DON'T TRY TO HIDE SIN; CONFESS IT!

In what the Bible calls the first six days of time, the beginning, God created a perfect heaven with the Sun, the Moon, and the stars also; and He created a perfect world with land and sea for the plants and animals, and He called it all good (Gen. 1:1-25).  Then the Lord made the first man, so perfect that he was described as being made in the image and likeness of God Himself; and when He had finished, He declared it to be very good (Gen. 1:26-31)! 

After God "rested," He made, within that perfect world, a wonderful garden, filled with fruit trees of every kind; this garden was the location of an abundance of springs, so many that they were the source of four rivers (Gen. 2:1-14).  God was concerned that the first man, Adam, had no mate with whom he could begin filling the earth with humanity, so He made a woman for Adam, a wife (Gen. 2:15-25).

Apparently things were a little different then, because when a serpent spoke to Adam's wife, she did not act as though an animal talking was unusual.  She actually had a conversation with it.  Adam's wife had heard from Adam, that he and she could eat from every tree but one, but the serpent convinced her that neither Adam, nor God, could not be trusted.  So, she took a bite.  Adam, on the other hand, knew exactly what God had said, and perhaps seeing his wife did not die, believed the serpent's lie, no longer trusting God:  he chose to defy God, and he ate as well (Gen. 3:1-6)!

Immediately, their understanding of the difference between good and evil became real to them!  They, for the first time, recognized they were both naked, and they were ashamed.  So, in an effort to hide their nakedness, they made "clothing" out of leaves.  Knowing that God would see right through their feeble effort to cover up the fact that they had not trusted God, they hid from Him (Gen. 3:7-10).  Of course, hiding does no good if you are going to answer when your name is called!

I suspect that, just as Adam and his wife made excuses, blaming someone else for their sin, men and women will do the same thing at the final judgment.  And, just like Adam and his wife, none will be able to blame God, not even Satan!  All sin is a failure to trust and obey God's Word; all sin is, if Galatians 5:14 is correct (and it is), our failure to love others more than we love ourselves (see also Mt. 25:31-46; Jam. 4:17)!

 

"But if...ye have sinned against the LORD...be sure your sin will find you out!"

 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins...."

SALVATION IS YOURS FOR THE ASKING

For Moses writes that the law's way of making a person right with God requires obedience to all of its commands.  But faith's way of getting right with God...says, the message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart.  And that message is the very message about faith that we preach:

 

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.

 

As the Scriptures tell us, anyone who trusts in Him will never be disgraced.  Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on Him.  For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

 

But how can they call on Him to save them unless they believe in Him?  And how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him?  And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them?  And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent?  That is why the Scriptures say, How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!

But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, Lord, who has believed our message?   So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.  But I ask, have the people of Israel actually heard the message?  Yes, they have:  the message has gone throughout the earth, and the words to all the world.

 

But I ask, did the people of Israel really understand?  Yes, they did, for even in the time of Moses, God said, I will rouse your jealousy through people who are not even a nation.  I will provoke your anger through the foolish Gentiles.

 

And later Isaiah spoke boldly for God, saying, I was found by people who were not looking for Me.  I showed Myself to those who were not asking for Me.  But regarding Israel, God said, all day long I opened My arms to them, but they were disobedient and rebellious.

(Rom. 10:5-21 - NLT paraphrased)

 

 

Allow Jesus to be your Lord; believe His Father raised Him from the dead;

and

YOU WILL BE SAVED!

HE IS MORE THAN SAVIOR; HE IS GOD!

I am so sick of people saying that when they were younger, they accepted Jesus as their Savior, but later in life, they surrendered to Him as their Lord.  They think they were saved by believing the Gospel, but that it wasn't until years later that they came to know Jesus as their Lord.  Bunk!  Salvation takes place when one calls upon the name of the LORD (Rom. 10:9-13)!

 

First of all, allow me to point out that Satan and his demons saw Jesus die; they saw Him buried; and they saw Him risen from the dead!  They recognized Him even before His death, burial, and resurrection (Mt. 4:3, 6; 8:29; 26:63; Mk. 3:11; Lk. 4:41; 8:28; etc.)!  They knew He was the Son of God!  They addressed Him as the "Son of God!"  Were they saved?  Of course not!

 

The four Gospels present Jesus "Lord" over 200 times; as "Master" over 60 times, as "Christ" nearly 60 times!  Do you know how many times the four Gospels call Jesus "Saviour?"  THREE (Lk. 1:47; 2:11; Jn. 4:42)!  So if your preacher, or Sunday school teacher, or whomever, told you that by believing Jesus died, was buried, and rose again, you become a born again child of God, then I would suggest you give it some more thought! 

 

My question to you is, when did you realize you were a sinner, that you needed to turn from your sins, and begin obeying Jesus?  After all, if He is LORD, MASTER, CHRIST, then your relationship with Him should be one of submission to Him as your LORD!  That doesn't convince you?  You need more?  Well how about the fact that Jesus is God?!  When Thomas said, "My Lord and my God!"; what was Jesus' reaction?  He replied:  "Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed" (Jn. 20:29)!

 

How about the fact that He is addressed as "the Son of God" over 40 times?!

 

How about the fact that He is the Creator?!  Jesus created the entire universe (Jn. 1:1-3, 14; Col. 1:16-17; Heb. 1:1-2; etc.)! 

 

 

You want to be saved?  Jesus, who saves, is LORD!   

 

 

WE SHALL BE CHANGED BY SEEING JESUS

"...someone may ask, “How will the dead be raised? What kind of bodies will they have?”  What a foolish question! When you put a seed into the ground, it doesn’t grow into a plant unless it dies first. And what you put in the ground is not the plant that will grow, but only a bare seed of wheat or whatever you are planting. Then God gives it the new body he wants it to have. A different plant grows from each kind of seed. Similarly there are different kinds of flesh—one kind for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish. There are also bodies in the heavens and bodies on the earth. The glory of the heavenly bodies is different from the glory of the earthly bodies. The sun has one kind of glory, while the moon and stars each have another kind. And even the stars differ from each other in their glory.

 

It is the same way with the resurrection of the dead. Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever. Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength. They are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be raised as spiritual bodies. For just as there are natural bodies, there are also spiritual bodies. The Scriptures tell us, “The first man, Adam, became a living person.” But the last Adam—that is, Christ—is a life-giving Spirit. What comes first is the natural body, then the spiritual body comes later. Adam, the first man, was made from the dust of the earth, while Christ, the second man, came from heaven. Earthly people are like the earthly man, and heavenly people are like the heavenly man. Just as we are now like the earthly man, we will someday be like the heavenly man.

What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever. But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies" (1 Cor. 15:35-53 NLT).  [See also 1 John 3:2]:

 

"Beloved, now are we the sons of God,
and it doth not yet appear what we shall be:

but we know that, when He shall appear,
we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is."

THE CREATION AND THE CONSUMMATION

THE CREATION

Genesis 1:1 - "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth."

John 1:1-3, 14  - "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."

Colossians 1:16-17 - "For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him:  and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.

Hebrews 1:1-3 - "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high."

THE CONSUMMATION

Revelation 1:8 - "I am Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the Ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty."

Revelation 1:11 - "Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea."

Revelation 21:6 - "And He said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely."

Revelation 22:12-13 - "And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be.  I am the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last."

 

What Jesus began, He will complete!  Praise Him as you wait for Him!

GOODBYE CRUEL WORLD!

Today, the Jews celebrate their fifth of the Feasts of Israel, the Feast of Trumpets, also known as Rosh Hashanah.  On the Jewish calendar, Rosh Hashanah is their New Year's Day.  In Ezekiel 40:1, the only time the Hebrew Bible contains the two words together, it is translated "in the beginning of the year."  It is described in Leviticus 23:24-25: 

"Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation.  Ye shall do no servile work therein: but ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD."

Many students of the Scriptures believe this feast is a prophetic picture of the first of Christ's two-part Second Coming.  Let me try to explain.  Because the feasts calls for "trumpets," plural, it is believed that one sounding occurs at the Rapture of the Church, prior to the Tribulation.  The Apostle Paul wrote about this in 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17:

"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."

Notice that those who believe Jesus died and rose again, will be "caught up together with them in the clouds."  As I said, this is the first of His two-part Second Coming; the second part will involve Jesus returning to remain and rule on this earth (Rev. 19:11 - 20:15)!  Born again believers know Jesus died and rose again; it is the Gospel that saves (1 Cor. 15:3-4; Rom. 1:16)!

We believe the Tribulation, also known as "the Time of Jacob's Trouble," and "Daniel's Seventieth Week" (Jer. 30:7; Dan. 9:27; Mt. 24:4-28; Rev. 6:1 - 19:10), begins with the Feast of Trumpets, a calling of Israel to gather in their land.  It signals the beginning of the seven-year peace agreement between Israel and the Antichrist (Dan. 9:26-27).  Seven years later, it is Christ's Second Coming (phase two) that ends the Tribulation (Mt. 24:29; Rev. 19:11).

Will this Rosh Hashanah be the Rapture and the Re-gathering?  I pray it is!

THAT YE MIGHT BELIEVE



Moses, Matthew, and Paul, had this to say about believing the testimony of others: 

 

"One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth:  at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established" (Deut. 19:15).  "But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established" (Mt. 18:16).  "This is the third time I am coming to you.  In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established" (2 Cor. 13:1).

 

John the Baptist:  "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (Jn. 1:29)! 

 

Nathaniel:  "Nathanael answered and saith unto Him, Rabbi, Thou art the Son of God; Thou art the King of Israel" (Jn. 1:49)!

A Samaritan woman:  "Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? (Jn. 4:29)!

 

Many Samaritans:  "And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard Him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world" (Jn. 4:42)!

 

A man born blind:  "Dost thou believe on the Son of God?  He answered and said, Who is He, Lord, that I might believe on Him?  And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen Him, and it is He that talketh with thee.  And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped Him" (Jn. 9:35-38).

 

Jesus Himself:  "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:  and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die..." (Jn. 11:25-26)!

 

Martha:  "She saith unto Him, Yea, Lord: I believe that Thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world" (Jn, 11:27)!

 

Thomas:  "Then saith He to Thomas, reach hither thy finger, and behold My hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into My side: and be not faithless, but believing.  And Thomas answered and said unto Him, My Lord and my God" (Jn. 20:27-28)!

 

The author of the Gospel of John:  "And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe" (Jn. 19:35).  "And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book:  but these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name" (Jn. 20:30-31)!  

 

That is a mere sampling of the witnesses to the identity of Jesus Christ!

I believe!  Can I add you to this list?

A TREE: THE PICTURE OF FAILURE

Have you ever wondered why Christians are becoming a smaller percentage of the whole of world religions?  Why the Church is losing ground?  Perhaps the answer is found in the Parable of the Mustard Seed.  It reads:

"Another parable put He forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:  which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof" (Mt. 13:31-32).

Most people think that the parables found in Matthew 13, paint a picture of a vibrant growing Church.  The Parable of the Sower speaks of the "faithful seed" reproducing up to a hundred fold (13:3-8, 18-23).  But notice in the Lord's second parable, the Parable of the Tares, that Satan plants within "the community of wheat," his own spies and saboteurs; the Church no longer contains only born again believers; it is partially populated by impersonators (13:24-30, 36-43).

In the Parable of the Leaven, an unidentified woman adds leaven, a biblical symbol of sin, death, and corruption; the result, the whole becomes tainted (13:33).  Some say that this use of leaven is a positive use, in that it shows growth; however, I say that the wheat not only remains the same as it was when mixed, it gives the false impression of being much larger than it truly is (Compare 1 Cor. 5:6-8; Gal. 5:9)!

Again in 13:44, we see that the "treasure" is within, or surrounded by, the field, that is the world.  The "pearl," like all pearls, has for its core, a worthless piece of "sand" (13:45-46).  Finally, the Parable of the Fishes teaches that within the massive catch, there are delectable delights, and dastardly deceptions (13:47-50)!  Every single parable speaks of an impure, infiltrated Church!  To be sure, the tares, the leaven, the grain of sand, the field, and the worthless fish, are not winning souls, but on the contrary, they reproduce themselves, making the whole less pure!

But getting back to the Parable of the Mustard Seed, it pictures a tree, growing from a single seed, a small seed, and branching out to such a great extent that the enemy's "birds" can nest in it.  Remember, the birds were defined in the Parable of the Sower as agents of Satan.  But that is not bad enough:  the tree has thousands of branches - I believe this represents the splintering of the Church into denominations, sects, and even cults!  Jesus said that the true Church would grow when the world sees Christian unity (Jn. 17:21-23).  Do you think a tree pictures unity?

What are you doing to maintain unity and harmony in the Church? 

ONE MESSAGE FOR ALL MANKIND

Some say that the Apostle Peter was called to preach only to the Jews, and that the Apostle Paul was called of God to preach only to the Gentiles.  They support their belief with verses such as John 21:15-17, where Jesus tells Peter to "feed My sheep," and Acts 9:15, where He says this of Paul: "for he is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My name before the Gentiles."  However, they conveniently forget that Jesus has "other sheep" for Peter's tending (Jn. 10:16)!  They forget the rest of Acts 9:15 which says, "and kings, and the children of Israel."  They forget that it was Peter who first acknowledged the Gentiles as brethren (Acts 10:34-48).  They forget that Paul first went into the Synagogues on his missionary journeys, and how he said "There is neither Jew nor Greek...for ye are all one in Christ Jesus" (Gal. 3:28).

There is but one message!  There is but one Gospel!  Paul wrote: 

"I marvel that ye are so soon removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another Gospel:  which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the Gospel of Christ.  But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other Gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.  As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed" (Gal. 1:6-9).

Do you suppose Peter preached another Gospel?  Do you suppose Paul was telling the Church to curse Peter?  NO!  Peter preached the same Gospel as did Paul!

"Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by Him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:  Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:  Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it" (Acts 2:22-24).  "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call" (Acts 2:38-39)!

Jesus was crucified for the remission of sins.  Jesus was buried, but His Father raised Him up.  How does that differ from the Gospel according to Paul?

"For I delivered unto you first of all that 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. 15:3-4)!

It doesn't!  There is one Gospel that is the power of God to save the lost (Rom. 1:16):

"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."

ACTS TWO: 1 CORINTHIANS 15:1-4

Peter's and Paul's Gospel is the same!

[1] And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
[2] And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
[3] And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
[4] And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
[5] And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
[6] Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
[7] And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
[8] And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
[9] Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
[10] Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
[11] Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
[12] And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?
[13] Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.
[14] But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
[15] For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.
[16] But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
[17] And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God,I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
[18] And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
[19] And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
[20] The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:
[21] And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved (see Rom. 10:13).
[22] Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
[23] Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
[24] Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.
[25] For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
[26] Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:
[27] Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
[28] Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.
[29] Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.
[30] Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;
[31] He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
[32] This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
[33] Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
[34] For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
[35] Until I make thy foes thy footstool.
[36] Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
[37] Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
[38] Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
[39] For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
[40] And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
[41] Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
[42] And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
[43] And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
[44] And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
[45] And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
[46] 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,
[47] Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

THE BIBLE AND THE NEWSPAPER TODAY

When we look at the news today, we see great nations trembling in fear of a relatively small group of Islamic extremists.  Small "cancers" like I.S.I.S., Al Qaeda, Hamas, etc., are rapidly spreading throughout Islam, a religion of over one billion world-wide.  Zechariah prophesied that Jerusalem would be ground zero for the coming world-wide conflict; he wrote: 

"Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.  And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people..." (Zech. 12:2-3).

Zechariah was not alone in his warning; we see the same trembling described in Isa. 51:17-20; Jeremiah 30:5-7; Ezekiel 26:15-16; and Daniel 10:4-17.

The conflict between Israel and the Arab nations began much like man's conflict with Satan:  over food!  (Gen. 29:21-34; Gen. 3:1-15).  The sons of Esau have hated the sons of Jacob (Israel), and the "sons of Satan" hate the elect of God (the Jews - Isa. 42:1; 45:4; 65:9; etc.).  The Arab hatred has spilled over toward all the sons of God, because we support and pray for Israel (Gen. 12:1-3; Jn. 1:12; Rom. 8:14; Phil. 2:15; 1 Jn. 3:1-2).

You may have noticed in the passage quoted from Zechariah, that the whole world will eventually succumb to the "disease" known as anti-Semitism!  That is because, before Israel's day of trembling, born again believers will be removed from this orb.  God, in what believers call "the Rapture," will remove all His children (Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15:49-53; 1 Th. 4:13-18; Rev. 4:1)!  Scripture teaches that the Church, which is made up of born again believers, will not experience the wrath of God:

"And to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come" (1 Th. 1:10).  "For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Th. 5:9).

In fact, the Word clearly teaches that the wrath of God, a.k.a. "the Tribulation" (Mt.24:29), "the Time of Jacob's Trouble" (Jer. 30:7), and "Daniel's Seventieth Week" (Dan. 9:24-27), have nothing to do with the Church, but is meant to "open the eyes of Israel" that they may recognize Jesus was, in fact, their Messiah (Jn. 1:11; Rom. 11:1-36)!

 

All the signs are happening today - trust in Jesus while there is still time!

  

PROCRASTINATION MAY BE YOUR ULTIMATE DOWNFALL

The Church Age, a mystery to the Jews, both then and now, is summed up in the first sermon ever preached since the birth of the Church on the Day of Pentecost, ten days after the Lord's Ascension:

"And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:  and on My servants and on My handmaidens I will pour out in those days of My Spirit; and they shall prophesy:  and I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:  the sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable Day of the Lord come:  and it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Acts 2:17-21)!

On that first day, God poured out His Spirit; Peter said that what those who heard the 120 speaking in their own languages, were witnessing the beginning of the fulfillment of Joel's prophecy, given at least 700 years earlier (Joel 2:26-32).  Isaiah and Ezekiel spoke of the completion of Joel's prophecy: 

"Behold, the Day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and He shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.  For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine" (Isa. 13:9-10).  "And when I shall put thee out, I will cover the heaven, and make the stars thereof dark; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not give her light.  All the bright lights of heaven will I make dark over thee, and set darkness upon thy land, saith the Lord GOD" (Ezek. 32:7-8).

The Gospel of Matthew and the Book of Revelation warn humanity concerning the events which will occur following the end of the Church Age: 

"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" (Mt. 24:29-30).  "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; and the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind" (Rev. 6:12-13).

By the time this happens, it will be too late to trust in Jesus! 

Repent (turn to God from your sinful way of life, and call upon Jesus!

JESUS IS THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY

When we proclaim the Gospel message to a lost and dying world, we are obeying Christ's command to His disciples.  Shortly before His Ascension, He told them:

"...All power (authority) is given unto Me in heaven and in earth.  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations (the Gospel message - 1 Cor. 15:1-4), baptizing them (those who believe the Gospel) in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world (age).  Amen" (Mt. 28:18-20).

Notice that because He was given all authority, He "commanded" His followers!  The person Jesus, the One His disciples were to preach, is Lord, He is Master, He is Creator (He is call the "Lord Jesus" 115 times; He is called "Master" 58 times; and He is declared to be the Creator at least four times:  Jn. 1:1-3; Eph. 3:9; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:1-2)!

In Psalms 138:2, we read:  "I will worship toward Thy holy temple, and praise Thy name for Thy lovingkindness and for Thy truth: for Thou hast magnified Thy Word above all Thy name."  Anyone who has even the slightest knowledge of the Word of God, knows that the Jews, for fear of using the Lord's name wrongly, refused to write or say it.  This verse declares that to God, His Word is to be more revered than His name!  That being so, what does it say about Jesus, who is actually identified as "the Word of God" (Jn. 1:1, 14; 1 Jn. 1:1; 5:7; Rev. 19:13)!

Another testimony from the Scriptures that shows Jesus is more than a historical individual who claimed to be God, and who was crucified, is found in His repeated use of the phrase "but I say unto you!"  He was declaring to the religious leaders that they failed miserably when it came to interpreting the Word of God.  Twelve times, just in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus corrects the Pharisees concerning their misinterpretation of God's teachings (5:22, 28, 32, 34, 39, 44; 11:22, 24; 12:6, 36; 17:12; 26:29).  

Jesus is Savior, Master, Lord, Christ, and He is God!

To receive Him, is to submit to Him!     

JESUS ACCEPTED WORSHIP - HE IS LORD!

Both the Old and the New Testaments warn against worshipping "other gods."  In Exodus 34:4-14, after Moses made a second copy of the Ten Commandments, he was told by God to warn Israel about worshipping anything or anyone other than Him.  Verse 14 says, "For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God!"  About 1500 years later, when Satan tried to tempt Jesus into worshipping him, Jesus responded by saying, "...Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve" (Mt. 4:10).  And yet, there are several instances in the Gospels which reveal that Jesus, Himself, accepted worship!  Here are some examples:

*       The Magi were allowed to worship Jesus (Mt. 2:2, 11).
*       A leper worshipped Jesus (Mt. 8:2).
*       The father of a dead girl worshipped Jesus (Mt. 9:18).
*       His disciples worshipped Him after He calmed the storm (Mt. 14:33).
*       The Canaanite mother of an ill girl worshipped Him (Mt. 15:25).
*       The mother of James and John worshipped Him (Mt. 20:20).
*       The women at the empty tomb worshipped Him (Mt. 28:17).
*       The eleven disciples worshipped their risen Savior (Mt. 28:17).
*       The demoniac recognized Jesus and worshipped Him (Mk. 5:6).
*       The disciples worshipped Him at His Ascension (Lk. 24:52).
*       The healed blind man worshipped Him (Jn. 9:38).

Some have said that the Greek word translated "worship" meant "a means of showing homage to persons or beings of higher rank" (Strong's Concordance; Blue Letter Bible; etc.).  However, the same word [προσκυνέω (proskyneō)], is found in Matthew 4:10, quoted above.  Clearly, the examples given above, taken in context, show Jesus received the worship due only to God Almighty!

Why do you suppose He did not object?  The answer is clear:  Jesus is God!  The first verse in the Bible says, "In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth" (Gen. 1:1).  Not only did Jesus create everything which exists (Jn. 1:1-3; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:1-2; etc.), He maintains its existence.  Here is what the Apostle Paul said about Jesus:

"Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son:  in whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins:  who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:  for by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him:  and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist" (Col. 1:13-17).

Born again believers know Jesus as Savior, Lord, and God!

  

DISCIPLINING A CHILD

In light of recent events involving a National League Football player, I feel the need to share my thoughts on disciplining children.  The main reason is, forty years ago, when I was disciplining my children, I was guilty of child abuse.  I was a new Christian, and as such, I absorbed sermons like a sponge!  It was all new to me, so I did more listening than studying what all the Word had to say on a subject.  Needless to say, I had, and still have, a lot to learn.

You and I know that the Bible clearly teaches believers to use corporeal punishment.  While "Spare the rod; spoil the child." may be the most quoted non-biblical "verse" in the world, the Word does say that the rod of discipline should be used on a child (Prov. 22:15; 23:13, 14; 29:15).  In fact, for a father to spare using the rod of discipline, means he does not love his child (Prov. 13:24)!  We see this pictured in the Father disciplining all His children because He loves them (Heb. 12:5-8).

But how is the rod to be applied?  For one thing, we are not to use the rod when we are angry.  It is counter-productive.  Proverbs 22:8 says that the rod used by an angry person "shall fail."  The wise father will wait before disciplining his child.  It serves two purposes:  it provides time for anger to subside, and it provides time for the child to think about the foolishness of his actions.

The rod should be used in such a way as to cause some pain, but not hard enough to cause bruising or lacerations.  I would suggest the palm of one's hand be used, because our hand tells us exactly how hard we are spanking the child.  If our hand stings, that is certainly hare enough.  That is just my personal opinion.

Another factor needs to be applied as well.  Am I, as a father, living for the Lord?  Am I, as His child, in need of discipline?  If so, then I am not qualified to address the sins of my children!  This is what the Apostle Paul wrote on the subject: 

"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted" (Gal. 6:1).

You, as a parent, have the right, and responsibility of disciplining your child.  However, "...take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to them that are weak" (1 Cor. 8:9).  Ephesians 6:4 says, "And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."

The test of your success:  does your child recognizes his error, and that he is loved.

MY LEAST IMPORTANT BIRTHDAY

Seventy-two years ago today, my mother, through much suffering, brought me into this world.  Her water broke, and she delivered me, her only child, her only son.  Two thousand years ago, give or take a few, Mary brought forth her first born, a Son, and she named Him Jesus.  Her water broke, she suffered, and the result was Emmanuel:  God with us (Mt. 1:23)!  That is where the resemblance between Jesus and I ends.  We were both born physically.

Jesus went on to live a perfect, sinless life (Heb. 4:15), and He was murdered somewhere around the age of thirty-three.  I, on the other hand, have done very little but sin over my lifetime, and yet, I am still here.  Amazing!  I spent twenty years in the military, had two .45 caliber pistols pointed at me from less than ten feet, had blood clots in both lungs, had a heart attack, and have lived with congestive heart failure for many years; yet, here I am! 

In John's Gospel, Jesus told a Pharisee named Nicodemus, who had come to speak with Him under the cover of darkness, that he needed to be born a second time.  Jesus said, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (Jn. 3:3).  Of course, Nicodemus found the Lord's words to be ludicrous.  Nicodemus responded by saying, "How can a man be born when he is old?  Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born" (v. 4)?

Of course, the answer is no; the physical birth can only occur one time.  Jesus explained that He was speaking of another kind of birth.  He said, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (v. 5).  Jesus went on to explain the difference between the two births necessary for a man to be part of God's Kingdom; He said, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh (water); and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again" (v. 6-7).  The two births differ in one main factor:  the physical birth comes with the breaking of the mother's water, while the Spiritual birth is the result of the working of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus said, "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit" (v. 8 - note that the spiritual birth is compared to the working of the wind; the word for "breath," "wind," and "spirit," are the same:  Strong's #4151).

Jesus explained, elsewhere in John's Gospel, what takes place when a man is born again.  The Father draws him to believe (Jn. 6:44), the Spirit convinces man he is a sinner needing a Savior, and that Jesus is the Savior (Jn. 16:7-15), and when he accepts Jesus, he becomes a child of God (Jn. 1:12).

That happened to me on January 31, 1971.

That is the birthday I love to celebrate!

 

HALF A GOSPEL IS A FALSE GOSPEL

"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.  For I delivered unto you first of all that 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).

Most conservative churches faithfully proclaim the Gospel message, but they do so only in part; they faithfully proclaim what Jesus Christ did for us, but they forget to correctly identify who Jesus is!  Notice in the passage above, two important facts: 

1) Paul was proclaiming that Jesus was the Christ!  Jesus was not just any man; He was the long-awaited King of the Jews, the promised offspring of David!  Matthew's Gospel refers to Jesus as the Son of David ten times:  1:1, 20; 9:27; 12:23; 15:22; 20:30, 31; 21:9, 15; and 22:42!  Jesus is to be our King!  He is to rule over us!  Also notice that the passage above mentions that the Gospel is based upon what Paul had preached to those in Corinth.  He had taught them that Jesus is the "Son of God" (1 Cor. 1:9), and "Lord" (64 times)!  That is why, in the middle of the four verses above, Paul says, "if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you!"

2) Jesus, while instructing His disciples about preaching the Gospel, made it quite clear that the message was to include a call to repentance.  Luke 24:46-47 says:

"And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:  and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."

Notice that these two verses present the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, AND a call to repentance!  If Jesus is not to be both Savior AND Lord, then why the need for repentance?  Jesus was announced as both:  "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord" (Lk. 2:11).  Both Paul and Peter taught that Jesus was both Lord AND Savior (Phil. 3:20; 1 Tim. 1:1; Titus 1:4; 2 Pet. 1:11; 2:20; 3:2, 18)!  There is little doubt as to what He wanted mankind to know about Himself; He said, in John 13:13,

"Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am." 

FIRST THINGS FIRST

My Pastor spoke to us today, about making sure we have our priorities straight.  He used the illustration of a modern day genie who, because of inflation, could only afford to grant a single wish to those who rubbed his lamp.  The genie said the only wish he would not grant, was a wish for more wishes.  He then asked us what our wish would be if we found the genies' lamp. 

That was really a tough one!  There are so many things going on in the world which need to be stopped:  wars, famine, disease, poverty, murders, rapes, etc.; basically, our world is filled with total selfishness, lawlessness, and depravity!  Using my one wish to eliminate any one of these, would still leave a world filled with suffering. 

I could wish for everyone to begin loving everyone else, and that would certainly stop all of those things, except for perhaps disease.  Even so, without wars and crime, think of how much money would be available for medical research!  Like humanity at the Tower of Babel, there is no limit to what a united human race could accomplish (Gen. 11:1-6).

Even if mankind was able to eliminate all of its woes, man would still face the inevitable:  death.  That is why many in the congregation would use their one wish on getting their lost family members and friends saved.  Few would include their enemies in their wish for salvation; after all, not everyone will be saved on judgment day.  Even Jesus knew that regardless of how salvation was offered to the lost, many would reject it, and even though God's Word tells us that God wants none to perish, but for all to turn to Him from their sin (2 Pet. 3:9), we all know that the majority would reject His free gift of salvation (Mt. 7:13-14; Jn. 1:12; 3:16; Rom. 10:9-10; Eph. 2:8-9; etc.).

Pastor's sermon was based on Matthew 6:33, which says, "But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."  What I got out of it, was that before we try to fix a broken world, we need to make certain that we don't need to use our wish on ourselves!  We need to make sure we are acceptable in God's Kingdom, by receiving Jesus Christ and HIS righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21); our own righteousness, no matter how hard we try, is as "filthy rags" (Isa. 64:6)!  Once we are clothed in HIS righteousness, once we are in His Kingdom, once He is our King, we will want our every thought, word, and deed, to be pleasing unto Him!  AND, the lost will see Christ in us, and hunger for what He has given us!

Seek to be what others will desire to be! 

IN WHOM MUST ONE BELIEVE TO BE SAVED?

All who believe will be saved!  Believe what?  Believe the Word of the Lord! 

1)  There is a God before whom all will stand in judgment; Revelation 20:11-13 says,

"And I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works."

2)  God does not want any to be cast into the Lake of Fire.  2 Peter 3:9 says,

"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

3)  God offered mankind an opportunity to be saved; He provided a substitute to pay for our sins:

"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" (Jn. 3:14-16).

4)  Before Jesus died for our sins, He pleaded with people to trust His Father:

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life" (Jn. 5:24).

5)  Yes, we are to believe that God, the Father of Jesus, sent Him to die for us:

"...This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent" (Jn. 6:29).  "And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day" (Jn. 6:40).

6)  The Father sent His Son to die, but He also raised Him from the dead:    

"...Believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead" (Rom. 4:24).  "But God raised him from the dead" (Acts 13:30).

7)  To be saved then, one must trust in both the Father and in His Son:

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me" (Jn. 14:1).  "...This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent" (Jn. 6:29).  "I and My Father are one" (Jn. 10:30). 

JOHN WROTE SO THAT YOU WOULD BELIEVE IN JESUS

"And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book:  But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name" (Jn. 20:30-31).

"He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.  But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God" (Jn. 1:11-13).

"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. 3:18).

"Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent" (Jn. 6:29).

"And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God" (Jn. 6:69).

"I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins" (Jn. 8:24).

"Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?  He answered and said, Who is He, Lord, that I might believe on Him? And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen Him, and it is He that talketh with thee.  And He said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped Him" (Jn. 9:35-38).

"She saith unto Him, Yea, Lord: I believe that Thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world" (Jn. 11:27).

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me" (Jn. 14:1).

"But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced His side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe" (Jn. 19:34-35).

"And this is His commandment, That we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as He gave us commandment" (1 Jn. 3:23).

"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God" (1 Jn. 5:13).

SEVEN PLUS SIXTY-TWO PLUS ONE EQUALS

SEVENTY "WEEKS" OF DANIEL

[24] "Seventy weeks (seventy periods of seven - in this case, years) 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 (Jesus became sin for us, so that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him - 2 Cor. 5:21), and to seal up the vision and prophecy (Dan. 12:9; Rom. 11:25; Eph. 5:32), and to anoint the most Holy (the Lord's Triumphal Entry - Mt. 26:6-13; Mk. 14:3-9; Lk. 19:27-44; Jn. 12:12-19)."

THE FIRST SIXTY-NINE "WEEKS" OF DANIEL

[25] Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem (444 B.C. - Neh. 2:1-11) unto the Messiah the Prince (Jesus of Nazareth) shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks (483 years): the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
[26] And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself (Jesus was crucified for our sins, not His own - Heb. 4:15): and the people of the prince that shall come (the Antichrist - Rev. 13:1-10) shall destroy the city and the sanctuary (they were destroyed in A.D. 70 by Rome); and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.  (A time is not given for no man knows the time - Mk. 13:32).

[THE PARENTHETICAL 2000 YEAR CHURCH AGE]

 

DANIEL'S SEVENTIETH "WEEK"

[27] And he (the Antichrist) shall confirm the covenant with many for one week (a seven year peace covenant with Israel): and in the midst of the week (three and a half years: (a time, times, and a half time - Dan. 12:7; Rev. 12:14; 1260 days - Rev. 11:3; 12:6; 42 months - Rev. 11:3; 13:5) he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate (Dan. 11:31; 12:11; Mt. 24:15; Rev. 13:1-18).

THE DAY OF THE LORD

*Isaiah 2:12 - "For the Day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low!"
*Isaiah 13:6 - "Howl ye; for the Day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty!"
*Isaiah 13:9 - "Behold, the Day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and He shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it!"
*Isaiah 46:10 - "For this is the Day of the Lord GOD of hosts, a day of vengeance, that He may avenge Him of His adversaries: and the sword shall devour, and it shall be satiate and made drunk with their blood: for the Lord GOD of hosts hath a sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates!"
*Ezekiel 13:5 - "Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the Day of the LORD (Ezek. 13:5)!
*Ezekiel 30:3 - "For the day is near, even the Day of the LORD is near, a cloudy day; it shall be the time of the heathen!"
*Joel 1:15 - "Alas for the day! for the Day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come!"
*Joel 2:1 - "Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in My holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the Day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand!"
*Joel 2:11 - "And the LORD shall utter His voice before His army: for His camp is very great: for He is strong that executeth His Word: for the Day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it!"
*Joel 3:14 - "Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the Day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision!"
*Amos 5:18 - "Woe unto you that desire the Day of the LORD! To what end is it for you? The Day of the LORD is darkness, and not light!"
*Amos 5:20 - "Shall not the Day of the LORD be darkness, and not light? Even very dark, and no brightness in it!"
*Obadiah 1:15 - "For the Day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head!"
*Zephaniah 1:7 - "Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the Day of the LORD is at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, He hath bid His guests!"
*Zephaniah 1:14 - "The great Day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the Day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly!"
*Zechariah 14:1 - "Behold, the Day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee!"
*1 Corinthians 5:5 - "To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the Day of the Lord Jesus!"
*2 Corinthians 1:14 - "As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the Day of the Lord Jesus!"
*1 Thessalonians 5:2 - "For yourselves know perfectly that the Day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night!"
*2 Peter 3:10 - "But the Day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up!"

BELIEVE THE LIGHT YOU HAVE RECEIVED

Throughout the history of creation, God has revealed increasing amounts of truth to mankind.  You might say that He has "increased the wattage of the light" He has revealed.  Chapter Eleven of the Book of Hebrews is known as the "faith chapter."  I would like to make a few observations about its contents:

*       ALL of those listed by name, were saved by having faith in God.
*       Neither Adam, nor Eve, are listed.
*       After the Fall, Abel's obedience to God testified that he had faith in Him (v. 4).
*       Enoch's faith pleased God, and He "translated" him (v. 5-6).
*       Noah's faith resulted in him being called righteous (v. 7).
*       Abraham's faith resulted in him being called righteous (v. 8-19).
*       Isaac's faith allowed him to bless his two sons' futures (v. 20).
*       Jacob's faith allowed him to bless his twelve sons (v. 21).
*       Joseph's faith allowed him to prophesy about Israel's future (v. 22).
*       Moses' parent's faith saved his life from Pharaoh (v. 23).
*       Moses' faith resulted in God using him mightily (v. 24-29).

All of these pillars of faith trusted in Almighty God before the Law was given, and before the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ!  And yet, we see from Hebrews 11:26, Moses recognized that being a Jew, was to identify with Christ.

*       By faith, "Joshua fit the battle of Jericho" (v. 30).
*       By faith, Rahab, the harlot, was saved by trusting in the God of Israel (v. 31).
*       Because of their faith, thousands died without seeing God's promise fulfilled (v. 32-38).

None of those listed above knew the name of Jesus.  None of them understood that the Gentiles would also be given the opportunity to be saved by faith in God.  None of them were a part of the Body of Christ, and yet, they were all saved!  How can that be?  The Word says that there is none saved by any other name, than that of Jesus:

"Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by Him doth this man stand here before you whole.  This is the Stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the Head of the corner.  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:10-12).

The answer is found in the fact that salvation is the result of trusting in God.  When a person believes God, he or she receives His Son's righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21).  Salvation has always been by faith in God!  Adam lost his righteous state when he chose to disbelieve God.  Abel was counted as being righteous because he chose to believe God.

The more God reveals, the more one is required to believe.

His ultimate revelation is found in Jesus Christ!    

BE CAREFUL HOW YOU TREAT THE JEWS!

As born again believers, we should have a great love for the Jewish people.  The reason is quite simple:  born again believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, the very mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16).  In other words, we should love all that God loves, and abhor what He abhors.  That being said, because of what the Bible teaches I am absolutely convinced of the following: 

*       The Jews are God's chosen people: "For thou (Israel) art an holy people unto the LORD thy God; the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto Himself, above all the peoples who are upon the face of the earth" (Deut. 7:6).

*       God used the Jewish people in a special way to give mankind the Bible. He used men such as Moses, David, Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Matthew, John, James, Peter, etc., to be His special penmen (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:21).

*       In fact, it was to the Jewish people that God gave His holy laws, His very will for mankind, which are a reflection of God's holy and absolute standards. All who disregard these laws will answer to God (Rev. 20:11-15).

*       Israel has divine rights to the land of Israel (Eretz Yisrael) because God Himself promised this land to Israel in the covenant which He made (cut) with Israel: "Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates" (Gen. 15:18). Because of this we should fully support the nation Israel in their rightful claim of the land of Israel as their homeland.
 
*       God has a wonderful future for the Jewish people (Rom. 11:25-26). This also involves the fulfillment of all of the kingdom promises found in the writings of the Hebrew prophets (such as found in Isa. 2:1-5; .9:6-7; .11:1-16; Jer. 23:5-8; all of chapter 31, etc.). I am convinced that the day is coming when Israel shall dwell safely in the land to enjoy a peace and prosperity such as the nation has never had. Indeed, according to the prophets, Jerusalem will be the capital of the world and Israel will be the pride of every nation (Mic. 4:1-2; Zech. 8:22-23).

*       The treatment of Israel by other nations, determines how Almighty God will deal with them (Mt. 25:31-46).  And in Genesis 12:1-3, we read:  

"Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:  and I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:  and I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed." 

THE MYSTERY OF PENTECOST

According to the Law, there are seven "Jewish Feasts," or "Feasts of the Lord" (Lev. 23:1-44).  The first three (Lev. 23:5-14 - Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits), were pictures of Christ "being the Gospel!"  According to the Apostle Paul, the definition of the Gospel involves Christ's Crucifixion, Christ's Burial, and Christ's Resurrection (1 Cor. 15:1-4).  And the Word of God says that Jesus is "our Passover Lamb" (Jn. 1:29; 1 Cor. 5:7), He is "Unleavened Bread" (Jn. 6:35; 1 Cor. 5:7), and the He is the "Firstfruits from the dead" (Jn. 11:25; 1 Cor. 15:20).  All three were fulfilled literally!

The last three "Feasts of the Lord,"(Lev. 23:23-44 - Trumpets, Atonement, and Tabernacles), are believed to be pictures of Christ gathering His people into the promised land for the seven-year Tribulation (Dan. 9:24-27), half way through the seven years, He opens their eyes, making them aware that He had already atoned for their sins (Dan. 9:27; Mt. 24:15; Rom. 11:25; Rev. 12:6; etc.), followed by His return to "tabernacle" with His people in His Millennial Kingdom (Rev. 20:1-15).  Since the events, these three "Feasts of the Lord" picture, have not happened yet, we cannot be dogmatic about their interpretation; however, we can be dogmatic about the fact that they will be fulfilled literally, as were the first three!

The middle "Feast of the Lord," Pentecost (Lev. 23:15-22), is unique in so many ways.  For one, it occurs between the first and second groups of three, and it has nothing to do with either of Christ's two Advents.  The Church began after Christ's Ascension (Acts 2:1), and it will end prior to Christ's Second Coming (Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Th. 4:13-18; etc.).  The first three occur in the first month of the Jewish Calendar (Nisan), and the last three occur in the seventh month (Tishri).  Pentecost, on the other hand, occurs fifty days following the "Feast of First Fruits," in the third month (Sivan).

The meaning of Pentecost has always been a mystery; it deals with the Church, itself a mystery, in that it is not mentioned in the Old Testament (Eph. 5:32).  In addition, it is the only "Feast of the Lord" that requires leaven in two loaves of bread (Lev. 23:17)!  This "Feast" represents the Church, which is composed of Messianic Jews and Christian Gentiles, both of whom continue to sin (leaven always represents sin in the Bible). 

Here's a thought:  is it possible that since the Church began on Pentecost, that the Rapture could occur on a Pentecost?  I am not saying it will, but it certainly could! 

CHRIST'S THREE ADVENTS

HIS FIRST ADVENT
It is obvious from the Word of God, that Jesus Christ's first appearance as the Anointed of God (Messiah) occurred approximately two thousand years ago in Bethlehem, also known as the City of David (Mic. 5:2; Mt. 2:1; Lk. 2:4). Israel had long awaited the promised King who would finally liberate them (Mt. 2:1-6; Acts 1:6). The first appearance of Christ resulted in His rejection by Israel, and He was crucified (Jn. 1:11). His Resurrection (Mt. 28:6; Mk. 16:6; Lk. 24:7; Jn. 20:16) and Ascension to heaven (Acts 1:9), bring us up to date; today, He is seated at the right hand of God, the Father (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 12:2).

HIS SECOND ADVENT
The second time Christ will come, He will not come as the "Lamb of God," or as the "Lion of the tribe of Judah." This time, He will come as the "Bridegroom" (Mt. 25:1-13; Rev. 19:7-9). No man knows the day nor the hour of His return for His bride; He will come with stealth, as a thief in the night (Mt. 24:36-46; 1 Th. 5:2; 2 Pet. 3:10). At His third advent (the Second Coming), He will actually come to reign on the earth (Isa. 24:23; 27:13), and His feet will split Mount Zion in half (Zech. 14:4). At His second advent, commonly called the Rapture, born-again believers, living and dead, will meet Him in the air (1 Thes. 4:13-18). At the Second Coming, every eye will see Him, but at the Rapture, only those who are caught up to meet Him in the air will see Him (Rev. 1:7; 1 Jn. 3:2). The Word says that the Rapture will happen "in the twinkling of an eye" (1 Cor. 15:52).

 

HIS THIRD ADVENT
The third advent of Christ is commonly known as His Second Coming. His first was to offer Himself as the "Lamb of God" to take away the sin of the world (Jn. 1:29, 36; 18:37; 1 Cor. 5:7). What believers call His Second Coming, will occur at the end of the seven year Tribulation, when He returns to destroy the armies of the antichrist, and establish His one thousand year kingdom, also known as the Millennium (Rev. 19:11-20:6). Based upon the Scriptures, His Second Coming is probably not His last, in that there will be a time when heaven and earth will be purified by fire (2 Pet. 3:7), followed by His ruling over the new heaven and new earth (Rev. 21:1). Instead of coming as the Lamb of God, at what most people call His Second Coming, He will be known as the "Lion of the tribe of Judah" (Rev. 5:5).

To the Christian, all three advents are important:

 

His first offered us salvation Jn. 1:12; 3:16).

His second will change us into His likeness (1 Th. 4:13-18; 1 Jn. 3:2).

His third, we will begin to rule and reign with Him (2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 20:6).

A PERFECT DESCRIPTION OF TODAY'S NEWS

AS IT WAS IN THE DAYS OF NOAH	AS IT WILL BE IN THE COMING OF CHRIST
In the days of Noah, men were very wicked.	In the days before Christ comes men will be very wicked.
In the days of Noah men made fun of Noah and did not believe that God would really send a flood.	In the days of Christ's return, men will mock the Bible, and will not believe that Christ is coming again.
In the days of Noah God waited 100 years for Noah to built the ark.	For the past 2000 years God has been waiting for men to accept Jesus Christ.
In the days before the flood Enoch was taken to heaven before God judged the world .	In the days before Christ returns to the earth believers will be taken to heaven before the world is judged.
In the days of Noah, when God judged the world, they were eating, drinking, and doing other normal things. Suddenly the flood came, and it was too late.	In the day when Christ comes to judge the world, they will be eating, drinking, and doing other normal things. Suddenly Christ will come, and then it will be too late!
In the days of Noah the righteous people, saved by grace, were left on the earth to multiply and repopulate the earth.	In the day when Christ returns the righteous people, saved by grace, will be left on the earth to multiply and repopulate the earth.
In the days of Noah the wicked people were taken away.  This means that they died in the flood.	In the day when Christ returns the wicked people will be taken away.  They will experience the second death.

DANIEL SEVEN: THE ANCIENT OF DAYS

The word, "ancient," appears 26 times in the Bible, all in the Old Testament.  Words associated with "ancient" are:  mountains, rivers, times, things, men, wisdom, landmark, the elderly, kings, cities, people, nation, paths, and high places.  In addition, the term is used with reference to our heavenly Father, three times, all in a single chapter of Daniel, Daniel 7:9-22: 

"I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of Days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head like the pure wool: His throne was like the fiery flame, and His wheels as burning fire.  A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him: thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. 

I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.  As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time. 

I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of Man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him.  And there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him:  His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. 

I, Daniel, was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.  I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things.  These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.  But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.  Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet; And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.  I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom."

 

From the creation to the culmination, the Ancient of Days is in control! 

DANIEL 9:24-27 - 483 / 2000 / 7 YEARS OR 2490 YEARS

One of the most important prophecies found in the book of Daniel is the "70 Weeks" prophecy found in Daniel 9:24-27. This is the only prophecy in the Old Testament which told WHEN Jesus Christ would come into the world. The Hebrew word "WEEK" refers to a period of seven. Usually we think of a week as being a period of seven days. But the week in Daniel chapter 9 is a week of seven years. This means that 70 weeks = 70 x 7 = 490 years. These 490 years represent the entire history of the Jewish nation until the time when Christ returns to earth. This chart may help:

 

From the commandment to restore and build Jerusalem (see Neh. 2:1-8) which was given about 444 B.C., to the coming of Messiah the Prince (Dan. 9:25)

7+62 = 69 WEEKS OR 483 YEARS

Jesus Christ was crucified for our sin!	The Messiah will be "cut off" (violent death) after these 483 years (Dan. 9:26). This happened about 30 A.D.
The Church Age, a mystery to the Jews, has lasted about 2000 years so far, and was not    revealed in any of the Old Testament books of prophecy.  The Church age is the period of time which is occurring between Daniel's 69th "week," and his 70th week.

Daniel’s 70th week is still in the future (see Dan. 9:27).This is sometimes called the Tribulation Period. These are the seven years before Christ returns to set up His kingdom.

HE WHO WINS SOULS IS WISE!

Romans Road of Scripture

 

I. Romans 3:10

As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one.          

           II. Romans 3:23            

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. 

         

III. Romans 5:8

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, 

while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

IV. Romans 5:12

        Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world,
       and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men,
for that all have sinned.

 

V. Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through
Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

 VI. Romans 10:9-11

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. 
For the Scripture saith,
whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed.

 

VII. Romans 10:13

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.