Last Day Unleavened Bread 2012

"The Lord is My Helper"

Fred R. Coulter—April 13, 2012

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Greetings, brethren! Welcome to the last day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, 2012. Time marches on! Our calling is still ahead of us, and there’s a lot we need to learn as pictured by this day, the seventh day or the last day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

We know the Scriptures that we’ve covered in Leviticus 23, where it says on the seventh day there shall be a Holy convocation. We also know it says that we must eat unleavened bread for seven days. After sundown tonight, if you want a hamburger, you can have one. Leaven is a type of sin during the Days of Unleavened Bread. God has chosen that from this point of view so that we will understand:

1. sin is so common that it is everywhere all the time
2. we cannot, of ourselves, deliver ourselves from our own sins

That’s why before the Feast of Unleavened Bread there’s the Passover. Through this and the renewing of the New Covenant we understand that only God can forgive sin, only through Jesus Christ are we saved, and the only way that we have a true relationship between God the Father and Jesus Christ is through the New Covenant. We know that the blood of the New Covenant is the blood of Jesus Christ.

We also find in Deuteronomy 16, it’s very interesting that we find that God expects us to do things. He commands that an offering be brought during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Deuteronomy 16:16: “Three times in a year shall all your males appear before the LORD your God in the place which He shall choose: in the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and in the Feast of Weeks, and in the Feast of Tabernacles. And they shall not appear before the LORD empty, every man [everyone] shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God, which He has given you” (vs 16-17).

Every time we come before God on a Holy Day, we do bring an offering. This offering is to be brought to God because of the blessings He gives us! In bringing the offering consider all the blessings that God has given you:

1. rescuing you from Satan the devil and sin
2. having forgiven your sin
3. having given you His Holy Spirit
4. having given you knowledge of the Word of God and the Truth
5. that you know that only by grace you are saved

Just like the children of Israel when they were brought out of land of Egypt, they couldn’t do it themselves; they had no ability to do it themselves.

Let’s just bring out one more point concerning Deut. 16: People read that and say that it says that only three times in a year, therefore, we don’t have to bring an offering for Trumpets and Atonement. Well, technically, if you believe that, then let’s look at another Scripture, because the truth is, it does not say that for Trumpets and Atonement you are not to bring an offering. It’s just that it is absolutely required that three seasons of the year:

Concerning just doing what you’re commanded: When we read Luke 17 we need to understand that there’s more involved than just the words that are there. God expects us to go above and beyond in what we do. I just mention this from the point of view that when it gets down to Trumpets and Atonement that, as some people have done in other organizations and in the past; they say, ‘I’m not going to give anything on those days because God does not command it.’ Really?

Luke 17:5: “Then the apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith.’…. [That’s what we all want—isn’t that true? Yes, indeed! Anyone want a decrease in faith? Anyone want to stand still in faith? Of course not!] …But the Lord said, ‘If you had faith as a tiny mustard seed, you might say to this sycamine tree, “Be rooted up, and be planted in the sea,” and it would obey you. But which of you having a servant plowing or shepherding will immediately say to himwhen he comes in from the field, ‘Come and sit down and eat’? Rather, will he not say to him, “Prepare what I may eat, and gird yourself, and serve me while I eat and drink; and afterwards you may eat and drink”? Is he thankful to that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. Likewise you also, when you have done all the things that are commanded you, say, “We are unprofitable servants, because we have done that which we were obligated to do.”’” (vs 5-10).

Let’s apply that in everything else that we do. God doesn’t want His commandments kept in just the letter of the law.

• He wants our heart!
• He wants our mind!
• He wants conversion!
• He wants us to love Him!

As Jesus said, ‘If you love Me, keep My commandments.’ That’s what we should be doing. We need to go above and beyond. This is not a plea for more money. This is just stating what the Bible teaches and what Jesus wants from us.

(pause for the offering)

As you know, each Holy Day has a special meaning, and with this special meaning, we’re to learn every year. How the messages are brought and how the messages are covered, we find a principle here in Matthew 13:52. Every year we’re to grow in grace and knowledge. What God has for us is going to last us for all eternity. The knowledge and information that He gives to us is so that we can

• develop the mind of Christ
• develop the love and obedience to God with all our heart
• love God with all our might and strength
• love our neighbors
• love our brethren

and yes:

• even love our enemies

and we can let God handle them!

Here’s how many of the messages are for the Holy Days, Matthew 13:52: “Then He said to them, ‘Therefore, every scribe who has been instructed in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who is a householder, who brings forth out of his treasure things new and old.’” Also, remember this: As Jesus said, ‘The words that I speak to you, they are Spirit and they Life.’ So, the Word of God, even though we know certain things, is perpetually new, because it comes from the Spirit of God. We need these lessons! We need to understand what God has for us, and why certain things have taken place, and what we need to do.

Let’s come back to 1-Corinthians 10 and let’s see what the Apostle Paul writes about the lesson for the last day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and we’re going to see the reason why and understand what we need to do. Then we’ll go back and look at Exo. 14 and what took place there and why God deliberately did something that the people didn’t understand. We find that God does that in our lives. Something happens in our lives that we don’t understand and we don’t comprehend what’s going on at the time that it occurs. We’ll see likewise with the children of Israel. There are lessons to learn. The Apostle Paul brings this out:

1-Corinthians 10:1: “Now, I do not wish you to be ignorant of this, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea. And all were baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea. And they all ate the same spiritual meat. And they all drank of the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them. And that Rock was Christ” (vs 1-4). That is proof that Jesus Christ was the Lord God of the Old Testament.

Notice the books of Exodus, Numbers, Leviticus and Deuteronomy show that God wasn’t pleased with many of them. The things that they did against God were almost unreal! You would think that after they saw and experienced—all the plagues that God brought upon the Egyptians so they would release the children of Israel; that they would have trusted in God, that they would have just really relied on Him, they would have understood every difficulty and problem that they would experience—they could turn to God and He would help them.

But human nature isn’t that way! If you read Rev. 2 & 3 even the Churches of God had their problems, because they didn’t believe Christ the way that should. They made the same human mistake that most people make. They either become lax and complacent or they think that they can take the ways of man—which really come from the world and Satan the devil—and add them to the Word of God to improve it.

Verse 5: “But with many of them God was not pleased, for their dead bodies were strewn in the wilderness. Now, these things became examples for us… [examples and also types, because the Greek word here is ‘topos’ from which we get the word type.] …so that we might not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, ‘The people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play’” (vs 5-7).

Yes! They demanded the golden calf! Yes! Aaron did what he shouldn’t have done: he made it! That always raises a question in my mind: Was Aaron an idol-maker in Egypt? Could be! They said, ‘We don’t know what happened to Moses, so you make us gods.’ Then they thought they would add it to what God had told them. Aaron said, ‘In this pagan debauchery here—I’m being a little cynical—let’s make a feast to the Lord of it and it will be good.’ Sound a little bit like the world today? ‘Oh, all these holidays are so wonderful!Oh, we know they’re not in the Bible, but Christmas is such fun and Easter is for the little kiddies. Just think of all the fun they have laughing and playing and how delightful it is that we lie to our children, and boil and dye chicken eggs and say they came from rabbits.’ Do you see the foolishness of the human heart?

Verse 8: “Neither should we commit sexual immorality, as some of them committed, and twenty-three thousand were destroyed in one day. Neither should we tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted Him, and were killed by serpents” (vs 8-9). How doe we tempt Christ? Not believing Him! Not bearing up under the trials and difficulties that we go through! Not looking to Him for strength and protection and understanding!

Verse 10: “Neither should we complain against God, as some of them also complained, and were killed by the destroyer.” We’re to learn as we saw in the sermon series: How Would You Preach Christ from the Old Testament? This goes directly against what most people in the world believe. We don’t even need the Bible as the Catholics say. or We don’t need the Old Testament; that harsh God of the Old Testament. We love Jesus.’ See how they get it all wrong? They look to the physical things! They complain!

Verse 11: “Now all these things happened to them as examples… [We’re to learn new lessons from those ‘old’ things.] …and were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages are coming…. [Here’s what we’re to learn]: …Therefore, let the one who thinks he stands take heed, lest he fall. No temptation has come upon you except what is common to mankind. For God, Who is faithful…” (vs 11-13).

• we need to count God faithful
• we need to count His Word faithful
• we need to trust in what He has said
• we need to come to God for help in time of need

They didn’t come to God. They complained and accused God! They wondered why things were so difficult.

“…will not permit you to be tempted beyond what you are able tobear; but with the temptation, He will make a way of escape, so that you may be able to bear it. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry” (vs 13-14). That has to also be what is the source of idolatry.

We find in Ezek. 14 that the elders of the children of Israel came before Ezekiel and said, ‘Tell us about the Word of God.’ God told Ezekiel, ‘Shall I be inquired of by these men who have idols in their minds?’ Idolatry begins in the mind! Today do we not have so many things out there that can become idols? And when we put our thoughts and our ways before God, is that not idolatry? Yes, it is!

So, let’s see today, on the last day of Unleavened Bread, how we are to depend upon God and to realize that our very life, our very existence—physical and spiritual—depends upon God. In Exodus 14 is a case where every last day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread we cover this lesson, because:

• we need to be reminded
• we need to be inspired
• we need to be encouraged
• we need to learnhow to trust God
• we need to realize that circumstances are not going to be as we have always anticipated they would be

Yet, that does not make God unfaithful! That does not mean that God doesn’t love us and have a greater purpose for us beyond these things. God did a deliberate thing. Instead of going by the way of the Philistines up to the ‘promised land’—which they could have gotten there in just a couple of weeks—God had other things in mind for them, because they could not enter into the ‘promised land’ unless God made the covenant with them. He could not make the covenant with them until He brought them to Mt. Sinai so they would be separated from the world and dedicated to Him.

Then He made the covenant with them at Mt. Sinai. Because of what God had in mind—and we can understand that as we look back—He said, ‘Okay, I want you to go down by the way of the Red Sea.’ There are a lot of people out there who believe in what looks like a real understanding of where Mt. Sinai was, and that is Mt. Joble in Saudi Arabia. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Some of the evidence looks like that could be. But let me just tell you something here, as we exam this, in order for them to cross the Gulf of Aqaba they would have had to travel for all seven days, not counting the Holy Days, not counting resting on the Sabbath. They would have to travel seven and a half miles an hour, 18 hours a day to get there, to cross the Gulf of Aqaba. They crossed the Red Sea!

Let’s understand something else, too. The climate at that time was much different than what it is today. The geography is also different from what it was when the children of Israel were brought out of the land of Egypt. One thing we don’t know, because we don’t have any maps: How far north did the Red Sea come? We don’t know! Some scholars say that there was the Sea of Reeds and that’s what God brought them through. They don’t believe God!

One thing we need to understand about God, nothing is impossible for God to do! Here God said, ‘I want you go by way of the Red Sea, and took them on that part which was from Egypt butting right up against the Red Sea. Across from that was the Sinai Peninsula. When Pharaoh heard that, what did he do? He said:

Exodus 14:3: “…‘They are trapped in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.’” God deliberately put the children of Israel in an impossible situation so that they would know that only God could save them!Let’s think about this a minute. There are six days into the Days of Unleavened Bread, because crossing the Red Sea took place on the last day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

Do you think they could have gotten clear down to the Gulf of Aqaba in six days, by foot, with children, livestock and old people? That’s an impossibility! Those pictures that Ron Wyatt took concerning some chariots below the water. You need to understand that it would have been impossible for them to go in a column across the Red Sea during the time that the Bible shows that they went across the Red Sea. It would have taken longer, it would have taken the better part of a day to a day and a half, depending on how they could get across.

Let’s just believe the Word of God and not the theories of men. Besides, could Pharaoh’s armies be coming down there in a day or two to get them? We don’t know when Pharaoh understood that the children of Israel were trapped in the land, so it couldn’t have been too long. It couldn’t have been more than a day or two before they got there that he heard. If it would have taken the children of Israel six days to get down to the Gulf of Aqaba and Pharaoh heard it two days before, his troops and his armies and his chariots could never have made it to that point.

Though it looks like to be facts presented by men, not true! And surely God did not give the covenant to Israel in the land of Ishmael—did He?

God said He’s going to harden the heart of Pharaoh; Pharaoh is going to come after them and then God is going to get his glory on them and the Egyptians will know that He is the Lord. They said, ‘Oh, look, we let all the people go, what have we done doing this? We have no more servants!’ So, God got everything ready, hardened the heart of Pharaoh again, and they pursued the children of Israel who had come out of the land of Egypt with a high hand. They overtook Israel camping by the Sea and Pharaoh started drawing near.

Sometimes in the things that you go through, you get right to the point that you think oh, what a terrible disaster this is going to be. When the children of Israel saw that, instead of crying out and saying, ‘Oh, Lord God, help us! We saw what You did them in the land of Egypt. Intervene and destroy them right now.’ NO! God had something else in mind. He also wanted to test them.

So, they cried out to Moses, and did the same thing that human nature always does, v 11: “And they said to Moses, ‘Have you taken us away to die in the wilderness because there were no graves in Egypt? Why have you dealt this way with us to carry us forth out of Egypt?’” There was plenty of land there for graves, but out here in the wilderness there aren’t any graves. ‘Why did you bring us out here? Why have to dealt with us this way? Why did you take us the wrong way, Moses?

Verse 12: “‘Did we not tell you this word in Egypt, saying, “Let us alone so that we may serve the Egyptians?”…. [That isn’t what they said. They said, ‘Oh, God, get us out of here.’ So, God did!] …For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness.’” Moses knew better.

Here’s what he did and here’s part of the meaning of this day; this is the lesson for us so that we don’t tempt God, and we—when we get into difficult situations—don’t accuse God. He can turn it to good if we love Him, trust Him and obey Him, even IF—because the day is going to come—it costs us our life.

Verse 13: “And Moses said to the people, ‘Fear not!….’” Don’t be afraid! Don’t be cowardly! Have the strength, conviction and courage of the Holy Spirit! That’s what we need. We’re coming into a time, brethren, when this whole world is going to be turned upside down.

• if we do not have a relationship with God
• if we do not have the strength of God
• if we do not have our mind set like flint

—like we saw that Jesus had to endure the crucifixion—we are not going to past the test!

“‘…Stand still and see the salvation of the LORD which He will work for you today, for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you shall never see them again! The LORD shall fight for you, and you shall be still’” (v 13-14). Don’t complain to God! Ask God to work it out! Maybe God is really taking something from you. Let Him take it. He’ll replace it with something better.

What happened? After saying that, v 15: “And the LORD said to Moses, ‘Why do you cry to Me? Speak to the children of Israel that they go forward.’” As we covered in the first day, we’re to forget those things that are behind and go forward; always going forward! That’s the whole story of the book of Exodus. Exodus means the way and the way out. Christ is the Way:

• the Way of Truth
• the Way of Life
• the Way of Salvation

Moses had something to do. God told him, v 16: “And you—lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea, and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.’” That’s what he did. Alongside the Red Sea, here all the children of Israel encamped. It was the perfect position of them in to cross the Red Sea. Instead of going by a column across, the whole column could move at once to go across. That is called a flanking movement.

God sent the east wind, He drove back the water and it was a wide place to go across. It wasn’t like in the movie The Ten Commandments a little narrow place where they walked through. No! It was wide, because it blew all that night and then at the third watch in the morning—what time is that? That’s after 2 o’clock! About that time God—He gave them light on the side where they were and gave darkness to the Egyptians so they couldn’t see what was going on—said GO! They crossed the Red Sea, got to the other side and then God lifted the darkness from the Egyptians, because He was going to destroy them.

The Egyptians looked out and they saw this wide area of the Red Sea, and dry ground, and they saw the children of Israel on the other side. Pharaoh said, ‘Let’s go get them.’ They all went down into the Red Sea to come after the children of Israel. The first thing God did was to take off all the wheels of all the chariots. Let the bottom of the Red Sea become muck and mud, so even the soldiers who were trying to walk across couldn’t get across. When it was starting to really get bad for them, then they heard this noise, the crashing of water—like waterfalls coming on both sides toward them—and they were right in the middle. Here comes these two powerful walls of water and BANG! they were dead!

When the children of Israel saw that they said, ‘God is our fighter! God is a warrior! God is a hero!’ Everyone was happy and jubilant and Miriam and the women dancers were dancing and singing and giving praises to God.

If we could just kind of keep that attitude—you can read all of that there in Exo. 15. Let’s see what else we’re to learn from this. Let’s see how God can help us. The theme of today—the last day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread—is that God is our Helper and we are to trust in Him! We have a good example of that in Acts 14, where Paul—after preaching the Gospel—was stoned and left as dead, but God raised him up. He got up and preached in other cities and came right back to the city where he had been stoned and he preached the message that it is through much tribulation that we’re going to enter into the Kingdom of God!

We might as well make up our mind to that right now, because times are not going to get any easier. If they get any easier for a little while, that’s only so that the Gospel can be preached. Let’s look at some Psalms. Let’s see how God is our Helper. Let’s see how we are to trust God the Father and Jesus Christ in everything that we do. We’re going to spend a lot of time in the book of Psalms so that we can understand:

God is our Helper

• God is there to help you!
• God is there to uplift you!
• God is there to show you!

But we have to rely upon Him, and it’s a spiritual thing. It comes down to love, faith, hope, belief and really trusting God and claiming His Word.

Psalm 50:15: “And call upon Me in the day of trouble; and I will deliver you, and you shall honor Me.” Whenever we have trouble, call upon God. Don’t do like the children of Israel and complain. Instead of complaining, call upon God. Instead of being discouraged and down, take it as a challenge. Take it as something that God is going to use as a steppingstone to improve what you are doing.

We’re going to spend quite a bit of time during this sermon in the Psalms because it is very interesting how this comes about. What we’re talking about here is a result of study and prayer developing a relationship with God the Father and Jesus Christ. That’s what David did in his life. That’s why we have so many of the Psalms of David.

How do you get God’s attention, Psalm 61:1: “Hear my cry, O God… [That’s a good way to get God’s attention. ‘Oh, God, hear me; I’m here!’] …attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth I cry to You when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the Rock higher than me” (vs 1-2). Didn’t we read there in 1-Cor. 10, that Christ was that Rock? Didn’t Jesus say that our spiritual house, that we are building, if we build it upon the Rock…? Didn’t Paul write that Christ was the only foundation, the Chief Cornerstone upon which we build our spiritual life? Yes!

Verse 3: “For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower against the enemy.” Yes, there may be a lot of things against us. Don’t worry, God will take care of them! Don’t be envious of the wicked! Remember, God’s angels are camped around us! Remember that He delivers us out of all of our troubles and all of our fears! You can claim that promise! You can go to God and pour out your heart to Him and say, ‘Oh, Father in heaven above, through Jesus Christ, I am overwhelmed. This is more than I can handle. Give me strength! Give me Your understanding! Give me Your Spirit! You have a strong tower against the enemy.’ Then focus on the goal:

Verse 4: “I will dwell in Your tabernacle forever; I will take refuge in the hiding place of Your wings. Selah.” Isn’t that interesting: In the shadow of the wings of God!

Psalm 91 is written so that we never lose faith, we never look to the circumstances regardless of how bad they are. We never get discouraged even though it looks like everything is just falling apart. Even if that is so, God will provide a way. Didn’t we read that back there in 1-Cor, 10, that God will open a door, a way of escape, for those who trust Him? Yes, indeed!

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Let’s understand something. As we look at the news and we see the things that are transpiring in the world, and we understand what severe problems that the whole world is in, and what severe problems that we are in even in our own countries—regardless of where we are. We need to claim Psa. 91, and there may be even times you need to claim Psa. 91 every day for quite a period of time. But let’s see who was there to help us. This is why we go through these things.

• Do we believe God?
• Do we trust God?
• Do we rely upon His Word?
• Have we developed a relationship with Him?
• Do we have His Word written in our heart and mind?
• Do we really love God with all our heart, mind, soul and being?

Psalm 91:1: “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High… [that is us] …shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” God has given us protection that the rest of the world cannot see. And the angels are there as ministering spirits, as well.

Verse 2: “I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in Whom I will trust.’” That’s what it’s all about. Everyone wants to be saved. Everyone wants to have eternal life. But when it gets down to the nitty-gritty of things, there are a lot of people who do like Peter and say, ‘Well, I’m going fishing.’

Here’s a promise, v 3: “Surely He will deliver you from the fowler’s trap and from the destroying pestilence…. [That’s a promise; you can claim it.] …He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge. His Truth shall be your shield and buckler” (vs 3-4). Always trusting in the Word of God. God is there! Christ is there!

If we do that, v 5: “You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor for the arrow that flies by day.” There’s a book written by a Seventh Day Adventist family who were Germans during WWII, and it’s quite an account of what they went through. They trusted in God, and though Germany was bombed to smithereens, and the city in which they were living was virtually leveled and destroyed, through the whole thing this family survived. The husband who had to go to war served in the vehicle repair, and instead of carrying a weapon he carved himself a wooden pistol, dyed it black and put it in his holster and no one knew that he did not have a real pistol—all through the war. Furthermore, on top of that, God delivered them time and time again, the family, and their apartment—though the windows were blown out because of the bombs—was not touched otherwise. They trusted in God! Brethren, surely we can do the same thing—can’t we? It’s a very inspiring story.

Verse 6: “Nor for the plague that walks in darkness, nor for the destruction laying waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand; it shall not come near you” (vs 6-7). We can claim that promise. Ask God to be with us; fight our battles for us. It doesn’t mean we won’t have close calls. It doesn’t mean we won’t escape by the ‘skin of our teeth.’

Here’s why, 8: “Only with your eyes you shall behold and see the recompense of the wicked…. [It’s going to come upon them.] …Because you have made the LORD, Who is my refuge, even the Most High, your habitation” (vs 8-9). That means in spite of what’s coming down the road with the martyrdom of the saints. As Jesus said, ‘They may be able to kill the body, but they can’t take the life.’

Verse 10: “No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling, for He shall give His angels charge over you to keep you in all your ways. They shall bear you up in their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the lion and asp; the young lion and the jackal you shall trample underfoot” (vs 10-13). That’s going to be at the resurrection. Why? Because you trust in God, and because He loves you!

Verse 14: “Because he has set his love upon Me… [referring to you setting your love upon God] …therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble…” (vs 14-15). He doesn’t go away! In whatever trouble you are in, God is there!

• Do you have the Spirit of God in you? Yes!
• Is Christ in you? Yes!
• Is He there with you? Yes!

“…I will deliver him, and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation” (vs 15-16)—that we shall live forever!

Just like the children of Israel passed on dry ground through the Red Sea, likewise what ever transpires in this world—though difficulties come near us; though we have trials to overcome and lessons to learn—God is with us in all those troubles.

Let’s come to Psalm 62, and let’s see how these things are going to come about. Let’s see how we’re to trust God in everything; look to Him. That’s why God showed His power in opening the Red Sea. Is there any man who has the power to do that? No!No one! Only the true God! Did Satan and his troops and Pharaoh have the power to go against God? No! God took care of them!

And always remember this: If you want to see what’s going to happen to the wicked, the final battle, you go to Rev. 16 and the seven last plagues are poured out; and Rev. 19, the final battle. That’s how God is going to take care of the enemy. One thing greater beyond that, we’ll be resurrected on the Sea of Glass, and we’re going to witness it. God has said, ‘Vengeance belongs to Me.’ He’s going to take it.

Here’s the attitude we need, Psalm 62:1: “Only for God does my soul wait in silence; from Him comes my salvation. He only is my Rock and my salvation; He is my fortress; I shall not be greatly moved” (vs 1-2). Look how you can handle situations. It doesn’t matter what people think they can do. Is God able to cause them problems that they won’t be able to come after you the way that they think they will?

Verse 3: “How long will you imagine mischief against a man? You shall be slain, all of you; you shall be like a bowing wall and as a tottering fence…. [Even though there are scheme against you] …They only consult to cast him down from his great height; they delight in lies; they bless with their mouth, but inwardly they curse. Selah” (vs 3-4). Whenever there’s the word Selah it means to stop and think and meditate on this, so you really grasp the spiritual lesson.

This is why in the sermon series The Keys to Answered Prayer you take these Psalms and open up your Bible, get on your knees and you read them, and you let these words become your words, and then you let your words come from the innermost part of your being in praying to God.

Verse 5: “My soul, wait in silence for God alone; for from Him comes my hope. He only is my Rock and my salvation; He is my strong tower; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory, the Rock of my strength; my refuge is in God… [notice this plea, and this is the whole lesson for the last day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread]: …Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah.” (vs 5-8). Don’t rely on the help of men, because it’s not going to come.

Verse 9: “Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie… [You take that verse and you just look at the news and see: Is that not true?] …when weighed in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity. Trust not in oppression, and do not take pride in stolen goods; if riches increase, do not set your heart upon them. God has spoken once; twice I have heard this: that power belongs to God. Also to You, O LORD, belongs mercy; for You give to every man according to his work” (vs 9-12).

If these are our spiritual works, think of the blessing that God is going to bless us with. Think! There is nothing that can be against us! We’ll see this a little later. Here’s how we need to ask God to do what when we’re in difficulties and problems:

Psalm 59:1: “Deliver me from my enemies… [Just like God did the children of Israel going through the Red Sea.] …O my God; defend me from those who rise up against me. Deliver me from the workers of evil and save me from bloody men” (vs 1-2). If you’re truly going to follow God, there are going to be times when circumstances will be very much like this. Why is that? So you can trust God! So you can learn that God will intervene for you! Notice:

• v 1—deliver me from my enemies
• v 2—deliver me from the workers of evil, and save me from bloody men

Verse 3: “For behold, they lie in wait for my soul; the mighty are gathered against me—not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O LORD.” This could be a prophecy of some of the prayers of Jesus.

• Were they always waiting? Yes!
• Were they talking against Him? Yes!
• Were they plotting to kill Him? Oh, yes they were!

From the very first miracle that He performed in the synagogue, and because He said that the Son of Man is ‘even Lord of the Sabbath Day.’ Oh, they were against Him.

Verse 4: “Without my fault they run and prepare themselves; awaken to help me, and look upon me. And You therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to punish all the nations… [and that happened at the end] …show no mercy to any wicked traitors. Selah.” (vs 4-5).

That’s quite a Psalm. If we could take that, see what you can do; see how these words of God with God’s Spirit in us and God is dealing with us and we are His begotten children awaiting the resurrection:

• that these things inspire us
• that these things uplift us
• that these things give us courage
• that these things give us hope

in time of need.

Today there are so many things going on; I mean, look at the world, how it’s absolutely coming unglued and falling apart. How would you like to live in Egypt? How would you like to live in Syria? That’s why I mentioned on the first day: to whom much is given, much is also required! We need to understand that. God has given us great knowledge. God has given us great understanding. We have many things that have not been available for the people of God, even down through much of the history of the Church.

That’s why this Bible—The Holy Bible in Its Original Order, A Faithful Version—is a tremendous blessing, brethren. It’s designed to get rid of all of the false interpretations and translations in the Bible. To bring you and anyone who reads it the Truth of God, so they can come to the knowledge of salvation. And if not, it’s a warning against them! Here’s what we need to do:

Psalm 11:1: “In the LORD I have taken refuge; how then can you say to me, ‘Flee like a bird to your mountain’?…. [No! God will protect you! He is there!] …For lo, the wicked bend their bow; they make ready their arrow on the string, so that they may secretly shoot at the upright in heart” (vs 1-2). To be a true Christian, takes

• the love of God
• the Truth of God
• the hope of God
• the grace of God

and it also takes

• courage!
• determination!
• resoluteness!
• trusting in God in everything that you do!

Even to what point, v 3: “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” They’re trusting in God! Looking to God! Know this for sure. Take this next verse and go back and study Rev. 4 & 5 about the throne of God and the 24 elders and 4 living creatures and the praise and glory given to God, because He’s on His throne. That’s where your help is coming from.

Verse 4: “The LORD is in His Holy temple; the LORD’S throne is in heaven. His eyes behold; His searching gaze tests the children of men.” Surely God is testing us! If He’s tested Abraham, He’s testing us—isn’t He? Yes, indeed! Are we Abraham’s children and heirs according to the promise? Of course, we are! So, God wants us to be strong in Him, just like it says.

To look to His power!

To look to His Spirit!

To look to His intervention!

And God will do it! I’ve been in times and troubles when I’ve had to do it, and God has delivered. He will deliver for you.

Verse 5: “The LORD tries the righteous, but His soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence. Upon the wicked He shall rain snares, fire and brimstone; and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup, for the LORD is righteous, He loves righteousness; the upright will behold His face” (vs 5-7).

What I want you to do is see how the Psalms are constructed: That we always look to the promises and the goal that we’re going to be in the Kingdom of God, and the day we’re going to see God face-to-face. That’s going to be a wonderful day indeed.

Here again, living in this world, Psalm 12:1: “Help,O LORD… [and sometimes you need to cry out to God that way] …for the Godly man ceases; for the faithful disappear from among the children of men.” Boy! When you look around, even in the Churches of God, it makes you wonder—doesn’t it? God is going to take care of it.

• Pray for those brethren!
• Pray that God will intervene for them!
• Pray that God will bring them to repentance!
• Pray that they will be able to enter into the Kingdom of God as well!

Some Churches of God look upon me and the people in Christian Biblical Church of God as enemies. We’re not enemies! We pray for them daily. We pray that God will deal with them. We pray that they’ll make it into the Kingdom of God. How can you count brethren, even though they have troubles and difficulties, as your enemy? They’re not! What did Jesus say, ‘Love one another as I have loved you.’ God also knows and through Christ He promises that ‘as many as He loves He rebukes and chastens.’ What for?

• To get rid of the sin!
• To get rid of carnal nature!
• To quit yielding to the devices of Satan the devil and this world!

After all, is that not love from God, to get us away from those things? Yes, indeed! There’s an awful lot we can learn here. The whole section here is great. God is going to help us.

Verse 2: “They speak falsehood each one with his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.” And unfortunately, there have been infiltrators in the Church of God who fit this description. Do you know why they were sent? Because of sin and corruption that was not changed, that was not repented of, and the arrogance in trusting in men and physical things! Think on that! Yes, God is going to cut off all ‘flattering lips’—yes, indeed!

Now let’s turn to Psalm 54 and then we’ll look at how these promises are fulfilled in the New Testament. We’ll look at some of the forces that we need to be aware of, that are guiding and oppressing and deceiving this world under the hand of Satan the devil; and how we need to be ‘wise as a serpent, harmless as a dove,’ standing for the Truth, loving God, guarding the righteousness, not giving into sin and circumstances around us, regardless of what transpires. Notice how this Psalm starts out, it’s really great how these Psalms start out sometimes. It gives us encouragement and understanding of how we need to pray to God. Our lives are completely in His hands!

Psalm 54:1: “Save me, O God… [That’s quite a plea—isn’t it? And I’m sure that it was kind of a little whimpering. No!] …by Your name, and vindicate me by Your [righteousness] might.” You don’t have to go out and prove that you’re right, God will prove that you are right! You don’t have to go out and cause trouble, God will intervene for you! How?

Verse 2: “Hear my prayer, O God… [How many times does he say here, ‘O listen, God…’] …give ear to the words of my mouth.” It could even apply to the circumstances of Jesus Christ, but it also applies to every one of us. We’re living in the world. We’re scattered abroad. We’ve got to have that faith that comes from God.

Verse 3: “For strangers have risen up against me, and violent men seek after my soul; they have not set God before them. Selah.” Think on this! Meditate on this! Understand that there’s the world, they’re going to be against us! Maybe right now they’re not against us, but they will. That’s why we have to have our mind set. That’s why we have to learn the lesson of this day: Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, and go forward! Not backward!

Verse 4: “Behold, God is my Helper…” Never forget that. We’re going to see a really encouraging verse in the book of Hebrews in just a bit. If He’s going to help you, who can be against you? Can anyone give you help greater than God? Of course not! Isn’t that something?

• Think about your troubles.
• Think about what you’re going through.
• Think about the personal circumstances in your life.

Realize that God, through Christ, “…is my Helper.”

“…the LORD is with those who uphold my soul…. [Yes, because there are those who will help you, pray for you, intercede for you. Yes, they’re there.] …He shall reward evil to my enemies. Destroy them in Your faithfulness” (vs 4-5). God will! He’ll send them away! He will destroy them! He will get rid of them! All of that so we can draw closer to God. This is why we have troubles and difficulties, so that God becomes a greater reality in our lives, so that we learn to trust God in everything, and that we’re just not ‘playing church’ or keeping Sabbath services, but that we’re truly converted, led of the Holy Spirit of God, preparing for the Kingdom of God and eternal life—all of those things!

Verse 6: “I will freely sacrifice to You… [What are our sacrifices? The spiritual sacrifice of prayers, praise, thanksgiving, and walking in God’s way!] …I will praise Your name, O LORD, for it is good.’ I want you to

• mark this verse
• pray about this verse
• think about this verse

Verse 7: “For He has delivered me out of all trouble, and my eye has seen its desire upon my enemies.” Think about that in relationship to those who oppose you in your life. Think about that in relationship to your own sins that you’re still fighting and battling, because they are enemies against you. Understand that.

Now let’s come to the New Testament and let’s see what we’re fighting against. Let’s see how in this world it’s going to be something! Let’s come to Ephesians, the sixth chapter. This is becoming absolutely more true and visible every day as we witness what is going on. Remember what Jesus promised: That which is spoken in secret is going to be heard from the housetops! I think today, with all of the instant communication that we have—the cell phones, the e-mails, the television, the radio, whatever it may be—we know these things right away.

Notice how this ties in with the theme of today, Ephesians 6:10: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the might of His strength.” God is our Helper! God is the One Who is with us! He loves us and has given us of His Spirit!

Verse 11: “Put on the whole armor of God… [because we’re in spiritual warfare] …so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil… [Those are the slick schemes, those are the things that can sound so blessedly good, because there’s promise of a benefit. Remember, if it’s not according to the Word of God, it’s because there’s no light in them!] …because we are not wrestling against flesh and blood… [NO! This is a spiritual battle. What we see with flesh and blood are just those things that we can see. We can’t see the principalities and powers behind the scenes.] …but against principalities and against powers, against the world rulers of the darkness of this age… [Isn’t that so!] …against the spiritual power of wickednessin high places” (vs 11-12).

It says there in Rev. 12:9 that Satan is deceiving the whole world! It shows in Rev. 13 that there’s a coming world government, and it’s coming bigger and faster than we have ever understood. It’s going to be more all encompassing than we have grasped in the past. It’s coming! It’s coming! Yes, indeed!

Verse 13: “Therefore, take up the whole armor of God…” Everything that there is:

• the love of God
• the Truth of God
• faith in God
• trust in God
• asking God to be with us in times of troubles and difficulties

“…so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having worked out all things, to stand” (v 13). Just like Moses told the children of Israel: Stand! Don’t go backward. We’re to

• stand for the Truth
• stand for the love of God
• stand for what is right
• stand for the things that we know we are to do

So that in times of trouble and when others need help and encouragement we are there, and we are able to help, and we’re able to give them direction, and we’re able to encourage and inspire them. We all need to endure unto the end and then shall we be saved.

Verse 14: “Stand therefore… [having all the armor of God] …having your loins girded about with Truth, and wearing the breastplate of righteousness… [that’s to protect your inner parts, which are all weak—aren’t they? Yes!] …and having your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace” (vs 14-15). That’s what we have been doing, preaching the Gospel to the Church and to the world.

Verse 16: “Besides all these, take up the shield of the faith…” When those missiles and fiery darts come with the faith of God you can reject it out of your mind, you can put it away from you and you can say, ‘get you behind me, Satan.’ You can ‘bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Jesus Christ.’ That’s what God wants us to do. That’s how this last day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread is to be:

• that we learn
• that we change
• that we grow
• that we be strengthened
• that we be uplifted
• that we be inspired

—because of what God is going to do for us!

“…with which you will have the power to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one; and put on the helmet of salvation…” (vs 16-17). We do need that {see sermon series: Who and What Controls Your Mind?} If you have the helmet of salvation there are not going to be the fiery darts of the wicked one gaining entrance into your mind. You can just say, ‘Get you hence, Satan.’ Don’t focus in on those things! Think on the things of God!

“…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (v 17). That’s why we’re to have the Word of God written in our heart and mind, because then we can use that as a spiritual weapon from within to resist, to cut away from the evil, to get out of the grips of the things that are coming upon us.

“…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” That’s why daily prayer, daily study, daily walking in the way of God. That’s how we do it day-by-day. Just as we are to ask God and thank Him for the physical food that we receive day-by-day, we’re also to be fed spiritually day-by-day with the Word of God. Brethren, we live in a time where we have the whole Word of God. Just think of all the spiritual things we can learn, all the spiritual things we can grow into, because of what God has given.

Verse 18: “Praying at all times with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and in this very thing being watchful with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” That’s something!

Let’s understand what Christ is going to do. Let’s understand how He is going to do it. Let’s come to Hebrews 13; here is a great and fantastic verse; let this be burned indelibly in your mind for spiritual strength:

Hebrews 13:6: “So then, let us boldly say… [Trusting in God!] …‘The Lord is my Helper, and I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’” Why?

Let’s come back to v 5: “…for He has said… [Whenever you get discouraged don’t think you’re being cutoff. Come to God in prayer. Here is a promise. You can come to Jesus Christ and say, ‘Jesus, at the right hand of God, and our Father, You have given this promise to us, right here]: …‘In no way will I ever leave you; no—I will never forsake you in any way.’”

• Do you understand that?
• Do you believe that?
• Can you act upon that?
• Yes, you can!

That’s the meaning of the last day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. So, we can boldly say—as we read first—the Lord is my Helper, I will not be afraid! What can man do to me?

• You can overcome Satan the devil!
• You can overcome the world!

You can have God—through repentance and forgiveness—put your sins out of your life!

• God is your Helper!
• Christ is your Savior!

This is the meaning of the last day, the seventh day, of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

Scriptural References:

• Deuteronomy 16:16-17
• Luke 17:5-10
• Matthew 13:52
• 1 Corinthians 10:1-14
• Exodus 14:3, 11-16
• Psalm 50:15
• Psalm 61:1-4
• Psalm 91:1-16
• Psalm 62:1-12
• Psalm 59:1-5
• Psalm 11:1-7
• Psalm 12:1-2
• Psalm 54:1-7
• Ephesians 6:10-18
• Hebrews 13:6, 5

Scriptures referenced, not quoted:

• Revelation 2; 3
• Ezekiel 14
• Exodus 15
• Acts 14
• Revelation 16; 19; 4; 5; 12:9; 13

Also referenced:

Sermon Series:

• How Would You Preach Christ from the Old Testament?
• The Keys to Answered Prayer
• Who and What Controls Your Mind?