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It’s so easy to cash in these chips on my shoulder
So easy to loose this old tongue like a tiger
It’s easy to let all this bitterness smolder
Just to hide it away like a cigarette lighter

It’s easy to curse and to hurt and to hinder
It’s easy to not have the heart to remember
That I am a priest and a prince in the Kingdom of God

I’ve got voices that scream in my head like a siren
Fears that I feel in the night when I sleep
Stupid choices I made when I played in the mire
Like a kid in the mud on some dirty blind street

I’ve got sorrow to spare, I’ve got loneliness too
I’ve got blood on these hands that hold on to the truth
That I am a priest and a prince in the Kingdom of God

I swore on the Bible to not tell a lie
But I’ve lied and lied
And I’ve crossed my heart and I hoped to die
And I’ve died and died

But if it’s true that you gathered my sin in your hand
And you cast it as far as the east from the west
If it’s true that you put on the flesh of a man
And you walked in my shoes through the shadow of death

If it’s true that you dwell in the halls of my heart
Then I’m not just a fool with a fancy guitar
No, I am a priest and a prince in the Kingdom of God

"Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up." John 2:19

At the cross God’s temple is destroyed in judgment by the hand of God’s enemies.

In his death we see a righteous Israelite driven into exile away from the land of the living.

In his resurrection we see David’s greater son building a house for God’s name that would never perish so that everyone who comes to him would find life in God’s presence.

The Kingdom promised

The kingdom is promised to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and his sons.

The Kingdom prefigured

The kingdom is prefigured in God’s ruling over Israel in the land of Canaan from Joshua to the exile. The kingdom is especially prefigured in the reigns of David and Solomon.

The Kingdom foreshadowed

The kingdom is foreshadowed by the Old Testament prophets. The prophets describe the kingdom in terms of earthly covenant blessings described in Deuteronomy.

The Kingdom inaugurated (now)

The kingdom is inaugurated in the actions of Jesus e.g. driving out of demons, plundering the possessions of the strong man. The kingdom has an inaugurated expression in the church.

The Kingdom consummated (not yet)

The kingdom’s final consummation will occur at the second coming of Christ and the new heavens and earth.

Question 1 of the Heidelberg Catechism

What is your only comfort in life and in death?

Answer

That I am not my own, but belong – body and soul in life and in death – to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ. (1-3)

He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil. (4-5)

He also watches over me in such a way that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven in fact all things must work together for my salvation. (6-8)

Because I belong to him, Christ, by his Holy Spirit assures me of eternal life and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him. (9-10)

(1) 1Co_6:19-20 (2) Rom_14:7-9. (3) 1Co_3:23; Tit_2:14. (4) 1Pe_1:18-19; 1Jo_1:7; 1Jo_2:2. (5) Joh_8:34-36; Heb_2:14-15; 1Jo_3:8. (6) Joh_6:39-40; Joh_10:27-30; 2Th_3:3; 1Pe_1:5. (7) Mat_10:29-31; Luk_21:16-18. (8) Rom_8:28. (9) Rom_8:15-16; 2Co_1:21-22; 2Co_5:5; Eph_1:13-14. (10) Rom_8:14.

(Isa 1:18) Salvation described as God washing red stains from a garment making it white.

(Isa 1:25-26) God’s people cleansed of sin and made righteous by Christ who raises up leaders for God’s people.

(Isa 2:2-5) All nations come to the temple that is Christ to learn God’s word. He makes peace. c.f. Joh 12:32; Eph 2:17. Also New Jerusalem.

(Isa 2:10,19-21) The second coming of the Christ causes men to hide in caves. c.f. Rev 6:16-17.

(Isa 2:11-17) The casting down of trees, mountains, towers, walls, masts is a metaphor of man’s pride humbled at Christ’s second coming.

(Isa 4:2) The future of God’s people described in terms of a beautiful branch and fruitfulness.

(Isa 4:3) God’s people described as holy and written in the book of life. This description is applied to all God’s people in Revelation.

(Isa 4:4) Salvation described as a purification from menstruation by a Spirit of judgment and fire.

(Isa 4:5-6) God shelters his people in a pillar of cloud-fire and as a booth, refuge and shelter from heat and storm. c.f. Rev 7:15-16.

(Isa 5:1-7) The parable of the vineyard is retold by the Christ in Luk 13:7-9 where fruitlessness is rejection of Christ & destruction 70AD.

(Isa 5:14) A metaphor of ultimate judgment is Sheol enlarging its appetite and opening wide its mouth.

(Isa 5:30) A metaphor of judgment is a land in darkness.

(Isa 6:1-5) The vision of the heavenly throne room is repeated in both Ezekiel 1 and Revelation 4 c.f. Rev 4:8-9.

(Isa 6:9-10) The ministry of Isaiah to sluggish hearts, heavy ears, blind eyes is also seen in ministry of the Christ. c.f. Mat 13:14-15.

(Isa 7:11) Christ is a sign as deep as Sheol in his death and as high as the heavens in his ascension.

(Isa 7:14) Christ is ultimate fulfillment of child born to a virgin who is called and signifies Immanuel – God with us – in the incarnation.

(Isa 8:15) Like God himself, Christ causes the falling (and rising) of many in Israel c.f. Luk 2:34.

(Isa 8:21-22) Judgment of distress, gloom of anguish, faces turned upward to curse God and thrusting into thick darkness. c.f. Rev 16:10.

(Isa 9:1-2) Christ is the great light that appears in Galilee for those who dwell in the land of deep darkness.

(Isa 9:3-5) Christ’s ministry results in God’s people being increased, great joy and victory over oppressors – sin, Satan, the world & grave

(Isa 9:6) Christ is the child born to us whom God ordains to have the government of all creation.

(Isa 9:6) Christ is the embodiment of ‘Wonderful Counselor is the Mighty God’ and ‘Everlasting Father is the Prince of Peace’.

(Isa 9:7) Christ’s reign shall be one of peace and no end. Christ inherits David’s throne and exercises justice & righteousness.

(Isa 10:5) God exercises his sovereignty in providentially using the nations to execute his judgments.

(Isa 10:15) God’s sovereignty is seen in the metaphors of nations as God’s axe, saw, rod, staff.

(Isa 10:20-27) Salvation described as the removing of the yokes and burdens of slavery. Christ frees from slavery to sin, Satan & grave.

(Isa 11:1) Christ is the shoot and branch that bears fruit from the almost destroyed stump of Jesse.

(Isa 11:2) Upon Christ rested the sevenfold Spirit of God. c.f. Rev 1:4.

(Isa 11:3-5) Christ delighted in the fear of the LORD and brings justice to the poor in both gospel ministry and at his return.

(Isa 11:4) Christ shall strike the nations with rod of his mouth, with the breath of his lips c.f. Rev 19:15 ie sword that comes from mouth.

(Isa 11:6-9) Conditions of peace in the new earth.

(Isa 11:10) Christ when he is raised up on the cross was a sign that drew all nations to himself.

(Isa 11:11-13) The second exodus that foreshadows the great gathering of God’s people at the rapture i.e. gathering of elect from 4 corners

(Isa 11:14-16) The gathering of people in God’s land (new earth) and taking possession of the lands of the nations (described in OT terms).

(Isa 12:1-6) Salvation is the turning away of God’s anger and experiencing comfort, salvation and joy. Wells of salvation c.f John 4.

(Isa 13:3) God’s gathering consecrated mighty men to judge Babylon foreshadows Christ’s coming with holy angels c.f. 2Th 1:7-10; Jude 1:14.

(Isa 13:10-12) The fall of Babylon to the Medes in 539 B.C. foreshadows the ultimate judgment – sun,moon,stars go dark, creations trembles.

(Isa 14:1) Isaiah predicts a day when Gentiles would be joined to Israel and share in the new earth. c.f. Zec 2:11; Gal 3:29; Rom 4:13.

(Isa 14:2) Essay on Isaiah and the nations – http://andrewgroves.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/ma-isaiah-and-the-nations.pdf

(Isa 14:12) Babylon, Satan, Antichrist as the Morning Star of the Dawn but will be cut to the ground.

(Isa 14:13-14) Satan-Babylon-Antichrist seek to ascend to the heights of heaven, become like the Most High, sit on the Mount of Assembly.

(Isa 14:15) Instead of the heavenly heights of the Mount of Assembly Babylon-Antichrist/Gog shall be brought down to depths of Sheol.

(Isa 14:12-20) This passage relates strongly to the Battle of Har Maggedon (i.e. Armageddon).

(Isa 15) The judgment on Moab foreshadows the final judgment on all nations -laid waste, wailing, sackcloth, crying out, weeping,destruction

(Isa 16:5) Christ’s throne established in covenant love. He sits in faithfulness in tent of David doing righteousness. Christ rules Moab.

(Isa 17:12-13) Metaphor of judgment as roaring waves that are rebuked or chaff blown by the wind. c.f. Rev 17:1.

(Isa 18:7) A day is coming when even the furthest nation in the south shall bring tribute into the New Jerusalem c.f. Rev 21:24.

(Isa 19:5-6) Metaphor of judgment – the drying up of waters of life.

(Isa 19:14) Metaphor of judgment – like a drunken man who staggers in his vomit.

(Isa 19:16,17) When Christ returns all anti-God nations (Egypt) will tremble and shake. Nations shall fear God’s people who return with him.

(Isa 19:18) Even in Egypt a remnant (five cities) will be incorporated into God’s people (speak language) through Christ – even all nations.

(Isa 19:19-20) Christ is the savior, defender, deliverer for all nations.

(Isa 19-20) A remnant of the nations are Christ’s. People represented as an altar and pillar (i.e. as a temple complex) c.f Rev 3:12; 6:9.

(Isa 19:21) Isaiah foretold the Gentiles (typified by Egypt) knowing the LORD in a covenant relationship & worshiping him in Christ.

(Isa 19:22) God’s sovereignty. He strikes/wounds and then he heals in order to cause repentance/pleas of mercy so that he will listen & heal

(Isa 19:23-25) Israel, Egypt & Assyria are all God’s inheritance, people and work on equal standing. All TOGETHER come in worship.

(Isa 19:23-25) Jews and Gentiles travel the same highway (Christ, ‘followers of the Way’) to worship the LORD through Christ.

(Isa 19:23-25) Old Testament foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles alongside the Jews in Christ, gathering them together in worship.

(Isa 22:22) Ultimately Christ possesses the key of the house of David, with authority to open and shut at his will. c.f. Rev 3:7.

(Isa 22:23-24) Christ is like a peg fastened in a firm place upon which everyone else hangs.

(Isa 24:1,3) The twisting of the earth’s surface, scattering of inhabitants and emptying & plundering of the earth describes final judgment.

(Isa 24:2,3) Final judgment will come on all people by the word of the LORD c.f. Rev 19:18,15.

(Isa 24:7-13) The end of joy, gladness and drinking wine as well as darkness is a description of final judgment. C.f. Rev 18:22-23.

(Isa 24:14-16) The eschatological judgment of the earth is followed by God’s people singing for joy and praising God. c.f Rev 18:20; 19:1-6.

(Isa 24:18) People flees the sound of terror only to fall into a pit, climb out and caught in a snare. Final judgment is unavoidable.

(Isa 24:19-20) Metaphor of judgment – earth staggers like a drunken man, sways like a hut, falls never to rise again.

(Isa 24:21-22) Angelic beings & kings of the earth currently imprisoned in Sheol will be judged at final judgment c.f. 2Pe 2:4; Jude 1:6.

(Isa 24:23) After creation disintegrates the LORD will reign in the New Jerusalem with glory forever c.f. Rev 6:12; 22:5.

(Isa 25:4) Christ is a shelter for his people from storm of judgment and a shade fro heat of judgment. c.f. Rev 7:16.

(Isa 25:6) In Zion Christ prepared a feast that would give life to all nations – his body the meat, his blood the wine.

(Isa 25:7-8) In Zion, at Cross, Christ swallowed up death forever. He wipes away tears & takes away reproach c.f. 1Co 15:54; Rev 7:17; 21:4.

(Isa 25:9) Christ … This is our God. We waited for him and he saved us. Let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

(Isa 25:10-12) The judgment on Moab is universalized as the judgment on all nations – trampled, swimming in dung, cast to ground.

(Isa 26:14) The dead are shades that will not rise due to God’s having visiting them with destruction.

(Isa 26:19) In Christ the dead shall live, their bodies rise. Those who dwell in the dust shall awake and sin for joy.

(Isa 27:1) The day when the Lord’s sword is yielded against the serpent Leviathan is Christ’s final victory over Satan.

(Isa 27:6) In the new earth, God’s people shall take root, send forth shoots and fill the whole world with the fruit of righteousness.

(Isa 27:12-13) Christ will glean his people 1 by 1 with a great trumpet call from the hostile nations & gather to worship in New Jerusalem.

(Isa 28:7) Metaphor for judgment – drunkenness, staggering, falling, vomiting. c.f. Rev 14:10.

(Isa 28:16) Christ is Zion’s precious foundation cornerstone c.f. Mat 21:42; Act 4:11-12; Rom 9:33, 10:11; 1Co 3:11; Eph 2:20; 1Pe 2:6-8.

(Isa 29:6) The LORD’s visitation with hosts, thunder, earthquake, tempest, devouring fire will ultimately be seen in Christ’s return.

(Isa 29:7) The final gathering of the nations to fight against God’s people shall result in their judgment.

(Isa 29:18-19) In day of God’s restoration deaf shall hear, blind shall see. Fulfilled in Christ’s ministry from 30 A.D. Poor meek have joy.

(Isa 30:19) Christ’s people, who belong to the heavenly Zion (Heb 12:22), weep no more, experience grace and are heard by God.

(Isa 30:20-22) Christ is the Teacher of God’s people. The Spirit of Christ, a voice behind us, speaks & encourages us to walk in God’s way.

(Isa 30:23-26) Fruitfulness, living waters, light greater than sun, healing of broken bones and wounds describes new earth c.f. Rev 22:1-5.

(Isa 30:27-32) Fire, threshing, blows, great storms c.f. Revelation’s imagery of final judgment. Heavens rejoice as God judges – Rev 19:1-4

(Isa 30:33) OT imagery that in the NT becomes the lake of fire.

(Isa 31:4) As a lion growls over his prey against a band of shepherds so shall Christ be against the nations at his return.

(Isa 31:5-6) Christ shall protect & deliver his people c.f. hovering birds. Christ shall purify the hearts of his people.

(Isa 32:1-2) Christ is king who reigns in righteousness, hiding place from wind, shelter from storm, shade of great rock, as living waters.

(Isa 32:3-4) Christ regenerates his people – opens eyes and ears, causes hearts to understand, enables tongues to declare God’s praises.

(Isa 32:15-17) The effect of God’s Spirit being poured out is compared to a wilderness becoming fruitful i.e. righteousness, peace, trust.

(Isa 32:18,20) OT shadows of new earth – peace in dwellings, oxen can range free – in other words, there will be peace, safety, no theft.

(Isa 33:2) Salvation described as the work of God’s arm.

(Isa 33:17,22) A man is king. God is king. Christ, both God and man, is the beautiful king, judge and lawgiver who saves.

(Isa 33:20-21) The New Jerusalem shall be an immovable tent whose stakes will never be plucked up or cords broken. A place of many waters.

(Isa 33:24) Salvation is healing and the forgiveness of iniquity.

(Isa 34:3-4) Final judgment – bodies cast out and rotting, mountains flowing with blood.

(Isa 34:3-4) Final judgment – sky rolled up like a scroll, stars fall like fig leaves. John quotes these words in Rev 6:13-14.

(Isa 34:9-10) Eternal judgment described in terms of Edom’s waters as pitch, soil as sulfur, burning night&day, unquenchable, smoke forever.

(Isa 34:9-10) Recalls Sodom & Gomorrah and points to final judgment. C.f. Rev 14:10-11; 18:18; 19:3.

(Isa 34:11-17) An alternate picture of judgment – Edom being assigned as inheritances for various wild animals.

(Isa 35:1-2) By contrast the new earth is one where wilderness becomes living waters and fruitful. Earth filled with God’s glory & majesty.

(Isa 35:1-2,6-7) In new earth wilderness of death transformed by living waters and fruitfulness. Filled with God’s glory and majesty.

(Isa 35:5-6) Christ opens eyes of blind, unstops ears of deaf, makes lame to rise from dust (death), causes tongue of mute to sing joyfully.

(Isa 35:8-10) The Way of Holiness is the Way, Truth & Life of Christ. Only redeemed ransomed cleansed shall walk on it. No evil forces harm.

(Isa 35:10) Pilgrims to heavenly Zion with joy & gladness, sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Experienced now and not yet. c.f. Rev 21:4.

Just a collection of some of my favourite quotes about God’s sovereignty over suffering and sin.

 

God allows in his wisdom what he can easily prevent by his power.

http://andrewgroves.wordpress.com/2009/06/01/god-allows-in-his-wisdom-what-he-can-easily-prevent-by-his-power/

 

The Shepherd breaks the lamb’s leg and this is grace

http://andrewgroves.wordpress.com/2010/05/03/the-shepherd-breaks-the-lambs-leg-and-this-is-grace/

 

Suffering, eggs and potatoes

http://andrewgroves.wordpress.com/2009/08/18/suffering-eggs-and-potatoes/

 

Sovereignty of God over rebellion

http://andrewgroves.wordpress.com/2007/08/25/sovereignty-of-god-over-rebellion/

 

Luther on grace alone

http://andrewgroves.wordpress.com/2010/05/21/luther-on-grace-alone/

 

Spectacular Sins

http://andrewgroves.wordpress.com/2010/05/07/spectacular-sins/

The way we dress as Christians should not scream: "Sex!" or "Pride!" or "Wealth!", but rather testify to purity, humility and moderation.

source: Lenora Hammond

http://www.christianaction.org.za/articles_ca/2004-3-ModestyTheUndressingOfOurYouth.htm

What elements should we have in our church services?

Reading the gospel (1 Timothy 4:13)

Preaching the gospel (Romans 10:14)

Praying the gospel (1 Timothy 2:1)

Singing the gospel (Colossians 3:16)

Seeing the gospel (Baptism, Lord’s Table, Testimonies)

“I believe that every particle of dust that dances in the sunbeam does not move an atom more or less than God wishes — that every particle of spray that dashes against the steamboat has its orbit as well as the sun in the heavens — that the chaff from the hand of the winnower is steered as the stars in their courses. The creeping of an aphis over the rosebud is as much fixed as the march of the devastating pestilence — the fall of leaves from a poplar is as fully ordained as the tumbling of an avalanche. He that believes in a God must believe this truth. There is no standing-point between this and atheism. There is no half way between a mighty God that worketh all things by the sovereign counsel of his will and no God at all. A God that cannot do as he pleases — a God whose will is frustrated, is not a God, and cannot be a God. I could not believe in such a God as that.”

Source: Charles Haddon Spurgeon in a the sermon “God’s Providence” October 15th, 1908

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