COULD IT BE TODAY?

THE UNIQUENESS OF THE FORTH FEAST;

THE FEAST OF WEEKS, OR

THE FEAST OF LEAVENED WAVE LOAVES!

Leviticus 23:15-17 - And you shall count unto you from the morrow after the Sabbath (always a Sunday), from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven Sabbaths shall be complete:  even unto the morrow after the seventh Sabbath shall you number fifty days; and you shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD.  You shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves (because this feast represents the Church Age, one loaf stands for Jewish Christians, and the other, Gentile Christians, both of whom still sin) of two tenth deals:  they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baked with leaven (leaven throughout Scripture represents sin); they are the firstfruits unto the LORD.

Notes:
       This Feast of the LORD stands alone on the Hebrew calendar. 
       The first three Feasts of the LORD, the Spring Feasts, all in Israel's first month, literally symbolize Israel's rejection of Jesus; Christ's Death (The Passover - 1 Cor. 5:7); Christ's sinless life (Unleavened Bread - Jn. 6:31-41; 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15); and Christ's Resurrection (Firstfruits - Mt. 27:52-53; 1 Cor. 15:20-23).
       The last three Feasts of the LORD, the Fall Feasts, all  in Israel's seventh month, will most likely be the literal fulfillment of the Feast of Trumpets (all Israel being called to return to the land of promise, perhaps coinciding with the Antichrist confirming the covenant providing for Israel's peace in their land (Dan. 9:27); The Feast of the Atonement (the Tribulation; a.k.a. Daniel's Seventieth Week - Dan. 9:27 and the Time of Jacob's Trouble - Jer. 30:7); and the Feast of Tabernacles, Christ's Millennial Reign - Rev. 20:1-9).

THIS FEAST OF THE LORD HAD A NAME-CHANGE:

THE NEW TESTAMENT NAME IS PENTECOST,

THE BIRTH OF THE LORD'S CHURCH!

Acts 2:1-8, 46-47 - And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.  And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.  Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.  And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?  And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? - - - And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people.  And the Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved.

IT WOULD BE SO FITTING IF THE REMOVAL OF THE CHURCH VIA THE RAPTURE, OCCURRED ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF THE CHURCH!!!!!!!  COULD IT BE TODAY???????

HEY CHRISTIAN, PAY ATTENTION!

MAY 30, 2020 WORLD HEADLINES

COVID - 19; RIOTS; NATIONAL BANKRUPTCY; IMPEACHMENT; GEORGE SOROS; CHURCHES CLOSED/ABORTION CLINICS OPEN; ILLEGAL ALIENS RECEIVE SOCIAL SECURITY; HOMELESS VETERANS; I.D.-LESS VOTING; SCHOOLS CLOSED; WALMART OPEN; ETC....

2 TIMOTHY 3:1-5

THE KING JAMES VERSION:  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

THE AMPLIFIED BIBLE:  But understand this, that in the last days dangerous times [of great stress and trouble] will come [difficult days that will be hard to bear]. For people will be lovers of self [narcissistic, self-focused], lovers of money [impelled by greed], boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane, [and they will be] unloving [devoid of natural human affection, calloused and inhumane], irreconcilable, malicious gossips, devoid of self-control [intemperate, immoral], brutal, haters of good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of [sensual] pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of [outward] godliness (religion), although they have denied its power [for their conduct nullifies their claim of faith]. Avoid such people and keep far away from them.

THE GOOD NEWS (IRONIC) TRANSLATION:  Remember that there will be difficult times in the last days. People will be selfish, greedy, boastful, and conceited; they will be insulting, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, and irreligious; they will be unkind, merciless, slanderers, violent, and fierce; they will hate the good; they will be treacherous, reckless, and swollen with pride; they will love pleasure rather than God; they will hold to the outward form of our religion, but reject its real power. Keep away from such people.

THE EASY-TO-READ VERSION:  Remember this: There are some terrible times coming in the last days. People will love only themselves and money. They will be proud and boast about themselves. They will abuse others with insults. They will not obey their parents. They will be ungrateful and against all that is pleasing to God. They will have no love for others and will refuse to forgive anyone. They will talk about others to hurt them and will have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. People will turn against their friends. They will do foolish things without thinking and will be so proud of themselves. Instead of loving God, they will love pleasure. They will go on pretending to be devoted to God, but they will refuse to let that “devotion” change the way they live. Stay away from these people!

THE INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S VERSION:  Remember this! There will be many troubles in the last days. In those times people will love only themselves and money. They will brag and be proud. They will say evil things against others. They will not obey their parents. People will not be thankful or be the kind of people God wants. They will not have love for others. They will refuse to forgive others and will speak bad things. They will not control themselves. They will be cruel and will hate what is good. In the last days, people will turn against their friends. They will do foolish things without thinking. They will be conceited and proud. They will love pleasure. They will not love God. They will continue to act as if they serve God, but they will not really serve God. Stay away from those people.

JESUS ASKS YOU (LUKE 18:8),

WHEN I COME BACK,

WILL I FIND FAITH ON THE EARTH?

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

BELIEVE IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST!

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.

Acts 16:29-31 - Then he (the Philippian Jailer) called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, and brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?  And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved....

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 . . . . 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....

Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace (undeserved; unmerited; unearnable favor) are you saved through faith; and that (it is) not of yourselves (of your own doing):  it is the gift of God:  not of works, lest any man should boast.

TRUST IN HIM TODAY

WHILE THERE IS STILL TIME!

ONLY THE RIGHTEOUS CAN GO TO HEAVEN!

RIGHTEOUSNESS DEFINED:

GOD'S STANDARD OF HOLINESS; OF PERFECTION!

MANKIND'S PROBLEM:

Isaiah 64:6 - But we are ALL as an unclean thing, and ALL our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we ALL do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

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.

GOD OFFERS US HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS!

Job 33:26 - He shall pray unto God, and He will be favorable unto him:  and he shall see His face with joy:  for He will render unto man His righteousness.

Psalm 24:5 - He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

Isaiah 61:10 -  I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

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

Romans 3:20-22 - Therefore by the deeds of the Law (religious works) there shall no flesh be justified in His sight:  for by the Law is the knowledge of sin.  But now the righteousness of God without (apart from the works of) the Law is manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe....

2 Corinthians 5:21 - For He has made Him (Jesus) to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.

ACCEPTING JESUS BY FAITH IS THE KEY!

Romans 10:9-13 - 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 righteousness (and is declared by God to be righteous); and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  For the Scripture says, Whosoever believes in Him shall not be ashamed.  For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek (non-Jew; Gentile): for the same Lord over all is rich unto ALL that call upon Him.  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

GOD DOES NOT SEND PEOPLE TO HELL FOR SIN;

HE SENDS THEM THERE FOR REJECTING JESUS!

WE SHALL BE CAUGHT UP ABOVE GOD'S JUDGMENT BELOW!

ENOCH, NOAH, LOT, AND ELIJAH!

Genesis 5:23-24; Hebrews 11:5 - And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years:  And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. . . . By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him:  for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

Genesis 7:13, 16-18 - In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah's wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, into the ark . . . . and the LORD shut him in.  And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth.  And the waters prevailed, and were increased greatly upon the earth; and the ark went upon the face of the waters.

Genesis 19:17, 30 - And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed. . . . And Lot went up out of Zoar, and dwelt in the mountain, and his two daughters with him; for he feared to dwell in Zoar: and he dwelt in a cave, he and his two daughters.

2 Kings 2:1, 11 - And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. . . . And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

THE RAPTURE (CATCHING UP) OF THE CHURCH!

John 14:1-3 - Let not your heart be troubled:  you believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father's house are many mansions:  if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

1 Corinthians 15:50-54 - Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump:  for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.  So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 - But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that you 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 which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent (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 which 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.

Revelation 4:1 - After this I (John) 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:  Revelation is divided into three parts:  the past, the present, and the future (see Rev. 1:19).  Following John's vision of the present, the Church Age (Ch. 2-3), this verse uses the same phrase found in Rev. 1:19:  "things which shall be hereafter."  After Chapter Three, the Church is not mentioned in those chapters which describe the Tribulation, a.k.a. The Time of Jacob's Trouble, and Daniel's Seventieth Week; both revealing the focus of the Tribulation is upon Israel!

THE CHURCH IS NOT DREADING

THE HORRIBLE DAY OF THE LORD;

IT IS EAGERLY AWAITING THE RETURN

OF OUR BLESSED HOPE:  JESUS CHRIST!

RACISM IS SIN!

ALL OF US ARE OF ONE FAMILY! 

Genesis 1:26-27; 3:30 - And God said, Let us make man in Our image, after Our likeness:  and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.  So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them. . . . And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.

Acts 17:24, 26 - God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth, . . . and has made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth....

IF LOVE FULFILLS THE LAW; HATE BREAKS IT!

Matthew 22:36-40 - Master, which is the great 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 great commandment.  And the second is like unto it, You shall love your neighbor as 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 shall not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  Love workes no ill to his neighbor:  therefore love is the fulfilling of the Law.

Galatians 5:13-14 - For, brethren, you 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; You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

JUST AS ALL HUMANS ARE SINNERS;

ALL HUMANS TEND TO BE RACIST!

Romans 3:10, 23; 5:12 - As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one . . . . For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (short of God's standard of love). . . . 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.

SOME PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS!

As a teenager, in the early 1950's, I saw an estimated crowd of 5000 Whites gathered to drive a Black family out of my neighborhood, in Detroit, Michigan!

In 1960, I saw a "all Whites Dime Store" refuse service to Blacks in Norfolk, Virginia!

In 1963, I led a "walk out" of our Navy football team when a bar and grill refused to serve my friend Gary Seavers; it was in Patuxent River, Maryland!

In 1965, as they were being arrested, I called one of three Blacks who physically attacked me, a "Black...."  Even though I did not complete the racist cuss word, I immediately felt shame.

In 1989, I was the only White member of the Baptist Student Fellowship on Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; I joined because the group was known by the entire school, faculty, staff, and student body, as the "Black Student Fellowship!"  At one of our meetings for Bible study, I answered the door, only to be told by a Black student, "I must be in the wrong place!"  After assuring him he was in the right place, he entered and shook everyone's hand but mine; he repeated the disrespectful slight at the end of the meeting.  

RACISM IS EVIL; IT NOT ONLY HURTS OTHERS,

IT IS BASED UPON A FALSE SENSE OF SUPERIORITY!

IT IS TOTALLY INCONSISTENT WITH THE TEACHINGS

OF JESUS CHRIST, THE TRUE CHRISTIAN'S LORD!

ALL WILL BOW; IT IS WHEN THAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE!

ALL HAVE SINNED!

Romans 3:23; 5:12 - 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.

ALL NEED THE SAVIOR!

Romans 5:8-10 - God commended (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.

SALVATION IS OFFERED TO ALL AS A GIFT!

Romans 10:9-10 - 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 (and he is declared by God to be) righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

1 Corinthians 15:1-6 - Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel (the only message with the power of God to save - see Rom. 1:16) 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 by Cephas (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, but some are fallen asleep.

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

IT IS FAR BETTER TO BOW

BEFORE JESUS AS YOUR LORD,

THAN TO BE FORCED TO BOW

BEFORE HIM AS YOUR JUDGE!

THE SPIRIT'S ROLE IN A CHRISTIAN'S LIFE!

THE SPIRIT IN THE BORN AGAIN BELIEVER!

1.  HE IS GOD DWELLING IN US:

John 14:16-17 -  (Jesus said to His disciples) I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of truth; Whom the world cannot receive, because it sees Him not, neither knows Him:  but you know Him; for He dwells with you, and shall be in you.

Acts 5:3-4 - Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, 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.

1 John 5:4-7 - For whosoever is born of God overcomes the world:  and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith (we believe the Spirit of truth).  Who is he that overcomes the world, but he that believes that Jesus is the Son of God?  This is He that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood.  And it is the Spirit Who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth.  For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word (Jesus), and the Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit):  and these three are one.

2.  HE IS GOD, SEALING US AS HIS OWN:  

Ephesians 1:12-13 - That we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ.  In Whom you also trusted, after 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....

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

3.  HE IS GOD DIRECTING US FROM WITHIN:

Luke 12:11-12 - And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take no thought how or what thing you shall answer, or what you shall say:  for the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what you ought to say.

John 16:13 - Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth:  for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak:  and He will show you things to come.

Romans 8:11-14 - If the Spirit of Him Who raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwells in you.  Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.  For if you live after the flesh, you shall die:  but if you through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, you shall live.  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons (children) of God.

Philippians 2:12-13 - Wherefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out (live out; experience) your own salvation with fear and trembling.  For it is God Who works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.

JUST AS SALVATION IS A FREE GIFT

SO THAT NO MAN CAN BOAST,

THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER IS THE

OUT-WORKING OF THE SPIRIT, 

THAT ALL GLORY BE GOD'S ALONE!

THE SPIRIT'S ROLE IN SALVATION!

THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE NEW BIRTH!

John 3:1-8

       There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, who 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 and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.  
       Nicodemus said unto Him, How can a man be born when he is old?  Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
       Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a man be born of water (physical birth) and of the Spirit (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 is spirit.  Marvel not that I said unto you, You must be born again.  The wind blows where it listeth (wants to; desires), and you hear the sound thereof, but can not tell from where it comes, and where it goes:  so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

1 Peter 1:23-25 

Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which lives and abides forever.  For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass.  The grass withers, and the flower thereof falls away:  but the Word of the Lord endures forever.  And this is the Word which by the Gospel is preached unto you.

Romans 10:8-13, 17

But what does it say?  The Word is near you, even in your mouth, and in your heart:  that is, the Word of faith (the Gospel), which we preach; that IF you confess with your mouth (your faith in) the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.  For with the heart man believes unto righteousness;* and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  For the Scripture says, Whosoever believes in Him shall not be ashamed.  For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek (Gentile; non-Jew):  for the same Lord over all is rich** unto all who call upon Him.  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. . . . So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.

Notes:  * The believer is given Christ's righteousness - 2 Cor. 5:21.

             ** The Lord is rich in mercy, pardoning our sins - Eph. 4:32; 

                  He is rich in grace, adopting us as His children - Rom. 8:15.

JESUS DIED FOR OUR SINS,

HE WAS BURIED, AND 

HE ROSE AGAIN THE THIRD DAY,

ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES!

TRUST HIM AS LORD OF YOUR LIFE;

THANK HIM FOR BEING YOUR SAVIOR;

TELL HIS STORY TO EVERYONE!

ADOPTED BY GOD!

WE ARE CHILDREN OF GOD BY FAITH!

Romans 8:14-17 - For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the 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....

Galatians 3:23-26 - 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 schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.  For you are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 1:1-7 - Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which 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 has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:  according as He has chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love:  having 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.  In Whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.

1 John 3:1-3 - Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the children of God: therefore the world does not know us, because it did know Him.  Beloved, now are we the children of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be:  but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.  And every one that has this hope in him purifies himself, even as He is pure.

NOT BY RELIGIOUS WORKS!

John 6:28-29 - Then said they unto Him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?   Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that you believe on Him Whom He has sent.

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 3:5-7 - 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.

STOP TRYING AND START TRUSTING!

ISRAEL: THE KEY TO BIBLE PROPHECY

ISRAEL:  THE LAND OF PROMISE!

Genesis 12:1-3 - Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee:  and I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:  and I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

Genesis 13:14-17 - And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward:  for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.  And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth:  so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.  Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.

Genesis 15:7, 18 - And He said unto him, I AM THE LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it. . . . In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates....

Genesis 35:9-12 - And God appeared unto Jacob again, when he came out of Padan-aram, and blessed him.  And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob:  thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name:  and He called his name Israel.  And God said unto him, I AM GOD ALMIGHTY:  be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins; and the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land.

Genesis 50:24 - And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die:  and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which He swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

Exodus 6:2-8 - And God spoke unto Moses, and said unto him, I AM THE LORD:  and I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of GOD ALMIGHTY, but by My name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.  And I have also established My covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers.  And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered My covenant.  Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I AM THE LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:  and I will take you to Me for a people, and I will be your God:  and ye shall know that I AM THE LORD your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.  And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an heritage: I AM THE LORD.

MAY 14, 1948

WHO IS THIS JESUS THAT SAVES?

THE GOSPELS DECLARE

JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD!

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

Matthew 27:43, 54 - He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now, if He will have Him:  for He said, I am the Son of God. . . . Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

Mark 1:1 - The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God....

Mark 3:11 - And unclean spirits, when they saw Him, fell down before Him, and cried, saying, You are the Son of God.

Mark 15:39 - And when the centurion, which stood over against Him, saw that He so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.

Luke 1:35 - And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon you, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow you:  therefore also that Holy Child which shall be born of you shall be called the Son of God.

Luke 4:41 - And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, You are Christ the Son of God.  And He, rebuking them, did not allow them to speak:  for they knew that He was Christ.

John 1:34, 49 - And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. . . . Nathanael answered and said unto Him, Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel.

John 9:35, 38 - Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said unto him, Do you believe on the Son of God . . . . And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped Him.

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

John 11:4, 27 - When Jesus heard that, He said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. . . . She said unto Him, Yes, Lord:  I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, Who should come into the world.

John 19:7 - The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law He ought to die, because He made Himself the Son of God.

John 20:30-31 - 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.

Note:  See also Acts 8:37; 9:20; Romans 1:4; 2 Corinthians 1:19; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 4:13; Hebrews 4:14; 1 John 3:8; 4:15.

WHY IS THIS IDENTIFICATION

SUCH AN IMPORTANT FACT?

1 John 5:5, 10, 12-13, 20 - Who is he that overcomes the world, but he that believes that Jesus is the Son of God . . . . He that believes on the Son of God has the witness in himself:  he that believes not God has made Him a liar; because he does not believe the record that God gave of His Son. . . . He that has 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 (continue to) believe on the name of the Son of God. . . . And we know that the Son of God is come, and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ.  This is the true God, and eternal life.

THE GOD-LIKE ATTRIBUTE THAT IS POSSESSED BY THOSE WHO ARE BORN AGAIN!

1 JOHN 5:1-13

[My version based upon the KJV and the context.]

[1] Whomsoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God:  and every one that loves Him Who begot, loves them also who are begotten of Him.
[2] By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep His commandments (Love God; love thy neighbor - Mt. 22:26-30; Rom 13:8-10; Gal. 5:14).
[3] For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments:  and His commandments are not grievous.
[4] For whosoever is born of God overcomes the world:  and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.
[5] Who is he that overcomes the world, but he that believes that Jesus is the Son of God!
[6] This is He Who came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood.  And it is the Spirit Who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth.
[7] For there are three Who bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
[8] And there are three that bear witness on earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood:  and these three agree in one.
[9] If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater:  for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son.
[10] He who believes on the Son of God has the witness in himself:  he who does not believe God has called Him a liar; because he does not believe the record that God gave of His Son.
[11] And this is the record, that God has given (It is a undeserved gift) to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
[12] He who has faith in the Son has life; and he who does not have faith in the Son of God, does not have life.
[13] These things have I written unto you who believe on the name of the Son of God; that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you continue to believe on the name of the Son of God.

Note:  The love mentioned above is from the Greek word agape; unlike eros (sexual love), or phileo (brotherly love), agape does not require a response to be satisfied;  it is a love without a selfish motive;  it seeks only to bless others, even those who are undeserving.  It is the fruit of being indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22)!

PERHAPS THAT IS WHY JOHN SAID THAT KIND OF LOVE IS FOUND ONLY IN THOSE WHO ARE BORN AGAIN.  BELIEVE IN JESUS AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR AND YOU SHALL BE BORN AGAIN!

SIGNS FOR THE RAPTURE, AND FOR THE SECOND COMING!

SIGNS TO THE CHURCH THE RAPTURE IS APPROACHING!

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

References for the Rapture of the Church are many, including John 14:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; and the fact the Church is not mentioned during the Tribulation chapters of  the Book of Revelation (Chapters 6-18).

SIGNS TO ISRAEL THE SECOND COMING IS APPROACHING!

Note the clues that the Tribulation is for the Jews!

Matthew 24:3-31 - And as He sat upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples came unto Him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be?  And what shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.  For many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.  And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars:  see that ye be not troubled:  for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.  For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:  and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.  All these are the beginning of sorrows.  Then shall they deliver you up (to the synagogues - see Mk. 13:9; Lk. 21:12) to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for My name's sake.  And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.  And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.  And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.  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.

When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet (Dan. 9:24-27), stand in the holy place, (whosoever reads this, let him understand):  then let those who are in Judaea flee into the mountains:  let him who is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house:  neither let him who is in the field return back to take his clothes.  And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!  But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day:  for then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.  And except those days should be shortened (limited), there should no flesh be saved:  but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.  Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.  For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.  Behold, I have told you before.  Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, He is in the desert; go not forth:  behold, He is in the secret chambers; believe it not.  For as the lightning comes out of the east, and shines even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be.  For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

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 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.

FOR A MORE DETAILED LIST OF DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE RAPTURE AND THE SECOND COMING, SEE http://middletownbiblechurch.org/proph/rapt2com.htm

DO YOU WANT TO MISS THE TRIBULATION?

THEN TRUST JESUS AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR!

GOD KNOWS: HE KEEPS EXCELLENT RECORDS!

GOD IS OMNISCIENT; HE KNOWS ALL:

THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE!

Isaiah 46:9-10 - Remember the former things of old:  for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure....

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 8:28-30 - 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.

1 Peter 1:1-5 - Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ:  Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

THE BOOK OF LIFE:  WRITTEN BY GOD

BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD!

Revelation 3:4-6 - You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white:  for they are worthy.  He that overcomes,* the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches. 

*Note:  We overcome by believing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (1 John 5:5).

Revelation 13:8-9 - 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.  If any man has an ear, let him hear.

Revelation 17:8 - The beast that you saw was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition:  and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

Revelation 20:11-15 - And I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it, from Whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books* were opened:  and another book was opened, which is the Book of Life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire.  This is the second death.  And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

*Note:  I believe the "books" may very well be the biographies of those being judged; all will show that they have sinned, and have need of faith in the Savior.  The Book of Life, in my opinion, is a list written before the foundation of the world, by God, of the names of all those who had been given life (INCLUDING THOSE ABORTED); the names which have been removed were not removed by sin, or the book would be blank; I believe those names which were removed, are those who rejected the conviction by the Holy Spirit that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and Savior of all who accept Him (the blasphemy of the Holy Ghost - the unpardonable sin of Matthew 12:22-32).

JESUS DIED FOR YOUR SINS!

EVEN THOUGH GOD KNOWS

WHAT YOU WILL DO, YOU NEED

TO ACKNOWLEDGE JESUS

AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR!

WORSHIP AND SERVE THE LORD!

WORSHIP AND SERVE YOUR LORD!

Matthew 4:10 - Then said Jesus unto him, Get thee hence,* Satan:  for it is written, You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve.

*Note:  Get thee hence (see Mt. 16:23 and Lk. 4:8 which read "Get thee behind Me" - all three are from the Greek hypago meaning "you go away!" or in today's vernacular, "Get out of My face!")

Matthew 6:24 - No man can serve two masters:  for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.  You cannot serve God and mammon.*

*Note:  "Mammon" (Greek mamonas meaning "riches").  Here, the Lord contrasted the love of God versus the love of riches; He could just as well have used anyone or anything to make His point:  God alone is your Lord, or He is not!

EVEN THE HEATHEN SHOULD KNOW

WORSHIP AND SERVICE GO TOGETHER!

Deuteronomy 4:16-19 - Lest you corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female, the likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flies in the air, the likeness of any thing that creeps on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth:  and lest you lift up your eyes unto heaven, and when you see the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, should be driven to worship and serve them, which the LORD God has divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.

Deuteronomy 8:19 - And it shall be, if you do at all forget the LORD God, and walk after other gods, and serve and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish.

Note:  See also Deuteronomy 11:16; 17:3; 29:26; 30:17; etc.

Romans 1:24-25 - 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.

CHRISTIANS ARE NOT SAVED BY EITHER

WORSHIP OR WORKS:  IT IS BY FAITH;

BUT WE ARE SAVED TO SERVE GOD!

Ephesians 2:8-10 - For by grace (God's unearnable; unmeritable favor) 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.

Titus 2:11-14 - For the grace of God that brings salvation has 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; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

MARTHA LISTENED WHILE SHE WORKED!

MARTHA WAS WORKING; MARY WAS WORSHIPING! 

Luke 10:38-42 - Now it came to pass, as they went, that He entered into a certain village (Bethany):  and a certain woman named Martha received Him into her house.  And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard His Word.  But Martha was cumbered about (stressed; distracted by) much serving, and came to Him, and said, Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?  Bid her therefore that she help me.  And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, you are careful (full of care; anxious) and troubled about many things:  but one thing is needful (one thing has priority):  and Mary has chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

MARTHA'S FAITH APPEARS TO BE GREATER THAN MARY'S!

John 11:1-45 - Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.  It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair (see Jn. 12:3) whose brother Lazarus was sick.  Therefore his sisters sent unto Him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.  When Jesus heard that, He said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.  Now Jesus loved Martha (note she is listed first), and her sister, and Lazarus.  When He had heard therefore that he was sick, He abode two days still in the same place where He was.  Then after that He said to His disciples, Let us go into Judaea again.  His disciples said unto Him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone You; and You still intend to go there?  Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day?  If any man walk in the day, he stumbles not, because he sees the light of this world.  But if a man walk in the night, he stumbles, because there is no light in him.  These things said He:  and after that He said unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleeps; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.  Then said His disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.  Howbeit Jesus spoke of his death:  but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.  Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.  And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent you may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.  Then said Thomas, who is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with Him. 

Then when Jesus came, He found that he had lain in the grave four days already.  Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off (9000 feet; 1.7 miles) and many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary (Martha again listed first), to comfort them concerning their brother.  Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him:  but Mary sat still in the house.  Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.  But I know, that even now, whatsoever You will ask of God, God will give it to You (this statement of faith will not be made later by Mary).  Jesus said unto her, Your brother shall rise again.  Martha said unto Him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day (a second statement of faith unique to Martha).  Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life:  he that believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:  and whosoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?  She said unto Him, Yes, Lord:  I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, Who should come into the world (a third unique statement by Martha).

And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calls for you.  As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto Him.  Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met Him.  The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goes unto the grave to weep there.  Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying unto Him, Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.  When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, He groaned in His Spirit, and was troubled, and said, Where have you laid him?  They said unto Him, Lord, come and see.  Jesus wept (was He grieving that Lazarus had died, or was He grieving because only Martha had understood Who He was?).  Then said the Jews, Behold how He loved him!  And some of them said, Could not this man, Who opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?  Jesus therefore again groaning in Himself (note it is the same response he had when He wept) came to the grave.  It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.  Jesus said, Take away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, said unto Him, Lord, by this time he stinks:  for he has been dead four days.  Jesus said unto her, Said I not unto you, that, if you would believe, you should see the glory of God?  Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid.  And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.  And I knew that You hear Me always:  but because of the people who stand by I said it, that they may believe that You have sent Me.  And when He thus had spoken, He cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.  And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes:  and his face was bound about with a napkin.  Jesus said unto them, Loose him, and let him go.  Then many of the Jews who came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on Him.

MARTHA BELIEVED!

MARY BELIEVED!

LAZARUS BELIEVED!

THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION:

DO YOU BELIEVE IN THE SON OF GOD?

THE FAITH THAT SAVES LOST SOULS!

THE TEST TO PROVE THE FAITH OF ABRAHAM

Genesis 22:1-14

[1] And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt (Hebrew nacah meaning to test to assay, to prove) Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham:  and he said, Behold, here I am.
[2] And He said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains (Mount Moriah is also known as Mount Zion, the very mountain on which the City of Jerusalem, the Jewish Temple, and the infamous Golgotha stood) which I will tell thee of.
[3] And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.
[4] Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.
[5-6] And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you (a statement of pure faith), and Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together.
[7] And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father:  and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood:  but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?
[8] And Abraham said, My son, God will provide Himself a lamb (Abraham's second statement of faith) for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.
[9] And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.
[10] And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son (Abraham's third demonstration of faith).
[11] And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham:  and he said, Here am I.
[12] And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him:  for now I know (God always knew, but that angels, man, and Abraham would know) that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from Me (many recognize the angel of the LORD as the pre-incarnate Son of God).
[13] And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns:  and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.
[14] And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh (Hebrew Jehovahjireh meaning Jehovah will see):  as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.

ABRAHAM PROVED TO BE A MAN OF FAITH

Romans 4:3 - For what saith the Scripture?  Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

Galatians 3:6 - Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

James 2:23 - And the Scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness:  and he was called the Friend of God.

THE SAME IS TRUE FOR YOU TODAY

Romans 10:8-13

[8-9] But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
[10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
[11] For the Scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed.
[12] For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek:  for the same Lord over all is rich [in mercy:  not getting what one deserves (having our sins pardoned); and in grace:  getting freely what one does not deserve (salvation and our adoption as God's child)] unto all that call upon Him.
[13] For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

JESUS IS LORD!

A TREE TO LIVE, AND A TREE TO LIVE ETERNALLY!

    THE TREE OF LIFE!

Genesis 2:8-9 - And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there He put the man whom He had formed.  And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the Tree of Life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

Genesis 3:22-24 - And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil:  and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the Tree of Life, and eat, and live forever:  therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, (where He had placed him) to till the ground from where he was taken.  So He drove out the man; and He placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep (guard) the way of the Tree of Life.

Proverbs 3:13, 18 - Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man that gets understanding. . . . She is a Tree of Life to them that lay hold upon her:  and happy is every one that retains her.

Proverbs 11:30 - The fruit of the righteous is a Tree of Life; and he that wins souls is wise.

Proverbs 13:12 - Hope deferred makes the heart sick:  but when the desire comes, it is a Tree of Life.

Proverbs 15:4 - A wholesome tongue is a Tree of Life:  but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

Revelation 2:7 - He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches; To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the Tree of Life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Revelation 22:2, 14 - In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the Tree of Life, which bore twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month:  and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. . . . Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the Tree of Life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

THE TREE OF ETERNAL LIFE!

Acts 5:30-32 - The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, Whom you slew and hanged on a tree.  Him has God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.  And we are His witnesses of these things....

Acts 10:39-41 - And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; Whom they slew and hanged on a tree:  Him God raised up the third day, and showed Him openly; not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with Him after He rose from the dead.

Acts 13:29-31 - And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took Him down from the tree, and laid Him in a sepulcher.  But God raised Him from the dead:  and He was seen many days of them which came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses unto the people.

Galatians 3:13-14 - Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the Law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree:  that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

1 Peter 2:24 - Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness:  by Whose stripes you were healed.

IT WAS ON A TREE THE LORD JESUS DIED;

A CROSS WHERE OUR SINS WERE NAILED;

BY FAITH IN HIM WHOM HIS FATHER RAISED,

WE RECEIVE THE GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE!