STRANGE SIGNS IN THE HEAVENS

"And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:  and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.  And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night:  He made the stars also" (Gen. 1:14-16).

On day four of Creation, God spoke, and the Sun, the Moon, and the Stars appeared in the sky.  For centuries, men believed the Earth was the center of the Universe, that is, that the Universe rotated around our planet.  But, in A.D. 1543, Nicolaus Copernicus published his theory that our solar system revolves around the Sun; his theory was called "Copernican Heliocentrism."  Today, his theory is accepted as scientific fact. 

And yet, in a way, one could say that the Universe does "revolve around the Earth."  Notice in the verses above, that God created the celestial bodies specifically for life on Earth.  They tell creation when it is day or night, and when the month, the seasons, and the years begin.  He has provided them to guide mankind's travels. 

He has also used them as miraculous events, such as having the Sun "go backwards" (Isa. 38:8), blocking the Sun for days (Ex. 10:22), the "star" at the Birth of Christ (Mt. 2:1-11), and even the darkness at His Crucifixion (Mt. 27:45).  And, according to the Scriptures, He will also use the heavenly orbs to warn mankind of coming prophetic events (Joel 2:31; Acts 2:20; Rev. 6:12).

I do not have the space to explain them here, but recently, believers have discovered that two constellations, Virgo and Leo, are about to match the description of the woman in Revelation 12:1-5.  The nine stars that form Leo, will be joined by three of the "wandering stars" (planets) in the sky.  At the same time, the location of the Sun will be within "her garments," and the moon will be located at "her feet."  And, the "King of Planets," Jupiter, will be located where her "birth canal" would be; it will be traveling "downward" toward the constellations "feet."  This Mid-Tribulation event is due to occur in September, 2017!  Counting backward three and a half years, puts the beginning of the Tribulation in March of 2014! That means the Rapture of the Church will happen sometime between this very second, and next March!!!!!!!

You don't have to believe these things to be saved.

You do have to believe that Jesus died, was buried, and rose again to save you!  

MANY ARE CALLED CHRISTIAN

There are three kinds of people living in our world today:  people who call themselves Christians, Jews, or "none of the above."  By population, of the estimated seven billion people, about thirty-one percent (2.2 billion) claim to be Christians.  But, while Christianity is the largest religion, not all those claiming to be Christians are born again believers.  In fact, based upon statements by Jesus to His disciples, it is likely that the vast majority of professing Christians are just that:  Christian in name only. 

Jesus said, "Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works?  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity" (Mt. 7:21-23).  On another occasion, Jesus said, "For many are called, but few are chosen" (Mt. 22:14).  The word "called" comes from the Greek κλητός (klētos), which means "summonsed" or "invited."  "Chosen," is from the Greek ἐκλεκτός (eklektos), meaning "ones selected from the many." 

You see, 2.2 billion have heard about Jesus and they have joined a group of people praising Him, but the vast majority of them fail to understand that worshipping Him and obeying His commands (being religious), will not do them any good.  Notice that those coming to Jesus told Him what THEY had done, thinking their good works would find them favor with Him.  Jesus called their works "iniquity," that is, SIN!  Religious works are useless when it comes to our being born again; the only "work" that results in a Father/child relationship with God is our faith in HIS WORK!  Jesus told those wanting to know what they could do to please God, "This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him (Jesus)whom He (the Father) hath sent" (Jn. 6:29).

Today, Jews, Muslims, and Christians, are looking for their Messiah to come "straighten out the rest of the world."  The Jews long for their king.  The Muslims long for their warrior.  And, the vast majority of Christians long for their "Santa Claus." 

Born again believers long for an eternity praising and thanking Him!  

ARE YOU LISTENING?

Jesus told His disciples that just prior to His return to establish His kingdom on earth, men would be like they were in the days of Noah.  God described them by saying, "the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually" (Gen. 6:5).  Jesus said that they would be oblivious to their pending doom, carrying on as they always had; "eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage" (Mt. 24:38).  Are you listening?  

In Noah's day, at least for one hundred years (Gen. 5:32; 7:6), Noah preached the coming judgment of God, and the need for men to repent and trust in Him (2 Pet. 2:5).  Noah's warning to them was not only in his preaching, but it was also seen in the "testimony" of his faith, that is, in the building of a ship of 1,518,750 cubic feet (Gen. 6:14-15)!  When his work was finally completed, only he and seven members of his family believed God (1 Pet. 3:20).  Apparently, the rest of humanity must have either mocked Noah, or ignored him altogether.  Are you listening?

Unlike in the days of Noah, when only Noah was sounding the alarm, today there are thousands of God's children warning a lost and dying world about the return of Jesus.  Even among unbelievers, there is an unusual interest in end-time prophecies.  The Mayan Calendar, Saint Malachy's Papal predictions, Blood Moon predictions, Muslim anarchy, the constant call for a single world government and a single world currency, and even the computer technology that would facilitate a cashless society, have the secular media abuzz.  Are you listening?

This is my warning to you.  Just as Jesus literally fulfilled the first four prophecies contained in the Feasts of Israel [Passover - 1 Cor. 5:7 ("the Lamb" - Jn. 1:29, 36); Unleavened Bread - Heb. 4:15 (leaven symbolizes sin); First Fruits - 1 Cor. 15:20 (first raised never to die again); Pentecost - Acts 2:1 (He founded the Church composed of two leavened loaves:  sinful Jews and sinful Gentiles], He will also literally fulfill the last three [Trumpets - the Rapture and the re-gathering of Israel (Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Thes. 4:16-17; Dan. 9:27); Atonement - judgment of Israel and the nations (Mt. 24:29 - 25:26 ); and Tabernacles - the Millennial Kingdom of Christ (Rev. 20:1-6)].  Are you listening?

Believe in the Lord Jesus, and that God raised Him from the dead! 

Are you listening? 

 


   

SIGNS IN THE HEAVENS

In Genesis 1:14, we read, "And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years." 

In Revelation 12:1, we read, "And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars."

The constellation Virgo "stands under" the constellation Leo.  Leo is made up of only nine stars, but three "wandering stars," the planets Mercury, Venus, and Mars, are due to line up with Leo in September 2017.  At that time, there will be "a woman with a crown of twelve stars." In addition, the Sun will be "next to her face," and the Moon will be located at "her feet."  And not coincidentally, the largest planet in our solar system, Jupiter ("king of the planets"), will be located in the proximity of what would be Virgo's "birth canal."

These signs seem to be telling us that at sometime in September 2017 (no one knows the hour or the day - Mk. 13:32), the middle of the seven-year Tribulation will occur.  Notice that the "woman" who gave birth to a Son whose throne is in heaven, will be protected in the wilderness from "the dragon" for forty-two months (Rev. 12:1-6).  If that is the case, forty-two months earlier, the Antichrist will confirm the covenant with Israel (Dan. 9:27).  That would put the beginning of the Tribulation sometime in March of 2014.  That means the Rapture should occur within the next seven months!  

The prophet Isaiah foretold of the total destruction of Damascus, the capital of Syria, in Isaiah 7:1.  He also said that prior to its destruction, there would be a sign from God as to the prophecy's validity:  "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).  Perhaps, before the Lord destroys the city described as "Mystery Babylon" (Rev. Ch. 17), He wants His people to know He is still in charge by giving them the same sign in Revelation 12:1-6!

These are just the foolish ramblings of an old man...or are they?

 

TIME IS TOO SHORT FOR ANY OTHER MESSAGE!

"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up:  that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.  For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.  He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God" (Jn. 3:14-18)! 

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12)!
 
"Jesus saith unto him, I am THE WAY, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me" (Jn. 14:6)!
 
"But what saith it?  The Word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the Word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Rom. 10:8-10)!

THE EARTHQUAKES OF REVELATION

There are five earthquakes mentioned in the Book of Revelation, and all of them are part of, or in close proximity of one of the twenty-one judgments (seals, trumps, or vials).  The magnitude of each does not seem to show a building to a crescendo, and yet, while they appear to be sort of "rhythmic," with the last one appearing to be a "grand finally," I assure you, it is not.  There remains one earthquake which, although it is not mentioned in Revelation, nevertheless, it IS the "Grand Finale!"  But before I get to it, let's look at the five which are mentioned: 

*   Part of the sixth seal - "And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood" (Rev. 6:12).
*   Following the seventh seal - "And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake" (Rev. 8:5).
*   Following the sixth trump (2nd Woe)"And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven" (Rev. 11:13).
*   Following the seventh trump - "And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail (Rev. 11:19).
*   Following the seventh vial - "And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great" (Rev. 16:18).

The most significant earthquake, the one I am describing as the "Grand Finale," the one not specifically mentioned by John, the one which the Word of God does not describe as "great" or even as an earthquake, has to do with Christ's Second Coming!  Of course, that is just what one would expect when one is familiar with the humility of Christ!  It is found in the Book of Zechariah:     
"And His feet shall stand in that day upon the Mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the East, and the Mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the East and toward the West, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the North, and half of it toward the South" (Zech. 14:4).

Seven years after the Church "splits heaven wide open,"

Jesus is going to do "some splitting" of His own!

NOT-SO-NEW WORLD ORDER

It seems that much of what one hears on the news today, has to do with a "New World Order."  However, "world empires" are nothing new; six past empires have been named in the Bible:  Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome (Rev. 17:10).  And, following World War I, there was an unsuccessful effort made for a single world government, with the forming the League of Nations.  While it ultimately did not succeed, it did accomplish at least one good thing; the Balfour Declaration (based upon the Sykes-Picot Agreement) began the process of re-creating a Jewish homeland.  When the Balfour Declaration expired on May 11, 1948, Israel declared itself a sovereign state.  I am not certain as to how many U.S. Presidents have called for a N.W.O. since our country was founded, but I am absolutely certain that every President has since Nation of Israel came into being.

Today, there are several organizations whose main goal is to unite all of mankind under the rule of a single world-wide government (Ex:  the Bilderbergs, the Club of Rome, the European Union, the Illuminati, the United Nations, etc.).  In addition, Bible students "are abuzz" about the signs which indicate the Church is about to be removed from Earth (Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Cor.15:50-51; 1 Thes. 4:16-17; etc), so that Israel's adversary, Satan, no longer being restrained (2 Thes. 2:6-10), can begin his all-out campaign to conquer the entire world (Dan. 9:27; Mt. 24:33-29; Rev. 6 - 18; etc.)!

Yes, students of Bible Prophecy are well acquainted with the "Beast" of Revelation 13:1-10.  Most of us refer to him as the Antichrist (Dan. 9:24-27; Mt. 24:3-29; 2 Thes. 2:1-10; 1 Jn. 2:18).  The name comes from the Greek ἀντίχριστος (antichristos), which is a combination of two words:  ἀντί (anti), meaning "opposed to," or "in place of," and Χριστός (Christos), meaning "God's Anointed," "Israel's Messiah," and "Christ."  But what many do not know, is that "the man who would be king," will become "possessed" by Satan, and in his effort to maintain his role as the "god of this world" (2 Cor. 4:4), the dragon (Rev. 12:9) will reveal his "true colors" at the mid-point of "the Time of Jacob's Trouble" (Jer. 30:7; Dan. 9:27; Mt. 24:15 ).  The good news is, all efforts made by man and/or Satan, in their effort to control the entire world, are doomed to failure!

There will be One, however, Who accomplishes it:  the One Who created it!

(Jn. 1:1-3; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:1-2; Rev. 20:1-10)    

SEVEN "BLOOD MOON" TETRADS DURING THE CHURCH AGE

Total Lunar eclipses which fall on both the first Feast of Israel (Passover), and the last Feast of Israel (Tabernacles), on two consecutive years, is known as a "Lunar Tetrad."  There have only been seven of these occurrences since the beginning of the Church Age (Pentecost following Christ's Ascension - Acts 2:1).  While I could find no specific event in Jewish History that coincide with the first five, the last two, and the years leading up to them, clearly relate to what God is doing prophetically. 

In Genesis 1:14, we read "And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years."  Luke wrote,

"And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.  And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh" (Lk. 21:25-28). 

"Blood Moons"                                                      Main Events (?)

1.  A.D. 162-163            I Could find no specific event related to Israel
2.  A.D. 795-796            I Could find no specific event related to Israel
3.  A.D. 842-843            I Could find no specific event related to Israel
4.  A.D. 860-861            I Could find no specific event related to Israel
5.  A.D. 1493-1494        I Could find no specific event related to Israel

                                  1916 - The Balfour Declaration - the need for a Jewish homeland
                                  1917 - World War I
HOWEVER IN:        1922 - League of Nations' "British Mandate" for the Jews
                                  1939 - "Brits" limit Jewish emigration to the land
                                  1939 - World War II
                                  1948 - "British Mandate" expires / Israel "reborn"
                                
A.D. 1949-1950        Israel admitted to the United Nations
A.D. 1967-1968        Israel captures Jerusalem in "Six-day War"

The next "Blood Moon" Tetrad will occur in A.D. 2014-2015. 

Could it signify a peace accord that would allow Israel to build, what would be,

the Tribulation Temple?

A MESSAGE FROM JAMES McCUTCHAN PART TWO

AS A THIEF IN THE NIGHT - AS THE DAYS OF NOAH

Retired Pastor/Teacher James McCutchan - Jmccutchan@aol.com

Part one ended with the statement:  WATCH AND KNOW THE HOUR OF HIS COMING!  THUS SAITH THE LORD!  Part two begins by asking if this does not contradict what Jesus told Israel.  The answer is no!  He told Israel, "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only" (Mt. 24:36).  Notice "knoweth" is in the present tense, relative to the time Jesus said it.  Remember, when Jesus said this, AT THAT TIME, only God, the Father knew (Mk. 13:32).  BUT DID HE SAY NO ONE WOULD EVER KNOW?  NO!  JESUS SAID HIS RETURN WOULD BE LIKE THE DAYS OF NOAH!  IF NOAH NEW WHEN TO ENTER THE ARK, THEN WHY CAN'T GOD'S CHILDREN KNOW?  WE CAN! 

Jesus said, "But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be"  (Mt. 24:37).  God foretold him the number of years until His judgment would fall; He was not telling Noah how long people would live!  Read what it says:  "And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years" (Gen. 6:3).  He was referring to those living during Noah's day; they had 120 years before God would deal with their wickedness!  Many men lived longer than 120 years after the flood!  Some examples:  Noah lived 350 years after the flood; Abraham lived 175 years (Gen. 25:7); Isaac lived 180 years (Gen. 35:28); Jacob lived 147 years; etc.

GOD REVEALED THE WAY OF SALVATION FOR THE BELIEVERS (Gen. 6:14)!

GOD FORETOLD THE EXACT DAY (Gen.7:4)!

GOD KEPT HIS WORD (Gen. 7:10)!

GOD DESCRIBED THE CONDITIONS (Gen. 6:5; Mt. 24:36-38)!

THEY were eating and drinking.  THEY were marrying and giving in marriage.  THEY knew not until the flood came and took THEM all away.  Who were THEY?  THEY were the unbelievers.  The unbelievers knew not until the flood came and took THEM all away. But, as the time drew nigh, THE BELIEVERS KNEW the exact day before the fact! AMEN!

 

I will repeat what James McCutchan suggested earlier: 

THEY ARE BLIND AND THEREFORE SHALL NOT ESCAPE,

BUT WE HAVE BEEN MADE TO SEE THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES! 

A MESSAGE FROM JAMES McCUTCHAN

AS A THIEF IN THE NIGHT - AS THE DAYS OF NOAH

Retired Pastor/Teacher James McCutchan - Jmccutchan@aol.com Many there are in Christendom today who teach that Christians can't know when Jesus is coming because He's coming like a thief in the night. Yes indeed, Jesus is coming as a thief in the night. But, to whom is He coming as a thief? The Bible says:  "But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.  For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night" (I Thes. 5:1-2).  There you have it, beloved. The day of the Lord is coming as a thief in the night.  Many stop right there to prove their point that no one can know the time.   The day of the Lord in this text is speaking about the time immediately preceding the Second Coming of the Lord.  How do we know that?  Let's go on to the very next verse.  Often we don't read far enough. The next verse says:  "For when THEY shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon THEM, as travail upon a woman with child: and THEY shall not escape" (I Thes. 5:3). Who are THEY and THEM in the verse above?  THEY and THEM are the unbelievers in the tribulation before the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus.  Always, in both the Old and New Testaments, the Day of the Lord refers to the Second Coming of the Lord in judgment, and the Day of Jesus Christ, refers to the Rapture of the Church.  So then, in the verses above, Paul is saying that the Day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night upon THEM, and THEY shall not escape.  Now,  let's go on to the next verse where Paul speaks to US about US:  "But YE, BRETHREN are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief" (I Thes. 5:4).  Will the Day of the Lord come upon the brethren (born again believers) as a thief in the night?  Not a chance!  Why not? WE, the brethren, have spiritual eyes to see; THEY do not!  Dear reader, do you and I not see the tribulation drawing nigh?   Of course, WE do!  The next verse says:  "YE are all the children of light, and the children of the day:  WE are not of the night, nor of darkness.  Therefore let US not sleep, as do OTHERS; but let US watch and be sober." (I Thes. 5:5-6).  Let US watch and be sober!  Let US watch, especially for the Road Map to Israeli-Palestinian peace; the covenant to be confirmed by the Antichrist.  Jesus also told the Church to watch and know the hour of His coming (Rev. 3:3).  Jesus said that from the negative side.  If we read Revelation 3:3 from the positive side, He said, "If YOU watch, I will not come upon YOU as a thief, and YOU SHALL KNOW what hour I will come upon you.  WATCH AND KNOW THE HOUR OF HIS COMING!  THUS SAITH THE LORD!    THE END OF PART ONE.

GAP THEORY VERSES GAP TRUTH

Christians, in an unwise effort to reconcile Creationism with evolutionary theory, have suggested that we should believe there is a gap of millions, or perhaps billions of years between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2.  This view, known as the Gap Theory, or Theistic Evolution, allows for the so called "scientific evidence" (1 Tim. 6:20), such as carbon dating, an "Ice Age," erosion such as is found in the Grand Canyon, and fossilized dinosaurs.  They say these things "prove" Earth is not approximately 6000 years old, as Ussher's time-table suggests, or the Hebrew Calendar would have us to believe.  There are several theological, and genuine scientific arguments, that support the Bible version of the genesis of the universe, but I do not have the time or space to provide them here.  I suggest you check out Answers in Genesis on line.

The Bible does provide us with a genuine gap, not in the age of Earth, but in the fulfillment of the prophecies of the Book of Daniel.  In Daniel 9:24, we read, "Seventy weeks 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 (Jesus at His Second Coming)."  These "weeks" are literally "weeks of years."  So, seventy weeks of seven years equals 490 years.  Again, time and space do not allow me to support this. 

Verses 25-26 say, "Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem (the first 49 years) unto the Messiah the Prince (the next 434 years - Jesus at His First Coming) shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks (for a total of 483 years): the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.  And after threescore and two weeks (483 years) shall Messiah be cut off (crucified), but not for Himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary (Rome - A.D. 70); and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined."  But what about the last "week?"

The true gap in Bible History is between the first 69 weeks of Daniel's prophecy, and the 70th week (Dan. 9:27), which is also called the "Time of Jacob's Trouble" (Jer. 30:7), and the "Tribulation" (Mt. 24:3-28; Rev. Ch. 6-18;  etc.).  This gap is known as "The Church Age" or "The Times of the Gentiles."  The Church was not mentioned in the Old Testament, and remains a mystery to Israel to this day.  The Church Age will end with the Rapture (Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15:50-53; 1 Thes. 4:16-17).

 

I can just hear Satan now:

If I can get them to doubt the Book of Genesis, they will reject the rest of the Bible! 
  

  

ELIJAH VERSES AHAB AND ANTICHRIST

In 1 Kings 18, the Hebrew Prophet Elijah stood against Ahab, the King of Israel, and the idolatry that his wife Jezebel was "cramming down the throats" of the people.  We were introduced to Elijah, the Tishbite, in the previous chapter.  The story of Elijah begins with God's call to go tell Ahab that there would be no rain for three years, and by Chapter 18, there had been none for three years; Ahab blamed it on "the trouble of Israel" (1 Kgs. 18:1-18). 

Immediately, Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal to prove, once and for all, that Jehovah was not the one and only true God; but their gods could not respond because they did not exist (1 Kgs. 18:19-29).  Notice that the false prophets tried from the time of the morning sacrifice (Sunrise - Lev. 9:17; Num. 28:8), until the time of the evening sacrifice (Sunset - Ezra 9:5; Ps. 141:2), but to no avail (v. 26-29). 

Apparently, near the end of the day, Elijah had the people repair, and prepare, the alter of the LORD for his sacrifice, because at the time of the evening sacrifice, Elijah's sacrifice, the alter, and the twelve barrels of water, were consumed by fire from God (1 Kgs. 18:30-38)!  The people of Israel were truly convinced, and they must have been terrified; "And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, He is the God; the LORD, He is the God" (v. 39).  The Hebrew for "the LORD" is יְהֹוָה (Yĕhovah), and for "the God" is אֱלֹהִים ('elohiym).

The Prophet Malachi foretold that Elijah, who did not die (2 Kgs. 2:11), would return to prepare the way for Israel's Messiah (Mal. 4:5).    Had Israel received Jesus at His First Coming, John would have fulfilled that prophecy (Mt. 11:7-15; 17:10-13; etc.).  John's ministry is described in Matthew 3:1-12, Mark 1:1-8, Luke 3:1-20, and John 1:19-28; 3:25-36; and while both Elijah's and John's ministries were similar in their confrontation with the corrupt leaders of Israel, John's results were sadly different (Mt. 14:1-12; etc.).

Because Malachi's prophecy has yet to be fulfilled, it is widely accepted that one of the Two Witnesses of Revelation 11 has to be Elijah.  He will confront the Antichrist (v. 3-12), he will burn his enemies (v. 5), he will stop the rain (v. 6), and his death will fulfill Hebrews 9:27.  And, while I cannot prove this, I believe Elijah's preaching for a thousand two hundred and threescore days (v. 3), coupled with the Abomination of Desolation (Dan. 9:27; Mt. 24:15; Rev. 13:6), causes Israel, once again, to cry out "The LORD, He is the God!"

 

Elijah:  God's faithful prophet of both the Old and the New Testaments!

      

THE IMPOTENCY OF DARKNESS

"In the beginning God" (Gen. 1:1).  Because God is Light (Jn. 8:12; 1 Jn. 1:5), before anything else existed, only Light existed. 
"(He) created the heaven" (Gen. 1:1).   This heaven is what we call outer space or the Universe. Because God's Throne Room already existed, known as the "third heaven," (2 Cor. 12:2), this heaven had to be the "second heaven," which was filled with the Sun, Moon, and Stars on day four (Gen. 1:14-19).  What we call the "first heaven," our atmosphere, was not created until day two, and it was filled on day five (Gen. 1:8, 20). 
"And the earth." (Gen. 1:1).  Of all that is said about the Creation "week," only our planet was created to be molded into a different form later.       

"And the earth was without form, and void." (Gen. 1:2).  The Universe was empty with the exception of our planet, which had not yet been formed, and it was void of life.
"And darkness was upon the face of the deep." (Gen. 1:2).  I believe the darkness (a place void of God, for God is light), was dark because the only darkness that existed, Satan, was cast down from the "third heaven" to the "second heaven," from which he shall be cast down to the "first heaven" and the earth, all prior to him being cast into the Lake of Fire (Isa. 14:12-19; Ezek. 28:2-8; Dan. 8:10-11; Lk. 10:18; Jn. 12:31; 16:11; Rev. 9:1; 12:1-10; 13:2-4; 20:10; etc.).   
"And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters." (Gen. 1:2).  The word "Spirit" is from the Hebrew רוּחַ (ruwach), which is translated "Spirit" or "spirit" 232 times, "wind" 92 times, and "breath" 27 times in the Old Testament.  Because the next verse indicates that there was only darkness at that point in time, and since the Holy Spirit is God, and therefore also Light, the better translation is "wind," as רוּחַ is translated in the Tanakh, the Hebrew Bible.  "Breath" does not seem to fit, as it appears to be reserved for producing life (Gen. 2:7).

"And God said, Let there be light: and there was light" (Gen. 1:3).  Apart from God, who is the Light, the Sun, Moon, and Stars, are His creative lights; Israel would be called to be "a light unto the Gentiles" (Isa. 49:6; Mt. 5:14; Acts 13:47; etc.).  Because Israel failed to show forth God and His glory, by His mercy, He has chosen those of us who have confessed that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior; we have been chosen to be "a light unto the world" (Jn. 1:11-12; Rom. 11:1-36)!

If God lives in me, then His light ought to be visible to a world in darkness!      

THE FEAR OF THE LORD

The exact phrase, "the fear of the Lord," appears thirty times in the Bible.  Of those, only one is in the New Testament:  Acts 9:31.  As is the case with nearly every verse in the Word of God, this verse needs to be understood in its context.  Luke wrote that following Saul's conversion, he went to Jerusalem, and all the disciples were afraid of him (Acts 9:26).  Luke had to be referring to the Apostles, because according to Acts 8:1, the entire Church, with the exception of the Apostles, had scattered for fear of Saul's persecution.  But after Barnabas spoke up for Saul, the Apostles believed that he had met the Lord on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-9, 27).  Ironically, the man they had feared, had to be given a protective escort by the brethren, from Jerusalem to his home town of Tarsus (Acts 9:11, 29-30).

Now, let us look at Acts 9:31, and see what Luke was saying about "the fear of the Lord."  It reads,

"Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified;
The great fear the Church had of Saul and his men, had not only been relieved by his conversion, the faith of the members of the Body of Christ was increased.  After all, their greatest enemy had ceased to persecute them, and had even become one of them!  If God could protect them from Saul, He could protect them from anyone!

and walking in the fear of the Lord,
At last, it appeared that the words of their Lord had been confirmed.  Jesus had said, "I am with your alway, even unto the end of the world.  Amen" (Mt. 28:20).  And He is quoted by the writer of Hebrews as saying, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Heb. 13:5).  Interestingly, it is the Apostle Paul (formerly Saul of Tarsus), who wrote the statement, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Rom. 8:31)! 

The word "fear" in Acts 9:31 is translated for the Greek φόβος (phobos), from which we get the word "phobia."  A "phobia," according to a medical dictionary, is "an intense but unrealistic fear that can interfere with the ability to socialize, work, or go about everyday life."  As it is used in this verse, the verb "walking" would indicate the disciples were living out their lives unhindered by a paralyzing fear of man or, for that matter, even of God.  What they had was a "healthy respect" for God; that is, a reverence for Him.  Born again believers are aware that we are loved by God, and consequently, we have had our fear of Him "cast out" (1 Jn. 4:18).    

and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied." 
Jesus had told His disciples that they would, one day, be filled with the Holy Spirit (Jn. 14:16-17).  In fact, He addressed Him as the "Comforter."  There is no fear when God is comforting you, and when others see the Fruit of the Spirit in you (Gal. 5:22-23), they want "What" you have:  Jesus!

Reverence for God and the Fruit of the Spirit, multiplies; they do not divide!

THE BLOOD OF JESUS

The Gospel of John begins by telling us Jesus is God!  In verse 1:1, "the Word was God," and in verse 1:14, "the Word became flesh!"  In verses 1:29 and 1:36, Jesus, having become a human being, is described as "the Lamb of God."  John called Jesus "the Lamb" because He had come to "take away the sin of the world" (v. 29)!  In other words, Jesus came to die for humanity, and because His sacrifice was pictured in the killing of the Passover Lamb (Ex. 12:1-11), Jesus is called "our Passover" (1 Cor. 5:7)!

The Passover Lamb had its blood removed for two reasons; 1) the blood would serve as a sign to God, that those living in the house where the door posts were covered by it, belonged to Him; and 2) the Jews were not permitted to eat an animal that did not have its blood removed.  The animal had to be dead prior to preparing it for a meal, and because the life of the animal is in its blood, removing the blood insured all that it was dead (Gen. 9:4; Lev. 17:11; Deut. 12:16).  As Christians, we do not literally drink Christ's blood, nor eat His body, but our symbolic act serves to proclaim His death until He returns (Jn. 6:53-56; 1 Cor. 11:26).

During the suffering of Christ, His blood was poured out for the same reason:  to prove He died.  Jesus began shedding His divine blood with a scourging, and a crown of thorns that was beaten down upon His head (Mt. 27:26-30; Mk. 15:15-19; Jn. 19:1-2).  He again bled when He was nailed to the cross through His hands and feet (Mt. 27:35; Mk. 15:24; Lk. 23:33; Jn. 19:18; 20:25).  Finally, the blood of Jesus was shed when one of the soldiers pierced His heart with his spear, and "water and blood" poured out (Jn. 19:34).

Here are just seven of the reasons why the shedding of His blood is important to us:

*   It is not by our works, but by His blood that we are saved (Eph. 2:8-9; Heb. 10:19).
*   It is a covenant between God and His born again children (Mt. 26:28; Heb. 13:20).
*   It purchased/redeemed God's children (Acts 20:28; Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14; 1 Pet. 1:18-19).
*   It allows a just and righteous God to forgive sinners (Eph. 1:7; Heb. 9:22).
*   It is the means by which sinners are cleansed of their sin (1 Jn. 1:7; Rev. 1:5).
*   It is the means by which God justifies us (Rom. 3:24-25; 5:9).
*   It is the means by which God makes His children perfect (Heb. 13:20-21).

You know the value of something by what someone is willing to pay for it;

God was willing to pay for our salvation with the blood of His only begotten Son!

Thanks be to God!!!!!!!

  



    

THE MOST IMPORTANT WORD IN THE BIBLE

Believe what you want about the name of God, the name of Jesus, or the name of the Holy Spirit; the most important word in the Bible is translated from the Greek ἀνάστασις (anastasis):  Resurrection!  I know what you are thinking; we can't be saved if we do not believe in God; if we do not believe that Jesus, as His only begotten Son, was sent to die for our sins; and if we do not believe the convicting work of the Holy Spirit.  And, I totally agree with you.  But the Word of God, itself, says that lots of people believe in the Trinity, some even calling Jesus "Lord," and they are not born again (Mt. 7:21-22; 25:11; Jn. 3:3-8)!  In fact, Satan believes in the Trinity, and we all know where he's headed (Jam. 2:19; Rev. 20:10)!

The Bible says we must believe the Gospel in order to be saved, right?  But without the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave, there is no Gospel!  The Apostle Paul wrote:  ". . . I declare unto you the Gospel . . . which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures" (1 Cor. 15:1-4).  If Christ's Resurrection did not occur, Jesus is still in the grave, and our faith is in vain (1 Cor. 15:12-22)!

The Apostle Peter had this to say about Christ's Resurrection:  "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time" (1 Pet. 1:3-5).

The Word of God says that the Pharisees believed there would be a resurrection, even though the word does not appear in the Old Testament (Acts 23:6; also cp. Ps. 16:10 w/ Acts 13:35).  Neither the Sadducees, nor the Gentile philosophers, believed in a resurrection (Mt. 22:23; Acts 17:18-32).  As a result, they will be a part of a resurrection; unfortunately, it will be in the second resurrection, a resurrection unto damnation (Jn. 5:29; Rev. 20:6).

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus,

and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead,

thou shalt be saved" (Rom. 10:9).
  

TAKE IT EASY ON THE PHARISEES

How many times have we, as born again believers, made negative comments about the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the Scribes?  I know I have looked down my spiritual nose at even the mention of them in the Scriptures!  After all, didn't they constantly hound Jesus, trying to trap Him in an error to show they were more spiritual than He was?  And didn't Jesus frequently chastise them for being hypocrites and false teachers?  Weren't they the leaders of Israel's religious community who openly campaigned against Him?  I have to admit, they truly deserve whatever criticism they have received.

But, if we are honest with ourselves, were they any worse than we are?  Oh, yes, we have never plotted to betray Jesus and have Him executed, but if He was the Pastor of a local church, would we not "paint Him" as a false teacher, while defending our own Pastor?  You say, "No!?"  Come on!  Be honest!  Are we not guilty of speaking gloriously about Jesus in church, but "behind His back," do we not grumble about how "out of touch" He would be in today's society?  With all His "rules" about our thoughts, or words, and our social interactions, most would avoid Him, saying, "He is too self-righteous, too legalistic, too demanding, for our church, or for our family, or for me!" 

And, lest we forget, the Pharisees and their fellow conspirators were suffering from God's "blinding in part" of them, so the Gentiles could be saved (Rom. 11:1-25).  But we are not blind.  We can see that Jesus came once for the crucifixion and forgiveness of sins, and that He is coming again to rule and reign as King of kings, and Lord of lords.  They had no knowledge of Christ's two advents!  In fact, the word "resurrection" does not even appear in the Old Testament (the only Bible the Pharisees had).  Israel's total concept of their Messiah was that He would be their king, and would defeat their earthly enemies.  They did not comprehend that their earthly enemies were instruments of God's work on them as His people.  They were not expecting God manifest in the flesh (1 Tim. 3:16).  They were not aware that God was a Trinity (Mt. 3:16-17; 28:19; Jn. 14:16-17; etc.)!

Whatever knowledge you and I have of Jesus' true identity, His two advents, His incomprehensible love for wretches like us, His death, burial, and resurrection for our sins, we owe to the Father who drew us to Him and the Spirit who convinced us!  Apart from the working of God on my behalf, I am far worse that the Pharisees, in that, I know all these things, and yet I still gossip, lust, and am quick to judge others.  If anyone is a hypocrite, it is me!

God forgive me and all those reading this who are like me! 

THE GOSPEL: ONE MESSAGE FOR ALL OF MANKIND

The fact that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Dan. 3:25; Mk. 1:1; etc.);  that He is the Creator of the Universe (Eph. 3:9; Col. 1:16; etc.); that He is the One who was crucified, buried, resurrected, and ascended (1 Cor. 15:3-4; Acts 1:9; etc.); and that He is believed upon by all born again Christians, whether they were formerly Jews or Gentiles, is clearly presented in the truth of God's Word (Jn. 1:12-13; Rom. 9:24; 1 Cor.12:13; 1 Pet. 1:23; etc.).

But how can two groups, with such divergent backgrounds as the Jews and Gentiles, come to faith in Jesus?  The answer is found in one message, the Gospel.  The Apostle Paul wrote, "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" (Rom. 1:16). 

The Bible says that Jesus came "to His own" people, the Jews, but the vast majority of them rejected Him, even though He worked many signs to convince them He was their Messiah.  He fed the thousands with a small boy's "lunch" (Jn. 6:1-15).  He raised at least three persons from the dead:  the widow's son (Lk. 7:12-17); Jarius' daughter (Mk. 5:22-43); and Lazarus (Jn. 11:1 - 12:11).  And yet, they were so blinded to the truth (Jn. 14:6; Rom. 11:25; etc.).  Even when Jesus rose from the dead, the religious leaders rejected Him (Mt. 28:11-15).  And yet, some believed (Jn. 1:12; Acts 2:41; etc.).

While the Jews required Jesus to provide them with a miraculous sign in order for them to believe, the Gentile world would require wisdom (1 Cor. 1:22).  In other words, they would need to be convinced through reasoning.  In Acts 17:15-34, the Apostle Paul encountered some philosophers in Athens.  The word "philosopher" is from the Greek φιλόσοφος (philosophos); the combination of φίλος (philos), meaning "a friend or lover," and σοφός (sophos), meaning "wise or wisdom."  Notice he preached the Gospel:  "Because He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead" (v. 31)!  The majority mocked him, and yet, some believed (v. 32-34). 

Regardless of your background, there is but one message that will save your soul:

Jesus was crucified for your sins; He was buried to prove He died; and He was raised from the dead by God, to prove His sacrifice for you was acceptable.  Do you believe? 

 
    



        

LAZARUS

One of the greatest puzzles in all of the Gospels, to me, has to do with the importance of the life, death, and "resurrection" of Lazarus.  His "resurrection" was actually more of a resuscitation because he was raised in his earthly body which later died, while Jesus' Resurrection was the first fruits from the grave; Jesus was raised never again to die (Rom. 6:9-10; 1 Cor. 15:20, 23).   It was important, to say the least, because it was the greatest miracle Jesus did during His short earthly ministry (Jn. 11:1 - 12:19)!  His being raised was such a powerful witness to the identity of Christ, that it caused the Lord's enemies to plot to kill Lazarus to shut him up (Jn. 12:9-11, 17-19).  There is no evidence that there was ever a plot to kill the widow and her son (Lk. 7:11-17), or Jarius and his daughter (Mk. 5:22-43).  Here is John's account of their plot:

"Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we?  For this man doeth many miracles.  If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.  And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.  And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; and not for that nation only, but that also He should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.  Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put Him to death" (Jn. 11:47-53).
On the other side of the coin, the death of Lazarus seems to have been viewed by the Gospel writers as being of less importance than the preaching of John the Baptist, the feeding of the 5000, the Lord's anointing by Mary, the Last Supper, and Peter's denials, etc., all of which are recorded in each of the four Gospels.  Only John records the raising of Lazarus, and his relationship to Mary and Martha (Jn. 11:1 - 12:19).  In addition, Luke wrote about Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus, but failed to mention him, even indicating that the house belonged to Martha (Lk. 10:38-42).

Which brings me the Lord's discussion of "the rich man and Lazarus" in Luke 16:19-31.  Few, if any, have suggested that the "poor" Lazarus as described in Luke's Gospel, and the brother of Mary and Martha were the same man.  I hesitate to do so here, because my suggestion might add support to those who insist Luke 16:19-31 is a parable.  Of that, I am certain it is not!  That being said, could the "economic status" of the rich man and Lazarus be a picture of the spirituality of the Pharisees and of Lazarus?  Remember the actual parable of the Pharisee and the Publican praying; the Pharisee was "rich" outwardly but "poor" spiritually, while the Publican was "poor" in the eyes of men, but "rich" in the eyes of God  (Lk. 18:9-14).  I will tell you this:  there are former "high priests" in torment today as they await God's certain judgment, while there are millions of humble sinners basking in the presence of our Lord at this very moment!

Does it make a difference if there were two individuals named Lazarus? 

No.  The real question is, with which Lazarus do you identify?       

 

 

THE MEANINGS OF "SLEEP"

"Sleep," as it is used in the Bible, can mean one of two things, depending upon the context.  It can mean the natural periodic resting, that is, a suspension of consciousness during which the powers of the body are restored; or it can mean a state resembling sleep:  death. 

Some examples of the literal use of the word "sleep" are found in:

*   Judges 4:21, where Sisera was fast asleep, and Jael, Heber's wife, killed him." 
*   1 Samuel 26:12, where the Lord caused a deep sleep to fall upon David's enemies, a sleep similar to that of Genesis 2:21.
*   Matthew 8:24 (Mk. 4:38; Lk. 8:23), where Jesus was asleep in the boat during a storm.
*   Matthew 26:40 (Mk. 14:40; Lk. 22:45), where the disciples slept while Jesus prayed.

Some examples where "sleep" is a euphemism for death, are found in:

*   Acts 7:60 - "And he (Stephen) kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep."
*   1 Corinthians 11:30 - "For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep."
*   1 Corinthians 15:6 - "After that, He (Jesus) was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep."
*   1 Corinthians 15:17-18 - "And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.  Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished."
*   1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 - "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 (precede) 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."
*   2 Peter 3:4 - "And saying, Where is the promise of His coming?  For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation."

Death is but a shadow:  bodies "sleep" but souls are in either Paradise, or in Torment!   

    

CREATION: DAY TWO WAS NOT GOOD!

The Bible speaks of three heavens:  1) the "third heaven" where God dwells (Job 1:6; 2:1; 2 Cor. 12:2; Rev. 4:1; etc.);  2) the "second heaven" which was created on day one, and "filled" on day four (Gen. 1:1; 14-19);  3) the "first heaven" which was created on day two, and "filled" on day five (Gen. 1:6-8; 1:20). 

Satan, once known by the name "Lucifer," was cast out of the "third heaven" (Isa. 12:14; Lk. 10:18).  According to the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 2:2, Satan is now known as "the prince of the power of the air," and he is the driving force in the hearts of unregenerate man.  Later in Ephesians, Paul wrote of Satan being our enemy, and he described how we are to defeat him (Eph. 6:11-17).  James also told us to "resist the devil and he will flee from you" (Jam. 4:7).

Yesterday, someone on Facebook made mention of something I had never noticed.  He pointed out that in Genesis 1:1-31, God used the word "good" seven times, but that He did not describe what He created on day two (Gen. 1:6-8) as being "good."  Observe:

* Day One - Heaven and Earth were "good" (v. 4).
* Day Three - Dry Land and Vegetation were "good" (v. 10, 12).
* Day Four - the Sun, the Moon, and the Stars were "good" (v. 18).
* Day Five - the Fowls of the air and the Sea-life were "good" (v. 21).
* Day Six - Land Animals and Mankind were "good" (v. 25) and "very good" (v. 31).

He said that his Pastor had explained the "missing approval" as a deliberate omission due to the fact that, no sooner had God separated the atmosphere from the seas below, Satan was cast down to become "the prince of the power of the air."  God's work had become "contaminated," and as such, it was no longer "good."  In addition, in His parables in Matthew 13, Jesus used birds as symbols of Satan.  While he did not mention the seas, the fact that there will come a time when there is a new heaven and a new earth on which there will be no seas (Rev. 21:1), might indicate the seas are contaminated as well; perhaps when they were used to destroy nearly all of creation (Gen. 6:17-20).

 

Just a thought:  wherever Satan is allowed to dwell, that place is NOT good!        

SO YOU SAY YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN: SHOW ME!

"Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29).

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  And be not conformed to this world:  but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (Rom. 12:1-2).

"For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.  For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord:  whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.  For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that He might be Lord both of the dead and living" (Rom. 14:7-9).

"What?  Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's" (1 Cor. 6:19-20).

"For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:  And that He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again" (2 Cor. 5:14-15).

"Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more" (1 Thes. 4:1).

"Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal; the Lord knoweth them that are His.  And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity" (2 Tim. 2:19).

"Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God" (1 Pet. 4:1-2).

IS ISAIAH'S HISTORY ALSO A PROPHECY OF ANTICHRIST?

Isaiah lived nearly his entire life during the reign of the Assyrian King Sennacherib (720-683 B.C.).  As a result, the Book of Isaiah mentions "the Assyrian" eight of the thirteen times the name appears in the Bible.  He is also mentioned once in Ezekiel, twice in Hosea, and twice in Micah.  As one looks at what Isaiah said about his contemporary, it is obvious that there is a parallel between Sennacherib and the Antichrist. 

*   Both are used of God to pour out His wrath upon Israel (Isa. 10:5, 24; 52:4; w/ Dan. 9:24-27; Mt. 24:3-28; Rev. 6 - 18).
*   Both attack Egypt (the King of the South) by going through the land of Israel (Isa. 19:23; 37:6-7 w/ Dan. 11; Ezek. 38 - 39).
*   Both are described as a "fiery flying serpent" (Isa. 14:29 w/ Rev. 12:7-9).
*   Both war against the "whole earth" (Isa. 14:26 w/ Rev. 12:12; 13:15).
*   Both attempt to slay Israel's remnant (Isa. 14:30 w/ Rev. 12:13-17).
*   Both are defeated by the voice of the Lord, a sword (Isa. 30:31; 31:8 w/ Rev. 19:15).

Of the other verses that mention the Assyrian, these are especially pertinent:

*   Hosea 11:5 says, "He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return."
*   Micah 5:5-6 says, "And this man shall be the peace, when the Assyrian shall come into our land: and when he shall tread in our palaces, then shall we raise against him seven shepherds, and eight principal men.  And they shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod in the entrances thereof: thus shall He deliver us from the Assyrian, when he cometh into our land, and when he treadeth within our borders."

As I have written in the past, I believe the Antichrist will be from the land that was once controlled by Assyria, Egypt, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome, for when Christ returns, He will destroy ALL those kingdoms at one time (Dan. 2:44-45; Rev. 17:10; 19:11-21).

The "Assyrian" appears to have been a type of Antichrist.
 

THE APOSTASY HAS COME

"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" (2 Thes. 2:3).  The Greek word, here translated "falling away" is ἀποστασία (apostasia), from which we get the word "apostasy."  The only other time ἀποστασία is used, it is translated "to forsake" (Acts 21:21).

Of course, we have always understood the "falling away," "the forsaking," and "the apostasy," as being an eventual denial of the truth of the Word of God.  But what if it has another connotation?  What if it also has to do with the visible Church losing what it originally had?  In Acts 2:42-47, the Church is described as being a group of loving, self-sacrificing, and unified souls!  We read: 

"And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.  And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.  And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.  And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."

It was their oneness of mind and love, one for another, that appealed to men, and made them open to the Gospel!  If there is one thing that stands out to the lost world in their view of the Church today, it is the fact that the Church is anything but unified.  I used to attend a Baptist Church that was next door to a Methodist Church; their lawns blended together except when they were mowed on different days!  No wonder people are confused about a faith that is so fragmented!

Jesus wants born again believers to be unified (Jn. 17:11, 21-23)!  The New Testament is replete with calls for Christians to be united (Rom. 12:16; 15:6; 1 Cor. 1:10; 2 Cor. 13:11; Phil. 1:27: 2:2; 4:2; 1 Pet. 3:8; 4:1; etc.).  That takes work!  What it does not take is compromise - Jesus hates a lukewarm church (Rev. 3:16)!  It takes all those who name the name of Jesus, working to rightly divide (interpret) God's Word (2 Tim. 2:15)!  AMEN!

"If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with ALL men" (Rom. 12:18).

  

ENOCH AND ELIJAH

The Tribulation, described in Revelation 6:1 - 18:24, begins with Seven Seal Judgments, the seventh of which consists of the Seven Trumpet Judgments (8:1 - 14:20).  The first four Trumpet Judgments are "natural disasters" (8:7-12); the last three Trumpet Judgments are described as "Woes" (8:13).

The First "Woe" (the fifth Trumpet) has to do with Satan's fall to earth, and the releasing of his demonic "locusts" to torment mankind (9:1-11).  The Second "Woe" (the sixth Trumpet) begins by describing the release of four "bound" angels who cause two hundred million demonic warriors to slaughter one third of all mankind (9:15-19).  Chapter ten describes a "little book," which John will eat, and "seven thunders" which speak words John is not permitted to write.  They are to remain a mystery (10:4). 

In Revelation 11:1-13, the Second Woe continues with the description of God's two witnesses.  Students of the Bible know that one of these two men has to be Elijah.  First of all, he did not die, and that would contradict Hebrews 9:27.  Secondly, Malachi prophesied that Elijah would return "before the great and dreadful Day of the Lord" (Mal. 4:5).  Had they received the testimony of John the Baptist, he would have fulfilled that prophecy (Isa. 40:3; Mt. 17:10-13; Jn. 1:23).  That means Elijah will come again.  He is one of the two "olive trees" described here, and in Zechariah 4:11-14.

There is one other man in the Bible who did not experience death:  Enoch (Gen. 5:24; Heb. 11:5).  The son of Jared and the father of Methuselah (Gen. 5:18, 21), Enoch is known to have preached one message: 

"And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him" (Jude 1:14-15).

I find it incredible that Enoch, obviously filled by the Holy Spirit, preached about Christ's Second Coming before the flood, before Abraham, before the nation of Israel, before the Law, and before Christ's First Coming!  I do not know if he knew it would be Christ's Second Coming, but that is exactly what he preached! 

Enoch was to the Gentile world, what Elijah was to the Jews, and they will be again.  And though they do suffer death for the first and only time, in my opinion, their ministry brings about the salvation of millions (Rev. 11:13)!

Born again believers, those who have placed their trust in Jesus Christ, will not be here to see the two witnesses; we will have been received up unto the Lord before the day of God's wrath is poured out (Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15:50-54; 1 Thes. 4:16-17; 5:9; Rev. 3:10)!

  

SEVEN QUESTIONS PLUS ONE

1. Why was the Gospel of John written (Jn. 20:31)? ___________
______________________________________________________________

2. Who is Jesus Christ?
John 1:1 _______________________________________________________
John 1:3 _______________________________________________________
John 4:42 ______________________________________________________
John 10:11 _____________________________________________________
John 10:30 _____________________________________________________
John 11:27 _____________________________________________________
John 19:19 _____________________________________________________
John 20:28 _____________________________________________________
John 20:31 _____________________________________________________

3. Is there really such a place as heaven  (Jn. 14:1-3)? ____________
What is the ONLY WAY to get there (Jn. 14:6)? _______________________

4. What is eternal life (Jn. 17:3)? _______________________________

5. What must I do to have eternal life (Jn.  17:3)?
John 3:36  _____________________________________________________
John 5:24  _____________________________________________________
John 6:35-37 ___________________________________________________
John 6:47  _____________________________________________________
John 11:25-26 __________________________________________________

6. What will happen to those who do not believe on Christ?
John 8:24 _____________________________________________________
John 3:36 _____________________________________________________
John 5:28-29  __________________________________________________
John 3:16  _____________________________________________________

7. How can you be a true disciple of Jesus Christ?
John 8:31______________________________________________________

WHICH VERSE APPLIES TO YOU; JOHN 1:11 OR JOHN 1:12?

FAITHFULLY REDEEMING THE TIME

Have you ever notice that there are many born again believers frantically running around, trying to correct other born again believers?  This morning, on Facebook, there was a person "demanding" others quit spending their time discussing "useless topics," and that we all focus on spreading the Gospel.  In many ways, I agree.  There are far too many people "enlarging their egos" by trying to persuade others that they know where the Ark is located (both the boat and the Ark of the Covenant); who the "sons of God" are throughout the Bible (Gen. 6:2, 4; Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7; Jn. 1:12; Rom. 8:14, 19; Phil. 2:15; 1 Jn. 3:1; etc.); the identity of the Antichrist; whether our pets are in heaven; etc.  However, it is clear from the Scripture itself, that the endless number of detains revealed in God's Word are there for a purpose.  The Apostle Paul wrote:

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works (2 Tim. 3:16-17)."

Just an aside:  According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary, "throughly" is an "archaic spelling for "thoroughly," which means "something done in a thorough manner."  I find it hilarious that my spellcheck is not quite ready to accept the word, and that I have to undo its correction.  Equally funny, is that when I Googled "throughly," there were 25,900,000 entries!  I certainly hope that large of a response is the result of people all over the globe trying to understand the King James Version of the Bible!

What does God's Word have to say about born again believers use of the time He gives them?  The first priority is, as our "spiritual police person" said, is to fulfill the Great Commission (Mt. 28:19-20), but have you ever noticed our Lord didn't limit His instructions to the presentation of the Gospel?  According to the text (this is my interpretation), having presented the Gospel (the whole Bible, especially 1 Cor. 15:3-4) which has the power of God to save the lost (Rom. 1:16), those who are saved are to be baptized, and then, they are to be taught everything Jesus taught His disciples!

While I admit that we have no recorded discussion of "the sons of God," or the location of Arks, the Apostle John tells us that if all what Jesus taught and said were written down, the world would not be able to contain the books necessary (Jn. 21:25).  And, those of us who know Him, know very well that He discussed the entire Bible with any and all who would willingly listen.  A perfect example is found in Luke 24:13-32, where Jesus taught two travelers all that the Old Testament had to say about Him (Lk. 24:27). 

Faithful believers preach, baptize, teach, ponder, and study God's Word!   

JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT YOU WERE HUMBLE

I have written several posts on the subject of humility, and have even acquired a little of my own over the seventy years God has seen fit to keep me here; but I am discovering that I have a long way to go before I come close to matching the humility of Jesus Christ!  I cannot imagine the humility it took for the Creator of the Universe (Jn. 1:1-3; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:1-2; etc.) to allow men He had created, to strip Him, beat Him, and nail Him to a cross; it boggles the mind!  And yet, even though we cannot possibly comprehend it, the Lord asks us to do likewise.  Paul wrote:

"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). 

In other words, become so detached with the ownership of your body, that you are willing to allow those who hate you, to do what their "father" wants them to do:  to kill you (Mt. 8:44; Jn. 10:10; Heb. 2:14).  Most of us have considered what we will do should someone threaten to kill us, and many before us have set the example for us to follow.  But in some ways, death, while being the ultimate enemy (1 Cor. 15:26), may be easier to face than is life!

Recently, I went to the doctor because I was having severe back pain.  As it turned out, I had developed a severe case of degenerative spine disease.  Having been involved in athletics most of my early life, football and judo had also taken their toll on my spine.  The damage is so bad that I have lost the ability to fully bend or twist my neck.  In addition, bending or twisting my torso has become almost impossible.  The pain is excruciating, and my medication is inadequate to relieve my agony.  I have thought about increasing the dosage (doubling or tripling up), but I am having trouble staying awake with the prescribed dosage; I cannot see spending the rest of my life in a drug-induced stupor!  I have prayed, and others have prayed, but it appears the Lord has chosen to give me strength rather than healing.  That strength is waning, and I long to have His ultimate "healing!" 

I am discovering that requiring someone assist you to go to the bathroom, to dress you, or even to do menial tasks around the house, is far more humiliating that death.  And it is no "picnic" for those who are willing to assist me, either!  Call it escapism or whatever, I long to be absent from this body and present with the Lord!  The Rapture, or even death is more than welcome!  Come Lord Jesus!

Death is nothing but a shadow to the born again believer; we have eternal life!      

FOUR BEASTS

In Ezekiel 1:4-28, there are four, four-winged beasts, each having the likeness of one of God's creatures:  a man, a lion, an ox, and an eagle (Ezek. 1:10).  In Ezekiel 10:1-22, there are four listed as having the appearance of a cherub, a man, a lion, and an eagle (Ezek. 10:14).  Each had four wings, and are called cherubims (Ezek. 1:6; 10:1, 21).  [Note:  In Daniel 7:3-17, there are four beasts, but they are not cherubims; they are symbols representing four world kingdoms:  a lion (Babylon - Dan. 2:38), a bear (Medo-Persia - Dan. 5:28), a leopard (Greece - Dan. 8:21), and a dragon (Rome - Dan. 9:26-27; Rev. 13:4; 20:2).]

In Revelation 4:6-11, there are four, six-winged beasts surrounding God's throne.  These are not called cherubims, but in that they have six wings, it is likely that they are seraphims (Isa. 6:2).  Revelation 4:7 says, "And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle."  Of the eleven references to these four beasts in the Book of Revelation, six of them are specifically mentioned in relation to the "four and twenty elders" (Rev. 5:6, 8, 14; 7:11;  14:3; 19:4). 

In comparing the lists of the appearances of the four beasts, one quickly notices that all three have a lion, a man, and an eagle, not necessarily in that order.  The other identity, that of the fourth beast, includes an ox (Ezek. 1:10), a cherub (Ezek. 10:14), and a calf (Rev. 4:7).  I cannot be dogmatic as to why this is, or what the three have in common, but might I suggest they all three had to do with sacrifice.  An ox and a calf were both used in sacrifice (numerous references including Ex. 20:24 and Lev. 9:2).  Cherubims were represented at the ultimate in ceremonial sacrifice on the Day of Atonement, in that they were part of the Ark of the Covenant (Ex. 25:22; Lev. 23:27-32).

All that being said, many have noticed, and a few have written about the imagery of the four "beasts" and how they seem to picture how each of the four Gospels depict Christ.  Matthew clearly presents Jesus as Israel's King, and He is called the "Lion of the Tribe of Judah" in Revelation 5:5!  Luke presents Jesus as the "Son of Man" (he used the phrase 28 times, a number equal to that of Mark and John combined).  Of course, John's Gospel reveals Jesus as being more than just a man; he presents Him as Creator and God, One capable of soaring into the heavens (Jn. 1:1-3; 14:1-3).  In John's Gospel, Jesus is clearly pictured as an Eagle! 

That leaves but one Gospel:  Mark.  In addition to presenting Jesus as God's sacrifice for the sins of man (ox, calf), He is presented as a Servant (Mk. 9:35; 10:44-45).  And, a cherub is literally a "servant of God."  Both Scofield and Ryrie introduce the Gospel of Mark as depicting Jesus as God's Servant.

 

He is my King, my example as a servant and a man, and He is my God! 

FAITH RESULTS IN REST - THEN WORKS

I could not number the times I have made reference to Ephesians 2:8-9 over the years.  After all, those two verses are perhaps the most important verses in the Bible when it comes to understanding salvation is a gift:  man cannot earn it, but can only trust the One who has provided it.  But based upon my observation of those professing to be born again believers today, I would have to say we may have neglected to preach what believers are to do once they are saved!  We are to work for our Lord!  Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."  Yes, we love to speak about the believer "entering into His rest," but we do not make it clear "His rest" has to do with how one gets saved, and not what one is to do following salvation. 

Notice in Hebrews 4:1-7, that we are to rest from trying to work for our salvation:
[1]  Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into His rest, any of you should seem to come short of it (salvation requires two things - hearing the Gospel, and believing the Gospel - nothing else).  [2]  For unto us was the Gospel preached (Jn. 1:12; 3:16; Rom. 1:16; 10:13; 1 Cor. 15:3-4; etc.), as well as unto them (Israel - Jn. 1:11-12): but the Word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.  [3]  For we which have believed do enter into rest, as He said, As I have sworn in My wrath, if they shall enter into My rest: although the works (His works) were finished from the foundation of the world (Mt. 13:35; 25:34; Eph. 1:4; 1 Pet. 1:20; Rev. 13:8; 17:8).  [4]  For He spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all His works.  [5]  And in this place again, If they shall enter into My rest.  [6]  Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:  [7]  Again, He limiteth a certain day, saying in David, Today, after so long a time; as it is said, Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts. 

Now notice a believer's rest from doing works is still future.  Hebrews 8-10 speaks of our future rest:  [8]  For if Jesus had given them rest, then would He not afterward have spoken of another day.  [9]  There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.  [10]  For he that is entered into His rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from His.

Our salvation is His work; telling others is ours! 

WORLD POWER

If you and I lived in some primitive culture that had never heard of Jesus, it would not be surprising that we worshipped Satan.  But, would you be surprised if I told you that the most advanced societies in our world also worship Satan?  Well, it is true.  The Apostle Paul actually called Satan the "god of this world" (2 Cor. 4:4)!  It is no wonder the world has fallen under Satan's spell; after all, he does come with miracles (Rev. 13:14), signs (Mt. 24:24), and lying wonders (2 Thes. 2:9), with promises of peace (Dan. 11:21-24) and prosperity (Mt. 4:9; Lk. 4:6). 

In his effort to tempt Jesus, Satan offered Him the entire world:  "Again, the devil taketh Him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth Him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto Him, All these things will I give Thee, if Thou wilt fall down and worship me.  Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve" (Mt. 4:8-10).

Notice that Jesus did not challenge Satan's authority to give Him the world, a world that, in a parallel passage, Satan revealed that he had received, and it was therefore his to give (Lk. 4:6)!  Although Satan does not say who gave him dominion over the world, it was not God.  Some say that Adam, like Esau selling his birthright for a bowl of stew (Gen. 25:29-34), forfeited his ownership over the world when he believed Satan rather than God (Gen. 3:1-6).  That makes sense because it is clear that God originally intended for mankind to have dominion over the world (Gen. 1:26-28). 

Later in the Lord's ministry, He stated that the value of the entire world was of less value than that of one human soul (Mt. 16:26).  It seems both sad and hilarious to me, that Satan, the Antichrist, and the False Prophet would be willing to literally risk spending eternity in the Lake of Fire over something having less value than a single human soul!  What's even sadder, is that many church members will spend eternity with them, because they will not have God to rule over them.  They are determined to do things "their own way."  They choose to be the masters of their own domain, to control their own little world.  Unfortunately, that is proof that they are not saved!

One must confess that Jesus is LORD in order to be saved (Rom. 10:9-10)!

 

    

LOVING, ENABLING, OR OBEYING?

As a born again believer, I find the desire to help others to be overwhelming at times.  I get so much joy when I am giving someone something they need, especially when I can do so anonymously.  But unfortunately, I have to admit that my "carnal-self" also enjoys the praise of those who admire my "benevolence."  I guess the two sort of "cancel each other out" (Mt. 6:1-4).

For me, the real issue is, am I helping because I love the person, or am I helping because it makes me feel good?  I am not sure, to be quite honest with you, that there is anything wrong with having both motivations.  Jesus did say to give alms "secretly" (Mt. 6:1-4), but He also desires that we "practice what we preach" and serve as role-models for other believers (Gal. 5:22-23; Phil. 3:17; 2 Thes. 3:9; 1 Pet. 5:3; Jam. 3:17).

I have also noticed that whenever I do something to "be a blessing" to someone, there are those who are quick to scold me for being "used" by people.  I remember the reaction of some of my flock when they heard I had purchased a used washer and dryer for a poor family in our church.  While sitting at a dinner with some folks I wanted to witness to, one of them said my members were laughing at me behind my back for being "taken in" by, in their words, "those con-artists."  Needless to say, I had my sermon topic for the following Sunday!

People often are critical of me when I try to help someone, because they seem to believe they are wiser than I, and that what I am actually doing is enabling the person by "bailing them out."  To be honest, many times they are right.  But even so, when "tough-love" is warranted, ordinary love is better than no love at all!  I would rather be guilty of being an enabler, than guilty of having no concern or compassion for those who have "made their own bed."  We have all made poor decisions in life and needed someone to help us.  And remember, Jesus said "seventy times seven" (Mt. 18:22).

When God allows me to see a need, regardless of how that need came to be, and regardless of what others think is the right thing to do, I have found that the true test of what should be done is, "What Would Jesus Do?"  Better yet, "What Does Jesus Expect Me To Do?"  The Lord has clearly led me to give away vehicles, give cash at times, and once, He even had me give the jean-jacket off my back.  You may not "hear the voice of the Lord," and think those of us who do are crazy, but I am telling you, He speaks to those who will listen!  And if He is telling you to meet someone's need, DO IT!

 

God opens our eyes to see the needy; it is sin when we fail to help when possible!