Psalm 136 is what is known as an "antiphonal" Psalm. That means that this Psalm was sung in parts; with the priests singing the first part and the people responding with the last part. The priests would declare something that the LORD had done, then the people would respond with "for His mercy endures forever." The word for "mercy" here is the Hebrew word, "checed", which means: loving-kindness, steadfast love, mercy, grace, faithfulness, goodness, devotion, favor. "Endures" was added by the translators to clarify "forever", which is the Hebrew word, "`olam", which means eternity. You can't get any more FOREVER than that! AMEN! My favorite is verse 1:
1 O GIVE thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever.
There is NO getting away from the greatness of our God, and who would WANT to?
John 13:1:
1 [NOW ]BEFORE the Passover feast began, Jesus knew (was fully aware) that the time had come for Him to leave this world and return to the Father. And as He had loved those who were His own in the world, He loved them to the last and to the highest degree.
Jesus KNEW and UNDERSTOOD exactly what was about to happen to Him! Even though He could have, at any time, stopped the whole thing (John 10:18; Matthew 26:53)! But He didn't, because of the joy that was set before Him (US), and because of His great love for us! Verse 1 says that He HAD loved His disciples and that He continued to love them to the "end". That is the Greek word, "telos", which means: the limit, that by which a thing is finished. It ALSO means: to the utmost degree! What does that mean? It means Jesus loves us LONG (forever) and BEST (better than any other)! That should greatly encourage you! If He loved them to that extant before they were even born again, how do you think He loves you? TO THE FULL! AMEN!
In Ezekiel 40-41 an angelic being gave Ezekiel a "guided tour" of the new Millennial Temple that would be built in the future! Here is a picture of what was described to Ezekiel:
Shalom in Him!
