Dr. John Reddy

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Second Coming of the LORD JESUS CHRIST

"The coming of the LORD"

The manifestation of Christ’s coming is His return to earth in power and great glory to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords. The Rapture will not be seen by the world; it takes place in a split second. But every eye will see Christ when He comes to reign. Therefore it is called the manifestation of His presence (parousia).

During the first half of the Tribulation, many false messiahs will appear who will succeed in deceiving multitudes. The current rise of many false cults may be a prelude to this, but it is not a fulfillment. These false religious leaders will be Jews claiming to be the Christ.

There will be wars and rumors of wars. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. It would be easy to think that we are seeing this fulfilled today, but what we see is mild compared to what will be. Actually the next event in God’s time schedule is the Rapture of the church. There is no prophesy to be fulfilled before then. After the church is removed, God’s prophetic clock will begin and these conditions will quickly manifest themselves. Famines, pestilences, and earthquakes will occur in various parts of earth. Even today world leaders are alarmed by the specter of famine due to the population explosion. But this will be accentuated by the shortages caused by wars.

Earthquakes are attracting increasing attention—not only those now occurring but also those that are expected. Once again, these are straws in the wind, and not the actual fulfillment of our Savior’s words.

Verse 8 clearly identifies this period as the beginning of sorrows—the onset of birth-pangs. Naturally, the birth-pangs will increase in intensity and also in frequency.

The Parable of the Fig Tree

Again our Lord draws a spiritual lesson from nature. When the branches of the fig tree become green and tender, you know that summer is near. We have seen that the fig tree pictures the nation of Israel. For hundreds of years Israel has been dormant, with no government of its own, no land, no temple, no priesthood—no sign of national life. The people have been scattered throughout the world.

Then, in 1948, Israel became a nation with its own land, governments, currency, stamps, etc. Spiritually, the nation is still barren and cold; there is no fruit for God. But nationally, we might say that its branches are green and tender.

“So you also, when you see all these things, know that is near, at the very doors!” Israel’s emergence as a nation means not only that the beginning of the Tribulation is near, but that the Lord Himself is near, at the very doors!

If Christ’s coming to reign is so near, how much more imminent is the Rapture of the church? If we already see shadows of events that must precede His appearing in glory, how much closer are we to the Rapture?

"For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words. " 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

Friday, November 9, 2012

"O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"

"O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"

While He was dismissing the multitude, Jesus told the disciples to get into the boat and start back to the other side of the lake. Then He went up on a hillside to pray. When evening came, He was alone there. Meanwhile, the boat was now far from land and battling a contrary wind. As the waves battered the boat, Jesus saw the disciples' plight. In the fourth watch of the night (between 3:00 and 6:00 a.m.), He went to them walking on the sea. Thinking it was a ghost the disciples panicked. But immediately they heard the reassuring voice of their Master and Friend. "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid."

How true to our own experience! We are often storm-tossed, perplexed, in despair. The Savior seems far away. But all the time He is praying for us. When the night seems darkest, He is near at hand. We often mistake Him even then and push the panic button. Then we hear His comforting voice and remember that the waves that caused us to fear are under His feet.

When Peter heard the well-known, well-loved voice, his affection and enthusiasm bubbled over. “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” Peter sensed that Jesus’ commands are His enablements, that He gives strength for whatever He orders.

As soon as Jesus said, “Come,”.. Peter jumped out of the boat and began walking toward Him. As long as he kept his eyes on Jesus, he was able to do the impossible; but the minute he became occupied with the strong wind, he began to sink. Frantically he cried, “Lord, save me!” The Lord took him by the hand, gently rebuked his little faith, and brought him to the boat. As soon as Jesus went on board, the wind ceased. A worship meeting took place in the boat with the disciples saying to Jesus, “Truly You are the Son of God.”

The Christian life, like walking on water, is humanly impossible. It can only be lived by the power of the Holy Spirit. As long as we look away from every other object to Jesus only, we can experience a supernatural life. But the minute we become occupied with ourselves or our circumstances, we begin to sink. Then we must cry to Christ for restoration and divine enablement.

"But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." John 20:31

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Flee fornication

"Flee fornication"

In planning the human body, God never intended that it should be used for vile or impure purposes. Rather He planned that it should be used for the glory of the Lord and in His blessed service.

There is something amazing in this verse which should not escape notice. Not only is the body for the Lord, but even more wonderful is the thought that the Lord is for the body. This means that the Lord is interested in our bodies, their welfare, and their proper use. God wants our bodies to be presented to Him a living sacrifice, holy, and acceptable (Rom. 12:1).

To further emphasize the need for personal purity in our lives and for guarding our bodies from impurity, the apostle reminds us that our bodies are members of Christ. Every believer is a member of the body of Christ. Would it be proper, then, to take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? To ask the question is to answer it, as Paul does with an indignant certainly not!

And so the apostle warns to flee sexual immorality. There are not to dabble with it, trifle with it, study it, and even talk about it. They are to flee from it!

A beautiful Bible illustration of this is found in the account of Joseph when he was tempted to sin by Potiphar’s wife. (Gen. 39). Potiphar’s wife tried repeatedly to seduce Joseph, but he steadfastly refused. He would not betray his master’s confidence or sin against his God. One day she caught him by his garment. He squirmed out of it and fled, leaving her holding it. He lost his coat but saved his character and eventually gained a crown. She used the coat as “evidence” that Joseph had attempted to rape her. Believers are taught to flee fornication, idolatry, and youthful lusts. Better to flee than to fall.

Most sins have no direct effect on one’s body, but sexual immorality is unique in the sense that is does directly affect one’s body: a person reaps the consequences of this sin in his own body.

Sex outside marriage inevitably and irresistibly works havoc on the offender.

What kind of works does fallen human nature produce? There is no difficulty in identifying the works of the flesh. They are evident to all. Adultery is unfaithfulness in the marriage relationship. Fornication is unlawful sexual intercourse.

“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Gal . 5:19-21.

"..you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?

"The just shall live by faith."

Paul was not ashamed to take God’s good news to sophisticated Rome, even though the message had proved to be a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Greeks, for he knew that it is the power of God to salvation—that is, it tells how God by His power saves everyone who believes on His Son. This power is extended equally to Jews and Greeks. The order for the Jew first and also for the Greek was fulfilled historically during the Acts period. While we have an enduring obligation to God’s ancient people, the Jews, we are not required to evangelize them before going to the Gentiles. Today God deals with Jews and Gentiles on the same basis, and the message and timing are the same to all.

The righteousness of God refers to the perfect standing which God provides for those who believe on His Son. Those who are not in themselves righteous are treated as if they were righteous because God sees them in all the perfection of Christ. Righteousness is imputed to their account. The righteousness of God seems to refer especially to His way of justifying sinners by faith.

The righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel. First the gospel tells us that God’s righteousness demands that sins be punished, and the penalty is eternal death. But then we hear that God’s love provided what His righteousness demanded. He sent His Son to die as a Substitute for sinners, paying the penalty in full. Now because His righteous claims have been fully satisfied, God can righteously save all those who avail themselves of the work of Christ. God’s righteousness is revealed from faith to faith, by faith from start to finish.

God’s righteousness is not imputed on the basis of works or made available to those who seek to earn or deserve it. It is revealed on the principle of faith alone. This is in perfect agreement with the divine decree in Habakkuk 2:4, “The just shall live by faith,” which may also be understood to mean “The justified-by-faith ones shall live.”

Why do men need the gospel? The answer, in brief, is because they are lost without it.

Do you have the saving faith?

Turn your eyes upon Jesus.
Take hold of His powerful hand.
He will lift you up in His mighty love.
In the strength of your God you can stand.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Jesus washes disciples' feet

'Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!'

The day before the crucifixion, the Lord Jesus knew that the time had come for Him to die, to rise again, and to go back to heaven. He had loved His own, that is, those who were true believers. He loved them to the end of His earthly ministry, and will continue to love them throughout eternity. But He also loved them to an infinite degree, as He was about to demonstrate.

Jesus, who was conscious of His deity, was performing a slave's task. He knew the work that had been committed to Him; He knew that He had come from God and hat He was already on His journey back to God.

In eastern lands, the use of open sandals made it necessary to wash one's feet frequently. It was common courtesy for a host to arrange to have a slave wash the feet of his guests. Here the divine Host became the slave and performed this lowly service. "Jesus at the feet of the traitor--what a picture! What lessons for us!"

Peter was shocked to think of the Lord's washing the feet, and he expressed his disapproval that One so great as the Lord should condescend to one so unworthy as he. " The sight of God in the role of a servant is disturbing."

Jesus now taught Peter that there was a spiritual meaning to what He was doing. Foot-washing was a picture of a certain type of spiritual washing. Peter knew that the Lord was performing the physical act, but he did not understand the spiritual significance. He would know it soon, however, because the Lord explained it. And he would know it by experience when later he was restored to the Lord after having denied Him.

Peter illustrates the extremes of human nature. He vowed that the Lord would never wash his feet-- and here "never" literally means "not for eternity." The Lord answered Peter that apart from His washing, there could be no fellowship with Him. The meaning of foot-washing is now unfolded. As Christians walk through the world, they contract a certain amount of defilement. Listening to vile talk, looking at unholy things, working with ungodly men inevitably soil the believer. He needs to be constantly cleansed. This cleansing take place by the water of the Word. As we read and study the Bible, as we hear it preached, and as we discuss with one another, we find that it cleanses us from the evil influences about us. On the other hand, the more we neglect the Bible, the more these wicked influences can remain in our minds and lives without causing us any great concern.

Now Peter shifted to the other extreme. A minute ago, he was saying, "Never." Now he said, "Wash me all over."

On the way back from the public bath, a person's feet would get dirty again. He didn't need another bath but did need to have his feet washed. There is a difference between the bath and the basin. The bath speaks of the cleansing received at the time of one's salvation. Cleansing from the penalty of sin through the blood of Christ takes place only once. The basin speaks of cleansing from the pollution of sin and must take place continually through the Word of God.

Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb;
There’s a fountain flowing for the soul unclean,
O be washed in the blood of the Lamb!

Sunday, August 12, 2012

By faith in the name of Jesus...

'By faith in the name of Jesus...'

It was 3:00pm when Peter and John went up together to the temple in Jerusalem at the hour of prayer. As they approached the temple, they saw men carrying a crippled beggar to his customary spot at the gate call Beautiful.

The helpless condition of this man, lame since birth, is in marked contrast to the beauty of the architecture of the temple. The lame man had obviously given up hope of ever being cured, so he contended himself to ask for a handout.

Instead of looking on this man as a helpless wretch, Peter saw him as one in whom the mighty power of God might be demonstrated! "If we are led by the Spirit, we will fix our eyes on those whom God intends to bless. Peter's command, "Look at us," was not intended to attract publicity to John and himself, but merely to insure the undivided attention of the beggar.

Still expecting nothing more than financial help, the cripple gave them his attention. Then he heard an announcement that was both disappointing and thrilling to him. As far as a handout was concerned, Peter had nothing to give. But he had something better to give. By the authority of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, he commanded the lame man to rise up and walk.

While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade. When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.

"But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." John 20:31

Are you washed in the blood,
In the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Thursday, August 2, 2012

'...who meditates on His law day and night'

'...who meditates on His law day and night'

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the lawof the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. [Psalm 1:1-3]

The truly blessed person is the one who steers clear of the lifestyle of the ungodly. In his contacts with them he avoids complicity with them or even tacit approval of their sin and scoffing. This does not mean that the happy man isolates himself completely from the wicked. Instead he witnesses to them of “sin, righteousness, and judgment,” and seeks to introduce them to Christ, the one source of lasting pleasure. The happy man is a real friend to the ungodly, but he is not a partner with them.

It is impossible to visualize a happy man who is not also a man of God’s Book. He has an insatiable hunger for the Word of the Lord. He loves the Bible and mediates on it day and night. By this means his own life is enriched and he becomes a channel of blessing to others.

The man who is separated from sin and separated to the Scriptures has all the qualities of a strong, healthy, fruitful tree:

Planted by the rivers of water—he has a never-failing supply of nourishment and refreshment. It brings forth its fruit in its season—he displays the graces of the Sprit, and his words and actions are always timely and appropriate. Its leaf also shall not wither—his spiritual life is not subject to cyclical changes but is characterized by continuous inner renewal. As D.L. Moody put it, “All the Lord’s trees are evergreen.”

This kind of man shall prosper in everything he undertakes. The reason of course, is that he is living in fellowship with the Lord, and all his service is therefore guided by the efficient and successful in the Christian life is to be led by the Spirit of God. Self-directed activity is an enormous waste of time, money, and effort!

Are you washed in the blood,
In the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Second Coming of the LORD JESUS CHRIST

"...Even so, come, Lord Jesus"

Friday, November 9, 2012

"O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"

"So Peter...walked on the water..."

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Flee fornication

"...your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit"

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?

"I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting"

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Jesus washes disciples' feet

"Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet"

Sunday, August 12, 2012

By faith in the name of Jesus...

"Silver and Gold have I none"

Thursday, August 2, 2012

'...who meditates on His law day and night'

"A tree planted by streams of water"

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Second Coming of the LORD JESUS CHRIST

"...Even so, come, Lord Jesus﻿"

Friday, November 9, 2012

"O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"

"So Peter...walked on the water...﻿"

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Flee fornication

"...your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit﻿"

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?

"I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting﻿"

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Jesus washes disciples' feet

"Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet﻿"

Sunday, August 12, 2012

By faith in the name of Jesus﻿...

"Silver and Gold have I none"

Thursday, August 2, 2012

'...who meditates on His law day and night'

"A tree planted by streams of water"

"...Even so, come, Lord Jesus"

"So Peter...walked on the water..."

"...your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit"

"I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting"

"Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet"

By faith in the name of Jesus...