John 2
Water turned to wine
Mary was with Jesus in Cana, attending a wedding. Nathanael was from Cana, a disciple we know Jesus called from the previous chapter (see 21:2). Joseph was not there, nor do we hear about him at other times in the Bible. It is probable that Joseph has passed away.
At the wedding, Mary asks her son to help supply more wine. This was most likely a wedding of a relative since Mary was involved. Jesus’ response “My hour has not yet come” suggests Jesus has done miracles privately, and Mary knew it. He turns water into wine. In verse 11, it says, “this beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee and manifested His glory.”
While in the synoptic Gospels, Jesus is seen more as the Son of man, John shows Jesus as the Son of God.
Cleansing the temple
The synoptic Gospels put this event toward the end of Jesus’ ministry, so it seems Jesus cleansed the temple more than once. The disciples were taught the Scriptures, and they remembered Psalm 69:9 said, “Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up.” Jesus took time to braid this whip, chasing out multiple merchants who were selling sacrifices to the Jews instead of the Jews bringing their own sacrifice. This event happened during Passover, when Jews from all around gathered in Jerusalem. Lambs were sacrificed once a year to remember the deliverance from Egypt by the death of the firstborn son, illustrative of the sacrifice Jesus would make. Jesus would be that sacrifice, so He taught His disciples about His death and resurrection by comparing His own body to the destruction of a temple.
Could Jesus’ death and resurrection also be prophetic of the end times?
Jesus said that the temple (His body) would be destroyed and that on the third day He would raise it up again. We understand this is His death and resurrection. Could His death and resurrection be illustrative of the temple’s destruction and His return to the earth?
The temple was destroyed in 70 AD.
Jesus will reign from Jerusalem for 1,000 years (if 1,000 is like a day, then 2 days is like 2,000 years)
2,000 years (2 days) since the temple’s destruction will be completed in 2041 or before (360 days in a prophetic year).
At this point, we don’t know the exact day or hour of Christ’s Second Coming and restoration of Jerusalem, but we know it’s getting closer. We can see the signs. Why wait 2,000 years? You are one of the reasons.
1 Kings 19-20
Jezebel’s Intimidation
Elijah was not a weak man. He just confronted King Ahab and all of Israel, and God performed a mighty miracle of fire coming out of heaven. Elijah accomplished this under the anointing.
Jezebel was furious and was out to kill Elijah like she had already murdered many prophets before through an authority she accessed through the control she had over King Ahab.
When someone talks about a spirit of Jezebel, they are speaking of a spirit that attempts to control true spiritual leadership, and it could be done through a male or female. The people under the influence of a Jezebel spirit want to tell a spiritual leader what to do and how to do it. This controlling spirit will work through people who have gotten close to a pastor or leader, close enough to attempt to manipulate the man or woman of God. Manipulation is involved. That manipulation can happen through religious control, when a church or ministry becomes performance-based with a judgmental spirit. That manipulation can happen through sexual appetites. That manipulation can happen through intimidation and fear. The false god of Baal means “lord or controller.” If the authority in your church or ministry is trying to be controlled by a member of that church or ministry, it could be merely someone’s fleshly nature or it could be a spirit of Jezebel behind it.
We also read about the spirit of Jezebel in Revelation 2:18-29. We see that those who tolerate this controlling and rebellious spirit could become sick or die. We also see the spirit often brings sexual sin into the congregation or church leadership.
Elijah runs away from Jezebel. He feels intimidated. He feels depleted. He feels isolated and alone. He feels like his mission is done and his life is over.
God knows Elijah’s condition, and He comes after His prophet. A great wind comes through, but God was not in the wind. There was an earthquake, but God was not in the earthquake. Then there was a fire, but God was not in the fire. Then Elijah heard a still, small voice that drew him out of the cave where he had been hiding. The voice says, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” God spoke purpose to Elijah. “You are done, yet, Elijah.”
Leaders, you must spend time with God to know your purpose and your authority. Do not tolerate people who are trying to gain control over you or stop your prophetic voice.
Elisha follows Elijah
Elijah walked by Elisha and threw his mantle on him. This was symbolic of the Holy Spirit’s authority, a covering, and because it was Elijah’s mantle, it was a calling for Elisha to succeed Elijah in his office as a prophet. In addition, when the Holy Spirit often falls on us, it can sense that it is like a blanket or a mantle coming down to cover us.
Ahab defeats the Syrians
In chapter 20, we read where King Ahab defeats the Syrian enemy. The Syrians were asserting that their gods were greater than Israel’s God. The Lord gives the victory, but the king spares Ben-Hadad when he shouldn’t have. Ahab is condemned for his wrong choice to spare the Syrian king.
#covertocoverwithmelanie #covertocover #growchurches #bible #biblecommentary #melaniestone #readthebible #readingthroughthebible #biblereadingplan