CHERUB DOWN!
Suggested Reading: Ezekiel 28-29
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
At Timna Park in southern Israel, a life-sized replica of the Biblical Tabernacle has been constructed. While no original materials (e.g., gold, silver, bronze) have been used, the model is accurate in every other detail based upon the Biblical description. The Ark of the Covenant is the only object in the Holy of Holies; the sacred Ark contained the two tablets with the Ten Commandments, the rod of Aaron that blossomed and the pot of manna. The Ark was covered by the "Mercy Seat" on which the high priest sprinkled the blood of a goat seven times on the Day of Atonement. Two Cherubim also covered the Mercy Seat with their wings. Today's reading tells us of "the anointed cherub" (cherub is singular/cherubim is plural), whom God cast out (Ezekiel 28:14-16).
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Ezekiel 28:14-15
You were the anointed cherub who covers;
I established you;
You were on the holy mountain of God;
You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones.
You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created,
Till iniquity was found in you.
Ezekiel 28 contains a description of the King of Tyre, which can only refer to Lucifer, one of the three archangels God had created. Ezekiel makes the case that Satan was the source of the person that this king had become. Read Isaiah 14:12-15 for another description of this being who had “become a horror” (28:19). A New Testament reading that tells believers in Jesus Christ about this being is Ephesians 6:11-12. The fortress city state of Tyre was totally destroyed and remains so to this very day. Over and over again the prophets of the Bible are shown to be 100% accurate. Jesus, in His humanity, overcame Satan by quoting the Scriptures (Matthew 4:1-11). We who believe in Jesus as our Saviour and Lord overcome in the same way (read Revelation 12: 7-11). Verse 11 tells us that “They [us] overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” Believers in Jesus, DO NOT FEAR! Jesus said, “I give you authority…over ALL the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you!!!” (Luke 10:17-20).
Ezekiel 29 predicts a defeat of Egypt by Nebuchadnezzar. The destruction of Tyre by Alexander the Great 200 years later was not just a defeat, it was the obliteration forever of the city state.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
I thank You, Lord God, that You want to save people, and You have saved me from eternal destruction. Jesus, Your eternal Son, took on Himself the destruction I deserved. I pray that I will always be mindful of the fact that the “Gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23), in whose Name I pray. Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
To be a bold witness for Jesus is my daily goal. Often I have reminded myself of the standing orders of our supreme Commander in Chief who said, just before His ascension into Heaven, “All authority has been given to Me in Heaven and on earth!” (Matthew 28:18). Now that’s what I call “Authority”!!! He exercises ALL authority; it is His right to command and my sole responsibility to obey. He gave us a clear command…a direct order: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20). There have been times in my life when I knew I should immediately obey by personally making disciples (learners of Christ), but I’ve delayed and lost the opportunity. In recent times, I’ve joined Jesus in declaring war on procrastination. “Now!!!” is the accepted time, behold Now!!! is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2b – exclamation points mine!).
Yours for complete victory over all the works of the devil, and for a wise, bold, and immediate sharing of Jesus consistently,
David
P.S. My son, Rev. Ron Mainse, has, over the years, done TV segments called, “Stay in Touch.” These can be accessed here. For today, I’m asking him to make one of these teachings called, “The Devil Made Me Do It” a part of today’s blog (click here). Ron points out that we can’t blame everything bad that happens on the devil.
Good morning David. Thank you for your words today and excellent message by Ron. Thoughts and feelings are fleeting and human and temptation is common among all of us. As Saint Paul states in 1Corinthians10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so you can endure it.” We govern our thoughts and choices. The Holy Spirit gives us the power to refocus, and not dwell on that which we know is mindless. Praise our Lord and enjoy this day!
I have known a force of evil in my life that led me to do unspeakable things that hurt many; and myself.
Jesus gave me the power to change…each day is a victory of love and power. I pray for a time of reconciliation with those I have hurt.
You are not alone George. We all have sinned and still do to a lesser and greater degree. Just always remember, God loves you immensely and wants you to confess your sins to Him. If you ask our Lord for reconnciliaton with those you feel you have hurt, it will happen sooner or later. Don’t beat yourself up and move on with your precious life to serve our heavenly Father.
Joel Osteen is on YouTube and is a wonderful voice of encouragement to those of us who feel isolated and helpless. I would suggest looking his videos up as he serves our Father in entertaining and wise ways. May God be with you always.
Acknowledging sin (instead of denying it) is an awareness which happens when seeking truth, and is impossible without love. All sin is hurtful to others and self. We may never be given the opportunity to right our actions with those we offended, but we have the opportunity to be forgiven and extend our forgiveness to others. As Paul wrote in Philippians 3:13,14 “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Blessings to you brother, and may our Lord strengthen and uphold you in your walk. Amen.
AMEN to that. Bless you George.
Coudn’t access anything from Ron’s blog. Could you tell me what to click on. Thanks. Also I couldn’t access the panel discussion with the Muslim turned Christian a while back. Thanks.
Praise God that we overcame him the devil by the blood of the Lamb (Jesus ) and the word of our testemony .Thank you David Mainse and Ron Maines for being faithful to put this blog on every morning God Bless You and All your families in Jesus name Amen 🙂 🙂 🙂
It’s amazing to see how God brings down those who put themselves on a pedestal. Mr. Putin comes to mind. I pray I will always remain humble at all times and treat everyone as my equal in God’s eyes.
Thank you Rev. Mainse et al for this daily study.
amen
Pride comes before a fall!! Too often we get lofty and need to be humbled. Thanks be to God that HE forgives through the blood of Jesus.
Thanks for the link to Ron it was most enlightening.
We serve an amazing God who is always ready to forgive as we humble ourselves in repentance. PTL