STRANGE SIGNS IN THE HEAVENS

"And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:  and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.  And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night:  He made the stars also" (Gen. 1:14-16).

On day four of Creation, God spoke, and the Sun, the Moon, and the Stars appeared in the sky.  For centuries, men believed the Earth was the center of the Universe, that is, that the Universe rotated around our planet.  But, in A.D. 1543, Nicolaus Copernicus published his theory that our solar system revolves around the Sun; his theory was called "Copernican Heliocentrism."  Today, his theory is accepted as scientific fact. 

And yet, in a way, one could say that the Universe does "revolve around the Earth."  Notice in the verses above, that God created the celestial bodies specifically for life on Earth.  They tell creation when it is day or night, and when the month, the seasons, and the years begin.  He has provided them to guide mankind's travels. 

He has also used them as miraculous events, such as having the Sun "go backwards" (Isa. 38:8), blocking the Sun for days (Ex. 10:22), the "star" at the Birth of Christ (Mt. 2:1-11), and even the darkness at His Crucifixion (Mt. 27:45).  And, according to the Scriptures, He will also use the heavenly orbs to warn mankind of coming prophetic events (Joel 2:31; Acts 2:20; Rev. 6:12).

I do not have the space to explain them here, but recently, believers have discovered that two constellations, Virgo and Leo, are about to match the description of the woman in Revelation 12:1-5.  The nine stars that form Leo, will be joined by three of the "wandering stars" (planets) in the sky.  At the same time, the location of the Sun will be within "her garments," and the moon will be located at "her feet."  And, the "King of Planets," Jupiter, will be located where her "birth canal" would be; it will be traveling "downward" toward the constellations "feet."  This Mid-Tribulation event is due to occur in September, 2017!  Counting backward three and a half years, puts the beginning of the Tribulation in March of 2014! That means the Rapture of the Church will happen sometime between this very second, and next March!!!!!!!

You don't have to believe these things to be saved.

You do have to believe that Jesus died, was buried, and rose again to save you!  

MANY ARE CALLED CHRISTIAN

There are three kinds of people living in our world today:  people who call themselves Christians, Jews, or "none of the above."  By population, of the estimated seven billion people, about thirty-one percent (2.2 billion) claim to be Christians.  But, while Christianity is the largest religion, not all those claiming to be Christians are born again believers.  In fact, based upon statements by Jesus to His disciples, it is likely that the vast majority of professing Christians are just that:  Christian in name only. 

Jesus said, "Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works?  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity" (Mt. 7:21-23).  On another occasion, Jesus said, "For many are called, but few are chosen" (Mt. 22:14).  The word "called" comes from the Greek κλητός (klētos), which means "summonsed" or "invited."  "Chosen," is from the Greek ἐκλεκτός (eklektos), meaning "ones selected from the many." 

You see, 2.2 billion have heard about Jesus and they have joined a group of people praising Him, but the vast majority of them fail to understand that worshipping Him and obeying His commands (being religious), will not do them any good.  Notice that those coming to Jesus told Him what THEY had done, thinking their good works would find them favor with Him.  Jesus called their works "iniquity," that is, SIN!  Religious works are useless when it comes to our being born again; the only "work" that results in a Father/child relationship with God is our faith in HIS WORK!  Jesus told those wanting to know what they could do to please God, "This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him (Jesus)whom He (the Father) hath sent" (Jn. 6:29).

Today, Jews, Muslims, and Christians, are looking for their Messiah to come "straighten out the rest of the world."  The Jews long for their king.  The Muslims long for their warrior.  And, the vast majority of Christians long for their "Santa Claus." 

Born again believers long for an eternity praising and thanking Him!  

ARE YOU LISTENING?

Jesus told His disciples that just prior to His return to establish His kingdom on earth, men would be like they were in the days of Noah.  God described them by saying, "the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually" (Gen. 6:5).  Jesus said that they would be oblivious to their pending doom, carrying on as they always had; "eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage" (Mt. 24:38).  Are you listening?  

In Noah's day, at least for one hundred years (Gen. 5:32; 7:6), Noah preached the coming judgment of God, and the need for men to repent and trust in Him (2 Pet. 2:5).  Noah's warning to them was not only in his preaching, but it was also seen in the "testimony" of his faith, that is, in the building of a ship of 1,518,750 cubic feet (Gen. 6:14-15)!  When his work was finally completed, only he and seven members of his family believed God (1 Pet. 3:20).  Apparently, the rest of humanity must have either mocked Noah, or ignored him altogether.  Are you listening?

Unlike in the days of Noah, when only Noah was sounding the alarm, today there are thousands of God's children warning a lost and dying world about the return of Jesus.  Even among unbelievers, there is an unusual interest in end-time prophecies.  The Mayan Calendar, Saint Malachy's Papal predictions, Blood Moon predictions, Muslim anarchy, the constant call for a single world government and a single world currency, and even the computer technology that would facilitate a cashless society, have the secular media abuzz.  Are you listening?

This is my warning to you.  Just as Jesus literally fulfilled the first four prophecies contained in the Feasts of Israel [Passover - 1 Cor. 5:7 ("the Lamb" - Jn. 1:29, 36); Unleavened Bread - Heb. 4:15 (leaven symbolizes sin); First Fruits - 1 Cor. 15:20 (first raised never to die again); Pentecost - Acts 2:1 (He founded the Church composed of two leavened loaves:  sinful Jews and sinful Gentiles], He will also literally fulfill the last three [Trumpets - the Rapture and the re-gathering of Israel (Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Thes. 4:16-17; Dan. 9:27); Atonement - judgment of Israel and the nations (Mt. 24:29 - 25:26 ); and Tabernacles - the Millennial Kingdom of Christ (Rev. 20:1-6)].  Are you listening?

Believe in the Lord Jesus, and that God raised Him from the dead! 

Are you listening? 

 


   

SIGNS IN THE HEAVENS

In Genesis 1:14, we read, "And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years." 

In Revelation 12:1, we read, "And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars."

The constellation Virgo "stands under" the constellation Leo.  Leo is made up of only nine stars, but three "wandering stars," the planets Mercury, Venus, and Mars, are due to line up with Leo in September 2017.  At that time, there will be "a woman with a crown of twelve stars." In addition, the Sun will be "next to her face," and the Moon will be located at "her feet."  And not coincidentally, the largest planet in our solar system, Jupiter ("king of the planets"), will be located in the proximity of what would be Virgo's "birth canal."

These signs seem to be telling us that at sometime in September 2017 (no one knows the hour or the day - Mk. 13:32), the middle of the seven-year Tribulation will occur.  Notice that the "woman" who gave birth to a Son whose throne is in heaven, will be protected in the wilderness from "the dragon" for forty-two months (Rev. 12:1-6).  If that is the case, forty-two months earlier, the Antichrist will confirm the covenant with Israel (Dan. 9:27).  That would put the beginning of the Tribulation sometime in March of 2014.  That means the Rapture should occur within the next seven months!  

The prophet Isaiah foretold of the total destruction of Damascus, the capital of Syria, in Isaiah 7:1.  He also said that prior to its destruction, there would be a sign from God as to the prophecy's validity:  "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel" (Isa. 7:14).  Perhaps, before the Lord destroys the city described as "Mystery Babylon" (Rev. Ch. 17), He wants His people to know He is still in charge by giving them the same sign in Revelation 12:1-6!

These are just the foolish ramblings of an old man...or are they?

 

TIME IS TOO SHORT FOR ANY OTHER MESSAGE!

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

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12)!
 
"Jesus saith unto him, I am THE WAY, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me" (Jn. 14:6)!
 
"But what saith it?  The Word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the Word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Rom. 10:8-10)!

THE EARTHQUAKES OF REVELATION

There are five earthquakes mentioned in the Book of Revelation, and all of them are part of, or in close proximity of one of the twenty-one judgments (seals, trumps, or vials).  The magnitude of each does not seem to show a building to a crescendo, and yet, while they appear to be sort of "rhythmic," with the last one appearing to be a "grand finally," I assure you, it is not.  There remains one earthquake which, although it is not mentioned in Revelation, nevertheless, it IS the "Grand Finale!"  But before I get to it, let's look at the five which are mentioned: 

*   Part of the sixth seal - "And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood" (Rev. 6:12).
*   Following the seventh seal - "And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake" (Rev. 8:5).
*   Following the sixth trump (2nd Woe)"And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven" (Rev. 11:13).
*   Following the seventh trump - "And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail (Rev. 11:19).
*   Following the seventh vial - "And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great" (Rev. 16:18).

The most significant earthquake, the one I am describing as the "Grand Finale," the one not specifically mentioned by John, the one which the Word of God does not describe as "great" or even as an earthquake, has to do with Christ's Second Coming!  Of course, that is just what one would expect when one is familiar with the humility of Christ!  It is found in the Book of Zechariah:     
"And His feet shall stand in that day upon the Mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the East, and the Mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the East and toward the West, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the North, and half of it toward the South" (Zech. 14:4).

Seven years after the Church "splits heaven wide open,"

Jesus is going to do "some splitting" of His own!

NOT-SO-NEW WORLD ORDER

It seems that much of what one hears on the news today, has to do with a "New World Order."  However, "world empires" are nothing new; six past empires have been named in the Bible:  Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome (Rev. 17:10).  And, following World War I, there was an unsuccessful effort made for a single world government, with the forming the League of Nations.  While it ultimately did not succeed, it did accomplish at least one good thing; the Balfour Declaration (based upon the Sykes-Picot Agreement) began the process of re-creating a Jewish homeland.  When the Balfour Declaration expired on May 11, 1948, Israel declared itself a sovereign state.  I am not certain as to how many U.S. Presidents have called for a N.W.O. since our country was founded, but I am absolutely certain that every President has since Nation of Israel came into being.

Today, there are several organizations whose main goal is to unite all of mankind under the rule of a single world-wide government (Ex:  the Bilderbergs, the Club of Rome, the European Union, the Illuminati, the United Nations, etc.).  In addition, Bible students "are abuzz" about the signs which indicate the Church is about to be removed from Earth (Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Cor.15:50-51; 1 Thes. 4:16-17; etc), so that Israel's adversary, Satan, no longer being restrained (2 Thes. 2:6-10), can begin his all-out campaign to conquer the entire world (Dan. 9:27; Mt. 24:33-29; Rev. 6 - 18; etc.)!

Yes, students of Bible Prophecy are well acquainted with the "Beast" of Revelation 13:1-10.  Most of us refer to him as the Antichrist (Dan. 9:24-27; Mt. 24:3-29; 2 Thes. 2:1-10; 1 Jn. 2:18).  The name comes from the Greek ἀντίχριστος (antichristos), which is a combination of two words:  ἀντί (anti), meaning "opposed to," or "in place of," and Χριστός (Christos), meaning "God's Anointed," "Israel's Messiah," and "Christ."  But what many do not know, is that "the man who would be king," will become "possessed" by Satan, and in his effort to maintain his role as the "god of this world" (2 Cor. 4:4), the dragon (Rev. 12:9) will reveal his "true colors" at the mid-point of "the Time of Jacob's Trouble" (Jer. 30:7; Dan. 9:27; Mt. 24:15 ).  The good news is, all efforts made by man and/or Satan, in their effort to control the entire world, are doomed to failure!

There will be One, however, Who accomplishes it:  the One Who created it!

(Jn. 1:1-3; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:1-2; Rev. 20:1-10)    

SEVEN "BLOOD MOON" TETRADS DURING THE CHURCH AGE

Total Lunar eclipses which fall on both the first Feast of Israel (Passover), and the last Feast of Israel (Tabernacles), on two consecutive years, is known as a "Lunar Tetrad."  There have only been seven of these occurrences since the beginning of the Church Age (Pentecost following Christ's Ascension - Acts 2:1).  While I could find no specific event in Jewish History that coincide with the first five, the last two, and the years leading up to them, clearly relate to what God is doing prophetically. 

In Genesis 1:14, we read "And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years."  Luke wrote,

"And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.  And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh" (Lk. 21:25-28). 

"Blood Moons"                                                      Main Events (?)

1.  A.D. 162-163            I Could find no specific event related to Israel
2.  A.D. 795-796            I Could find no specific event related to Israel
3.  A.D. 842-843            I Could find no specific event related to Israel
4.  A.D. 860-861            I Could find no specific event related to Israel
5.  A.D. 1493-1494        I Could find no specific event related to Israel

                                  1916 - The Balfour Declaration - the need for a Jewish homeland
                                  1917 - World War I
HOWEVER IN:        1922 - League of Nations' "British Mandate" for the Jews
                                  1939 - "Brits" limit Jewish emigration to the land
                                  1939 - World War II
                                  1948 - "British Mandate" expires / Israel "reborn"
                                
A.D. 1949-1950        Israel admitted to the United Nations
A.D. 1967-1968        Israel captures Jerusalem in "Six-day War"

The next "Blood Moon" Tetrad will occur in A.D. 2014-2015. 

Could it signify a peace accord that would allow Israel to build, what would be,

the Tribulation Temple?

A MESSAGE FROM JAMES McCUTCHAN PART TWO

AS A THIEF IN THE NIGHT - AS THE DAYS OF NOAH

Retired Pastor/Teacher James McCutchan - Jmccutchan@aol.com

Part one ended with the statement:  WATCH AND KNOW THE HOUR OF HIS COMING!  THUS SAITH THE LORD!  Part two begins by asking if this does not contradict what Jesus told Israel.  The answer is no!  He told Israel, "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only" (Mt. 24:36).  Notice "knoweth" is in the present tense, relative to the time Jesus said it.  Remember, when Jesus said this, AT THAT TIME, only God, the Father knew (Mk. 13:32).  BUT DID HE SAY NO ONE WOULD EVER KNOW?  NO!  JESUS SAID HIS RETURN WOULD BE LIKE THE DAYS OF NOAH!  IF NOAH NEW WHEN TO ENTER THE ARK, THEN WHY CAN'T GOD'S CHILDREN KNOW?  WE CAN! 

Jesus said, "But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be"  (Mt. 24:37).  God foretold him the number of years until His judgment would fall; He was not telling Noah how long people would live!  Read what it says:  "And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years" (Gen. 6:3).  He was referring to those living during Noah's day; they had 120 years before God would deal with their wickedness!  Many men lived longer than 120 years after the flood!  Some examples:  Noah lived 350 years after the flood; Abraham lived 175 years (Gen. 25:7); Isaac lived 180 years (Gen. 35:28); Jacob lived 147 years; etc.

GOD REVEALED THE WAY OF SALVATION FOR THE BELIEVERS (Gen. 6:14)!

GOD FORETOLD THE EXACT DAY (Gen.7:4)!

GOD KEPT HIS WORD (Gen. 7:10)!

GOD DESCRIBED THE CONDITIONS (Gen. 6:5; Mt. 24:36-38)!

THEY were eating and drinking.  THEY were marrying and giving in marriage.  THEY knew not until the flood came and took THEM all away.  Who were THEY?  THEY were the unbelievers.  The unbelievers knew not until the flood came and took THEM all away. But, as the time drew nigh, THE BELIEVERS KNEW the exact day before the fact! AMEN!

 

I will repeat what James McCutchan suggested earlier: 

THEY ARE BLIND AND THEREFORE SHALL NOT ESCAPE,

BUT WE HAVE BEEN MADE TO SEE THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES! 

A MESSAGE FROM JAMES McCUTCHAN

AS A THIEF IN THE NIGHT - AS THE DAYS OF NOAH

Retired Pastor/Teacher James McCutchan - Jmccutchan@aol.com Many there are in Christendom today who teach that Christians can't know when Jesus is coming because He's coming like a thief in the night. Yes indeed, Jesus is coming as a thief in the night. But, to whom is He coming as a thief? The Bible says:  "But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.  For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night" (I Thes. 5:1-2).  There you have it, beloved. The day of the Lord is coming as a thief in the night.  Many stop right there to prove their point that no one can know the time.   The day of the Lord in this text is speaking about the time immediately preceding the Second Coming of the Lord.  How do we know that?  Let's go on to the very next verse.  Often we don't read far enough. The next verse says:  "For when THEY shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon THEM, as travail upon a woman with child: and THEY shall not escape" (I Thes. 5:3). Who are THEY and THEM in the verse above?  THEY and THEM are the unbelievers in the tribulation before the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus.  Always, in both the Old and New Testaments, the Day of the Lord refers to the Second Coming of the Lord in judgment, and the Day of Jesus Christ, refers to the Rapture of the Church.  So then, in the verses above, Paul is saying that the Day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night upon THEM, and THEY shall not escape.  Now,  let's go on to the next verse where Paul speaks to US about US:  "But YE, BRETHREN are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief" (I Thes. 5:4).  Will the Day of the Lord come upon the brethren (born again believers) as a thief in the night?  Not a chance!  Why not? WE, the brethren, have spiritual eyes to see; THEY do not!  Dear reader, do you and I not see the tribulation drawing nigh?   Of course, WE do!  The next verse says:  "YE are all the children of light, and the children of the day:  WE are not of the night, nor of darkness.  Therefore let US not sleep, as do OTHERS; but let US watch and be sober." (I Thes. 5:5-6).  Let US watch and be sober!  Let US watch, especially for the Road Map to Israeli-Palestinian peace; the covenant to be confirmed by the Antichrist.  Jesus also told the Church to watch and know the hour of His coming (Rev. 3:3).  Jesus said that from the negative side.  If we read Revelation 3:3 from the positive side, He said, "If YOU watch, I will not come upon YOU as a thief, and YOU SHALL KNOW what hour I will come upon you.  WATCH AND KNOW THE HOUR OF HIS COMING!  THUS SAITH THE LORD!    THE END OF PART ONE.

GAP THEORY VERSES GAP TRUTH

Christians, in an unwise effort to reconcile Creationism with evolutionary theory, have suggested that we should believe there is a gap of millions, or perhaps billions of years between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2.  This view, known as the Gap Theory, or Theistic Evolution, allows for the so called "scientific evidence" (1 Tim. 6:20), such as carbon dating, an "Ice Age," erosion such as is found in the Grand Canyon, and fossilized dinosaurs.  They say these things "prove" Earth is not approximately 6000 years old, as Ussher's time-table suggests, or the Hebrew Calendar would have us to believe.  There are several theological, and genuine scientific arguments, that support the Bible version of the genesis of the universe, but I do not have the time or space to provide them here.  I suggest you check out Answers in Genesis on line.

The Bible does provide us with a genuine gap, not in the age of Earth, but in the fulfillment of the prophecies of the Book of Daniel.  In Daniel 9:24, we read, "Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people (Israel) and upon thy holy city (Jerusalem), to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy (Jesus at His Second Coming)."  These "weeks" are literally "weeks of years."  So, seventy weeks of seven years equals 490 years.  Again, time and space do not allow me to support this. 

Verses 25-26 say, "Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem (the first 49 years) unto the Messiah the Prince (the next 434 years - Jesus at His First Coming) shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks (for a total of 483 years): the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.  And after threescore and two weeks (483 years) shall Messiah be cut off (crucified), but not for Himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary (Rome - A.D. 70); and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined."  But what about the last "week?"

The true gap in Bible History is between the first 69 weeks of Daniel's prophecy, and the 70th week (Dan. 9:27), which is also called the "Time of Jacob's Trouble" (Jer. 30:7), and the "Tribulation" (Mt. 24:3-28; Rev. Ch. 6-18;  etc.).  This gap is known as "The Church Age" or "The Times of the Gentiles."  The Church was not mentioned in the Old Testament, and remains a mystery to Israel to this day.  The Church Age will end with the Rapture (Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15:50-53; 1 Thes. 4:16-17).

 

I can just hear Satan now:

If I can get them to doubt the Book of Genesis, they will reject the rest of the Bible! 
  

  

ELIJAH VERSES AHAB AND ANTICHRIST

In 1 Kings 18, the Hebrew Prophet Elijah stood against Ahab, the King of Israel, and the idolatry that his wife Jezebel was "cramming down the throats" of the people.  We were introduced to Elijah, the Tishbite, in the previous chapter.  The story of Elijah begins with God's call to go tell Ahab that there would be no rain for three years, and by Chapter 18, there had been none for three years; Ahab blamed it on "the trouble of Israel" (1 Kgs. 18:1-18). 

Immediately, Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal to prove, once and for all, that Jehovah was not the one and only true God; but their gods could not respond because they did not exist (1 Kgs. 18:19-29).  Notice that the false prophets tried from the time of the morning sacrifice (Sunrise - Lev. 9:17; Num. 28:8), until the time of the evening sacrifice (Sunset - Ezra 9:5; Ps. 141:2), but to no avail (v. 26-29). 

Apparently, near the end of the day, Elijah had the people repair, and prepare, the alter of the LORD for his sacrifice, because at the time of the evening sacrifice, Elijah's sacrifice, the alter, and the twelve barrels of water, were consumed by fire from God (1 Kgs. 18:30-38)!  The people of Israel were truly convinced, and they must have been terrified; "And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, He is the God; the LORD, He is the God" (v. 39).  The Hebrew for "the LORD" is יְהֹוָה (Yĕhovah), and for "the God" is אֱלֹהִים ('elohiym).

The Prophet Malachi foretold that Elijah, who did not die (2 Kgs. 2:11), would return to prepare the way for Israel's Messiah (Mal. 4:5).    Had Israel received Jesus at His First Coming, John would have fulfilled that prophecy (Mt. 11:7-15; 17:10-13; etc.).  John's ministry is described in Matthew 3:1-12, Mark 1:1-8, Luke 3:1-20, and John 1:19-28; 3:25-36; and while both Elijah's and John's ministries were similar in their confrontation with the corrupt leaders of Israel, John's results were sadly different (Mt. 14:1-12; etc.).

Because Malachi's prophecy has yet to be fulfilled, it is widely accepted that one of the Two Witnesses of Revelation 11 has to be Elijah.  He will confront the Antichrist (v. 3-12), he will burn his enemies (v. 5), he will stop the rain (v. 6), and his death will fulfill Hebrews 9:27.  And, while I cannot prove this, I believe Elijah's preaching for a thousand two hundred and threescore days (v. 3), coupled with the Abomination of Desolation (Dan. 9:27; Mt. 24:15; Rev. 13:6), causes Israel, once again, to cry out "The LORD, He is the God!"

 

Elijah:  God's faithful prophet of both the Old and the New Testaments!

      

THE IMPOTENCY OF DARKNESS

"In the beginning God" (Gen. 1:1).  Because God is Light (Jn. 8:12; 1 Jn. 1:5), before anything else existed, only Light existed. 
"(He) created the heaven" (Gen. 1:1).   This heaven is what we call outer space or the Universe. Because God's Throne Room already existed, known as the "third heaven," (2 Cor. 12:2), this heaven had to be the "second heaven," which was filled with the Sun, Moon, and Stars on day four (Gen. 1:14-19).  What we call the "first heaven," our atmosphere, was not created until day two, and it was filled on day five (Gen. 1:8, 20). 
"And the earth." (Gen. 1:1).  Of all that is said about the Creation "week," only our planet was created to be molded into a different form later.       

"And the earth was without form, and void." (Gen. 1:2).  The Universe was empty with the exception of our planet, which had not yet been formed, and it was void of life.
"And darkness was upon the face of the deep." (Gen. 1:2).  I believe the darkness (a place void of God, for God is light), was dark because the only darkness that existed, Satan, was cast down from the "third heaven" to the "second heaven," from which he shall be cast down to the "first heaven" and the earth, all prior to him being cast into the Lake of Fire (Isa. 14:12-19; Ezek. 28:2-8; Dan. 8:10-11; Lk. 10:18; Jn. 12:31; 16:11; Rev. 9:1; 12:1-10; 13:2-4; 20:10; etc.).   
"And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters." (Gen. 1:2).  The word "Spirit" is from the Hebrew רוּחַ (ruwach), which is translated "Spirit" or "spirit" 232 times, "wind" 92 times, and "breath" 27 times in the Old Testament.  Because the next verse indicates that there was only darkness at that point in time, and since the Holy Spirit is God, and therefore also Light, the better translation is "wind," as רוּחַ is translated in the Tanakh, the Hebrew Bible.  "Breath" does not seem to fit, as it appears to be reserved for producing life (Gen. 2:7).

"And God said, Let there be light: and there was light" (Gen. 1:3).  Apart from God, who is the Light, the Sun, Moon, and Stars, are His creative lights; Israel would be called to be "a light unto the Gentiles" (Isa. 49:6; Mt. 5:14; Acts 13:47; etc.).  Because Israel failed to show forth God and His glory, by His mercy, He has chosen those of us who have confessed that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior; we have been chosen to be "a light unto the world" (Jn. 1:11-12; Rom. 11:1-36)!

If God lives in me, then His light ought to be visible to a world in darkness!      

THE FEAR OF THE LORD

The exact phrase, "the fear of the Lord," appears thirty times in the Bible.  Of those, only one is in the New Testament:  Acts 9:31.  As is the case with nearly every verse in the Word of God, this verse needs to be understood in its context.  Luke wrote that following Saul's conversion, he went to Jerusalem, and all the disciples were afraid of him (Acts 9:26).  Luke had to be referring to the Apostles, because according to Acts 8:1, the entire Church, with the exception of the Apostles, had scattered for fear of Saul's persecution.  But after Barnabas spoke up for Saul, the Apostles believed that he had met the Lord on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-9, 27).  Ironically, the man they had feared, had to be given a protective escort by the brethren, from Jerusalem to his home town of Tarsus (Acts 9:11, 29-30).

Now, let us look at Acts 9:31, and see what Luke was saying about "the fear of the Lord."  It reads,

"Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified;
The great fear the Church had of Saul and his men, had not only been relieved by his conversion, the faith of the members of the Body of Christ was increased.  After all, their greatest enemy had ceased to persecute them, and had even become one of them!  If God could protect them from Saul, He could protect them from anyone!

and walking in the fear of the Lord,
At last, it appeared that the words of their Lord had been confirmed.  Jesus had said, "I am with your alway, even unto the end of the world.  Amen" (Mt. 28:20).  And He is quoted by the writer of Hebrews as saying, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Heb. 13:5).  Interestingly, it is the Apostle Paul (formerly Saul of Tarsus), who wrote the statement, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Rom. 8:31)! 

The word "fear" in Acts 9:31 is translated for the Greek φόβος (phobos), from which we get the word "phobia."  A "phobia," according to a medical dictionary, is "an intense but unrealistic fear that can interfere with the ability to socialize, work, or go about everyday life."  As it is used in this verse, the verb "walking" would indicate the disciples were living out their lives unhindered by a paralyzing fear of man or, for that matter, even of God.  What they had was a "healthy respect" for God; that is, a reverence for Him.  Born again believers are aware that we are loved by God, and consequently, we have had our fear of Him "cast out" (1 Jn. 4:18).    

and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied." 
Jesus had told His disciples that they would, one day, be filled with the Holy Spirit (Jn. 14:16-17).  In fact, He addressed Him as the "Comforter."  There is no fear when God is comforting you, and when others see the Fruit of the Spirit in you (Gal. 5:22-23), they want "What" you have:  Jesus!

Reverence for God and the Fruit of the Spirit, multiplies; they do not divide!

THE BLOOD OF JESUS

The Gospel of John begins by telling us Jesus is God!  In verse 1:1, "the Word was God," and in verse 1:14, "the Word became flesh!"  In verses 1:29 and 1:36, Jesus, having become a human being, is described as "the Lamb of God."  John called Jesus "the Lamb" because He had come to "take away the sin of the world" (v. 29)!  In other words, Jesus came to die for humanity, and because His sacrifice was pictured in the killing of the Passover Lamb (Ex. 12:1-11), Jesus is called "our Passover" (1 Cor. 5:7)!

The Passover Lamb had its blood removed for two reasons; 1) the blood would serve as a sign to God, that those living in the house where the door posts were covered by it, belonged to Him; and 2) the Jews were not permitted to eat an animal that did not have its blood removed.  The animal had to be dead prior to preparing it for a meal, and because the life of the animal is in its blood, removing the blood insured all that it was dead (Gen. 9:4; Lev. 17:11; Deut. 12:16).  As Christians, we do not literally drink Christ's blood, nor eat His body, but our symbolic act serves to proclaim His death until He returns (Jn. 6:53-56; 1 Cor. 11:26).

During the suffering of Christ, His blood was poured out for the same reason:  to prove He died.  Jesus began shedding His divine blood with a scourging, and a crown of thorns that was beaten down upon His head (Mt. 27:26-30; Mk. 15:15-19; Jn. 19:1-2).  He again bled when He was nailed to the cross through His hands and feet (Mt. 27:35; Mk. 15:24; Lk. 23:33; Jn. 19:18; 20:25).  Finally, the blood of Jesus was shed when one of the soldiers pierced His heart with his spear, and "water and blood" poured out (Jn. 19:34).

Here are just seven of the reasons why the shedding of His blood is important to us:

*   It is not by our works, but by His blood that we are saved (Eph. 2:8-9; Heb. 10:19).
*   It is a covenant between God and His born again children (Mt. 26:28; Heb. 13:20).
*   It purchased/redeemed God's children (Acts 20:28; Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14; 1 Pet. 1:18-19).
*   It allows a just and righteous God to forgive sinners (Eph. 1:7; Heb. 9:22).
*   It is the means by which sinners are cleansed of their sin (1 Jn. 1:7; Rev. 1:5).
*   It is the means by which God justifies us (Rom. 3:24-25; 5:9).
*   It is the means by which God makes His children perfect (Heb. 13:20-21).

You know the value of something by what someone is willing to pay for it;

God was willing to pay for our salvation with the blood of His only begotten Son!

Thanks be to God!!!!!!!

  



    

THE MOST IMPORTANT WORD IN THE BIBLE

Believe what you want about the name of God, the name of Jesus, or the name of the Holy Spirit; the most important word in the Bible is translated from the Greek ἀνάστασις (anastasis):  Resurrection!  I know what you are thinking; we can't be saved if we do not believe in God; if we do not believe that Jesus, as His only begotten Son, was sent to die for our sins; and if we do not believe the convicting work of the Holy Spirit.  And, I totally agree with you.  But the Word of God, itself, says that lots of people believe in the Trinity, some even calling Jesus "Lord," and they are not born again (Mt. 7:21-22; 25:11; Jn. 3:3-8)!  In fact, Satan believes in the Trinity, and we all know where he's headed (Jam. 2:19; Rev. 20:10)!

The Bible says we must believe the Gospel in order to be saved, right?  But without the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave, there is no Gospel!  The Apostle Paul wrote:  ". . . I declare unto you the Gospel . . . 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. 15:1-4).  If Christ's Resurrection did not occur, Jesus is still in the grave, and our faith is in vain (1 Cor. 15:12-22)!

The Apostle Peter had this to say about Christ's Resurrection:  "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time" (1 Pet. 1:3-5).

The Word of God says that the Pharisees believed there would be a resurrection, even though the word does not appear in the Old Testament (Acts 23:6; also cp. Ps. 16:10 w/ Acts 13:35).  Neither the Sadducees, nor the Gentile philosophers, believed in a resurrection (Mt. 22:23; Acts 17:18-32).  As a result, they will be a part of a resurrection; unfortunately, it will be in the second resurrection, a resurrection unto damnation (Jn. 5:29; Rev. 20:6).

"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" (Rom. 10:9).
  

TAKE IT EASY ON THE PHARISEES

How many times have we, as born again believers, made negative comments about the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the Scribes?  I know I have looked down my spiritual nose at even the mention of them in the Scriptures!  After all, didn't they constantly hound Jesus, trying to trap Him in an error to show they were more spiritual than He was?  And didn't Jesus frequently chastise them for being hypocrites and false teachers?  Weren't they the leaders of Israel's religious community who openly campaigned against Him?  I have to admit, they truly deserve whatever criticism they have received.

But, if we are honest with ourselves, were they any worse than we are?  Oh, yes, we have never plotted to betray Jesus and have Him executed, but if He was the Pastor of a local church, would we not "paint Him" as a false teacher, while defending our own Pastor?  You say, "No!?"  Come on!  Be honest!  Are we not guilty of speaking gloriously about Jesus in church, but "behind His back," do we not grumble about how "out of touch" He would be in today's society?  With all His "rules" about our thoughts, or words, and our social interactions, most would avoid Him, saying, "He is too self-righteous, too legalistic, too demanding, for our church, or for our family, or for me!" 

And, lest we forget, the Pharisees and their fellow conspirators were suffering from God's "blinding in part" of them, so the Gentiles could be saved (Rom. 11:1-25).  But we are not blind.  We can see that Jesus came once for the crucifixion and forgiveness of sins, and that He is coming again to rule and reign as King of kings, and Lord of lords.  They had no knowledge of Christ's two advents!  In fact, the word "resurrection" does not even appear in the Old Testament (the only Bible the Pharisees had).  Israel's total concept of their Messiah was that He would be their king, and would defeat their earthly enemies.  They did not comprehend that their earthly enemies were instruments of God's work on them as His people.  They were not expecting God manifest in the flesh (1 Tim. 3:16).  They were not aware that God was a Trinity (Mt. 3:16-17; 28:19; Jn. 14:16-17; etc.)!

Whatever knowledge you and I have of Jesus' true identity, His two advents, His incomprehensible love for wretches like us, His death, burial, and resurrection for our sins, we owe to the Father who drew us to Him and the Spirit who convinced us!  Apart from the working of God on my behalf, I am far worse that the Pharisees, in that, I know all these things, and yet I still gossip, lust, and am quick to judge others.  If anyone is a hypocrite, it is me!

God forgive me and all those reading this who are like me! 

THE GOSPEL: ONE MESSAGE FOR ALL OF MANKIND

The fact that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Dan. 3:25; Mk. 1:1; etc.);  that He is the Creator of the Universe (Eph. 3:9; Col. 1:16; etc.); that He is the One who was crucified, buried, resurrected, and ascended (1 Cor. 15:3-4; Acts 1:9; etc.); and that He is believed upon by all born again Christians, whether they were formerly Jews or Gentiles, is clearly presented in the truth of God's Word (Jn. 1:12-13; Rom. 9:24; 1 Cor.12:13; 1 Pet. 1:23; etc.).

But how can two groups, with such divergent backgrounds as the Jews and Gentiles, come to faith in Jesus?  The answer is found in one message, the Gospel.  The Apostle Paul wrote, "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" (Rom. 1:16). 

The Bible says that Jesus came "to His own" people, the Jews, but the vast majority of them rejected Him, even though He worked many signs to convince them He was their Messiah.  He fed the thousands with a small boy's "lunch" (Jn. 6:1-15).  He raised at least three persons from the dead:  the widow's son (Lk. 7:12-17); Jarius' daughter (Mk. 5:22-43); and Lazarus (Jn. 11:1 - 12:11).  And yet, they were so blinded to the truth (Jn. 14:6; Rom. 11:25; etc.).  Even when Jesus rose from the dead, the religious leaders rejected Him (Mt. 28:11-15).  And yet, some believed (Jn. 1:12; Acts 2:41; etc.).

While the Jews required Jesus to provide them with a miraculous sign in order for them to believe, the Gentile world would require wisdom (1 Cor. 1:22).  In other words, they would need to be convinced through reasoning.  In Acts 17:15-34, the Apostle Paul encountered some philosophers in Athens.  The word "philosopher" is from the Greek φιλόσοφος (philosophos); the combination of φίλος (philos), meaning "a friend or lover," and σοφός (sophos), meaning "wise or wisdom."  Notice he preached the Gospel:  "Because He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead" (v. 31)!  The majority mocked him, and yet, some believed (v. 32-34). 

Regardless of your background, there is but one message that will save your soul:

Jesus was crucified for your sins; He was buried to prove He died; and He was raised from the dead by God, to prove His sacrifice for you was acceptable.  Do you believe? 

 
    



        

LAZARUS

One of the greatest puzzles in all of the Gospels, to me, has to do with the importance of the life, death, and "resurrection" of Lazarus.  His "resurrection" was actually more of a resuscitation because he was raised in his earthly body which later died, while Jesus' Resurrection was the first fruits from the grave; Jesus was raised never again to die (Rom. 6:9-10; 1 Cor. 15:20, 23).   It was important, to say the least, because it was the greatest miracle Jesus did during His short earthly ministry (Jn. 11:1 - 12:19)!  His being raised was such a powerful witness to the identity of Christ, that it caused the Lord's enemies to plot to kill Lazarus to shut him up (Jn. 12:9-11, 17-19).  There is no evidence that there was ever a plot to kill the widow and her son (Lk. 7:11-17), or Jarius and his daughter (Mk. 5:22-43).  Here is John's account of their plot:

"Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we?  For this man doeth many miracles.  If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.  And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.  And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; and not for that nation only, but that also He should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.  Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put Him to death" (Jn. 11:47-53).
On the other side of the coin, the death of Lazarus seems to have been viewed by the Gospel writers as being of less importance than the preaching of John the Baptist, the feeding of the 5000, the Lord's anointing by Mary, the Last Supper, and Peter's denials, etc., all of which are recorded in each of the four Gospels.  Only John records the raising of Lazarus, and his relationship to Mary and Martha (Jn. 11:1 - 12:19).  In addition, Luke wrote about Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus, but failed to mention him, even indicating that the house belonged to Martha (Lk. 10:38-42).

Which brings me the Lord's discussion of "the rich man and Lazarus" in Luke 16:19-31.  Few, if any, have suggested that the "poor" Lazarus as described in Luke's Gospel, and the brother of Mary and Martha were the same man.  I hesitate to do so here, because my suggestion might add support to those who insist Luke 16:19-31 is a parable.  Of that, I am certain it is not!  That being said, could the "economic status" of the rich man and Lazarus be a picture of the spirituality of the Pharisees and of Lazarus?  Remember the actual parable of the Pharisee and the Publican praying; the Pharisee was "rich" outwardly but "poor" spiritually, while the Publican was "poor" in the eyes of men, but "rich" in the eyes of God  (Lk. 18:9-14).  I will tell you this:  there are former "high priests" in torment today as they await God's certain judgment, while there are millions of humble sinners basking in the presence of our Lord at this very moment!

Does it make a difference if there were two individuals named Lazarus? 

No.  The real question is, with which Lazarus do you identify?       

 

 

THE MEANINGS OF "SLEEP"

"Sleep," as it is used in the Bible, can mean one of two things, depending upon the context.  It can mean the natural periodic resting, that is, a suspension of consciousness during which the powers of the body are restored; or it can mean a state resembling sleep:  death. 

Some examples of the literal use of the word "sleep" are found in:

*   Judges 4:21, where Sisera was fast asleep, and Jael, Heber's wife, killed him." 
*   1 Samuel 26:12, where the Lord caused a deep sleep to fall upon David's enemies, a sleep similar to that of Genesis 2:21.
*   Matthew 8:24 (Mk. 4:38; Lk. 8:23), where Jesus was asleep in the boat during a storm.
*   Matthew 26:40 (Mk. 14:40; Lk. 22:45), where the disciples slept while Jesus prayed.

Some examples where "sleep" is a euphemism for death, are found in:

*   Acts 7:60 - "And he (Stephen) kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep."
*   1 Corinthians 11:30 - "For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep."
*   1 Corinthians 15:6 - "After that, He (Jesus) was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep."
*   1 Corinthians 15:17-18 - "And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.  Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished."
*   1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 - "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.  For this we say unto you by the Word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent (precede) them which are asleep.   For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."
*   2 Peter 3:4 - "And saying, Where is the promise of His coming?  For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation."

Death is but a shadow:  bodies "sleep" but souls are in either Paradise, or in Torment!