THE RAPTURE AND THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST!

THE RAPTURE (CAUGHT UP TO CHRIST)!

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 - Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither dos corruption inherit incorruption.  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 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.

CHRIST'S SECOND COMING!

Matthew 24:29-30 - 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.

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 treaded the winepress 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.

* Note:  He shall rule and reign on earth for 1000 years (see Rev. 20:1-7).

A BIBLICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT INSANITY!

TODAY'S CHAOS AND LAWLESSNESS EXPLAINED!

Romans 1:21-32 [Before the Rapture]

[21] Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
[22] Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
[23] And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
[24] Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
[25] Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
[26] For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
[27] And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
[28] And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
[29] Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
[30] Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
[31] Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
[32] Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-11 [Before and after the Rapture]

[1] Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
[2] That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
[3] Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
[4] Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
[5] Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
[6] And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
[7] For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
[8] And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
[9] Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
[10] And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
[11] And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
[12] That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

SALVATION: BELIEVE IT OR NOT!

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

Hint:  The King James Version of the New Testament uses some form of the word "believe" two hundred sixty-nine times!  Here are just a few significant examples from the Gospel of John:

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

John 3:14-16 - And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up (crucified):  that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.  For God so loved the world, that He gave (sacrificed) His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 5:24 - Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that hears My Word, and believes on Him that sent Me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

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.

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 in the Son of God?  He answered and said, Who is He, Lord, that I might believe in Him?  And Jesus said unto him, You have both seen Him, and it is He that talks with you.  And he said, Lord, I believe.  And he worshipped Him.

John 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.

Here are a few of the many other examples:

Acts 16:29-31 - Then he (the head 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 in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved....

Romans 1:16 - For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ:  for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek (non-Jew; Gentile).

1 Corinthians 1:20-21 - Where is the wise?  Where is the scribe?  Where is the disputer of this world?  Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?  For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

Ephesians 1:13 - 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....

In summary:

Ephesians 2:7-10 - That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.  For by grace are 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.

FEAR NOT!

WORDS OF COMFORT TO THE BELIEVER!

John 3:16-18 - 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 (faith in) Him might be saved.  He that believes in Him is not condemned:  but he that does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the Only Begotten Son of God.

John 14:1-6 - Let not your heart be troubled:  you believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father's house are many mansions (dwelling places; eternal homes):  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.  And where I am going you know, and the way you know.  Thomas said unto Him, Lord, we do not know where you are going; and how can we know the way?  Jesus said unto him, I AM the way, I AM the truth, and I AM the life:  no man comes unto the Father, but by (faith in) Me.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 - But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have died, that you sorrow not, even as others who have no hope.  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so those also who died believing in Jesus will God bring with Him.  For this we say unto you by the Word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not precede* those believers who have died.  For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God:  and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air:  and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

* Note:  The order of the Resurrection is found in 1 Corinthians 15:17-23.

MY PRAYER OF "I HAVE HAD ENOUGHT!"

MY PRAYER TODAY!

2 Corinthians 5:1-8

[1] For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
[2] For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
[3] If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
[4] For we who are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened:  not that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
[5] Now He Who has wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, Who also has given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
[6] Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
[7] For we walk by faith, not by sight:
[8] We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

COME LORD JESUS!

WANT TO KNOW WHAT GOD LOOKS LIKE?

NO MAN HAS SEEN THE FATHER!

John 1:18 - No man hath seen God at any time....  

1 John 4:12 - No man hath seen God at any time....

HIS DISCIPLES SAID, SHOW US THE FATHER!

John 14:1-9 - Let not your heart be troubled:  ye believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father's house are many mansions:  if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.  And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.  Thomas saith unto Him, Lord, we know not whither Thou goest; and how can we know the way?  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.  If ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also:  and from henceforth ye know Him, and have seen Him.  Philip saith unto Him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.  Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known Me, Philip?  He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?

IF YOU HAVE SEEN ME, YOU HAVE SEEN THE FATHER!

John 1:18 - No man hath seen God at any time; the Only Begotten Son, Who is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him.

John 10:30 - I and My Father are One.

John 17:22 - And the glory which Thou gavest Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as We are One....

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

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

1 John 5:7 - For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost:  and These Three are One.

IF YOU HAVE SEEN JESUS, YOU HAVE SEEN GOD!

LOOK AROUND: SEE THE BIBLE BEING LIVED OUT BEFORE YOUR EYES!

2 TIMOTHY 3:1-13 - A WARNING FOR TODAY!

[1] This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
[2] For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
[3] Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent (lacking self-control), fierce, despisers of those that are good,
[4] Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
[5] Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:  from such turn away.
[6] For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
[7] Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
[8] Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
[9] But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.
[10] But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
[11] Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
[12] Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
[13] But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

2 TIMOTHY 3:14-17 - A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT!

[14] But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
[15] And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
[16] All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
[17] That the man (child) of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

LOOK UP; OUR REDEEMER DRAWETH NIGH!

JESUS IS TO BE OBEYED!

JESUS CHOOSES TWELVE DISCIPLES TO BE APOSTLES!

Disciple defined:  one who, as a student, submits to the authority of a teacher.
       Matthew 23:8 - But be not called Rabbi:  for One is your Master, even Christ; and all you are brethren.
       John 3:2 - 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.

Apostle defined:  one who, as an ambassador, serves as a messenger.
       Luke 9:1-2, 10 - Then He called His twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.  And He sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. . . . And the apostles, when they were returned, told Him all that they had done.  And He took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida.
       2 Corinthians 5:20 - Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

THE TWELVE!

Matthew 10:1-4 - And when He had called unto Him His twelve disciples, He gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.  Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.

Mark 3:13-19 - And He went up into a mountain, and called unto Him whom He would:  and they came unto Him.  And He ordained twelve, that they should be with Him, and that He might send them forth to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:  and Simon He surnamed Peter; and James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and He surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:  and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him:  and they went into an house.

Luke 6:12-16 - And it came to pass in those days, that He (Jesus) went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.  And when it was day, He called unto Him His disciples:  and of them He chose twelve, whom also He named apostles; Simon, (whom He also named Peter), and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes (the zealot), and Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, who also was the traitor.

REVELATION SAYS THERE ARE ONLY TWELVE!

Revelation 21:14 - And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

WHO WAS CHRIST'S CHOICE TO REPLACE JUDAS?

Acts 26:13-19 - At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.  And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?  It is hard for you to kick against the pricks.  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 which I will show unto you; delivering you from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send you, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith that is in Me.

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

2 Peter 3:15-16 - And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him has written unto you; as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other Scriptures, unto their own destruction.

WHAT ABOUT MATTHIAS?

Peter, being Peter, instead of waiting in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit to anoint them for service, decided to hold a "business meeting" and "toss the dice" to pick Judas' replacement (Acts 1:1-26)!  They picked Matthias, who is not mentioned anywhere else in the Bible.  Jesus chose Saul/Paul and he wrote half of the New Testament!  

THE MORAL OF THE STORY:

SIT DOWN, SHUT UP, AND

WAIT UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD

WHAT TO DO BY OUR LORD!

JOHN: EYE WITNESS FOR JESUS!

JOHN'S DESCRIPTION OF JESUS!

CREATOR!

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.  He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.  But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons (children) of God, even to them that believe on His name:  who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.  And 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.

WORKER OF MIRACLES!

John 2:1-11 - And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:  and both Jesus was called, and His disciples, to the marriage.  And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus said unto Him, They have no wine.  Jesus said unto her, Woman, what have I to do with you?  My hour is not yet come.  His mother said unto the servants, Whatsoever He says unto you, do it.  And there were set there six water pots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins (80 - 120 liters) apiece.  Jesus said unto them, Fill the water pots with water.  And they filled them up to the brim.  And He said unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast.  And they bare it.  When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not from where it came:  but the servants which drew the water knew; the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, and said unto him, Every man at the beginning does set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse:  but you have kept the good wine until now.  This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth His glory; and His disciples believed on Him.

THE SON OF GOD, SAVIOR OF BELIEVERS!

John 3:14-18 - And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up (crucified):  that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.  For God so loved the world, that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through (faith in) Him might be saved.  He that believes on Him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the Only Begotten Son of God.

RESURRECTED LORD AND GOD!

John 20:26-29 - 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 said He to Thomas, reach here your finger, and behold My hands; and reach here 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.  Jesus said unto him, Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed:  blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

JOHN HAS GIVEN US HIS WORD!

John 20:30-31; 21:25 - 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. . . . And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written.  Amen.

A BELIEVER'S THOUGHTS!

THINK NOT . . . !

Matthew 5:17 - Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets:  I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

Matthew 6:7 - But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do:  for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Matthew 10:34 - Think not that I am come to send peace on earth:  I came not to send peace, but a sword.

Matthew 24:44 - Therefore be ye also ready:  for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man cometh.

Matthew 26:53 - Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He shall presently give Me more than twelve legions of angels?

Luke 12:40 - Be ye therefore ready also:  for the Son of Man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

Acts 17:29 - Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.

1 Corinthians 8:2 - And if any man think that he knoweth anything, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

THINK THUSLY . . . !

Romans 12:1-3 - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  And be not conformed to this world:  but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

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.

Philippians 4:4-8 - Rejoice in the Lord always:  and again I say, Rejoice.  Let your moderation be known unto all men.  The Lord is at hand.  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

WARNING:  JUDGMENT IS COMING!

Hebrews 4:12 - For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Revelation 20:12, 15 - 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 whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

THANKS TO JESUS, I'M JUST PASSIN' THROUGH!

THIS WORLD IS NOT MY HOME!

John 12:25 - He that loves his life shall lose it; and he that hates his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

Romans 12:1-2 - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

2 Corinthians 5:1-8 - For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.  For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:  if so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.  For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened:  not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.  Now He Who has wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, Who also has given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.  Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord (For we walk by faith, not by sight):  we are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

I LONG FOR JESUS TO COME GET ME!

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 15:50-55 - Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither does corruption inherit incorruption.  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.  O death, where is your sting?  O grave, where is your victory?

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 - But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who are asleep, that you sorrow not, even as others who have no hope.  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so those also who sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.  For this we say unto you by the Word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not precede those who are asleep.  For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God:  and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air:  and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.  

Romans 8:18 - 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.

  

BECOMING A CHILD OF GOD!

BECAUSE WE HAVE PEACE WITH GOD

THROUGH FAITH IN THE GOSPEL, WE

ARE THE CHILDREN OF GOD!

Matthew 5:9 - Blessed are the peacemakers:  for they shall be called the children of God.

Romans 5:1-2 - Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:  by Whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

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 of Cephas (by Peter), then of the twelve (actually the eleven remaining apostles):  after that, He was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

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

1 John 3:1-2 - Behold, what manner of love the (our) Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons (children) of God:  therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.  Beloved, now are we the sons (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.

TIME IS RUNNING OUT; 

COME TO THE FATHER

BY FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST!

JESUS WAS, IS, AND ALWAYS WILL BE GOD!

GOD:  THE ETERNAL I AM!

Definition:  "Eternal" means without beginning or ending; existing always.

Deuteronomy 33:27 - The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms:  and He shall thrust out the enemy from before you; and shall say, Destroy them.

Romans 1:20 - For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.

1 Timothy 1:17 - Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever.  Amen.

Exodus 3:13-15 - And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers has sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is His name?  What shall I say unto them?  And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT* I AM:  and He said, Thus shall you say unto the children of Israel, I AM has sent me unto you.  And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shall you say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me unto you:  this is My name forever, and this is My memorial unto all generations.

Note: * "THAT" is not in the original Hebrew texts.  

JESUS REFERRED TO HIMSELF AS THE I AM;

TAKE NOTE OF THE REACTION OF THE CROWD!

John 8:56-59 - Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day:  and he saw it, and was glad.  Then said the Jews unto Him, You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?  Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I AM.  Then took they up stones to cast at Him:  but Jesus hid Himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

John 18:3-8 - Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns and torches and weapons.  Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon Him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom do you seek?  They answered Him, Jesus of Nazareth.  Jesus said unto them, I AM he.* And Judas also, who betrayed Him, stood with them.  As soon then as He had said unto them, I AM he,* they went backward, and fell to the ground.  Then He asked them again, Whom do you seek?  And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.  Jesus answered, I have told you that I AM he:* if therefore you seek Me, let these go their way.

Note * "He" is not in the Greek texts.

ACCORDING TO JESUS, YOU NEED TO TRUST HIM!

John 8:21, 24 - Then said Jesus again unto them, I go My way, and you shall seek Me, and shall die in your sins:  for where I am going, you cannot come. . . . I said therefore unto you, that you shall die in your sins:  for if you believe not that I AM he,* you shall die in your sins.

John 14:6 (my version) - Jesus said unto him, I AM the way, I AM the truth, and I AM the life: no one can come unto the Father, but by Me.

TIME IS SHORT, AND YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

PRAY WHATEVER YOU WILL; THE END IS SET IN STONE!

A BRIEF CHRONOLOGY OF 

THE BOOK OF REVELATION!

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

Notes:  "have seen" = Ch. 1; "which are" = Ch. 2-3 - The Church Age; "hereafter" - Ch. 4-22 - The Church has been Raptured; John being called to "come up here" in Revelation 4:1 is a picture of the fulfillment of John 14:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:50-54; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 3:10.

THE THINGS WHICH SHALL BE HEREAFTER!

Chapters 4-5 - Activity in Heaven.

Chapter 6-11 - The First Half of the Tribulation (Also known as The Time of Jacob's Trouble -                Jeremiah 30:7; Daniel's Seventieth Week - Daniel 9:24-27).

Notes:  Daniel 9:27 declares the period to be seven years in length.  Midway through (3 1/2          years - "a time, times, and a half time" - Daniel 7:25; 12:7; Revelation 12:14; 1260 days - Revelation 11:3; 12:6; Forty-two months - Revelation 11:2; 13:5; "the prince" - Daniel 9:26; a.k.a."Antichrist" - 1 John 2:18; the first "Beast" - Revelation 13:1 breaks the covenant.  The second half of the Tribulation, known as the Great Tribulation - Matthew 24:21; will be of identical length.

Chapter 12 - Activity in Heaven.

Chapters 13-18 - The Second half of the Tribulation.

Chapter 19 - The Second Coming of Christ.

Chapter 20 - Christ's 1000 year Millennial Kingdom and the Great White Throne Judgment.

Chapters 21-22 - Eternity!

BOTTOM LINE:  

JESUS CAME TO DIE FOR OUR SINS, 

BUT GOD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD;

HE IS COMING BACK FOR US WHO TRUST HIM, 

AND TO DEAL WITH THOSE WHO REFUSE!  

TIME IS SHORT; YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

PRAYING AGAINST GOD'S WILL IS SATANIC!

PETER WENT FROM BEING LED OF THE FATHER

TO BEING LED BY SATAN IN ONLY SEVEN VERSES!

MATTHEW 16:
[13] When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?
[14] And they said, Some say that You are John the Baptist:  some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
[15] He said unto them, But whom say you that I am?
[16] And Simon Peter answered and said, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.
[17] And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed are you, Simon Barjona:  for flesh and blood has not revealed it unto you, but My Father Who is in heaven.
[18] And I say also unto you, That you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
[19] And I will give unto you the keys of the kingdom of heaven:  and whatsoever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven:  and whatsoever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
[20] Then charged He His disciples that they should tell no man that He was Jesus the Christ.
[21] From that time forth began Jesus to show unto His disciples, how that He must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
[22] Then Peter took Him, and began to rebuke Him, saying, Be it far from You, Lord:  this shall not be unto You.
[23] But He turned, and said unto Peter, Get behind Me, Satan:  you are an offence unto Me: for you savor not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

PROPHETIC EVENTS THAT WILL COME:

DO NOT  PRAY THEY WILL NOT!

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 Thessalonians 4:16-18 - For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God:  and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air:  and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

THE SEVEN-YEAR TRIBULATION!

Daniel 9:24-27 - Seventy weeks (sevens; weeks of years) are determined upon thy people (Israel) and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.  Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the command to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks:  the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.  And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for Himself:  and the people of the prince that shall come (Romans) shall destroy the city and the sanctuary (A.D. 70); and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.  And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

Note:  See also Jeremiah 30:7; Matthew 24:3-28; Revelation Ch. 6-18.

CHRIST'S SECOND COMING:  HIS KINGDOM COME!

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 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.

1 Corinthians 16:22 - "Maranatha" (Greek for "the Lord is coming").

Note:  See also Revelation Ch. 19-20.

Revelation 22:20 - He Who testifies these things (Jesus) says, Surely I come quickly.  Amen.  Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

REASONS FOR UNANSWERED PRAYER!

SATAN IS THE FATHER OF THE WICKED!

Matthew 13:19, 38-39 - 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. . . . The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; the enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.

GOD DOES NOT HEAR THE PRAYERS OF THE WICKED!

Proverbs 15:8, 29 - The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD:  but the prayer of the upright is His delight. . . . The LORD is far from the wicked:  but He hears the prayer of the righteous.

John 9:31 - Now we know that God hears not sinners:  but if any man be a worshipper of God, and does His will, him He hears.

PRAYER IS TO BE FOR "GOD'S EARS ONLY!"

Matthew 6:5-8 - And when you pray, you shall not do as the hypocrites do:  for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men.  Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.  But you, when you pray, enter into your closet, and when you have shut the door, pray to your Father Who is in secret; and your Father Who sees in secret shall reward you openly.  But when you pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do:  for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.  Be not therefore like unto them:  for your Father knows what things you have need of, before you ask Him.  

PRAYER MUST BE ACCORDING TO GOD'S WILL!

Matthew 6:9-13 - After this manner therefore pray:  Our Father Who are in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.  Your kingdom come.  Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:  For Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.  Amen.

Matthew 26:39, 42, 44 - And He went a little further, and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me:  nevertheless not as I will, but as You will. . . . He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O My Father, if this cup may not pass away from Me, except I drink it, Your will be done. . . . And He left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

GOD HAS PROVIDED FOR US EVEN WHEN

WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO PRAY!

Isaiah 55:8-9 - For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the LORD.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.

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

TRUST GOD WHO GAVE HIS SON FOR US!

LET YOUR REQUESTS BE AS HE WILLS!

COUNT ON GOD TO KNOW WHAT'S BEST!

HAVE NO FELLOWSHIP WITH THE WORKERS OF INIQUITY!

Separation is commanded of God.

Study: 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 (compare Deuteronomy 22:9-11, God hates mixture!); Revelation 18:4.

When an ox and a donkey are yoked up together they are involved with the same work. They are “on the same team,” laboring together for common goals and objectives. Believers are not to work together in co-operation with unbelievers. See the example in Ezra 4:1-5. The Lord Jesus never enlisted unbelievers to carry out the work of God. The football player would never think of giving the ball to a member of the opposite team!

Other passages which demand separation from false teachers and from religious apostasy are as follows:

1.         AVOID THEM (Romans 16:17).

2.         REJECT (Titus 3:10).

3.         RECEIVE HIM NOT (2 John 10).

4.         FROM SUCH TURN AWAY (2 Timothy 3:5).

[Compare 2 Timothy 3:5 with Romans 1:16 and 1 Corinthians 1:24. It involves a denial of the Gospel.]

5.         LET HIM BE ACCURSED (Galatians 1:8-9).

THE SEVEN THOUSAND YEAR HISTORY OF HUMANITY!

THE SEVEN THOUSAND YEAR

HISTORY OF HUMANITY!

According to many conservative Bible teachers (and at least one fool - me), the Bible reveals that Creation of mankind occurred approximately four thousand years before Christ.  I remember that soon after I came to faith in Jesus, I called my dad and told him of my "second birthday."  Without hesitation, he had asked me the following question:  "If the world is only a few thousand years old, how does the light from stars already reach us?"  Being ignorant of such things, somehow, without hesitation, I responded, "Perhaps the God Who created the universe, created the light beams at the same time."  Today, not being any wiser or more enlightened (pun intended), I still believe the same answer is true for the age of the earth.  After all, Adam and Eve were created as adults, chickens came before eggs, and we have discovered that fossils can form within a very short time following being "vacuum-packed" in mud. 

According to Bishop James Ussher (1581 - 1656), Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland from 1625 - 1656, who became Professor of Theology in Dublin in 1621; the Bible reveals, through the ages given, that Adam was created in approximately 4000 B.C.  Ironically, the twentieth generation, Abram (Abraham), was born approximately 2000 B.C.  That means, for the first 2000 years of Creation, the world was populated by Gentiles (non-Jews).  From Abraham to the birth of Jesus, Who is the Christ of the Jews, was also approximately 2000 years!  Today, the Church, which was established approximately 2000 years ago, eagerly awaits the return of our Blessed Hope, Jesus; for He promised to go prepare a place for us, and that He would return to receive us up into heaven.  Read the Word of the Lord:

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 Thessalonians 4:16-18 - For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God:  and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air:  and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 

Titus 2:11-14 - For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to (for) 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.

ONE THOUSAND YEARS

REMAIN TO BE FULFILLED!

Following the removal of the Church, there will be seven years of horrible tribulation on this planet (Daniel 9:27; Jeremiah 30:7; Matthew 24:3-28; Revelation Ch. 6 - 18).  Then, Christ will return as KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS (Revelation Ch. 19), and will rule His 1000 year Millennial Kingdom!  THEN!  Time will be no more and eternity will begin with a New Heaven and New Earth (Revelation Ch. 20 - 22).  GLORY TO GOD AND HIS CHRIST FOREVER!

READY OR NOT,

JESUS IS COMING BACK SOON!

DISPENSATIONS: RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF GOD!

THE FAITHFUL BELIEVER'S JOB DESCRIPTION!

STUDY GOD'S WORD AND APPLY IT TO YOUR LIFE!

2 Timothy 2:15 (My Translation) - Study to show yourself pleasing unto God, a servant of the Lord that need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.

A PERFECT BIBLICAL EXAMPLE!

Ezra 7:10 (My Translation) - For Ezra prepared his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach it in all of Israel.

DISPENSATIONS:  RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF GOD!

The Scriptures, when interpreted in their natural, literal sense, reveal divinely determined dispensations, or rules of life, which define God's will in successive ages.  These dispensations are not ways of salvation, but rather divinely ordered stewardships by which God directs man.

Note carefully that each dispensation ends in man's failure to obey God's will.  After disciplining His children, the Lord gives new instructions to begin a new dispensation.  Examples of this can be seen in His dealing with these individuals, whom, by the Grace of God, were allowed to begin a new age.  Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and the Apostles, all lived at the time of a transition.  Adam went from innocence to having a conscience (Genesis 3).  Noah clearly went from the end of one dispensation, to the new beginning of another (Genesis 9).  Abraham was the first of God's chosen people (Genesis 12).  Moses was chosen to give the Law to Israel (Exodus 20).  And the Apostles were chosen to build the Lord's Church (Acts 2).  The last dispensation will be the 1000 year Millennial Kingdom of the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus at His Second Coming (Revelation 19)!

THE GREATEST MISTAKE OF BIBLE STUDENTS!

While all Scripture is given by the inspiration of God, and is profitable to us for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16), all Scripture does not necessarily apply to our situation.  For instance, God does not want us to take our first born child and offer it on an alter of sacrifice.  God does not want us to build an ark.  God does not want us to till the Garden of Eden.  God does not want us to withhold medical treatment for our child because we have prayed and asked Him to send a prophet or an apostle to heal him (I am not saying that He might not direct you to do this, but that unless He does, don't)!  And finally, in spite of what fanatical false leaders may say, He does not want you to build a colony in a jungle and poison all your followers!

God wants you to study His Word, and when you feel led to do something, even if it is for His glory, stop and test the spirits (1 John 4:1).  We are to be like the Bereans, who, listened to Paul's preaching with open hearts, but still went home and compared what he taught with the Word of God (Acts 17:11).   

REMEMBER:  STUDY, DO, AND SHARE WITH OTHERS!

JESUS OFFERS TO TRADE US PLACES!

ALL WHO SIN MUST DIE!

Ezekiel 18:4, 20 - Behold, all souls are Mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is Mine:  the soul that sins, it shall die. . . . The soul that sins, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son....

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....

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

1 Corinthians 15:22 - ...in Adam all die....

ONE WHO DID NOT SIN, DIED FOR US!

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

Hebrews 4:15 - For we have not a high priest (Jesus) which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

BY FAITH IN HIM, WE HAVE LIFE!

Ephesians 2:1, 5, 8 - And you has He quickened (made alive), who were dead in trespasses and sins . . . . Even when we were dead in sins, has quickened (made alive) us together with Christ . . . . For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:  it is the gift of God....

Colossians 2:13 - And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, has He quickened (made alive) together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses....

THIS WORLD IS MADE UP OF TWO FAMILIES!

THE CHILDREN OF GOD

Matthew 5:9; Romans 5:1 - Blessed are the peacemakers:  for they shall be called the children of God. . . . Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ....

John 11:51-52 - And this spoke he (Caiaphas) not of himself (not of his own understanding):  but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; and not for that nation only, but that also He should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.

Romans 8:14-21 - 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.

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

1 John 3:1-2 - Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons (children) of God:  therefore the world knows us not, because it knew Him not.  Beloved, now are we the sons (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.

THE CHILDREN OF SATAN

Matthew 13:36-42 - Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and His disciples came unto Him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.  He answered and said unto them, He that sows the good seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; the enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.  As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.  The Son of Man shall send forth His angels, and they shall gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire:  there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

John 8:38-44 - I speak that which I have seen with My Father: and you do that which you have seen with your father.  They answered and said unto Him, Abraham is our father.  Jesus said unto them, If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham.  But now you seek to kill Me, a man that has told you the truth, which I have heard of God:  this did not Abraham.  You do the deeds of your father.  Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.  Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, you would love Me:  for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of Myself, but He sent Me.  Why do you not understand My speech?  Even because you cannot hear My word.  You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do.  He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him.  When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own:  for he is a liar, and the father of it.

1 John 3:10-15 - In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil:  whosoever does not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loves not his brother.  For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.  Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother.  And wherefore slew he him?  Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.  Marvel not, My brethren, if the world hates you.  We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren.  He that loves not his brother abides in death.  Whosoever hates his brother is a murderer:  and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

BELIEVE IT OR NOT!

GOD IS A MERCIFUL GOD: 

(MERCY IS:  NOT GETTING WHAT WE DESERVE)!

GOD IS A GRACIOUS GOD: 

(GRACE IS:  GETTING WHAT WE DO NOT DESERVE)!

MATTHEW 6:31-33 - Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat?  Or, What shall we drink?  Or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?  For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:  for your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things.  But seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

ROMANS 3:21-26 - But now the righteousness of God without (apart from) the Law is manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe:  for there is no difference:  for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:  Whom God has set forth to be a propitiation (payment in full) through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; to declare, I say, at this time His righteousness:  that He might be just, and the justifier of him which believes in Jesus.

2 CORINTHIANS 5:18-21 - Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:  old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  And all things are of God, Who has reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and has committed unto us the Word of reconciliation.  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us:  we pray you in Christ's stead, be reconciled to God.  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.

THE LORD OFFERS US PARDON FOR OUR SINS;

HE OFFERS US HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS INSTEAD;

ALL WE NEED TO DO IS BELIEVE HIM!

SALVATION: NOT BY OUR WORKS BUT BY HIS FINISHED WORK!

Salvation is NOT BY WORKS  (Ephesians 2:8-9)	Salvation is UNTO GOOD WORKS (Ephesians 2:10)
Good works are not the MEANS of salvation (Titus 3:5).	Good works are the RESULT of salvation (Titus 3:8).
Good works are not the CAUSE of salvation.	Good works are the CONSEQUENCE of salvation.
Good works are not what a person must do to be saved. "But to him that WORKETH NOT, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness" (Rom. 4:5).	Good works are what a saved person does. "This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works" (Titus 3:8).
The unsaved person performs good works to try to obtain and merit God's favor.	The saved person performs good works because he has obtained God's favor (Titus 2:11-14).
(Why do believers perform good works?) Believers do not work in order to be saved.	Believers work because they are saved!
FLESHLY WORKS: that which an unsaved person tries to produce in order to be saved.	FAITH WORKS: that which God produces in the saved person (Heb. 13:21).
FLESHLY WORKS cannot please God (Romans 8:8).	FAITH WORKS are pleasing to God (Hebrews 11:6; 1 Thess. 1:3).
The unsaved boaster: "Look what I have done!" (see Matt. 23:5--"to be seen of men").	The saved person: "Thank you Lord for what You are doing in me" (Phil. 2:13).
The works of an unsaved person are grounds for boasting. "For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory [boast]; but not before God" (Romans 4:2).	The works of a saved person are cause for praise to God. "Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God" (Philippians 1:11).
DEAD WORKS (Heb. 6:1; 9:14; Eph. 5:11) Working apart from God's LIFE. Works produced by the old nature (Gal. 5:19-21)	FRUITFUL WORKS (Col. 1:10) Works which flow out of a right relationship to the living God.
The unsaved person boasts in SELF ("I") (Luke 18:11-12).	The saved person boasts in GOD (1 Corinthians 1:29-31).
A person cannot WORK FOR his salvation (Romans 4:5).	A saved person can WORK OUT the salvation that he has (Phil. 2:12).
EMPTY: "Nothing in my hands I bring; simply to Thy cross I cling."	FULL: "that ye may abound to every good work" (2 Cor. 9:8; 1 Cor. 15:58)