FAITH LEADS TO REPENTANCE; THE OTHER HALF OF THE GOSPEL!

REPENTANCE PRECEDES FORGIVENESS!

Luke 17:3-4 - Take heed to yourselves:  If your brother trespass against you, rebuke him; and IF he repent, forgive him.  And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and (IF) seven times in a day (he) turn again to you, saying, I repent; you shall forgive him.

Acts 3:18-19 - But those things, which God before had showed by the mouth of all His prophets, that Christ should suffer, He has so fulfilled.  Repent therefore, and be converted, (in order) that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord....

Acts 26:15-18 - 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 appear unto you; delivering you from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom I now send you, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, (so) that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them who are sanctified by faith that is in Me.

1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 - For they themselves show us what manner of entering in we had unto you, 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.

THE MESSAGE WE ARE TO SHARE!

Luke 24:44-47 - And He 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 (writings), 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.

Acts 20:20-21 - And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks (Gentiles), repentance toward God, AND faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:1-6 - 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:  and that He was seen of Cephas (by Peter), then by the twelve:  after that, He was seen of above (by more than) five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present (until not), but some are fallen asleep (some have died).

2 Corinthians 7:9-10 - Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that you sorrowed to repentance:  for you were made sorry after a godly manner, that you might receive damage by us in nothing.  For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation not to be repented of:  but the sorrow of the world works death.

REPENTANCE IS NOT A RELIGIOUS WORK;

IT IS A CHANGE OF MIND RESULTING FROM

BELIEVING JESUS DIED FOR YOUR SINS, AND

WAS RAISED WORTHY OF YOUR TOTAL LOVE!

BE LIKE ME, SAYS THE LORD!

Matthew 5:1-9

[1-2] And seeing the multitudes, He (Jesus) went up into a mountain:  and when He was set, His disciples came unto Him:  and He opened His mouth, and taught them, saying,
[3] Blessed are the poor in spirit (Isaiah 57:15):  for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
[4] Blessed are they that mourn (Isaiah 61:1-3):  for they shall be comforted.
[5] Blessed are the meek (Philippians 2:5-8):  for they shall inherit the earth.
[6] Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness (Matthew 6:33; 2 Corinthians 5:21): for they shall be filled.
[7] Blessed are the merciful (Luke 6:36; Hebrews 8:12): for they shall obtain mercy.
[8] Blessed are the pure in heart (Ezekiel 36:26): for they shall see God.
[9] Blessed are the peacemakers (Romans 5:1-2, 8-10): for they shall be called the children of God.

COMMENTARY ON THE ABOVE!

[3]  Isaiah 57:15 - For thus says the high and lofty One Who inhabits eternity, Whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

[4]  Isaiah 61:1-3 - (Jesus quoted this in Luke 4:18) The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me; because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He might be glorified.

[5]  Philippians 2:5-8 - Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:  and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

[6]  Matthew 6:33; 2 Corinthians 5:21 - But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness . . . . For He (the Father) has made Him (Jesus) to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.

[7]  Luke 6:36; Hebrews 8:12 - Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. . . . For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

[8]  Ezekiel 36:26 - A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

[9]  Romans 5:1-2, 8-10 - Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:  by Whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. . . . God demonstrated His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life (His Resurrection).

THE WORK OF MAKING US LIKE CHRIST,

IS TOTALLY THE WORK OF GOD HIMSELF!

THE CHARACTER OF MAN IN THE LAST DAYS!

JESUS DESCRIBED MAN IN THE LAST DAYS!

Luke 17:26-30 - And as it was in the days of Noe (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 Noe (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 built; 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 (Christ's Second Coming).

THE CHARACTER OF MAN IN NOAH'S DAY!

Genesis 6:5-7 - 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 repents Me that I have made them.

THE CHARACTER OF MAN IN LOT'S DAY!

Genesis 19:4-9 - But before they lay down (took their rest for the night), 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 who came in to you this night?  Bring them out unto us, that we may know them (sexually;see the context concerning Lot's virgin daughters; same as in Gen. 4:1, 17, 25; Mt. 1:25; etc.).  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 who have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and you do to them as is good in your eyes:  only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof.  And they said, Stand back.  And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge:  now will we deal worse with you, than with them.  And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door.

THE CHARACTER OF MAN IN OUR DAY!

2 Timothy 3:1-5 - This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  For men shall be lovers of themselves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent (lacking self-control), fierce, despisers of those who are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;  having a form of godliness (pretending to be religious), but denying the power thereof:  from such turn away.

WE ARE IN THE "HEY, LOOK AT ME" SELFIE GENERATION;

IMMORALITY AND HYPOCRISY ARE THE NORM;

IF THERE EVER WAS A TIME TO TURN TO JESUS, 

IT IS TODAY!

YOU MUST BE AN OVERCOMER!

REVELATION CHAPTERS TWO AND THREE

ARE WRITTEN TO THE CHURCHES!

REVELATION CHAPTER TWO:  

[7] 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 tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
[11] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
[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.  
[26-29] And he that overcometh, and keepeth My works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations . . . . He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

REVELATION CHAPTER THREE:

[5-6] He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels.  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.  
[12-13] Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, which is New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from My God: and I will write upon him My new name.  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
[21-22] To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Note:  Notice John wrote to churches, not to the Church; the Church is 100% born again believers; the churches contain "leaven," "tares," and "fowls of the air" (see Matthew Thirteen).

THOSE OVERCOME DURING THE
TRIBULATION ARE NOT PART OF THE CHURCH!

REVELATION CHAPTER ELEVEN:

[3-7] And I will give power unto my two witnesses (one is Elijah and the other is probably Enoch, since they are the only two who didn't die - see Hebrews 9:27, and neither lived during the Church Age), and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. . . . And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.

REVELATION CHAPTER THIRTEEN:

[5-8] And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.  And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, and His tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.  And it was given unto him to make war with the saints (those saved during the Tribulation:  they are not a part of the Church, as the Church will no longer be on earth), and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.  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.

SO HOW DO WE BECOME OVERCOMERS?

FIRST JOHN CHAPTER FIVE:

[4-5] For whosoever is born of God overcometh the world:  and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.  Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

SOME THOUGHTS ON THE HOLY SPIRIT!

THE SPIRIT OF GOD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT:

Genesis 1:2 - And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit* of God moved upon the face of the waters.

Note:  * "Spirit" here is the Hebrew word ruwach, which is translated "Spirit" 232 x; "wind" 92 x; and "breath" 27 times.  Examples:

Exodus 14:21 - And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind* all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.

2 Samuel 22:16 - And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the LORD, at the blast of the breath* of His nostrils.

THE SPIRIT OF GOD IN THE NEW TESTAMENT:

Matthew 3:16 - And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water:  and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit* of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him....

Note:  * "Spirit" here is the Greek pneuma, which is translated "Spirit" 137 x; (Holy) "Ghost" 89 x.  It is from the Greek root pneo, which is translated "blow" 5 x; "wind" 1 x.  Example:

John 3:1-8 - There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:  the same came to Jesus by night, and said unto Him, Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that You do, except God be with Him.  Jesus answered (responded) and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.  Nicodemus saith unto Him, How can a man be born when he is old?  Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?  Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a man be born of water (physical birth) and of the Spirit (Pneuma - spiritual birth), 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 (Pneuma) is spirit (pneuma).  Marvel not that I said unto you, You must be born again.  The wind (pneuma) blows (pneo) where it listeth (wills), and you hear the sound thereof, but can not tell whence (from where) it comes, and whither (where) it goes:  so is every one that is born of the Spirit (Pneuma).

Acts 5:3-4 - But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Ghost (Pneuma), and to keep back part of the price of the land?  While it remained, was it not your own?  And after it was sold, was it not in your own power?  Why have you conceived this thing in your heart?  You have not lied unto men, but unto God.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

It appears that the only time the Holy Spirit has ever been visible to human beings, is when He took the form of a dove at the Lord's baptism.   We can, however, see evidence of His being present by the fruit He produces in born again believers. 

Galatians 5:22-23 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance:  against such there is no law.

REMEMBER:  YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN,

SO BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST TODAY!

YESTERDAY, MARCH 26TH!

ISAIAH 26:20 - My version:

Come, My people, enter into your chambers (dwelling places; homes), and shut your doors:  hide yourself as it were for a little moment (a short time), until the indignation pass (My anger passover).

Note:  In 2020, Passover will begin the evening of Wednesday April 8th, and will end the evening of Thursday April 16th.

HANG IN THERE MY BRETHREN!

THE ANSWER TO YESTERDAY'S BIBLE RIDDLE!

THE RIDDLE:

MY NAME IS IN THE BIBLE!

God made Adam out of dust, but thought it best to make me first.

So I was made before the man, according to God's holy plan.

My whole body God made complete, without arms, or hands, or legs, or feet.

My ways and acts did God control, but in my body He placed no soul.

A living being I became and God had Adam give me a name.

But in his presence I did not go, for this man Adam I did not know.

All my Maker's laws I do obey, and from these laws I never stray.

Thousands of me go in fear, but seldom on the earth appear.

Later, for a purpose God did see, He placed a living soul in me.

But that soul of mine God had to claim, and from me took it back again.

And when this soul from me had fled, I was the same as when first made.

Without arms, legs, feet, or soul, I travel on from pole to pole.

My labors are from day to night, and to men I once furnished light.

Thousands of people both young and old, did by my death bright light behold.

No right or wrong can I conceive, the Bible's teachings I can't believe.

The fear of death doesn't trouble me, pure happiness I will never see.

And up in heaven I can never go, not in the grave or hell below.

So get your Bible and read with care, you'll find my name recorded there. 


CLUE:  The answer is one word, five letters long,
and is mentioned a total of four times in the
King James Version Old and New Testaments. 


THE ANSWER:


Genesis 1:21 - (Day Five) And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

Job 7:12 - Am I a sea, or a whale, that Thou settest a watch over me?

Ezekiel 32:2 - Son of man, take up a lamentation for Pharaoh king of Egypt, and say unto him, Thou art like a young lion of the nations, and thou art as a whale in the seas:  and thou camest forth with thy rivers, and troubledst the waters with thy feet, and fouledst their rivers.

Matthew 12:38-41 - (Prophecy) Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from Thee.  But He (Jesus) answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas (Jonah):  for as Jonas (Jonah) 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.  The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it:  because they repented at the preaching of Jonas (Jonah); and, behold, a greater than Jonas (Jonah) is here.

1 Corinthians 15:1-6 - (Prophecy fulfilled) Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also you have received, and wherein you stand; by which also you are saved . . . . For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the (Prophetic) Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the (Prophetic) Scriptures:  and that He was seen of Cephas (by Peter), then of the twelve (by the remaining eleven of the twelve):  after that, He was seen of above (by more than) five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present (are still living), but some are fallen asleep (have died).

I HOPE THIS BROUGHT JOY, AND ALSO SOME

DISTRACTION FROM THIS WORLDS INSANITY!

A BIBLE RIDDLE FEW HAVE SOLVED!

MY NAME IS IN THE BIBLE!

God made Adam out of dust, but thought it best to make me first.

So I was made before the man, according to God's holy plan.

My whole body God made complete, without arms, or hands, or legs, or feet.

My ways and acts did God control, but in my body He placed no soul.

A living being I became and God had Adam give me a name.

But in his presence I did not go, for this man Adam I did not know.

All my Maker's laws I do obey, and from these laws I never stray.

Thousands of me go in fear, but seldom on the earth appear.

Later, for a purpose God did see, He placed a living soul in me.

But that soul of mine God had to claim, and from me took it back again.

And when this soul from me had fled, I was the same as when first made.

Without arms, legs, feet, or soul, I travel on from pole to pole.

My labors are from day to night, and to men I once furnished light.

Thousands of people both young and old, did by my death bright light behold.

No right or wrong can I conceive, the Bible's teachings I can't believe.

The fear of death doesn't trouble me, pure happiness I will never see.

And up in heaven I can never go, not in the grave or hell below.

So get your Bible and read with care, you'll find my name recorded there. 


CLUE:  The answer is one word, five letters long,
and is mentioned a total of four times in the
King James Version Old and New Testaments. 

PASS IT ON!

MATTHEW 28:18-20 INTERPRETED!

[18] And Jesus came and spoke unto them (His eleven remaining disciples), saying, All power (Greek exousia - power 69 x; authority 29 x) is given unto Me in heaven and on earth.

[19] Go therefore, and teach (Greek matheteuo - make disciples) all nations (Greek ethnos - Gentiles 93 x; nations 64 x; heathen 5 x), baptizing them in the name of (representing) the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost (Greek pneuma - Spirit 111 x; Ghost 89 x; often "breath" or "wind" as well).

[20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you (Mt. 22:35-40 Love God and love your neighbor): and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world (Greek aion - a specific period of time; an age) Amen.


Note:  Believers are to go about their lives sharing the Gospel message, the only message with the power to save the lost and make disciples (Rom. 1:16).  The Gospel is the good news that Jesus died for our sins, that He was buried, and that He rose from the dead the third day, all as the Scriptures had predicted (1 Cor. 15:1-4).  Once a person states they believe, they are to be baptized.  Then, they are to be taught how to love God and others!  

FEAR IS THE OPPOSITE OF FAITH!

BELIEVER, DO NOT FEAR ANYTHING!

Matthew 10:16-20, 26-33 - Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves:  be therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.  But beware of men:  for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; and you shall be brought before governors and kings for My sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.  But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what you shall speak:  for it shall be given you in that same hour what you shall speak.  For it is not you that speak, but the Spirit of your Father Who speaks in you. . . . Fear them not therefore:  for there is nothing covered (hidden; done in secret), that shall not be revealed; and hidden, that shall not be known.  What I tell you in darkness, that speak in light:  and what you hear in the ear, that preach upon the housetops.  And fear not those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul:  but rather fear Him Who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.  Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing (a tenth of a drachma, or of a day's wage)?  And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.  But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Fear not therefore, you are of more value than many sparrows.  Whosoever therefore shall confess (faith in) Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father Who is in heaven.  But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father Who is in heaven.

BELIEVERS CAN TRUST GOD IN EVERYTHING!

Romans 8:14-21, 28-39 - For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons (children) of God.  For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.  The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:  and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together.  For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.  For the earnest expectation of the creature waits for the manifestation of the sons (children) of God.  For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of Him Who has subjected the same in hope, because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. . . . And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.  For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestine to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.  Moreover whom He did predestine, those He also called:  and whom He called, those He also justified:  and whom He justified, those He also glorified.  What shall we then say to these things?  If God be for us, (what does it matter) who can be against us?  He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things (that we need)?  Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect?  It is God Who justifies.  Who is he that condemns?  It is Christ Who died, yes rather, Who is risen again, Who is even at the right hand of God, Who also makes intercession for us.  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  As it is written, For your sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him Who loved us.  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

REMEMBER,

TO BE ABSENT FROM THE BODY

IS TO BE PRESENT WITH THE LORD!

REVELATION: A SIMPLE OUTLINE!

THE SELF-DECLARED OUTLINE OF

THE BOOK OF REVELATION!

Revelation 1:19 - Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter.

THE PAST:  THE THINGS WHICH YOU HAVE SEEN!

Revelation 1:12, 17-18 - And I turned to see the voice that spoke with me.  And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks . . . . And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead.  And He laid His right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:  I am He that lives, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for ever more, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

THE PRESENT CHURCH AGE:  THE THINGS WHICH ARE!

Revelation 1:20; 3:22 - The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks.  The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches:  and the seven candlesticks which you saw are the seven churches. . . . He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches.

THE FUTURE:  THE THINGS WHICH SHALL BE HEREAFTER!

Revelation 4:1 - After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show you things which must be hereafter.

Note:  The Church Age is complete, and ends with the Rapture, or catching away of the Church (see Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15:50-54; 1 Th. 1:9-10; 4:13-18; 5:9-10).  The Church is not mentioned again until the closing of the Book of Revelation.  The Tribulation, a.k.a. Daniel's Seventieth Week and the Time of Jacob's Trouble, is directly pointed at the nation of Israel.

THE FUTURE:  ACTIVITY IN THE LORD'S THRONE ROOM!

Revelation 4:2 - 5:14 - Adoration of the Lord and preparation for the Tribulation to follow.

THE FUTURE:  THE FIRST HALF OF THE TRIBULATION!

Revelation 6:1 - 12:17 - Israel protected by a confirmed covenant with their false messiah who breaks it half way through its seven-year agreement - (see Dan. 9:27) for 1260 days (Rev. 11:3; 12:6), 42 months (Rev. 11:2; 13:5), a time, times and half a time (3 1/2 years - Dan. 7:25; 12:7; Rev. 12:14).

THE FUTURE:  ANTICHRIST AND THE FALSE PROPHET REVEALED!

Revelation Chapter 13 - They are recognized by the breaking the covenant by the abomination that makes the Temple desolate (see Dan. 9:27; 11:31; 12:11; Mt. 24:15; Mk. 13:14; Rev. 13:5-6). 

THE FUTURE:  ANTICHRIST RULES THE WORLD!

Revelation Chapters 14-18 - Mankind cannot buy or sell without the mark of the beast, a mark that requires the worship of the Antichrist (Rev. 13:15-18).

THE FUTURE:  THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST!

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 went 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.

THE FUTURE:  THE MILLENNIUM AND THE FINAL JUDGMENT!

Revelation 20:1-15 - Christ rules for 1000 years on David's throne as was prophesied  - 

Luke 1:30-33 - And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary:  for you have found favor with God.  And, behold, you shall conceive in your womb, and bring forth a son, and shall call His name JESUS.

He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest:  and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David:  and He shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end.

THE FUTURE:  ETERNITY!

Revelation Chapters 21 -22 - PRAISE OUR ALMIGHTY, HOLY, LOVING GOD FOREVER!

GOD IS "FROM MISSOURI":

IF YOU LOVE HIM, SHOW HIM!

IMAGINE THE LOOK ON THE PHARISEE'S FACES TODAY!

JESUS CAME AS THE LAMB OF GOD!

John 1:29-37 - The next day John saw Jesus coming unto him, and said, Behold the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world.  This is He of Whom I said, After me comes a man Who is preferred before me:  for He was before me.  And I knew Him not:  but that He should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.  And John bore record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it rested upon Him.  And I knew Him not:  but He that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon Whom you shall see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, the same is He Who baptizes with the Holy Ghost.  And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.  Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; and looking upon Jesus as He walked, he said, Behold the Lamb of God!  And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.

Acts 8:32-35 - The place of the Scripture which he read was this (Isaiah 53:7), 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 (ask you), of Whom does the prophet speak this?  Of himself, or of some other man?  Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same Scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

1 Corinthians 5:6-8 - Your glorying is not good.  Do you not know that a little leaven (leaven in the Bible always represents sin) leavens the whole lump?  Purge out therefore the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, as you are unleavened.  For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us:  therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

1 Peter 1:18-21 - Forasmuch as you know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation (worthless religious works) 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, that raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

WHEN JESUS RETURNS, IT WILL BE AS A LION!

Matthew 24:29-31 - Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:  and then shall appear the sign of the Son of man (Jesus) in heaven:  and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.  And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Revelation 1:10, 12-16 - I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet . . . . And I turned to see the voice that spoke with me.  And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; and in the midst of the seven candlesticks One like unto the Son of man (Jesus), clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps (His chest) with a golden girdle.  His head and His hair were white like wool, as white as snow; and His eyes were as a flame of fire; and His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and His voice as the sound of many waters.  And He had in His right hand seven stars:  and out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword:  and His countenance was as the sun shines in its strength.

Revelation 5:5-6 - And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not:  behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.  And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

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 went 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 wine-press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.  And He had on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

YOU CAN EITHER BOW TO HIM NOW,

THE LAMB WHO DIED FOR YOUR SINS, OR

YOU WILL DEFINITELY BOW TO HIM AS

KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS!

DO YOU WANT TO KNOW THE TRUTH? COMPARE SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE!

THREE VERSIONS OF THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER:

Matthew 13:3-8, 10-11, 18-23 - And He spoke many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; and when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:  some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth:  and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:  and when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.  And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:  but other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundred-fold, some sixty-fold, some thirty-fold. . . . And the disciples came, and said unto Him, Why speak Thou unto them in parables?  He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. . . . Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.  When any one hears the Word of the kingdom, and understands it not, then comes the wicked one, and catches away that which was sown in his heart.  This is he which received seed by the way side.  But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that hears the Word, and anon (immediately) with joy receives it; yet has he not root in himself, but endures for a while:  for when tribulation or persecution arises because of the Word, by and by he is offended.  He also that received seed among the thorns is he that hears the Word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the Word, and he becomes unfruitful.  But he that received seed into the good ground is he that hears the Word, and understands it; who also bears fruit, and brings forth, some an hundred-fold, some sixty, some thirty.

Mark 4:2-20 - And He taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in His doctrine, Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow:  and it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.  And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:  but when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.  And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.  And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred. And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.  And when He was alone, they that were about Him with the twelve asked of Him the parable.  And He said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:  that seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.  And He said unto them, Know ye not this parable?  And how then will ye know all parables?  The sower sows the Word.  And these are they by the way side, where the Word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan comes immediately, and takes away the Word that was sown in their hearts.  And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the Word, immediately receive it with gladness; and have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time:  afterward, when affliction or persecution arises for the Word's sake, immediately they are offended.  And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the Word, and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the Word, and it becomes unfruitful.  And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the Word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirty-fold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

Luke 8:4-15 - And when much people were gathered together, and were come to Him out of every city, He spoke by a parable:  A sower went out to sow his seed:  and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.  And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.  And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.  And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bore fruit an hundred-fold.  And when He had said these things, He cried, He that has ears to hear, let him hear.  And His disciples asked Him, saying, What might this parable be?  And He said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God:  but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.  Now the parable is this:  The seed is the Word of God.  Those by the way side are they that hear; then comes the devil, and takes away the Word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.  They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the Word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.  And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.  But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the Word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

FAITH COMES BY HEARING, AND

HEARING BY THE WORD OF GOD!

THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF GOD, AND SHREDDING IT TO FIT A THEORY!

DISPENSATIONS:  RIGHTLY DIVIDING GOD'S WORD!

In 2 Timothy 2:15, the Apostle Paul told Timothy, "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth."  I believe Paul meant to observe the natural divisions of God's revelation, and interpret the Scripture as it was intended for a particular people at a particular time.  For instance, God's instructions to Adam were different than those to Noah, Abraham, Moses, Christ's disciples, and they also differ as to the Lord's instructions to the Church; they will differ, as well, in Christ's Millennial Kingdom.  Each of these folks are the focal point of a specific dispensation.  

A dispensation is a time period in which God holds mankind accountable as stewards of His Word.  Dispensations always begin with new revelation, and end with mankind's failure.  

*  Adam - do not eat - cast out of the garden.
*  Noah - spread out - languages confused.
*  Abraham - trust in God - trusted in Egypt.
*  Moses - reveal God's Law - Israel missed the spirit of the Law.
*  Jesus - came to teach Israel - He was murdered.
*  The Church - spread the Gospel - has yet to complete it.  It will not be completed until the middle of the Tribulation (see Mt. 24:14; Rev. 11:7; 14:6).
*  The Millennium - Christ rules the world - rebellion in the end.

While some revealed truth may apply to all generations (Love God and your neighbor), most of what is revealed applies to specific groups of people.  The Law applied to Israel; the Church is no longer under the Mosaic Law (Rom. 3:19; 6:14-15; 1 Cor. 9:20; Gal. 5:18; etc.).

BEWARE OF ULTRA-DISPENSATIONALISM!

Today there are some Bible teachers who would have you believe that the Church Age did not begin until the conversion of the Apostle Paul.  Two examples are Les Feldick and Scott Clarke. They refuse to accept what is written in the Gospels and the first eight chapters of Acts, as binding on the Church.  While it is true that the Gospels were primarily written to present Christ as Israel's rejected Messiah, the vast majority of Christ's teachings apply to His disciples today.  They declare that the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost was not the beginning of the Church, and even declare the Gospel preached by Peter on that day, was not the same as that preached by the Apostle Paul.  But Paul wrote in Galatians 1:6-9,  "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."  Do they actually believe Peter should be cursed for using different words to convey the same Gospel message?!?  God forbid!

And what about Acts 2:47 which says, "Praising God, and having favour with all the people.  And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."


In Acts 2:22-24, 37-38, Peter said, "Ye 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 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 hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. . . . Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?  Then Peter said unto them, Repent (have a change of mind toward God), and be baptized (show you have believed the Gospel) every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."

In 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Paul wrote, "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures...."

Paul also wrote in Romans 10:9-10, 13 , "That if thou shalt confess (declare publicly) 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 whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

THERE IS ONLY ONE GOSPEL MESSAGE

WITH THE POWER TO SAVE LOST SOULS!

READY OR NOT, JESUS IS COMING!

THE REALLY BAD NEWS!

ALL HAVE SINNED!

Romans 3:10, 23 - As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one . . . . For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.

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

THE PAYMENT FOR SIN IS DEATH!

Ezekiel 18:20 - 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....

Romans 6:23 -  For the wages of sin is death....

THE REALLY GOOD NEWS!

GOD LOVES YOU!

John 3:16-17 - For God so loved the world, that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.

John 17:23 - ...that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them, as You have loved Me.

THE SON OF GOD DIED FOR YOU!

Romans 5:8 - But God commended (demonstrated) His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - 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 5:21 - For He has made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.

1 Peter 3:18 - For Christ also has once suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened (made to live again) by the Spirit....

SALVATION IS A GIFT!

SALVATION CANNOT BE EARNED!

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

Titus 3:5 - Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us....

IT CAN ONLY BE RECEIVED BY FAITH!

John 3:14-15 - And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:  that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Acts 16:31 - ...Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved....

Romans 10:9-11 - That if you shall confess with your mouth (your faith in) the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.  For with the heart man believes unto (and is declared by God to be) righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  For the Scripture says, Whosoever believes in Him shall not be ashamed.

THE BIBLE SAID JESUS WAS COMING,

AND HE CAME AND DIED FOR OUR SINS!

THE BIBLE SAYS JESUS IS COMING AGAIN,

AND HIS RETURN COULD BE THIS VERY DAY!

THE SAVED LONG FOR HIS RETURN;

THE UNSAVED HATE THE THOUGHT OF IT!

THE LAW OF MOSES IS SUMMED UP IN THE GOLDEN RULE!

GOD'S WILL FOR BELIEVERS!

Matthew 5:43-48 - You have heard that it has been said, You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you, and persecute you; that you may be (seen as) the children of your Father Who is in heaven:  for He makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.  For if you love those who love you, what reward have you?  Do not even the publicans (do) the same?  And if you salute (respectfully greet) your brethren only, what do you more than others?  Do not even the publicans (do) so?  Therefore, you be perfect, even as your Father Who is in heaven is perfect.

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

Matthew 22:36-40 - Master, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?  Jesus said unto him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like unto it, You shalt love your neighbor as (you love) yourself.  On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.

Romans 13:8-10 - Owe no man anything, but to love one another:  for he that loves another has fulfilled the Law.  For this, You shall not commit adultery; You shall not kill; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, You shall love your neighbor as (you love) yourself.  Love works no ill to a neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the Law.

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

James 2:8 - If you fulfill the royal law (the Golden Rule) according to the Scripture, You shall love your neighbor as (you love) yourself, you do well.... 

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.

FAILURE TO LOVE IS SIN!

James 4:17 - Therefore to him that knows to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin.

BUT WHEN WE FAIL, AND WE WILL FAIL!

1 John 1:8-10 - If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him (call God) a liar, and His Word is not in us.

THE BIG "IF!"

TO BELIEVE IS TO KNOW!

Luke 1:1, 4 - For as much as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us . . . . that you might know the certainty of those things, wherein you have been instructed.

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

1 Corinthians 2:11-12 - For what man knows the things of a man, save (except) the spirit of man which is in him?  Even so, no man knows the things of God, but the Spirit of God.  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

1 John 5:11-13 - And this is the record, that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.  He that has (faith in) the Son has life; and he that has not the Son of God has not life.  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may (confidently continue to) believe on the name of the Son of God.

WHAT IS FAITH?  

Hebrews 11:1, 6 - Now faith is the substance (the evidence) of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen . . . . But without faith it is impossible to please Him:  for he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

HOW DO WE GET FAITH?

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

THE WORD THAT HAS THE POWER TO SAVE!

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

THE GOSPEL:  THE GOOD NEWS!

1 Corinthians 15:1-6 - Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also you have received, and wherein you stand; by which also you are saved . . . . For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures (as Bible prophecy said He would):  and that He was seen of Cephas (alive by Peter), then by the twelve:  after that, He was seen of above (by more than) five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present (time), but some are fallen asleep (have died).

IF YOU BELIEVE THE GOSPEL,

YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD,

AND HAVE ETERNAL LIFE!

GOD'S LOVE HUMBLES US!

IT IS ALL ABOUT THE WORK OF GOD IN US!

HE ACCEPTS US - John 6:37 - All whom the Father gives to Me shall come to Me; and whoever comes to Me I will in no wise cast out.

HE KEEPS US - Romans 8:35-39 - Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  As it is written, For your sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him Who loved us.  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

HE LOVED US - 1 Corinthians 15:1-6 - Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also you have received, and wherein you stand; by which also you are saved . . . . For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures:  and that he was seen by Peter, then by the twelve:  after that, He was seen by more than five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present day, but some have died.

HE SEALS US - Ephesians 1:11-14; 2:8-10; 4:29-30 - 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.  In Whom you also trusted, after that you heard the Word of truth, the Gospel of your salvation:  in Whom also after that you believed, you 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 . . . . For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:  it is the gift of God:  not of works, lest any man should boast.  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them . . . . Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.  And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, by Whom you are sealed unto the day of redemption.

HE PERFECTS US - Philippians 1:3-6 - I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, for your fellowship in the Gospel from the first day until now; being confident of this very thing, that He Who has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.

HE USES US - 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 IS GLORIFIED IN US - Jude 1:24-25 - Now unto Him Who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever.  Amen.

LOVE HIM BACK!

THE GOOD NEWS AND THE BAD NEWS!

THE GOOD NEWS!

JESUS CAME TO DIE FOR YOUR SINS;

HE WAS BURIED; 

AND HE ROSE AGAIN THE THIRD DAY; 

IF YOU BELIEVE THIS AND TRUST 

IN JESUS AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR,

YOU WILL HAVE ETERNAL LIFE!

THE BAD NEWS!

JESUS IS COMING BACK TO 

JUDGE THE WORLD!

THOSE WHO HAVE REJECTED HIM,

WILL SPEND ETERNITY IN

THE BURNING LAKE OF FIRE!

SAVING IS WHAT JESUS DOES; LORD IS WHO JESUS IS!

JESUS IS OUR CREATOR GOD!

John 1:1-3, 10, 14 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  The Same was in the beginning with God.  All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made. . . . He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. . . . And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

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 1:1-3 - God, who at sundry (various) times and in divers manners (different ways) spoke in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, Whom He has appointed heir of all things, by Whom also He made the worlds; 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.

JESUS IS BOTH MASTER AND LORD!

Note:  Jesus is addressed as Master 55 times in the four Gospels!  
           He is addressed as Lord 243 times by the four writers!  

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

John 13:13-15 - You call Me Master and Lord:  and you say well; for so I am.  If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; you also ought to wash one another's feet.  For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.

John 20:26-28 - And after eight days again His disciples were within, and Thomas with them:  then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.  Then He said to Thomas, reach here with your finger, and behold My hands; and reach here with your hand, and thrust it into My side:  and be not faithless, but believing.  And Thomas answered and said unto Him, My Lord and my God.

EVERY KNEE WILL BOW IN SUBMISSION TO JESUS!  

Isaiah 45:21-23 - Go tell and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together:  Who has declared this from ancient time?  Who has told it from that time?  Have not I the LORD?  And there is no God else beside Me; a just God and a Savior; there is none beside Me.  Look unto Me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth:  for I am God, and there is none else.  I have sworn by Myself, the Word is gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

Romans 14:11-12 - For it is written, As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God.  So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Philippians 2:5-11 - Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:  and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.  Wherefore God also has 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.

THE JESUS OF THE BIBLE DIED FOR OUR SINS;

OUR CREATOR, OUR MASTER, AND OUR LORD!