THE TETRAD IS COMING; WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

John Kerry, President Obama's current Secretary of State, has been working feverishly to get a peace agreement signed, which is described as the "Two State Solution" for the Palestinians and Israel.   According to the Jerusalem Post headline dated March 12, 2014, Kerry made a speech in 2012, in which he stated that the window for a peace agreement would only be open for about two more years; he has recently stated that the cut-off date is April 29th of this year.  My question is, what is going to happen which will prevent the talks to continue beyond April 2014?

It is my guess that Kerry knows about the Blood Moon Tetrad which will commence on April 15th of 2014!  A Blood Moon Tetrad occurs when four successive Lunar eclipses, with the first and third falling on the Jewish Passover, and the second and fourth falling on the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles.  This is a rare occurrence, happening only seven times since the Incarnation of Christ (A.D. 162-163; 795-796; 842-843; 860-861; 1492-1493; 1949-1950; 1967-1968).

I have no data on the first four, but the last three occurred following significant events in Jewish History:  1492-1493 followed the Spanish expulsion of all Jews; 1949-1950 followed the Jewish War of Independence; and 1967-1968 followed the Six Day War.  If the pattern holds true for 2014-2015, there should be a significant event prior to Passover of this year!  Since Passover falls on April 15th, is it possible that the "significant event" could be following Antichrist's "confirming of a covenant between the Palestinians and Israel (Dan. 9:27; Kerry's "Two State Solution)? 

The stage is set.  St. Malachy's 113th Pope, the last Pope, rules in the Vatican, and according to his prophecy, Pope Francis will rule during the Tribulation.  The Church is inundated with "tares."  Anarchy reigns in the streets of many nations.  There is a strong and concentrated effort to create a "one-world government"; a "one-world religion"; and a "one-world bank/currency!"

It is easy to be a scoffer; it is prudent to be aware of the signs of the times!  

TRUST IN THE LORD

The exact phrase, "trust in the Lord," appears only nineteen times in the Bible, but God's Word teaches man to place their trust in Him, from cover to cover!  God does not lie; He keeps His promises (2 Cor. 1:20; Tts. 1:2)!  Here are some examples to encourage us to trust in the Lord:

*  Israel trusted in the Lord, and the Assyrian army perished (2 Kg. 18:22, 30; 19:35)!
*  Sinners who trust in the Lord will be made righteous (Ps. 4:5; 1 Jn. 1:9)!
*  Those who trust in the Lord, hate hypocrisy (Ps. 31:6; Lk. 12:1)!
*  Those who trust in the Lord, do good works (Ps. 37:3; Eph. 2:10)!
*  The testimony of those who trust in the Lord, saves souls (Ps. 40:3; Jn. 17:20)!
*  God is not partial with those who trust in the Lord ("clergy" Ps. 115:10; "sheep" v. 11)!
*  Those who trust the Lord, live forever (Ps. 125:1; Jn. 3:16)!
*  When we trust in the Lord, He guides us (Prov. 3:5-6; Jn. 16:13)!

In addition to the nineteen verses which include the exact phrase, there are twenty-five others which include the word "trust," and "the Lord."  Here are some excellent examples:

Ps. 37:40 - "And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him."

Isa. 26:4 - "Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength."

Nah. 1:7 - "The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him."

2 Cor. 1:9-10 - "But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:  Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that He will yet deliver us."

Phil. 2:11 - "...every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord...."

SALVATION REQUIRES BELIEVING IN JESUS

The Gospel of John might well have been entitled "Believe."  Of the 131 verses in the Bible which contain the word "believe," John's Gospel contains 46 of them!  There are only two other Bible writers whose books employ the word in double figures:  Mark with 11, and Acts with 10!  According to John, when one believes in Jesus, something happens:

     *  He will become a child of God (1:12)!
     *  He will receive the Holy Spirit (7:39)!
     *  He will see the glory of God (11:40)!
     *  He will be a child of the Light (12:36)!
     *  He will know Jesus came from the Father (16:30)!
     *  He will be a witness to others (17:20)!
     *  He will have life (20:21)!

In fact, John stated his purpose in writing his Gospel:  "And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book:  but these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name (Jn. 20:20-21).

John was consistent in his epistles as well; he wrote:  "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God" (1 Jn. 5:13).

Salvation is a gift; it cannot be earned (Eph. 2:8-9).  But in order for us to be saved, we have to believe God is offering it to us.  Like the two travelers on the road to Emmaus (Lk. 24:13-31), we must believe God sent His Son to die for our sins, to be buried, and to rise again, according to the prophetic Scriptures (1 Cor. 15:1-4)!  That is called the Gospel, and it is the power of God which produces salvation (Rom. 1:16)!  In Romans 10:9-10, the Apostle Paul wrote:

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

ONLY FAITH IS NECESSARY TO BE SAVED

When it comes right down to it, there are seven things I must believe in order to be saved (be forgiven; be born again; and go to heaven when the Lord calls me "home").  They are:

     1.  GOD IS THE CREATOR - (Gen. 1:1).

     2.  I AM NOT GOD -  (Gen. 1:27).

     3.  I AM SEPARATED FROM GOD BY SIN -  (Isa. 59:2).   

     4.  GOD LOVES ME - (John 3:16). 

     5.  GOD SENT JESUS TO SAVE ME - (John 3:17).

     6.  JESUS DIED FOR MY SIN - (Rom. 5:8).

     7.  GOD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD - (Acts 13:30).

If I believe these seven things, there is one thing I must do in order to be saved:

     1.  I MUST CALL UPON JESUS - (Rom. 10:13).

A WORLD OF ANARCHY AND APOSTASY

Have you ever wondered how evil mankind must have been in order for humanity to have worn out the patience of God?  It must have been pretty bad, right?  Well, it was; here is how the Lord described Noah's world:

"And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.  And it repented the LORD that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him at His heart.  And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth Me that I have made them" (Gen. 6:5-7).

The word "wickedness" is translated from the Hebrew רַע (ra`), which appears 663 times in the Old Testament; the same word is translated "evil" 442 times!  In other words, Satan, the god of this world, was successful in his "recruitment of souls" (2 Cor. 4:4).

I know what some of you are thinking; "thank God things aren't that bad today!"  Well, I hate to disappoint you, but that is exactly how things are today! 

*  Consider the millions of unborn children who are literally ripped apart in their mother's womb. 
*  Consider the fact that terrorism has become a world-wide epidemic, with the vast majority of "soldiers" bent on destroying everyone and everything in the name of their god! 
*  Consider the multi-faceted attack on the family, that has resulted in more than fifty percent of marriages ending in divorce; more children born out-of-wedlock than to married couples; and homosexuality being supported by governments as an acceptable life-style, even to the point of endorsing marriage between same-sex partners.
*  Consider the legalization of narcotics (marijuana) by states to increase revenue.
*  Consider the states encouraging gambling through lotteries for the same reason.
*  Consider the fact that some states are actively seizing guns from citizens, "to make our cities safer," while the highest murder by gun rates in our nation, are in cities that have the toughest gun laws (Chicago, Detroit, New York, Washington, D.C., etc.)!

Of course, I could go on and on about the evil that permeates our world, but I think I have made my point.  And, just in case you think I am just another nut crying "the sky is falling," here is how Jesus described the world in its last days: 

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

Jesus is coming back when the world is in chaos; look around!

ROMANS 10:8-17: THE LORD SAVES BELIEVERS

⁹ If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

¹⁰ For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.

¹¹ As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in Him will never be disgraced.”

¹² Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on Him.

¹³ For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

 

¹⁴ But how can they call on Him to save them unless they believe in Him? And how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him? And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them?

 

¹⁵ And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring Good News!”

 

¹⁶ But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, “Lord, who has believed our message?”

 

¹⁷ So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.

 

 

New Living Translation (NLT)

Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved.

THE LOGOS

The following is an adaptation of an article written by Pastor Brian Tibbs, Pastor of Charlestown Independent Church, Charlestown, Indiana.

THE LOGOS:  Not Legos! I’m not writing about the kids movie!

"Logos" is the Greek word from which we get our word “Logic.” The Greeks saw the “logos” as the underlying order of the universe. They thought:
     *  Why does math work? The logos.
     *  Why do formulas define things? The logos.
     *  Why do stars and planets move like they do? The logos.
     *  Why do physical laws make things react in predictable ways? The logos.
     *  Why is reasoned communication possible? The logos.
     *  What is the bases for the laws of life itself (bio-LOGY)?— THE LOGOS.

The cosmos is a widely diverse place, yet all this diversity is unified by the basic laws of math, science, and logic, all of which apply everywhere. Thus, the diverse cosmos is unified. Unity + diversity = UNIVERSE: diversity united by an omnipresent Logos. But why? Why are there four forces (gravitational, electro-magnetic, strong nuclear, and weak nuclear), governing planetary motion, gravity, thermodynamics, irrational numbers, geometric proofs, etc.? What is this ‘logos’ that holds everything together?
The answer:  “In the beginning was the Word (Logos), and the Word (Logos) was with God, and the Word (Logos) was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. And the Word (Logos) was made flesh and dwelt among us (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten (Son) of the Father), full of grace and truth" (Jn. 1:1-5, 14).

Jesus, the Logos, created the Universe:  "For by Him were all things created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things are held together” (Col. 1:16,17).

 Things are logical, because Jesus Christ, our Creator, is logic personified!

THE WORD PREDICTED OUR HEADLINES

Have you ever recognized a similarity between the evening news, and how the Bible describes things during the last days?  Jesus told His disciples that the last days would be pretty much the same as the days leading up to Noah's world-wide flood, and as it was where Lot lived (Lk 17:26-29)!  Today, children are suing their parents for "stuff"; the new Pope says there is no hell; it is hate-speech to preach against homosexuality; the "Arab Spring" continues long into the harshest winter in many years; gambling and drugs are legalized to increase state income; abortion kills more than a million children every year in the U.S.; more than fifty percent of marriages end in divorce; births to un-wed mothers out-number those of married couples; pastors of mega-churches suggest joining up with Islam to form "Chrislam"; and, every American President since Truman, has bullied Israel to trade land for peace.  I am sure I have missed many of the equally depressing news items, but these are enough to make my point.  Compare these things with the Bible's picture of the last days:

"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, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;  having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." (2 Tim. 3:1-5 KJV).

Just to make sure there is no mistake due to the seventeenth century English, here is a modern version:

"You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. ² For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. ³ They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. ⁴ They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. ⁵ They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!" (2 Tim. 3:1-5 NLT).

Regardless of all the Bible prophecies concerning the "signs of the times,"

one thing is absolutely clear:   the events predicted will come to pass

due to the character of men in the last days!

GOD IS NOT MOCKED: HE KNOWS!

Some theologians believe the seven churches of Asia, found listed in Revelation 2 - 3, represent literal churches of John's day.  Others believe they are symbolic of seven distinct periods of Church History, from Pentecost through the time of the Tribulation (the church in Philadelphia will be saved from the Tribulation, but the church of Laodicea will not (Rev. 3:10, 15-17).  Still others believe the seven describe the state of various churches at any point of time since Pentecost.  To be honest, I suspect that all three views are correct, although I cannot prove it.  Nevertheless, there is one thing I do know for sure:  God knows what we are doing!  John's address to each of the seven churches:   

"Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith He that holdeth the seven stars in His right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works..." (Rev. 2:1-2).

"And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the First and the Last, which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works..." (Rev. 2:8-9).

"And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith He which hath the sharp sword with two edges; I know thy works..." (Rev. 2:12-13).

"And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath His eyes like unto a flame of fire, and His feet are like fine brass; I know thy works..."
(Rev. 2:18-19).

"And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith He that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works..." (Rev. 3:1).

"And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith He that is holy, He that is true, He that hath the key of David, He that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy works..." (Rev. 3:7-8).

"And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works..." (Rev. 3:14-15).

Born again believers, those who are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, are guided in doing the Lord's will (Jn. 16:13; Heb. 12:5-11).  Those who claim to be Christians, but live according to their own will, they may be religious, but their churches operate with "Jesus on the outside lookin' in."

BEWARE:  God knows our thoughts, our words, and our deeds!    

THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

The phrase "the Kingdom of Heaven," appears thirty-two times in King James Version, and all are in the Gospel of Matthew.  While some have tried to differentiate between "the Kingdom of Heaven," and "the Kingdom of God," the two phrases are interchangeable; we know this because the other Gospels, which record the same quotes from Jesus, have Him saying, "the Kingdom of God."  Many have speculated as to why Matthew chose to use "heaven" in place of "God," but to be honest, "speculation" is basically nothing more than guessing, and I prefer not to do so.

According to the Word of God, there are three heavens (2 Cor. 12:2):  God's location (Deut. 4:39; Dan. 2:28; etc.); the place we know as "Outer Space" (cp. Gen. 1:1-5 w/ 1:14-19); and Earth's atmosphere (cp. Gen. 1:6-8 w/ 1:20-23).  Matthew's "Kingdom of Heaven" is "the third heaven."

Here is what we do learn about "the Kingdom of Heaven" from Matthew:

*     Heaven is the location of the Father - (5:16, 34, 45, 48; 6:9; 7:11; etc.).
*     Heaven is God's kingdom - (6:10; 11:25; etc. - it is declared such 32 times).
*     Heaven is the location of God's angels - (18:10; 22:30; 24:31, 36; etc.).
*     God's will is done in heaven - (6:10; etc.).
*     Jesus prayed to heaven - (14:19; etc.).
*     Jesus offered access to heaven to all - (8:11; etc.).
           - Those accepting Jesus' offer, are described as:
                - Being child-like - (19:14; etc.).
                - Being righteous - (7:21; etc.).
                - Being obedient - (18:18; etc.).

All who put their faith in Jesus, are born again and adopted into the family of God (Mt. 12:50; Jn. 1:11-12; 3:3-19; Rom. 8:15; etc.).  According to Matthew, as children of God, we will be:

*     Rewarded in God's Kingdom - (5:12; 6:1, 20; 19:21; etc.).
*     Rewarded according to faithfulness - (5:19; 11:11; 18:1-4; etc.).

Jesus made it quite clear that many would not be going to heaven; He said, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:  because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it" (Mt. 7:13-14).  He said that our righteousness had to exceed that of the Pharisees, if we hoped to be accepted (Mt. 5:20).  He also said that it was HIS righteousness that we needed, and not our own (Mt. 6:33)!

"And be found in (Christ), not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith" (Phil. 3:9)! 

      
              

OPENING ONE'S MOUTH AND PROVING ONE'S IGNORANCE

In John 5:18, the religious leaders and so-called experts on the Word of God, clearly displayed their absolute ignorance of the Scriptures!  When Jesus said, "...My Father worketh hitherto, and I work" (v. 17), this was their response:  "Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill Him, because He not only had broken the Sabbath, but said also that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God."  They clearly made two errors in their interpretation of what Jesus said: 

1)  by calling God His Father, He did not necessarily make Himself equal to God.  The Old Testament makes it clear that to God, the children of Israel, were His children!  In the following five examples, none teach that being a child of God makes one equal to God: 
*     Deuteronomy 32:6 - "Do ye thus requite the LORD, O foolish people and unwise?  Is not He thy Father that hath bought thee?  Hath He not made thee, and established thee?"
*     Isaiah 63:16 - "Doubtless Thou art our Father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not:  Thou O LORD, art our Father, our Redeemer; Thy name is from everlasting."
*     Isaiah 64:8 - "But now, O LORD, Thou art our Father; we are the clay, and Thou our Potter; and we are the work of Thy hand."
*     Jeremiah 3:19 - "But I said, How shall I put thee among the children, and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of nations?  And I said, Thou shalt call Me, My Father; and shalt not turn away from Me."
*     Malachi 2:10 - "Have we not all one Father?  Hath not one God created us?  Why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?"

2)  Here are some that recognized Jesus:  Satan (Jn. 13:2), Demons (Mt. 8:29), a Roman Centurion (Mk. 15:39), His disciples (Mt. 14:33), and, of course, we have Peter's famous statement, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Mt. 16:16)!  There is irony in the fact that common fishermen recognized Him, while the religious leaders, either did not, or they refused to accept His as such.  The High Priest knew that the Messiah would be the Son of God (Mt. 26:63), and even Pilate recognized Jesus as to be the "King of the Jews" (Jn. 19:19-22)!

There are none so blind, as those who will not see!

DOES GOD SPEAK TO US TODAY?

The phrases "God said unto," and "God spake unto," appear only thirty times in the Scriptures; here are the names of those to whom the phrases are addressed:  Adam and Eve - Gen. 1:28; Satan - Gen. 3:14; Noah - Gen. 6:13; Abraham - Gen. 17:9; Abimelech - Gen. 20:6; Jacob - Gen. 35:1; Moses - Ex. 3:14; Balaam - Num. 22:12; Solomon - 1 Kg. 3:11; Jeroboam - 1 Kg.13:8; David - 1 Chr. 11:2; Hosea - Hos. 1:6.  (Note:  the other eighteen address the same individuals).

Of course, the Scriptures tell us that the LORD spoke to individuals thousands of times, and He also spoke to mankind through His angels, and the prophets.  Once, He even spoke through a donkey!  On two occasions, God was heard speaking to men in the New Testament:  by John the Baptist (Mt. 3:17), and by Peter, James, and John (Mt. 17:5). 

But what about today?  Does God still speak to people today?  If you listen to radio, or watch television, you frequently hear someone say, "God told me...."  And while many simply take the word of those "special enough" to hear from God, the vast majority of folks do not believe them.  For one thing, literally billions do not believe in the God of the Bible, and therefore, refuse to accept the person's testimony of such events. 

Christians, for the most part, do not believe such "tales," because they, themselves, have never experienced God speaking to them.  Many skeptics point to the introduction to the Book of Hebrews which, they say, teaches that God no longer speaks directly to man.  It reads:  "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake 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" (Heb. 1:1-2).  They often point to the Book of Revelation, which warns not to add to the Scriptures (an argument that lacks validity, in that, I have never heard anyone testify that what he or she heard was equal to, or to be added to Scripture).

In my forty-three years as a believer in Christ, I have heard the Lord speak to me on five occasions.  All five were at times when I was severely depressed.  Because the Holy Spirit is the "Comforter," it is quite likely that it was His voice I heard, and not the Father's.  What I heard was for me in my time of need.  I am not special; what He has done for me, I suspect He will do for you! 

I serve a living God, who loves me, and I am so very grateful!

INSIGHTS FROM THE LORD'S PRAYER

Most Christians know that the "Lord's Prayer" is not His prayer, but is a model prayer for His disciples to follow (Mt. 6:9-13; Lk. 11:1-4).  Jesus prayed many times during His ministry here on earth, but John 17:1-26 is His prayer with His disciples at the time of the "Last Supper":  Jesus' "last will and testament," so to speak.  Here are some truths we can glean from His prayer:

V. 1 - He did not bow His head or close His eyes to pray. 
V. 2 - He knew He was to give eternal life to those given Him by the Father.
V. 3 - He defined "eternal life" as "knowing the Father, and His Son."
V. 4 - His entire life on earth brought His Father glory.
V. 5 - Jesus existed with, and shared His Father's glory, before creation.
V. 6 - His disciples belonged to God before they belonged to Him.
V. 7 - His disciples knew that the Father empowered Jesus.
V. 8 - His words were proof of His origin.
V. 9 - Jesus prayed only for those who belonged to His Father.
V. 10 - All that belonged to the Father, also belonged to Jesus.
V. 11 - Knowing He was leaving them, He prayed for God to protect His disciples.
V. 12 - Judas' betrayal was the fulfillment of Scripture.
V. 13 - His leaving to be with the Father, eventually would give His disciples joy.
V. 14 - His disciples faith in God's Word would result in persecution.
V. 15 - He prayed for God to protect His disciples from Satan and his minions.
V. 16 - His disciples had become "other-worldly" (spiritual).
V. 17 - He prayed for His disciples to be "set apart" by their faith in the Word.
V. 18 - Like Father, like Son; both commissioned ambassadors to the lost.
V. 19 - Jesus set Himself apart, in order to be able to set His disciples apart.
V. 20 - Jesus prayed for them, and all who would believe their Gospel.
V. 21 - Our unity is evidence that the Father sent His Son.
V. 22 - "The Glory" (Holy Spirit) is how His disciples would be "one."
V. 23 - Our unity is evidence of God's sacrifice out of His love for mankind.
V. 24 - Jesus prayed for us to join Him in heaven, and thereby, to truly know Him.
V. 25 - Only those who know God sent Jesus, truly believe in Him.
V. 26 - Knowing God as our Father results in our being filled with His love.

We believe because the Father draws us to Jesus, and fills us with the Spirit!

JESUS IS LORD

Jesus began the "Great Commission" by telling His disciples, "...All power (authority) is given unto Me in heaven and in earth" (Mt. 28:18).  And, within His instructions to them, He said, "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you..." (v. 20).  In other words, Jesus, having ALL authority, as their Lord, was commanding them make disciples who would also be under His authority!  He was their Lord!
According to the Blue Letter Bible, the word "Lord," is translated as such from the Greek κύριος (kyrios).  It is defined as:  "he to whom a person or thing belongs; about which he has power of deciding; master; lord."  "Lord" appears 748 times in the New Testament. 

The Book of Acts, which records the beginning of the Church, has the most references to Jesus as "Lord."  The Apostles made it quite clear that the One they were proclaiming, the One who had died of the sin of the world, and the One whom the Father raised, was the Lord Jesus Christ!  Of the 102 times Luke used the word in Acts, twenty of them include the Lord's name (1:21; 4:33; 7:59; 8:16; 9:17, 29; 11:17, 20; 15:11, 26; 16:31; 19:5, 10, 13, 17; 20:21, 24, 35; 21:13; 28:31).  Perhaps the most important of all of these verses is 16:31, which is the Apostle Paul's answer to the question, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" in the previous verse.  Paul's answer?  "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved."  Notice that when asked what he must DO, Paul said BELIEVE ON THE LORD!  Believing has nothing to do with works; it is the acknowledgement of Jesus as LORD!

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

My question to all those who view "Lordship Salvation" as heresy is:  Who is Jesus?  He was worthy of our worship and obedience long before His death, burial, and resurrection!  To me, the Bible is clear:  He is God; He is Creator; He is Lord! 

Salvation results from in believing in Him!

LORDSHIP SALVATION

Due to the fact that most of those I know, who, claiming to be Christians, live their lives in such a way that it is impossible to recognize them as such, I feel the need to remind them of the identity of Jesus of Nazareth! 

Jesus is God!  -  "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was 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.  But unto the Son He saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of Thy kingdom" (Jn. 1:1, 14; Heb. 1:8).

Jesus is the Creator of the Universe!  -  "All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made.  For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him.  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"  (Jn. 1:2; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:2).

Jesus is Lord!  -  "And Thomas answered and said unto Him, My Lord and my God.  And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.  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" (Jn. 20:28; Acts 16:31; Rom. 10:9).  [Note:  The word "Lord" appears 7888 times in the K.J.V., while the word "Saviour" appears 37 times!  Jesus IS Lord; being the Savior is what He did!].

Jesus gave commands to His Church, not requests!  -  "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.  This is My commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.  These things I command you, that ye love one another" (Mt. 22:37-40; Jn. 15:12, 17)!

The saved have called upon the LORD!

1 THESSALONIANS 2:13-16 - PASSING IT ON

"For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the Word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.  For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:  who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:  forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost."

 

In this passage of Scripture, notice that there is a natural progression that follows one's faith in the Gospel, which is the power of God unto Salvation (Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 15:1-4).  The Apostle Paul had proclaimed Jesus to those living in the city of Thessalonica, while there on his second missionary journey (Acts 17:4).  Many had recognized his message as being the Word of God, and not just Paul's opinion; as a result, they believed and were saved (v. 13)! 

 

How did Paul know that they had really been born again?  Because, they immediately began sharing the Gospel with others, and as a result, they experienced persecution from those who had also rejected Paul's preaching (v. 14).  Paul encouraged them by telling them that they were experiencing the same reaction as did the Apostles in Jerusalem; the Jews tried to silence the preaching to the Gentiles there as well (v. 15-16). 

 

Paul was reinforcing what he had written in the first chapter of his epistle; Paul had stated that when he had come to them, his preaching had been empowered by the Holy Spirit, and that his life was consistent with the message He preached (1 Thes. 1:5).  As a result, they had become followers of Christ, with Paul as their role model (v. 6).  And, just as the unbelievers in their city had persecuted Paul, they too  were experiencing rejection.   But, because they exhibited the Spiritual fruit of joy in the face of opposition, they became role models for others in Macedonia and Achaia (v. 6-7)!  

 

Yes, there is great joy in sharing one's testimony with others!  But you know what gave the Apostle Paul even greater joy?  Receiving word that those whom he had led to faith in Christ, were sharing the Gospel with others (2:19-20)!  Those who led me to Christ are filled with joy when they hear I have been used of the Lord to win others! 

 

It is like a grandpa rejoicing over seeing his son lead his grandson to Christ!      

 

 

 

 

 

EMERGENCY EYE SURGERY

Recently, my wife needed to have cataracts removed from her eyes.  The result was not as she had hoped, and as a result, she required more surgery.  She now says that she is beginning to see more clearly, as time passes.  It has been quite an ordeal, and like many things involving our modern medical insurance policies, most of the cost was not covered!  Fortunately, her temporary "blindness" is just that:  temporary!  The Bible tells us that Jews, and maybe all those who refuse to believe the Bible, are suffering from spiritual blindness (Rom. 11:25).  For that, only the Holy Spirit can "operate."  He is about to do just that!

 The seven-year Tribulation, also known as "Daniel's Seventieth Week" (Dan. 9:24-27) and "The Time of Jacob's Trouble" (Jer. 30:7), will be divided into two halves: three and one half years (Dan. 12:7); forty-two months (Rev. 11:2; 13:5); and twelve hundred sixty days (Rev. 11:3; 12:6). The purpose of the Tribulation is two-fold: it is God's effort to bring the lost of the world to repentance and salvation (2 Pet. 3:9; Rev. 9:20-21; 16:9-11). Note that these passages in Revelation occur in the two halves of the Tribulation: Ch. 6-11 and Ch. 13-18. But at the end of the seven years, the enemies of God will be destroyed by Christ's Second Coming (Rev. 19:11-21)!

God also uses the Tribulation to preform "eye surgery" on His blinded people, Israel (Rom. 11:7, 25; 2 Cor. 3:14; 4:4). Israel "blindly" (pun intended) enters into an agreement with the person they believe is their Messiah. For three and a half years, he keeps his word that Israel will experience peace, even though the world around it will be anything but peaceful (Dan. 9:27; Mt. 24:6). We read that during this time, the Gospel of the Kingdom will be proclaimed (note that it is not the Gospel that brings salvation, but it is merely the good news that Israel's Messiah has come to re-establish David's throne - Mt. 24:14). We might think of this period as a time when Israel has "severe cataracts" and is unaware of it.

Then, exactly in the middle of the seven-year peace agreement, their false messiah declares himself to be god, and demands all men worship him (Dan. 9:27; Mt. 24:15; Rev. 13-18). Israel realizes that their "savior" was not the Messiah. God opens their eyes to see that they are experiencing Daniel 9:27, and at last, they understand that the One the world had crucified had to be the true Messiah (Daniel 9:26 comes before 9:27)!

The one who impersonates the Messiah of Israel, guaranteeing their peace for seven years, is known by various names; he is "the Antichrist" (1 Jn. 2:18), "the Little Horn" (Dan. 7:8-25), "the Prince that shall come" (Dan. 9:26), "the Son of Perdition" and "the Man of Sin" (2 Thes. 2:3), "that Wicked One" (2 Thes. 2:8), and "the Beast" (Rev. 11:7; 13:1). In the end, he will simply be "the loser!"

There are none so blind, as those who refuse to see!

 

 

SOME OBSERVATIONS OF A CONVERSATION

"And a superscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.  And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on Him, saying, If thou be Christ, save Thyself and us.  But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?  And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this Man hath done nothing amiss.  And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom.  And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with Me in paradise" (Lk. 23:38-43).

1.  God used Pontius Pilate to declare the truth in three languages, so that all who were witnessing the Crucifixion, would know that Jesus Christ IS the King of the Jews (Jn. 19:19).

 

2.  Both thieves "blasted Jesus" at first (Mt. 27:44), but one had watched and listened to the Lord's praying, especially for His enemies (Lk. 23:34), and had come to realize that Jesus WAS his Lord.  He knew he had sinned, and he knew he deserved to die.  But watching Jesus, He had come to faith!

 

3.  Jesus recognized his repentance, understood his statement as a confession of Him as his Lord, and He promised him he would be with Him in paradise.  Later, the Apostle Paul wrote, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Rom. 10:9-10).

 

4.  The repentant thief did not need to do anything to be saved, except believe in Jesus as his Lord!  He did not have to walk an aisle.  He did not have to say "the sinner's prayer!"  He did not have to be baptized!  He did not have to join "the right church" (it had not come into existence as yet - Acts 2)!  He did not have to do anything but BELIEVE!

 

5.  Like salvation has been from the day Adam sinned (Gen. 3), until the day Christ finishes His one thousand year reign on earth (Rev. 20:5), it is by faith in what God says; Abraham believed God and his faith was counted unto him for righteousness (Rom. 4:3; Gal. 3:6; Jam. 2:23)!  It is believing God's Word that saves, and Jesus is the personification of God's Word (Jn. 1:1, 14; 1 Jn. 1:1; 5:7; Rev. 19:13)! 

 

 Salvation is not the result of anything, but faith in our resurrected Lord!

 

    

WHY SUCH A FOCUS ON BLOOD?

Due to the medication (blood thinner) I take for Congestive Heart Failure, once a week, I must place a drop of my blood on a test strip, and wait about thirty seconds for the little computer thingy to tell me whether or not my blood is too thick. This week, like the vast majority I have made over the past four years, the results were within range. Praise the Lord!

One day while I was testing, for the first time, I began to think about all of the hymns, sermons, and books which address the blood of Jesus. Christians and Jews both have a great deal to say about blood sacrifices, but there is a major difference between the two religions: while the Old Testament addresses animal sacrifice as an atonement for sin, the majority of references to a blood sacrifice in the New Testament refer to the Crucifixion of Jesus. The word, "blood," is found in sixty-seven verses from the founding of the Church on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1), to the Second Coming of Christ (Rev. 19:13). Of those, twenty-nine refer to the blood of Christ, and from just those twenty-nine verses, we find the reason the Church has placed its faith, expressed its gratitude, and served its Lord for two thousand years.

When Christ's blood is mentioned, it does not mean simply His loss of blood due to His wounds; it declares that Jesus gave His life. Leviticus 17:11 says, "For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul." This always involved the death of the sacrifice. As a result:

* Jesus' blood purchased our freedom from sin (Acts 20:28).
* Jesus' blood is our source of justification (Rom. 5:9).
* Jesus' blood is our source of forgiveness (Eph. 1:7).
* Jesus' blood reconciles us to God (Col. 1:20).
* Jesus' blood redeems us from the bondage of sin (Heb. 9:12).
* Jesus' blood is our source of sanctification (Heb. 13:12).
* Jesus' blood cleanses us from the stain of sin (1 Jn. 1:7).

Finally, Jesus' blood, shed as our Passover (1 Cor. 5:7), is seen in His title, the Lamb of God (Jn. 1:29, 36; Rev. 7:14; 12:11). Salvation today, like the salvation of the Jews at the first Passover (Ex. 12:13), results from believing the blood will save you!

Someone had to die for your sins;

Jesus said, "It is finished!"

THE BELIEVER'S ONLY HOPE

When I was a practicing Roman Catholic, if someone were to ask me if I would go to heaven if I died today, I would tell them I certainly hope so.  In 1971, I committed my life to Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, and if I were asked the same question today, I would no longer use the word "hope," but I would confidently declare "Yes!"  What do you suppose made the difference in what my answer would be? 

The difference is, I am no longer basing my faith on my being a Roman Catholic, but today, I am basing my faith on Jesus Christ, and the promises of Almighty God.  As a Catholic, the church taught me that by avoiding "mortal sins," and by participating in the Sacraments, I would make it into His presence.  As a born again believer, the Bible teaches me that I am still a sinner, unworthy of God's salvation (Rom. 7:14-25; Jam. 5:15; 1 Jn. 1:8-10; etc.), that my salvation is a gift; it is not owed to me, but it is because of the grace of God (Eph. 2:8-9)!

The Apostle John wrote in 1 John 3:1-3, "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not.  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.  And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He is pure."

So, how did I become a son of God?  The answer:  by faith!  In his Gospel, John wrote:  "He came unto His own (the Jewish people), and His own received Him not.  But as many as received Him (whosoever - Mt. 7:24; 10:32; Jn. 3:15-16; 11:25-26; Acts 2:21; 10:43; Rom. 10:13; etc.), to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name" (Jn. 1:11-12).  We are born again when we truly place our faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ!

Our hope is an expectation based upon God's credibility!

ONCE SAVED, THEN WHAT?

I believed the Gospel message which says, Christ died for my sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures" (1 Cor. 15:3-4)!  And because I have believed with all my heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, and because I have confessed with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord, I am saved (Rom. 10:9-10)!  Now what?

Now, I have the responsibility to follow the Lord by being baptized according to His command (Mt. 28:19-20; Acts 2:38; 10:48)!

Now, as a new borne babe in Christ, I need to "feed" upon God's Word (Mt. 4:4; 1 Pet. 2:2)!

Now, as one who is dependent upon God, I need to come to Him in prayer (Lk 18:1; 1 Thes. 5:17; Heb. 4:16)!

Now, I need to find a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church to be accountable to the rest of the Body of Christ; that through the Word, they might teach me true doctrine, reprove me, correct me, and instruct me in righteousness (Acts 2:42; 2 Tim. 3:16; Heb. 10:24-25)!

Now, I need to confess my sins, which break fellowship with God, and allow Him to cleanse me from all unrighteousness (1 Jn. 1:8-10).  God is righteous and cannot fellowship with those having unconfessed sin (2 Cor. 6:14)!

Now, I need to share the Gospel with other (Ps. 107:2; Prov. 11:30; Mt. 10:32; Rom. 10:9-10)!

Now, I need to live my life in such a way as to glorify God (Mt. 5:16; Acts 1:8; Col. 3:17; 4:5-6; 1 Pet. 3:15)!

Because I believe in Christ, I need to depart from iniquity (2 Tim. 2:19)!

ABIDING IN CHRIST

Jesus said, "I am the vine, you are the branches: He that abides in Me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without Me you can do nothing" (Jn. 15:5).  

 

How does a believer get into Christ in the first place?  The Word is clear:

 

*  Mark 16:16 - "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be damned."

*  Acts 1:5 - "For John truly baptized with water; but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence."

*  Romans 6:3 - "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death?"

*  1 Corinthians 12:13 - "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body (see v. 27), whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit."

*  Galatians 3:27 - "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." 

 

NOTE:  This is not water baptism, but Spirit baptism; the baptism spoken of in Ephesians 4:5!  This is an important distinction, in that, it is Spiritual baptism that seals a believer in Christ (Eph. 1:12-13; 4:30)!  Even though a born again believer may be carnal, he remains "in Christ" (see 1 Cor. 3:1).  We are not Christ-like yet, but God has begun the metamorphosis (Phil. 1:6; 1 Jn. 3:2; etc.).

So, what does it mean "to abide in Christ?"  The Greek root that is most often translated "abide" in the New Testament, is μένω (menō), which is translated "abide" (61x); "remain" (16x); "dwell" (15x); "continue" (11x); "tarry" (9x); "endure" (3x); etc.  Christ told His disciples that to abide in Him would result in our bearing fruit (Jn. 15:5).  That meant for them (and us) to live according to the Lord's will for us, moment by moment; Jesus did His Father's will, and we are to do Christ's will.  Abiding in Christ is abiding in His will!  In John 15:12, Jesus said,

 

"This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you."  

GOD COMFORTS BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS

The Webster's New World Dictionary defines "to comfort" as "to soothe in distress; to relieve stress; to console; to put at ease; to encourage; etc."  The New Testament use of the phrase is pretty much the same, but like all verses in the Bible, they need to be taken in context.  For instance, Jesus comforted those needing healing, by performing the miracle they sought (Mt. 9:20-22; Mk. 10:46-52; etc.).  In the case of the man born blind, Jesus went far beyond just healing his physical ailment; He opened both his eyes and his heart; He revealed Himself to him and he was saved (Jn. 9:1-41)!  And Jesus comforted Martha and Mary by raising their brother from the dead (Jn. 11:1-45)!

The Apostle Paul wrote that believers receive comfort from reading and believing the Scriptures.  He wrote, "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope" (Rom. 15:4).  When teaching concerning the spiritual gift of prophecy, he wrote, "But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort" (1 Cor. 14:3).  The Word of God is the believer's greatest source of comfort in this lost and dying world!

For those of us who love our family and friends, we are comforted when we hear of their well-being.  On several occasions, men came to assist, and thereby comfort Paul, and he sent his co-laborers to comfort others who were worried about him, and to find out how those he loved were doing (2 Cor. 2:7; 7:2-4, 13; Eph. 6:6; Phil. 2:19; Col. 4:8-14; 1 Thes. 3:2; etc.).

Paul had a genuine love for those he had led to Christ.  When he heard that the members of the Church of Thessalonica had concerns about the well-being of their deceased loved ones, he assured them that they were fine.  He wrote, "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" (1 Thes. 4:16-18)!  He told them of the Doctrine of the Rapture!

He also reminded them that, as believers, they would not be caught off-guard by the Tribulation, as they would not be here to experience it (1 Thes. 5:1-8).  The lost in the passage (they) will be unaware of the horrible events to come, but believers (you) will not only know what is about to happen, you will be removed before God's day of wrath (1 Thes. 5:9-11)!

"Now our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us,

and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts,

and stablish you in every good word and work" (2 Thes. 2:16-17)!

   

THE COMFORTED ARE NOT CONDEMNED

One of the most difficult things for lost men and women to understand, is that Jesus Christ is God!  Men will accept Him as a good man; they will accept Him as a prophet; they will even accept Him as Israel's Messianic King; but they find it impossible to accept Jesus as God!  And yet, the Bible begins with the statement:  "In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth."  The Bible also clearly tells us that it was Jesus who did the creating; Jesus created the Universe, the Sun, the Moon, the Stars, the Earth and all that is upon it; He did it by speaking it all into existence (Gen. 1:1-31; Jn. 1:1-3; Eph. 3:9; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:1-2; etc.).  Jesus is the Word, and His Word creates (Jn. 1:1-3, 14).

In the Old Testament, "the Sword of the Lord" has to do with God's judgment:  Judges 7:18-20; 1 Chronicles 21:12; Isaiah 34:6; and Jeremiah 12:12 speak of His might, and of His holding those who oppose Him, accountable.  And even though He is called the "Prince of Peace," He has many issues with which to deal before He brings in everlasting peace (Isa. 9:6)!  It will not be until all His enemies are defeated that true peace will come; John wrote:  "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away" (Rev. 21:4).

Yes, in the New Testament, His Word is compared to a sword, only sharper; "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" (Heb. 4:12).  Jesus tells us "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.  For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.  And a man's foes shall be they of his own household" (Mt. 10:34-46). 

Jesus intends to separate those who have placed their trust in Him, from those who never accepted His free offer of salvation.  Those who believe with their hearts will be saved (Rom. 10:9-10), and those who are religious, those who are playing church with Jesus excluded from His rightful place in their lives (LORD), as those described as being in the Church of Laodicea, they will be cast into the Lake of Fire (Rev. 3:14-22; 20:14-15)!

The Word's words will either comfort you, or they will condemn you!

 





 

 

YOU ARE BEING WATCHED!

Have you ever been tempted to do something you knew was wrong, and made sure no one was looking before you did it?  Well, I have bad news for you; you are never in a place where you are not being watched!  You can close and lock you door.  You can turn off the lights.  You can even disguise yourself, but while others may be fooled by your cleverness, I guarantee you that your true identity is known to some of those observing you!

For one, God is watching!  He is Omnipresent, and He is Omniscient; that is, He is everywhere, and He is all-knowing (Ps. 139:1-12; Isa. 40:26; 46:10; Rom. 11:23; etc.)!  Adam and Eve tried to hide from God, and although God "played along with their game of hide and seek," He knew (Gen. 3:8-10).  Jonah tried to run away from God, but while he was on his journey, God was preparing a "mode of transportation" to bring him back (Jon. 1:17).  God was present in the fiery furnace with the three Hebrew children (Dan. 3:24-25). 

In addition to always being seen by God, His Word says that both His angels, and the fallen angels, are watching us.  The Apostles Paul and Peter wrote:

"Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:  to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Eph. 3:8-11).

"Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into" (1 Pet. 1:12).

And finally, those who have not accepted Christ as Lord and Savior, those who are lost and bound for eternal separation from God, are watching us to see if our "walk" matches our "talk."  God calls on us to live a holy life that will bring Him glory ("conversation" means "behavior" or "way of life" - Phil. 1:27; 1 Tim.4:12; Jam. 3:13; 1 Pet. 1:15; etc.)!  Especially 1 Peter 2:12, which says,

"Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles...

that they may by your good works, which they shall behold,

glorify God in the day of visitation."       

GOD USES OTHERS TO BLESS US!

Well, we made it back home in record time!  Actually, we broke a record for the longest trip from Jacksonville, Florida to Jeffersonville, Indiana.  Because of horrible weather in the Southeast, we decided (and wisely, if I say so myself!) to travel West to Pensacola and take I-65 North; it runs directly into Jeffersonville.  That made the distance about four hundred miles longer, but we had perfect traveling weather.  It did not start snowing here in Jeffersonville, until we were headed home from Judy's Mother's home.  She lives about five miles from us.  God is sooooo good!

While on our cruise, only our second together, we met three wonderful ladies from Northern Utah.  "Mom," "Bear," and "Bo," live on an Indian Reservation, and were absolutely wonderful to dine with every evening.  They seemed so young and full of life; it seemed to energize us old folks.  God is sooooo good!

I am still feeling the effect of the "rock and roll" of the ship.  I even mentioned to the hotel clerk that I though they were having an earthquake.  Seriously!  Our only real problem with the ship tossing and turning, was when someone on the bridge decided he would change headings to turn into the wind.  I honestly felt as though we were capsizing!  He made a hard turn that listed the ship at least twenty-five degrees, and it lasted over a minute in duration!  It did so much damage that the stage show scheduled that evening had to be cancelled because of their equipment crashing down.  Several stores had severe damage to their displays.  It is ironic that this Captain had such a difficult time, when the Captain of the Carnival Fantasy had zero problem with the fact we were on the outer edge of Hurricane Sandy on my last cruise.  On that one, we did a lot of rocking, but not once did I ever believe we were in danger.  However, as I said before:  God is sooooo good!

Due to health issues (old ones - nothing new), I stayed aboard with the exception of an excursion on a glass-bottom boat in Nassau.  Our wonderful son-in-law and daughter paid for the "trip to see the fish."  They said it was their Christmas present to us; from last Christmas, I hope; I am looking forward to something this coming Christmas - hint, hint)!  God used others to bless us, and God is sooooo good!

Well, I hope to get back in the "groove" tomorrow with my daily Bible Study blog post.  Again, I want to thank all the ship's crew, our new "Indian" friends, my eldest daughter and her husband, and those who sailed with me:  Judy and her Mom.  God used you all to bless me, and God is sooooo good!  Amen! 

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

Jesus' return for His Church is imminent, and could occur before I finish writing this blog post.  Should that be the case, I wish I could say I am sorry there will be no more blog posts, but to be quite honest, I will never be sorry for anything ever again!  I will not only be with the Lord (Mt. 28:20; 2 Cor. 5:8), but I will actually be like Him (1 Jn. 3:2)!

For the next week or so, I will be unable to share my "discoveries" from personal Bible study, as I will be away from my computer.  After doing a daily blog post everyday since 2010, I am sure I will suffer some withdrawal, and could even suffer hallucinations of being somewhere in the beautiful Carribean.  Yup, that's right.  My wife and I are going where only the brave are willing to go these days; we are taking a Carnival Cruise!  Pray for us!

Our doggies will be well cared for, thanks to a good friend who actually wants to spend time living in our home (that is a hint, though not too subtle, to our kids, grandkids, and even our great grandkids). 

So, for the faithful few who read my effort to learn the Word of God, I say thank you for an occasional word of encouragement.  Do not dismay, I will be back, Lord willing, to share what the Lord, who is the Author and focus of the Bible, has to say to and through me.  One thing I know for an absolute certainty, He wants all men, everywhere, to come to faith in Him (2 Pet. 3:9).

So, if you happen to be one of a handful of people who actually read my writings, to quote a famous adulterer, "I'll be back!"  Perhaps a quote from Doug (MacArthur) would be less offensive.  In his "humble" announcement to the Philippino people and the thousands of Americans he was leaving behind, "I shall return!"

In the mean time, please pray for a safe and relaxing trip.  See you on here later, or in the presence of Almighty God.  To be honest, I'd prefer the latter of the two!  God bless!

THE COUNTDOWN IS OVER!

Last night, while reading "A Bible Map:  "God's Plan of the Ages," available at www.bbea.org, I noticed there was something I had not previously observed; there is a sort of natural countdown before the "spaceship Church" launches into the heavens.  The chart shows seven dispensations, or periods of man's accountability for his stewardship of God's planet.  And, although this chart itself, nor any of the many like it, presents what I am about to share, it is nevertheless there for all to see.

The publisher shows a timeline from Creation to the Great White Throne Judgment (Gen. 1:1 to Rev. 20:11-15).  On the line, he uses a semi-circle to represent each of the dispensations:  Innocence; Conscience; Government; Promise; Law; Church; and Millennium.  Under the line, he uses smaller semi-circles to represent the judgment of God at the end of each dispensation, for man's failure to follow His instructions.  That differs little from other charts I have seen by Dispensationalists, such as Lance Ketchum, Charles Ryrie, Clarence Larkin; etc.  And yet, what none of them show, is that there is a definite pattern or countdown in God's timing.

Based upon the chronology of time taken from the calculations of Bishop Ussher, from the Creation of the Universe, to the Incarnation of the Creator Himself, was approximately 4000 years (Gen. 1:1; Jn. 1:1-3; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:1-2; etc.).  That 4000 years, coupled with the nearly 2000 years from the Resurrection of Jesus Christ (known as the Church Age), adds up to about 6000 years.  When one adds the 1000 year Millennial Reign of Jesus following His return (Rev. 20:1-10), we have 7000 years; in other words, the outworking of God's plan began with a seven-day creation (Gen. 1 - 2), and ends with man having had seven different chances to follow God's instructions, all failures by the way!  There is some irony in the fact that, to God, each day "is as a 1000 years, and 1000 years is as a day" (Ps. 90:4; 2 Pet. 3:8)!

During the first 2000 years of time, a period when there were only Gentiles, there were three dispensations:  Innocence; Conscience; and Government.  During the second 2000 years, a period in which there were two groups of people (Gentiles and Jews), and there were two dispensations:  Promise and Law.  During the third 2000 year period, with there being three groupings of mankind (Gentiles, Jews, and Christians), there has been but one dispensation.  I find it amazing that following the third 2000 year period, there will be a "lift-off" (Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15:42-57; 1 Thes. 4:13-18; etc.)!  Get it?  Three dispensations; two dispensations; one dispensation; the Rapture of the Church!  And, if that is not enough, just as our astronauts return to earth following a period of time in space, the Lord, with His Church, will be coming back down through the clouds, as well!

God has counted to one; are you ready for blast-off?

   

  

A CONVERSATION OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO YOU

"There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.  He 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.'" (Jn. 3:1-2).

"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.'" (Jn. 3:3).

"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?'" (Jn. 3:4).

"Jesus answered, 'Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  Marvel not that I said unto you, you must be born again.  The wind blows where it chooses to blow, and you hear the sound of it, but can not tell from where it comes, and where it goes: so it is with every one who is born of the Spirit.'" (Jn. 3:5-8).

Here are some observations I have gleaned from "ease-dropping" on this conversation:
*  Nicodemus came to Jesus after it was dark.  He was afraid to be seen with Him.
*  He was respectful, calling Jesus "Rabbi," a term meaning "Master" or "Teacher."
*  He recognized that it was God who enabled Jesus to work miracles.
*  In the greatest non-sequitur ever, Jesus cut to the chase:  "you need to be born again!"
*  In order to see the Kingdom, you must recognize the King.
*  Nicodemus asked how a man could be born again.
*  Jesus told him:
    - all men are born of water (natural, physical birth).
    - but to recognize Me, a man must be born of the Holy Spirit.
    - like the invisible wind, the Spirit comes and goes.
    - when He chooses, you will be born spiritually.
       
It is the Holy Spirit who convicts you of your sin, and of your need for a Savior (Jn. 16:7-11).  When He determines that the time is right, the Holy Spirit will reveal to you, the identity of Jesus Christ (Jn. 16:13-15).  He will reveal to you the Gospel, which is the very power of God which saves, which is enough for you to comprehend and believe in Jesus (Jn. 14:17, 26; Rom. 1:16-20; 1 Jn. 2:20, 27).  He will give you a new, a spiritual birth, when you believe what He is saying to you (Eph. 2:8-9; 1 Pet. 1:23)!  The Word, in John 1:11-13, God says:

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

WHAT DO ALL THESE HAVE IN COMMON?

*  John 1:11-13 - "He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.  But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name:  which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."

*  John 3:5-6 - "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."

*  Acts 16:30-31 - "And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?  And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved...."

*  Romans 16:24-27 - "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.  Amen.  Now to Him that is of power to stablish you according to my Gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ...to God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever.  Amen."

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

*  Philippians 1:6 - "Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."

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

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

ANSWER:  Our salvation is the will of the Father; it is based upon our faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross; and it is a gift to us through the working of the Holy Spirit.  What God began doing in us, He will complete:  that is, He is making us into His Son's image and likeness!  

SALVATION: WHEN YOUR HEART AND MOUTH AGREE

ROMANS, CHAPTER TEN, VERSE NINE

"If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." (New International Version)

"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." (New Living Translation)

"because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." (English Standard Version)

"that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;" (New American Standard Bible)

"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." (King James Version)

"If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

"If you declare with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." (International Standard Version)

"because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." (NET Bible)

"And if you will confess with your mouth our Lord Yeshua, and you will believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall have life." (Aramaic Bible in Plain English)

"If you declare that Jesus is Lord, and believe that God brought him back to life, you will be saved. (GOD'S WORD Translation)

"that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God has raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." (Jubilee Bible 2000)

"For if thou confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in thy heart that God hath raised him up from the dead, thou shalt be saved." (Douay-Rheims Bible)

"that if thou mayest confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and mayest believe in thy heart that God did raise him out of the dead, thou shalt be saved," (Young's Literal Translation) 

CONFESS WHAT?

According to the dictionary, the word "confess" has at least three meanings: 
1) to publicly admit one's guilt;
2) to publicly declare one's faith;
3) to privately admit one's sins to a priest or to God. 

The Bible has three words which are translated "confess": 
1)  the Greek ἐξομολογέω (exomologeō), which means "to acknowledge openly" (Rom. 14:11; 15:9; Phil. 2:11; Jam. 5:16); 
2)  the Greek ὁμολογέω (homologeō), which means "to agree with" (Mt. 10:32; Lk. 12:8; Jn. 9:22; 12:42; Acts 23:8; 24:14; Rom. 10:9; 1 Jn. 1:9; 4:15; 2 Jn. 1:7); and
3)  the Hebrew word יָדָה (yadah), which means "to verbally declare one's guilt, or to praise, etc. (Lev. 5:5; 16:21; 26:40; Num. 5:7; 1 Kg. 8:33, 35; 2 Chron. 6:26; Neh. 1:6; Job. 23:8; Ps. 32:5).

Confess publicly that Jesus is the Son of God

"Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven.  But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven" (Mt. 10:32-33).

Confess publicly that Jesus died for your sin, and rose to be your Lord

"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" (1 Cor. 15:3-4).
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Rom. 10:9-10).

Confessing Him as Lord means repenting from sin

"When Thy people Israel be smitten down before the enemy, because they have sinned against Thee, and shall turn again to Thee, and confess Thy name, and pray, and make supplication unto Thee in this house:  Then hear Thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of Thy people Israel, and bring them again unto the land which Thou gavest unto their fathers.  When heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against Thee; if they pray toward this place, and confess Thy name, and turn from their sin, when Thou afflictest them:  Then hear Thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of Thy servants, and of Thy people Israel, that Thou teach them the good way wherein they should walk, and give rain upon Thy land, which Thou hast given to Thy people for an inheritance" (1 Kg. 8:33-36; repeated in 2 Chron. 6:24-27).



     

BELIEVING IS SEEING

There are several passages in the Scriptures which speak of people's eyes being blinded by God (Gen. 19:11; 2 Kgs. 6:18; Isa. 44:18; etc.), and based upon Deuteronomy 28:15, 28-29, it is because they fail to live according to what they do know.  They have some degree of light, but they refuse to live accordingly.  Moses wrote: 

"But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all His commandments and His statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:  The LORD shall smite the with ... blindness, and astonishment of heart:  and thou shalt grope at noonday, as the blind gropeth in darkness, and thou shalt not prosper in thy ways: and thou shalt be only oppressed and spoiled evermore, and no man shall save thee. "

God allowed the continual rebellion of Israel throughout the centuries, but He also allowed them to suffer the consequences of their actions.  Israel was repeatedly enslaved by Gentile empires because they refused to obey God.  Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome, made their lives miserable, and yet, they still did not repent.  Finally, "...when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons" (Gal. 4:4-5).  It was Israel's rejection of Jesus Christ, that brought upon them the blindness spoken of by the Apostle Paul in Romans 11:25!  A millennium earlier, the Psalmist had written: 

"Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake.  Pour out Thine indignation upon them, and let Thy wrathful anger take hold of them.  Let their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their tents.  For they persecute Him whom Thou hast smitten; and they talk to the grief of those whom Thou hast wounded.  Add iniquity unto their iniquity: and let them not come into Thy righteousness" (Ps. 69:23-27).

I remember forty-three years ago today, how, as an atheist, I heard a television preacher present the Gospel, and falling on my knees in my living room, I repented of my sin and trusted in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.  My eyes had been opened because I believed God's Word.  I praise God for the events that led me to sit and listen, sit and hear for the first time, God loves me!  I have endeavored to live these many years loving Him back!  I wish I had done a better job of it!

We all have some light from God; if we do not respond to it, He removes it!

Matthew 25:29; Mark 4:25; Luke 8:18; John 8:12!!!! 

 

WHAT'S WITH ALL THE TALK ABOUT HIS BLOOD?

Christianity is accused of being a religion fixated on blood!  In fact, the "Founder" of Christianity is quoted as saying,

"I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.  The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us His flesh to eat?  Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you.  Whoso eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.  For My flesh is meat indeed, and My blood is drink indeed.  He that eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, dwelleth in Me, and I in him.  As the living Father hath sent Me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth Me, even he shall live by Me.  This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever" (Jn. 6:51-58).

It seems barbaric for someone to say those things, but only to those who do not understand what Jesus meant when He said them.  Those things were said before an audience of unbelievers.  Like speaking in parables, He did not intend them to understand.  Later, when He taught His disciples at His last supper, He made it clear that He was not speaking literally, but that literal bread and literal wine represented His body and blood (Mt. 26:26-28).  This was later confirmed by the Apostle Paul (1 Cor. 11:23-31). 

Here are some points worth noting:
*  The punishment for sin is a death - Rom. 6:23!
*  That death requires the shedding of blood - Heb. 9:22!
*  To shed someone's blood is to take their life - Lev. 17:11!
*  Jesus' blood is the propitiation (satisfaction) of our debt - Rom. 3:25!
*  His blood cleanses us from all unrighteousness - 1 Jn. 1:7!
*  We are made righteous by faith in Jesus - 2 Cor. 5:21!
*  We are justified before God by His blood - Rom. 5:9!
*  We are redeemed from the bondage of sin by His blood - Eph. 1:7!
*  We have peace with God by His blood - Col. 1:20!
*  We can enter God's presence because of His blood - Heb. 10:19!
*  We are forever related to the Father through His blood - Heb. 13:20!
*  Even our clothing is holy because of His blood - Rev. 7:14!

Without the shedding of Christ's blood, there is no Gospel. 

Without the Gospel, there is no hope!