Psalm 2 is the Psalm most quoted or alluded to in the New Testament (18 times!). Verses 1-3 could be a picture of the world we live in today!
1 WHY DO the nations assemble with commotion [uproar and confusion of voices], and why do the people imagine (meditate upon and devise) an empty scheme? 2 The kings of the earth take their places; the rulers take counsel together against the LORD and His Anointed One (the Messiah, the Christ). They say, 3 Let us break Their bands [of restraint] asunder and cast Their cords [of control] from us.
The world (those who have not received Jesus as Lord and personal Saviour) want NO restraint! They are trying, on every side, to throw off all restrictions on their ungodly and perverted life styles! The Word of God says that this will happen as the day approaches for Jesus to return for the Church! What is God's answer to those who desire such things and do such things? Verse 4-6:
4 He Who sits in the heavens LAUGHS; the LORD has them in derision [and in supreme contempt He mocks them]. 5 He speaks to them in His deep anger and troubles (terrifies and confounds) them in His displeasure and fury, saying. 6 Yet have I anointed (installed and placed) My King (firmly) on My holy hill of Zion.
God's plan has been in motion since the moment of creation! Verses 10-12 is ample warning for the "kings of the earth".
10 Now therefore, O you kings, act wisely; be instructed and warned, O you rulers of the earth. 11 Serve the LORD with reverent awe and worshipful fear; rejoice and be in high spirits with trembling [lest you displease Him]. 12 Kiss the Son [pay homage to Him in purity], lest He be angry and you perish in the way, for soon shall His wrath be kindled. O blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) are those who seek refuge and put their trust in Him!
That's ME! I hope it's YOU, too! In Matthew 2 we see the wise men from the East coming to find the One born King of the Jews! "Wise men" is the Greek word "magos", which means: wise men, teachers, priests, seers, Oriental scientists. These were very learned men who understood astronomy. They studied the stars right along with the Word of God! They knew that prophecy showed that a Child was to be born Who would be King of the Jews! They followed the phenomenon that God had placed in skies for such a time as this! If you have never watched the documentary "The Star Of Bethlehem" I highly recommend it! You will NEVER be the same after you watch what SCIENCE has proven about the "star"! Hallelujah! Here is a trailer with excerpts from the program:
Also worth noting is that at the time that these wise men came from the East, Joseph, Mary and Jesus were living in a house and Jesus was now a young child, NOT a baby in a cradle! He may have been as old as 2! All of these riches would have financed the family's move to Egypt when they had to leave everything behind and leave to protect Jesus from Herod's killing spree! God is SO good! he has EVERYTHING under control WHEN we get involved in HIS plan! Find it out! You'll be so blessed!
1 Kings 7-8 give the details for the building of the Temple that Solomon carried out! What a beautiful sight it must have been for those coming into Jerusalem! Here are two pictures that depict the Temple. One is of a model of the Temple that we saw in Jerusalem and the other is a painting of what it may have looked like:
This is a model of the Temple.
This is a painting. Impressive isn't it?
NOW we have the Holy of Holies INSIDE of us! Thank YOU, Jesus! AMEN!
Shalom in Him!
