“THE FAITH OF JESUS”

     There are numerous prophecies pointing to the LORD Jesus Christ as “the Saviour of the world” (Jn.4:42), each of which was well known to Jesus. But the personal outreach of His Father solidified His faith, as when He said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matt.3:17; 17:5. And toward the close of Christ’s ministry, when Jesus called to His Father He responded: “Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.” Jn.12:28. In addition, there are passages and psalms that are specifically directed by the Father to Jesus, to help fortify “the faith of Jesus.” Psalm 45 exemplifies the character, the mission, and the victory of Christ. Also there is Psalm 110.

     Let’s review each of the verses of this psalm to see something of the loveliness of the Father’s assurance given to “his only begotten Son.”

v.1 The LORD [the Father] said unto my Lord [the Son], Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

     Jesus quoted this verse to reach the leaders of Judaism: “While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David. He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.” Matt.22:41-46.

     The power of the Holy Spirit was present to convict the Pharisees that Jesus is the Christ. They knew in their hearts this to be the case. But to acknowledge Jesus called for humility. And their pride shut the door on the conviction from GOD, thus blaspheming the Holy Spirit, which is the unpardonable sin, as Jesus said, “But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation.” Mk.3:29. It was this pride and worship of their own religion over and above the Scriptures (that Christ meticulously honored) which led to Christ’s mournful warning of their damnation in Matthew 23.

v.2 The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.

     “The rod” of a shepherd is used to protect the flock from all enemies. When Jesus came, He delivered multitudes of men, women, and children from every threat: from disease and blindness to demon possession and even death itself. Christ’s rulership over His enemies was prophesied: “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.” Isa.11:1-5.

     It should be noted that both the 1st and 2nd Advents are included in this single prophecy. This was and still is the great stumbling block for the Jews because they expected the fulfillment of this prophecy and several others like it to be a single event, when in fact it is a prophecy containing two events, vastly separated by time.

v.3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.

     “All them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity” (Eph.6:24) are “willing in the day of His power” to receive His reward, “that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” II Cor.5:10. This is the promise given to the faithful.

v.4 The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

     “Melchizedek,” “the priest of the most high God” (Gen.14:18) received obeisance and the tithe from Abraham, showing Abraham’s servitude to those directly involved with the ministry of salvation from sin.

v.5 The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.

     In this verse and the following verse are seen the fulfillment of the prophecies assigned to our day. Events leading to the 2nd Advent of Jesus Christ will foment “a revival” of the religious tyranny of the Dark Ages. Like the Spanish Inquisition, it will single out every soul who loves GOD and keeps His commandments. Therefore, it will be a global inquisition. This is what Revelation 13 focuses on, and why the final display of religious tyranny (masquerading under the Christian name) will usher “the wrath of God” in “the seven plagues” of Revelation 16. The corrupt religions ruling the world are deceiving everyone under their jurisdiction, whether of Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and apostate Christianity. But it is apostate Christianity that was prophesied long ago as the leading agent of Satan to impose sin throughout the Earth and persecute all who refuse to join this “novus ordo seclorum:” The church has refused to repent of the pagan “tradition of man” that has ruled the church since Rome usurped the apostolic Gospel, replacing it with convert or die. “For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.” Rev.18:3.

v.6 He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.

     Here is the final stage of Earth’s present history. The prophets of old gave us fair warning: “Therefore prophesy thou against them all these words, and say unto them, The LORD shall roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation; he shall mightily roar upon his habitation; he shall give a shout, as they that tread the grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth. A noise shall come even to the ends of the earth; for the LORD hath a controversy with the nations, he will plead with all flesh; he will give them that are wicked to the sword, saith the LORD. Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth. And the slain of the LORD shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the ground.” [WHO DOES THE LORD SAY IS RESPONSIBLE?] Howl, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow yourselves in the ashes, ye principal of the flock: for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are accomplished; and ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel. And the shepherds shall have no way to flee, nor the principal of the flock to escape. A voice of the cry of the shepherds, and an howling of the principal of the flock, shall be heard: for the LORD hath spoiled their pasture. And the peaceable habitations are cut down because of the fierce anger of the LORD. He hath forsaken his covert, as the lion: for their land is desolate because of the fierceness of the oppressor, and because of his fierce anger.” Jer.25:30-38. “The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb.” Rev.14:10.

v.7 He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.

     The Lord Jesus Christ will be strengthened to carryout the will of the Father’s judgments against sin and sinners. So, again, we come back to the original call of GOD to every man and woman, “repent ye, and believe the gospel.” Mk.1:15. To “believe” is to include obedience to every counsel given by Christ (Matt.7:24). Those who disobey are not believers but are deceiving themselves with a false optimism when the Bible warns of every danger facing the sinner in a sinful world. Just know that all the faith in the world will never make 2+2=5. For every warning, the LORD gives the simple remedy: “But if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” Matt.19:17. It doesn’t get any more simple than that.