The Hope of Remembrance

“And I said, my strength and my hope is perished from the Lord: Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall. My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me. This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.” (Lamentations 6:18-26)

BACKGROUND TO THE TEXT

The Lamentations of Jeremiah give us an account of a man enduring the wrath of God because of the sin of the people. It is not as though we have a great history of Jeremiah’s sins, yet he partakes of the Lord’s chastening without justifying himself or condemning God. Rather, with his lamentations he partakes of the blessedness of they “that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst” of Jerusalem (Ezek 9:4).

His lamentations are not because he feels that the people are being unjustly afflicted. He is not “blaming God” or merely complaining - as is common among those living after the flesh. He, like our Lord will years later, is mourning the state of the people in their devotion to God. Furthermore, he does not hide his sorrow but makes it known that the people too would behold their own condition and repent.

The Lord is righteous; for I have rebelled against His commandment: hear, I pray you, all people, and behold my sorrow, my virgins and my young men are gone into captivity. (Lam 1:18)

The Lamentations of Jeremiah show us just how indignant God is with sinful people. He tells of how God has become as an enemy; how His bow is bent and the people are a target for His arrow; he God has even destroyed His own sanctuary and His own people.

The Lord was as an enemy: he hath swallowed up Israel, he hath swallowed up all her palaces: he hath destroyed his strong holds, and hath increased in the daughter of Judah mourning and lamentation. And he hath violently taken away his tabernacle, as if it were of a garden: he hath destroyed his places of the assembly: the Lord hath caused the solemn feasts and sabbaths to be forgotten in Zion, and hath despised in the indignation of his anger the king and the priest. The Lord hath cast off his altar, he hath abhorred his sanctuary, he hath given up into the hand of the enemy the walls of her palaces; they have made a noise in the house of the Lord, as in the day of a solemn feast. The Lord hath purposed to destroy the wall of the daughter of Zion: he hath stretched out a line, he hath not withdrawn his hand from destroying: therefore he made the rampart and the wall to lament; they languished together. Her gates are sunk into the ground; he hath destroyed and broken her bars: her king and her princes are among the Gentiles: the law is no more; her prophets also find no vision from the Lord. The elders of the daughter of Zion sit upon the ground, and keep silence: they have cast up dust upon their heads; they have girded themselves with sackcloth: the virgins of Jerusalem hang down their heads to the ground. (Lamentations 2:5-10)

In the Lamentations we also what it looks like to confess your sins and plea for forgiveness.

…Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord. Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens. We have transgressed and have rebelled: thou hast not pardoned. Thou hast covered with anger, and persecuted us: thou hast slain, thou hast not pitied. Thou hast covered thyself with a cloud, that our prayer should not pass through. Thou hast made us as the offscouring and refuse in the midst of the people. All our enemies have opened their mouths against us. Fear and a snare is come upon us, desolation and destruction. Mine eye runneth down with rivers of water for the destruction of the daughter of my people. Mine eye trickleth down, and ceaseth not, without any intermission. Till the Lord look down, and behold from heaven. Mine eye affecteth mine heart because of all the daughters of my city. Mine enemies chased me sore, like a bird, without cause. They have cut off my life in the dungeon, and cast a stone upon me. Waters flowed over mine head; then I said, I am cut off. I called upon thy name, O Lord, out of the low dungeon. Thou hast heard my voice: hide not thine ear at my breathing, at my cry. Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not. O Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life. (Lamentations 3:40-58)

It is good for us to be acquainted with this kind of grief; grief over sin and it’s horrific effects. Righteous men will be broken as they behold the infirmity of their own flesh and the offensiveness of their sin toward God. This, too, is a blessed condition for the broken and contrite heart will never be refused by our merciful God. His compassions fail not!

HOPE KNOWS THERE IS A BETTER DAY COMING

In all of this affliction, hope is still able to rise up and overcome. Hope does not just look for better days, it knows that the Lord is good and will reward those who call on His name. Faith and hope both trust in the righteousness of God who brings both calamity and relief. He alone is the One with Whom men have to do. Knowing Him is critical in the time of chastening - otherwise we would despair.

Jeremiah wasn’t the only prophet who knew that of the tender mercies of God. He was not the only man living by hope. Consider these expressions:

“O Lord, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O Lord, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.” (Hab 3:2)

“…in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee.” (Isa 60:10)

“For the Lord hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God. For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer.” (Isa 54:6-8)

Humility Precedes Hope. The psalmist exhorted his own soul, that was cast down and disquieted, to hope in God (Ps 42:5,11). This state of being cast down is a sort of prerequisite to hope (at least initially). Hope is convinced of something better up ahead. So, of necessity the current state is inferior to the one to come. This understanding; this humility precedes the ministry of hope. Where men are proud or perceive their current state to be the echelon of their existence…to make this a bit more contemporary…if they think they are living their best life NOW, hope will have no ministry. Hope ministers to us when we are convinced that God will bring the remedy to our current state.

We are currently living in “the body of our humble state” (Php 3:21, NASB). That is, what we are now is not the final product of God’s work - and we know it. So, as a result of this and in strict accord with God’s purpose, we are saved by hope (Rom 8:24).

“For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of Him who hath subjected the same in hope” (Rom 8:20). 

Until we put on immortality and are caught up in the air to be forever with the Lord, we are in a state of humility. Embrace it. Now is a day of hope. For when we do put on incorruption, we will no longer hope, “for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?”

Jeremiah’s expressions were not only for his time and experience, they are for all them that believe. All those who will inherit the kingdom of God will endure their own measure of suffering as a result of sin. But they will also be able to fellowship in the full assurance of hope because God is working salvation in the midst of this corrupt earth. Therefore sayeth the leaders of God’s people, “Let Israel hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption” (Ps 130:7)

YOUR MEMORY IS A STEWARDSHIP

The memory is vital to godly living. Men must remember the promises of the Lord in order to walk by faith. They must remember the wages reaped from iniquity in order to not follow after the flesh as in times past. And they must remember the provisions of the Lord in order to hope in His faithfulness. It is right that men to “set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments” (Ps 78:7)

In Lamentations chapter 3, Jeremiah speaks of remembering his “affliction…misery…wormwood…and gall.” While this is necessary to maintain a necessary humility, it could also cause unnecessary despair if it was all that he remembered. But alas, his memory served him well. He, like all the household of faith did not only remember his frailty but was also able to “recall to…mind” that the Lord is merciful and abundant in goodness and truth. The memory of the promises of God will cause you to withstand the evil day and be hopeful for the brightness of tomorrow.

In view of the ministry of remembrance consider some these things that the people of God have been called upon to “Remember”

• “Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy” (Exod 20:8)
• “Thou shalt remember the Lord thy God; for it is He that giveth thee power” (Deut 8:18)
• “Remember, and forget not, how thou provokedst the Lord thy God to wrath” (Deut 9:7)
• “Remember Lot’s wife” (Lk 17:32)
• “He is not here, but is risen: remember how He spake unto you…” (Lk 24:6)
• “These things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember” (Jn 16:4)
• “Remember the poor” (Gal 2:20)
• “Remember my bonds” (Col 4:18)
• “Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead” (2 Tim 2:8)
• “Remember them which have the rule over you” (Heb 13:7)
• “Remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles” (Jude 17)
• “Remember…from whence thou art fallen and repent” (Rev 2:5)
• “Do this in remembrance of Me”

All of these things and more are given as things to remember in order to provoke holy living. The memory serves as a tool of reasoning from the past in order to rightly navigate the present day. In the words of the Spirit, “experience works hope” (Rom 5:4)!

JEREMIAH: NOT “POSITIVE THINKING” BUT PERCEPTIVE OF REALITY

When Jeremiah is able to see that “it is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed,” he is expressing the truth of the matter. The flesh is tempted to “look on the bright side” or “find something positive” in our circumstances. And while we are not opposed to this, I think this is a misrepresentation of the case. This is nothing more than the application of psychological terms and reasoning to spiritual realities.

Here is the truth: all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. The fact that any of us have remained on the earth long enough to receive the atonement is a product of the abundant mercies of our righteous God. Jeremiah perceived this and perceived that the Lord is good to those of a broken and contrite heart that is penitent and hopeful in this quality of God.

By way of contrast, no unbelievers see God this way. They do not see God as merciful. Instead they blame God as if He is unrighteous to allow them to feel any discomfort.

THE DAILY PROVISIONS OF MERCY

“…they are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness”

Like the manna preserved in the ark of the covenant was a reminder of the provision of God in the wilderness, so the daily compassions and patience of the Lord is a reminder of His faithfulness and purpose to save. We can wake up every morning hopeful that we are alive and God is working in us both to will and do of His good pleasure.

With God, the fountain of compassion never fails; but let us be hopeful and not presumptuous. Hope, remember, is the commodity of the humble and contrite. The proud will not find a God who is willing to give grace but rather a God who is ready to cast them down. “Humble yourselves,” therefore, “under the mighty hand of God and He will exalt you in due time.”

The Gospel: Enemies Because of Sin - Reconciled by Christ. Remembering your affliction will bring despair while remembering God will bring hope. The gospel is a reminder not of your work but of God’s. The gospel is a message of hope. It is a message of pardon, forgiveness, and acceptance. It is the announcement that sin has been forever taken away and as a result, God is righteously pleased with believing men. The manner of the people is no longer mourning, lamentation and woe, but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Where once we had the words of Jeremiah, “The joy of our heart is ceased; our dance is turned into mourning” (Lam 5:15); David’s words are now more appropriate, “Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness to the end that my glory may sing praise to the and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto Thee for ever” (Ps 30:11-12).

God is not our enemy anymore. He is not wroth with us anymore. Instead, He is our Savior and the Savior of all men, being merciful beyond comprehension. And in all of this God has not changed - rather, Jesus has taken away our sin.

For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. (Romans 5:10)

THE LORD IS GOOD TO THEM…

Them That Wait for Him. Hope provokes holiness. It knows that the Lord is good to those that wait for HIm. Those who believe on the Lord do not make haste. They do not go out in their own reasoning and their own strength. They suffer with patience; trusting that the Lord’s direction will, in the end, turn out for their salvation. He is good to these people.

The Soul that Seeks Him. Many times we do not know the specific direction that God has given us or is leading us in a matter. But those who wait for Him must also seek Him; for this always promises to be beneficial.

It is good for men to seek the Lord and even to ask Him what to do. Remember, King Jehoshaphat said, “We don’t know what to do but our eyes are on you.” He was waiting and seeking the Lord.

Those that Hope and Quietly Wait for Salvation. True hope is not in future events or a change in circumstance. True hope is in God. It is a persuasion that HE will bring salvation. The hope of remembrance is the remembrance of God. When all around you seems chaotic, tumultuous and justly difficult; Remember the Lord - HE is good to those who wait for Him, seek Him and are convinced of His salvation.

“Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear Him, upon them that hope in His mercy; to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waiteth for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name. Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in Thee.” (Psalm 33:18-22)

A Call to Repentance - Jeremiah 3

Israel (the ten tribes) was overtaken by Assyria as a result of their sinfulness, yet Judah (the two tribes) still failed to repent from their own iniquities. Instead, they followed in the ways of Israel and soon faced their own demise.

This word is given to Jeremiah during the days of Josiah,

Have you seen what faithless Israel did? She went up on every high hill and under every green tree, and she was a harlot there. I thought, "After she has done all these things she will return to Me," but she did not return, and her treacherous sister Judah saw it. And I saw that for all the adulteries of faithless Israel, I had sent her away and given her a writ of divorce, yet her treacherous sister Judah did not fear; but she went and was a harlot also. (Jeremiah 3:6-8, NASB)

That is a commentary on the way of the flesh; even religious and dignified flesh. The flesh, along with the carnal mind, is not subject to the law of God and it CANNOT be subject to the law of God (Rom 8:7). The flesh cannot reason out of it's condition. It is a slave to the law of sin and will always follows it's course until it is subdued by the Spirit of God. But alas, unregenerate Judah was unable to mend her ways. The Lord continues,

"Yet in spite of all this her treacherous sister Judah did not return to Me with all her heart, but rather in deception" (Jeremiah 3:10)

God is not interested in pretense, form or heartless religion. He is not impressed with a people to continually offer sacrifices according to the law but fail to act in accord with His person. To such a people He pleads, "Oh that there were one among you who would shut the gates, that you might NOT uselessly kindle fire on My altar!" (Malachi 1:10). To them He says,

"Bring your worthless offerings no longer, incense is an abomination to Me. New moon and Sabbath, the calling of assemblies - I cannot endure iniquity and the solemn assembly" (Isaiah 1:13)

"Going through the motions" of religion, even God ordained religious practices, is detestable to God. He is aiming for the heart. His indictment toward Judah was not that they didn't keep the temple sacrifices it was that they didn't return to Him with all their heart. They kept the temple sacrifices and also participated in heathen practices. [This is all too contemporary, isn't it!]

Judah watched what happened to Israel and then followed the same pattern of behavior, resulting in the same judgment. Nevertheless, God stretched forth His hand and called to them to repent saying,

"Return, faithless Israel...I will not look upon you in anger. For I am gracious...I will not be angry forever. Only acknowledge your iniquity, that you have transgressed against the Lord your God and have scattered you favors to the strangers under every green tree, and you have not obeyed My voice...return, O faithless sons...for I am master to you, and I will take you one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion. Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you on knowledge and understanding." (Jeremiah 3:12-15)

What tender and everlasting mercy is with the Lord our God! His patience is unparalleled and His love endures forever. The problem with men is pride (among other things). Their unbelief, ignorance and stubbornness prevents them from turning from their ways, acknowledging their sin and experiencing the love of the Savior. They say, "we will not have this man to reign over us" (Lk 19:14, KJV), thought He is a good Master.

So here is the message: Turn to the Lord with ALL your heart. In ALL your ways acknowledge Him (Prov 3:6). Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God and He will exalt you in due time (1 Pet 5:6). Cleave unto the Lord with purpose of heart (Acts 11:23). Rid your life of all pretense; all fake and deceptive religion. Throw off the traditions of men and draw near to God with a true heart (Heb 10:22). "Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart" (2 Tim 2:22). If you examine yourself and find sin, repent.

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. (Acts 3:19)

Mountain Top Magazine 07

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Mountain Top Magazine 07

Jesus: The Lord of Sabaoth/Hosts (Part 4)

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver

Unless the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we would have become like Sodom, and we would have been made like Gomorrah. (Romans 9:29, NKJV)

WHY IS THIS SIGNIFICANT? 

Men live in accord with the one(s) they serve. If the serve the Devil they will lie, steal, kill and destroy in accord with their father. They will walk “according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air.” They are being governed, by this “spirit” “that now worketh in the children of disobedience” (Eph 2:2). When they speak, they speak the lies that are taught them THROUGH MEN but by the Father of Lies. In warning the church of this Paul wrote that “the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” (1 Tim 4:1). This is the unseen hosts influencing the men of earth. Thus the exhortation, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 Jn 4:1).

These doctrines came through the mouths of men but did not originate with men. But this truth does not exempt the men from the condemnation of their sin. “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth” (Isa 24:21). Men are bound by Satan to do his will (2 Tim 2:26) as long as they neglect the provision of God. In other words, those who do “not receive a love of the truth, that they might be saved” will “for this reason,” be given a “strong delusion” by God, “that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2 Th 2:11-12).

Those who do not reject the lie and seek the truth will inevitably be destroyed for their lack of knowledge. That deceiver, the serpent of old, is working tirelessly to deceive the very elect of God. Nevertheless, there are more who are with us then are with him. And in the end, the Lord of Hosts will come with His host to avenge His remnant.

“So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; and to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.” (2 Thessalonians 1:4-10)

EXHORTATION 

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:10-12)

The war set before us is not cause to fear but to have faith. Depend on the Captain of your salvation to overcome His enemies and yours. Say, with that valiant psalmist of Israel “Though an host encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war should arise against me, in this will I be confident” (Ps 27:3). For Jesus is working salvation in the midst of the earth and preparing a table in the presence of His enemies. He is doing this  “To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places” “the manifold wisdom of God” might be clearly seen in the church as it overcomes the world (Eph 3:10). 

Remember that when Joshua stood before that mighty fortress Jericho that “he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, ‘Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?’ And he said, ‘Nay; but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come.’” (Josh 5:13-14)

Jesus, the Lord of Hosts, is over all - both us and our adversaries. So take up “the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph 6:13-17). And let all of us know for certain that “the Lord saveth not with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s” (1 Sam 17:47). 

So, war a good warfare and fight a good fight of faith. We are not of those that shrink back but of those that believe to the saving of our souls. And when it is all said and done and we are standing atop mount Zion looking down upon the Sodom and Gomorrah from whence we’ve come: we will see the smoke of Sodom and Gomorrah; the smoke of Babylon; the smoke of the earth rising up as a furnace. And we will look about us and see that the Lord of Hosts had delivered us in the midst of the overthrow - He had left for Himself a remnant and we are saved!

Jesus: The Lord of Sabaoth/Hosts (Part 3)

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver

Unless the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we would have become like Sodom, and we would have been made like Gomorrah. (Romans 9:29, NKJV)

IDENTIFYING THE “HOSTS” OF THE LORD

When the king of Syria found out that Israel was always one step ahead of him in war, he was greatly troubled and said to his servants, “Will you not show me which of us is for the king of Israel?” His servants revealed that it was Elisha who was telling the king’s secrets to Israel. So, the king of Syria sent a great host to capture Elisha.

Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city. And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. So when the Syrians came down to him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, and said, “Strike this people, I pray, with blindness.” And He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.“I saw the Lord sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing by Him on His right hand and on His left” (1 Kings 22:14-18)

Now, the host that the Syrian king sent, and the only host that Elisha’s servant saw was the army of the Syrians. This struck fear into his heart, and rightly so. But what we need to know is the same thing that Elisha did know and what his servant was about to find out: The Hosts of the Lord is not limited to flesh and blood. The hosts of the Lord include a large company of heavenly angels. The Lord of Hosts is, no doubt, the Lord of men and any other created thing in the earth, but He is also the Lord of the heavenly creatures.

Lord of the Host of Heaven AND Earth. This is why David was so confident when facing the Philistine champion. “Thou comest to me with sword, and with spear, and with a shield,” he said, “but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou has defied” (1 Sam 17:45). David could see that the Philistine champion was no match for Champion of heaven.

Furthermore, we must also recognize that “the armies of Israel” that David spoke of were not limited to men and horses and chariots but also those of heaven. The heavenly armies are spiritual and the warfare is spiritual. What happens on the unseen field of battle (in heavenly places) is evidenced or manifested on the seen field of battle (on earth). For example, when the powers of darkness were given their hour, Jesus was beaten, crucified, killed and buried. When their time was up, He spoiled those principalities and powers and made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in His cross and in His resurrection (Col 2:15).

When God proclaimed judgment on Babylon, He spoke through the prophet Isaiah concerning, “…the noise of a multitude in the mountains, like as of a great people; a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together;” It was “the Lord of hosts mustering the host of the battle.” “They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, even the Lord, and the weapons of His indignation, to destroy the whole land” (Isa 13:4-5). This involved heavenly principalities and powers as well as armies of flesh and blood. 

The just, that live by faith, must often simply pray, then trust and wait on the Lord. When we call upon the Lord He begins to muster His troops for battle. Consider Daniel’s experience and the revelation given to him: while he was praying, the host was warring.

“Then said he unto me, ‘Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia…’ Then said he, ‘Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come. But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.’” (Daniel 10:12-13, 20-21)

Pray fervently saints. Who knows, the angel sent to minister to you may be held up a bit. Don’t let up and don’t lose hope. Help is on the way.

Making Application. The point to be seen, here, is that there exists a great host of personalities both for you and against you; for God and against God, and men need to know that Jesus is the Lord of them all. “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him” (Col 1:16). 

Next time you face a fiery trial, an ordeal that is too fierce, too burdensome, too strong for you to handle alone. Remember, that the Lord of Hosts is able to muster His troops to battle with you and for you. You are, in fact, “compassed about by so great a cloud of witnesses…ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn” (Heb 12:1,22,23). There are “many angels round about the throne” along with the four beasts and the twenty-four elders, “and the number of them is ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands” (Rev 5:11). They minister unto you, the heirs of salvation. They are troops that the Lord of Hosts musters together for warfare over the souls of men.

Jesus: The Lord of Sabaoth/Hosts (Part 2)

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver

Unless the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we would have become like Sodom, and we would have been made like Gomorrah. (Romans 9:29, NKJV)

JESUS: THE LORD OF HOSTS

The prophet Isaiah spoke early and often of this Lord of Hosts. In these prophecies we can see that Jesus, the Messiah, is identified also as “The Lord of Hosts.” He was one who was over the heavenly army. He was the dread of His enemies and a sanctuary for His friends:

“The Lord of hosts, Him you shall hallow; let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread. He will be as a sanctuary, but a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel, as a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many of them shall stumble; they shall fall and be broken, be snared and taken” (Isaiah 14:13-15). 

This prophecy is very particular to our text in Romans 9. For Israel has been given a spirit of slumber and has been partially hardened. Christ’s “own” who received Him not are those who have been offended by Him. He is to them a Rock of offense but to us who believe He is precious (1 Pet 2:7-8). 

“Many” of Israel have stumbled and have fallen but, as Paul asserts, the Lord of hosts has left a remnant according to the election of grace. Mercy has been shown them by the Lord of Hosts until “the Deliverer will come out of Zion and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob” (Rom 11:26). Their remains a seed in Israel and upon the provocation of the Gentiles salvation, all of Israel shall be saved. 

To be sure, they must be saved by faith in Him and not by works of the Law. The One who left them a seed is the very One by whom they must be saved. Jesus, afterall, is the reason that this remnant still exists. He is their Savior. But, if the Lord of Sabaoth had not left them a seed, they would have been like Sodom and Gomorrah. For the Jews were guilty of an even more grievous sin than that of Sodom and Gommorah - they rejected the Son of God and even put Him to death. Again, the Lord reasons with His people from this point in history. Upon sending out His disciples, Jesus said,

And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city! (Mt 10:14-15)

Jesus is the Lord of Sabaoth of which we are speaking. He is the Lord of Hosts and He is over and above all the host of heaven including destructive angels like those that overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, as well as angels that minister to the heirs of salvation, as well as those who will reap the earth. He has the power to save and to destroy. And though He is a “man of war” (Isa 42:13) it is His preference that men might be saved. 

In His coming to earth in the form of a man, He revealed much about His desire and purpose. For once when He visited a village of the Samaritans the people did not receive Him. His disciples asked if this was a time like Sodom and Gomorrah. 

“Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?”…But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” (Luke 9:54-56)

Jesus and His Host. Jesus came into the world with the grand announcement of the heavenly host (Lk 2:13-14). Satan tempted Him to exploit his heavenly host by throwing Himself off of the pinnacle of the temple (Mt 4:6). And upon His refusal, the heavenly host can and ministered to Him (Mt 4:11). When He returned to glory as the king of glory, the Host of heaven received Him (Ps 24). And when He returns He is coming with His mighty angels (2 Th 1:7-8). Jesus has always been the Lord of Hosts.

But perhaps one of the best illustrations of Jesus as the Lord of Hosts when He was arrested in Gethsemane. The soldiers came “with swords and clubs” to arrest Him and Peter even defended Him with a sword, as though Jesus might be overthrown. But, Jesus told Peter to put the sword away, saying, “Do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?” (Mt 26:53). Why? Because they were His hosts! Perhaps the centurion said more than we know when he said “For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” (Mt 8:9) It is no wonder that Christ marveled at his faith. He knew more about Lordship than all of Israel.

Jesus: The Lord of Sabaoth/Hosts (Part 1)

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver

Unless the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we would have become like Sodom, and we would have been made like Gomorrah. (Romans 9:29, NKJV)

Sodom and Gomorrah was a demonstration of the Divine overthrow of a place due to the grievous sins of the inhabitants. There are numerous warnings in the Scripture that reference Sodom and Gomorrah as a potential experience for those living ungodly. The Lord has frequently called people to repentance in essence saying, “If you don’t repent you will end up like Sodom and Gomorrah.” Here are a few examples:

“And that the whole land thereof is brimstone, and salt, and burning, that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass growth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah and Admah, and Zeboim, which the Lord overthrew in His anger, and in His wrath” (Deut 29:23).

“And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees’ excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah” (Isa 13:19).

“I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness; they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah” (Jer 23:14).

“As in the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour cities thereof, saith the Lord, no man shall abide there, neither shall a son of man dwell in it” (Jer 49:18).

“I have overthrown some of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and ye were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord” (Amos 4:11)

“Therefore as I live, saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, even the breeding of nettles, and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation: the residue of my people shall spoil them, and the remnant of my people shall possess them” (Zeph 2:9).

We must be aware of these warnings (and many others) lest we become presumptuous about sin and judgment. Furthermore, we must consider that this was the apostle’s reasoning concerning the nation of Israel. They had strayed so far from the Lord that they would have been overthrown as Sodom and Gomorrah, except the Lord had determined to leave them descendants. Oh, the mercy of the Lord. Truly He abounds in lovingkindness.

Recap of Sodom and Gomorrah. You remember, dear reader, that it was “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grave,” that the Lord said, “I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry against it that has come to Me; and if not, I will know” (Gen 18:20-21). And the Lord saw that the half had not yet been told. The vexation of the soul of righteous Lot was indeed warranted and God planned to act. Their sin, to be named from those days on as sodomy, was both ungodly and unnatural. Like in our day they labored to defend and celebrate their sin while they condemned the one warning them of it’s danger.

God, showing grace to Abraham, told him of His purpose. Abraham, then, in the boldness of faith, stood before the Lord and inquired of the Lord’s work in view of His righteousness: “Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked?…Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Gen 18:23,25). The Lord agreed and would go on to show Himself as One who knows how to “save and destroy” (Jas 4:12).

The Lord sent His messengers to the city to warn and deliver. Lot sought to spare the messengers from the evil men of Sodom who determined to “know them carnally” (Gen 19:5). When Lot rebuked the crowds even to the point of offering his two daughters in their stead, the men “both young and old” replied, “Stand back!” and roused the crowd against Lot saying, “This one came in to stay here, and he keeps acting as a judge; now we will deal worse with you than with them (Gen 19:9). But the two men ended up saving Lot from their hands and warned him, saying,  

“Have you anyone else here? Son-in-law, your sons, your daughters, and whomever you have in the city—take them out of this place! For we will destroy this place, because the outcry against them has grown great before the face of the Lord, and the Lord has sent us to destroy it.” (Genesis 19:12-13)

While some of his family complied, others refused, even causing Lot to wait for a more appropriate response. But the angels wouldn’t have him destroyed along with the wicked. For the Lord was being merciful to him: in effect, The Lord of Hosts was leaving a remnant. The account reads on,

When the morning dawned, the angels urged Lot to hurry, saying, “Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the punishment of the city.” And while he lingered, the men took hold of his hand, his wife’s hand, and the hands of his two daughters, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city.” (Genesis 19:15-16)

Then the Lord rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the Lord out of the heavens. So He overthrew those cities, all the plain, all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. (Genesis 19:24-25)

And Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the Lord. Then he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain; and he saw, and behold, the smoke of the land which went up like the smoke of a furnace. And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot had dwelt. (Genesis 19:27-29)

Sodom and Gomorrah will continue to be a point of reference for the people of the world. God’s dealing with them serves to teach men how God feels about sin, particularly sin of this most grievous kind. What we have to see in our Romans 9 text is that the Lord of Sabaoth’s desire and willingness to show mercy and leave Israel “a seed” is the only reason that they did not end of as Sodom and Gomorrah. And to be clear, it is the only reason we all don’t end up as Sodom and Gomorrah, as well. The One with all the power over the heavenly host is able to destroy the wicked and keep for Himself a remnant.