The Parable of the Good Samaritan

The Parable of The Good Samaritan 

FOJ: In Jesus simple, but wonderful parable recorded in the tenth chapter of Luke about the Good Samaritan, the story highlights the actions and or virtues of six different characters:

1) the Lawyer

2) the Priest

3) the Levite

4) the Thieves

5) the Good Samaritan

* The sixth character who is so often overlooked is the poor Wounded man himself!

1) The Lawyer never so much as even recognized the wounded man as a man.

2) The Priest purposely avoided the wounded man; passing by him on the far side, as he was more concerned about his own piety and purity.

3) The Levite; like the Priest also avoided any personal contact with the wounded man; as he considered himself too valuable to risk being physically defiled.

4) The Good Samaritan of course is considered to be the hero of Jesus parable because he personally tended to the wounded man’s physical needs. 

5) Then, there is also the Thieves in the story. It is apparent that there were two, or maybe even more than two thieves. They not only robbed the poor man; but beat him half to death! 

(The thieves obviously are symbolical of Satan and his evil cohorts in this world)

This brings me back to the Sixth character in Jesus parable; “the poor wounded man himself.”

(The poor wounded man, left robbed by the thieves to die represents a lost and dying humanity in an evil infested world)

* It is of course obvious that the Good Samaritan is called GOOD; because he took time and care to tend to the wounded man’s PHYSICAL needs!

Now let me ask this very poignant question: “Of the other five characters in this story; who do you suppose did, by far the most Harm to the development of the poor wounded mans Spiritual needs?”

Answer: The Priest and the Levite! (the two most religious of the whole bunch)

Moral of the story: Never let it be the case; that as a Christian, that we not only fail to be a spiritual witness; but that we allow ourselves to become a major harm or stumbling block to the salvation of a poor lost Soul!

Why Does it Seem that the Second Coming of Jesus is taking so long?

Is the Second Coming of Jesus Being Delayed?

I am occasionally asked why it seems that the second coming of Jesus seems as though he might be tarrying long , or that his coming is being delayed. 

In actuality, the second coming of Jesus is not being delayed; or replanned in anyway. His return is a “Set”event (Psalms 102:13) on the providential timeline of God and is therefore right on schedule. 

II Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack (delaying) concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

The fact of the matter is; there is in this Last Days, more “Lost or unsaved” people on our planet than there has ever been in world history!

This unfortunate reality about the Last Days is, and has always been foreknown by God! 

That is the reason for his long suffering patience, to simply allow a timely span for the gospel of salvation in the Church Age to be fully availed to Earths people before He executes judgment.

Be Not Terrified

When They Try to Terrify You; Be Not Terrified

In his speech to his Disciples before going to the Cross; Jesus delivered a lot of info about the troubles that Israel would face in the Last days. One particular item that Jesus mentioned concerned the issue of Terrorism! 

Luke 21:9 But when ye shall hear of wars & commotions, be not “TERRIFIED.”

Jesus was directly implying in this specific warning that “Terrorism” would be a major weapon that would be used against Israel, (in the later phase or stages of the various protracted Psalms 83 wars) just before the Tribulation! (Day of Vengeance / Isaiah 61:2)

Focus on Jerusalem Commentary on Current Events

Dynamics of the Israel and Iran Wars

FOJ: If Israel does indeed proceed to wipe out Iran’s nuclear capabilities, as payback for Iran’s recent missile attacks; the following scenarios could actually occur: 

(1) Israel could, at long last, find itself as a nation dwelling safely within its own secured borders. (Ezekiel 38:8)

(2) A Middle East peace & safety environment could be more easily fabricated; with the radical Iranian proxy threat checkmated. (IIThess. 5:3)  

(3) Israel and the Arab nations would then be easily inclined to enact the Abrahamic Accords, with UN backing; which thereby could qualify as the “Confirmation of the Land Covenant,” provided the volatile Temple Mount issue is resolved between them. (Daniel 9:27) 

4) A Global government could rapidly emerge under the authority of the Ten Kings, who then could finally exalt the Antichrist! (Revelation 17:12-13)

How Can We Know We Are Living in the Last Days?

How Do We Know it is the Last Days?

FOJ: How do we know that we are not only living in the Last Days; but literally living on the threshold of the Rapture and the Great Tribulation?

(1) Israel is reconstituted as a nation after a 2000 year absence. Their return signals that God is bringing things to a climax!

(2) Israel has been recovered now for 76 years, a length of time which points to the maturing of the prophetic Fig Tree analogy, and the time of Jacobs Trouble. (Matt 24:32)

(3) The city of Jerusalem has become the epicenter of the worlds anxiety. (Zech 12:1-3)

(4) The worldly tension over Israel and Jerusalem has compelled the world to impose a Partitioning of the Promised Land in search of regional peace! (Joel 3:2)

(5) The political philosophy of Globalism is giving rise to a New Global Order of Unity under Ten Kings. (Rev 17:12-13) 

(6) The security distress of the nations over the threat posed by nuclear weapons has reached a point of non sustainability. (Luke 21:25)

(7) The ever expanding euphoria of the phenomena presented by the modern UFO / alien / AI 

technology post rapture “strong delusion” potential. (II Thess

2:11)

(8) The rise of modernism within the Church conjoined with a departure from sound Biblical doctrine. (II Tim 4:3) 

(9) The exponential increase of social lawlessness, chaos and immorality; all of which are producing Perilous Days!

(II Tim 3:1) 

(10) The explosive threat that is presented by Iran and its terror proxies! (Ezek 38)

(11) The geopolitical motives of Russia with Syria, Ukraine, Iran, Turkey as opposing the US and Israel. (Ezek 38)

(12) The rise of China as a superpower with ambitions to displace America’s status in the world economically and militarily!

(Rev 16:12)

(13) The rise of  the Islamic SWORD of terrorism. (Jer 25)

(14) The imminent Burden of the Damascus Judgment.

(Isa 17:1 and Jer 49:24-25)

(15) The pending Judgment of Gaza! (Zech 9)

(16) The Controversy of Zion.

(Isa 34:2-8)

(17) The coming Battle over Jerusalem! (Jer 25:29) 

(18) The Lords controversy with the Nations! (Jer 25:31)

(19) Americas possible involvement at Armageddon. (Jer 25:32-33)

(20) Antisemitism and The Hatred of Israel. (Mark 13:13)

Focus on Jerusalem 

The Waiting Game

The Waiting Game

Waiting is hard. It is never fun to have to wait. Yet the Bible often advises us to Wait upon the Lord. 

So, how am I supposed to WAIT upon the Lord; when I need help? 

(Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; and shall mount up with wings as eagles) 

If you follow the following steps, the Waiting Game will seemingly pass very quickly. Furthermore, these steps will strengthen you mightily while will you wait.

A-Slow your life down; be still;

B-Get yourself alone and quiet; 

C-Pray to God incessantly;

D-Dig very deeply into His Word! 

Place all your expectations in him, and, The Waiting will be Worth it!

Psalms 62:5 My soul, wait thou only upon God; for “my expectation is from him.”

The Greatest Question

The Greatest Question

If God knows everything, as the Bible indicates, then why does God ask questions in the Bible? 

God asks us questions, not because he lacks knowledge; but rather to see if we will respond to him honestly & truthfully with our answers!

Without the personal mutual understanding of the truth, there can be no hope for any resolutions!

When God asks us questions, be assured he already knows the truth! 

So when God asks questions, it is a test to see if we are going to admit and submit to the truth, or if we are going to practice personal falsehood and follow the Father of Lies.

It’s the greatest Question of Life!

Focus on the Bible

Darrell G. Young