Abraham Offered Isaac

Abraham Offered Isaac (Genesis 22)

A Type Of Christ

Genesis 22:1-2 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

Abraham, the Father of faith, the "father of a multitude" (as his name signified), had been walking with the Lord God for possibly fifty years or more at this time. He had gone through various tests and trials - each one strengthening his faith a little more; and he was about to face his toughest test yet! God was going to test/tempt him (which basically means, "to try, to prove" him) to show to himself and to the world how much he loved God and the evidence of his faith.

Hebrews 11:17-18 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called.

God was calling Abraham to offer his son, the son he loved so much - the son that all the promises of God hinged upon, the son he had waited for 25 years to have, the son he had with Sarah, the son of his love. To offer Isaac on Mount Moriah as a burnt offering, wholly consumed upon the altar. The Lord knew how strong Abraham's faith was, and knew it would not be above what Abraham was able to endure (see 1 Corinthians 10:13), but would be an excellent lesson to us all. Abraham's faith was so strong by this point in his walk with the Lord that his faith did not falter - he trusted God, and obeyed.

Genesis 22:3-4 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.

All the promises of the Messiah coming through his line depended upon this son, all the promises of inheriting the land and receiving a city depended upon Isaac, all the promises of his descendants being as the stars in number and as the sand of the sea depended upon this son of promise, all the promises of being a blessing to the nations of the world depended upon Isaac being alive - but God had called him to sacrifice him on an altar three days journey away!

So Abraham journeyed to the place God told him of (the mountain range of Moriah - where Calvary/Gologtha was, where Solomon's temple would later be built), there to offer his beloved son.

2 Chronicles 3:1 Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, where the LORD appeared unto David his father, in the place that David had prepared in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.

For three days, Abraham considered his son as dead - but believing God would have to raise Isaac up to fulfill all His promises - and in that too we see a type of Christ, the coming Messiah and Saviour of the world.

Hebrews 11:19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

God the Father sent His only begotten Son, His Beloved Son in whom He was well pleased, the Son of promise, to die for our sins on Calvary, where He would then die upon a cruel wooden cross and be buried in a tomb for three days and three nights - but would then arise triumphant over the grave. I believe Abraham was beginning to get a glimpse of what the Messiah would one day do...

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Genesis 22:5 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.

Abraham wasn't 100% sure what exactly would transpire upon that Mount, but he testified of his faith to the men that were travelling with him: "Wait here, we will go and worship God upon this mountain, and will both come back to you again." What faith!

Genesis 22:6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together.

Here we see the son of promise bearing his own wood that he would be sacrificed upon - much as Jesus, the Beloved Son of Promise, would one day bear His own cross to Calvary.

John 19:17 And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha.

It is interesting to note that the only ones who would see what would happen upon that mountain would be Abraham and Isaac, father and son - much like what happened on Calvary that day, when darkness for three hours hid the eyes of prying man from the Saviour who was bearing the sins of the world and God's wrath upon that cross. (See Matthew 27:45-46)

And he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together.

"The fire here speaks of judgment, and the knife speaks of the execution of judgment and of sacrifice." (J. Vernon McGee, Thru The Bible Commentary, Genesis.)

Genesis 22:7-8 And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.

Notice the faith of Abraham - he looked forward to the cross, where the Messiah, the Lamb of God, would die in our place. Notice verse 8 says "God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering." It doesn't say, "God will provide for Himself a lamb," but that "God will provide Himself a lamb" - ie. provide Himself as the lamb! This theme is pictured all through the Old Testament, in every sacrifice - especially in the burnt offering, in the Passover Lamb, in Isaiah 53, in the New Testament, and even in the book of Revelation, where Jesus is referred to as "a Lamb as it had been slain," bearing the scars of His crucifixion for eternity.

"God will provide Himself a lamb." Abraham was looking prophetically towards God's fulfillment of all His promises, especially of the coming Redeemer.

Genesis 22:9 And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.

Abraham got everything in order, prepared the altar - and his son willingly laid down his life! We must remember that Isaac here is a grown man - somewhere between the age of 25-35; no one forced him to give in - Isaac willingly let his father bind him upon the altar, he willingly laid down his life.

Much like our Saviour came down from Heaven, and willingly laid down His life to save us.

Luke 22:42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

Psalms 118:21-28 I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation. The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD. God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar. Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.

John 10:17-18 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Romans 5:6-8 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Genesis 22:10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.

The ultimate test - and here Abraham obeyed, without faltering in his faith - an example to us all. Have you given your all to the Lord, have you given yourself and everything you love into His sovereign hand and will? Look what God did next:

Genesis 22:11-12 And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.

God knew all along how Abraham would fare in this test - but He allowed it so the world would see and be blessed by Abraham's faith. Abraham proved to himself and us how great his faith was, and how much he loved the Lord more than all else, including his beloved son of promise! Abraham obeyed God because of the love and fear (ie. reverential awe and respect) he had for the Lord. Abraham passed the test of his faith - it was real and it was proven to the world.

In Genesis 15:6, we had the declaration that Abraham "believed in the Lord; and he (the Lord) counted it to him for righteousness."

Abraham was justified before God by believing His promises, especially about the coming Messiah and Redeemer who would one day die for his sins (see also Genesis 3:15). Now here we have the passage that explains what many would try to state is a contradiction in the Word of God and which religious groups have always sought to twist:

James 2:20-23 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Rightly divided, this passage is teaching that Abraham was justified before men by acting upon his faith. You see, man cannot see what is in the heart of another man - only the Lord can. We see the proof, the evidence, the fruit of someone's salvation, by how they live - we see the evidence of their faith by how they live it out on a day to day basis, on the works that they do because of their faith. That is the evidence that their salvation was real in the first place. This is what Jesus meant when He said, "Ye shall know them by their fruits." What is on the inside, what is in the heart, will come out eventually. What is the evidence showing in your life? If you have trusted the Lord Jesus Christ alone for salvation, believing that He paid the complete penalty for your sins, when He died in your place, there will be evidence to the world around you. Can they see your faith?

Genesis 22:13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.

I have already touched down on this a little - here we see a ram offered in the stead of his son, Isaac - much like Jesus was offered in our stead. Here we have a wonderful picture of the coming Messiah. Lest someone think that this was the fulfillment of Abraham's statement, "God will provide Himself a lamb," realize this is a ram here, NOT a lamb. The Lamb of God was still to come, and that Lamb would be Jesus.

One part of the picture here that might be easily overlooked is the fact that not only was this ram a substitute, its blood also had to be shed before it was burnt completely on the altar. All the Old Testament animal sacrifices - from those animals slain for Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden to those Passover lambs being slain in the same day that Christ was crucified - and their shed blood (that provided an atonement - a covering for their souls, see Leviticus 17:11) pointed toward the great Sacrifice of Christ and the blood He would one day shed on the cross of Calvary for the sins of the world. Jesus' death and shed blood was the fulfillment of all these types, and in complete accordance with what the atonement pictured in the Old Testament. See Romans 5:11; Hebrews 9:22-10:10. But not only did Christ's sacrifice provide a covering for sins, it also took them completely away! (This is pictured by the two sacrifices on the Day of Atonement - but that is another study for another day.)

John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Abraham offered the ram in the stead of his son - in the place of his son, as a substitute. One day, almost 2000 years ago, Jesus died in our stead, in our place, bearing the wrath and judgment that our sins deserved, as our Subsitute - this is what is often referred to as the Substitutionary Atonement.

Here, I believe, Abraham got his clearest glimpse of the coming Messiah:

John 8:56-58 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

In the Old Testament, God's name Jehovah means, "I Am that I Am." (See Exodus 3:14) This is exactly who Jesus claimed to be, which is why the unbelieving Jews got upset - but notice how it fulfilled the wonderful prophecy made by Abraham: "God will provide Himself a lamb." There are no contradictions in the Word of God - it is all one big Book that fits together wonderfully!

One of my favourite verses in the whole Bible:

Genesis 22:14 And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.

Jehovahjireh - the Lord my Provider! The name means literally, "The Lord Will See or Provide," signifying that the Lord has seen my need and and will provide it. The Bible teaches that Jesus saw our greatest need: for salvation from sin and eternity in Hell, and provided for that need. Now all that trust in Him have the promise that as they walk with Him they will have all their other needs provided for as well:

Romans 8:31-32 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

What a wonderful promise! What a wonderful Saviour! What a wonderful type

Galatians 3:8-9 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

I hope this passage was opened up to you and helped you to understand a bit more about the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. Have you trusted in His free gift of salvation? God preached the Gospel to Abraham through prophecies and types, and here we see this type opened up before our eyes. Have you received this Gospel of salvation in your heart, and have you receive the Saviour it tells of?

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.

Jesus was crucified on Calvary, which is on Mount Moriah, was buried in a tomb for three days and three nights, and then arose triumphantly over the grave. Have you trusted the Lamb of God to take away your sins and save you?

January 12th, 2006
Jerry Bouey

For more studies in Genesis (with Genesis as the springboard):

Genesis

Eagle's Wings Ministries TOC

Welcome To

Eagle's Wings Ministries!

But they that wait upon the LORD
shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles;
they shall run, and not be weary;
and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31

My name is Jerry (Gerald) Bouey. I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour on November 13th, 1992 and am a committed Christian. I am a member of an Independent, Fundamental Baptist church in Chilliwack, BC, named Faith Baptist Church. (When this website was created, I was a member of an IFB church in Kelowna, BC, named People's Baptist Church, which closed its doors at the beginning of 2021.) This site stands solely on the King James Bible and the preserved underlying texts (ie. the Hebrew Masoretic Text and the Greek Textus Receptus). The Bible is my sole authority in life and practice.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

My goal for Eagle's Wings Ministries is for it to be a site for Biblically-based studies and devotions, to strengthen and build up Christians, as well as be a witness to those who don't yet know Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. There are studies here that will challenge you to walk closer to the Lord, devotionals that will strengthen your faith and exhort you to claim and live by Bible promises and principles, and there are studies that help clear up some of the doctrinal confusion that many are faced with day by day in their walk with the Lord.

Many studies on this website were written by me, but I have also included more studies by other men of God. Please check out my other blogs listed below for many other studies and articles, as well as godly, Bible-based poetry.

---

Table Of Contents

If you read only one article on this website, please let this be it:
God's Simple Plan of Salvation
It concerns the most important decision you will ever make in your life!
Don't let this opportunity to be saved pass you by.

All studies and devotionals on this site are based on the King James Bible.

Doctrinal Statement - (The basics of what we believe)
My Christian poetry site, Home Of The Real McCoy.
My first poetry book called Refuge In The Storms Of Life (with Foreward and links to each poem/study)

You can view this whole book as one continuous page by clicking here:

Refuge In The Storms Of Life page

My second poetry book, The Seasons Of Your Pilgrimage.

For ebook/PDFs, click on the links below to download the zip files, which you just need to unzip in your Downloads folder:

Refuge In The Storms Of Life PDF  (My first poetry book)

The Seasons Of Your Pilgrimage PDF   (My second poetry book) Updated December 2023

Poems And Promises PDF  (a booklet put together recently, including encouraging poems and short devotionals)

Comfort ye, comfort ye My people, saith your God.
Isaiah 40:1

Sayings by Jerry Bouey:

FAITH:
Forever
Abiding
In
This
Hope

PEACE:
Presently
Enabling
A
Calmer
Existence

Fervency is the fire on the altar of your heart that burns the incense of prayer and sends the sweet-smelling savour up to God.

The Final Proof of our Love is in the Faithful Pattern of our Living.

Jerry's Blogs:

For even more studies and devotionals (anything written or posted by me after 2006): Buy The Truth
Proverbs 23:23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

For sermon outlines (for the devotionals that I preached at Kelowna Gospel Mission), simple word studies, and short devotionals by me that may bless you, please visit:
A Shadow Of Things To Come

For more solid Christian articles by other sound men of God, see Faithful Men Of God

For poems by myself and others: Songs In The Night
Job 35:10 But none saith, Where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night.

My original poetry site, containing mostly poetry by me, as well as some poems written by others that were included in my poetry books, or the audio of poems that I read in church:
Home Of The Real McCoy

The Substance Of Things Hoped For (Faith-based Stories and Illustrations)

Just A Closer Walk With You (Daily Devotionals And Poems)

Here is the link to a new blog I have put together that contains The Psalms Of David In Metre by Isaac Watts and The Psalms Of David In Metre by the Church of Scotland. They will contain other Scriptural passages in Metre by Isaac Watts when I am able to add them.

 

A list of the sermons preached and the poems presented in church since 2022 

Jerry's Testimonies:

My Personal Testimony (How I became a Christian)
My Victory Over Depression
Winning The Battle Over Depression (Update)
Provoke Not Your Children (Overcoming past abuse)
Our Mom's Victory Through Faith (Eulogy)
God's Grace In Our Trials (Dealing with the loss of my Mom)

Devotions And Studies by Jerry Bouey: 

For A Searching Heart (What The Bible Says About Salvation):

An Honest Doubter
Cities of Refuge
Who Is A Child Of God?
Is Your Name Written Down?
Three Appointments
The Simplicity Of Salvation
The Reasons Why Jesus Came
Have You Any Room For Jesus?
Not Ashamed
Heart Disease
Six Things The Lord Opened
What Is Man?
Render Unto God
Abba, Father
What Is Written On Your Record? 

Two Part Study On Rest:

And I Will Give You Rest - (The Rest Of Salvation)
Rest For Your Souls - (The Rest Of Victory In Christ) 

For A Closer Walk With The Lord:

The Giver, Or The Gifts?
Leaning On The Lord
Secrets Of The Lord
Is God Limited By Our Past?
In Thy Hands
Have You Been With Jesus?
I Will Trust In Thee (The Blessings Of Assurance)
No Never! - A New Testament Word Study
My Hiding Place (Psalm 32)
Romans 8:1 - Now No Condemnation
Romans 8 - God Is For Us
Arise, And Come Away (Song 2:13-17) - includes audio of sermon preached in 2023
What Is Your Response To The Word Of God?
The Fountain Of Living Waters
Sinking In The Mire
How Much Do You Value God's Word?
All Our Tomorrows (Psalm 139:1-12)
The Lord Thinketh Upon Me (Psalm 139:13-18)
Conquering The Canaanites In Your Life 

General Studies by Jerry Bouey:

Bible Versions: Does It Matter? (Edited 2023)
The Cost Of Losing Our Separation
1 Corinthians 13:12 - (spiritual gifts/tongues)
- See also Tongues: To Speak Or Not To Speak by Dennis Corle 

Salvation By Grace Through Faith
Commentary on Romans 1-5:

Introduction 

The Seven Churches of Revelation 2-3:
(For my updated studies and Commentary On The Book Of Revelation, click the link to the left - a current work in progress)

Revelation Chapter One - An Overview
Ephesus: The Backslidden (Loveless) Church
Smyrna: The (Persecuted) Suffering Church
Laodicea: The Lukewarm Church 

For Service And Soulwinning:

Are You Ready, Willing, And Able?
No Man Cared For My Soul
Always Abounding In The Work Of The Lord 

Studies On The Furnace Of Affliction:

Part One - As Silver is Tried
Part Two - Come Forth As Gold 

Lessons In The Valleys:

The Valley Of Trouble
The Valley Of The Shadow Of Death - Part One
The Lily Of The Valleys 

The Story Of Four Gardens:

Three Avenues Of Temptation
The Garden Of Eden
The Garden Of Gethsemane
The following were preached but not written out as studies:
The Garden With The Empty Tomb
Paradise, The Garden Of Eternity 

The Twelve Apostles:

#1 Simon The Zealot
#2 Bold And Rash Peter
#3 Thomas The Doubter
#4 Jesus Loved Them To The End 

On The Armour Of God:

The Armour of God
Is Your Armour On? - includes audio of sermon preached in 2023
The Armour Of Light 

Jesus In The Scriptures (And Other Old Testament Types):

Cities of Refuge
And I Will Give You Rest - (The Rest Of Salvation - pictured by the Sabbath)
Rest For Your Souls - (The Rest Of Victory In Christ - Conquering the sins in our lives)
The Rock of Horeb
Abraham Offered Isaac (Genesis 22)
Leprosy And Its Cure (Lev. 13-14)
Jesus - The Sinner's Surety
Sinking In The Mire 

Lessons From The Life Of Jacob:

Jacob, The Plain Man 

Daily Devotionals by Jerry:

From July 2004 to October 2006, I posted and emailed out Daily Devotionals on my mailing list, by myself and by many other authors. Due to the everchanging nature of the internet, many external links no longer work. I have chosen not to repost those monthly pages here, but will repost the individual devotionals I have personally written below (some of the links may take you to my other blog, Buy The Truth, if I have already reposted them there in the past). During these months, I also posted many full length studies - too many to mention here - but all those ones are already posted on Buy The Truth. You can also find some of the various articles written by others on this blog, Faithful Men Of God.

July and August 2004:

The Song Of The Altar - July 26th
The Fire On The Altar - July 29th
At The Feet Of Jesus - August 11th
The Lord Is Able - August 13th
Job's Lessons In Trust: Times Of Testing - August 19th
Be Ye Transformed (Romans 12:2) - August 29th

September 2004:

Psalm 107 - Part One - September 1st
Psalm 107 - Part Two - September 2nd
Blessed Contrasts In Scripture - September 11th
For A Season - September 14th
Some Sevens In Scripture - September 28th
More Sevens In Scripture - September 29th

October 2004:

Praise God - October 11th
Of How Much More Value Are We? - October 26th

November 2004:

Like A Tree - November 4th

December 2004:

Some Thoughts On Martyrdom - December 21st

January 2005:

Since Yesterday/An Unexpected Influence - January 22nd&23rd (Added to God's Grace In Our Trials)

March 2005:

Eight Reasons Why Jesus' Resurrection Is Important - March 27th

April 2005:

The Touch Of Faith - April 5th

May 2005:

Psalms 42-43 - May 27th

June 2005:

What Jesus Takes Great Joy In - June 16th

August 2005:

When Life Doesn't Go As You Planned (Story Of Joseph) - August 6th
My Comments On The Brazen Laver - August 10th
What God Cannot Do - August 16th

September 2005:

Will We Know Our Loved Ones In Heaven?

October 2005:

A One-Time Dedication Or Dying Daily? - October 15th

December 2005:

It Is Well With My Soul - December 9th
The Meaning Of Christmas - December 16th

January 2006:

My Strength - January 12th
The Bible Is Its Own Commentary - January 15th
A Type Pictured In Revelation Four - January 21st (Rewritten January 22nd, 2025)
What God Wrote - January 30th

February 2006:

Seven Benefits Of Faith In Christ - Romans 5:1-11 - February 5th
What The Genealogy In Genesis Five Pictures - February 12th
Sevens In The Book Of Revelation - February 25th

March 2006:

Why I Am An Ambassador For Christ - March 4th
Running The Race Of The Christian Life - March 18th

 

General Studies by Others:

On The Word Of God And The King James Bible:

King James Bible Preface
Ten Reasons Why I Believe The Bible Is The Word Of God - by R.A. Torrey
Principles Of Bible Preservation - by Jack Moorman
How I Know The King James Bible Is The Word Of God - by James Melton
Myth Of Early Revisions - by David Reagan
What About Those Printing Errors In The 1611 Holy Bible? - by Will Kinney
Christian Universities Anthem - by Timothy D. Fellows, Jr.
Regarding The KJV Issue - by Jim Oakley
The Comfort Of The Scriptures - by T.T. Shields
7 Reasons Why I Believe The Bible Is The Word Of God - by Ian Paisley
NIV Bible Test

On Soulwinning:

A Christian's Purpose - by Dr. Len G. Broughton

Other Topics:

The Pilgrim Wrestling With The Lord - by F.B. Meyer
The Deity Of Christ - Which Jesus?
50 Reasons Why A Saved Person Can Never Be Lost - by Timothy Morton
Scriptural Tests For Modern Dilemmas
The Most Spiritual Churches In America - by Danny Vanhoose
The Lord's Deputy - by Tim Fisher
Is It Right To Judge? - by E.L. Bynum
Bunyan's Computer - by Buddy Smith
Theological Dinosaurs - by Buddy Smith
Grace Displaced - by Buddy Smith
Bring The Books - by Buddy Smith
Acts 8:26-40 (2005 Version) - by Buddy Smith
The Stepchildren Of The Churches? - by Buddy Smith

A Scriptural Look At Spiritual Gifts:

1 Corinthians 13:12 - by Jerry Bouey
Tongues - To Speak Or Not To Speak (1 Corinthians 14) - by Dennis Corle

Sermons By Others:

Have You Knelt At Gethsemane? - by David Garner
Lost Sheep - by Dewitt Talmage

Sermons By Charles Spurgeon:

Christ Our Passover
Bread Enough And To Spare
Our Leader Through The Darkness
A Sermon For The Time Present
Mr. Moody's Text
My Times Are In Thy Hand
The First Day Of Creation
Whither Goest Thou?
Their Desired Haven
Discipline In Christ's Army

Excellent Books To Read:

A Dreamer And His Wonderful Dream - (The Story Of John Bunyan And His Pilgrim's Progress) - by Alfred P. Gibbs

The Companion Of The Way - by H.C. Hewlett (all chapters posted)
You can also download this book as a free Swordsearcher module here: The Companion Of The Way Swordsearcher Module

Union And Communion - Commentary by Hudson Taylor on Song of Solomon (all chapters posted)
Download this book as a free Swordsearcher module here: Union And Communion Swordsearcher Module

Till He Come - a book by Spurgeon containing devotional messages preached at the Lord's Supper:
Mysterious Visits (Ch. 1)
Under His Shadow (Ch. 2)
I Will Give You Rest (Ch. 12)
Real Contact With Christ (Ch. 15)

Note on website when originally created:

I am a member of a good, solid, New Testament, Bible believing church in Kelowna, B.C. where I attend regularly. It is called People's Baptist Church. It is an Independent, Fundamental Baptist church that preaches and teaches from the King James Bible and doesn't explain it away. Here there are Christians that actually want to live for the Lord Jesus Christ and not just pay lip service to Him and His Word. I have been learning so much lately from God's Word and from solid Bible studies that I am amazed. No more pablum from the NASV, when I can digest this solid food from the King James Bible! It is such a relief to know that what I am reading is the truth, and nothing but the truth! I don't have to depend on my own personal whim (or the marginal notes of a lukewarm version, or the myriad opinions of clergy and scholars) to determine what God really said (and is still saying today to those who will heed His voice and not harden their hearts).

Personal Disclaimer:

I know that a lot of what I have to say will not be popular, but everything I do say is based on all my personal study of God's Holy Word and holding everything up to the light of that Word. I do not explain away passages or try to twist God's Word to fit my personal biases - I don't believe that God's Word is malleable - in the sense that we can take any Bible passage 1000 different ways. God meant what He said and He said what He meant. God said it and that settles it! Someone could choose to teach lies, but that's from (a) twisting the Word to their own destruction, or (b) using a corrupted version because they can't handle the pure Words of the Lord.

I am sharing what the Scriptures say and my personal convictions and thoughts on certain subjects. I am sharing what I believe in these studies and articles, but I make no claims to being inerrant - only God is, and His Word (in English, God's inerrant Word is the King James Bible). If you, the reader, come across anything on my website that you believe is inaccurate or wrong based on your studies of the KJB, then please share your conclusions with me. You will find that I am teachable and I will change my mind on areas where I am proved wrong. BUT I will only change my mind on any given doctrine/subject if your conclusion takes into account all the Scripture dealing with that issue. Not one or two verses ripped out of context. If you find that any of my conclusions are overlooking other verses or passages that contradict my conclusions, let me know. My email address is below.

I make no apologies for what is on my website. The truth is a stumbling block to the unbeliever or carnal Christian. Jesus Himself is a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence to those who reject Him. (1 Peter 2:8) I will not be guilty of being a man-pleaser and removing the offence of the cross. I will do my best not to be personally offensive, but if the truth of God's Holy Word offends, then let it be so! Maybe whomever it offends will realize that all their lives they were held captive to the devil and will come to a knowledge of the truth and be saved. If your lifestyle and beliefs are never put under subjection to the Word of God and the conviction of the Holy Spirit, how then can you repent of your sins and trust Jesus Christ, the Son of God and our only Saviour, for the salvation you so desperately need if you ever hope to attain to eternal life. Eternal life is knowing God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour. (See John 17:3 and 1 John 5:20) It is a relationship, not a religion.

For those who have read my essay on Bible Versions and may desire a list of references (bibliography and source for quotes), unfortunately I don't have one prepared that lists all my primary sources. I didn't keep track of all my sources when I wrote the essay because originally it was just a letter I was writing to a friend of mine. The Lord impressed upon me the desire to share my research and personal study in this area with others. I can email anyone that is interested a list of some of the books I have found the most useful in researching this issue. (My study, Bible Versions: Does It Matter?, was probably the earliest study I wrote as a believer and put online - not counting outlines, etc. for Bible study groups. At this point in time, I will not be rewriting it, but you can use it as a springboard for further study.)

Much valuable information on various aspects of the Bible Versions issue can be gathered from David Cloud's website: Way Of Life Literature. All the information on my essay has been confirmed and modified based on information David Cloud has located on his site or has directly linked to. He thoroughly covers everything from preservation, to the history of the various texts, to translators, as well as in-depth looks at some of the changes in the newer versions. David Cloud's site also links to many sound sites that can give you further information on this issue.

NOTE: David Cloud was not one of my primary sources for putting my essay together, but I have since found all the same sound information that I came across covered in his many well-researched articles. I highly recommend his website as a starting place for research on this subject.

Rest For Your Souls

Rest For Your Souls

Part Two - The Rest Of Victory In Christ

Psalm 23:1-3 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

What a blessing it is for the children of God to walk with Jesus day by day, to live in continual fellowship with Him, trusting in Him for their every care and need. What a privilege to know this Shepherd as our personal Saviour. We need never fear when we remember that Jesus is always with us. He continually makes us to lie down in green pastures and is ever leading us beside still waters. The perfect peace and rest He provides is more than we could ever imagine. This psalm gives us a beautiful picture of what it is to rest content in the Saviour, our Shepherd. That is a privilege only His children can claim. Exodus 33:14 And He said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest .

Are you trusting in Jesus Christ alone for salvation? Are you resting in the complete forgiveness and cleansing He has provided for whosoever will come to Him? Are you finished with your own toiling and labouring to earn God's approval? Through His death on Calvary, and the shedding of His blood for our sins, He has done all that is needed to save your soul. Through His physical resurrection, He proved that He had the power to save you from sin, death, and the grave. Have you trusted in Jesus' finished work on the cross? His death paid the full penalty needed to reconcile you to the Heavenly Father, if you will receive His gift of salvation by faith. Let His precious blood wash your sins away.

If you have trusted in Jesus to save you, are you now resting in Him day by day? Do you have peace and joy in your Christian walk, or do you feel like you are spinning on a roller coaster ride, one day up the next day down? Is victory a foreign concept to you? It doesn't have to be! Daily victory is a result of faith, of spending time with the Lord in prayer and in reading His Word. We also need to be regularly attending a church where the Word of God is clearly preached and taught, where we will be fed spiritually and equipped in our service for the Shepherd. Song of Solomon 1:7 Tell me, O Thou whom my soul loveth, where Thou feedest, where Thou makest Thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of Thy companions?

Like Israel, we can forfeit our daily victory through lack of trust in the Saviour, and the perfect rest He gives.

When Israel was traveling through the wilderness, twelve men were sent to spy out Canaan. The land was abundant and fruitful. Truly it was a land of milk and honey, where the grapes of Eshcol grew so big that one cluster needed two men to carry it! God had given them the land, but they needed to trust Him to fight the battles for them. Ten of the spies discouraged the Israelites from claiming victory, and therefore they refused to enter the promised land. As a result, they were chastised by spending forty years wandering in the wilderness, a barren land of unrest and strife.

Here is what the Lord Himself (through Paul) had to say about their wanderings in Hebrews 3:7-19:

Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear His voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted Me, proved Me, and saw My works forty years. Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known My ways. So I sware in My wrath, They shall not enter into My rest.) Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; While it is said, To day if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. But with whom was He grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? And to whom sware He that they should not enter into His rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

We see that of the whole nation of Israel, only two men (of all those 20 years old and upward) were able to enter into the promised land. These two were Joshua and Caleb; all the rest of the nation died in their wilderness wanderings, without ever seeing the land of rest and promise. They lost out on the victory through unbelief! They would not trust the Lord to give them the victory over their enemies. Even so today, you and I can miss out on the blessings of God, miss out on the victorious life, because of a lack of faith, a lack of trust in what the Lord has said. Unbelief is sin! And we don't need to give in to it! We just need the simple faith of a child which believes simply because their parent has spoken. Our Heavenly Father has spoken clearly in His Word. Let's claim His promises and believe Him, not our feelings or our reasonings. God said it, that settles it!

The Greek word for "believed not" in Hebrews 3:18 is Strong's #544, which means "to disbelieve (willfully and perversely)". It was a choice on the part of the Israelites to not believe, to perversely refuse to believe God's promised rest of victory. We encounter a different form of that word (Strong's # 543, "unbelief") in chapter four verses 6 and 11 (see below). Will we choose to rebel and be unbelieving like the Israelites, or will we choose in simple faith to trust and believe what the Lord has said in His Word? How many times have we as Christians refused to believe that the Lord knows what is best for us? When we choose to "believe not" that Jesus will give us the power we need to overcome sin and bondage in our own lives, and we refuse the cleansing touch He offers, we are, in effect, rebelling (though we don't like to think of our unbelief in that way) against Him. We know that the change would be uncomfortable, and we prefer to avoid the discomfort of striving against sin. In our compromise, we let sin gradually take over, and thus lose the victory that the Lord has promised to give us, if we will only walk by faith. 1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Hebrews 4:1-11 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into His rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter into rest, as He said, As I have sworn in My wrath, if they shall enter into My rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For He spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all His works. And in this place again, If they shall enter into My rest. Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: Again, He limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts. For if Jesus had given them rest, then would He not afterward have spoken of another day. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into His rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from His. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

There are three types of rest promised in Hebrews four, and sometimes there is confusion when this chapter is not rightly divided. The main emphasis of chapters three and four is the rest of victory, and the loss of that rest through unbelief and disobedience.

The first rest is the rest of salvation. We find this mentioned in verse 10. For he that is entered into His* rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from His. *Commentators seem divided as to whose rest is specifically in view here: either the believer's rest from his own works (in regards to salvation - rest from our own works, rest from striving to earn God’s approval through our own “righteousness”), or entering into Christ's rest through faith in His finished work on the cross. Basically, they both amount to the same thing, and are merely two sides of the same coin; Biblically, we quit striving to work our way toward Heaven when we truly rest in Christ's finished work. I have already covered that in my first study on rest - And I Will Give You Rest (The Rest Of Salvation). Matthew 11:28 Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Another rest mentioned in this passage is the rest of Heaven. This is the believers' eternal home, where all sin is vanquished and there is perfect peace and joy. Here there is no more striving against the world, the flesh, and the devil; our own sinful nature has been removed forever (do I hear an Amen?), and we have finished whatever service the Lord has planned for us in this earthly life. This is the rest referred to in verse 9: There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. This is a promised rest that is not conditioned on anything we can do or have done, except for our personal faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. It is not a rest we can earn (or even forfeit), but the end result of the first rest - the perfection (completion) of our salvation. Revelation 14:13 says, And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. At the end of a long day of working in the field of this sin-cursed world, this is the rest from our toil and labour.

The third rest (and the overall theme of Hebrews 3:7-4:11) is the rest of victory in Jesus Christ - rest for our souls. It is a rest conditioned upon our daily trust in the Lord, and our walk by faith. Notice that four times in this chapter, Paul says, "Let us …" (Hebrews 4:1,11,14,16) He is speaking to professing Christians here and stating that there is a rest that we can come short of. (This is not the rest of salvation - though the unsaved can forfeit that through willful rejection of the only Saviour.) In verse three, he states that "we which have believed do enter into rest", but the others did not. So this rest is a rest promised to believers.

This rest for our souls is found only in the Lord Jesus Christ. I believe the King James Bible is accurate when it states the name "Jesus" in Hebrews 4:8. While it is true that Joshua (a type of Jesus) led the Israelites into the promised land, and they had victory over the enemies when they trusted fully in the Lord, it was not Joshua who spoke through King David in Psalms 95 (which Paul quotes from in Hebrews chapters three and four). Hebrews 4:7-8 says Again, He limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts. For if Jesus had given them rest, then would He not afterward have spoken of another day. If Jesus had given the Israelites the rest mentioned in this passage of Scripture (spiritual rest, the rest of victory) when they entered Canaan, then He would not have promised rest almost five hundred years later through this Psalm of David. As we will see in this study, this promised rest is much more than a relief from physical enemies, but is in fact a spiritual rest, a rest of victory through abiding in Christ.

Over and over again, reference is made to Israel's wanderings in the wilderness. They were promised the land; the Lord said He would fight their battles for them and give them the victory over the inhabitants of Canaan; but they refused to believe Him. In the books of Joshua and Judges, we see this rest pictured. After God's people had crossed the Jordan River, they were faced with the Canaanites (and other ungodly nations), which the Lord told them to wipe out because of their wickedness and abominations. When the Israelites did exactly as the Lord commanded them to do, they had victory upon victory with little or no loss of life. The Lord fought their battles as He promised He would.

Joshua 21:44 And the LORD gave them rest round about, according to all that He sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand.

1 Kings 8:56 Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto His people Israel, according to all that He promised: there hath not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised by the hand of Moses His servant.

But there were times that God's people did not wipe out their enemies, they did not follow God's instructions, they did not deal with sin in the camp, and the results were grievous and many lives were lost.

The Bible is a book full of examples to learn from and be admonished of. (See Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11; 2 Timothy 3:16-17) Israel's crossing of the Jordan and entering the promised land represents the life of a believer after he/she comes to Christ for salvation. (I challenge you to read the books of Joshua and Judges again - especially Judges 1-2, praying for wisdom and examining them it in the light of the following comments.) As they dealt with their sin and compromise and completely followed the Lord's instructions in His Word, the Lord gave them complete and utter victory over their enemies - the world, the flesh, and the devil. BUT when they chose not to fight against their enemies - to drive them out of the land, and chose the path of carnal peace and compromise, they suffered severe defeat. These nations that they did not conquer became thorns in their sides (See Joshua 23:8-13 and Judges 2:2-3), and snares unto them. Likewise, when we refuse to deal completely with the sins in our lives, eventually those same sins will become thorns in our sides and snares to our spiritual lives. We will reap what we sow. If we sow sin (by walking according to the flesh), we will reap a harvest of sorrow and tears; but if we sow righteousness (by walking according to the leading of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God), we will reap a harvest of blessings and victory. (See also Hosea 8:7) (For a further look into this spiritual conflict, contrast Joshua 7 with Joshua 14. Also Joshua 15:63; 16:10; 17:12-13; with Joshua 17:14-18; 19:47. The issue here is faith versus unbelief.)

In 1 John 5:13 it says, These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. It used to puzzle me to see the same phrase repeated in the same verse, until I learned what it meant to "believe on" Jesus Christ. To "believe on" is to put your trust, your dependence on something, to commit yourself to it. First, we need to believe on Jesus for salvation, then, secondly, we need to believe on Him for our daily walk. We need to depend on Him for victory. The just shall live by faith is a phrase that is repeated three times in the New Testament. (See Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; and Hebrews 10:38) Our Heavenly Father didn't just intend us to be saved by faith, but also to live our whole Christian lives by faith! The last quote was just before the great Faith Chapter - Hebrews 11. There we have examples of believers throughout history who have lived (and died) in victory they received through faith. Will you be one of them?

Hebrews 4:11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. The word for "labour" means "to use speed, i.e. to make effort, be prompt or earnest; be diligent." Paul (and the Holy Spirit) are exhorting us to earnestly strive for victory in Christ, to be diligent to ensure that we do not lose this victory through our willful unbelief, through our lack of trust in the Lord. How do we achieve or maintain this victory? The next five verses give us three things to continue in, three things that are so essential if we are to be victorious, three things that will enable us to abide in the rest of victory that Jesus Christ offers to the child of God:

1) Stay continually in the Word of God. Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. It is interesting to note that right after we are given the command to enter into His rest, we are reminded of the means to do so: it is the Word of God that gives us the faith we are to walk by (Romans 10:17), teaches us how we are to live and please the Lord day by day, and, like a mirror, shows us what we are like in God's sight and what we should be like. When the Holy Spirit reveals to us what we need to change in our lives, let us seek His wisdom and His strength to do so. (See James 1:22-25) Let us take and apply what God's Word teaches us, and stand where His Word commands us to.

2) Look continually to Jesus Christ. Hebrews 4:13-15 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us remember that Jesus can sympathize with us in all our infirmities. He was tempted in all points as we are, yet He never gave in to sin; therefore He is the only person who can truly understand our weaknesses and struggles, and can give us victory over all of them! He can give us the strength and faith to overcome the spiritual battles in our lives! Romans 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. (See also Proverbs 5:21 and Psalms 139:23-24)

3) Pray continually, and come continually to the throne of grace. Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. When we sin, and lose the victory through our unbelief, we need God's mercy (that is God withholding what we do deserve) - we need His forgiveness and cleansing daily. (See Lamentations 3:22-23; Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1:9) Then we need the Lord's grace (that is Him freely giving us what we don't deserve) - to regain the victory, to retake the land that we have let the Canaanites conquer in our lives.

This is a day by day, moment by moment, battle!

The Greek word for "help" in verse 16 (quoted above) literally means "to run to the cry". When we earnestly cry out in prayer, Jesus will run to our cry and give us the victory. He has promised to give us all the help we need when we look to Him in faith.

Are there sins in your life that the Lord has given you clear guidance on how to overcome? Are you trusting Jesus for the grace and strength you need to be victorious over these specific sins, and to flee temptation? Some verses that will help you are: 1 Corinthians 10:13; Philippians 4:13; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Deuteronomy 33:25. We must remember that spiritual victory only comes through Jesus - not through any type of man-made philosophies, not psychology nor psychiatry, but only through faith and trust in His Word! If you don't read and study the Bible, your faith will not grow. (See Romans 10:17) Get in the Book! Then claim the promises you find. Learn from the examples you see. And trust the Lord daily for the rest of victory!

1 Corintjhians 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 2:14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of His knowledge by us in every place.

Jeremiah 6:16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

Matthew 11:29-30 Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.

Psalms 116:7 Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.

All The Way My Saviour Leads Me
(Lyrics: Fanny Crosby)

All the way my Savior leads me
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who through life has been my Guide?
Heav'nly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate'er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well;
For I know, whate'er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well.

All the way my Savior leads me
Cheers each winding path I tread,
Gives me grace for every trial,
Feeds me with the living Bread.
Though my weary steps may falter
And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see;
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see.

All the way my Savior leads me
O the fullness of His love!
Perfect rest to me is promised
In my Father's house above.
When my spirit, clothed immortal,
Wings its flight to realms of day
This my song through endless ages:
Jesus led me all the way;
This my song through endless ages:
Jesus led me all the way.

Hebrews 4:1   "Let us therefore fear" coming short of this promised rest of victory in Christ.
Hebrews 4:11 "Let us labour" to enter into this rest through faith.
Hebrews 4:14 "Let us hold fast our profession."
Hebrews 4:16 "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace."

Study written August 2nd, 2002
Jerry Bouey

For Part One:
And I Will Give Your Rest - The Rest Of Salvation

For a follow up study on this theme:
Conquering The Canaanites In Your Life

And I Will Give You Rest

And I Will Give You Rest

Part One - The Rest Of Salvation

To quote a hymn writer: "Are you weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?"

What are you doing with your burdens? Are you trying to carry them yourself? Are you weighed down with trying to reach Heaven through your own good deeds and righteousness? Are you oppressed by all the legalistic rules that religious leaders have placed upon you? Matthew 23:4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. These burdens of men are heavy and grievous indeed!

It doesn't have to be that way. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28 Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. There is a rest found only in the Saviour that the religions of the world can never offer you. It is the rest from striving for perfection, striving to keep the Law, striving to make your good deeds outweigh your bad deeds.

By the way, that can never happen. In God's sight, when we are without Jesus Christ we have no good deeds. Isaiah 64:6 says, But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. The Bible teaches that none of us are righteous - we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. (See Romans 3:10, 23) Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on Him (Jesus) the iniquity of us all.

All of us have gone our own way in life (whether it be the way of atheism, the way of the religious - trying to work our way to Heaven by adding church service or baptism, etc. to the Gospel - whatever our way has been. That's the problem, it's our way!), not the Lord's way. The wages of our sin against God is death in a literal, fiery place called Hell. (See Romans 6:23) There is nothing we can do to escape that punishment. The wrath of God must strike and our sins must be judged.

But praise the Lord Jesus Christ! Jesus offers us rest from the penalty of the Law. He took all our sins upon Himself when He died on the cross. He died in our place, as our substitute, and bore the judgment for our sins so that we wouldn't have to, if we place personal faith in Him and in the perfect salvation He provides.

The saying that lightning never strikes twice in the same place is so true. The lightning of God's wrath struck the Lord on Calvary, and if by faith we accept His payment in our place, we will never be struck by that wrath. God's wrath will not strike His children, because His only begotten Son has already borne it! Romans 5:6, 8-9 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

1 Corinthians 5:7 …For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.

2 Corinthians 5:21 For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.

1 Peter 2:24; 3:18 Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.

1 John 2:1-2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

The fact that He arose again after three days in the tomb is the proof that His sacrifice (of Himself) for our sins was accepted by God the Father. Romans 4:24-25 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on Him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Several beautiful types of the rest of salvation found in Jesus are portrayed in the story of Noah's Ark:

1) First, we have Noah's name, which means rest. (Genesis 5:29)

2) We have the ark itself, which is a picture of the refuge found in Christ from the wrath of God (which was displayed by the worldwide flood). It is interesting to note that in the description of the Ark in Genesis 6:14-16, there are seven specific things mentioned: Gopher wood, rooms, pitch, dimensions, a window, a door, 3 floors. Seven is God's number of perfection, completion. So here we have a picture of God's perfect salvation through Jesus Christ, who is our complete refuge from God's wrath against sin (eternity in Hell). There was only one door to enter into the Ark. God has only one way of salvation, only one Saviour who paid the complete penalty for our sin, only one name whereby we must be saved! (See John 14:6; Acts 4:12) Once Noah and his family entered the Ark, they were completely safe from the destruction of the flood. The Lord Himself shut them in the Ark, and it is the Lord Himself who keeps us in Christ, safely preserved unto Heaven. (See Genesis 7:16; 1 Peter 1:3-5)

3) In Genesis 8:8-9, when Noah released the dove, she found no rest for the sole of her feet from the chaos of the world after the flood, except in the Ark itself. Even so, Jesus Christ is the only refuge for our souls from the chaos of this world. Is your soul resting in Him?

In Isaiah 28:9-13, we have a passage dealing with the rest found in studying the Word of God. Notice especially verse 12 (which I have bolded). Whom shall He teach knowledge? and whom shall He make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: For with stammering lips and another tongue will He speak to this people. To whom He said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

When we study the Word of God and compare Scripture with Scripture, building precept upon precept (which means we study each passage where a doctrine is taught and we put them together to arrive at the correct conclusion), we will find rest and refreshing. In what way? Because the Word of truth rightly divided reveals the Saviour. Verse 16 says Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. Jesus Christ is that corner stone. (See 1 Peter 2:6-8) This rest and refreshing of salvation is found only in Him! The testimony of Jesus is the heart (the spirit) of the whole Bible. (See Revelation 19:10) Peter's promise to the Jews in Acts 3:19 is just as true for us today. Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.

When we are striving to keep the Law on our own (to earn salvation), the burden is heavy and grievous. God's requirement is perfect obedience, and we all fall short of that mark already. There is only one person in the history of the world that has ever kept the Law fully, completely fulfilling all its requirements - the Messiah who is both God and man, Jesus Christ. (See 1 Timothy 3:16 and John 1:14) Matthew 5:17-20 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

If we accept His free gift of salvation, we are then credited with His righteousness, and that righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees. No longer are we as filthy rags in God's sight, but we are covered in the spotless white robe of Christ's righteousness. When our Heavenly Father looks at us, He doesn't see our sinfulness, but He sees the perfect righteousness of His sinless Son.

After we have received Jesus as our Saviour, He then works through us to enable us to fulfill God's will for our lives, and gives us the grace and strength to obey Him. 1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous. When you walk with the Lord Jesus Christ, He bears the burden with you. Matthew 11:29-30 Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light. Like two oxen yoked together will bear the burden together, so too, when we are yoked together with Jesus, He will enable us to bear the burden in our service to Him, because He bears it with us! (And, believe me, He carries most of the load!) But if we buck against the Lord's will for our lives, then the burden will seem so heavy.

There is one final Old Testament type that I want to bring to your attention in this matter of resting in Christ, our salvation. That is the Sabbath and what it pictured. Of all the ten commandments, nine are clearly restated in the New Testament as still binding on the Christian. (See Romans 13:9; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:19-21; and other passages.) But the Sabbath is not commanded to the Christian - why not? Because it has been completely fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The word Sabbath means rest, and Jesus Christ is our rest! Colossians 2:16-17 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

Exodus 31:14-15 Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.

The Jews were to work six days, but on the seventh they were to rest and do no work. If they worked, they were punished for it. Many critics get upset at this command in the Scriptures because they do not understand it. If we understand clearly what the Sabbath pictured, then the commandment and the punishment for not obeying it is simple to understand. The Jews were not to work on the Sabbath because it pictured the free gift of salvation found in Christ. Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Titus 3:4-6 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Several passages that clearly teach about the Sabbath are as follows: (Note: these passages are specifically referring to the Sabbath on the Day of Atonement, when all Israel's sins were dealt with once a year, which pictured Christ's sacrifice once for all.)

Leviticus 16:29-31 And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you: For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the LORD. It shall be a sabbath of rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls, by a statute for ever.

Leviticus 23:26-32 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD. And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God. For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people. And whatsoever soul it be that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people. Ye shall do no manner of work: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath.

In the above passages, there are several things I want to point out:

1) The Jews were to afflict their souls. They were to be repentant of their sins and acknowledge them to God. This was a requirement for both the Jews and those that sojourned among them (the Gentiles).

2) They were not to work at all, because on that day the priest would make an atonement for their sins. This day was to be a holy day, one set apart from all other days.

3) There was nothing they could do to add to the atonement or take away from it their only requirement was to repent and believe. Acts 20:21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. They were to afflict their souls on that day, or they would be cut off from their people (the people of God). Jesus said in Luke 13:3,5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Repentance was absolutely essential to be saved. Repentance means a change of mind resulting in a change of conduct. If the Jews did not acknowledge the guilt of their sin to the Lord and turn from it to the Saviour, they would be cut off from the people of God. This is just as true for us today: if we refuse to repent, saying a meaningless prayer is not going to save us - we will not go to Heaven, and we will be cut off eternally from the people of God. We need to believe in our heart. (See Romans 10:9-10)

4) By the way, the alternative to eternity in Heaven is eternity in Hell. Jesus spoke twice as much about Hell as He did about Heaven! This is seen in the threat that those who work on the Sabbath will be destroyed from among the people. This pictures the person who chooses to add their good deeds to the Gospel. The Bible teaches that they will be destroyed in Hell. You cannot add to Christ's work on the cross - He will not accept it! If there was any other way that we could be saved apart from Christ's finished work on Calvary, He would never have needed to die for our sins!

Isaiah 30:15 For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.

Have you personally trusted the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, believing that He died for your sins on the cross? Do you believe that He paid the full penalty when He suffered the wrath of God in your place? Have you received His free gift of salvation? If not, why not turn from your sin and receive the Saviour today? He's waiting for your answer. Find your rest in Him!

The Haven Of Rest
(Words: Henry L. Gilmour)

My soul in sad exile was out on life's sea,
So burdened with sin and distressed,
Till I heard a sweet voice, saying,
"Make Me your choice";
And I entered the "Haven of Rest"!

Chorus:
I've anchored my soul in the "Haven of Rest,"
I'll sail the wide seas no more;
The tempest may sweep over the wild, stormy, deep,
In Jesus I'm safe evermore.

I yielded myself to His tender embrace,
In faith taking hold of the Word,
My fetters fell off, and I anchored my soul;
The "Haven of Rest" is my Lord.

The song of my soul, since the Lord made me whole,
Has been the old story so blest,
Of Jesus, Who'll save whosoever will have
A home in the "Haven of Rest."

How precious the thought that we all may recline,
Like John, the beloved so blest,
On Jesus' strong arm, where no tempest can harm,
Secure in the "Haven of Rest."

O come to the Savior, He patiently waits
To save by His power divine;
Come, anchor your soul in the "Haven of Rest,"
And say, "My Beloved is mine."

July 10th, 2002
Jerry Bouey

For Part Two:
Rest For Your Souls - The Rest Of Victory In Christ