With our monthly celebration of the "Lord's Supper," a remembrance of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as He paid for the sins of the world (1 Cor. 15:3-4; 1 Jn. 2:2; etc.), it seems like a great idea to also remember the words of a Bill Gaither song called "He's Alive!" Read and praise God; sing it making a joyful noise:
The gates and doors were barred and the windows fastened down,
I spent the night in sleeplessness and rose at every sound,
Half in hopeless sorrow, half in fear the day,
Would find the soldiers crashing through to drag us all away.
Then just before the sunrise I heard something at the wall,
The gate began to rattle and a voice began to call,
I hurried to the window and looked down to the street,
Expecting swords and torches and the sound of soldier's feet.
There was no one there but Mary so I went down to let her in,
John stood there beside me as she told us where she'd been,
She said they moved Him in the night and none of us knows where,
The stone's been rolled away and now His body isn't there.
We both ran toward the garden and John ran on ahead,
We found the stone and the empty tomb just the way that Mary said,
But the winding sheet they wrapped Him in was just an empty shell,
And how, and where they'd taken Him was more than I could tell.
Something strange had happened there but what I did not know,
John believed a miracle, but I just turned to go,
Circumstance and speculation couldn't lift me very high,
Cause I'd seen them crucify Him and then I watched Him die.
Back inside the house again, all the guilt and anguish came,
Everything I'd promised Him just added to my shame,
But at last it came to choices, I denied I knew His name,
Even if He was alive, it wouldn't be the same.
But suddenly the air was filled with a strange and sweet perfume,
Light that came from everywhere drove shadows from the room,
Jesus stood before me with His arms held open wide,
And I fell down on my knees and clung to Him and cried.
He raised me to my feet and as I looked into His eyes,
Love was shining out from Him like sunlight from the sky,
Guilt and my confusion disappeared in sweet release,
And every fear I'd ever had just melted into peace.
He's alive! He's alive! He's alive and I'm forgiven,
Heaven's gates are open wide,
He's alive! He's alive! He's alive and I'm forgiven,
Heaven's gates are open wide,
He's alive! He's alive! He's alive and I'm forgiven,
Heaven's gates are open wide,
He's Alive! . . . . . He's Alive!
Sunday, March 1, 2015
Saturday, February 28, 2015
SALVATION: BELIEVING THE GOSPEL
Let me now remind you, dear brothers and sisters, of the Gospel, that is, the Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then, and you still stand firm in it. It is this Good News alone that has the power to save you (Rom. 1:16)! Yes, it is our faith in the truth of the Gospel message that saves us. And having believed the Good News, our lives have been changed from within; we are new beings; we see things from a whole new perspective (2 Cor. 3:18; 5:17; etc.)! God has become our Father and He has taken it upon Himself to transform us into the very beings He created us to be (Rom. 8:15; Phil. 1:6; 1 Jn. 3:2; etc.)! If you truly believe this message of the grace of God, you can know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you are saved; John wrote: "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life..." (1 Jn. 5:13)! I have called salvation "the grace of God," because it is a gift, not something to be earned by your efforts to live a holy life (Rom. 5:15-18; 6:23; Eph. 2:8-9; etc.)!
I want to pass on to you, that which is the most important, the most powerful, life-changing event in recorded history: Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said He would (Ps. 22; Isa. 53; Lk. 24:25-27; etc.). He was buried, and He was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said He would! He was seen by Peter, and then by "the Twelve." After that, He appeared to more than five hundred people who believe in Him, most of whom were still alive when the Apostle Paul wrote these facts (1 Cor. 15:6). After that, He was seen by James and later by all the apostles. Last of all, as though he had been born at the wrong time, Paul also saw Him. Paul, humbled by his encounter with Jesus as he traveled to Damascus to catch believers in Christ (Acts 9:1-8), described himself as "the least of all the apostles" (1 Cor. 15:9). He continued by saying, "In fact, I’m not even worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God’s church" (v. 9 - NLT).
The two paragraphs above are my interpretation of 1 Corinthians 15:1-9. A little over forty-four years ago, I, as a foolish atheist, also came to faith in Jesus Christ. God had moved a young man in California to mail me a pocket New Testament; He had moved a middle-aged man to witness to me in Florida; and He made sure my children left the TV on a station with a church service on from Mobile (Alabama). He moved the preacher to state that his sermon was from Matthew twenty-five, the one and only chapter of the Bible I had ever read, and "coincidentally," I had read it the night before!
That definitely got my attention! After listening to two more sermons by preachers, the last being Rex Humbard from the Cathedral of Tomorrow in Akron, Ohio, I knelt in my living room and placed my faith in Jesus Christ. I immediately was aware of three things: my sins were forgiven, the Bible was the Word of God, and that I would spent the rest of my life sharing Him with others. I actually was able to attend Bible College and Seminary, and was called to be a pastor for a while. Praise God for both the calling, and the release from it!
I am now retired due to health issues, but Lord willing, I will continue to share my faith through this miracle of the internet! Please feel free to copy, to share, and to pray for my faithfulness in service to the King of kings and the Lord of lords! God bless you and use you for His glory! Amen!
I want to pass on to you, that which is the most important, the most powerful, life-changing event in recorded history: Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said He would (Ps. 22; Isa. 53; Lk. 24:25-27; etc.). He was buried, and He was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said He would! He was seen by Peter, and then by "the Twelve." After that, He appeared to more than five hundred people who believe in Him, most of whom were still alive when the Apostle Paul wrote these facts (1 Cor. 15:6). After that, He was seen by James and later by all the apostles. Last of all, as though he had been born at the wrong time, Paul also saw Him. Paul, humbled by his encounter with Jesus as he traveled to Damascus to catch believers in Christ (Acts 9:1-8), described himself as "the least of all the apostles" (1 Cor. 15:9). He continued by saying, "In fact, I’m not even worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God’s church" (v. 9 - NLT).
The two paragraphs above are my interpretation of 1 Corinthians 15:1-9. A little over forty-four years ago, I, as a foolish atheist, also came to faith in Jesus Christ. God had moved a young man in California to mail me a pocket New Testament; He had moved a middle-aged man to witness to me in Florida; and He made sure my children left the TV on a station with a church service on from Mobile (Alabama). He moved the preacher to state that his sermon was from Matthew twenty-five, the one and only chapter of the Bible I had ever read, and "coincidentally," I had read it the night before!
That definitely got my attention! After listening to two more sermons by preachers, the last being Rex Humbard from the Cathedral of Tomorrow in Akron, Ohio, I knelt in my living room and placed my faith in Jesus Christ. I immediately was aware of three things: my sins were forgiven, the Bible was the Word of God, and that I would spent the rest of my life sharing Him with others. I actually was able to attend Bible College and Seminary, and was called to be a pastor for a while. Praise God for both the calling, and the release from it!
I am now retired due to health issues, but Lord willing, I will continue to share my faith through this miracle of the internet! Please feel free to copy, to share, and to pray for my faithfulness in service to the King of kings and the Lord of lords! God bless you and use you for His glory! Amen!
Friday, February 27, 2015
THE END OF THE UNHOLY TRINITY (REV. 19:11-20:10)
THEN I saw heaven opened, and beheld a white horse. Its rider was named FAITHFUL AND TRUE, for He judges fairly and wages a righteous war. His eyes were like flames of fire, and on His head were many crowns. A name was written on Him that no one understood except Himself. He wore a robe dipped in blood, and His title was THE WORD OF GOD. The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed Him on white horses. From His mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress. On His robe at His thigh was written this title: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS!
THEN I saw an angel standing in the sun, shouting to the vultures flying high in the sky: Come! Gather together for the great banquet God has prepared. Come and eat the flesh of kings, generals, and strong warriors; of horses and their riders; and of all humanity, both free and slave, small and great.
THEN I saw the beast and the kings of the world and their armies gathered together to fight against the One sitting on the horse and His army. And the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who did mighty miracles on behalf of the beast; miracles that deceived all who had accepted the mark of the beast, and who worshiped his statue. Both the beast and his false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. Their entire army was killed by the sharp sword that came from the mouth of the One riding the white horse. And the vultures all gorged themselves on the dead bodies.
THEN I saw an angel coming down from heaven with the key to the bottomless pit and a heavy chain in his hand. He seized the dragon, that old serpent, who is the devil, Satan, and bound him in chains for a thousand years. The angel threw him into the bottomless pit, which he then shut and locked so Satan could not deceive the nations anymore until the thousand years were finished.
THEN I saw thrones, and the people sitting on them had been given the authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony about Jesus and for proclaiming THE WORD OF GOD. They had not worshiped the beast or his statue, nor accepted his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They all came to life again, and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years. This is the first resurrection. The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years had ended. Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. For them the second death holds no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him a thousand years.
THEN, when the MELLENNIUM comes to an end, Satan will be let out of his prison. He will go out to deceive the nations, called Gog and Magog, in every corner of the earth. He will gather them together for battle, a mighty army, as numberless as sand along the seashore. And I saw them as they went up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded God’s people and the beloved city. But fire from heaven came down on the attacking armies and consumed them.
THEN the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
THEN I saw an angel standing in the sun, shouting to the vultures flying high in the sky: Come! Gather together for the great banquet God has prepared. Come and eat the flesh of kings, generals, and strong warriors; of horses and their riders; and of all humanity, both free and slave, small and great.
THEN I saw the beast and the kings of the world and their armies gathered together to fight against the One sitting on the horse and His army. And the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who did mighty miracles on behalf of the beast; miracles that deceived all who had accepted the mark of the beast, and who worshiped his statue. Both the beast and his false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. Their entire army was killed by the sharp sword that came from the mouth of the One riding the white horse. And the vultures all gorged themselves on the dead bodies.
THEN I saw an angel coming down from heaven with the key to the bottomless pit and a heavy chain in his hand. He seized the dragon, that old serpent, who is the devil, Satan, and bound him in chains for a thousand years. The angel threw him into the bottomless pit, which he then shut and locked so Satan could not deceive the nations anymore until the thousand years were finished.
THEN I saw thrones, and the people sitting on them had been given the authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony about Jesus and for proclaiming THE WORD OF GOD. They had not worshiped the beast or his statue, nor accepted his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They all came to life again, and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years. This is the first resurrection. The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years had ended. Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. For them the second death holds no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him a thousand years.
THEN, when the MELLENNIUM comes to an end, Satan will be let out of his prison. He will go out to deceive the nations, called Gog and Magog, in every corner of the earth. He will gather them together for battle, a mighty army, as numberless as sand along the seashore. And I saw them as they went up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded God’s people and the beloved city. But fire from heaven came down on the attacking armies and consumed them.
THEN the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
JESUS, OUR CREATOR, SAVIOR, LORD, AND THE SON OF GOD, WINS!
Thursday, February 26, 2015
DURING THE FIRST THREE AND A HALF YEARS
Many have been saying that the beheadings, crucifixions, and burning to death of Middle Eastern Christians, is proof that we are already living in the time of the Tribulation. They support their claim by referencing Matthew 24:9 which says, "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."
But like most errors in Bible interpretation, they have failed to compare Scripture with Scripture. Parallel versions of the Lord's Olivet Discourse clarify who the "they" are. Mark 13:9 says, "But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony against them." "They" refers to Jews who will be persecuting Christians, not in the Tribulation Temple, because, based upon the timing of these persecutions, it is not yet completed; hence, the attack on believers will take place in the synagogues!
And Luke's Gospel reads, "But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake" (21:12). Here, Luke tells us that these persecutions happen BEFORE the rest of the signs of the end of the age and Christ's Second Coming. That means they will occur following the Rapture; these believers, quite possibly, could be the members of the Laodicean Church mentioned in Revelation 3:14-22. They, like many who sit in church pews every Lord's Day, are religious, members of the religion known as Christianity, but they are not born again. When the Rapture occurs, the majority of professing Christians will suddenly realize that their religiousness was worthless. They needed to trust in the finished work of Jesus, and not in their own religious "do's and don't's!
The peace treaty between the Antichrist and Israel, will allow them to have complete rule over their land (Dan. 9:27; Mt. 24:3-14; Rev. 6:1-12:1; etc.). During that time, there will be two witnesses who proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the first half of the Tribulation (Rev. 11:3). We are told that the entire world is troubled by these two powerful servants of God, and they rejoice when they are killed (Rev. 11:9-10 - especially the Jews)! However, after God raises them to life, and after they are "raptured," Then the Abomination of Desolation occurs and Israel's eyes are opened (Dan. 9:27; 11:31; 12:11; Mt. 24:15; Rev. 13:1-18; etc.)!
But like most errors in Bible interpretation, they have failed to compare Scripture with Scripture. Parallel versions of the Lord's Olivet Discourse clarify who the "they" are. Mark 13:9 says, "But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony against them." "They" refers to Jews who will be persecuting Christians, not in the Tribulation Temple, because, based upon the timing of these persecutions, it is not yet completed; hence, the attack on believers will take place in the synagogues!
And Luke's Gospel reads, "But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake" (21:12). Here, Luke tells us that these persecutions happen BEFORE the rest of the signs of the end of the age and Christ's Second Coming. That means they will occur following the Rapture; these believers, quite possibly, could be the members of the Laodicean Church mentioned in Revelation 3:14-22. They, like many who sit in church pews every Lord's Day, are religious, members of the religion known as Christianity, but they are not born again. When the Rapture occurs, the majority of professing Christians will suddenly realize that their religiousness was worthless. They needed to trust in the finished work of Jesus, and not in their own religious "do's and don't's!
The peace treaty between the Antichrist and Israel, will allow them to have complete rule over their land (Dan. 9:27; Mt. 24:3-14; Rev. 6:1-12:1; etc.). During that time, there will be two witnesses who proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the first half of the Tribulation (Rev. 11:3). We are told that the entire world is troubled by these two powerful servants of God, and they rejoice when they are killed (Rev. 11:9-10 - especially the Jews)! However, after God raises them to life, and after they are "raptured," Then the Abomination of Desolation occurs and Israel's eyes are opened (Dan. 9:27; 11:31; 12:11; Mt. 24:15; Rev. 13:1-18; etc.)!
What we see now, is
persecution by Muslims, not Jews!
The Rapture has not yet happened. But it may soon, even today!
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
"DO" ALWAYS FALLS SHORT OF SALVATION
"There is a wide difference between your religion and mine," said a Christian lady to one in whose spiritual condition she had long been interested. "Indeed," said he, "how is that?" "Your religion," she replied, "has only two letters in it, and mine has four." It seems that this gentleman was one of that numerous class seeking to get to heaven by their doings, by attention to ordinances and ceremonies, by what the apostle, in the ninth of Hebrews, terms "dead works." But he did not understand about the "two letters" or the "four." His friend had often spoken to him, and on the occasion to which our anecdote refers she had called to take her leave of him for some time, as she was about to go from home. "What do you mean," said he, "by two letters and four?"
"Why, your religion," said the lady, "is d-o DO; whereas mine is D-O-N-E." This was all that passed. The lady took her leave; but her words remained and did their work in the soul of her friend--a revolutionary work, verily. The entire current of his thoughts was changed. Do is one thing; done is quite another. The former is legalism; the latter is Christianity. It was a novel and very original mode of putting the gospel; but it was just the mode for a legalist, and the Spirit of God used it in the conversion of this gentleman. When he next met his friend, he said to her, "Well, I can now say with you that my religion is d-o-n-e, DONE.." He had learned to fling aside the deadly doings, and rest in the finished work of Christ. He was led to see that it was no longer what he could do for God, but what God had done for him.
This settled everything. The four golden letters shone under the gaze of his emancipated soul, "d-o-n-e." Precious letters! Precious word! Who can tell the relief to a burdened heart when it discovers that all is done? What joy to know that what I have been toiling for, it may be many a long year, was all done nearly 2000 years ago, on the cross! Christ has done all. He has put away sin; magnified the claims of divine justice; vanquished Satan; taken the sting from death and the victory from the grave; glorified God in the very scene in which He had been dishonored; brought in everlasting righteousness. All this is wrapped up in these four golden letters, "d-o-n-e." Oh, who would not give up the two for the four? Who would not exchange "do" for "done"?
Reader, what say you to this? What of your religion? Does it consist of two letters or four? Is it still "do" with you? or have you found your happy portion and rest in "done"? Do you think of it, dear friend--think deeply--think seriously--and may God's Spirit lead you, this moment, to cease from your own "do," and to rest in Christ's eternal "done."
(by C.H.Mackintosh, 1820-1896)
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
THE GODHEAD: THE THREE IN ONE
Matthew 3:16-17 - "And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him: and lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
Matthew 28:19 - "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."
John 14:16 - "And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever."
Acts 2:32-33 - "This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, He hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear."
Romans 5:5-6 - "...the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly."
2 Corinthians 1:21-22 - "Now He which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts."
2 Corinthians 13:14 - "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen."
Ephesians 4:4-6 - "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."
Philippians 3:3 - "For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh."
1 Thessalonians 5:18-19 - "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit."
Hebrews 9:14 - "How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"
1 John 4:2 - "Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God."
1 John 5:7 - "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and THESE THREE ARE ONE!"
Matthew 28:19 - "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."
John 14:16 - "And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever."
Acts 2:32-33 - "This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, He hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear."
Romans 5:5-6 - "...the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly."
2 Corinthians 1:21-22 - "Now He which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts."
2 Corinthians 13:14 - "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen."
Ephesians 4:4-6 - "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."
Philippians 3:3 - "For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh."
1 Thessalonians 5:18-19 - "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit."
Hebrews 9:14 - "How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"
1 John 4:2 - "Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God."
1 John 5:7 - "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and THESE THREE ARE ONE!"
Monday, February 23, 2015
THERE IS BUT ONE GOSPEL
The ONE Gospel!
"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein you stand; By which also you are saved, if you keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless you have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures." (The Gospel - 1 Cor. 15:1-4)!
The ONE Gospel which has the power to save the lost!
"So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith." (Rom. 1:15-17)!
The ONE Gospel message of both Peter and Paul!
"The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied Him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; And killed the Prince of life, whom God has raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. And His name through faith in His name has made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by Him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. And now, brethren, I know that through ignorance you did it, as did also your rulers. But those things, which God before had showed by the mouth of all His prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. Repent therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And He shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. For Moses truly said to the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; Him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever He shall say unto you." (Peter -Acts 3:13-22). "Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you fears God, to you is the Word of this salvation sent. For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew Him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning Him. And though they found no cause of death in Him, yet desired they Pilate that He should be slain. And when they had fulfilled all that was written of Him, they took Him down from the tree, and laid Him in a sepulchre. But God raised Him from the dead: And he was seen many days of them which came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses unto the people." (Paul - Acts 13:26-31).
There is only ONE Gospel and only ONE Way to be saved: Faith in Jesus!
Sunday, February 22, 2015
JESUS IS GOD
From http://www.middletownbiblechurch.org/sonship/sonsh02.htm
If Jesus Christ is God, then He must be eternal. God has no beginning. There was never a time when He did not exist in all the fullness of who He is. "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God" (Psalm 90:2).
Some heretical cults deny Christ's eternal existence, claiming that He was a created Being. In contrast to this false doctrine, the Bible presents Him as the uncreated Creator: "All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made" (John 1:3). In the beginning He was not created or made. In the beginning He already was (John 1:1-2)! The Apostle Paul declares that "He is before all things" (Col. 1:17).
The prophet Micah foretold that the Messiah would be born in the little town of Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). Who is this One that should be born? He is the One "whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting" (Micah 5:2).
John the Baptist clearly pointed to the fact of the pre-existence of Christ: "John bare witness of Him, and cried, saying, This was He of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for He was before me." This paradoxical statement can be understood only as we distinguish between the two natures of Christ. When viewed from the standpoint of His humanity He came after John the Baptist. Mary gave birth to Him six months after Elizabeth had given birth to John (Lk. 1:26). As the eternal Son of God He was before John the Baptist, eternally existing in the bosom of the Father (Jn. 1:18).
Perhaps the Savior Himself made the clearest statement of His pre-existence. Speaking with a group of unbelieving Jewish religious leaders, He said, "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day: and he saw it, and was glad" (Jn. 8:56). These Jews were startled by these words, understanding Him to be saying that He and Abraham existed on this earth at the same time: "Then said the Jews unto Him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast Thou seen Abraham?" (Jn. 8:57). They knew that Jesus was not even half a century old and that Abraham had lived and died on this earth approximately 2000 years earlier! How could this Man claim to be 2000 years old? They were shocked and angered by the Lord's final words: "Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am" (Jn. 8:58). They considered this to be ultimate blasphemy and they "took up stones to cast at Him" (Jn. 8:59).
Only the eternal God could make such a claim. Indeed, Jesus could have said, "Before Adam was, I am!" He even could have said, "Before the universe was, I am!" In fact, He did make such a statement: "And now, O Father, glorify Thou Me with Thine own self with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was...for Thou lovedst Me before the foundation of the world" (Jn. 17:5, 24). God the Son basked in the sunlight of the Father's love before the world ever was! From everlasting to everlasting, He is the Son of the Father's love.
If Jesus Christ is God, then He must be eternal. God has no beginning. There was never a time when He did not exist in all the fullness of who He is. "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God" (Psalm 90:2).
Some heretical cults deny Christ's eternal existence, claiming that He was a created Being. In contrast to this false doctrine, the Bible presents Him as the uncreated Creator: "All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made" (John 1:3). In the beginning He was not created or made. In the beginning He already was (John 1:1-2)! The Apostle Paul declares that "He is before all things" (Col. 1:17).
The prophet Micah foretold that the Messiah would be born in the little town of Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). Who is this One that should be born? He is the One "whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting" (Micah 5:2).
John the Baptist clearly pointed to the fact of the pre-existence of Christ: "John bare witness of Him, and cried, saying, This was He of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for He was before me." This paradoxical statement can be understood only as we distinguish between the two natures of Christ. When viewed from the standpoint of His humanity He came after John the Baptist. Mary gave birth to Him six months after Elizabeth had given birth to John (Lk. 1:26). As the eternal Son of God He was before John the Baptist, eternally existing in the bosom of the Father (Jn. 1:18).
Perhaps the Savior Himself made the clearest statement of His pre-existence. Speaking with a group of unbelieving Jewish religious leaders, He said, "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day: and he saw it, and was glad" (Jn. 8:56). These Jews were startled by these words, understanding Him to be saying that He and Abraham existed on this earth at the same time: "Then said the Jews unto Him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast Thou seen Abraham?" (Jn. 8:57). They knew that Jesus was not even half a century old and that Abraham had lived and died on this earth approximately 2000 years earlier! How could this Man claim to be 2000 years old? They were shocked and angered by the Lord's final words: "Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am" (Jn. 8:58). They considered this to be ultimate blasphemy and they "took up stones to cast at Him" (Jn. 8:59).
Only the eternal God could make such a claim. Indeed, Jesus could have said, "Before Adam was, I am!" He even could have said, "Before the universe was, I am!" In fact, He did make such a statement: "And now, O Father, glorify Thou Me with Thine own self with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was...for Thou lovedst Me before the foundation of the world" (Jn. 17:5, 24). God the Son basked in the sunlight of the Father's love before the world ever was! From everlasting to everlasting, He is the Son of the Father's love.
The eternal Son is worthy of all glory and praise and adoration!
Saturday, February 21, 2015
ROMANS ELEVEN TWENTY-FIVE
"For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery,
lest ye should be wise in your own conceits;
that blindness in part is happened to Israel,
until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in."
According to my understanding of the Middletown Bible Church's web site, Romans 11:25 may be understood as follows:
Paul did not want the Roman believers to be ignorant concerning the mystery of Israel’s partial blindness during this present age. A New Testament mystery is that which has been hidden, kept secret, and not made known to men in previous ages, but has now been made manifest, and made known, and revealed, in this present age by the New Testament apostles and prophets (see Rom. 16:26; Eph. 3:4-5, 9; Col. 1:26).
What Paul wanted the Roman believers to know was something about which believers in other ages knew nothing. Neither Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, or Isaiah, knew anything about what Paul is speaking of here. Paul is speaking about a special thing that God is doing among the Gentiles during this present age between the First and Second Advents of Christ (compare Acts 2:1-41; 15:14); that during this time, Israel is limited in its ability to comprehend, due to Israel’s blindness (see 2 Cor. 3:14-16). The blindness can be taken away from individual Jews today, if they believe the Gospel and turn to the Lord Jesus; the blindness will be taken away from the nation at the Second Coming as the nation turns to the Lord (compare 2 Cor. 3:16 and Rom. 11:26).
Paul did not want the Gentiles to be puffed up with pride "lest ye should be wise in your own conceits," and to prevent this, the Gentile believers needed to understand God’s present and future program for Israel. Paul made two major points with respect to Israel’s blindness: 1) Her blindness is partial, not total. Though most Jews are blind today, not all Jews are. There are some Jews who see very clearly, because they have received Christ as their Messiah and Savior; 2) Her blindness is temporary, not permanent. It will only last "until the fullness of the Gentiles comes in."
The fullness of Israel (v.12) will take place after the fullness of the Gentiles (v.25). What is the "fullness of the Gentiles"? The NIV translation is helpful: "until the full number of the Gentiles has come in." Today Christ is building His Church, made up primarily of Gentiles. God is visiting the nations of the world to take out of them a people for His Name (Acts 15:14). At some time in the future (a time known only to God), the full number of Jews and Gentiles will have come in (that is, all those who believe will be gathered into the Church, by faith, and will be saved). The rest of Israel will be saved when their eyes are opened at the time of the "abomination of desolation" (Dan. 9:27; 11:31; 12:11; Mt. 24:15; Mk. 13:14; Rev. 13:1-18)!
TIME IS SHORT! TRUST IN JESUS WHILE YOU STILL CAN!
Friday, February 20, 2015
SIX REASONS LUKE 16:19 - 31 CANNOT BE A PARABLE
Many groups who deny the doctrine of eternal punishment (such as Jehovah's Witnesses, followers of Herbert Armstrong, some ultradispensationalists etc.) claim that this passage is a parable because they do not like what it teaches about Hades. This passage clearly teaches that Hades is a place of conscious torment and suffering for the wicked. They think that if this passage is only a parable then they do not have to accept what it teaches about the condition of men following death. You will notice that the Lord did not say that it was a parable. Even if it were a parable, it would indeed be a unique parable for the following reasons:
1. It would be the only parable in the Bible that describes certain things that are outside of the realm of human experience. All the other parables talk about things that we are familiar with such as birds, seed, fields, pearls, wheat, barns, leaven, fish, etc. (see Matthew 13, etc.). This passage is different because it talks about what happens to two men after death, and this is a realm where none of us have had any personal experience. A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly or spiritual significance but Luke 16 transcends the realm of the earthly.
2. It would be the only parable in the Bible that uses a proper name (Lazarus).
3. It would be the only parable in the Bible that makes mention repeatedly of a historical person--Abraham. Moreover, this historical person actually carries on a dialogue with the rich man! Indeed, mention is also made in this parable of Moses, another historical character. What other parable speaks of real, historical persons?
4. It would be the only parable in the Bible that describes the places where the dead go (Hades, Abraham's bosom, a place of torment).
5. It would be the only parable in the Bible that makes mention of angels. Compare Matthew 13 verses 24-30, 36-43, 47-49 where angels are mentioned in the explanation of the parable but not in the parable itself.
6. If Hades is not really a place of torment then this would be the only parable in the Bible where the Lord Jesus taught error instead of truth. GOD FORBID!
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Thursday, February 19, 2015
MY VERSION OF ROMANS CHAPTER TEN
Dear brothers and sisters, the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for all religious people to be saved. I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal. For they don’t understand God’s way of making people right with Himself. Refusing to accept God’s way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God, by trying to keep a set of rules and regulations, a Law! They do not realize that Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which they strive so zealously. Only those who believe in Him are made right with God. Moses, for example, wrote that the Law's way of making a person right with God, requires obedience to ALL of its commands (Lev. 18:5). The only person ever to accomplish that, was Jesus Himself (Heb. 4:15)!
But faith's way of getting right with God says . . . If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, anyone who trusts in Him will never be ashamed to declare Him as their Lord and Savior. Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They can all have a relationship with the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
But how can they call on Him to save them unless they believe in Him? And how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him? And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, how beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring the Gospel (Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 15:1-4), that is, the Good News! But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, Lord, who has believed our message? (Isa. 53:1). So, faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.
But you might ask, "Have all the peoples of the world actually heard the message?" The answer is YES, they have: The message has gone throughout the earth, and the Word to all the world (Ps. 19:4)! Does that include the people of Israel? Did they really understand? Yes, they did, for even in the time of Moses, God said, I will rouse your jealousy through people who are not even a nation. I will provoke your anger through the foolish Gentiles (Deut. 32:21). And later, Isaiah spoke boldly for God, saying, "I was found by people who were not looking for Me. I showed Myself to those who were not asking for Me" (Isa. 65:1). But regarding Israel, God said, "All day long I opened my arms to them, but they were disobedient and rebellious" (Isa. 65:2).
But faith's way of getting right with God says . . . If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, anyone who trusts in Him will never be ashamed to declare Him as their Lord and Savior. Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They can all have a relationship with the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
But how can they call on Him to save them unless they believe in Him? And how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him? And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, how beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring the Gospel (Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 15:1-4), that is, the Good News! But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, Lord, who has believed our message? (Isa. 53:1). So, faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.
But you might ask, "Have all the peoples of the world actually heard the message?" The answer is YES, they have: The message has gone throughout the earth, and the Word to all the world (Ps. 19:4)! Does that include the people of Israel? Did they really understand? Yes, they did, for even in the time of Moses, God said, I will rouse your jealousy through people who are not even a nation. I will provoke your anger through the foolish Gentiles (Deut. 32:21). And later, Isaiah spoke boldly for God, saying, "I was found by people who were not looking for Me. I showed Myself to those who were not asking for Me" (Isa. 65:1). But regarding Israel, God said, "All day long I opened my arms to them, but they were disobedient and rebellious" (Isa. 65:2).
Do you believe in Jesus Christ? Go TELL somebody!
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
THE CHURCH WILL BE GONE BEFORE GOD'S WRATH IS POURED OUT
The Tribulation, God's judgment upon Israel and the rest of the world who rejected Jesus, is fittingly called "The Time of Jacob's Trouble" (Jer. 30:7), and "Daniel's Seventieth Week" (Dan. 9:27). It is described in the sixth chapter through the nineteenth chapter of the Book of Revelation. Many false teachers of the Bible warn born again believers that they need to prepare for what lies in store for the world. Some false teachers believe there will be a removal of Christians in the middle of the Tribulation (Mid-Tribbers), while others either believe in no removal of the Church at all, or that the Church rises to meet Jesus as He is returning to establish His Millennial Kingdom (Rev. 20:1-9).
However, there are passages of Scripture which clearly tell of the true Church (made up of born again believers) being removed prior to God's wrath being poured out. John 14:1-3 says: "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself (in the air); that where I am, there ye may be also."
1 Corinthians 15:51-54 says: "Behold, I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory."
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 says: "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."
Then, there are these verses which teach that the wrath of God is not going to be poured out on the Church: "But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him" (Rom. 5:8-9).
And again: "For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come" (1 Th. 1:9-10).
However, there are passages of Scripture which clearly tell of the true Church (made up of born again believers) being removed prior to God's wrath being poured out. John 14:1-3 says: "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself (in the air); that where I am, there ye may be also."
1 Corinthians 15:51-54 says: "Behold, I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory."
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 says: "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."
Then, there are these verses which teach that the wrath of God is not going to be poured out on the Church: "But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him" (Rom. 5:8-9).
And again: "For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come" (1 Th. 1:9-10).
The Church does not deserve to be protected from the Tribulation,
but by the grace of Almighty God, we will be!
Praise the Lord for His unmerited favor on His Church!
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?
"Then said they unto Him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent" (Jn. 6:28-29).
"And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. 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 thy house. And they spake unto him the Word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house" (Acts 16:23-34).
"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. 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" (Rom. 10:8-13).
"And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. 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 thy house. And they spake unto him the Word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house" (Acts 16:23-34).
"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. 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" (Rom. 10:8-13).
"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" (Eph. 2:8-9).
Monday, February 16, 2015
WILL JESUS RETURN TO FIND FAITH?
Jesus, speaking of His Second Coming, asked this question in Luke 18:8 - "I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?" Even though the Church will have been removed from the earth seven years earlier, in what is known as "The Rapture of the Church," (Jn. 14:1-4; 1 Cor. 15:51-54; 1 Th. 4:13-18; Rev. 4:1), I believe the answer to His question is still yes. Here is why.
Following the removal of the Church, there is to be a seven-year period called "Daniel's Seventieth Week" (also known as "The Tribulation" and "The Time of Jacob's Trouble," - Dan. 9:27; Jer. 30:7; Mt. 24:3-29; Rev. Ch. 6-18; etc.); when it occurs, it will be divided into two halves of 1260 days (Rev. 11:3; 13:6), or 42 months (Rev. 11:2; 13:5), or 3 1/2 years (Dan. 7:25; 9:27). During the first half, Israel will believe that the Antichrist is their long-awaited Messiah. He will come riding on a white horse (Rev. 6:2; 19:11). He will promise to protect them for seven years. Israel will actually have peace for the first three and a half years, only "hearing of wars and rumors of wars" (Mt. 24:6; Mk. 13:7). During that time, they will persecute, in their synagogues, the few Jews who come to trust in Jesus, and for the first three and a half years, they will freely worship in their newly built temple (Mt. 24:9-10; Mk. 13:9-10; Lk. 21:12-13; etc.).
Then, suddenly, the Antichrist will declare himself to be God and Israel's eyes will be opened (Dan. 9:27; Mt. 24:15; Rom. 11:25; 2 Th. 2:4; Rev. 11:1-2; etc.). They will flee into the wilderness, where God will provide for their protection and their needs; Revelation 12:6 says, "And the woman (Israel)fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days." We find this stated again in Revelation 12:14, which says, "And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent."
The Tribulation ends with Christ's Second Coming (Mt. 24:29-31; Rev. 19:11-20; etc.). Christ's people, Israel, will be surrounded by the nations of the world, and in what has come to be called "The Battle of Armageddon," Israel is rescued and her foes destroyed. Revelation 16:12-16 says:
"And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. And He gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon."
Following the removal of the Church, there is to be a seven-year period called "Daniel's Seventieth Week" (also known as "The Tribulation" and "The Time of Jacob's Trouble," - Dan. 9:27; Jer. 30:7; Mt. 24:3-29; Rev. Ch. 6-18; etc.); when it occurs, it will be divided into two halves of 1260 days (Rev. 11:3; 13:6), or 42 months (Rev. 11:2; 13:5), or 3 1/2 years (Dan. 7:25; 9:27). During the first half, Israel will believe that the Antichrist is their long-awaited Messiah. He will come riding on a white horse (Rev. 6:2; 19:11). He will promise to protect them for seven years. Israel will actually have peace for the first three and a half years, only "hearing of wars and rumors of wars" (Mt. 24:6; Mk. 13:7). During that time, they will persecute, in their synagogues, the few Jews who come to trust in Jesus, and for the first three and a half years, they will freely worship in their newly built temple (Mt. 24:9-10; Mk. 13:9-10; Lk. 21:12-13; etc.).
Then, suddenly, the Antichrist will declare himself to be God and Israel's eyes will be opened (Dan. 9:27; Mt. 24:15; Rom. 11:25; 2 Th. 2:4; Rev. 11:1-2; etc.). They will flee into the wilderness, where God will provide for their protection and their needs; Revelation 12:6 says, "And the woman (Israel)fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days." We find this stated again in Revelation 12:14, which says, "And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent."
The Tribulation ends with Christ's Second Coming (Mt. 24:29-31; Rev. 19:11-20; etc.). Christ's people, Israel, will be surrounded by the nations of the world, and in what has come to be called "The Battle of Armageddon," Israel is rescued and her foes destroyed. Revelation 16:12-16 says:
"And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. And He gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon."
When Jesus returns, faithful Israel will welcome Him!
Sunday, February 15, 2015
FAITH IN JESUS HAS ETERNAL REWARDS
"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" (Jn. 3:14-15).
"Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me. And ye will not come to Me, that ye might have life" (Jn. 5:39-40).
"Whoso eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is meat indeed, and My blood is drink indeed" (Jn. 6:54-55; see 1 Cor. 11:23-26).
"From that time many of His disciples went back, and walked no more with Him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered Him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that Thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God" (Jn. 6:66-69).
"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand" (Jn. 10:27-28).
"These words spake Jesus, and lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify Thy Son, that Thy Son also may glorify Thee: as Thou hast given Him power over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as Thou hast given Him. And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent" (Jn. 17:1-3).
"And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, 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..." (1 Jn. 5:11-13).
"Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me. And ye will not come to Me, that ye might have life" (Jn. 5:39-40).
"Whoso eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is meat indeed, and My blood is drink indeed" (Jn. 6:54-55; see 1 Cor. 11:23-26).
"From that time many of His disciples went back, and walked no more with Him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered Him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that Thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God" (Jn. 6:66-69).
"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand" (Jn. 10:27-28).
"These words spake Jesus, and lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify Thy Son, that Thy Son also may glorify Thee: as Thou hast given Him power over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as Thou hast given Him. And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent" (Jn. 17:1-3).
"And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, 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..." (1 Jn. 5:11-13).
Saturday, February 14, 2015
EVERY DAY SHOULD BE VALENTINE'S DAY
"For the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Jesus, and have believed that He came out from God" (Jn. 16:27 PMV).
"Every man, according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Cor. 9:7 PMV).
"In this are the children of God made manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever does not live justly, is not of God, neither he that loves not his brother" (1 Jn. 3:10 PMV).
"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God.... He that loves not, knows not God; for God is love. In this was God's love toward us made manifest, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. This is genuine love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the payment for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another" (1 Jn. 4:7-11 PMV).
"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love. We love Him, because He first loved us. If a man says, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar: for he that loves not his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment have we from Him, that he who loves God, loves his brother also" (1 Jn. 4:18-21 PMV).
"Love suffers long, and is kind; love envies not; love vaunts not itself, is not puffed up, does not behave itself unseemly, seeks not its own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails..." (1 Cor. 13:4-8 PMV).
"For my brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For ALL OF THE LAW IS FULFILLED IN ONE WORD, even in this; 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOU LOVE YOURSELF'" (Gal. 5:13-14 PMV).
"Every man, according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Cor. 9:7 PMV).
"In this are the children of God made manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever does not live justly, is not of God, neither he that loves not his brother" (1 Jn. 3:10 PMV).
"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God.... He that loves not, knows not God; for God is love. In this was God's love toward us made manifest, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. This is genuine love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the payment for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another" (1 Jn. 4:7-11 PMV).
"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love. We love Him, because He first loved us. If a man says, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar: for he that loves not his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment have we from Him, that he who loves God, loves his brother also" (1 Jn. 4:18-21 PMV).
"Love suffers long, and is kind; love envies not; love vaunts not itself, is not puffed up, does not behave itself unseemly, seeks not its own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails..." (1 Cor. 13:4-8 PMV).
"For my brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For ALL OF THE LAW IS FULFILLED IN ONE WORD, even in this; 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOU LOVE YOURSELF'" (Gal. 5:13-14 PMV).
Friday, February 13, 2015
EPHESIANS CHAPTER ONE
This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. This is what He wanted to do, and it gave Him great pleasure.
So we praise God for the glorious grace He has poured out on us who belong to His dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins. He has showered His kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.
God has now revealed to us His mysterious plan regarding Christ, a plan to fulfill His own good pleasure. And this is the plan: At the right time He will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for He chose us in advance, and He makes everything work out according to His plan. God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, He identified you as His own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom He promised long ago. The Spirit is God’s guarantee that He will give us the inheritance He promised and that He has purchased us to be His own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify Him.
Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope He has given to those He called—His holy people who are His rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe Him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.
Now He is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made Him head over all things for the benefit of the Church. And the Church is His Body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with Himself.
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. This is what He wanted to do, and it gave Him great pleasure.
So we praise God for the glorious grace He has poured out on us who belong to His dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins. He has showered His kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.
God has now revealed to us His mysterious plan regarding Christ, a plan to fulfill His own good pleasure. And this is the plan: At the right time He will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for He chose us in advance, and He makes everything work out according to His plan. God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, He identified you as His own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom He promised long ago. The Spirit is God’s guarantee that He will give us the inheritance He promised and that He has purchased us to be His own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify Him.
Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope He has given to those He called—His holy people who are His rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe Him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.
Now He is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made Him head over all things for the benefit of the Church. And the Church is His Body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with Himself.
Thursday, February 12, 2015
EVEN GOD'S WRATH IS MOTIVATED BY HIS LOVE
As horrible as the events listed in the Book of Revelation are, they are motivated by the love of God for His creation. The warnings are, first of all, for the Church in chapters two and three. Revelation 4:1 has been viewed as picturing the event to follow the Church Age; the Rapture, the removal of the Church from this earth, shows that God warns man for just so long, and then, when He decides mankind has had enough time to repent, He stops warning and acts!
Revelation Chapter Two
[5] Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.[16] Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.
[21] And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
[22] Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
Revelation Chapter Three
[3] Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.[19] As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
This is also true for the lost (unsaved) billions who have rejected Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Chapters nine and sixteen show that God's grace will, one day, give way to His judgments upon earth.
Revelation Chapter Nine
[20] And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:
[21] Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.
Revelation Chapter Sixteen
[9] And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give Him glory.[11] And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.
Call upon Jesus to forgive your sins, and call upon Him to be your Lord!
While there is still time!
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
OBSERVE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A BELIEVER IS SPIRIT FILLED
The Apostle Peter is known for saying some pretty dumb stuff. He even rebuked Jesus (Mt. 16:22). He failed to wait for the Holy Spirit to indwell him, and as a result, he held a "business meeting" and attempted to replace Judas, even though God would choose another person (Acts 1:15-26; 9:15). But on the Day of Pentecost, the common fisherman became God's powerful messenger:
"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: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that He should be held of it. For David spoke concerning Him,
'I foresaw the Lord always before My face, for He is on My right hand, that I should not be moved: therefore did My heart rejoice, and My tongue was glad; moreover also My flesh shall rest in hope: because Thou wilt not leave My soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to Me the ways of life; Thou shalt make Me full of joy with Thy countenance' (Ps. 16:8-11).
Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, He would raise up Christ to sit on His throne; He seeing this before spoke of the resurrection of Christ, that His soul was not left in hell, neither His flesh did see corruption.
This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, He hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, 'The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit Thou on My right hand, until I make Thy foes Thy footstool' Ps.110:1). Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved" (Acts 2:22-47).
"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: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that He should be held of it. For David spoke concerning Him,
'I foresaw the Lord always before My face, for He is on My right hand, that I should not be moved: therefore did My heart rejoice, and My tongue was glad; moreover also My flesh shall rest in hope: because Thou wilt not leave My soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to Me the ways of life; Thou shalt make Me full of joy with Thy countenance' (Ps. 16:8-11).
Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, He would raise up Christ to sit on His throne; He seeing this before spoke of the resurrection of Christ, that His soul was not left in hell, neither His flesh did see corruption.
This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, He hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, 'The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit Thou on My right hand, until I make Thy foes Thy footstool' Ps.110:1). Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved" (Acts 2:22-47).
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
THE REAL LORD'S PRAYER: JOHN SEVENTEEN
"After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so He can give glory back to You. For You have given Him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one You have given Him. And this is the way to have eternal life—to know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the One You sent to earth. I brought glory to You here on earth by completing the work You gave Me to do. Now, Father, bring Me into the glory We shared before the world began.
I have revealed You to the ones You gave Me from this world. They were always Yours. You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your Word. Now they know that everything I have is a gift from You, for I have passed on to them the message You gave Me. They accepted it and know that I came from You, and they believe You sent Me.
My prayer is not for the world, but for those You have given Me, because they belong to You. All who are Mine belong to You, and You have given them to Me, so they bring Me glory. Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to You. Holy Father, You have given Me Your name; now protect them by the power of Your name so that they will be united just as We are. During My time here, I protected them by the power of the name You gave Me. I guarded them so that not one was lost, except the one headed for destruction, as the Scriptures foretold.
Now I am coming to You. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with My joy. I have given them Your Word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking You to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by Your truth; teach them Your Word, which is truth. Just as You sent Me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give Myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by Your truth.
I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in Me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as You and I are one—as You are in Me, Father, and I am in You. And may they be in Us so that the world will believe You sent Me.
I have given them the glory You gave Me, so they may be one as We are one. I am in them and You are in Me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that You sent Me and that You love them as much as You love me. Father, I want these whom You have given Me to be with Me where I am. Then they can see all the glory You gave Me because You loved Me even before the world began!
O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know You, but I do; and these disciples know You sent Me. I have revealed You to them, and I will continue to do so. Then Your love for Me will be in them, and I will be in them."
I have revealed You to the ones You gave Me from this world. They were always Yours. You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your Word. Now they know that everything I have is a gift from You, for I have passed on to them the message You gave Me. They accepted it and know that I came from You, and they believe You sent Me.
My prayer is not for the world, but for those You have given Me, because they belong to You. All who are Mine belong to You, and You have given them to Me, so they bring Me glory. Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to You. Holy Father, You have given Me Your name; now protect them by the power of Your name so that they will be united just as We are. During My time here, I protected them by the power of the name You gave Me. I guarded them so that not one was lost, except the one headed for destruction, as the Scriptures foretold.
Now I am coming to You. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with My joy. I have given them Your Word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking You to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by Your truth; teach them Your Word, which is truth. Just as You sent Me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give Myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by Your truth.
I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in Me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as You and I are one—as You are in Me, Father, and I am in You. And may they be in Us so that the world will believe You sent Me.
I have given them the glory You gave Me, so they may be one as We are one. I am in them and You are in Me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that You sent Me and that You love them as much as You love me. Father, I want these whom You have given Me to be with Me where I am. Then they can see all the glory You gave Me because You loved Me even before the world began!
O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know You, but I do; and these disciples know You sent Me. I have revealed You to them, and I will continue to do so. Then Your love for Me will be in them, and I will be in them."
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