Unlearning Tradition, Relearning Scripture

Tag: John 21:22

  • Scripture vs. Assertion: The Truth About the Second Coming

    Photo taken from a FB posting of Emily Madrigal

    Franklin Graham is the son of the celebrated evangelist Billy Graham, who gained prominence in the late 40s and was credited with a resurgence of Christianity during the 1960s and 1970s. Following in his father’s footsteps, Franklin has become a prominent religious figure in his own right, often speaking on contemporary issues.

    Ironically, Franklin Graham’s assertion regarding the imminent arrival of Jesus Christ is inaccurate. People tend to accept and believe what they are told rather than what the Bible states. John lived during the era of Revelation. Scripture notes in Revelation 1:9, “I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.”

    John was evidently living during the period of tribulation described by Jesus in Matthew 24:9–22. Jesus spoke of only one tribulation, and He never said it would be stretched to today.

    Jesus stated in Revelation 1:19, “Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this.” John was directed to record what was shown to him; know that the Greek tense in the whole statement is consistently present.

    Here is the verse with its tenses: “Write therefore the things that you have seen (TVM 5748, Present, Indicative), those that are (TVM 5719, Present, Active, Indicative) and those that are to take place (TVM 5738, Present, Passive, Infinite) after this.” This suggests that the events John observed occurred within his lifetime—his present and future, not ours.

    John’s visions therefore act as immediate warnings to the recipient churches. Consequently, Jesus declares in all of His letters with the phrase: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

    In one church, Jesus offers assurance:“I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.” (Revelation 3:11)

    Jesus warns about false prophets, stating, “For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it.” (Matthew 24:24–26)

    Do you grasp the warning of Jesus Christ? Be cautious of those who say “look,” which suggests claims about his physical and visible arrival.

    This confusion often stems from a misunderstanding of Acts 1:11, where the angels state, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

    The passage didn’t say Jesus would return in physical form. Let’s let Scripture speak on this matter, 1 Timothy 3:16 states, “Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: Jesus was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, TAKEN UP IN GLORY.

    Acts 1:9 says, Jesus was taken up in a cloud. That’s the expression of glory, like in Exodus, God appears to Israel in the pillar of cloud by day, and pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21-22).

    In Exodus 19:9, “The LORD said to Moses, ‘Behold, I am coming to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe you forever.” Scripture made clear Israel may only hear but not see.

    In Exodus 34:5–8, the text describes the LORD descending in the cloud and passing before Moses, prompting worship; however, Scripture does not indicate that God was visible to him.

    At Damascus, when Jesus appeared to Saul—later called Paul—the biblical record indicates that Saul and his companions heard only a voice; no one saw Jesus, because at His ascension, carried away by the cloud, He had returned to His glory (Acts 9:1–7).

    This same expression of glory is what is meant in Luke 21:27, “And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”

    Now compare the next verse, Matthew 24:27, with Zechariah 9:14: “Then the LORD will appear over them, and His arrow will go forth like lightning; the Lord GOD will sound the trumpet and will march forth in the whirlwinds of the south.”

    Was Jesus not quoting Zechariah 9:14 regarding His return? “For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matthew 24:27)

    Keep in mind the context of Zechariah 9, it’s about the coming of the King riding on a colt or donkey (Zechariah 9:9). This was fulfilled by Jesus’ Triumphant Entry to Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1-5).

    Now, see Jesus’ teaching on the Wedding Feast:

    Matthew 22:2-10 “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a King who gave a wedding feast for His Son, and sent His servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. Again He sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared My dinner, My oxen and My fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.”’ But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized His servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. The King was angry, and He sent His troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. Then He said to His servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.’ And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests.

    Jesus Christ is the Son who was crucified by the Jewish Religious Leaders. They rejected His reign, but the wedding feast went on. Their rejection didn’t stop the kingdom of heaven from advancing, as supposed by contemporary teachings and beliefs.

    This advancement involves both the gathering of the faithful and the judgment of those who oppose it, a theme that continues in Jesus’ later warnings. Look at the verses following Jesus’ warning about false prophets (Matthew 24:24–26), Matthew 24:27–28: “For as the lightning comes out of the east and shines even to the west, so also will be the coming of the Son of Man. For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered.”

    Matthew 24:28 echoes Deuteronomy 28:49: “The LORD will bring a nation against you from far away, from the end of the earth, swooping down like the eagle, a nation whose language you do not understand.”

    Matthew 24:28’s vultures should be rendered “eagles, G105.” The foreign nation—linked biblically to Matthew 22:7 and historically to Rome—descended like the eagle upon Old Covenant Israel, ending the Jewish rebellion and burning the temple in 70 AD.

    This judgment on Jerusalem sets the stage for understanding the timeline of Jesus’ return. Jesus in Matthew 23:36-38 states:

    “Truly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem… See, your house is left to you desolate.” (Matthew 23:36-38)

    Ironically, nobody seems to take seriously Jesus’ words in John 21. The passage focused on the restoration of Peter. Peter learned from Jesus about his martyr death for the Gospel. He then asked Jesus about John. Jesus replied, “If it is My will that John remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!” (John 21:22)

    Scripture made clear that Jesus didn’t say John wouldn’t die, but that he would still be alive when Jesus comes (John 21:23). This aligns perfectly with what Jesus tells His apostles about His return.

    “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.” (Matthew 16:28) Mark 9:1 and Luke 9:27 reflect the same point.

    Peter, Paul, and James, writing to their contemporary Christians, say, “The Lord is at hand” (1 Peter 1:13; Philippians 4:5; James 5:7-8) They all understood the coming of Jesus to be at hand, or in their era, not in our future, as many pastors and preachers propose today.

    The Bible is not overly difficult to understand. Yet we must study from the Scriptures rather than human writings, or their mistakes may become ours. That is why I encourage focusing on the Scriptures rather than relying on Bible commentaries, creeds, and confessions.

    Studying the Bible resembles assembling a jigsaw puzzle. If a piece is misplaced or lost, finishing the narrative or image becomes impossible. This challenge faces modern Christianity, producing conflicting interpretations of the Scriptures.

    A careful review of the Reformers’ writings—such as John Gill’s commentary from a Reformed viewpoint—shows they viewed themselves as the elect of the last days and the pope and Roman Catholic Church as the beast. This approach reflects eisegesis rather than exegesis of the Bible. Eisegesis contrasts with exegesis because it involves projecting a pre-existing belief system onto the Scriptures. By contrast, exegesis lets the Scriptures guide us toward biblical truths.

    Paul instructed us pastors, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

    Again, Paul warned, “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.” (1 Timothy 4:16)

    We who teach the Bible are accountable for what we teach. James warned, “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” (James 3:1)

    Teach only what you have personally studied and learned from the Scriptures. Jesus is the Word; hence, only then may we truly learn from the Bible.

    In the course of my journey teaching the Bible, I decided to learn and teach only from the Bible. I then saw the inconsistencies of contemporary Christian teachings and beliefs. With this foundation, I was led to a new resolve: to let the Scriptures speak for themselves.

    I share my insights with my family first, then with my current Bible studies and beyond. Is it simple? Not really, since Paul warned that “People will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions.” (2 Timothy 4:3).

    As the Chinese proverb suggests, “It takes three days to learn mistakes, but three years to learn good virtues.” Regrettably, the biblical warning holds: “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.’” (1 Corinthians 15:33)

    People often follow the crowd, seeking comfort in numbers rather than truth. Yet Scripture commends the Bereans, who received the word with eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily to confirm its truth (Acts 17:11). Many forget the very teachings of Jesus:

    > “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

    True discipleship calls for careful study of God’s Word and a commitment to follow Christ, even when the path is difficult and unpopular. The majority may choose the wide road, but life is found only in the narrow way through Jesus Christ.

    > “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

    The truth is: People ought to seek the salvation of Jesus Christ. The church, on the other hand, must return to the true teachings of the Bible. Preaching and sharing the Gospel is a mandate to us Christians. The Bible states:

    “Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an Eternal Gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people.” (Revelation 14:6)

    Eternity is with Jesus Christ. He desires everyone to be saved and have an abundant life (John 10:10). Abundant means to be rich towards God, see Luke 12:13-21. Jesus told us not to worry about our day-to-day needs, nor tomorrow. But to seek His kingdom and all these things will be added to us. (Luke 12:22-31)

    The “last days” are a thing of the past; they belong to Old Covenant Israel. We are living past that period, Scripture states, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

    With the New Creation, the age of grace—eternal because the Gospel is eternal—requires only that we live and believe in Jesus Christ. The world’s clamor is merely temporary. Like any other event, it will soon pass.

    So, believe the Gospel. Live for Jesus Christ. Share His Word. This is our joyful calling, Jesus states, “faith begins like a mustard seed, which is small,” but if we nurture our faith, it will grow and carry people into His grace.

    In Matthew 17:20, “Jesus said to His disciples, ‘Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.’”

    Take note that Jesus uttered the same promise in Luke 18:27, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” The context of which is leading someone into His grace, the salvation in Jesus Christ.

    Jesus Christ came, and we are now in the era of grace, His New Covenant. There are a lot of people still living outside His grace; let’s not be bothered by all the noises, but realize that the noises provide an opportunity for us to tell people about Jesus Christ and His grace. But be careful not to engage in scare tactics that coerce people into confessing their faith. That kind of evangelism is never the way of Jesus, His apostles, or the Scriptures.

    P.S. Anyone interested in the topic here might also look at earlier work on comparable or related themes: “Rethinking the Church: A Call to Biblical Priorities”; “Take Heart! Jesus said, ‘I Have Overcome the World’”; “Sharing Insights from Scripture (Temple & Sabbath)”; “It’s a Matter of the Heart”; “Not by Water but by Fire”; “A War Based on a Lie”; “It Is Done! (Revelation 21:6)”; “Great Power comes with Great Responsibility”; “Is Hebrews 10:25 Truly about Sunday Gatherings of Christians?”; “Confusion Is Not Of God”; “Was Salvation Completed at the Cross?”; “Are there Minor and Major Doctrines in the Bible”; “Does God Elect People to Salvation?”; “The Gospel Heralds God’s Kingdom and the Time of the End”; “End Times Brouhaha”; “Parousia Myths”; “Hallucinations of a Rapture”; “Delusions of Rebuilding the Temple”; “Confused Christianity”; “Oops! They Did It Again”; “Utopia”; “The Unending Last Days”; “Dating the Book of Revelation”; “The Eternal Gospel”; “The Eschatological Divide”; “The Runaway Bridegroom”; “Scripture vs. Tradition”; and many more.

    Peter, in the words of Acts 3:6, declared, “I possess neither silver nor gold, but in the name of Jesus Christ, I offer you what I have.” Share this article freely, for you freely receive. Take note, underlines and highlights are clickable links for definitions or Bible references. Stay updated by heading to our about page and subscribe directly to receive notifications in your inbox. Blessings!

  • Jesus Christ, Our Righteousness

    Psalms 34 and 35, both written by David, should be recognized as a single unit. They were composed after he fled from Saul and following his humiliating encounter with Achish, the king of Gath. You can find an explanation of their background in my previous blog post, “Immanuel, Our Confidence.” This post serves as a continuation. These two psalms express deep trust and confidence in God, even while David was still being hunted by Saul.

    > David’s cry for God’s help may be seen through Psalm 35:1-3.

    Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me! Take hold of the shield and buckler and rise for my help! Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers! Say to my soul, “I am your salvation!“

    David continued to seek the Lord’s deliverance, and Psalms 34 and 35 were likely written before Saul’s death. The account reminds us that God does not need earthly weapons to bring rescue. As seen in Exodus, He parted the Red Sea, allowing Israel to cross safely, and then let the waters fall back, destroying the Egyptians who pursued them. David, being a man of war, expressed his prayers using the battle imagery of his era, calling upon God to rise and fight against his enemies on his behalf.

    > Next, David justified his call for God’s help – he was innocent of any wrongdoings, yet his enemies wanted him dead. See Psalm 35:4-8.

    Let them be put to shame and dishonor who seek after my life! Let them be turned back and disappointed who devise evil against me! Let them be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the LORD driving them away! Let their way be dark and slippery, with the angel of the LORD pursuing them! For without cause they hid their net for me; without cause they dug a pit for my life. Let destruction come upon him when he does not know it! And let the net that he hid ensnare him: let him fall into it – to his destruction!

    > Actually David wasn’t simply calling for God’s help, he sought God’s justice. See Psalm 35:9-16.

    Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD, exulting in His salvation. All my bones shall say, “O LORD, who is like you, delivering the poor from him who is too strong for him, the poor and needy from him who robs him?

    Malicious witnesses rise up; they ask me of things that I do not know. They repay me evil for good; my soul is bereft. But I, when they were sick – I wore sackcloth; I afflicted myself with fasting; I prayed with head bowed on my chest. I went about as though I grieved for my friend or my brother; as one who laments his mother, I bowed down in mourning.

    But at my stumbling they rejoiced and gathered; they gathered together against me: wretches whom I did not know tore at me without ceasing; like profane mockers at a feast, they gnash at me with their teeth.

    Background: The lad David first served as armor-bearer for Saul (1 Samuel 16:21), while also tending his father’s flock in between (1 Samuel 17:15). Later, he sought Saul’s permission to confront Goliath, at a time when no soldier in Israel dared to face the mocking Philistine champion (1 Samuel 17:31-37). After his victory, David continued to fight Saul’s battles and succeeded, earning the people’s song: “Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands” (1 Samuel 18:7). This stirred Saul’s jealousy, and he began to seek David’s life (1 Samuel 18:7-8, 18:25). As a result, David fled from Saul (1 Samuel 20:1). Clearly, David had done no wrong against the king. It was in the face of this injustice that he cried out for God’s urgent deliverance (Psalm 35:17-21).

    How long, O Lord, will you look on? Rescue me from their destruction, my precious life from the lions! I will thank You in the great congregation; in the mighty throng I will praise You.

    Let not those rejoice over me who are wrongfully my foes, and let not those wink the eye who hate me without cause. For they do not speak peace, but against those who are quiet in the land they devise words of deceit. They open wide their mouths against me; they say, “Aha, Aha! Our eyes have seen it!”

    You have seen, O LORD; be not silent! O Lord, be not far from me! Awake and rouse Yourself for my vindication, for my cause, my God and my Lord!

    Hebrews 2:12 cites Psalm 35:18, a reference to the perfect church of Jesus Christ, as noted in Hebrews 12:22–24; similar to Psalm 111:1, Scripture says, Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.

    Psalm 111 speaks of the Work of the LORD:

    > “Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them. Full of splendor and majesty is His work, and His righteousness endures forever. He has caused His wondrous works to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and merciful.” (Psalms 111:2-4)

    > “The works of His hands are faithful and just; all His precepts are trustworthy; they are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness. He sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever. Holy and awesome is His name!” (Psalms 111:7-9)

    Jesus Christ, in the Gospel, speaks of God’s work: “My Father is working until now, and I am working (John 5:17).” What, then, have the Father and Jesus been working on? They are engaged in the New Heaven and the Earth, His New Covenant Creation, as seen in Genesis 2:1–3: “Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished His work that He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work that He had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that He had done in creation.”

    Continuing on with Psalm 35, David calls on God against his foes in Psalm 35:19–21. In Psalm 35:22, LORD appears first in full capitals as “YAHWEH/YHWH,” Hebrew Strong #H3068, noted initially in Genesis 2:4; this name connects to the LORD God who created the first heaven and earth through Adam’s account. Then, Lord is “Adonay, H136,” in Hebrew.

    “Let not those rejoice over me who are wrongfully my foes, and let not those wink the eye who hate me without cause. For they do not speak peace, but against those who are quiet in the land they devise words of deceit. They open wide their mouths against me; they say, “Aha, Aha! Our eyes have seen it!” You have seen, O LORD; be not silent! O Lord, be not far from me! Awake and rouse yourself for my vindication, for my cause, my God and my Lord!” (Psalms 35:19-23)

    Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of the Old Testament suggests Adam likely recognized God by a personal or covenantal name from the beginning, which the English Bible renders as “LORD” in all caps to convey the Covenant Name of God.

    In Psalms 34 and 35, David uses the LORD’s covenant name twenty-five times. Within Psalm 35 alone, the word “Lord” appears three times as “Adonay” (Hebrew Strong’s #136). According to the Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Definitions, Adonay serves as a reverential title for YHWH (translated “LORD” in all capital letters) in Jewish tradition. This distinction is evident in Psalm 35:23, where David calls out, “my God and my Lord!”—a phrase echoed in the New Testament when Thomas addresses Jesus in John 20:28, saying, “My Lord and my God!”

    Similarly, the Septuagint’s Greek translation of Psalm 35:23 uses the same words for “Lord and God” found in John 20:28. This suggests David was seeking more than just physical deliverance from his enemies; he was appealing for vindication on the Day of Judgment. As he writes in the following verse, “Vindicate me, O LORD, my God, according to Your righteousness, and let them not rejoice over me!” (Psalm 35:24).

    I noted earlier that David appeared to link Hebrews 12:22–24, the perfected Church of Jesus Christ, with Psalm 35:18. Scripture in Hebrews 10:30 declares, “For we know God who said, ‘Vengeance is mine; I will repay.’ And again, ‘The Lord will judge His people.’” Paul addresses who will judge His people in 2 Corinthians 5:10, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.”

    David’s appeal extended beyond physical rescue. As Jesus remarked to his contemporaries, “Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see My day. He saw it and was glad (John 8:56).” David sincerely pursued God’s salvation and deliverance in Christ Jesus.

    In Psalm 35:24-26, David uttered:

    “Vindicate me, O LORD, my God, according to Your righteousness, and let them not rejoice over me! Let them not say in their hearts, “Aha, our heart’s desire!” Let them not say, “We have swallowed him up.” Let them be put to shame and disappointed altogether who rejoice at my calamity! Let them be clothed with shame and dishonor who magnify themselves against me!”

    David’s appeals for justice rested not on his own righteousness but on Christ’s through faith in Him. In Psalm 35:27, Jesus Christ answered, “Let those who delight in My righteousness shout for joy and be glad and say evermore, ‘Great is the LORD, who delights in the welfare of His servant!’”.

    Have you personally encountered the fullness of God’s grace in your life?

    Many Christians often miss how Christ Jesus speaks through the Scriptures, particularly the Old Testament. Job is introduced as a man who is blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil (Job 1:1). He suffered greatly due to Satan’s attacks, yet not because of any sin. When his friends insisted that his pain was caused by wrongdoing, Job defended himself passionately and questioned God (Job 3-31).

    God’s response was to point Job toward the wonders of creation, revealing His power and sovereignty (Job 38-41). This humbling encounter led Job to declare, “I had heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You” (Job 42:5). Similarly, David’s relationship with the Lord deepened as he realized his human limitations and God’s ability to save and deliver. Finally, despite Paul’s power to heal and even raise the dead, he confirms in 2 Corinthians 12:9 that God’s grace suffices for every weakness, because His strength is clearest when we are weak.

    Likewise, for us Christian workers or pastors, Paul states in the amplified Bible version: “We Christian workers hold this precious treasure—the divine Light of the Gospel—in fragile, human vessels of earth, so that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be seen as coming from God rather than from ourselves.” (2 Corinthians 4:7)

    David’s distress toward his enemies led him to foresee in Psalm 35 the salvation found through faith in Christ Jesus. By Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension, He took His place at the Right Hand of God’s power (Matthew 26:64; Hebrews 1:1-3). This idea aligns with Jesus’ remark in John 2:19: “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” John clarified Jesus talks about the temple of His body, the Church (John 2:21; Colossians 1:18) In this context, Jesus refers to His church founded upon His resurrection (Matthew 16:18), so the gates of Hades or death will not overcome it.

    David therefore rightly ends his Psalm, saying: “Then my tongue shall tell of Your (Christ Jesus’) righteousness and of Your praise all the day long.” (Psalms 35:28)

    Where would David sing His praise in Psalm 35:28? Scripture states, “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel. (Hebrews 12:22-24, NASB)

    Jesus Christ is the Lord of lords and King of kings described in Revelation 17:14 and 19:11-16.

    Christ Jesus’ Day of Judgment then encompassed people who have passed away and were waiting in Hades, the place of death for both the righteous and the wicked, just as it was illustrated by the Lord through His parable of the “Rich Man and Lazarus” (Luke 16:19-31).

    It was a mistake to teach that the righteous would go straight to heaven after death even before Jesus Christ’s return at His Second Coming. See John 14:3; Jesus Christ told His disciples, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may also be.”

    Then in John 14:6, Jesus assured the disciples saying, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

    Despair not, for Jesus also told Peter with regards to John, “If it is My will that he [John the apostle] remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!” (John 21:22)

    Jesus Christ hinted that His return would be during the lifetime of the apostles (Matthew 10:23; 16:28; Mark 9:1; Luke 9:27), specifically while John was still alive. If Jesus Christ failed on His words, then He can’t be the Great Prophet Moses spoke about; see Deuteronomy 18:15. “The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from among you, from your brothers – it is to Him you shall listen.” Would you rather listen to your pastors or follow the traditional teaching concerning the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, or believe Jesus Christ our Lord and our God?

    The apostle Peter, preaching in the Temple area, confirmed that Jesus Christ indeed was the prophesied Great Prophet of God, see Acts 3:19-23.

    Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets long ago, Moses said, “The Lord God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to Him in whatever He tells you. And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that Prophet shall be destroyed from the people.”

    Here is the challenge: Should we rely on Jesus Christ and His Word, or on modern Christian teachings that imply Jesus is arriving soon?

    In the face of such profound questions, we can look to the enduring faith of those who came before us. David, for instance, could have easily lost faith in God when Saul pursued him and when he suffered humiliation before Achish, king of Gath. Although he was known as a mighty warrior of Israel, he pretended to be insane before Achish out of fear (1 Samuel 21:12–15). Yet, David did not give up; he held firmly to his faith.

    Our life’s journey will always have its ups and downs. There will be times that we may lose control of our lives, tossed to and forth by the waves of our circumstances. In the midst of great storms or great waves of the sea, the sun remains but is covered by darkness. Similarly, Jesus Christ our Lord is not missing in moments of uncertainty or despair. Trust God, especially when all seems to have been lost.

    In conclusion, David sought the justice of God rather than the judgement of men. It is far better to appear wrong in the sight of people yet remain righteous before the Lord. We must not seek human approval but God’s, for ultimately, it is Him to whom we are accountable. David’s confidence lay not in his own righteousness, but in the righteousness of Christ Jesus our Lord, whom he foretold in Psalm 35.

    Note: We haven’t explored Psalm 34. Lord willing, that shall be my next blog writing.

    Peter, in the words of Acts 3:6, declared, “I possess neither silver nor gold, but in the name of Jesus Christ, I offer you what I have.” Share this article freely, for you freely receive. Take note, underlines and highlights are clickable links for definitions or Bible references. Stay updated by heading to our about page and subscribe directly to receive notifications in your inbox. Blessings!