Holy Week*

Today is Palm Sunday, which marks the beginning of what the Church has called "Holy Week". In Church history, this week was previously called "Great Week" because of all the Lord accomplished during this last week before His death and resurrection. The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the foundational truth of the Christian faith. This year, Passover also occurs during this week, and Passover played a defining role in these important events in this week of Jesus' life. John the Baptist identified Jesus as "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world". As that Lamb, Jesus died on Passover, and like the lamb thousands of years previously, whose blood was applied to the doorposts and lintels of the homes of the Israelites to save them from the plague of death, the blood of Jesus delivered us from death. The great events that would occur during this last week before Christ's crucifixion had been prophesied by God generations before, and became fulfilled. Prophecies given in the scriptures, and their miraculous later fulfillment, make the Bible different from every other book. It is through these prophecies and their fulfillment, and the undeniable and unchangeable proven truth of scripture, that God seeks a relationship with man, rather than a religion. Jesus continually spoke about this personal relationship with the Father, who loved us so much that He sent and gave His Son for us, to save us. During the last week before His crucifixion, the Passover was drawing near, and Jesus and His disciples traveled towards Jerusalem. Before entering Jerusalem, Jesus and His disciples stopped near the Mount of Olives in the town of Bethany. An event happened in Bethany that would be a prophetic preparation for His coming death: "Then Jesus six days before the Passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. There they made him a supper and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. Then took Mary a pound of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Isariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always." (Jn. 12:1-6). The account in the Gospel of John also tells us that many Jews believed on Jesus and came to see both Him and Lazarus, because they were witnesses to the fact that Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead. The chief priests even plotted to kill Lazarus because he was the reason many believed in Jesus (see v. 9-11). A few days later (see Mt. 26:2), still in Bethny, Jesus dined at Simon the leper's home. This was the father of Judas, as mentioned previously. Simon must have been healed of his leprosy by Jesus, or he would not have been able to have guests at his house for a dinner: "there came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat." (Mt. 26:6-7). This time, Jesus' head was anointed. Again, His disciples complained of the "waste" of such a precious ointment that could have been sold instead for the poor. Jesus corrected them saying that this woman "hath wrought a good work upon me." (v. 8-10). [Note: Scripture also tells us that Jesus corrected Simon for his condemnation of this woman who had anointed Jesus in this manner. Simon had not even given Jesus water with which to wash His feet, as was customary when a guest entered a home, yet this woman, of whom Simon disapproved, anointed Jesus with precious ointment. (see Lk. 7:44-48)]. It is then recorded that Judas Iscariot went to the chief priests and covenanted with them to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, and from then on looked for an opportunity to betray Jesus (v. 14-16). After Jesus' death, Judas was sorry for the innocent blood that was shed and sought to return the silver to the priests, but they refused to deal with him. He threw the silver he had previously received from them onto the table before them, and went and hung himself (Mt. 27:3-10). That silver was then used by the priests to buy "potter's field" as a place to bury the poor. This was prophesied in Zech. 11:12-13: "And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price...so they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter...And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD." While at Bethany, before Jesus was to enter Jerusalem, He gave His disciples an instruction that would be another fulfillment of prophecy. He instructed His disciples to enter into the next town where they would find "...an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them and bring them unto me. And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightaway he will send them. All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy king cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt, the foal of an ass." (Mt. 21:1-5, Zech 9:9). As Jesus rode into the city of Jerusalem "...a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest." (v. 8-9). They were welcoming the kingdom of their father David (see Mk. 11:10). There were those in Jerusalem who asked who this Man was that was riding into the city, and the others answered, "This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee." Jesus had indeed prophesied that His disciples would find an ass and its colt available in the nexrt town. Many in Israel, when Messiah came, expected Him to throw out the occupying Romans, the oppressors of the people. However, they overlooked the redemptive purpose connected to the promised Messiah. As Isaiah prophesied, the Messiah would come to die for the sins of others, and for their healing. After Jesus entered Jerusalem, He went directly into the temple of God, "and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, and said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves." (Mt. 21:12-13). In a similar account of the same event in Luke 19:28-40, the Pharisees told Jesus to rebuke the crowd who was shouting, "Blessed be the king that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest." Jesus answered the Pharisees saying, "I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out." An event ordained and appointed by God according to His prophetic Word, will be fulfilled, and there will be a witness to proclaim it. The Shroud of Turin is an example of a witness which testifies to the ordained and fulfilled suffering, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. As we continue to read in Luke, Jesus beheld the city, Jerusalem, and He wept over it, saying, "If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes." (v. 41-42). He prophesied over the city that their enemies would attack and besiege them, surround them, and utterly destroy them, "...because thou knowest not the time of thy visitation." (v. 43-44). Does the Church know the time of the coming visitation of Christ, or will it remain unaware, ignoring all of the signs as Jerusalem did? There is another prophecy from Zechariah, not yet fulfilled, which says that the LORD will destroy the nations that come against Jerusalem. The world is already persecuting those who hold the Word of God to be true, and that the Spirit of God would be poured out upon the house of David, and Jerusalem, and they would look upon "me whom they have pierced", and they shall mourn for Him (Zech. 12:9-11). Isaiah tells the people of God "Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put n thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city...So shall he sprinkle (Nazah - startle, sprinkle, the blood of expiation) many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.", and Isaiah also asked the question, "Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?" (Isa. 52:1, 15, 53:1). On the morning of resurrection, such a powerful event happened that the stone was hurled away from the opening of the tomb of Jesus, and the Roman guards who had been assigned to guard the tomb had passed out. All tht was left inside the tomb was an empty burial cloth, which, when John entered the tomb and saw it, caused him to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead. These are the events of "Holy Week" that changed the world. *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 4/2/23 message to the church. To contact us, submit a prayer request, give a praise report, or to support this ministry: P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX, 76705 OR Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, theshroudofturin.org, and END TIME SCHOOL, also on Facebook. You can also get a free ebook titled "The Shroud of Turin- A Perfect Summary" at www.TheShroudofTurin.org/freebook.

Palm Sunday - A Last Days Perspective*

Palm Sunday is not just a past event that happened in Jerusalem, or a church event when you receive a palm branch. It is an Old Testament prophetic event that was foretold by the Prophet Zechariah, a past New Testament event fulfilled by Jesus in His entrance into Jerusalem before His crucifixion on Passover, a current event, as it affects our hearts and our salvation today, and it is an event that has a meaning in the last days, as we will see. This is the prophecy of Zechariah: "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass." (Zech. 9:9). We will see that this prophecy was fulfilled exactly as Jesus came into Jerusalem. However, before this event, Jesus had something to teach about the salvation that He was bringing. Someone asked Him, "Lord, are there few that be saved?" Jewsus answered that many will seek to enter in, but will not be able. He also said, "Strive to enter in at the strait gate (one of the eight gates into the city of Jerusalem, also known as the Mercy Gate, the Golden Gate, the Beautiful Gate, and the easternmost gate)." The Greek word for "strait" is stenos/histemi, meaning "narrowed from obstacles/to stand, to be kept intact, to escape in safety, to cause a person to keep his place". Jesus warned that once the master closes this door of entrance, anyone seeking to come in afterwards will be told "I know you not whence you are." (Lk. 13:22-25). Even if they claim to have eaten with Him, and heard His teaching, if they have not come through that strait gate, the only way of mercy and salvation, they will not be able to enter in, but are thrust out. "And behold, there are last which shall be first, and first which shall be last." (v. 26-30). Jesus added that every prophet perished in Jerusalem. Jerusalem, which should have known their God, stoned the prophets that were sent to them. Jesus, who knew He also would face His death in Jerusalem, said, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not? Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord." (v. 33-35). Jerusalem, the city of the temple of God, refused the protection of the Savior. Before entering Jerusalem, Jesus stopped at Bethphage, and instructed His disciples to enter into the village, and they would find an ass and colt tied. They were to tell the owner that the master had need of them, and the owner would send them immediately. All of this was done to fulfill what the prophet Zechariah prophesied above. Garments and branches were spread on the road, and multitudes went before and behind Jesus crying, "...Hosanna to the Son od David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest." (Mt. 21:1-9). Although this is a prophetically identifying cry, the question was asked, "Who is this?" The answer was given, "Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee." (v. 11). Immediately after His entrance into Jerusalem, Jesus threw out with authority those buying and selling in the temple, and cleansed it. What are we allowing to be bought and sold in our living temple? He healed the blind and the lame there in the temple also. Do we believe in the Miracle Worker who comes in the name of the Lord? Children again cried out in the temple of Jerusalem, saying, "Hosanna to the Son of David." (v. 15). When the chief priests and scribes saw and heard these things that identified the Messiah, "...they were sore displeased," and Jesus reminded them of the identifying scripture that prophesied, "Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise." (v. 16). How many signs of the timing of the Lord prophesied in scripture are Christians ignoring - feast days, lunar cycles - that testify of Christ and His return? Babes in Christ are re-discovering these things and accepting their prophetic truth, and rejoicing in them, more so than long-established Christians. After Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, multitudes followed Him, meeting Him with palm branches, and crying out as He entered Jerusalem, "Hosanna: Blessed is the king of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord." However, the knowledgeable Pharisees, knowing what these cries and palms meant, became fearful, saying, "...behold, the world is gone after him." (Jn. 12:9-19). Not only would they seek an opportunity to kill Jesus, but also Lazarus, whom He raised. About these Pharisees, Jesus said, "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not." (Mt. 23:1-3). They sit in seats of religious authority, Jesus said. They know the scriptures. They understand the prophecies that have been given by God, but they themselves do not do them. Instead, they lay heavy religious burdens upon the people. They put on religious displays in clothing and custom, and love the places of honor given to them. They love being addressed as "Rabbi", while rejecting the only true Teacher and Master, which is Christ (v. 4-10). Jesus said that these practices of the scribes and Pharisees did not reflect the kingdom of God where "...he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted." (v. 11-12). Jesus further said that woe would come to the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy and pretence. He said that they make victims of the weak, and teach others to become children of hell and damnation, rather than children of God. (v. 13-15). Jesus called them "blind guides" (v. 24). They look clean on the outside, but inside, they are full of extortion, excess, and uncleanness (v. 25-28). He concluded speaking to them, saying, "Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?" (v. 33). How terrible it is if what we are showing and teaching to others, like the scribes and Pharisees, is causing them to miss God, rather than to find Him! Are we hearing and understanding in our walk what the shouts of "Hosanna: Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!", really mean? The Prophet Hosea wrote the Word of the Lord concerning God's people, and the end times: "For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim: Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days." (Hos. 3:4-5). While Jesus did not declare Himself an earthly king, the prophetic cries of Palm Sunday, and His entrance, declare His Kingship. This was yet another stumbling block for those like the scribes, chief priests, and Pharisees who were very familiar with the Kingship of the Messiah. It can also be a stumbling block for believers today. Who have we made kings in our lives? Have we made politicians, and government our kings? Many believers have followed after politicians making certain promises as one would follow a king. There is only one King, Jesus, the Son of David, the Son of God. We see again the attitude of the religious experts as Jesus was examined before Pontius Pilate. Jesus was accused before Pilate by the Jewish leaders of calling Himself the Son of God. This caused Pilate more fear, and he questioned Jesus again. Hearing His answer, Pilate sought to release Jesus, but again the Jewish religious leaders falsely said to Pilate, who had been appointed by the Roman Emperor, that Jesus had made Himself a king in opposition to Cesar. This was taking place as Passover approached. Pilate presented Jesus to the religious leaders saying, "Behold, your king...Shall I crucify your king?" But they cried out, "Away with Him, away with Him, crucify Him." The chief priests answered, "We have no king but Cesar." And so Jesus was delivered to be crucified. (Jn. 19:7-16). Like those religious leaders, many, including those in the church, desire a king who will give them what they want. Many political leaders come to the church to use it for political and monetary gain. As we read in Jesus' warning earlier, there will come a point in time when the master of the house will shut the door, even as God shut the door to Noah's ark, and many will knock then, but will receive the answer, "I don't know you." We only have so much time to bring the lost into the ark before the door is shut. What is Palm Sunday declaring to you? *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 4/10/2022 message to the church. To contact us, submit a prayer request, give a praise report, or to support this ministry: P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX, 76705 OR Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, and endtimeschool.com.

Palm Snday 2020*



 

All four Gospels give an account of the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem (Mt. 21, Mk. 11, Lk. 19, Jn. 12), which we call Palm Sunday, because the great multitudes spread palms on the road, and waved palms in the air in welcome and praise Him. The words the crowd cried out fulfilled prophecy (Ps. 118:25-26). The colt miraculously supplied that Jesus rode into Jerusalem was a fulfillment of prophecy (Zech. 9:9).

There were other events that happened around the time that Jesus entered into the city for Passover. He went into the temple, and began clearing out the merchandizing which had taken over the house of God, saying:

"It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer (of all nations), but ye have made it a den of thieves".  Mt. 21:12-13 (Mk. 11:17) (see also Isa. 56:7, Jer. 7:11).

The people were astonished, but His zealous action of cleansing the temple was resented and His authority was called into question by the religious leaders of the city. They began to plot against Jesus because the people were listening to Him (Mk. 11:18, 27-28). At His first coming, Jesus judged and punished the merchandizing and corruption of the temple, the house of God. This is a prophetic warning to us, the Church, to cleanse ourselves in preparation for His arrival again. The Church has become defiled, and we as individuals have become defiled by the buying and selling of religion.

Also during that time, Jesus sought fruit from a fig tree, although it was not yet the season for fruit. Finding no fruit, He curses the fig tree, saying to it, "Let no one eat fruit from you ever again." The fig tree withered from its roots. (Mk. 11:13-14, 20-21). At His first coming, Jesus expected fruit without excuse. This is a warning to us that He will expect us to have produced fruit in our lives when He comes again.

After this eventful entrance into Jerusalem, His disciples asked Jesus, "What shall be the sign of thy coming? (Mt. 24). They were asking about the signs accompanying His return, and the end of the age. After describing the signs to watch for, many of which we are already seeing today, Jesus begins to describe His return with a wedding parable (Mt. 25:1-13). In this parable of the ten virgins who were to be at the marriage, Jesus describes the different outcomes awaiting the five who were wise and prepared for the bridegroom's coming, and the five who were foolish and unprepared. The five wise virgins, who were prepared with trimmed lamps and extra oil when the sudden cry went out of the bridegroom's arrival at midnight, went with him to the marriage. The door was shut after them. When the five foolish virgins arrived late because they had been unprepared, they were not allowed in, and the bridegroom/Lord told them, "Verily I say unto you, I know you not."

At the end of the parable, Jesus exhorts us, "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh." We do, however, know the times and the seasons. We know the signs as written in scripture. We are not meant to be unaware or unprepared for the sudden moment of His return. The Apostle Paul wrote to the church:

"But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night." 

                                                                                               1 Thess. 5:1-13

Paul made it  point to teach the churches the signs to watch for regarding the return of Jesus, because he wanted them to be prepared. Though the world may think that peace has been established, the day of the Lord comes with sudden destruction. We are not to be overtaken as if this moment is unexpected, like a thief's ambush. "For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that...we should live together with him."

Paul goes on to say that the work of those who are our spiritual leaders is to teach us these things and to admonish us in preparation. We are to value and esteem those teachers who faithfully prepare us.

Peter also wrote to the church who profess the belief in Jesus, that they should stir up their pure minds in remembrance of what the prophets have written and what the apostles have taught concerning the last days, and the signs of the return of Christ (2 Pet. 3:1-14). He wrote:

"Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless."

Revelation also speaks about the bride who has made herself ready to enter the marriage  of the Lamb, arrayed in fine linen, clean and white, which is the righteousness of saints (Rev. 19:7-9).

As the signs reveal to us the approach of the time of Christ's return, we are to take the prophetic lesson from His entry into Jerusalem, and we are to be prepared for His sudden appearance at any moment. There will be no time to prepare when the moment comes.

Jewish customs concerning preparation for marriage is a parallel to the preparations to be made by the bride of Christ, and Jesus, her Bridegroom. A previous message concerning these marriage customs titled, "Preparing for the Marriage of the Lamb" has been posted to the right of this entry as the "featured post" for your convenience. There is also a link here. Please read it for additional information concerning this subject.
Be watching also for a special live broadcast this week from Dr. Stevenson on the Shroud of Turin.
 





*The above is based upon the 4/5/20 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson. 
To Contact/Submit prayer requests/Support the ministry/Order the book, "NAZAH-White Linen and the Blood of Sprinkling", and to help us get out the message, to contribute to the Book of Remembrance for Sean Stevenson:

Dr. Kenneth Stevenson
P.O. Box 154221
Waco, TX  76705

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

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To watch/hear Dr. Stevenson's complete message:

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Sermon.net/EverlastingCovenant
 

Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.

 

Dr. Stevenson's newest book is now available:
  

To order "NAZAH": https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8     http://endtimeschool.com/ 

To send testimonies for the Book of Remembrance to be published in the memory of Sean Stevenson:
 

You can send your testimonies to:

everlastingcovenant@ymail.com or PO Box 154221, Waco, TX  76705.

 



Sean Stevenson

Palm Sunday 2019*

 

We are familiar with the events of Palm Sunday, when Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a small donkey, as the crowds, laying their garments on the ground upon which for Him to ride, waved palm branches. The crowds were shouting in triumphant welcome to the one whom they believed had come to rule and deliver them as a king. They shouted:

"...Hosanna: Blessed is the king of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord...Hosanna to the Son of David: blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest...Blessed be the kingdom of our father, David, that cometh in the name of the Lord..."  Jn. 12:13, Mt. 21:9, Mk. 11:10

Both Jesus' riding on a donkey, and the shouts that greeted Him, were fulfillment of prophecy that day. There was much about the events of those days that followed Christ's entry into Jerusalem that fulfilled prophecy, and also prophesies to us regarding the times in which we are living now. 

All Jerusalem was in an uproar over Jesus. People were asking, "Who is this?" (Mt. 21:10). The religious leadership of the day were afraid and annoyed at this spectacle, and the cries of the children and others who hailed Jesus. They told Jesus to command them to stop this shouting. The leaders sought a way to destroy Him, because they feared His influence over the people (Mk. 11:18). Before Jesus had even entered Jerusalem, He had performed the miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead. The leadership began even then to fear Him. They said among themselves in outrage, "...behold, the world is gone after him." (Jn. 12:19).

Doesn't this also prophesy to us today of how many refuse to see the glory of God, even in miracles and evidence done before their eyes?

There were those in leadership who stayed quiet although they believed that Jesus came to deliver them, because they feared being thrown out of the synagogue for their belief. They feared men more than they believed God. They sought the approval of men, more than the deliverance of God:

"Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue. For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God."   Jn. 12:42-43

Wasn't this prophetic at the time of the same condition that exists today in many of the leadership of the Church? Fear to speak the truth. Fear to bring the Word of deliverance. Fear to declare the remedy for sin, because they will not call sin, sin. The leaders of the Church prefer the praise and acceptance of men, rather than bringing the Word of salvation to those who are perishing.

As Jesus entered the temple in Jerusalem, He first looked around it upon all things (Mk. 11:11). When He returned the next day, He overturned the tables of the money changers, and cast out those who bought and sold. Jesus expressed His outrage, which also fulfilled prophecy, saying:

"Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves."   Mk. 11:17 (Isa. 56:7, Jer. 7:11)

Is Jesus not prophesying the very condition of much of the Church today? The success of a church to many in leadership is not measured by the number of anointed prayers going up, nor by the effort to spread the Gospel, but rather by the number of people in the seats.

After Jesus had examined the temple that first day, He came upon a fig tree and sought its fruit, even though it was not the season for bearing fruit. He cursed the fig tree and said that no man would eat fruit of it forever (Mk. 11:14). Returning the next day, His disciples noted that the same fig tree had withered from the roots. As the disciples brought this to His attention, Jesus told them that things spoken in faith in God would come to pass, including being forgiven as we forgive (v. 20-26). What is today's Church believing and speaking?

If Jesus examines His Church, will He find fruit upon it? Has the Church withered today because of lack of fruit? Upon seeing Jerusalem, Jesus wept over it. He saw its future destruction and the scattering of its inhabitants, which was later fulfilled in 70 AD. Their destruction came as a result of missing the visitation of their Deliverer (Lk. 19:41-44). After two thousand years, in this generation, Jerusalem has been restored, and its inhabitants brought back from all nations. Doesn't this speak to us as a sign of Jesus' soon return? What is the Church declaring about this sign, if anything?

There in the temple, Jesus did the work of the temple, which was not buying and selling. He healed the sick, and taught the truth of God daily (Mt. 21:14, Lk. 19:47). Though many saw the miracles at his hands, "yet they believed him not."  (Jn. 12:37). Because of their lack of faith, the prophecies of Isaiah came upon them that they should not be able to see or hear, nor understand in their hearts to be converted and healed (Jn. 12:39-40). If we prefer spiritual blindness when evidence is before our eyes, then deep spiritual blindness in fact will come upon us. The Apostle Paul also addressed this in Romans 1, regarding those who do not like to retain ("echo"-hold, own, possess, to lay hold of a thing, to adhere or cling to, to be closely joined to) God in their knowledge, so God gave them over to a reprobate mind (Rom. 1:28). Paul was speaking of those to whom God had manifested Himself, who had received the knowledge of God, but had not retained it. This also is the condition of our time, even among those who have known God.

The conditions of the temple and the religious leaders of that Palm Sunday two thousand years ago, have prophetic importance to the Church today. We should seriously heed the words of Jesus regarding them.

 

*The above is based upon the 4/14/19 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson.

 

To Contact/Submit prayer requests/Support the ministry/Order the book, "NAZAH":

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

http://endtimeschool.com/

To watch/hear Dr. Stevenson's complete message:

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

https://everlastingcovenant.sermon.net/main/main/21320220
 

Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.

 

Dr. Stevenson's newest book is now available:
  

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Palm Sunday and Prophecy

 

One of the wondrous qualities of scripture is the giving of the prophetic promise, and the subsequent miraculous fulfillment of it. Only the LORD can prophesy, for the testimony (martyria) of Jesus IS the Spirit of prophesy (Rev. 19:10), and only the LORD can fulfill prophecy.
The same holds true of the prophecies and fulfillment regarding the important events that occurred on what we call "Palm Sunday". Everything that occurred that day was prophesied many centuries before. Let us see the fulfillment unfold before our eyes:

"And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto Me. And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway, he will send them. All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet..."   Mt. 21:1-4 (fulfilling the prophecy below):

"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: He is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt, the foal of an ass."  Zech. 9:9 (Isa. 62:11)

"And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way."  Mt. 21:8 (2 Ki. 9:13, Lev. 23:40)

"And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna ("Save now") to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest."  Mt. 21:9 (fulfilling the prophecy below):

"This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Save now, I beseech Thee, O LORD, I beseech Thee, send now prosperity. Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD."  Ps. 118:24-26 (A Psalm of Passover)

"And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, and said to the, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves."  Mt. 21:12-13 (Fulfilling the prophecy below):

"Even them I will bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer...For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations."   Isa. 56:7

 

After this, Jesus healed the blind and the lame that were brought to Him in the temple that day. However, not everyone was pleased, not everyone was rejoicing that day, the day that Salvation entered into Jerusalem, and into the house of God. Even though the prophetic promises were well known, and even though these prophecies were fulfilled in their sight, in their hearts they thought otherwise:

And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying in the temple, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David, they were sore displeased..."   Mt. 21:!5

Jesus reminded them that even the cries of the children that were so displeasing to these men, were a fulfillment of prophecy:

"Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast Thou ordained strength..."  Ps. 8:2

As we can see, Christ's entry into Jerusalem that day fulfilled prophecy. His death a few days later, including the manner of His death, and His resurrection were also prophesied. Prophesies of His second coming, and the establishing of His millennial kingdom reign here on earth are also recorded in scripture, and we are living in the days when we could very well see their fulfillment. This makes our understanding of the written prophecies very important. We will discuss much more next week, but the following are some of the prophecies that were either fulfilled by the death and resurrection of Jesus, or pertain to His soon return:
"In that day, there shall be a fountain (spring of life, flow of blood) opened (let loose, to free, to open oneself) to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness."  Zech. 13:1
"As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant, I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water."  Zech. 9:11

After Jesus was crucified, the centurion opened a wound in His side with a spear, water and blood flowed out fulfilling this prophecy. Witnessing this and other things at the site, this soldier declared that this truly was the Son of God (Mt. 27:54). As prophesied above, Jesus' blood is the only provision to wash sin away, and make us clean. The blood of His covenant freed the captives of Sheol, as He descended to them after His death (1 Pet. 3:18-19, 4:6 , Ps. 68:18). It also frees us from the pit that would have been our destination without His blood.
"And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends".  Zech. 13:6
"And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace, and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him,, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn."  Zech. 12:10
Not only do these two verses from Zechariah prophesy about the nature of the Son's wounds, but the people shall see the evidence of them, after the fact. There is physical evidence that we all can see right now, which we will discuss next week, that bears witness to His wounds, and there is a second coming at which His wounds will be evident, even as they were evident to His disciples after His resurrection (Jn. 20:20, 25-27). His wounds bear witness to exactly who He is.
"Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD. And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be My people, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hast sent Me unto thee."   Zech. 2:10-11
While this prophecy reminds us of Jesus' joyous entrance into Jerusalem on "Palm Sunday" before the Passover, the scope of its promise to us goes beyond that event, and brings us the promise of His return. He doesn't just return but He will dwell with us here. Also many nations will be joined to Him at that time. This describes His millennial reign (Rev. 22:7, 12,  Isa. 62:11).
As we can see, every part of Jesus' life and ministry fulfilled, and will fulfill, all that has been prophesied regarding Him, including the events of Palm Sunday.
The prophecies and their sure fulfillment fill us with hope in God, and with the assurance that He will keep His Word. Search the scriptures for yourself, pray to accept Him, and enter into that hope, truth and assurance that the LORD has provided so miraculously for us.

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Jesus, I want to know You as my Lord, and as my Savior, who covers my sins, and cleanses my heart. Come into my heart, and also fill me with the Holy Spirit, who will lead me into all truth, and will teach me how to follow You. I believe that You are the Son of God, the Messiah, that You were crucified for me, and rose from the dead to give me everlasting life. I believe that You are coming again. I choose life! 
Lord Jesus, in Your name I believe, pray, and receive all of these things. Amen.