THERE IS BUT ONE GOSPEL MESSAGE

I have great respect for Les Feldick, a Bible teacher whose televised lessons are gaining much popularity.  However, I cannot agree with him when he says that the Apostles Peter and Paul preached two different and distinct Gospels.  According to the Paul, there is only one true, life-changing Gospel, only one which has the power of God unto salvation; he wrote:

 

*   Romans 1:16 - "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."

*   Galatians 1:6-12 - "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:  which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the Gospel of Christ.  But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.  As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.  For do I now persuade men, or God?  Or do I seek to please men?  For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.  But I certify you, brethren, that the Gospel which was preached of me is not after man.  For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ." 

 

Notice that in both of these passages, the Gospel message is described as "the Gospel of Christ."  Brother Feldick believes that Peter preached the "Gospel of the Kingdom," while Paul preached the "Gospel of Grace."  According to him, one "Gospel" was specifically for the Jews, while the other was for "whosoever will believe."  Again, notice in Romans 1:16 above, there is no such distinction.  There is but one true Gospel, but it is described in several different ways:

*   The Gospel of God - Rom. 1:1; 15:16; 2 Cor. 11:7; 1 Th. 2:2, 8, 9; 1 Pet. 4:17.
*   The Gospel of the Grace of God - Acts 20:24.
*   The Gospel of the Kingdom of God - Mk. 1:14.
*   The Gospel of the Kingdom - Mt. 4:23; 9:35.
*   The Gospel of His Son - Rom. 1:9.
*   The Gospel of Jesus Christ - Mk. 1:1; 2 Th. 1:8.
*   The Gospel of Christ - Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 9:18; Gal. 1:7; Phil. 1:27; 1 Th. 3:2; etc.
*   The Gospel of Peace - Rom. 10:15; Eph. 6:15.
*   The Gospel of Your Salvation - Eph. 1:13.

Perhaps Brother Feldick has misinterpreted Galatians 2:7-9, which taken by itself, could be viewed as teaching two separate Gospels.  However, as most Bible students know full well, no individual Scripture should be interpreted in isolation; one must compare Scripture with Scripture to determine all that the Word of God has to say on any given subject.  Paul was not saying that he and Peter had different messages, but that they were ambassadors for Christ to different groups of people.  The passage in question says:

 

"But contrariwise, when they saw that the Gospel of the Uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the Gospel of the Circumcision was unto Peter; (For He that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the Circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles):  and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the Circumcision." 

 

The important question is:  Do you believe the Gospel, the Good News, that Jesus died for your sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, and that His Father raised Him from the dead?  If so, acknowledge Jesus as Lord of your life, and tell somebody (Rom. 10:8-17)!

GOD'S GIFT OF SALVATION

THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW:  TO REVEAL THE BAD NEWS!

*   Romans 3:19-20, 23 - "Now we know that what things soever the Law saith, it saith to them who are under the Law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.  Therefore by the deeds of the Law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the Law is the knowledge of sin.  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."

*   Galatians 3:21-22 - "Is the Law then against the promises of God?  God forbid:  for if there had been a Law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the Law.   But the Scripture hath concluded all under sin...." 

 

THE PURPOSE OF THE GOSPEL:  TO REVEAL THE GOOD NEWS!

 

*   Mark 16:15 - "And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature."

*   Romans 1:16 - "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."

*   Ephesians 1:12-14 - "That we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ.  In Whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the Word of truth, the Gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, Who is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory."

*   Colossians 1:3-5 - "We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, for the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the Word of the truth of the Gospel."

 

THE RESULT OF FAITH IN THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST:  SALVATION!

 

*   Romans 10:8-13 - "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."

*   Ephesians 2:8-9 - "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."

*   1 John 3:1-2 - "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." 



 

 

REVELATION THREE: CHRISTIANITY TODAY

The last two churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation, describe the church of the twenty-first century to a "T!"  Churches have two kinds of members:  professors - those who profess to love Jesus Christ, but are really more in love with themselves and their religious social club; and possessors - those who have believed that Jesus died for their sins, that He was buried, and that His Father raised Him from the dead, just as the Scriptures said would happen (1 Cor. 15:1-4).  As a result, they not only worship God, but they also have a compelling desire to obey Him!  The Church in Philadelphia, first century Asia Minor, pictures born again believers, and as a result, they are promised to escape God's wrath to be poured out upon the entire world; while the church in Laodicea, also in first century Asia Minor, is actually described with Jesus standing on the outside, knocking for someone to open the door and let Him in!  "Philadelphia" means "brotherly love, while "Laodicea" means "the people rule."  The church where Jesus is leader, obeys the great commandment mentioned in Galatians 5:13-14, while the church where the people rule, and who deny His authority, also exclude Him!  Be sure you are attending the "right church" when Jesus returns!

 

Write this letter to the angel of the church in Philadelphia. 

This is the message from the One Who is holy and true, the One Who has the key of David.  What He opens, no one can close; and what He closes, no one can open:  I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close.  You have little strength, yet you obeyed My Word and did not deny Me.  Look, I will force those who belong to Satan’s synagogue - those liars who say they are Jews but are not - to come and bow down at your feet.  They will acknowledge that you are the ones I love.  Because you have obeyed My command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world.  I am coming soon.  Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown.  All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of My God, and they will never have to leave it.  And I will write on them the name of My God, and they will be citizens in the city of My God—the New Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from My God.  And I will also write on them My new name.  Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what He is saying to the churches (Rev. 3:7-13).

 

Write this letter to the angel of the church in Laodicea.

This is the message from the One Who is the Amen - the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s new creation:  I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold.  I wish that you were one or the other!  But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth!  You say, I am rich.  I have everything I want.  I don’t need a thing!  And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.  So I advise you to buy gold from Me - gold that has been purified by fire.  Then you will be rich.  Also buy white garments from Me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see.  I correct and discipline everyone I love.  So be diligent and turn from your indifference.  Look!  I stand at the door and knock.  If you hear My voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.  Those who are victorious will sit with Me on My throne, just as I was victorious and sat with My Father on His throne.  Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what He is saying to the churches (Rev. 3:14-22).

 

People have been warning of His return for centuries!

As a result, we are that much closer to the glorious event!  Are you ready?

 

 

THE SON OF GOD SAVES THOSE WHO CALL UPON HIM AS LORD

Jesus' name and the word "Savior" appear together ten times:

*   Acts 13:23 - "Of this man's seed hath God according to His promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus.
*   Philippians 3:20 - "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ."
*   2 Timothy 1:10 - "But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, Who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel."
*   Titus 1:4 - "To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour."
*   Titus 2:13 - "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ."
*   Titus 3:6 - "Which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour."
*   2 Peter 1:1 - "Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ."
*   2 Peter 1:11 - "For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."
*   2 Peter 2:20 - "For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning."
*   2 Peter 3:18 - "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  To Him be glory both now and forever.  Amen."

Jesus' name and the phrase "Son of God" appear together nine times: 

*   Matthew 8:29 - "And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, Thou Son of God?  Art Thou come hither to torment us before the time?"
*   Mark 1:1 - "The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God."
*   Luke 8:28 - "When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, Thou Son of God most high?  I beseech Thee, torment me not."
*   John 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."
*   Acts 8:37 - "And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest.  And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."
*   2 Corinthians 1:19 - "For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in Him was yea."
*   Hebrews 4:14 - "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."
*   1 John 4:15 - "Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God."
*   1 John 5:5 - "Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?"

 

Jesus' name and the word "Lord" appear together 217 times!

*   Romans 10:9-10, 13 - "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 whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Jesus is Lord - faith in the Lord Jesus saves the lost!

SEVEN YEARS "OF BAD LUCK!"

Daniel 9:26-27 - According to the prophecy of Daniel, Jesus, Israel's Messiah, would die for the sins of the world (1 Jn. 2:2), and then the Roman Empire would destroy the Temple and Jerusalem (Mt. 24:1-2).  Then, at some point in the distant future, a leader, a descendent of the Roman Empire, will come to power, and he will offer his protection to Israel for seven years.  However, after half that period [forty-two months (Rev. 11:2); or 1260 days (Rev. 11:3); or a time - times - and half a time (Rev. 12:14)], he will break the covenant, and will attempt to destroy Israel (see Mt. 24:15-29).  The Beast, as he will be called, is described by the Apostle John:
"Then I saw a beast rising up out of the sea.  It had seven heads and ten horns, with ten crowns on its horns.  And written on each head were names that blasphemed God.  This beast looked like a leopard, but it had the feet of a bear and the mouth of a lion!  And the dragon gave the beast his own power and throne and great authority.  I saw that one of the heads of the beast seemed wounded beyond recovery—but the fatal wound was healed!  The whole world marveled at this miracle and gave allegiance to the beast.  They worshiped the dragon for giving the beast such power, and they also worshiped the beast.  "Who is as great as the beast?" they exclaimed.  "Who is able to fight against him?"  Then the beast was allowed to speak great blasphemies against God. And he was given authority to do whatever he wanted for forty-two months.  And he spoke terrible words of blasphemy against God, slandering His name and His dwelling—that is, those who dwell in heaven.  And the beast was allowed to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them.  And he was given authority to rule over every tribe and people and language and nation" (Rev. 13:1-7 NLT).

John then described the "enforcer" for the first beast; he wrote:

"Then I saw another beast come up out of the earth.  He had two horns like those of a lamb, but he spoke with the voice of a dragon.  He exercised all the authority of the first beast.  And he required all the earth and its people to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed.  He did astounding miracles, even making fire flash down to earth from the sky while everyone was watching.  And with all the miracles he was allowed to perform on behalf of the first beast, he deceived all the people who belong to this world. He ordered the people to make a great statue of the first beast, who was fatally wounded and then came back to life.  He was then permitted to give life to this statue so that it could speak.  Then the statue of the beast commanded that anyone refusing to worship it must die.  He required everyone—small and great, rich and poor, free and slave—to be given a mark on the right hand or on the forehead.  And no one could buy or sell anything without that mark, which was either the name of the beast or the number representing his name.  Wisdom is needed here.  Let the one with understanding solve the meaning of the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man.  His number is 666" (Rev. 13:11-18 NLT).

There is good news, however, because born again believers, genuine Christians, will not be here on earth when this  all takes place (Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15:50-55; 1 Th. 4:16-17; Rev. 4:1)!  For those of us who trust Jesus as their Lord and Savior, we will be safe with Jesus in heaven!  The bad news is, the vast majority of human beings are not born again, and sadly, that includes many "faithful church-goers!"  If you have never trusted in the Jesus of the Bible, today may be your last opportunity - don't wait!  Trust Him, not only for what He did for you on the cross, but for what He wants to do for you in this life, and the life to come!

THE WORD KEEPS GOD'S CHILDREN HUMBLE

In yesterday's blog, I was wrong about something.  I pointed out that God spoke of creating man in His image (being of the same in appearance, as with a mirror-image), and likeness (having the same character qualities), but that He didn't do so immediately; He created man in His image, but not in His likeness (Gen. 1:26-27)!  And although I did not mention it, when Satan tempted Adam and Eve, he convinced them that they would only be "like God" if they ate of the forbidden fruit (Gen. 3:4-5)!

*   Genesis 1:26-27 - "And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness....So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them."
*   Genesis 3:4-5 - "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 (bear the likeness of) gods, knowing good and evil."

With further study, I discovered my theory was incorrect, for in Genesis 5:1, we are told that God, had indeed, created man in His likeness!  However, after Adam sinned, he obviously ceased being like God.  This is supported by the fact that when Seth was born, he bore the image and likeness, not of God, but of Adam (Gen. 5:3)!

*   Genesis 5:1-3 - "This is the book of the generations of Adam.  In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made He him; male and female created He them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.  And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth."

Yes, before Adam sinned, he was just as God intended:  he was made in the image and likeness of God!  But, from the instant Adam sinned, he ceased to by like God, and as a result, God has been in the process of restoring all who willingly receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, to man's original state.  God sent His only begotten Son, the One who is the "express image" of the Father (Heb. 1:3); the One of Whom it is written that He was equal with His Father (Jn. 5:18; Phil. 2:6); the One Who transforms all who lovingly look upon His face!  It is written:

"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the (children) of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.  Beloved, now are we the (children) 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. 3:1-2)! 

 

The Bible enlightens the humble, and humbles the so-called, enlightened!

IT IS ALL ABOUT MAKING US LIKE HIM!

What do you think about when you read these words?  [Note:  I have capitalized where the words suggest they are names that identify Jesus Christ, the risen King of kings and Lord of lords]:

*   Revelation 1:8 - "I AM Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the Ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty."
*   Revelation 1:10-11 - "I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, saying, I AM Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last: and, What thou seest, write in a book...."
*   Revelation 21:6 - "And He said unto me, It is done.  I AM Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End.  I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely."
*   Revelation 22:13 - "I AM Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last."

Do you think of the times when Jesus was identified as the "I AM?"  [See:  Mt. 16:13-17 "The Christ, The Son of the living God"; Mt. 27:43 "The Son of God"; Mk. 14:61-62 "The Christ, The Son of the Blessed"; Lk. 22:70 "The Son of God"; Jn. 6:48 "The Bread of life"; Jn. 8:12 "The Light of the world"; Jn. 8:58 "Before Abraham was, I AM"; Jn. 10:9 "The Door"; Jn. 10:11 "The Good Shepherd"; Jn. 10:36 "The Son of God"; Jn. 11:25 "The Resurrection and The Life"; Jn. 13:13 "Master and Lord"; Jn. 14:6 "The Way, The Truth, and The Life"; Jn. 15:1 "The True Vine"; and Jn. 19:21 "The King of the Jews"]!

When you read the words "Alpha," "Beginning," and "First," do you recognize Jesus as the Creator of the Universe?  [See:  Ps. 33:6; Jn. 1:1-3, 10; Eph. 3:9; Col. 2:16-17; Heb. 1:1-2; Rev. 4:11]!  And when you read the words "Omega," "Ending," and "Last," do you connect them with His statements, "When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said, It is finished: and He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost" (Jn. 19:30); or, "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" (Rev. 21:6)?

Yes, Jesus is not only "the goal" for the creation of mankind: "And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness....So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them" (Gen. 1:26) [Note:  the final goal is for us to be in His image AND His likeness - man was created in His image, but will not be made in His likeness until we have seen Christ face-to-face:  "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)! 

 

It is Jesus Who created us, and Jesus Who will complete us!

BELIEVERS, THERE'S A CHANGE A COMIN'

*   John 14:1-6 - "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.  And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.  Thomas saith unto Him, Lord, we know not whither Thou goest; and how can we know the way?  Jesus saith unto him, I AM The Way, The Truth, and The Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me."

*   1 Corinthians 15:50-54 - "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.  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.

*   2 Corinthians 3:17-18 - "Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.  But we all...are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."

*   2 Corinthians 5:1-2, 6-8 - "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.  For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:  Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:  (For we walk by faith, not by sight):  We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

*   Philippians 3:20-21 - "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, 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."

*   1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 - "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.  Wherefore comfort one another with these words!"

*   1 John 3:1-3 - "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."

THE LAMB; THE BLOOD, THE RISEN LORD

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE BLOOD OF A LAMB

*   Exodus 12:5-7, 13 - "Your lamb shall be without blemish...and ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.  And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it....And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you...."
*   Leviticus 17:11 - "For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul."
*   Leviticus 23:5 - " In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD'S Passover."
*   Hebrews 9:22 - "...without shedding of blood is no remission."

 

JESUS CAME TO DIE AS THE LAMB OF GOD

*   John 1:29 - "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."
*   Acts 8:32 - "The place of the Scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened He not His mouth."
*   1 Peter 1:18-19 - "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things...but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot."
*   Revelation 7:14 - "And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest.  And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."

JESUS IS THE RISEN LAMB OF GOD

*   1 Corinthians 15:1-4 - "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."
*   Revelation 5:6, 12 - "And I beheld...a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth....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. "

 

FAITH IN THE RISEN LAMB OF GOD RESULTS IN SALVATION

*   Romans 10:9-10 - "...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."
*   Ephesians 2:5-9 - "...God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ (by grace ye are saved); and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:  that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.  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."
*   Revelation 17:14 - "These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings:  and they that are with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful."

 

"...CHRIST OUR PASSOVER IS SACRIFICED FOR US" (1 Cor. 5:7).

JESUS: THE BIBLE VS. THE QURAN

JESUS ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE

"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:  that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.  For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.  He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God" (Jn. 3:14-18).  [Note:  According to the Blue Letter Bible web site, the title, "Son of God," appears forty-seven times in the King James Version of the Bible.]

 

JESUS ACCORDING TO THE KORAN

"Such (was) Jesus the son of Mary: (it is) a statement of truth, about which they (vainly) dispute.  It is not befitting to (the majesty of) Allah that He should beget a son.  Glory be to Him!  When He determines a matter, He only says to it, "Be", and it is" (19:34-35, Yusif Ali).

"The Jews call 'Uzair a son of Allah, and the Christians call Christ the son of Allah. That is a saying from their mouth; (in this) they but imitate what the unbelievers of old used to say. Allah's curse be on them: how they are deluded away from the Truth" (9:30, Yusif Ali)!

 

THE BIBLE SAYS THIS ABOUT THOSE WHO DENY THAT JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD?

 "Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.  They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.  But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.  I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.  Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ?  He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.  Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.  Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning.  If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father" (1 Jn. 2:18-24). "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.  Hereby know ye the Spirit of God:  every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:  and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world" (1 Jn. 4:1-3). "For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.  Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.  Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God.  He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.  If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:  for he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds" (2 Jn. 1:7-11).

 

BASED UPON THIS, ISLAM IS THE RELIGION OF ANTICHRIST!

 

DON'T REJECT THE SPIRIT'S OFFER!

The main message of the Bible is this: that all of humanity is separated from God because of sin (Rom. 3:23); that the punishment for sin is death (Rom. 6:23a); and that Jesus paid for the sins of the world, for all who would believe in Him (Jn. 1:11-12; 3:14-18; 1 Cor. 15:3-4; Rom. 10:9-10; Eph. 2:8-8; etc.).  Yes, Jesus is the "propitiation" for the sins of the world (Rom. 3:25; 1 Jn. 2:2; 4:9-10);  in other words, when Jesus became sin for mankind, His death satisfied, or paid in full, the debt we owed God (Ezek. 18:14; Rom. 6:23b; 2 Cor. 5:21).  John 12:32-33 says:  "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me.  This He said, signifying what death He should die."  God, The Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, want mankind to accept the free gift of salvation which is offered to all who will trust in Jesus' atoning death (Rom. 5:11, 15-16; Eph. 2:9; Jn. 6:44; 12:32; 16:7-14; 2 Pet. 3:9; etc.)!

Unfortunately, even though Jesus paid the debt for sin in full, the vast majority of humanity refuses to acknowledge Jesus' sacrifice for their sins, and as a result, they, in so doing, choose to face God's judgment without Him!  In yesterday's post, I discussed the "unpardonable sin," and attempted to show that when one refuses to believe the Holy Spirit's evidence that Jesus is all that the Bible has to say about Him, they are calling the Holy Spirit a liar (Mt. 12:22-32).  In so doing, they reject Christ and His payment for their sin; instead, they choose to die in their sin:

"These words spoke Jesus in the treasury, as He taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on Him; for His hour was not yet come.  Then said Jesus again unto them, I go My way, and ye shall seek Me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.  Then said the Jews, Will He kill Himself? because He saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come.  And He said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.  I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins" (Jn. 8:20-24).

BUT, you do not have to die in your sins if you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.  The Apostle Paul wrote: 

"And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins....But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)" (Eph. 2:1, 4-5).

"And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses; blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross" (Col. 2:13-14).

 

Either Jesus paid for your sins, or you will:  the choice is yours!!!

WHAT IS THE UNPARDONABLE SIN

THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD CONVICTS THE WORLD OF SIN

John 16:8-11 - "And when He (the Holy Spirit) is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:  Of sin, because they believe not on Me (the Son of God);  of righteousness, because I go to My Father (the Father) , and ye see Me no more; of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged."

 

BELIEVING THE HOLY SPIRIT RESULTS IN BEING BORN AGAIN

John 3:1-8 - "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."

 

REJECTING THE HOLY SPIRIT'S WITNESS RESULTS IN DAMNATION

Matthew 12:22-32 - "Then was brought unto Him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and He healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spoke and saw.  And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?  But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.  And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:  and if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?  And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out?  Therefore they shall be your judges.  But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.  Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man?  And then he will spoil his house.  He that is not with Me is against Me; and he that gathereth not with Me scattereth abroad.  Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.  And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come."

 

THE SPIRIT SAYS THAT ALL HAVE SINNED AND NEED THE SAVIOR-

REJECTING HIS TESTIMONY IS THE SAME AS CALLING HIM A LIAR!

TO CALL HIM A LIAR IS TO REJECT HIS OFFER OF SALVATION! 

 

THE SAVED WORSHIP JESUS

This is a warning to all those who preach that a person can be saved by merely trusting in Jesus, and yet, fail to identify exactly Who the Jesus of the Bible is - born again believers recognize the Jesus Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords (Jn. 13:13; 20:28; Rom. 10:9; Rev. 19:16; etc.)!  The Jesus of Islam, Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, and unfortunately, many mainline Christian denominations, is not the Jesus of the Bible!  I can say, like the Apostle John in 1 John 5:13, "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...."  Here are just a few of the Bible verses that indicate exactly Who Jesus is - Jesus is God! 

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

Psalm 33:6 - "By the Word of the LORD (see Jn. 1:1-3, 14 below) were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth."

Isaiah 40:28 - "Hast thou not known?  Hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary?  There is no searching of His understanding."

John 1:1-3, 10, 14 - "In the beginning was the Word (Jesus), and the Word (Jesus) was with God, and the Word (Jesus) was God.  The Same (Jesus) was in the beginning with God.  All things were made by Him (Jesus); and without Him (Jesus) was not anything made that was made....He (Jesus)was in the world, and the world was made by Him (Jesus), and the world knew Him (Jesus)not....And the Word (Jesus) was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His (Jesus') glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father (Jesus - see Jn. 1:18; 3:16-18; 1 Jn. 4:9), full of grace and truth."

Ephesians 3:9 - "And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ."

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

Hebrews 1:1-2 - "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spoke in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son (Jesus), Whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by Whom also He made the worlds."

Revelation 4:11 - "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."

 

Salvation results from believing in the Jesus of the Bible - Period!

JESUS IS GOD!

The prophet Micah foretold that the Messiah would be born in the little town of Bethlehem; Who is this One that should be born?  He is the One "whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting" (Mic. 5:2).

Because Jesus is God (Jn. 1:1), He is eternal; as God, He created and sustains all that exists (Gen. 1:1; Jn. 1:1-3; Col. 1:16-17; Heb. 1:1-2; etc.)!  Because He is God, He shared equally in the glory of His Father before He created the world (Jn. 17:5; Phil. 2:5-6; etc.). 

Because He pre-existed His Incarnation, John the Baptist, Christ's older cousin, could say, "This was He of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for He was before me" (Jn. 1:15, 30)!   This paradoxical statement can be understood only as we distinguish between the two natures of Christ.  When viewed from the standpoint of His humanity, He came after John the Baptist.  Mary gave birth to Him six months after Elizabeth had given birth to John, but as the eternal Son of God, He was before John the Baptist, eternally existing in the bosom of the Father (Lk. 1:24-37; Jn. 1:18).

Perhaps the Savior, Himself, made the clearest statement of His pre-existence.  Speaking with a group of unbelieving Jewish religious leaders, He said, "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day: and he saw it, and was glad" (Jn. 8:56).  These Jews were startled by these words, understanding Him to be saying that He and Abraham existed on this earth at the same time:  "Then said the Jews unto  Him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast Thou seen Abraham?" (Jn. 8:57).  They knew that Abraham had lived and died approximately 2000 years earlier!  How could this Man claim to be 2000 years old?  They were shocked and angered by the Lord's final words: "Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am" (Jn. 8:58).  They considered this to be ultimate blasphemy, and they "took up stones to cast at Him" (Jn. 8:59).

Only the eternal God could make such a claim. Indeed, Jesus could have even said, "Before Adam was, I am!"  He even could have said, "Before the universe was, I am!"  In fact, He did make such a statement:  "And now, O Father, glorify Thou Me with Thine own self with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was...for Thou lovedst Me before the foundation of the world" (Jn. 17:5, 24).  God the Son basked in the sunlight of the Father's love before the world ever was!  From everlasting to everlasting, He is the Son of the Father's love.  The eternal Son is worthy of all glory and praise and adoration!

 

By trusting in the true Jesus, you are literally trusting in God! 

IS THERE ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO CONVICT YOU

I have heard many preachers say, "If you were on trial for being a Christian, would the court have enough evidence to convict you?"  The Bible tells us that the evidence needed to "convict a Christian," is determined by whether or not he is an overcomer.

 

THE ONE FACTOR THAT DETERMINES WHO IS AN OVERCOMER

 

1 John 5:1-5 - "Whosoever BELIEVETH that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth Him that begat loveth 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 overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even OUR FAITH.  Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that BELIEVETH that Jesus is the Son of God?"

 

OVERCOMERING IS EVIDENCED BY  LOVE

 

Galatians 5:13-14 - "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.  For all the Law (God's commandments) is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." 

 

THE REWARD FOR OVERCOMING 

Revelation 2:7 - "...To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God."
Revelation 2:11 - "...He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death."
Revelation 2:17 - "...To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it."
Revelation 2:26 - "And he that overcometh, and keepeth My works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations."
Revelation 3:5 - "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."
Revelation 3:12 - "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."
Revelation 3:21 - "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, an am set down with My Father in His throne."
Revelation 21:7 - "He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son."

Do you believe that Jesus Christ died for your sin?

Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the risen Son of God?

Then you are an overcomer!

 

 

WHO IS GOD?

The fact that God is a Trinity, is first indicated in Genesis 1:1, where the Hebrew word translated "God" (Elohim) is plural.  In Genesis 1:26-27, the Scripture uses both singular and plural pronouns for God: 
"And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.  So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them."

Just in the New Testament Gospels alone, God is called "The Father" sixty-one times!  Jesus, Who is identified as God's "only begotten Son" (Jn. 1:18; 3:16, 18; 1 Jn. 4:9), states that God is His Father:
*   Matthew 26:29 - "But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom."
*   Luke 2:49 - "And He said unto them, How is it that ye sought Me?  (Knew) ye not that I must be about My Father's business?"
*   John 2:16 - "And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not My Father's house an house of merchandise."
*   John 5:43 - "I am come in My Father's name, and ye receive Me not:  if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive."
*   John 10:25 - "Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not:  the works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me."
*   John 10:29 - "My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father's hand."
*   John 14:2 - "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."
*   John 15:10 - "If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father's commandments, and abide in His love."

The Scriptures also declare that whosoever places his or her faith in Jesus Christ, becomes the adopted child of God (Jn. 1:12; Rom. 8:14-16; Gal. 4:6; Eph. 1:5; 1 Jn. 3:2)!  As such, Jesus states that His Father is also our Father:

*   John 20:17 - "Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to My Father: but go to My brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto My Father, and your Father; and to My God, and your God."  [Note:  For "your Father, see also:  Mt. 5:16, 45, 48; 6:1, 8, 15; 7:11; 10:20,29; 18:14; 23:9; Mk. 11:25-26; Lk. 6:36; 11:47-48; 12:30,32; and Jn. 8:42.]
*   Matthew 6:9 - "After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name."
*   Luke 11:2 - "And He said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name.  Thy kingdom come.  Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth."

 

If God is not your God and Father, then Satan is (Jn. 8:38-44)!

GOD'S WORK IN HIS CHILD

"LORD, Thou wilt ordain peace for us:  for Thou also hast wrought all our works in us" (Isa. 26:12).

"No man can come to Me, except the Father which hath sent Me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day" (Jn. 6:44).

"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, Whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you" (Jn. 14:26).

"Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will show you things to come.  He shall glorify Me:  for He shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.  All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that He shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you" (Jn. 16:13-15).

"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit Himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.  For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.  Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified" (Rom. 8:26-30).

"Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:  to Whom be glory forever and ever. Amen" (Gal. 1:3-5).

"Being confident of this very thing, that He Who hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.  For it is God Who worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure" (Phil. 1:6; 2:13).

"Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to Whom be glory forever and ever.  Amen" (Heb. 13:20-21).

Believer, get out of His way and let Him do His job!

 

 

SUN, MOON, AND STARS ALSO

When God created the Universe, He placed three kinds of "lights" in the sky to provide information to man.  Stars must be pretty important, because fifteen books of the Bible address the innumerable heavenly bodies, beginning with their purpose as explained in Genesis 1:14-18:
 
"And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:  and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.  And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night:  He made the stars also.   And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good."

Nehemiah 4:21 - "So we labored in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared."
Job 3:9; 9:7; 22:12 - "Let the stars of the twilight thereof be dark; let it look for light, but have none; neither let it see the dawning of the day."  "Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars."  "Is not God in the height of heaven?  And behold the height of the stars, how high they are!"
Psalm 8:3; 136:9; 137:4; 148:3 - "When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained...?"  "The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth forever."  "He telleth the number of the stars; He calleth them all by their names."  "Praise ye Him, sun and moon: praise Him, all ye stars of light."
Isaiah 13:10 - "For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine."
Jeremiah 31:35 - "Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is His name."
Ezekiel 32:7 - "And when I shall put thee out, I will cover the heaven, and make the stars thereof dark; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not give her light."
Daniel 12:3 - "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever."
Joel 2:10; 3:15 - "The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining."  "The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining."
Amos 5:8 - "Seek Him that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is His name."
Matthew 24:29 - "Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken."
Mark 13:25 - "And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken."
Luke 21:25 - "And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring."
Acts 27:20 - "And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away."
1 Corinthians 15:31 - "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."
Revelation 6:13 - "And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars."

 

Wise individuals pay attention to God's heavenly communication!

JESUS IS MUCH MORE THAN JUST THE SAVIOR!

Salvation, being saved from the wrath of God due us because of our sin, is available to all who will call upon the name of the Lord Jesus, and who believe that God raised Him from the dead (Rom. 6:23; 10:8-13; 1 Cor. 15:3-4; 1 Th. 1:10; 5:9; etc.).  His death paid the penalty for the sins of the entire world (Jn. 4:42; 12:32-33; Rom. 5:6, 8; 1 Jn. 2:2; etc.).  Jesus came to seek and to save the lost (Lk. 19:10).  This is why Christians call Jesus their Savior.  The New Testament contains twenty-four verses that refer to Him as such.

When someone asks who a man or woman is, usually the answer will be, Oh, that's the Pastor, or a school teacher, or a policeman, etc.; the same is often true of how Bible students describe Jesus; Oh, He is the Savior.  However, He is much more than just what He does:

* Jesus is the Creator (Jn. 1:1-3; Eph. 3:9; Col. 1:16-17; Heb. 1:1-2; etc.)!
* Jesus is God (Isa. 9:6; Jn. 1:1, 14; Phil. 2:5-11; 1 Jn. 5:7; etc.)!
* Jesus is a member of the Trinity (Gen. 1:26; Mt. 3:16-17; 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; etc.)!
* Jesus is the Only Begotten Son of the Father (Jn. 1:14, 18; 3:16, 18; 1 Jn. 4:9; etc.)!
* Jesus is called "the Son of God" forty-six times in the New Testament!
* Jesus is called "Lord" one hundred sixteen times in the New Testament!
* Jesus is Israel's Messiah (Mt. 2:2; Jn. 1:41; 4:25-26; Rev. 17:4; etc.)!

About His Second Coming, the Apostle John wrote:
"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).

 

When you accept Jesus, you are acknowledging His authority over your life!

One cannot work his way to heaven (Eph. 2:8-9)!

However, works of obedience follow those who are going there (Eph. 2:10)!

SALVATION IS BY FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

Salvation results from believing in the Lord Jesus Christ - Period (Acts 16:31; Eph. 2:8; etc.)!  Jew, Gentile, whosoever, if he will place his trust in the One Who died for his sin, Who was buried, and Who rose again from the grave, all according to the Scriptures (1 Cor. 15:3-4), he shall, shalt, in other words, will be saved.  All those who truly believe and trust in the Lord Jesus, will be sealed by the Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:13; 4:30), and as a result, will endure whatever the world and its god, Satan, can throw at them (Jn. 17:14; 1 Jn. 3:13; 2 Cor. 4:4)!  Praise God!  Here is but a taste of what God's Word says on the subject:

Matthew 10:22 - "And ye shall be hated of all men for My name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved."

Matthew 24:13 - "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."

Mark 13:13 - "And ye shall be hated of all men for My name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."

Mark 16:16 - "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."

John 10:9 - "I am The Door:  by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture."

Acts 2:21 - "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Acts 11:14 - "Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved."

Acts 15:11 - "But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they."

Acts 16:31 - "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."

Romans 5:9-10 - "Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life."

Romans 9:27 - "Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved."

Romans 10:9, 13 - "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 whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Romans 11:26 - "And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob."

BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS WANT TO OBEY JESUS!

I have written many times about the Lordship of Christ.  I have stated that I believe that in order to become a born again believer, one must recognize Jesus for both Who He is, and What He is:  What He is, is The one and only Savior (Jn. 14:6); Who He is, is Lord (115 verses)!  As a result, I receive many comments, most of which are lecturing me on my view requiring works for salvation.  They say that acknowledging Jesus as Lord, requires one to commit to obey His will, and that committal indicates works must follow.  I agree!  But notice what the statement says:  works must follow!  They are not the means of salvation, but are evidence that salvation has taken place!  Here are a few verses which teach this:

*   Acts 4:33 - "And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the LORD Jesus: and great grace was upon them all."
*   Romans 10:9-10, 13 - "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 whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved."
*   Revelation 22:21 - "The grace of our LORD Jesus Christ be with you all.  Amen."

My critics like to point out that, according to them, there are two Gospels:  the Gospel of the kingdom, which has to do with Israel experiencing Christ's Millennial Kingdom; and the Gospel of Christ which "is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."  And yet, the Apostle Paul clearly stated that there is but one Gospel.  He wrote:

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

It has occurred to me that perhaps they "need to believe" there are two Gospels, because by the use of the word "kingdom," Jesus is declared to be the KING!  And as such, believers need to obey Him!  Jesus is called "LORD Jesus" 115 times!  In addition, tells us that Jesus is God:

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and THE WORD WAS GOD.  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" (Jn. 1:1, 14)!

THE BORN AGAIN DESIRE TO PLEASE GOD

As born again believers in Christ, we desire to please Him.  In order to do so, we need to be students of the Bible, His "instruction manual" for godly living.  As I understand it, what pleases Him can be summed up in the following:
 
*   Leviticus 19:18 - "Thou...shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am the LORD."
*   Matthew 22:39 - "...Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."
*   Galatians 5:13-14 - "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.  For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."

In addition to doing what pleases the Lord, born again believers desire to avoid those things that displease Him; such as the following:

*   Deuteronomy 16:22 - "Neither shalt thou set thee up any image; which the LORD thy God hateth."
*   Psalms 11:5 - "The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence His soul hateth."
*   Proverbs 12:2 - "A good man obtaineth favor of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will He condemn."
*   Malachi 2:16 - "For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that He hateth putting away (divorce)...."
*   Leviticus 20:13 - "If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them."
*   Proverbs 6:16-19 - "These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto Him:  a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren."
*   Proverbs 16:5 - "Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished."
*   Luke 16:15 - "And (Jesus) said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God."

God, through the Apostle Paul, explained the downward spiral of morality among those who fail to trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior:

*   Romans 1:22-32 - "Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things.  Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:  who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.  For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:  and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.  And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:  who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them."

 

We are not saved by religious works, but the saved do live to please their God!

GOD WANTS TO ADOPT YOU!

The Bible teaches that Jesus came into the world, and although the world was created by Him (Jn. 1:1-3; Col. 1:16-17; Heb. 1:1-2), the world did not recognize Him.  He came unto His own people, the Jews, and they rejected Him.  As a result, Jesus offers salvation to all those who will receive Him(accept Him; trust Him)!  He gave instructions to His disciples, that they were to proclaim His Gospel to all the world (Mt. 28:19-20; Mk. 16:15; Lk. 24:46-47; Acts 1:8; etc.), the Good News which has the power to save (Rom. 1:16)!  All who place their trust in Him, become the adopted children of God.  They are Spiritually born again (Jn. 3:3-18), not because of their bloodline; not by works of the flesh; not even because they want to; but because God wants them to be His children (Jn. 1:10-13; 2 Pet. 3:9; etc.)!  These verses describe the believer's relationship to God:

Romans 8:14-17 - "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the (children) of God.  For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.  The Spirit (Himself) 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."

Ephesians 1:3-7 - "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:  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:  having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved.  In Whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace."

1 John 3:1-2 - "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."

1 John 5:11-13 - "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.  He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath 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...."

 

God wants to "adopt" you!  Believe it or not - He really does!

THE FIVE JUDGMENTS OF THE BIBLE

1)  The Judgment of Sin upon the Cross 

God is holy and God must punish sin and judge sin. The Bible tells us the good news that "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures" (1 Cor. 15:3).  This means that Christ was punished instead of us!  As a guilty sinner, I am the one who deserves God's judgment, but God's judgment fell upon my Substitute, the Lord Jesus Christ.  I am the one who deserves the death penalty.  I'm the one who should have hung on a cross for my crimes, but my Savior died for me taking my place.  "Christ died for the ungodly" (Rom.5:6).

2)  The Self-judgment of Christians

This judgment is described in 1 Corinthians 11:31-32:  "For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.  But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world."  See also 1 John 1:8-10:  "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us."

 

3)  The Judgment Seat of Christ

This judgment involves believers.  This judgment has nothing to do with the believer's salvation because this has already been settled when the believer was saved.  The issue involved in this judgment will be the believers' works:  "Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.  If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.  If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire" (1 Cor. 3:12-15).

 

4)  The Judgment of the Nations

This judgment takes place following Christ's Second Coming; it determines who is permitted to enter Christ's Millennial Kingdom.  Matthew 25:31-34, 41 says, "When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory: and before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:  and He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.  Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, 'Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.'"  "Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.'"  This judgment is totally based upon how the nations treat Christ's "brethren" (Israel) during the seven year Tribulation (see vs. 40, 45).

 

5)  The Great White Throne Judgment

This is the final judgment for all the unsaved individuals who have ever lived.  It will take place following the Lord's 1000 year reign (the Millennium), and it is described in Revelation 20:11-15.  In 2 Peter 3:7 it is called "the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men."  All whose names are not written in the Lamb's Book of Life, will be cast into the Lake of Fire, which is called the "second death" (Rev. 20:14-15)!



IS LUKE 16:19-31 A PARABLE?

The following is from www.middletownbiblechurch.org , a wonderful source for hundreds of Bible study resources.  It is a free site, and grants permission to copy and print their materials. 

Many groups who deny the doctrine of eternal punishment (such as Jehovah's Witnesses, followers of Herbert Armstrong, some ultradispensationalists etc.) claim that this passage is a parable because they do not like what it teaches about Hades.  This passage clearly teaches that Hades is a place of conscious torment and suffering for the wicked. They think that if this passage is only a parable then they do not have to accept what it teaches about the condition of men following death. You will notice that the Lord did not say that it was a parable. Even if it were a parable, it would indeed be a unique parable for the following reasons:

1.  It would be the only parable in the Bible that describes certain things that are outside of the realm of human experience. All the other parables talk about things that we are familiar with such as birds, seed, fields, pearls, wheat, barns, leaven, fish, etc. (see Matthew 13, etc.).  This passage is different because it talks about what happens to two men after death, and this is a realm where none of us have had any personal experience. A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly or spiritual significance but Luke 16 transcends the realm of the earthly. 2.  It would be the only parable in the Bible that uses a proper name (Lazarus).   3.  It would be the only parable in the Bible that makes mention repeatedly of a historical person--Abraham. Moreover, this historical person actually carries on a dialogue with the rich man! Indeed, mention is also made in this parable of  Moses, another historical character.  What other parable speaks of real, historical persons?    4.  It would be the only parable in the Bible that describes the places where the dead go (Hades, Abraham's bosom, a place of torment).   5. It would be the only parable in the Bible that makes mention of angels.  Compare Matthew 13 verses 24-30, 36-43, 47-49 where angels are mentioned in the explanation of the parable but not in the parable itself.   6. If Hades is not really a place of torment then this would be the only parable in the Bible where the Lord Jesus taught error instead of truth. GOD FORBID!