A MESSAGE TO UNBELIEVERS

One of the reasons people give for not accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, is that Christians are hypocrites.  When confronted with this charge against us, most born again believers respond by saying "not all Christians are hypocrites."  Of course, they mean that they do not see themselves as guilty of hypocrisy.  However, when one truly examines him or herself, if we are honest, we have to agree with the charge.  Even if a believer was successful in living a life totally for God, and I do not believe that is possible, he would soon discover his "sinlessness" was actually the source of their pride, which is certainly a sin! 

Let's look at a few passages to determine if observers should expect to see perfection in believers.

In Matthew 5:27-28, Jesus taught that if a person lusts in his heart, he is guilty of sin.  That truth can be applied to sexual lust, as well as, lusting for the goods of another (coveting).  Other than Jesus, I doubt there ever has been a born again believer who was not guilty of sin in his thoughts.

In Romans 7:15-25, the Apostle Paul described the battle going on in his life, between the desire to please God, and the desires of his flesh.  That which he wanted to do, he didn't do, and that which he hated because it displeased God, he found himself doing.  Notice that the entire passage is written by Paul AFTER he became a follower of Christ.  How do I know this?  Because the verbs he uses are all present tense.

In First John 1:8-10, notice that the born again John, writing to fellow believers, uses the present tense, and collective pronouns throughout:

"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us."

I believe the stumbling block for unbelievers which is preventing them from listening to the Gospel message, is due to the fact that the Church, over the centuries, has failed to emphasize that Christians are not saved by works, but are saved by the unmerited favor (grace) of God.  We need to acknowledge that we are still unworthy of His forgiveness (mercy), still unworthy of His of His love, and still unworthy of salvation!  Christians are not perfect!  We are simply messengers sent by God to invite the lost to place their trust in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus for the sins of all mankind according to the Scriptures (1 Cor. 15:1-4)!  When they discover we are not inviting them to become perfect, but inviting them to join us in doing ones best to honor the Savior, they will get their eyes off of us, and on the One Who loved them enough to die for them!

 

Born again believers are not perfect...YET (1 Jn. 3:1-2)!

CHRIST'S MODEL PRAYER

Matthew 6:9-13 - "After this manner therefore pray ye:  Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name.  Thy kingdom come.  Thy will be done in 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 Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."

"Our Father" - It is not all about us; there are millions who rightfully call God their Father.  By accepting Christ's death, burial, and resurrection on our behalf, we become children of God (Jn. 1:12; Rom. 8:16; Gal. 3:26; 1 Jn. 3:1-2; etc.)!
"(Who) art in heaven" - God is correctly called "our heavenly Father" (Mt. 6:14, 26, 32; 15:13; 18:35; Lk. 11:13; etc.)!
"Hallowed be Thy name" - "Hallowed" means holy, set apart or sanctified - the Greek ἁγιάζω (hagiazō), is translated "sanctified" 26 times; "hallowed" (here and in Lk. 11:2); and "holy" once (Rev. 22:11).  According to Ex. 6:3, God's name in the Hebrew is יְהֹוָה (Yĕhovah).
"Thy kingdom come" - It is not here yet, but will be on earth for 1000 years, known as the Millennial Reign of Christ (Rev. 20:1-7).
"Thy will be done (on) earth as it is in heaven" - It is not until Christ reigns with a rod of iron, that mankind will reluctantly submit to God's will (Rev. 2:27; 12:5; 19:15; etc.)!
"Give us this day our daily bread" - Our nourishment should not be taken for granted, but we should ask God to provide, and we should be grateful for His provision (Mt. 7:11; Lk. 1:53; etc.)!
"Forgive us our debts (trespasses - sins) as we forgive our debtors" - Born again believers still sin (Rom. 7:15-26; 1 Jn. 1:8-10; etc.), and because God forgive us when we confess our sins to Him, we are to follow His example and forgive others who acknowledge they have wronged us (Mt. 18:21-35).
"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil" - Your Word says You will not allow us to be tested beyond our ability to remain faithful, and that You will protect us from those who would do us harm, so we remind ourselves of Your promise (1 Cor. 10:13)!
"For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever."- We are comforted in knowing that You are more powerful than our enemies (Rev. 19:6)!

  AMEN!

WHAT DO WE ACTUALLY KNOW ABOUT ANGELS?

DO ALL ANGELS FLY?

Revelation 8:13 - "And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!

Revelation 14:6 - "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting Gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people."

IS THERE MORE THAN ONE ARCHANGEL?

1 Thessalonians 4:16 - "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."

Jude 1:9 "Yet Michael THE archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

SERAPHIMS:  SIX-WINGED ANGELS

Isaiah 6:1-3 - "In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and His train filled the temple.  Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.  And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory."

Revelation 4:8 - "And the four beasts (four created beings - the seraphims) had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come."

CHERUBIMS:  FOUR-WINGED ANGELS

Ezekiel 1:5-6, 11 - "Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures (four created beings - cherubims). And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man.  And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings.  Thus were their faces: and their wings were stretched upward; two wings of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies.
Ezekiel 10:20-21 - "This is the living creature that I saw under the God of Israel by the river of Chebar; and I knew that they were the cherubims.  Every one had four faces apiece, and every one four wings; and the likeness of the hands of a man was under their wings."

The Bible should be our only source of information on the angelic beings.

SALVATION: ACCEPTING GOD'S FREE GIFT

What is the Gospel?

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

Why does one need to believe the Gospel?

Romans 1:16-17 -  "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith."

Where are we to share the Gospel?

Matthew 24:14 - "And this Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."

 Mark 13:10 - "And the Gospel must first be published among all nations."

Mark 16:15 - "And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature."

Acts 1:8 - "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

When are we to share the Gospel?

1 Peter 3:15 - "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear."

2 Corinthians 6:2 - "For He saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation."

Do you want to know what you must do to be saved? 

 

Romans 10:9-13 - "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.  For the Scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed.  For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him.  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Salvation is a gift from God to those who believe the Gospel.

 

Ephesians 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."


JESUS ACCORDING TO PETER

If you want to get to know someone, one way is to discuss him with his friends.  One can even learn a lot about a person by listening to his enemies.  In Matthew 8:29, the demons call Jesus "the Son of God!  But obviously, those who are closest to him will know him best; they will have seen him at his best and his worst.  And yet, not a single disciple ever saw Jesus sin; the writer of the Book of Hebrews stated that Jesus was actually sinless (Heb. 4:15; 9:25)!  If you want to know Jesus, the best person to hear from would be Peter.  Here is what he had to say about Jesus:   

"Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Mt. 16:16).
"Lord" (Mt. 17:4).
"Master" (Mk. 9:5).
"Lord" (Jn. 21:21).
"Lord and Christ" (Acts 2:36).

"Jesus Christ" (1 Pet. 1:1, 2, 7, 13).
"Our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Pet. 1:3).
"Jesus Christ" (1 Pet. 2:5).
"Shepherd and Bishop of your souls" (1 Pet. 2:25).
"Jesus Christ" (1 Pet. 3:21).
"Jesus Christ" (1 Pet. 4:11).
"Chief Shepherd" (1 Pet. 5:4).
"Christ Jesus" (1 Pet. 5:10, 14).

"Our Saviour Jesus Christ" (2 Pet. 1:1).
"Jesus our Lord" (2 Pet. 1:2).
"Our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Pet. 1:8).
"Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" (2 Pet. 1:11).
"Our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Pet. 1:14).
"Our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Pet. 1:16).
"God's beloved Son" (2 Pet. 1:17).
"Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" (2 Pet. 2:20).
"Lord and Saviour" (2 Pet. 3:2).
"Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" (2 Pet. 3:18).

Pretty impressive character witness, huh!  Peter who had been rebuked by Jesus on a few occasions, still recognized Him as his Lord, Master, Saviour, and the Son of God!  If Peter were to speak to you today, would you believe his testimony?  Remember, he was willing to die for Him, and eventually did die for his faith in Jesus.  If you do believe Peter's presentation of Jesus Christ, what do you think you should do?  Might I suggest thank Him for dying for your sins.  Thank Him for His desire to have fellowship with the likes of you and me.  Seek to know what pleases Him, and live your life for Him out of gratitude for His giving His life for you! 

 

The best way to demonstrate faith, is to allow Jesus to be Lord over your life!

EVERY KNEE WILL BOW TO HIM SOONER OR LATER!

Have you ever wondered why today's Church is becoming more and more impotent in its effort to win the lost for Christ?  We are not only reaching fewer lost souls, but those who once professed to believe in Jesus Christ, are leaving, are falling away from their commitment to Him.  Of course the Bible says that as we get closer to His Second Coming, this will occur, but I do not recall the Word giving a clear reason why.  The Apostle Paul wrote:

"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).

And Jesus, Himself, had this to say about His return in Luke 18:8 - ". . . Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?" 


Perhaps the problem is that we have watered down the Gospel so that it has lost its power to save (Rom. 1:16).  We have the Gospel stated in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4: 

"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand . . . . 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."

But notice the only title given for Jesus is "Christ."  Is it possible that the Church needs to define exactly who the "Christ" is?  It does make a huge difference, since many false cults and even many denominations, fail to recognize Jesus for who the Bible says He is!  Jesus is:


     * "Lord" over seven hundred times in twenty-five books of the New Testament.

     * He is called "Lord Jesus" one hundred seventeen times in the New Testament.

     * He is the "Son of God" forty-six times in the New Testament.

     * He is both "Lord and Savior" four times; all are in 2 Peter.

     * Jesus is the "Savior" twenty-four times in the New Testament.

     * He is called "Master" over eighty times in the New Testament.

 

Jesus is to be worshipped and served; that too is part of the Gospel Message!

BELIEVE = CHRISTIAN; DENY = ANTICHRIST

IDENTIFYING CHRISTIANS

Matthew 27:43 - "He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now, if He will have Him: for He said, I am the Son of God." (Also Mark 15:39)
Matthew 27:54 - "Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God."
Mark 1:1 - "The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God."
Mark 3:11 - "And unclean spirits, when they saw Him, fell down before Him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God."
Luke 1:35 - "And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that Holy (One) which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God."
Luke 4:41 - "And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And He rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that He was Christ."
John 1:34 - "And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God."
John 10:36 - "Say ye of Him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?"
Acts 8:37 - "And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."
Acts 9:20 - "And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God."
Romans 1:4 - "And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the (Holy Spirit) , by the resurrection from the dead."
Galatians 2:20 - "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself for me."
Hebrews 4:14 - "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession."
1 John 5:12 - "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life."
1 John 5:20 - "And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life."

IDENTIFYING THE ANTICHRIST

1 John 2:22 - "Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son."

PETER WAS GIVEN THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM

In Matthew 16:16-19, Jesus asked His disciples who they thought He was.  Peter answered by saying, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."  Jesus responded saying, "Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My Father which is in heaven.  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven" (Mt. 16 16-19).

So what did Jesus mean by that?  Roman Catholicism says that Jesus was officially ordaining Peter as the first Pope.  Protestants are quick to point out that the word translated "Peter" was the Greek Πέτρος (Petros), which is translated "Peter" 161 times, and "stone" (a small stone for throwing) once.  On the other hand, the word translated "rock" is the Greek πέτρα (petra), which is always translated "rock" (16 times - and it means "a large bolder or the foundation upon which one would build").

Like most passages in the Bible, if one diligently studies other related or similar texts, the meaning of the first is usually revealed.  This is true in this case, as well.  In Acts 1:8, Jesus tells His disciples that "...ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea (Jews), and in Samaria (Samaritans), and unto the uttermost part of the earth (Gentiles)."  And, if we study the spread of the Gospel as it is presented in Acts, we find that Peter was present when the Holy Spirit confirmed that salvation was not only for the Jews, but was for Samaritans and Gentiles:

"But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:  for these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.  But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel:  And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:  and on My servants and on My handmaidens I will pour out in those days of My Spirit; and they shall prophesy" (Acts 2:14-18).

"Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the Word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:  who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:  (For as yet He was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)  Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost" (Acts 8:14-17).

"To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.  While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the Word.  And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 10:43-45).

So, it was Peter who was the first to declare that the evidence of the working of the Holy Spirit in the Jews, the Samaritans, and the Gentiles, was proof indeed that they were all accepted by God as equal members of the Body of Christ resulting from their faith in the Gospel message!

BEING FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

Acts 2:1-6 - God uses those who are filled with the Spirit
"And when the Day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.  And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.  Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language."

Acts 8:8-10, 31 - Those filled with the Spirit meet the needs of others
"Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, if we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by Him doth this man stand here before you whole. . . . And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spake the Word of God with boldness."

Acts 9:17-20 - Those filled with the Spirit obey and proclaim Christ
"And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.  And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.  And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.  And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God."

Acts 13:9-12 - Those filled with the Spirit will correct and encourage others
"Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, and said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?  And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.  Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord."

Ephesians 3:14-19 - To be filled with the Spirit is to be indwelt by the fullness of God
"For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God."

Ephesians 5:15-21 - To be filled with the Spirit is to walk in the joy of the Lord
"See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.  Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.  And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God."

THE FOUR AND TWENTY ELDERS

Five times in the Book of Revelation, John refers to "the four and twenty elders" worshipping the Lord (4:10; 5:14; 7:11; 11:16; and 19:4).  The identity of the twenty-four elders is not specifically stated, which has led to much speculation as to who they are.  Some (very few) have suggested that they are angels who represent either Israel, the Church, or both.  Because they are dressed in white garments and are wearing crowns (4:4 - a description which is never said of angels), most commentators hold to their identity as being glorified saints from either Israel, or the Church, or again, both. 

First let me say, that if their identity was important, the Lord would have identified them.  That being said, I do not want to get caught up in a debate over it.  I prefer instead to present what can be gleaned from the context surrounding each of the five times they are mentioned.  In 4:4-11, they are clothed in white, they are seated around God's throne, they are in the presence of four "beasts," which seem to represent the four Gospels (see the footnote in Ryrie's Study Bible:  a lion - Matthew; a calf - Mark; a man - Luke; and a flying eagle - John) and because they each have six wings, it is likely they are seraphim, angels of God (Isa. 6:1-3).  Again, in 5:14, the four "beasts" are worshipping with the elders.  In 7:9-17, the four "beasts," the elders, and the angels of God, are joined by a great multitude who, we are told in v. 14, are the martyrs from the Tribulation. 

In 11:16-17, the elders, who had been seated, fall before the Lord God, and they worship Him.  And finally, in 19:1-5, the elders join the multitudes of heaven in praising the Lord.  We are also told that a "voice came out of the throne, saying, "Praise our God, all ye His servants, and ye that fear Him, both small and great" (v. 5)!  I wouldn't want to be dogmatic about this, but I believe that only Jesus is seated with His Father on the throne of heaven; it is totally consistent for Christ to focus men's praise on His Father (see John 17:1, 4, 6, 26; etc. for just a few examples).

There is one possible clue as to the four and twenty elders' identity; it is found in the Lord's description of the holy city, the New Jerusalem, in 21:12-14, which says:

"And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:  on the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.  And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb."   

The praise and worship of the four and twenty didn't get them saved;

they, like us, worship Him out of gratitude for saving them!

FUTURE EVENTS AND WHERE THEY OCCUR

1.     THE RAPTURE – THE CHURCH GOES UP TO HEAVEN

         JN. 14:1-3; 1 COR. 15:50-51; 1 TH. 4:13 – 5:11; REV. 4:1

2.      THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST – REWARDS JUDGMENT IN HEAVEN

         ROM. 14:10-12; 1 COR. 3:9-15; 9:25; 2 COR. 5:5-10; 1 TH. 2:19-20;

         2 TIM. 4:8; 1 PET. 5:2-4; REV. 2:10

3.      THE TRIBULATION; DANIEL’S 70^th WEEK; THE TIME OF JACOB’S TROUBLE ON EARTH

         DAN. 9:26-27; JER. 30:7; MT. 24:4-28; REV. 6:1 – 19:10

4.      THE MARRIAGE OF CHRIST AND HIS BRIDE, THE CHURCH, IN HEAVEN

         REV. 19:7-8 (BY THE TIME JESUS RETURNS, SHE IS CALLED HIS “WIFE” - V. 7)

5.      CHRIST’S SECOND COMING TO EARTH

         MT. 24:29 – 25:46; REV. 19:11-16

6.      THE MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB ON EARTH

          MT. 22:14; 25:1-13; LK. 14:16-24; REV. 19:9

7.       CHRIST’S MILLENNIAL KINGDOM FOR 1000 YRS. ON EARTH

          HUNDREDS OF PASSAGES, ESPECIALLY REV. 20:1-10

8.       THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT ON EARTH

          REV. 20:11-15

9.       THE NEW HEAVEN, EARTH, AND JERUSALEM: OUR ETERNAL HOME

          REV. 21:1 – 22:5

10.     ETERNITY WITH GOD!

           JN. 14:1-3; 2 COR. 5:8; 1 TH. 4:17

SECOND THESSALONIANS CHAPTER TWO

       "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto Him (the Rapture - Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Th. 4:13-18; etc.), 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 (the Second Coming - v. 8; Rev. 19:11-21; etc.).  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day (Christ's Second Coming) shall not come, except there come a falling away FIRST (the Greek ἀποστασία - apostasia - translated "forsade" 575 times and "falling away" once), and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 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 (Dan. 9:26-27; 11:31; 12:11; Rev. 13:1-10).  Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?"
      
       "And NOW ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.  For the mystery of iniquity doth already work (1 Jn. 2:18-22; 4:3; 2 Jn. 1:7-9): only He (the Lord GOD - Ezek. 31:15) Who now letteth will let, until He be taken out of the way.  And THEN shall that Wicked (One - Dan. 9:26-27; Mt. 24:15. Rev. 13:1-10; etc. ) be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth (Rev. 19:15), and shall destroy with the brightness of His (Second) coming:  even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved."

       "And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:  that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness (Rom. 1:18-32).  But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the Truth (Jn. 14:6):  whereunto He called you by our Gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ."

       "Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.  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 (Jn. 14:1; 1 Th. 4:18; etc.), and stablish you in every good word and work (Rom. 8:28-29; Eph. 2:10; Phil. 1:6; etc.)."

HOW TO RECOGNIZE BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS

"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation (full payment of the price that satisfied our debt - Rom. 6:23a) for our sins.  Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.  No man hath seen God at any time.  If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and His love is perfected in us.  Hereby know we that we dwell in Him, and He in us, because He hath given (Eph. 2:8) us of His Spirit (Jn. 3:3-8).  And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.  Whosoever shall confess (Rom. 10:9-10) that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.  And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us (Jn. 17:23).  God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as He is, so are we in this world.  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment.  He that feareth is not made perfect in love.  We love Him, because He first loved us.
If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?  And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.  Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth Him that begat loveth Him also that is begotten of Him (Jn. 3:16).  By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep His commandments (Mt. 22:36-40).  For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous. 

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.  Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?  This is He that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood.  And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.  For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.  And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.  If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which He hath testified of His Son (Mt. 3:17; 17:5; 2 Pet. 1:17).
He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made Him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of His Son.  And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life (Jn. 3:15; 10:28; Rom. 6:23b; 1 Jn. 5:20), and this life is in His Son.  He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.  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 . . . ." (1Jn. 4:10-5:13).

LISTENING FOR GOD'S VOICE

I was just sitting here reading the many posts on Facebook, and one of them was a testimony by a young man who "heard from God."  Being the skeptic I am, I read what "the Lord had said," and it reminded me of a few (you can count them on one hand) times that I "heard God."  I immediately changed my attitude, as I clearly know God is no respecter of persons - if He had spoken to me, a proverbial "no-one," certainly He could, and definitely would, speak to others!

"Hearing God" and "hearing from God," are not necessarily the same thing.  Born again believers "hear from God" many times during the day; we read our Bibles, we hear from other believers, we see the "hand of God working out His will" in our lives and the lives of others.  But "hearing God," is a totally different story.  I must confess that of the few times He has spoken to me, I didn't always realize it was Him.  He has said, "Jesus wept," when I was crying over the life of one of our children.  He has said, "As much as possible, get along with all men," when I was beating myself up over my feeling toward a fellow seminary student who delighted in being a "jerk." 

But not every "message" to me from God was a quote of Scripture.  Once, He said, "Turn to September second."  Again, it was a very difficult time in my life, and I had picked up my copy of Our Daily Bread for whatever solace it would give me.  It was mid-November, so I thought nothing of it.  Then I heard it again, "Turn to September second."  Thinking it strange that I was hearing a voice saying that, I decided to turn to September 16th, my birthday.  Again, a third time, I heard the same words:  "Turn to September second."  So I did.  WOW!  In my mind, I was immediately taken back to that September day that I lost control of my emotions during a Chapel service.  I sobbed uncontrollably, and had no idea why!  Now, here is November, was why!  The title of the devotion was "God's Love Softens Hearts!"  I remembered being bitter that I was in a liberal, almost God-less seminary, when I wanted to attend a solid Bible-believing school.  In that moment, I clearly remember having a change of heart; I couldn't wait to get back to class, and was even looking forward to next week's speaker:  A WOMAN!  Who would have "thunk it?"  Certainly not I!  The following week, the Dean of the School of Christian Services spoke, and believe it or not, her message answered three issues I had prayed earnestly about that very morning!  When I told her afterwards, she, a huge woman, gave me a "bear-hug" that about crushed my "larger than necessary frame!"

The last time I "heard God," it was in response to a call to become the Pastor of a small Kentucky rural church.  I was less than encouraged when my wife refused to move.  Waking up from an afternoon nap, I heard, "You go, and let her come on the weekends."  When I told her, she took a minute, and then said she could live with that; (having me out of her hair five days a week sounded good, I am sure - LOL).  I didn't even realize it was God, until I was relating the story to a friend on campus the next day (Dr. Kevin Cosby)!  That is when I realized the "voice" spoke in second person, or I should write it "Second Person."  He was telling me to GO! 

I haven't "heard God" since, and that is really sad!  However, it is wonderful to know that He is still speaking to "no-bodies" all around the globe!  Praise God for His voice, His Word, and His saving me by His grace and mercy!  Thank you God, for allowing me to know Jesus Christ is my Savior! 

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

Acts 16:29-34 - "Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, and brought them out, and said, Sirs, WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?  And they said, BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, and THOU SHALT BE SAVED . . . . And they spake unto him the Word of the Lord (The Gospel - Mk. 16:15; Rom. 1:15-17; 1 Cor. 15:3-4) . . . . And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized . . . . And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, BELIEVING IN GOD . . . ." 

Romans 10:8-17 - "But what saith it? The Word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the Word of faith, which we preach; that IF THOU SHALT CONFESS with thy mouth the LORD Jesus (acknowledge Jesus as your Lord), AND SHALT BELIEVE in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, (THEN) THOU SHALT BE SAVED.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  For the Scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed.  For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him.  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.  How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed?  And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?  And how shall they hear without a preacher?  And how shall they preach, except they be sent?  As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!  But they have not all obeyed the Gospel.  For Isaiah saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?  So then, FAITH COMETH BY HEARING AND HEARING BY THE WORD OF GOD."

Ephesians 2:4-9 - "But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved); and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:  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 YE ARE SAVED THROUGH FAITH; and that not of yourselves: IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD:  not of works, lest any man should boast."

So, what must you do to be saved? 

1)  HEAR THE GOSPEL 

2)  BELIEVE THE GOSPEL 

3)  ACKNOWLEDGE JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR LORD!

GOD HAS HAD JUST ABOUT ENOUGH!

Scripture tells us that in order for a Jew to get saved, he needs to see a sign; he needs evidence or proof that what is being said, is in fact, from God and therefore true (1 Cor. 1:22).  Because Jesus wanted His brethren, the Jews, to accept Him, He was constantly doing signs and working miracles.  John wrote:  "This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth His glory; and His disciples believed on Him" (Jn. 2:11). In Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost, he said, "Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by Him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know" (Acts 2:22).  And the writer of the Book of Hebrews wrote:  "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to His own will?" (Heb.2:3-4).

But what happens when the Jews ascribe the working of miracles meant to convince them that Jesus is the Son of God, to the power of Satan himself?  The answer is simple:  they are without hope!  In the passage below, Jesus healed a man through the power given Him by the Holy Spirit (Mt. 12:28).  When the religious leaders refused to admit that they were convinced Jesus was the Messiah, they literally called the Holy Spirit a liar!  Even worse, they called Him Satan!  Matthew 12:22-24 says,

"Then was brought unto Him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and He healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.  And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?  But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils."

Since it is the work of the Holy Spirit to convince man of his need for Jesus as his Savior and Lord (Jn. 16:8-15), and provide him with the new birth (Jn. 3:3-8), by rejecting the evidence that produces faith, the individual is guilty of blasphemy of the Holy Spirit!  Jesus said, "...All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.  And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come" (Mt. 12:31-32).
      
Later, when the religious leaders asked for still another sign, Jesus had had enough!  "...He answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:  for as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth" (Mt. 12:39-40).  They would get no other sign than His death and His resurrection!

 

"My spirit shall not always strive with man..." (Gen. 6:3)!

THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION

[Dan. 9:27] "And he (the Antichrist) shall confirm the covenant with many for one week (seven years): and in the midst of the week ("a thousand two hundred and three score days" - Rev. 11:3; or "forty and two months" - Rev. 11:2; or "a time, times, and half" - with a "time" being one year, or three and a half years - Dan. 12:7) 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."

[Mt. 24:15] "When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place; whoso readeth, let him understand."

[Rev. 13:4-17] "And they worshipped the dragon (Satan - Rev. 12:9; 20:2) which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?  And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.  And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.  And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.  And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.  If any man have an ear, let him hear.  He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints."
                        "And I beheld another beast (the False Prophet - Rev. 16:13; 19:20) coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.  And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.  And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.  And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.  And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:  and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.  Here is wisdom.  Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six."

---

THE JUDGMENT OF THE NATIONS: MATTHEW 25:32-46

     "And before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats:  and He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.  Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:  for I was an hungered, and ye gave Me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave Me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took Me in:  naked, and ye clothed Me: I was sick, and ye visited Me: I was in prison, and ye came unto Me."
     "Then shall the righteous answer Him, saying, Lord, when saw we Thee an hungered, and fed Thee?  Or thirsty, and gave Thee drink?  When saw we Thee a stranger, and took Thee in?  Or naked, and clothed Thee?  Or when saw we Thee sick, or in prison, and came unto Thee?"
     "And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me."
     "Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:  for I was an hungered, and ye gave Me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave Me no drink:  I was a stranger, and ye took Me not in:  naked, and ye clothed Me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited Me not."
     "Then shall they also answer Him, saying, Lord, when saw we Thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto Thee?"
     "Then shall He answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to Me.  And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal."

Some observations:
1.  ALL nations would seem to include Israel, unless Jesus is distinguishing Israel from the rest of the nations by identifying them as "My brethren."
2.  This judgment occurs right after Christ's Second Coming.  Since the Church was caught up to be with Jesus prior to the seven-year Tribulation, these had to have come to faith during the Tribulation, perhaps from hearing the two witnesses (Rev. 11) or the sealed 144,000 Jewish witnesses (Rev. 7). 
3.  We know that the Word says "there is none righteous, no not one" (Rom. 3:10), and it is only through faith in God that righteousness is imputed unto a man (Rom. 4:16-22; Jam. 3:23; etc.); therefore, those who ministered to the Lord's brethren, did so because they had faith it was God's will that they do so!  They had come to faith in Christ!
4.  To reinforce the last point, notice that "the righteous" have eternal life!  "Eternal life" is mentioned 26 times in the Bible, and it is only offered to those who believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Jn. 3:15; 1 Jn. 5:20; etc.)!

Remember what God told Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3!

THE LORD'S TEACHING ON DANIEL'S 70th WEEK

THE FIRST HALF OF THE SEVEN-YEAR TRIBULATION

Mt. 24:3-14 (Cp. Dan. 9:27a; Rev. Ch. 6 - 11)

[3] And as He sat upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples came unto Him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be?  And what shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?  [4] And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.  [5] For many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.  [6] And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.  [7] For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.  [8] All these are the Beginning of Sorrows.  [9] Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for My name's sake.  [10] And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.  [11] And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.  [12] And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.  [13] But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.  [14] And this Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

 

THE MID-POINT OF THE SEVEN-YEAR TRIBULATION

Mt. 24:15-20 (Cp. Dan. 9:27b; Rev. Ch. 12-13)

[15] When ye therefore shall see the Abomination of Desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)  [16] Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:  [17] Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:  [18] Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.  [19] And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!  [20] But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day.
 

THE LAST HALF OF THE SEVEN-YEAR TRIBULATION

Mt. 24:21-28 (Cp. Dan. 9:27c; Rev. Ch. 14-18)

[21] For then shall be Great Tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.  [22] And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.  [23] Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.  [24] For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.  [25] Behold, I have told you before.  [26] Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, He is in the desert; go not forth: behold, He is in the secret chambers; believe it not.  [27] For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.  [28] For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

 

THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST

Mt. 24:29-30 (Cp. Rev. Ch. 19)

[29] 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:  [30] 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.

THE KEYS TO UNDERSTANDING THE END TIMES

There are three books in the Bible that provide us with an outline of what will happen following the Rapture of the Church.  Before I address them, I want to be very clear that the Church must be removed from the earth prior to the Tribulation beginning.  First, the Tribulation is described as being the "wrath of God" (Zeph. 1:15, 18; 1 Th. 1:9-10; Rev. 6:16-17; etc.), and Paul wrote of the Church, "...God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Th. 5:9).  Secondly, the Tribulation is Daniel's Seventieth Week (Dan. 9:24-27), or the "Time of Jacob's Trouble (Jer. 30:7), and the Church did not exist during the first "sixty-nine weeks" (Dan. 9:24-27).  Thirdly, the "types" of Noah and Lot both teach that God lifts those who are His, up above the destruction He intends to bring upon the earth below (Gen. 7:17; 19:30).  Other key passages also refer to the Pre-Tribulation Rapture (Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Th. 4:13-18).

The first of the three books is Daniel.  In Daniel 9:24-27 (cp. Neh. 2:5-8), we find that from the time of the decree of Artaxerxes to restore Jerusalem and the Temple (445 B.C.), until the time of the Crucifixion of Christ, would be "sixty-nine weeks" or 483 years.  The "seventieth week, "the Tribulation," remains to be fulfilled.  The Church Age, a mystery hidden from Israel (Eph. 3:9; 5:32; Col. 1:26-27; etc.), is a parenthetical period that has lasted nearly 2000 years, so far!

The second book which describes the Tribulation, the Book of Matthew, gives us more detail of the events.  In what has been called the "Olivet Discourse," Jesus expounds with more detail, a brief outline if you will, of the Tribulation (Mt. 24:3-29).  Notice that the sudden change found in verse fifteen, coincides with Daniel 9:27, where the Antichrist suddenly breaks his agreement with Israel.

Of course, the third book, the Book of Revelation, lays out the events from the time of the Apostle John, until the coming of the "New Heaven and New Earth" and Eternity!  The book is divided into three parts, as described in Revelation 1:19 - "Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter."  Chapter One describes the Glorified Christ, Whom John had seen during the Lord's earthly ministry (Mt. 17:1-8).  Chapters Two and Three describe the Church Age, as represented by the seven churches which existed during John's life.  Chapters Four and Five picture John "raptured" and his description of heaven.  Chapters Six through Eleven speak of the first half of the Tribulation, a period of exactly three and a half years (Dan. 7:25; 12:7; Rev. 12:14), forty-two months (Rev. 11:2; 13:5), or twelve hundred sixty days (Rev. 11:3; 12:6).  Chapters Twelve and Thirteen describe, in more detail, what was first presented in Daniel (9:27) and Matthew (24:15).  Chapters Fourteen through Eighteen present the "Great Tribulation" (Mt. 24:21).  Chapters Nineteen and Twenty give us a picture of Christ's Second Coming and His Millennial Kingdom.  The rest of Revelation introduces us to the New Heaven and New Earth, and beginning of Eternity.

The Word says God does not wish His children to be ignorant;

He has provided us with comforting words that "He's got this!"

WE ARE SEALED UNTO GOD BY GRACE

Our God is so amazing!  Jesus told His disciples that His Father loved them, with the same love which He had for His Son!  In John 17:23, Jesus says, "I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me."  You and I know full well that we are unworthy, that we are sinners needing forgiveness, needing God's mercy.  And because we are unworthy, whatever good that God would do for us is pure grace - His unmerited favor!

The Father sent His only begotten Son to die for us because He loves us (Jn. 3:16)!  Jesus willingly offered Himself as our Passover Lamb (1 Cor. 5:7), just as Israel offered their sacrificial animals to cover their sins, and to restore fellowship between them and God (Acts 20:28; Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14; Heb. 9:14)!  When we acknowledge our sin and our need of the Savior, the Holy Spirit gives us a new birth; we are born again (Jn. 3:3-8).  In addition, He takes up residence within us, to guide and comfort us (Jn. 14:17; 16:13).  Grace upon grace!

In addition, Jesus taught that the Father had sealed Jesus unto Himself; their relationship could never be broken.  John wrote:  "Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for Him hath God the Father sealed" (Jn. 6:27). 

When we place our faith in Jesus, the Word of God says that we too are sealed as His possession.  The Apostle Paul wrote:  "For all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.  Now He which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest (a pledge or down-payment that the full amount will subsequently be paid)  of the Spirit in our hearts" (2 Cor. 1:20-22).  He elaborated on this awesome truth in his letter to the church at Ephesus:

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:  according as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love:  having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the Beloved.  In Whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace; wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself:  that in the dispensation of the fulness of times, He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him:  in Whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will:  that we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ.  In Whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the Word of truth, the Gospel of your salvation: in Whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, Who is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory" (Eph. 1:3-14).

DON'T YOU JUST HATE IT WHEN YOUR PLANS ARE MESSED UP?

Have you ever started your day out with a frustrating situation, and after it was over, realized that God had been kind and merciful even in the difficulty?  That is the way my Sunday started.  I usually leave home about an hour and a half before Sunday school, so that I can get a McDonald's sausage McMuffin and a large diet coke.  However, today I didn't feel I should follow my routine, so when I got in line at the drive-through, I decided to get an apple turnover instead of the sandwich.  Well, not only was the line extremely slow today, by the time I got to the "pay-up" window, the manager was there to tell me it would take eight minutes to get the turnover prepared.  He said he had put the item in the oven when he saw my order on the monitor, and I told him I literally had sat in the line for more than eight minutes already.  Apparently he hadn't already started the turnover as he said, because he gave me a "free meal card" for my inconvenience, and when I got to the "pick up" window, the lady said to pull around, and that when it was finished, someone would bring it out to me.  Believe it or not, I sat out front for at least another ten minutes before it arrived.  Then it happened.  When I tried to put the car into drive, it was dead!  Oh great!

Well, as I thought about what I was going to do, two young men who had been seated on the patio with their wives, came over and told me to pop the hood.  One told me that it had to be the alternator, because I apparently had been driving on the battery power.  He checked and sure enough, the belt that connects everything, was gone!  One of them said, if I went to Auto Zone and got one, he would put it on right there in the McD's lot.  When I asked if Auto Zone was open at 8 a.m. on Sundays, and one of the wives called them to check; praise the Lord, they were!  I borrowed her cell phone (I don't own one), and called my wife, who arrived about ten minutes later.  We got the belt, and they fixed the car. 

Afterword, I started thinking about my granddaughter driving it the night before; I thanked God it didn't break down for her!  I remembered that the long ordeal of my drive through experience, had caused the car battery to die while I was parked next to the patio where my "rescuer" were.  The had tools; they had a cell phone; they had kind hearts; they were there for me by God's provision!  Had I driven down the road on my way to church, I would have broken down with no cell phone; with no rescuers; I would have been in a mess!

As it was, I actually was only about ten minutes late for Sunday school!  I am so thankful that God protected me from being stranded.  I am so thankful that my granddaughter didn't break down; I am so glad that Auto Zone was open!  And although it cost me for the belt, and I gave the good Samaritans some money for helping me, I was able to do that because my wife went next door to the McDonald's to the Meijer store where our bank's ATM is. 

The moral of the story:  when lines are long; when cashiers have a difficult time figuring out how much change she owed me; when car trouble throws you off schedule; there is a reason!  I invited one of the young men to church because he told me he was looking for a good church.  God is good!  Everything He allows to happen in our lives, is for a reason - a good reason!  Praise the Lord!

THE BIBLE CALLS IT A STAR!

The star of Bethlehem, famous for leading the Magi to the young child Jesus (Matt. 2:1-11), appears to have been created on the day of His birth, although there is no proof of that. The fact that Gentiles recognized it as signaling the arrival of the King of the Jews, is a miracle in and of itself. There are some other details about the star that make it unique: its movement is described as having led them from the East to Jerusalem, stopping, and then moving south to Bethlehem. Because Jerusalem is only about five miles north of Bethlehem, the calculation of its precise position and the direction of movement are remarkable. We do not know how long each leg of the journey took, but their observation of it must have been over several months. And then, the fact that they were able to pin-point His home (Mt. 2:11), is beyond remarkable.

Many theories have been offered over the centuries, including calling it a meteoroid, also known as "a falling star" or "a shooting star." But meteoroids do not stop and start, nor do they make right-angle turns. Some have said it was the convergence of two or more planets, but they are incapable of those movements as well. I have not heard of anyone saying it was actually an angel, but it is a definite possibility. Angels are frequently called "stars" in the Word (Jud. 5:20; Job 38:7; Isa. 14:13; Dan. 8:10; Jude 1:13; Rev. 1:20; 6:13; 12:4). Angels are said to be bright (2 Cor. 11:14), and since angels were involved in the Nativity (Lk. 1-2), it is not all that unreasonable. It would explain the movement and the precise positioning.

The New Testament word translated "star," comes from the Ancient Greek word ἀστήρ (astér). Most are familiar with the word "Aster," as it is the name of a star-shaped flower, and an asterisk is a star-like symbol (*). The asterisk is used to call out a footnote. Typically, an asterisk is positioned after a word or phrase and preceding its accompanying message at the bottom of a page. I find it interesting that an asterisk acts as a "messenger" to alert the reader of additional information. The meaning of the words used for "angel" in the Bible, actually mean "messenger."

Regardless of what the "star" was, when it comes right down to it, it pales in comparison to the true Star that day. This Child born of a virgin (Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:18-23; Lk. 1:26-35), was not only the center of attention on that special day, He is central to life itself. He created all that there is (Jn. 1:1-3; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:1-3). Notice in the Hebrews reference that He was the "brightness of His (Father's) glory, and the express image of His (Father's) person." Jesus is described as being the brightness of the sun at the Transfiguration (Matt. 17:2), in the vision of John (Rev. 1:16), and at His return (2 Thes. 2:8). After all, He is God (Matt. 1:23; Lk. 1:47; Jn. 20:28; Phil. 2:5-8; 1 Tim. 3:16; 4:10; Titus 2:10; Heb. 1:8-10; Jude 1:12; etc.), and God is Light (1 Jn. 1:5).

 

Ever wonder why some Christians need to "redefine" God's Word?

A BRIEF OUTLINE OF REVELATION

Written by the Apostle John (circa A.D. 95), the Book of Revelation consists of twenty-two chapters; these chapters reveal the vision revealed to him while he was exiled on the Isle of Patmos, a small island in the Aegean Sea, southwest of Ephesus.  According to Revelation 1:19, John's vision was divided into three parts:  John was to write what he had seen (Ch. 1); what was happening at the time of his vision (Ch. 2 & 3); and what was to occur in the future (Ch. 4 - 22).  John obviously recognized the glorified Jesus (1:10-18), for he had been one of three Apostles who had been with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration (Mt. 17:1-9; Mk. 9:2-10; Lk. 9:28-36).

In Chapters 2 & 3, the vision describes seven churches that existed at the time John was in exile.  They are described by how God views them, and at the end of each description, John wrote:  "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches" (2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22).  For those churches that needed to be rebuked, received it; the two which received only praise from the Lord, Smyrna and Philadelphia, were commended for their faithfulness.

Chapters 4 & 5 describe what John was shown in heaven.  Chapter 4:1 is viewed by many to be symbolic of the Rapture of the Church prior to the Tribulation.  It is important to note that John is present on earth during the first three chapters, but the rest of the vision is revealed to him in heaven.  Chapters 6 - 10 describe the first half of the Tribulation.  During this time, Israel lives in relative peace, according to the covenant they make with the Antichrist (Dan. 9:27; Mt. 24:3-15; Rev. 6 - 10).

But we also know from Daniel 9:27 and Matthew 24:15, that the seven-year Tribulation will be divided into to halves.  Revelation 12-13 takes place at the mid-point in the Tribulation (three and a half years; 42 months; 1260 days), the second half begins with the Antichrist's "miraculous" healing from a mortal head wound (Rev. 13:3), and he being empowered by Satan himself (Rev. 13:2-4), commits the Abomination of Desolation (Dan. 9:27; 11:31; 12:11; Mt. 24:15); that is, when the Antichrist (the son of perdition - 2 Th. 2:3, the first beast - Rev. 13:1-10) declaring himself to be god.  The second beast (Rev. 13:11-18), also known as the False Prophet (Rev. 16:13; 19:20), attempts to make all of humanity worship the Antichrist.

Chapters 13-18 describe the second half of the seven-year Tribulation, which ends with Christ returning (Ch. 19), and His establishing the promise Kingdom which will last 1000 years (Rev. 20:1-6).  During that time, Satan is bound so that he can not influence mankind, but after the 1000 years, he is loosed and persuades mankind to revolt against Jesus (Rev. 20:7-10).  Following the casting of the Antichrist and the False Prophet into the eternal Lake of Fire, God judges mankind at the Great White Throne Judgment; all whose names are not found in the Book of Life, will join the Antichrist and the False Prophet in the Lake of Fire (Rev. 20:11-15)!

From Chapter 21-22, we get a glimpse of what eternity will hold for those who love and serve God.  Today, we are so close to the end of the Church Age, and the beginning of the Tribulation.  If you have not accepted Christ's offer of forgiveness for you sins, and called on Him to be your Lord, NOW is the time to do so. 

TIME IS VERY, VERY, SHORT - ACCEPT JESUS TODAY WHILE YOU CAN! 

JESUS IS JEHOVAH

1. In Zech.12, Jehovah is speaking (v. 1, 4). In verse 10 Jehovah says, "They shall look upon ME whom they have pierced." This can refer to no one other than Christ (Jn.19:37; Rev. 1:7).
    
2. The Jehovah of the Old Testament declares Himself to be the First and the Last: "Thus saith Jehovah the King of Israel and his redeemer the Jehovah of hosts; I am the first and I am the last; and beside me there is no God: (Isa. 41:4; 44:6; 48:11-12). Jesus is declared to be "the first and the last" on the pages of the New Testament (Rev. 1:8, 11, 17, 18; 22:13)!
     
3. In Isa. 6:5, the prophet said, "Mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD (Jehovah) of hosts." Isaiah saw JEHOVAH! The Apostle John referred to this same event and made it very clear that the Person whom Isaiah saw was actually Jesus Christ: "These things said Esaias [Isaiah], when he saw His [Christ’s] glory, and spake of Him (Jn. 12:41).
    
4. In Ps. 23:1, David declared that Jehovah is the Great Shepherd of the Sheep. According to the New Testament, it is Jesus who is the Great Shepherd of the Sheep (Jn. 10:11, 14: Heb. 13:20). Also, the Old Testament repeatedly refers to Jehovah as Israel's ROCK (Deut. 32:3, 4, 18; Ps. 18:2; 62:1-2; etc.). The New Testament clearly identifies this ROCK as Christ (1 Cor. 10:4)!
    
5. In Ex. 3:14-15, we learn that JEHOVAH is the great "I AM." According to the Gospel of John, Jesus is the great "I AM" (Jn. 6:35; 8:12; 8:24; 8:58; 10:9; 10:11; 11:25; 14:6; 18:5-6).
     
6. In Isa. 43:10-11 and 45:21, JEHOVAH declares Himself to be the ONLY SAVIOUR. There is no other Saviour besides Him! According to the New Testament, Jesus is declared to be the ONLY SAVIOUR (Acts 4:10-12)?
    
7. In Isa. 45:21-22, JEHOVAH says, "Look unto ME and be ye saved...there is none else." In John 3:14-16 we are told to look unto the crucified One to be saved!
    
8. In Isa. 45:21-23, JEHOVAH says, "that unto Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear." In Phil. 2:9-11, this passage in Isaiah is applied to Christ, the One before Whom all shall someday bow!
    
9. In Isa. 24:23 and Zeph. 3:15-17, we learn that JEHOVAH Himself will reign in Jerusalem during the coming kingdom age and will be in the midst of His people. The New Testament identifies Jesus as the future millennial King (Rev. 19:11-16; 20:4,6).
     
10. In Isa. 40:3, we learn that there would be one who would prepare the way for the coming of Jehovah. In Mk. 1:1-3, John the Baptist served to prepare for Christ.
      
11. Isa. 8:13-14 prophetically states that JEHOVAH will be "for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence." In 1 Pet. 2:7-8, these verses in Isaiah are applied to Jesus Christ.
     
12. Compare Joel 2:32 with Acts 2:21, 36 and Romans 10:9, 13. Jesus is the LORD (Jehovah) upon whose Name sinners should call.

LEVELS OF SUFFERING IN HELL

Recently, there has been much debate over the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on same-sex marriage, and as a result, there have been many posts on Facebook, either celebrating the decision, or viewing the decision as another sign that the return of Jesus is imminent.  Those who favor the decision have been emboldened to confront opponents by either mocking them, or suggesting that they were not perfect; that they too sin, and consequently, they have no right to judge.  I agree.  We all fail to live according to the Law as presented in the Scriptures.  However, three things must be considered:  1] born again Christians, while trying to be obedient, fail because we are not yet Christ-like (Rom. 7:15-25; 1 Jn. 1:8-10; 3:1-2); 2] there is a difference between deliberately disobeying God, and failing to obey due to our weakness; and 3] some sins are more egregious than others.  That is why Jesus spoke of varying degrees of punishment.  Here are a few examples:

Matthew 10:15 - "Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city."

Matthew 11:20-24 - "Then began He to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:  Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.  But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.  And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.  But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee."

Mark 6:11 - "And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city."

Luke 10:10-15 - "But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.  But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.  Woe unto thee, Chorazin!  Woe unto thee, Bethsaida!  For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.  But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you.  And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell."

Still, I have good news!  All manner of sin is forgivable except

 rejecting the conviction of the Holy Spirit that Jesus is Lord!

THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Identifies Jesus - "And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon Him.  And I knew Him not: but He that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, the same is He which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost" (Jn. 1:32-33).

Provides the new birth - "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.  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.  The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit" (Jn. 3:5-8).

Helps believers worship - "But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him.  God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth" (Jn. 4:23-24).

Fills to overflowing - "In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink.  He that believeth on Me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.  But this spake He of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified" (Jn. 7:37-39).

Indwells believers - "And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.  I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you" (Jn. 14:16-18).

Teaches believers - "But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of Me" (Jn. 15:26).

Glorifies Jesus - "Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come.  He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.  All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that He shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you" (Jn. 16:13-15).

"...Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God,

whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption" (Eph. 4:30).

ENOCH AND ELIJAH: THE TWO WITNESSES

ALL MEN MUST EXPERIENCE DEATH

*     "All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again" (Eccl. 3:20).
*     "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" (Rom. 5:12).
*     "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive" (1 Cor. 15:22).
*     "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Heb. 9:27).

TWO MEN DID NOT DIE YET!

 

ENOCH

*     "And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years:  and Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him" (Gen. 5:23-24).
*     "By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God" (Heb. 11:5).
*     "And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him" (Jude 1:14-15).

ELIJAH

*     "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD" (Mal. 4:5).
*     "And His disciples asked Him, saying, Why then say the scribes that  (Elijah) must first come?  And Jesus answered and said unto them,  (Elijah) truly shall first come, and restore all things.  But I say unto you, that (Elijah) is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them" (Mt. 17:10-12).
*     "But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of (Elijah), when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land" (Lk. 4:25).

THE TWO WITNESSES OF REVELATION ELEVEN

*     "And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth" (Rev. 11:3).

*     "And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them" (Rev. 11:7).

*     "And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.  And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them" (Rev. 11:11-12).

 

IF ALL DIE, ENOCH AND ELIJAH HAVE TO BE THE TWO WITNESSES