HEBREWS THIRTEEN TWENTY AND TWENTY-ONE

 

MY PRAYER FOR ALL WHO CALL THEMSELVES CHRISTIANS

 

"NOW THE GOD OF PEACE,

WHO RAISED OUR LORD JESUS FROM THE DEAD,

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!"

(SLV - SkipsLighthouseVersion) 

DEATH

*  Genesis 2:16-17 (SLV) - "And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden, you may freely eat:  but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat of it: for in the day that you eat thereof, you will surely die."

Did God lie?  No!  God cannot lie (Ti. 1:2). So, how did Adam die "the day" he sinned?   I can think of two possible explanations for this apparent contradiction.  First, Adam lived to be 930 years old (Gen. 5:5), and to God, a day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years is as a day (Ps. 90:4; 2 Pet. 3:8).  Or, since humans were created as triune creatures, having a body, a soul, and a spirit (1 Th. 5:23), and since it is obvious that neither his body nor his soul died, he must have died spiritually (Rom. 5:10)! After all, Adam had fellowship with God prior to his sin, and after he sinned, he hid himself from God (Gen. 3:8).  We, sinners like Adam (Rom. 3:23), are spiritually dead, until we are born again by believing the Gospel (Jn. 3:5-8; 1 Cor. 15:22; 1 Cor. 15:1-4)!

*  Matthew 10:28 (SLV) - "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."

In other words, Satan has the ability to kill the body, but only God can destroy both the body and the soul (1 Cor. 5:5)!  I would not be dogmatic about this, but I believe that the only person who can kill me spiritually, is ME!  We are dead in OUR trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1)!  When we sin, we die spiritually;  if we remain in that condition, when we die physically (and we all do - Heb. 9:27), we will experience the "second death." 

*  Revelation 20:10-15; 21:8 (SLV) - "...the devil who deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night forever and ever.  And I saw a great white throne, and He that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened:  and another book was opened, which is the Book of Life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them:  and they were judged every man according to his works.  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire.  This is the second death.  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire....But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone:  which is the second death. "

 

BORN ONCE, DIE TWICE; BORN TWICE, DIE ONCE!

GENUINE FEAR LEADS TO GENUINE FAITH

TRUE FAITH BEGINS WITH A HEALTHY FEAR OF THE LORD

*  Psalm 111:10 - "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom:  a good understanding have all they that do His commandments:  His praise endures forever." 
*  Matthew 10:28 - "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."
*  Acts 9:31 - "Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied."

TRUE FAITH IS THE RESULT OF BELIEVING GOD'S WORD

*  Romans 10:8-17 - "...the Word of faith, which we preach; that if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  For the Scripture says, Whosoever believes on Him shall not be ashamed.  For there is no difference between the Jew and the Gentile:  for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him.  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.  How then shall they call on Him in Whom they have not believed?  And how shall they believe in Him of Whom they have not heard?  And how shall they hear without a preacher?  And how shall they preach, except they be sent?  As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!  But they have not all obeyed the Gospel.  For Isaiah said, Lord, who has believed our report?  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."

THERE IS NO FEAR WHEN WE KNOW GOD LOVES US

*  1 John 4:15-19 - "Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwells in him, and he in God.  And we have known and believed the love that God has to us.  God is love; and he that dwells in love dwells in God, and God in him.  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as He is, so are we in this world.  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear:  because fear has torment.  He that fears is not made perfect in love.  We love Him, because He first loved us."
*  Revelation 21:8 - "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone:  which is the second death."

 

FEAR LEADS TO LISTENING AND LISTENING LEADS TO FAITH!

IF HE IS LORD - OBEY HIM!

*  Acts 11:17; 15:11; 16:31; 28:31 - "Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as He did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God....But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they....And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house....Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence...."
*  Romans 1:7; 13:14; 15:30 - "To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints:  Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ....But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof....Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me."
*  1 Corinthians 1:3; 16:22 - "Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ....If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha."
*  2 Corinthians 1:2; 13:14 - "Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ....The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen."
*  Ephesians 1:2; 6:23 - "Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ....Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."
*  Philippians 1:2; 3:20 - "Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ....For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ."
*  Colossians 1:2 - "To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."
*  1 Thessalonians 1:1 - "Paul...unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ."
*  2 Thessalonians 1:1, 2, 12 - "Paul...unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ....Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ....That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ."
*  1 Timothy 5:21 - "I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality."
*  2 Timothy 4:1, 22 - "I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, Who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom....The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen."
*  Titus 1:4 - "To Titus, mine own son after the common faith:  Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour."
*  Philemon 1:3 - "Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."
*  James 1:1 - "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greetings."
*  2 John 1:3 - "Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love."

 

WHOSOEVER CALLETH UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALT BE SAVED!

THE WORD OF SALVATION AS I SEE IT

WE ARE SEPARATED FROM GOD BY OUR SIN

 

*  Romans 3:23; and 6:23a - "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God....For the wages of sin is death...."

 

GOD PROVIDED THE MEANS FOR OUR RECONCILIATION

*  Romans 5:8-11 - "But God commended His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.  And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom we have now received the atonement."

 

 BELIEVING GOD LOVES US, WE ACKNOWLEDGE JESUS AS OUR LORD

*  Romans 10:8-13 - "....The Word is near you, even in your mouth, and in your heart: that is, the Word of faith, which we preach; that if you will verbally confess that Jesus is Lord, and you believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  For the Scripture says, Whosoever believes on Him shall not be ashamed.  For there is no difference between the Jew and the Gentile:  for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him.  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

 

BELIEVING GOD LOVES US, WE ARE MOTIVATED TO LIVE FOR HIM

*  2 Corinthians 5:15-21 - "For the love of Christ constrains us; because we thus judge, that if One died for all, then were all dead:  and that He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him Who died for them, and rose again.  Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh:  yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we Him no more.  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  And all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation;  to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and has committed unto us the Word of reconciliation.  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be reconciled to God.  For He has made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him."

 

JESUS DIED FOR US SO THAT WE CAN LIVE FOR HIM!

THE NUMBER SEVEN IN REVELATION

"Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.  Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks:  the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.  And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for Himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.  And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate" (Dan. 9:24-27).

The Prophet Daniel wrote that according to the LORD's timetable, He would finish His work on Israel in "seventy weeks" from the time Israel was commanded to rebuild Jerusalem (Dan. 9:24-25).  The prophecy was not referring to literal weeks, but actually was talking about "seventy sevens."  There are two ways we know that He was speaking of seventy periods of seven years:  1) 7 weeks + 62 weeks = 483 years (the exact length of time from the command until Israel's Messiah was crucified; and 2) the last "seven" will be seven years, which will be divided into two halves of 1260 days (Rev. 11:3; 12:6), or 42 months (Rev. 11:2; 13:5), or "a time, times, and half a time" (Dan. 7:25; 12:7; Rev. 12:14).

That, of course, begs the question:  If the 483 years ended the year Jesus was crucified, and the last seven years are yet future, what takes place between the 483rd year, and the 484th year?   The answer is:  The Church Age!  The Church "was born" on the Day of Pentecost ten days after Christ's Ascension (Acts 2:1-47).  When the Lord returns to gather His Church (Jn. 14:1-6; 1 Cor. 15:50-54; 1 Th. 4:13-18), the Church Age will be over, and the "last week" known as "Daniel's Seventieth Week" (Dan. 9:27) will begin.  That seven-year period is also known as "The Tribulation" (Mt. 24:3-29); and "The Time of Jacob's Trouble" (Jer. 30:7).  The Book of Revelation discusses, in detail, the events of Israel's "trouble" (Rev. 6 - 19).  The Church is only mentioned in chapters two and three, which is prior to the Tribulation.  Revelation 4:1 speaks of  the Apostle John being called up into heaven; John ascension is clearly symbolizing the Rapture of the Church!   Thank God!

[Note:  I find it very interesting that the Greek word for seven, ἑπτά (hepta), occurs 87 times in 63 verses in the New Testament; 54 of those occur in 31 verses in the Book of Revelation!]

 

SEVEN TO THE BELIEVER, MEANS IT IS TIME TO REST!

 

THE WORLD SAYS YOU SHOULD FOLLOW YOUR HEART

Throughout history, as it is found in the Bible, man has wanted "to do his own thing."  Adam and Eve did not have a troubled childhood; they did not associate with "the wrong crowd" (they had no "peer pressure" because there were no peers; there was no crowd!); they did not come from a "bad neighborhood" or go to "bad schools"; there weren't too many rules to follow:  they had one single "Thou shalt not!"  They didn't even have a "sin nature," for unlike man today, they were sinless!  But like you and me, they had free will; they could choose to obey or disobey God.  We all, not only know what they chose to do, we all have suffered the consequences of that choice, because as they say, "the acorn does not fall far from the tree" (Rom. 5:12)!  No, their problem, like ours, is that they followed their hearts - huge mistake!  For the heart cannot be trusted!  Here is what God's Word tells us about our hearts:

*  Genesis 6:5-6 - "And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.  And it repented the LORD that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him at His heart."

*  Ecclesiastes 8:11 - "Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil."

*  Ecclesiastes 9:3 - "This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all:  yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead."

*  Jeremiah 17:9 - "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked:  who can know it?"

*  Matthew 15:18-20 - "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:  these are the things which defile a man...."

*  Mark 7:20-23 - "And He said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.  For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:  all these evil things come from within, and defile the man."

[Note:  Even the born-again believer is warned against "grieving the Spirit" (Eph. 4:30) and "quenching the Spirit" (1 Th. 5:19).  We grieve the Holy Spirit when we fail to follow His guidance (Jn. 16:13); that is, when we fail to "walk in the Spirit" (Gal. 5:16-25).  We "quench the Spirit" by "throwing cold water" on those who are "on fire for the Lord" (Lev. 6:12; Deut. 1:21;  2 Sam. 21:17; Isa. 62:1; Lk. 24:32; etc.)].

 

Be careful; do not listen to Oprah, Dr. Phil, Joel Osteen, or even your own heart!  Study God's Word so that you can discern whose spirit is leading you:  God's Spirit or Satan!  Psalm 119:11 has the answer:  "Thy Word have I hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee!"

JESUS: CREATOR, GOD, KING, LORD, SAVIOR

*  Ecclesiastes 12:1 (NLT) - "Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor Him in your youth before you grow old and say, Life is not pleasant anymore."

*  Isaiah 40:28 (NLT) - "Have you never heard?  Have you never understood?  The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth.  He never grows weak or weary.  No one can measure the depths of His understanding."

*  Isaiah 43:15 (NLT) - "I am the LORD, your Holy One, Israel's Creator and King."

*  Romans 1:25 (NLT) - "They traded the truth about God for a lie.  So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator Himself, Who is worthy of eternal praise!  Amen."

*  1 Peter 4:19 (NKJV) - "Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator."

*  Genesis 1:1, 29  (KJV) - "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth....So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them."

*  Psalm 148:5 (NLT) - "Let every created thing give praise to the LORD, for He issued His command, and they came into being."

*  Isaiah 43:7 (KJV) - "Even every one that is called by My name:  for I have created him for My glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him."

*  Isaiah 45:19 (NKJV) - "For thus says the LORD, Who created the heavens, Who is God, Who formed the earth and made it, Who has established it, Who did not create it in vain, Who formed it to be inhabited:  I am the LORD, and there is no other."

*  John 1:1-3, 10, 14 (KJV) - "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  The same was in the beginning with God.  All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made....He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not....And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."

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

*  Hebrews 1:1-2 (NKJV) - "God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, Whom He has appointed heir of all things, through 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 at the right hand of the Majesty on high."

 

SAVING FAITH: BELIEVING GOD'S WORD

THE GOSPEL HAS THE POWER TO CHANGE LIVES

1.  All of us have sinned (Rom. 3:23).
2.  The penalty for sin is death (Rom. 6:23a).
3.  However, Christ died in our place (Rom. 5:8).
4.  God, accepting Christ's death on our behalf, has offered us the free gift of salvation (Rom. 6:23b).
5.  If we truly believe Jesus died for our sins; that He was buried; and that His Father raised Him from the dead to be our Lord, we will want to tell others (Rom. 10:8-13; 1 Cor. 15:1-4)! 

True faith will result in repentance from sin and surrender to God!  Here are a few examples of faith in the lives of believers:
*  Acts 15:9 - "...purifying their hearts by faith."
*  Acts 26:18 - "...among them who are sanctified by faith that is in Me."
*  Romans 1:27 - "...the just shall live by faith."
*  Romans 3:22, 28 - "...the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe...a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the Law."
*  Romans 5:1-2 - "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:  by Whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand...."
*  Galatians 3:24, 26 - "Wherefore the Law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith....For you are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus."
*  Ephesians 3:17 - "That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith...."
*  Philippians 3:9 - "...be found in Him, not having my own righteousness...but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith."
*  Hebrews 10:38 - "Now the just shall live by faith...."
*  Hebrews 11:4 - "By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice...."
*  Hebrews 11:5 - "By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death...."
*  Hebrews 11:7 - "By faith Noah...prepared an ark...."
*  Hebrews 11:17 - "By faith Abraham...offered up Isaac...."
*  Hebrews 11:27 - "By faith Moses forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king...."
*  Hebrews 11:30 - "By faith the walls of Jericho fell down...."
*  Hebrews 11:31 - "By faith the harlot Rahab perished not...."

IN SUMMARY

God's offer:  "For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  not of works, lest any man should boast." (Eph. 2:8-9).

Our response:  "If you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation....For whomsoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Rom. 10:9-10, 13).  

GOOD WORKS FOLLOW GENUINE SALVATION

*  Matthew 5:16 - "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father Who is in heaven."  [Note:  As a child of God, we are to do good works out of obedience, gratitude, and for His glory, not ours.]

*  John 6:28-29 - "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 has sent."  [Note:  The only "work" God wants from unbelievers, is to believe in His Son.]

*  John 8:39 - "They answered and said unto Him, Abraham is our father.  Jesus said unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham."  [Note:  The works of Abraham resulted from his faith in God; "Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness" (see Rom. 4:3; Gal. 3:6; Jam. 2:23).]

*  John 14:12 - "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believes on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto My Father."  [Note:  There are two reasons believers today have the potential to do mightier works than Jesus:  1)  John 16:7 - "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away:  for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you." and 2)  John 20:29 - "Jesus said unto him, Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed:  blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."]

*  Acts 26:19-20 - "Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:  but showed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works that show repentance."  [Note:  Those who have truly repented and turned to faith in God, will manifest their faith by doing good works; they will show them by the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23; Mt. 7:15-20)!]

*  Galatians 2:16 - "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the Law:  for by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified."  [Note:  "Justified" means "to declare, pronounce, one to be just, righteous, or such as he ought to be" it is the work of God for man (Rom. 8:30).]

*  Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  not of works, lest any man should boast."  [Note:  Salvation is a free gift to all who will call Jesus Lord (Rom. 5:15-18; 10:9-10; 2 Tim. 1:9).]

*  Titus 3:5, 8 - "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; this is a faithful saying, and these things I will that you affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men."  [Note:  Again, good works, those believers are led by the Spirit to do, are evidence of salvation (Jam. 2:17-20).]

The only good works are those which are done in obedience to the Spirit! 

GOD OFFERS US THE FREE GIFT OF HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS

In order for a person to spend eternity with Christ in heaven, he or she must be righteous.  "Righteous" is from the Greek δίκαιος (dikaios), meaning "approved of, or acceptable to God; guiltless."  Because the Bible says "There is none righteous, no not one" (Rom. 3:10), no one deserves to go to heaven.  However, thanks be to Almighty God, He has made us qualified (righteous) by simply trusting in the finished work of Jesus on the cross.  By faith in Him, we are declared righteous by God.  It is a free gift to all who will believe in Him.  Here are a few of the Bible verses that declare this awesome truth (Skip's Lighthouse Version):

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

*  Romans 3:21-22, 26 - "But now the righteousness of God apart from the Law is manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe:  for there is no difference....To declare, I say, at this time His righteousness:  that He might be just, and the justifier of him which believe in Jesus."

*  Romans 4:3-5 - "For what does the Scripture say?  Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.  Now to him that works is the reward not reckoned a gift, but of debt.  But to him that works not, but believes on Him that justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness."

*  Romans 5:17-18 - "For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by One, Jesus Christ.  Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of One the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life."

*  Romans 9:30 - "What shall we say then?  That the Gentiles, who followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith."

*  Romans 10:3-5, 8-10 - "For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.  For Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to everyone that believes.  For Moses described the righteousness which is of the Law, That the man who does those things shall live by them....But what does the Word say?  The Word is nigh thee, even in your mouth, and in your heart:  that is, the Word of faith, which we preach; that if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and do believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

*  2 Corinthians 5:21 - "For He has made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him."

*  Galatians 2:21 - "I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the Law, then Christ is dead in vain."
*  Philippians 3:9 - "...and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is of the Law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith."
*  Titus 3:5 - "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost."
*  Hebrews 11:7 - "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith."
*  Revelation 19:8 - "And to the Church was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white:  for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints."

 

YOU CAN TRUST IN JESUS AND SPEND ETERNITY WITH HIM,

OR, YOU CAN TRUST IN YOURSELF AND REGRET IT FOR ETERNITY!

THE TRINITY: FIRST JOHN FIVE SEVEN

1 John 5:7 - The King James Version (English) = "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."  The original Koine Greek  = "ὅτι τρεῖς εἰσιν οἱ μαρτυροῦντες ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ, ὁ πατὴρ, ὁ λόγος, καὶ τὸ ἅγιον πνεῦμα καὶ οὗτοι οἱ τρεῖς ἕν εἰσιν"

THREE PERSONAGES AND YET ONE GOD

"The Father" = from the Greek πατήρ (patēr), which occurs 419 times in 372 verses in the Greek concordance of the KJV; in context = "the Father of Jesus Christ."
Key passages:  Called "God the Father" in John 6:27; Galatians 1:1, 3; Eph. 6:23; Philippians 2:11; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Timothy 1:2; Titus 1:4; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Peter 1:17; 2 John 1:3; Jude 1:1.

"The Word" = from the Greek λόγος (logos), which occurs 331 times in 316 verses in the Greek concordance of the KJV; in context = "Jesus as the Son of God."
Key passage:  "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 1:1, 14).  Jesus was also called "The Word" in 1 John 1:1; 5:7; and Revelation 19:13.

"The Holy Ghost" = from the Greek ἅγιος (hagios), which occurs 229 times in 219 verses in the Greek concordance of the KJV; and from the Greek πνεῦμα (pneuma), which occurs 385 times in 350 verses in the Greek concordance of the KJV; in context = "Most Holy" and "Breath of God." 
Key passage:  "But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?  Whiles it remained, was it not thine own?  And after it was sold, was it not in thine own power?  Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart?  Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God" (Acts 5:3-4)!

"These three are one" =  from the Greek καὶ οὗτοι οἱ τρεῖς ἕν εἰσιν 
Key passages:  (Genesis 1:1 - In the Old Testament the Hebrew the word "Elohim" is a plural noun; also plural pronouns are used to describe God in Genesis 1:26).  See also:  Matthew 28:19; John 14:26; 1 Timothy 3:16; etc.!

 

THE FATHER IS GOD, BUT HE IS NOT "THE SON," AND NOT THE "HOLY SPIRIT."

THE SON IS GOD, BUT HE IS NOT "THE FATHER," AND NOT THE "HOLY SPIRIT."

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GOD, BUT HE IS NOT "THE FATHER," AND NOT "THE SON."

THE GOSPEL, WHEN BELIEVED, SAVES THE LOST

THE GOSPEL MESSAGE THAT HAS THE POWER TO SAVE THE LOST

[Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 15:1]

JESUS DIED FOR OUR SINS:
*  1 Corinthians 15:3 - "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures."
*  Galatians 1:3-4 - "...our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father."
*  1 John 2:1-2 - "Jesus Christ the righteous...is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."  [Note:  According to Rom. 6:23, "the wages (payment due) for sins is death."  "Propitiation" means "the full satisfaction of our debt."]
*  1 John 4:10 - "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins."

JESUS WAS BURIED:
*  1 Corinthians 15:4 - "...He was buried..."
*  Matthew 27:59-60 - "And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed."
*  Mark 15:44-46 - "And Pilate...gave the body to Joseph.  And he bought fine linen, and took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen, and laid Him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulcher."
*  Luke 23:53 - "And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid."
*  John 19:41-42 - "Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.  There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand."

JESUS WAS RAISED FROM THE DEAD:
*  1 Corinthians 15:4 - "...He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures."
*  Matthew 28:5-6 - "And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, Who was crucified.  He is not here:  for He is risen, as He said.  Come, see the place where the Lord lay."
*  Mark 16:6 - "And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted:  Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, Who was crucified:  He is risen; He is not here:  behold the place where they laid Him."
*  Luke 24:5-6 - "...Why seek ye the living among the dead?  He is not here, but is risen: remember how He spoke unto you when He was yet in Galilee."
*  John 20:16 - "Jesus saith unto her, Mary.  She turned herself, and saith unto Him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master."

"...BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND THOU SHALT BE SAVED...."

Acts 16:31

HOW WOULD YOU TITLE THIS?

John 14:1-6 - "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.  And where I go you know, and the way you know.  Thomas said unto Him, Lord, we know not where You go; and how can we know the way?  Jesus said unto him, I AM The Way, The Truth, and The Life:  no man comes unto the Father, but by Me."

1 Corinthians 15:49-54 - "And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.  Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither does corruption inherit incorruption.  Behold, I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump:  for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.  So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory."

2 Corinthians 5:1-8 - "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.  For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:  if so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.  For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.  Now He Who has created us for the selfsame thing is God, Who also has given unto us the guarantee of the Spirit.  Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord (for we walk by faith, not by sight):  we are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord."

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 - "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who are asleep, that you sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so those also who sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.  For this we say unto you by the Word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not precede them who are asleep.  For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God:  and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air:  and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  Wherefore comfort one another with these words."

1 John 3:1-2 - "Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God:  therefore the world knows us not, because it knew Him not.  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does 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."

 

Words of hope and comfort from "Skip's Lighthouse Version!"

HE CAME TO DIE THAT WE MIGHT LIVE!

WHAT IS THE GOSPEL?

According to the Apostle Paul, the Gospel message is the "power of God unto salvation" (Rom. 1:16)!  In 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Paul 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!"

WHAT DID THE GOSPEL WRITERS EMPHASIZE?

Matthew 28:6 says, "He is not here:  for He is risen, as He said.  Come, see the place where the Lord lay."  Mark 16:6 says, "And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted:  Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified:  He is risen;  He is not here:  behold the place where they laid Him."  Luke 24:6 says, "He is not here, but is risen:  remember how He spoke unto you when He was yet in Galilee?"  And John 20:16 quotes the risen Lord:  "Jesus saith unto her, Mary.  She turned herself, and saith unto Him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master."

 

HERE ARE JUST A FEW REFERENCES TO THE RESURRECTION!

*  John 5:28-29 - "Marvel not at this:  for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation."
*  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."
*  Acts 2:21-32 - "(David) seeing this before spoke of the resurrection of Christ, that His soul was not left in hell, neither His flesh did see corruption.  This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses."
*  Acts 4:33 - "And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all."
*  Romans 1:4 - "And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead."
*  Romans 6:4-5 - "Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death:  that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.  For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection."
*  1 Corinthians 15:21 - "For since by (Adam) came death, by (Jesus) came also the resurrection of the dead."
*  1 Peter 1:3-5 - "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."

*  Revelation 20:5-6 - "But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.  Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years."

 

UP FROM THE GRAVE HE AROSE, A MIGHTY TRIUMPH OER HIS FOES!

HIS BLOOD MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE

*  Mt. 26:28 - "For this is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."
*  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."
*  Rom. 3:25 - "Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God."
*  Rom. 5:8-9 - "But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him."
*  1 Cor. 10:16 - "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?"
*  1 Cor. 11:25 - "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."
*  Eph. 1:7 - "In Whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace."
*  Eph. 2:13 - "But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ."
*  Col. 1:14 - "In Whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins."
*  Col. 1:20 - "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."
*  Heb. 9:12 - "Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us."
*  Heb. 9:14 - "How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"
*  Heb. 9:22 - "And almost all things are by the Law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission."
*  Heb. 10:19-20 - "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the Blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh."
*  Heb. 13:12 - "Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered without the gate."
*  Heb. 13:20-21 - "Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that Great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to Whom be glory forever and ever.  Amen."
*  1 Pet. 1:18-19 - "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot."
*  1 Jn. 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."
*  Rev. 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."
*  Rev. 5:9 - "And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof:  for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation."
*  Rev. 12:11 - "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."
*  Rev. 19:13 - "And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood:  and His name is called The Word of God."

 

Christ's life was in His blood; by shedding His blood, He gave His life for us (Lev. 17:11)!

JESUS CHRIST IS GOD IN THE FLESH

The following article was written by Matt Slick.  The Bible version used is the NASB.

VERSES WHICH DECLARE JESUS TO BE GOD

*  Jn. 1:1 - "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
*  John 1:14 - "And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth."
*  Jn. 5:18 - "For this cause therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God."
*  Jn. 8:24 - "I said therefore to you, that you shall die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you shall die in your sins." 
     [Note: In the Greek, "He" is not there.]
*  Jn. 8:58 - "Jesus said to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.'" 
     [Note:  Ex. 3:14, "And God said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM'; and He said, Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’"]
*  Jn. 10:30-33 - "I and the Father are one."  The Jews took up stones again to stone Him.  Jesus answered them, "I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?"  The Jews answered Him, "For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God."
*  Jn. 20:28 - "Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!"
*  Col. 2:9 - "For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form."
*  Phil. 2:5-8 - "Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, Who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.  And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.  Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
*  Heb. 1:8 - "But of the Son He says, "Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the righteous scepter is the scepter of His kingdom." 
     [Note:  Quoted from Ps. 45:6, "Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Thy kingdom."

 

VERSES WHICH SHOW JESUS ACCEPTED WORSHIP BY MEN 

 

*  Mt. 2:2 - "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?  For we saw His star in the east, and have come to worship Him." 

     [Note:  Jesus declared on God was to receive worship in Mt. 4:10, "Then Jesus said to him, "Be gone, Satan!  For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.'" 

*  Mt. 2:11, "And they came into the house and saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell down and worshiped Him; and opening their treasures they presented to Him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh."
*  Mt. 14:33, "And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, "You are certainly God’s Son!"
*  Mt. 28:9, "And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them.  And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him."
*  Jn. 9:35-38, "Jesus heard that they had put him out; and finding him, He said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?"  He answered and said, "And who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?"  Jesus said to him, "You have both seen Him, and He is the one who is talking with you."  And he said, "Lord, I believe." And he worshiped Him."
*  Heb. 1:6, "And when He again brings the first-born into the world, He says, 'And let all the angels of God worship Him.'"

Matt Slick is affiliated with C.A.R.M. - The Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry.

THE FUTURE AS I SEE IT

The next event on God's calendar will be the end of the Church Age, at which time all born again believers will be removed from this earth via the Rapture (catching away - Jn. 14:1-6; 1 Cor. 15:50-53; 1 Th. 4:13-18), there will remain three groups of people:  Jews who failed to trust in Jesus, Gentiles who failed to trust in Jesus, and, believe it or not, an organization known as the Church!  These are they that call themselves Christians, but they do not recognize His authority, nor would they allow Him to even be a member (Rev. 3:14-22)!

Following the Church Age, there will be a seven-year period known by three names:  1.  "Daniel's Seventieth Week" (Dan. 9:24-27); 2.  "The Time of Jacob's Trouble" (Jer. 30:7); and 3.  "The Tribulation (Mt. 24:3-29; Rev. Ch. 6-18).  During this time, millions will be martyred for refusing to deny Christ (Rev. 7:9-17)!

After the seven-year Tribulation has been fulfilled, Jesus Christ will return to this earth, only this time, He will not come as "The Lamb of God," but He will be known as "The Lion of the Tribe of Judah - (Rev. 5:5)!  He will judge the nations based upon how they treated His brethren (Israel)during The Tribulation (Mt. 25:32-46).  Those who were kind to Israel will be permitted to enter into His Millennial Kingdom, during which, Satan will be bound and will not have any influence over mankind (1000 year rule on this earth - Rev. 20:1-6).  Following the Millennium, Satan will be freed to lead mankind in a rebellion against Christ.  He will gather the nations of the world into his army and will surround Israel and their Messiah (Rev. 20:7-8).  God will send fire down upon them, and they will all be killed (Rev. 20:9). 

After Satan is cast into the Lake of Fire (Rev. 20:10), the dead will all be raised to stand before the Great White Throne, to be judge (Rev. 20:11-15).  Although their lives will be judged and found guilty of sin "out of the books according to their works," there still remains one "book" which is the basis for each person's eternal destiny:  "The Lamb's Book of Life" (Rev. 13:8; 21:15).  If their name is not written in it, they will spend eternity in the Lake of Fire.  If it is there, they will have trusted in the "Lamb"; they will have trust in Jesus Christ, and they will spend eternity with Him, on the New Earth (Rev. 21:1 - 22:17)!  Christ's last warning for people to repent and turn to Him is found in the last verse of the Book of Revelation:

He which testifies of these things says, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

PROCLAIM THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!

For many years, I have been concerned about the message the Church is preaching to the lost world, and the Lordship of Jesus Christ has been totally ignored!  People say, "I accepted Jesus as my Savior when I was younger, but over time, I came to know Him as my Lord."  Sounds good, right?  Well it is not!  The message of the Church, from its very beginnings, was that "Jesus died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, and that He was raised again from the dead according to the Scriptures"  (1 Cor. 15:3-4).  That, after all, IS the Gospel, right?  It is, but something about that message seems to be missing.  The passage goes on to identify the risen Christ as the Lord (Jesus is called Lord 50 times in 1 Corinthians, and 4 of those are found in chapter 15)!  We read in 1 Corinthians 6:14, "And God hath both raised up THE LORD...."  He was raised from the dead to rule over His body, which is the Church (Eph. 4:15; 5:23; Col. 1:18; 2:10; etc.)!  In Luke's writings, there are numerous examples of him recognizing the Lordship of Christ:

*  Luke 24:3 - "And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus."
*  Acts 1:21 - "...all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us."
*  Acts 4:33 - "...the resurrection of the Lord Jesus...."
*  Acts 7:59 - "...Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."
*  Acts 9:29 - "And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus...."
*  Acts 11:17 - "...who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ...."
*  Acts 11:20 - "...spoke unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus."
*  Acts 15:11 - "...through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved...."
*  Acts 15:26 - "...have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
*  Acts 16:31 - "...Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved...."
*  Acts 19:5 - "...they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus."
*  Acts 19:10 - "...Asia heard the Word of the Lord Jesus...."
*  Acts 19:17 - "...the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified."
*  Acts 20:21 - "...repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ."
*  Acts 20:24 - "...I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the Gospel...."
*  Acts 20:35 - "...remember the words of the Lord Jesus...."
*  Acts 21:13 - "...to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."
*  Acts 28:30-31 - "And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him."

Finally, look at what the Apostle Paul wrote concerning how one is born again:

"That if thou shalt CONFESS (tell others of your faith in Him) 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 BELIEVES unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Rom. 10:9-10)!!!!!!!

JESUS IS MUCH MORE THAN JUST BEING OUR SAVIOR

WHO IS JESUS CHRIST?

*  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 3:15-18 - "...whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.  For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.  He that believeth on Him is not condemned:  but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

*  Philippians 2:5-11 - "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.  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name; that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

*  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 fullness of the Godhead bodily."

*  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."

OTHER REFERENCES TO JESUS CHRIST AS THE SON OF GOD!

Matthew 8:29; 14:33; 27:43, 54;  Mark 1:1; 3:11; 15:39; Luke 1:35; 4:41; 8:28; John 1:34, 49; 3:18; 5:25; 9:35-36; 10:36; 11:4, 27; 20:31; Acts 8:37; 9:20; Romans 1:34; 2 Corinthians 1:19; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 4:13; Hebrews 4:14; 7:3; 1 John 3:8; 4:15; 5:10, 12, 13, 20; Revelation 2:18!

A WARNING FROM 1 JOHN 2:22

"Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ?

He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son!"

JESUS WILL REMOVE THE LEAVEN FROM GOD'S CHILDREN

PENTECOST:  THE FEAST OF THE LORD SYMBOLIZING THE CHURCH

In Acts 2:1-47, Luke wrote about the "birth of the Church."  Verse 1 reveals that it occurred on the day Israel celebrated the "Feast of Pentecost" (a.k.a. "Feast of Wave Loaves" and the "Feast of Weeks").  Verse 4 tells us that it was at that time, that Christ's disciples were "filled with the Holy Ghost."  Verses 46-47 say, "And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people.  And the Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved."

Pentecost is the only Feast of the Lord which did not forbid the use of leaven; in fact, leaven was required (Lev. 23:16-17)!  Leaven, throughout the Scriptures, always symbolizes sin.  See the following examples:
*  Matthew 16:6, 11-12 - "Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees....How is it that ye do not understand that I spoke it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?  Then understood they how that He bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees."
*  Luke 12:1 - "In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, He began to say unto His disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy."
*  1 Corinthians 5:6-8 - "Your glorying is not good.  Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?  Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us:  therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth."
*  Galatians 5:9 - "A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump."

In Matthew 13, Jesus, using parables, give us pictures of the growth of the Church.  For instance, in verses 1-8 and18-23, we find that Jesus sows the Word, and only one in four believe in Him.  In verses 24-30, we see that the Church will be infiltrated by false believers.  In verses 31-32, the Church has small beginnings, but it grows so large that it is again infiltrated by God's enemies (fowls of the air - see verses 4 and 19).  In verse 44, the Church is mysteriously "hidden in the world."  In verses 45-46, the Church is "buried treasure."  In verses 47-50, a net is used to describe God separating out His Church from the rest of the world.

But the parable which best describes the "two leavened loaves" which constitute the Church, is found in verse 33, where we read:  "Another parable spoke He unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened."  The two loaves of Pentecost symbolize the Church being made up of believers in Christ:  less than perfect Jews, and less than perfect Gentiles (see Rom. 3:9; Gal. 2:7; Eph. 2:11-22; Col. 3:11; etc.).  The Lord will finish what He has started in those of us who believe in Christ (Phil. 1:6; 1 Jn. 3:2)!!!!!!!

 

I cannot wait until my "change comes!"  

THE DAY OF GOD'S WRATH IS ABOUT TO BE POURED OUT!

A WARNING TO THOSE WHO DO NOT ACCEPT JESUS AS THEIR LORD:

YOU WILL CERTAINLY FACE THE WRATH OF GOD!

Job 21:30 (SLV) - Are not the wicked reserved to the Day of Destruction?  They shall be brought forth on the Day of Wrath.

Zephaniah 1:14-15 (SLV) - The great Day of the LORD is near, it is near, and it is coming quickly, listen for the sound of the Day of the LORD:  the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.  That day is a Day of Wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of waste and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness.

Romans 1:18-20 (SLV) - For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; because that which may be known of God is revealed to them; for God hath showed it to them.  For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse!

Romans 2:5-6 (SLV) - Because of your hard and unrepentant heart, you continue to do things that warrant God's judgment which you will receive on the Day of God's Wrath, at the revealing of the righteous judgment of God, Who will render to every man according to his deeds.

OUR GREATEST SOURCE OF JOY IS KNOWING JESUS AS OUR LORD;

HE HAS SAVED US FROM THE WRATH TO COME!

Romans 5:8-11 (SLV) - BUT God demonstrated His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.  And not only that, but we also rejoice in knowing God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom we have now received the atonement, that is, the full payment for our sins!

1 Thessalonians 1:10 (SLV) - We wait for His Son from heaven, Whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, Who delivered us from the wrath to come.

1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 (SLV) - God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we are alive, or we have died, we shall live together with Him.

Revelation 3:10 (SLV) - Because you have patiently trusted My Word, I will keep you from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

 

[SLV = SKIP'S LIGHTHOUSE VERSION]

THE END IS THE BEGINNING

THE LAST SEVEN YEARS UNDER THE LAW OF MOSES

Matthew 24:3 (Skip's Lighthouse Version - SLV) - "And as Jesus sat upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples came unto Him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be?  And what shall be the sign of Your return, and of the end of the age?" 
[Note:   Christ's return and the end of the age occur at the same time (Rev. 19:11-21).  Christ's disciples were still under the Age of the Law which according to Daniel 9:24-27, will not end until after the last seven years of it, known as the Tribulation.  According to verse 27, the last "week of years" will be divided into two halves.  The second half is known as the Great Tribulation (Mt. 24:21), and it will begin when the Antichrist commits the abomination of desolation.] 

THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION

Matthew 24:15-21 (SLV) - "When you therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place (whosoever reads this, let him understand):  then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:  let him which is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house:  neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.  And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!  But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day (evidence Jesus was speaking about Jews experiencing this event):  for then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be."

Daniel 9:27 (SLV) - "And Antichrist shall confirm the covenant with many for seven years: and in the midst of the "week of years," he shall cause the sacrifice and the sacrifices to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until its completion, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate." 
[Note:  See also Dan. 11:31 and 12:11.]

Revelation 13:4-6 (SLV) - "And they worshipped Satan which gave power unto the Antichrist: and they worshipped the Antichrist, saying, Who is like unto the him?  Who is able to make war with him?  And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.  And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven."

 

THE END OF THE AGE AND CHRIST'S SECOND COMING

Matthew 24:29-30 (KJV) - "Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:  and then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven:  and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory."

STUDY, OBEY, AND TRUST GOD TO FINISH WHAT HE HAS STARTED

1 Thessalonians 5:21 - "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good."
     *  Acts 17:10-11 - "And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea:  who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the Word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so."   
     *  Philippians 4:8 - "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." 

1 Thessalonians 5:22 - "Abstain from all appearance of evil."
     *  Romans 6:11-13 - "Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.  Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin:  but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God."
     *  2 Timothy 2:19 - "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His.  And, Let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity."

1 Thessalonians 5:23 - "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."
     *  1 Corinthians 1:4-8 - "I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; that in every thing ye are enriched by Him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:  so that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:  Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ."
     *  Ephesians 5:26-27 - "That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."

1 Thessalonians 5:24 - "Faithful is He that calleth you, Who also will do it."
     *  Romans 8:28-30 - "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.  For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.  Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified."
     *  1 Corinthians 1:9 - "God is faithful, by Whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord."
     *  Philippians 1:3-6 - "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, for your fellowship in the Gospel from the first day until now; being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Chris."
     *  Philippians 2:13 - "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure."

THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH IS COMFORTING NEWS

CHRIST'S PROMISE TO REMOVE BELIEVERS BEFORE THE TRIBULATION

*  John 14:1-3 - "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father's house are many mansions:  if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."

*  1 Corinthians 15:48-54 - "As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.  And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.  Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.  Behold, I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump:  for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.  So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory."

*  1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 - "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that you sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so those also who sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.  For this we say unto you by the Word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not precede those who are asleep.  For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God:  and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air:  and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  Wherefore comfort one another with these words."

*  1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 - "For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we are awake or we are asleep, we should live together with Him.  Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

THE CHURCH AGE - THE THINGS WHICH ARE (REV. 1:19)

*  Revelation 3:7-8, 10, 13 - Unto the churches (see v. 13)...."These things say He that is holy, He that is true, He that hath the key of David, He that opens, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know your works: behold, I have set before you an open door, and no man can shut it:  for you have a little strength, and have kept My Word, and have not denied My name....Because you have kept the Word of My patience, I also will keep you from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth....He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches."

 

THE CHURCH AGE ENDS - THE THINGS WHICH MUST BE HEREAFTER (REV. 1:19)

*  Revelation 4:1-2 - "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 you things which must be hereafter.  And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and One sat on the throne." 

 

IF THE CHURCH HAD TO GO THROUGH THE TRIBULATION, WOULD BELIEVERS BE COMFORTED IN KNOWING THAT?  NO!  HE IS COMING FOR US!