[NOTE: For those who are continuing the 1-year Bible reading plan we started on April 1, 2018, just go to the end of this entry and you will find the Day 365 – Revelation 17-19; Luke 24 summary!]
1 Kings 4 offers us a list of Solomon’s leaders in virtually every area of life. Then it tells us of his wisdom and expertise in many different areas. While the chapter contains a great deal of detail, this written explanation is short, because it doesn’t contain many principles or points of significant application for us.
1 Kings 5-7 tells us of Solomon’s construction of the Temple and of his own palace. He used Hiram of Lebanon to oversee the cutting of the cedar lumber for the project. He conscripted Israelites to do the work. The number of workers is prodigious. He conscripted 30,000 workers, who worked in shifts of 10,000 at a time, so they worked one month and were off for two months during the project. He also had 70,000 men who carried the wood, along with thousands of others who undertook various aspects of the project. We’re given the details of the project, both the exterior and interior construction, and the furnishing of the Temple. King David had set aside supplies for the project, and we’re told the wood and the stones were cut and made to size before they were brought to the Temple for its construction. This meant that no stone or hammer was heard on the construction site itself. Solomon’s palace was bigger than the Temple and was furnished opulently. As we read the details of the Temple and palace’s construction, we see not only had David planned ahead by providing the materials, but Solomon planned ahead so every detail of the project was thought through and completed in a timely and effective manner. We can learn a great deal from reading through these three chapters, and one of the most important truth it contains is the importance of effective planning and execution of those plans.
As we return to Mark 16, which recounts the resurrection of Jesus, we’re reminded once again that the “shorter” ending of Mark, which most biblical scholars agree was the original ending to it, doesn’t contain many details about Jesus resurrection, except that it happened and Jesus promised to appear to His disciples. The longer ending tells us Jesus rebuked His disciples for not believing the women’s account that He had risen. It also includes detail about His commission to preach the gospel in the nations we don’t find in the other gospels. It speaks about signs accompanying their preaching which would include casting out demons, tongues, handling poisonous snakes without harm, and laying hands on sick people and healing them. The details are consistent with events recorded in the Book of Acts, so we need not doubt them just because they don’t occur in the other gospels, nor in the shorter ending of Mark itself. As we live out Jesus’ commission in the power of the Holy Spirit, He will provide what is necessary for us to fulfill it near and far.
Day 365 – Revelation 17-19; Luke 24
Revelation 17-18 focus on the fall of Babylon the “great prostitute.” The destruction of this bed of sexual immorality and idolatry will be mourned by people the world over, because the leaders of the world have indulged in “her” immorality and idolatry. As we read through the two chapters what stands out is while all the mourning is going on, no one attempts to help the prostitute. No one doubts her judgment is just, or they fear retribution if they get involved. We’ve all heard the saying, “As thick as thieves,” meaning there’s a loyalty among thieves, but in this case there will be no loyalty among those who watch the decimation of the core of the evil on the earth.
In Revelation 19, we read of a celebration in heaven for the destruction of Babylon and the beginning of the true beginning. What that means is Jesus comes forth on a white horse and rides out to bring judgment on the earth. We’re told the judgment comes from the sword of His mouth. Again, some consider this to be a literal sword, while others recognize, Jesus created the universe with a word, and He can judge it the same way.
As we return to Luke 24, Jesus rises from the dead, and leaves the tomb, before the women who came to embalm Him arrive. When they enter the tomb, they find it empty, except for two angels who remind them of Jesus promise to rise from the dead. The women run to the disciples and tell them what they saw, but they don’t believe the women.
Luke moves to a scene with two men, disciples of Jesus, but not members of the twelve who were walking from Jerusalem to their home in Emmaus. Jesus appears to them, but they don’t recognize Him. When they tell them why they’re upset, Jesus goes through the Scriptures pointing out how they confirm the Messiah would be crucified and rise again. As they reach their home, Jesus acted as if He was going to continue on, but they invited Him into their house. When Jesus broke the bread in front of them, they recognized Him, and He disappeared. The men ran back to Jerusalem and found the disciples. As they told their story Jesus appeared. He greeted them, comforted them and then told them to wait until He sent the “Promise of His Father,” which is the Holy Spirit. Because Luke also wrote acts, we’re left hanging a bit as to what happens next. Luke picks that up in Acts 1, and that’s when Jesus returns to heaven.