March 12 Readings

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The Back to the Bible OT and NT Together Reading Plan
Deuteronomy 16-18; Mark 13.1-20

Deuteronomy 16
The Passover, The Feast of Weeks, Feast of Tabernacles were discussed. Here ares some links that will elaborate on them. The Passover reminds of Jesus dying for our sins (John 1.29). The Second Feast, The Feast of Weeks or Pentecost was when the Holy Spirit was given and the church was born in Acts 1. The last feast, The Feast of Tabernacles speaks of Jesus second return. These were all held annually. We should ask ourselves the following questions. Am I saved? have I experience the Holy Spirit in my life and am I ready for the Lord to come back?

Deuteronomy 17 deals with worshiping other gods (v. 1-7, law courts (8-13), appointment of a king (v.15-20) God was very strict about worshiping other god because it was detestable to Him and the penalty is death. Who is the god of your life? Is it God or a god such as pleasure, ambition, money, or a car?
We must understand that He is a jealous GOD. God takes the law courts very seriously. The parties involved must accept the verdict of the judge or the priest. There was no room for appeals as it is today where the judicial system has gone corrupt. If there was a contempt of the priest or judge, they would be put to death. God was their King in the time of Moses. God is a just God and He requires His people to act justly.
This is what is called a theocracy but God foreknew the problems Israel would have with human kings so he was trying to prepare them for that some 400 years later. Most of the kings were very evil in the divided kingdom of Israel and Judah. Who should be the king of life be?

Deuteronomy 18 deals with the offerings for priests and Levites (v. 1-8) and detestable practices (v.9-13) and the role of the Prophet (v. 14-21). God provide food for the priests and Levite through the sacrifices. He takes of those who serve Him. As for detestable practices, He warned the Israelites not to learn from the inhabitants in Canaan. Do not learn such practices such as divination, demonism, witchcraft, or practice spells. It is very common today, the is a fascination with the spiritual world. We should have no part in this. Finally there is a prophecy of Christ in verse 15 and 17. We need to test when someone said that they have the Word of God or that he is a Christian. There are many false prophets running around today. Test the internet sites that you visit against the Word of God to see whether it is authentic.

Deuteronomy 16 with Commentaries, verse by verse
Deuteronomy 17 with Commentaries, verse by verse
Deuteronomy 18 with Commentaries, verse by verse

Other Links
OT Gateway Links on Deuteronomy
Malik Introduction to Deuteronomy
Malik Argument of Deuteronomy
Israel's Covenant Renewal
Dr. Thomas Constable Study Notes is a PDF file, open with Adobe Acrobatic Reader
Calvin Harmony of the Law Volume 1 Search for the chapter you want with (CTRL F)
Calvin Harmony of the Law Volume 2 Search for the chapter you want with (CTRL F)
Calvin Harmony of the Law Volume 3 Search for the chapter you want with (CTRL F)
Calvin Harmony of the Law Volume 4 Search for the chapter you want with (CTRL F)
Spurgeon's Sermons on Deuteronomy
Biblebb.com Website
Stedman on Deuteronomy and Numbers

Mark 13.1-20 Commentaries, verse by verse
Mark 13.1-20
Signs of the End Times
(Mark 13.1-37; Matthew 28.1-51; Luke 21.5-36)

In verse 1-2 Jesus prophesied that the Temple in Jerusalem would be destroyed in A.D. 70. The disciples asked him when would these things be and what would be the sign when all these things would be fulfilled. He warned them about the signs of the antichrists, wars, earthquakes, persecution, the Gospel preached to all nations. Are we in the last days? The answer is yes. All of the above signs mentioned have and is happening now more than ever. The nation of Israel should be used as a barometer of when He is returning. In 1948, The Jews returned back to Palestine. In 1967, the Israelis captured Jerusalem and are living there now, after some 1900 years. The European Union is now here. And 9/11/2001 triggered the invasion of Iraq. Babylon was located in modern Iraq, and many Bible scholars believe that Babylon will have an important role to play in the last days. Regardless of all of these events, Jesus warned to stand firm to the end.

Mark 13.14-37
Jesus gave several warnings about His Second Coming. He told them to look for signs v. 5-13 which we discussed yesterday. Jesus warned us when we see the abomination of desolation (Dan 9.25-27), the revealing of the Antichrist, and the desecration of the temple, then we should flee. It would be hard for pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days. God will shorten those days.. He warned to be on our guard (v. 23).

Application
When we know an hurricane is coming, what do we do? We look for signs, that is check for the weather channel prepare accordingly.


More Links in Mark
Dan Hill on Mark
Ray Stedman on Mark
Jeff Miller on Mark
Chadwick on Mark
Dr. Thomas Constable Study Notes is a PDF file, open with Adobe Acrobatic Reader
Sermons on Mark by Ryle, Spurgeon, and Whitefield
John Piper Sermon's on Mark

More Links on Commentaries for the Old Testament
Dr. Thomas Constable Study Notes (for both OT and NT) is a PDF file, open with Adobe Acrobatic Reader

Jesus Saves
This Posting is NOT a commentary of the passages read today but it is a devotional. Please send a comment if something spoke to you today from the passages, links or thoughts that I have shared with you.