Matthew 28:3-4 (KJV) Why Roman Soldiers Collapsed Before One Angel

Matthew 28:3-4 (KJV)

His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

The keepers were soldiers, probably witnesses of, if not participants in, the crucifixion of Christ. Military personnel and other keepers of the peace train in what is sometimes called "command presence." They learn how to appear confident, in control, and invested with authority. It is a countenance—an appearance—that communicates confidence and command.

In this case, the countenance of the angel, whom John Gill suggests may have been Gabriel, struck such fear into the keepers that the men who were accustomed to being the command presence suddenly found themselves in the presence of a far greater authority. They became as dead men. Gill further suggests they were guilt-stricken, "for fear he was come as an executioner of divine vengeance upon them; who had been concerned in the crucifixion of Christ." They were so overwhelmed that the angel simply turned his attention from them and carried on a conversation with the women.

Now notice that the women had an entirely different reaction to the angel. There was some fear, but it was quickly met with reassurance and comfort. The keepers knew they were standing before a presence they could never match. The women saw in the angel an authority acting on their behalf.

A terrible and powerful force is no longer terrifying when you know it stands for you.

I cannot help but think of the coming day of judgment. Those who have rejected Christ will surely be stricken as dead men in the awful presence of the Lord. But those who have come to know Him as Saviour, though still awestruck, will find immense comfort and assurance in knowing that One so powerful stands on their side.

#ResurrectionPower #TheEmptyTomb #ChristOurAdvocate #Matthew28v3-4 #KJVBibleStudy

Why the Roman Soldiers Collapsed Before One Angel: The Difference Was Christ.

How would you react in the presence of God's perfect holiness—like the frightened guards or the comforted women? Share your thoughts in the comments. 

For more Christ-centered Bible studies, daily devotionals, and biblical resources, visit marvinmckenzie.org. I'd be honored to have you join me there.

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 7100 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

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Matthew 28:3-4 (KJV) Why Roman Soldiers Collapsed Before One Angel

Here's a comic version of the lesson.

http://youtube.com/post/Ugkx6MK16rDLm7UKOodQWhbO8p34dkr-3VLO?si=v1HkGO77D-FVzgLd

Matthew 27:1 (KJV) Joy Comes in the Morning

Matthew 27:1 (KJV)

When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:

Psalms 30:5 (KJV)
For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

John 21:3-5 (KJV)
Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.

But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.

Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.

I'm thinking just now of a song by Bill and Gloria Gaither called "Joy Comes in the Morning."

I believe it would be good right now to read the words to that song.

If you've knelt beside the rubble of an aching broken heart

When the things you gave your life to fell apart

You're not the first to be acquainted with sorrow, grief, or pain

But the Master promised sunshine after rain

Hold on, my child (hold on, my child)

Joy comes in the morning

Weeping only last for the night

Hold on, my child (hold on, my child)

Joy comes in the morning

The darkest hour means dawn is just in sight

To invest your seed of trust in God in mountains you can't move

You have risked your life on things you cannot prove

But to give the things you cannot keep for what you cannot lose

Now, that's the way to find the joy God has for you

So, hold on, my child (hold on, my child)

Joy comes in the morning

Weeping only last for the night

Hold on, my child (hold on, my child)

Joy comes in the morning

The darkest hour means dawn is just in sight

The darkest hour means dawn is just in sight

It's just in sight

The song is based on Psalms 30:5, and it is illustrated by the apostles, who had fished all night and caught nothing. But when the morning came, Jesus was there. I am sure the most powerful illustration, though, is when the women came to the tomb of Christ very early, before daylight. 

As the light began to break, they found the empty tomb and soon afterward the risen Saviour.

The point I want to make in this Daily Visit with God is that these mornings are made possible by that morning when the chief priests and elders took counsel to kill Jesus.

The most glorious mornings we've ever experienced, and the hope of that blessed morning when we will see Jesus face to face, are all the result of that morning when, in the infinite counsel and foreknowledge of God, He determined to allow the hands of sinful men to send His Son to the cross on account of our sins.

The brightest moment a human being may ever experience was made possible by the darkest moment the Son of God ever knew.

#JoyComesInTheMorning #TheEmptyTomb #ChristOurHope #DailyVisitWithGod #MorningOfVictory

Joy Comes in the Morning—But Why?

Has God ever brought joy after one of your darkest nights? Share your testimony in the comments—I’d love to hear how the Lord has worked in your life. 

For more daily Bible encouragement and verse-by-verse studies, visit marvinmckenzie.org.

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 7100 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

Matthew 27:1 (KJV) Joy Comes in the Morning

Here's a comic version of the lesson.

http://youtube.com/post/Ugkxo1a4J_IZMsgSp44rKBpF-351FLSHIurB?si=EIqmGZt1_rE77Klc

Matthew 25:3 (KJV) The Most Dangerous Kind of Christianity

Matthew 25:3 (KJV)

They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

We could do a bunch of speculation about what the oil is. In my circles, it's usually identified (and I think for good reason) as the Holy Ghost.

But we're getting that by comparing Scripture with Scripture, not directly from the text.

What we do know is that the lamp won't fulfill its purpose without oil. What's the use of carrying a lamp that won't light?

What's the use of toting around a picnic basket with no food?

Wouldn't it be foolish to jump in the car, start on a trip, and not check the gas tank?

Given the audience (Jews) and the setting of Jesus' earthly ministry, I'd like to suggest the subject is empty religion. It is a foolish thing to have religion but leave out God.

I notice that though five were foolish, five were wise. I'm thinking of Abraham, Moses, David, Daniel, Jeremiah, and others. That's not to mention Peter, Paul, James, John, and the rest. The trouble wasn't with the lamp or with the oil. It's an individual problem.

So let me bring this home a bit. We can complain all we want about the "bad actors" of Christianity, but the problem isn't there. The faith is perfect because the Christ behind it is perfect. Stop looking at individuals and start looking at yourself.

Have you packed your oil?

#FaithNotReligion #Matthew25v3 #ExamineYourself #WalkingWithGod #DailyVisitsWithGod

The Most Dangerous Kind of Christianity - Looks Completely Normal

What do you think the "oil" represents in Matthew 25? More importantly, have you ever stopped to examine your own faith instead of someone else's? Share your thoughts in the comments—I’d enjoy hearing from you. 

For more Bible studies, daily devotionals, and resources to help you grow in God's Word, visit marvinmckenzie.org. 

If this post encouraged you, please like it, share it, and invite someone else to study the Bible with us.

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 7100 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

Matthew 25:3 (KJV) The Most Dangerous Kind of Christianity

Here's a comic version of the lesson.

http://youtube.com/post/UgkxU8V7k9TpREaaDISDy6a96bUkReyH6JtZ?si=ijJvcAuwqh6eHusj

Matthew 24:6 (KJV) Don't Panic Over the Headlines

Matthew 24:6 (KJV)

And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

I heard a preacher recently say he believes Jesus will return in his lifetime. I have often said, "I wouldn't be surprised if Jesus comes back today, but I won't be disappointed if it is not in my lifetime."

This chapter is all about that "end."

Here's what I believe we can know with certainty.

First, there will be an end.

This present world will not continue forever. The heavens and the earth will melt with fervent heat, and God has promised a new heaven and a new earth. Because of that, none of us should place all our hope in this present world. Climate activists and environmental extremists often operate on the assumption that this earth is mankind's only hope. They are mistaken. Our hope has always been in God's eternal kingdom. (And yes, many people dislike us for believing that.)

Second, the end is not yet.

Jesus specifically said there would be wars and rumours of wars, but He also told us not to be troubled because "the end is not yet." These things are not proof that the end has arrived.

The context of Matthew 24 is Israel during the Tribulation. Christians sometimes read this chapter as though the church must endure the Tribulation before the end comes. I don't believe that is the case. Israel, as a nation, will pass through that time, but Church Age believers will be delivered—rescued, raptured—before God's wrath is poured out.

Third, we simply do not know when the end will come.

No man knows the day or the hour. We can recognize the season. We can see the world moving in the direction Scripture describes. But we cannot know the exact time, and we are not wise to make predictions.

So what should we do?

Live every day as though Christ could come today.

It's easy to become comfortable and settled into this world system. Some people will be caught completely unprepared. Others will convince themselves the Lord is never coming.

The wise believer takes a different approach. He is watchful. He is prepared. He is faithfully serving. And he is looking forward to the day when the Lord makes all things new.

#TheEndIsNotYet #WatchAndBeReady #Matthew24v6 #BibleProphecy #JesusIsComing

Don't Panic Over the Headlines—Read What Jesus Said

What do you believe Jesus meant when He said, "the end is not yet"? Share your thoughts in the comments—I enjoy reading them. 

For more Bible studies like this one, visit marvinmckenzie.org and explore hundreds of verse-by-verse lessons designed to strengthen your faith and confidence in God's Word.

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 7100 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

Matthew 24:6 (KJV) Don't Panic Over the Headlines

Here's a comic version of the lesson.

http://youtube.com/post/UgkxKBb3KZfAH1YZogXuV-zu5pZan13RD9JD?si=K1JZioNi8IqZf1Yy