“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17).

In January 2020 the American Bible Society and the Barna Group conducted a survey related to Bible reading. According to their survey, only 9% of the respondents read their Bible on a daily basis. Also, only 24% of their respondents believe the Bible is the actual word of God and should be taken literally. Is it any wonder this country is in such a mess?

I understand that the world, unbelievers, cannot understand the Bible (1 Corinthians 2:14) unless it speaks to them about their need to be saved, but those who make up the Church are filled with the Holy Spirit. The world has no interest in the things of God, but every true Christian should have a desire in their heart to feed upon the precious Word of God … the Bible.

“But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14).

How can we call ourselves a believer and follower of Jesus Christ and have little to no interest in what He has to say? Also, according to the survey, 34% NEVER read the Bible. No wonder we are so gullible!

Satan is on overdrive in these last days, and his minions are working 24/7 to deceive mankind, especially the Church (1 Peter 5:8). Why? The sand is nearly gone from Satan’s hourglass. His time is about up, and we are asleep.

I vividly recall smelling my parents’ coffee they would have brewing on the stove each morning when I was a young fellow. My goodness, it smelled so good. Well, folks, the coffee is brewing, and it’s time to get up and get on with the day.

The seven churches of Revelation 2–3 can be seen in various parts of the world today, but right now I am reminded of the church at Ephesus. Jesus had this to say to this church:

“I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.

“Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

“Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent” (Revelation 2:2-5, emphasis mine).

The Church today has failed in the same respect that the church of Ephesus failed in the first century. Our lampstand has been removed because we have taken our eyes off Jesus. Oh, we may be doing all those nice works, but why are we doing them? We may know the Gospel, but are we sharing it? What do we believe? Why do we believe it? Who do we serve? Who or what do we think about on a daily basis? When did we last speak to our Savior, the one we supposedly follow? Do we even care about what He has to say?

If only 9% of true Christians read their Bibles daily, we’re in sad shape. Even if this number were doubled or tripled to 18% and 27% respectively, we really have a problem. We need to get in the Word!

Maybe we should ask ourselves, “Why should I read the Bible?” Now, I didn’t say, “why read the Bible,” but “why should I read the Bible?” Years ago, I asked myself that same question. I really wanted to know what is the most important reason for me to read the Bible? There are many good reasons to read the Bible, but there is one that stands out ahead of all the rest. The answer, of course, is right in our face and is so simple. Why don’t we let the apostle Paul answer this question, “Why should I read the Bible?”

“And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:1-2, emphasis mine).

The Corinthian church was the most immature group of Christians of that day. Paul really had his hands full. Because of their immaturity, he didn’t start out teaching advanced doctrines to them, so what did he do? He went back to the basics about our Savior. He showed them Jesus. He reintroduced them to the Savior. They had to take the 101 class over again because they certainly were not ready for advanced lessons.

This is where we all should be every time we open our Bible, regardless of our understanding of Scripture. We should seek to know our Lord. We should seek to look upon Him as Moses longed to. Our main goal is to know Him better and better as His Spirit guides us through the pages of His Word.

I am convinced that this is the path we should take, and these following verses confirm it:

“And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself” (Luke 24:27, emphasis mine).

We know the New Testament portrays Jesus, but He is also throughout ALL of the Bible, Old and New Testaments.

“Then He said to them, ‘These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me‘” (Luke 24:44, emphasis mine).

The Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms cover the entire Old Testament. It is hard to find anywhere in the entire Bible that does not picture Jesus.

“You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me” (John 5:39).

Again, the New Testament wasn’t written at that time, so Jesus is referring to the Old Testament specifically. However, being omniscient, He knows the remainder of the Bible, the New Testament, will do the same.

“For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?” (John 5:46-47).

And again, so many don’t realize that Jesus is pictured throughout the Old Testament. Just a few examples: Joshua, Joseph and Boaz, and also the feasts, the tabernacle and the offerings. These six examples are just a drop in the proverbial bucket. All of God’s Word … the Bible … is about Jesus.

“If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him” (John 14:7).

I included this last verse for a different reason. Do you really want to know God? I am referring to God the Father. Would you like to know what He is like? Well … Jesus makes it so clear. If we know Him (Jesus), we know the Father. So, doesn’t that make it even more a necessity to read the Bible?

So many immature Corinthian-type Christians today brag about their love for Jesus, but they don’t read their Bible. They live on emotions instead of the Word of life. How can that be?

And then there are those who read their Bible but treat others as second-class citizens. Don’t think so? Ask any restaurant server. They obviously are not reading the Bible with any intention of knowing Jesus. These people need a good dose of 1 Corinthians, chapter 13.

Whether we read our Bible to seek salvation, guide others to salvation, learn how to live as a Christian should, avoid sinfulness in our lives, learn how to raise a family, search prophecy, or anything else … getting to know our Bridegroom Jesus should be our most important and ongoing goal. (By the way, Jesus is core to all of these.)

The bottom line, though, is … first we must take up the Sword. From there, we grow more intimate with Jesus and do as He did. When Satan tempted Jesus, what did Jesus do? He quoted Scripture. The same can be said for Paul and Peter. Their Sword was the Word of God … the Bible. Don’t be one of the 91% who doesn’t take up your Sword on a daily basis. Without it, we are weak and immature. Also, don’t abuse it. Use it as the Holy Spirit leads us.

Grant Phillips

Email: Phillip5769@twc.com

Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com

Rapture Ready: https://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html

Many Christians, and many who are not Christians, are quite concerned about what awaits us this coming year of 2021. 2020 has not been pleasant, and with all things considered, 2021 could be even worse. I say “could” be because maybe our attitude is a determining factor. In other words, as a Christian, are we depending on man or God? Paul said it well.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

I would like to quote Dr. J. Vernon McGee with reference to a Scripture passage in Daniel [Dr. J. Vernon McGee, Thru The Bible Commentary Series, The Prophets, Daniel, Pages 73-74]. God, in chapter four of Daniel, is warning Nebuchadnezzar in a dream that he is going to be judged for his pride if he doesn’t repent and trust in the one true God. Keep in mind that Dr. McGee went home to be with the Lord December 1^st, 1988 … 32 years ago! Much has changed since then. Here is what he had to say:

“This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men” (Daniel 4:17).

There are three things that we learn from Nebuchadnezzar’s dream:

• “The most High ruleth in the kingdom of men.” If you think that God has abdicated today and has withdrawn from this universe, you are wrong. The universe has not gotten loose from Him. Emerson was wrong when he said, “Things are in the saddle, and they ride mankind.” There happens to be Somebody else in the saddle, and He is in control on this earth. “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion” (Ps. 2:4-5).

God says He is going on with His purpose in the world. He is permitting Satan to carry out a nefarious plot for a very definite reason: God is demonstrating something to His created intelligences today. There are a lot of silly things being said about Satan which are entirely unscriptural.

Nations rise and fall to teach men that God rules and overrules the kingdoms of this world. If you think our nation happens to be His special little pet, you are entirely wrong. I believe we have already been put on the auction block: we are already judged. The downward course which this nation is traveling is going to take us right to the judgment of God. He rules in the kingdom of men.

• He “giveth it to whomsoever he will.” You probably thought that the Democrats and the Republicans put men in power. They think they do, but God disposes of these kingdoms according to His will. That thought may cause someone’s chest to puff up, and he will say, “Well, I am occupying this office by the will of God.” A lot of kings in the past had the foolish notion that they were ruling in God’s place. Don’t believe a word of it – God puts them in power. Notice that Paul says in Romans 13:1, “…the powers that be are ordained of God.” Why in the world does God permit certain powers to rule on this earth?
• He “setteth up over it the basest of men.” This third statement should be humbling to both the Democrats and the Republicans – and to all of mankind. If you think we pick the best men, we don’t – all you need to do is to read human history to see this. My study of English history shows that our ancestors in the British Isles were some pretty bloody ancestors. They were terrible, and they had some rulers who were unspeakable! May I say to you, God “setteth up over it the basest of men,” and we get the kind of ruler that we deserve. People complain about our government, our Congress, and all that sort of thing. My friend, we put them in their offices; we voted for them.

God lets the basest of men come to power. That ought to be humbling to all of us – from Washington, D.C., on down. You will never hear of someone who is trying to curry the favor of our leaders speaking on this verse at a Presidential breakfast or upon any occasion in Washington! This verse is quite upsetting, is it not?

History will substantiate the truth of this statement. The head of gold, Nebuchadnezzar, was insane; yet he was a brilliant ruler who formed the first world kingdom. He had times when he was as mad as a mad-hatter and didn’t even know who he was. As we have mentioned before, many of the great world rulers have suffered problems similar to his. And the reason our forefathers did not establish the United States of America as a kingdom is because they believed that no man could be trusted to rule. God has been demonstrating this now over quite a length of time: He “setteth up over it the basest of men.” [end quote]

I don’t know any more than the next person what lies ahead in the coming year. That’s a privilege held only by our omniscient God. Depending upon who is sitting in the oval office, I can make an educated (or uneducated) guess, and maybe I’ll be correct to some point. I do know this … The Lord Jesus Christ is in absolute control, and He knows exactly what He is doing. I know He loves His sheep of which I am one. I also know there is nothing man can do to me that can separate me from Him (Psalm 23; Romans 8:35-39).

When I read Dr. McGee’s statement above, I was especially drawn to the third statement God made in Daniel 4:17; i.e., “and setteth up over it the basest of men.”

If God is allowing the two Democrats who ran for president and vice president to govern our nation beginning January 2021, God’s statement “and setteth up over it the basest of men” seems to be a perfect fit. I can’t imagine the destruction that will ensue once these two, and the gang, take over.

I am also jolted to the reality that God may be ready to reduce our national influence upon the world and allow the stage light to be re-directed toward the revived Roman empire and its coming world leader, the Antichrist. The Antichrist may be preparing for his grand entrance upon the world’s stage.

Now, all of this is supposition. Only God knows the “how and when” of future events. Interestingly though, He has made clear the signs He has provided us for the coming seven years of Tribulation. Its arrival may not be at the door, but it’s footsteps can be heard coming up the path. In other words, the storm isn’t here yet, but the clouds are definitely darkening.

Thankfully, the Lord has promised over and over that His Church (His bride) will not be here for that period in time. So whatever happens in this new year, let Jesus’ words live in your heart.

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me …Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:1, 27).

We don’t know the future, but we know Who holds the future.

Grant Phillips

Email: Phillip5769@twc.com

Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com

Rapture Ready: https://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html