Be Still and Know That I Am God

 Temple Baptist Church - 5-31-2026

Psalms 46

Introduction: 

A.  Psalm 46 is a psalm of confidence in troubled times.

 

1.  Many believe this psalm inspired A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, and rightly so, because Psalm 46 presents God as the unshakable refuge of His people.

 

2.  It was written both during and for future days of shaking, uncertainty, fear, and warfare. The earth is moving, mountains are collapsing, waters are roaring, kingdoms are raging — yet in the middle of all the chaos, God’s people are called to confidence, calmness, and faith.

 

3.  This psalm reminds us that while the world changes, God never changes.  Though we live in the 21^st century, we still face these things both mentally and physically. 

 

B.  Three Enemies that you and I face each day can cause us to “look back” if we are not careful.  The devil is on a rampage today and is doing all that he can to disable, discourage, defile, or destroy God’s people. 

 

1.  Worry - Philippians 4:6  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

 

2.  Fear - Deuteronomy 31:8  And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

 

3.  Discouragement - Joshua 1:9  Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

 

C.  Let’s look at the breakdown of the psalm.

 

1.  A Declaration of What God is - 1-7

 

a.  A Refuge (hiding place)- 1a

b.  A Strength - 1b

c.  A VERY Present Help - 1c

d.  A calm in the storm - 2-3

e.  A river of joy - 4

f.  An ever-present Saviour - do not have to run to our Refuge - He is there – 7

 

2.  A Declaration of What He Has Done - 8-9

 

a.  He has been victorious in every past circumstance

b.  He has never failed in His purpose

 

3.  A Declaration of What We Are To Do - 10-11

 

a.  Remain still- 10

b.  Remember who He is - 10

c.  Place your confidence in Him - 11

 

BE STILL - (When & Why?)

 

A.  Be Still When?

 

1.  Be Still When You Are Disappointed

 

Isaiah 40:31  But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

 

2.  Be Still When You Are Discouraged

 

John 16:33  These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

 

Psalms 4:4  Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

 

3.  Be Still When You Are Distressed

 

Philippians 4:6-7  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 

4.  Be Still When You Are Doubtful

 

Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

         

B.  Be Still Why?  (Circumstances Can Alter Our Perception Of God)

 

1.  Be Still Because God's Time May Not Be Our Time.

 

Psalms 145:15  The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.

 

2.  Be Still Because We May Not Have The Proper Perspective

 

Exodus 14:13  And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.

 

3.  Be Still Because God's Will May Not Be Ours

 

2 Corinthians12:9  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

 

4.  Be Still Because We Need To Remain Confident In Him

 

Hebrews 10:35  Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.

 

5.  Be Still Because He Is Still God!

 

Isaiah 43:11  I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.

Be Careful For Nothing

 Temple Baptist Church - 4-26-2026

Philippians 4:6-7

 

Introduction:  This morning, I want to look at verses that we are so familiar with.  Every Wednesday, we quote verse 6 before we read our prayer list and take requests.  Then, why preach on the verse?  Because we quote it concerning prayer and supplication without giving thought to the first part of the verse. 

A.  Our verse for this morning deals with worry.  Someone once said, “Worry is like paying interest on a load that you may never have to take out.”  Here is a cute little poem concerning worry.

 

Worry never climbed a hill,
Worry never paid a bill.
Worry never dried a tear,
Worry never calmed a fear.
Worry never fixed a heel,
Worry never cooked a meal.
Worry never composed a song to sing,
Actually, worry never did a worthwhile thing.

 

B.  “Be” means to make something happen that probably would not happen naturally. “Careful” comes from two words, “care” and “full,” which mean full of care.  Something that occupies our hearts and minds in a negative way.  “Nothing” covers every aspect of our past, present, and future.  “Nothing” means nothing!

 

Luke 10:41-42  And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:  (42)  But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

 

C.  When we worry, we allow our future fears of either something known or not yet known to overcome our faith in our ever-present, all-knowing, and all-powerful Lord.

 

D.  The opposite of “careful” is confidence or trust.

 

1.  The Lord cares about what we care about.  1 Peter 5:7  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

2.  The Lord  is affected by what affects us.  Hebrews 4:15  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.

 

3.  The Lord  has promised to be there with us and there for us.  If God be for us, who can be against us?  1 John 4:4  Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

 

4.  The Lord  has guaranteed perfect peace to those who trust Him. (verse 7)  Isaiah 26:3-4  Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.  (4)  Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

 

E.  Worry causes stress, and stress is possibly the greatest killer in America.  People today are stressed out by the economy and rising prices, the wickedness that has permeated our Land, the uncertainty about the future of our children and grandchildren, and the list could go on and on.

 

1.  Worry will damage both your physical and mental health.  Look at the people on medication for mental health.  The Mayo Clinic states that statistically, 80-85 % of their case load of ill people was either directly or indirectly related to stress.  “Seventy percent of all patients who come to physicians could cure themselves if they only got rid of their fears, worries, and bad eating habits.”

 

2.  Worry will cause the object of your worry to consume your thoughts.  The Bible says that we are to think upon good things.  (Philippians 4:8)  Most social, family, and church problems are stress-related.

 

3.  Worry will disrupt your productivity and purposes.  You cannot give yourself over to worry and do what needs to be done diligently.  Job performance across our land is caused by apathy and stress.  People who do not care or are consumed by their problems.

 

4.  Worry will negatively affect the way you treat and interact with others.  You will be self-centered because of the load of your cares.  You will seek your own good instead of the good of others.

 

5.  Worry will adversely affect your emotions.  Your “fuse will be short,” and your outward demeanor will not glorify the Lord.

 

6.  Worry will cause you to say things that you would not ordinarily say. 

 

a)  Out of the heart are the issues of life.

b)  As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.

c)  Out of the abundance of the heart, a man speaketh.

 

7.  Worry will reduce your faith and trust in the Lord.  You cannot trust and worry at the same time.  These two are like oil and water, they cannot mix!

 

8.  Worry is more harmful than helpful!  It is a total waste of time and effort.  Some confuse worry and concern. Here is the difference between worry and genuine concern: Worry immobilizes, but concern moves you to action. We should be concerned and not neglect matters of importance. We shouldn't worry about them and do nothing about it.

F.  Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States, told the country during the Great Depression that the greatest fear was fear itself.  Here are some good quotes concerning worry.

 

“A day of worry is more exhausting than a day of work.”

 

“Work won't kill, but worry will.”

 

“Don't tell me that worry doesn't do any good. I know better. The things I worry about don't happen.”

 

“Tain't worthwhile to wear a day all out before it comes.”

 

“It ain't no use putting up your umbrella till it rains.”

 

“Happy is the man who is too busy to worry by day, and too sleepy to worry at night.”

 

G.  George McDonald wrote the following about worry. "No man ever sank under the burden of the day. It is when tomorrow’s burden is added to the burden of today that the weight is more than a man can bear. Never load yourselves so. If you find yourselves so loaded, at least remember this: It is your doing, not God’s. He begs you to leave the future to Him and mind the present."

 

Psalms 56:3  What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

John 14:1  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

John 14:27  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

 

1.  Christians Are Not Immune To Worry!

 

a.  Though We Know That God Is In Control – He is in control of all that exists and that includes our circumstances!

 

b.  Though We Know That All Will End Well – Our life story has already been recorded in Heaven.  The final chapter of our life has been written, and it is alright!

 

c.  Though We Know That Worry Is Sin And Distrust – It is one thing to have concerns and another to worry.  We are concerned because we do not know the end of a thing, but worry is a “horse of another color!”  Worry is our failure to trust our lives, families, finances, protection, and provision to the One who holds it all in His hand.

 

d.  And Yet, We Still Have A Tendency To Worry

 

1)  We worry because we are affected by the world.

 

2)  We worry because we are robed in frail flesh.

 

3)  We worry because we are still imperfect in our faith.

 

2. And, Most Of The Time:

 

a.  We worry about things that either never occur or do not meet our expectations.

 

b.  We worry about things that we cannot change.

 

c.  We worry often times about things that really do not matter.

 

3.  How To Handle Worry:

 

a.  We Should Not Worry Because We Are Children Of God - Ephesians 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

 

Romans 8:17  And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

 

b.  We Should not worry because, as Christians, we are people of faith - Romans 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

 

c.  We should not worry because our focus is to be on the kingdom of God, on the spiritual, not the material - Matthew 6:33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

 

          Philippians 1:21  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

 

d.  We Need To Realize That God Cares - 1 Peter 5:7  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

 

Said the Robin to the Sparrow,

 

"I should really like to know

 

Why these anxious human beings

 

Rush about and hurry so."

 

Said the Sparrow to the Robin,

 

"Friend, I think that it must be

 

That they have no Heavenly Father

 

Such as cares for you and me."

 

-- Elizabeth Cheney

 

5.  God’s Prescription For Peace – You do your job, verse 6, and God will do His, verse 7!

 

a.  The Requirement of Prayer.  Prayer is our worship.  Too often, when we get into a crisis or valley, we rely upon worldly means for the solution to our problems. 

 

1)  The Bible says not to put our confidence in either man or things.  Our confidence is to be the Lord: maker of heaven and earth: He who is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent. 

 

2)  We belong to Him and He belongs to us.  His love, compassion, and pity belong to us and His thoughts toward us are more than can be numbered.  He truly “thinketh” upon us.  He loves us enough that He gave His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, for our sins.

 

3)  He holds our future just as He held our past and present.  God can handle all of our problems, take down all of our enemies, and supply all of our needs.

 

b.  The Requirement of Supplication. 

 

1)  We are to pray for God’s will in our lives.  1 John 5:14-15  And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:  (15)  And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

 

2)  We are to pray in specifics.  Luke 11:9-13  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.  (10)  For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.  (11)  If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?  (12)  Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?  (13)  If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

 

3)  We are to pray in faith.  James 1:5-8  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.  (6)  But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.  (7)  For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.  (8)  A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

 

c.  The Requirement of Thanksgiving.

 

1)  Thankful to God for who He is.  Job 1:20-22  Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,  (21)  And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.  (22)  In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

 

2)  Thankful to God for what He has done.  1 Thessalonians 5:18  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

 

3)  Thankful to God for what He will do.  Genesis 18:14  Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.

 

Conclusion:  Here is the outcome of verse 6:  The Requirement of Trust. Philippians 4:7  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Take Your Burdens to the Lord and Leave Them There

 Temple Baptist Church - 12-14-2025

Psalm 39

Introduction:

A.  Psalm 39 is one of the most introspective and sobering psalms David ever wrote. It is a psalm of reflection, restraint, and repentance. David is wrestling with the brevity of life, the heaviness of chastisement, and the need for God’s mercy.

 

1.  In many ways, Psalm 39 is the prayer of a man who has come to the end of himself and is now casting himself wholly on God.  We live in a world where people speak quickly, complain loudly, and seldom pause to measure their words or consider their souls.

 

2.  Psalm 39 reminds us that there are times when silence is wisdom, restraint is godliness, and humility is healing.

 

B. Many personal and private matters should remain that way. I want to express this correctly because there is safety in the multitude of counselors, but some issues need to stay strictly between you and God. It is none of the world's or even other believers’ business. 

 

C.  The greatest example that I can field is that of Christ at Calvary.  Our Lord became sin for us and died in our place that day.  It was between Christ the Son and God the Father.  The world would never understand this, and it was none of their business.  It was personal between the Father and the Son.

 

Isaiah 53:6-7  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.  (7)  He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

 

Matthew 27:13-14  Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?  (14)  And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.

 

Luke 23:8-9  And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.  (9)  Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing.

 

D.  It is in these times that we are to “study to be quiet!”  Here we find David speaking to himself!  “I said” was a quiet self-reflection of what was going on.  I often use the phrase “Self, I says.” 

 

1.  Verses 1-2.  David restrains his tongue from speaking his thoughts. He illustrates in three ways that thoughts affect: 

 

Psalms 39:1-2  To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David. I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.  (2)  I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.

 

a.  Be careful what you do.  “I will take heed to my ways”

 

b.  Be careful what you say.  “that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle.”

 

c. Be careful what you say and do before the wicked.  “while the wicked is before me.”

 

d.  In front of the wicked.  “While the wicked is before me,”  All of us have said things that are personal before others and learned to regret it.  “Never leave your tongue in gear when your mind is idling!”  Nothing personal needs to be said before those who are not to be trusted.

 

Matthew 7:6  Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

 

e.  Even the good.  “I held my peace, even from good.”  Some things cannot be discussed before those whom you can trust.  They may not understand or need to hear.  Keep personal matters private.

 

f.  Words spoken when you need to be quiet can be problematic.

 

1)  Words spoken in anger can wound deeply.

 

2)  Words spoken in frustration can dishonor God.

 

3)  Words spoken in haste often become words we regret.

 

2.  Verses 3-4.  David spoke the unspeakable to the Lord alone. 

 

Psalms 39:3-4  My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,  LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.

 

a.  David spoke to the right Person, the LORD.  “then spake I with my tongue,  LORD “  The Holy Ghost used a verse in the Book of 1 Peter that we all know by heart, but seldom use.  There is nothing you cannot discuss with the Lord as He knows your thoughts afar off anyway.  He knows what is on you heart and mind.  Never be slow or afraid to talk with Him.

 

1 Peter 5:7  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

 

b.  David spoke to the Lord at the right time.  “My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,”  David struck while the iron was hot.  The quicker we take our cares to the Lord, the better the outcome.

 

3.  Verses 4-6.  David realizes the brevity of life.

 

Psalms 39:4-6  LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.  Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.  Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.

 

a.  David knew his time on earth was short.  “Make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is.”  We may not have time to make things right, as our time may run out quicker than expected.  The best time to make things right with God and men is now!  We plan long but live short!  We worry much, but life passes so quickly! 

 

b.  David knew his frailty.  “that I may know how frail I am”  We view David as a mighty man of war, and he was, but David, as all others, had weaknesses known only to God and self.  Guard your weaknesses!

 

c.  David knew that most of life is spent in vanity.  “verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.  (6)  Surely every man walketh in a vain shew.” 

 

1)  We often hurry but make little progress.  My mother used to say, “The faster I catch up, the behinder I get!”  Much of our lives is spent doing things that have no eternal benefit. 

 

2)  Life is too short for bitterness, too brief for pride, too fleeting for sin, and too valuable to be wasted on vanity.

 

4.  Verses 7-9.  David realizes that his only hope is in God.

 

Psalms 39:7-9  And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.  Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish.  I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it.

 

a.  David awaits God’s answer to his problems.  “And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.”  The Lord is the hope of the world in salvation; the hope of the Christian in this world; and the eternal hope of the world to come.  The sooner that we learn this truth; the better life will be.

 

Psalms 43:5  Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

 

Isaiah 40:28-31  Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.  (29)  He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.  (30)  Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:  (31)  But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

 

b.  David asks for cleansing.  “Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish.”  True spiritual Christianity is the realization that the world is not the problem.  The sin within is the issue.  Out of the heart are the issues of life.

 

5.  Verses 10-13.  David throws himself on the mercy of the Lord.

 

Psalms 39:10-13  Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand.  (11)  When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah.  (12)  Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.  (13)  O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.

 

a.  David bows under the righteous chastening of the Lord.  “Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand.  When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah.”  We need to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God.  There is a blessedness in God’s chastening as it is a sign of sonship.

 

b.  David asked God for forgiveness.  “Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.  (13)  O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.”  Take your burdens to the Lord and leave them there.  As Solomon asked for wisdom, David asks for forgiveness. David does not ask for greatness, riches, or victory. He asks for strength to keep going until the Lord calls him home.

 

Conclusion:  Psalm 39 teaches three great spiritual lessons:

 

1. Guard your tongue, especially under pressure.

 

2. Remember the brevity of life—and live accordingly.

 

3. Seek God’s mercy, for He is our only hope in life and death.

How Long, LORD?

 Temple Baptist Church - 4-27-2025

Psalm 79

 

Introduction:

 

A. A Psalm of Asaph. Asaph was contemporary with King David and probably his assistant in matters of the Tabernacle and worship.

 

B. The Psalm is national, not individual, as Asaph references Israel, Jerusalem, and the future Temple instead of the Tabernacle in the Wilderness.

 

1. Most Psalms of this nature are the cry of the individual for divine involvement in an immediate crisis.

 

2. Many Psalms are contemporary and prophetic in nature, as they address the present while prophesying the future. Thus, Messianic Psalms imply the coming of and the work of the Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

3. This Psalm is simply prophetic. It is a prophetic cry for divine intervention for the nation of Israel.

 

4. Three things are mentioned that have yet to occur in Asaphs’ lifetime.

 

a) “The heathen are come into thine inheritance.” The heathen entered the land and nation of Israel. Though this is well noted in Israel’s history up to this point, there had been many instances where the heathen overran and controlled Israel over the centuries due to disobedience to God.

 

Psalms 79:7 For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling place.

 

b) “Thy holy temple have they defiled.” During King David’s lifetime, worship was still in the Tabernacle. At Asaph’s time, neither the Tabernacle nor the future Temple had ever been “defiled” by the enemies of Israel.

 

c) “They have laid Jerusalem on heaps.” The utter destruction of Jerusalem. The heathen had never destroyed Jerusalem.

 

C. This Psalm speaks of the anger of God against the nation of Israel, indicating His judgment due to the sins committed. Israel had many periods when it turned from God, and judgment fell.

 

Psalms 79:5 How long, LORD? wilt thou be angry for ever? shall thy jealousy burn like fire?

 

1. “How Long” indicates a future event. If this had been a historical event mentioned in the Psalm, Asaph would have known how long God’s anger lasted.

 

2. “How Long … for ever” indicates an extended event. The judgment of God will be over a prolonged period of time.

 

D. Three future events could be considered in the partial fulfillment of this prophecy, two of which I will eliminate because they do not fit all the requirements of the Psalm.

 

1. The Babylonian Captivity occurred nearly 600 years before the arrival of our Lord Jesus Christ. During this time, the walls of Jerusalem were torn down, its gates were burned, and the Temple was destroyed. Israel spent 70 years in captivity before God raised Ezra and Nehemiah to rebuild the Temple and the walls of Jerusalem. I have examined the spoiling of Solomon’s Temple and the destruction of Israel by the Babylonians. However, I find no evidence of defilement related to sacrifices.

 

The Babylonian Captivity fulfilled two aspects of the prophecy but not the third. Israel was overrun, the Temple was torn down and spoiled, and Jerusalem was ravaged. The gates were burned, and many of the walls were torn down. However, the altar was spoiled but not defiled. I dismiss this theory for another reason. During the Babylonian Captivity, Daniel spoke of the most significant point: Daniel, Jesus Christ, and the Book of Revelation reference the "abomination that maketh desolate" as future events, rather than past occurrences.

 

2. Antiochus IV Epiphanes

 

Three hundred fifty-six years before the arrival of Israel's Messiah, the Greek World Empire was led by two notable kings. Alexander the Great reigned from 356 to 323 BC, conquering much of the known world before dying at 33 of possible Guillain-Barré Syndrome (Guillain-Barré syndrome), which paralyzes the peripheral parts of the body. His body did not begin to decompose for six days after they pronounced him dead, leading them to think he was a god, but probably was not dead yet. He had exhausted his ambitions for conquest.

 

After Alexander the Great, Antiochus IV Epiphanes ruled the Seleucid Empire from 175 BC until his death in 164 BC. His reign was marked by significant events, including an attempted conquest of Egypt, the persecution of Jews in Judea, and the subsequent Maccabean Revolt.

 

Between the Babylonian Captivity and Israel’s rejection of the Messiah, a crucial event occurred that is referenced in 1 Maccabees 1:54-64, a book from the Apocrypha (a Greek word meaning “hidden” or “outside the canon”). The Apocrypha consists of 14 historical books written during the time of the Maccabees, often called the "400 Silent Years." These texts were included in the first King James Bible between the Old and New Testaments for their historical value; however, they were never considered inspired or canonized. They were later removed due to the confusion they caused as readers of the Bible considered them inspired, like the Old and New Testaments.

 

The account in 1 Maccabees 1:54-64 details the conflict with Antiochus IV, who called himself Epiphanes, meaning "illustrious one" or "god manifest." He was a Greek king who defiled the Temple by setting up an altar to the Greek god Zeus over the altar of burnt offerings and sacrificing a pig on this altar. This event is often interpreted as a foreshadowing of the Abomination of Desolation mentioned during Jacob’s Trouble, or the Tribulation Period. Notably, this act is not recorded in the Bible, as it was neither mentioned by any inspired writers nor by the Lord Jesus.

 

Flavius Josephus, the Jewish historian, mentioned the "abomination of desolation" in his work "The Wars of the Jews." According to Josephus, this prophecy was fulfilled by Antiochus Epiphanes, who desecrated the temple in 167 BC.

 

3. The Third Event. Jacob’s Trouble also referred to the Tribulation Period. Two intertwining events make up a whole that is separated by 2,000 years. This third event began with the rejection of Israel's Messiah by the Jewish nation (John 1:11).

 

The rejection of Israel's Messiah initiated a curse upon Israel and its descendants, culminating in the devastation and scattering of the nation. After the crucifixion of Christ, Israel continued to experience significant spiritual decline as they persecuted the Apostles, putting some to death and imprisoning others in the Book of Acts.

 

The Gospel, though still available to the Jews, was carried to the Gentile nations. This involved breaking off the natural branch, Israel, and grafting in the unnatural branch, a Gentile Church.

 

About 35 years after the rejection of Christ, the destruction of the Temple and the scattering of the Jews occurred between 70 and 73 AD, carried out by Titus of Rome. Israel, as a nation, ceased to exist when its people were driven from their land and scattered across the globe.

 

In the mid-twentieth century, God began to gather His covenant people home again, and in 1948, Israel was re-established as a nation. Now, we wait! After the Rapture of God’s Church, the third event will culminate in Jacob’s Trouble, a time prophesied by both Daniel and our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

E. The Book of Daniel goes hand-in-hand with the Book of Revelation.

 

Daniel 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

 

Daniel 11:31 And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.

 

Daniel 12:11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.

 

F. Our Lord Jesus Christ confirmed what Daniel prophesied during His walk on earth.

 

Matthew 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

 

Mark 13:14 But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:

 

G. Now for a quick look at the fulfillment of Verse 1.

 

1. First Prophecy.

 

Psalms 79:1-2 A Psalm of Asaph. O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps. (2) The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth.

 

Fulfillment. Revelation 11:7-8 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. (8) And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

 

Revelation 11:7-8 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. (8) And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

 

Revelation 12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

 

2. Second Prophecy. Psalms 79:1 A Psalm of Asaph. O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.

 

Fulfillment. Daniel 12:11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.

 

3. Third Prophecy. Psalms 79:1 A Psalm of Asaph. O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.

 

Fulfillment. Revelation 11:2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

 

Conclusion: The time is near when we will be called home, and God will restore the natural branch while breaking off the unnatural branch.

 

Revelation 22:20-21 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. (21) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.