Listening to the Word

  Zechariah 7-9; Luke 13   “…unless you repent, you too will all perish…If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down…Make every effort to enter through the narrow door because many, I tell you, will try to enter and not be able to.” Luke 13:5, 9, 24 The cost of following Jesus is high; however, the cost of not following Jesus is higher. Jesus responded to the deaths of Jews by both persecution and the collapse of a tower in the same way. Death, apart from God’s redemption, is eternal separation from God, the life-giver. The cost of entering through the narrow door is not only repentance for our sins, but also the complete surrender of our will and life to Jesus. This narrow door to the life that is eternal will cost us everything. For those who know God’s salvation, death is not the end, but only a doorway into eternity.   Life is too valuable to be wasted on self-indulgence and the accumulation of things we can’t take with us when we die. Repentance opens the door to a

Zechariah 4-6; Luke 12   “Someone in the crowd said to him, ‘Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.’ Jesus replied, ‘Man, who appointed me a judge or arbiter between you?’ Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.’” Luke 12:13-15 Jesus’ response to an innocent request revealed the hidden power in this man’s life. Greed was ruining his relationship with his brother and controlling his thoughts of the future. Greed will influence our thoughts, planning, and relationships if we, too, do not “Watch out!”   There are many kinds of greed and entire industries that feed off it. We can desire things now - future security, influence, and power. Our definition of life can either be shaped by this world’s temporal standards, or by God’s invitation to righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. We must choose.   Jesus warned us of a divided heart. There are two Hebrew

  Zechariah 1-3; Luke 11 “Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon left, the man who had been mute spoke…’if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you.’” Luke 11:14, 20 Spiritual authority is not a theoretical concept that is based on our years of Bible learning or positions in the Church. Jesus confronted a mute spirit and it was forced to leave a man’s body because Jesus carried spiritual authority. Jesus pointed to the finger of God on his life through which God’s authority was expressed. This same authority to operationalize the kingdom of God’s authority on earth was given to Christ’s disciples. That includes the disciples of Christ today. The spiritual authority to drive out unclean spirits is one of the demonstrations of Christ’s kingdom authority at work in us. Jesus uses the metaphor of a strong man protecting his house and all that it contains, until someone overpowers him and plunders his home. Jesus plundered the ‘ho

  Haggai 1-2; Psalms 129; Luke 10   “’But now, be strong O Zerubbabel,’ declares the Lord. ‘Be strong, O Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the Lord, ‘and work. For I am with you,’ declares the Lord Almighty.” Haggai 2:4 After years of neglect, the work to rebuild God’s temple in Jerusalem began with a prophetic word. The Word of the Lord Almighty was more powerful than the voices of discouragement and fear from the enemy. “Be strong and work.”   Jesus is building his Church today, and advancing in enemy territory. His Word to us is also to be strong in the Lord as we find our place in his building project. Fear is weakening our resolve and vision. The Word of the Lord to us stirs our spirit and our body into action. There is something essential each of us must contribute to Christ’s building mission. We, too, are called to be disciples who make disciples of all nations, beginning with our ‘Jerusalem’. The Word and Spirit of the Lor

  Ezra 4; Psalms 113, 127; Luke 9 “When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick…An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest…Then he said to them …’he who is least among you all – he is the greatest.’” Luke 9:1, 2, 46, 48 Commissioned by Jesus to preach the Gospel of the kingdom of God, praying for healing, driving out all demons with power and authority, it’s not hard to understand why the disciples were struggling with pride and competition. Character is the container in which the anointing of the Holy Spirit is carried. Jesus used a little child to illustrate the value God places on the least that are among us. Recognizing and welcoming the least among us as we serve together in the power of the Spirit is a powerful combination. Some have great humility yet lack the gifting and power of the Holy Spiri

  Ezra 2-3; Luke 8 “After this, Jesus travelled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God…He said, ‘The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables…’” Luke 8:1, 10 Are we proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God, or a more personalized gospel of sin management? The Gospel of the kingdom of God invites us to repent of our sin and self-centered living and offer our lives to the King of kings in service to his kingdom will. In an incomplete gospel of sin- management, there is much room for our local Church, or ministry kingdoms, to fill the authority vacuum. We rely on Jesus for forgiveness and our Church for everything else. The Gospel of the kingdom of God is quite different. The Lord Jesus becomes our Shepherd and we learn to know and follow his voice. Listening to and obeying the Word transforms every area of our lives as we live according to his way in our families, c

  Ezra 1; Psalms 84-85; Luke 7   “I will listen to what God the Lord will say; he promises peace to his people, his saints – but let them not return to folly.” Psalm 85:8 “When a woman who had lived a sinful life…her many sins have been forgiven –   she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little, loves little.’…Jesus said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’” Luke 7:37, 47, 50 The Lord Jesus forgave and freed a sinful woman from her shame and inner turmoil. He loved and valued her as a person when others had used her for sexual pleasure. The fruit of that exchange, her sin for Christ’s forgiveness and freedom, was peace: “go in peace”. Peace is elusive when pursued as an end in itself. However, God promises peace to those who listen to his Word and surrender their lives to him. The folly of our sin and rebellion against God increases the inner noise of the enemy in our lives. Destructive thoughts of fear, anger, pride, jealousy, lust, and insecurity shout in our

Daniel 11-12; Luke 6   “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?...the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who build a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” Luke 6:46, 49 Do we have a strong spiritual foundation in our lives? Are we building foundations into the lives of new and old believers in our churches and ministries? Jesus is the only foundation strong enough to withstand the torrent of sin and testing in our day. However, in what ways do we understand the Lord Jesus as our life’s foundation? Do we know the voice of our Shepherd, and are we following and obeying him each day? Do we understand how Jesus is the fulfillment of the six foundational teachings from Hebrews 6:1, 2 that are to be in the life of every disciple of Christ? Does Jesus have real authority in our lives, or are we familiar with the term “Lord” but not living unde

  Daniel 9-10; Psalms 123; Luke 5 “…no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins. And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for he says, ‘The old is better.’” Luke 5:37-39 The new wine of the Gospel in the power of the Spirit was given to simple fishermen and farmers who received it, rather than to the scribes and Pharisees. The new wineskins of Peter, James, and John could absorb the new revelation of God’s righteousness received as a gift through Christ, a sinless sacrifice. The old, cracked wineskins of the Mosaic Law and its many sub laws could not contain the Gospel or the messengers through which it came. The apostolic gifting continues to bring new wine expressions of renewal and mission which require new wineskins – structures and frameworks. We like the flavor of old wine better, rather than the unformed potential of the new

Daniel 7-8; Psalms 137; Luke 4 “…’I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So if you worship me, it will be yours.’ ‘The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor, he has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners…to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.’” Luke 4:6, 7, 18, 19 In the face of Satan’s offer of all this world’s authority and glory, Jesus chose heaven’s authority and glory. Jesus chose to proclaim the holistic Gospel of kingdom shalom to every person bound by sin and Satan. The year of jubilee was announced with a blast of the ram’s horn, and required the canceling of debts, reversion of property sales to original owners, and the freedom of slaves. Jesus’ proclamation of the fulfillment of this Scripture in his kingdom pointed all of us to a better inheritance than Satan’s offer of self-indulgent authority and glory. Which

  Daniel 5-6; Psalms 130; Luke 3   “John said to the crowds coming to be baptized by him…’Produce fruit in keeping with repentance…The man with two tunics should share with him who has none…Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely…He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire’…And with many other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news to them.” Luke 3:7, 8, 11, 14, 16, 18 The good news of the Gospel is that repentance of sin and turning to Christ for forgiveness and mercy can set us free from self-centered, prideful, greedy, and critical lifestyles. We don’t receive the love and mercy of God on top of our selfish sinful ways, but rather, we humble ourselves and repent. This freedom to repent in practical ways is good news! To be filled with, or baptized by the Holy Spirit includes the Spirit’s fire of purging in our lives from all sin. The Holy Spirit hates sin. He will expose and convict us of words, thoughts, actions, and habits that grieve God.

Ezekiel 47-48; Luke 2   “And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him…they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers…Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers…Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them…Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men.” Luke 2:40, 46, 47, 51, 52 Jesus was filled with wisdom, grace, understanding, and knowledge, even as a child. Yet, in obedience to his parents, he left the stimulating and strategic city of Jerusalem to grow up in Nazareth in Galilee. For thirty years Jesus lived in obscurity, despite having the capacity to lead a training school, or influence his generation in significant ways. Why? Surrender, obedience, and self-control were the character qualities in which Jesus was growing, even as his knowledge and depth of insight developed. Education in character is as important as wisdom and knowledge. Jesus obey

  Ezekiel 45-46; Luke 1 “’This is what the Sovereign Lord says: You have gone far enough, O princes of Israel! Give up your violence and oppression and do what is just and right. Stop dispossessing my people, declares the Sovereign Lord…The prince must not take any of the inheritance of the people, driving them off of their property…’” Ezekiel 45:9; 46:18 God holds leaders accountable for how they administer the authority he has given them. Israel’s princes were abusing their authority and using violence to rob people of their inheritance. Instead of serving the people, they were called to lead Israel’s princes who were exploiting their people. God reminds the princes and leaders today, that people actually belong to the Lord. It is God, whose ways of justice and righteousness are being ignored and violated, who is the ultimate injured party. In the restoration plan for Jerusalem, God resets his expectations for leaders who serve his people. As we live out our leadership callings in Ch

Ezekiel 42-44; Revelations 22   “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb…On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit…And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse…” Revelation 22:1-3 The promises of life and healing by God are not just for individuals, they are for nations. The leaves of the tree of life are for the healing of the nations. Ezekiel saw this same river of life and its healing impact in his vision (Ezekiel 47). The war-torn, wounded nations of the world need more than a cease-fire; they need life and healing which only their Creator can provide. For those who know the reality of the “rivers of living water” Jesus declared would flow from within the life of his disciples who were filled with his Spirit (John 7:37-39), we have the first fruits of this life-giving, healing Spirit of God within us. We are c

  Ezekiel 40-41; Psalms 128; Revelations 21   “He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’…The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it…The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it.” Revelation 21:5, 23, 24, 26 The New Jerusalem is Christ’s global capital. While he is making everything new in this global capital, that doesn’t include eliminating the many unique cultures of the nations. The kings of the earth are still recognized for their spheres of authority and responsibility. The nations are still distinguished by their differences, even while they draw their light and inspiration from the New Jerusalem. The glory, honor, and splendor of the nations enhance the New Jerusalem, rather than being a threat to it. The spirit of competition, pride, and conflict is replaced by coop

Ezekiel 38-39; Psalms 145; Revelations 20 “…This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws and bring you out with your whole army…to the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate…On that day thoughts will come into your mind and you will devise an evil scheme.” Ezekiel 38:3, 4, 8, 10 The nations, including Russia, can formulate plans based on their national interests, but God is Sovereign. While this alliance of nations devises an evil scheme to attack and invade Israel, it is God who has put his hooks in their jaws and dragged this alliance into war against Israel. Why? To glorify his name and to reveal himself to his covenant people of Jacob. In the darkest moment in Israel’s history, God has a plan. Are we viewing history through the lens of our media, or through the Word of the Lord? God desires to involve us in his plans, not limit us to spectator status. Will we invite the Lo

  Ezekiel 36-37; Psalms 110; Revelations 19 “…he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones…He asked me, ‘Son of man, can these bones live?’…Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!’” Ezekiel 37:1, 3-4 What is the key to the valley of dry bones that can cause them to come to life again? It is the prophetic word of the Lord. From that word, the breath of God fills these bones and they come to life. The armies of heaven are led by a rider on a white horse called, the “Word of God”. Jesus came as the Word of God with a sharp sword in his mouth. Just as Ezekiel prophesied at the Lord’s command and spoke his word to a valley of dry bones, God is using his servants today to proclaim his Word, which is his Gospel, so that men and women who are spiritually dead might live. Are we listening to the Word and then speaking it? Are we cooperating with God’s prophetic purposes in our day? Do we know our a

Ezekiel 33-35, Revelations 18   “Because you harbored an ancient hostility and delivered the Israelites over to the sword at the time of their calamity…therefore…I will make Mt. Seir a desolate waste and cut off from it all who come and go.” Ezekiel 35:5-7 This prophesy against Mt. Seir refers to the land of Edom and the descendants of Esau who harbored an ancient hostility from the conflict between Jacob and Esau. This spiritual power of jealous rage and murder has been attacking Jacob (Israel) through the ages. However, God, through Christ, has made provision for the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing, in his flesh, the law with its commandments. Both Jacob (Israel) and Esau (those who missed out on the blessing) are now invited to receive the grace of God’s mercy and forgiveness in Christ. The cycle of revenge can now stop because someone paid the price. The wound of Esau’s rejection can now be healed in Christ . The influence of this spiritual power has been judged and defea

Daniel 3- 4; Psalms 81; Revelations 17   “I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it. But my people would not listen to me; Israel would not submit to me. So I gave them over…If my people would but listen to me…you would be fed with the finest of wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.” Psalm 81:10-13, 16 The same Lord God, who has delivered us from the bondage of sin (Egypt), invites us to listen and learn his ways. Praying for God’s will for our lives, or in particular points of decision without fully submitting and surrendering our will to God, will not be blessed by the Lord. The same God who saved us, desires to daily lead us and provide for us. If we open wide our mouth, he will fill it with his Word and give us food that satisfies both ourselves and others. When is the last time we waited quietly on the Lord for “honey from the rock”? We don’t live on bread alone, but on every Word that comes from the mouth of Go

Daniel 1-2; Revelations 16 “The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and out of the temple came a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘It is done!’ Then there came flashes of lightening, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since man has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake. The great city split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. God remembered Babylon the Great and gave her the cup filled with the wine of the fury of his wrath.” Revelation 16:17-19 In John’s Revelation, Babylon is not only a specific place, but a worldwide spiritual power. When God gives to Babylon the Great the cup filled with the wine of the fury of his wrath, every city in all the nations will collapse. We live in Babylon. Like Daniel, who was determined not to be defiled, we, too, can live righteous lives and stand for righteousness, regardless of the cost. We, too, can serve in positions of influence, like Daniel, beca

Lamentations 3-5; Revelations 15   “I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.’ The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young.” Lamentations 3:24-27 The Lord loves a quiet spirit which is the fruit of surrendering to him and taking his yoke upon us as we walk with him. By choosing the path of surrender rather than the path of striving in our own strength, we daily declare that the Lord is our portion. The path of surrender means that we wait on God’s timing, fully invest our hope in him, and keep our eyes on the Lord. The Lord has our full attention. Salvation comes from the Lord. This path of full and daily surrender means death to self as we take up our cross and follow Jesus. This is the path to life and great freedom. Is our spirit quiet (Psalm 131)? Is the Lord our portion, or are we still trying to provide for

Lamentations 1- 2; Obadiah; Revelations 14   “The Lord determined to tear down the wall around the Daughter of Zion. He stretched out a measuring line and did not withhold his hand from destroying. He made ramparts and walls lament; together they wasted away. The gates have sunk into the ground;…” Lamentations 2:8, 9 Just as Israel trusted in her protective walls more than the Lord God, we too, can trust in our retirement accounts, our national strength, or our cultural pride more than the Lord. God tore down the wall around Zion because his people had turned to other gods. What does God need to do to get our attention? In our day, Israel looks to the United States for protection and support.   What would happen if God removed that “wall” around Israel? Would the people call out to the Lord? We all can trust in earthly protection and strength rather than the Lord; yet, there is no greater power than the hand of the Lord. Putting our lives, our families, or our nation in the hands of th

  Jeremiah 42-44; Psalms 48; Revelations 13 “Mount Zion rejoices, the villages of Judah are glad because of your judgments. Walk about Zion, go around her, count her towers, consider well her ramparts, view her citadels, that you may tell of them to the next generation. For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.” Psalm 48:11-14 God is our fortress, yet like Israel we often need physical expressions of his presence to comfort us and encourage us. Like the inhabitants of Zion, we need to view, consider, and count our blessings in Christ, so that we, too, can tell of them to the next generation. Physical walls, fortresses, and temples do not last forever. Only God is eternal. Trusting in the Lord for his guidance, provision, protection, and plan for each day is how we live practically, in Christ. When we dwell in God’s presence each day, like Israel dwelt on Mount Zion, we, too, become a witness to the reality and goodness of God to those around us an

2 Kings 25; 2 Chronicles 36; Jeremiah 40-41; Revelations 12   “…’Now have come the salvation and the power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. They overcame him…’” Revelation 12:10, 11 In Christ, we have received all we need to overcome the schemes of the accuser. Many stop their growth in Christ at salvation, but we have also received the power of the Holy Spirit so that we can join Christ’s kingdom mission and live with the authority Christ won for us. Our foe is filled with fury, but we are called to overcome him. Just as Satan lost his place in heaven, he will lose his place (places) on earth. We are cooperating with Christ to see his kingdom work will be done on earth as it is in heaven. We are not hiding, but joining Christ’s mission advance as he builds his Church. The gates of hell will not prevail against it. Jesus has overcome and so shall we as we re

  Ezekiel 29-32; Revelations 11 “…’The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.’”   “…’We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign. The nations were angry; and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your saints who reverence your name, both small and great - and for destroying those who destroy the earth.’” Revelation 11:15, 17, 18 The kingdom of this world is currently ruled by the prince of the power of the air, Satan. The nations have given him their authority, but he is a usurper. Satan’s offer to Christ, that he would give him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor if he would only bow down and worship him, was a real offer. Jesus refused, and instead chose the path of humility and obedience to the cross. However, the day of God’s wrath agains

Ezekiel 25-28, Revelations 10 “…Go, take the scroll…Take it and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.” Revelation10:8, 9 Why did the prophetic Word that God gave to John taste like honey, but turned his stomach sour? When we listen to the Word we are listening to life. Even God’s words of judgment against sin are life-giving and redemptive, meant to turn us to repentance. God’s Word is “sweeter than honey,” said the Psalmist (Psalm 19:10). However, once digested, there is a cost to all God’s promises, and a price to carry his Word. The double-edged sword of the Word must cut us first before it cuts others. The seven Churches that John prophesied to were all Churches that he oversaw as the regional bishop, or shepherd. What costly Word have we digested? Are we only consuming honey and then spitting it out, or are we digesting God’s Word, even the hard words? What scroll are we being called to eat? “Lord Jesus, you are the Living Word; yo

  Ezekiel 22-24; Revelations 9 “…The sun and sky were darkened by the smoke from the Abyss. And out of the smoke locusts came down upon the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth. They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. They were not given power to kill them, but only to torture them for five months...” Revelation 9:2-5 This apocalyptic Scripture from John’s Revelation illustrates several principles related to God’s judgment of sin. Judgment of sin is prescribed, not random or capricious. God clearly communicates the consequences of sin as well as the blessings of living according to his ways. God has and will judge sin, both personally and corporately, in history and in every age. Ultimate judgment of sin will come at the return of Christ, God’s remedy for sin. Judgment of sin occurs within limits that God determines. Those sealed with the blood of Christ

Ezekiel 20-21, Psalms 111; Revelations 8   “He has caused his wonders to be remembered…he remembers his covenant forever…The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy. They are steadfast forever and ever, done in faithfulness and uprightness. He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever – holy and awesome is his name.” Psalm 111:4, 5, 7-9 Why has God caused his wonders to be remembered, written down, and recited over thousands of years? The Psalmist probably didn’t realize that these words would be repeated thousands of years later. God wants us to know that his ways are good and trustworthy - that following his ways connects us to a story that has unfolded for thousands of years. We serve a God who is faithful to his covenants forever, both his covenant with Abraham, and his covenant with us through Jesus Christ. It is this faithfulness through the ages that causes us to worship God’s holy name. It is God’s name and character

  Ezekiel I7-19; Revelations 7 “For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Revelation 7:17 Our model of leadership, if we know and follow Jesus, comes from this picture of authority in the throne room of God. At the center of the throne of God is the Lamb that was slain for the sins of the world. Leadership in God’s kingdom exists for others, not for self-advancement. The Lamb is our Shepherd. Leadership protects, provides, and guides those we are serving. The Lamb guides us to springs of living water. Leadership in the way of Jesus recognizes the thirst within each of us cannot be satisfied by more money, sex, or power. We lead others to the living water of the Spirit who alone satisfies. God both satisfies and comforts us as he wipes the tears and pain from our eyes. Leadership in Christ’s kingdom must be focused on making life easier and be marked by ‘shalom’, not

Ezekiel 15-16; Psalms 70; Revelations 6   “…you have despised my oath by breaking the covenant. Yet I will remember the covenant I made with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you…Then, when I make atonement for you for all you have done, you will remember and be ashamed…” Ezekiel 16:59, 60, 63 God’s covenant with his people in Jerusalem was the vehicle through which his message to the world would be communicated. The people were to see the beauty and blessing of living in God’s ways and covenant relationship with him and would thus be drawn to him. Jerusalem’s idolatry, rebellion, and eventual judgment grieved God’s heart. But that judgment of sin was not the end. God promised to restore Jerusalem, and make atonement for her. This was accomplished in Christ’s death and resurrection. The city of idolatry and unfaithfulness became the birthplace of a new covenant and a global mission strategy. God has not abandoned us or our children, despit