HE WHO WINS SOULS IS WISE

Proverbs 11:30 - "...he who wins souls is wise."

 

   Romans 10:17 - "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."

 

Romans 1:16 - "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ:  

for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes..."

THE GOSPEL

*  1 Corinthians 1:17-18 - "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the Gospel:  not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.  For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us who are saved, it is the power of God."
*  1 Corinthians 9:16 - "For though I preach the Gospel, I have nothing to glory of:  for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the Gospel!"
*  1 Corinthians 15:1-4 "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein you stand; by which also you 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."
*  Galatians 1:8-9 - "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other so-called gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.  As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other so-called gospel unto you than that you have received, let him be accursed."
*  Galatians 3:8 - "And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the Gospel unto Abraham, saying, In you shall all nations be blessed."
*  Ephesians 1:12-13 - "That we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ.  In Whom you also trusted, after you heard the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your salvation:  in whom also after you believed, you were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise."
*  1 Thessalonians 2:4 - "But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the Gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, Who tries our hearts."
*  2 Thessalonians 1:7-8 - "And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who know not God, and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ."
*  2 Timothy 1:9-10 - "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, Who has abolished death, and has brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel."
*  1 Peter 1:25 - "But the Word of the Lord shall endure forever.  And this is the Word which by the Gospel is preached unto you."

 

DO YOU WANT TO WIN SOULS FOR CHRIST?  SPREAD THE GOSPEL!

BY FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST

Perhaps the most important passage in the Bible, when it comes to comprehending that our salvation cannot be achieved by religious works but must be accepted as a gift from Almighty God, is found in Ephesians 2:8-9, which reads:  "For by grace (unearned, unmerited favor) you are saved by faith; and it is not of your own doing:  it is the gift of God:  not of works, so that no man can boast."  [Note:  all quotes are from the SLV (Skip's Lighthouse Version)].  The righteousness (right standing with God) necessary to be worthy of spending eternity with God in heaven, is a gift from God, as seen in 2 Corinthians 5:21:  "For He (The Father) has made Him (His Son) to be sin for us, Who was Himself sinless (see Heb. 4:15); that we might be made the righteousness of God by faith in Him."  Here are a few verses which support the fact that salvation is by faith and not by religious works:

*  Acts 15:8-9 - "And God, Who knows the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as He did unto us; and put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith."

*  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 3:22, 28 - "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....Therefore we conclude that 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, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."

*  Romans 9:32-33 - "Wherefore?  Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that 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."

*  Galatians 3:11, 26 - "...no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident:  for, the just shall live by faith....For you are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus."

*  Galatians 5:4 - "For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith."

*  Philippians 3:9 - "And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith."

If you believe that Jesus died to pay for your sins, that He was buried, and that God raised Him from the dead according to Scripture (1 Corinthians 15:3-4), all you need to "do" to be saved, is to "...confess with your mouth your faith in the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, and 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 the Lord Jesus Christ shall not be ashamed" (Romans 10:9-11)!

ALL

ALL HAVE SINNED AND NEED A SAVIOR

*  Romans 3:9-12 - "What then; are we better than they?  No, in no wise:  for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are ALL under sin; as it is written, There are NONE who are righteous, no, NOT ONE:  there are NONE who understand, there are NONE who seek after God.  They are ALL gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there are NONE who do good, no, NOT ONE."
*  Romans 3:19 - "Now we know that what things the Law says, it says to those who are under the Law:  that every mouth may be stopped, and ALL the world may become guilty before God."
*  Romans 3:23 - "...ALL have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."
*  Romans 5:12 - "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon ALL men, for that ALL have sinned."

 

JESUS DIED FOR THE WHOLE WORLD

*  Isaiah 53:6 - "ALL we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned EVERY ONE to his own way; and THE LORD HAS LAID ON HIM THE INIQUITY OF US ALL."
*  John 3:14-18 - "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:  so 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 who believes on Him is not condemned:  but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."
*  Romans 3:20-22 - "Therefore, by the deeds of the Law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight:  for by the Law is the knowledge of sin.  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 THOSE WHO BELIEVE...." 
*  1 Timothy 2:3-6 - "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; Who will have ALL MEN TO BE SAVED, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.  For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; WHO GAVE HIMSELF A RANSOM FOR ALL...."
*  Hebrews 2:9 - "But we see Jesus, Who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; THAT HE BY THE GRACE OF GOD SHOULD TASTE DEATH FOR EVERY MAN."
*  1 John 2:2 - "And Jesus is the propitiation (the offering acceptable by God) for our sins: and not for ours only, BUT ALSO FOR THE SINS OF THE WHOLE WORLD." 

 

JESUS DIED FOR YOU!  IF YOU BELIEVE THAT, THEN LIVE FOR HIM!

THE WRATH OF GOD

THE WRATH OF GOD IS COMING UPON THE WHOLE WORLD

*  John 3:36 - "He who...does not believe the Son shall not see eternal life; but the wrath of God awaits him."
*  Romans 1:18 - "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who refuse to believe the truth."
*  Ephesians 5:6 - "Let no man tempt you with vain words:  for because of these things the wrath of God shall come upon the children of disobedience."
*  Colossians 3:6 - "Because of these things,  the wrath of God shall come upon the children of disobedience."
*  Revelation 15:1 - "And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God."
*  Revelation 16:1 - "And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth."

 

BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS WILL NOT BE HERE WHEN IT IS POURED OUT

*  John 3:36 - "He who believes the Son has everlasting life:  and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God awaits him."
*  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."
*  Romans 5:8-10 - "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."
*  1 Thessalonians 1:10 - "...wait for His Son from heaven, Whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, Who delivered us from the wrath to come."
*  1  Thessalonians 5:8-10 - "But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.  For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him."  [All Scripture is from the SLV - Skip's Lighthouse Version]

 

FOR THE UNBELIEVER, THE WRATH OF GOD AWAITS HIM.

FOR THE BELIEVER, THE WRATH WAS POURED OUT UPON JESUS!

THE CHOICE IS YOURS!

WE ARE SAVED TO SPREAD THE GOSPEL

BELIEVING THE GOSPEL MESSAGE SAVES THE LOST

*  Romans 1:15-17 (SLV) - "...I am also ready to preach the Gospel to you that are at Rome.  For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God that saves every one who believe; to the Jews first, and also to the Gentiles.  For it is in the Gospel message that the righteousness of God is revealed...."

 

THE GOSPEL MESSAGE THAT SAVES

*  1 Corinthians 15:1, 3-4 (SLV) - "Moreover, brethren, I again declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also you have received as truth, and wherein you stand....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."
  - The death of Jesus was foretold in the O. T. Scriptures - Psalm 22; Isaiah 53; etc.!
  - The burial of Jesus was foretold in the O. T. Scriptures - Psalm 16:9-10; Isaiah 53:9; etc.!
  - The Resurrection of Jesus was foretold in the O. T. Scriptures - Psalm 17:15; 22:22; etc.!
*  Luke 24:25-27 (SLV) - "Then Jesus  said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:  Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to entered into His glory?  And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself."

 

SALVATION REQUIRES FAITH IN THE LORD'S RESURRECTION

*  Romans 10:8-13 (SLV) - "...the Word of faith, which we preach; that if you confess your faith in the Lord Jesus, and you believe with all 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.  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 is over all and His righteousness is abundantly available unto all that call upon Him.  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."  [See:  Luke 24:47; 2 Corinthians 5:21; etc.].
*  1 Corinthians 15:13-20 (SLV) - "...if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:  and if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is worthless, and your faith is useless.  Yes, and we are false witnesses of God; because we have testified that God raised up Christ:  Whom He could not have raised up, if the dead do not rise.  For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not raised:  and if Christ is not raised, your faith is vain, and your sins have not been forgiven!  That means those who have died believing in Christ, have perished.  If in this life only, we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.  But Christ is risen from the dead...!"

 

IF YOU BELIEVE JESUS DIED FOR YOUR SINS, AND YOU ACKNOWLEDGE HIM

TO BE YOUR RISEN LORD, YOU ARE SAVED! 

IF YOU ARE SAVED, ACT LIKE IT - THEN TELL OTHERS!

GOD'S ADOPTED HEIRS

*  Romans 8:14-17 - "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.  For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.  The Spirit bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.  And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together."

*  Galatians 4:1-7 - "Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ from a servant, though he be lord of all; but is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.  Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:  but when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the Law, to redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.  And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.  Wherefore you are no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ."

*  Ephesians 1:3-7 - "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:  according as He has chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love:  having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He has made us accepted in the Beloved.  In Whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace."

*  Titus 3:4-7 - "But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 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; Whom He has shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior; that being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life."

*  James 2:5 - "Hearken, my beloved brethren, has not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He has promised to them that love Him?"

*  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 does not know us, because it did not know Him.  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."

 

IN AN ADOPTION, THE PARENTS CHOOSE THE CHILD.

THE CHILD DOES NOT CHOOSE THE PARENTS.

EVERY / ALL / WHOSOEVER

*  John 1:9 - "That was the true Light, Who lights every man who comes into the world."
*  Acts 2:45 - "And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need."
*  Acts 4:35 - "And laid them down at the apostles' feet:  and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need."
*  Acts 11:29 - "Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren who dwelt in Judaea."
*  Romans 3:23 - "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."
*  Romans 12:3 - "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith."
*  Romans 14:5 - "One man esteems one day above another:  another esteems every day alike.  Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind."
*  1 Corinthians 4:5 - "Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, Who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts:  and then shall every man have praise of God."
*  1 Corinthians 15:22-23 - "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.  But every man in his own order:  Christ the first-fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at His coming."
*  2 Corinthians 5:14-15 - "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 who live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him Who died for them, and rose again."
*  2 Corinthians 9:7 - "Every man according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity:  for God loves a cheerful giver."
*  Galatians 5:14 - "For all the Law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
*  Ephesians 4:25 - "Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another."
*  Ephesians 5:20 - "Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
*  Colossians 1:28 - "Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus."
*  Colossians 4:6 - "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man."
*  1 Timothy 2:5-6 - "For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time."
*  Hebrews 2:9 - "But we see Jesus, Who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man."
*  Hebrews 10:10 - "By Who's will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."
*  1 Peter 3:15 - "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts:  and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear."

 

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Rom. 10:13)!

JOHN'S GOSPEL MESSAGE: BELIEVE!

*  John 1:11-12 - "He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.  But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name."

*  John 3:14-16 - "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.  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."

*  John 5:46-47 - "For had you believed Moses, you would have believed Me:  for he wrote of Me.  But if you believe not his writings, how shall you believe My words?"

*  John 6:28-29, 40, 47 - "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 you believe on Him Whom He has sent....And this is the will of Him Who sent Me, that every one who sees the Son, and believes on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day....Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believes on Me has everlasting life."

*  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 that talks with you.  And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped Him."

*  John 11:25-27 - "Jesus said unto her, I am The Resurrection, and The Life:  he that believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:  and whosoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?  She said unto Him, Yes, Lord:  I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God Who should come into the world."

*  John 14:1 - "Let not your heart be troubled:  you believe in God, believe also in Me."

*  John 16:27 - "For the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came out from God."

*  John 20:29-31 - "Jesus said unto him, Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed: blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed.  And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book:  but these are written, that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you might have life through His name."

 

DO YOU?  DOES YOUR LIFE SHOW IT?

WHAT IS CAUSING A SHADOW BETWEEN YOU AND GOD?

Yesterday I wrote about the "shadow of death," and how shadows are not reality, but images of it.  Today, I want to look at what causes the "shadow of death," or better yet, who causes it.  In Hebrews 2:14-15, we read:  "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." 

It was Satan who enticed Eve to doubt God and to partake of the forbidden fruit (Gen. 3:1-6), and though he was not called Satan in the passage, it is clear from Matthew 4:1-10 that "the serpent," a.k.a. "the devil," and "Satan," is "the tempter."  This can also be seen from Revelation 12:9 which says, "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceives the whole world:  he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."

So how does Satan cast such a intimidating shadow?  He places himself between mankind and God!  He gets us to focus on our circumstances, instead of upon the One Who can save us from them.  God is Light (1 Jn. 1:5), and anything that prevents His light from reaching man, casts a shadow that can potentially result in death!  Like His Father, Jesus is Light (Jn. 8:12; 9:5), and being the "express image" of Him (Heb. 1:3), and being God "manifest in the flesh" (1 Tim. 3:16), He could proclaim in John 14:9,  "...Have I been so long time with you, and yet you have not known Me, Philip?  He who has seen Me has seen the Father; and how do you then say, Show us the Father?"

Jesus, as the "Light of the world," came to His own people and they rejected Him (Jn. 1:11-12);  as a result, Jesus offered salvation to all, saying, "I am come a Light into the world, that whosoever believeth on Me should not abide in darkness" (Jn. 12:46)!  That is why neither God, nor Jesus, cast a shadow, of death or any other thing:  They are Light!  And that is why Isaiah could write:
 
"Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first He lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.  The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined" (Isa. 9:1-2; See aslo Mt. 4:15-16)!

 

But beware:  

There is coming a day when darkness shall prevail upon the earth (Joel 2:2; Zeph. 1:15).  

Trust in Jesus, the Light of the World, while you still can! 

    

THE SHADOW OF DEATH

Most of us are familiar with the phrase, "the shadow of death," from the fourth verse of the popular Twenty-third Psalm; it reads:  "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:  for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me."  But did you know the same phrase occurs twenty times in the Bible?  Interestingly, nine of the twenty are found in the Book of Job (3:5; 10:21-22; 12:22; 16:16; twice in 24:17; 28:3; 34:22; 38:17).  It is also found in four verses in Psalms (23:4; 44:19; 107:10, 14); twice in Jeremiah (2:6; 13:16); as well as in Isaiah 9:2; Amos 5:8; Matthew 4:16; and Luke 1:79. 

The Hebrew phrase is based upon the combining of two words:   צֵל (tsel), which means "shade or shadow," and מָוֶת (maveth), which means "death."  They form the single word:  צַלְמָוֶת (tsalmaveth), which means "death-shadow."  The Greek also has a two-word basis:  σκιά (skia), which means "shadow," and θάνατος (thanatos), which means "death."

We know that a shadow is created by someone or something blocking light.  It is not physically real in itself, but reveals the size and shape of that which is located between the light source and the object upon which the shadow appears.  But the Bible refers to "shadows" in another way; they reveal details about what is real.  For instance:
*  Colossians 2:16-17 - "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holy day, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days:  which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ."
*  Hebrews 8:5 - "Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle:  for, See, saith He, that thou make all things according to the pattern showed to thee in the mount."
*  Hebrews 10:1 - "For the Law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect."

Physical death is but a shadow of what the Bible calls the "second death" (Rev. 2:11; 20:5-6, 14; 21:8).  ALL who die physically will be resurrected; John 2:28-29 says, "Marvel not at this:  for the hour is coming, in which ALL who are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; those who have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and those who have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." 
["done evil" = "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" (Rom. 10:3)]. 
["done good" = "For He hath made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Cor. 5:21)].

Even the "second death" is shadow of its true meaning; it is a metaphor for eternal separation from God which accompanies being tormented in the eternal lake of fire (Rev. 19:20; 20:10, 14, 15)!

 

AT LEAST, THIS IS HOW I UNDERSTAND THESE THINGS

BE WARNED; JESUS IS COMING BACK!

*  Matthew 24:44 - "Therefore be ready:  for in such an hour as you think not, the Son of man shall  come."

*  Matthew 25:13 - "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man shall come."

*  Mark 8:38 - "Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of Me and of My Words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when He shall come in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."

*  Mark 13:32, 35 - "But of that day and that hour, no man knows, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father....Watch therefore: for you know not when the Master of the house shall come, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning."

*  Luke 12:40 - "Therefore be ready also:  for the Son of man shall come at an hour when you think not."

*  Luke 18:8 - "I tell you that He will avenge them speedily.  Nevertheless when the Son of man shall come, will He find faith on the earth?"

*  1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 - "But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.  For yourselves know perfectly that the Day of the Lord shall come as a thief in the night.  For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction shall come upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape."

*  Jude 1:14-15 - "And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord shall come with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him."

*  Revelation 1:7 - "Behold, He shall come with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also who pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him.  Even so, Amen."

*  Revelation 22:16-17, 20 - "I Jesus have sent My angel to testify unto you these things in the churches.  I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.  And the Spirit and the bride say, Come.  And let him that heareth say, Come.  And let him that is athirst come.  And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely....He who testifies these things says, Surely I come quickly.  Amen.  Even so, come, Lord Jesus."

GOD'S JUDGMENTS ON EARTH

*  Genesis 5:22-24; Hebrews 11:5 - "And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:  And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years:  And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him....By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God."  [Note:  "Translated" is from the Greek μετατίθημι (metatithēmi), which means "to be transferred; to be caused to go or pass over."  Enoch was taken up before he could experience death on earth below.]

*  Genesis 7:11-12, 17 - "In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.  And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights....  And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth."  [Note:  God's judgment fell on those below the ark!]

*  Genesis 19:15-17 - "And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.  And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.  And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed."  [Note:  God's intent was for Lot to go up above the destruction of the cities of the plains, but He did not destroy Zoar because Lot was given permission to go there.]

*  2 Kings 2:1, 11 - "And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal....And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.  [Note:  It is quite possible that both Enoch and Elijah were saved from experiencing death, because they will be the "two witnesses" who die later in Rev. 11:7 - See Heb. 9:27.]

*  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."  [Note:  The Rapture - up into the clouds - see 1 Cor. 15:50-54; 1 Th. 4:16-17 - is the event when the Church is caught up before the Tribulation occurs on earth.]

*  Revelation 3:10 - "Because thou hast kept the Word of My patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth."

 

  [NOTE:  GOD RESCUES HIS CHILDREN FROM HIS JUDGMENT ON THE EARTH!]

FROM SPIRITUAL DEATH TO SPIRITUAL LIFE

GOD IS A SPIRIT BEING

John 4:24 - "God is a Spirit: and they who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth."



ADAM WAS CREATED IN THE LIKENESS OF GOD

*  Genesis 1:26-27 - "And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.  So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them."

*  Genesis 5:1-2 - "This is the book of the generations of Adam.  In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made He him: male and female created He them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created."

BUT ADAM CEASED TO BE IN THE LIKENESS OF GOD

*  Genesis 2:17 - "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 shall surely die."  [Adam died spiritually that very day.]
*  Genesis 3:9-10 - "And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where are you?  And he said, I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself."
*  Ezra 9:15 - "O LORD God of Israel, You are righteous...." 
*  2 Corinthians 6:14 - "Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers:  for what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness?  And what communion has light with darkness?"
*  Genesis 5:3 - "And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his (Adam's) own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth."

 ALL ARE SPIRITUALLY DEAD UNTIL THEY ACCEPT JESUS AS THEIR LORD

*  John 3:5-6 - Jesus said, "Except a man be born of water (physical birth) and of the Spirit (be made alive 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 11:25 - "Jesus said unto her, I AM the resurrection, and the life:  he who believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live."
*  Ephesians 2:4-5 - "But God, Who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, has made us alive together with Christ (by grace you are saved)."

BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS ARE IN A PROCESS OF REGAINING HIS LIKENESS

*  1 Corinthians 15:51 - "Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed...."
*  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 3:2 - "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."

WE ARE SAVED BY FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST

SALVATION IS BY FAITH IN GOSPEL MESSAGE

*  Matthew 9:2 - "And, behold, they brought to Him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven."

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

*  Luke 8:48 - "And He said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort:  your faith has made you whole; go in peace."

*  Luke 17:19 - "And He said unto him, Arise, go your way:  your faith has made you whole."

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

*  Acts 15:7-9 - "...Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, you know how that a good while ago, God revealed to us that the Gentiles, by my mouth, should hear the Word of the Gospel, and believe.  And God...put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith."

*  Romans 3:22 - "Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all those who believe: for there is no difference."

*  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...."

*  Romans 10:9-10, 13, 17 - "...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....For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved....So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."

*  1 Corinthians 15:1, 3-4 - "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 you 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."

*  Galatians 3:26 - "For you are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus."

*  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."

HEAR THE GOSPEL; BELIEVE THE GOSPEL; RECEIVE ETERNAL LIFE!

DO YOU BELIEVE THE GOSPEL? THEN TELL SOMEBODY!

JESUS WAS CRUCIFIED, DIED, AND WAS BURIED

*  Matthew 27:50 - "Jesus, when He had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost."
*  Mark 15:37 - "And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost."
*  Luke 23:46 - "And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, He said, Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit:  and having said this, He gave up the ghost."
*  John 19:30 - "When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said, It is finished:  and He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost." 
*  Romans 5:6, 8 - "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.  But God demonstrated His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
*  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."
*  1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 - "For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us...."

BUT DEATH AND THE GRAVE COULD NOT HOLD HIM

*  Matthew 28:6 - "He is not here: for He is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay."
*  Mark 16:6 - "And he said unto them, Be not afraid:  You 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 do you seek the living among the dead?  He is not here; He is risen...."
*  John 20:16 - "Jesus said unto her, Mary.  She turned and said unto Him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master."
*  Acts 3:15 - "And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses
*  Acts 10:40-41 - "Him God raised up the third day, and showed Him openly; not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with Him after he rose from the dead."
*  Romans 6:9 - "Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead shall die no more; death having no more dominion over Him."
*  1 Corinthians 15:4 - "And that He was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures."
*  1 Thessalonians 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 Timothy 2:8 - "Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my Gospel."

 

JESUS, AS THE "LAMB OF GOD," DIED FOR OUR SINS!

HE ROSE FROM THE DEAD TO RULE AS KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS!

IF YOU BELIEVE IN HIM, SERVE JESUS AS YOUR LORD! 

REPENTANCE IS THE RESULT OF FAITH

In this, the Age of Grace (a.k.a. The Church Age), there are two things which result from a person hearing the Gospel and truly believing it:  he has faith that God's Son has made full payment for his sin (remission), and he, out of gratitude, surrenders his life to serve Jesus as Lord of his life (repentance)!  Here are a few verses which support this from the SLV:

*  Matthew 9:13 - "...I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. 

*  Mark 1:15 - "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand:  repent and believe the Gospel."

*  Luke 13:3, 5 - "...I tell you, No:  but, unless you repent, you shall all likewise perish.

*  Luke 15:10 - "...I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

*  Luke 24:47 - "...repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

*  Act 3:19 - "Repent therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.

*  Acts 11:18 - "When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then has God also granted repentance unto life to the Gentiles."

*  Acts 20:21 - "Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ."

*  Acts 26:20 - "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 which show their repentance."

*  Romans 2:4 - "...Do you not know that the goodness of God leads to repentance?"

*  2 Corinthians 7:10 - "...Godly sorrow yields repentance to salvation not to be repented of:  but the sorrow of the world has results in  death."

*  Hebrews 6:1 - "Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto spiritual maturity;  not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God."

*  2 Peter 3:9 - "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

 

REMISSION IS WHAT JESUS HAS DONE FOR ME;

REPENTANCE IS EVIDENCE I BELIEVE IT!

WHO IS JESUS CHRIST?

HE IS CREATOR GOD

*  John 1:1-2, 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 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, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

*  Colossians 1:15-17 - Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:  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 - 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 hath appointed heir of all things, by Whom also He made the worlds.

HE IS GOD COME IN THE FLESH

*  John 1:14 - And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
*  John 10:30 - I and My Father are One.
*  John 14:7-9 - If you had known Me, you should have known My Father also:  and from henceforth you know Him, and have seen Him.  Philip said unto Him, Lord, show us the Father, and it will suffice us.  Jesus said unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet have you not known Me, Philip?  He that has seen Me has seen the Father; and why do you say then, Show us the Father?
*  John 17:5 - And now, O Father, You glorify Me with Your own glory which I had with You before the world was.
*  Hebrews 1:3 - Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the Word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.

 

HE IS COMING AGAIN IN POWER AND GLORY

*  Matthew 24:30 - 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.
*  Mark 13:26 - And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.
*  Luke 21:27 - And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
*  Revelation 19:11-13 - And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He does 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.

 

HE IS EITHER YOUR LORD, OR HE WILL BE YOUR JUDGE!

SALVATION IS IN HIS NAME

*  Matthew 1:21, 23, 25 - And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins....Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us....And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called His name JESUS.

*  Matthew 12:21 - And in His name shall the Gentiles trust.

*  Luke 2:21 - And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, His name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

*  Luke 24:47 - And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

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

*  John 20:31 - But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name.

*  Acts 10:43 - To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.

*  1 John 2:12 -  I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake.

*  Revelation 19:30 - And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and His name is called The Word of God.

*  Revelation 22:1-4 - And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.  In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bares twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month:  and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.  And there shall be no more curse:  but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and His servants shall serve Him:  And they shall see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads.

 

WHOSOEVER SHALL ACCEPT JESUS AS LORD SHALL BE SAVED!

(Romans 10:8-13)

PSALM 138:2

TO WHOM DID PETER GIVE APPROVAL?

*  Matthew 16:19 - And I will give unto you (Peter) 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.
*  Acts 1:8 - Jesus told Peter and the rest of His disciples, "...you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all of Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth (Gentiles)."

JERUSALEM AND JUDAEA

*  Acts 2:14, 32 - On the Day of Pentecost, Peter stood up...and said unto them, You men of Judaea, and all you who dwell in Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words....This Jesus has God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

SAMARIA

*  Acts 8:14, 25 - Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John....and they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the Gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

SAUL OF TARSUS (THE APOSTLE PAUL)

*  Acts 9:26-28 - And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join himself to the disciples (including Peter): but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.  But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.  And he was with them (the disciples including Peter) coming in and going out at Jerusalem.

THE GENTILES

*  Acts 11:1-4, 18 - And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the Word of God.  And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those who were of the circumcision contended with him, saying, You went in to men uncircumcised (Gentiles), and did eat with them.  But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them....When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

RECOGNIZING THE APOSTLE PAUL'S MINISTRY

*  Acts 15:1-2, 6-7 -And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.  When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question....And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.  And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the Word of the Gospel, and believe.  [See Gal. 2:9 - Paul, describing his meeting with the Apostles, wrote:  "And when James, Cephas (Peter), and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision."]
*  2 Peter 3:15-16 - Peter wrote:  "And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him has written unto you; as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other Scriptures, unto their own destruction.

EVERLASTING VERSES ETERNAL

For many years, I believed that there was a difference between "eternal life," and "everlasting life."  I believed that only God possessed "eternal life" - that is, neither having a beginning nor and ending.  But I could not figure out why the Bible said believers had "eternal life."  I came to the conclusion that when a person believed the Gospel message, and the Holy Spirit "baptized" him "into Christ," the believer partook of the Lord's "eternal life."  

As for "everlasting life," that was a whole lot easier to understand.  When a person believes the Gospel, he or she is "born again."  From that point on, he or she has life everlasting.  In other words, their new life had a beginning, but would never end.

There was only one problem:  the same Greek word,  αἰώνιος (aiōnios), is translated "eternal" forty-two times, and "everlasting" twenty-five times in the King James Bible!  So much for a Bible College and Seminary education!  I guess, if I am still confused and need to know when I enter His glorious presence, I will just have to ask Him!  Until then, here are some interesting facts found in the Word of God:

*  God's children, by faith in Jesus, inherit everlasting life.  (Mt. 19:29)

*  All who believe in Jesus have eternal life.  (Jn. 3:15)

*  Whosoever believes in Jesus, the Son of God, has everlasting life.  (Jn. 3:16)

*  All those who believe that the Father sent Jesus, has everlasting life.  (Jn, 5:24)

*   All who believe in Jesus, have everlasting life.  (Jn. 6:47)

*  Jesus gives all who follow Him, eternal life.  (Jn. 10:27-28)

*  The gift of God is eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ our Lord.  (Rom. 6:23)

*  The gift God promised those who believe, is eternal life.  (1 Jn. 2:25)

*  And this is the record, that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son....These things have I written unto you who believe on the name of the Son of God; that you may know that you have eternal life....And we know that the Son of God is come, and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ.  This is the true God, and eternal life.  (1 Jn. 5:11, 13, 20)

 

WHOSOEVER CALLS JESUS LORD, HAS EVERLASTING LIFE!

WE HAVE BEEN SAVED FROM GOD'S WRATH

GOD HAS SAVED BELIEVERS FROM THE WRATH TO COME

[1] Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 
[2] By Whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 
[3] And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also:  knowing that tribulation builds patience;
[4] And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
[5] And there is no shame in hope; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit Who is given unto us.
[6] For when we were powerless against sin, at the appointed time, Christ died for us, the ungodly.
[7] For rarely would a man die even for a righteous man: yet still, for a good man, some would dare to die.
[8] But God demonstrated His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
[9] Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
[10] 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.
[11] And not only so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom we have now received the atonement (Romans 5:1-11).

*  1 Thessalonians 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.
*  1 Thessalonians 5:9 -  For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

BUT WOE TO THOSE WHO REJECT HIS GIFT OF SALVATION

*  John 3:36 - He that believes on the Son has everlasting life:  and he that does not believe on the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides on him.
*  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.
*  Ephesians 5:6 - Let no man deceive you with vain words,,,the wrath of God comes upon the children of disobedience.

 

DO YOU LONG FOR THE LORD'S RETURN, OR DO YOU FEAR IT?

 

ALL: THINK ABOUT IT!

*  Genesis 6:12 - And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.

*  Job 30:23 - For I know that You will bring me to death, and to the house appointed for all living.

*  Isaiah 56:7 - Even them will I bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer:  their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon My altar; for My house shall be called a house of prayer for all people.

*  Jeremiah 2:29 - Wherefore will you plead with Me?  You all have transgressed against Me, says the LORD.

*  Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God!

*  Romans 5:12 - Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for all have sinned!

*  2 Corinthians 5:14-15 - For the love of Christ constrains us; because we judge that if one died for all, then were all dead:  and that He died for all, that those who live should no longer live unto themselves, but unto Him Who died for them, and rose again.

*  Galatians 5:14 - For all the Law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; You shall love your neighbor as you love yourself.

*  Philippians 2:21 - For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.

*  1 Timothy 2:5-6 - For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave Himself as a ransom for all, to be revealed in due time.

*  1 John 2:2 - And He is the One Who paid for our sins:  and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

*  1 John 2:16 - For all that is in the world (the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life), is not of the Father, but is of the world.

*  1 John 5:19 - And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in wickedness.

 

THIS IS MY UNDERSTANDING OF GOD'S WORD:

WE ALL SIN; JESUS DIED FOR ALL SINNERS;

ALL WHO CALL UPON HIM AS LORD WILL BE SAVED!

JOHN KNEW THAT JESUS DIED FOR ALL MANKIND

*  John 1:6-8 - There was a man sent from God, whose name was John (the Baptist).  He came to be a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through Him might believe.  He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

*  John 1:11-13 - Jesus came unto His own, and His own received Him not.  But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to those who believe on His name:  who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

*  John 3:14-17 - 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.  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 11:25-27 - Jesus said unto her, I AM The Resurrection, and The Life: he that believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:  and whosoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.  Do you believe this?  She said unto Him, Yes, Lord: I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, Who should come into the world.

 

*  John 12:46 - I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believes on Me should not abide in darkness.

 

*  1 John 2:2 - And He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

 

*  1 John 4:15 - Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwells in him, and he in God.

 

*  1 John 5:1 - Whosoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and everyone that loves Him Who begat, loves Him also that is begotten of Him.

 

JESUS DIED FOR ALL, BUT ALL DO NOT BELIEVE IN HIM!

DO YOU?  CAN PEOPLE TELL YOU DO?

 

WHAT IS GREATER THAN GOD'S NAME?

Yesterday, I wrote about the deity of Jesus and about the worship He received in God's Word.  Today, I will continue by focusing upon God's name being magnified (enlarged, made to stand out, to be emphasized), and praised.  Think on these examples:
*  2 Samuel 7:26 - And let Your name be magnified forever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God over Israel....
*  2 Samuel 22:4 - I will call on the LORD, Who is worthy to be praised:  so shall I be saved from my enemies.
*  1 Chronicles 16:25 - For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised:  He also is to be feared above all gods.
*  1 Chronicles 17:24 - Let it even be established, that Your name may be magnified forever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God of Israel....
*  Psalm 18:3 - I will call upon the LORD, Who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from my enemies.
*  Psalm 35:27 - Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favor my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.
*  Psalm 40:16 - Let all those that seek You rejoice and be glad in You: let those who love Your salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.
*  Psalm 48:1 - Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of His holiness.
*  Psalm 70:4 - Let all those that seek You rejoice and be glad in You: and let those who love Your  salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.
*  Psalm 96:4 - For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised:  He is to be feared above all gods.
*  Psalm 113:3 - From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD's name is to be praised.
*  Psalm 145:3 - Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable.
*  Malachi 1:5 - And your eyes shall see, and you shall say, The LORD will be magnified from the border of Israel.
*  Acts 19:17 - And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
*  Philippians 1:20 - According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

Yes, God's name is sacred; it is holy; it is worthy of the utmost respect!  And yet, the Lord wants those who honor Him, to have even more respect for His Word!  As the saying goes, "One is only as good as His word!"  If you cannot trust His Word, then don't trust Him!  That is why God had the Psalmist write:
*  Psalm 138:2 - 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 all Your name.

 

THE BIBLE IS GOD'S WORD; JESUS IS THE WORD MADE FLESH!

JESUS WAS MUCH MORE THAN JUST A MAN

JESUS KNEW THAT ONLY GOD SHOULD RECEIVE MAN'S WORSHIP

*  Luke 4:8 - And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind Me, Satan: for it is written, You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve.

 

AND, AS GOD, JESUS ALLOWED HIMSELF TO BE WORSHIPPED

*  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.

*  Matthew 2:11 - And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down, and worshipped Him:  and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

*  Matthew 8:2 - And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped Him, saying, Lord, if You will it, You can make me clean.

*  Matthew 9:18 - While He spoke these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped Him, saying, My daughter is even now dead:  but come and lay Your hand upon her, and she shall live.

*  Matthew 14:33 - Then those who were in the ship came and worshipped Him, saying, Of a truth You are the Son of God.

*  Matthew 15:25 - Then she came and worshipped Him, saying, Lord, help me.

*  Matthew 20:20 - Then the mother of Zebedee's children and her sons came to Him , worshipping Him, and desiring a certain thing of Him.

*  Matthew 28:9 - And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held Him by the feet, and worshipped Him.

*  John 9:38 - And he said, Lord, I believe.  And he worshipped Him.

*  Hebrews 1:6 - And again, when He brought in His Firstborn into the world, He said, Let all the angels of God worship Him.

*  Revelation 4:10-11 - The four and twenty elders fell down before Him Who sat on the throne, and worshipped Him Who lives forever and ever, and they cast their crowns before the throne saying, You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power:  for You have created all things, and for Your pleasure they were created.

 

WHEN YOU BELIEVE THE BIBLE, YOU CANNOT HELP BUT WORSHIP JESUS!

FOLLOWING THE LORD'S EXAMPLE

The word "walk," translated from the Hebrew יָלַךְ (yalak), occurs 122 time in the Old Testament, and from the Greek περιπατέω (peripateō), occurs 93 times in the New Testament; they have been defined as:  "conducting one's self honorably; living out one's life in obedience to God."  Here are a few examples:

*  Psalm 1:1 - Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly, nor does he stand in the way of sinners, nor does he sit in the seat of the scornful.
*  Micah 6:8 - He has shown you, O man, what is good; and that which the LORD requires of you: do that which is good; love showing mercy to others; and to walk in humility with your God?
*  Romans 6:4 - Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death:  that just 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 13:13 - Let us walk honestly....
*  2 Corinthians 5:7 - For we walk by faith, not by sight.
*  Galatians 5:16 - This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
*  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 3:17 - Brethren, be followers of Christ with me, and take note of those who walk according to my example.
*  Colossians 1:9-10; 2:6 - We...do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that you might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; in order that you might walk worthy of the Lord....Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.
*  1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 - You know how we...instructed every one of you, that you are to walk worthy of God, Who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
*  1 John 2:6 - Those who say they abide in Him ought to walk, even as He walked.

 

BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS ARE NOT SAVED BY DOING RELIGIOUS WORKS, BUT BY BELIEVING JESUS CHRIST IS THE RISEN SON OF GOD!

 

HOWEVER, ONCE ONE HAS PLACED HIS OR HER FAITH IN CHRIST, GOD EXPECTS HIS ADOPTED CHILD TO WALK IN A MANNER WHICH GLORIFIES HIM! 

DANIEL'S 490 YEAR PROPHECY

In Daniel 9:24-27, the angel Gabriel told the prophet Daniel:

 

[24] "Seventy weeks (literally seventy sevens of years or 490 years) are determined upon thy people (Israel) and upon thy holy city (Jerusalem)....

 

[25] Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem (Artaxerxes provided Nehemiah with letters and a military escort to go rebuild Jerusalem in 445 B.C. - See Neh. 2:1-20) unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks (seven sevens or 49 years to rebuild), and threescore and two weeks (sixty-two sevens or 434 years from the time the building will be finished until Israel's Messianic King will triumphantly enter Jerusalem - See Mt. 21:1-11; Mk. 11:1-10; Lk. 19:29-44; Jn. 12:12-19): the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. 

 

[26] And after threescore and two weeks (the 434 years) shall Messiah be cut off (killed), but not for Himself (He will not die for His own sins because He will be sinless - See 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15): and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary (a future false messiah will be from the area ruled by Rome, as the Romans will destroy the temple and Jerusalem in A.D. 70); and the end thereof shall be with a flood (an army of 200,000,000 from the nations of the east, will come as a "flood" - See Rev. 9:16), and unto the end of the war desolations are determined (See Rev. 19:11-21).

[27] And he (the false messiah / Antichrist - See Mt. 24:1-29; 1 Jn. 2:18; Rev. 13:1-10) shall confirm the covenant with many for one week (Daniel's 70th week of years; The Time of Jacob's Trouble; and the Tribulation - See Jer. 30:7; Mt. 24:29): and in the midst of the week [this is how we know "a week" is seven years:  "the midst" of seven years is 3 1/2 years - See clear evidence of the exact amount of time:  "time, times, and half a time" (Dan. 7:25; 12:7; Rev. 12:14); "forty-two months" (Rev. 11:2; 13:5); "a thousand two hundred and threescore days" (Rev. 11:3; 12:6)] he (the Antichrist, a.k.a. the beast of Rev. 13:1-10) shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate ("the abomination of desolations" - See Dan. 11:31; 12:11; Mt. 24:15; Mk. 13:14; Rev. 13:1-8), even until the consummation [only time the Hebrew כָּלָה (kalah) is translated as such; the word means "the full end or completion"] and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate."

 

IF DANIEL 9:24-26 PROVED TO BE TRUE, THEN SO WILL VERSE 27!

.

PLACE YOUR FAITH IN THE TRUE ROCK: JESUS CHRIST

Jesus asked His disciples, "But whom do you say that I am?"  And Simon Peter answered saying, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."  And Jesus said to him, "You are so blessed, Simon Barjona:  for flesh and blood has not revealed this truth to you, but it has been revealed to you by My Father, Who is in heaven.  And I tell you, you are a stone, and I AM The Rock, the very foundation upon which I shall build My Church!" (Mt. 16:15:18 - SLV).

"My translation" is based upon these factors:

1.  "Peter" is from the Greek Πέτρος (Petros), which occurs 162 times in the New Testament.  It is translated "Peter" 161 of those times; John 1:42 is the only time it is translated "stone" in the King James Version.  John wrote:  "And (Andrew) brought (Peter) to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, He said, You are Simon, the son of Jonah:  you shall be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone."  "Πέτρος" is a proper Masculine noun!

2.  On the other hand, "Rock" is from the Greek πέτρα (petra), is a feminine noun which occurs 16 times in the KJV New Testament, all of them being translated "rock."  It appears to refer a huge boulder or boulders which can serve as a foundation to a structure, or serve to hide behind (Mt. 7:24-25; 27:60; Mk. 15:46; Lk. 6:48; Rev. 6:15-16).  It also is used in metaphors referring specifically to Jesus Christ (Rom. 9:33; 1 Cor. 10:4; 1 Pet. 2:8)!

3.  The closest "feminine noun" in context is Matthew 16:8 (KJV) which reads, "Which when Jesus perceived, He said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?"  "Faith" is a "feminine noun!"

4.  Jesus' offered the free gift of salvation based upon one's faith in Him; to those attempting to earn their own righteousness (Rom. 10:3; Phil. 3:9), His offer is said to be a "stumbling-stone," a huge rock large enough to hinder those who try to earn their salvation.  See:

*  Isaiah 8:13-15 (KJV) - "Sanctify the LORD of hosts Himself; and let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread.  And He shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.  And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken."
*  Romans 9:32-33 (KJV) - "Wherefore?  Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the Law.  For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;  As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed."
*  1 Corinthians 3:9-11 (KJV) - "For we are laborers together with God:  ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.  According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon.  But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.  For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ."
*  1 Peter 2:4-8 (KJV) - "To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.  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.  Unto you therefore which believe He is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed."

 

JESUS, HIMSELF, IS THE "ROCK OF MY SALVATION!"