As we continue counting the Omer from Passover to Pentecost, we move onward to Day #26.
26 times in Psalm 136 we find the scripture verse "For His Mercy endures forever." The two Hebrew letters for the number 26 are "kaph" and "vav." The symbolic picture is an open hand with a nail. 26 pictorially signifies the gospel message of the Cross by Yeshua's hand being nailed to it. Thus,
26 is the power of salvation which comes from the Gospel message.
Why did Jesus have to die on the Cross? Many will say the obvious answer: "To die for our sins." Yes, surely that is true. We do not have the necessary capital to atone for our bottomless pit of sin. However, today that message is quickly morphing into a quick fix "universalist" false message.
The 136th Psalm is also known as "The Great Hallel" or "great praise" and historical evidence shows it was probably said at Passover during Jesus' time on earth. It is truly a litany of the miraculous salvation God has done for us. Once we grasp a deep hold of this gospel Truth, we REPENT. Repentance involves a mental and physical turning point, a heart change to true belief, confession and a public witness as we work out our salvation with fear and trembling to the finish line and overcome. None of these can be taken out of the equation for Salvation to occur. When we don't "follow through" we DENY the POWER OF SALVATION.
We become a "walking dead" witness instead of a thankful, living witness. Throughout Jesus' physical time on Earth, He gave us the temporal type and shadow of His spiritual healing. Everywhere He went, people were RADICALLY CHANGED. Lepers were cleansed fully, crippled and paralyzed legs walked straight, blind eyes were opened, deaf ears could hear, the dead were raised to new life. WHY THEN would the Power of the Holy Spirit not involve a RADICAL CHANGE in someone's behavior? It does! Any other message being preached is a lie bordering on blasphemy.
Paul speaks of this in 2nd Timothy:
This know also, that in the last day perilous times shall come.
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those who are good,
Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
Having a form of godliness, but DENYING THE POWER THEREOF: from such TURN AWAY.
~2 Timothy 3:1-5
So, what exactly IS the Gospel Message? I think if we took a poll and asked the average person, it might come out looking something like this:
Jesus loves everyone
God wants you to be blessed
Don't worry, be happy
Simple incantation for salvation
While there are some grains of Truth in all of these statements, they are NOT the gospel message that Jesus actually taught.
So, what exactly DID Jesus actually preach? Let's look at His own words. For starters, what was the VERY FIRST message He gave?
From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, REPENT, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
~ Matthew 4:17
Wow. He didn't waste any time warming up the crowd with an ear-tickling message. Let's see what else He had to say when He preached, maybe He got a little bit more "affirming" as he went along.
The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they REPENTED at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. ~ Matthew 12:41
How about His disciples? Didn't Jesus have a special happy, upbeat, non-repentance message just for them? Here's what he said to the 12 disciples:
I tell you, no; but unless you REPENT you will all likewise perish.
~ Luke 13:5
Yikes! Aren't there any "seeker friendly" messages here?
I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who REPENTS than over ninety-nine just persons who need no REPENTANCE.
~ Luke 15:7
Great, So, we only need to repent once, right?
Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; REPENT and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place--unless you REPENT.
~ Revelation 2:4-5
Can I still continue to live a sin-filled life due to grace?
And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not REPENT. Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they REPENT of their deeds.
~ Revelation 2:23
Oh boy. I thought I didn't have to think about repentance anymore. I mean, I went up to the altar once in 1978.
Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and REPENT. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.
~ Revelation 3:3
But, Jesus loves me so I don't have to repent anymore. Do we need to get all worked up about this?
As many as I might love, I rebuke and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.
~ Revelation 3:19
The Gospel Message preached by Jesus Christ was, indeed, very simple:
Repent
Believe
Confess
Walk
(be a LIVING WITNESS)
However, we must
endure and overcome to be a living witness throughout all of eternity!
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My Voice and opens the door, I will come in to him an dine with him and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My Throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His Throne.
~ Revelation 3:20-21
So, let's heed Jesus' preached message. REPENT for the Kingdom of God is at hand.
Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold. But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved. And this GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM will be preached in all the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
~ Matthew 24:12-14
Prayer:
