King James Bible Study – [Mark 8:34 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.]
Date: Wednesday, November 03, 2021
Chapters: Matthew 22, Mark 11
Message: World Religion
Hello My Friend,
As I was reading the chapters for today, this passage came to mind, [John 4:22-24 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.]. Well, to be honest, I was looking for this passage first, [Mark 7:7-8 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.], but they both fit in perfect and I have been literally sitting here for an hour rewriting the same paragraph about religion.
So, what exactly is religion? [Religion;1. Any system of faith and worship consisting in the belief of a superior power or powers governing the world, and in the worship of such power or powers. 2.Godliness or real piety in practice, consisting in the performance of all known duties to God and our fellow men, in obedience to divine command, or from love to God and his law.]
There are actually two forms of worldly religion, one with a belief in God and one with a belief in a higher power. And then there is pure religion, which comes directly from God’s Word. I truly believe with all my heart, and based on what God says through His Word, that God despises religion. And that includes those who say they “worship” Him. When you think about the word religion, you often think of a Christian, Muslim, Jew, or even Pagan, but world religion goes beyond that. It literally nullifies everything that is written in the Bible by using bits and pieces of Scripture to make one believe (or not believe) that it came from God’s own mouth. Atheism is also a religion as they will literally use Scripture to try and prove that God does not exist, and actually govern and worship themselves. Now, pure religion is something that God does accept because it is biblical.
[James 1:23-27 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. 27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.]
Okay, so in regards to the Jews, there are two kinds of Jews, one is their religion and the other is family, who are also knows as Israelites or Hebrews, meaning they are descents of Jacob (Israel). Now, the Jewish religion itself is not even close to the Law of Moses, which is what any pure religion Jewish believer would follow, and that includes believing in Jesus as being the Christ (Messiah) that they have been waiting for. As we continue in the reading of the Gospels, Mark also gives an account to when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, the pure religion believers were actually the ones who were shouting Hosanna in the streets.
[Mark 11:1-3 And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples, 2 And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him. 3 And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither. Mark 11:8-10 And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way. 9 And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: 10 Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.]
[Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:] This phrase actually plays a part in something that Jesus would say to the Pharisees and scribes, but it is something that David had said prior to God telling him that His Son would descend through his son, Solomon, [2 Samuel 7:12-16]. Notice something else that David said, which I had just realized that it came from the same Psalm, [Psalms 118:22-26 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. 23 This is the LORD’S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. 24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. 25 Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. 26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.]
Exactly what does it mean that Jesus has become the head of the corner? Well, the pure religion of both the Jews and Christians is compared to a building. The people are the stones, the princes and rulers are the builders of the stones, and the chief corner stone is the entire building, beginning with the foundation. Pure religion is not Jewish or Christian, it is an entire family of believers in Christ, the congregation are the stones, pastors and teachers are the builders of the stones, Jesus is the head of us all, and also the foundation as well, [1 Corinthians 3:10-11 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.]
Once they arrived in Jerusalem it was getting rather late, they decided to lodge in Bethany for the night, Jesus sees a fig tree and hoped to have a couple of figs once they got to it, but there were none, [Mark 11:12-14 And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: 13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. 14 And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.]
[for the time of figs was not yet.] So, the reason there were no figs was because it was not the season for them yet. It was probably during the season they might have just been picked and not budding yet. The tree did not just stop producing fruit it literally died, the next morning when Jesus and the disciples went back into Jerusalem it had withered and died.
[Mark 11:20-26 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21 And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away. 22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. 23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. 24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. 25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.]
[they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.] When I first read this I wondered why Jesus cursed the tree knowing that it was not the trees fault that it had no fruit on it yet. Then as I just read it it occurred to me that maybe the tree did not want to live any longer because it did not have Jesus. Jesus used the tree as an example, not to the trees, but to those who reject Him, especially the Jews. It was in reference to a parable that Jesus spoke, [Luke 13:6-9 He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. 7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? 8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: 9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.]
[but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass;] Pure religion does not distort the Gospel of Christ, does not add to the Gospel of Christ, and does not make void of the Gospel of Christ. Each and every person, it does does not matter if they call themselves Jewish, Catholic, Jehovah’s Witness, Mormon, or Islamic, if they do not believe in the immaculate birth, sinless death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, to save them from the punishment of hell to their soul for their sin, alone then they will wither and die just like that tree, [Galatians 1:6-8 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.]
I get mad at myself if I am taking too long to write the devotions, sometimes it can take me four hours to get it done because I am reading through Scripture and the meanings of the words so that we can all get where God is coming from and help you understand it as well. Then God reminded me that it is important that I am doing these things because I am showing Him that I am not just picking through Scripture to get my point across. I am teaching the truth, otherwise, I am the one who will be held accountable when I face Jesus. The worlds religions actually are quite deceitful to the hungry soul that does not have the Holy Spirit inside of them to discern the truth because many of them do read from the Scriptures. Well, Jesus knows exactly what they are doing, and literally calls out the scribes and Pharisees for being good and reading the Scriptures, and expecting the congregation to follow them, but they are not.
[Matthew 23:1-7 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, 2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: 3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. 4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, 6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.]
[observe and do; but do not ye after their works:] Here is the thing, preachers and teachers of God’s Word are human, they have lives that take them through hills and valleys just like we do. We are trusting them to teach us the truths taught in God’s Word, and many do, but sometimes they may error themselves. Pure religion admits when we have said something in error, then we correct it. And trust me, the Holy Spirit lets us know right away if we said something out of context. We are rightfully to observe the preaching and teaching of the truth of God’s Word and follow it as long as it is the truth, which is why we need to be reading it as well. However, what we are not to do is follow their practices if they are good a talking the talk, but not a walking the walk. Watch what Jesus says these worldly religions are guilty of.
[Matthew 23:8-13 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. 9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. 10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. 11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. 13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.]
[neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.] Whenever someone is called, Rabbi, they are calling them, My great one, my honorable sir.” So, you can see why Jesus is telling them not to call anyone, but Him, Rabbi. Well, this also applies to anyone calling themselves a pope, an apostle, an alim, or the watchtower society, we are not to worship man, we are to worship God Himself. World religions only do one thing and one thing only, send multitudes to hell with them for their false doctrine, which Jesus goes on to say as well.
[Matthew 23:15,24-28 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. 24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. 25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. 26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. 27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. 28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.]
[ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.] [Proselyte; A new convert to some religion or religious sect, or to some particular opinion, system or party. Thus a Gentile converted to Judaism is a proselyte; a Jew converted to Christian is a proselyte;]. Do you see what these world religions do? They get people to believe that what they are telling them is true, trick them into becoming one of them, and go at it full force, they will literally kill the “heathen” for their religion. Let me tell you, there are just as many extreme Christians out there as there are extreme Muslims, and they are all backed up by these world religions leading them straight to hell. Sadly, countless lives have been lost as a result of these world religions, and will continue to be lost until the Jews actually recognize Jesus as the Messiah, which Jesus also states here.
[Matthew 23:33-35,38-39 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? 34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: 35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. 38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. 39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.]
[till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.] The day that the Jews that see Jesus and agree with David when he says, [Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD:] that is the day that Jesus will return and judgment will begin. Jesus declares the miseries Jerusalem was about to bring upon themselves after they hang Him on the cross, but also the hope that comes to those who see Jesus, both Jew and Christian, and become as one nation, led by the Lamb of God Himself, [Revelation 22:1-5 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: 4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. 5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.]
Today’s Prayer:
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Are You 100% Sure You Are Going To Heaven?: http://readytofollow.com/
Receive The KJB Daily Devotions In Your Email: http://eepurl.com/2WMzT
Missed A Message: http://imfollowingjesus.com/Biblestudy/
Visit I’m Following Jesus Missions: https://imfollowingjesus.com/Biblestudy/welcome/
I’m Following Jesus On Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/readytofollowJesus/
Copyright © 2021 I’m Following Jesus, All rights reserved.