ARE YOU MEEK?

What does the Bible mean when it praises the meek?  What is "meekness?"  The Blue Letter Bible defines "meekness" this way: 

"Meekness toward God is that disposition of spirit in which we accept His dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting. In the OT, the meek are those wholly relying on God rather than their own strength to defend against injustice. Thus, meekness toward evil people means knowing God is permitting the injuries they inflict, that He is using them to purify His elect, and that He will deliver His elect in His time (Isa. 41:17, Lk. 18:1-8). Gentleness or meekness is the opposite of self-assertiveness and self-interest. It stems from trust in God's goodness and control over the situation. The gentle person is not occupied with self at all. This is a work of the Holy Spirit, not of the human will (Gal. 5:23)."

The first time the word appears in the Scriptures, it is used to describe Moses.  In Numbers 12:3, we read, "Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth."  Moses felt inadequate for God's call upon his life, and in balking, he angered God (Ex. 4:1-17) .  Jesus is described as meek (Mt. 11:29; 21:5), and yet all that He did pleased God (Mt. 3:17; 12:18; 17:5; 2 Pet. 1:17).  So what is the difference? 

Moses was meek in that he failed to recognize that God would work through him, to accomplish all that He was calling him to do.  In other words, his meekness was due to his lack of faith in God, and fear of failure.  Jesus, on the other hand, knew God's Word and believed that what His Father was asking of Him would be accomplished in the strength and power of the Holy Spirit (Mt. 12:28; Lk. 11:20; Jn. 14:10).

I believe that meekness is the outworking of humility.  A meek person does not view himself as superior to others.  A meek person does not utilize his own strength to subjugate others, but rather, he determines to walk in the strength and authority of God.  Jesus is our example, our role-model:

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  bug made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:  and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" (Phil. 2:5-8).

The Lord became the Servant, so that we might become the servants of God! 

BIBLE "DISCREPANCIES"

WHICH OF THESE IS THE REAL LORD'S PRAYER?

"Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen" (Mt. 6:9-13). 

OR  

"Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil" (Lk. 11:1-4).

THE ANSWER IS BOTH!

Let me begin by explaining the apparent discrepancy.  These two "quotes of Jesus" are not actually quotes, but are two compatible versions of the teaching of Jesus on how to pray.  Matthew was present when Jesus taught the "model prayer," but Luke learned of it "second hand" (Lk. 1:1-3; cp. Acts 1:1-2 - note that Luke was not an Apostle).  This can also be seen by observing that a large percentage of "quotes" by Jesus and the writers of the New Testament, are actually paraphrases of the Old Testament; they convey the intent of the message, but use different wording.  A good example is found in the Lord's "quote" of Isaiah 56:7 and Jeremiah 7:11 in Matthew 21:13. 

Another reason for "discrepancies," is due to the Hebrew "quotes" being "translated" into Greek, as can be seen in the different spelling of names (cp. Noah - Gen. 5:9 w/ Mt. 24:37; Elijah - Mal. 4:5 w/ Mt. 11:14; and Rahab - Josh. 2:1 w/ Mt. 1:5; etc.).  In addition, the common written language of the people in the time Jesus lived was Greek.  So the version of the Old Testament most frequently used was the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament.  Perhaps that is why the Apostle Paul emphasized the spirit of the Law rather than the letter of the Law (Rom. 2:29; 7:6; 2 Cor. 3:6; 2 Thes. 2:2).

Those that focus on the letter of the Law often miss the Spirit of the Law!    

THE SONS OF PERDITION

There are two characters in the Bible that are called "the son of perdition."  The first is Judas Iscariot.  In John 13:1-31, Judas is revealed as a traitor, and we are told that he was indwelt by Satan (v. 27).  He immediately set out to destroy Jesus.  Later that night, Jesus, while praying, said this about Judas:  "While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Thy name: those that Thou gavest Me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled" (Jn. 17:12).

The other person called "the son of perdition," is the Beast of Revelation 13:1-10.  First, notice the Beast fits the description of him in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 where we read, "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God."

Second, notice that he will be killed by the sword (Rev. 13:3), for we are told that "he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword" (Rev. 13:10).  The Beast actually dies in Revelation 13:3, and is then indwelt by Satan and brought back to life (Rev. 13:4).  We know that the Beast was brought back to life because Revelation 19:20 says, "And the Beast was taken, and with him the False Prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the Beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone."

So why are Judas and the Beast (Antichrist - see 1 Jn. 2:18, 22), each called "the son of perdition?"   The Greek word translated "perdition" is ἀπώλεια (apōleia), which actually means "destruction." In fact, it is translated "perdition" eight times and "destruction" five times.  The moment Satan enters into them, their total focus is on the destruction of God's children.  Judas sought to destroy God's only begotten Son, and the Beast will attempt to destroy the saved Jews during the second half of the Tribulation.  It is in the midst of Daniel's Seventieth Week that the eyes of the Jews are opened, and they realize Jesus was their Messiah after all (Dan. 9:27; Mt. 24:15; Rom. 11:25-26).

There are two sides in the cosmic war:  the sons of perdition verses the sons of God.

Unless you trust in Jesus, you remain a child of the devil (Mt. 13:38; Jn. 8:44)!

  

NOTICE TO READERS

Time Warner Communications has acquired Insight Communications, the cable company I have been using f o r e v e r!  It seems there will be a gap of a couple of days before I can get e-mails and have access to Facebook.  I know!  How dumb is that?! 

Anyway, I am not sure how long it will be before I am back on.  In the meantime, my new e-mail address is p.mutschler@twc.com   Please send me a note with the subject saying "blog" or I won't open it.  Let me know when you start getting my posts again.

I especially want to say to whomever it is that lives in Mountain View California, I appreciate your faithfulness at reading my blog!  I honestly feel like you must be someone who knows me, but I am not sure how to find out.  Anyway, I am grateful.  God bless you all in the wonderful name of our LORD:  JESUS!

A THOUSAND GENERATIONS

The phrase "a thousand generations" appears three times in the KJV Bible.  They are:
*   "Know therefore that the LORD thy God, He is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep His Commandments to a thousand generations" (Deut. 7:9).
*   "Be ye mindful always of His covenant; the Word which He commanded to a thousand generations" (1 Chron. 16:15).
*   "He hath remembered His covenant for ever, the Word which He commanded to a thousand generations" (Ps. 105:8).

According to the prayer of Moses, somewhere around 1500 B.C., the average lifespan will be about seventy years (Ps. 90:1, 10).  In praying this, Moses must have been speaking as a prophet of a future time, because he, himself, actually live to be 120 (Deut. 34:7, 10). 

According to "The Annales Veteris et Novi Testamenti," published by Anglican Archbishop James Ussher (1581-1656), the world was created in 4004 B.C.  That is 6,017 years ago as of A.D. 2013. The date according to the Hebrew calendar is only 5773 which means there is a difference of 244 years between the two estimates.  Regardless of which figure one uses, I think all of us would agree that, according to the Bible and not "science falsely so called" (1 Tim. 6:20), the world is about 6000 years old.  God's Word is true, and a generation is about seventy years, so for 1000 generations to live, it would take 70,000 years!  Seeing the signs of Christ's Second Coming everyday in the News, and knowing there is only about 1000 years left for this old world (Rev. 19:1-20:15), the phrase, "1000 generations" must be stating that the Word of God will last forever! 

The Word existed before the world was created (Jn. 1:1-3).

The Word existed before Abraham; the Word is the "I AM" (Jn. 5:58).

Jesus is the "I AM" seven times in Revelation:

Revelation 1:8, 11, 17, 18; 21:6; 22:13, 16!  

THE EZEKIEL 38-39 WAR

Long ago the prophet Ezekiel predicted that in the latter days the people of Israel would be invaded by a great confederacy of nations coming down from the north. This important prophecy is found in Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39. How can we identify these mighty invaders?  Those who will attack the people of Israel are identified in Ezekiel 38:2:  "Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince (literally "the prince of Rosh") of Meshech and Tubal." At some time during the end of this present age, there will be a massive invasion involving Islamic nations aligned with the country which today is called Russia. The attack will be against the nation Israel and the goal will be to annihilate God's chosen nation. Before this goal can be accomplished the invading army will be supernaturally destroyed in a remarkable way that will bring glory to Jehovah. The details of this invasion are clearly revealed by the prophet Ezekiel in chapters 38-39. Let us consider these names one by one so that we might identify this vast multitude of people who have come to attack and annihilate Israel:

1) MAGOG--this term was used to describe the region where the descendants of Magog lived. According to Genesis 10:2, Magog was one of the sons of Japheth. Japheth was one of the sons of Noah (see Gen. 9:18,27). Josephus, the Jewish historian, says that the descendants of Magog were “by the Greeks called Scythians” (Ant. i.6.1). According to the Encyclopedia Britannica (1957) and The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, the Scythian people lived to the north of the Black Sea and north of the Caucasus Mountains. This area today is part of Russia. Gesenius, the Hebrew scholar, says that the descendants of Magog were “a great and powerful people, inhabiting the extreme recesses of the north.”

2) ROSH--some Bible scholars, such as Gesenius, believe that the modern name of “Russia” is derived from this ancient place name “Rosh,” because of the similarity of sounds, and also because certain Greek writers of the 10th century (A.D.) described people living in the area later called Russia by the word “Rōs.” Other Bible students take the position of Old Testament scholar Merrill F. Unger who says that the word Russia was not derived from Rosh, “although the general area was that now occupied by Russia and Turkey.”

3) MESHECH was another son of Japheth (Gen. 10:2). The descendants of this man lived for centuries in Asia Minor (probably in Cappadocia), and later were pushed northward by their enemies into the mountainous area southeast of the Black Sea. Today this area borders on Russia.

4) TUBAL was another son of Japheth (Gen. 10:2). The descendants of this man also lived in Asia Minor, not far from the Black Sea. The descendants of Tubal and Meshech probably lived close to each other, because in the Scriptures the two names are almost always found together.

http://www.middletownbiblechurch.org/proph/ezek38.htm

THE PURPOSE OF DOORS

Doors are designed to restrict access into a space under the authority of the owner.  In order to enter a room, one should have his or her permission.  But because many would violate the wishes of the owner, it became necessary to find a way to secure the area.  Doors were originally barred, but that only worked when someone was inside to bar and unbar it.  Eventually, locking systems were invented to enable everyone to leave and still have access to the vacated space.  

With that in mind, the Bible has much to say about doors.  The word "door" appears 189 times in 173 verses in the King James Bible; it is found in 78 verses in the Pentateuch (the first five books in the Old Testament), and in 66 verses from Joshua to Malachi, for a total of 144 verses in the Old Testament.  And while it appears in only 29 verses in all of the New Testament, it is there that we discover the "Mysterious Door"; the "Only Door" to heaven:  Jesus! 

The Mysterious Door
In John 10:1-9, Jesus identified Himself as the "Door" (v. 7, 9).  Mark wrote that Christ's First Advent was a mystery to the Jews (Mk. 4:11), and it was a constant theme of the Apostle Paul as well (Rom. 11:25; 16:25; 1 Cor. 2:7; Eph. 1:9; 3:3, 4, 9; 5:32; 6:19; Col. 1:26-27; 2:2; 4:3).  Perhaps the verse that expresses this best is 1 Timothy 3:16, in which Paul wrote, "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory."

The Only Door
Jesus is not just a "door to heaven," He is THE Door to heaven!  He, in describing Himself, said, "I AM THE Way, THE Truth, and THE Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me" (Jn. 14:6, emphasis mine).  There are those who try to "break in" by doing religious works, by Jesus called them thieves (Jn. 10:1-10).  In Revelation 3:8, Jesus tells the Church having a relationship with Him, "I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept My Word, and hast not denied My name."  Unfortunately, in the same chapter, we find "the religious church" slamming the door in the Lord's face.  John wrote, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me."

Jesus opened the Door at the cross.  Will you enter, or slam it in His face?

   

   

THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE!

What will His Kingdom be like?  Let us consider 10 things that will be true during the Kingdom:

1)  Christ will be King over all the earth, and He will rule from Jerusalem for 1000 years (Zech. 14:9; Dan. 7:14; Isa. 2:3: Rev. 20:1-7).  Christ’s government will be a Theocracy, a government ruled by God, specifically, Jesus Christ (Jn. 1:1, 14). 
2)  Christ will be the perfect Ruler.  He will rule in total righteousness (Isa. 11:4-5). 
3)  His government, like ours, will have three "branches."  The difference is, He will be all three!  Isaiah 33:22 says, "For the LORD is our Judge (Judicial), the LORD is our Lawgiver (Legislative), the LORD is our King (Executive); He will save us." 
4)  There will be peace on earth; there will be no war (Ps. 46:9).  There will be no need of a military (Isa. 2:4).  The Prince of Peace will rule (Isa. 9:6)!
5)  All men will be taught the truth about God, by God (Isa. 2:3; 11:9).  There will be no need to preach the Gospel, or to send missionaries (Jer. 31:34)! 
6)  Satan will not be around to cause trouble.  "And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season" (Rev. 20:2-3).  
7)  All barren lands, even deserts, will become fruitful (Isa. 32:15; 35:1-2).  God will provide all the water necessary for this to happen (Isa. 35:6-7)! 
8)  Sickness and disease will be cured (Mt. 4:23-24; Isa. 33:24).  There will be no sickness or unforgiven sin there (Isa. 33:24).  There will be no deafness or blindness (Isa. 29:18; 35:5-6)! 
9)  People will live for hundreds of years (Isa. 65:20).  Although there will apparently be some who die due to unrepentant sin, even their death at 100 will seem like the death of a child (Isa. 65:20). 
10)  There will be a change in the nature of animals (Isa. 11:6-9; 65:25)!

Do you remember reading about Creation in Genesis 1:1-2:25?  Well, the Word of God says that Christ's 1000 year kingdom will be just like the Garden of Eden (Isa. 51:3; Ezek. 36:35; Joel 2:3)!  That sounds wonderful to me!  And just think, according to Revelation 5:10, all born again believers will play an important role in Christ's Kingdom:

"And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth."

 

THE FALSE PROPHET

Let me begin by saying I do not know the identity of the False Prophet, the Antichrist, or the riders of the four horses of Revelation Six (even though the name of the rider of the fourth horse, the pale horse, is given as "Death" - Rev. 6:8).  There does seem to be some logic to the idea that the rider of the white horse (Rev. 6:2), will be the Antichrist, in that he appears to offer himself as Israel's Messiah (Dan. 9:27; 1 Jn. 2:18).  Israel's real Messiah will return riding a white horse (Rev. 19:11).  What I do know, without any doubt, is that God's Word tells us all we need to know, about all we need to know, and exactly when we need to know it.  According to Jesus, even He does not know when the end-time events will occur (Mk. 13:32), so for modern day "experts" to declare they know, seems to me to be a little preposterous! 

What we know about the False Prophet comes from three verses:
*  "And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon (Satan - Rev. 12:9), and out of the mouth of the beast (believed by most conservative theologians to be the Antichrist), and out of the mouth of the false prophet (Rev. 16:13).
*  "And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone" (Rev. 19:20).
*  "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever" (Rev. 20:10).

However, because we know that the "second beast" of Revelation 13:11-18 works miracles to deceive humanity into believing in the "first beast," it appears that the "false prophet" and the "second beast" are the same man (cp. 13:11-18 w/ 19:20).  In addition, there are only three persons who are identified as being the leaders of the revolt against God and Israel's true Messiah:  Satan, the "first beast," and the "second beast" (Rev. 16:13).  This false "trinity" functions much like the true Trinity.  It is comprised of Satan, who would be god (Isa. 14:12-14; 2 Cor. 4:4); the beast, who is empowered by his god and causes humanity to worship Satan (Rev. 13:2-4); and the "second beast" whose main focus is to get mankind to worship the "first beast" (Rev. 13:11-15).  In addition, since the beast, and the false prophet are cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 19:20; 20:10), and no mention is made of what happens to the "second beast," it is logical to recognize them as being one individual person.

Believers do not need to know the identity of the Antichrist and the False Prophet!

We will not be on earth during their "reign of terror" (Ch. 6-18)!  Praise God!    

WHO SAID "RAPTURE" IS NOT IN THE BIBLE?

What do the following passages have in common?

*   "And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth" (Gen. 7:17).
*   "And Lot went up out of Zoar, and dwelt in the mountain, and his two daughters with him; for he feared to dwell in Zoar: and he dwelt in a cave, he and his two daughters" (Gen. 19:30).
*   "For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen" (Prov. 25:7).
*   "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also" (Jn. 14:1-3).
*   "Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality" (1 Cor. 15:51-53).
*   "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.  For this we say unto you by the Word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.  For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord" (1 Thes. 4:13-17).
*   "After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.  And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and One sat on the throne" (Rev. 4:1-2).
*   "And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them" (Rev. 11:12).

Answer:  God always "lifts His up" before He destroys Satan's!

THE BEAST OF REVELATION THIRTEEN

The beast of Revelation Thirteen has commonly been accepted, by most students of Bible Prophecy, as being the Antichrist of 1 John 2:18, 22.  He, like his type before him, will be known as the son of perdition (Jn. 17:12; 2 Thes. 2:3; Rev. 17:8, 11).   He will rule during the Tribulation period described in Matthew 24:1-29 and Revelation 6 - 18, a.k.a. "Daniel's Seventieth Week" (Dan. 9:24-27), and "The Time of Jacob's Trouble" (Jer. 30:7)    I believe that during the first 3 1/2 years of the his reign, he is nothing more than a human being.  However, after receiving a mortal head wound, Satan indwells him (is his source of power - Rev. 13:3-4).  It is only after he is "taken over by Satan," that he blasphemes God by committing the abomination of desolation, the event that opens the eyes of Israel, and they flee into the wilderness for the last 3 1/2 years (see the text below).  I have printed God's Word in bold print, and made my comments in italics.

[1] And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea (out of the nations - Rev. 17:15), having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
[2] And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard (Greece - Dan. 7:6; 8:5-8), and his feet were as the feet of a bear (Medo-Persia - Dan. 7:5; 8:1-7), and his mouth as the mouth of a lion (Babylon - Dan. 7:1-4) and the dragon (Rome - Dan. 7:7-8; 11:36-45, a.k.a. Satan - Rev. 12:9) gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
[3] And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
[4] And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?[5] And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies (the abomination of desolation - Dan. 9:27; 11:31; 12:11; Mt. 24:15; Mk. 13:14); and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months (the last half of the seven-year Tribulation - 1260 days of Rev. 12:6 - a time, times and a half time from Rev. 12:14).
[6] And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
[7] And it was given unto him to make war with the saints (Israel, now saved - Ps. 14:7; Isa. 59:19-21; Rom. 11:25-26), and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
[8] And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Jn. 1:29, 36; Rev. 17:8).
[9] If any man have an ear, let him hear (Note what is missing:  "what the Spirit saith unto the churches" - Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22.  That is because the Church no longer exists on earth, but has been taken up into heaven in the Rapture (Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Thes. 4:16-17; Rev. 4:1; etc.).

 

All that deny the Father and the Son are antichrists (1 Jn. 2:22). 

.

THE CHURCH BELONGING TO THE PEOPLE

The Lord's letter to the church of the Laodiceans could just as well been written to the apostate church of today, and according to those who view the seven letters to the churches of Revelation as being both descriptive and prophetic, it very well may have been.  The word "Laodicea" means "the people rule," and as is the case with many churches, including mine, the secular (democratic rule) has been assimilated into the church organization.  However, the Bible teaches that church leaders were appointed, not "voted in." 

The Apostle Paul prophesied about the condition of the majority of the members of today's churches in 2 Thessalonians 2:3.  "Falling away" is the translation of the Greek ἀποστασία (apostasia) in the KJV, and it is clearly described in Revelation 3:14-22: 

"And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans (Note:  this is the only letter addressed to a church identified with the people of a city, rather than with the city.  In other words, it belongs to them, and not to Christ.)  write; These things saith the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth.  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched (sinful - see Rom. 7:24), and miserable (to be pitied - see 1 Cor. 15:19), and poor (spiritually dead - see Mt. 16:26), and blind (Note:  no blind man remained blind after meeting Jesus; these had not met Him), and naked (Note:  awareness of one's nakedness is the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and these had not accepted the gift of the Lord's robe of righteousness offered by Christ - see Gen. 10-21; Isa. 61:10; Mt. 22:11-12):  I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire (true wealth comes from being rewarded for faithfulness - see 1 Cor. 3:8-15), that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear (see above); and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see (only Jesus can open the eyes of the blind - see Jn. 9:1-38).  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent (repentance and remission of sin need to be preached - see Lk. 24:47).  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me (Note:  the church in Philadelphia had an open door, but Laodicea's door was closed to Jesus - see Rev. 3:8).  To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."

Repent and allow Jesus to be LORD of your life, before it is too late!

PEACE DURING TRIALS

Jesus told His disciples that, because of their faith in Him, they would experience persecution and tribulation from the world.  He said, "If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you" (Jn. 15:19).  Later, He said, "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" (Jn. 16:33).  But simply knowing that Jesus knew ahead of time that we would be persecuted doesn't, in itself, give us peace.  We have peace because we know God will not allow us to bear more than we can stand (1 Cor. 10:13), and that the trials we must endure actually serve a purpose; they change us, more and more, into the likeness of Jesus. 

The Apostle Paul wrote:  "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.  For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.  Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified" (Rom. 8:28-30).

In this passage, there are two major points that need to be understood in the order they are given:  "did foreknow," and "did predestinate."  The word, "foreknow," is translated from the Greek προγινώσκω (proginōskō), which occurs 5 times in 5 verses in the Greek concordance of the KJV (Acts 26:5; Rom. 8:29; 11:2; 1 Pet. 1:20; 2 Pet. 3:17).  1 Peter 1:20 is especially significant in that it reveals God's foreknowledge of our life's events existed before the foundation of the world!

The word, "predestinated," is translated from the Greek προορίζω (proorizō), which occurs 7 times in 6 verses in the Greek concordance of the KJV (Acts 4:28; Rom. 8:29-30; 1 Cor. 2:7; Eph. 1:5, 11).  Ephesians 1:11, coupled with verse 12, is key to understanding why God has predetermined what would occur in our lives as believers.  Verse 11 says, "In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will."  Verse 12 says, "  That we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ."

It is not "all about us"; it is "all about Jesus!"
 

CHRISTIAN RESOURCES

When we place our trust in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, the Word of God says we are born again (Jn. 3:3-18; 1 Pet. 1:23).  Does that mean we are perfect?  No!  It means we will have tribulation, and be hated by those who have not accepted Jesus (Jn. 16:33; 17:14).  It means we will be tempted by the world, by our own flesh, and by Satan (Eph. 6:11-12; 1 Jn. 2:16).  We will have a choice between following the world, yielding to the temptations of our own flesh, and listening to Satan; OR following Jesus ("follow Me" 17x in the Gospels), yielding our own flesh to His Word (Ps. 119:11, 42, 67, 101; Jn. 17:14; Rev. 3:8), and listening to the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:1-9; Gal. 5:16)!

Our resources are:

Jesus, our Role Model:  "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:  and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" (Phil. 2:5-8).  "The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of His heart to all generations" (Ps. 33:11).  "There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand" (Prov. 19:21).

The Word of God, our Guide Book:  "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.  So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in Thy Word.  Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept Thy Word.  I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep Thy Word (Ps. 119:11, 42, 67, 101; Acts 17:11; 1 Thes. 5:21).  "Thy Testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors" (Ps. 119:24).

The Holy Spirit, our Counselor:  "Howbeit when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come" (Jn. 16:13).  "Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory" (Ps. 73:24).  "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise" (Prov. 12:15).

By faith in Christ, we are freed from the penalty of sin; we are freed from the power of sin;

and one day soon, praise God, we shall be freed from the presence of sin!

THE MIRACLE OF THE VIRGIN BIRTH

In the very first human "reproductive process," God removed a rib from the "first Adam" and He formed Eve (Gen. 2:21-22; 1 Cor. 15:45).  Approximately 4000 years later, when the fullness of time had come, God became flesh and dwelt among us (Jn. 1:1, 14; Gal. 4:4; 1 Tim. 3:16).  Jesus is called the "last Adam" (1 Cor. 15:45).  Just like the "first Adam," the "last Adam" came from a virgin, a single "parent." 

The reproductive gene of the human female has two X chromosomes (XX), while that of the male has one X and one Y (XY).  So in order for the "last Adam" to be born, God also had to remove something from Mary's reproductive gene; He removed one "branch" of one of Mary's X's, thus making it a Y.  The new cell being formed was therefore an (XY).  And so the virgin Mary brought forth the Son of God.  Here is what God's Word says about the Virgin Birth:      

*  "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; (He) shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise His heel" (Gen. 3:15).
*  "Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel" (Isa. 7:14).
*  "And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ" (Mt. 1:16).
*  "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as His mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost" (Mt. 1:18).
*  "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us" (Mt. 1:23).
*  "And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God" (Lk. 1:35).
*  "And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being as was supposed the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli" (Lk. 3:22-23).
*  "Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ" (Gal. 3:16).

It is not all that complicated; it is simply a miracle!

 

CALL NO MAN FATHER

One of the most ignored or most misunderstood teachings of Jesus is found in Matthew 23:9, which says, "And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven."  Much earlier in Matthew (v. 6:9), Jesus made it quite clear that the believer's Father is His Father.  He said, "After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name."  So, is the name "Father" to be reserved for the first Person of the Trinity?   

If your answer is yes, then why does the largest denomination of Christianity in the world, the Roman Catholic Church, call their priests "Father?" And, why do the vast majority of English speaking people, religious or not, Christian or not, recognize their parents as Mother and Father? 

Perhaps one needs to look at the context of Matthew 23:9, in order to find out exactly why Jesus made that statement.  In context, He was warning His disciples about the hypocrites who dress in order to be viewed as spiritual leaders by others; they loved to be recognized as authorities on God's Word (v. 5-6). 

In verses 23:7-8, the Pharisees and Scribes wanted to be called "Rabbi," which is from the Greek ῥαββί (rhabbi), meaning "master" or "teacher."  Jesus responded to the "master" usage of the word by saying "Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ" (v. 10).  Here, as in verse eight, the word, "master" comes from the Greek καθηγητής (kathēgētēs), meaning "a guide; a person after whom one should model his life." Today, we would see them as "desiring to be considered a role model."  Basically, the entire chapter addresses what Jesus taught previously: they were "blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch" (Mt. 15:14).

If Jesus, or the Holy Spirit (Who inspired Matthew when he wrote his Gospel), meant that the word "father" was to only be used for the Father of Jesus, then why would Matthew us the word "father" sixteen times with reference to human fathers, out of the fifty-four times he used the word?  Obviously, what Jesus was objecting to, was the Scribes and the Pharisees wanting to be reverenced by men.  The word "reverend" only appears once in the Scriptures, and it is reserved for God:  "He sent redemption unto His people: He hath commanded His covenant for ever: holy and reverend is His name" (Ps. 111:9).

Like "Reverends," Priests might want to remember, Jesus humbled Himself!    

 

FAITH, HOPE, AND LOVE

Most Bible students know that Hebrews 11 is known as the "Faith Chapter" of the Bible.  The chapter begins with a biblical definition of the word:  "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Heb. 11:1).  The importance of faith is also stated:  "But without faith it is impossible to please Him:  for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him" (Heb. 11:6).  In all, the word appears twenty-three times in the chapter. 

1 Corinthians 13 is known as the "Love Chapter," although the word "love" does not even appear in it.  However, the word, "charity," does appear, and it is translated as such from the Greek word ἀγάπη (agapē), which of course means love.  It is translated "love" (86x) and "charity" (27x).  Agape is a love that gives without expectation of, or a need for, a response.  It speaks totally of the character of the one who loves.

As for the word "hope," I doubt that anyone reading this is aware of which chapter of the Bible should be known as the "Hope Chapter."  Believe it or not, the chapter which has the most to say about the subject of hope is Psalm 119, as would be expected, the writer's hope is based upon God's Word.  Here are the four verses containing the word "hope":

*  "Remember the Word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope" (Ps. 119:49).
*  "My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy Word" (Ps. 119:81).
*  "Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy Word" (Ps. 119:114).
*  "Uphold me according unto thy Word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope" (Ps. 119:116).

In the first three verses, the Hebrew word translated "hope" is יָחַל (yachal).  It is translated as "hope" (22x), "wait" (12x), "tarry" (3x), and "trust" (2x).  Yachal carries with it the idea of a confident hope or trust in what God has said.  In the New Testament, Romans 10:17 explains why the Word of God produces hope:  "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.  In the fourth verse, the Hebrew word translated "hope" is שֵׂבֶר (seber).  It appears only twice in the Old Testament, and both are translated "hope." 

 

Faith will cease to exist when we see Him (Heb. 11:1). 

Hope will cease when we see Him (Rom. 8:24). 

Love will never cease, because God IS love (1 Jn. 4:8, 16)!

 

BELIEVE AND YOU WILL BE BORN AGAIN

3 There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee. ² After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.”

³ Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”

⁴ “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?”

⁵ Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. ⁶ Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. ⁷ So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’ ⁸ The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.”

⁹ “How are these things possible?” Nicodemus asked.

¹⁰ Jesus replied, “You are a respected Jewish teacher, and yet you don’t understand these things? ¹¹ I assure you, we tell you what we know and have seen, and yet you won’t believe our testimony. ¹² But if you don’t believe me when I tell you about earthly things, how can you possibly believe if I tell you about heavenly things? ¹³ No one has ever gone to heaven and returned. But the Son of Man has come down from heaven. ¹⁴ And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, ¹⁵ so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.

¹⁶ “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

¹⁸ “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. ¹⁹ And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. ²⁰ All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. ²¹ But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.”

Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

REPENT! IT IS HIS FINAL WARNING!

The fact that God does not desire that anyone perish, but that all would come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9), can be clearly seen by His use of some form of the word "repent" ten times in the Book of Revelation!  Surprisingly, of those ten, six are addressed to the Church!  That is because the visible church consists of true believers (wheat), and fake believers (tares); Jesus spoke of this in His parable of the Wheat and the Tares (Mt. 13:24-30).  It is also because genuine born again believers still sin (Rom. 7:15-25; Jam. 5:15-20; 1 Jn. 1:8-10).  Unrepentant believers will perish physically (1 Cor. 11:30), but unrepentant unbelievers will die, both physically and spiritually (Rev. 2:11; 20:14; 21:8).

Two of the seven churches of Revelation were considered to be faithful, and therefore, did not need a warning to repent (Smyrna and Philadelphia).  God's warning call for repentance to the other five churches is as follows:

*  To the church at Ephesus:  "Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent" (Rev. 2:5).
*  To the church at Pergamos:  "Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth" (Rev. 2:16).
*  To the church at Thyatira:  "And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.  Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds" (Rev. 2:21-22).
*  To the church at Sardis:  "Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent.  If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee" (Rev. 3:3).
*  To the church at Laodicea:  "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent" (Rev. 3:19). 

In addition to the five churches being called to repent, the Apostle John warns the entire population of the lost world of their need to turn away for the path they are on, and to follow Christ: 

*  "And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:  neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts" (Rev. 9:20-21).
*  "And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.  And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, and blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds" (Rev. 16:9-11).

Believers need to be faithful; the lost need to be saved:  both require repentance.

     

I AM STILL LEARNING AFTER FIFTY YEARS!

My wife and I will have been married for fifty-one years this coming Sunday, and if "works" could get a person to heaven, we would both be guaranteed a spot in hell!  We have made so many mistakes that I literally see our still being married today, a miracle!  Of course, this is my perspective; hers is probably that I should burn in hell, and she should sit at the Lord's feet.  And yet, here we are, still together!  Thank you Jesus!

My daughter said something the other day that helped me forgive myself for much of the grief I have caused my wife and kids over the years.  She said, "Knowing what you do now, would you say and do those things again?"  And, of course, I would not.  Then she said, "See, you are growing to be more Christ-like, aren't you!?"  She amazes me; sometimes with her wisdom, and sometimes with her stupidity. 

To all the men out there (and the women who want to copy this and give it to their "significant other), I would like to share what God has shown me about how to be a Godly husband.  In Ephesians 5:25, Paul wrote, "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the Church, and gave Himself for it."  Husbands, I want you to think about how Jesus spoke to those He loved.  Do you think He ever said hurtful things to them?  Can you picture Him "lording it over them?"  Ironic, isn't it!  The Lord, the Creator of the Universe, humbled Himself and became a servant, rather than demanding submission (Jn. 1:1-3; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:1-2; Phil. 2:3-8)!

I can hear all the husbands out there saying, "Well, if my wife would submit herself to me, like the Word tells her to (Eph. 5:22-24), it would be easy to love her as Christ loved the Church!"  That may actually be true, but would the love you have be the same kind of love Christ has for you?  NO!  Your love would be conditional; Christ's love for you is unconditional!  I believe that if we love our wives unconditionally, we will be fulfilling our wedding vows; remember the "for better or worse; for richer or poorer; in sickness or in health" thingy? 

And just in case you husbands think all it takes to love your wives is to guard you words, you are sadly mistaken.  You need to guard your actions AND your attitude; I guarantee you that she knows what you are thinking, that is, your motives.  You see, the very fact that you have motives for saying or doing something, indicates you want to manipulate her.  No, you should love her in both word and deed because that is how Christ loved, the far from perfect, you!  "But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:8).

 

Until you love her like Christ loved you, you are really only loving yourself!     

IT'S TIME TO GROW UP!

In John's first epistle, the Apostle wrote to the whole Church, but he specifically mentions three groups of people:  "little children," "young men," and "fathers."  His message to the "young men" and to the "fathers" are contained together in two verses.  To the "young men," he reminded them how they overcame the wicked one through the strength they gained from knowing the Word of God (2:13-14).  To the "fathers," he twice reminded them that they had known Jesus from the beginning (v. 2:13-14).  I believe John was cautioning those who had been believers long enough to have learned God's Word, and those who had actually met Jesus, to be patient with new converts, as they were but babes in Christ. 

On the other hand, John had much to say to the "little children" because the majority of believers have remained babes in Christ.  His letter specifically mentions them eleven times (2:1, 12, 13, 18, 28; 3:7, 10, 18; 4:4; 5:2, 21)!  He wrote:

*  Don't sin, but if you do, Jesus will be your Advocate with God (2:1).
*  Your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake (2:12).
*  You too, have known the Father (2:13).
*  It is the last time: and as ye have heard that Antichrist shall come, even now are there many Antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time (2:18).
*  Abide in Him (Christ); that, when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming (2:28).
*  Let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous (3:7). 
*  You can tell the difference between the children of Satan, and the children of God, by their behavior and attitude toward one another (3:10).
*  Do not say you love others; show that you love others (3:18).
*  You are a winner, because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world (4:4).
*  You know you are His child when you love God, and keep His commandments (5:2).
*  And don't forget to stay away from idols (5:21).

Notice that these are truths that we need to teach new believers.  Those of us who have been believers long enough to have studied God's Word thoroughly, should already know these things!  And, the "fathers" (I believe he is referring to the elders of the Church), not only should know them, but they should be teaching them (1 Tim 3:2; 2 Tim. 2:2, 24; Heb. 5:12).

Be responsible:  study His Word so you can confidently teach it!

IT'S NOT ABOUT THE CHURCH - YET!

Did you know that the phrases, "the Kingdom of God," and "the Kingdom of Heaven," do not appear in the Old Testament?  Perhaps that is because neither the Jews, nor the Gentiles, wanted God as their leader; they wanted a human leader who was wise and powerful, and who would conquer their enemies (1 Sam. 8:1-22).  The Jews longed for "their Messiah," "the Anointed One," "the Christ," not realizing that the One for whom they longed would turn out to actually be God (Jn. 20:28)! 

The phrase, "the Kingdom of Heaven" appears thirty-one times in the Scriptures, all in Matthew.  By comparing Matthew with Mark and Luke, we find that the two phrases are interchangeable.  So when His disciples asked Him, moments before His Ascension to heaven, "Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel," they, being Jews, were still longing for an earthly King.  After all, God has promised Israel that He will provide them with a Righteous King, One whose kingdom will last forever (Dan. 2:44; 7:14; Mic. 4:7; Lk. 1:33; Jn. 12:34; Heb. 1:8; etc.). 

In His Olivet Discourse, Jesus explained when God's promise would be fulfilled.  First, there will be a seven-year Tribulation (Dan. 9:24-27; Mt. 24:4-29; Rev. 6 - 18) to be followed by the literal Kingdom of God/Heaven on earth (Mt. 24:29 - 25:46; Rev. 20:1-7).  Make no mistake; it will be a Jewish Kingdom!

          *  Mt. 24:4 - Jews to be aware of false Christs!
          *  Mt. 24:6 - Jews hear of wars but do not experience them!
          *  Mt. 24:7 - Jews provided for during times of famine and pestilences!
          *  Mt. 24:9 - Jews persecute those who turn to Christ in their synagogues!
          *  Mt. 24:14 - Jews hear the Gospel of the Kingdom!
          *  Mt. 24:15 - Jews offended by the Abomination of Desolation!
          *  Mt. 24:16 - Jews in Judea flee from the Antichrist!
          *  Mt. 24:20 - Jews alone are concerned about the Sabbath!
          *  Mt. 24:23 - Jews still expecting their Christ!
          *  Mt. 24:24 - Jews still require a sign in order to believe!
          *  Mt. 24:31 - Jews are regathered to meet their Messiah!
          *  Mt. 24:32-46 - Gentiles judged based upon how they treated the Jews!

Christ and His Church will return to rule over Israel's Kingdom!

(2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 20:6)

 

REDEEMED, HOW I LOVE TO PROCLAIM IT!

In 1882, a blind believer by the name of Fanny Crosby wrote the words to the hymn "Redeemed."  The first stanza reads:  Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it!  Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;  Redeemed through His infinite mercy, His child and forever I am.  Fanny Crosby, although she viewed herself a prisoner of darkness, still she knew she was surrounded by God's light.  Not only that, but that one day, she would dwell in a "bright mansion" He had prepared for her.

The word, "redeemed," appears only seven times in the New Testament, and oddly enough, it is translated as such from four different Greek words:
*  λύτρωσις (lytrōsis), where the emphasis is on "a ransom" (Lk. 1:68).
*  λυτρόω (lytroō), which focuses upon the "rescue" (Lk. 24:21; 1 Pet. 1:18).
*  ἐξαγοράζω (exagorazō), addresses the change of ownership (Gal. 3:13).
*  ἀγοράζω (agorazō), emphasizes the business transaction itself (Rev. 5:9; 14:3, 4).

I would like to comment on three of the verses, as they clarify what our redemption cost:
*  Galatians 3:13 - "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree."
*  1 Peter 1:18-19 - "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot."
*  Revelation 5:9 - "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."

Note: According to Leviticus, man's life is in his blood.  "For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul" (Lev. 17:11).  So, when the Bible speaks of Jesus shedding His blood for us, it is stating that He gave His life, not that He simply bled from His wounds!

As the Psalmist wrote, "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!" 

PSALM 126:5-6 - CHRIST'S TWO ADVENTS FORETOLD

Psalm 126 is a psalm of celebration.  The people of Israel are described as being so overjoyed, that their freedom seemed like a dream to them (v. 1).  They laughed and sang so much that even their heathen neighbors had to acknowledge their release as the work of the Lord (v. 2).  Israel praised God and was filled with joy (v. 3).  They prayed, "Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south" (v. 4).  I am not sure what they actually meant by verse four, but to me, it means they wanted the Lord to lead them in the way that would not only provided them with the most precious of substances (water), but in His path, like the channel cut through rock by the flow of a stream.  The verse reminds me of Psalm 23:1-3!

Today, I noticed something I had never seen before.  The last two verses of Psalm 126 are prophetic in that they describe the First and Second Advents of the Lord!  The two verses say, "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.  He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him" (v. 5-6).

During Christ's First Advent, He is described as One who wept over His people.  Luke 19:41 says, "And when He was come near, He beheld the city, and wept over it."  And in the shortest verse in the Bible, John wrote, "Jesus wept" (Jn. 11:35)!  In addition, Jesus, in His "Parable of the Sower" (Mt. 13:3-8), described a very important aspect of His mission as being that of a Sower (v. 37), and the seed as the Word of God (v. 18-23).

Then notice what Psalm 126:6 says.  "He . . . shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing His sheaves with Him!"  Can it get any clearer than that?  Jesus will return for His Second Coming, and the "fruit of the seed" He sowed during His First Advent, will be coming with Him!  That's us!  Paul wrote, "To the end He may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints" (1 Thes. 3:13).

It took me forty-two years to see this "hidden treasure."

I cannot wait to see what He will show me tomorrow! 

DANIEL 9:27

And he - the prince from the former Roman Empire (Dan. 9:26); the man of sin and the son of perdition (2 Thes. 2:3); the wicked one (2 Thes. 2:8); the Antichrist (1 Jn. 2:18-22; 4:3; 2 Jn. 1:7); the beast (Rev. 13:1-10); the little horn (Dan. 7:8); the fierce king (Dan. 8:23); the vile person and the strong-willed king (Dan. 11:21, 36); etc.

shall confirm a covenant with many - the Antichrist comes in peace (Dan. 8:25; Mic. 5:5; 1 Thes. 5:3).  The covenant allows Israel to rebuild the Temple and resume animal sacrifices.  Israel only hears of wars, but they are do not experience them (Mt. 24:6); they will persecute Jews who come to believe in Jesus, in the synagogues (Mt. 24:9; Mk. 13:9; Lk. 21:12); and when the covenant is broken, THEN Israel's peace is broken as well.  

for one week - based upon the fact that the other 69 "weeks" of Daniel's prophecy (9:24-26) took exactly 483 years (7 + 62 "weeks"), plus the fact that half of the "week" is described below, the covenant or peace treaty has to be for seven 360 day years.   

and in the midst of the week - 1260 days (Rev. 13:3; 12:6); 42 months (Rev. 11:2; 13:5); a time, times, and a half time (Dan. 12:7).

he shall cause the sacrifice and oblation to cease and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate even - he changes the use of the Temple from that of sacrifice to, and worship of God, into the worship of himself as god (Isa. 66:3; Dan. 9:27; 11:31; 12:11; Mt. 24:15; Rev. 13:1-8).

until the consummation and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate - that which is determined, has been fore-ordained by God to bring all to repentance (Rev. 9:20-21; 16:9-11) before Christ's Second Coming (Dan. 2:34, 44-45; Mt. 24:29; Rev. 19:11-21).

Notice that even in this single verse of Scripture, Satan is allowed to persecute God's people for a limited time.  Oh, he may have seven years to pour out his wrath on the rest of the world, but he has only three and a half years to try to find and destroy the children of Israel!  And, even though he has enough time to do it, God will not allow him to succeed.  John wrote, "And she (Israel) brought forth a man child (Jesus), who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to His throne.  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" (Rev. 12:5-6)!

God can protect a nation being hunted by all the forces of the evil one.

Is there any doubt that He can take care of you?  No!  Praise God!

ANTIOCHUS IV (EPIPHANES)

Daniel's interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's dream (Dan. 2:1-45) was, in fact, a prophecy of four empires that would rule over the land of Israel:  Babylon (2:38; 7:1-4); Medo-Persia (7:5; 8:1-7); Greece (7:6; 8:5-12); and although not specifically named, the fourth would be Rome (7:7-8; 9:26). 

While Israel was being ruled by Greece, the governor, Antiochus IV, added "Epiphanes" (God manifest in the flesh) to his name.  When he declared himself to be God and entered the Holy of Hollies in the Jewish Temple, thus ending the worship and sacrifice, he became guilty of commiting the Abomination of Desolation (8:9-12;11:31, 36; 12:11).  In doing this, Antiochus Epiphanes became a "type" or a prophetic picture of the Antichrist of Revelation 13:1-10.  Jesus made this connection in Matthew 24:15-16 when He said, "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:) then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains."

Here are some facts we know about Antiochus Epiphanes:

*  He ruled as a Greek in what would become part of the Roman Empire.
*  His rule included, what is now, Eastern Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Iran.
*  His territory has been ruled by Assyria, Egypt, Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome.
(This is important in that the Antichrist represents all six empires, and as such, will be destroyed by the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (Dan. 2:34-35, 44-45; 2 Thes. 2:8-9; Rev. 17:10; 19:11-21)!
*  His wife's name was Laodice IV.
*  His mother's name was Laodice III.
*  His daughter's name was Laodice VI.
(This is important because it is clear, at least to me, that the seventh church of Revelation, Laodicea, whose members refused to allow Jesus within their church (Rev. 3:14-20), will not be caught up to heaven in the Rapture of the true Church, but will continue, as usual, during the first part of the reign of the Antichrist."

As a "type," these details may give us some clues to the Antichrist's identity.
     

"PEACE," PERSECUTION, AND A PROMISE

Daniel 9:26 describes Rome killing Israel's Messiah, followed by them destroying Jerusalem and the Temple.  Daniel 9:27 describes the future prince of those Romans making a seven year peace covenant with Israel, only to break it half way through by defiling the new Temple, and making war on Israel's remnant.  What Daniel 9 does not say, is that this "prince" will be destroyed at Christ's Second Coming, because His Second Coming was a mystery to Israel (Rom. 11:25-26).  Jesus explained these things to His disciples in Matthew 24:4-31.

 

 Blind Israel's Three and a Half Years of False Peace

[4] And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.  [5] For many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.  [6] And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.  [7] For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.  [8] All these are the beginning of sorrows.  [9] Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for My name's sake.  [10] And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.  [11] And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.  [12] And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.  [13] But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.  [14] And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

 

Israel's Eyes Opened for Three and a Half Years of Persecution

[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:)  [16] Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:  [17] Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:  [18] Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.  [19] And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!  [20] But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:  [21] For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.  [22] And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.  [23] Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.  [24] For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.  [25] Behold, I have told you before.  [26] Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, He is in the desert; go not forth: behold, He is in the secret chambers; believe it not.  [27] For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be.  [28] For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

 

Israel's Messiah Fulfills His Promise

[29] Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:  [30] And then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.  [31] And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

 

The Tribulation is for Israel; the Church will be in heaven with Jesus!

 

REVELATION: PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE CONTINUED

While we do not know for certain how much time will pass between the Rapture of the Church, and the beginning of the seven-year Tribulation (Jer. 30:7; Dan. 9:24-27; Mt. 24:4-28; Rev. 6 - 18), it is clear that Revelation 4 - 5 describe the preparation for its beginning. Taking John's vision sequentially, during the first half (Rev. 6 - 11), there will be Seven Seal Judgment, and Seven Trumpet Judgments prior to the Satanic Trinity (Satan - Ch. 12; the Antichrist, now empowered by Satan, and the False Prophet - Ch. 13) initiating what Jesus called "The Great Tribulation" (the second half - Rev. 14 - 18).  This "initiating" occurs when the Antichrist commits the Abomination of Desolation by demanding he be worshipped as the god of all mankind (Dan. 9:27; 11:31; 12:11; Mt. 24:15).

I do not wish to be dogmatic about this, but it appears to me that the Two Witnesses proclaim the Gospel for the first half of the seven-year Tribulation, are killed, resurrected, and are then "Raptured"(Rev. 11:3-12).  Since the whole world rejoiced at their death (11:9-10), I believe the Jews, still living under the false peace covenant (Dan. 9:27), celebrate as well.  After all, the Two Witnesses obviously preach Christ (11:3-4).  In addition to the Two Witnesses, there are the 144,000 (7:4-8), who are apparently martyred for their faith by the Antichrist during the first half of the Tribulation (14:1-5).  And, it is immediately after this that Satan is cast down (12:9-12), and he begins the attack on Israel (12:13-17).

Following the Tribulation, which ended with the return of Christ (19:1-21), the Lord fulfills the promised Messianic Covenant by ruling as the King of Israel during the Millennium (20:1-10).  The next event, following Christ's 1000 year rule, will be the Great White Throne Judgment, where all mankind will be judged based upon the "books" (20:11-14).  I believe this refers to God's revelation to man, the Bible, and all of humanity, being sinners, are sentenced to death (Rom. 6:23a).  Praise God!  There is another book, "the Lamb's Book of Life" (Phil. 4:3; Rev. 3:5, 8; 17:8; 20:12, 15; 21:27; 22:19).  In it are recorded the names of those who placed their faith in Jesus Christ, and who have accepted the gift of eternal life (Rom. 6:23b)!  Chapters 21 - 22 describe our life shared with God for all eternity!

Revelation is a great book, but it is the Lamb's Book that counts!

REVELATION: PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE

The key to understanding the Book of Revelation is found in a single verse:  "Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter" (Rev. 1:19).  Notice that the progression of what John was to write concerning his vision, was to be sequential.  So what did John write, concerning the vision, that was past?  After the introductory information of Revelation 1:1-8, John begins describing "the things which thou hast seen" (1:9-18).  Obviously, John had seen much more than what is contained in just those ten verses; after all, he had spent at least three years with Jesus and he, himself, wrote that what he had seen and heard was so great that "the world itself could not contain the books that should be written" (Jn. 21:25)!  "What thou hast seen" is limited to this vision only.

"The things which are" pertains to seven letters John was to send to seven literal churches in Asia Minor (2:1 - 3:22).  Each describes the spiritual condition of the church, and each contains the present tense phrase, "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."  But, while the seven letters were to be written to seven literal churches, those same letters were addressed to all "churches."  In other words, because all Scripture is profitable for all believers (2 Tim. 3:16), the letters, being Scripture, were to be sent to all churches during the Church Age, not just to the one to which each was addressed.         

"The things which shall be hereafter," begins with John being told to "Come up here, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter" (4:1).  Since this is the last time the Church is mentioned as being on earth (see 22:16), those believing in a Pre-Tribulation Rapture, see John as representative of the Church, and his being immediately in the Spirit in heaven (4:2), as a picture of the Rapture, thus ending the Church Age.  Today, Christians are awaiting the Lord's return for us (Jn. 14:1-6; 1 Thes. 4:13-18; etc.), and our Rapture will trigger "the things which shall be hereafter."

While we do not know for certain how much time will pass between the Rapture and the beginning of the seven-year Tribulation (Dan. 9:27; Mt. 24:4-28; Rev. 6 - 18), it is clear that Revelation 4 - 5 describe the preparation for its beginning.  Taking John's vision sequentially, during the first half (Rev. 6 - 11), there will be Seven Seal Judgment, and Seven Trumpet Judgments prior to the Satanic Trinity (Satan - Ch. 12; the Antichrist and the False Prophet - Ch. 13) initiating what Jesus called "The Great Tribulation" (the second half - Rev. 14 - 18).

To be continued.      

MATTHEW 24:4-31 - THE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS

THE FIRST 3 1/2 YEARS:  "PEACE" IN ISRAEL
"And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.  For many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.  And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.  For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.  All these are the beginning of sorrows.  Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for My name's sake.  And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.  And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.  And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.  And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come" (Mt. 24:4-14).

THE BETRAYAL AT THE MID-POINT OF DANIEL'S SEVENTIETH WEEK
"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" (Mt. 24:15). 

THE SECOND 3 1/2 YEARS:  THE GREAT TRIBULATION
"Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:  Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:  Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.  And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!  But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:  For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.  And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.  Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.  For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.  Behold, I have told you before.  Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, He is in the desert; go not forth: behold, He is in the secret chambers; believe it not.  For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be.  For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together" (Mt. 24:16-28).

THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST
"Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:  And then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.  And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other" (Mt. 24:29-31).

THE TRIBULATION IS FOR ISRAEL, NOT THE CHURCH

In order to understand the seven-year Tribulation, a.k.a. "The Time of Jacob's Trouble" (Jer. 30:7), and "Daniel's Seventieth Week" (Dan. 9:24-27), one needs to study and compare what the Books of Daniel, Matthew, and Revelation have to say on the subject.  We get the length and purpose of the Tribulation from the Book of Daniel.  We get the sequence of events from the Book of Matthew.  And, we get the details of the events from the Book of Revelation.

The Length and Purpose
Daniel 9:24 says, "Seventy weeks (periods of 7) are determined upon thy people (Israel) and upon thy holy city (Jerusalem) to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy."  [We know from verses 9:25-26 and from Rev. 11:2-3; 13:5; 12:6, that these "weeks" are actually seven years of 360 days each.  The command to rebuild was issued in 444 B.C., and the Messiah (Jesus) was "cut off" (killed) 483 years later.  It took seven "weeks" (49 yrs.) to rebuild, and another sixty-two "weeks" (434 yrs.) before Israel's Messiah would be rejected and crucified].

The Sequence of the Events
In the Olivet Discourse (Mt. 24 - 25), Jesus explained the order of events that will occur during the remaining seven "weeks" (7 yrs.).  In Matthew 24:4-14, He describes the first three and a half years with Israel living peacefully in their land (Note they hear of wars and rumors of wars, but they do not experience them).  Then, in the midst of the seven-year peace covenant between the Antichrist and Israel (Dan. 9:27), the Antichrist will enter the Temple in Jerusalem and declare himself to be god (the Abomination of Desolation - Dan. 11:31; 12:11; Mt. 24:15; Rev. 13:1-10).  For the rest of Daniel's Seventieth Week (three and a half years = 42 mo. - Rev. 11:2; 13:5; = 1260 days - Rev. 11:3; 12:6; = a time, times, and a half time - Dan. 7:25; 12:7, 14), Israel will be on-the-run, hunted by the Antichrist's army (Mt. 24:16-28; Rev. 12 - 18).

The Details of the Events
Due to limited space, I cannot describe in a paragraph what John took thirteen chapters to write (Rev. 6 - 18).  The break between the first half of the Tribulation and the second half, known as the Great Tribulation, will occur when Satan turns on Israel (Ch. 12), and the Antichrist commits the Abomination of Desolation (Ch. 13).  The seven "seal judgments" and the seven "trumpet judgments" (Ch. 6 - 11) will occur prior to the "midst" of Daniel's Seventieth Week (Ch. 12 - 13), and the "bowl judgments" will occur after the Antichrist declares himself to be god.  The Rapture of the Church will occur prior to the seven-year covenant, and the Second Coming of Christ will occur seven years later.

It is crucial that all three Books be considered when interpreting the Tribulation.