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If Haggai is the builder who encourages the Jews to complete the unfinished Temple, Zechariah is the artist who installs the colorful windows. Though Zechariah is fully aware of the present realities and spiritual needs of his countrymen, he lifts their eyes to see things from a heavenly vantage point. God is over all, working all things according to the good pleasure of His will. It is during times of deep distress that you and I should catch a glimpse of the glory. The inspired visions and prophecies of Zechariah prove that even when things are blackest, when the Shepherd is smitten and the sheep are scattered, nothing can keep God’s kingdom from being established on planet earth. When evil does its worst, the Lord remains in control. Join us in a study of Zechariah to catch a glimpse of this glory.
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The prophets Obadiah and Jonah teach us that God disciplines with equity. He humbles the proud. He pillages those who pillage. Those who harass will find themselves harassed. Those who dispossess others will find themselves dispossessed. God always makes the punishment fit the crime. Even notable preachers who think more highly of themselves than they ought to think can be reduced by the overflowing water or scorching sun of God’s discipline. There is always a day of reckoning in the calendar of God. The Heavenly Father loves us enough to make us obey. This commentary explores the vital message of these two prophets to help us see how God reduces us when we become a legend in our mind.
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This commentary examines the three major tests or evidences of salvation delineated by the Apostle John. These things are the doctrinal test, the social test, and the moral test. Do I believe the right things? Do I love my brother? Is my life characterized by righteousness? In short, does my life give evidence that I have been born again? Do I pass the tests?
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The Jewish people, after a long deportation, were now allowed to return to the land of promise. The primary spiritual leader during this return was Ezra. By examining the book that bears his name, the modern Christian is able to see the importance of corporate worship, spiritual fellowship, fervent prayer, and hard work. More importantly, the reader of Ezra is able to see the necessity of maintaining a spirit of revival to avoid the temptation to apathy and despair. God has not abandoned us, and He will see us through the process as we come home.
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Many have seen a parallel between the five books of the Psalter and the five books of the Pentateuch. Indeed, the first book of the Psalter (Psalms 1-41), which mirrors the book of Genesis, speaks graphi- cally of the heavens that declare the glory of God and also of man’s ruination of the created environ- ment through his fall into sin. Many hymns, such as “How Great Thou Art,” speak of God’s excellence that can be observed in the created order. This is very much in keeping with God’s inspired hymn- book where you and I are invited to sing about the mighty power of God.
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Life is filled with dreams. Someone has once said that we will never accomplish more than we are willing to dream. There is no denying that Daniel was a dreamer and was interested in helping fulfill the dreams of others. This commentary takes you through the historical and prophetic sections of Daniel, a significant Old Testament work. It is our hope that as a result of this study you will not be afraid to dream the impossible and trust God for the unforeseeable. No true student of eschatology can rightly understand the future without a working knowledge of the book of Daniel. It is our prayer that this commentary will aid your prophetic understanding of God’s Word.
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Someone has said, "Blessed is the preacher who can get airborne without taking too much runway." If this statement is true, John and Jude were certainly blessed preachers. Both knew how to say much in a few words. Though postcards in length, these epistles contain a weighty message that embraces truth and exposes error. This commentary explores these often forgotten New Testament books and applies their message to the church today.
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God comforts us so that we can comfort other people. No one knew this better than the Apostle Paul. When he left Corinth, his motives were questioned, and this prepared the way for an awkward visit upon his return. He thus writes to the Corinthian church in order to clear the air before his arrival. In addition, the Corinthian discipline of an erring brother had bordered on excessive, and this also was creating a strain on personal relationships on a variety of fronts. Thus, Paul writes to the Corinthian church about the necessity of using one’s influence to comfort others. The Christian community always functions better under comfortable relationships, and we trust that as a result of this study of Paul’s second letter to the church at Corinth, you will feel comfortable being a comforting believer.
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Jeremiah was nearly twenty years old when he began his ministry in 627 BC and immediately began to address a nation that was rapidly approaching the judgment of God. Because Jeremiah prophesied in the final years of Judah before the Babylonian exile, his overwhelming theme is judgment. Indeed, the first forty-five chapters of the book focus on God’s judgment of Judah. Ironical- ly, however, there is an element of grace throughout the book, and significantly, Jeremiah’s prophesy provides the most vivid treatment of the New Covenant whereby God will remember Judah’s sins and iniquities no more. Indeed, God was pulling down in order to build. We trust that this commentary on Jeremiah will help you accept the grace of God even when life is falling apart.
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At times, we all feel like running away. Unfortunately, when we run away from our problems, we often create more. Thankfully, God positions Himself so that when we run from Him, we often run into Him. Such was the case with Onesimus. While on the run, he ran into God, and his life was forever changed. Discover how his master, Philemon, took him back and in so doing mirrors Christ who takes us back when we run away from Him.
