WHEN HISTORY IS PROPHECY

The Bible has been given to us so that we may know God, that we may know of God's moral standards, that we may realize we all fail to meet His standards, and that in spite of our failure, He has made the one way we can be forgiven:  by faith in the Lord's death, His burial, and His resurrection on our behalf!  Of the many examples of His revelation to us, perhaps the clearest is that He uses past events to explain how future events will occur.  Here are ten such examples:

Isaiah 14:24 - "The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand."

Ezekiel 22:22 - "As silver is melted in the midst of the furnace, so shall ye be melted in the midst thereof; and ye shall know that I the LORD have poured out My fury upon you."

Matthew 12:40 - "For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."

Matthew 13:40 - "As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world."

Matthew 24:27 37-39 - "For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be."

Matthew 24:37-39 - "But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.  For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be."

Luke 11:30 - "For as Jonah was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation."

Luke 17:26 - "And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man."

John 15:9 - "As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you:  continue ye in My love."

2 Corinthians 1:7 - "And our hope of you is steadfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation."

THOSE WHO FAIL TO STUDY HISTORY, ARE DOOMED TO REPEAT IT! 

WE ARE TO WORSHIP AND SERVE JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD

The words "the Lord" appear 462 times in the New Testament.  The words "our Lord," in reference to Jesus Christ, appear 79 times.  Here are some examples:

"THE LORD"

Matthew 21:3 - "And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them."
Mark 1:3 - "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight."
Luke 13:15 - "The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?"
John 20:18 - "Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things unto her."

"OUR LORD"

Acts 15:26 - "...Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Romans 5:1 - "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ...."
1 Corinthians 1:9 - "God is faithful, by Whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord."
2 Corinthians 1:3 - "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort...."
Galatians 6:18 - "Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen."
Ephesians 6:24 - "Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen."
Philippians 4:23 - "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 hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ...."
2 Thessalonians 2:14 - "Whereunto He called you by our Gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ."
1 Timothy 1:14 - "And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus."
2 Timothy 1:2 - "To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord."
Philemon 1:25 - "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen."
Hebrews 7:14 - "For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Judah; of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood."
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, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead...."
2 Peter 1:11 - "For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
Jude 1:21 - "Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life."
Revelation 11:8 - "And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified."

THOSE WHO TRULY TRUST IN JESUS, WORSHIP AND SERVE HIM!

NEW TESTAMENT THINGS HIDDEN; THINGS REVEALED

Matthew 11:27 - "All things are delivered unto Me of My Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him."

Mark 13:32 - "But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father."

Luke 10:22 - "All things are delivered to Me of My Father:  and no man knoweth Who the Son is, but the Father; and Who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal Him."

John 7:27 - "Howbeit we know this man whence He is:  but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence He is."

Romans 11:25 - "For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in."

Romans 16:25 - "Now to Him that is of power to stablish you according to my Gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began...."  

1 Corinthians 2:7 - "But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory."

1 Corinthians 13:51 - "Behold, I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed...."

Ephesians 1:9 - "Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself."

Ephesians 3:3-4, 9 - "How that by revelation He made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)....and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, Who created all things by Jesus Christ."

Ephesians 5:32 - "This is a great mystery:  but I speak concerning Christ and the church."

Ephesians 6:18-20 - "...that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the Gospel...."

Colossians 1:26-27 - "Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to His saints:  to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."

Colossians 2:2 - "That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ."

Colossians 4:3 - "Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds."

1 Thessalonians 5:2 - "For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night."

2 Thessalonians 2:7 - "For the mystery of iniquity doth already work:  only He who now letteth will let, until He be taken out of the way."

1 Timothy 3:16 - "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:  God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory."

2 Peter 3:10 - "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up."

Revelation 1:20 - "The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in My right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks.  The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches:  and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches."

Revelation 2:17 - "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it."

Revelation 10:7 - "But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as He hath declared to His servants the prophets."

Revelation 17:5, 7 - "And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH....And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel?  I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns."

ALL GLORY BELONGS TO GOD

John 16:12-14 - Jesus said, "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye 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.  He shall glorify Me:  for He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it unto you."

Romans 1:15-17 - "So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the Gospel to you that are at Rome also.  For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ:  for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile.  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith:  as it is written, The just shall live by faith."

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

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

Ephesians 2:8-10 - "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  not of works, lest any man should boast.  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

Ephesians 4:30 - "And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, by Whom ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."

Philippians 1:3, 6 - "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you....Being confident of this very thing, that He Who hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."

Philippians 2:13 - "For it is God Who worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure."

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 - "Now our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God, even our Father, Who hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work."

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

HE SAVES; HE SEALS; HE LEADS; AND WE ARE HIS WORKMANSHIP:

AS A RESULT, ALL GLORY RIGHTFULLY BELONGS TO GOD!

THE IMPORTANCE OF CHRIST'S RESURRECTION

THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST

All four Gospels say Jesus is risen (Mt. 28:6-7; Mk. 16:6; Lk. 24:6; Jn. 21:14).

The Gospel, that which when believed, results in salvation, says so (Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 15:3-4).

THE IMPORTANCE OF CHRIST'S RESURRECTION

",,,if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:  and if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.  Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ:  Whom He raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.  For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:  and if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins" (1 Cor. 15:13-17)!

PEOPLE RAISED FROM THE DEAD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

Elijah raised the son of the Zarephath widow from the dead (1 Kgs. 17:17-22).
Elisha raised the son of the Shunammite woman from the dead (2 Kgs. 4:32-35).
A man was raised from the dead when his body touched Elisha’s bones (2 Kgs. 13:20, 21).

PEOPLE RAISED FROM THE DEAD BY JESUS 

Jesus raised the son of the widow of Nain from the dead (Lk. 7:11-15).
Jesus raised the daughter of Jairus from the dead (Lk. 8:41, 42, 49-55).
Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead (Jn. 11:1-44).

PEOPLE RAISED FROM THE DEAD BY THE APOSTLES

Christ sent the disciples out telling them to "...raise the dead....” (Mt.10:8).
Peter raised Dorcas from the dead (Acts 9:36-41).
Eutychus was raised from the dead by Paul (Acts 20:9, 10).

TWO UNIQUE CASES OF THE DEAD BEING RAISED

Many saints rose from the dead at the Resurrection of Jesus (Mt. 27:50-53).
The Two Witnesses will be killed and raised back to life (Rev. 11:7-12).

THE GOOD NEWS:  CHRIST IS RISEN FROM THE DEAD!

THE GREAT NEWS:  HE IS COMING BACK FOR US WHO BELIEVE!

PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH PRAYER

SOME PRAYER IS VERY DIFFICULT

Matthew 5:43-44 - "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy.  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you...."

Luke 22:42 - "Saying, Father, if Thou be willing, remove this cup from Me:  nevertheless not My will, but Thine, be done."

1 Thessalonians 5:17 - "Pray without ceasing."

MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, WE DO NOT KNOW GOD'S WILL

Romans 8:26-27, 34 - "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit Himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God....

Romans 8:34 - "Who is He that condemneth?  It is Christ Who died, yea rather, Who is risen again, Who is even at the right hand of God, Who also maketh intercession for us...."

James 4:3 - "Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts."

1 John 5:14 - "And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, IF we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us...."

TWO THINGS I HAVE LEARNED ABOUT PRAYER:

1.  DO NOT PRAY BASED UPON WHAT GOD PROMISED OTHERS;
2.  DO NOT PUT GOD IN A BOX THINKING HE CANNOT DO SOMETHING NEW!

REPENTANCE IS EVIDENCE ONE BELIEVES IN THE REMISSION OF OUR SINS

THE MESSAGE THE DISCIPLES WERE TO PREACH

Luke 24:44-47 - "And (Jesus) said unto them, These are the words which I spoke unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the Law of Moses, and in the Prophets, and in the Psalms, concerning Me.  Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures, and said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:  and that repentance AND remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."

REPENTANCE

"Repentance" is translated from the Greek μετάνοια (metanoia), which occurs 24 times in the King James Version.  For the definition, let's compare Scripture with Scripture by citing the following examples where the same Greek word is found:

Luke 5:32 - Jesus said, "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

2 Corinthians 7:10 - "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of:  but the sorrow of the world worketh death."

Hebrews 6:1 - "Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; 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 longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

REMISSION

"Remission" is translated from the Greek ἄφεσις (aphesis), which occurs 17 times in the King James Version.  Again, let's compare Scripture with Scripture by citing the following examples where the same Greek word is found:

Matthew 26:28 - Jesus said, "For this is My blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."

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

Colossians 1:13-14 - God, "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son:  in Whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins..." ["forgiveness" is from the same Greek word]

Hebrews 9:22 - "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission." 

SALVATION IS ALSO A WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit moves believers to share the Gospel with us.

  *  The Gospel is the power of God to save  all who will believe it (Rom. 1:16)!

  *  The Gospel is found in its simplest form in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4!

      - Jesus died for our sins according to the Scriptures!

      - Following His Crucifixion, Jesus was buried!

      - His Father raised Jesus from the dead according to the Scriptures!

The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin and our need to be forgiven!
The Holy Spirit gives us the faith we need to trust in Jesus as our Savior!
  *  Ephesians 2:8 - "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God...!"

BELIEVING IN THE REMISSION OF OUR SINS

BRINGS ONE TO REPENTANCE!

PENTECOST BEGAN THE CHURCH AGE

PETER WAS TO VERIFY WHO WAS TO BE PART OF THE CHURCH

Matthew 16:15-19 - "He (Jesus) saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?  And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.  And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona (son of Jonah):  for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My Father Who is in heaven.  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter (Πέτρος - Pétros - a proper masculine noun - "a small stone"), and upon this rock - πέτρα - pétra - a feminine noun - "a huge stone" - (the foundation of the church is Christ - Lk. 6:48; 1 Cor. 3:10-11) I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven:  and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven:  and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

PETER WAS WITNESS TO THE HOLY SPIRIT FALLING UPON

THE JEWS, THE SAMARITANS, AND THE GENTILES

Acts 1:8 - "...ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea (to the Jews - Acts 2:4, 38-41), and in Samaria (to the Samaritans - Acts 8:14-17), and unto the uttermost part of the earth (to the Gentiles - Acts 10:44)."

RECOGNIZING THE CHURCH IN THE FEAST OF PENTECOST

THE CHURCH IS MADE OF TWO LEAVENED LOAVES

Acts 2:1-4, 47 - "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost....And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."

Leviticus 23:15-18 - "And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the Sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven Sabbaths shall be complete:  even unto the morrow after the seventh Sabbath shall ye number fifty days (Pentecost); and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD.  Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baked WITH LEAVEN; they are the first fruits unto the LORD."

[Note:  Leaven in the Bible represents sin, and as such, the use of leaven was strictly forbidden in all other offerings made to the Lord by fire (Lev. 2:11; 7:12; 8:2; Num. 6:15; Matt. 16:6, 11; Mark 8:15; 1 Cor. 5:7, 8).  In the one use of leaven where it seems to be a good thing, note that it is in a list of Satan's attempt to stop the growth of the true church, and the infiltration of the visible church (the parables of the Church Age found in Matt. 13).  The "two loaves" represent the church being comprised of Jews and Gentiles; both are imperfect, in that they still sin (Rom. 7:15-25; 1 Jn. 1:8-10; etc.).  Believers will not be sinless until we are changed at death, or by the Rapture of the Church, as it only occurs when we see Jesus face-to-face (1 Jn. 3:2)].

THE BIRTH OF THE CHURCH IS NOT THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE;

DO YOU BELIEVE IN THE RESURRECTED SON OF GOD?

A DESCRIPTION OF THE WORLD WHEN JESUS RETURNS

A DESCRIPTION OF THE WORLD AT CHRIST'S SECOND COMING

Luke 17: 26-29 - "And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.  They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.  Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; but the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.  Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed."

THE WORLD AS IT WAS IN THE DAYS OF NOAH

Genesis 6:5-7, 11-13 - "And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.  And it repented the LORD that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him at His heart.  And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth Me that I have made them....The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.  And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.  And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth."

THE WORLD AS IT WAS IN THE DAYS OF LOT

Genesis 19:1-8 - "And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground; and he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways.  And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.  And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.  But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter:  and they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night?  Bring them out unto us, that we may know them.  And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him, and said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly.  Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof."

THE DESCRIPTION OF THE WORLD AS IT IS TODAY

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

SOUND FAMILIAR?  ARE YOU READY FOR HIS RETURN? 

TRUST JESUS TODAY!

GOD'S MERCY OPENS THE DOOR FOR GOD'S GRACE

MERCY:  GOD'S FORGIVENESS; NOT GETTING WHAT WE DESERVE

*FOR ALL HAVE SINNED AND THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH*

Psalm 13:5 - "But I have trusted in Thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in Thy salvation."

Psalm 32:10 - "Many sorrows shall be to the wicked:  but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about."

Psalm 51:1 - "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of Thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions."

Psalm 85:7 - "Show us Thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us Thy salvation."

Psalm 86:5 - "For Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon Thee."

Psalm 109:26 - "Help me, O LORD my God:  O save me according to Thy mercy."

Psalm 147:11 - "The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear Him, in those that hope in His mercy."

GRACE:  SALVATION; GETTING WHAT WE DO NOT DESERVE

**THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD**

John 1:14, 17 - "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....For the Law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ."

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

Acts 20:32 - "And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the Word of His grace which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified."

Romans 3:22-24 - "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:  for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."

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 ye through His poverty might be rich."

Ephesians 1:6-7 - "To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in The Beloved.  In Whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace."

Ephesians 2:7-9 - "That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  not of works, lest any man should boast."

FAITH BELIEVES GOD'S MERCY SAVES US FROM HELL!

FAITH BELIEVES GOD'S GRACE SAVES US FOR HEAVEN!

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

**...the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord - Romans 6:23b 

PRAISE AND WORSHIP MUSIC IS NOT NEW

Exodus 15:1 - "Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spoke, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for He hath triumphed gloriously:  the horse and his rider hath He thrown into the sea."

Judges 5:3 - "Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, even I, will sing unto the LORD; I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel."

1 Chronicles 16:4, 23 - "And (David) appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to record, and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel....Sing unto the LORD, all the earth; show forth from day to day His salvation."

2 Chronicles 7:6 - "And the priests waited on their offices:  the Levites also with instruments of music of the LORD, which David the king had made to praise the LORD, because His mercy endureth forever, when David praised by their ministry; and the priests sounded trumpets before them, and all Israel stood."

2 Chronicles 20:21 - "And when (Jehoshaphat) had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for His mercy endureth forever."

Ezra 3:10 - "And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD, after the ordinance of David king of Israel."

Psalm 7:17 - "I will praise the LORD according to His righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high."

Psalm 13:6 - "I will sing unto the LORD, because He hath dealt bountifully with me."

Psalm 30:4 - "Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness."

Psalm 33:2 - "Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto Him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings."

Psalm 95:1 - "O come, let us sing unto the LORD:  let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation."

Psalm 96:1-2 - "O sing unto the LORD a new song:  sing unto the LORD, all the earth.  Sing unto the LORD, bless His name; show forth His salvation from day to day."

Psalm 98:1, 5 - "O sing unto the LORD a new song; for He hath done marvellous things:  His right hand, and His holy arm, hath gotten Him the victory....Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a Psalm."

Psalm 104:33 - "I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being."

Psalm 135:3 - "Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises unto His name; for it is pleasant."

Psalm 146:2 - "While I live will I praise the LORD:  I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being."

Psalm 147:7 - "Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God."

Psalm 149:1 - "Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and His praise in the congregation of saints."

Isaiah 12:5 - "Sing unto the LORD; for He hath done excellent things:  this is known in all the earth."

Isaiah 42:10 - "Sing unto the LORD a new song, and His praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof."

Jeremiah 20:13 - "Sing unto the LORD, praise ye the LORD:  for He hath delivered the soul of the poor from the hand of evildoers."

Ephesians 5:19 - "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord."

Colossians 3:16 - "Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."

THE LORD'S SUPPER OF REMEMBRANCE

REMEMBERING JESUS CHRIST'S SACRIFICE FOR US

Matthew 26:26-28 - "And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is My body.  And He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; for this is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."

Mark 14:22-24 - "And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is My body.  And He took the cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them: and they all drank of it.  And He said unto them, This is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for many."

Luke 22:19:20 - "And He took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is My body which is given for you:  this do in remembrance of Me.  Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you."

John 6:48-58, 63 - "I AM that bread of life.  Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.  This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.  I AM the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.  The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us His flesh to eat?  Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you.  Whoso eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.  For My flesh is meat indeed, and My blood is drink indeed.  He that eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, dwelleth in Me, and I in him.  As the living Father hath sent Me, and I live by the Father:  so He that eateth Me, even he shall live by Me.  This is that bread which came down from heaven:  not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead:  he that eateth of this bread shall live forever....It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing:  the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life."

REMEMBERING JESUS WAS RAISED AND IS COMING AGAIN

Luke 24:30-31, 35 - "And it came to pass, as He sat at meat with them, He took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.  And their eyes were opened, and they knew Him; and He vanished out of their sight....And they told what things were done in the way, and how He was known of them in breaking of bread."

1 Corinthians 10:16-21 - "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ?  The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?  For we being many are one bread, and one body:  for we are all partakers of that one bread.  Behold Israel after the flesh:  are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the alter?  What say I then?  That the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?  But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God:  and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.  Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils:  ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils."

1 Corinthians 11:23-30 - "For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which He was betrayed took bread:  and when He had given thanks, He brake it, and said, Take, eat:  this is My body, which is broken for you:  this do in remembrance of Me.  After the same manner also He took the cup, when He had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in My blood:  this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me.  For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till He come.  Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.  But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.  For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.  For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep."

UNLESS YOU EAT HIS FLESH AND DRINK HIS BLOOD

JESUS SAID YOU HAVE NO LIFE IN YOU!

CREATOR > LAMB < KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS

THE HEAVENLY WORSHIP OF JESUS AS THE CREATOR

Revelation 4:6-11 - "And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.  And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.  And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within:  and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was, and is, and is to come.  And when those beasts give glory and honor and thanks to Him that sat on the throne, Who liveth forever and ever, the four and twenty elders fall down before Him that sat on the throne, and worship Him that liveth forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created."

John 1:1-3 - "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." 

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

THE HEAVENLY WORSHIP OF JESUS AS OUR LORD AND SAVIOR

Revelation 5:9-14 - "And they sang a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests:  and we shall reign on the earth.  And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb Who was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.  And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever.  And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped Him that liveth forever and ever."

2 Peter 1:11 - "For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

2 Peter 3:18 - "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever.  Amen."

Revelation 19:16 - "And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."

WHY WAIT TO PRAISE HIM UNTIL YOU STAND BEFORE HIM?

WHY ALL THE SIGNS IN THE HEAVENS?

BLOOD MOONS, ECLIPSES, AND THE "REVELATION 12:5" SIGNS

WHAT DO THEY MEAN?

1.  The only Feast of the Lord that is associated with the Church Age, is The Feast of Wave Loaves a.k.a. The Feast of Pentecost (Lev. 23:15-22; Acts 2:1-47; etc.)!

2.  Jesus said that no man, no angel, not even He, the Son of God, knows when His Second Coming will occur; only His heavenly Father knows (Mt. 24:36; Mk. 13:32; Acts 1:7; etc.)!

3.  Jesus said that His return for His Church, known as the Rapture (Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15:50-54; 1 Th. 4:13-18; etc.) would be unknown by man, so that His coming would be a surprise, just as that of a thief in the night (1 Th. 5:2-3), whereas, His Second Coming to rule and reign for 1000 years (Rev. 19:11-20:15) will be seen by every eye (Mt. 24:29-31; Rev. 1:7; etc.)!

4.  Because the beginning of the Tribulation can be determined by the Antichrist confirming a seven-year peace covenant with Israel and her neighbors (Dan. 9:27), the Church, if it remained on earth, would warn the world.  Therefore, the Church will be removed sometime prior to the beginning of the peace covenant.  In addition, God's Word states that the Church has not been appointed to experience the Tribulation; a time of wrath (1 Th. 1:10; 5:9; Rev. 3:10; etc.)!

5.  The Tribulation (Dan. 9:27; Mt. 24:3-29; Rev. Ch. 6 - 18; etc.), is also known as "The Time of Jacob's Trouble" (Jer. 3:7), and "Daniel's Seventieth Week" (Dan. 9:24-27), both names clearly show that the Tribulation has to do with God's chastisement of Israel, and not the Church (the Church is not mentioned in Rev. Ch. 4 - 21)!

6.  The fact that the Church will be gone during the Tribulation is not due to it being righteous or better than God's chosen people, Israel!  We who are born again by faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on our behalf, have no right to feel spiritually superior, or to boast; our salvation has been granted to us as a free gift (Rom. 5:15-19; Eph. 2:8-9; etc.)!

7.  Jesus did say that prior to His Second Coming, there would be signs which should be recognizable to man.  He said that the world would be like it was in the days of Noah and Lot:  wicked (Gen. 6:5; 13:13; Mt. 24:37; Lk. 17:28; etc.)!  He also said that the times would be similar to man's understanding of the stages of a fig tree (Mt. 24:32-33; Mk. 13:28-30; Lk. 21:29-31; etc.)!  Perhaps the Blood Moon Tetrad, the Total Eclipse of 2017, and the Revelation 12:5 sign (Virgo, Leo, and the line-up of four specific planets) which will take place on The Feast of Trumpets (9-23-2017), are meant to get us talking about Christ's two advents.  I do not know.  What I do know is that the only Feast of the Lord associated with the Church Age is Pentecost.  Saying that the Rapture will occur on The Feast of Trumpets, is unknowable - period!

THE IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU AND ME, IS TO BELIEVE

IN THE CRUCIFIED, BURIED, AND RESURRECTED SOON COMING LORD!

IT IS ALL ABOUT GOD'S TIMING: PART 2

Mark 13:28-32 - "Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near:  so ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.  Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.  Heaven and earth shall pass away:  but My Words shall not pass away.  But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father."

Luke 22:22, 29-30 - "And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom He is betrayed! - - - And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as My Father hath appointed unto Me; that ye may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel."

Acts 1:6-7 - "When they therefore were come together, they asked of Him, saying, Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?  And He said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power."

Acts 17:24-26 - "God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though He needed any thing, seeing He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; and hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation...."

Acts 22:6-10 - "And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.  And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?  And I answered, Who art Thou, Lord?  And He said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, Whom thou persecutes.  And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of Him that spoke to me.  And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do."

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

Hebrews 1:1-3 - "God, Who at sundry times and in divers manners spoke in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, Whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by Whom also He made the worlds; Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the Word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high...."

Hebrews 3:1-2 - "Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Who was faithful to Him that appointed Him...."

Hebrews 9:24-28 - "For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:  nor yet that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; for then must He often have suffered since the foundation of the world:  but now once in the end of the world hath He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:  so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation."

SUPPOSE CHRIST CAME BACK FOR HIS CHURCH TODAY;

ARE YOU ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THAT YOU BELONG TO HIM?

YOU CAN BE!  BELIEVE WHAT GOD'S WORD SAYS ABOUT JESUS,

AND YOU SHALL BE SAVED!

IT IS ALL ABOUT GOD'S TIMING: HE'S GOT THIS!

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate;
A time of war, and a time of peace."

Just a Few of God's Appointed Times:

Genesis 18:14 - "Is any thing too hard for the LORD?  At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son."
2 Samuel 24:15 - "So the LORD sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the time appointed: and there died of the people from Dan even to Beersheba seventy thousand men."
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."
Psalm 81:3 - "Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day."
Jeremiah 8:7 - "Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but My people know not the judgment of the LORD."
Daniel 8:19 - "And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation:  for at the time appointed the end shall be."
Habakkuk 2:3 "For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry."
Romans 5:6 - "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly."
2 Corinthians 6:2 - "For He saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee:  behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation."
Galatians 4:1-5 - "Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing 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 fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the Law, to redeem them that were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption of sons."
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."
Revelation 10:5-6 - "And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, and sware by Him that liveth 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...."

SOME CONFUSION ABOUT THE GOSPEL

The Gospel is often said to be found in two verses in the Book of 1 Corinthians (15:3-4), and yet, the first four books of the New Testament are four testimonies to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  In fact, the Gospel of Mark begins with these words:  "The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God...."  Some students of the Bible believe the Gospel in the Gospels, is different than what the Apostle Paul preached.  They say the message of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, is the Gospel of the Kingdom, while Paul's Gospel is the Gospel of the King.  Paul strongly disagrees with that; in
Galatians 1:6-9, he wrote:  "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another Gospel:  which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the Gospel of Christ.  But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other Gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.  As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other Gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed."

Some ultra-dispensationalists would have you believe that the four Gospels were for the Jews only, and that Paul's epistles are strictly for the Church; and yet, Paul always began his ministry in a new location by preaching in the local synagogue.  And what about the fact that the foundation of the Church, and eventually the Holy Temple in the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:14) is the twelve Apostles; not eleven who only preached to the Jews, and one who preached to the Gentiles!  In fact, Peter was the first to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 10:34-48; 15:7-9)!  No, His disciples were to take their message into ALL THE WORLD!  Here are verses that support my view:

Matthew 24:14 - "And this Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."

Matthew 26:12-13 - "For in that she hath poured this ointment on My body, she did it for My burial.  Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this Gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her."

Matthew 28:18-20 - "And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth.  Go ye 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, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

Mark 13:10 - "And the Gospel must first be published among all nations."

Mark 16:15-16 - "And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."

Luke 24:45-48 - "Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures, and said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:  and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.  And ye are witnesses of these things."

Acts 1:8 - "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

John wrote his Gospel, according to 1:10-13 and 20:20-21, so that people, all people, might believe in Jesus:

"He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not.  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:  who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God....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 ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name."

GROW UP!

A YOUNG CHILD CAN BE SAVED BY FAITH IN CHRIST

Luke 10:21 - "In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes:  even so, Father; for so it seemed good in Thy sight."

2 Timothy 1:5 - "When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also...."

2 Timothy 3:14-15 - "...continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."

1 Peter 2:2 - "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby...."

BUT GOD DOES NOT WANT US TO REMAIN YOUNG CHILDREN

Ephesians 4:11 - "And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers...."

[Note:  According to Revelation 21:14, the Lamb (Jesus Christ) chose only twelve faithful apostles, which obviously does not include Judas Iscariot, and Matthias, whom His disciples chose - Acts 1:15-26.  Note that Jesus told Peter and the rest of the 120 to wait until they received the Holy Spirit - Acts 1:4-8!  Instead, Peter, being Peter, held a "business meeting," in which they chose Matthias.]

Ephesians 4:12-16 - "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  until we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect (mature) man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:  that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, Who is the head, even Christ:  from Hom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love."

1 Corinthians 3:1-3 - "And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.  I have fed you with milk, and not with meat:  for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.  For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?"

2 Timothy 3:16-17 - "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  that the man (mature child) of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."

Hebrews 5:12-14 - "For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.  For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the Word of Righteousness: for he is a babe.  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."

The saying, "You are what you eat," is especially true for the born again believer!

Unless you are regularly "eating the meat of  God's Word, "your growth is stunted!'

THE ONLY WAY TO HEAVEN: FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS

RELIGIONISTS ARE ALL DOOMED TO FAILURE

Romans 10:1-3 - "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.  For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.  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."

Galatians 2:21 - "I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the Law, then Christ is dead in vain."

THE FREE GIFT OF GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS IS FOR ALL WHO BELIEVE

Matthew 5:6 - "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness:  for they shall be filled."

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

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, 24-26 - "Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe....Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:  Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; to declare, I say, at this time His righteousness:  that He might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus."

Romans 4:3-6 - "...Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.  Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.  But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.  Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works...."

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

Romans 10:9-10 - "...if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

2 Corinthians 5:21 - "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."

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."

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."

JESUS DIED, WAS BURIED, AND ROSE AGAIN ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES!

HE DID IT FOR YOU!  DO YOU BELIEVE HE IS WORTHY TO BE YOUR LORD?

ROMANS ONE: NOTHING HAS CHANGED!

[ Note: ]  This passage of Scripture is loosely taken from the New Living Translation, but has been edited by me for clarification and emphasis.  I believe it is true to Paul's intent in writing it.

Romans Chapter One - Greetings from Paul

1-7 This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach His Gospel (hereafter designated as God's "Good News"). God promised this Good News long ago through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures. The Good News is about His Son. In His earthly life He was born into King David’s family line, and He was shown to be the Son of God when He was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit.  He is Jesus Christ our Lord. Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey Him, bringing glory to His name.  And you are included among those Gentiles who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ. I am writing to all of you in Rome who are loved by God and are called to be His own holy people.  May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

God’s Good News - He loves you!

8-17 Let me say first that I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith in Him is being talked about all over the world. God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, Whom I serve with all my heart by spreading the Good News about His Son. One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you. For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to visit you, but I was prevented until now. I want to work among you and see spiritual fruit, just as I have seen among other Gentiles. For I have a great sense of obligation to people in both the civilized world and the rest of the world, to the educated and uneducated alike. So I am eager to come to you in Rome, too, to preach the Good News. For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in His sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a person is made righteous.” 

God’s Anger at Sin

18-23 But God shows His anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. They know the truth about God because He has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see His invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship Him as God or even give Him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.  

24-32 So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator Himself, Who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved. Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, He abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.

RACISM IS AN ABOMINATION UNTO GOD!

GOD CREATED BUT ONE RACE:  THE HUMAN RACE!

Acts 17:26 - God "...hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation...."

Genesis 3:20 - "And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living."

Genesis 7:7 - "And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the flood."

Genesis 8:18 - "And Noah went forth, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him."

Hebrews 11:7 - "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

1 Peter 3:20 - "Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water."

2 Peter 2:4-5 - "...God....saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly."

BEING ONE FAMILY, ALL OF US ARE BROTHERS AND SISTERS!

Proverbs 6:16-19 - "These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto Him:  a proud look (pride), a lying tongue (dishonesty), and hands that shed innocent blood (murders, abortionists, those who wound without actually killing), a heart that deviseth wicked imaginations (those who plot against others and their own government), feet that be swift in running to mischief (those who delight in lawlessness), a false witness that speaketh lies (failure to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth), and he that soweth discord among brethren (plots to incite riot and anarchy within the family - remember, we are all brothers and sisters)."

1 John 4:20-21

"If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God Whom he hath not seen?  And this commandment have we from Him, That he who loveth God love his brother also."  

GOD LONGS TO BE OUR FATHER

HOW DOES ONE BECOME A CHILD OF GOD?

John 1:11-12 - 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 (children) of God, even to them that believe on His name."
John 3:3, 5-6, 16 - Jesus said unto Nicodemus, "...Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God....I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit....For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
Romans 8:14-15 - "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the (children) of God.  For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father."
1 John 3:1-2 - "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the (children) of God....Beloved, now are we the (children) of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be:  but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.

JESUS DIED FOR OUR SINS AND GOD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD!

TO THOSE OF US WHO BELIEVE THAT, GOD SAYS HE IS "OUR FATHER!"

Matthew 6:9 - "After this manner therefore pray ye:  Our Father Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name."
Romans 1:7 - "To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints:  Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ."
1 Corinthians 1:3 - "Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ."
2 Corinthians 1:2 - "Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ."
Ephesians 1:2 - "Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ."
Philippians 1:2 - "Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ."
Colossians 1:2 - "To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse:  Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."
1 Thessalonians 1:1 - "Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ:  Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ."
2 Thessalonians 1:1 - "Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."
1 Timothy 1:2 - "Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith:  Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord."
Philemon 1:3 - "Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

IF THE BIBLE SAYS SOMETHING ONE TIME, IT IS THE TRUTH!

GOD MUST REALLY WANT US TO KNOW WE ARE HIS CHILDREN!!!!!!!

 

HEARING THE GOSPEL LEADS TO REPENTANCE

The word "repentance" appears 25 times in 25 New Testament verses of the King James Version of the Bible [Mt. 3:8, 11; 9:13; Mk. 1:4; 2:17; Lk. 3:3, 8; 5:32; 15:7; 24:47; Acts 5:31; 11:08; 13:24; 19:4; 20:21; 26:20; Rom. 2:4; 11:29; 2 Cor. 7:9, 10; 2 Tim. 2:25; Heb. 6:1, 6; 12:17; 2 Pet. 3:9].  It is translated from the Greek μετάνοια (metanoia), which, according to the Blue Letter Bible which uses Strong's Concordance, means "a change of mind, as it appears to one who repents, of a purpose he has formed or of something he has done."  Young's Concordance defines it as "penitent."  Easton's Bible Dictionary defines it as:  "true repentance, a change of mind and purpose and life, to which remission of sin is promised."

Perhaps the most important verse where μετάνοια appears is Luke 24:47; in context it reads:
[46] And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
[47] And that repentance AND remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
[48] And ye are witnesses of these things.

Repentance occurs when one believes the message of Remission; that is, the Gospel; it is found in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 and reads:  "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 Gospel of Mark seems to say that his entire book is the Gospel; he wrote in Mk. 1:1:  "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God...."

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

So how does this all work?  The Holy Spirit moves believers to share the good news, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, with unbelievers.  Some of them believe and repent.  The message is powerful:  "it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth" (Rom. 1:16).  Paul explained exactly how it works in Romans 10:9-14, 17: 

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  For the Scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed.  For there is no difference between the Jew and the (Gentile):  for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him.  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.  How then shall they call on Him in Whom they have not believed?  And how shall they believe in Him of Whom they have not heard....So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."

FROM THE DAYS OF NOAH UNTIL TODAY!

Genesis 6:5 - "And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually."

Deuteronomy 9:4 - "Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the LORD thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD doth drive them out from before thee."

Job 4:8 - "Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same."

Psalm 5:4 - "For Thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with Thee."

Proverbs 26:26 - "Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be showed before the whole congregation."

Isaiah 47:10 - "For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness:  thou hast said, None seeth me.  Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee; and thou hast said in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me."

Jeremiah 14:20 - "We acknowledge, O LORD, our wickedness, and the iniquity of our fathers: for we have sinned against Thee."

Ezekiel 7:11 - "Violence is risen up into a rod of wickedness: none of them shall remain, nor of their multitude, nor of any of theirs: neither shall there be wailing for them."

Hosea 7:2 - "And they consider not in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness: now their own doings have beset them about; they are before My face."

Jonah 1:2 - "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before Me."

Mark 7:21-23 - "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:  all these evil things come from within, and defile the man."

Acts 8:22 - "Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee."

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....wickedness....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."

Ephesians 6:12 - "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

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

THE OPPOSITE OF WICKEDNESS IS RIGHTEOUSNESS:

UNFORTUNATELY, THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NO NOT ONE!

HOWEVER, THERE IS A SOLUTION:  2 CORINTHIANS 5:21