1 Corinthians 15:1-4
I. The Historical Event and the Gospel of Christ
II. Man’s Moralistic False Religions are Not Anchored to Historical Events
III. What Jesus Did in History to Save Sinners – v1-4
IV. Justification Before God is by Faith Alone in this Event Alone; Jesus’s Person and Work
Source: What Happened After Jesus’s Birth? – Rev. Patrick Hines Sermon
“And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” – Revelation 22:7
Scripture reading: Revelation 22:6-21
At the beginning of the book of Revelation, we read, “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near” (Revelation 1:3). Nearing the end of the book we find the thought repeated. We are reminded that these words are trustworthy and true. God sent His angel to communicate to us what must soon take place. How crucial then that we take note of this book and its message.
What does it mean to keep the words of the prophecy? It means first to believe, to take to heart. These words are intended to comfort and strengthen us in the days ahead. And if we believe this vision, it also means that we shall live our lives focused on Christ, Who is shown as the conquering, victorious Lord of lords and King of kings. It means then that we shun evil and all that opposes Christ, that we guard ourselves against the dragon, the beasts and Babylon. It means, as we read in verse 14, that we wash our robes, that we clothe ourselves in righteous living even as we have been clothed in the righteousness of Christ. As He forgives, we forgive; as He loves, we love; as He shows mercy, we show mercy. It means we live focused on already being the new society that we shall be in the new heavens and earth. Let us so live.
Suggestions for prayer
Ask God for His Spirit to enable you to keep the words of this book, that this vision may shape your vision, and that Christ may be your Lord, and His bride your concern.
Rev. Calvin J. Tuininga was born in Grand Rapids Michigan, but as a PK grew up in different places, mostly in Canada. He served in four churches: Burdett Alberta (CRC), Telkwa, B.C. (CRC), Trinity St. Catharines, Ontario (CRC/URC) and Covenant URC in Pantego, North Carolina. He retired in September 2019, and he and his wife presently reside in Washington, North Carolina. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.
Source: December 29 – Keeping the vision
The throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it: and his servants shall serve him: and they shall see his face….
REVELATION 22:3, 4
If God is the Supreme Good then our highest blessedness on earth must lie in knowing Him as perfectly as possible!
The ultimate end to which redemption leads is the immediate sight of the ever-blessed Godhead. In our present state we cannot with our natural eyes look upon God, for it is written, “Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live” (Exod. 33:20).
When the work of Christ has been completed in His people, however, it will be possible, even natural, for redeemed men to behold their Redeemer. This is stated plainly by the Apostle John: “But we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him: for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2).
This rapturous experience has been called the Beatific Vision and will be the culmination of all possible human blessedness. It will bring the glorified saint into a state of perpetual bliss which to taste for even one moment will banish forever from his mind every memory of grief or suffering here below.
I suppose the vast majority of us must wait for the great day of the Lord’s coming to realize the full wonder of the vision of God Most High. In the meantime, we are, I believe, missing a great measure of radiant glory that is ours by blood-covenant and available to us in this present world if we would but believe it and press on in the way of holiness.1
1 Tozer, A. W., & Smith, G. B. (2015). Evenings with Tozer: Daily Devotional Readings (p. 393). Moody Publishers.
The great test of your soul’s health is, What think you of Christ? Is he to you “fairer than the children of men”—“the chief among ten thousand”—the “altogether lovely”? Wherever Christ is thus esteemed, all the faculties of the spiritual man exercise themselves with energy. I will judge of your piety by this barometer: does Christ stand high or low with you? If you have thought little of Christ, if you have been content to live without his presence, if you have cared little for his honour, if you have been neglectful of his laws, then I know that your soul is sick—God grant that it may not be sick unto death! But if the first thought of your spirit has been, how can I honour Jesus? If the daily desire of your soul has been, “O that I knew where I might find him!” I tell you that you may have a thousand infirmities, and even scarcely know whether you are a child of God at all, and yet I am persuaded, beyond a doubt, that you are safe, since Jesus is great in your esteem. I care not for thy rags, what thinkest thou of his royal apparel? I care not for thy wounds, though they bleed in torrents, what thinkest thou of his wounds? are they like glittering rubies in thine esteem? I think none the less of thee, though thou liest like Lazarus on the dunghill, and the dogs do lick thee—I judge thee not by thy poverty: what thinkest thou of the King in his beauty? Has he a glorious high throne in thy heart? Wouldest thou set him higher if thou couldest? Wouldest thou be willing to die if thou couldest but add another trumpet to the strain which proclaims his praise? Ah! then it is well with thee. Whatever thou mayest think of thyself, if Christ be great to thee, thou shalt be with him ere long.
“Though all the world my choice deride,
Yet Jesus shall my portion be;
For I am pleased with none beside,
The fairest of the fair is he”1
1 Spurgeon, C. H. (1896). Morning and evening: Daily readings. Passmore & Alabaster.
Revelation 18:4, 5; 8–13; 15–21; 24
AND I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. (Renounce the symbols of Rome, abhor her doctrines, and avoid her spirit. Come out, completely out.)
5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.
8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.
Suddenness is a usual attendant of severity. Rome will be spared till her huge measure of sin is full, but not a moment longer. That period cannot be far distant, for it is barely within the power of imagination to conceive a more wicked system than popery, and especially popery intensified by the Jesuits. If a criminal so grossly guilty as the Church of Rome be not signally punished, where is the justice of God? Her end will astound all mankind.
9, 10 And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.
The destruction of such an imperial system will astonish kings, but they will be both unable and unwilling to interfere.
11–13 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men. (Go into any of the rich Popish churches and see whether this is not an exact catalogue of what is to be seen there. It reads like an appraiser’s list. When all these things cease to be used in Popish worship it will make a great difference to trade, and hence this bitter lamentation of the merchants.)
15–18 The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, And saying, Alas, alas that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!
In the middle ages foreign trade was greatly quickened by the luxury of the Popish Church, hence the wailing of mariners at her fall.
19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.
20 Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her. (Merchants and shipmasters mourn, but saints and angels sing. O Lord, how long shall it be ere this desired end shall come?)
21 And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.
24 And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth. (This is her monster sin. The Romish Church is essentially persecuting. In every land she has been eager for the blood of the faithful people of God, and it is her boast that she never changes. Her doom is sealed, and glory be to God for it. The sooner such a system, with all its belongings, is swept from off the face of the earth, the better.)
Come, in thy glorious might,
Come with thine iron rod,
Scattering thy foes before thy face,
Most Mighty Son of God.
Come and make error flee,
And Popish idols fall;
Let Rome’s dominion cease to be,
And God be all in all.1
1 Spurgeon, C. H. (1964). The Interpreter: Spurgeon’s Devotional Bible (p. 770). Baker Book House.
The Blessings of the New Covenant
which the Sunrise from on high will visit us, to shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (1:78b–79)
Zacharias anticipated the coming of the One whose death would procure the blessings of the New covenant—the Messiah. He identified Him using a metaphor rich in Old Testament messianic theology and symbolism. Anatolē (Sunrise) literally means “rising,” and refers here to the first light of dawn. On high (lit., “out of” or “from the height”) refers symbolically to heaven. Zacharias thus depicts the Messiah as a great light from heaven, who will shine the light of salvation upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death (cf. Isa. 9:2; Ps. 107:10, 14; John 12:46). He is the “the sun of righteousness [who] will rise with healing in its wings” (Mal. 4:2), shining into the deep darkness of sin and ending the soul’s long night. Second Peter 1:19 speaks of the time when “the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts,” while in Revelation 22:16, the Lord Jesus Christ called Himself “the bright morning star.”
Darkness in Scripture can be used metaphorically in two ways. Intellectually, it refers to ignorance and error (e.g., Ps. 82:5; Eccl. 2:14; Eph. 4:18). Morally, darkness symbolizes sin (e.g., Prov. 2:13; 4:19; John 3:19; Rom. 13:12; 2 Cor. 6:14; Eph. 5:8, 11), and the realm of Satan (e.g., Luke 22:53; Eph. 6:12; Col. 1:13). God is light (1 John 1:5), and consequently Jesus, God incarnate, came into the world as the Light of the world (John 1:9; 3:19; 8:12; 9:5; 12:46). He is “a light to the nations, to open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the dungeon and those who dwell in darkness from the prison” (Isa. 42:6–7).
To a lost world groping in the darkness and desperately hoping for light (Isa. 59:9–10), God, knowing there was no human solution to sin’s dilemma (v. 16), sent “a Redeemer … to those who turn from [their] transgression” (v. 20; cf. 53:4–6, 8, 10–12). Speaking of the New covenant that would bring that about, God declared, “ ‘As for Me, this is My covenant with them,’ says the Lord: ‘My Spirit which is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your offspring, nor from the mouth of your offspring’s offspring,’ says the Lord, ‘from now and forever’ ” (v. 21).
The light of salvation will continue to shine in the millennial kingdom, as Isaiah 60:1–5 reveals:
Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness will cover the earth and deep darkness the peoples; but the Lord will rise upon you and His glory will appear upon you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. Lift up your eyes round about and see; they all gather together, they come to you. Your sons will come from afar, and your daughters will be carried in the arms. Then you will see and be radiant, and your heart will thrill and rejoice.
Indeed, throughout eternity the light of God’s glory will illuminate the New Jerusalem:
No longer will you have the sun for light by day, nor for brightness will the moon give you light; but you will have the Lord for an everlasting light, and your God for your glory. Your sun will set no more, neither will your moon wane; for you will have the Lord for an everlasting light, and the days of your mourning will be over. (60:19–20)
Not only would the Messiah bring the light of salvation to His people, He would also guide their feet into the way of peace. Lost sinners, stumbling around in the darkness, know nothing of true peace (Rom. 3:17). But peace is one of the elements of the New covenant. In Isaiah 54:10, God said, “ ‘For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, but My lovingkindness will not be removed from you, and My covenant of peace will not be shaken,’ says the Lord who has compassion on you.” “Peace I leave with you;” Jesus promised, “my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful” (John 14:27). Peace, Paul wrote, begins with salvation: “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1). The kingdom of God is characterized by “righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 14:17). Peace is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22), and the “peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard [believers’] hearts and [their] minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:7).
With the end of Zacharias’s song of praise, the curtain falls on the life of John the Baptist, not to be raised again until the beginning of his public ministry in chapter 3. The Bible passes over his childhood in silence, revealing even less details about it than it does of Jesus’ childhood. All that is known of John during the long years between his circumcision and the beginning of his public ministry is that he continued to grow and to become strong in spirit, and he lived in the deserts until the day of his public appearance to Israel. He then assumed the role predicted for him as Messiah’s forerunner, proclaiming the New covenant of which his father so eloquently and passionately spoke.1
78–79 The NIV’s “rising sun” (v. 78; see Notes) has a dynamic quality that suits the word “come” (or “visit”; cf. v. 68). Verse 79 uses a beautiful quotation from Isaiah 9:2 to carry forward the imagery of light (the sun; see also Isa 60:1–3) and to offer hope of peace to those who were then outside the faithful remnant of Judaism (cf. Eph 2:12).
The theme of peace is a prominent one in the Lukan writings, and most of its occurrences appear in uniquely Lukan passages (Lk 1:79; 2:14, 29; 7:50; 14:32; 19:42; 24:36). This theme points back to the OT promises in which the end-times are characterized by an eternal period of peace. See Willard M. Swartley, “Politics and Peace (Eirēnē) in Luke’s Gospel,” in Political Issues in Luke-Acts (ed. Cassidy and Scharper), 18–37.2
1:79 / to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death: Ps. 107:10; Isa. 9:2; 42:7.
to guide our feet into the path of peace: Isa. 59:8.
Like the Magnificat, the Benedictus embodies Israel’s nationalistic hopes and aspirations. Tiede (p. 60) is correct when he says that “according to Luke, Zechariah’s words are the Holy Spirit’s testimony to God’s saving purpose and plan. None of it will fail to be fulfilled.”3
1:79 those living in darkness and in the shadow of death. This is an echo of Isaiah 9:2, the opening of the oracle that speaks of the child to be born to reign on David’s throne, whose titles will include “Mighty God” (Isa. 9:6–7). Matthew too drew attention to this passage as a prophecy of the ministry of Jesus in Galilee (Matt. 4:12–16).4
Ver. 79.—To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. It would seem that for a moment the Hebrew priest saw beyond the narrow horizon of Israel, and that here, in the close of his glorious song, he caught sight of the distant far-reaching isles of the Gentiles, over which so deep a darkness brooded for ages.5
79. That he might give light to those who were sitting in darkness. As to light and darkness, there are similar modes of expression in Isaiah: such as, “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined,” (Isa. 9:1;) and in many other passages. These words show, that out of Christ there is no life-giving light in the world, but every thing is covered by the appalling darkness of death. Thus, in another passage, Isaiah testifies that this privilege belongs peculiarly to the church alone. “Behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee,” (Isa. 60:2.)
But how could it be said that the Israelites, on whose hearts the Lord always shone by faith, were sitting in the shadow of death? I reply, the godly, who lived under the law, were surrounded on every side by the darkness of death, and beheld at a distance, in the coming of Christ, the light that cheered and preserved them from being overwhelmed by present death. Zacharias may have had in view the wretched condition of his own age. But it is a general truth, that on all the godly, who had ever lived, or who were afterwards to live, there arose in the coming of Christ a light to impart life: for it even diffused life over the dead. To sit is of the same import as to lie: and so Isaiah enjoins the Church, “Arise, for thy light is come,” (Isa. 60:1.)
To guide our feet. By this expression Zacharias points out, that the highest perfection of all excellence and happiness is to be found in Christ alone. The word Peace might indeed be taken in its literal sense, which would not be unsuitable: for the illumination brought by Christ tends to pacify the minds of men. But as the Hebrew word שלום, peace, denotes every kind of prosperity, Zacharias intended, I doubt not, to represent Christ as the author of perfect blessedness, that we may not seek the smallest portion of happiness elsewhere, but may rest on Christ alone, from a full conviction that in him we are entirely and completely happy. To this purpose are those words of Isaiah, “The sun shall be no more thy light by day, neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory,” (Isa. 60:19.) But if the mere sight of his Son, while still a child, led Zacharias to discourse in so lofty a strain respecting the grace and power of Christ, before he was born, are not they so much the more ungrateful, who, now that Christ has died, and risen, and ascended to heaven, and sat down at his Father’s right hand, speak disrespectfully of him and of his power, to which the Holy Spirit bore testimony, while he was still in his mother’s womb? We must bear in mind what I have already mentioned, that Zacharias spake not from himself, but that the Spirit of God directed his tongue.
And the child grew. This is added by Luke for continuing the thread of the history. First, He mentions that John became strong in spirit: which implies that the great and uncommon excellence of the child gave proof that there dwelt in him a Heavenly Spirit. Next, he tells us, that John remained unknown in the deserts till the day of his showing, that is, till the day on which the Lord had purposed to bring him into public view. Hence we conclude, that John, though he was fully aware of his calling, made no advances before the appointed time, but awaited the call of God.6
78–79. Zechariah finishes his song by dwelling on the coming salvation. It will come through God’s tender mercy. The compassion of God is a constant theme of the New Testament. The old priest goes on to speak of salvation in terms of light. The contrast between light and darkness is a natural one, but none the less powerful for that. It is possible to understand the Greek as ‘the dayspring’ and see an unusual name for the Messiah (so rsv mg.; cf. Mal. 4:2; 2 Pet. 1:19; Rev. 22:16). But anatolē sometimes means ‘a shoot’ and it is possible to see a reference to the Messiah as the Shoot from Jesse (Isa. 11:1ff.). The word however normally means the ‘rising’ of the sun or a star, and hence the sun or star itself (rsv’s day does not seem to be attested); we should perhaps see the contrast between light and darkness (cf. Isa. 60:1f.). The concluding note is that of peace, that peace of God that calms our hearts and makes us strong to live for God. It ‘does not mean merely freedom from trouble; it means all that makes for a man’s highest good’ (Barclay).7
78, 79. Because of the merciful heart of our God,
With which the Rising Sun will visit us from on high,
To shine on those who sit in darkness and death’s shadow,
To guide our feet into the path of peace.
Note the following:
a. “The merciful heart of our God” is literally “our God’s entrails [or: bowels] of mercy.” A discussion of this figure of speech can be found in N.T.C. on Philippians, p. 58, footnote 39.
b. “With which” = “equipped with this (merciful heart).”
c. “The Rising Sun” (some prefer “the Dawn” or simply “Dawn”), like “the horn of salvation” in verse 69, indicates and describes the Messiah. The point is that in and through him the Most High himself will in his tender mercy visit the people in order to help and save them.
Basically the Greek term used here (anatolē) means rising (cf. Matt. 2:2). It is but a small step from rising or rise to sunrise, and from there to the Rising Sun. Since we know that Zechariah, the author of this hymn, was deeply aware of the prophecies of Malachi (note resemblance between 1:17, 76 and Mal. 3:1), it is not difficult to believe that he is here echoing Mal. 4:2, the passage about the coming of “the sun of righteousness with healing in his wings.”
d. There is considerable textual support for the reading “has visited us” instead of “will visit us.” But the reading “will visit us” is at least equally strong. Besides, accepting the future tense here is favored by the fact that the passage occurs in a context of futures (“will be called,” “will go before,” verse 76). Also, Jesus was not yet born, so that “has visited” can be justified only if it be interpreted as a prophetic past. All in all it would seem that the future tense deserves the preference in this case.
e. The “visit” of this “Sun” has as its purpose: “to shine on those who sit in darkness and death’s shadow” (verse 79). This phraseology is derived from Isa. 9:1, 2, which is also quoted in Matt. 4:16.
Sitting in darkness and death’s shadow indicates a condition of danger, fear, and hopelessness, a pining away, with no human help in sight. In Scripture the designation darkness, when used figuratively, refers to one or more of the following features: delusion (blindness of mind and heart; cf. 2 Cor. 4:4, 6; Eph. 4:18); depravity (Acts 26:18); and despondency (Isa. 9:2; see its context, verse 3). Though all three qualities are probably in the picture here, yet the emphasis may well be on the last of the three (despondency, hopelessness).
The antonym of darkness is light, which, accordingly, refers to genuine learning (the true knowledge of God, Ps. 36:9), life to the glory of God (Eph. 4:15, 24; 5:8, 9, 14), and laughter (gladness, Ps. 97:11). All three may well be included, but here too the emphasis is perhaps on the last of the three.
The real meaning of the words, accordingly, is this, that Jesus Christ, by his presence, teaching, deeds of mercy and power, would fill the hearts of all his followers with the joy of salvation. No longer would they be pining away in gloom and despair. Whenever Jesus enters human hearts, the words of a popular hymn go into effect,
The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin,
The light of the world is Jesus.
f. “To guide our feet into the path of peace.” Those who a moment ago were pictured as sitting down in despair are now standing on their feet; in fact, are walking. Their sadness has been turned into gladness. Note the connection: “to shine on those … to guide our feet.” By means of shining, the Rising Sun guides our feet. All we, sinners, had gone astray and had turned to our own way (Isa. 53:6), not knowing “the way of peace” (Isa. 59:8, 9). Then the Sun rises, shines, directs our feet into the path of peace.
This peace is both objective and subjective. Objectively it amounts to reconciliation with God through “David’s horn,” “the Rising Sun,” the Messiah (2 Cor. 5:20). Subjectively it is the quiet and comforting assurance of forgiveness and adoption (Rom. 8:16 f.). It is the smile of God reflected in the reconciled sinner’s heart, the shelter from the storm, the hiding-place in the shadow of his wings, the stream that issues from the fountain of grace. To that peace the Rising Sun directs our feet.
As this touchingly beautiful song draws to its close it seems as if already we hear the angels sing:
Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men he has graciously chosen.
We have studied “Elizabeth’s Song of Love” and “Mary’s Song of Faith.” That we have every right to call the priest’s prophecy “Zechariah’s Song of Hope” can hardly be questioned. The very word prophecy, as here used, implies also the forward look, which, as has been shown, is the distinguishing trait of this song.8
1 MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2009). Luke 1–5 (pp. 121–123). Moody Publishers.
2 Liefeld, W. L., & Pao, D. W. (2007). Luke. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Luke–Acts (Revised Edition) (Vol. 10, p. 72). Zondervan.
3 Evans, C. A. (1990). Luke (p. 34). Baker Books.
4 France, R. T. (2013). Luke (M. L. Strauss & J. H. Walton, Eds.; p. 28). Baker Books.
5 Spence-Jones, H. D. M., ed. (1909). St. Luke (Vol. 1, p. 12). Funk & Wagnalls Company.
6 Calvin, J., & Pringle, W. (2010). Commentary on a Harmony of the Evangelists Matthew, Mark, and Luke (Vol. 1, pp. 77–79). Logos Bible Software.
7 Morris, L. (1988). Luke: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 3, pp. 97–98). InterVarsity Press.
8 Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Gospel According to Luke (Vol. 11, pp. 128–129). Baker Book House.
TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
Malachi 1:1-2:17
Revelation 21:1-27
Psalm 149:1-9
Proverbs 31:10-24
Welcome to the last book of the Old Testament – Malachi! We’re just one day away from the end of the year! Thank you for joining with us this year!
Malachi 1:2 – Stop and appreciate the first phrase of this declaration: “I have loved you!” God loves Israel, and God loves us!!
Malachi 1:13 – Have we ever thought going to church was “weariness”? Have we brought our best gifts to the LORD or have we brought our leftovers? As the satirical Patch the Pirate song reminds us, sometimes we say, “Any old thing will do for you“.
Our attitude should be, “Only my best will do for you“!
Malachi 1:14 – What does the LORD say about vows? Ecclesiastes 5:4-6 warns us that “better is it that thou shouldest not vow.”
Malachi 2:7-8 – We see a strong warning for religious leaders. In the New Testament, we have similar warnings (James 3:1 – leaders will receive greater punishment, Luke 12:47 – shall be beaten with many stripes, Matthew 23:13 – problem with the scribes and Pharisees, 1 Corinthians 11:29 – “damnation to himself”).
Malachi 2:13 – Why won’t God receive our offerings? Peter tells us that if I am not “giving honor unto [my] wife,” my prayers will be hindered (1 Peter 3:7). Malachi elaborates on God’s hatred of divorce. Jesus Himself reiterated this as well (Matthew 19:8). As we saw earlier, God’s treatment of us depends on how we treat our wives.
Revelation 21:4 – No more night, no more pain. No more tears, no more crying again!
Revelation 21:7 – Not all are God’s children; only those who overcome can legitimately claim to be a child of God. Who are the overcomers? Those who believe (Revelation 21:8).
Revelation 21:12-14 – Notice how God is uniting Israel (Revelation 21:12) and the Church (Revelation 21:14) for eternity in the eternal New Jerusalem!
Revelation 21:23 – Yes, in the New Jerusalem there is “no need of moon or stars by night, or sun to shine by day.”
Revelation 21:27 – God can’t let any sin into His heaven, and you must have an RSVP to enter. If you don’t know for sure that your name is in the Book of Life, make sure of that today! We saw yesterday what happens to those whose names are not found in the book (Revelation 20:15).
Psalm 149:5 – Yes, it’s okay to sing alone and aloud! Praise ye the LORD!
Proverbs 31:10 – The Sunrise Ruby, a 25.59-carat Burmese ruby sold at Sotheby’s in May 2015 for $30.42 million. I’m so thankful for my wife!
Proverbs 31:11 – We read earlier about the condemnation of men who cheat on their wives, and here we see praise for the woman who is safely trusted in by her husband. Jesus’ first miracle was at a wedding in Cana (John 2). He loves Christian marriages!
Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.
THEME
God is the good shepherd (Ezek 34:11–16, 20–24) who made the wonders of creation; we praise him, who made all things (Ps 95:1–7a). We pray that our hearts may be opened (Eph 1:15–23) and that we may be confident that we have done our best to serve others for his sake on the day of Christ’s return (Mt 25:31–46).
OPENING PRAYER: Proper 29, Reign of Christ
Stir up, O Lord, your power, and come; mercifully fulfill that which you have promised to your church unto the end of the world! [Amen.] The Gelasian Sacramentary
OLD TESTAMENT READING: Ezekiel 34:11–16, 20–24
Reflections from the Church Fathers
Shepherds Do Not Desert the Flock in Any Weather. Augustine: Rain and fog, the errors of this world; a great darkness arising from the lusts of men, a thick fog covering the earth. And it is difficult for the sheep not to go astray in this fog. But the shepherd doesn’t desert them. He seeks them, his piercing gaze penetrates the fog, the thick darkness of the clouds does not prevent him. Sermon 46.23.
The Scriptures Are the Pastures. Augustine: He established the mountains of Israel, the authors of the divine Scriptures. Feed there, in order to feed without a qualm. Whatever you hear from that source, let that taste good to you; anything from outside, spit it out. In order not to go astray in the fog, listen to the voice of the shepherd. Gather yourselves to the mountains of holy Scripture. There you will find your heart’s desire, there is nothing poisonous there, nothing unsuitable; they are the richest pastures. Sermon 46.24.
God Does Not Desert Us. Gregory the Great: If we are negligent, does almighty God desert his sheep? No; he himself will pasture them, as he promised through the prophet. Homily 19.
We Can All Shepherd Each Other. Gregory the Great: We must all of us strive zealously to make known to the church both the dreadfulness of the coming judgment and the kingdom of heaven’s delight. Those who are not in a position to address a large assembly should instruct individuals, offering instruction in personal talks; they should try to serve those around them through simple encouragement. You who are pastors, consider that you are pasturing God’s flock. We often see a block of salt put out for animals to lick for their well-being. Priests among their people should be like blocks of salt. They should counsel everyone in their flocks in such a way that all those with whom they come in contact may be seasoned with eternal life as if they had been sprinkled with salt. We who preach are not the salt of the earth unless we season the hearts of those who listen to us. We are really preaching to others if we ourselves do what we say, if we are pierced with God’s love, if, since we cannot avoid sin, our tears wash away the stains on our life that come with each new day. We truly feel remorse when we take to heart the lives of our forebears in the faith so that we are diminished in our own eyes. Then do we truly feel remorse, when we attentively examine God’s teachings, and adopt for our own use what those we revere themselves used for theirs. And while we are moved to remorse on our own account, let us also take responsibility for the lives of those entrusted to our care. Our own bitter compunction should not divert us from concern for our neighbor. What good to love and strive to do good for our neighbor and abandon ourselves? We must realize that our passion for justice in the face of another’s evil must never cause us to lose the virtue of gentleness. Priests must not be quick-tempered or rash; they must instead be temperate and thoughtful. We must support those we challenge and challenge those we support. If we neglect this, our work will lack either courage or gentleness. What shall we call the human soul but the food of the Lord? It is created to become nothing less than Christ’s body, and to bring about growth in the eternal church. We priests are to season this food. Cease to pray, cease to teach, and the salt loses its taste. Be Friends of God 35.
Shepherds Bring Back the Lost, Bind Up the Broken and Heal the Sick. Basil the Great: If you are a shepherd, take care that none of your pastoral duties is neglected. And what are these duties? To bring back that which is lost, to bind up that which was broken, to heal that which is diseased. Homily on the Words “Give Heed to Thyself.”
PSALM OF RESPONSE: Psalm 95:1–7a
NEW TESTAMENT READING: Ephesians 1:15–23
Reflections from the Church Fathers
Paul Remembers the Ephesians in His Prayers. Marius Victorinus: Every prayer that we offer up to God is made either in thanks for what we have received or in petition to receive something else. We are encouraged to pray both for ourselves and for those we love. So Paul says, “I make mention of you in my prayer.” “Therefore my chief prayer is first on my account, then on yours.” Epistle to the Ephesians 1.1.16.
For What Does Paul Pray? Ambrosiaster: The hope of their faith lies in a heavenly reward. When they truly know what the fruit of believing is, they will become more eager in acts of worship. Epistle to the Ephesians 1.18.1.
The Eyes of the Heart. Jerome: His phrase eyes of the heart clearly refers to those things we cannot understand without sense and intelligence.… Faith sees beyond what the physical eyes see. Physical eyes are in the heads of not only the wise but the unwise. Epistle to the Ephesians 1.1.15.
GOSPEL READING: Matthew 25:31–46
Reflections from the Church Fathers
Inherit the Kingdom. Chrysostom: He did not say “take” but “inherit” as one’s own, as your Father’s, as due to you from the first. “For before you were,” he says, “these things had been prepared and made ready for you, because I knew you would be such as you are.” The Gospel of Matthew, Homily 79.2.
The Lord Hungers in His Saints. Epiphanius the Latin: “I was hungry, and you gave me something to drink.” [Jesus mentioned] many other things, which we have recited. Having been given the faith, the righteous say, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and fed you, thirsty, and gave you something to drink, naked and clothed you?” Other things also follow. What then, my most beloved? Does our Lord hunger and thirst? Is he who himself made everything in heaven and on earth, who feeds angels in heaven and every nation and race on earth, who needs nothing of an earthly character, as he is unfailing in his own nature, is this one naked? It is incredible to believe such a thing. Yet what must be confessed is easy to believe. For the Lord hungers not in his own nature but in his saints; the Lord thirsts not in his own nature but in his poor. The Lord who clothes everyone is not naked in his own nature but in his servants. The Lord who is able to heal all sicknesses and has already destroyed death itself is not diseased in his own nature but in his servants. Our Lord, the one who can liberate every person, is not in prison in his own nature but in his saints. Therefore, you see, my most beloved, that the saints are not alone. They suffer all these things because of the Lord. In the same way, because of the saints the Lord suffers all these things with them. Interpretation of the Gospels 38.
Eternal Punishment, Eternal Life. Epiphanius the Latin: You see, my beloved, there is no excuse for it. They knew what they had to do in this world. But greed and ill-will prevented them, so they laid up for themselves not treasures for the future but the world of the dead. Neither were they condemned because of the active wrong they did, nor did the Lord say to them, Depart from me, you wicked, because you committed murder or adultery or theft. But instead: because I was hungry and thirsty in my servants, and you did not minister to me. If those who did no wrong are thus condemned, what must be said of those who do the works of the devil? Interpretation of the Gospels 38.
CLOSING PRAYER
O God, who art the unsearchable abyss of peace, the ineffable sea of love, the fountain of blessings, and bestower of affection, who sendest peace to those who receive it; open up to us this day the sea of thy love, and water us with plenteous streams from the riches of thy grace. Make us children of quietness, and heirs of peace. Enkindle in us the fire of thy love; strengthen our weakness by thy power; bind us closely to thee and each other in one firm and indissoluble bond. Syrian Clementine Liturgy.1
1 Oden, T. C., & Crosby, C., eds. (2007). Ancient Christian Devotional: A Year of Weekly Readings: Lectionary Cycle A (pp. 263–267). IVP Books.
JAMES 2:1-13
My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, and say, “You sit here in a good place,” and you say to the poor man, “You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,” have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives?
Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you and personally drag you into court? Do they not blaspheme the fair name by which you have been called?
If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not commit murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.
So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.
ALMIGHTY GOD, we are privileged to call You our Father.
You loved us and saved us and adopted us
into Your own family.
You have therefore called us as believers
to love one another with pure hearts fervently.
That includes not showing partiality,
which is one important way of fulfilling the royal law
of loving our neighbors as ourselves.
Help us abound in love,
and keep us from making ungodly distinctions
between one another.
May our actions toward one another reflect the perfect love
with which You first loved us.
We take to heart how Christ taught us to pray,
yearning for Your name to be hallowed,
Your kingdom to come,
and Your will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Those are the true desires of our hearts;
forgive us for being so preoccupied with lesser things.
And yet You also invite us to ask You for our temporal needs—
our daily bread and other needs, all of which You richly supply.
Always You answer with surpassingly more abundance
than we have faith to ask or think.
We drink our fill of that abundance;
and You keep it flowing like a river.
For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light.
May we never forget how dependent we are
on Your generous bounty;
give us truly grateful hearts, and fill our mouths with praise.
How thankful we are for the written Word—
that razor-sharp two-edged sword,
which is able to discern our thoughts and intentions
even more accurately than we can know our own hearts.
The Word cleanses and sanctifies us.
It gives understanding to our minds,
wisdom to our thoughts, and light to our path.
It is perfect, utterly transfiguring our inmost beings.
May our lives—like the apostles’—
be so evidently transformed by Your truth
that people will take note that we have been with Jesus.
You, our great Redeemer, have led us out of the desert of sin
into a flourishing place of righteousness.
Lead us into a still-wider garden of holiness
so that we can fully enjoy
all the hopes, comforts, and responsibilities of our salvation.
In that garden Your inspired Word is the seed
that will bring forth good fruit according to its kind.
May Your Spirit enlighten our minds
so we understand and obey Your Word.
May His light shine through us to needy people throughout the world
so that they might recognize and submit to Your divine power.
No matter how great or how humble our labors,
help us do them well as a blessing to You and others.
These things we ask, Father, in the name of Christ Your Son.
To You be all glory in the church
and in Christ Jesus
to all generations forever and ever. Amen.1
1 MacArthur, J., Jr. (2014). A year of prayer: growing closer to god week after week (pp. 237–240). Harvest House Publishers.
On the same date: David
Old Testament Exodus 13:1–3a, 11–15
Psalm Psalm 111
Epistle Colossians 3:12–17
Gospel Luke 2:22–40
Index of Readings
Old Testament
Exodus 13:1–3a, 11–15
13 The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Consecrate to me all the firstborn. Whatever is the first to open the womb among the people of Israel, both of man and of beast, is mine.”
3 Then Moses said to the people, “Remember this day in which you came out from Egypt, out of the house of slavery, for by a strong hand the Lord brought you out from this place. No leavened bread shall be eaten.
11 “When the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites, as he swore to you and your fathers, and shall give it to you, 12 you shall set apart to the Lord all that first opens the womb. All the firstborn of your animals that are males shall be the Lord’s. 13 Every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb, or if you will not redeem it you shall break its neck. Every firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem. 14 And when in time to come your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ you shall say to him, ‘By a strong hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt, from the house of slavery. 15 For when Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the Lord killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man and the firstborn of animals. Therefore I sacrifice to the Lord all the males that first open the womb, but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem.’
Psalm
Psalm 111
111 Praise the Lord!
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
2 Great are the works of the Lord,
studied by all who delight in them.
3 Full of splendor and majesty is his work,
and his righteousness endures forever.
4 He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered;
the Lord is gracious and merciful.
5 He provides food for those who fear him;
he remembers his covenant forever.
6 He has shown his people the power of his works,
in giving them the inheritance of the nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy;
8 they are established forever and ever,
to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
9 He sent redemption to his people;
he has commanded his covenant forever.
Holy and awesome is his name!
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever!
Epistle
Colossians 3:12–17
12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Gospel
Luke 2:22–40
22 And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation
31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”
33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
39 And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him. 1
1 Lutheran Service Book Three Year Lectionary. (2009). Concordia Publishing House.
Christmas is a time of excitement but not a lot of joy. It can be a very selfish time of year. We tell our children to ask Santa for the desire of their heart, but soon that shiny new toy has lost its appeal or is broken to bits. The joy is gone. Or maybe the neighbor child got a better toy, so your own toy looks cheap. Santa, or should I say Dad and Mom, should have put more money on the credit cards in order to get you the best gift possible. Sadly, this attitude is encouraged by parents who make sure little Johnny or little Betty know that Santa will bring them things.
Parents continue the lie of Santa, and worry their child is growing up when the child realizes Santa isn’t real. Those same parents don’t worry whether or not their child believes in Jesus. “Things” become more important than what will truly bring joy. That eternal joy can only come from a personal faith in Jesus Christ, but we tend to forget it’s His birth we celebrate on Christmas. The joy that comes from the Lord is everlasting and won’t break or become outdated.
“[[To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David]] The king shall joy in thy strength, O LORD; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!” (Psalm 21:1).
Of course, David is speaking of himself as being the one who shall have joy. King David loved the Lord in whatever circumstances he found himself. He started as a shepherd boy who spent much time watching the flocks. Now, that’s a very important job, but it doesn’t require a lot of thought. It would have been easy for him, as a young boy, to get complacent and lose his focus. Not David. He honed his skill with a slingshot and paid attention to the wandering nature of his flock. These simple tasks taught him to be a powerful military commander and a wonderful king. He learned to trust God and to serve Him.
When King Saul’s army was hiding in the hills in fear of the giant Goliath, it was David, armed with a slingshot, who faced this evil giant and killed him. Don’t ever look at anything in your life as being trivial. You may only watch a flock of sheep, but that chore can teach you many important skills. David also used that time with the sheep to draw nearer to the Lord.
This psalm of David is one of joy and praise for God. He was never slow to sing the praises of his Lord. “Thou hast given him his heart’s desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. Selah. For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness; thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head” (Psalm 21:2-3).
The Lord gave David the desires of his heart because David desired what the Lord desired.
Do you feel as if you’re missing out on blessings? Do you feel as if everybody has received great things from the Lord while you struggle to get by? Maybe the desires of your heart aren’t in tune with God’s desire for you. Perhaps there’s a reason you are stuck in a job you see no future in, or in a marriage with no mutual respect. David made the most of what God blessed him with…a flock of unruly sheep…and David used that blessing to make himself suitable for the next blessing from God…King of Israel.
Desire what God desires, and don’t get confused by what the world offers you. One day, all Christians will stand before the Creator of the universe, and our service to the Lord will be judged. That judgment will be for rewards, not to see if we are worthy of salvation. Faith in Jesus made us worthy for salvation and not works we’ve done. The rewards for our works will be handed out at the Bema Seat judgment. We will receive crowns for what we’ve done. Those crowns will be a joy to us but a gift we can give back to Jesus because He has done all for us. I want a crown – not one to parade around with pride in my own self – but joy in Christ and what He has helped me to do for His glory.
David is an example of a man who trusted God even in the worst of circumstances. His son wanted to kill him, but David trusted the Lord. King Saul wanted to kill him, but David trusted the Lord. “He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him even length of days for ever and ever” (Psalm 21:4).
The Lord gave David life, even when it seemed as if his life was in danger. David was a special man in the eyes of the Lord. When the Apostle Paul was speaking in the synagogue in Pisidia, he gave a history lesson to the people there. Paul spoke of King Saul and of David. “And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. Of this man’s seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus” (Acts 13:22-23).
David wasn’t perfect, but he was deeply repentant of his sins. If you think that your sins are too great for God to forgive you, read David’s story. God didn’t condemn him because He humbled himself before the Lord and earnestly repented. That was David’s nature and love for the Lord. The desire of his heart was to please God.
God did give him life for ever and ever. Jesus Christ was born from the lineage of David. When Gabriel came to Mary to announce that she had been chosen to give birth to the Son of God, he told her, “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end” (Luke 1:32-33).
And so, it happened. David’s throne is forever. David was a man who looked forward to the coming Messiah with all his heart, and he will live eternally. David always seems a little amazed that God gave him so many blessings. That’s the way we should all see Jesus. He loves us and has given all who believe eternal life. No matter what happens in this life, there is hope for eternal life through Jesus Christ.
David knew that his greatness wasn’t through his own great deeds but was God’s greatness in him. “His glory is great in thy salvation: honour and majesty has thou laid upon him. For thou hast made him most blessed for ever: thou has made him exceeding glad with thy countenance” (Psalm 21:5-6).
Again, David is talking of himself in the third person when talking of what God has done for him. We can all have that same joy in the Lord if we see the great things God has done for us. David was made a king, but so are we. When Jesus dictated letters for John to send to seven churches, John sent greetings from himself and Jesus. “And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen” (Revelation 1:5-6).
We have been made kings and priests, so we all need to take that seriously. Shouldn’t we study Scripture and apply it in order to be the best kings and priests that we can be? We must begin our training now. Scripture is our guide. Our desires need to line up perfectly with God’s desires. When we fail, we need to truly repent.
The Apostle John saw 24 elders around God’s throne in heaven. These elders represent the redeemed. “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And has made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth“ (Revelation 5:9-10).
Kings and priests need to have their heart’s desire to be what God desires.
David trusted God, even when it was hard to trust. That’s just the way David lived his life. “For the king trusteth in the LORD, and through the mercy of the most High he shall not be moved” (Psalm 21:7).
That attitude needs to be a part of everybody who loves God. We can trust Him, even when we cannot see how He will work things for good. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
Stephen was the first Christian martyr and was stoned to death while preaching truth to the Jewish leaders, who were very offended by his words. “And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep” (Acts 7:59-60).
I’m sure that when the stones hit him and the pain was intense, Stephen couldn’t see any good that could come from him standing firm on his faith. Yet, as the stones flew, a young man named Saul was standing there holding the coats of those who threw the stones. He heard Stephen’s words and saw his faith.
Years later, Saul was on a trip to Damascus in a rage at people who had come to faith in Jesus. It was there that Saul, later called Paul, met Jesus and fully understood what Stephen had said. Stephen trusted the Lord and was not moved. Just as King David had written long ago, Stephen and later Paul were steadfast in their faith and would not be moved.
Can we stand strong in our own faith? What about when a friend mocks God in front of you or when you are tempted to sin? Do you stand strong in your faith, or do you go along with the crowd?
The more you desire what God desires, the easier it is to stand against evil-doers and mockers. God knows who loves Him and who doesn’t. We all make a choice to accept or reject the free gift of salvation through Christ. If we accept Him, then we gain salvation and eternal life. If we choose to reject Him, then our choice is an eternity in the burning lake of fire.
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
David understood the consequences of being an enemy of God. “Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger: the LORD shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour them. Their fruit shalt thou destroy from the earth, and their seed from among the children of men. For they intended evil against thee: they imagined a mischievous device, which they are not able to perform. Therefore shalt thou make them turn their back, when thou shalt make ready thine arrows upon thy strings against the face of them” (Psalm 21:9-12).
There is coming a day when there will be no chance of repentance. This day will be a time of great evil on the earth, and God will have no choice but to destroy the armies of Satan. Now is the time to repent and give your life to Jesus. Now is the time to desire what Jesus desires. Repentance of sinners so nobody will face the lake of fire and eternal damnation. Jesus entered His creation and shed His blood as the once-for-all sacrifice for everybody who will accept it. Then, come to know Him and desire what He desires. Be a witness to others so they can find salvation.
“Be thou exalted, LORD, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power” (Psalm 21:13).
David desired what God desired long before Christ was born. As Christians, our desire should be to bring as many to faith as we can. You do that by drawing nearer to Christ and humbling yourself before Him. Just as Stephen stood firm and was able to find strength in the face of death, so should we. Find joy in God’s desire.
God bless you all
Nathele Graham
Recommended prophecy sites: All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.
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“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).
The post Joy In God’s Desire :: By Nathele Graham appeared first on Rapture Ready.
Jerusalem area comes under missile fire twice from Yemen & Gaza; IDF orders new evacuations in Gaza
After months of quiet, the greater Jerusalem area came under fire twice within 12 hours on Saturday when missiles were launched at the region first by the Houthi terrorists from Yemen, and then by Hamas in Gaza. The first attack came around 2 a.m. on Saturday, when the Houthis continued with their recent habit of firing ballistic missiles at Israel during the night – only aiming for Jerusalem this time, rather than Tel Aviv.
Yesha Council Mayors: “We Will Not Allow the Establishment of a Palestinian State”
At the center of the discussion was a firm statement: The heads of the authorities will not allow the establishment of a Palestinian state, which would constitute a security and strategic danger to the State of Israel.
IDF raids Gaza hospital used as terror base
The IDF and Israel’s security forces confirmed they arrested over 240 terrorists at the Kamal Adwan Hospital in Jabaliya, northern Gaza on Friday. The military activity followed an intelligence report that the hospital was embedded with terrorists.
Putin apologizes for Azerbaijani plane incident in Kazakhstan
Vladimir Putin apologized today (Saturday) to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for the downing of an Azerbaijani plane in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, calling it a ‘tragic incident’. The Kremlin reported that while the plane was attempting to land in Grozny, Ukrainian drones attacked Russia. President Aliyev responded saying, “The plane’s passengers experienced external technical disruptions in Russian airspace, lost complete control, and were directed back to Aktau.”
Suicide bomber kills police commander in southern Iran
A suicide bomber killed the head of police intelligence in Iran’s southern port city of Bandar Lengeh on Saturday, Iranian state media reported. The unidentified bomber was also killed, and another police officer was injured in the attack outside a police headquarters in the Gulf port city,
Egypt completes trial run of new Suez Canal channel extension
Egypt said on Saturday it had successfully tested a new 10 km. channel near the southern end of the Suez Canal, even as its revenue from the waterway has plunged since Houthi terrorists began attacking vessels in the Red Sea.
Hamas Raises New Demands in Ceasefire Talks, Refusing to Provide Lists of Hostages
Hamas is raising new demands regarding wounded hostages and refuses to provide a list of living hostages; moreover, whoever conducts the negotiations on their behalf does not necessarily control the happening on the ground, i24NEWS learned on Friday.
FBI investigating ‘cluster of large drones’ spotted near Trump’s New Jersey golf course
A cluster of large drones spotted flying over central New Jersey — including near a military base and President-elect Donald Trump’s Bedminster golf course — has sparked a federal investigation as well as new flight restrictions for the region.
Storm Elena causes severe flooding in Attica Greece
Intense rainfall from Storm Elena on December 25 and 26, 2024, caused widespread flooding in Greece’s Attica region with areas like Piraeus and Alimos facing disruptions.
Delhi records highest single-day December rainfall since 1923
Delhi recorded 41.2 mm (1.62 inches) of rainfall in the 24 hours until 8:30 LT (03:00 UTC) on Saturday, December 28, 2024, marking the highest single-day December rainfall in 101 years, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The highest-ever single-day December rainfall in Delhi remains December 3, 1923, with 75.7 mm (2.98 inches).
Two tornadoes reported in Alabama after 5 sweep through Texas
Two tornadoes were reported in Alabama on Friday, December 27, 2024, after 5 swept through Texas on December 26. A developing low-pressure system over the Lower Mississippi Valley and Southeast is forecast to trigger more severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall through the weekend.
Severe Thunderstorm outbreak and Excessive Rainfall potential from the Southern Plains to Southeast today
Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are forecast to begin in the Southeast on Saturday, December 28, 2024, as a developing low-pressure system threatens to produce severe storms across Eastern Texas, Louisiana, and the Lower Mississippi Valley.
Another Food Processing Plant Catches Fire: One Dead, Several Injured After Midnight Explosion at Tyson Poultry Plant
Another day, another fire at a food processing plant. One person is dead and several injured after an explosion at a poultry plant in Georgia. An explosion at Tyson Foods Plant in southwest Georgia overnight killed a woman sleeping in the cab of an 18-wheeler parked next to the facility. Several people were injured in the explosion. According to reports, a fire raged at the plant for 3 hours after the explosion.
Biden Administration and “Mr-Monsanto’ Continue to Bully Mexico into Accepting GMO Corn
The Biden administration and Tom “Mr. Monsanto” Vilsack have emerged victorious in their effort to use the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to force Mexico to accept U.S. grown genetically engineered corn.
New York Times Highlights Christian and Jewish Blessings for Abortion Clinics
The New York Times has published a glowing article in praise of Christian and Jewish ministers who conduct “blessings” of abortion clinics in America.
New US company raising concerns with embryo screening for IQ, height, eye color
Heliospect Genospect is reportedly offering to help wealthy clients weed out their children based on projected IQ, alleged mental and physical health, characteristics like ADHD, and potentially even eye color.
The Deliberate Undoing of the West: How the illusion of Hypocrisy Masks a Systemic War on Our Civilization
The West is undergoing a deliberate and systematic undermining of its cultural and legal foundations, replacing the rule of law with a revolutionary ideology.
Sweden Begins Search for More CEMETARY SPACE; Issues Millions of Booklets: “How To Survive A War”
Burial associations in Sweden are looking to acquire enough land for something they hope they’ll never have to do: bury thousands of people in the event of war. The search follows recommendations from the Church of Sweden’s national secretariat, which reflect crisis preparedness guidelines from the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) and the Swedish Armed Forces.
UK government uses disinformation in industry consultation about electric vehicles
On Christmas Eve, the UK government launched a consultation inviting industry to shape the country’s transition to zero-emission vehicles. The transition to “zero-emission vehicles” means the phase-out of petrol and diesel vehicles and how the public can be cajoled into making the switch from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles. Unsurprisingly, as with all initiatives based on a fabricated anthropogenic climate change crisis, the consultation is based on disinformation.
PMO denies claim that Israel, Hamas working on ‘limited’ hostage deal as gesture for Trump
‘Get them out of that hell’: Israelis protest across the country, demand hostage deal
IDF completes raid on north Gaza hospital, says some 240 terror suspects arrested
Israel Detains Medics After Gaza Hospital Raid Searching for Hostages, Terrorists
83-year-old woman killed in Herzliya terror stabbing; attacker is ex-Shin Bet informant
Anti-Israel protesters disrupt Hanukkah event attended by Trump’s pick for ambassador
Netanyahu to undergo operation to remove prostate on Sunday, not appear in court for trial
Hezbollah mouthpiece says ‘resistance’ should resume hostilities with Israel
CCTV footage shows WHO chief fleeing Yemeni airport amid Israeli strike
Anticipating Trump administration, Iran says 2025 ‘important year’ for nuclear program
Putin apologizes to Azerbaijani leader after plane crash, implying responsibility
Putin apologizes for ‘tragic incident’ but stops short of saying Azerbaijani plane was shot down
Putin’s war of attrition: Russia ‘suffers 421,000 losses in 2024’ as death toll surges
North Korean soldiers kill themselves to avoid capture in Ukraine, U.S. says
Sweden Starts to Search for Extra Cemetery Space in Case of War
A World in Turmoil: Biden Hands Off a Dangerous Legacy to Trump
‘Beyonce didn’t sing:’ Trump calls out Kamala, Dems for ‘paying’ millions to get celeb endorsements
Dem NY State Sen.: People Don’t Trust Us Because We Misled Them on the Economy
Trump Confirms Full Support for H-1B Merit-Based Immigration
Laura Loomer Sharpens Attack on Elon Musk: ‘Totalitarian Censorship’
Musk inflames X with profane movie quote in defense of H-1B visa
5.5 magnitude earthquake hits near Houma, Tonga
Sabancaya volcano in Peru erupts to 23,000ft
Ruiz volcano in Colombia erupts o 23,000ft
Popocateptl volcano in Mexico erupts to 21,000ft
Sangay volcano in Ecuador erupts to 20,000ft
Fuego volcano in Guatemala erupts to 15,000ft
Reventador volcano in Ecuador erupts to 15,000ft
Semeru volcano in Indonesia erupts to 14,000ft
Lewotobi volcano in Indonesia erupts to 10,000ft
Millions face ‘particularly dangerous’ tornado threat amid deadly severe weather outbreak in South
Multiple tornadoes rip through Houston area, at least 1 person dead and dozens of homes damaged
Storm Elena causes severe flooding in Attica, Greece
Rescue services urge caution as heavy rainfall causes floods in northern Israel
“60 Foot” Waves Blast California Coast, Wreak Havoc
Delhi records highest single-day December rainfall since 1923
Climate Scam Unraveling: World Bank Really Doesn’t Know Where $41 Billion in Funding Goes
A global boom in cocaine trafficking defies decades of anti-drug efforts
Federal judge blocks Biden admin from selling border wall materials in ‘crucial win’ for Trump
US Deported Record 61,680 Guatemalans in 2024: Agency
‘Muhammad’ cracks top 10 names for baby boys in New York City
11 Illinois teens charged with felonies after men lured and beaten using dating apps
New York Times Highlights Christian and Jewish ‘Blessings’ for Abortion Clinics
Fourth Pro-Abortion Activist Convicted in Florida Pregnancy Center Vandalisms
Abortion Up After Law Moved Back to States
Abortions are up in the US. It’s a complicated picture as women turn to pills, travel
‘Baby in a dumpster.’ A spate of abandoned newborns unsettles Texas.
Euthanasia and the Failure of Canada’s Health Care System: A Human Tragedy
Greta Van Susteren details the charitable work Samaritan’s Purse does for underprivileged families and children around the world. She interviews Reverend Franklin Graham and take a trip to Ecuador to tell the story.
Source: Franklin Graham’s Christmas with Greta | The Record with Greta Van Susteren
Providence Baptist Church on RSBN featuring Pastor Dr Rusty Sowell live from Providence Baptist Church in Beauregard, AL Sunday Morning Worship 12/29/24
Source: LIVE: Providence Baptist Church on RSBN- Sunday Morning Worship 12/29/24
Some of Jeffrey Epstein’s associates unsealed by court order this year.
Source: Top Epstein revelations of 2024: Bill Clinton’s wish, the ‘list,’ secret docs made public
Thanks to the leadership of Republican Rep. Thomas Massie, pressure is growing to unmask the beneficiaries of more than $17 million in taxpayer-funded payments to settle harassment claims leveled against US Capitol officials and offices. In his latest move, a Massie social media post on Thursday prompted a chorus of support from from Marjorie Taylor Green along with former GOP House members.
“Congress has secretly paid out more than $17 million of your money to quietly settle charges of harassment (sexual and other forms) in Congressional offices,” Massie posted on Thursday. “Don’t you think we should release the names of the Representatives? I do.”
Georgia Rep. Green quickly voiced her support, saying, “Yes. I want to release the congressional sexual slush fund list. Tax payers should have never had to pay for that.” Former Rep. Mo Brooks jumped in, saying “Massie is spot on – taxpayer [money] must NEVER be used to SECRETLY bail out sexual (& other) harassers. A Capitol Hill harassing supervisor should foot the bill. THAT stops harassment!” Former Rep. Jason Chaffetz also boosted the idea, writing “Taxpayers deserve to know.”
The controversial payouts are made by the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights. Between 1997 and 2017 alone, the little-known office facilitated 260 settlements and more than $17 million in payouts. Given that number is more than seven years old, it’s safe to say the real grand total is significantly higher. Despite its name, the office’s payouts also encompass complaints from workers outside the House and Senate, including the Library of Congress and the Capitol police.
This isn’t the first time Massie has put a spotlight on the use of taxpayer money to settle harassment claims against members of Congress and their staffs. In June, the libertarian-minded Kentucky representative earnestly brought the topic up in a House Judiciary Committee hearing, as he questioned Federal Election Commission leader Trey Trainor:
Congress has secretly paid out more than $17 million of your money to quietly settle charges of harassment (sexual and other forms) in Congressional offices.
Don’t you think we should release the names of the Representatives? I do.pic.twitter.com/hmqlLDO2h0
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) December 26, 2024
Massie pointed to the hypocrisy of Democrats’ feigned outrage over Donald Trump using his own money to buy Stormy Daniels’ silence about their alleged sexual encounter, while saying nothing about congressional offices’ use of taxpayer money to brush sexual and other misconduct allegations under the rug.
“Congress has paid over $17 million in hush money for sexual misconduct inside of the offices in these buildings…[I]t’s taxpayer money. And I do know not a single penny of it has been turned in as a campaign finance expense. Wouldn’t — I mean, is the FEC going to investigate the $17 million that the Congress has paid to settle, you know, behind closed doors, these sexual misconduct allegations?”
Earlier this month, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, who was the subject of a House Ethics Committee probe into allegations of using illegal drugs and paying underage women for sex, publicly daydreamed about taking office for just one day to singlehandedly reveal the names of everyone who’s benefitted from the settlement payouts.
Someone suggested the following plan to me:
1. Show up 1/3/2025 to congress
2. Participate in Speaker election (I was elected to the 119th Congress, after all…)
3. Take the oath
4. File a privileged motion to expose every “me too” settlement paid using public funds (even of…— Former Congressman Matt Gaetz (@FmrRepMattGaetz) December 18, 2024
With the federal government now $36 trillion in debt — and poised to post a $3.5 trillion deficit in 2025 alone — $17 million may not sound like much, but the use of borrowed/printed money to settle sexual and other abuse allegations on Capitol Hill is another symptom of a corrupt and fading empire.
Source: Massie, MTG Urge Release Of Multimillion-Dollar ‘Congressional Sexual Slush Fund List’
The incoming chairman of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) has been vocal about his efforts to hold federal health agencies accountable for withholding critical information about COVID-19 vaccine adverse effects.
Johnson is poised to issue subpoenas to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) unless they fully comply with oversight demands.
Johnson demanded that these agencies immediately preserve and produce all records related to the development, safety, and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines noting that the Biden administration’s repeated refusal to provide unredacted documents has impeded Congressional oversight and endangered public trust.
In a November letter, Johnson lambasted the Biden administration’s health agencies for what he described as a coordinated effort to obscure critical vaccine safety data.
Real America’s Voice host John Solomon asked, “Senator, if we don’t have a functioning vaccine safety and transparency system, when the government says a vaccine is safe, is that assurance really based in science right now?”
Johnson replied, “Well, I would argue not really, because we don’t have true placebo trials of any of the vaccines on the childhood schedule. They’re tested against other vaccines. So if another vaccine has a certain level of adverse events, you test a new vaccine, it has the same level, ‘Oh, that sounds safe’, but we never tested the original one.”
“So again, you have to take a look at in totality, what is the rate of vaccine injuries? We really don’t know. I mean, VAERS, we’ve had a Harvard study that prior to COVID, only 1% of adverse events was actually reported to the vaccine adverse event reporting system, so it dramatically understates the number of vaccine injuries. So that’s a problem.”
“It’s very difficult because there’s money on the line. In order to get it compensated, you have to prove that whatever health condition you have was caused by a vaccine There’s such reluctance within the medical establishment within our federal agencies to actually link a vaccine to any health outcome. So we paid out very little from the Vaccine Injury Compensation Fund, virtually nothing to the one designed for COVID.”
“The best solution for this is actually make these products safer and do real science to determine, are there certain conditions that make you more vulnerable for an adverse event?”
“We haven’t even been able to ask the question because everybody in the industry just wants to rely on the safe and effective rhetoric and look no further.”
Solomon asked, “Yes, sir. Let me follow up on that. Robert Redfield was at a panel with you, I think just last week. He said it’s time to remove the liability protections for vaccine makers so that the courts can get more involved. Your thoughts on his idea?”
Johnson responded, “First of all, I agree with that. I’ve been saying that for quite some time. You have that original 1986 bill did not provide liability protection for the vaccine manufacturersha, tt was a wink and a nod agreement that they did it by regulation about a year later.”
“So it really never was not the intent of that bill to completely obliterate vaccine liability. Now, I would say there has to be some limits to it. We do want drug companies to be able to research and produce new life-saving drugs, but it has to be based on real science and has to be transparent. And they’ve got to fess up to when their drugs or their vaccines cause harm. Then we have to know the truth about these things. Right now, we don’t.”
Watch:
The post Senator Ron Johnson:”We Have to Know the Truth” About Vaccines, “Right Now We Don’t” (Video) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
As we close out yet another year, it is time to revisit some of the most humiliating moments for the fake news media.
Grabien News put together a montage of the media’s most mortifying moments of 2024:
10) So-called Cheapfakes: The fake news media attacked the conservative media for posting videos of demented Biden wandering around lost.
9) CNN thinks America is a Democracy – it’s not – the US is a representative republic.
8) Beyoncé is performing at the DNC Convention – the pop singer never performed.
7) The fake news media repeatedly claimed Trump supported Project 2025.
6) Media lies about the amount of ‘misinformation’ on X after Elon Musk purchased the social media platform.
5) The fake news media claimed Tim Walz was the best VP choice – a moderate, ‘folksy’ cuddly coach who saw action – and ‘weirdo’ JD Vance was the worst VP choice in 100 years.
4) The media claimed the world as we know it would end if ‘dictator’ Trump wins the 2024 election.
3) Joe Biden will never pardon his son Hunter because he is a decent man who has ‘so much respect for the law’
2) The fake news media caught editing their interviews to help Kamala Harris.
1) Joe Biden has never been sharper! There is no cognitive decline.
WATCH:
https://twitter.com/tomselliott/status/1872672931396178238
The post MUST WATCH: The Fake News Media’s 10 Most Humiliating Moments of 2024 appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
This article originally appeared on WND.com
New images add to documentation of family’s close financial ties to Chinese interests.
For several years already, there’s been significant evidence of a Biden family influence peddling scheme.
Congressional investigators have confirmed that foreign interests paid Hunter Biden and his business associates $27 million from 2014 to 2019, when Joe Biden was vice president.
Hunter Biden used official trips with his father to facilitate some of those deals, and there’s been a startling lack of evidence of any services or products provided to obtain those millions.
Meanwhile, Joe Biden repeatedly claimed he had no knowledge of Hunter’s business schemes and profits, despite testimony that he was on speakerphone with Hunter’s clients, attended dinners with them, and took pictures with them.
Now there’s another piece of evidence that has surfaced. According to Fox News,“President Biden is seen in newly uncovered photos meeting with Hunter Biden’s Chinese business associates in China while he served as vice president, bringing further scrutiny to his claim he ‘never’ discussed business with his son. The photos, obtained by conservative-leaning America First Legal through litigation against the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), appear to show then-Vice President Biden introducing his son to Chinese President Xi Jinping and then-Vice President Li Yuanchao. Other photos show Joe Biden posing with Hunter’s business associates from BHR Partners, including Jonathan Li and Ming Xue.”
In fact, America First Legal said, “These images shed light on the connections between then-Vice President Biden, Hunter and his Chinese business associates, and Chinese government officials including President Xi Jinping. Lawyers and representatives for President Biden and President Obama delayed NARA’s release of these photographs, as they did with other records, until after Election Day.”
But don’t expect the revelations to have a significant impact, warned constitutional expert Jonathan Turley, who has both testified before Congress on the Constitution, and represented members in court.
“After years of ignoring the influence-peddling scandal, the media is not likely to suddenly pursue the story. In the meantime, Democrats have praised or rationalized Biden for pardoning his son despite the fact that it covered possible crimes that might implicate not just Hunter but his father in corruption,” Turley explained.
He cited what’s already been in evidence: “There were diamonds as gifts, lavish expense accounts, and a sports car, in addition to massive payments that Hunter claimed were ‘loans.’ There are messages like the one to a Chinese businessman openly threatening the displeasure of Joe Biden if money is not sent to them immediately. In the WhatsApp message.”
In that situation, Hunter threatened his Chinese money source: “I am sitting here with my father, and we would like to understand why the commitment made has not been fulfilled. Tell the director that I would like to resolve this now before it gets out of hand, and now means tonight. And, Z, if I get a call or text from anyone involved in this other than you, Zhang, or the Chairman, I will make certain that between the man sitting next to me and every person he knows and my ability to forever hold a grudge that you will regret not following my direction. I am sitting here waiting for the call with my father.”
Turley noted the “pronounced lack of interest” by media organizations in America “into the alleged multimillion dollar influence-peddling scheme.”
He said those “House and conservative” groups that have pursued the story have found “overwhelming evidence that the president has repeatedly lied about his interactions with foreign clients.”
The newest image “Further contradicts” Biden’s claims, Turley said.
Fox reported the newly accessed images, according to America First Legal, “corroborate the House Oversight Committee’s investigative findings that Hunter Biden arranged for his father to meet with Jonathan Li and other BHR executives during the 2013 China trip, where ‘Mr. Li sought— and received — access to Vice President Biden’s political power, including, for example, preferential access to then-U.S. Ambassador to China Max Baucus … a condition of Hunter Biden and his associates participating in the BHR deal.’”
Congressional investigators also have concluded the Bidens benefited from their business dealings with BHR.
Campaigning in 2019, Joe Biden claimed, “I have never spoken to my son about his overseas business dealings.”
But, Fox reported, “emails sent to and from Hunter Biden have cast doubt on that, including a 2017 email obtained by Fox News that shows Hunter requesting keys for Joe and Jill Biden, along with his uncle, Jim Biden, for space he planned to share with an ’emissary’ to the chairman of a now-bankrupt Chinese energy company.”
The report detailed, “In another 2017 email also obtained by Fox News, Biden wrote to the same Chinese energy company’s chairman extending ‘best wishes from the entire Biden family,’ and urging the chairman to ‘quickly’ send a $10 million wire to ‘properly fund and operate’ the Biden joint venture with the company.”
“The Biden Crime Family Christmas card just dropped,” GOP Rep. Eric Burlison explained on social media.
Whatever is revealed now about that time period no longer will threaten Hunter Biden, as Joe Biden granted him a pardon for a decade-long time period covering virtually all of the circumstances that have been uncovered that raise questions.
Joe Biden claimed his son was being “unfairly” prosecuted, even though a jury convicted him of multiple gun felonies, and he pleaded guilty to several tax felonies.
Guest by post by Bob Unruh
Copyright 2024 WND News Center
The post Constitutional Expert: Media ‘Not Likely to Pursue’ Newest Biden Influence Peddling Evidence appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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