The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Mark 13:28-33, “”Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 “Even so, you too, when you see these things happening, recognize that He is near, right at the door. 30 “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 31 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. 32 “But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. 33 “Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time is.”

The words “appointed time” are mentioned in the Old Testament 25 times; but in the New Testament only once, as referenced above. The phrase “sun rises” occurs only five times in the whole of Scripture, the words “sun sets” occur only four times; the word “time” itself appears 599 times in the whole of Scripture. We are duly warned!

Dr. John MacArthur, pastor of Grace Community Church in California, slipped into the arms of Jesus this past week, leaving a huge gap in the voice for the Gospel. I remember hearing him on the radio many years ago. His knowledge and usage of New Testament Greek were both helpful and encouraging!

Mark’s Gospel in the passage above tells us that the coming of our LORD Jesus Christ “is near, right at the door!” It is true that we do not know the precise time of Christ’s coming; however, we are admonished to “recognize that He is near, right at the door.”

Dr. MacArthur’s illness gave him awareness that his life was nearing an end. We’re not all given this awareness. Life may be shorter than we think. Sometimes a Gospel tract will help you to help others prepare. “Keep on the alert; for you and I do not know when our appointed times are coming.”

Heartily yours in Christ Jesus,

Gene

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

Dear Grands,

Leviticus 19:33-37, ‘When a stranger resides with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong.

34 ‘The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.

35 ‘You shall do no wrong in judgment, in measurement of weight, or capacity.

36 ‘You shall have just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin: I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from the land of Egypt.

37 ‘You shall thus observe all My statutes, and all My ordinances, and do them: I am the LORD.’

When I was a kid in school, the boys who got to school earliest were the boys who ruled the playground! If you wanted to be considered part of that group, you got there early to secure the position of your choice. Israel was late to the game; still, because she was favored by the LORD, she was enabled to gain a choice position in the land.

Selecting short passages of Scripture for commentary hardly does justice to the remainder of our passage, let alone the entirety of the book. At the same time, this passage opens considerable understanding of the nation of Israel. From 1922 to 1947, Israel existed under a British mandate. Great Britain called all the shots. In 1948, however, Israel gained her sovereignty, which exists to this very day.

“Sovereignty bespeaks “self-rule.” In many ways, that ought to be the possession of every nation. And those who seek residency within a sovereign nation should yield to that nation’s control. The Earth on which we reside is under the rulership of the LORD! He is Sovereign over all! And no worthwhile resident will resist His rule!

Who is your sovereign? Is He truly in control of your life? He says, “’You shall thus observe all My statutes, and all My ordinances, and do them: I am the LORD.’”

Heartily yours in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

Deuteronomy 33:26-29, “There is none like the God of Jeshurun, who rides the heavens to your help, and through the skies in His majesty. 27 “The eternal God is a dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms; and He drove out the enemy from before you, and said, ‘Destroy!’” 28 “So Israel dwells in security, the fountain of Jacob secluded, in a land of grain and new wine; His heavens also drop down dew. 29 “Blessed are you, O Israel; who is like you, a people saved by the LORD, who is the shield of your help, and the sword of your majesty! So your enemies shall cringe before you, and you shall tread upon their high places.”

Were you ever in a place where you desperately needed help? What an inane question to ask! Everyone has at some point and in some way stood in need of help. Interestingly, there are 157 verses from Genesis to Hebrews that include the word “help.” In some instances, the word is used in a purely informational sense. In others, it’s a declaration of emergency. Adam’s wife Eve was the primary user when she said: “I have obtained a male child with the help of the LORD” (Gen. 4:1).

As far removed as we are from the descendants of Adam and Eve, we nevertheless continue to rely upon the LORD’s help for the challenging situations of daily life. Have you ever had computer problems? (Ah, you’ve noticed!) By the grace of God, I have grandsons whom you would think invented the computer! Many months ago, I suffered a fall that required the help of some competent medical professionals. Only today, I returned two items to Walmart—unopened items that need not have been purchased. I needed the help of the nice lady at the Returns Desk.

In all of the above, and in multiple additional instances, we all stand in need of help. Yet, what do we do when there is no one available to assist us? Ah, but there is! He’s an expert on everything! He is always available and contactable through prayer. He knows how to appropriate help to those who need it. But what about Jeshurun? He “rides the heavens to your help…” What about him? I’ve said enough! Go look it up!

Heartily yours in Christ Jesus,

Gene

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

“We will never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

Isaiah 61:1-6, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives, and freedom to prisoners,

2 To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn,

3 To grant those who mourn in Zion, giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So, they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.

4 Then they will rebuild the ancient ruins; they will raise up the former devastations, and they will repair the ruined cities, the desolations of many generations.

5 And strangers will stand and pasture your flocks, and foreigners will be your farmers and your vinedressers.

6 But you will be called the priests of the LORD; you will be spoken of as ministers of our God. You will eat the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast.”

Isaiah was indeed an Old Testament prophet. At the same time, the message he shared regarding the activity of the Spirit of the LORD has a meaningful application to our day as well. Indeed, if we are truly His born-again people, the Holy Spirit has taken residence in our lives. We have become His messengers (vv. 1-2), and spiritual practitioners (v. 3). At that point, all of those formerly afflicted take hold and rebuild the ancient ruins themselves (v. 4).

Is it necessary for me to cite the “ruins” in our lives? We know what they are. Yet, what the LORD did for His ancient people, He will do more enthusiastically for us. For we have become His by birth – the New Birth! And to us He commits the sharing of His Good News of salvation. Look, we’ve got to be something before we can do anything in His Name. He’s coming soon! Time is flying swiftly! I’m ready! I pray you are, too!

Heartily yours in Christ Jesus,

Gene

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

Deuteronomy 30:1-5, “So it shall be when all of these things have come upon you, the blessing and the curse which I have set before you, and you call them to mind in all nations where the LORD your God has banished you,

2 and you return to the LORD your God and obey Him with all your heart and soul according to all that I command you today, you and your sons,

3 then the LORD your God will restore you from captivity, and have compassion on you, and will gather you again from all the peoples where the LORD your God has scattered you.

4 “If your outcasts are at the ends of the earth, from there the LORD your God will gather you, and from there He will bring you back.

5 “And the LORD your God will bring you into the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it; and He will prosper you and multiply you more than your fathers.”

One does not have to be a Biblical scholar to observe the multiple blessings that are occurring in Israel today. Perhaps the most remarkable factor is that the Jewish people are back in the land, as stated in verse five above. Archeological excavations abound and reveal the multiple truths that the Scriptures have foretold for eons. Preparations for the dress requirements for those who will attend to matters in the Holy Place have been completed. Red Heifers that will be tested for acceptance prior to the sacrifice have been flown in from Texas. Not even war has hindered Israel’s preparations!

The Psalmist understood what was coming when he wrote: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you” (Psa. 122:6). Oh, that we might grasp the truths of Christ’s Coming! “May peace be within your walls, and prosperity within your palaces” (Psa. 122:7). Jesus is Coming! “For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your good” (Psa. 122:9). Even so, come, LORD Jesus!

Heartily yours in Christ Jesus,

Gene

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom