by Jamie Pantastico | Nov 27, 2023 | Daily Encouragement |
‘For thus says the Lord of hosts: “He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye. ‘
Zechariah 2:8
Zechariah 2:8 speaks of God’s protective love for His chosen people, the Jewish people. Let’s explore parallel passages in the apostle Paul’s writings that echo this theme for us today under the dispensation of grace:
1. Philippians 1:28–29
‘and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, ‘
Please take the time to read this verse carefully several times to grasp the significance of these words. Often, we read these without truly pondering their implications. The individuals being referred to here are those who oppose believers, individuals responsible for the persecution of believers. These persecutors have, in essence, hardened themselves against God, sealing their own eternal doom. This reality remains unchanging. Anyone who opposes the gospel or inflicts persecution upon believers, barring their own salvation, is heading towards eternal doom—that’s the essence of perdition. Paul is conveying that those who persecute believers and subject them to external pressures are ultimately destined for their own perdition, their self-inflicted doom.
Moreover, this persecution serves as evidence of our own salvation. When external pressures and opposition arise, it becomes a validating mark of our genuine faith. It’s a cautionary note that if everyone around us speaks only praise and has nothing critical to say, we should examine our faith. The unbelieving world, inherently in disagreement with our beliefs and values, should not readily complement us. Paul, in his message to the Philippians, emphasizes that when faced with pressures from the outside world, be it from Judaisers (legalists), Pagans, or Romans, it serves as evidence of both the persecutors’ perdition and the believers’ salvation.
2. Ephesians 1:4-5
‘just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,’
Just as God protects Israel, He has chosen and predestined grace-age believers in Christ. We are His adopted children, protected, cherished, and loved.
3. Romans 8:38–39
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
The apostle Paul emphasizes that nothing can separate us from God’s love. We are the “apple of His eye,” securely held in His protective embrace.
4. 1 Corinthians 3:16
‘Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?’
Believers are indwelled with God, the Holy Spirit. Much like the eye, which is precious and sensitive, God’s Spirit resides within us. Those who seek to harm us are essentially attempting to harm God Himself.
5. Galatians 4:6-7
‘And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore, you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.’
We are not just saved from hellfire; we are God’s children. His Spirit within us testifies to our identity as heirs of His promises.
In summary, these passages reinforce the truth that believers are sealed for eternity as God’s children, protected, and cherished by God. Just as Zechariah 2:8 speaks of the nation of Israel being the “apple of His eye,” Paul’s writings echo this divine affection and security for both Jews and Gentiles in this dispensation of grace. May this assurance strengthen your faith today. 🙏🏼✨
Recommended reading:
Chosen in Grace – Zechariah 2:8 “the Apple of His Eye”
by Jamie Pantastico | Nov 24, 2023 | Daily Encouragement |
It is the day after Thanksgiving, and again we are to reflect on the blessings that surround us, the blessings of abundance or the blessings of tribulation. The Bible encourages believers to maintain (that means every day) a spirit of gratitude, not just when everything is going well but in every season of life. Let’s dive into five uplifting passages that remind us to be thankful, whether in times of plenty or times of scarcity.
1. Philippians 4:6-7
“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.”
In times of uncertainty, we can find comfort in the power of prayer and a heart filled with thanksgiving. God’s peace, which is beyond our understanding, becomes our anchor in the storm.
2. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
“In everything, give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
No matter the circumstances, the will of God for us is to maintain a posture of gratitude. Each day becomes an opportunity to acknowledge His goodness and faithfulness.
3. Colossians 3:15
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.”
Allowing thankfulness to rule in our hearts brings about peace that surpasses the challenges we face. It’s a reminder of our calling to unity and gratitude within the body of Christ.
4. Psalm 107:1
“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”
Thanksgiving is not just a seasonal event but a continuous daily acknowledgment of God’s enduring mercy and goodness. Every day is an opportunity to give God thanks and praise!.
5. Ephesians 5:20
“giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
The call to give thanks always extends beyond “Thanksgiving” Day. Gratitude becomes a lifestyle, a continual daily recognition of God’s sovereignty and grace.
Be thankful in all circumstances.
by Jamie Pantastico | Nov 22, 2023 | Daily Encouragement |
In Romans chapter eleven, the apostle makes it so clear that God is not through with the Nation of Israel. We find a mystery or secret that was hidden in the mind of God until revealed to the apostle Paul in verse 11:25.
‘For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.’
Romans 11:25
Since the church fathers like Origen, Irenaeus, Constantine, and Augustine, most of Christendom has professed that God is finished with the nation of Israel. But the Bible says otherwise: He (Jesus Christ) is still going to return one day and fulfill all the promises He Himself made to the Jewish people (His chosen people).
Now here in Romans 11:25, there is a mystery (or secret) that was revealed to the apostle Paul, not Peter and the eleven; they knew nothing of this because it was hidden from them. As for the so-called church fathers they have no excuse (they had the full counsel of God, the Bible), they have twisted this passage, ignored all of the Old Testament covenants God made to the nation of Israel, or made God’s promises to Israel their own (i.e., they are now for Gentiles) because they could not and would not believe what God said (no faith), and completely twisted scripture (especially Paul’s epistles) in unbelief to their own destruction.
‘and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.’
II Peter 3:15-16
Now let’s take a look at this mystery that had not been revealed until 40 AD, when the ascended and glorified Lord Jesus revealed it to the apostle Paul.
Romans 11:25
“For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery (or secret, and this secret has been held in the mind of God until revealed to Paul) lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; (which a lot of Gentiles are today, they will not believe) that blindness in part (not forever, but they have been temporarily blinded as a nation for almost 2000 years) has happened to Israel until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.” Come into what? The body of Christ, which is His church, or the church, which is His body (Colossians 1:24; Ephesians 1:22-23) Then, at God’s appointed time, when the last Gentile is saved, the body of Christ, which is His church, will be caught up to meet the Lord in the clouds (1 Corinthians 15:51–52; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–17). After this (Acts 15:16) (the rapture of the church), God’s prophetic time clock will start once again to bring to fruition the final seven years of the 490 years prophesied by Daniel (Daniel 9:24).
The Mystery of Gentile Salvation
All of the Old Testament testifies that God would one day save Gentiles, with Israel being the instrument of Gentile salvation. Beginning with Genesis 12:1-3, the Abrahamic covenant, we find that through Abraham’s Seed, “all” the nations of the earth will be blessed.
The Old Testament timeline clearly indicated that Gentiles were on the mind of God, as made so clear in Isaiah 42:6, Isaiah 49:6, Isaiah 60:1-3, Zechariah 8:22–23, and other passages. Once Israel became the obedient nation, the “Kingdom of Priests” (Exodus 19:5–6), then Israel would evangelize the pagan Gentile world around them. But hidden in the mind of God was a secret: that He would go to the Gentiles without Israel (because of Israel’s disobedience) and because of and through Israel at the same time (through the Jewish people, we have the word of God, and through the Jewish people, we have the Savior of the world).
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING… God’s word is precise and perfect. This theme is so beautifully summed up in Romans chapter 11 and epitomized in Romans 11:32–33. Of which all were preordained by the Triune God before time began (Acts 2:23).
It’s crucial to understand that the Bible is a progressive revelation.
‘For God has committed them all (the nation of Israel) to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all (both Jews and Gentiles). Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!’
Romans 11:32-33
‘Him (Jesus Christ), being delivered by the determinate counsel (the Triune Godhead preordained, before creation, that God the Son would step out of the invisible Spirit and become flesh) and foreknowledge (again the Triune God knew before creation that Israel would be disobedient and would temporarily blind Israel Romans 11:25, and turn to the whole world with a message of salvation that is by grace through faith alone in the finished work of the cross apart from the Mosaic law and temple worship) of God, ye (ye, is speaking of the nation of Israel as a whole) have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:’
Acts 2:23
Because the nation of Israel as a whole rejected Christ (which God already knew they would do because of His foreknowledge), God displaced them from Jerusalem and dispersed them into the nations of the world, and now He has gone to the Gentiles with the Gospel of the Grace of God. A mystery, a secret, hidden in the mind of God, but now (around 40 AD) revealed to the apostle Paul.
Takeaway
Let us embrace this revealed mystery, recognizing that God’s faithfulness to Israel persists. And maintain a heart of gratitude as God, because of Israel and through Israel, has poured out His grace upon all mankind, both Jews and Gentiles.
As we navigate theological discussions, may we anchor our understanding and believe (faith) in the precise and perfect Scripture, appreciating the depth of God’s judgments and the unsearchable nature of His ways.
Recommended reading:
The Bible is a Progressive Revelation – ‘Scripture wasn’t Revealed All at Once to Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses or the Twelve Apostles’
by Jamie Pantastico | Nov 21, 2023 | Daily Encouragement |
Introduction
In times of loss, the pain in our hearts can seem insurmountable. Yet, as believers, we find comfort in the promises found only in the pages of God’s Word. Today, let’s look into the definitive assurance the apostle Paul imparts regarding the destiny of our loved ones who have passed on and the glorious hope that awaits us all.
Friends, before you read this post, please get out your Bible (if possible), locate the passages referenced, and read them several times. The power is in His word!
Immediate Presence with the Lord
Philippians 1:21-23 and 2 Corinthians 5:6-8
In our grief, it’s natural to yearn for the presence of our departed loved ones. The apostle Paul, who experienced the tension between life and eternity, shares a remarkable truth: when a believer departs from this earthly life, they are immediately in the presence of the Lord. The separation is not forever, but rather a temporary transition to a place of unimaginable joy. Our dear ones are not lost; they are found in the loving arms of Christ.
‘But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. ‘
Philippians 1:22-23
‘So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.’
II Corinthians 5:6-8
Encouragement
Take comfort, dear friend, in knowing that your loved ones, who walked in faith, now walk in the presence of the Savior. The absence from their earthly body means the fullness of being present with the Lord in soul and spirit. Death for the believer is not the end; they have entered a state far better than we can fathom, free from pain and this cursed world, and embraced by the everlasting love of the Lord.
Future Resurrection and Immortal Bodies
1 Corinthians 15:51–54 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17
The promise of a future reunion has the power to fill our grieving hearts with hope. Paul unveils a captivating mystery: when the trumpet sounds, the faithful departed will ascend first with glorified, immortal bodies. Then believers who are alive will be transformed in the twinkling of the eye into a new immortal body, and the anguish of separation will give way to the joy of everlasting life with the Lord Jesus in heaven. The sorrow of earthly farewells will be transfigured into the delight of an everlasting reunion.
‘Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”’
I Corinthians 15:51-54
‘For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. ‘
I Thessalonians 4:16-17
Encouragement
Hold onto the promise that, for believers, it is not an end but a temporary time between our earthly sojourn and God’s promise of everlasting life. The same God who conquered the grave guarantees that we will be reunited with our loved ones in His presence, where sorrow and tears are no more. At the trumpet’s call, the reunion will be swift, and the embrace will be everlasting. Our dear ones are not lost; they are only momentarily separated, waiting for the grand reunion.
Conclusion
Friends, find comfort in the words of Paul, who himself faced great trials and tribulations. The hope God’s word imparts rises above the sorrow of the moment. In our grief, let us cling to the promises of God: the immediate presence of our loved ones with the Lord and the future resurrection that awaits us all.
As you navigate the path of grief, remember that the God of all comfort holds you close (2 Corinthians 1:3). The promise of reunion is not just a distant hope; it is a certainty grounded in the unchanging character of our loving Father. May the assurance of these truths bring peace to your heart and a glimmer of light to the shadows of sorrow.
Recommended reading:
What Happens When We Die? Understanding Our Eternal Destination
by Jamie Pantastico | Nov 14, 2023 | Daily Encouragement |
Verse of the Day: Zechariah 2:8
For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.
In today’s devotional, we’ll delve into Zechariah 2:8 and explore how this Old Testament passage, directed to Israel, holds a far-reaching message for believers in the age of grace. While God’s covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were specific to the nation of Israel (and still are), we, as members of the body of Christ, can find encouragement and deeper understanding in this verse.
1. Chosen in Grace
In Zechariah 2:8, God speaks to His chosen people, Israel, addressing them as the “apple of His eye.” Consider the tenderness of this analogy. The Lord describes His people as the “apple of His eye,” highlighting their preciousness. Like the eye, which is delicate and vital, God’s chosen ones (Israel under covenants and the Church under grace) hold a special place in His heart. Harming them is akin to touching the very core of God’s heart.
As believers living in the age of grace, we must recognize that God’s love for His chosen people has not diminished. However, there is an essential distinction between Israel and the Church. While Israel has its unique and special place in God’s plan, grace-age believers are also chosen. Ephesians 1:4 tells us, “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.” We, too, are chosen by God, not based on lineage or ethnicity but by His grace. Amen!
2. The Church: The Body of Christ
God’s message to Israel in Zechariah 2:8 emphasizes their significance and protection under covenants (promises) God made to Israel, but in the age of grace, believers, as the Church, are part of the body of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 12:27, we read, “Now ye are the body of Christ and members in particular.” Just as Israel was set apart in the Old Testament, we (both Jews and Gentiles) are set apart as members of the Church (the body of Christ), connected to Christ as the head of the body.
3. Law vs. Grace
Zechariah 2:8 reflects the covenant promises made to Israel, beginning with the Abrahamic covenant in Genesis 12:3. However, we, as grace-age believers, are not under the same covenant. We are under the age of grace, that is, salvation is for both Jew and Gentile by grace through faith in the finished work of the cross alone, apart from the Mosaic law, temple worship, or any ritual or works (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Romans 3:21). This distinction between the law and grace is vital for us to understand, as it sets the foundation for our faith today.
4. The Unchanging Love of God
While the application of Zechariah 2:8 differs between Israel and the Church, one constant remains: the unchanging love of God. In both cases, God’s love for those who love Him endures. Romans 8:38–39 beautifully reaffirms this truth: “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
As we reflect on Zechariah 2:8, let us be encouraged by the fact that we, as believers in this age of grace, are also chosen by God by His grace. We are part of the body of Christ, recipients of His grace, and heirs to the promise of eternal life. Let us embrace this distinction between Israel and the Church, understanding our unique place in God’s plan, and may we continue to rest in the unchanging love of our heavenly Father.
