When reading the Book of Revelation, there are some things Bible students need to remember:
1) The title declares that the book was written to reveal or disclose information to born again believers. God wants us to understand (13:18); God promises to bless those who read it, and hold on to what they have read (1:3; 22:7).
2) Revelation, when it is describing events taking place on earth, is written in chronological order; those events taking place in heaven, appear as "parenthetical events" and are not written with time in mind.
3) The key verse to understanding the book is 1:19 which reads - "Write the things which thou hast seen (Ch. 1), and the things which are (Ch. 2-3), and the things which shall be hereafter (Ch. 4:1 through 22:21). Chapter 4:1 says, "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 show thee things which must be hereafter."
4) Chapters 2-3 describe seven literal churches located in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey). It has been suggested that these seven also describe seven divisions of the Church Age. Ephesus (the apostolic age - 33-100); Smyrna (the age of persecution - 100-312); Pergamum (Christianity became the religion of Rome - 312-606); Thyatira (Roman Catholicism - 606-the Tribulation); Sardis (the Reformation - 1520-the Tribulation); Philadelphia (born again believers - 1750-Rapture); Laodicea (Christ-less church - 1900-Tribulation).
5) Chapters 4-5 describe what John sees in heaven. Chapter 4:1 is viewed as representing the Rapture of the Church (while Ch. 2-3 are all about the Church, it is not mentioned as being on earth after that). Jesus, the Son of God, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, receives glory, and opens "the book with seven seal judgments" (6:1 - 8:1) and the "seven trumpet judgments (8:2 - 11:19). Chapter 11:1-12 describe the 3 1/2 year ministry of the "two witnesses."
6) Chapter 12 appears to describe a panorama of Satan's attempt to circumvent God's plan. The "woman" is clearly Israel, as "she" goes into hiding for the last 3 1/2 years of the Tribulation. This period is also known as "Daniel's Seventieth Week" (Dan. 9:24-27), and "the Time of Jacob's Trouble" (Jer. 30:7). The male child, pictures both the life of Jesus including His Ascension, and the Rapture of the Church. After all, the Church was born out of Judaism (it was originally known as a sect of the Jews). The Rapture is the removal of "Christ's Body" (because the Rapture takes the Church to heaven, Satan turns all his wrath upon Israel (12:12-17).
7) Chapters 13-19 describe the last 3 1/2 years of what is known as the "Great Tribulation" (Mt. 24:15-28).
8) Chapter 20 describes the Millennial Kingdom of Christ, and the final judgment known as the "Great White Throne Judgment."
9) Chapter 21-22 describe the "New Heaven and New Earth."
10) Chapter "23" describes Eternity!!!!!!!
Sunday, July 31, 2016
Saturday, July 30, 2016
TRUMPETS
The Feast of Trumpets
Leviticus 23:24 - "Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a Sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation." (see also Num. 29:1; Ps. 81:3)
The Re-gathering of Israel for the Day of the Lord
Isaiah 27:13 - "And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem."Joel 2:1 - "Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in My holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the Day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand."
Zechariah 9:14 - "And the LORD shall be seen over them, and His arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the LORD GOD shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south."
The Re-gathering of Israel following the Tribulation
Matthew 24:31 - "And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other."
The Removal of the Church Prior to the Tribulation
1 Thessalonians 4:16 - "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."1 Corinthians 15:52 - "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."
[Note: It is the "last trump" born again believers hear; for the Church, it signals the Rapture! This is not referring to the seventh angel of Rev. 10:7, because of two main factors:
1) The Church is in heaven with the Lord during the Tribulation which is the out-pouring of the wrath of God, and the Church is not appointed to experience His wrath (1 Th. 5:9-11) which says:
"For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do."
Notice the similarity of the wording here with John 14:1-3 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 where the Word speaks of our removal via the Rapture; our knowing it is to comfort us!
2) The Tribulation is "Daniel's Seventieth Week" and the "Time of Jacob's Trouble" (Dan. 9:24-27; Jer. 30:7); it is God's chastisement of Israel!
The Seven Trumpet Judgments of Revelation
Revelation 8:2, 6, 13 - "And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabitants of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!"
Revelation 9:14 - "Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates."
Revelation 10:7 - "But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the Mystery of God should be finished, as He hath declared to His servants the prophets."
[Note: The Mystery of God is referred to in Col. 2:2, which says, "That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the Mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ." Revelation 11:15 - "And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign forever and ever."
[Note: Because Chapter 11 speaks of the events of the first half of the Tribulation (v. 3) and the beginning of the Great Tribulation (Mt. 24:21; Rev. 11:15-19), perhaps it is at this point that Israel's eyes are opened (see Mt. 24:15; Rom. 11:25), because Chapter 12 appears to describe Satan's reason for empowering "the Beast" and "another Beast" in Chapter 13.]
If you hear a trumpet sound after the one calling born again believers to heaven,
you can still accept Jesus as your Lord, but you may become a Tribulation martyr!
Friday, July 29, 2016
RETHINKING REVELATION TWELVE
Since I wrote my last post, early this morning, I have had an opportunity to listen to Scottie Clarke on YouTube, where he explains Chapter 12 of Revelation. What he explained made sense to me, so I recommend you Listen to his video entitled "Prophecy Autopsy | The Thief in the Night EXPOSED! I will summarize what I understood from his video. The text:
[1] 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: [2] And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. [3] And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. [4] And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. [5] And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. [6] And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
Revelation 11:1-12 tells us that the Two Witnesses will preach for 42 months or 1260 days (v. 2-3). It is clear from Scripture that their time of three and a half years is the first half of the Tribulation. Verse 7 says that they are killed by the "Beast from out of the bottomless pit" (see Rev. 9:1-11; 17:8; 20:1-7). This is Satan (Rev. 9:11; 20:2). Even though the Tribulation is covered from Chapters 6-19, with Chapter 13 being the middle of the seven-year period (Dan. 9:27; Mt. 24:15). Chapter 11 is the first we hear of the Two Witnesses.
Likewise, Chapter 12 actually takes place prior to Chapters 6-19. Clarke suggests that the Woman in Chapter 12 is corporate Israel, that her Child is the corporate Body of Christ, and the Dragon represents the corporate New World Order. He says that prior to the Tribulation, "the Dragon desires to destroy the Church, but that it is caught up to heaven (Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15:50-54; 1 Th. 4:16-17; Rev. 4:1; 12:6). Frustrated, the Dragon makes a seven-year peace covenant with the Woman, but half way through it, he seeks to destroy the Woman (Israel - see Rev. 12:6-17). For the remaining 42 months; 1260 days, or a time, times, and a half time (Dan. 12:7; Rev. 12:14), the Woman is protected by God (Rev. 12:7-17)!
Like I said earlier, Clarke's explanation make sense to me. However, like the prophecies literally fulfilled by Jesus at His First Coming were not understood until after they were fulfilled, it is likely that we will be proven to have erred with some of our "educated guesses." God is trying to keep us humble, so to declare our interpretation of future fulfillment of prophecy to be a fact, is foolish.
[1] 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: [2] And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. [3] And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. [4] And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. [5] And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. [6] And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
Revelation 11:1-12 tells us that the Two Witnesses will preach for 42 months or 1260 days (v. 2-3). It is clear from Scripture that their time of three and a half years is the first half of the Tribulation. Verse 7 says that they are killed by the "Beast from out of the bottomless pit" (see Rev. 9:1-11; 17:8; 20:1-7). This is Satan (Rev. 9:11; 20:2). Even though the Tribulation is covered from Chapters 6-19, with Chapter 13 being the middle of the seven-year period (Dan. 9:27; Mt. 24:15). Chapter 11 is the first we hear of the Two Witnesses.
Likewise, Chapter 12 actually takes place prior to Chapters 6-19. Clarke suggests that the Woman in Chapter 12 is corporate Israel, that her Child is the corporate Body of Christ, and the Dragon represents the corporate New World Order. He says that prior to the Tribulation, "the Dragon desires to destroy the Church, but that it is caught up to heaven (Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15:50-54; 1 Th. 4:16-17; Rev. 4:1; 12:6). Frustrated, the Dragon makes a seven-year peace covenant with the Woman, but half way through it, he seeks to destroy the Woman (Israel - see Rev. 12:6-17). For the remaining 42 months; 1260 days, or a time, times, and a half time (Dan. 12:7; Rev. 12:14), the Woman is protected by God (Rev. 12:7-17)!
Like I said earlier, Clarke's explanation make sense to me. However, like the prophecies literally fulfilled by Jesus at His First Coming were not understood until after they were fulfilled, it is likely that we will be proven to have erred with some of our "educated guesses." God is trying to keep us humble, so to declare our interpretation of future fulfillment of prophecy to be a fact, is foolish.
We do not KNOW when He will return for His Church, but it has to be soon!
REVELATION TWELVE AS I SEE IT
[1] 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: [Note: On September 23, 2017 is the Feast of Trumpets. At that feast, Virgo (Woman) will be aligned with the Sun; Leo (Lion) is at the head of Virgo (Leo has 9 stars, and will, at that time, have three planets within it to make 12 "stars."].
[2] And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. [Note: At the Feast of Trumpets of 2017, Jupiter will have been located within the constellation Virgo's "stomach area" for 9 months, and it will leave Virgo on that day.].
[3] And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. [Note: the "dragon" is Satan (see Rev. 12:9).].
[4] And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. [Note: Mt. 2:13-23 describes Satan's attempt to kill the Christ Child.]
[5] And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. [Note: The "Man Child" was come to rule all nations with "a rod of iron" (Ps. 2:9; Rev. 2:27; 19:15), but He was rejected, crucified, resurrected, and He ascended to His Father, postponing what will be the Millennial Kingdom of Rev. 20:1-7.].
[6] And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. [Note: "The Woman" clearly is Israel, not Mary! Israel's blindness is removed when the Antichrist commits the Abomination of Desolation (Rom. 11:25; Dan. 9:27; Mt. 24:15; Rev. 13:4-6), and the remnant are protected from him (see. v. 13-17 below).].
[7] And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
[8] And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
[9] And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
[10] And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
[11] And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
[12] Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
[13] And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.
[14] And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
[15] And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.
[16] And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
[17] And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
[2] And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. [Note: At the Feast of Trumpets of 2017, Jupiter will have been located within the constellation Virgo's "stomach area" for 9 months, and it will leave Virgo on that day.].
[3] And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. [Note: the "dragon" is Satan (see Rev. 12:9).].
[4] And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. [Note: Mt. 2:13-23 describes Satan's attempt to kill the Christ Child.]
[5] And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. [Note: The "Man Child" was come to rule all nations with "a rod of iron" (Ps. 2:9; Rev. 2:27; 19:15), but He was rejected, crucified, resurrected, and He ascended to His Father, postponing what will be the Millennial Kingdom of Rev. 20:1-7.].
[6] And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. [Note: "The Woman" clearly is Israel, not Mary! Israel's blindness is removed when the Antichrist commits the Abomination of Desolation (Rom. 11:25; Dan. 9:27; Mt. 24:15; Rev. 13:4-6), and the remnant are protected from him (see. v. 13-17 below).].
Verses 7-17 give more detail to the events above.
[7] And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
[8] And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
[9] And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
[10] And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
[11] And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
[12] Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
[13] And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.
[14] And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
[15] And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.
[16] And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
[17] And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Thursday, July 28, 2016
A VERY BRIEF OUTLINE OF REVELATION
Revelation as I understand it!
Chapter One: Introduction with the key to understanding the time-line is verse 19 - "Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter (Ch. 1 - by verse 19, John had seen the Glorified Lord.
Chapters Two and Three: The things which are: at that time, there were seven churches in Asia Minor (modern Turkey), each symbolic of the seven types of churches throughout the Church Age.
Chapters Four and Five: Because the Church is not mention after Chapter Three, and John was a born again believer, his call to "Come up hither" in Ch. 4:1 is believed to represent the removal of genuine believers via the Rapture of the Church (Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15:50-54; 1 Th. 4:16-17). These two chapters take place in heaven.
Chapters Six - Eleven: These chapters discuss what happens on earth during the first half of the seven-year Tribulation. Chapter Six clearly describes what is about to take place as "the wrath of the Lamb (v.16-17). Many believe that the wrath of God is not poured out until Chapter Thirteen, but the entire seven years are described as the "Time of Jacob's Trouble" (Jer. 30:7), and the "Seventieth Week of Daniel (Dan. 9:24-27). Chapter Eleven reveals the "Two Witnesses," who are given three and a half years to proclaim God's kingdom (11:3-12).
Chapter Twelve: Seems to be an overview of Satan being confined to the earth (v. 3-4); his attempt to kill the "male child" (some believe the woman is Israel, and Jesus is the Child; others believe the woman is Israel, and the "male child" is the Church, and as the Body of Chris, it is removed in the Rapture). The problem with the second view, is that "male child" is singular; He was to "rule with a rod of iron" (Ps. 2:9; Rev. 2:22; 12:5; 19:15) but it was postponed; and when He is caught up, it is to His throne! The "woman" represents corporate Israel; notice the verb is plural in verse 12:14 ["And to the woman (sing.) were (plur.) given two wings of a great eagle, that she (sing.) might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time (3 1/2 years), from the face of the serpent.").]
Chapter Thirteen: This chapter is what is called "the midst of the week" (Dan. 9:27; Rev. 24:15-16). It is when The Beast (Antichrist - 1 Jn. 2:18) miraculously recovers from a mortal wound, and is empowered by Satan (the Dragon - 13:3-4). Then "Another Beast" (the False Prophet - 13:11; 19:20) joins up with the "First Beast," and he is given authority to kill all who will not worship the "First Beast" (13:15).
Chapters Fourteen - Eighteen: The Antichrist and False Prophet attempt to destroy Israel, but God protects them as His remnant (See 12:14).
Chapter Nineteen: The Second Coming of Christ!
Chapter Twenty: The thousand year reign of Christ (the Millennium), and the Great White Throne Judgment)!
Chapters Twenty-one - Twenty-Two: The New Heaven and New Earth / Eternity!
Chapter One: Introduction with the key to understanding the time-line is verse 19 - "Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter (Ch. 1 - by verse 19, John had seen the Glorified Lord.
Chapters Two and Three: The things which are: at that time, there were seven churches in Asia Minor (modern Turkey), each symbolic of the seven types of churches throughout the Church Age.
Chapters Four and Five: Because the Church is not mention after Chapter Three, and John was a born again believer, his call to "Come up hither" in Ch. 4:1 is believed to represent the removal of genuine believers via the Rapture of the Church (Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15:50-54; 1 Th. 4:16-17). These two chapters take place in heaven.
Chapters Six - Eleven: These chapters discuss what happens on earth during the first half of the seven-year Tribulation. Chapter Six clearly describes what is about to take place as "the wrath of the Lamb (v.16-17). Many believe that the wrath of God is not poured out until Chapter Thirteen, but the entire seven years are described as the "Time of Jacob's Trouble" (Jer. 30:7), and the "Seventieth Week of Daniel (Dan. 9:24-27). Chapter Eleven reveals the "Two Witnesses," who are given three and a half years to proclaim God's kingdom (11:3-12).
Chapter Twelve: Seems to be an overview of Satan being confined to the earth (v. 3-4); his attempt to kill the "male child" (some believe the woman is Israel, and Jesus is the Child; others believe the woman is Israel, and the "male child" is the Church, and as the Body of Chris, it is removed in the Rapture). The problem with the second view, is that "male child" is singular; He was to "rule with a rod of iron" (Ps. 2:9; Rev. 2:22; 12:5; 19:15) but it was postponed; and when He is caught up, it is to His throne! The "woman" represents corporate Israel; notice the verb is plural in verse 12:14 ["And to the woman (sing.) were (plur.) given two wings of a great eagle, that she (sing.) might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time (3 1/2 years), from the face of the serpent.").]
Chapter Thirteen: This chapter is what is called "the midst of the week" (Dan. 9:27; Rev. 24:15-16). It is when The Beast (Antichrist - 1 Jn. 2:18) miraculously recovers from a mortal wound, and is empowered by Satan (the Dragon - 13:3-4). Then "Another Beast" (the False Prophet - 13:11; 19:20) joins up with the "First Beast," and he is given authority to kill all who will not worship the "First Beast" (13:15).
Chapters Fourteen - Eighteen: The Antichrist and False Prophet attempt to destroy Israel, but God protects them as His remnant (See 12:14).
Chapter Nineteen: The Second Coming of Christ!
Chapter Twenty: The thousand year reign of Christ (the Millennium), and the Great White Throne Judgment)!
Chapters Twenty-one - Twenty-Two: The New Heaven and New Earth / Eternity!
Church members will experience the horrors of the Tribulation;
Born again believers will spend that seven years with Jesus in heaven!
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
THE TRIBULATION IS GOD'S JUDGMENT UPON ISRAEL
In Daniel 9:24-27, Israel's future, according to God's plan, will be "seventy weeks" long. Because "sixty-nine weeks" will begin with the command for Israel to rebuild Jerusalem, and will end with the Crucifixion of their Messiah, a total of 483 years, we know that each "week" is seven years long. The "seventieth week," which has not yet occurred, will be known as The Tribulation (a.k.a. "The Time of Jacob's Trouble - Jer. 30:7). According to verse twenty-seven, the "week" will be divided into two halves. This division will occur when the Antichrist commits the "abomination of desolation." We also can confirm the "week" is seven years long by each half being described as being forty-two months (Rev. 11:2; 13:5); 1260 days (Rev. 11:3; 12:6); and "a time, and times, and half a time" (Dan. 12:7; Rev. 12:14 - a "time" equals one year, 1+2+1/2= 3 1/2 years).
The Tribulation is described as: "the wrath" (1Th. 5:9; Rev. 11:18); "the wrath to come" (1 Th. 1:10); "the great day of their wrath" (Rev. 6:17); "the wrath of God" (Rev. 14:10, 19; 15:1, 7; 16:1)! Born again believers will not be here during the Tribulation. God has declared it saying: "And to wait for His Son from heaven, Whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, Who delivered us from the wrath to come" (1 Th. 1:10). Again His Word says, "For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Th. 5:9). He promised the faithful will not be here in Revelation 3:10 which says, "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."
The removal of the Church prior to the Tribulation, is found in John 14:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:50-54; and 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. And because there is no mention of the Church during the Tribulation chapters of Revelation (6-18), it has been suggested that Revelation 4:1 is a picture of the Rapture of the Church; it says: "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."
The Tribulation is described as: "the wrath" (1Th. 5:9; Rev. 11:18); "the wrath to come" (1 Th. 1:10); "the great day of their wrath" (Rev. 6:17); "the wrath of God" (Rev. 14:10, 19; 15:1, 7; 16:1)! Born again believers will not be here during the Tribulation. God has declared it saying: "And to wait for His Son from heaven, Whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, Who delivered us from the wrath to come" (1 Th. 1:10). Again His Word says, "For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Th. 5:9). He promised the faithful will not be here in Revelation 3:10 which says, "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."
The removal of the Church prior to the Tribulation, is found in John 14:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:50-54; and 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. And because there is no mention of the Church during the Tribulation chapters of Revelation (6-18), it has been suggested that Revelation 4:1 is a picture of the Rapture of the Church; it says: "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."
All who call upon the Lord Jesus Christ, will be saved!
Tuesday, July 26, 2016
OVERCOMING FEAR IN TODAY'S CHAOTIC WORLD
If I were to focus just the slightest attention on all the chaos in our sin-sick world today, I would be overwhelmed and constantly depressed - perhaps even suicidal! BUT, I have chosen to believe what God's Word has to say about our times, and regardless of the media, the politics, the "wolves in sheep's clothing," Islamic terrorism, and the continuous threat of having my Social Security benefits reduced or stopped, I stand on the Bible promise of God (1 Cor. 10:13 below in KJV and NLT):
"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."
The Greek word translated "temptation" is πειρασμός (peirasmos), which, depending upon the context, can mean: "a test," "a trial," "a temptation," or "a threatening situation." " πειρασμός" is found in "The Lord's Prayer" (Mt. 6:13), and it refers to one's life be threatened in Acts 20:19. However, the best example is found in Revelation 3:10, which says, "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." I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever, that based upon this and other Bible verses (Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15:50-54; 1 Th. 4:13-18; etc.), born again believers will be "Raptured" before "all hell breaks loose" in the Tribulation (Dan. 9:27; Mt. 24:3-29; Rev. Ch. 6-19).
In the Book of Revelation, Chapters Two and Three, the seven churches in Asia Minor are promised the same thing: to those who overcome this world, Jesus promises a reward (2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21). To the person unfamiliar with God's Word, that sounds like He is saying that in order to be saved, one must not yield to temptation. However, the same John who wrote Revelation, also wrote 1 John 5:4-6 which explains how one overcomes this world:
"For (whosoever) 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? This is He that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth."
"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."
-------
"The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure."The Greek word translated "temptation" is πειρασμός (peirasmos), which, depending upon the context, can mean: "a test," "a trial," "a temptation," or "a threatening situation." " πειρασμός" is found in "The Lord's Prayer" (Mt. 6:13), and it refers to one's life be threatened in Acts 20:19. However, the best example is found in Revelation 3:10, which says, "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." I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever, that based upon this and other Bible verses (Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15:50-54; 1 Th. 4:13-18; etc.), born again believers will be "Raptured" before "all hell breaks loose" in the Tribulation (Dan. 9:27; Mt. 24:3-29; Rev. Ch. 6-19).
In the Book of Revelation, Chapters Two and Three, the seven churches in Asia Minor are promised the same thing: to those who overcome this world, Jesus promises a reward (2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21). To the person unfamiliar with God's Word, that sounds like He is saying that in order to be saved, one must not yield to temptation. However, the same John who wrote Revelation, also wrote 1 John 5:4-6 which explains how one overcomes this world:
"For (whosoever) 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? This is He that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth."
To overcome life's trials, simply trust in the resurrected Lord: Jesus Christ!
Monday, July 25, 2016
THE LORD'S UNUSUAL GENEALOGY
The genealogies of Jewish families rarely, if ever, included the names of women. The Book of Matthew, written to introduce Israel's Messiah to the Jews, not only included women, you might say they were the kind of women who were unlikely to be listed in the lineage of a king (MT. 1:1, 3, 5, 6, 16)! Matthew Chapter One:
[1] The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
[3] And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar (Tamar); and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;
[5] And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab (Rahab); and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;
[6] And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her (Bathsheba) that had been the wife of Urias;
[16] And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
Verse 3: Tamar played the harlot in order to bare an heir in David's lineage (Gen. 38:6-30)!
Verse 5: Rahab was a Gentile harlot (Josh. 2:3; 6:17-23) who was David's great, great, grandmother.
She is listed in the "Hebrews Hall of Faith," which says, "By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace" (Heb. 11:31); and James wrote of her, "Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?" (Jam. 2:25).
Verse 5: Ruth was also a Gentile, a Moabite who was the daughter-in-law of Naomi. The Book of Ruth is about her faithfulness to Naomi, her conversion, and her marriage to Boaz; she was the great grandmother of David.
Verse 6: Bathsheba, ("her that had been the wife of Urias"), was an adulteress who could have refused David's advances, but instead, she submitted and their union produced David's heir, Solomon; their adultery resulted in David insuring that Urias was killed in battle (2 Sam. 11:3-27)!
Verse 16: Mary, who was "espoused to Joseph" (engaged), was "with child" before their marriage. That would normally result in her being stoned to death. However, God made sure Mary and her child would be safe. Matthew wrote:
"... before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of (in the lineage of) David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 'Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.' Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: and knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called His name JESUS" (Mt. 1:16-25).
If God can use these examples, He can surely use you and me!
Sunday, July 24, 2016
JESUS: LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON
John 1:1, 14 - "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."
John 10:30-31 - "I and My Father are one. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him."
John 14:6-9 - "Jesus saith unto him, I am The Way, The Truth, and The Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me. If ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also: and from henceforth ye know Him, and have seen Him. Philip saith unto Him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known Me, Philip? He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?"
John 17:21-22 - "That they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us: that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me. And the glory which Thou gavest Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as We are one."
Philippians 2:5-8 - "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."
Colossians 1:12-16 - "Giving thanks unto the Father, Who hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son: in Whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God...."
Colossians 2:8-9 - "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily."
Hebrews 1:1-3, 8 - "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, Whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by Whom also He made the worlds; Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the Word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. - But unto the Son He saith, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of Thy kingdom."
1 John 5:7 - "For there are three that bear record in heaven, The Father, The Word, and The Holy Ghost: and these three are one."
John 10:30-31 - "I and My Father are one. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him."
John 14:6-9 - "Jesus saith unto him, I am The Way, The Truth, and The Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me. If ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also: and from henceforth ye know Him, and have seen Him. Philip saith unto Him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known Me, Philip? He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?"
John 17:21-22 - "That they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us: that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me. And the glory which Thou gavest Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as We are one."
Philippians 2:5-8 - "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."
Colossians 1:12-16 - "Giving thanks unto the Father, Who hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son: in Whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God...."
Colossians 2:8-9 - "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily."
Hebrews 1:1-3, 8 - "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, Whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by Whom also He made the worlds; Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the Word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. - But unto the Son He saith, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of Thy kingdom."
1 John 5:7 - "For there are three that bear record in heaven, The Father, The Word, and The Holy Ghost: and these three are one."
Our reverence for The Father, also belongs to His Son!
Saturday, July 23, 2016
WHO HE IS AND WHAT HE DOES
WHO IS JESUS?
Creator God - John 1:1, 3, 14 - "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."
God Manifest in the Flesh - 1 Timothy 3:16 - "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory."
God With Us - Matthew 1:23 - "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us."
The only Begotten Son of God - John 3:18 "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."
The Almighty - 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."
The I AM - John 18:5-6 - "They answered Him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am. And Judas also, which betrayed Him, stood with them. As soon then as He had said unto them, I am, they went backward, and fell to the ground."
Master and Lord - John 13:13 - "Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am."
King of kings and Lord of lords - Revelation 19:16 - "And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."
WHAT DOES JESUS DO?
Jesus Saves - 1 John 4:14-15; Romans 10:9-10 - "And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God." "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."
Friday, July 22, 2016
OUR RESURRECTED BODIES
Recently, someone pointed out a unusual passage of Scripture; it is unique and appears only once in the entire Bible. It is closely related to a similar phrase that appears five times, all in the New Testament. They are:
* Matthew 16:17 - "And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven." [Note: God, the Father, possesses neither flesh nor blood! John 4:24 confirms this: "God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth."]
* 1 Corinthians 15:50 - "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption." [Note: Because "flesh and blood" cannot enter heaven, our bodies need to be changed, and they will be - See 1 Cor. 15:35-52.]
* Galatians 1:16 - "To reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood." [Note: The context (v. 16-18) is that following the Apostle Paul's conversion, he did not get his theological understanding from man, but from God. - See Acts 9:15-16 and 26:16.]
* Ephesians 6:12 - "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." [ Note: This verse refers to Satan and his "fallen angels." Angelic beings are spiritual beings according to Ps. 104:4 and Heb. 1:14, although they can take on human form, or even that of an animal. See Mt. 12:43-45; Mk. 5:2-13; Heb. 13:2.]
* Hebrews 2:14 - "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil." [Jesus became a human being, having both flesh and blood, so that He could die for the sins of mankind, and to be raised again according to prophetic Scriptures (1 Cor. 15:1, 3-4). This verse appears to describe Satan, a spirit being, and the "angel of death."]
All of the verses above refer to humans as being "flesh and blood." According to 1 Corinthians 15:35-52, "flesh and blood" cannot enter heaven. So, when our bodies are resurrected, or when we are "changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye" (1 Cor. 15:52-54), what will our new bodies be like? The answer is found in at least two places:
1) Luke 24:39 - Our resurrected Lord Jesus Christ said, "Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself: handle Me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see Me have." [Note: When Jesus died, His blood was poured out in the garden (Lk. 22:44), when He was tortured (Jn. 19:1; Mt. 27:29), when He was nailed through His hands and feet (Ps. 22:16; Jn. 20:24-27), and when a spear was thrust into His dead body (Jn. 19:34)! That is why Jesus did not say He was "flesh and blood," but that He was "flesh and bone."
2) 1 John 3:2 - "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM; for we shall see Him as He is."
* Matthew 16:17 - "And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven." [Note: God, the Father, possesses neither flesh nor blood! John 4:24 confirms this: "God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth."]
* 1 Corinthians 15:50 - "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption." [Note: Because "flesh and blood" cannot enter heaven, our bodies need to be changed, and they will be - See 1 Cor. 15:35-52.]
* Galatians 1:16 - "To reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood." [Note: The context (v. 16-18) is that following the Apostle Paul's conversion, he did not get his theological understanding from man, but from God. - See Acts 9:15-16 and 26:16.]
* Ephesians 6:12 - "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." [ Note: This verse refers to Satan and his "fallen angels." Angelic beings are spiritual beings according to Ps. 104:4 and Heb. 1:14, although they can take on human form, or even that of an animal. See Mt. 12:43-45; Mk. 5:2-13; Heb. 13:2.]
* Hebrews 2:14 - "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil." [Jesus became a human being, having both flesh and blood, so that He could die for the sins of mankind, and to be raised again according to prophetic Scriptures (1 Cor. 15:1, 3-4). This verse appears to describe Satan, a spirit being, and the "angel of death."]
All of the verses above refer to humans as being "flesh and blood." According to 1 Corinthians 15:35-52, "flesh and blood" cannot enter heaven. So, when our bodies are resurrected, or when we are "changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye" (1 Cor. 15:52-54), what will our new bodies be like? The answer is found in at least two places:
1) Luke 24:39 - Our resurrected Lord Jesus Christ said, "Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself: handle Me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see Me have." [Note: When Jesus died, His blood was poured out in the garden (Lk. 22:44), when He was tortured (Jn. 19:1; Mt. 27:29), when He was nailed through His hands and feet (Ps. 22:16; Jn. 20:24-27), and when a spear was thrust into His dead body (Jn. 19:34)! That is why Jesus did not say He was "flesh and blood," but that He was "flesh and bone."
2) 1 John 3:2 - "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM; for we shall see Him as He is."
Thursday, July 21, 2016
THE JESUS OF THE BIBLE
As this world rapidly descends into a God-less, lawless, reprobate planet, false prophets abound and many who will cry "Lord, Lord," will only truly believe in Jesus when they are forced to stand before His Great White Throne Judgment (Mt. 7:21-23; Rom. 1:28; Rev. 20:11-15)! The vast majority of this world's population has heard about Jesus, but the god of this world has blinded them from "seeing Him" as their Lord and Savior (2 Cor. 4:4). Not only that, but believe it or not, it is quite likely that a very large proportion of people who claim to be Christians, are C.I.N.O.'s (Christian in name only)! According to Revelation 3:1-5, and 14-22, "the Church in Sardis," and "the Church of the Laodiceans," are described as being dead (v. 1), and as being "lukewarm" (v. 15-16)! I truly believe the reason these churches describe so-called believers in such a fashion, is because neither of them view Jesus Christ as Lord, as the authority in their lives.
"Tucked in between" the "dead church" (v. 1) and the "Christ-less church" (v. 20), is the church representing genuine believers: "the Church in Philadelphia" (v. 7-13). John wrote this about the faithful Church in Philadelphia, an ancient city in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey): "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..." (v. 7-8)! While "religious works" cannot save a person, (Eph. 2:9), those who are born again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, will be "doing good works" because of reverence for, and gratitude to, Him (Eph. 2:10; Jam. 1:22-27; 2:17-20). Earlier, I made reference to Matthew 7:21-23; let's look at what it says:
"Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? And in Thy name have cast out devils? And in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity."
What is "the will of My Father?" John 6:28-29 says: "Then said they unto Him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent." Notice that the only "works" God requires for salvation, is for us to "believe on" Jesus. Man is not born again by doing something; he is saved by believing on Jesus! That is, those who truly believe that Jesus died for their sins, that He was buried, but that God raised Him from the dead in order that He might become their Lord (Rom. 10:9-10; 1 Cor. 15:1-4). Then in 1 Corinthians 15:58, Paul wrote: "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."
"Tucked in between" the "dead church" (v. 1) and the "Christ-less church" (v. 20), is the church representing genuine believers: "the Church in Philadelphia" (v. 7-13). John wrote this about the faithful Church in Philadelphia, an ancient city in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey): "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..." (v. 7-8)! While "religious works" cannot save a person, (Eph. 2:9), those who are born again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, will be "doing good works" because of reverence for, and gratitude to, Him (Eph. 2:10; Jam. 1:22-27; 2:17-20). Earlier, I made reference to Matthew 7:21-23; let's look at what it says:
"Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? And in Thy name have cast out devils? And in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity."
What is "the will of My Father?" John 6:28-29 says: "Then said they unto Him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent." Notice that the only "works" God requires for salvation, is for us to "believe on" Jesus. Man is not born again by doing something; he is saved by believing on Jesus! That is, those who truly believe that Jesus died for their sins, that He was buried, but that God raised Him from the dead in order that He might become their Lord (Rom. 10:9-10; 1 Cor. 15:1-4). Then in 1 Corinthians 15:58, Paul wrote: "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."
Who is Jesus? He is Lord! Those who believe in Him, want to obey Him!
Wednesday, July 20, 2016
JESUS IS GOD
In the Old Testament, God identified Himself: "And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and He said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you" (Ex. 3:14). The Hebrew word is יְהֹוָה (Yĕhovah), and it is translated LORD 6509 times, GOD 4 times, and JEHOVAH 4 times according to Strong's Concordance of the King James Version of the Bible. In his New Testament Gospel, the Apostle John clearly identified Jesus as "I AM." Here are a few examples:
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 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 6:35 - "And Jesus said unto them, I AM The Bread of Life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst."
John 8:12 - "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I AM The Light of the World: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
John 8:58 - "Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I AM."
John 9:5 - "As long as I am in the world, I AM The Light of the World."
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."
John 10:11- "I AM The Good Shepherd: the good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep."
John 10:36 - "Say ye of Him, Whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I AM The Son of God?"
John 11:25 - "Jesus said unto her, I AM The Resurrection, and the Life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live."
John 13:13 - "Ye call Me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I AM."
John 14:6 - "Jesus saith unto him, I AM The Way, The Truth, and The Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me."
John 15:1 - "I AM The True Vine, and My Father is the Husbandman."
John 15:5 - I AM The Vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing."
John 18:5-6 - "They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I AM. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as He had said unto them, I AM, they went backward, and fell to the ground. -
John 18:37 - "Pilate therefore said unto Him, Art Thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I AM a King. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth My voice."
John 19:21 - "Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that He said, I AM King of the Jews."
In the first verse of John's Gospel, he declares that Jesus is truly God. He wrote: "In the beginning was The Word, and The Word was with God, and The Word was God." And just so we understand Who he means by "The Word," in verse fourteen, he wrote: "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."
When you believe in the Jesus of the Bible, you are believing in God!
Tuesday, July 19, 2016
BAD NEWS FOR AMERICA
The barn is burned to the ground, and all the horses are already dead; calling the fire department serves no purpose other than to have them tell you not to play with matches! The only reason we believe Christians can turn this suicide dive around, is because we do not know God's Word. America began its fall from grace following World War Two, when we began to think we were a super-power, and started intimidating other nations by threat of force, or by "financial encentive." The assassinations of good leaders, Black and White, the "free-love hippies," the so called "war on poverty," the election of crooks, socialists, and idiots has led us to self-destruction! Now, when America is weaker than at any time in my lifetime, and people are still calling America the last super power! Really?
America does not appear as a super-power, or a "player" in the rise of Antichrist, and because we have turned our backs on Israel, what grace we did receive has ended! The stage is set; the players have already chosen up "teams," and it is just a matter of time (not much, I am afraid) before Gog, Magog, and the armies of the East and South turn their plans to invade Israel a reality!.
But don't mind me, I am just an old man who is tired of listening to "Polly-Anna" theologians who preach what the masses want to hear! They say, "because God never changes, He will bless our nation as He has in the past." WRONG! Read Romans 1; read Ezekiel 37-39; read Matthew 24, read Daniel 9, read 2 Timothy 3, read Revelation, especially chapter 3! The time has come!
And do you know why our world is about to experience the wrath of God? For one simple reason: man no longer fears God! The Bible warns man, from Genesis to Revelation: FEAR GOD! (Gen. 42:18; Ex. 18:21; Job 1:9; Ps. 66:16; Lk. 23:40; Acts 13:16; 1 Pet. 2:17; Rev. 14:7)!!!
Then, there are the Christians who love to quote 1 John 4:18 which says: "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect."
The verse is true, as are all Bible verses, but there is one catch: who among us is perfect? God is presently working on us toward that goal (Rom. 8:28-29; Phil. 1:6; etc.), but to be perfect, we need to be like Jesus. According to 1 John 3:2, that does not occur until we see Jesus face-to-face! He wrote:
"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."
Our nation is doomed, but you do not have to be!
Accept the fact that Jesus is the Lord!
Accept the fact that Jesus is the Lord!
He is the One and only Savior (Jn. 14:6; Rom. 10:9-10; etc.)!
If you do not want to "go down with the ship," fear God!
Monday, July 18, 2016
CONTRASTS BETWEEN THE TRUTH AND THE LIAR
Contrasts between Christ and the Antichrist
(From Larkin's Dispensational Truth)
1. Christ came from Above. Jn. 6:38
Antichrist ascends from The Pit. Rev. 11:7
2. Christ came in His Father's name. Jn. 5:43
Antichrist comes in his Own name. Jn. 5:43
3. Christ Humbled Himself. Phil. 2:8
Antichrist Exalts himself. 2 Th. 2:4
4. Christ Despised. Isa. 53:3; Lk.23:18
Antichrist Admired. Rev. 13:3-4
5. Christ Exalted in Heaven. Phil. 2:9
Antichrist Bound in Hell. Isa. 14:14-15; Rev. 19:20
6. Christ to do His Father's will. Jn. 6:38
6. Christ to do His Father's will. Jn. 6:38
Antichrist to do his Own will. Dan. 11:36
7. Christ came to Save. Lk. 19:10
Antichrist comes to Destroy. Dan. 8:24
8. Christ is the Good Shepherd. Jn. 10:4-6
Antichrist is the Idol (evil) Shepherd. Zech. 11:16-17
9. Christ is the "True Vine." Jn. 15:1
9. Christ is the "True Vine." Jn. 15:1
Antichrist is the "Vine of the Earth." Rev. 14:18
10. Christ is the "Truth." Jn. 14:6
10. Christ is the "Truth." Jn. 14:6
Antichrist is the "Lie." 2 Th. 2:11
11. Christ is the "Holy One." Mk. 1:24
11. Christ is the "Holy One." Mk. 1:24
Antichrist is the "Wicked One." 2 Th. 2:8
12. Christ is the "Man of Sorrows." Isa. 53:3
12. Christ is the "Man of Sorrows." Isa. 53:3
Antichrist is the "Man of Sin." 2 Th. 2:3
13. Christ is the "Son of God." Lk. 1:35
13. Christ is the "Son of God." Lk. 1:35
Antichrist is the "Son of Perdition." 2 Th. 2:3
14. Christ, "Mystery of Godliness," God in the flesh. 1 Tim. 3:16
14. Christ, "Mystery of Godliness," God in the flesh. 1 Tim. 3:16
Antichrist, "Mystery of Iniquity," Satan in the flesh. 2 Th. 2:7
Sunday, July 17, 2016
THE GOSPEL MESSAGE INCLUDES REPENTANCE
When the Apostle Paul defined the Gospel, he made it clear for all to understand; he wrote:
"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures: (and there are many witnesses) and that He was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: after that, He was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep" (1 Cor. 15:1-6).
The Apostle John confirmed the saving power of the Gospel as well; he wrote: "And He is the propitiation (the satisfaction of the payment necessary) for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world" (1 Jn. 2:2). And again, he wrote: "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that (God) loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins" (1 Jn. 4:10).
Some of you may have noticed that the word "repentance" does not appear in any of the quoted verses above, and you would be correct. However, let's look at what IS said: Jesus died for our sins; "...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)! Knowing that, and believing that, has to result in repentance (a desire to turn from sin, and serve God)!
The Gospel of Luke demands that repentance be preached WITH the Gospel; Luke wrote:
"Then (Jesus) opened 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 ("remission" means the forgiveness or pardon of sin) should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem" (Lk. 24:45-47). And in 2 Corinthians 7:10, Paul wrote: "For GODLY SORROW WORKETH REPENTANCE TO SALVATION not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death." The perfect example of the wrong kind of repentance is seen in the repentance of Judas (Mt. 27:3-5)!
"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures: (and there are many witnesses) and that He was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: after that, He was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep" (1 Cor. 15:1-6).
The Apostle John confirmed the saving power of the Gospel as well; he wrote: "And He is the propitiation (the satisfaction of the payment necessary) for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world" (1 Jn. 2:2). And again, he wrote: "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that (God) loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins" (1 Jn. 4:10).
Some of you may have noticed that the word "repentance" does not appear in any of the quoted verses above, and you would be correct. However, let's look at what IS said: Jesus died for our sins; "...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)! Knowing that, and believing that, has to result in repentance (a desire to turn from sin, and serve God)!
The Gospel of Luke demands that repentance be preached WITH the Gospel; Luke wrote:
"Then (Jesus) opened 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 ("remission" means the forgiveness or pardon of sin) should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem" (Lk. 24:45-47). And in 2 Corinthians 7:10, Paul wrote: "For GODLY SORROW WORKETH REPENTANCE TO SALVATION not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death." The perfect example of the wrong kind of repentance is seen in the repentance of Judas (Mt. 27:3-5)!
JESUS DIE FOR YOU - IF YOU TRULY BELIEVE IT, LIVE FOR HIM!
Friday, July 15, 2016
CHRISTIANS, DO NOT FOCUS UPON THE BAD NEWS
In a day when the News is filled with horrible atrocities, anarchy, abuse, corruption, violence, racism, threats of war, etc., it is very easy to be discouraged! And yet, there are two passages of Scripture which describe our world just prior Christ's return. They are found in Romans 1:18-32 and 2 Timothy 3:1-5. Yes, I know those things existed in Paul's day, even perhaps from the beginning of this world following Adam's fall (Genesis 3:1-24; Romans 5:12, 19), but today, they are literally the dominate characteristic of the vast majority of mankind. Galatians 5:19-21 tells us how men without faith in God, act:
"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."
The apostle Paul also wrote these words of encouragement found in Philippians 4:4-9:
"Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you."
"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."
The apostle Paul also wrote these words of encouragement found in Philippians 4:4-9:
"Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you."
God, despite what we might think, is still in control! His plans are not subject to man's approval, but are going to be played out regardless of what Satan does to try to circumvent them! He tried to kill Baby Jesus, he tried to tempt the Man Christ Jesus, and failing to accomplish that, he has turned his attention to destroying both Israel and the Church. He WILL NOT SUCCEED! I read the end of the book, and this is his future; it is written in Revelation 20:7-10:
"And when...Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, and shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night forever and ever."
So, no matter how things look today, remember, in the end, God's children win!
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE MEAN BY "CONFESS"
As a former Roman Catholic, I frequently "went to confession." I would declare my sins, and the Priest would tell me what I had to do to get forgiveness. Usually, it was saying a few "Hail Marys," or when I had really messed up, he would tell me I needed to recite the Rosary a few times. The Rosary, for non-Catholics, is a series of declarations; they basically are as follows: Make the Sign of the Cross. Holding the Crucifix, say the Apostles' Creed, then "Our Father," three "Hail Marys," one "Glory Be," fifty more "Hail Marys," then one "Holy Queen." I no longer claim any denomination, but recognize I am a born again believer by faith in the one and only Mediator: Jesus Christ (1 Tim. 2:5). I also recognize that I am still a sinner, and that, according to 1 John 1:9, I need to acknowledge my sin to God, and ask for His cleansing.
As can be seen from the twelve passages below, to confess something, is to acknowledge it as fact. Salvation (the new birth - John 3:1-18). Jesus, God in the flesh (John 1:1, 14), must be acknowledged as one's Lord (Romans 10:9)! [He is the Son of God]
Matthew 10:32 - "Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven." [Son of God]
Luke 12:8-9 - "Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess Me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: But he that denieth Me before men shall be denied before the angels of God." [He is the Son of Man]
John 1:20 - "And (John the baptizer) confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ." [John acknowledged the truth - he was not the Christ]
John 9:22 - "These words spoke his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that He was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue." [Confessing Christ publically has consequences]
Acts 23:8 - "For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both." [They acknowledged both]
Acts 24:14 - "But this I confess unto thee, that after The Way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets." [See John 14:6]
Romans 10:9-11 - "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed." [He is Lord]
Hebrews 11:13 - "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth." [Acknowledged they were citizens of heaven]
1 John 1:9 - "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." [Agree with the Word that what I did was a sin]
1 John 4:2-3 - "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." [Confessing Him shows we are God's]
1 John 4:15 - "Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God." [God, the Spirit, indwells born again believers (John 14:17; Acts 5:3-4)]
2 John 2:17 - "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." [All who refuse to confess Jesus are against Him]
As can be seen from the twelve passages below, to confess something, is to acknowledge it as fact. Salvation (the new birth - John 3:1-18). Jesus, God in the flesh (John 1:1, 14), must be acknowledged as one's Lord (Romans 10:9)! [He is the Son of God]
Matthew 10:32 - "Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven." [Son of God]
Luke 12:8-9 - "Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess Me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: But he that denieth Me before men shall be denied before the angels of God." [He is the Son of Man]
John 1:20 - "And (John the baptizer) confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ." [John acknowledged the truth - he was not the Christ]
John 9:22 - "These words spoke his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that He was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue." [Confessing Christ publically has consequences]
Acts 23:8 - "For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both." [They acknowledged both]
Acts 24:14 - "But this I confess unto thee, that after The Way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets." [See John 14:6]
Romans 10:9-11 - "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed." [He is Lord]
Hebrews 11:13 - "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth." [Acknowledged they were citizens of heaven]
1 John 1:9 - "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." [Agree with the Word that what I did was a sin]
1 John 4:2-3 - "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." [Confessing Him shows we are God's]
1 John 4:15 - "Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God." [God, the Spirit, indwells born again believers (John 14:17; Acts 5:3-4)]
2 John 2:17 - "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." [All who refuse to confess Jesus are against Him]
Salvation is the result of believing in Jesus Christ as your Lord,
and acknowledging Him publically!
Thursday, July 14, 2016
GOD'S WILL SHALL BE DONE - EVENTUALLY!
God's desire was that mankind would be like Him. God is Holy. God is Righteous. God is Just. And had Adam not sinned, he would have remained "like God." Ironically, when Adam was tempted by Satan, the devil told Eve that she was not yet "like God," but all she had to do was eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and she would become "like God." The outcome, was in fact, the exact opposite: when Adam and Eve doubted God, and ate of the forbidden fruit, they ceased to be "like God!" Truth be told, it was Satan's rebellious desire to be like God, that brought about his being cast down to the earth!
Genesis 1:26-27 - "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." [Note: v.27 does not include the word "likeness, but Gen. 5:1 tells us Adam and Eve were in fact made after God's likeness.]
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." [Note: Following the fall of Adam, his offspring are said to be "made in his own likeness," not God's. Apparently Cain and Abel were also in Adam's image, since they were expected to offer animal sacrifices. (Gen.4:1-7)]
Psalm 17:15 - "As for me, I will behold Thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness." [Note: The psalmist knew he would be resurrected in God's likeness; in other words, he also knew he was not yet like God.]
Isaiah 40:18 - "To whom then will ye liken God? Or what likeness will ye compare unto Him?" [Note: It is clear that there is nothing found in all of creation, that is like God!]
Acts 14:11 - "And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men." [Note: Even though they were unbelievers, they knew that man was inferior to even their gods.]
Romans 8:3 - "For what the Law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh." [Note: Although Jesus is God (Jn. 1:1, 14), He became like men, a fact made more obvious in the next quote.]
Philippians 2:5-8 - "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." [Note: When Jesus took on human form, as a human, He was not like God, but like men.]
One day, God's desire for man to be made in the image and likeness of Himself, will become a reality once again; born again believers will be resurrected or raptured into His likeness (1 Cor. 15:50-52; 1 Th. 4:16-17):
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."
Genesis 1:26-27 - "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." [Note: v.27 does not include the word "likeness, but Gen. 5:1 tells us Adam and Eve were in fact made after God's likeness.]
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." [Note: Following the fall of Adam, his offspring are said to be "made in his own likeness," not God's. Apparently Cain and Abel were also in Adam's image, since they were expected to offer animal sacrifices. (Gen.4:1-7)]
Psalm 17:15 - "As for me, I will behold Thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness." [Note: The psalmist knew he would be resurrected in God's likeness; in other words, he also knew he was not yet like God.]
Isaiah 40:18 - "To whom then will ye liken God? Or what likeness will ye compare unto Him?" [Note: It is clear that there is nothing found in all of creation, that is like God!]
Acts 14:11 - "And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men." [Note: Even though they were unbelievers, they knew that man was inferior to even their gods.]
Romans 8:3 - "For what the Law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh." [Note: Although Jesus is God (Jn. 1:1, 14), He became like men, a fact made more obvious in the next quote.]
Philippians 2:5-8 - "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." [Note: When Jesus took on human form, as a human, He was not like God, but like men.]
One day, God's desire for man to be made in the image and likeness of Himself, will become a reality once again; born again believers will be resurrected or raptured into His likeness (1 Cor. 15:50-52; 1 Th. 4:16-17):
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."
Wednesday, July 13, 2016
THERE IS POWER ONLY IN HIS BLOOD!
Matthew 26:28 - "For this is My blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."
John 6:53-56 - "Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is meat indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He that eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, dwelleth in Me, and I in him." (See 1 Corinthians below)
Acts 20:28 - "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood."
Romans 5:9 - "Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him."
1 Corinthians 10:16; 11:25-27 - "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? - After the same manner also He took the cup, when He had supped, saying, This cup is the New Testament in My blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till He come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord."
Ephesians 1:7; 2:13 - "In Whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. - But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ."
Colossians 1:14, 20 - "In Whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins....And, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven."
Hebrews 9:22; - "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission."
John 6:53-56 - "Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is meat indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He that eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, dwelleth in Me, and I in him." (See 1 Corinthians below)
Acts 20:28 - "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood."
Romans 5:9 - "Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him."
1 Corinthians 10:16; 11:25-27 - "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? - After the same manner also He took the cup, when He had supped, saying, This cup is the New Testament in My blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till He come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord."
Ephesians 1:7; 2:13 - "In Whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. - But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ."
Colossians 1:14, 20 - "In Whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins....And, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven."
Hebrews 9:22; - "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission."
1 Peter 1:19 - "But with the precious blood of Christ, as of (The Lamb) without blemish and without spot."
1 John 1:7 - "But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin."
Revelation 1:5-6 - "And from Jesus Christ, Who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth. Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."
"Now the God of peace, (Who) 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)
Tuesday, July 12, 2016
IS THE RAPTURE TAUGHT IN SCRIPTURE?
YES! 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, is known as the "Rapture Passage." It, along with John 14:1-6, and 1 Corinthians 15:50-53, make it clear that born again believers will be caught up to meet Jesus Christ in the air. Unfortunately, the word "rapture" does not appear in either the Greek or the King James Version of the Bible. A form of it does appear in the Latin Vulgate, where it is rendered "rapiemur." In English, when someone is said to be "caught up" in love, or in a piece of music, or in a beautiful sunset, frequently the word used is "enraptured." All of the verses below have one thing in common: they all include the Greek word ἁρπάζω (harpazō), which as can be seen from these texts, speaks of "being removed by force":
Matthew 13:19 - "When any one heareth the Word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side."
John 6:15 - "When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take Him by force, to make Him a king, He departed again into a mountain Himself alone."
John 10:12, 28-29 - "But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep....And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My Father, (Who) gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father's hand."
Acts 8:39 - "And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing."
Acts 23:10 - "And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle."
2 Corinthians 12:2-4 - "I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter."
1 Thessalonians 4:17 - "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 12:5 - "And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to His throne."
God will once again be dealing with Israel and not the Church, during the future seven-year Tribulation, also known as "Daniel's Seventieth Week" (Dan. 9:27) and "The Time of Jacob's Trouble" (Jer. 30:7). This period will be the out-pouring of the wrath of God on Israel and those who reject His Son (Rev. 6:16-17); but the Lord will not allow His true believers to experience it (1 Th. 5:9; Rev. 3:10). We will be "raptured" before the Tribulation begins.
Matthew 13:19 - "When any one heareth the Word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side."
John 6:15 - "When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take Him by force, to make Him a king, He departed again into a mountain Himself alone."
John 10:12, 28-29 - "But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep....And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My Father, (Who) gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father's hand."
Acts 8:39 - "And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing."
Acts 23:10 - "And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle."
2 Corinthians 12:2-4 - "I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter."
1 Thessalonians 4:17 - "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 12:5 - "And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to His throne."
God will once again be dealing with Israel and not the Church, during the future seven-year Tribulation, also known as "Daniel's Seventieth Week" (Dan. 9:27) and "The Time of Jacob's Trouble" (Jer. 30:7). This period will be the out-pouring of the wrath of God on Israel and those who reject His Son (Rev. 6:16-17); but the Lord will not allow His true believers to experience it (1 Th. 5:9; Rev. 3:10). We will be "raptured" before the Tribulation begins.
Have you trusted in Jesus Christ as your Lord? Time is short!
DO NOT PUT IT OFF!
Monday, July 11, 2016
THE RAPTURE, THE TRIBULATION, THE SECOND COMING
After years of anticipation that the Lord would return for His Church at any moment, I have come to the sad conclusion that many modern-day prophets keep writing books, making DVD's, and holding prophecy conferences, simply for the profits. Don't get me wrong; I certainly believe in the Rapture of the Church prior to the seven-year Tribulation, but now, more than ever, I understand why the Rapture of the Church is still a mystery (1 Cor. 15:51-53). That is because no man knows when it will happen, not even Jesus knew (Mk. 13:32-33)! However, some will say, that passage is talking about the Second Coming of Christ, and they would be correct. So what does that have to do with the Church not knowing when the Rapture will take place? The answer is really quite simple; the Second Coming of Christ immediately follows the Tribulation (Mt. 24:29-30), but no one knows how much time will pass between the Rapture and the Tribulation!
The Tribulation occurs after the Rapture of the Church. We know this from the other names for the Tribulation: "The Time of Jacob's Trouble" (Jer. 30:7), and "Daniel's Seventieth Week" (Dan. 9:27).
And we know this, is from the Book of Revelation. Revelation is divided into three parts: the past, the present, and the future, all from John's perspective (Rev. 1:19). Chapter one describes what John had already seen. Chapters two and three describe what is known as the Church Age. Revelation 4:1 is a symbolic picture of John representing the Church. He is caught up to heaven; the same thing is said of the Church (Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15:51-53; 1 Th.4:13-18). From 4.1, unto the Second Coming described in Revelation 19, the Church is not mentioned as being on earth; it isn't even mentioned in chapter nineteen, but we know the Church will return with Christ, because the Word says so; we will be ever with our Lord (1 Th. 4:17)!
"Daniel's Seventieth Week" is divided into two halves by the prince of the people who destroyed Jerusalem (Dan. 9:26-27; Rome, 70 A.D.). Israel will agree to a seven-year peace "treaty" with the prince. They believe he is their long-awaited Messiah, but right in the midst of the seven years (1260 days - Rev. 11:3; 42 months - Rev. 11:2; a time, times, and half a time - Dan. 12:7), he commits the Abomination of Desolation (Dan. 9:27; 11:31; 12:11; Mt. 24:15; Rev. 13:6), Israel's eyes are opened and they head for the hills (Mt. 24:16; Rom. 11:25)! If the Church was still here when the covenant is confirmed, we would not only warn Israel of the identity of the "prince," but would explain Daniel 9:27 to them!
So, everything is timed based upon Daniel 9:27. No one knows when the Rapture will take place, but we do know that it does not apply to the Church; God has not appointed us to wrath (1 Th. 5:9 - the Tribulation is known as "God's wrath" - Isa. 13:6; Zeph. 1:14; Rev. 6:17). And therefore, no one knows when the Tribulation will begin; once it begins, the timing of the Abomination of Desolation and the Second Coming will be set. Now, if Jesus didn't know when the Second Coming would be, and we know it immediately follows the Tribulation, which follows the Rapture, and no one knows how much time passes between the Rapture and the Tribulation, therefore, no one knows when the Rapture will occur!
The Tribulation occurs after the Rapture of the Church. We know this from the other names for the Tribulation: "The Time of Jacob's Trouble" (Jer. 30:7), and "Daniel's Seventieth Week" (Dan. 9:27).
And we know this, is from the Book of Revelation. Revelation is divided into three parts: the past, the present, and the future, all from John's perspective (Rev. 1:19). Chapter one describes what John had already seen. Chapters two and three describe what is known as the Church Age. Revelation 4:1 is a symbolic picture of John representing the Church. He is caught up to heaven; the same thing is said of the Church (Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15:51-53; 1 Th.4:13-18). From 4.1, unto the Second Coming described in Revelation 19, the Church is not mentioned as being on earth; it isn't even mentioned in chapter nineteen, but we know the Church will return with Christ, because the Word says so; we will be ever with our Lord (1 Th. 4:17)!
"Daniel's Seventieth Week" is divided into two halves by the prince of the people who destroyed Jerusalem (Dan. 9:26-27; Rome, 70 A.D.). Israel will agree to a seven-year peace "treaty" with the prince. They believe he is their long-awaited Messiah, but right in the midst of the seven years (1260 days - Rev. 11:3; 42 months - Rev. 11:2; a time, times, and half a time - Dan. 12:7), he commits the Abomination of Desolation (Dan. 9:27; 11:31; 12:11; Mt. 24:15; Rev. 13:6), Israel's eyes are opened and they head for the hills (Mt. 24:16; Rom. 11:25)! If the Church was still here when the covenant is confirmed, we would not only warn Israel of the identity of the "prince," but would explain Daniel 9:27 to them!
So, everything is timed based upon Daniel 9:27. No one knows when the Rapture will take place, but we do know that it does not apply to the Church; God has not appointed us to wrath (1 Th. 5:9 - the Tribulation is known as "God's wrath" - Isa. 13:6; Zeph. 1:14; Rev. 6:17). And therefore, no one knows when the Tribulation will begin; once it begins, the timing of the Abomination of Desolation and the Second Coming will be set. Now, if Jesus didn't know when the Second Coming would be, and we know it immediately follows the Tribulation, which follows the Rapture, and no one knows how much time passes between the Rapture and the Tribulation, therefore, no one knows when the Rapture will occur!
The important thing is this: Do you believe Jesus Christ deserves to be your Lord?
When He does come for born again believers, will you be one of them?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
