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The Parables #90

Scripture: Luke 15:1-7.

Stream or download The Parables #90

We are considering the question:

Just who are the 99, verse 5?

The flock spoken of here could not be an ‘earthly’ body of people for a number of reasons. Here is another reason as well as that given last time which was that it could not be  ‘a band of human beings because of the their description. “ . . . . ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance,” verse 7.
The new reason is:
Because the Saviour has promised never to ‘leave’
His people.
The 99 were ‘left behind’.
Here is a promise given to His people. “ . . . he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Hebrews 13:5.

* Those who are left “in the wilderness” in this parable could not be those to whom this promise was given!
The word ‘leave’ means ‘forsake’, which makes it even more unlikely that it is the saved that is referred to.
We must ever remember that the Lord Jesus does not have to LEAVE you while He comes to me to help and look after me! He is OMNIPRESENT! He is everywhere present at all times! “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, . . . lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen,” Matt 28:18, 20. Acts 18;10. He was with Paul & all the apostles. He was with EACH ONE of them.Even so He is ever with all of His people. Jesus’ divine nature makes Him always with us.  “Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD,” Jer 23:23-24.

* This truth Nathaniel learned. “Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel,” John 1:47-49.

The Parables #89

Scripture: Luke 15:1-7.

Stream or download The Parables #89

When I was last with you I asked the question:

Just who are the 99?

We started to answer it by pointing out that when the Saviour came to earth some 2000 years ago, He left behind His father, His glory and the glorious company of Heaven in order to save His people.
I believe ‘that leaving’ is what is referred to here!
The flock spoken of here could not be an ‘earthly’ body of people for a number of reasons.

Because of their description. “ . . . . ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance,” verse 7. This cannot refer to any group of human beings, not even the saved!
“. . . . there is no man that sinneth not,” 1 Kings 8:46
“ . . . for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23.
Saved and converted sinners are ever in need of repentance. Rev 2:5, 16; 3:3, 19. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us,” 1 John 1:8.
“All of a Christian’s life is one of repentance.” Martin Luther.

Truth for Today, Pt3

Truth for Today — Studies in Ruth, Pt3
The Prologue, 1:1-2.

Stream or download Truth for Today, Pt3

III. IT WAS A TIME OF DEFIANCE

I think that may be seen in the action taken by Elimelech. He went to Moab to escape the judgment of God. He was hardened beneath the chastening of God. The purpose of chastening is set before in Hebrews 12:5-11.

A name study provides us with interesting details.
Elimelech = “My God is king.”  He typifies the measure or state of true religion there is in such days as the days of the Judges. He had a name to live. Notice he left Bethlehem, “The house of Bread.” In time of famine we should come to Bethlehem, not leave it! See 2 Chronicles 28:19-23.
Naomi. = “My delight.” It is a good name but she did not live up to it. Bitterness was her lot in Moab, verse 20. Obedience and return brought joy, 4:14-15. She possibly married an unsaved man, who professed but was not really saved!
Mahlon and Chilion. “Sick” “Pining or Consumptive.” Such were the offspring born to these two backsliders. Both perished in Moab with their father.
Sickly religion is the offspring of disobedience and backsliding and a looking to Moab for deliverance. Moab was a nation born out of a most wicked union, Gen 19:37.
It is to the modern Moab, the offspring of the union between the church and the world that many look for deliverance in these days.