THE BELIEVER'S PRIORITY

When a born again believer shares his faith with an unbeliever (atheist, agnostic, or member of a religion rather than one who trusts solely in Jesus), we so often forget why we are witnessing to them.  We care about them, and their eternal destiny.  We are over-joyed with our relationship with Him and desire to share Him with others.  We feel obligated to work for Him.  All those are good reasons, but they pale in comparison to the most important reason:  in doing so, we glorify God!

"I am the LORD: that is MY NAME: and MY GLORY will I not give to another, neither MY PRAISE to graven images….Let them give GLORY unto the LORD, and declare HIS PRAISE in the islands" (Isa. 42:8, 12).

"But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and HE that formed thee, 0 Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art MINE…. Even every one that is called by MY NAME: for I have created him for MY GLORY, I have formed him; yea, I have made him" (Isa. 43:1, 7).

"Ye are My witnesses, saith the LORD, and MY servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe ME, and understand that I am HE: before ME there was no God formed, neither shall there be after ME. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside ME there is no Savior. I have declared, and have saved, and I have showed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are MY witnesses, saith the LORD, THAT I AM GOD" (Isa. 43:10-12).

"This people have I formed FOR MYSELF; they shall show forth MY PRAISE" (Isa. 43:21).

"For MINE OWN SAKE, even for MINE OWN SAKE, will I do it: for how should MY NAME be polluted? and I will not give MY GLORY unto another" (Isa. 48:11).

Why am I here? What is the purpose of my existence? Why did I wake up this morning to face another day? Why did God save me? When He saved me, why didn't He take me immediately to Heaven to be with Himself? Why did God leave me here upon the earth for a time? For what purpose did God create me and for what purpose did God save me?  To proclaim HIS GLORY!

"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).

JESUS DIED ON PASSOVER

The Feasts of the Lord were special Sabbaths, Holy Convocations, on which no work was to be done.  The day prior, therefore, was known as the Day of Preparation, when all the work necessary to celebrate the Feast was done.  Jesus died on Passover; it was the day the Passover Lamb was to be slain and prepared for the meal that would be consumed after sunset, the beginning of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.  Compare these verses, especially the last one!

"And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be Holy Convocations, even these are My feasts.  Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of rest, an Holy Convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the Sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings.  These are the feasts of the LORD, even Holy Convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons.  In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD's Passover" (Lev. 23:1-5).

"Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate" (Mt. 27:62).

"And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath" (Mk. 15:42).

"And that day was the preparation, and the Sabbath drew on" (Lk. 23:54).

"Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the Passover" (Jn. 18:28).

"And it was the preparation of the Passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King" (Jn. 19:14)!

"The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the Sabbath day, for that Sabbath day was an high day, besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away" (Jn. 19:31).

"There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand" (Jn. 19:42).

"Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened.  For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us" (1 Cor. 5:7).

GOD COMPLETES WHAT HE HAS STARTED

Moses wrote:  "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.  And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.  And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.  And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness" (Gen. 1:1-4).

John 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.  In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.  And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not" (Jn. 1:1-5).

The writer of Hebrews wrote:  "...let all the angels of God worship Him.  And of the angels He saith, Who maketh His angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire.  But unto the Son He saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of Thy kingdom.  Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even Thy God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above Thy fellows.  And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of Thine hands" (Heb. 1:6-10).

The vision of John:  "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.  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.  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last" (Rev. 1:8; 21:6; 22:13).

Two disheartened disciples told Jesus:  "And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and have crucified Him.  But we trusted that it had been He which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.  Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; and when they found not His body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that He was alive.  And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said:  but Him they saw not.  Then He said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:  Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into His glory?  And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself" (Lk. 24:20-27).

SALVATION IS OFFERED TO ALL PEOPLE

"I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles" (Isa. 42:6).

"And He said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be My servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be My salvation unto the end of the earth" (Isa. 49:6).

"And the Gentiles shall come to Thy light, and kings to the brightness of Thy rising" (Isa. 60:3).

"For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same My name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto My name, and a pure offering: for My name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts" (Mal. 1:11).

"Behold My Servant, whom I have chosen; My Beloved, in whom My soul is well pleased: I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.  And in His name shall the Gentiles trust" (Mt. 12:18, 21).

"For mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel" (Lk. 2:30-32).

"But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel" (Acts 9:15).

"For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth" (Acts 13:47).

"Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it" (Acts 28:28).

 

JESUS' DEATH, BURIAL, AND RESURRECTION WAS FOR ALL OF US!

THE PARABLES OF JESUS

Anyone who has been to church, or who has read the Gospels of the New Testament, has encountered the word "parable," where it appears in 32 verses.  All 32 refer to the teachings of Jesus.  According to Webster's New World Dictionary, a parable is "an allegorical relation, a comparison, an analogy; a short, simple story usually of an occurrence of a familiar kind, from which a moral or religious lesson can be learned."  I have heard many preachers describe parables as "an earthly story having a heavenly meaning." 

The problem with these definitions is that they do not explain why Jesus often taught in parables.  They give the impression Jesus wanted to simplify complex truths so that His audience could comprehend what He was saying.  In part, that is correct; He did want some of His listeners to understand, but He also wanted the greater part of His listeners to "remain in the dark."  Jesus explained this to His disciples:

"And the disciples came, and said unto Him, Why speakest Thou unto them in parables?  He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.  For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.  Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.  And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:  for this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.  But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.  For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them" (Mt. 13:10-17).

The word "parable" appears in 49 verses in the King James Bible.  Surprising to me, 17 of them are found in the Old Testament [Num. (7x); Job (2x); Ps. (2x); Pro. (2x); Ezra (2x); Mic. (1x); and Hab. (1x)].  The Hebrew word is מָשָׁל (mashal), which is also translated "proverb" (19x); "byword" (1x); and "like" (1x).  Of the 17 Old Testament appearances, only four actually use the word in the same sense as it is used in the New Testament (Ps. 49:4; 78:2; Ezek. 17:2; 24:3); there, it is a teaching about spiritual truths using common, everyday parallels. 

The word "parable" appears in just four books of the New Testament:  Matthew (9x), Mark (6x), Luke (16x), and John (1x).  There, the Greek word is παραβολή (parabolē) in the Synoptic Gospels, and παροιμία (paroimia) in John's Gospel.  While παροιμία (paroimia) is translated "proverb" in John 16:25, 29, and in 2 Peter 2:22, only in 2 Peter does the word actually mean a proverb.  John's three uses of the word should have all been translated "parable."

I believe the reason there are no parables in the rest of the New Testament, is because Jesus had already died for the sins of the world; He had already been buried in a borrowed tomb; He had risen from the grave, just as the Scriptures had said He would; so now, the "mystery" has been revealed.  God commands His children to proclaim the Gospel, the truth, the whole truth, about Jesus Christ, our Creator, our Savior, and our soon-coming Lord!

I am so glad the Holy Spirit has enabled me to know Jesus!

THEY KNEW JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD

"Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped Him, saying, Of a truth Thou art the Son of God."  Mt. 14:33

"Now when the Centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God."  Mt. 27:54

Mark wrote, "The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God."  Mk. 1:1

"And unclean spirits, when they saw Him, fell down before Him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God."  Mk. 3:11

"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 (One) which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God."  Lk. 1:35

"And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And He rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that He was Christ."  Lk. 4:41

John the Baptist said, "And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God."  Jn. 1:34

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

"Say ye of Him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I (Jesus) said, I am the Son of God?"  Jn. 10:36

"She (Martha) 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

John wrote, "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. 20:31

"And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he (the Ethiopian eunuch) answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."  Acts 8:37

"And straightway he (Paul) preached Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God."  Acts 9:20

"And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, (and) by the resurrection from the dead."  Rom. 1:4

The writer of Hebrews wrote, "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession."  Heb. 4:14

"

IN ADAM, ALL DIE!

I have received a great deal of response to my blog on the Rapture being both a death and a resurrection.  Unfortunately, not all of it has been civil.  It seems that many minds (an hearts) are opposed to any discussion of Bible doctrines that they have determined to be "off limits."  Oddly, they seem okay with discussing the Rapture with those who are Pre-Tribulation Rapturists, Post-Tribulation Rapturists, Mid-Tribulation Rapturists, and even No-Rapturists, but I have somehow stepped over the line.  Nevertheless, I will try, once again, to show why I believe the Rapture is a combination of a death and a resurrection.

"But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first-fruits of them that slept.  For since by man (Adam) came death, by man (Jesus) came also the resurrection of the dead.  For as in Adam ALL DIE, even so in Christ shall ALL be made alive (one cannot be "made alive" unless one was not alive).  But every man in his own order: Christ the first-fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at His coming" (1 Cor. 15:20-23).

"But some man will say, How are the dead raised up?  And with what body do they come?  Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:  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:  but God giveth it a body as it hath pleased Him, and to every seed his own body....So also is the resurrection of the dead.  It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:  it is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:  it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body.  There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body" (1 Cor. 15:35-38; 42-44).

Some suggested that my quoting Hebrews 9:27 as being all-encompassing, is wrong.  They pointed out that some died more than once (Jairus' daughter; the widow's son; Lazarus; etc.).  However, they only died once and are remained dead.  Perhaps we should understand "it is appointed unto men once to die" as "all men die at least once."  Then too, some pointed out that Enoch and Elijah did not die.  To that, my response is that in order for the teaching that ALL DIE to be true, the "two witnesses" of Revelation 11:3-12 are Enoch and Elijah.  We know the Jews still believe that Elijah will return, and they set a place for him at table every Passover (Mal. 4:5; Mt. 11:14).

One's salvation is not determined by any of this.  Salvation is by believing that Jesus died for our sins according to the Scriptures; that He was buried; and that He was raised from the dead as King of kings and Lord of lords (Rom. 10:9-10; 1 Cor. 15:1-4; Eph. 2:8-9)!

THE RAPTURE: A DEATH AND A RESURRECTION?

***   John 12:24 - "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit."
***   1 Corinthians 15:22 - "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive."
***   1 Corinthians 15:35-38 - "But some man will say, How are the dead raised up?  And with what body do they come?  Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:  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:  but God giveth it a body as it hath pleased Him, and to every seed his own body."
***   Hebrews 9:27 - "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment."

Based upon just these verses, the idea of a Rapture would appear to be impossible.  Think about it.  The Rapture, as most understand it, does not include death.  However, what if the change that takes place in that moment, in that twinkling of an eye, involves death and an immediate "resurrection?"  After all, there are only two Resurrections:  the Resurrection of life, and the Resurrection of damnation (Jn. 5:29).  All of us will be a part of one or the other.  According to Revelation 20:4-6, we shall "shall reign with Him a thousand years."  Does that include those who are taken up in the Rapture?  Paul wrote that to be absent from this earthly body was to be present with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:8).  That means that those who are part of the Rapture, will have put off this flesh and put on our glorified bodies:  we are part of the First Resurrection:

***   Christ is first (1 Cor. 15:23).
***   The "dead in Christ" (members of the Church who have died) will be raised up at the time of the rapture (1 Th. 4:16 and 1 Cor.15:52). Those Christians who are living on earth at the time of the rapture will also "be changed" and receive new bodies (1 Cor. 15:51-52). ***   Old Testament believers will be raised up after the time of tribulation (about seven years after the rapture) according to Daniel 12:1-2.  Believers who die during the tribulation will also be raised up at this time according to Revelation 20:4.

 

I believe this reconciles the "all die" passages with the Rapture teaching.

THE RAPTURE IS NOT THE SECOND COMING

I cannot tell you how many times I have had someone tell me that it is foolish to study God's Word concerning the timing of the Rapture of the Church.  And in a way, they may be right.  His return for us is imminent; that means there is nothing which needs to occur before He comes for us.  Therefore, there are no signs.  Unfortunately, most quote Matthew 24:36 which says, "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but My Father only."  A few are even aware of the fact that Jesus, Himself, did not know.  Mark 13:32 states, "But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father."  The problem is, both of these verses are speaking of Christ's Second Coming, not the Rapture!

The Rapture is the return of Christ in the clouds to remove all born again believers before the Seven-year Tribulation (Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Th. 4:16-17; 5:9; Rev. 3:10; etc.)!  What we do not know, is how long after the Rapture will the Tribulation begin.  When it does begin, we know the period is seven years because one half of it is described as "1260 days" (Rev. 11:3; 12:6); "42 months" (Rev . 11:2; 13:5); and "a time, times, and a half time" (Dan. 12:7; Rev. 12:14).  At the mid-point of the Tribulation, the Antichrist will declare himself god, and will turn on all who oppose him, especially the Jews (Dan. 9:27; 11:31; 12:11; Mt. 24:15; Rev. 13:1-18; etc.)!.  That is why the Tribulation is also know as "the Time of Jacob's Trouble" (Jer. 30:7)!  The Church is not appointed to suffer God's wrath (1 Th. 5:9)!  The agreement between the Antichrist and Israel (Dan. 9:27) begins the seven-year Tribulation, and Christ's Second Coming will end it (Mt. 24:29; Rev. 19:11 - 20:15).

 

The Second Coming of Christ will also have Him coming in the clouds (Mt. 24:30; 26:64; Acts 1:9-12), but He will not stop there; He will actually set foot on the Mount of Olives.  Zechariah 14:4 says, "And His feet shall stand in that day upon the Mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south."  It is at that time, having destroyed the Antichrist and his armies, that Jesus will literally fulfill all of the Bible prophecies concerning His earthly kingdom.  It will last for 1000 years, and it is known as "the Millennium" (Rev. 20:1-15). 

 

 

We do not know when the Rapture will occur, but it could happen before I fin  

REVELATION ONE, ONE THROUGH SIX

[1] The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God (The Father) gave unto Him, to show unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass; and He (Jesus Christ) sent and signified it by His angel (the name of this angel is not given so it is not necessary for us to know it) unto His servant John (according to the early church fathers, this is the Apostle John):

[2] Who bore record of the Word of God (John's Gospel focuses upon Jesus as the Word), and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
[3] Blessed is he that reads, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein (this is the only Scripture which promises a blessing to those who read it and/or hear it, and believe it): for the time is at hand (the past has already occurred, the present continues to occur, and there is nothing which must take place in God's plan for the future things listed in Revelation to begin taking place - they are imminent.  This is made clearer by taking note of the book's key verse - v.1:19).

[4] John to the seven churches which are in Asia (the message begins with seven letters to seven churches in modern-day Turkey; they are recorded in chapters two and three): Grace be unto you, and peace, from Him which is, and which was, and which is to come (The Father); and from the seven Spirits which are before His throne (it is widely believed that this refers to the Holy Spirit, as He is described in Isa. 11:2 which reads:  "And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and Might, the Spirit of Knowledge and of the Fear of the LORD.");
[5] And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead (Jesus was the "first-fruits from the grave" according to Mt. 27:51-53 and 1 Cor. 15:20-23), and the Prince of the kings of the earth (Jesus came as the "Prince of Peace" at His First Coming, according to Isa. 9:6, but at His Second Coming, He will be the King of kings and the Lord of lords as shown in Rev. 19:16). Unto Him (Jesus) that loved us (Rom. 8:35; Eph. 3:19; Rev. 3:9), and washed us from our sins in His own blood (Eph. 2:13; Heb. 9:12; 10:19; 1 Jn. 1:7; Rev. 7:14; 12:11),
[6] And hath made us kings and priests (Mt. 19:28; 1 Pet. 2:5, 9; Rev. 5:10; 20:6) unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

The Triune God has proven His love for us!

Our obedience reveals our gratitude to Him!

REVELATION ELEVEN, VERSES ONE TO TWELVE

1] And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. (Note:  There will be a Tribulation Temple).
2] But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. (Note:  The Jews will control the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies for the first forty-two months of Daniel's Seventieth Week - Dan. 9:27, but Gentiles will only control the outer court).
3] And I will give power unto My two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. (Note:  Only two men have yet to die, Enoch and Elijah - Gen. 5:24; 2 Kg. 2:11, and yet Scripture says ALL die - Heb. 9:27 - so I am convinced that these two preach the Gospel to Jews and Gentiles for forty-two months).
4] These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.(Note:  Compare Zech. 4:11-14).
5] And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. (Note:  They have this power for only forty-two months - see verse seven).
6] These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. (Note:  Compare 1 Kg. 12:1).
7] And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. (Note:  The Antichrist will be indwelt by Satan following his mortal head wound - no where does it say the Antichrist himself ascends from the pit - Rev. 12:9; 13:3-4).
8] And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. (Note:  Because the chapter begins with the Two Witnesses measuring the Temple, and because the Antichrist commits the Abomination in the Temple in Jerusalem, the city is Jerusalem.  In Jer. 23:14, Jerusalem is called "Sodom").
9] And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. (Note:  ALL peoples, including Jews who have yet to recognize Antichrist, see their dead bodies  - this has only been possible since the invention of communication satellites).
10] And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. (Note:  The entire world, including Israel, celebrates over the death of the Two Witnesses, because they, more than any other people, hate the Gospel of Jesus).
11] And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. (Note:  If the whole world saw their dead bodies, then the whole world became afraid).
12] And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. (Note:  The whole world heard the voice - the whole world saw them ascend - the whole world were God's enemies.  In just two chapters (Rev. 13), the eyes of Israel are opened and they realize their error - Rom. 11:25-26.  The last forty-two months are known as the Great Tribulation - Jer. 30:7; Dan. 9:27; Mt. 24:15; Rev. 13:5-18).

The reason God uses the Two Witnesses, is because born again believers are gone!

The Tribulation could begin any day; accept Jesus as Lord and Savior while there is time!

JESUS IS LIGHT, BUT MEN PREFER DARKNESS

When Jesus said, "I am The Light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life" (Jn. 8:12), the Jewish people knew He was claiming to be the Messiah!  They were, and we are, very familiar with Isaiah's prophecy concerning the Messiah:
 

"The people that walked in darkness have seen a Great Light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath The Light shined....For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given:  and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever.  The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this" (Isa. 9:2, 6-7). 

Isaiah also wrote:

"Behold My Servant, whom I uphold; Mine Elect, in Whom My soul delighteth; I have put My Spirit upon Him:  He shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.  He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause His voice to be heard in the street.  A bruised reed shall He not break, and the smoking flax shall He not quench:  He shall bring forth judgment unto truth.  He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till He has set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for His Law.  Thus saith God the LORD, He that created the heavens, and stretched them out; He that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; He that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:  I the LORD have called Thee in righteousness, and will hold Thine hand, and will keep Thee, and give Thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house" (Isa. 42:1-7).

John's Gospel identifies Jesus as "THE LIGHT" in John 1:4-9; 3:19-21; 8:12; 9:5; 11:9-10; 12:35-36, 46!  As "THE LIGHT," He not only reveals the truth, He exposes sin!  There is no place to hide because His light overpowers darkness.  A small candle can illuminate a huge cave!

God's children want to leave the darkness and walk in His light. 

SIN EXISTED BEFORE THE LAW WAS GIVEN

For over two thousand years, the Law of Moses did not exist, and yet we are told sin existed.  In fact, the very first human being was guilty of committing the first sin (Gen. 2:17; 3:6; Rom. 5:12; 1 Cor. 15:21; etc.)!  Romans 5:12-14 says:

"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:  for until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.  Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of Him that was to come."

Notice the Apostle Paul shows that there was always a law in existence, because ALL die!  Just to show there were laws prior to the giving of the Law of Moses (Ex. 20), sin is clearly universal, and is specifically mentioned ten times in the preceding sixty-nine chapters (Gen. 4:7; 18:20-21; 20:9; 31:36; 39:9; 42:22; 50:17; Ex. 10:17; 16:1; 17:1). 

So, how could there be sin if there were no law?  There couldn't be!  Paul clearly stated above that even though the first sin was Adam's, ALL of mankind since, has committed sin!  There is One exception:  Jesus (Heb. 4:15).  Therefore, God was justified when He brought destruction upon a world of wicked people (Gen. 6:5-7)! 

We know that all civil laws have a purpose; they inform people about what is unacceptable.  Speed limits are intended to protect drivers.  Food packaging laws protect consumers.  Laws are meant as guides for society.  The same is true of God's laws.  There is one great difference though; the consequences of breaking God's laws is death!  But fear not!  All is not lost!  Paul wrote that God's law was given to teach us that we are sinners in need of the Savior: 

"But the Scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.  But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." (Gal. 3:22-26).

Laws still exist, but for the born again believer, they are not intended to teach us of our need for a Savior; they exist so that we know what pleases the God who loved us and saved us!  My four year old daughter said she had asked Jesus into her heart.  When I asked her if she knew what that meant, she replied, "I want to mind Him!"  We all still sin, but one day soon, that too will end!  1 John 3:2 says:

"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."

THANK GOD FOR GOOD WEDNESDAY!

Because Jesus said His body would remain in the grave for three days and three nights (Mt. 12:40), a Friday Crucifixion is not possible, due to the fact that Jesus rose sometime after sunset on Saturday, or on the first day of the week:  Sunday (Mt. 28:1; Mk. 16:1; Lk. 24:1; Jn. 20:1).  The confusion as to the day of Christ's horrible, torturous death, stems from a misunderstanding of what is meant by the word "Sabbath" in Mark 15:42 and Luke 23:54.  The "Sabbath" mentioned is NOT the weekly Sabbath, but it is the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread!

"And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are My feasts.  Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the SABBATH of the LORD in all your dwellings.  These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons.  In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD's Passover.  And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread unto the LORD: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread.  In the first day ye shall have an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.  But ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD seven days: in the seventh day is an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein" (Lev. 23:1-8).

In other words, "holy convocations" are Sabbaths.  The Passover, the fourteenth of Nisan, was the preparation day in which the Lamb was slain and prepared before sunset.  Then, on the fifteenth of Nisan, the Feast of Unleavened Bread began with a SABBATH.  See Exodus 12:1-20 as well.

With an understanding that the Sabbath which was quickly approaching was the first day, the holy convocation of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, re-read these verses with that in mind:

"When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple:  he went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus.  Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.  And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed" (Mt. 27:57-60).

"And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath" (Mk. 15:42).

"And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on" (Lk. 23:54).

"There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand" (Jn. 19:42).

I believe Jesus was crucified and died at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday.  I believe He was placed in the borrowed tomb before sunset, and after three twenty-four hour days, He arose after sunset Saturday (early the first day of the week - Mt. 28:1; Mk. 16:1; Lk. 24:1; Jn. 20:1). 

There are ZERO contradictions in the Bible.  They only exist in the minds of skeptics and those too lazy to study as a workman that needeth not to be ashamed!

WHY JESUS SPOKE IN PARABLES

Did you know that there are seventeen parables in the Old Testament?  That's right; of the forty-nine times the word "parable" appears in Scripture, about a third are found in the Books of Numbers (23:7, 18; 24:3, 15, 20, 21, 23), Job (27:1; 29:1), Psalms (49:4; 78:2), Proverbs (26:7, 9), Ezekiel (17:2; 24:3), Micah (2:4), and Habakkuk (2:6). 

All of the New Testament parables occur in the Gospels:  Matthew (13:18, 24, 31, 33, 34, 36; 15:15; 21:33; 24:32), Mark (4:10, 13, 34; 7:17; 12:12; 13:28), Luke (5:36; 6:39; 8:4, 9, 11; 12:16, 41; 13:6; 14:7; 15:3; 18:1, 9; 19:11; 20:9, 19; 21:29), and John (10:6).  This is important because it tells us that, with the exception of the Book of Job, parables were a "Jewish thing"; they were always spoken by Jews, and most often to Jews. 

Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language defines a parable as an allegorical relationship; a comparison of things that are familiar, with things which are spiritual in meaning.  So you would think that Jesus taught using parables in order to make His teaching understandable.  But that is not the case.  Jesus actually taught in parables for a couple of reasons:

1)  Because God had said He would - "All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake He not unto them:  That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world" (Mt. 13:34-35; Ps. 78:2).
2)  Because His teaching was meant for those who trusted in Him, and not for those who opposed Him.  Matthew wrote: 
"And the disciples came, and said unto Him, Why speakest Thou unto them in parables?  He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.  For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.  Therefore speak I to them in parables:  because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.  And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:  for this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them" (Mt. 13:11-15).

Because Israel would reject Him as their Messiah, Jesus only presented the truth about Himself to His disciples.  They would believe and become born again.  Then with the birth of the Church in Acts 2:1-41, the teaching of the Church moved to win the Gentiles to Christ; no parables were necessary (Acts 11:18; 13:46; 14:27; etc.).  God's mysteries were revealed to His Church (Rom. 11:25; 16:25; 1 Cor. 2:7; 15:51; Eph. 1:9; 3:3-9; 5:32; 6:19; Col. 1:26-27; 2:2; 4:3; 2 Th. 2:7; 1 Tim. 3:9, 16; etc.)!

Understanding the Lord's parables is evidence of the indwelling Spirit of God!

JOHN CHAPTER ONE SAYS IT ALL

JESUS IS GOD

[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] The same was in the beginning with God. [3] All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made. [4] In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. [5] And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

 

JESUS IS ISRAEL'S MESSIAH

[9] That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. [10] He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. [11] He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. [12] 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: [13] Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. [14] 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.

 

JESUS' FIRST ADVENT WAS AS A SACRIFICIAL LAMB

[29] The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. [30] This is He of whom I said, After me cometh a Man which is preferred before me: for He was before me. [31] And I knew Him not: but that He should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. [32] And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon Him. [33] And I knew Him not: but He that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, the same is He which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. [34] And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. [35] Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; [36] And looking upon Jesus as He walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!

JESUS' SECOND COMING WILL BE AS KING OF KINGS

[49] Nathanael answered and saith unto Him, Rabbi, Thou art the Son of God; Thou art the King of Israel. [50] Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? Thou shalt see greater things than these. [51] And He saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

 

GOD; ISRAEL'S MESSIAH; HUMANITY'S PASSOVER; SOON COMING KING!



THE TALE OF TWO CHURCHES

Picture, if you will, two identical churches which sit side by side.  Their well-manicured lawns blend at their mutual property line.  There is no fence, there are no markers, there is absolutely nothing that even hints as to where each is to stop when mowing the grass, and yet, by some strange "miracle," the second to mow simply begins where the other left off.  It is only during that brief period when only one has mowed, that passers-by can observe there is a division between the two.  Both churches are topped with crosses, and the parking lots are full at the same time:  Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights.  The buildings provide but one clue as to the difference between the two.  Let's see if you know what it is.  The two churches are pictured in Revelation 3:7-22:

The possessing church on the "right."

"And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith He that is holy, He that is true, He that hath the key of David, He that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept My Word, and hast not denied My name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. Because thou hast kept the word of My patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, which is New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from My God: and I will write upon him My new name. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches" (v. 7-13).

The professing church that is "left."

"And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:  I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches" (v. 14-22).

The keys to the "mystery," are the doors, and Who has been excluded.

THE FOCUS OF THE 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.... 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 CHRIST was buried, and that CHRIST rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:1-4).

“CHRIST was delivered for our offences, and CHRIST was raised again for our justification” (Rom. 4:25).

“But CHRIST was wounded for our transgressions, CHRIST was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon CHRIST; and with CHRIST'S stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on CHRIST the iniquity of us all” (Isa. 53:5-6).

“For CHRIST also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that CHRIST might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit” (1 Pet. 3:18).

“For the preaching of CHRIST'S cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God” (1 Cor. 1:18).

“For I determined not to know any thing among you, save JESUS CHRIST, and CHRIST crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2).

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the LORD JESUS CHRIST, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised CHRIST from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Rom. 10:9).

“Ought not CHRIST to have suffered these things, and to enter into CHRIST'S glory? ...and said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved CHRIST to suffer, and CHRIST to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in CHRIST'S name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Lk. 24:26, 46-47).

 

My emphasis on CHRIST is in the Spirit of the text, not a translation. 

R E P E N T

The word "repent" is seldom heard today, even from the pulpits of churches.  Man has focused on God's love, and seems to have forgotten that He is also a God of judgment.  The last event which occurs on this planet will be the Great White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20:11-15)!  I am sure it breaks God's heart to have to sentence unsaved humanity to spend eternity with the evil trinity (Satan, the Antichrist, and the False Prophet), but what God says He will do, you can believe He will do it!

That is why He had the Bible written.  It is a warning that humanity is lost, and needs the Savior.  The Apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 3:22-26:
 
"But the Scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.  But before faith came, we were kept under the Law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.  Wherefore the Law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus."

The last thing Jesus told His disciples before His Ascension into heaven (Lk. 24:47), was that in addition to their preaching of remission (the Gospel message that Jesus died for the sins of mankind, Jesus was buried, and Jesus was raised from the grave, all according to the prophecies concerning Him in the Scriptures - 1 Cor. 15:1-4),  they should also preach repentance (turning away from sin, and submitting in obedience to the Lord)!

The word "repent" if found in 21 verses in the O.T., and in 22 verses in the N.T.  Only two books of the Bible contain the word "repent" in six verses.  The Book of Jeremiah called for Israel to repent six times (4:28; 18:8, 10; 26:3, 13; 42:10), and Jesus called for His Church to repent six times in the Book of Revelation (2:5, 16, 21, 22; 3:3, 19). 

This may help explain why the Jewish Feast of Pentecost involves two loaves of leavened bread (Lev. 23:15-17).  As most Bible students know, the Feast of Pentecost marks the birth of the Church.  The Church is comprised of two groups who have received Jesus as their Lord and Savior:  Jews and Gentiles.  Leaven represents sin throughout the Bible, and as you and I know, Christians, made up of both groups, continue to sin (Rom. 7:15-25; 1 Jn. 1:8-10).  While Christ's act of remission only occurred one time (Rom. 6:10; Heb. 9:28), for the born again believer, repentance is needed many times a day!

 

"The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand:

repent ye, and believe the Gospel" (Mk. 1:15). 

LUKE: HISTORY AND PROPHECY

LUKE 1:1-4

Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the Word; it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, that thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.

LUKE 24:45-53

Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures, 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.  And ye are witnesses of these things.  And, behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. 

And He led them out as far as to Bethany, and He lifted up His hands, and blessed them.  And it came to pass, while He blessed them, He was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.  And they worshipped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:  and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

ACTS 1:1-11

The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after that He through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen:  to whom also He shewed Himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:  and, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith He, ye have heard of Me.  For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
When they therefore were come together, they asked of Him, saying, Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?  And He said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power.  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
And when He had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.  And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven?  This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.

Jesus came, was crucified, was buried, was raised, and ascended.

Jesus shall receive His Church up into heaven.

And then Jesus shall return to rule on earth.

BELIEVERS SHOULD LOOK BEYOND THE KINGDOM

Revelation is divided into three parts:  "Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter" (Rev. 1:19).  Revelation 1:20 defines the first two.  John wrote:  "The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest (past tense) in My right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are (present tense) the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches."  Therefore, chapter one are things John had already seen.  Chapter two and three are written in the present tense, and are describing things John observes on earth (the 2000 year Church Age - a mystery (Eph. 3:1-12) which was hidden from Israel, and which takes place between Daniel's 69th and 70th weeks of years - Dan. 9:24-27).

Now notice that in chapter four, the scene changes and John is seeing the future while in heaven.  He wrote:  "After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter" (Rev. 4:1).  So, from this verse until the end of the Book of Revelation, John attempts to describe his vision of the future.  In addition, those of us who believe the Rapture of the Church takes place prior to God's wrath being poured out during the seven-year Tribulation, see John's ascension as a picture of that event.

What we see in chapters four and five, might be described as John's first impression of heaven!  Then in chapters six through eighteen, the seven-year Tribulation (described in Mt. 24:3-28), also known as the "Time of Jacob's Trouble" (Jer. 30:7), and "Daniel's Seventieth Week" (Dan. 9:27).  Chapter nineteen describes Christ's Second Coming.  The long-awaited kingdom has finally become a reality in 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" (Rev. 20:1-6).

Then Satan joins the Antichrist and False Prophet in the lake of fire, as do those whose names are not found in the Lamb's Book of Life (Rev. 20:7-15).  THEN:  Well let's just say it's all good!

TEN REASONS PROPHECY IS IMPORTANT

1. Prophecy warns unbelievers. The future for unbelievers is not a happy one. Death and judgment await them. The wicked are warned about the future again and again (see Pro. 14:12; 2 Th. 1:8-9).
    
2. Prophecy comforts believers because their future is bright and happy (1 Th. 4:13-18). The Bible gives strength to live by and comfort to die by. A believer can bravely face death because he knows what God has said about the future (Phil. 1:21-23; 2 Cor. 5:8).
    
3. Prophecy proves that God’s Word is true. No prophecy in the Bible has ever failed. Everything that God has said about the future has come to pass or will come to pass. As we see prophecy being fulfilled we are reminded that God’s Word "is TRUTH" (Jn. 17:17) and according to Titus 1:2, God cannot lie.
    
4. Prophecy explains the world’s problems. As we look at our world we see wars and crime and sin and sickness and all kinds of problems. Without the Bible these things would trouble and disturb us. But God’s Word helps us to understand why these things are so, and how they will come to an end.
    
5. Prophecy tells us what to expect.   A person would be upset and troubled by wars if he thought that there should not be any wars in the world.  But Jesus told us to expect wars (Mt. 24:6-7). The believer is not shocked by reports of wars; he expects them. Knowing what to expect also keeps us awake (Rom. 13:11). If your family knew that a thief would try to enter the house at 3:00 a.m., would they sleep that night? God has told us about the future so that we can be spiritually awake and ready (1 Th. 5:4-8; Mt. 24:43).
    
6. Prophecy helps make sense of the Bible. Over a fourth of the Bible is prophetic, telling us what will happen in the future. If a person does not understand prophecy, then he will not understand the Bible.
     
7. Prophecy helps us to know God’s will. If I never learn what the Bible says about the future, then I will not know what God’s purpose is for my world and for my life.
    
8. Prophecy helps the believer to walk with God. You cannot walk with God unless you know which way God is moving. In Genesis 18 Abraham needed to know that God was going to judge Sodom. Does God want to hide from us what He is going to do (Gen. 18:17)?  No!
     
9. Prophecy motivates obedience (Hos. 14:9). The better we understand the future, the better we will walk with God today. If I really believe that Christ could come at any time, should this make a difference in how I live (Ti. 2:11-14)? Yes!
     
10. Prophecy helps us to help others. The unsaved do not understand what is going on in the world, and to them the future is dark and unknown. We have the answers that they need! We can explain what is happening and show how God is in control!                                                                                                                        

FROM GENESIS TO REVELATION: OUR HOPE IS IN HIM!

Genesis 5:24 - "And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him."

2 Kings 2:11 - "And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven."

John 14:1-3 - "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."

1 Corinthians 15:49-55 - "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.  Behold, I show 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.  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.  O death, where is thy sting?  O grave, where is thy victory?"

1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 - "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.  For this we say unto you by the Word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent 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."

Revelation 4:1 - "After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter."

Revelation 11:12 - "And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them."

1 Thessalonians 4:18:  "Wherefore comfort one another with these words."

GOD KNOWS

Because God is eternal and omniscient, He knows all there is to know; He knows the past, the present, and the future.  God exists apart from time!  The Bible begins with "In the beginning God...."  God is not restricted by time; He created time.  He operates within it so that humans can comprehend things such as the sequence of events.  Phrases like "And then"; "after that"; etc.; are for our benefit.  Here are just a few verses which clearly illustrate this:

John 17:5 - "And now, O Father, glorify Thou Me with Thine own self with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was."

John 17:24 - "Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am; that they may behold My glory, which Thou hast given Me: for Thou lovedst Me before the foundation of the world."

Romans 8:29 - "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."

Romans 11:2 - "God hath not cast away His people which He foreknew."

1 Corinthians 2:7 - "But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory."

Ephesians 1:4 - "According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love."

2 Timothy 1:9 - "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began."

Titus 1:2 - "In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began."

1 Peter 1:20 - "Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you."

Revelation 13:8 - "And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world."

Because He knows all, we cannot disappoint Him, nor can we surprise Him.  And, even though He knows our every thought, our every word, and our every deed, He still loves us.  That is why our eternal God is praised for Him mercy and His grace toward us; He knows we will one day be like His Son; we will finally be in the image and likeness of Jesus (Gen. 1:26-27; 1 Jn. 3:2)!

Praise God who was, who is, and who is to come!

EPHESIAN 1:19 THROUGH 2:10

The following is my understanding of Ephesians 1:19-2:10.  I have based this interpretation on the text of the Living New Translation, and have included within, my notes.

"I  (the Apostle Paul) also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe Him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead (see Phil. 3:10), and seated Him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.  Now He is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else, not only in this world but also in the world to come.  God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made Him head over all things for the benefit of the Church.  And the Church is His Body (we, the Church, are the Body of Christ - Rom. 7:4; 1 Cor. 10:16; 12:27; Eph. 4:12); it (the Church) is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with Himself.

Once you were dead (spiritually - we must be born again - Jn. 3:1-9) because of your disobedience and your many sins.  You used to live in sin (as a way of life), just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil, the commander of the powers in the unseen world.  He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.  All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature.  By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.  But God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead.  It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!  For He raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus (by His grace and our faith).  So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of His grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all He has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

God saved you by His grace when you believed.  And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.  Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago."

 

Humility is the sign a person is trusting in the risen Lord!

HOW IS ONE BORN AGAIN?

"There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:  the same came to Jesus by night, and said unto Him, 'Rabbi, we know that Thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that Thou doest, except God be with Him.'  Jesus answered and said unto him, 'Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.'  Nicodemus saith unto Him, 'How can a man be born when he is old?  Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?'  Jesus answered, '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.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.  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'" (Jn. 3:1-8).

"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:  Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, who by Him do believe in God, that raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.  Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:  being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.  For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass.  The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:  but the Word of the Lord endureth forever.  And this is the Word which by the Gospel is preached unto you" (1 Pet. 18-25; see also 1 Cor. 15:1-4).

"But what saith it?  The Word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the Word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  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.  How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed?  And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?  And how shall they hear without a preacher?  And how shall they preach, except they be sent?  As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!'  But they have not all obeyed the Gospel.  For Esaias saith, 'Lord, who hath believed our report?'  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Rom. 10:8-17).

 

Have faith in the Lord Jesus and you will be born again!

ALL TRUTH IS MEASURED BY THE BIBLE

According to 1 John 4:19, "We love Him, because He first loved us."  The fact that we know God loves us is, in and of itself, totally amazing!  Yes, like the children's song, "Jesus Loves Me," we know because the Bible tells us so (Jn. 3:16)!  But why do we believe the Bible? 

For me, the answer lies in the Grace of God.  When I, as a twenty-eight year old "know-it-all atheist," decided, on a fluke, to read from a pocket New Testament sent to me by a former neighbor, I was in awe of the beauty of the seventeenth century King James Version English.  I had always been a fan of Shakespeare, and although I did not believe the Bible was true, what I read was far more beautiful.  I was so impressed with Matthew twenty-five's teaching on benevolence, that I shared it with my wife; as much as I hated religion, it was a wonder she did not faint!

While discussing it, our children turned on the television on their way to get some cereal for breakfast.  I was so focused on telling Judy what I had read, that I didn't even care there was a religious program on (it was Sunday, January 31, 1971).  As I concluded sharing my thoughts on what Jesus was reported to have said, I heard the preacher say, "Today, my sermon is on Matthew 25, the parable of the ten virgins."  I could not believe it!  He chose the same chapter I had read the night before!

After listening to his sermon, the following church program, and a third preacher, Rex Humbard of the Cathedral of Tomorrow, I heard Humbard say, as he pointed into the TV camera, "You there in your living room; get down on your knees and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior."  I did!  Something instantly changed.  As I returned to sitting on the couch, I was keenly aware of three things:  1) My sins were forgiven!  2) The Bible is true!  3) God was going to use me to spread His Word.  Today, I am still doing just that.  I am no longer a Pastor or a Bible Teacher in a Christian school, but I try to share the Gospel daily through this blog.

Yes, I love Jesus.  And, although I still sin and begin questioning my salvation, the Holy Spirit keeps reminding me that my salvation is not based upon my "qualifying," but is based upon faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:1-4; Eph. 2:8-9; etc.)!  I wish I could be more Christ-like, but the Bible clearly teaches that I will not be like Him until I see His face: "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known" (1 Cor. 13:12) and again "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)!

I CANNOT WAIT!  COME LORD JESUS!  

A GREAT SOURCE FOR BIBLE STUDENTS

The Middletown Bible Church offers a Correspondence Bible Study Course for any person who is interested.  The subjects covered include the following:  the sinfulness of man, the work of Christ, God's way of salvation, the inspiration of the Scriptures, faith, redemption, justification, sanctification, holy living, eternal security, assurance of salvation, and many other topics.  It is titled, "Basic Doctrinal Worksheets for Believers."

 

If you enroll in this course, you will receive Bible study worksheets in six installments (the entire course is 100 pages).  You will need a Bible as  your only textbook (KJV version is recommended).   The purpose of the course is to help you to go to the Scriptures and see exactly what the Bible teaches.

 

After you complete the first lesson you will mail it back to us for correction in a stamped envelope that will be provided for you.   After it is corrected, it will be returned to you along with the next lesson.  After you have finished all 100 pages (6 lessons), then you will receive a certificate, and an additional Bible study course will be sent to you (a 138 page study on the Gospel of John, in four installments).

 

To enroll, you merely need to do the following:

Put a check in the mail for the amount of $22.00 payable to The Middletown Bible Church.  This will cover the cost of postage, envelopes, etc for the entire course.   We are not making a profit.   On the memo line of your check write "Correspondence Course."  Mail to:

George Zeller
Middletown Bible Church
349 East St.
Middletown, CT 06457

WHAT DOES BEING "IN CHRIST" MEAN?

When a person says he is "in Christ," what does he mean?  How does one get to be "in Christ?"  The answer is not all that complicated.  The Holy Spirit, according to John 16:8-15, convinces a person of three things:

1) He convinces him that he is a sinner needing a Savior (Rom. 3:10, 23);
2) He convinces him that Christ's sinlessness is freely available to him (2 Cor. 5:21; Eph. 2:8);
3) He convinces him that without faith in Jesus, he faces God's judgment (Jn. 16:8-11; Heb. 9:27).

He then has a choice:  believe what the Holy Spirit has revealed to him and call upon Jesus to be his Savior and Lord (Rom. 10:9-10), or reject Him and His sacrifice for him, only to spend his eternity in the Lake of Fire prepared for Satan and his angels (Mt. 25:31; Rev. 20:10).  If he chooses to believe the truth and places his trust in Jesus, he is given eternal life (Jn. 3:15)!  He becomes a child of God simply by believing in Jesus Christ (Gal. 3:26)!

One might ask, "What happens to me when I accept Christ?"  You will:

Become justified (just as if I had not sinned) - Rom. 3:24.
Be free from God's condemnation - Rom. 8:1.
Be free from religious legalism - Rom. 8:2.
Be forever joined to God as His child - Rom. 8:39.
Be sanctified (set apart unto God) - 1 Cor. 1:2.
Become wise, holy, and redeemed (bought out of slavery to sin) - 1 Cor. 1:30.
Be forever joined to God, your Father - Gal. 3:26.
Be considered already seated with God in heaven - Eph. 2:6.
Become useful to God and His work - Eph. 2:10.
Be considered perfect, holy, righteous - Col. 1:28.
Become grateful for God's love - 1 Th. 5:18.
Become strong in God's service - 2 Ti. 2:1).

 

Believe in Jesus and you need not fear death. 

Reject Him and you will die twice!

YOU MUST BE PERFECT TO ENTER HEAVEN

We rarely use the term "righteousness" in our every day lives, and perhaps that is due to the fact that we know of no one who can genuinely lay claim to being righteous.  And yet, the Bible teaches that unless a person is considered righteous in the eyes of God, he or she cannot spend eternity in heaven with God.  "Righteousness" comes from the Hebrew root יָשַׁר (yashar), and the Greek root δικαιόω (dikaioō), which means "to be perfect, or to be holy like God."

We are told from God's Word that mankind's ability to be righteous falls far short of being like that of God.  Isaiah 64:6 says, "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags...."  And in Romans 3:10, we read:  "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one."  Religious people, such as the Pharisees, believe themselves to be righteous because they adhere to the "do's and don'ts" of a religion.  However, Jesus had this to say about their so called righteousness:  "For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Mt. 5:20).

Since there are none who can claim to be righteous, what does one have to do in order to get to go to heaven?  I know the vast majority of human beings consider what I am about to say as being ridiculous, or even insane, but the answer is "Nothing!"  Nothing we can do qualifies us to spend eternity with God! 

So is all hope lost for humanity?  No!  There is a way, but the pride of man hinders him from accepting the fact that he cannot "qualify" on his own.  And, to him, having been convinced by life that there is "no free lunch," he finds it impossible to believe.  Still, it is the truth, and unless he humbles himself, and accepts it, he cannot be saved.

The truth is, Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, provided the righteousness required for us to go to heaven has been provided as a gift from God (Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 15:3-4)!  Paul wrote:  "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)!  God gave His Son as His gift to us (Jn. 3:15-17; Eph. 2:8-9).  He has made it possible to become righteous, to become holy, to become perfect, simply by having faith in His Son!  All we have to do is believe God's Word!

 

Abraham believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3; Galatians 3:6; and James 2:23.

THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

Planet earth is filled with problems. What are some of the problems that man is facing today? Man is unable to solve these problems. Only God can get man out of the mess that man has made for himself.   There is good news for Planet Earth! The Lord Jesus Christ is coming back! He will take the wrong and make it right! He will take the crooked things and make them straight! He will be able to solve the problems that our world faces. What will the world be like after Christ returns? Will it be different from the world we know today? In the next chapter we will learn about what this world will be like when Christ is ruling on earth as KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORD.  A new world is coming!

 

This same Jesus Christ who can straighten out this world and all its problems is the same Jesus Christ who can straighten out your life and the problems you face. Will you let Him do it? Tomorrow He will rule on the throne of this world. Today will you let Him rule on the throne of your life? Someday the world will be different because Christ will rule there. Today your life can be changed and made different if you let Christ rule in your heart! Someday Jesus Christ is coming to this world. Today why not let Jesus Christ come to your heart and be your Saviour and King?  He wants to come in (see Revelation 3:20).

 

In his book Discover Yourself in the Psalms, Warren Wiersbe recalls a story told by an evangelist he heard many years ago. It went like this:

In a frontier town, a horse bolted and ran away with a wagon that had a little child in it. Seeing that the child was in danger, a young man risked his life to catch the horse and stop it. The child who was rescued grew up to become a lawless man, and one day he stood before a judge to be sentenced for a serious crime. The prisoner recognized the judge as the man who, years before, had saved his life, so he pled for mercy on the basis of that experience. But the words from the bench silenced all his pleas: "Young man, then I was your savior; today I am your judge, and I must sentence you to be hanged."

Do you see the parallel? Jesus stands before us today as our Savior, the Lamb slain for our sins. But if we do not turn to Him in faith, He will one day stand before us as our righteous Judge. He will say: "On earth I was your Savior, but you would not believe. Here I am your Judge; depart from Me to everlasting punishment. You don’t have to face the Lion in the judgment. The Lamb is waiting to save you. Believe on Him today!

 

In His First Coming Christ came as Savior;

In His  Second Coming, He will come as judge!