Gideon

Chapter 14

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ALAS, WE BE EMPTY TEMPLES

06-17-12

(Luke 21:1-4)  And he [Jesus] looked up, and saw the [many] rich men casting their gifts [Gk: sacrifices: offerings] into the treasury [of the temple]. And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites [two of the smallest coins available]. And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury [Gk: poverty: lack, want] hath cast in all the living that she had.

1.      Commentary: A person’s “gift” is esteemed by God, not by how much he gives, but by the amount of sacrifice involved in the giving. He judges our work and ministry for Him [i.e., our gifts], not by their size, success, or influence, but by the amount of sincere dedication, sacrifice, faith, and love involved.

(Luke 21:5,6)  And as some [of the multitude] spake of the temple, how it was adorned [Gk: decorated, garnished] with goodly stones and gifts, he said, As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down [Gk: demolished: destroyed, dissolved].

1.      (1 Cor 6:19)  What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

2.      Commentary: Why “thrown down” in the judgment? Because, like the temple they were looking at, the people were empty temples, beautifully garnished on the outside with worldly jewels and precious stones, but inwardly indwelt with predatory ravening wolves rather than the loving Holy Spirit of God.

(Luke 21:7-11)  And they asked him, saying, Master [Gk: teacher], but when shall these things be? and what sign [Gk: supernatural miracle, wonder] will there be when these things shall come to pass? And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines [Gk: scarcity of food: hunger], and pestilences [Gk: plagues, diseases]; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

1.      deceived = Gk: roam (from safety, truth, or virtue):--go astray, deceive, err, be seduced, wander, be out of the way /// delusion, error /// (by impl.) an impostor or misleader:--deceiver, seducing.

2.      (2 Th 2:8-12)  And then shall that Wicked be revealed [the great deceiver], whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his [second] coming: Even him, whose coming is after the [due to the] working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

(Luke 21:12-19)  But before all these [things come to pass], they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues [churches], and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake. And it shall turn to you for a testimony. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay [Gk: to refute or deny: say against] nor resist. And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. But there shall not an hair of your head perish. In your patience possess ye your souls.

1.      patience = Gk: cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy:--enduring, patience, patient continuance (waiting) /// to stay under (behind), i.e. remain; fig. to undergo, i.e. bear (trials), have fortitude, persevere:--abide, endure, (take) patient (-ly), suffer, tarry behind.

2.      (1 John 3:1-3)  Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure [Gk: innocent, perfect: pure].

a.      hope = Gk: (to anticipate, usually with pleasure); expectation or confidence:--faith, hope.