A Strategically Closed Book

Sometimes, when the Old Testament is quoted in the New, what is NOT quoted can be as instructive as what IS quoted.

Luke 4:16-21

16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,
18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

From where did Jesus read?

Isaiah 61:1-2

1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God….

“This day” was fulfilled the Scripture of the proclamation of “the acceptable year of the Lord” — but “this day” was not the day to proclaim the day of vengeance of our God.  So Jesus stopped just before reading that.

But He didn’t just stop.  He closed the book.  His hearers knew the Scriptures, they knew He was stopping right in the middle of a sentence, and yet, with a resounding finality that rang down the ages, He closed the book.

The day of vengeance of our God.  It was still to come, and it will fall when our Lord returns.  Many Scriptures describe it.  But for this time, “this day,” the book closed, right in the middle of that sentence from Isaiah.  For that day, and still for our day, it is time to proclaim “the acceptable year of the Lord.”

A few other Scriptures worth pondering in this context:

Daniel 12:4, 8-9

4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?
9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.

Revelation 5:1-10

1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

 

About Jon Gleason

Former Pastor of Free Baptist Church of Glenrothes
This entry was posted in Biblical Prophecy. Bookmark the permalink.

2 Responses to A Strategically Closed Book

  1. Ron Gatlin says:

    Enjoy your blogs, Bro. Jon Gleason. Also enjoyed your fellowship in Greenville. God Bless You!

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