The Word and the Cross

More from the Gospel accounts of Jesus' keeping of the Sabbath, God's way.

Many fear they are going to fall and so never start. Spurgeon suggests they are not totally trusting Christ.

Matthew. We examine the entire Gospel and find no abrogation of the Sabbath, rather, condemnations about the way it was being kept in Jesus' day.

Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Amos, Zechariah... all agree about how serious is the matter of obeying all of God's Law. Also we see how that Law is applied to the heart under the New Covenant. And Zechariah sees the Sabbath in our furture, in the Millennial reign of Jesus.

What happened between the Testaments? Empires Rise and Fall. Alexander. Antiochus Epiphanes. The Maccabees. Hanukkah. Herod. Septuagint. Apocrypha. Synagogs. Dispersion. Pharisees. Sadducees. Scribes. Nature of "Testament". God's choosing of Israel is central.

One of the Psalms was written specifically for the Sabbath. And, Isaiah is very specific about the practice of Sabbath worship in the Millennium, when Gentiles and Jews alike observe it.

FINAL OLD TESTAMENT AUDIO (Begun February-2025) Malachi's question and answer technique is classic! And Elijah (has come, is coming, both) ! NEXT TIME: Between the Testaments, 400 years of prophetic silence.

The Sabbath. In Leviticus: Listed with the serious principles God wants His people to remember. In Numbers: A demonstration of how God must deal with those who break HIs laws. In Deuteronomy: Celebrate your deliverance!

Zechariah: Nations will come against Jerusalem, and God will come against all nations! Jesus will be King over all the earth! Earth citizens will visit Him year-round. Malachi: Jacob and Esau compared.

Zechariah prophesies prosperity for Israel. He speaks of the triumphal entry and the Jerusalem reign all in one breath. And, he portrays a false shepherd, the fulfillment of whom is Judas and perhaps also antichrist.

The Sabbath in Exodus: Before and after Sinai, a commission to the people of God called Israel to keep the Sabbath forever. A part of the moral law of the "10".

The Sabbath came 2,500 years before the Law!

What about the seventh-day Sabbath? Just for the Jews? Do born-again Christians honor this day? Should they? Come with me on another exploration of a serious Bible topic!

Can we repent without the grace of God causing us to repent? Spurgeon says no.

The prophet receives specific promises about the Millennial period, Joshua the High Priest, Zerubbabel, the "Branch" Jesus, Elijah and Enoch, the rebuilding of Babylon, and more...

Haggai: Companion prophet of Zechariah, speaking to Jews after the exile about their need to rebuild the Temple. Zechariah: The "Builders" are coming to undo what the Destroyers have done.

Habakkuk: No matter how bad it gets, I will praise the Lord! Zephaniah: Judgment on the nations. All the nations!

Nahum. Another preacher speaks against Nineveh. No more mercy this time. Habakkuk: The prophet complains about all that is happening and God gives His answer.

Micah borrows a wonderful passage from Isaiah, then goes on to talk about "The Assyrian." His most famous words are probably his prophecy of Messiah coming out of Bethlehem!

Spurgeon connects repentance and forgiveness into one indivisible unity.

Jonah: The Ninevites turn around, but Jonah is not happy about it. Micah: Israel and its rulers rebuked by the prophet of the Lord. But a remnant...

Amos. Familiar pattern, judgment followed by restoration! Obadiah. About Edom, then about the Millennium! Jonah. The boat ride away from God and into the jaws of a huge "fish."

Amos, a shepherd by trade, speaks mighty words of coming judgment to Israel until he is finally told to go down to Judah instead. He refuses, and places God's curse on the messenger.

Joel: He sees Pentecost, the restoration of Israel, final judgments, and the coming Kingdom! Amos: A shepherd given a burden from God for nations surrounding Israel and Israel itself.

Hosea: Beautiful promises to repentant Israel. Joel: The day of the Lord - Judgment!