DAVID FORSHADOWING CHRIST AS KING, PRIEST AND PROPHET
2 Samuel 23:1-7
INTRODUCTION
The Lord Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah and Savior of the world. But long before He was born, God predicted His coming through the prophets of the Old Testament. One of these prophets was the greatest king who ever ruled Israel, King David himself. Scripture teaches that David was a prophet and priest as well as king of the nation. And in these three offices, David was a type of Christ, a type who pointed to the coming Ideal Prophet, Priest and King. All three offices are of critical importance for man’s salvation. As the Ideal Prophet, Jesus Christ proclaimed the perfect Word of God. As the Ideal Priest, Jesus Christ stands as the perfect Mediator between God and man, representing us and making us acceptable to God through His shed blood. As the Ideal King, Jesus Christ rules and reigns over the universe as the Sovereign Lord before whom we are all to bow and worship in service throughout all eternity. Note that this great oracle includes the last words of David, standing as a poetic testimony, a legacy of his life. Sometime during the latter years of his life, perhaps the very last year, David sat down to write this very brief, poetic testimony of his life.
MAJOR POINTS
1. The portrait of David: a type, foreshadow of Christ as king, priest, and prophet (v.1-2).
2. The duty of God’s anointed: a lesson on the believer’s duty (v.3-4).
3. The results of godly service: a picture of God’s goodness, His blessings (v.5).
4. The justice of God’s anointed upon evil, rebellious people: a picture of judgment (v.6-7).
1. A portrait of David is painted in these verses, a picture that points to David as a type of Christ. David foreshadowed Christ as King, Priest and Prophet.
David was exalted and anointed by the God of Jacob (2 Samuel 23:1). He had the most humble beginning, being a simple shepherd boy tending the sheep for his father Jesse. His father had achieved nothing of significance in his life so far as is known. But his father was an Israelite of the tribe of Judah. Being an Israelite from the tribe of Judah pointed toward David’s being the fulfillment of the predicted king who would be the very founder of the Messianic line (Genesis 49:10-12; Deut. 17:14-15).
The simple shepherd boy was taken from his humble family and exalted, anointed to be king by the God of Jacob. The same God who exalted Jacob also exalted David. God used Jacob to found the nation Israel and used David to found the royal family that was to rule God’s people and to give rise to the coming Messiah and Savior of the world, the Lord Jesus Christ.
2. David was also a priest who became known as the sweet psalmist of Israel, the psalmist who led Israel in worship (2 Samuel 23:1). Of the 150 songs in the book of Psalms, at least 73 are said to have been written by him. Throughout his service as the anointed king of Israel, David periodically performed various priestly functions. However, he would have been prevented from performing those functions that were preserved only for the Levitical priest.
3. David was also a prophet, a man through whom the Spirit of the Lord spoke (2 Samuel 23:2). David says that the Lord’s Word was on his tongue. The idea is that the Lord was speaking through him, inspiring the songs he was writing. Note that this is a definite claim of divine inspiration for the psalms, just as much as inspiration is claimed for all the Scripture, both the New and the Old Testaments (2 Tim. 3:16; Hebrews 1:1-2; 2 Peter 1:19-21). Also note that the New Testament claims that David was a prophet (Acts 2:30).
THINK ON THIS:
David is a clear type of Jesus Christ, foreshadowing Christ as King, Priest and Prophet. This is clearly taught in the Holy Scripture.
1) Jesus Christ is declared to be King, the Ruler of Israel and the Ruler of the universe. The implication is clear: we are to subject ourselves to Him as the Ruler and Lord of our lives.
SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES
"Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him" (Matthew 2:2).
"Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass" (Matthew 21:5).
"Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world" (Matthew 25:34).
"And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end" (Luke 1:33).
"Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel" (John 1:49).
"Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice" (John 18:37).
"Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews" (John 19:21).
"For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet" (1 Cor. 15:25).
"Which in his times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords" (1 Tim. 6:15).
"And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood" (Rev. 1:5).
"These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful" (Rev. 17:14).
"And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND Lord OF Lords" (Rev. 19:16).
"Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this" (Isaiah 9:7).
"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth" (Jeremiah 23:5).
"And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed" (Daniel 7:14).
"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass" (Zech. 9:9).
2) Jesus Christ is the Perfect Priest who intercedes between God and man on our behalf. In order to become acceptable to God, we must approach God through the Lord Jesus Christ.
SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES
"Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people" (Hebrews 2:17).
"Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus" (Hebrews 3:1).
"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" (Hebrews 4:14-15).
"For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee" (Hebrews 5:1-5).
"Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec" (Hebrews 6:19-20).
"(For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)" (Hebrews 7:21).
"Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself" (Hebrews 7:25-27).
"Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens" (Hebrews 8:1).
"But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises" (Hebrews 8:6).
"But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building" (Hebrews 9:11).
"And having an high priest over the house of God" (Hebrews 10:21).
3) Jesus Christ is the Ideal Prophet, the Prophet of the Most High, the Lord God Himself. What He says, preaches, and teaches is to be obeyed. We are to follow Christ, do exactly what He says.
SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES
"And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways" (Luke 1:76).
"And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country" (Luke 4:24).
"Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem" (Luke 13:33).
"And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people" (Luke 24:19).
"The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet" (John 4:19).
"Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world" (John 6:14).
"Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet" (John 7:40).
"For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you" (Acts 3:22).
2. Duty: the duty of God’s anointed ruler or leader is spelled out by the Lord. Note that it was the God of Israel, the Rock of Israel, who revealed these duties to David. An ideal ruler—just as any leader or minister who wishes to be the ideal—must perform these duties faithfully and diligently.
1. The ideal ruler must execute justice, serving in righteousness (2 Samuel 23:3). Justice and righteousness are absolute essentials if people are to maintain order and grow together, producing and living fruitful lives. Human life must be respected as well as the rights and property of people. Without guarding human life and without protecting the rights and property of people, chaos sets in and destroys any organization or nation. Without justice, there is immorality and lawlessness and violence. Society is permeated and dominated by wickedness. Justice and righteousness are absolute essentials in order to maintain an orderly society and to bear productive, fruitful, and fulfilling lives and economies.
SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES
"Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour" (Romans 13:7).
"Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven" (Col. 4:1).
"That which is altogether just shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live, and inherit the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee" (Deut. 16:20).
"The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God" (2 Samuel 23:3).
"And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the Lord, who is with you in the judgment" (2 Chron. 19:6).
"Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling" (Psalm 2:10-11).
"Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy" (Psalm 82:3).
"Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy" (Proverbs 20:28).
"To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice" (Proverbs 21:3).
"The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it" (Proverbs 29:4).
"The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever" (Proverbs 29:14).
"Thus saith the Lord, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed" (Isaiah 56:1).
2. The ideal ruler must serve in the fear of God (2 Samuel 23:3). By "fear" is meant that the ruler must reverence God, respecting Him and esteeming Him ever so highly. But it also means that the ruler must fear God, fear His hand of judgment if he commits wickedness through acts of injustice or oppression toward the people. If the ruler reverences God, he will respect people and hold them in high regard. The ideal ruler knows that he governs people only under the authority and commandments of God. He rules in the fear of God, fearing lest he exceed the authority and commandment of God. And by violating the authority and command of God, he knows that he will suffer the judgment of God.
SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES
"And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matthew 10:28).
"And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation" (Luke 1:50).
"But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him" (Acts 10:35).
"And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear" (1 Peter 1:17).
"Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king" (1 Peter 2:17).
"Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth…" (Joshua 24:14).
"Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men" (Psalm 31:19).
"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man" (Eccles. 12:13).
"Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread" (Isaiah 8:13).
3. The ideal ruler bears light before his people, shining as brightly as the noonday sun (2 Samuel 23:4). Bearing "light" means that the ruler sets a dynamic example of justice and righteousness before the people. As light, the ruler guides his people, showing them the path to take; in addition, he personally leads the way. And just as light dispels darkness, he seeks to erase the darkness of ignorance and to bring knowledge and skill to the people. Light also means a clear and pure reflection; a clear and pure life is lived and taught by the ruler. In all ways the ruler becomes a model citizen, setting a strong example before the people. Just as light on a hill cannot be hidden, neither can the life of the ruler be hidden from the people.
SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES
"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid" (Matthew 5:14).
"For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth" (Acts 13:47).
"For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light" (Ephes. 5:8).
"That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world" (Phil. 2:15).
4. The ideal ruler must bear fruit, as much fruit as the tender grass that springs forth out of the earth after a refreshing and nourishing rain. "Fruit" implies production and reproduction. The ruler is to bear the fruit of justice and righteousness in his life so that his people will reproduce the same virtues in their own lives. The only way to secure a just and righteous society is for the citizens to be just and righteous in their dealings with each other. By living as he should, the ruler or leader teaches his people to live as they should. Through his own life, he bears the fruit of morality, justice, and righteousness. His people begin to follow his example by highly esteeming their neighbors and respecting their property. And they in turn bear fruit by influencing others to follow their example. And on and on the law of reproduction marches throughout the ruler’s society. Because the ruler bears fruit, his people begin to bear fruit, until all the citizens are living just and righteous lives.
"Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit" (John 15:2).
"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing" (John 15:5).
"Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you" (John 15:16).
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law" (Galatians 5:22-23).
"(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth" (Ephes. 5:9).
"Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God" (Phil. 1:11).
"That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God" (Col. 1:10).
"But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy" (James 3:17).
"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper" (Psalm 1:1-3).
"Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing" (Psalm 92:13-14).
3. The results of godly service are listed, giving a clear picture of God’s goodness and of His blessings upon the ideal ruler or leader. Three results or blessings are listed.
1. The first result of godly service is the blessing of an everlasting covenant (2 Samuel 23:5). Note that this covenant, the Levitic covenant, had been established by God and secured in every part. It was an everlasting covenant, finalized and sealed once-for-all by the Lord. Although this is a definite reference to the Levitic covenant, God has made an eternal covenant with His people through the Ideal Ruler, the Lord Jesus Christ. The new covenant established by the Lord Jesus Christ is the covenant of the New Testament:
SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES
"How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance" (Hebrews 9:14-15).
"Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen" (Hebrews 13:20-21).
2. The second result of godly service was a fulfilled, completed salvation (2 Samuel 23:5). Throughout David’s life the Lord had saved and delivered him from enemy after enemy. But the most wonderful promise given to David was that of an eternal kingdom, which was to come through his line of descendants. His dynasty, his kingdom was to be eternal. He and his seed—the descendants who lived righteously just as he had—would experience salvation and deliverance from all enemies forever. David was looking forward to an eternal salvation that had been prepared for him forever in the house of the Lord.
SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES
"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever" (Psalm 23:6).
"I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living" (Psalm 27:13).
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God" (Romans 5:1-2).
"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Phil. 1:6).
"Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore" (Hebrews 7:25-28).
"Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation" (Hebrews 9:9-10).
"But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God" (Hebrews 9:11-14).
"And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission" (Hebrews 9:15-22).
3. A third result of godly service was that of every desire being granted to the ideal ruler (2 Samuel 23:5). By being obedient to the Lord—keeping His commandments, executing justice, and serving in righteousness—the Lord had promised to grant every desire of David’s. No matter what David asked, the Lord promised to hear and fulfill every request.
SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES
"Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them" (Mark 11:24).
"And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you" (Luke 11:9).
"If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you" (John 15:7).
"And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight" (1 John 3:22).
"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13).
CONCLUSION
The justice of God’s anointed ruler upon evil, rebellious people is graphically described.
Note that the evil and rebellious of society are identified with and compared to thorns. Because these thorns cannot be handled without pricking and piercing the hand, the only way to handle them is to cut them down and cast them aside to be burned up. Even though David is describing the evil, rebellious citizens within Israel, the same applies to the society of any nation. The thorns within every society need to be cut down, cast aside, and burned up. But there is also an application to the eternal fate of the evil, rebellious citizens of this world.
SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES
"Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire" (Matthew 3:12).
"The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth" (Matthew 13:41-42).
"And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matthew 24:51).
"Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matthew 25:41).
"And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched" (Mark 9:43-48).
"But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned" (Hebrews 6:8).
"The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished" (2 Peter 2:9).
"But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death" (Rev. 21:8).
"But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off" (Psalm 37:38).
"And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh" (Isaiah 66:24).
INVITATION:
TO RESPOND TO THE GOSPEL NOW IN FAITH AND REPENTANCE--RECEIVE CHRIST AS ETERNAL GOD, LORD, SAVIOR & THE RESURRECTED SON OF THE FATHER---CONFESS HIM OPENLY AND LIVE FOR HIM ETERNALLY.
Why? Because, His Word promises not to return void, and only God gives the increase "by adding to the church daily those who are being saved."
MARANATHA
JD