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To Easter or Not to Easter?: Christ is Our Passover

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Have you ever looked at the traditions people celebrate this time of year, calling it Easter, and wonder what they have to do with the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus? Do you believe that is how God wants us to celebrate our Lord and Savior? Let’s take a look at what God has to say about the matter through His own Words.

(Exodus 12:1-51)  And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, (2) This month (Abib) shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. (3)  Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: (4)  And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb. (5)  Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: (6)  And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day  (usually the evening of April 3rd—the fourteenth day after Spring Equinox) of the same month (Abib): and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. (7)  And they shall take of the blood (we use olive oil instead of lamb’s blood today because it is the oil of our people), and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. (8)  And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. (9)  Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof. (10)  And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire. (11)  And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD’S passover. (12)  For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. (13)  And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood (Christ’s blood), I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. (14)  And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance FOR EVER. (15)  Sevendays shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day YE SHALL PUT AWAY LEAVEN OUT OF YOUR HOUSES: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cutoff from Israel. (16)  And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them (today, Jesus is our Sabbath, so every day we are in the Word, we are in Sabbath), save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you. (17)  And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever. (18)  In the first month (Abib), on the fourteenth day of the month (usually the evening of April 3rd) at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month (usually April 10th) at even. (19)  SEVEN DAYS SHALL THERE BE NO LEAVEN (traditions of Pharisees and Sadducees, things added into Christianity) FOUND IN YOUR HOUSES: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land. (20)  Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread. (21)  Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover. (22)  And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood (Christ’s blood) that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning. (23)  For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door,and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you. (24)  And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons FOR EVER. (25)  And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the LORD will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service. (26)  And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service? (27)  That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the LORD’S passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped. (28)  And the children of Israel went away, and did as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they. (29)  And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle. (30)  And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead. (31)  And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as ye have said. (32)  Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also. (33)  And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men. (34)  And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneadingtroughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders. (35)  And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed ofthe Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: (36)  And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians. (37)  And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children. (38)  And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle. (39)  And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt,for it was not leavened; because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victual. (40)  Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years. (41)  And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt. (42)  It is a night to be much observed unto the LORD for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the LORD to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations.  (43)  And the LORD said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof: (44)  But every man’s servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof. (45)  A foreigner and an hired servant shall not eat thereof. (46)  In one house shall it be eaten; thou shalt not carry forth ought of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall ye break a bone thereof. (47)  All the congregation of Israel shall keep it. (48)  And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised (now circumcision of the heart, as the ordinance of circumcision was fulfilled with Christ’s blood, although it still could be used for health reasons), and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof. (49)  One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you. (50)  Thus did all the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they. (51)  And it came to pass the selfsame day, that the LORD did bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies.

Passover is a day that God ordained, which He expected us and told us to celebrate until the end of time, and God never changes; everything in the Old Testament histories was given to us as an example for us today. When God chose Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, He did so to teach us about our salvation through Jesus Christ.

Many people believe that once Jesus came and died for us, the Old Testament was done away with, but we can see here, for example, that God told us then, and it is just as pertinent now, that this ordinance, as well as the rest of the Old Testament is still in effect. However, as ordinances go, the way we observe them often changes from a physical, flesh practice (the shedding of blood for example) to a spiritual practice. In the case of Passover, the way Christians are to observe is to follow the ordinances on a spiritual level by accepting the blood of Christ to cover you from the angel of death.

(1 Corinthians 5:7)  PURGE OUT THEREFORE THE OLD LEAVEN, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even CHRIST OUR PASSOVER is sacrificed for us:

Christ became our Passover Lamb, sacrificed once and for all time. He replaced the sacrificial lamb in the ordinance of Passover, which we are told by God to observe until the end of time.

As we can see here, we are not only told that Jesus is our Passover, but we are to purge out all leaven from our homes during this time, just as God instructed us thousands of years ago. So what is this leaven?

(Matthew 16:5-11)  And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. (6)  Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and BEWARE OF THE LEAVEN OF THE PHARISEES AND OF THE SADDUCEES. (7)  And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread. (8)  Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread? (9) DO YE NOT UNDERSTAND, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? (10) Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? (11)  How is it that ye do not understand that I SPAKE IT NOT TO YOU CONCERNING BREAD,that ye should BEWARE OF THE LEAVEN OF THE PHARISEES AND SADDUCEES?

He said this twice for emphasis.

(Matthew 16:12)  Then understood they how that he bade them NOT BEWARE OF THE LEAVEN OF BREAD, BUT OFTHE DOCTRINE OF THE PHARISEES AND OF THE SADDUCEES.

The leaven is anything that is added into true biblical Christianity, which does not belong there. We are told, by Jesus to beware of this leaven, especially that of the Pharisees ad Sadducees. What is an example of leaven? For one, anything that has been borrowed from pagan religions, such as worship and traditions of Ashteroth, otherwise know as Ishtar. We are clearly told by God to purge our home of all these pagan things and traditions of men, and focus solely on what is biblical.

These pagan deities have been worshiped for millennia, and the traditions associated with Easter can easily be traced to their celebration. Ishtar is a goddess of fertility, hence the eggs (a symbol of fertility), chocolate (regarded as an aphrodisiac), bunnies (known to reproduce very quickly), and other baby animals, which are symbols of fertility in and of themselves. The traditions associated and practiced, in a time otherwise meant to be dedicated to the sacrifice Jesus made for us, are also directly linked to what ancient pagans did to please their Ishtar.

In fact, there is only one instance where the word Easter appears in the English Bible, and it is a mistranslation from the Greek ‘pascha’, which is a term that means Passover. That verse in Acts should never have even said “Easter,” but rather “Passover,” as it was translated the other 28 times it was used.

So we know that God told us, those who are loyal to Him, to celebrate Passover forever, and we know that Jesus became our Passover, so how do we observe it today?

(Matthew 26:26-28)  And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. (27)  And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; (28)  For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

This is the way Jesus taught us, via His apostles, to remember Him. We take this Communion to commemorate Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for our sins. We also recognize that as true Christians, He lives in us as we do in Him.

In addition to Communion, another thing which can be a good idea is to anoint our doorways with olive oil, which represents the Holy Spirit of God. This takes the place of spreading Lamb’s blood around our doors. Anointing our homes can serve as a sign that the places we live are dedicated to God, through Jesus Christ, and is a good way to commemorate the first Passover.

We are also instructed by God to teach our kids why we do these things on this day, and they will most likely ask because this is not what most families practice these days. The way children question so many things in the world around us gives us a good opportunity to teach them, especially when it comes to the ways of God.

So ask yourself: Do you really think God wants us to take the focus away form Jesus and put it on the Ishtar Bunny?

 

Topic Discussions

Triple-A Christianity

Recently I read “How to Have Confidence and Power in Dealing with People” by Les Giblin. It’s a powerful book and I feel it’s a must read for everybody, but in it he talked about what he called the Triple-A Formula for attracting people. In his first A, Acceptance, he mentions how Jesus accepted others and sat with publicans and sinners while the pharisees never do that.

It got me thinking about how this Triple-A Formula isn’t really just a method to attract others, but it is exactly the way we need to treat others. So, I wanted not only to pass this along, but also to take it a step further as it pertains to the bible.

1. Acceptance

We, as Christians, need to accept people where they are at their starting point, just as Jesus did.

Mark 2:13 And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them. (14) And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.

The sea almost always symbolizes the world. This is why the children of Israel walked across dry land when they left Egypt and when they entered the promised land. It is why Jesus walked upon it and Peter fell into it when he took his eyes off the Lord. It is why Jesus told Peter he would become a fisher of men, so as to pull people from the world.

Note here how Jesus walked along the seaside which is naturally the edge of the sea, or the edge of the world.

Mark 2:15 And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him.

Why did they follow Jesus? Because He would sit with them and He accepted them where they were. He did not say they needed to do this and this in order to be worthy of Him.

Mark 2:16 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?

The pharisees couldn’t understand this because for them a sinner is trash.

Mark 2:17 When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Don’t overlook this. Jesus doesn’t just hang out with sinners because it’s fine that they sin. His mission is for them to come to repentance. Let’s take one of the big topics of today, homosexuality. We see churches that don’t accept them at all and we see churches that allow them to become ministers of the congregation, but what does the Bible say? Clearly the bible tells us that homosexuality is a sin. I’ll just give you Leviticus 18:22 for an Old Testament reference and Romans 1:26-28 for a New one. Does this mean we do not allow them to sit down with us? No. That person is a child of the living God and we are to accept him/her as such, but we must understand that that doesn’t mean we accept the sin. We hope that we can help influence them to make the right decisions to turn away from those sins.

Remember Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

That means you and me. Lust and stealing anything; and what do we earn when we sin?

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

You see it doesn’t matter what your sin is or how bad you think it may or may not be. Unless we repent of them and work to improve ourselves our sins will be the death of us. Do you think that someone who has conditioned himself to lust after women and watch porn all day is any better than someone who lusts after someone of their own sex? Do you think it’s any easier to overcome? God will accept us where we are, but He doesn’t expect us to stay that way.

2. Approval

The second of Giblin’s Triple-A’s is approval which boils down to finding that certain something that a person has or does that is good. It can be hard at times to find the good in someone. They may be overwhelmed with addiction which totally eclipses their gifts, but we know that they are a child of God and, because of that, they have value. Accept them where they are and start to look for those gifts.

Luke 15:1-10 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. (2) And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. (3) And he spake this parable unto them, saying, (4) What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? (5) And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. (6) And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. (7) I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. (8) Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? (9) And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. (10) Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

You may not see the silver in a person, but we know it’s there and it is our job as Christians to seek it. Fan the embers of their soul. God will do the rest. People would run to the church if they found approval.

I can hear people say, “Oh but we couldn’t just approve of everything.”

Did Christ take a tally at the door when He fed the 5000? Did He say you needed to pass this test and that test before you may eat? No, but Jesus knew that once people knew they were accepted that they would want to come to the light because the light is warm. If your church is cold and your congregation looks down their noses at a wayward member, it’s going to die friends because that is not of God.

3. Appreciation

Giblin began this portion by saying that to appreciate means to raise in value. This is what we need to do with God’s children. If we accept people where they are and find something to approve they will appreciate in value.

Let’s go back to the parable in Luke. Jesus likened us to silver, that is to say money or something of value. If you invest money it will appreciate. It will grow. No matter how modest the sum, over time it will grow if cared for properly. The only things on earth today that will be in heaven tomorrow are the children of God, so what has more value than that?

God created us for His pleasure, so do you think that He finds pleasure in us when we shun and disgrace that which He created for His pleasure?

You might say, “Oh, but you don’t understand. This person is a thief and we can’t trust him, and this person is on drugs and no matter what we do he wont get off the drugs.”

Have you approved of him as he is? Have you helped him get off drugs enough to find SOMETHING to approve of? Have you helped and worked with that person enough that you can appreciate them? Have they gone up in value because of your stewardship? How many times did Jesus say to forgive?

Luke 17:3-4 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. (4) And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

If we were all to work on this, the value of this world would increase. We must approve of all where they are and look for their hidden treasures. God will turn up the heat on them and begin to burn away their crud and they will appreciate in value.

Topic Discussions

Are you Spiritually Fit?

The world is starving. Spiritual fitness is at an all time low. Confusion reigns. Yet many churches across this country are full. Why? Some will say t hat it is prophecy: Amos 8:11-12 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: (12) And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it.

While the above scripture is true, it doesn’t excuse us from spreading the Word of God. If we just eat food and sit on the couch watching TV, no matter how good the food is, if we don’t exercise, we won’t be physically fit. We know that couch potatoes usually do not eat the best food. A person who starts out eating healthfully, as they develop bad habits, will usually eat fewer health foods, and more junk food. In turn, spiritual couch potatoes are the same way. Even if you love to read and hear the Word of God, if you stop sharing it, using it, and exercising with it, you will begin to allow the garbage of the world to slip into you.

2 Timothy 4:1-5 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; (2) Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (3) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; (4) And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (5) But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Do you know what this “make full proof of” is? It is G4135 in the Strong’s and it means: to carry out fully (in evidence), that is, completely assure (or convince), entirely accomplish: – most surely believe, fully know (persuade), make full proof of.

So let me ask you: Have you carried out fully your ministry? Have you entirely accomplished your ministry or are you sitting on the spiritual couch?

Matthew 5:14-16 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. (15) Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. (16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

That is from the sermon of the mount, the first thing Christ taught after He was tempted in the wilderness by Satan. Note that this isn’t a suggestion it is a command and note WHY we are to do this: that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

In the prior verse, note that He called us: Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

Do you want to be trodden under earth?

Turn to the parable of the sower. Luke 8:11-14 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. (12) Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. (13) They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. (14) And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

You have all heard the word of God. Will you allow yourselves to be part of the above crowd or of this next group?

Luke 8:15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

And bring forth fruit with patience. How is your fruit?

Luke 8:16-18 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light. (17) For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. (18) Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

This is much like the parable of the talents written in Matthew 25:14. I encourage you to read that and ask yourself if you are the one hiding your talent in the earth. We are all children of God: even those who claim they are not. Those who have been in darkness shy away from the light. Don’t let that stop you from shining that light. We know when we have been in darkness our eyes adjust to that darkness and the light hurts them, but that doesn’t stop us from flipping the switch.

“But what if I go out, use patience, and spread the word, and I get questions that I don’t know how to handle?” God will certainly send questions and events your way that you don’t know how to answer. He does this so that we can grow and go to Him and our fellow brothers and sisters to strengthen us. A plant that lives it’s whole life inside a greenhouse cannot survive outside. It is time for all of us to get off the couch and get outside.

Topic Discussions

Who were the Shepherds Tending their Flocks?

When I was a child I couldn’t wait to watch the Charlie Brown Christmas Special. The best part is when Linus declared that he can tell Charlie Brown what Christmas is all about and then wrapped his blanket about his head and stepped out onto the stage to speak these words:

Luke 2:8-12 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. (9) And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. (10) And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. (11) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (12) And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

The scene is heartwarming and certainly the focus is on our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, but today I want to look at the reason the angel came to the shepherds in the first place. I have no doubt that you have heard many sermons on how the shepherds were the lowest of the low during this period of history. That God goes to those that are downtrodden, etc, which is true– shepherds at this time were the poorest class of people. They were so poor that many had long ago sold their lands just to get by and paid to graze their sheep, but that only scratches the surface of what the scripture is telling us.

Christ is the chief shepherd and will be returning with a rod of iron. Before leaving, He said to Peter in the 21st chapter of John, “Feed my Sheep,” documenting to us that God not only uses shepherds as an analogy for those that look over the people, but that He has shepherds to this day. This is much like when David left the flock with a caregiver, when his father sent him to see about his brothers, and he found them all cowering on a hill as Goliath defied the armies of the Living God.

This isn’t only New Testament stuff:

Numbers 27:15-20 And Moses spake unto the LORD, saying, (16) Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, (17) Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd. (18) And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him; (19) And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight. (20) And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient.

The job of the shepherd is to keep the children from falling into sin. Alas, we know that, by in large, they did not do their job.

Zechariah 10:2 For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was no shepherd.

God isn’t happy with shepherds that don’t do their job. It is why judgment begins at the pulpit.

Zechariah 11:17 Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.

But the angel came not to idol shepherds; he came to those few shepherds that were tending to their flocks. Symbolically this is the remnant. Which were not at the temple in Jerusalem, but out in the fields working, much like John the Baptist would be doing in just a few short years.

Romans 11:1-5 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. (2) God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, (3) Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. (4) But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. (5) Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

Now comes the question: why at night? Is it because we can see stars at night? Sure, but really it is because, before Christ came, the world was in darkness and they were still standing in the shadow of the law.

John 9:5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

Christ came to those that were waiting for Him, even when they couldn’t see everything. and even if they didn’t understand everything. The same will be true on His second advent, for He will come like a thief in the night.

Matthew 25:31-34 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: (32) And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: (33) And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. (34) Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

Remember that Christ is inside of us, and while He is away, it is our job to be the light of the world.

Matthew 5:14-16 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. (15) Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. (16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Those shepherds, to whom the angel came, didn’t have the light of the world yet, but you do, so shine that light. Shine that light, and not just during this holiday season, but everyday. For, this world is a dark place, but putting the light of Christ out for all to see will not only warm your heart, it will help others to find the way.

Topic Discussions

Was Jesus a Jew?

These days, there appears to be a lot of confusion about whether or not Jesus was a Jew. While I believe that most people do not question whether or not He was born of the tribe of Judah, we will cover it anyway before we go further into the meaning of the word, Jew.

Turning to Matthew chapter 1 will bring us to a long genealogy. This genealogy brings us from Abraham to Judas, who is the father of all the members of the tribe of Judas, then continues on all the way to Joseph, the husband of Mary.

Joseph as many of you know, didn’t have anything to do with Jesus’ conception, making his genealogy moot. Mary’s genealogy is a bit more hidden, but can be found in the pages of Luke.

Luke begins his gospel, not with Jesus, but with “a certain priest named Zacharias.”

Luke 1:5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.

We are told here that Elisabeth is of the daughters of Aaron, which means she is from the tribe of Levi. Later in the chapter we learn that Elisabeth is Mary’s cousin:

Luke 1:36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

Thus making Mary at least half Levite. Why only half Levite? Let’s back up to when the angel told Mary she was to conceive as a virgin.

Luke 1:30-33 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. (31) And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. (32) He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: (33) And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

So let’s answer the question, why only half Levite? Because we see that in verse 32 it tells us He will be given the throne of His father David, who we all know was a member of the tribe of Judah.

Why then is there a lot of confusion about whether or not Jesus is a Jew? It is because of the word Jew itself, not only what it means, but who calls themselves Jews.

Jew (n.)

late 12c. (in plural, giwis), from Anglo-French iuw, Old French giu, from Latin Iudaeum (nominative Iudaeus), from Greek Ioudaios, from Aramaic jehudhai (Hebrewy’hudi) “Jew,” from Y’hudah “Judah,” literally “celebrated,” name of Jacob’s fourth son and of the tribe descended from him. Replaced Old English Iudeas “the Jews.” Originally, “Hebrew of the kingdom of Judah.”

Clearly the word doesn’t go back as far as the tribe of Judah itself, but has come to be the word we use in English to describe those who are descended from Judah himself along with those from the southern kingdom called Judah, which mainly included not only members of the tribe of Judah, but Levi and Benjamin as well.

This is why Paul called himself a Jew despite being of the tribe of Benjamin

Acts 21:39 But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people.

Romans 11:1 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

Jesus himself had no problem being called a Jew despite the fact He was a Galilean.

John 4:9 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.

So what on earth is the cause of the problem? The problem lies with the kenite.

Revelation 2:9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

Revelation 3:9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

Personally I am not a huge fan of the word Jew. I much prefer to use the word Judah because among other things, it is more precise, however the rest of the world uses the word Jew to describe what they believe to be the tribe of Judah, and all of Israel, and it is our job, as Christians, to go out and preach the Word of God, not to confuse others.

Remember that when the Holy Spirit descended upon Peter and company on Pentecost day they did not try to change the way people understood their language. For the Holy Spirit will use your language to make itself understood.

Acts 2:5-8 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. (6) Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. (7) And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? (8) And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

If you speak in a language or a vocabulary that no one understands, then it is certainly not from God.

1 Corinthians 14:9-11 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. (10) There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification. (11) Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.

Many of you out there know who the synagogue of Satan is and that they, the kenites, call themselves Jews, but that doesn’t change the meaning of the word and it certainly wont change what the world believes the word means. So why would we argue and fight about the meaning of the word when the wise already understand who the synagogue of Satan is, but it confuses and turns away the young in Christ? Despite how difficult it can be sometimes we have to remember that Christ told us in Matthew 13 that the reapers are the angels and that we are not to gather up the tares lest we root up some wheat as well.

Topic Discussions

Donning Man’s Armor

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We all know the story of David and Goliath and many of us know that it is an ensample of the end-time battle that will fulfill the first prophecy given to us way back in the book of Genesis:

Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Satan bruised the heel the of our Savior when he had him nailed to the cross, but God will ensure that Satan’s head will receive a death blow.

Today, however I just want to look at what happens just prior to David taking the field.

1 Samuel 17:34-36 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: (35) And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. (36) Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.

This fixes the time frame for the end. I do not want to focus on that aspect as it is outside the scope of this post, but for those of you that are interested you can look at Daniel 7:4 and Revelation 13:2 for more on that.

What I want to focus on is this armor.

1 Samuel 17:37 David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.

Here Saul says to go, but David doesn’t go just yet.

1 Samuel 17:38-39 And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail. (39) And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.

Saul was a crappy king there is no doubt, but he was still the king and the people are still Israel meaning they are God’s people and they are at least trying to do what is right. Saul wants David to succeed and is doing what he thinks is the best thing he can do to help David win, but man’s ways are not God’s ways.

BE CAREFUL YOU DO NOT ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN TO YOU. There are many things in this world that seem like a good way to get a job done. I mean what better way to fight a giant than with a big sword right?

If you find ourself suddenly protected by man’s protection take it off. Even David allowed them to put on this nonsense. Remember our armor is the Gospel Armor

Ephesians 6:11-13 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (12) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (13) Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Don’t kid yourself and think that this wont happen again and don’t think it wont be something that doesn’t seem like a good idea.

How do you take off man’s armor when you find yourself suddenly clothed in it? Follow David’s example.

1 Samuel 17:40 And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.

So what do you do? You get down to the brook, which is to say, the Living Water. Five is the number of grace, which is why David pulled five stones from the water. We get our grace from Christ. It is also why David used that grace to slay the giant.

Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Topic Discussions

The Lord’s Prayer

How many times have we said the Lord ’s Prayer since we were children? But have you ever thought about what its words actually mean? Let’s break it down so that we are able to say it sincerely and know what it is that we are praying.

The Lord’s Prayer was given to us by Jesus during what we call the Sermon on the Mount, which took place on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, and is written to us in Matthew 5-7.

 

(Mat 6:5-8) And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

From the start, Jesus is telling us not to show off when we pray. We aren’t to pray to God to give ourselves glory, or convince people of how pious we think we are. It is good to pray with fellow Christians, but it is even more intimate and personal when we pray to our Father privately, when it is just between us and Him. We are to truly think about and feel what we are saying, and not say empty vain words, that don’t mean anything to us. The simpler the better, because using many words causes our prayers to lose their meanings, because we are thinking more about the flowery language we want to use, rather than just being plain and direct with our Father, who is unimpressed by our high levels of education. He already knows what we need and is really just looking for us to be genuine and honest with Him. KISS—Keep It Simple S…and Solitary.

 

(Mat 6:9) After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

This is how Jesus is telling us to pray to our Father—yes to our Father—and give Him all the glory. Even Jesus prayed to the Father, not to Jesus. He is telling us who to pray to. Although Jesus is a form of God, the form that He fills, the Son, is a different office or role of God, and you are to pray to the office of the Father, in the name of the Son, Jesus Christ. Praying in the name of Jesus Christ, or in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, shows our credentials as Christians.

The Trinity, or Godhead (as it is called in the Bible), is God, but He has three forms that He takes depending on the situation, and He always is in all three forms simultaneously. For example, take H2O: H2O can take the form of ice, water and steam, and it can take all three forms at the same time, in different places. They are all H2O, and they can even change from one form to another in any given place, but all three have their own unique properties. The same is true with the Godhead. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are all God, and God is one, as there is only one true God, but God is such that He can be anywhere and everywhere at the same time, and perform different roles and take different forms depending on the situation.

Wherever God is in His full Glory is Heaven. This is where the full Godhead resides. At this time, Heaven exists in a higher dimensional plane than that which we currently occupy, which is why flesh cannot inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. It simply isn’t possible for us to enter into that dimension of Heaven the way we are, physical, 3-dimensional beings. But this is where God is and it is more real than anything we can know while in these flesh bodies. Occasionally, God will take one of His children there, in the spirit, to give us a vision or a glimpse into the future for a particular reason to serve His purpose, and this is illustrated in the Bible at various time, such as when John was taken in the spirit (for the book of Revelation), but this can only happen when one is in the spirit and leaves his flesh behind.

The name of God, YHVH, pronounced Yahaveh, is a very holy name that we see throughout the Old Testament in the Hebrew script; however, when translated to English, His name is generally rendered as “LORD,” in most translations. This name is so sacred, that it should not be used lightly—it is hallowed, or holy, meaning that it so pure that it is to be set apart. We are to have the kind of relationship with our Father that we are told to have with our own parents, except in much more reverence. Would we ever address our own parents by their first names? Occasionally we see that, but it is unusual and generally shows a lack of respect to them. We call them father or mother, or something similar. The same goes for our Father in Heaven. I would not recommend that you address our Father by His name Yahaveh, as Jesus also did not address our Father as Yahaveh. Jesus is our example of how to be a good Chrsitian. The only time we should use His name is when we are speaking of Him on a third person level and when we have a good reason, in my humble opinion. Will you be punished for it if you do? I don’t think so, and God is the only one who truly knows your heart. To me this is just a good measure to avoid using His name in vain, as we are told not to do. When we use His name, we should not take it lightly.

 

(Mat 6:10) Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

God’s Kingdom of Heaven is with Him. It is wherever He is. The whole universe is His, but on the Lord’s Day, immediately following the tribulation, is the Second Coming, and Jesus will be returning, and His Millennial, thousand-year, Kingdom will be coming with Him, from which He will rule on earth. God will be here on earth in the form of the Son at that time, but after the Millennium, the Eternal Kingdom of Heaven will resume, in which God will be on earth in His full Glory. We are not going anywhere to experience the Kingdom of Heaven—it is coming to us. His Kingdom will come!

And His will will be done in His Kingdom on earth, just as it is in Heaven. There will not be any more rebellion or selfishness, we will all live in harmony and peace, which is His will.

 

(Mat 6:11) Give us this day our daily bread.

This line, as with all scripture, has more than one significance. Of course, it is asking for our Father to continue to provide us our nourishment physically, in the form of food to keep our bodies healthy. But, more deeply, this is asking Him to provide deeper, more meaningful understanding of His scriptures. His Word, is represented by bread throughout the Bible. Don’t we want to understand His Word more clearly and deeply? This is the reason we continually study His Word. Is it not? We should always be learning from it, as no one has complete understanding of the Bible—not until we understand each and every verse on all three levels to which they are written. And no one will ever have that perfect understanding while in the flesh.

 

(Mat 6:12) And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

This step is a very important one in every prayer we say, and we will find out a little more just after the prayer. But in order for God to forgive us of our sins and blot them out, we must also be willing and able to do the same for those who sin against us as we have against Him.

He will forgive us of all our sins if we do this and we ask for forgiveness in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ. But we must first truly and sincerely accept Him as our Lord and Savior.

(Mat 6:13) And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

It is also a good idea to ask God to protect us from and lead us away from the temptations that cause us to want to go against Him and sin, as well as to keep us away those who would tempt us to sin, and those who would cause us harm. God knows what we need and He knows our hearts and how we don’t want to stray from Him, but He still likes a dialogue with us because that is why He created us, to keep Him company and to please Him. He likes us to ask Him for help to stay on His proper course, and He will help us if we sincerely ask Him.

His power and His glory will always exist and it will always be supreme, and this Kingdom will always be His. There is no power or glory that will surpass His and this will stand forever. We have read the book and we know how it ends. Satan loses and will ultimately perish in the Lake of Fire, along with all those who are not listed in the Book of Life. There is nothing for which to be afraid, as we are told to fear, or revere, not he who has the power to destroy our flesh, but He who has the power to destroy our soul. The kingdom is His and all we have to do is to sincerely seek His help to stay on the right track to enter into it.

 

(Mat 6:14-15) For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Jesus is emphasizing here just how important it is to forgive those who sin against, so that our Father will see that we are worthy of being forgiven for our own sins against Him. Jesus, at another spot, gave us the Parable of the King and His Indebted Servant, Matthew 18:22-35. This parable perfectly illustrates the attitude we are taught to have toward those who would sin against us or owe us any debt.

Many people have difficulty with this step, but it is an essential one, and I urge you to begin its practice as soon as possible if you would like God’s blessings in your life.

 

Jesus gave us this outline for a proper and effective prayer to our Father, but we don’t have to say it word-for-word. However we choose to pray to our Father, it is imperative that we are very sincere, honest, humble, and truly feel what we are saying to Him, otherwise these are all just vain babblings, and have no meaning at all, and are like smoke in His nose. Sincerely approach our Father’s throne—He is our heavenly Father, and is to be revered more than anyone on earth.

God bless.

 

Topic Discussions

He That Endures To The End…

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Today it is a popular trend as Christians to believe in and teach a thing called rapture, however, is this really what the Bible says if you truly closely investigate the scriptures? The Rapture Theory says that one day, before the tribulation starts, that the church will suddenly disappear and go to meet Jesus in the sky and be taken to Heaven. It implies that once this happens, suddenly cars will become driverless, and aircraft will become pilotless and people will vanish from whatever they are doing, while complete chaos will ensue back on earth, as those who remain enter the tribulation. Does The Bible really teach this? Or is this simply a tradition that has been passed down over the past couple centuries unquestioned? Well, let us see what the inspired Word of God has to say about what the end times have in store for true Christians.

 

(2Th 2:1) Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,

(2Th 2:2) That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

This letter Paul is writing to clear up a few confusions in the church of Thessalonica. He is speaking here about the time of the return of Christ.

 

(2Th 2:3) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

This day, the Day of the Lord, the day Jesus returns, will not come until there first is a falling away of the church, which is an apostasy of most of the church , meaning that they will stray from their original beliefs. Well how can this happen? We will find this out very shortly.

After this falling away, but still before the return of Jesus, the man of sin, who is the son of perdition, the only one who had specifically been sentenced to perish in the Lake of Fire, will be revealed to those on earth. This son of perdition is none other than satan.

 

(2Th 2:4) Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

Satan, Lucifer, as you will remember, is the cherub whom God appointed to cover the mercy seat. He wanted to rise himself above God and be worshipped. When he comes to earth as antichrist, before the Day of the Lord, he will sit himself in God’s temple claiming to be God so that he may be worshipped by all who don’t know better according to God’s Word.

 

(2Th 2:5) Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

(2Th 2:6) And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

Paul here is asking, “Haven’t you been paying attention? Don’t you remember what I’ve already told you?”

The word ‘withholdeth’ means to retain in your memory. He is telling them and us not to forget what he has said and what is explaining once again in this letter.

 

(2Th 2:7) For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

This mystery of wickedness is already in the world, and only he who retains this knowledge in his mind will stand until satan, as antichrist, is taken out of the way by Jesus at His return.

 

(2Th 2:8) And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

When Jesus returns, as told in Zechariah 14, all those who are wicked and the things that offend Him will He destroy by God’s consuming fire.

 

(2Th 2:9) Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

(2Th 2:10) And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

Even antichrist will be destroyed at the time of Jesus’ return, both antichrist and his beast system, leaving satan in only his prime form to be locked away for the entire Millennium, until his final short release. Also those who were deceived into worshipping him will be destroyed in the flesh, and this will leave them only a mortal spiritual body, which is liable to die at the end of the Millennium in the Lake of Fire, if they do not receive the proper correction during the up-coming thousand-year reign of Christ on earth.

 

(2Th 2:11) And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

(2Th 2:12) That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

These people who did not have enough love of the truth to study the Bible will be sent strong delusion by God so that they will believe these lies of satan. The ultimate goal is not that they will be destroyed, but that they will learn from these mistakes during the Millennium, and pass the final test when satan is released one last time to deceive the world (per, Ezekiel 44 and Revelation 20).

 

 

(1Co 15:50) Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

The spiritual kingdom of Heaven inhabits a different dimension than we do, and therefore we, in our physical flesh bodies, cannot possible enter that realm in a physical form. This kingdom is of a higher dimension than what we are currently aware as flesh people. These flesh bodies are corruptible, which means that they will all receive injuries and die and decay; and incorruptible bodies cannot receive injuries and decay. Although incorruptible bodies cannot rot as a dead body, they can be destroyed, but only by God and only at one time, after the Great White Throne Judgment. That spiritual death is called the second death and will be the end of the line for many. Recall this verse: (Mat 10:28) And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. This “Him” spoken of is of course God and we are to revere Him.

 

(1Co 15:51) Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

(1Co 15:52) 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.

Paul is explaining this mystery to us and it is something that is not known by many Christians even today. He is saying that not everyone in the flesh will die, and this is because those of us who are true Christians and have not strayed from Jesus by worshipping antichrist will be changed in the twinkling of an eye into our spiritual, incorruptible bodies, which cannot die. As this is happening, those who have strayed and have received the mark of the beast and stood with antichrist will be destroyed in a physical sense.

When does this happen? It happens at the last trump, which is the 7th according to Revelation 11. Also According to Revelation 9 and 13 (666, the 6th seal, 6th trumpet, 6th vial), antichrist will be arriving at the 6th trump, which is not only not the last trump but comes before the 7th trump.

 

(1Co 15:53) For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

In order to inherit the kingdom of God, which is the final goal of all Christians, we have to put on this immortality. Those who have overcome by the time that Jesus returns, on the Lord’s Day, will receive immortality then. Those who overcome at the end of the Millennium will receive it at the end of that thousand years.

 

(1Co 15:54) 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.

When everyone who has overcome at the end of the Millennium has received immortality, and those who were not found in the Book of Life are thrown into the Lake of Fire, then death will be swallowed up and there will never again be suffering or death because we will finally be entering God’s eternal Kingdom of Heaven (Revelation 21-22). Those who will be thrown in the Lake of Fire are only those whom God has given ample opportunity to straighten up their acts and follow the right path. Peter says that God is very patient because He does not want any one of His children to perish.

 

Let’s move on to 1 Thessalonians:

 

(1Th 4:15) For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

 

The word ‘prevent’ used here means to come before. What this verse is then saying is that those who are alive in the flesh body when Jesus returns will not rise before those who have already died. Those who have died have already risen to be with God (as illustrated in Luke 16).

 

(1Th 4:16) For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

 

At that trumpet, Jesus will return, and it will be with those Christians who came before as His army. Again, those who died as faithful Christians will have died first will have risen first.

 

(1Th 4:17) 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.

 

Those of us who are still alive and have remained faithful to Jesus through the tribulation, as we are instantly changed into incorruptible eternal spiritual bodies, will be gathered together in one large group by Jesus.

 

(1Th 4:18) Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

 

This is a very comforting thought to those who will be threatened by antichrist and those whom serve him.

 

Let’s now take a look at what Jesus says about the end of days:

(Mat 24:5) For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

There have been and will continue to be many who say they are the Savior, until antichrist arrives, whether they say they are Jesus, or various other messiahs of the religions. But as we have seen above, there are certain things that must take place before Jesus returns.

 

(Mat 24:6) And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

The reports of wars around the world will increase, especially in proximity to the city of Jerusalem.

 

(Mat 24:7) For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

The nations will continue to build animosity toward each other, and there will be starving people (as well as people starving for the, bread of life, the Word of God as told in Amos 8), and diseases (including the metaphorical diseases of false biblical teachings), and earthquakes all over the world, even where they are very unusual.

 

(Mat 24:8) All these are the beginning of sorrows.

These are many of the things that lead right into the time of the great tribulation.

 

(Mat 24:9) Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.

Those who refuse to follow the world system described in Revelation 13, and who do not worship antichrist and his image because they know that he is not Jesus, but that he is antichrist, will be delivered up to testify why they will not do these things. Very few in the world will know better than to worship him. These people are called God’s elect—7000 of which have been chosen since before the foundation of the flesh age was laid, and 144,000 of which are chosen while in the flesh, and some gentiles as well who have been chosen by God.

 

(Mat 24:10) And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

Those who will not bow to satan/antichrist will be turned in as they are observed not following the edicts of antichrist. This will be very similar to the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3. This story is a direct ensample (or example) of what the faithful church (Smyrna and Philadelphia, Revelation 2 & 3), those who will not bow to antichrist, can expect to experience during the tribulation.

 

(Mat 24:11) And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

There will be people who will be prophesying for antichrist by the spirit, however, it won’t be by the Holy Spirit, but by satan’s unholy spirit. Yet because, as we are told, the whole world will be deceived, they will also follow these so-called prophets and be lead right to receiving the mark of the beast.

 

(Mat 24:12) And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

The love of most in the world has been growing colder and colder for years, but as sin begins to overflow, just like it did in Sodom and Gomorrah, people will become even more self-centered and dedicated to what makes them feel pleasure.

 

(Mat 24:13) But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Only those who endure this until the end of the tribulation, which we will soon read, is the time that Jesus will finally return, will be justified at the time of His return. The rest will have to go through the Millennium to learn the difference between the holy and the profane, Ezekiel 44.

 

Let’s take a look at what He said in the book of Mark:

(Mar 13:9) 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.

Again, those who will not worship antichrist will be delivered up before councils to testify why they will not bow; it will be a testimony for the sake of Jesus Christ.

 

(Mar 13:10) And the gospel must first be published among all nations.

Before that time, the Word of God will have been spread around the world, but if there is any question as to the authenticity of the Gospel anywhere in the world, it is about to be cleared up.

 

(Mar 13:11) But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

When God’s own elect are delivered up in front of these committees, the Holy Spirit will literally speak through the mouths of each one as they are questioned, and those delivered up are not to even think about what they would say beforehand. This testimony will be very similar to the day of Pentecost in Acts 2, and everyone in the world will be able to understand what is being said simultaneously though they all speak different languages. This speech by the Holy Spirit will be powerful enough to convince anyone who hears it, unless they are the most dedicated to antichrist, and no man could possibly do this under his own power.

 

(Mar 13:12) Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.

Those who are delivered up will even be turned in even by well-meaning friends and family who expect antichrist to treat them with leniency and to help them to see the error of their ways.

 

(Mar 13:13) And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

As we were told in Matthew, those who endure all of this and remain faithful to Jesus will be justified upon His return.

 

 

(Mat 24:21) For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

After this, the tribulation will intensify as antichrist is angered and as the vials, starting in Revelation 16, begin to be poured on those who are steadfast in worshipping him. This will be the toughest time for mankind.

 

(Mat 24:22) And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.

The tribulation will be so tough that God’s elect will be the only ones who can withstand the temptation of satan (which is why God chose them to live at this time), but if Jesus had not shortened the length of this time, which was originally 7 years, even the elect would fall to the temptation. God knows everything and He never changes from the beginning to the end, but I believe that the original period of the tribulation was given as 7 years as an illustration to us that this 7 years would conclude spiritual completion of the flesh period. Seven, in biblical numerics, means spiritual completion.

 

(Mat 24:23) Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.

(Mat 24:24) For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

These false prophets and false saviors and false teachers will be so convincing that even God’s own elect (the cream of the crop, his elite warriors in the flesh) could be deceived if the time remained 7 years.

 

(Mat 24:25) Behold, I have told you before.

This should be nothing new to someone who is familiar with God’s Word.

 

(Mat 24:26) Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.

If someone needs to tell you that Jesus has returned, then it isn’t Jesus at all.

 

(Mat 24:27) For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Just like we can see lightning from many, many miles away, the whole world will know when Jesus returns at that 7th trump.

 

(Mat 24:28) For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

Just like when there is a dead body in the desert, and you can see the buzzards swirling around overhead from miles away, you will know Jesus has returned, even if you are on the other side of the earth.

 

(Mat 24:29) Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

(Mat 24:30) And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

As the world is going through its toughest trials it has ever seen and the tribulation is coming to a close, suddenly, at that last trump, Jesus will be seen full of glory in the sky by everyone on earth. As this happens, the supernatural powers of the earth, satan and his fallen angels, will be shaken from power, and his 7 world nations of the one world government will fall.

 

(Mat 24:31) And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

At this time Jesus will gather His elect from anywhere in the world unto Him.

 

Now that we are getting the picture of God’s timetable for the end times, let’s shift gears and look at God’s elect to determine if there is any question as to these being anyone other than God’s most faithful children.

 

(Rom 8:29) For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Those who God chose from before the foundation of this earth (in other words, from the time of satan’s rebellion in the first earth age), or the katabole, in the Greek (in which satan was deposed from his position), because of how they made a stand against satan, were predestinated for a particular role in this flesh age. This is their destiny. These people are the chosen vessels to spread God’s Word and His deeper mysteries. These predestinated ones are those who will most closely conform to the image of Jesus, though no flesh man is perfect or will ever meet the bar that Jesus has set.

 

(Rom 8:30) Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

These predestinated ones are those whom God calls to do His will on earth. These same people are the only ones who have already been justified before they were ever born in the flesh because God knows where they stand. He knows they are the only ones He can trust because they have already been battle hardened and proven.

 

(1Pe 1:1) Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

(1Pe 1:2) Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

The elect are chosen because of God’s foreknowledge of them, meaning that He knew them well by how they had served Him. Their spirits were sanctified or made holy or special in His eyes at that time. He knew that they would remain faithful to Him in their lives, except for a few special cases, we will discuss at a future date.

 

(Rom 11:4) But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.

In this chapter of Romans, Paul was reviewing an instance in which Elijah was worried about those who were against him as a prophet of God and against God Himself. God reassures him that He has 7000 of His most loyal children who have not bowed a knee to Baal, which refers to and represents satan, during his rebellion, as these 7000 are reserved until the end. They were to be born in the last generation as a part of God’s plan.

 

(Rom 11:5) Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

However, even before the last generation, God also has servants He has chosen and predestinated to serve His purpose as part of His election.

 

(Rom 11:6) And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

(Rom 11:7) What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded

(Rom 11:8) (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.

These elect are guaranteed grace because God already knows that they will choose Him, which they always do, and therefore He may intercede automatically in their lives to make sure that everything goes as planned for them according to His plan. Although the elect are God’s most faithful and have already been justified, they still need grace and to repent when they sin, because their works in the flesh cannot cover their sins, just as they cannot for any other person–but God knows that they always will repent.

The Israelites of the modern day, which have been scattered all over the earth, to be reunited once and for all when Jesus returns (per Ezekiel 37), do not automatically have grace as a whole. If those of the descendants of Israel want salvation, they cannot do it simply by following the law perfectly because that is impossible. This is why we have Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, because it is no one can live perfectly. Thus, we have grace through Jesus and forgiveness of sins upon repentance. The election, however, automatically receives salvation because they have already been justified by God as He knows their hearts, and therefore He can trust them to do His will and can trust them with the truth of His mysteries (discussed in the article Study to Show Yourself Approved). The rest are blinded from these truths because they haven’t proven they can handle the responsibility that comes with it.

Romans 11 goes on to explain the purpose for which these others are blinded. This will provoke them to learn their lesson in the Millennium. However, many can come out of this spiritual blindness to receive eyes to see if God finds they are able to bear it.

 

Now we can see that these elect mentioned throughout the Bible are God’s most faithful and have been faithful since before this flesh age began. This should make it clear that God’s elect, His faithful Christians, will be here throughout the entire tribulation. Now let’s discuss the two witnesses through whom God’s Holy Spirit of truth will flow to God’s elect during the tribulation.

 

(Zec 4:1) And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep,

 

(Zec 4:2) And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof:

These seven lamps are God’s 7000 predestinated elect, and these lamps shine the light of God’s truth to the world. These differ from the 7 candlesticks in Revelation 1 as these are not the candlestick, but are seven candles themselves which all set on one golden candlestick. This means that these 7000 are all united in one mind, agreement on the truth, as gold represents the truth. These lamps are fed by pipes leading to one bowl, again one truth.

 

(Zec 4:3) And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.

On each side of this bowl are two olive trees which feed these seven lamps the golden oil which represents the Holy Spirit and the fact that it is golden means that it is God’s truth.

 

(Zec 4:4) So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord?

(Zec 4:5) Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.

 

 

(Zec 4:11) Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof?

(Zec 4:12) And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves?

(Zec 4:13) And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.

(Zec 4:14) Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.

These two anointed ones are two servants of God, the two most trusted through whom all truth will come during the second half of the tribulation. For further detail, we will travel to the book of Revelation, chapter 11.

 

 

(Rev 11:1) And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.

This chapter takes place during the 6th trumpet, which is the time of antichrist, and the temple of God is being measured to see where it stands as far as the ways of God.

 

(Rev 11:2) But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

The court without represents those who are not circumcised of the heart, meaning they are not true Christians. These are those who are gentiles in their hearts, even if they are descendants of Israel. True Christians are the temple of Christ as their bodies are temples. Though antichrist will literally occupy a temple, this is a vision and this is what it means symbolically. Satan and his fallen angels and these spiritual gentiles (many of whom are made up of the false jews mentioned in Revelation 2 & 3) will be desecrating the temple where antichrist dwells, as well as those whose hearts of those who are not dedicated to Jesus. The time period mentioned is equivalent to the 3 and a half years of the pre-shortened tribulation time period.

 

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

The two witnesses will be here the entire time in which antichrist is here and will witness for Christ roughly the same amount of time, however they will precede him by about 6 days, based on the difference between the lunar month of 29.5 days (evil side of prophecy) and the solar month of 30 days given here in days (the good side of prophecy), plus the fact that they will be killed 3 and a half days before Jesus returns as we will shortly learn.

 

(Rev 11:4) These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.

In this verse, John confirms that these are the same olive trees mentioned in Zechariah 4 and they are two candlesticks each representing the two good churches of Revelation 2 & 3 (Smyrna and Philadelphia) using the candlestick symbology of Revelation 1.

 

(Rev 11:5) And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.

(Rev 11:6) These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.

Aside from their literal meaning, the two witnesses will have the ability two spiritually slay, by God’s consuming fire, those who would seek to kill them either physically or spiritually, by the swords of their mouths which are the Word of God. And they will also have the power to shut the rain from heaven which is the spiritual growth in understanding that takes place in our minds as God grows seeds of truth into understanding of the mysteries of God.

 

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

(Rev 11:8) And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

Once their time is up, the beast which came from out of the bottomless pit in Revelation 9, satan as antichrist, will kill the two witnesses, and their dead bodies will lie rotting in the streets of the city of Jerusalem, which by then is a city of sin no better than the historical city of Sodom.

 

(Rev 11:9) And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.

(Rev 11:10) And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.

As the two witnesses’ bodies lie lifeless on the ground in Jerusalem, the world will celebrate because these two men have tormented everyone who has been dedicated to antichrist and come against them in anyway. The world will view them like a plague, and they will believe this plague is over.

 

(Rev 11:11) And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.

(Rev 11:12) And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

But, suddenly, after 3 and a half days, life will be restored to these two dead bodies and they will rise up, to the dismay of the world, and they will be called into heaven.

 

(Rev 11:13) 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 11:14) The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.

As the witnesses are called up to heaven, the earth will begin to enter into chaos as we are about to hear the 7th, and final, trump—the trump at which Jesus returns and those who have remained faithful will receive their incorruptible eternal bodies, and the rest will be destroyed physically as told in Zechariah 14.

The first woe was the 5th trump, in which the first half of the tribulation takes place, and the second woe was the 6th trump, in which the second half of the tribulation takes place. At the end of this second woe, antichrist will gather his armies and surround God’s elect desiring to destroy them (the battle of Armageddon), but at this very time, the third woe will come, and Jesus will return with His army to wipe out the evil forces on earth, and the 7000 of satan’s fallen angels who are here at that time will be physically destroyed. These 7000 in this verse are synonymous to satan’s own predestinated elect.

 

(Rev 11:15) And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

It is at this point that the 7th trump sounds and the tribulation ends and Jesus returns for His second coming. It is at this time that His Millennial reign will begin, from which time He will rule on earth forever, from the Millennium and continuing into the Eternal Kingdom of Heaven in third earth age, Revelation 20-22.

 

As we have read, nowhere in the scriptures of the Bible is there any time for a secret rapture of God’s most obedient. They will be here on earth in the time leading into the tribulation, through the tribulation, and forever as Jesus returns to rule on earth. It is essential, especially at this time, that all Christians investigate thoroughly God’s Word to divide the traditions of man from the truth in God’s Word. We should never take any man’s word for anything. We will all be held responsible for what we know, and if we never really search the scriptures, we cannot truly know what is written therein. I pray that all Christians will dive into the scriptures to know the truth for themselves.

God bless.

 

 

 

Topic Discussions

Study to Show Yourself Approved

(2Ti 2:15) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

What does this mean?

You might say to yourself, “Why do I need to study in order to be approved by God? Once I accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior, doesn’t that mean I am saved and guaranteed eternal life?”

And you would be correct, those who truly accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior are saved, but that’s not what we are talking about here. Salvation means that you will not suffer the second death by being thrown into the Lake of Fire. However, there is a long period that precedes the Great White Throne Judgment and the possible sentence of the Lake of Fire. This time is the 1000-year period we call the Millennium.

Now, if we truly accept Jesus Christ and love Him, would we not want to spend as much time with Him as we possibly can? Sure we would, and this is why we study the Bible–it is the Word of God. And do you not know that Jesus is the Word, the Living Word?

(Joh 1:1) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

(Joh 1:2) The same was in the beginning with God.

(Joh 1:3) All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

(Joh 1:4) In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

(Joh 1:5) And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

(Joh 1:6) There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

(Joh 1:7) The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.

(Joh 1:8) He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

(Joh 1:9) That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

(Joh 1:10) He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

(Joh 1:11) He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

(Joh 1:12) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

(Joh 1:13) Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

(Joh 1:14) And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

We are told here that Jesus is the Word of God in the Flesh. And the Word is God, and always has been. So if we truly love Jesus, He expects us to spend time to get to know Him, and we do this by studying the Bible.

In the above verse from 2 Timothy 2, the word ‘study’ is translated from the Greek word ‘spoudazo’ which means to give and honest effort or to be diligent. This is what we are being told to do in reading God’s Word. If we do not put this honest effort into studying and knowing God’s Word, then we are allowing ourselves to be deceived by satan and his flood of lies because we won’t know any better. Thus, if we do not have a love for studying God’s Word, then God will send us strong delusion so that we would believe a lie–as we see below:

(2Th 2:9) Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

(2Th 2:10) And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

(2Th 2:11) And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

(2Th 2:12) That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Now, this is not a final condemnation; it is for a specific purpose. When someone is allowed to believe the lies of satan while he is here as antichrist, they will believe he is Jesus, and they will then worship him and receive the mark of the beast. These people who have gone astray from Jesus by following antichrist will have the Millennium to be taught right from wrong and to be disciplined. The shame and humiliation of having been duped by satan so seriously, and being told by Jesus to get away because He never knew them, when He returns, will jolt them awake and will suddenly sober them up to the fact that they need to take the Millennium very seriously…if they care what He thinks. This will cause them, because they truly love Jesus, to do what they need to do to be prepared to withstand the last deception of satan, which is at the end of the Millennium.

Another reason that it is necessary for us to study is that many things in God’s Word are given as deeper truths that are only able to be understood by those who have been given such understanding from God–and this is not a sign of intelligence, but rather a sign of who God feels He can trust with this understanding. With this gift of understanding comes much responsibility. This is the very reason that Jesus taught in parables.

(Mat 13:10) And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?

(Mat 13:11) He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

(Mat 13:12) For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

(Mat 13:13) Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

(Mat 13:14) And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:

(Mat 13:15) For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

(Mat 13:16) But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

(Mat 13:17) For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
(Luk 12:47) And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

(Luk 12:48) But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

Now there were certain people who have been selected before birth, based on what God knows of their worthiness because of how they had proven themselves already. These are the 7000 predestinated elect of the last generation and the remnant whom God placed throughout the ages. Aside from these who are predestinated, understanding may be given by God to those whom God sees have proven themselves to His standards and whom He knows will be able to handle the responsibility of having this understanding. Those who are not given this understanding have not proven themselves yet, and therefore are blinded, meaning they have no eyes to see spiritually. And, again, this is for a reason, that they will learn the proper lesson that they need to be prepared at the end of the Millennium.

(Rom 11:4) But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.

(Rom 11:5) Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

(Rom 11:6) And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

(Rom 11:7) What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded

(Rom 11:8) (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.

(Rom 11:9) And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:

(Rom 11:10) Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.

(Rom 11:11) I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

(Rom 11:12) Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?

This understanding therefore, can be given to a person, any person, Israelite, or gentile, whomever is part of the Olive Tree of Israel (described in the later verses of Romans 11), if they diligently and humbly seek this understanding from God. Through this understanding, those who are blinded will be motivated to see the error of their ways and correct their path during the Millennium.

Now that we have covered the commandment we, as Christians, are given to know Jesus through the Word, we will look at the forms that the knowledge of God takes.

We saw above how Jesus taught deeper lessons to those who are able to receive them, such as to His apostles, but there is more to it than that. Below, we will look at the various levels that God’s Word is conveyed simultaneously. For this you will need to engage your eyes to see, and your ears to hear.

(Joh 21:15) So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

(Joh 21:16) He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

(Joh 21:17) He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

To the naked eye, this will look like Jesus saying the same thing three times over, but upon closer inspection, you will see this is not the case.

In the first verse, you can see that Jesus is telling Peter to feed His lambs, which are baby sheep, but in the two following He says sheep. Moreover, the first time, in which Jesus says to feed His lambs, the Greek term ‘boskow’ is used, and this word means to graze or to put out to pasture. This is a passive action of feeding. This is referring to those baby sheep, or babes in Christ, who can only handle the most basic understanding of God’s Word. This does not take a lot of effort to teach or learn these ideas.

In the second verse, the first in which Jesus says to feed His sheep, the Greek term ‘poimainow’ is used, and this word means to tend to as a shepherd–it is an active term for feeding. These sheep are those who are maturing in understanding and can now begin to handle some meat of God’s Word, just as a baby who moves on from a bottle to solid food. This takes the most effort to teach because these sheep, or young adults in Christ, are not yet self sufficient and still need plenty of guidance (we always need guidance from God by the Holy Spirit, but I mean guidance by a teacher), such as by Peter in this case.

Finally, in the third verse, Jesus says sheep, but uses the Greek term ‘boskow’ once again, which is to put out to graze. This third group of sheep are the elders in Christ. These are the sheep who have the deepest level of understanding. These sheep can work directly with the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit only, to gain the deepest understanding. This means the shepherd can put the food (the lesson in God’s Word) out there and these sheep know just what to do with it and are able to fully digest it.

One thing that we need to understand is that the beauty of God’s Word is that every verse of the Bible teaches on all these levels simultaneously. One thing can be said, and people on each of these three levels will be able to learn something new from it every time.

Below are a couple sets of verses written by Paul, one of the best teachers of these principles in the Bible.

(1Co 3:1) And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

(1Co 3:2) I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
(Heb 5:11) Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.

(Heb 5:12) For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

(Heb 5:13) For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

(Heb 5:14) But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Here we see why Paul is so good at teaching this lesson. This is what Jesus said to one of Paul’s companions the day Paul was stopped by Jesus on the road to Damascus:

(Act 9:15) But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

These three categories illustrate the three levels of teaching Paul was charged to do–the gentiles, the kings, and the children of Israel. These would equate to those of the most basic level–the gentiles (non-Christians in this case), the second level–the kings of the ethnos (those gentile Christians who will eventually be given full understanding when they are ready) and this is on the same level as young adults in Christ who do not have that deeper understanding yet, and the deepest level–the children of Israel (who are those Israelites who have been predestinated as God’s elect) and this would include any kings of the ethnos who have graduated to the toughest meat in God’s Word.

To further illustrate this point, here are some verses about Paul’s teaching on all three levels. The building in which Paul was teaching had three levels and these obviously represent the three levels of God’s teaching, and we will see what happens when one of the students falls asleep which represent a spirit of slumber just as we are told about in Romans 11.

(Act 20:7) And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

(Act 20:8) And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.

(Act 20:9) And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead.

(Act 20:10) And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.

Paul is teaching literally to all three levels at the same time, but one young man (emphasizing that he was not an elder in the Word, but rather one of those on the second level) and he could not handle the length and the depth of Paul’s teaching so he fell asleep and dropped right from that third level and was feared to be dead (this is referring to the state of being spiritually dead that those who do not have the deepest understanding, the understanding of the spiritual truths, are in until the spiritually wake up). Paul went down to the young man and was relieved to find out Eutychus had not been killed, so he would still have a chance to mature further into the Word.

So what does this all mean? We are told to study God’s Word diligently to show ourselves approved to receive this deepest understanding of God, the mysteries of God. Only those who can handle the truth will receive it from God, but if you truly want it and prove to God you can handle it, He will give it to you. The first step is to actually pick up the Bible and read it, and to know there is more than meets the eye. Do you care enough to read this letter that God wrote to us?

Take the initiative, and God bless

(Hos 4:6) My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

Topic Discussions

The Parable of the Midnight Request

Have you ever asked someone, maybe a friend, to help you from a bind in the middle of the night when you had nowhere else to turn? How did that friend or acquaintance respond? How would you respond to a friend who needed your help? Let’s take a look at what Jesus would have to say about such a predicament.

 

(Luk 11:5) And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;

How many friends do you have that you can count on at any time of day or night to come to your aid when you’re in need? I would guess that most people do not have many friends they can count on at any time of day that will drop what they are doing at the time and rush to assist them. But there is One Whom we can count on.

 

(Luk 11:6) For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?

This particular man is making a request from a friend and neighbor of his for some bread in the middle of the night that he would like to be able to offer to this late-night visitor. Now we can kind of get the picture as to what is going on here: this friend feels that what he has to offer to his visitor is inadequate as he wasn’t prepared for the visit. We could take this at face value, and we could apply this to our daily live in that we need to both be a good hospitable host to our guests, and we should help our neighbors as good Christians, but there is more going on here as there is a deeper lesson God would like us to learn aside from what is on the surface.

 

(Luk 11:7) And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.

Now, the answer you would expect to hear from your neighbor, if you knock on his door in the middle of the night, is that he would tell you to go away and come back when everyone is awake, like a normal person. This is what the person would ordinarily be thinking in such a situation at such a time of day, but if the person is a very good friend and they genuinely like to help people, the results may be different.

 

(Luk 11:8) I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.

Because this man came to his friend’s door practically begging for his help, and the neighbor could see his friend’s desperation, he decided to help, even though it would seem that this was such an inconsiderate request. This is a true friend and neighbor.

In the Word of God, the bread symbolically represents Jesus Christ, Who is the Living Word; it is the Word of God Itself. The night represents the tribulation prophetically, and this one man is going to his friend in at midnight, which represents the halfway point of the tribulation (the time at which antichrist arrives) symbolically through the Bible, and he is asking his friend for the Word, or rather understanding of the Word of God through Jesus Christ. You can even surmise that the visitor that has arrived is antichrist and this man wants to be prepared with the Word of God before the antichrist arrives. Who would you think this friend is that is so willing to help his neighbor?

 

(Luk 11:9) And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

You guessed it! It is our Father in Heaven. He is telling us here that if you pray to Him, in the name of Jesus Christ, and ask for His help in understanding, and you seek it in His Word which we get from the Bible, all you need to do is knock, at any time, and He will open the door to understanding His Word.

Now, this may even be during the tribulation itself through to the halfway point. Understanding of God’s Word will be closed during the second half of the tribulation (see the Parable of the Ten Virgins), as those who have not prepared will be deceived by antichrist, and they will not even know the difference between him and Jesus Christ, but the seal of God of His understanding will be given by the Holy Spirit right up until just before antichrist arrives for the 6th trump. Those who haven’t sought to understand God’s Word will not even know what is missing from their lives until they see Jesus Christ finally come at the 7th trump. But this is all part of God’s plan as He loves all His children and does not wish that any should perish. That is why we will have the Millennium, which begins as Jesus returns to earth.

 

(Luk 11:10) For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

However, if you would desire to have a closer relationship with Jesus Christ, and want to know Him, spend time with Him; and you do that through His Word, for He is the Living Word. All you have to do, after accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, is to pray to our Father through Jesus’ name, and ask God to give you the understanding that His Word has to offer, and then actually pick the Bible up and He will open the door to your understanding. It is a simple task, but how many will actually do it? I don’t know…is it important to you to not go astray from Him just because you allowed yourself to be deceived by satan and his lies, rather than learn from this letter He gave us? I would hope so and I would expect so. The Bible was written to us by God through some of His servants, and God never wastes His time or energy. It is an operator’s manual for our lives. And by all means, don’t wait until the last minute to ask for this gift.

 

(Luk 11:11) If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?

Do you think that if one of our Father’s children comes to him desperately and sincerely to ask Him for understanding of the Bible, that He would not give it? He doesn’t wish that any of His children would perish, but that all of them would return to Him. If you ask our Father for Jesus (Fish), would He give you satan (serpent)? No, or Father will keep you from going astray toward antichrist and his deception.

 

(Luk 11:12) Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?

If you ask Him for seeds of truth (egg) that He will water and grow inside of you, would He give you lies or deception (the scorpions, such as in Revelation 9, devour their pray from the inside out by dissolving and turning to mush everything you are inside through deception so that you willingly follow after a lie. These scorpions are the fallen angels)?

 

(Luk 11:13) If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

People are not worthy to receive grace or eternal life because they continually fall short, but God wants us to turn to Him and live eternally with Him. It is not possible for us to be saved on our own merits, as really we have none that are good enough to earn salvation. But for God, everything is possible, and through Jesus Christ, we may receive this eternal life. So as evil as we are as people, even then, we still know how to give good gifts to our own children. So considering this, don’t you think that our Father, being infinitely better than us and infinitely good, knows how to give good gifts to His children, especially if they earnestly ask for those gifts? No sin is too big for Him to forgive as long as you repent and ask forgiveness in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. And no matter how bad you think you are if you repent and then ask for the gift of understanding honestly in Jesus’ name He will give it so that you can stay on the right path, the path or Jesus Christ.

Though, through accepting Jesus Christ, we receive salvation through grace, this does not mean that our journey is over at that point, there is still a rough road ahead. If you would like to rejoice at the return of Jesus with Jesus (which I know any Christian would), rather than having to wait one thousand years to come close to Him as you are disciplined because you have gone astray from your first love, Jesus Christ, then you will want to read what He has to say to you in this book called the Bible.

If you haven’t done this yet, accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and then begin to seek Him by digging more deeply into His Word.

 

(Heb 5:12) For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

(Heb 5:13) For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

(Heb 5:14) But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Be prepared for the midnight visitor! God Bless