and knowledge of ones lineage. This is the Psalm that Jesus was speaking about, [Psalms 110:1-4 A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. 2 The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. 3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth. 4 The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.]
Melchizedek, was a high priest back in the days of Abraham, [Genesis 14:18-19 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. 19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:] and this is how they determined that even though Jesus was of the lineage of Judah, He was would still be considered a high priest even though they came from the lineage of Levi. This is also what gave Him the authority to speak as He did in regards to the Scriptures, [Hebrews 7:19-22 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. 20 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: 21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:) 22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.]
A testament is a solemn authentic document in writing by which a person declares his will as to the disposal of his estate and effects after his death; it is also known as a written oath or will. Jesus, declared that all who believe in His sinless death on the cross would receive eternal life. He not only sealed that covenant when He died, He proved it to be true when He arose from the dead three days later. Religious cults do not want to believe that God will not accept anyone who does not fully believe in Christ as their Saviour. They can be born and raised in a church, believing in and serving God, even be taught about Christ, but God will not accept them. Jesus actually points this out, as He is watching rich men casting money into the offertory, and one little old widow woman.
[Luke 21:1-6 And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. 2 And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. 3 And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: 4 For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had. 5 And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said, 6 As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.]
[there shall not be left one stone upon another,] The Temple was thrown down forty years later as Jesus prophesied, Jerusalem was taken by the Roman armies, under the command of Titus in 70 AD. Today, the Temple is surrounded by a wall that the Muslims built around it, and no one can get in it. Jjust like everything else that was done for God’s glory, they have turned these buildings into shrines and they will all be destroyed one day. The point that Jesus is making here is that God, is not in any building, He is in His saved, born again believers who are in that building, [1 Corinthians 3:16-17 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.]
There are so many churches and temples, adorned with stained glass windows, altars made of jewels and gold, but they too will be destroyed and thrown down. These men did not know one thing that Jesus was talking about, yet wanted signs to know when it will all come to pass. Well, Jesus does not even know the time, but He does describe how it will be before He returns.
[Luke 21:8-12 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. 9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. 10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: 11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. 12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake.]
[for many shall come in my name,] Now, why did Jesus felt the need to say this to them at that time? Jesus, was referring to the Jews constant disbelief that He is the Messiah. Many would come with their false prophesies, pretending they were that they were Him. We have so many deceivers in our churches today that it is hard to know who is true or not. Jesus, goes on to explain to them what those signs will be when not only the temple, but Jerusalem will be destroyed.
[Luke 21:20,24-25,27-28 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. 24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. 25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.]
[until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.] Meaning, until the Gospel is preached all over the world and to the last person to receive Christ as their Saviour, and then the Jews will finally recognized Christ for who He is, be converted, and rebuild and inhabit Jerusalem. There will be people that we never thought would end up in heaven among us and sadly, there will be many who we thought or hoped would be with us that will not be. Jesus, actually goes on to explain why we need to be on high alert for His return and why so many of our loved ones will not escape the destruction of the world.
[Luke 21:34-36 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.]
[lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting,] [Surfeiting; Oppressing the system by excessive eating and drinking; cloying; loading or filling to disgust; The act of feeding to excess; gluttony.] We all want to know when Jesus will return, even He does not know as God, the Father, has blocked that knowledge from Him right now. The second God gives the word, that is when Jesus will return. When God sees that there is only reprobates left on the earth, that is when destruction of the earth will begin and He will tell His Son that it is time to return, [2 Peter 3:9-10 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.]
Jesus Christ Revealed/Magnified: [Luke 20:37-38 Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. 38 For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him. Luke 21:15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.]
Today’s Prayer: Jesus, You have told us the signs that will lead to Your return, how we can be prepared and ready for Your return, and have already fulfilled Your promise to make redemption possible and permanent for all who believe in and receive You as their Saviour. Thank You, for dying on the cross for me, even as the mess I am, You redeemed me through my faith alone in You. Thank You for teaching me and preparing me for Your return, and for your endless mercies and grace as I fail You daily. Even at my best, I do sometimes take for granted what You have done for me, and for that I am sorry. Thank You for Your long suffering, and still using me, despite my mishaps, and for reminding me that one day all of this will be over, and I will be with You forever. I love You, and pray this in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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