Sharing With Sharon is a short devotional written by one of ALCC's members, Sharon Swidor.  Updated weekly, we pray that you will be blessed and drawn to God by her words.  (Last updated 3/08/10.)

Revelation 22:15-16..."Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. I, Yeshua Jesus, have sent My angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star."

The Bible tells us that "dogs" was a common expression used by Jews to speak of Gentiles. Back in the early church the Jews were consider to be God's chosen people, so the concept of Gentiles coming to know Yeshua was one of unbelief, on their part. Soon we who are called Jew and Gentile will become one new man, in Christ Yeshua! Oh by the way, the Jews are still His chosen people, Israel is His chosen land, but we who know Christ have been grafted into the Olive Branch that is Israel! How exciting and wonderful is that! I want you to understand as the early church spread into the non-Jewish world, it took on a more Gentile culture. Eventually Gentiles outnumbered Jewish believers, and then the Jewish roots of the church were removed. But God is doing a mighty work in this last days and He is bringing His Jewish roots back to remembrance. 

However, here it most likely speaks of false teachers. In Philippians 3 we are told to, "Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! For we are the circumcision who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. If we live in "falsehood" this would indicate we live our lives in such a way that others might consider it to be a "lie." We must not "love and practice a lie", because we who belong to Christ must not be dominated by falsehood, but by truth! We must live our lives in such a way that it will bring honor and glory to our Creator!

The Bible tells us that Yeshua Jesus is both the Source and Son of David, as is told in Isaiah 11:(1) There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots. (10) And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, Who shall stand as a banner to the people; For the Gentiles shall seek Him, And His resting place shall be glorious. Now here is a prophecy that has come to pass, Amen? John through this revelation is told that Yeshua Jesus is both greater than David and the rightful heir to the throne of David. You see, for the Jew and the Gentile, Yeshua Jesus is the comforting light in a dark world until the dawn of His return! He is the "bright Morning Star."

This invitation by the Spirit of God remains open to anyone who will come by faith to Christ to accept the Lord's gracious offer of eternal life. If you don't know Him and have not accepted His gift as of today will you consider it? Here is something to think about...God has been waiting for a generation of believers to follow the cloud of His presence just as the Israelites followed the cloud in the wilderness. The cloud is moving. Will you follow the cloud of glory, or will you remain stuck in your old ways?

Shalom aleikhem! "Peace be upon you."
Psalm 122:6-7...ASK for the peace of Jerusalem; "May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, Prosperity within your palaces."
with the love of Yeshua,
Sharon