PETER'S ROLE AS "THE BOUNCER/DOORMAN" OF THE CHURCH

*  Matthew 16:15-19 (SLV) - "Jesus asked, 'Whom do you say that I am?'  And Peter answered, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.'  And Jesus said, 'You are blessed Simon, son of Jonah:  for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father Who is in heaven.  And I say unto you, That you are Peter, and upon this rock, I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven:  and whatsoever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

[Notes:  Peter [a masculine Greek proper noun, Πέτρος (Petros), meaning "a small rock or stone"] this rock [a feminine Greek noun, πέτρα (petra), "a large rock, cliff or ledge"] church [a feminine Greek noun,  ἐκκλησία (ekklēsia), "the members of a sacred assembly, in context, a set-apart assembly belonging to Christ, which was yet to be built]. 

My understanding of this conversation is as follows:  When Jesus asked His disciples Who they believed Him to be, Peter said that Jesus was the Son of God, the long-awaited Jewish Messiah.  Peter's statement of faith in Jesus would be the foundation upon which Christ would build His Church.  This can be seen by comparing Scripture with Scripture:

*  Acts 16:31 - "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."
*  Romans 10:9 - "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."
*  1 Corinthians 3:11 - "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ."
*  Galatians 3:26 - "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus."
*  Ephesian 2:20 - "And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone...."
*  1 Peter 2:6 - "Wherefore also it is contained in the Scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on Him shall not be confounded."
*  1 John 5:13 - "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life...."

When the Lord told His disciples they would be witnesses in "in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth," He was saying they would proclaim His Gospel to the Jews, the Samaritans, and the Gentiles!  Peter was the Apostle who, acting very much like the "bouncer/doorman of the Church," confirmed the Jews believed (Acts 2:14-47 - the birth of the Church); the Samaritans believed (Acts 8:14-17); and the Gentiles believed (Acts 10:9-48)!  Peter, in that sense, was used of the Lord as the "keeper of the keys!" 

Today, the Gospel message if offered to the whole world through the Word, the media, through missionaries, and through faithful believers, who living in obedience to their Lord, share the good news that has the power of God to save whosoever will believe (Rom. 1:16; 10:9-10)!

FAITH IN CHRIST, NOT WORKS, SAVES LOST SOULS

*  Romans 10:8-17 (SLV) - "...The Word of God has the power to change your heart and your testimony:  that is, the Word of faith, which we preach; that if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is your Lord, and 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 the Scripture says, Whosoever believes in Him shall not be ashamed.  For there is no difference between the Jew and the Gentile: for the Lord shall accept all who call upon Him.  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.  But how shall they call upon 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 unless someone tells them?  And how shall they tell them unless God sends them?  As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who proclaim the Gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!  But not all will believe the gospel. For Isaiah said, Lord, who has believed our report?  Nevertheless, those who hear and believe, that which they hear must be the Word of God!"

The Word which has the power to change hearts and minds, is the Gospel message, the Good News that because God loves you, He sent His only begotten Son to die for your sins according to the promise of His Word; He allowed men to bury Him, but He would not allow His Son to remain in the borrowed grave; His Father raised Him from the dead, and has exalted Him above all creation (Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 15:2-3; John 3:16; Dan. 9:26; Mark 15:43-46; Phil. 2:8-11; Acts 2:32-35; etc.)!

Many who hear the Gospel message reject it because it seems too good to be true!  They likely are members of one of the thousands of religions, all of which tell their members that they must cease doing what they define as sins, and must increase doing good works, if they ever hope to go to heaven, whatever heaven is to them.  After all, how could a person be worthy of going to be with their supreme being, if they don't follow the do's and don'ts of their belief system.  And yet, that is exactly what the Bible declares!  It says ALL are unworthy (Rom. 3:23)!  But praise the Lord, it also says that God promises the free gift of salvation to whosoever believes in His Son!  In fact, He will not accept those who try to gain His favor through good works!  In Ephesians 2:4-9 (SLV), the Apostle Paul wrote:

"But God, Who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, has given us life together with Christ, by grace (unmerited favor) you are saved; and has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:  that in the ages to come, He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.  For by grace you are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  not of works, lest any man should boast."

THE BIRTH AND GROWTH OF THE CHURCH

"THE GREAT COMMISSION"

*  Matthew 28:18-20 - And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth.  Go therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:  and know that I am with you always, even unto the end of the age.  Amen.
       - His Father had given Jesus total authority over the Church (Phil. 2:9-11)!
       - His "teach all nations" means for them to preach the Gospel (Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 15:2-3)!
       - Then they were to baptize all who believed the Gospel (Mt. 3:11; Acts 2:38, 41, 47)!
       - Finally, believers were to be taught as new babes-in-Christ (1 Pet. 2:2)!

"THE BIRTH OF THE CHURCH"

*  Acts 2:41-47 - (When) they that gladly received (the Gospel), (they) were baptized:  and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.  And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' (teaching) and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.  And fear came upon every soul:  and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.  And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all, as every man had need.  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.

"FELLOWSHIP MUST BE BASED UPON THE WORD OF GOD"

*  1 Corinthians 1:9-10 - God is faithful, by Whom you were called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord.  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
*  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 Who has begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.
*  1 John 1:3-9 - (Him, Whom) we have seen and heard, we declare unto you, that you also may have fellowship with us:  and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.  And these things we write to you, that your joy may be full.  This then is the message which we have heard of Him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.  If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie...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 cleanses us from all sin.  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  (But) if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 CORINTHIANS 15:2-3 - THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST

JESUS, THE SON OF GOD, CREATED THE UNIVERSE

*  John 1:1-3, 10 - 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.
*  Colossians 1:16-17 - 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, 10 - God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spoke in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, Whom He has appointed Heir of all things, by Whom also He made the worlds....And You Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of Your hands.

JESUS WAS CRUCIFIED FOR THE SIN OF THE ENTIRE WORLD

*  John 3:16-17 - For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes 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.
*  Romans 5:6, 8 - For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly....
But God commended His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
*  1 John 2:2 - And He is the propitiation (full payment) for our sins:  and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

JESUS CONQUERED THE GRAVE

*  Acts 2:24, 32 - Whom God has  raised up, having loosed the pains of death:  because it was not possible that He should be held by it....This Jesus has God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
*  Romans 10:9 - That if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is your Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.
*  1 Corinthians 6:14 - And God has both raised up the Lord, and will also raise us up by His own power.

JESUS IS COMING AGAIN

*  John 14:1-3 - Let not your heart be troubled:  you 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.
*  1 Corinthians 15:51-52 - 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 also shall be changed.
*  1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 - 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.

 

HAVE FAITH IN CHRIST FOR BOTH YOUR PAST, AND YOUR FUTURE!

SAVED FROM THE PENALTY OF SIN

The Bible declares that, with the exception of Jesus Christ, all human beings are sinners:
  *  Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus..."was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." 
  *  2 Corinthians 5:21 - "For He has made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin...."
  *  Romans 3:10, 23 - "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one."  "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."

We all need a Savior because, according to God's Word, the punishment for sin is death:
  *  Ezekiel 18:20 - "The soul that sins, it shall die."
  *  Romans 6:23 - "For the wages of sin (that is, the payment for sinning) is death...."

The Bible also says that even while humans were living sinful lives, God still loved us, and that He sent His Son to die for our sin:
  *  John 3:16-17 - "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes 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."
  *  Romans 5:8 - "But God commended His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

God offers the free gift of eternal life to those who willingly accept Jesus Christ as their Lord:
  *  John 3:14-15 - "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:  that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life."
  *  Romans 6:23 - "...the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
  *  Romans 10:9-10 - "That if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.  For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
  *  Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For by grace (unmerited favor) are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  not of works, so that no man can boast." 

When people accept Jesus Christ as their Lord, God begins transforming them into the likeness of Christ Himself:
  *  Ephesians 2:10 - "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them."
  *  Philippians 1:6 - "Being confident of this very thing, that He Who has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."
  *  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."

JESUS IS THE LORD WHO SAVES THE LOST

When a person places their faith in Jesus Christ, they need to understand Who He is!  He is "The only begotten Son of God" (Jn. 3:16); "Their Creator" (Jn. 1:1-3; Col. 1:16-17; Heb. 1:1-2); "Their Lord" (Rom. 10:9-10); and "The King of kings, and Lord of lords" (Rev. 19:16).  The title "King" appears 107 times; the king's realm (Kingdom) appears 154 times; "Lord" appears 687 times in the New Testament!  The title "Savior" appears only 37 times in the entire Bible!  So, when we share the Gospel with someone, do we speak only of Christ's death for our sin, or do we include the fact that His Father raised Him from the grave to rule and reign forever (Rev. 11:15)!
  

JESUS WAS BORN TO BE KING

*  Matthew 2:1-2 - Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is He that is born King of the Jews?  For we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him.

JESUS KNEW HE WAS THE KING OF THE JEWS

*  Matthew 21:1-5 - And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the Mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway you shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her:  loose them, and bring them unto Me.  And if any man say ought unto you, you shall say, The Lord has need of them; and straightway he will send them.  All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, Go tell the daughter of Zion, Behold, your King comes unto you, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.
*  John 1:49-50 - Nathanael answered and said unto him, Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel.  Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto you, I saw you under the fig tree, you believe?  You shall see greater things than these.

PILATE KNEW HE WAS THE KING OF THE JEWS

*  John 18:39 - But you have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the Passover:  is it your will that I release unto you the King of the Jews?
*  John 19:19-22 - And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross.  And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.  This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city:  and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin.  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.  Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.

THE WHOLE WORLD WILL KNOW JESUS IS THE KING

*  Philippians 2:10-11 - 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 (Christ means the Anointed One, Messiah, King) is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
*  Revelation 19:16 - And He had on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

IS JESUS KING AND LORD OF YOUR LIFE?

JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!

A lost person is saved when he recognizes that he is a sinner in need of the Savior.  Romans 10:9 says:  That if you will confess with your mouth THE LORD JESUS, and do believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.  His Lordship is important; for when we place our faith in Him, we are acknowledging that we want to obey Him out of gratitude for what He has done, and will continue to do for us!  The phrase "our Lord Jesus Christ" appears fifty-four times in the New Testament; here are just a few of them:

*  Acts 20:21 - Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
*  Romans 5:1 - Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
*  1 Corinthians 15:57 - But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
*  2 Corinthians 8:9 - For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might be rich.
*  Galatians 1:3 - Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ!
*  Ephesians 5:20 - Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
*  Philippians 5:23 -  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
*  Colossians 1:3 - We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you!
*  1 Thessalonians 5:9 - For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ!
*  2 Thessalonians 3:6 - Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother that walks disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
*  1 Timothy 6:14 - That you keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ!
*  Philemon 1:25 - The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.  Amen.
*  James 2:1 - My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
*  1 Peter 1:3 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead!
*  Jude 1:21 - Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

 

JESUS IS KING OF THE JEWS, BUT HE IS LORD AND MASTER TO CHRISTIANS!

GETTING A GLIMPSE OF THE GLORY OF JESUS CHRIST

*  Matthew 17:1-9 (SLV) - And after six days, Jesus led Peter, James, and John his brother, up into a high mountain, and He was transfigured before them:  and His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light.  And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elijah talking with Him.  Then Peter said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here:  if You will it, let us make here three tabernacles; one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.  And while he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them:  and they heard a voice coming from out of the cloud which said, This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.  And when the three disciples heard it, they fell on their faces, and were very frightened.  And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, do not be afraid.  And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.  And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.  [See also Mark 9:2-10 and Luke 9:28-36]

*  Revelation 1:10-18 (SLV) - I, John, was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last:  and, what you see, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.  And I turned to see Who was speaking to me.  And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; and in the midst of the seven candlesticks, I saw One like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to His feet, and He was wearing a breastplate made of gold.  His head and His hair were white like wool, as white as snow; and His eyes were as a flame of fire; and His feet were like fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and His voice was as the sound of many waters.  And He had in His right hand seven stars:  and out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword:  and His countenance was as the brightness of the sun.  And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead.  And He laid His right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the First and the Last:  I am He Who lives, Who was dead; but now I am alive forever.  Amen....

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

 

JESUS WAS BORN TO FULFILL THE ROLE OF THE PASSOVER LAMB.

CHRIST WILL SOON RETURN TO RULE AS THE LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH!

ARE YOU READY TO MEET HIM?  IF NOT, TRUST IN OUR RISEN LORD TODAY!

THE RAPTURE, THE TRIBULATION, AND THE SECOND COMING

*  1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11 - And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope.  For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.
     We tell you this directly from the Lord:  We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet Him ahead of those who have died.  For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God.  First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves.  Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth, will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  Then we will be with the Lord forever.  So encourage each other with these words.
     Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to write you.  For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.  When (they) are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape. 
     But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief.  For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night.  So be on your guard, not asleep like the others.  Stay alert and be clearheaded.  Night is the time when (they) sleep and (they) get drunk.  But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. 
     For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out His anger on us.  Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when He returns, we can live with Him forever.  So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
*  2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 - Now, dear brothers and sisters, let us clarify some things about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we will be gathered to meet Him.  Don’t be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun.  Don’t believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us.  Don’t be fooled by what they say.  For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed - the one who brings destruction.  He will exalt himself and defy everything that people call god and every object of worship.  He will even sit in the temple of God, claiming that he himself is God.
     Don’t you remember that I told you about all this when I was with you?  And you know Who is holding him back, for he can be revealed only when his time comes.  For this lawlessness is already at work secretly, and it will remain secret until the One Who is holding it back steps out of the way.  Then the man of lawlessness will be revealed, but the Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of His mouth and destroy him by the splendor of His coming. 
     This man will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles.  He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them.  So God will cause them to be greatly deceived, and they will believe these lies.  Then they will be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing the truth.

These passages are loosely based upon the New Living Translation.

NEW THINGS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT (Skip's Lighthouse Version)

*  Matthew 26:27-28 - And Jesus took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, All of you, drink from it; for this is My blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

*  Matthew 27:59-60 - And when Joseph had taken His body, he wrapped Him in a clean linen cloth, and laid Him in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock:  and he rolled a great stone to block the opening of the sepulchre, and departed.

*  John 13:34 - A new commandment I give unto you, That you love one another as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

*  Acts 17:18-19 - Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoics, encountered the Apostle Paul.  And some said, What will this babbler say?  Others said, He seems to be a promoter of strange gods:  because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.  And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know this new doctrine, whereof you speak?

*  Romans 6:4 - 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.

*  Romans 7:6 - But now we are delivered from the Law which had sentenced us all to death; so that we can serve in the newness of the Spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

*  1 Corinthians 5:6-7 - Your glorying in His sin is not good.  Do you not know that even a little sin contaminates the whole Church?  Therefore, purge out the unrepentant sinner, that you may be a new body, for you have been cleansed.  For Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed to make us clean!

*  2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

*  Hebrews 9:15 - "And for this cause Jesus is the mediator of the New Testament, that by means of His death for the redemption of the Law breakers who were disqualified under the Old Testament, those whom He has cleansed might receive the promise of an eternal inheritance.

*  2 Peter 3:12-13 - Shouldn't you be looking forward to the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?  Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for New Heavens and a New Earth, wherein only righteousness dwells."

Also:  A New Name (Rev. 2:17); (Rev. 3:12); New Song (Rev. 5:9); New Heaven; New Earth (Rev. 21:1); New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:2); and "He shall make All Things New (Rev. 21:5)!

RIGHTEOUSNESS IS A GIFT PAID FOR BY CHRIST

THE RELIGIOUS MAN'S RIGHTEOUSNESS IS UNACCEPTABLE TO GOD

*  Isaiah 64:6 - "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness is as filthy rags...."
*  Romans 10:3 - "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."

 

THE HUMBLE MAN LONGS FOR GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS

*  Matthew 5:6 - "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness:  for they shall be filled."
*  Matthew 6:33 - "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness...." 
[Note:  "Righteousness":  Being just; being holy; refers to the state of one who is as he ought to be in the eyes of God, righteousness is the only condition acceptable to God.]

 

FAITH IN CHRIST, RESULTS IN GOD DECLARING US TO BE RIGHTEOUS

*  Romans 1:16-17 - "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ:  for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile.  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith:  as it is written, The just shall live by faith."
*  Romans 3:22-23 - "Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all who believe: for there is no difference:  for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."
*  Romans 4:13 - "For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
*  Romans 5:18 - "Therefore as by the offence of Adam, judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of Christ, the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life."
*  Romans 10:9-10 - "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall 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 hath made Christ to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him."
*  2 Peter 1:1 - "Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ."

FEELING DOWN? LISTEN UP!

GOD SPOKE TO THE EARLY CHURCH

*  Matthew 3:16-17 - "And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water:  and behold, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him:  and behold, a voice from heaven, saying, This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased."
*  Matthew 17:4-5 - "Then Peter said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here:  if You will it, let us make here three tabernacles; one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.  While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them:  and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased; listen to Him."
*  John 12:27-28 - Jesus said, "Now is My soul troubled; and what shall I say?  Father, save Me from this hour:  but for this cause came I unto this hour.  Father, glorify Your name.  Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again."
*  Acts 9:3-5 - "And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:  and he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?  And he said, Who are You, Lord?  And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom You persecute...."
*  Acts 10:13-15 - "And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.  But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.  And the voice spoke unto him again the second time, What God has cleansed, do not call it common."

GOD STILL SPEAKS TO HIS CHILDREN

When trying to console a widow with three small children and no income, I was overwhelmed with grief to the point of sobbing uncontrollably.  I heard a voice saying, "You wanted to love as I love; see, you cannot handle it!  Wait, and I will teach you to love in time."

When I was at my lowest due to my inability to learn Greek at seminary, I picked up a copy of Our Daily Bread, seeking encouragement, and I heard a voice say "Turn to September second."  I hesitated, and I heard the voice twice more - "Turn to September second."  When I finally did, I saw the title of the devotion which said, "Love Softens the Hardest Hearts."  Immediately, I was aware that it was on that date, while in my first chapel service at seminary, I had been overcome with grief; and now, over two months later, I understood what had happened:  I had been resentful of God for sending me to a liberal school, instead of to Grace Seminary, a conservative school; now, two months later, I realized what had occurred in that chapel service:  God had softened my heart, and changed my resentment into a desire to be there.  Knowing that, I was encouraged and went on to graduate.  I still had trouble with Greek, but I passed it!

When a small rural church called me to be their pastor, my wife refused to go with me.  Depressed, I fell asleep while praying for God's direction.  When I awoke, I heard a voice say, "You go and let her come on the weekends."  When I told my wife what I had heard, she agreed to that.  Two months later, she told me she wanted to sell our house and she would move to be with me!   Praise God!

 

God still speaks to His "kids!"  So, be still and listen to His still, small voice!

WHO IS JESUS?

*  Matthew 14:23 - "Then those who were in the ship came and worshipped Him, saying, Of a truth You are the Son of God."

*  Matthew 23:10 - "Do not be called masters:  for One is your Master, even Christ."

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

*  Mark 3:11-12 - "And unclean spirits, when they saw Him, fell down before Him, and cried, saying, You are the Son of God.  And He immediately charged them that they should not make Him known."

*  Luke 4:41 - "And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God.  And He rebuked them, not allowing them to speak:  for they knew that He was 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 Son of the Father, full of grace and truth."

*  John 1:49 - "Nathanael answered and said unto Him, Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel."

*  John 9:35-38 - "Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said unto him, Do you believe on the Son of God?  He answered and said, Who is He, Lord, that I might believe on Him?  And Jesus said unto him, You have both seen Him, and it is He Who is talking with you.  And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped Him."

*  John 10:36 - "You say to Him, Whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world, You blaspheme; because I said, I am the Son of God?"

*  John 11:27 - "She said unto Him, Yes Lord:  I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, Who should come into the world."

*  John 13:13 - "You call Me Master and Lord: and you say well; for so I AM."

*  John 20:28 - "And Thomas answered and said unto Him, My Lord and my God."

*  Revelation 19:13, 16 - "And He was clothed with a garment dipped in blood:  and His name is called The Word of God....And He had on His garment and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."

 

JESUS DIED FOR YOUR SINS SO YOU COULD BECOME A CHILD OF THE FATHER! 

TRUST IN HIM TODAY WHILE YOU STILL HAVE TIME!

JEHOVAH AND THE WORD

"Come therefore, and I will send you unto Pharaoh, that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.  And Moses asked God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?  And He said, Certainly I will be with you; and this shall be a token unto you, that I have sent you:  When you have brought forth the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God upon this mountain.  And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers has sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is His name?  What shall I say unto them?  And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and He said, Therefore you shall say unto the children of Israel, I AM has sent me unto you" (Exodus 3:10-14 SLV).

The 'Sacred Name of God' was revealed to Moses in passage above.  God told Moses His name, which is written with only four Hebrew letters:  Yud,  hey, vav, hey (YHVH).  This format is  known as the Tetragrammaton.  According to Jewish tradition it is regarded as 'not to be uttered' in order never to profane it in any way.  In Judaism, it is therefore pronounced as 'Adonai,' meaning 'Lord.'  Because of their fear, English translations of the Hebrew scrolls have replaced the Tetragrammaton with 'LORD' (in all capital letters) and the pronunciation of the  'Sacred Name,' in so doing, has become 'lost.'

So, whenever you see the word "LORD" in all caps in your Bible, it has been translated from the Hebrew יְהֹוָה (YHVH or YĕHoVaH).  יְהֹוָה occurs 6518 times in 5521 verses in the Hebrew concordance of the KJV.  It is translated "LORD" 6510 times, "GOD" 4 times (Gen. 6:5; Ex. 23:17; 34:23; Deut. 9:26), and "Jehovah" 4 times (Ex. 6:3; Ps. 85:18; Isa. 12:2; 26:14).

It has always amazed me that the Jewish people have such a fear of mispronouncing God's name, that they basically made one up!  That may be the greatest example of irony that has ever existed!  They have even gone so far that when writing the word "God," they write "G-d!"  Weird, huh?!  What is even weirder, is the fact that God wants us to consider His written Word, the Bible, to be more highly regarded than His name; the Psalmist wrote:  "I will worship toward Your holy temple, and praise Your name for Your loving-kindness and for Your truth:  for You have magnified Your Word above Your name" (Psalm 138:2 SLV)!

 

That being the case, shouldn't Jews and Christians regard God's Word with the utmost respect?  In fact, shouldn't Jews and Christians hide His Word in our hearts so that we won't sin against Him?  Shouldn't Jews and Christians have "Obey God" as their number one item on their "to do list?"  I would suggest that God will not be pleased with us until obedience is our number one priority.
 

WE OBEY, NOT TO BE SAVED, BUT TO HONOR THE GOD WHO SAVED US!

OVERCOMING THIS HORRIBLE WORLD

GOD'S REWARD FOR THOSE WHO OVERCOME THE WORLD.

 

Revelation Chapters Two and Three:  "He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches:

 

[2:7]  "To him who overcomes will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God."
[2:11]  "He who overcomes shall not be hurt of the second death."
[2:17]  "To him who overcomes will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knows except he who receives it."
[2:26]  "And he who overcomes, and keeps My works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations."

[3:5]  "He who overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels."
[3:12]  "To him who overcomes will I make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, which is New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God:  and I will write upon him My new name."
[3:21]  "To him who overcomes will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne."

HOW DOES ONE OVERCOME THE WORLD?

1 John 5:1-7 - "Whosoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God:  and everyone who loves Him Who begat, loves Him also Who is begotten of Him.  By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep His commandments.  For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments:  and His commandments are not grievous.  For whosoever is born of God overcomes the world:  and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.  Who is he who overcomes the world, but he that believes that Jesus is the Son of God?  This is He Who came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood.  And it is the Spirit Who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth.  For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit: and these three are One."

 

DO YOU BELIEVE JESUS IS THE ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD?

HAVE YOU CALLED UPON JESUS TO BE YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR?

THEN LET YOUR TESTIMONY AND YOUR LIFE SHOW IT!

WHAT IS "SAVED?"

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

*  Luke 7:50 - "And He said to the woman, Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

*  Luke 8:12 - "Those by the way side are they that hear; then comes the devil, and takes away the Word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved."

*  Luke 18:42 - "And Jesus said unto him, Receive your sight:  your faith has saved thee."

*  John 3:16-17 - "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes 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."

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

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

*  Acts 4:11-12 - Jesus "...is the Stone which was set at nought by you builders, Who is become the head of the corner.  Neither is there salvation in any other:  for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

*  Acts 16:30-31 - "And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?  And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved..."

*  Romans 5:8-10 - "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."

*  Romans 10:9, 13 - "That if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and you believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved....For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

 

*  1 Corinthians 1:18 - "For the preaching of the cross is to those who perish, foolishness; but to those of us who are saved it is the power of God."

 

*  Ephesians 2:8-9 - "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."

 

*  1 Timothy 2:3-4 - "...God our Savior...will's that all men be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth."

 

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

 

*  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."

 

*  Revelation 21:24 - "And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth will bring their glory and honor into it."

 

ARE YOU SAVED?  IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO CALL UPON JESUS TODAY!

 

 

HONORING A KING WHOSE FAITH WAS IN THE KING

On the day Americans honor Martin Luther King, Jr., I think there can be no greater praise for him than to say he was the man he was, because of his relationship to the KING OF KINGS, JESUS CHRIST!  I am certain that if we could ask him today, he would humbly agree!  So in honor of a King, I will praise his King by sharing my understanding of the following verses (Skip's Lighthouse Version):

*  Matthew 2:1-2 - "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is He Who is born King of the Jews?  For we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him."

*  Matthew 21:5 - Jesus said, "Tell the daughter of Zion, Behold, your King comes unto you, meek, and sitting upon a lowly beast of burden."

*  Matthew 25:34, 40 - "Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Truly I say unto you, In as much as you have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, you have done it unto Me."

 

*  Matthew 27:11, 37 - "And Jesus stood before Pilate, the governor:  and he asked Him, saying, Are You the King of the Jews?  And Jesus said unto him, You say it."  Then Pilate had his men  "...set up over His head His accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS."

*  Mark 15:9 - "But Pilate answered them, saying, Do you want me to release unto you the King of the Jews?"

*  Luke 19:38 - As Jesus entered Jerusalem, the huge crowd was "Saying, Blessed is the King Who comes in the name of the Lord: let there be peace in heaven, and glory in the highest."

*  John 1:49 - "Nathanael answered and said unto Him, Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel."

*  John 19:14, 21-22  - " And it was the preparation day for the Passover, and about the sixth hour: and Pilate said to the Jews, Behold your King!"  After Pilate had the accusation nailed of the head of Jesus, the chief priests said to Pilate, "Write not, The King of the Jews; but that He said, I am King of the Jews.  Pilate answered, What I have written, I have written."

 

MY UNDERSTANDING OF HOW MAN IS DECLARED RIGHTEOUS

RIGHTEOUSNESS IS THE STATE OF HIM WHO IS ACCEPTABLE TO GOD! 

*  Isaiah 64:6 - "But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousness is like filthy rags...."

*  Matthew 5:6 - "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for His righteousness:  they shall have it.

*  Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

*  Acts 7:31 - "Because God has appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world according to  righteousness by Jesus, Whom He has ordained; God has given assurance unto all men, in that He has raised Him from the dead."

*  Romans 1:16-17 - "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ:  for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one who believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith, as it is written, The righteous shall live by faith."

*  Romans 3:21-22 - "But now the righteousness of God has nothing to do with the Law, but it is manifest in Christ and the Law and the Prophets testify that it is true.  Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ and it is offered to all those who believe in Him:  it is available to both Jew and Gentile alike!"

 

*  Romans 4:2-5 - "For if Abraham was declared to be righteous by his works, he would deserve the glory....For what does the Scripture say?  Abraham believed God, and he was declared to be righteous.  Now to those who work to be righteous, should they achieve a measure of it, then God would owe them a reward; but it is a free gift to those who believe in Christ, and do not try to earn their own righteousness; they believe on Christ, and due to their faith, they are given His righteousness."

*  Romans 5:17-18 - "For if by Adam's sin, death passed unto all, much more so, those who receive an abundance of grace and the gift of His righteousness, shall reign in life by Jesus Christ.  Therefore as by the offence of one, judgment came upon all men to condemnation, likewise, even so, by the righteousness of One, the free gift of His righteousness came upon all who believe, resulting in eternal life."

 

*  2 Corinthians 5:21 - "For the Father has placed our sin upon His Son, even though He Himself never sinned, so that we might be made the righteousness of God by faith in Him."

 

MY INTERPRETATION (Skip's Lighthouse Version)

 

JESUS: MY CREATOR; MY SAVIOR; MY RISEN LORD; MY GOD!

*  Ecclesiastes 12:1 - "Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when you shalt say, I have no pleasure in them...."

*  Isaiah 40:28 -  "Have you not known?  Have you not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, does not faint, neither is He weary?  There is no searching of His understanding."

*  Isaiah 45:18 - "I am the LORD, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King."

*  John 1:1-3, 10, 14 - "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 anything 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...."

*  Romans 1:25 - "Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever.  Amen."

*  Colossians 1:16-17 - "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."

*  Colossians 3:10 - "And you have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him Who created him."

*  Hebrews 1:2-3 - "God has in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, Whom He has appointed heir of all things, and 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, He sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high."

*  1 Peter 4:19 - "Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto their faithful Creator."

*  Revelation 4:11 - "You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power:  for You have  created all things, and for Your pleasure they are and were created."

*  Revelation 10:6 - "And swore by Him Who lives forever and ever, Who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer."  [All Scripture is from Skip's Lighthouse Version]

 

JESUS CREATED MAN EVEN THOUGH HE KNEW WHAT IT WOULD COST HIM!

NOW THAT IS WHAT I CALL GENUINE LOVE!

JESUS IS WELL WORTH THE WAIT!

*  Gen. 49:18 - I have waited for Thy salvation, O LORD.

*  Job 14:14 - If a man die, shall he live again?  All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.

*  Ps. 25:5 - Lead me in Thy truth, and teach me:  for Thou art the God of my salvation; on Thee do I wait all the day.
*  Ps. 27:14 - Wait on the LORD:  be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart:  wait, I say, on the LORD.
*  Ps. 33:20 - Our soul waiteth for the LORD:  He is our help and our shield.
*  Ps. 37:7 - Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him....
*  Ps. 62:1 - Truly my soul waiteth upon God:  from Him cometh my salvation.
*  Ps. 130:5 - I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in His Word do I hope.

*  Isa. 40:31 - But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
*  Isa. 64:4 - For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside Thee, what He hath prepared for him that waiteth for Him.

 

*  Lam. 3:25 - The LORD is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him. 

*  Lam. 3:26 - It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

 

*  Hos. 12:6 - Therefore turn thou to thy God:  keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.

 

*  Mic. 7:7 - Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.

*  Rom. 8:23 - And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 
*  Rom. 8:25 - But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

*  1 Cor. 1:7 - So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

*  Gal. 5:5 - For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

*  1 Thes. 1:10 - And to wait for His Son from heaven, Whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, Who delivered us from the wrath to come.

*  2 Thes. 3:5 - And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

 

JESUS WAS RAISED TO BE YOUR LORD!  WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

EVEN AFTER WE ARE ADULTS, THEY ARE STILL OUR PARENTS

GOD'S WILL FOR HIS CHILDREN

*  Exodus 20:12 - "Honor thy father and thy mother:  that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee."
*  Deuteronomy 5:16 - "Honor thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee."
*  Matthew 15:4 - "For God commanded, saying, Honor thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death."
*  Matthew 19:19 - "Honor thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."
*  Mark 7:10 - "For Moses said, Honor thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death."
*  Mark 10:19 - "Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honor thy father and mother."
*  Luke 18:20 - "Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor thy father and thy mother."
*  Ephesians 6:2 - "Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise...."

 

GOD'S WARNING TO TODAY'S CHILDREN

*  Isaiah 30:1 - "Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of Me; and that cover with a covering, but not of My Spirit, that they may add sin to sin...."
*  Romans 1:28-32 - "And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:  who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them."
*  2 Timothy 3:1-5 - "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:  from such turn away."

 

"For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry."

GOD BECAME MAN TO DIE FOR YOU

MY UNDERSTANDING OF WHY GOD BECAME A MAN

(SKIP'S LIGHTHOUSE VERSION)

John 1:1, 14 - In the beginning (of time) 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 Son (see Jn. 1:18; 3:16, 18; 1 Jn. 4:9) of the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 12:27, 32, 33 - Jesus said, Now is My soul troubled; and what shall I say?  Father, save Me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.  And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me.  This He said, signifying what death He should die.

John 18:37 - Pilate therefore said unto Him, Are You a king then?  Jesus answered, you say 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 hears My voice.

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 the likeness of man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 

Hebrews 9:11-15 - But Christ being come as the high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect (heavenly) tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of (an earthly) building; neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered in once into heaven (Mk. 16:19; Lk. 24:51; Heb. 9:24), having obtained eternal redemption for us.  For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctified to the purifying of the flesh:  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?  And for this cause He is the mediator of the New Testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the Old Testament, they which are called might receive the promise of an eternal inheritance.

 

HE DIED FOR YOU; HIS FATHER RAISED HIM TO BE LORD OF YOUR LIFE!

GOD'S CALL TO THE LOST IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION

Bible-believing Christians are familiar with the fact that Jesus Christ willingly became a human being in order to die for the sins of the world, and that His Father raised Him from the dead, and declared Him to be KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS  (John 1:1, 14; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Philippians 2:5-11; 1 Peter 1:19; 1 John 2:2; Revelation 5:12-13; 19:16; etc.)!  They are also aware of the fact that He is pictured in God's Word as "the Lamb of God," and that His sacrifice for us was first pictured in the Passover Lamb at the time of Israel's exodus from Egypt (Exodus 12; Leviticus 23; Numbers 9; Deuteronomy 16; John 1:29, 36; 1 Corinthians 5:7; etc.)!

Bible-believing Christians are aware of the fact that Jesus has promised to return for His Church (John 14:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:50-54; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; etc.)!  His coming for us in the clouds has been labelled "The Rapture."  The word, "rapture," comes from the Latin Vulgate where it appears as "rapiemur."  "Rapiemur" is translated from the original Greek word, "harpazo," which is interpreted as "being caught up, or being snatched up."  Born again believers anxiously await that glorious day (Titus 2:13)!  But many mistake "The Rapture," for "The Second Coming of Christ."  In "The Rapture," born again believers will be caught up to meet Jesus in the air.  At His "Second Coming," born again believers will return to earth and will share in His earthly kingdom for one thousand years (Matthew 25:31-32; Revelation 19:11-20:15; etc.).

The Book of Revelation is divided into three sections:  1) the things John had already seen; 2) the things that existed in John's day; and 3) the things which will occur in the future (Revelation 1:19).  John had seen the events in Chapter one; the churches mentioned in Chapters two and three existed at the time of his vision; and the events found in Chapters four through twenty-two would take place in the future.  There are multitudes of interpretations of Revelation, but I do not want to discuss them here.  Most likely, all Bible students are wrong about something described in John's vision.  Unfortunately, most are very dogmatic about their view, and refuse to fellowship with those who see things differently.  I find the Book of Revelation to be very humbling!

What I do want to share today, is the theme of the book.  Contrary to popular belief, Revelation is not only about God's vengeance upon unbelievers in Christ.  It is also about His effort to bring mankind to faith and repentance!  "Repentance" is discussed in Revelation 2:5, 16, 21, 22; 3:3, 19; 9:20, 21; 16:9, 11!  Peter described God and His patience with rebellious men:  "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).  Further evidence is found in the fact that Jesus is described as "The Lion of the Tribe of Judah," only once (Revelation 5:5), but He is described as "The Lamb" twenty-seven times!  Remember, "The Lamb" referred to Him as being "our Passover," the One Who paid for our sins (1 Corinthians 5:7)!

THE BOOK OF REVELATION IS GOD'S LAST WARNING TO COME TO FAITH IN JESUS!

INTERPRETING SCRIPTURE BY CROSS-REFERENCING THE WORD

MY UNDERSTANDING OF ROMANS 10:9-17

[9] ...if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is your Lord, and truly believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (rescued:  from God's wrath to come - 1 Th. 1:10; from the penalty of your sins - Rom. 6:23; to become an adopted child of God - Rom. 8:15) .

[10] For with the heart man believes God's Word, and his faith is counted as righteous (Rom. 3:22; 4:3; Gal. 3:6; Phil. 3:9; Heb. 11:7); and with the mouth, our declaration of faith in Christ is evidence that Christ saved us (1 Cor. 12:3; 1 Jn. 4:2-3).

[11] For the Scripture says, Whosoever believes in Jesus shall not be ashamed (Mt. 10:33).

[12] For, to God, there is no difference between the Jew and the Gentile (Acts 10:34; Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:11):  for the same Lord will reward all who call upon Him.

[13] For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Isa. 12:4; Acts 4:12; 1 Cor. 1:2).

[14] 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 unless some believer shares the Gospel (Acts 1:8; Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 15:1-4; Rev. 11:3-12).

[15] And with whom shall they share their faith, unless the Spirit guide them (Jn. 16:13; Acts 1:8)?  As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who share the Gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things (Isa. 52:7; Acts 8:25)!

[16] But some are not willing to obey the Gospel (2 Th. 1:8; 1 Pet. 4:17).  For Isaiah said, Lord, who has believed our testimony (Isa. 53:1; Jn. 12:38)?

[17] So then faith, which results in salvation, comes by hearing the Word of God, especially the Gospel which declares that Jesus died for your sins, that He was buried, and that God raised Him from the dead, all according to what the prophets wrote concerning Jesus, and that He now reigns as KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS from His throne on high (Lk. 24:26-27; Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 15:1-4; Heb. 8:1; Rev. 19:16)!

WHAT ROLE DO WORKS HAVE IN SALVATION?

NONE!  Salvation is by grace (unmerited favor) through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ, Who died for our sin, so that He could freely give us His righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21; Eph. 2:8; Jn. 17:4; 19:30; 1 Cor. 15:1-4; Heb. 4:3; etc.)!

From Romans 4:2-6 - For if Abraham was justified by works, he would get the glory before man, but not before God.  For what does the Scripture say?  Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.  Now to him who works, his reward is not by grace, but it is owed to him.  But to him who does not rely upon his works, but believes on Him Who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.  Even as David also described the blessedness of the man, unto whom God gives His righteousness by grace and not by works.

From Romans 9:30-33 - What shall we say then?  That the Gentiles, who did not follow the Law of righteousness, have been declared righteous because of their faith.  But Israel, who followed after the Law of righteousness, has not been declared righteous.  Why?  Because they sought their own righteousness by trying to obey the works of the Law, and refused to believe that righteousness is attained by faith in the finished work of Christ,  Who, to them, became a stumbling-stone!  As it is written, Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling-stone and rock of offence:  and whosoever believes on Him shall not be ashamed.

From Galatians 2:16 - We know that a man is not made right with God by the works of the Law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be in fellowship with God solely because of our faith of Christ; our relationship with God is not by the works of the Law: for by the works of the Law shall no flesh be made righteous.

From Titus 3:5-7 - Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the cleansing of regeneration, and the new birth by the Holy Spirit;  Who God has abundantly given to us through Jesus Christ our Savior; that being made right with God by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

 

FALSE RELIGIONS TELL YOU HOW YOU CAN EARN SALVATION:

GOD'S WORD SAYS THAT SALVATION CANNOT BE EARNED;

IT IS A FREE GIFT FROM GOD TO THOSE WHO ACCEPT HIS SON!

WHEN IS A DAY NOT A DAY?

Hebrews 10:23-25 - "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for He is faithful that promised; And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching."

What do you think the writer of the Book of Hebrews meant by "as you see the day approaching."  Could it be "the day of the Lord," a phrase which appears twenty-seven times in twenty-six verses in the King James Bible?  If so, does it refer to a literal day, or a period of about 1000 years (2 Pet. 3:8), which would include the Rapture of the Church, Israel's seven-year Tribulation, and the seventh dispensation, Christ's Millennial Kingdom?  Notice that the "day of the Lord" includes the Rapture (1 Cor. 5:5; 2 Cor. 1:14), the Tribulation (Isa. 13:9; Zeph. 1:18), and the Church has to be gone because "...God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Th. 5:9; Rev. 3:10).

First of all, the Book of Hebrews was written to Christians who had formerly been Jews, which can be seen in verses 1:1-2:  they refer to the Old Testament prophets speaking to "the fathers,"  and of the readers having been spoken to by the Son of God.  Secondly, 1 Th. 5:2 and 2 Pet. 3:10 describe His return as being like a thief who comes in the night:  at a time when He is not expected.  The Rapture is the only event of the three that is "unknown."  The agreement between Antichrist and Israel begins the seven-year Tribulation, and the Abomination of Desolations marks the mid-point of the seven years (Dan. 9:27); and the Second Coming of Christ occurs exactly seven years after the agreement begins (Mt. 24:29).

While no man "knows the day nor the hour" (Mt. 25:13), there are apparently clear signs that the time is rapidly approaching (Mt. 24:3-44; 1 Th. 5:1-4; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; etc.)!  Christians will not be caught off-guard because we recognize the events leading up to the beginning of the day of the Lord.  However, the rest of the world can know the time-table once we are gone; the Tribulation and the Second Coming of Christ to establish His Millennial Kingdom will occur at exact times.

BECAUSE OF WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE CHURCH IS RAPTURED TO HEAVEN,
ACCEPTING CHRIST AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR NEEDS TO HAPPEN TODAY!

SALVATION IS THE WORK OF THE TRINITY

OUR SALVATION IS THE WORK OF THE FATHER

*  John 3:16-17 (SLV) - Jesus said, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes 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."
*  John 6:44-45 (SLV) - Jesus said, "No man can come to Me, except the Father Who sent Me draw him:  and I will raise Him up at the last day.  It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God.  Every man therefore that has heard, and has learned of the Father, will come to Me."
*  2 Peter 3:9 (SLV) - Peter wrote:  "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

OUR SALVATION IS THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

*  John 3:3-6 (SLV) - Jesus said, "...Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.  Nicodemus said unto Him, How can a man be born when he is old?  Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?  Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a man be born of water, that is, be born physically, and be born of the Spirit, that is spiritually, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."
*  John 14:25-26 (SLV) - Jesus said, "These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.  But the Comforter, Who is the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."
*  John 16:8-11 (SLV) - Jesus said, "And when he, the Holy Spirit is come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:  Of sin, because they believe not on Me; Of righteousness, because I go to My Father, and you see Me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged."

 

OUR SALVATION IS THE FINISHED WORK OF JESUS CHRIST

*  John 12:32-33 (SLV) - Jesus said, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me.  This He said, signifying what death He should die."
*  John 19:30 (SLV) - John wrote:  "When Jesus had been offered the vinegar, He said, It is finished: and He bowed His head, and gave up His life."
*  Romans 5:8-9 (SLV) - Paul wrote:  "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."
*  1 Corinthians 15:1-4 (SLV) - Paul wrote:  "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also you have received, and wherein you stand; By which also ye are saved....For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures:  And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures."

 

TIME IS SHORT!  ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR LORD TODAY!

BELIEVING IN JESUS IS TAKING GOD AT HIS WORD

*  Psalm 4:5 - "Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD."

*  Psalm 115:11 - "You that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD:  He is their help and their shield."

*  Psalm 118:8 - "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man."

*  Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. "

*  Proverbs 29:25 - "The fear of man brings a snare: but whosoever puts his trust in the LORD shall be safe."

*  Mark 11:22 - "And Jesus answering said unto them, Have faith in God."

*  John 1:12 - "But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the children of God, even to those that believe on His name."

*  John 3:14-18 - "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness (Numbers 21:5-9), even so must the Son of man be lifted up:  that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.  For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes 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 believes on Him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

*  John 6:29 - "Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that you  believe on Him Whom He hath sent."

*  Romans 10:9-10 - "...if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and 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."

 

*  1 John 5:13 - "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life...."

 

FAITH COMES BY HEARING THE WORD OF GOD!

GOD WILL GUIDE THOSE WHO WILLINGLY FOLLOW HIM

SEVEN EXAMPLES OF TRUSTING GOD ENOUGH TO FOLLOW HIM

*  Psalm 23:1-6 - "The LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures:  He leads me beside the still waters.  He restores my soul:  He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:  for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff comfort me.  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies:  You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever."

*  Psalm 31:1-3 - "In You, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed:  deliver me in Your righteousness.  Bow down Your ear to me; deliver me speedily:  be my Strong Rock, for a house of defense to save me.  For You are my Rock and my Fortress; therefore for Your name's sake lead me, and guide me."

*  Psalm 73:23-25 - "... I am continually with You:  You have held me by my right hand.  You shall guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.  Whom have I in heaven but You?  And there is none upon earth that I desire beside You."

*  Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not upon your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."

*  John 14:26 - "But the Comforter, Who is the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."

*  John 16:12-13 - "I have yet many things to say unto you, but you cannot bear them now.  Howbeit when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth:  for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak:  and He will show you things to come."

*  1 Peter 2:21-25 - "For even unto this were you called:  because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:  Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth:  Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him Who judges righteously:  Who by Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness:  by Whose stripes you were healed.  For you were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls."        [Note:  All Scripture is from "Skip's Lighthouse Version"]

 

DO YOU WANT TO PLEASE GOD?  ASK YOURSELF, WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?