THE CHANGE IN THE GOSPEL'S TARGET AUDIENCE

THE GOSPELS FORETOLD OF THE SALVATION OF THE GENTILES

Matthew 12:18, 20 - "Behold My Servant, Whom I have chosen; My Beloved, in Whom My soul is well pleased:  I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He shall show judgment to the Gentiles....And in His name shall the Gentiles trust."

Luke 2:28-32 - "Then took he Him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace, according to Your Word:  for my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared before the face of all people; a Light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel."

THE RECORD OF THE CHANGE IN FOCUS FROM JEWS TO THE GENTILES

Acts 9:11-13 - "Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he has done to Your saints at Jerusalem:  and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on Your name.  But the Lord said unto him, Go your way:  for he is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel...."

Acts 10:42-45 - "And He commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is He Who was ordained of God to be the Judge of (the living and the) dead.  To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believes in Him shall receive remission of sins.  While Peter yet spoke these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all those who heard the Word.  And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost."

Acts 11:1, 18 - "And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the Word of God....When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then has God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life."

Acts 13:46-48 - "Then Paul and Barnabas (were emboldened), and said, It was necessary that the Word of God should first have been spoken to you (who are Jews):  but seeing you put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.  For so has the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set you to be a light of the Gentiles, that you should be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.  And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the Word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed."

Acts 15:12-14 - "Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.  And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:  Simeon has declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for His name."

Acts 18:4-6 - "And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the (Gentiles).  And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.  And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean:  from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles."

Acts 26:15-20 - "And I said, Who are You, Lord?  And He said, I AM Jesus Whom you persecute.  But rise, and stand upon your feet:  for I have appeared unto you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of these things which you have seen, and of those things in the which I will (reveal) unto you; delivering you from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send you, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them who are sanctified by faith that is in Me.  Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:  but showed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works (that show your) repentance."

JOHN AND PAUL WROTE OF THAT CHANGE

John 1:10-13 - "He (Jesus) was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not.  He came unto His own (people, the Jews), and His own received Him not.  But as many as received Him, to those gave He power to become the sons of God, even to those 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."

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."

THANKS BE TO GOD THAT HE HAS MADE SALVATION AVAILABLE

TO WHOSOEVER WILL TRUST IN JESUS CHRIST THE LORD!

BELIEVE OR DIE IN YOUR SINS!

WHAT IS SIN?

The Bible defines sin as "the transgression of the Law of God," whether by commission:  1 John 3:4 - "Whosoever commits sin transgresses also the Law:  for sin is the transgression of the Law."; or by omission:  Jam. 4:17 - "Therefore to him that knows to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin."

THE PENALTY FOR SIN IS DEATH!

Deuteronomy 24:16 - "The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers:  every man shall be put to death for his own sin."

2 Chronicles 25:4 - "But he slew not their children, but did as it is written in the Law in the book of Moses, where the LORD commanded, saying, The fathers shall not die for the children, neither shall the children die for the fathers, but every man shall die for his own sin."

Ezekiel 18:4, 20 - "Behold, all souls are Mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is Mine:  the soul that sins, it shall die....The soul that sins, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son:  the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him."

Romans 3:23; 5:12; 6:23 - "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God....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....For the wages of sin is death...."

WHY WAS THE LAW GIVEN?

Romans 3:19-20 - "Now we know that (whatever 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.  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." 

Galatians 3:18-26 - "For if the inheritance be of the Law, it is no more of promise:  but God gave it to Abraham by promise.  (The what is the purpose of the Law)?  It was added because of transgressions, until the Seed should come to Whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.  Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.  Is the Law then against the promises of God?  God forbid:  for if there had been a Law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the Law.  But the Scripture has concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.  But before faith came, we were kept under the Law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.  Wherefore the Law was our school master to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a school master.  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus."

JOHN 8:24

I SAID THEREFORE UNTO YOU, THAT YOU SHALL DIE IN YOUR SINS:

FOR IF YOU DO NOT BELIEVE THAT I AM, YOU SHALL DIE IN YOUR SINS!

JOHN 14:6

I AM THE WAY, I AM THE TRUTH, AND I AM THE LIFE;

NO MAN COMES UNTO THE FATHER BUT BY ME!

ONE MESSAGE: TWO PARTS!

THE MESSAGE OF JESUS CHRIST TO HIS OWN PEOPLE

Matthew 9:13 - Jesus said, "But go ye and learn what (this means), I will have mercy, and not sacrifice:  for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

THE MESSAGE OF JESUS CHRIST WAS REJECTED BY THE JEWS

John 1:11-13 - "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 (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."

Acts 2:22-24 - "Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, (The Man) approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by Him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:  Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:  Whom God has raised up, having loosed the pains of death:  because it was not possible that He should be (held by) it."

THE LORD'S MESSAGE OFFERS SALVATION TO BOTH JEWS AND GENTILES

Luke 24:45-48 - "Then (Jesus opened) 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 (to both Jews and Gentiles), beginning at Jerusalem.  And ye are witnesses of these things."

PETER'S MESSAGE WAS TO THE JEWS AND THE GENTILES

Acts 11:14-18 -   The angel told me to send for Peter, "Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.  And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.  Then remembered I the Word of the Lord, how that He said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.  Forasmuch then as God gave them the like Gift as He did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; who was I, that I could withstand God?  When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then (God has also granted to the Gentiles), repentance unto life."

PAUL'S MESSAGE WAS TO THE JEWS AND THE GENTILES

Acts 26:16-20 - Jesus, speaking to Saul of Tarsus (the Apostle Paul), said, "But rise, and stand upon thy feet:  for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear (show) unto thee; delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in Me.  Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:  but showed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for (which give evidence of genuine) repentance."

THERE IS BUT ONE MESSAGE FOR ALL TO HEAR AND BELIEVE:

(THE REMISSION OF OUR SINS BY JESUS CHRIST)

JESUS DIED FOR YOUR SINS, HE WAS BURIED, AND HE WAS 

RAISED FROM THE DEAD ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES!

(AND REPENTANCE)

TURNING FROM FOLLOWING SATAN, TO OBEYING GOD!

CHRIST'S RESURRECTION - OUR HOPE!

JESUS PREDICTED HIS DEATH, BURIAL, AND RESURRECTION!

Matthew 16:21 - "From that time forth began Jesus to show unto His disciples, how that He must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day."

Luke 24:6-7 - "He is not here, but is risen: remember how He spoke unto you when He was yet in Galilee, saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again."

AS HE PREDICTED, HIS FATHER RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD!

Acts 2:22-24 - "You men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by Him in the midst of you, as you yourselves also know:  Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:  Whom God has raised up, having loosed the pains of death:  because it was not possible that He should be (held by) it."

Romans 10:9-10, 13 - "...if (you will) confess with your mouth (faith in) the Lord Jesus, and (do) believe in your heart that God has 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 whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 - "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, if you keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless you have believed in vain.  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures...."

2 Corinthians 4:13-14 - "We having the same Spirit of Faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;  knowing that He Who raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise us up also by Jesus, and shall present us with you."

Galatians 1:1 - "Paul, an apostle, not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, Who raised Him from the dead...."

Ephesians 1:18-20 - "The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power (toward us) who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places...."

Colossians 2:12 - "Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also you are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, Who has raised Him from the dead."

1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 - "For they themselves (show how you welcomed us and the Gospel message), and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; 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 2:7-8 - "Consider what I say; and the Lord (may give you) understanding in all things.  Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my Gospel...."

1 Peter 1:18-21 - "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from (the worthless religious) tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:  Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, who by Him do believe in God, Who raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God."

Revelation 1:7-8 - "Behold, He comes 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.  I AM Alpha and Omega, The Beginning and The Ending, says the Lord, Who is, and Who was, and Who is to come, the Almighty."

WHAT HIS FATHER DID FOR HIM, HE PROMISES TO DO

FOR ALL WHO BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND SAVIOR!

THE BLOODY CROSS WAS FOLLOWED BY AN EMPTY TOMB!

THE IMPORTANCE OF CHRIST'S CROSS 

John 19:16-22 - "Then delivered he Him therefore unto them to be crucified.  And they took Jesus, and led Him away.  And He bearing His CROSS went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:  where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.  And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the CROSS.  And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.  This title then read many of the Jews:  for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city:  and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin.  Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that He said, I am King of the Jews.  Pilate answered, What I have written I have written."

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 no 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."

Galatians 6:14 - "But God forbid that I should glory, (except) in the CROSS of our Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world."

Philippians 2:5-11 - "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:  and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the CROSS.  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name:  that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Colossians 1:16-20 - "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.  And He is the head of the body, the Church:  Who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence.  For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell; and, having made peace through the blood of His CROSS by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven."

Colossians 2:8-15 - "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the traditions of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.  For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.  And you are complete in Him, Who is the head of all principality and power:  in Whom also you are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:  buried with Him in baptism, wherein also you are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, Who has raised Him from the dead.  And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, has He (made alive) together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses; blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His CROSS; and having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it."

Hebrews 12:1-2 - "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, The Author and Finisher of our faith;  Who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the CROSS, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."

WHAT CHRIST DID FOR US UPON HIS CROSS, 

PAID THE PENALTY FOR OUR SINS!

WHAT WE DO WITH THAT INFORMATION,

WILL DETERMINE OUR ETERNAL DESTINY!

TRUST IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST TODAY!

BIBLICAL "CLUES" TO THE IDENTITY OF JESUS

TWENTY "CLUES" TO THE IDENTITY OF JESUS

He is The I AM - Ex. 3:14; Jn. 8:58; 18:5-6

He is The CREATOR - Jn. 1:1-3, 14; Col. 1:16-17; Heb. 1:1-2

He is The ROCK - Ex. 17:6 w/ 1 Cor. 10:4; 1 Cor. 3:11; 1 Pet. 2:8

He is The LAMB OF GOD - Gen. 22:8; Isa. 53:7; Jn. 1:29, 36; Rev. 22:3

He is The ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD - Jn. 1:18; 3:16-18; 1 Jn. 4:9

He is BORN OF A VIRGIN - Isa. 7:14; Mt. 1:16-25; Lk. 1:26-35; 2:4-7; 3:23

He is The SAVIOR - Isa. 43:3; Lk. 2:11; Acts 4:42; 2 Tim. 1:8-10; 1 Jn. 4:14

He is The LORD - Jn. 20:28; Acts 7:59; Rom. 10:9; 1 Cor. 15:57; Rev. 22:20

He is The MESSIAH - Dan. 9:25-26; Jn. 1:41; 4:25

He is The CHRIST - Mt. 16:16; Jn. 4:42; 1 Jn. 2:22; 5:1

He is KING OF KINGS - 1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 17:14; 19:6

He is The WONDERFUL COUNSELOR - Isa. 9:6

He is The MIGHTY GOD - Isa. 9:6

He is The EVERLASTING FATHER - Isa. 9:6

He is The PRINCE OF PEACE - Isa. 9:6

He is The ALPHA AND OMEGA - Rev. 1:8, 11; 21:6; 22:13

He is The FIRST AND LAST - Rev. 1:11, 17; 2:8; 22:13

He is The BEGINNING AND THE END - Rev. 21:6; 22:13

He is The ONLY WAY TO HEAVEN - Jn. 14:1-6; Acts 4:8-12

He is GOD - Isa. 9:6; Jn. 1:1-3, 14; 1 Tim. 3:16; Ti. 2:13

THIS IS THE SAME JESUS WHO WAS CRUCIFIED!

THIS IS THE SAME JESUS WHO WAS BURIED!

THIS IS THE SAME JESUS HIS FATHER RAISED FROM THE DEAD!

THIS IS THE SAME JESUS WHO LOVES YOU THAT MUCH!

THIS IS THE SAME JESUS WHO IS COMING BACK AT ANY MOMENT!

ARE YOUR READY?  DO YOU BELIEVE? TRUST HIM TODAY! 

A DESCRIPTION OF THIS WORLD TODAY!

ROMANS CHAPTER ONE:  PAUL'S ENCOURAGEMENT TO BELIEVERS

       Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the Gospel of God, which He had promised before by His Prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, Who was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; and declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of Holiness, by His Resurrection from the dead:  by Whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for His name:  among whom are you also the called of Jesus Christ:  to all that are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints:  grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
       First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.  For God is my witness, Whom I serve with my spirit in the Gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.  For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; that is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
       Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.  I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.  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 who believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile.  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith:  as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

ROMANS CHAPTER ONE:  PAUL'S CRITICISM OF UNBELIEVERS

       The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God has shown it unto them.  For the invisible things of Him, from the creation of the world, are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:  because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible 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 the consequences of their error which is just.
       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, back-biters, haters of God, spiteful, 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.

THERE ARE BUT TWO KINDS OF PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD:

THOSE WHO HAVE FAITH IN JESUS, AND THOSE WHO DON'T!

I BEG YOU TO CONSIDER TRUSTING JESUS WHILE YOU CAN:

HE IS COMING BACK, AND THIS TIME, IT IS AS THE

KING OF KINGS AND THE LORD OF LORDS!

JESUS: OUR PASSOVER LAMB!

CHRIST OUR PASSOVER IS SACRIFICED FOR US!

1 Corinthians 5:7

Acts 20:28 - "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost has made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which (Jesus) purchased with His own blood."

Hebrews 9:11-17, 22 - "But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.  For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctified to the purifying of the flesh:  how much more shall the blood of Christ, Who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?  And for this cause He is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.  For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.  For a testament is of force after men are dead:  otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator lives....without shedding of blood is no remission."

Hebrews 13:9-12 - "Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines.  For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.  We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.  For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned (outside of) the camp.  Wherefore, Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered (outside of) the gate."

Revelation 1:1-6 - "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to show unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass; and He sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant John:  who bares record of the Word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.  Blessed is he that reads, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein:  for the time is at hand.  John to the seven churches which are in Asia:  Grace be unto you, and peace, from Him Who is, and Who was, and Who is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before His throne; and from Jesus Christ, Who is The Faithful Witness, and The First Begotten of the Dead, and The Prince of the Kings of the Earth.  Unto Him Who loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever.  Amen."

THREE MAJOR EVENTS THROUGHOUT HUMAN HISTORY

WILL HAVE MARKED MAN'S FAILURE TO OBEY GOD: 

THE FLOOD, THE CROSS, AND CHRIST'S SECOND COMING!

ARE YOU READY FOR THE LAST ONE? 

MATTHEW 25:13-30 IN MY WORDS

THE LORD'S TEACHING TO THE JEWS

       Be alert, for you do not know the day, nor the hour, in which I, your king, shall return.  For the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man travelling to a far country, who summoned his employees, and divided, among them, his money to invest.  He entrusted one employee with five thousand dollars, to another, two thousand, and to a third, one thousand; he entrusted them according to each one's ability; and then, he immediately departed on his journey. 

       While he was gone, the one who had received five thousand dollars, went and invested them, doubling his portion of his employer's investment!  And likewise, he that had received two thousand, also doubled his employer's money.  But he that had received but one thousand, went and hid away his portion of his employer's money. 

       After a long time, their employer returned, and took note of their stewardship.  He saw that the one he trusted to handle the five thousand, had doubled his investment.  He was very pleased, and said, Well done, my most trusted employee:  you have been faithful over a small amount, so I will place you in charge of much more, for you have made me exceedingly happy!
       The one who had received two thousand dollars to invest, came and said, Sir, you entrusted me with two thousand dollars:  see here, I have also doubled them.  His boss said unto him, Well done, my good and faithful employee; you have been faithful over a small amount, I will put you in charge of much more; for you, too, have made me very happy!
       Then he, to whom one thousand dollars was given, came and said, Sir, I knew that you are a very demanding boss, expecting your employees to do all the work while you rake in the benefits of our labor; and I was afraid that if I lost your money, you would fire me!  Therefore, I hid your money in a safe place, and look, I have not lost a cent!  His boss was very disappointed with him, and said, If you knew I am a very demanding boss, and that I was expecting you to increase the money which I entrusted to your care, why then did you not invest it?  You should have at least put it in a bank and drawn interest on it!  You have proven that I cannot count on you to handle my money, so give me my one thousand dollars, and leave; you are fired!  I will let my most trusted employee invest it, as he has proven to be both wise and faithful!

       The moral of the story is this: those who have demonstrated wisdom and faithfulness here in this world, will be held in high esteem in the Kingdom of Heaven; those who showed they did not trust their King to be fair and just, will regret their failure for the rest of eternity!

A very important note:  Jesus taught this to His disciples who were Jews.  They were expecting Him to assume the role of their Messiah, their Christ, the King of Israel, and to free them from Roman rule!  They were living during "Daniel's Sixty-ninth Week," not knowing that their Messiah would be killed, and His earthly Kingdom delayed for at least 2000 years (Daniel 9:24-27; Lk. 21:24)!  Under the Mosaic Law, earthly religious works were rewarded with health, wealth, and a peaceful life.  During the parenthetical period between the "Sixty-ninth Week" and the "Seventieth Week," God would gather a people unto Himself from the Gentile nations; He would reveal the mystery that is the Church Age (Rom. 11:25; Eph. 5:32; Col. 1:26-27; 1 Tim. 3:16; etc.)!  Rewards for faithful service to God are not received by Christians while here on earth; our rewards are reserved for us in heaven (1 Cor. 3:10-15; 1 Pet. 1:4)!

DANIEL'S SEVENTIETH WEEK IS ABOUT TO BEGIN. 

THAT MEANS THE LORD IS ABOUT TO CLOSE THE CHURCH AGE.

BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS WILL SOON LEAVE THIS WORLD VIA THE RAPTURE!

THE SEVEN YEARS FOLLOWING OUR DEPARTURE, WILL BE HELL ON EARTH!

TRUST IN JESUS TODAY WHILE THERE IS STILL TIME!

THE BLOOD OF OUR PASSOVER REDEEMS BELIEVERS!

The Word of God makes is very clear that the Feast of Passover was a picture of the future sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.  The Apostle Paul literally called Jesus "our Passover" (1 Cor. 5:7)!  John the Baptizer's identification of Jesus was very specific as well; the Apostle John quoted him as saying:

John 1:29, 36 - "The next day John saw Jesus coming unto him, and said, Behold the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world....And looking upon Jesus as He walked, he said, Behold the Lamb of God!"

Luke referred to the connection when he wrote of Philip's encounter with the eunuch:

Acts 8:32-35 - "The place of the Scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before His shearer, so opened He not His mouth:  in His humiliation His judgment was taken away:  and who shall declare His generation?  For His life is taken from the earth.  And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of Whom (does the Prophet speak)?  Of himself, or of some other man?  Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same Scripture, and preached unto him Jesus."

The Apostle Peter also made the simile clear:

1 Peter 1:17-19 - "And if ye call on the Father, Who without respect of persons judges according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:  forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain (way of life) received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot...."

Finally, in the Book of Revelation, a book known for John's vivid description of Jesus as "the Lion of the Tribe of Judah" (Rev. 5:5 - the only time He is called such in the entire Bible), a book with Jesus described in all His glory throughout its pages, He still has the Apostle John ("The Revelator") identify Him as the Lamb of God twenty-eight times!  [See:  Rev. 5:6, 8, 12, 13; 6:1, 16; 7:9, 10, 14, 17; 12:11; 13:8; 14:1, 4 (twice), 10; 15:3; 17:14 (twice); 19:7, 9; 21:9, 14, 22, 23, 27; 22:1, 3]

IN HUMILITY, HE CAME; HE DIED; AND HIS FATHER RAISED HIM

FROM THE DEAD (Jn. 10:18; Rom. 10:9-10; 1 Cor. 15:3-4; etc.)! 

THAT IS HOW VERY MUCH HE LOVES YOU! 

TURN TO HIM AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR TODAY!

I PROMISE YOU, IT WILL BE THE BEST THANKSGIVING OF YOUR LIFE!

THE MOST IMPORTANT REASON TO BE THANKFUL!

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,

and the love of God,

and the communion of the Holy Ghost,

be with you all. Amen.

Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and

thanksgiving,

and honor, and power, and might,

be unto our God forever and ever. Amen.

THE ONE REASON WE ALL NEED A SAVIOR!

THE SIMPLE LAW THAT CANNOT BE OBEYED

Leviticus 19:18 - "Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself:  I am the LORD."

Matthew 5:43-44 - "Ye have heard that it has 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 spitefully use you, and persecute you...."

Matthew 7:12 - "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them:  for this is the Law and the Prophets."

Matthew 22:37-40 - "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.  On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."

Mark 12:29-33 - "And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:  and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength:  this is the first commandment.  And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.  There is none other commandment greater than these.  And the scribe said unto Him, Well, Master, Thou hast said the truth:  for there is one God; and there is none other but He:  and to love Him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices."

Romans 13:8-10 - "Owe no man anything, but to love one another:  for he that loves another hath fulfilled the Law.  For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.  Love works no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the Law."

Galatians 5:13-14 - "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.  For all the Law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."

1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 - "Now God Himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.  And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:  to the end He may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints."

1 Timothy 1:5 - "Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned...."

James 2:8-9 - "If ye fulfill the Royal Law according to the Scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well:  but if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are (convicted by) the Law as transgressors."

1 John 3:23 - "And this is His commandment, That we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as He gave us commandment."

OUR SIN SENTENCED US TO DEATH - JESUS DIED FOR US!

OUR LACK OF LOVE CONDEMNED US - JESUS' LOVE SAVED US!

CHRIST'S COMING FOR THE CHURCH AND HIS SECOND COMING ARE TWO SEPARATE EVENTS!

THE LORD'S DISCIPLES SEE THE LORD'S ASCENSION.

Acts 1:9-12 - "And when (Jesus) had spoken these things, while (His disciples) beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight.  And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; (who) said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven?  THIS SAME JESUS, WHO IS TAKEN UP FROM YOU INTO HEAVEN, SHALL COME IN LIKE MANNER AS YE HAVE SEEN HIM GO INTO HEAVEN. Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a Sabbath day's journey."

THE APOSTLE JOHN DESCRIBES CHRIST'S SECOND COMING.

Revelation 19:11-16 - "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.  And the armies which were in heaven followed Him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.  And out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations:  and He shall rule them with a rod of iron:  and He treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.  And He has on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."

CHRIST'S SECOND COMING IS NOT THE FULFILLMENT OF ACTS 1:11.

THE EVENT THAT MOST RESEMBLES ACTS 1:11 IS THE RAPTURE!

John 14:1-3 - "Let not your heart be troubled:  ye believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father's house are many mansions:  if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I WILL COME AGAIN, AND RECEIVE YOU UNTO MYSELF; THAT WHERE I AM, THERE YE MAY BE ALSO."

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 - "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.  For this we say unto you by the Word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not (precede) them which are asleep.  For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God:  and THE DEAD IN CHRIST SHALL RISE FIRST:  THEN WE WHO ARE ALIVE AND REMAIN SHALL BE CAUGHT UP TOGETHER WITH THEM IN THE CLOUDS, TO MEET THE LORD IN THE AIR:  and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  Wherefore comfort one another with these words."

CHURCH:  LOOK UP!  -  WORLD:  LOOK OUT!

TRUE FAITH RESULTS IN THANKSGIVING!

ALL THANKSGIVING BELONGS TO GOD!

1 Chronicles 16:34-36 - "O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good; for His mercy endures forever.  And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to Thy Holy Name, and glory in Thy praise.  Blessed be the LORD God of Israel forever and ever.  And all the people said, Amen, and praised the LORD."

Psalm 100:1-5 - "Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.  Serve the LORD with gladness: come before His presence with singing.  Know ye that the LORD, He is God:  it is He that has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.  Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise:  be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.  For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endures to all generations."

Romans 1:20-22 - "For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:  because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools...."

Colossians 3:15-17 - "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.  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.  And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him."

Revelation 7:9-12 - "After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God Who sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.  And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen:  blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God forever and ever.  Amen."

GOD GAVE US LIFE; HIS SON PAID FOR OUR SINS; HIS SPIRIT HAS REVEALED
TO US THE FINISHED WORK OF JESUS, AND SEALED THOSE WHO BELIEVE!
TRULY, GOD HAS EARNED OUR ETERNAL GRATITUDE AND THANKSGIVING!

BIBLE PROPHECY IS ALWAYS LITERALLY FULFILLED!

THE TIMES OF MANKIND ARE CONTROLLED BY A TIME-LESS GOD!

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."

Daniel 9:24-27 - "Seventy weeks (of years - 490 years) are determined upon thy people (Israel) and upon thy holy city (Jerusalem), to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint The Most Holy (Jesus, The Christ).  Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince, shall be seven weeks (49 years), and (+) threescore and two weeks (434 years, for a total of 483 years):  the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.  And after threescore and two weeks (at the end of the 483 years) shall Messiah be cut off (Jesus was crucified), but not for Himself (not because he deserved it - Jesus was without sin - Jesus died for the sins of the world - 1 Cor. 15:3-4; 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15: 1 Jn. 2:2): and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary (Rome destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple in A.D. 70 - so Antichrist will come from the Revived Roman Empire); and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.  And he (Antichrist) shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease (Mt. 24:15; Rev. 13:5), and for the over-spreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate." 

Daniel 11:27, 29, 35-36 - "And both these kings' hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table; but it shall not prosper:  for yet the end shall be at the time appointed.... At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter....And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.  And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished:  for that that is determined shall be done."

Luke 22:21-22 - "But, behold, the hand of him that betrays Me is with Me on the table.  And truly the Son of man goes, as it was determined:  but woe unto that man by whom He is betrayed!"

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

Ephesians 1:9-12 - "Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He has purposed in Himself:  that in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in one, all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him:  in Whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him Who works all things after the counsel of His own will:  that we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ."

1 Peter 1:18-21 - "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation (religious way of life) received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:  Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, who by Him do believe in God, Who raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God."

READY OR NOT, GOD HAS DETERMINED THE TIME OF THE END!

FINALLY: WE SHALL BE LIKE JESUS!

GOD MADE MANKIND IN HIS OWN IMAGE AND LIKENESS.

Genesis 1:26 - "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."  [See Gen. 5:1]

BUT ADAM SINNED AND CEASED TO BE IN THE LIKENESS OF GOD!

Romans 5:12; 6:23 - "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....the wages of sin is death...."

STILL, GOD LOVED MANKIND MORE THAN YOU AND I CAN IMAGINE!

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."

HIS LOVE IS SO GREAT THAT HE KNEW WHAT SAVING US

WOULD COST HIM EVEN BEFORE HE CREATED US!

Ephesians 1:4-6 - "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 predestined 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."

1 Peter 1:18-21 - "For as much as you know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, as  silver and gold, from your vain beliefs received by tradition from your fathers;  but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:  Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, who by Him do believe in God, Who raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God."

Revelation 13:8 - Our names were "...written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world."  [See Rev. 17:8]

WHEN WE SEE THE RISEN CHRIST, WE SHALL FINALLY BE LIKE HIM!

1 John 3:2 - "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be:  but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is."

END-TIME EVENTS IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER

THE OLIVET DISCOURSE

In Matthew Chapters 24-25, Jesus responded to three questions from His disciples concerning future events, in what has become known as "The Olivet Discourse."  In Mt. 24:1-3, we read:

"And Jesus went out, and departed from the Temple:  and His disciples came to Him for to show Him the buildings of the Temple.  And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things?  Verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.  And as He sat upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples came unto Him privately, saying, Tell us, [1] when shall these things be?  [2] And what shall be the sign of Thy coming, and [3] of the end of the world?"

First, note that Jesus does not answer their first question.  However, History records the destruction of the Temple, by Rome, in A.D. 70.  Jesus answered their third question first [The King James Version says "the world," but the Greek is αἰών (aiōn), from which we get the word "ion" meaning "an age."] Verse 14 says:  "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." Here, the word "world" is the Greek οἰκουμένη (oikoumenē), which refers to our planet, Earth.  In other words, verses 4-14 describe the events leading up to "the end of the age."  The "end" itself, is described in verses 15-28.

It is clear from several passages, that the "age" to which Jesus is referring, is not the "Church Age."  According to Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15:50-54; 1 Thes. 1:10; 4:13-18; 5:9; and Rev. 3:10, the Church will be removed prior to the events in Mt.24-25.   Because "The Tribulation" (Mt. 24:29) the period described in verses 15-28, is also known as "The Time of Jacob's Trouble" (Jer. 30:7) and "Daniel's Seventieth Week" (Dan. 9:24-27), I believe the age to which Jesus is referring, is the Mosaic Age.  After all, what He is teaching refers to a people awaiting their Messiah (Mt. 24:5, 23-24); those "in Judaea flee into the mountains" (v. 16), and the Sabbath restrictions are part of the Mosaic Law (v. 20)!

In Matthew 24:29 - 25:46, Jesus answers their second question, and describes His Second Coming, and the events which lead up to the establishment of His Millennial Kingdom.  Verses 24:7, 14; and 25:1, 14, 34; specifically mention His Kingdom as yet future.  That Kingdom, the 1000 year reign of Christ on this earth, is the subject of Revelation 20:1-15.  Note that the Church is last mentioned at the end of Chapter Three, and Chapters 6-18 describe the Tribulation itself.  This is significant, in that, the Book of Revelation is in chronological order:  Church Age; Tribulation; Millennium; New Heaven and New Earth.  This can also be seen in Matthew:  Jesus uses the words "then shall" to show the order of events eleven times (24:9, 10, 14, 21, 30, 40; 25:1, 31, 34, 37, 41)!

THE TIMING OF END-TIME EVENTS IS FAR LESS IMPORTANT THAN

THE QUESTION, "DO YOU BELIEVE JESUS DIED FOR YOUR SINS, THAT

HE WAS BURIED, AND THAT HIS FATHER RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD?"

IF YOU HAVE ACCEPTED HIM AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR, THEN

REJOICE, FOR YOUR REDEEMER "DRAWETH NIGH!"

BEING ADOPTED BY FAITH, WE SHALL SOON BE AT HOME WITH OUR FATHER!

GOD ADOPTS THOSE WHO BELIEVE THE GOSPEL MESSAGE 

Romans 8:14-16 - "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.  The Spirit (Himself) beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God...!"

Galatians 4:1-7 - "Now I say, That the heir, as long as he (or she) is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he (or she) 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 was 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 children).  And because ye are (children), God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.  Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but (His child); and if (His child), then an heir of God through Christ."

Ephesians 1:1-14 - "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:  grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:  according as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love:  having predestined 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 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; wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself:  that in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him:  in Whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him Who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will:  that 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 the Holy Spirit of promise, Who is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory."

JESUS DIED FOR OUR SINS, HE WAS BURIED AND GOD RAISED

FROM THE GRAVE, ALL ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES! 

IT IS OUR FAITH IN THE RISEN LORD THAT RESULTS IN OUR SALVATION

AND OUR ADOPTION AS THE CHILDREN OF GOD!  PRAISE THE LORD!

RELIGIOUS WORKS

RELIGIOUS WORKS ARE EVIDENCE OF SALVATION!

Matthew 5:16 - Jesus, according to Matthew, said:  "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify YOUR FATHER Who is in heaven."  [Note:  The only good works that count are the works of those who are already born again, that is, those who are the children of God by faith in Jesus Christ, and then, only those works that glorify Him!]

John 6:28-29 - The crowd following Jesus, according to John, said:  "Then said they unto (Jesus), What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?  Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of (My Father), that ye believe on (Me) Whom He hath sent."  [See Jn. 3:16-17; 17:3, 18, 21, 23, 25; etc.]

Acts 26:19-20 - The Apostle Paul, according to Luke, said:  "Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:  but showed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance." [Note:  Paul preached the same message to Jews and Gentiles - "repent AND turn to God," AND THEN do works that clearly indicate you have been saved!  Repentance is not a work that earns salvation, but rather, one that shows one's faith in the Gospel - See Lk. 24:27; Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 15:1-4; etc.]

Galatians 2:15-16 - Paul wrote:  "We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the Law: for by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified."  [Note:  "Justified" from the Greek δικαιόω (dikaioō), which means "to be made righteous, to be as one ought to be in the eyes of God."]

Ephesians 2:8-10 - Paul wrote:  "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."  [Note:  "Grace" is "unmerited favor"; it is IN CHRIST JESUS that a believer is to do good works!]

Titus 3:4-8 - Paul wrote:  "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 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.  This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they who have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men."  [Note:  Again, it is God's mercy and grace that saves, and not religious works; good works FOLLOW those who believe!]

TRUST IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND YOU SHALL BE SAVED!

GOD WANTS ALL TO BE SAVED!

ALL

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 believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.  For God so loved THE WORLD, that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; BUT THAT THE WORLD THROUGH HIM MIGHT BE SAVED."

John 6:44-45 - "No man can come to Me, except the Father Who hath sent Me draw him:  and I will raise him up at the last day.  It is written in the prophets, And they shall be ALL taught of God.  Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto Me."

John 12:32-33 - "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw ALL MEN unto Me.  This He said, signifying what death He should die."

Acts 17:29-31 - "Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.  And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth ALL MEN everywhere to repent:  because He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man Whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto ALL MEN, in that He hath raised Him from the dead."

Romans 1:7-8 - "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.  First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you ALL, that your faith is spoken of throughout the WHOLE WORLD."

Romans 5:18 - "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."

Ephesians 3:7-9 - "Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.  Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches 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."

1 Timothy 2:1-4 - "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for ALL MEN; for kings, and for ALL that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in ALL godliness and honesty.  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."

1 Timothy 4:9-11 - "This is a faithful saying and worthy of ALL (acceptance).  For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, Who is the Savior of ALL MEN, especially of those that believe.  These things command and teach."

Titus 2:11-13 - "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to ALL MEN, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ."

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."

1 John 2:1-2 - "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not.  And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:  and He is the propitiation for our sins:  and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the WHOLE WORLD."

IT IS TRUE, SOME ARE CHOSEN!

IT IS ALSO TRUE THAT ALL ARE CALLED!

SOME THOUGHTS ON THE FALSE TRINITY

REVELATION 13

THE FIRST BEAST:  THE ANTICHRIST

LIKE CHRIST, HE IS THE IMAGE OF  HIS FATHER:  SATAN!

[1] And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea (Gentile Nations - Rev. 17:15), having seven heads and ten horns (Revived Roman Empire - Dan. 2:41-42; 7:7), and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy (Antichrist - Mt. 24:5; Jn. 5:43; 1 Jn. 2:22).

[2] And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard (Greek Empire - Dan. 8:20-21), and his feet were as the feet of a bear (Medo-Persian Empire - Dan. 5:28), and his mouth as the mouth of a lion (Babylonian Empire -Dan. 7:4) and the dragon (Satan - Rev. 20:2) gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.  [Note:  The Antichrist's Revived Roman Empire includes the lands controlled by the four Empires (Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome):  the "Stone that crushes him," crushes all four - see Dan. 2:41-45]
[3] And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
[4] And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast:  and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
[5] And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
[6] And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
[7] And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
[8] And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
[9] If any man have an ear, let him hear.
[10] He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

THE SECOND BEAST:  THE FALSE PROPHET

LIKE THE HOLY SPIRIT, HE PROMOTES THE ANTICHRIST!

[11] And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth (the Greek γῆ (gē), which is translated "country" in Mt. 9:31; Acts 7:3; Heb. 11:9 - I believe it is "The Land," Israel); and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
[12] And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
[13] And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
[14] And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
[15] And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
[16] And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
[17] And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
[18] Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.  [Note:  Just a crazy thought:  The sixth letter of the Hebrew alphabet is VAV (V), so six, six, six, is the same as VVV.  Because the German Theologians seemed to be bent on misinterpreting God's Word, to them, VVV is WWW!  Could it have something to do with the World-Wide Web?]

REGARDLESS OF THE INTERPRETATION - JESUS CHRIST WINS!!!