ARE YOU A CHILD OF GOD?

There are nine verses in the Bible that contain the phrase "the children of God.  They are:

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God" (Mt. 5:9).

"Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection" (Lk. 20:36).

"And not for that nation only, but that also He should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad" (Jn. 11:52).

"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God" (Rom. 8:16).

"Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God" (Rom. 8:21).

"...They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed" (Rom. 9:8).

"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.  For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ" (Gal. 3:26).

"In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother" (1 Jn. 3:10).

"By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep His Commandments" (1 Jn. 5:2).

What do these nine verses tell us about being a child of God?  We are to seek to make peace.  We will not experience death (the second death - Rev. 2:11; 20:6, 14; 21:8).  Both Jewish believers and Gentile believers will be gathered together to Him.  We have an inner assurance of our relationship with the Father.  Creation will be released from bondage into the liberty God's children have.  Our relationship to God is based upon our faith in God's promises.  We are children of God by faith in Jesus Christ.  We know we are God's child if we seek to do God's will, and if we love the brethren.  We know God's will because we know His Commandments.

"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"

(1 Jn. 3:2)!

THE MESSAGE OF THE BIBLE: 1 COR. 15:3-4

CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES

"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all" (Isa. 53:6).

"But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:8).

"For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Cor. 5:21).

"So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation" (Heb. 9:28).

GOD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES

"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..." (Acts 2:23-24).

"But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; And killed the Prince of life, Whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses" (Acts 3:14-15).

"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..." (Acts 4:10).

"Him God raised up the third day, and shewed Him openly; not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God..." (Acts 10:40-41).

"And when they had fulfilled all that was written of Him, they took Him down from the tree, and laid Him in a sepulchre.  But God raised Him from the dead" (Acts 13:29-30).

"And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:  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" (Acts 17:30-31).

THE GOSPEL IS "THE POWER OF GOD UNTO SALVATION" (Rom. 1:16)!

WHICH SPIRIT IS LEADING YOU?

There may be hundreds of examples in the Bible of what I want to share today, but these two examples clearly illustrate my concern for you, as you live your life of faith in Jesus Christ.  The first is from the first book of the Old Testament; it shows Adam and Eve were accountable for which authority they would trust:  their Creator, or Satan. 

"And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.  And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:  but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die" (Gen. 2:15-17).

"Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made.  And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?  And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:  but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.  And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:  for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.  And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.  And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons." (Gen. 3:1-7).

In the second, from the first book of the New Testament; we find Peter being inspired by Almighty God one minute, and literally moments later, being guilty of listening to the voice of the evil one!

"When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?  And they said, Some say that Thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.  He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?  And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.  And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My Father which is in heaven" (Mt. 16:13-17). 

"Then charged He His disciples that they should tell no man that He was Jesus the Christ.  From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto His disciples, how that He must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.  Then Peter took Him, and began to rebuke Him, saying, Be it far from Thee, Lord: this shall not be unto Thee.  But He turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind Me, Satan: thou art an offence unto Me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men" (Mt. 16:20-23).

From these two examples, we know that man has always had to decide to whom he should listen.  It is no different today.  Born again believers, however, are very blessed in that we have both the Old and the New Testaments as our resource to identify which voice it is that is trying to lead us!

Acts 17:11 -  Use the Scriptures to authenticate "every voice!"

THE HOLY RESTRAINER

"Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto Him, that you be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.  Remember not that when I was yet with you, I told you these things?  And now you know What withholds that he might be revealed in his time.  For the mystery of iniquity does already work: only He who now lets will let, until He be taken out of the way.  And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming:  even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved" (2 Th. 2:1-10).

Who is this Restrainer?  In verse six, He is described in neuter terms: "And now you know What withholds..." [lit., that which restrains].  In verse seven, He is described in masculine terms: "... only He who now lets (limits], will let until He be taken out of the way."

How can the Restrainer be both neuter and masculine?  This only makes good sense if the Restrainer be God the Holy Spirit.  He is masculine because He is the blessed third Person of the Triune Godhead.  He is neuter because the Greek word for "Spirit" (pneuma) is always neuter in gender. Thus the Bible sometimes describes the Holy Spirit in masculine terms (see Jn. 16:13-14; also notice how many times the pronoun "He" is used), and it sometimes describes the Holy Spirit in neuter terms (Rom. 8:16).

That which is restraining evil today, is the Holy Spirit, who is now dwelling in a unique and special way in the Church, which is Christ's Body (Eph. 2:22; 1 Cor. 3:16; Jn. 14:17). When the Church is removed by means of the Rapture, the indwelling Spirit of God will be taken out of the way. Just as He came on the Day of Pentecost, the birthday of the Church, to indwell God's children, He will "leave" with the Church when it is Raptured.  As God (Acts 5:3-5), He is omnipresent, but His presence will be as it was prior to the Dispensation of the Church Age, when His focus was on Israel.  Daniel's 70th week complete the prophecy concerning Israel (Dan. 9:24-27).

Therefore, the Church must be removed before the man of sin is revealed (Rev. 3:10).  The man of sin will be revealed when he makes a treaty with Israel (Dan. 9:27), and this will mark the beginning of Daniel's 70th week.

The Spirit in us will work through us 'til Jesus comes!

SALVATION CHANGES THINGS!

 

Separation From	Scripture Passage	Separation Unto
Who hath delivered us FROM the power of darkness	Colossians 1:13	and hath translated us INTO the kingdom of His dear Son
For God hath not called us unto uncleanness	1 Thessalonians 4:7	but UNTO holiness
Wherefore, come out FROM among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing	2 Corinthians 6:17-18	and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty
For I the LORD am holy, and have severed you FROM other people	Leviticus 20:26	that ye should be Mine
Let us cleanse ourselves FROM all filthiness of the flesh and spirit	2 Corinthians 7:1	perfecting holiness in the fear of God
Ye turned to God FROM idols	1 Thessalonians 1:9	to serve the living and true God
But is passed FROM death	John 5:24	UNTO life
He that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness	John 8:12	but shall have the light of life
Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin	Romans 6:11	but alive UNTO God through Jesus Christ our Lord
And be not conformed to this world	Romans 12:2	but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind
Even when we were dead in sins	Ephesians 2:5	hath made us alive together with Christ
But now in Christ Jesus ye who once were far off	Ephesians 2:13	are made near by the blood of Christ
And you, that were once alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works	Colossians 1:21-22	yet now hath He reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblamable and unreprovable in his sight.
That we, being dead to sins	1 Peter 2:24	should live UNTO righteousness
Unto Him that loved us, and washed us FROM our sins in His own blood	Revelation 1:5-6	and hath made us a kings and priests UNTO God and His Father

REVELATION CHAPTER TWENTY

And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.  And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.  And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the Word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.  But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished.  This is the first resurrection.  Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, and shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.  And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.  And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night forever and ever.
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.  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

GIVE JESUS YOURSELF FOR CHRISTMAS

Today, as Christians all around the world celebrate the Incarnation, God becoming flesh (Jn. 1-14; Phil. 2:5-8), I want to look at what the Word of God has to say about His eternal existence.  The word "eternal" only occurs twice in the Old Testament (Deut. 33:27; Isa. 60:13).  The first refers to the God of Israel, and the second, to the New Jerusalem, the everlasting city of God.

It is the New Testament that the word "eternal" occurs forty-five times, with just four referring to eternal damnation (Mk. 3:29; Heb. 6:2; 1 Jn. 3:15; Jude 1:7).  Forty-one refer to eternal life, with these sixteen specifically mentioning how our eternal life is connected to our faith in Jesus Christ.  They are:

*   "And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?  Jesus said unto him . . . follow Me" (Mt. 19:16, 21).
*   "And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?  And Jesus said unto him . . . follow Me" (Lk. 18:18-22).
*   "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" (Jn. 3:14-15).
*   "Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me" (Jn. 5:39).
*   "Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you.  Whoso eats My flesh, and drinks My blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day" (Jn. 6:53-54; comp. 1 Cor. 11:23-26).
*   "Then Simon Peter answered Him, Lord, to whom shall we go?  Thou hast the words of eternal life.  And we believe and are sure that Thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God" (Jn. 6:68-69).
*   "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me:  and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand" (Jn. 10:27-28).
*   "As thou hast given Him power over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as Thou hast given Him.  And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent" (Jn. 17:2-3).
*   "That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 5:21).
*   "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord"  (Rom. 6:23).
*   "Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory" (2 Tim. 2:10).
*   "But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you" (1 Pet. 5:10).
*   "But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you" (1 Jn. 5:11).
*   "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 . . ." (1 Jn. 5:13).
*   "And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life" (1 Jn. 5:20).
*   "Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life" (Jude 1:21).

The gift one should give Jesus on His "birthday" is oneself!

THE LAMB - THE LION - THE KING OF KINGS

BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD WAS BORN

"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.  And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.  And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.  And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem (because he was of the house and lineage of David), to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.  And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn" (Lk. 2:1-7).

 

HE DIED, HE WAS BURIED, HE ROSE FROM THE DEAD

"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: and that He was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:  after that, He was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.  After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles" (1 Cor. 15:1-7).

 

HE IS COMING BACK TO REMOVE HIS CHURCH

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also" (Jn. 14:1-3).  "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.  For this we say unto you by the Word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.  For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord" (1 Th. 4:13-17).

 

HE IS COMING BACK TO RULE AND REIGN FOREVER

"And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He doth judge and make war.  His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns; and He had a name written, that no man knew, but He Himself.  And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and His name is called The Word of God.  And the armies which were in heaven followed Him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.  And out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations: and He shall rule them with a rod of iron: and He treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.  And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS" (Rev. 19:11-16).

 

READY OR NOT - HE IS COMING AGAIN - TWICE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARE MOUNTAINS THE RESULT OF THE FALL?

I have no idea why I woke with a curiosity concerning the named mountains of the Bible, but here is an alphabetical list of them, edited from Willmington's Book of Bible Lists:

1. Ararat, where the ark of Noah landed in what is modern Turkey (Gen. 8:4).
2. Carmel, where Elijah challenged the priests of Baal (1 Kgs. 18:19).
3. Ebal, where the conditional curses of Israel were pronounced (Deut. 11:29; 27:9-13).
4. Gerizim, where the blessings of Israel were pronounced (Deut. 11:29; Jn. 4:20-21).
5. Gilboa, where Saul was defeated by the Philistines (1 Sam. 31:1-6).
6. Gilead, where Jacob and Laban made their covenant (Gen. 31:20-49).
7. Harmon, where Jesus was transfigured (Mt. 17:1).
8. Hor, where Aaron died (Num. 20:25-29).
9. Horeb, the sacred mountain chain of which Sinai was the summit -
    a. Here Moses received his commission at the burning bush (Ex. 3:1).
    b. Here he brought water out of the rock (Ex. 17:6).
    c. Here the people waited 40 days for Moses (Ex. 32 - 33).
    d. Here Elijah fled from Jezebel (1 Kgs. 19:8).
10. Lebanon, where the timber was cut for Solomon’s temple (1 Kgs. 5:6-14).
11. Moriah, the mount on which Jerusalem sits -
   a. Where Abraham offered Isaac (Gen. 22:2).
   b. Where Solomon built the temple (2 Chr. 3:1).
12. Nebo, where Moses viewed the Promised Land (Deut. 3:27; 34:1-4).
13. Olives, just east of Jerusalem -
    a. David crossed it during his flight from Absalom (2 Sam. 15:30).
    b. Where Jesus wept over Jerusalem (Lk. 19:41).
    c. Where Jesus preached His final discourse (Mt. 24 - 25).
14. Pisgah, located east of the Jordan River -
    a. Where Balaam attempted to curse Israel (Num. 22-24).
    b. Where Moses died in the land of Moab (Deut. 34:5-6).
15. Sinai, Where Moses received the Ten Commandments (Ex. 20:1-17).
16. Tabor, where Deborah and Barak descended to defeat Sisera (Jud. 4:6-15).

The first mountain mentioned in the Bible occurs during Moses' description of The Flood; he wrote:  "Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail; and the mountains were covered" (Gen. 7:20). This obviously was long after The Fall of Adam, when God placed a curse upon the ground (Gen. 3:17-19).  Were there mountains prior to that, or were they part of God's curse?  The first valley is not mentioned until after The Flood (Gen. 14:17).  The Psalmist appears to suggest that going backward in time, the mountains were formed, sometime after creation occurred (Ps. 90:2).  Isaiah 54:10 says that the mountains and hills will be removed, and in Revelation 16:20, they no longer exist.  Is it possible that before The Fall, there were no mountains?  We find that there is only one mountain mentioned on "The New Earth" (Rev. 21:10).

 

Mountains seem to represent lofty pride or obstacles (Mt. 4:8; 17:20)!         

 

    

TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY

 LET EVERYTHING BE DONE FOR GOD'S GLORY

*   "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shews His handiwork" (Ps. 19:1).
*   "It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter" (Pro. 25:2).
*   "When Jesus heard that, He said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby" (Jn. 11:4).
*   "Jesus said unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou would believe, thou should see the glory of God" (Jn. 11:40).
*   "But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God" (Acts 7:55).
*   "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23).
*   "By Whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God" (Rom. 5:2).
*   "Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God" (Rom. 15:7).
*   "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Cor. 10:31).
*   "For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man" (1 Cor. 11:7).
*   "For all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us" (2 Cor. 1:20).
*   "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (2 Cor. 4:6).
*   "For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God" (2 Cor. 4:15).
*   "And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Phil. 2:11).
*   "And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from His power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled" (Rev. 15:8).
*   "Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal" (Rev. 21:11).
*   "And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof" (Rev. 21:23).

AMEN!

TRUE BELIEVERS LOVE - RACISTS ARE OF THE DEVIL!

WE ALL HAVE ONE MOTHER

"And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living" (Gen. 3:20).

WE ALL HAVE ONE FAMILY

"And God spake unto Noah, saying, Go forth of the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons' wives with thee . . . and be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth" (Gen. 8:15-17).

 

WE ALL ARE OF ONE RACE - THE HUMAN RACE

"God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though He needed any thing, seeing He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth . . ." (Acts 17:24-26).


Racism and prejudice are evidence of hatred and a false sense of superiority.

Racism and prejudice are the opposite of the character of a born again believer.

Racism and prejudice expose those who are Christian in name only.

Born again believers love both God and mankind:

"Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in Him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.  He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.  He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.  But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes" (1 Jn. 2:8-11).

"We love Him, because He first loved us.  If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?  And this commandment have we from Him, That he who loveth God love his brother also" (1 Jn. 4:19-21)!

THEY KNEW WHOSE SON HE IS

Matthew 1:18-25 - The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream.

[18] Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as His mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.  [19] Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privately.  [20] But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.  [21] And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins.
[22] Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,  [23] Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
[24] Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:  [25] And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called His name JESUS.

Luke 1:26-38 - Gabriel was sent to Mary.

[26] And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,  [27] To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.  [28] And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.  [29] And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.  [30] And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God.  [31] And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call His name JESUS.  [32] He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David:  [33] And He shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end.
[34] Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?  [35] And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.  [36] And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.  [37] For with God nothing shall be impossible.
[38] And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

 

The real question is:  Do you know whose Son He is?

HE BECAME SIN THAT WE MIGHT BECOME RIGHTEOUS

"Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith" (Hab. 2:4).

"For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith" (Rom. 1:17).

"But that no man is justified by the Law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith" (Gal. 3:11).

"And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the Law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith" (Phil. 3:9).

"Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.  But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul" (Heb. 10:38-39).

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.  By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith" (Heb. 11:6-7).

"For what saith the Scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness" (Rom. 4:3-5).

"Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the Gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham" (Gal. 3:6-9).

"And the Scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God" (Jam. 2:23).

The Father made the sinless Jesus to be sin for us, 

so that we might be made the righteousness of God by faith in Him!

PLEASING GOD

There is one thing born again believers and the religious have in common:  both desire to please God.  The main difference between the two, is their motive for wanting to please Him.  Born again believers want to please Him because we know that He loves us (Jn. 3:16; Rom. 5:8; 1 Jn. 3:2; 4:7, 19; etc.)!  The religious want to please Him out of fear.  Notice the focus:  born again believers see God as our loving Father, while the religious see Him as a harsh, demanding Judge.

So, regardless of the group to which you belong, it is important to know what the Bible says pleases Him.  Here are just twelve of the things that have or will please God:

*   God was pleased with Enoch (Heb. 11:5).

*   God is pleased when He blesses Israel (Num. 24:1).

*   God is pleased that He chose Israel to be His people (1 Sam. 12:22).

*   God was pleased with Solomon's humble prayer (1 Kg. 3:10).

*   God was pleased with David's humility (Ps. 51:1-19).

*   God is pleased when we respect His Law (Isa. 42:21).

*   God is pleased with Jesus (Mt. 3:17; 12:18; 17:5; Col. 1:19; 2 Pet. 1:17; etc.).

*   God was pleased with Christ's obedience (Isa. 53:10).

*   God was pleased to call the Apostle Paul (Gal. 1:15-16).

*   God is pleased with the salvation offered in the Gospel (Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 1:21).

*   God is pleased when we are obedient, merciful, and humble (Mic. 6:7-8).

*   God is pleased with our praise, our good works, and our fellowship with one another (Heb. 13:15-16). 

 

I know you want to please God, but the important question is:  WHY?  

WHERE WILL YOU SPEND ETERNITY?

We read in Revelation 12:4 that the "dragon" (Satan - Rev. 12:9) causes one third of the heavenly host, the angels, to rebel against God and war against God's angels (Rev. 12:7).  Is it possible that the entire host of heaven were originally divided into three groups?  Is it possible that each group was led by one of the three named angels of heaven (Gabriel, Michael, and Satan)? 

*   Gabriel  means "man of God."  He appears to be one who carries messages.  He is an Archangel who appeared to Daniel as a man and gave him the meaning of a vision.  In the New Testament he appeared to Zechariah who was serving in the temple in order to announce the birth of John the Baptist.  Six months later he appeared to Mary--informing her that she would be the mother of Jesus.

• Daniel 8:16 - "And I heard the voice of a man between the banks of Ulai, and he called out and said, “Gabriel, give this man an understanding of the vision."
• Daniel 9:21 - "while I was still speaking in prayer, then the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision previously, came to me in my extreme weariness about the time of the evening offering."
• Luke 1:19 - "The angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news."
• Luke 1:26 - "Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth."

*   Michael means "who is like God."  He appears to be the one who does battle.  Michael battles against Satan and his angels.

• Daniel 10:13 - "But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia."
• Daniel 12:1 - "Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued."
• Jude 1:9 - "But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!"
• Revelation 12:7-8 - "And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels waged war, and they were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven."

*   Satan is the adversary of God and mankind.  He is the leader of the fallen angels, the devil who rebelled against God.  He's mentioned many times in the New Testament.

• Matt 4:10 - "Then Jesus said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.'"
• Mark 1:13 - "And He was in the wilderness forty days being tempted by Satan; and He was with the wild beasts, and the angels were ministering to Him."
• Luke 22:3 - "And Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, belonging to the number of the twelve."
• Rom. 16:20 - "The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you."
• 2 Cor. 11:14 - "No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light."
• Rev. 12:9 - "And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him."

When Jesus judges you, will you hear:  "Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world" (Mt. 25:34)!  Or will you hear:  "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels" (Mt. 25:41)!

JOHN'S FOCUS ON THE ETERNAL

"That whosoever believeth in Him (Jesus - Jn. 1:12; 3:16; Rom. 3:26) should not perish, but have eternal life" (Jn.3:15).

"And he that reapeth receiveth wages (rewards - 1 Cor. 3:8-15), and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both He that soweth (Jesus - Mt. 13:37) and he that reapeth (His disciples - us - Mt. 9:38-10:5) may rejoice together" (Jn. 4:36).

"Search the Scriptures (Lk. 24:25-27); for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me" (Jn. 5:39).

"Whoso eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, hath eternal life (The Lord's Supper - 1 Cor. 11:23-26); and I will raise him up at the last day" (Jn. 6:54).

"Then Simon Peter answered Him, Lord, to whom shall we go?  Thou hast the words (Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 15:3-4) of eternal life" (Jn. 6:68).

"And I (Jesus - Jn. 10:27) give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish (Rom. 8:35-39), neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand" (Jn. 10:28).

"He that loveth his life shall lose it (Jn. 11:25; 1 Cor. 15:36; Gal. 2:20); and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal" (Jn. 12:25).

"As Thou hast given him power over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as Thou hast given Him.  And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent" (Jn. 17:2-3).

And who is the One sent from Almighty God?

It is Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God!

"You believe in God; believe also in Me" (Jn. 14:1)!

JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!

"Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen" (1 Tim. 1:17).

"Thou madest Him a little lower than the angels; Thou crownedst Him with glory and honor, and didst set Him over the works of Thy hands" (Heb. 2:7).

"But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man" (Heb. 2:9).

"That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ" (1 Pet. 1:7).

"For He received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to Him from the excellent glory, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (2 Pet. 1:17).

"And when those beasts give glory and honor and thanks to Him that sat on the throne, who liveth forever and ever" (Rev. 4:9).

"Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power:  for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created" (Rev. 4:11).

"Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing" (Rev. 5:12).

"And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever" (Rev. 5:13).

"And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honor, and power, unto the Lord our God" (Rev. 19:1).

"And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it" (Rev. 21:24).

"And they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations into it" (Rev. 21:26).

A better "twelve days of Christmas!"

FAILURE TO BELIEVE IS THE SAME AS DENYING HIM

The Apostle John contributed five "books" of the twenty-seven in our New Testament.  His Gospel begins by declaring Jesus Christ is not only God, but that He is also the Creator; he wrote, "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" (Jn. 1:1-3).  The Apostle Paul, and the writer of the Book of Hebrews, also declared Jesus created all that exists in the Universe (1 Cor. 8:6; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:1-2; etc.)!

How can that be?  Everyone who believes in Jesus, knows He was born about 2000 years ago in the tiny village of Bethlehem, right (Mic. 5:2; Mt. 2:1; etc.)?!  Yes, that is absolutely correct.  However, Jesus existed long before He came as a human being.  He was God in Genesis 1:1, and He was one of the persons included in the words "Us" and "Our" in Genesis 1:26.  Jesus is eternal, and He chose to become a human being: 

"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).

Jesus is the Second Person of the Triune Godhead (Mt. 28:19; Acts 17:29; Rom. 1:20; Col. 2:9)!  Paul wrote:  "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory" (1 Tim. 3:16)!

John calls Jesus the Son of God eighteen times (Jn. 1:34, 49; 3:18; 5:25; 9:35; 10:36; 11:4, 27; 19:7; 20:31; 1 Jn. 3:8; 4:15; 5:5, 10, 12, 13, 20; Rev. 2:18)!  In addition, He is called the Son of God by other authors of New Testament books:  Luke (Acts 8:37; 9:20); Paul (Rom. 1:4; 2 Cor. 1:19; Gal. 2:20; Eph. 4:13); and the writer of Hebrews (Heb. 4:14; 6:6; 7:3; 10:29)!

As we see the many manifold signs unfolding, warnings of the Tribulation followed by the Second Coming of Christ, we seem to be fixated on identifying the son of perdition, the antichrist.  John wrote that even during his lifetime, there were already antichrists (1 Jn. 2:18).  They still exist.  And the key to identifying them is in the fact that they deny Jesus Christ came in the flesh (1 Jn. 1:22; 4:3; 2 Jn. 1:7)!  In so doing, they deny the very Gospel that can save them (Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 15:1-4)!

 

Denying Jesus is God manifest in the flesh is unpardonable!

CAN I GET A TESTAMONY?

There has always been a cost involved in "confessing" that Jesus is the Messiah:  "for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that He was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue" (Jn. 9:22).  "Confess," as it is used here, is best defined as a word meaning the opposite of the word "deny" (see Jn. 1:20; 1 Jn. 2:22-23).  May we never be ashamed to acknowledge Jesus who unashamedly died for our sin (2 Tim. 1:8; Rom. 1:16; 1 Pet. 4:16)!

"Let the redeemed of the LORD say so" (Ps. 107:2).  How can we who have been redeemed, not proudly speak of our Redeemer?  He is not ashamed to call us His brethren (Heb. 2:11).  May we not be ashamed to call Him our God and Savior.  If we confess Him before men, He will confess us before His Father in heaven (Mt. 10:32).  As I enjoy a saving relationship to Christ, I am able to say to others: "I want you to know that Jesus Christ is my Savior."  My Savior, in turn, will say to the Father, "This person belongs to Me.  He is Mine!"  On the contrary, if we deny Christ before men, He will deny us before the Father, saying "This person does not belong to Me.  I never knew him."  How tragic!

"He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels" (Rev. 3:5).  The person who truly believes on Christ "shall not be ashamed" (Rom. 10:11).

Have you publicly confessed Christ and acknowledged that He is your Lord and Savior?  Have you shared this with your friends and loved ones?  Do they know that you are a believer in Christ?  What about the people with whom you work or go to school?  Do they know about your relationship to Christ and what He means to you?  Have you ever confessed Christ in the services of a Christ-honoring church?  This can be done at the Pastor's invitation, or at a time when prayer requests are taken, and especially at a time when testimonies are given.  And, a very clear and concise confession of faith in Christ, is publicly declared when one is baptized.

"We must not be ashamed to let all men see that we believe in Christ and serve Christ and love Christ and care more for the praise of Christ than for the praise of man. The duty of confessing Christ is incumbent on all Christians in every age of the church. Let us never forget that. It is not for martyrs only, but for all believers in every rank of life. It is not for great occasions only, but for our daily walk through an evil world. The rich man among the rich, the labourer among labourers, the young among the young, the servant among servants – each and all must be prepared, if they are true Christians, to confess their Master. It needs no blowing a trumpet. It requires no noisy boasting. It needs nothing more than using the daily opportunity. But one thing is certain – if a man loves Jesus, he ought not to be ashamed to let people know it...Whether we like it or not, whether it be hard or easy, our course is perfectly clear. In one way or another Christ must be confessed."  (J. C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels)

"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" (Rom. 10:9-11).

BY HIS GRACE, WE SHALL BE LIKE JESUS

"And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid" (Lk. 2:9).

"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord" (2 Cor. 3:18).

"As for me, I will behold Thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness" (Ps. 17:15).

"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:  and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together.... For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.  Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified " (Rom. 8:16-17, 29-30).

"And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.  Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.  Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality" (1 Cor. 15:49-53).

"For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:  Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself" (Phil. 3:20-21).

"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not.  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.  And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He is pure" (1 Jn. 3:1-3).

THE GOSPEL OF JOHN: BELIEVE IN JESUS

"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" (Jn. 1:12).

"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).

"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).

"But this spake He of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified" (Jn. 7:39).

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

"And I knew that Thou hearest Me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that Thou hast sent Me" (Jn. 11:42).

"Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am" (Jn. 13:19).

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

"Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me: or else believe Me for the very works' sake" (Jn. 14:11).

"And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe" (Jn. 14:29).

"Now are we sure that Thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask Thee: by this we believe that Thou camest forth from God" (Jn. 16:30).

"Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their Word; that they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us: that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me" (Jn. 17:20-21).

"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. 20:21).

NAME DROPPING

The Bible is replete with the names of individuals, most of whom, appear once, and then they are never mentioned again.  For example, Matthias comes to mind in Acts 1:16-26.  Peter, being Peter, decided to have a "church business meeting" instead of waiting for the Holy Spirit, as Jesus had told him to do (Acts 1:1-5).  Matthias is never heard from again, but in Acts 9:1-16, we read about the replacement for Judas, "hand picked" by Jesus:  Saul of Tarsus (the Apostle Paul - see the first verse of nine of his epistles).  Even when man refuses to wait, God's plans cannot be thwarted!

Another interesting case of "name dropping" is found in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1:1-16.  In his Gospel, generally accepted to have been written to a Jewish audience due to its repeated emphasis on Old Testament prophecies being fulfilled by Jesus, there are five persons one would not expect to be included in a Jewish genealogy; there are five women mentioned!  They are:  Thamar (Tamar - v. 3); Rachab (Rahab - v. 5); Ruth (v. 5); the wife of Urias (Bathsheba - v. 6); and Mary (v. 16)!  One was a prostitute, one played the harlot, one was taken in adultery, one was a Gentile, and finally, there was Mary, a woman who was pregnant before she shared a bed with her husband!  Of course, when one looks as the stories of each of these women, he sees that they were all being used of God in His plan to provide a Savior. 

In the Book of Hebrews, there is a chapter which is called the "Hall of Faith."  Chapter eleven lists a few of the heroes of faith by name (Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, and, would you believe it, Rahab again?)!  Then the writer says he does not have time to discuss Gideon, Barak, Sampson, Jephthae, David, or Samuel!  Can you imagine?  He mentions Rahab, but does not have time for those greats of the Bible?!  What does that tell you?  "God is no respecter of persons" (Deut. 10:17; 2 Chron. 19:7; Acts 10:34; Rom. 2:11; Gal. 2:6; Eph. 6:9; Col. 3:11; 1 Pet. 1:17)!

Nothing could be clearer throughout God's Word.  He loves the whole of humanity (Jn. 3:16; Rom. 5:8; 1 Jn. 2:2; etc.).  And nothing declares it more than His offer of salvation to "whomsoever!"  Romans 10:9-13 says:

"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.  For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him.  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

ELIJAH AND ENOCH

According to Daniel 9:24-27, God determined that the nation of Israel would experience seventy "weeks" of time before their Messiah would come to establish His everlasting kingdom.  We know from the way the prophecy is worded, that the "weeks" are, in reality, periods of seven years.  First of all, from the command to rebuild, until the coming of the Messiah would be sixty-two and seven "weeks":  historically, we know that from the command, until Jesus was Crucified was 483 years.  In addition, we know this because God's Word describes the last of the "weeks," the seventieth, in three different ways so that there could be no mistaking what He meant. 

Daniel and Matthew clearly reveal that the "seventieth week" will be divided into two halves (Dan. 9:27; Mt. 24:15).  This can also be seen in the Book of Revelation; the Tribulation "week," chapters 6-18, is divided by the events of chapters 11-13; the revealing of the true identity of the Antichrist.  The last "week" then, is to be two halves of 1,260 days (Dan. 7:25; 12:7; Rev. 11:3; 12:6); 42 months of 30 days each (Rev. 11:2; 13:5); and Daniel calls it "a time, times, and a half" ("a time" equaling one year of 360 days - Dan. 12:7).

The Antichrist (can mean both "opposed to Christ," or "trying to take the place of Christ") will fool the entire world.  He will bring peace to the Middle-East, by confirming a seven-year peace agreement between Israel and their enemies (Dan. 8:25; 9:27; 11:21, 24).  However, there will be two men who will vehemently oppose this great deceiver.  They are called the "two witnesses" (Rev. 11:2-12).  From the very beginning, they will proclaim the truth of the Gospel, and demand men to repent before the coming of the Lord; they will drive the world nuts!  After three and a half years of them destroying those who would hurt them (v. 5); and their stopping the rain for that same period, them turning water to blood, and their bringing plagues upon the whole earth (v. 6); they will be killed (v. 7).  The whole earth (I believe that includes Israel) will have a three-day "party" because they no longer had to listen to them preach (v. 8-10).  I believe that when they are brought back to life, and the Lord takes them up into heaven, and that is when the Antichrist, who is miraculously healed of a mortal head wound, is indwelt by Satan, who then declares himself to be God, and the eyes of Israel are opened (Dan. 9:27; Mt. 24:15; Rom. 11:25; Rev. 13:1-18).

The identity of the two witnesses has to be Elijah, who must return before the Second Coming of Christ (Mal. 4:5; Mt. 11:14; Lk. 1:17; etc.), and Enoch, because they did not die, and the Word says ALL men must die (Heb. 9:27)!  After all, Enoch was the prophet who said, "..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).   

    

GOD'S GOSPEL + OUR FAITH = SALVATION

In Romans 1: 16, 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."  Then, in 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, he declared the Gospel which he preached:

"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:  and that He was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:  after that, He was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.  After that, He was seen of James; then of all the apostles.  And last of all He was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time."

It is both simple and clear; a child can understand it.  We are sinners.  Jesus died for our sins.  But after He was buried, God raised Him from the dead.  Hundreds were witnesses that they saw Jesus alive.  And according to Acts 1:1-9, Luke stated that Jesus instructed His Apostles over the next forty days, after which, He was taken up into heaven.  In Acts 1:10-11, two "men in white" informed them that Jesus would return the same way He left - through the clouds.  That prophecy tells of Christ's Second Coming, a future event described in Revelation 19:11-21 (see also:  Dan. 7:13; Zech. 14:5).

So, how about it?  Do you believe that God sent His only begotten Son to die for your sins?  Do you believe that His Father, accepted His death as payment for your sins?  Do you believe that the same God who loved you that much, deserves to be praised and obeyed?  Do you believe that you would be totally selfish to keep this good news from others?  Do you believe?  Do you?

If you do, the Bible says you are a child of God!  John 1:11-13 says:  "(Jesus) came unto His own (the Jews), 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."

A child of God wants to live a life pleasing to God!

A child of God wants to tell others about the Gospel which can save them!

A child of God looks forward to the Second Coming of Jesus, the Lord!

WHO IS JESUS?

I would like to make a few observations from the first chapter of the Book of Hebrews.  The following is closely based upon the passage, as it is presented in the New Living Translation.

Long ago, God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets.  And now in these final days, He has spoken to us through His Son. 

God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son, He created the entire universe. 

The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses His very character.  He sustains everything by the mighty power of His command.  When He had cleansed us from our sins, He sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of His Father, our God in heaven.  This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave Him is greater than their names. 

For God never said to the angels, what He said to Jesus:  “You are My Son.  Today I have become Your Father.”  God also said, “I will be His Father, and He will be My Son.”  And when He brought His only begotten Son into the world, God said, “Let all of the angels worship Him.” 

As regarding the angels, “He sends His angels like the winds, His servants like flames of fire.”  But to the Son, He says, “Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever.  You rule with a scepter of justice.  You love justice and hate evil.  Therefore, O God, Your God has anointed You, pouring out the oil of joy on You more than on anyone else.”  He also says to the Son, “In the beginning, Lord, You laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with Your hands.  They will perish, but You remain forever.  They will wear out like old clothing.  You will fold them up like a cloak and discard them like old clothing.  But You are always the same; You will live forever.”

 

And God never said to any of the angels, “Sit in the place of honor at My right hand until I humble Your enemies, making them a footstool under Your feet.”  Therefore, angels are only servants; they are spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.

 

This passage presents Jesus as God, the Son of God, the Creator, the Lord, the Savior, and the soon-coming King.  To the Jehovah's Witness, Jesus is God!  To the Mormons, Jesus, as God, became man, and not the other way around!  To the Masons, Jesus is the ONLY Son of God, and God is not named Beelzebub!  To the Roman Catholics, Jesus FINISHED all the works necessary for the salvation of those who place their trust in Him! 

 

Knowing Jesus requires knowing what God's Word says about Him.
If your Church, organization, or personal opinion does not match,

You are worshipping a false Jesus! 

FIRST JOHN FIVE

Whosoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loves Him that begat loves Him also that is begotten of Him.  By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep His Commandments.  For this is the love of God, that we keep His Commandments: and His Commandments are not grievous. 

For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.  Who is he that overcomes the world, but he that believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
This is He that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. 

And it is the Spirit that bears witness, because the Spirit is truth.  For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.  And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.  If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son.  He that believes on the Son of God has the witness in himself: he that believes not God has made Him a liar; because he believes not the record that God gave of His Son.  And this is the record, that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.  He that has the Son has life; and he that has not the Son of God has not life.
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.  And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, he hears us:  and if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.
If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death.  There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.  All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.  We know that whosoever is born of God sins not; but he that is begotten of God keeps himself, and that wicked one touches him not.  And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in wickedness.  And we know that the Son of God is come, and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ.  This is the true God, and eternal life.  Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

YOU CANNOT PAY FOR THAT WHICH IS FREE

Perhaps the most horrible words which will ever be spoken are:  "...I never knew you: depart from Me...." (Mt. 7:23).  These words, given as a warning by Jesus, are even more terrifying when one looks at their context!  He was talking to a hopeful crowd that was looking for their Messiah, their Christ, their earthly King and Liberator from a continuing stream of Gentile empires.  The self-righteous of the group, wanting to find favor with Jesus, called Him Lord, and told Him of their religious activities.  They said they had represented Him as His prophets, they had cast out demons, and had even worked many miracles (v. 22).  They believed their works were their "ticket to get onboard."  His ego-shattering response to their prideful attempt to be included in His kingdom, as recorded in Matthew 7:21-23, says, 

"Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does 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."  [The will of His Father was that man place their faith and trust in His only begotten Son, Jesus (Jn. 1:12; 3:16; 6:29)!] 

Just a few verses earlier, as He was coming to the end of His "Sermon on the Mount" (Mt. 5-7), He explained how a person can enter His kingdom.  He said:  "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it" (Mt. 7:13-14).  And yet, instead of asking Jesus what He meant by this, they immediately started bragging about their worthiness to be included in His kingdom.

Not much has changed since then.  Man prefers to try to earn his right to eternal life in heaven.  He has gone to great extremes to do so, creating a multitude of religions to serve as vehicles to get them to their desired destination.  Unfortunately, as can be seen by this passage, religious works are called works of iniquity, they are works of pride, and therefore, even their "good works" are sin!

The Apostle Paul explained that God has offered man free access to God's kingdom, by faith in Christ's death, burial, and resurrection; it is a gift!  He wrote, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  not of works, lest any man should boast" (Eph. 2:8-9).

If you are born again, you know that all the credit belongs to God!

WHY WAIT - JOIN IN TODAY!

Yesterday, I identified the true Jesus, the Jesus of the Bible.  He is Creator, Savior, King of kings, and Lord of lords.  In an earlier post, I shared seven people who worshipped Jesus during His life, as revealed in the Gospel of Matthew:  the Magi, the leper, a Jewish leader, those on a sinking ship, a concerned mother, and finally, the Apostle Thomas (Mt. 2:11; 8:2; 9:18; 14:33; 15:25; and 28:17). 

Today, I want to focus upon the worship Jesus gets in heaven, while He awaits the Father to send Him back to rule in His earthly kingdom (Rev. 20:1-7).  On three occasions in Revelation, Jesus is worshipped by "the four and twenty elders" (7:11; 11:16; 19:4).  Most Bible students believer these elders are the patriarchal heads of the twelve tribes of Israel, and the twelve apostles, but the Word does not specify exactly who they are.  There may be a hint to their identity, point to "the twelve gates and the twelve foundations" of the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:12, 14). 

Today, we can join in with those elders and the angels in heaven, by worshipping Jesus during this life.  Picture yourself in His presence, and "join in": 

"And when He had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints.  And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou was slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.  And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.  And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.  And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped Him that lives for ever and ever" (Rev. 5:8-14)!

WHO IS THIS JESUS TO YOU?

With Mormons teaching that Jesus was the human brother of Satan, and that He has been "promoted" to deity, just as His Father was long ago, it is difficult for them to explain that Jesus created the very world in which He originated, the world where He became a being, a human child (Jn. 1:1-3; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:1-2; etc.).  That's right:  Mormon doctrine teaches that Jesus' Father, Almighty God, was once a man.  The saying goes something like, "As we are, God once was; as God is, we shall be."

Muslims are taught that Jesus was not born of a virgin, He was not the Son of God (for their "holy book" says Allah, their God, has no son), that He died for His own sins, and will one day return to serve as an "enforcer" for the Mahdi, Islam's "messiah."

To most of the rest of humanity, at least to those who are willing to believe a man named Jesus once lived, He is compared with other great teachers such as Buddha, Confucius, Gandhi, and even Martin Luther King, Jr.!  Just a very wise, benevolent, peace-loving teacher.

But to born again believers, Jesus is God (Jn. 1:1, 14; Ti. 2:13; Heb. 1:8; Jn. 20:28; etc.)!  And as God, those who believe He died for their sin, that He was buried, and that the Father raised Him from the grave, also believe that He was raised to be their Lord (1 Cor. 15:3-4; Rom. 10:9-13; etc.)!  He is to be obeyed out of gratitude for all that He has done for us (1 Jn. 4:19 - "We love Him because He first loved us!").

Jesus is called the "Son of God" forty-four times in the Scriptures.  The Father refers to Jesus as "My Son" in Matthew 3:17; 17:5; Mark 1:11; 9:7; Luke 3:22; 20:13; and in First Peter 1:17!  He is called "Lord" hundreds of times!  Psalm 110:1; Matthew 22:44; Luke 20:22; and Acts 2:34 all quote this:  "The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at My right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool."

Those who believe in Jesus, believe they owe Him everything!

THE WORD STATES ALL DIE

First Corinthians 15:20-29; 35-55

[20] But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.  [21] For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.  [22] For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.  [23] But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at His coming.  [24] Then cometh the end, when He shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.  [25] For He must reign, till He hath put all enemies under His feet.  [26] The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.  [27] For He hath put all things under His feet. But when He saith, all things are put under Him, it is manifest that He is excepted, which did put all things under Him.  [28] And when all things shall be subdued unto Him, then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him that put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.
[29] Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?

[35] But some man will say, How are the dead raised up?  And with what body do they come?  [36] Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:  [37] And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:  [38] But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased Him, and to every seed his own body.  [39] All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.  [40] There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.  [41] There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.  [42] So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:  [43] It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:  [44] It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
[45] And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.  [46] Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.  [47] The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second Man is the Lord from heaven.  [48] As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.  [49] And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
[50] Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.  [51] Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,  [52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.  [53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 

[54] So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. [55] O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

ALL human beings will die (1 Cor. 15:22)!

ALL are appointed unto death (Heb. 9:27)!

AFTER the Millennium, death will be destroyed (Rev. 20:14)!