Category Archives: Reasons to Believe

Reasons to Believe

KNOWING GOD-PART 1-IS IT POSSIBLE?

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 Thus says the Lord:

“Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,
Let not the mighty man glory in his might,
Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;
But let him who glories glory in this,
That he understands and knows Me,

Jeremiah 9 23-24

There are many in this world (mostly atheists and agnostics) who say it is impossible to know God, much less prove his existence. I recently read on an atheistic website called The Center for Inquiry these abstracted and unprovable claims:

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1. Humans will never have the cognitive capacity to directly understand anything with infinite powers or qualities.

2. Humans will never have intellectual reasons to indirectly demonstrate the existence of anything with infinite powers or qualities.

3. There are only two kinds of proofs for God: direct understanding or indirect demonstration.

Conclusion: Humans will never have any proofs for God.

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They boldly make this statement:

“There is no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy life. “

It is interesting they assume that believers don’t enjoy life. They also suppose that believers are worried about proving God’s existence. If God’s people don’t enjoy life and are worried, maybe it is because of the ceremonies of religion and not the reality of the good news about God.

This same author wrote an article revealing the atheist’s hatred for religion. It was also ingrained into my brain when I embraced the faith of unbelief.

“Not Even God Could Make Me Religious.“

The words of atheists reveal the stubbornness of not seeking but rather falling back on superficial philosophical word games. Rarely do I meet an unbeliever who does not display a superior attitude and pride in their exegetic philosophies. The ideas of atheists rely on humanistic viewpoints within their circles that feed off each other. They claim science backs them up. This is their proof for unbelief and an excuse for hedonistic living.

Interpretive science is merely expositions that reach conclusions based on one theory of man’s existence and meaning-Evolution. A Creator is not considered because they don’t want to contemplate anything they can’t see and put in a test tube. Evolution conveniently takes away a superior being and the possibility of accountability for a life filled with narcissistic reasoning and unrestrained pleasure seeking. The theme can be summarized in one statement

Let us eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die.”

When Jesus told the parable of the rich man, He repeated the condition of a self-serving approach to living….a short period of 70 years on earth.

And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.

Luke 12:19

Then, Jesus made this blunt statement of accountability:

But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

Luke 12:20-21

As a convert from atheism to a believer of the only Creator God, I also hold a destain for religion. Even Jesus Himself reserved His most severe and condemning words for the religionists of the day.

Religious zeal can take two forms: One marked by an air of superiority, self-righteous judgment, and control. But true religion, demonstrated by real believers, will exhibit humbleness and concern for those who are on a dark road that ends in eternal disaster. Love and servitude will dominate the character.

Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble…

James 1:27

Over the next several blogs, we will explore the difference between being religious and being real. But mostly, we will explore the fact that knowing God is not only possible, it is also critical.

This study of knowing God is not directed towards the atheist nor the agnostic, it is what God reveals to those who claim to follow Him. The question is: “Who are the religionists, and who is real?” I won’t use the philosophy of my words, but the words of the many people who knew God and had experience with Him as recorded in the books of the Bible.

I am not out to prove anything about the existence of God. There is plenty of proof for that despite the hard-headed unbelievers’ claims. Rather, it is God’s words spoken directly or indirectly through those who were inspired by His Spirit that will direct our paths. For those who seek God, whether a church-attender or not, a journey to know God will result in something an atheist stubbornly resists: real peace, real happiness, real hope, and real eternal life

And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. John 17:3

These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. 1 John 15:13

Daniel and Revelation, Reasons to Believe

Revelation-The SEVEN CHURCHES

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“Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” Revelation 1: 17-18

Overview

Encouragement of the Resurrection

The first main section of the book begins with the seven churches.  It has two distinguishing imageries:  1.) Christ glorified and 2.) the seven messages to the seven churches.  But before it embarks us on the journey, it starts with these encouraging words:

 “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” Revelation 1: 17-18

Here is a clear reference from Jesus to His resurrection and the fact that He has keys to death and the grave points us to this comforting conclusion.  Even though we die and are buried in a grave, Jesus is able to raise us up from the dust of the earth and give us eternal life. 

When Jesus was talking with Martha about the death of Lazarus, she understood that Lazarus would be resurrected on the last day.  This was her hope and is the same for all who have a relationship with Jesus.

Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” John 11:24

Jesus then reminded her that he had the keys of death and Hades.  He described Himself as the Resurrection:

 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11: 25-26

At first brush, Jesus seems to be contradicting Himself.  Lazarus obviously died, but as a believer in Christ, He would never die…but he was dead.  How is this justified?  As our study continues in Revelation, we will discover there is the death all men must experience, but there is another death, avoided by the believers, the word used is called, in many places, “perish.”  This is an eternal death with no hope of ever living again. In these opening verses of Revelation, we are to find comfort that Jesus can unlock the place of death and raise us up to immortal life (See 1 Corinthians 15: 51-55, 1 Thessalonians 4: 16-18).

Seven Churches Geographical Order

The road connecting these seven churches was a Roman road that connected each church beginning at the writer’s location, i.e., Patmos.  From John’s island prison, the nearest church was Ephesus.  Some 30 miles away to the north, the next church was Smyrna and then Pergamum.  The circuit ran in a clockwise semi-circle with 30 to 40-mile intervals.  John’s seven messages came in this exact order.

If a mailman were delivering to these locations, he would have taken this route.  There is order and relevance to this circuit and the seven messages.  It reflects the church in its journey through history.  Further, the messages are in a chiastic order similar to the position of lamps of the seven-branched lampstand located in the old sanctuary ministry.

Chiastic Messages

At the start of our journey in revelation, we identified an ancient way of writing.  Most movies and books have a beginning, a middle, and an end in the modern world.  It can be expressed this way:  A, B, C order.  But in many places in the Bible, The order is A, B, C, B, A.  The climax or ending is in the middle.  This will become more apparent as we move through Revelation.

The Messages to the Seven churches have this exact order.  The middle church is Thyatira. God says good things about Thyatira.

“I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.” Revelation 2:19

The commendable traits of this church are love, faith, service, perseverance, and progression (Doing more than they did at first.).  I am sure God would have all the churches like this one.  But, there appear to be two groups within this praiseworthy church. One group tolerates a false prophet.

 Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching, she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. Revelation 2:20

But God takes on the responsibility of taking care of the problem.  He ends with the message to the ones who tolerate this false prophet:

I will repay each of you according to your deeds. Revelation 2:23

To the second group who rejects the teaching of the false prophet, His message is less ominous: He promises to not impose any burdens on them except that they should “hold on” until Jesus comes.

Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets, ‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’ Revelation 2 24: 25

This message is God’s desire for His people.  We are to “hold on” until He comes and reject teachings that lead to sin and discouragement. 

Hell, Reasons to Believe, What is God Like?

Hell-LET US REASON TOGETHER

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I once heard a pastor preach on the topic of hell.  It was called “Why the Intellectual Honest is Not Christian.”   A catchy title, but it is often true.  The teaching of hell, a place of torture and non-stop punishment in flames without end, doesn’t line up with the character of God.  If a person thinks it through, the sacrifice of God the Father by giving His Son Jesus so that we might not perish (John 3:16) is at the extreme opposite end of God’s supposed solution and punishment for the lost.  Mercy, justice, or torture with skin on fire; Which fits the character of God?  John, the beloved, described the essence of God’s character this way:

“…God is love.”

1 John 4:8b

From the central concept of God is love, all other doctrines of the Bible must line up.  If not, we have a massive misunderstanding about who God is.  How can He be merciful and full of love for even the worse of lost sinners?  Then respond to rejection by torturing them forever? If this is true, it would be the ultimate form of unsatisfied, unquenchable revenge. Can you think of anything more cruel? Maybe driving straw under the fingernail every second of the day.

God’s Glory and Goodness

Moses was allowed to see God’s “glory” and His “goodness” as He walked by. 

And he said, “Please, show me Your glory.” Then He said, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you.

After seeing God walk by, Moses didn’t describe God’s physical appearance, but the characteristics of God:

“The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth,

Exodus 34:6

This is where we must start understanding who God is and what His name represents.  This goodness, this kindness, leads someone to want to follow Him. God gave us the ability to reason. Non-Stop torture for quadrillion years, then starting over makes no sense for a merciful, loving God.

 Only after we understand that God is love, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness can we look at God’s plan for those who are “lost.”  No, not all are saved and live forever. It is the opposite; they die forever, They would not be happy in heaven.

This question must be asked: Which is God’s method of reaching the lost: The threat of personal eternal punishment or falling in love with a sacrificial God?

Popular Teachings on Hell

Hell is taught as a place either under the earth or somewhere in the universe where the souls of those who reject Christ spend eternity in flames and torture. Hell, and mercy cannot be in the same sermon or teaching for this idea. They are mutually exclusive because the burning flames of punishment would eliminate mercy. 

Before accepting Christ as an unbeliever, this idea of God’s punishment created a crisis of faith for me.  How could I trust a God who held this threat over my head?  Love me, or I will torture you. It made no sense. There was no logic there.

What if I had tried to win my wife by saying, “If you don’t love me, I will torture you.”  Would that attract her to me?  Sadly, I know someone who is caught in this type of Godless marriage.  The husband has (on several occasions threatened to kill the wife and her father if she left him.  What do you think her life is like? Is she free or in captivity? Is she in love or in shackles?

As an atheist, this idea of burning anyone for eternity gave me more reasons to believe that the Bible and religion were all about controlling people and scaring them into submission. 

What amazed my rational, logical thought process is this fact:  Many Christians, in particular, get angry if someone rejects the idea of such a place or a God that doesn’t put the sinners into a living place of flames.  They think it is unchristian and unbiblical not to believe the lost stay alive in hot coals of fire, crying for relief.  They insinuate it is what the sinner chooses, and it serves them right for rejecting Christ or living a life of rebellion and sin against God.

God and the bible teach justice. Is eternal torture justice?  Does punishment fit the crime?

Life In Prison-Justice?

A man was driving on the freeway going 75 mph in a 55 mph speed zone. He is taken to court, where the judge sentences him to life in prison without the possibility of parole.  Is this justice? 

Another man is caught in the same speed zone and is brought to the court. The judge hears the charges. He had been at a bar and left at 10:00 PM to head home.  He drifts over the double yellow line and kills an innocent family.  The dirty, smelly man is unrepentant.  The judge gives him life in prison without parole. Is this justice?  Likely.  But here is the sad thing, some teach that God says, “No!” This is not justice!   God condemns him to life in flames with no parole after He dies in prison, not because of the act of murder, but because he rejected Jesus and never repented. But here is something else to consider. The loving, hard-working husband and father also killed by the drunk is also condemned to flames because he rejected Christ and hated going to church with his wife and children. He was a good man but didn’t believe in Jesus and Christianity.

A rational person has a hard time wrapping their head around eternity, much less the idea of the unbearable stinging of flames on the skin, lips, arms, and legs kept alive FOREVER by God to “punish” the lost.  These human torches cry out for actual death to escape the flames, but the merciful God says, “No!”  The human torches, or as we call them, “lost,” can be anyone from Hitler to Uncle Bill who never attended church, never opened a Bible, didn’t believe in Jesus but was a good faithful husband and father. It includes all those who worship other gods or who never heard the story of Jesus. Their punishment is never satisfied by a loving, merciful God.  

WHO IS GOD?

Let’s explore this topic.  It is essential for Christians to know the truth and know their heavenly Father and His character.  Would a merciful, loving God do such a thing?  What method did God and Jesus employ to bring people into a loving, saving relationship with Him?

Following are the two typical modern understandings of hell.  This is what a majority of protestant Christians trust to be true.

View 1:  If you die and are unsaved (e.g., did not profess Christ), your immortal soul immediately (or after a quick judgment scene) goes to a place under the earth where the devil resides, and blistering hot flames torment your soul throughout eternity without end.  You will scream and desire to die, but you will stay alive in flames, never finding relief.  This could be called the immediate and present Hell.

View 2:  If you die and are unsaved, your immortal soul is judged at the Great White Throne judgment at the end of time. Your soul and body are cast into the lake of fire prepared for Satan and his angels, where flames torture you throughout eternity.  You will scream and desire to die, but you will stay alive in the fire, never finding relief.  We will call this future Hell.

The Catholic church throws in a couple of “holding” places, such as purgatory, and some talk about a place called “Abraham’s bosom.” Those in these places can be prayed into heaven. In some cases, money can pay them into heaven.

There may be other slight variations of hell, but if you ask a Christian or a pastor about hell, this is very close to the answers given.  It is often softened up to take out the idea of a Holy God torturing the unsaved by saying non-biblical things like,

“The lost choose hell.”  

Is that right?  Who in their right mind would choose to be tortured? The Bible teaches they choose death over eternal life not so much from a conscious choice but instead through unbelief in Jesus and rejecting the pull of the Holy Spirit to repent and turn away from the sins that lead to death.

The common idea with both basic views about hell involves non-stop burning, which is a miracle!  The miracle of staying alive with a body to experience pain! It also requires an immortal soul.  A term not used in the Bible.   We often hear preachers say, “You will live eternally in one of two places.”  Is this true?  Does the lost also have eternal life?  Are their souls immortal?  What is tortured by the flames?  The soul? The body?  Both?

What does the Bible have to say about all this?

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The Bible’s Teaching on the Fate of the Lost

Some will say, “The immortal soul is being punished, not the body.“  Of course, there is no biblical proof for this. It contradicts those who support a literal interpretation of the Rich Man and Lazarus, where the rich man has a tongue and gets thirsty in flames. He has a body!

Some will say, “God is just, and this is their fate.  We can’t understand it and aren’t supposed to.”

Is this true?

Indeed, our thoughts and ways are not like His, but there are things He has revealed that we can know with certainty. “

The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to our children and to us forever,

Deuteronomy 29:29

Is the fate of the lost one of those things revealed to us?  Yes! But we must understand it from ALL that has been shown to us!

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JESUS’ APPEAL

The Bible tells us that eternal life is based on knowing God and having a relationship with Him.  We are drawn to Him as He is lifted up (Cross).  Is a torturing God the One we want to get to know?  Or is God like a father who loves his child?  Does God use hell to scare us into coming to Him, or does he draw us in a different more divine way?

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”

John 17:3

Knowing God The Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit is essential in our experience and salvation from death.  To have a false conception of God is dangerous, as we shall see.

We are not scared into a relationship with the Lord; He draws us with “lovingkindness.”

The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying:
“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;
Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.

Jeremiah 31:3

It is the cross, not hell that draws people to Jesus.

‘”…And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.‘  This He said, signifying by what death He would die.”

John 12:32-33

That day on a lonely hill, Jesus dying on a rough wooden cross is the ultimate demonstration of the sacrifice and love God offers to all people. A clear view of the things leading up to the death of Jesus and the day He said, “It is finished,” will bring the sin weary to repentance, forgiveness, and salvation from eternal death.

His death was what all lost people would experience—an end without hope.  When Jesus “became sin for us,” He felt the separation from God the Father.  He felt forsaken.

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The Rest of The Story

It is unbiblical to think that the soul is immortal.  The soul is not eternal.  Only God has immortality.  The saved are not given immortality until Christ returns.

If a soul can die, it is not immortal.

“ Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die..”

Ezekiel 18:4

Only God has immortality!

I charge you to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ; and this will be made manifest at the proper time by the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.

1 Timothy 6:14-16

Immortality is not given to us until Jesus returns and we are changed.  We “put on” immortality then and not before.  

Want to know a mystery about death that has been solved? Something God has revealed to us and our children?  Listen closely to the words of Paul:

 “Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—  in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.””

1 Corinthians 15: 51-54

Is this not as clear as a bell?  Immortality is “put on” when Jesus returns!  We sleep in death, waiting for the resurrection just as the Bible describes.  This waiting is like a mere micro-second.  A person dies.  Years if not millennia, pass, and they come forth in new immortal bodies at the return of Christ. The same is true for the “lost.”  Except, they meet a different fate.

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Eternal Death

“Death has come upon all men by the offense of one man. But, through grace and the gift of righteousness, life came by Jesus Christ.”

Romans 5:12, 17

Wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 3:23.

Wages are something due to us for our work of sin.  Sin leads to death, not life. Both are mutually exclusive.  You can’t have both.  You must have one or the other. The gift of eternal life is reserved only for the saved.

He that has the Son has life.  He that does not have the Son does not have life.

1 John 5:12

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.”  John 3:16

Here is a simple, straightforward comparison of what awaits the lost VS the saved:

Believes in Jesus = everlasting life

Not believing = perish (eternal death)

“He who believes in the Son has everlasting life, and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life….”

John 3:36

Believes in the Son = everlasting life

Does not believe in the = shall not see life.

The Lord can destroy the soul,

“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Matthew 10:28

The body and soul are destroyed in hell.  It is not kept alive to suffer throughout eternity. If there is a fear to be taught, it is the fear that both the body and the soul are forever destroyed, while the redeemed have a new immortal body and life without end.

The Power and Miracle of the Resurrection

As described before, the belief in God AND the resurrection of Jesus are both vital to receiving salvation from eternal death:

… if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:9

It was Paul’s goal to be raised from the dead…Not to die and be with Him,

” if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Philippians 3:11

The mortal “puts on” immortality, and death is no more when Jesus returns.

The dead in Christ are resurrected.

“For the Lord, Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words”

1 Thessalonians 4: 15-18

Note:  Those who died in Christ and those alive when He returns start to “be with the Lord forever” when He returns.  So, the resurrection is our hope…Our eternity with the Lord does not begin until He returns.

Jesus will raise the saved from the grave on the last day.

“This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.”

John 6:39

“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

John 6:44

“Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”

John 6:54

“Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

John 11:24

The teaching of resurrection as our hope is an ancient truth.  Example: Job said,

“my redeemer lives and I will see God in the flesh in the latter day upon the earth.”

Job 19:25, 26

The resurrection is crucial because we are lost if it doesn’t happen.

Our faith is futile without the resurrection. Our hope is in the return of Christ and the Resurrection, not in dying and floating off to heaven.

“And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.”

1 Corinthians 15:14-19

The Rich Man and Lazarus

The Rich Man and Lazarus story does not include the resurrection in its story.  It is clearly a parable directed at the snooty self-righteous Pharisees.  To say it is literal brings many contradictions to other clear verses that are not parables. This parable comes near the end of a long series of parables spoken by Jesus.  There was a resurrection of another Lazarus that clearly describes the state of those who die.  The event is described in John 11.  Here Jesus compares Lazarus’ death with sleep:

“Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may awake him out of sleep…Then said Jesus, unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.”

John 11:14

Notice something else; When Jesus brought Lazarus back to life after being dead for four days, he did not say to him to come down but rather come forth (v. 43). If Lazarus had been in heaven, he would have had many things to share, don’t you think?  Why is he silent?  It is because he was unconscious until Jesus called for him to “come forth.”

The Resurrection of the Lost

The unjust have a resurrection, too (after the millennium): 

“I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.”

Act 24:15

The “rest of the dead” come up long after the first resurrection:

“And they (the saved) lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished.”

Revelation 20: 4, 5

The second death is the fate of the lost who are not part of the first resurrection but rise in the 2nd resurrection. Revelation 20:6

“Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power….”

Revelation 20:6

At the end of all things, the saved may have died once, but they will never have to die again because they have been given immortality.  But the lost who died once will die again, fully aware that their death will be forever. This knowledge is their quick punishment. They acknowledge they were wrong and dismissive of Jesus:

As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.”

Romans 4:11

At the end of time, fire destroys the earth, Satan, and sinners:

Jesus comes as a thief in the night in which the heavens, earth, elements, and all the works are burned up.

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.”

2 Peter 3:10

Everlasting Destruction

“The Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power.”

2 Thessalonians 1:8, 9

What is everlasting?  The destruction. This is the punishment, never existing again.

The wicked are destroyed forever (Psalm 92:7, Psalm 9:5)

“When the wicked spring up like grass,
And when all the workers of iniquity flourish,
It is that they may be destroyed forever.”

Psalm 92:7

Death and hell (grave) are destroyed!

“Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.”

Revelation 20:14

Fire comes down from God when the resurrected lost try to surround the beloved city. This fire devours them. When something is consumed or devoured, there is nothing left.

“They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them.”

Revelation 20:9

“For our God is a consuming fire.”

Hebrews 12:29

The Anti-Christ (lawless one) is destroyed when Christ returns by the brightness of the Lord’s coming.

“And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.”

2 Thessalonians 2:8

Wicked is burned up, reducing them to nothing

“For behold, the day is coming,
Burning like an oven,
And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble.
And the day which is coming shall burn them up,
Says the Lord of hosts,
“That will leave them neither root nor branch.”

Malachi 4:1

Satan is burned to ashes and shall never be anymore

“You defiled your sanctuaries
By the multitude of your iniquities,
By the iniquity of your trading;
Therefore I brought fire from your midst;
It devoured you,
And I turned you to ashes upon the earth.
In the sight of all who saw you.”

All who knew you among the peoples are astonished at you;
You have become a horror,
And shall be no more forever”

Ezekiel 28:18, 19

So, Scripture is clear: sin’s wages are death, not eternal life in burning flames.  There is a hell of fire, but it is a work of eternal destruction. Even Satan’s fate is total destruction.  God’s end-time plan will wipe the universe clean of sin and its results. There won’t be some special corner of the universe for people to suffer forever. 

Eternal life is given only to those who turn to Jesus and trust Him. Life eternal is given to those who know Him and not just about Him. It is all about Jesus.  He holds the keys to the grave and death:

I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold; I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.

Revelation 1:18

Because we believe He can resurrect us and give us immortality, we have passed from death to life. I want to be part of the first resurrection, don’t you?

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

John 5:24

I often wondered why God wipes away all tears. The passage in Revelation 21: 4, Revelation 7:17, and Isaiah 25:8 are in the context of the end of time when all of God’s people arrive in heaven at the same time after the resurrection, as described in 1 Thess. 4:15-18

The saints will spend their first day in heaven wondering about a loved one who didn’t make it. Then they will understand from the Lord Himself that they were lost and will never be anymore. There will be tears in heaven, but Jesus will literally and symbolically wipe away the tears.  He will explain and show them the many opportunities given to them to receive eternal life as a free gift, but they refused it.

Then all the saints will bow, throw their crowns, and proclaim

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure, they are and were created.

Revelation 4:11

God is just! God is worthy! For this, he receives glory, honor, and power!

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Daniel and Revelation, Israel in Bible Prophecy, Rapture, Reasons to Believe, Time of Trouble

7 YEARS OF TRIBULATION-BIBLICAL?

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““At that time Michael shall stand up,
The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people;
And there shall be a time of trouble,
Such as never was since there was a nation,
Even to that time.
And at that time your people shall be delivered,
Every one who is found written in the book..”

Daniel 12: 1

“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.”

Matthew 24:21

There is no doubt, there is predicted a “time of trouble” by Daniel and Jesus in these two verses, but how long is it?

The length of the time of trouble in the verses above is not specific about the time. It is the same for other Bible writers.  It is just a “time of trouble.” It can be said with absolute certainty; there is not one verse in the Bible that uses the phrase “7 years of tribulation” or “7 years of trouble.” The attempt to make it 7 years comes from a fanciful misinterpretation of  Daniel 9: 24-27  prophecy.  

The Daniel 9 prophecy is powerful when interpreted in its setting. History confirms the angel’s words sent to Daniel; words to help him understand a portion of a much longer time prophecy. A correct understanding validates the accuracy of Scripture and the God who inspired holy men to write them. Daniel’s vision of the 70-week prophecy has helped many believe that Jesus was the promised Messiah. I am one of them.

In previous posts, we have explored What the Rapture is Not. Please read this before continuing.  It will help in the understanding of what happens when Jesus returns and how the time of trouble fits in the timeline.

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 Let’s read the prophecy in Daniel 9:24-27 and compare it with actual history and dates supported by the Bible to see if there is a 7-year tribulation hidden somewhere in it.  We will discover the power of this prophecy in Daniel, written almost 500 years before Jesus!

Please follow and study closely.  When we are finished, I recommend you verify the dates at your local library or other resources.  Beware of the confusion of the internet.  Also, I have included a chart at the end in the “Appendix” to make these dates easier to see and follow.

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Ready? Here we go.   Be sure to pay special attention to keywords and the context.

Daniel 9:24-27

“Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks (7), and threescore (60) and two weeks (2): the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

 And after threescore (60) and two weeks (2) shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week (1): and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.”

Daniel 9: 24-27

If you count up the number in parenthesis, you will have the 70 weeks mentioned at the start of the prophecy.  There is a reason why they are split up that way.  I will not go into those historical reasons in this writing for the sake of staying on point.

The setting for these verses is important in understanding the prophecy.  Daniel and his people (The Jews) had been taken captive by Babylon and the city of Jerusalem was destroyed and lay desolate as prophesied by Jeremiah.  It was predicted by Jeremiah that they would be in captivity for 70 years!

“In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the *desolations of Jerusalem.”

(*notice how the word desolations is used here. Jerusalem was empty! A place laid waste, ruin, waste, desolation. This will come in handy as you study the abomination of desolations later. Sadly, as I write this, Russia has made certain cities of the Ukraine-desolate)

Daniel 9:2

As the 70 years of captivity for God’s people drew near to the end, Daniel began to pray and confess his sins and the sins of the people (Verses 4-20). Then Gabriel (an angel) came and informed Daniel that he had…

“come to give thee skill and understanding.” 

Daniel 9:22

Then Gabriel gives the vision, as stated in Verses 24-27 above.  This is the skill and understanding Daniel needed to understand the message.  Daniel knew from Jeremiah’s writings the 70 years of captivity would soon end. But now 70 weeks is introduced. A quick summary of Daniel 9: 24-27 reveals six actions that were to be accomplished in an apparently short period of time:

Six Actions For God’s People:

  1. Finish the transgression
  2. Make an end of sins
  3. Make reconciliation for iniquity
  4. Bring in everlasting righteousness
  5. Seal up the vision and prophecy
  6. Anoint the most Holy

So God was giving the Jewish people (Daniel’s people in captivity) 70 weeks or 490 days to do all those  things; ending with anointing the most Holy.  We shall see that the anointing of the most Holy is not in regards to the apartment in the sanctuary necessarily, but the Holy One of God-Jesus  

The  70 weeks given to the Jews are are calculated in the verses in sections:  

“seven weeks” (7) and

“three score” (60) and

“two weeks” (2)

“one week” (1)

Simple arithmetic shows this is a total of 70 weeks. In days, this is 490 days (7 X 70).  

A Day Equals a Year in Bible Prophecy

Often in Bible prophecy, the day = year principle is used to unlock the timelines for the coming events.  The verses that support this principle can be found in the passages below:    

“After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise.”

Numbers 14:34 

This was a prophecy given by God Himself. He used the 40 days they spied out the land to represent the number of years (40) the children of Israel would wander in the wilderness. A day=a year principal disclosed a literal time period. Here is another example:

“And when thou hast accomplished them, lie again on thy right side, and thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days: I have appointed thee each day for a year.”

Ezekiel 4:6  

God commands the prophet, Ezekiel, to represent the siege of Jerusalem for 40 years. The day=a year principal at work again.

So God was giving the Jewish people 490 years for their assignment.  He sent prophets and others to inspire and help keep them close to him during this time.  But as one reads their story, it is quickly seen that they often went after other gods and forsook the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Most of all the one and only true Creator God and their mission was minimized.

Eventually, the religion of Israel became stiff and legalistic, often relying on their heritage than on the God who delivered them many times in miraculous ways. The scripture became so twisted that they denied their Messiah, who would have made them the greatest nation on the earth. Their actions would not be without consequences.

But let’s not be too judgmental of their plight. Today’s Christians are a similar position as Abraham’s seed. It is no wonder Paul stated,


These things happened to them as a warning to us. All this was written in the Scriptures to teach us who live in these last days.

1 Corinthians 10:11 CEV

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The Start Date for the Prophecy

“Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city…”Daniel 9: 24  

If we can determine where the 490 years begin (with certainty), we can understand the other events of the prophecy.   The timelines start here:

  “….from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem”

Daniel 9: 25  

This command to restore and build Jerusalem can be found in Ezra Chapter 7 when Artaxerxes gave the commandment in 457 BC (See the *notes at the end).  

So, now that we have a starting date let’s see where it takes us:  The first stop is the coming of the Messiah, the Prince  

The First Event of the Prophecy:

“Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince….Daniel 9: 25  

The Messiah the Prince can refer only to Jesus himself.  He is both the Messiah and a Prince  

 He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ).

John 1:41

Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

John 1:45

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9:6  

So we know that from the commandment to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Messiah the Prince (Jesus) would be a certain length of time.  How long?   The answer is 69 weeks, (483 days or 483 years)

Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks (7), and threescore (60) and two weeks (2): the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.  

Using the day=a year principal…We start at 457BC and move forward through history 483 years. It brings us to 27 AD   Jesus was baptized and anointed for the beginning of his ministry on this date just as the prophecy in Daniel predicted! Remarkable!

Here is an important verse that connects Daniel 9 with Jesus’ baptism:  

“When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:”

Matthew  3:16  

A dove represents anointing.   Another exciting passage that makes sense in the light of Jesus beginning his ministry precisely on time according to Daniel’s prophecy some 500 years before Jesus is this one:  

“But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son…”

Galatians 4:4  

The time was “full.” In other words, Jesus came to this earth and began his ministry right on time!  It may be possible that this quote is about this particular prophecy in Daniel 9!  

We know that God knows the future  and will not do anything unless he reveals it by his prophets:  

“Surely the Lord God does nothing,
Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.”

Amos 3:7  

69 weeks or 483 years of the 70 weeks or 490 years has been explained.  Isn’t it comforting to know that God, through the prophet Daniel let the world know when Jesus would come on the scene?    

The 7 Years Explained

Now let’s look at the last week or 7 years.  This is where Hal Lindsey, Tim LaHaye, and others use the 7 years as a period of tribulation.  They disconnect it from this timeline and attempt to run it down to the end of time after Jesus “raptures the church.”  

But we are going to let the verses speak for themselves.  We will keep the last week on the timeline as intended.  If we do, we learn the most exciting and powerful part of this prophecy!

Daniel tells us after Jesus began his ministry that Jesus would be cut off:  

“Messiah be cut off, but not for himself:….” Daniel 9: 26  

But before He is cutoff he would do the following:  

“And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, Daniel 9:27”  

Jesus was to “confirm the covenant with many for 1 week or 7 days, which is 7 years in prophecy. But He is “cut off” in the middle of the week or 3 1/2 days or 3 1/2 years   Jesus’ ministry was exactly that long (3 1/2 years) before He was “cut off” or crucified on a Roman cross in 31 AD! Again, this is remarkably accurate!

Jesus ministered from 27 AD to 31 AD.   As Daniel 9:27 stated, the sacrifices and oblations also ended at the time of Jesus’ death.  The law of ceremonies had served their purpose of teaching the Jewish nation about the price of sin, the sacrifice for it, and the plan of salvation.  Those ceremonial laws were the School Master to bring people to Jesus and help them understand the lesson of sin, forgiveness,  grace, and the sacrifice of Jesus!  The School Master died forever the day Jesus died on the cross as the true Lamb of God.  

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

Galatians 3:24, 25

All the festivals, drink, meat offerings, and special Sabbath days (Not the weekly Sabbath found in the 10 commandments) were shadows pointing to the body of Jesus.   All those had served their purpose and were fulfilled in Christ:

“Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.”

Colossians 2:17

On the other side of the cross, the people looked forward in faith to Jesus (the Messiah) and what He would do for them (Die for their sins).  All of us on this side of the cross look back in faith at what Jesus has done for us (Die for our sins).  Something extraordinary occurred at the crucifixion of Christ to demonstrate the truthfulness of the two verses above:  

Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;Matthew 27: 50, 51  

Thus ended the rounds of ceremonies and the laws put in place by Moses to teach about Jesus.  (Please note:  These laws did not include the 10 commandments, as some would assert. A study for another time. ) 

Jesus told His disciples this:    

But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

Matthew 15: 24  

Jesus was “confirming the covenant” with the children of Israel during His ministry.  With them, he spent most of His time.  His plea about the coming Kingdom of God was a message primarily to the Jews.   He also told His disciples to do the same:  

“These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:

 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Matthew 10: 5, 6

This the disciples did for 3 1/2 more years after Jesus was “cut off” or crucified in 31 AD. This takes us 3  1/2 years forward to the end of the 70 weeks or 490 years.

In the year 34 AD, specific and relevant events took place to mark the end of the 490 years “determined” or given unto the Jewish nation:

In this year Stephen was martyred and Paul was converted to be the teacher to the Gentiles

“I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.” 

2 Timothy 1:11

Another important passage of scripture also marks the end of 70 weeks given to the Jews to do all those things of the covenant listed in Daniel 9.  It is a point where the burden of carrying the gospel to the entire world is taken off the shoulders of the Jews and given to the Gentiles. It is the point where God reveals who is a real Jew or seed of Abraham.

Paul and Barnabas were preaching to a large group but were interrupted by the Jews because of the large following of the two disciples.  Those religious leaders who were interrupting contradicted Paul and Barnabas and blasphemed God!  But it is what Paul and Barnabas say that marks the transition and end of the  490 years given to the  Daniel’s people (Israelites)

 “But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.

Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

Acts 13:  45, 46

The appointed people of God had rebelled continuously and  failed to keep the covenant (agreement).  At this transitional period in history God turned to the Gentiles and made them heir to the promises of God:

“And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

Galatians 3:29

No longer was there a distinction between literal Jew and Gentile if one belongs to Christ. God’s chosen people are identified as belonging to Christ:

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Galatians 3:28

 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:

But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

Romans 2:28, 29

Thus the 70-week prophecy came to an end! There is no room or context in the prophecy for 7 years of tribulation or the Anti Christ. It is simply not there.  To try to force it takes away from a beautiful and essential part of the ministry of Christ of keeping the covenant with them while He was on this earth.

While Hal Lindsey, Tim LaHaye, and others have everyone looking at Jerusalem for the rebuilding of the temple to mark the soon return of Jesus, the Anti Christ is at work elsewhere in the world.  This we will see in future studies.  The Hollywood-produced Bible fiction is so deceptive that almost the whole world is taken in.  What a great diversion by the enemy of humanity!  It teaches an incorrect story about Jesus’ return and gives false hope of a 2nd chance after Jesus returns.

In conclusion, the 70-week prophecy of Daniel 9 is mishandled to try and support 7 years of tribulation at the end of time and the work of the Anti Christ.  If the prophecy is kept in its context, it becomes a prophecy to support Jesus as the Messiah, his crucifixion, the spread of the gospel, and God’s long-suffering with the lost sheep of the house of Israel!

Below is a summary chart of the dates we have discussed above:

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APPENDIX

Below is information about the start date of this Daniel 9 prophecy (if you want more detail). I hope this study helped you see how God is in control and provided proof of Jesus’ ministry hundreds of years before He came to pay the price for our sins.

*Notes about the dates described in this writing:

Ezra has three decrees with different dates that could be used.  Nehemiah has a date also.  But the decision as to which one to use, you must keep in mind the key words of the prophecy: “the command to restore and rebuild Jerusalem.” The four decrees are :


The decree of Cyrus (Ezra 1:1-4)
The decree of Darius I (Ezra 6:1-12)
The decree of Artaxerxes I (Longimanuus) (Ezra 7: 12-26)
The decree of Artaxerxes (Nehemiah Chapters 1 and 2)  

Let’s eliminate some of the dates based on the guiding verse of Daniel 9:25   Ezra 1-gave instruction only for the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. Said nothing about the whole city.  We can eliminate this date.   Ezra 6-simply the endorsement by Darius of the decree of Cyrus.  It only mentions the building of the “house of God.” We can eliminate this date.   Ezra 7 makes provision for complete restoration of the Jewish state, including the right to appoint magistrates and judges, hold trials, and pass and execute sentences upon violators of their national laws. This date fits the idea of “restoring and rebuilding Jerusalem.”   

Nehemiah 2-Wording has not been preserved but was simply a reinstatement of Artaxerxes original authorization to Ezra recorded in Ezra chapter 7.   Determination of the date of the decree: It was in the seventh year of Artaxerxes’ reign (Ezra 7:7,8)   . Biblical evidence for the 457 BC start date:   The dates for Artaxerxes reign are well documented in the ancient sources: 

  • Greek historians, Ptolemy’s Canon
  • The Babylonian business tablets
  • Elephantine papyri from Egypt
  • From the above documents, we know that Xerxes was killed in late December of 465 B.C. and the reign of Artaxerxes began at the time.
Artaxerxes ReignFall to Fall
First year464/463 B.C.
Second year463/462 B.C.
Third year462/461 B.C.
Fourth year461/460 B.C.
Fifth year460/459 B.C.
Sixth year459/458 B.C.
Seventh year458/457 B.C.

Therefore, the seventh year of Artaxerxes, according to Jewish reckoning, extended from the fall of 458 to the fall of 457 B. C.

Note: the references in this prophecy to destruction of the city and temple and desolations:

“….the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined… for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate”

Daniel 9:27

This is not a reference to a minor historical character called Antiochus or a future Anti-Christ but to the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in 70 AD as predicted by Jesus himself when he told the disciples.  There has never been a temple since then and never will be!

“Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”

Matthew 24:2 

“Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains,.  Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes.  But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! And pray that your flight may not e in the winter or on the Sabbath.   For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.”

Matthew 24: 15-22

The total destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman soldiers was horrible.  Many who tried to escape were crucified outside the city.  At one time, the number of crosses outside the city almost made it look like a forest of trees.  Those who heeded the advice of Jesus escaped the city and remained alive.

This was a time of trouble unlike any seen before…But there will be another time of trouble just before the Lord comes.  While the Christians will be here, the plagues will not touch them, just as it didn’t when the plagues fell on Egypt when they were in captivity.  This is a topic we will discuss in the coming weeks.

Until then, may the Lord bless you and your family and keep you under His wings.

Daniel and Revelation, Reasons to Believe

REVELATION-THE AUDIENCE

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Overview

Of utmost importance in reading the messages to the seven churches is grasping how they should be understood and to whom they are addressed.  The book’s contents indicate a particular time and place (The Seven Churches in Asia Minor).  Nevertheless, in Revelation 1:19, it states it is also prophetical

“Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now, and what will take place later.” Revelation 1:19

It can be said that the messages were for both the churches at that time but also for those who would come after, particularly those in the last days. Interestingly, the letters have an additional application for the different modern churches and individuals.  As you are reading, you may see yourself in one of the churches. All of the messages end on a very personal level,


“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Revelation 3:22

Notice, the plural is not used, but instead, John uses the singular.  It doesn’t say “ears,” but rather “ear.”  Each person should therefore read as it talks to you directly.  While the message is to a congregation, it does no good if we look at the message as applying to someone else.

Layers of Application

The beautiful aspect of these seven “letters” and their audience is the layers of application. We have seen above that one layer is the literal churches of Asia Minor. Next, we must keep in mind if it is prophetical.  Third, the messages can be for almost any modern church. There are examples of the kinds of things that can go wrong in any church.  Finally, and the most important, is the message to the individual.  After all, the body of Christ is not limited to buildings and denominations.  A congregation made of solid and committed followers of Christ individuals will result in a robust and productive church for servitude.

The messages were not sent out separately but rather as a whole book.  This indicates the value of each church reading and understanding the trials of each congregation.  Here is where empathy (not judgment) can go a long way to “enduring to the end.”

But there is still yet another layer of application dealing with its prophetical message of “…what will take place later.”

The History of The Church

We live in a modern society where there are attempts to destroy history because of the bad things that have happened years ago. If this is the reason for killing history, little history would remain.

Memorials of the past are judged by whether they were pure or not.   But individuals and organizations are more effective if they can objectively look back and appreciate the struggles and mistakes of those who went before us.  One writer suggested the importance of learning from the past in these words. 

“We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us and His teaching in our past history.” E. G. White

The writing of the entire Bible is based on learning from the journey of God’s people, both the good and the bad, to not only learn but to have hope.

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide, we might have hope. Rom 15:4

Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did.1 Corinthians 10:6

God has laid out an underlying revelation of how the church would fare during different points of history.  The book of Revelation claims to be a prophecy and must be approached as prophecy and messages to churches and individuals (1:3, 22:7, 10, 18-19).  Like bookends, Revelation starts with the prophetic platform and ends with the same (1:3, 22:7, 10, 18, 19)

And he said to me, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. 

Revelation 22:10

Therefore, it is appropriate to view the messages to the seven churches as prophetical for John’s perspective. Here is another layer that many Christians would like to avoid because it forces us to see the bad things done in the name of Christ throughout the aging of the church.  At the time John wrote the letters, the course of the church was unknown to him.  But God knew the trials yet to come for His people. Despite the trials and tribulation, it gives us hope for the future of God’s people.  We must remember, these messages didn’t come from John. They came from God the Father.

As we get deeper into the study of Revelation and begin to look back at the history of the church, we will see there are seven eras in church history as symbolized by the characteristics of each of the seven churches:

ChurchEra
Ephesus1st Century of Christian Era
SmyrnaPersecution of the 2nd and 3rd centuries
PergamumChurch of Compromised 4th and 5th centuries
ThyatiraMiddle ages
SardisReformation and Post-Reformation
PhiladelphiaMissionary movements of the late 18th century
LaodiceaEnd of time church

Summary

The messages to the churches are multi-dimensional.  It has layers of information and application.  First to the believers for which it was originally written (inclusive of all the churches in the area not addressed in the book: [Colossae (Col 1:2) Hierapolis (Col. 4:13), Troas (Acts 20:5, 2 Cor. 2:22) And Miletus (Acts 20:17)]

Next, the message is for all churches of all ages, but particularly for those at the end of time. Most importantly it is for individuals (those who have an ear), regardless of the organized church they associate with or identify themselves. Lastly, it gives us a two-thousand-year-old history of the challenges of the church from John’s time to ours. By looking backwards, we can see clearer those things “yet to come.”

Daniel and Revelation, Reasons to Believe

THE BOOK OF REVELATION-PART 3-The THEME

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Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.

 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1: 7-8

After John’s Prologue, Greetings and Doxology, John turns the reader’s attention to what Jesus will do. He then reminds us of who Jesus is.

What Will He Do?

The principal of understanding Revelation’s message is to know when John talks in symbolic language and when he describes the literality of situations or events. There is nothing in Revelation 1:7 that would indicate symbolism. It concerns the eyes of every person who is alive (and resurrected) at the return of Christ and their reaction. He also includes another group in this spectacular event: “they who pierced Him.” This is a direct reference to those who were responsible for His crucifixion. How can this happen? Aren’t those people dead already? That will be answered later in Revelation.

Verse 7 obviously describes the literal second coming of Christ and the end of the world’s history as we know it. How do we know His coming is literal? To solidify the event as tangible, a comparison of the exact same event from other inspired writers of the Bible is critical. Here are just a few passages:

Daniel 7:13

“I was watching in the night visions,
And behold, One like the Son of Man,
Coming with the clouds of heaven!

Daniel sees a similar vision of the “Son of Man” (Jesus) coming with the clouds of heaven. Notice it is not the clouds of the earth but heaven. Both John and Daniel “SEE” with their eyes as does every believer throughout the ages. including this special group of persecutors.

Zechariah 12: 10-14

“…then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn. in that day there shall be a great mourning in Jerusalem,

Zechariah describes those who” pierced” Jesus and their location: Jerusalem, the place where Jesus was crucified. They will look on Me (Jesus). Again, the eyes are used to see the events of Jesus’ return.

Finally, we hear from the lips of Jesus Himself as recorded by Matthew, a description of His return that matches Daniel and Zechariah, to name a few.

Matthew 24:30

Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

There is something mentioned by Jesus that is not be the other writers. It is the “sign” of the Son of Man. It appears John is describing something just before Jesus appears. This sign, indicates that Jesus is coming and the mourning begins. Then they see Jesus coming in “the clouds” of heaven. It is a powerful and glorious thing to see.

Jesus talked directly to those who were soon to “pierce Him.”

Mark 14: 61:62

Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?”

Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

Summary-What He Will Do.

So, What will Jesus do? He will return visibly. It will be an event that is powerful and glorious to see. Every eye of those who are alive (and those resurrected in the first resurrection-(See 1 Thess 4: 16-18) and those who pierced Him will see Him coming (See Mark 14: 62), Matthew 26:64). Those on earth will mourn (grieve) like someone who has lost someone very close to them. As described later in Revelation. those who mourn are under tremendous conviction of remorse and lost opportunity. They have been such great enemies of Jesus that they can’t stand to look at him. They run from Him to hide His face from their sight:

Revelation 6: 14-17

Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”

The other eyes that will see Him are those who are “in Christ” and alive at His return. The follower’s of Christ living and the those who “died in Christ” from all ages will see His return. The “dead in Christ” are resurrected to see Him coming. It is something they were promised before they fell asleep in Christ. Perhaps the clearest description of this portion of Christ’s return comes from Paul. Paul was encouraging the believers of the Thessalonian church by describing that great day of Jesus’ return. These early believers thought Jesus should have returned already. But Paul described things that had to happen first (See 2 Thessalonians 2:3). As this church watched believers die and buried, they longed for Jesus, as do many today, to come quickly and put an end to death.

1 Thessalonians 4: 16-18

 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

Our comfort is to know that Jesus is coming! The saved of all ages will rise from the dust of the ground along with those who alive to meet Jesus in the air. Here is where eternity will begin. It is after those who are asleep in death are raised and their bodies are changed (See 1 Corinthians 15: 51:55). Then we all meet Jesus in the air. He takes us back to where He is now (See John 14: 1-3)

The saved will not be mourning, rather they will be praising.

Isaiah 24:9


And it will be said in that day: “Behold, this is our God; We have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the Lord; We have waited for Him; We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.”

Who is this Jesus?

This question is answered in the context of the previous verses about Jesus return. After John describes the return of Christ, He reminds us who Jesus is, especially as it relates to that glorious event of Jesus’ return.

Revelation 1:8

 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

First, John describes Jesus as the “Alpha and the Omega”. These are the Greek letters we would describe as “A” to “Z” The start and the finish. The Beginning and the End. This world’s history started with its creation and it will end with the return of Christ. Peter described the world’s end as the “day of the Lord”:

2 Peter 3: 10,

 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.  

Again, another inspired writer and an apostle of Christ (Peter) describes the end of this world as a destructive event at the return of Christ or “the day of the Lord.”

Jesus is both the beginning and the end. He acted in the past, he is present now, and he will always be .

“The conclusion of world’s history will not be through ‘a gradual process’ of either degradation or development but through the coming of Christ in glory and majesty.” “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” Stefanovic, p.71

Finally, Jesus is referred to as “The Almighty.” The Greek word for Almighty is pantokratōr. It is used in the Old Testament as “Lord of the Sbaoth” (“Lord of Hosts” or Lord overall). It is used nine times in the book of Revelation (1:8; 4:8; 11:17; 15:3; 16:7, 14; 15: 21:22; 19:6;)

To put it plainly, John in both Revelation and His gospel, describes Jesus as God Almighty, the Creator (beginning) and Sustainer of life on earth

John 1: 1-3, 14

In the beginning was the Word (Jesus), and the Word (Jesus) was with God, and the Word (Jesus) was God. He (Jesus) was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him (Jesus), and without Him (Jesus) nothing was made that was made. 

And the Word (Jesus) became flesh (incarnation) and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth

Conclusion

There can be little doubt that the theme of Revelation is centered on What Jesus will do: A very literal destructive return to planet earth . Every eye will see Him coming in heaven’s clouds. “Every eye” includes the living; those who are resurrected; and those who pierced Him. The lost living will “mourn” and try to hide their face from Him. The saved of all ages will rejoice at the fulfillment of His promise to return.

John reminds us of who Jesus is: This is important in the scope and reason for Jesus’ return. He is the one who began life on earth (The Alpha) and is the one who will end it (Omega) except for those who are “in Him.” He is everything in between. Finally, Jesus is the Lord Almighty, The Lord of Hosts. He will return and not keep silent:

Psalm 50:3

Our God shall come, and shall not keep silent; A fire shall devour before Him, And it shall be very tempestuous all around Him.

This is the theme, the foundation of the Book of Revelation. Everything revolves around the literal event of Jesus’ return as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Revelation 19:16

And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

Inspiration, Reasons to Believe

A CHRISTMAS STORY OF THE WISEMEN’S JOURNEY

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Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 

And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet

“But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
Are not the least among the rulers of Judah;
For out of you shall come a Ruler
Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ”

Mathew 2:1-6

Wise men journey

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The following is based pirimarily on Matthew 2:1-18 and Luke 2: 1-18

Inspiration and Timing for our Journey

Our journey from Persia where the great Hebrew prophet Daniel resided many years ago has been difficult.   It was the Hebrew prophets like Isaiah , Micah, and others who inspired our journey. We carefully studied their prophecies about the coming Messiah, but it was Daniel, who wrote of the timing of the Savior’s arrival. It was going to be very soon! Micah disclosed the city of Bethlehem as our destination. But Daniel gave us the time of his arrival:

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.” Micah 5:2

“Know therefore and understand, That from the going forth of the command To restore and build Jerusalem Until Messiah the Prince, There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; Daniel 9: 25

We had a place and a start time for the clock of prophecy. We knew from the book of Ezra that the decree to restore and build Jerusalem was given by Artaxerxes the king of Persia to Ezra the priest in the fall of 457 BC. Our careful calculation to the Messiah starts here and moves forward 69 weeks. This is 483 days or years by applying the day to year principal as indicated by the other Hebrew prophets. The timing was tantalizing close to our time. To encourage us even more, we saw a star in the east that beaconed us to start our journey.

The People and Sights Along the Way

We have fought sandstorms, cold, and that never-ending heat! My back aches from the monotonous rocking of my camel’s steps.  It is like riding on a slow-moving boat pushed back and forth continually by repetitive ocean waves; perhaps another reason they call them ships of the desert. Despite all this, I am sure our inconveniences will be rewarded! We have put our hearts and time into this journey. We are certain the prophecies from the ancient scrolls are accurate.

The camels have done well, but like us, they enjoy the breaks we often take and the people we meet along the way.  When we pass through the many villages, the beasts become the center of attention for the children who try to feed them hay and anything else they can find.

The adults are filled with questions about our journey and our destination.  They want to know where we come from.  Their wide eyes reveal they are impressed with the distance we have traveled.  We are glad to share with them the news of the Messiah and what we know from the ancient scrolls.  Some consider us crazy, but many listen and wish they could go with us.  They call it an adventure, but we know it is more…so much more.

Night time is my favorite part of the day because of the brightness of the star guiding us and the peace that comes from the quiet; disturbed only by the crackling fire and the occasional snort of a tired camel. Our conversation around the fire is pleasant and lulls me into a deep sleep. 

The star is a constant reminder of the accuracy of the scrolls and a confirmation of our journey.  Many people we have met have seen the unusually bright star and wondered.  They don’t know what it means but are comforted by its beauty and marvel that its magnificence is not diminished by the light of day.  When we started, it was low on the horizon, but it is rising and become brighter as we have drawn nearer to our destination, Bethlehem!

I lean back on the saddle I have used as a pillow and enjoy the warmth of the fire.  I am warm and content.  My journal and mind are filling up with my notes.  I make this entry under the light from the twinkling star-lit night.

Now, we are only one day out from Jerusalem.  We hope to visit King Herod and celebrate with him the coming of the Messiah.  The town is surely busy with activity and celebration even though it has taken us many months to get this far.

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The Shepherds

Our anticipation grows so much that we wake in the clearness of the so we can arrive in Jerusalem early in the morning to seek audience with the king before we head off to Bethlehem only about 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) to the south of the capital city.

So I rise with the others, full of energy and anticipation of the day ahead of us.  We mount our ships of the desert, who match our excitement to start moving again.  This is going to be a good day! I can feel it!

The early morning air is cold and the star brighter than ever!  We hear music in the distance!  As we approach the outskirts of Jerusalem, we are greeted by shepherds watching over their sheep.  With wonder in their eyes, they run up to our caravan and ask us the usual questions about us: our destination and home.

I tell them the story of our journey and our wish to see the new baby king.  They are polite and respectful and let us speak first. When we have a pause, they begin to talk fast and together as if they will burst if their words are not heard.  Wonder and curiosity force us to quickly dismount our camels and gather around them.  They calm themselves and begin to talk one at a time.   Then begins their beautiful story of the events when the Messiah was born.

“We were in the field at night when we heard the sound of singing and joy and there was light all around us that lit up the countryside like it was daytime….only brighter.“

Then the next one speaks with equal intensity.“We were afraid! I turned my eyes toward the ground”

A third young man, a little older, says, “The brightness was coming from an angel who told us to fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”

“The angel told us to go to the city of David where we would find Christ the Lord and we would find a baby wrapped in *swaddling clothes lying in a manger.” (*See note at the end.)

Another one talks before the older one finishes,”The music continued and many more angels appeared high in the night sky!”

It is starting to come all together for me.  The older boy exclaims with confidence, “That star you have followed are angels.  They began to sing again as your caravan approached us.”

The youngest one blurts out, “After the angels appeared to us, we left our flocks and raced towards Bethlehem.  There we found a woman by the name of Mary and her husband Joseph and there in a manger was the baby they call Jesus.”

My heart pounds faster as I realize we now know the name of the king!  His name is Jesus! In the Greek, it means “Jehovah is Salvation.” The Hebrew name is Joshua. His mission is in His Name!

Their eyes are bright and they all nod their heads in agreement when the older shepherd boy slows down his words and says with tears in his eyes. “Our hearts are changed! We can’t stop talking about that night and the baby Jesus.  We have told everyone!  Even Mary rejoiced at our story!”

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Disappointment in Jerusalem

The visit with the young men has inspired and energized us!  We have also learned the name of the mother and father! It is an easier climb back on my camel.  Our strength has been renewed as well as our urgency to get to Bethlehem.  The music and praise in the heavens grow louder and brighter even as the yellow and orange of the sunrise pushes us toward Jerusalem and King Herod.

We arrive in Jerusalem by mid-morning. The angel star is quiet. The smell of food awakens our hunger. But, our great desire to see the king as soon as possible overrides all our other senses.

There is a crowd to meet us.  It is easy to notice they are not like the excited shepherds.  They are curious and seem afraid and worried.  Maybe it is our large caravan and the way we look.  Our skin and clothes are different.

We finally arrive at the king’s palace and request an audience with him.  To my surprise, we are immediately invited in.  A few of us go and the others mix with the growing crowd outside telling them of our journey and the new story from the shepherds which they had already heard.  And of course, the children ask many questions and try to feed the camels.

We wait for a long time before we are welcomed into the king’s presence. King Herod reflects the same aura as the people outside.  He looks concerned.  For a moment I wonder if we made a mistake coming here.

I am the first one to speak. In my excitement, I blurt out words without considering that I am talking to a king.

“Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”

I begin to think this was not a good question and statement…asking a reigning king about a king that will rule the Jews in the future.  The king struggles to stay polite and excuses himself.  We can hear him calling all his wise men and priests together, who were standing close by.  He tries to whisper so we can’t hear, but the cold palace lets his voice carry easily through its halls. Well, we didn’t get off to a good start.

He is angry and demands they tell him where this Christ would be born.  We hear them quote the same scrolls we studied before and after we left on our long journey.  The word “Bethlehem of Judea” is heard clearly.

We look at each other with the same surprise.  They have taken the words of their ancient prophets so lightly.  I feel foreboding and regret rising up within me as the king invites us back into his private chambers.

A forced smile appears on his troubled face. He apologizes for not being more hospitable and invites us to have some food and something to drink.  I am uncomfortable.  The meeting is uncomfortable.  We politely eat some of the food even though our hunger is of a different sort.

He asks about our trip and we tell him about our long journey, the star in the east, and the shepherds we met just outside of town.  We sense we should not be telling the king anything and look for an excuse to leave quickly.

Then he asks us a question he was eager to know.  It seemed to be the main reason for his talking with us hinged on this question.

“When was it you first saw the star and began the journey ?”

Reluctantly, I tell him it has been almost two years.  He then says in almost a whisper and an evil voice,

“Go and search for him and when you find him, bring him here to the palace that I might worship him too.”

With a jump and quick turn around, he immediately leaves us and disappears back into the palace.

The attendant escorts us back to our caravan and the crowd that has gathered. We never expected to have such a greeting.  I along with my friends have become suspicious and concerned.  We are glad to get back on our camels and back to following the star which has turned us south towards the sleepy little village of Bethlehem.

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Bethlehem

The sun has risen fast.  It waits for no one.  We continue our journey south towards Bethlehem.  It is a short distance, but we travel slowly enjoying the final leg of our journey.  It will be dark before we arrive.

The excitement of seeing the new king of the Jews comes back to our hearts as we travel along silently contemplating the events of last night and this morning.  The crowds have disappeared.

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There before us, lies the twinkling lights of the little city of Bethlehem!  The star is just above the peaceful town shining its clear light and casting shadows on the surrounding hillside. How beautiful it is! We feel happiness and express our joy and congratulations to each other.  A journey of hundreds of miles has brought us to this moment! A small group of people come to greet us at the entrance to the village.  We ask for Mary and Joseph.

The star is almost directly overhead, as a sweet girl escorts us to a tiny house near the edge of town.

Dismounting our camels, we hear the music again far up in the night sky. Mary greets us at the door as we crowd into the small clean home.

Jesus!

We feel the presence of royalty as the young toddler Jesus walks into the room.  Emotions overcome us and we fall down and worship the child we know to be the fulfillment of thousands of years of prophecy.  We have seen him in all the scrolls of the Jews many times.  The face of God is in his! We can sense a power that searches our hearts. Many of us weep and then gather ourselves so we can give our gifts.

We bring in our offerings of gold, frankincense, and myrrh and we celebrate our time with Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.  They make our visit enjoyable and pleasant.  We spend the night laughing and playing with little Jesus.  I take him up in my arms and show him the camels.  They are calm and peaceful as Jesus reaches out and touches them.  He wants to touch all of them!  Never before have I see such a face as the One who looks at me.  The others demand their time to hold him, so  I pass him to the other men.  I still feel his warmth in my arms and on my chest.  The journey has been worth every step and more.  My heart wants to burst with joy!  I feel alive!

The rest of the night is spent talking and eating. Too soon,  our time with Mary, Joseph, and Jesus is finished. Before we leave we ask for permission to anoint Jesus with more gifts we brought. It is a special moment when we place the sweet smell upon the head of Jesus as he sits in his mother’s lap.  We are content and feel the presence of God in the room and in the sparkling eyes of the little king.

I am in wonder about why more people do not understand, that here before us is Immanuel (God with us)! This little boy will grow up to save the world from eternal death!  He will pay the penalty that we deserve and teach us spiritual things about the kingdom of God!  It is all in the ancient scrolls!

We wish to stay, but feel we must begin our journey back.  We promise to return when the child is older.  We know from the writings of the prophet Daniel, that the young child will live to be only about 30 years old and then he will sacrifice himself for the sins of the people and rise on the third day to show his power over the clutches of the grave and death.

Our wish is to return when he is older, but in the meantime, we pledge among ourselves to share, in our homeland, the good news of the birth of Jesus.  We will begin to tell our story with those we will meet along the way back to our home in the west.

We say our good-byes to Jesus, Mary, and Joseph and begin to head back north through the city.

A Detour Home-Danger!

I am stopped in my tracks as I begin to consider our strange visit with King Herod.

An man appears to me and tells me to  take a different path home and head due east instead of retracing our journey.  The king is up to some evil and we don’t want to help him in any way.  We probably made a mistake visiting him and giving him information about the approximate age of the baby Jesus.  It is an unfortunate turn of events. We are going to miss the young shepherd boys on the way back.  I was looking forward to telling them of our visit.

The star is gone as we begin our travel home.  We stop to rest when we feel we have put some distance between us and King Herod.  Around the fire, we talk about our great journey and look again at scripture.  We come across a disturbing message from the prophet Jeremiah:

“Thus says the Lord:
“A voice is heard in Ramah,
    lamentation and bitter weeping.
Rachel is weeping for her children;
    she refuses to be comforted for her children,
    because they are no more.”

Jeremiah 31:15

Soon the voices and the fire go out and we sleep…exhausted from excitement and the sleep we missed,I can feel the warmth of my camel next to me. The trip home will be long, but it will go fast as we tell the wonderful story of Jesus along the way.

Later, the next day, we hear the news and fulfillment of that passage in Jeremiah that troubled us.  King Herod had all the male children 2 years old and younger killed.  What a cruel and foolish man!

We also got news that Joseph was warned of Herod’s intention and our friends Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus escaped to the safety of Egypt.

Later, we would learn Joseph took his family to a little town called Nazareth after Herod died.

More fulfillment of the ancient scrolls:

“And out of Egypt, I called my son.”

Hosea 11:1

Our journey to find Jesus was long and difficult, but we have been transformed by it. The scrolls, the star, the shepherds even the evil king Herod has made us wiser. But most of all, it has made us a believer in Jesus.

We will continue to study the ancient scrolls because now that we have seen Jesus ourselves, we can see Him in every story told there.

So many scrolls to read, so little time.

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:13

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My friends, join me in a Christmas worship of the One who gave all that we might have all.  Let us fall on our knees this night as we think about the birth of Jesus and the visit of men who were seeking Him.  They found Him!  Have you?

*Swaddling clothes were strips that were often used to prepare the body for burial. They would wrap (swath) them in linen and then add strips around the head and feet (See John 20:7-Jesus and John 11:44-Lazarus). Jesus at birth was wrapped in the cloth for dead people. His mission from the start was to die!

Click here for a beautiful video and song:

Oh Holy Night!

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For additional study:

Jesus’  first coming was predicted in hundreds of Old Testament writings!

The one prophecy that pinpoints the exact time of His coming which helped in the wise men’s timing of their journey and a brief outline of his life, death, and ministry is found in Daniel 9.  To know more about this prophecy, click here:  https://www.answersfromscriptureonline.com/2017/11/19/daniel-revelation-part-6-longest-time-prophecy/

353 prophecies about the first coming of Christ are below. Much more concerning his second coming…will discuss in future posts.

Scripture Prophecy Fulfillment
1. Gen. 3:15Seed of a woman (virgin birth)Galatians 4:4-5, Matthew 1:18
2. Gen. 3:15He will bruise Satan’s headHebrews 2:14, 1John 3:8
3. Gen. 3:15Christ’s heel would be bruised with nails on the crossMatthew 27:35, Luke 24:39-40
4. Gen. 5:24The bodily ascension to heaven illustratedMark 16:19, Rev. 12:5
5. Gen. 9:26, 27The God of Shem will be the Son of ShemLuke 3:23-36
6. Gen. 12:3Seed of Abraham will bless all nationsGalatians 3:8, Acts 3:25, 26
7. Gen. 12:7The Promise made to Abraham’s SeedGalatians 3:16
8. Gen. 14:18A priest after the order of MelchizedekHebrews 6:20
9. Gen. 14:18King of Peace and RighteousnessHebrews 7:2
10. Gen. 14:18The Last Supper foreshadowedMatthew 26:26-29
11. Gen. 17:19Seed of Isaac (Gen. 21:12)Romans 9:7
12. Gen. 22:8The Lamb of God promisedJohn 1:29
13. Gen. 22:18As Isaac’s seed, will bless all nationsGalatians 3:16
14. Gen. 26:2-5The Seed of Isaac promised as the RedeemerHebrews 11:18
15. Gen. 28:12The Bridge to heavenJohn 1:51
16. Gen. 28:14The Seed of JacobLuke 3:34
17. Gen. 49:10The time of His comingLuke 2:1-7; Galatians 4:4
18. Gen. 49:10The Seed of JudahLuke 3:33
19. Gen. 49:10Called Shiloh or One SentJohn 17:3
20. Gen. 49:10Messiah to come before Judah lost identityJohn 11:47-52
21. Gen. 49:10Unto Him shall the obedience of the people beJohn 10:16
22. Ex. 3:13-15The Great “I AM”John 4:26; 8:58
23. Ex. 12:3-6The Lamb presented to Israel 4 days before PassoverMark 11:7-11
24. Ex. 12:5A Lamb without blemishHebrews 9:14; 1Peter 1:19
25. Ex. 12:13The blood of the Lamb saves from wrathRomans 5:8
26. Ex. 12:21-27Christ is our Passover1Corinthians 5:7
27. Ex. 12:46Not a bone of the Lamb to be brokenJohn 19:31-36
28. Ex. 15:2His exaltation predicted as YeshuaActs 7:55, 56
29. Ex. 15:11His Character-HolinessLuke 1:35; Acts 4:27
30. Ex. 17:6The Spiritual Rock of Israel1Corinthians 10:4
31. Ex. 33:19His Character-MercifulLuke 1:72
32. Lev. 1:2-9His sacrifice a sweet smelling savor unto GodEphesians 5:2
33. Lev. 14:11The leper cleansed-Sign to priesthoodLuke 5:12-14; Acts 6:7
34. Lev. 16:15-17Prefigures Christ’s once-for-all deathHebrews 9:7-14
35. Lev. 16:27Suffering outside the CampMatthew 27:33; Heb. 13:11, 12
36. Lev. 17:11The Blood-the life of the fleshMatthew 26:28; Mark 10:45
37. Lev. 17:11It is the blood that makes atonementRom. 3:23-24; 1John 1:7
38. Lev. 23:36-37The Drink-offering: “If any man thirst”John 7:37
39. Num. 9:12Not a bone of Him brokenJohn 19:31-36
40. Num. 21:9The serpent on a pole-Christ lifted upJohn 3:14-18; 12:32
41. Num. 24:17Time: “I shall see him, but not now.”John 1:14; Galatians 4:4
42. Deut. 18:15“This is of a truth that prophet.”John 6:14
43. Deut. 18:15-16“Had ye believed Moses, ye would believe me.”John 5:45-47
44. Deut. 18:18Sent by the Father to speak His wordJohn 8:28, 29
45. Deut. 18:19Whoever will not hear must bear his sinActs 3:22-23
46. Deut. 21:23Cursed is he that hangs on a treeGalatians 3:10-13
47. Joshua 5:14-15The Captain of our salvationHebrews 2:10
48. Ruth 4:4-10Christ, our kinsman, has redeemed usEphesians 1:3-7
49. 1 Sam. 2:35A Faithful PriestHeb. 2:17; 3:1-3, 6; 7:24-25
50. 1 Sam. 2:10Shall be an anointed King to the LordMt. 28:18, John 12:15
51. 2 Sam. 7:12David’s SeedMatthew 1:1
52. 2 Sam. 7:13His Kingdom is everlasting2Peter 1:11
53. 2 Sam. 7:14The Son of GodLuke 1:32, Romans 1:3-4
54. 2 Sam. 7:16David’s house established foreverLuke 3:31; Rev. 22:16
55. 2 Ki. 2:11The bodily ascension to heaven illustratedLuke 24:51
56. 1 Chr. 17:11David’s SeedMatthew 1:1; 9:27
57. 1 Chr. 17:12-13To reign on David’s throne foreverLuke 1:32, 33
58. 1 Chr. 17:13“I will be His Father, He…my Son.”Hebrews 1:5
59. Job 9:32-33Mediator between man and God1 Timothy 2:5
60. Job 19:23-27The Resurrection predictedJohn 5:24-29
61. Psa. 2:1-3The enmity of kings foreordainedActs 4:25-28
62. Psa. 2:2To own the title, Anointed (Christ)John 1:41, Acts 2:36
63. Psa. 2:6His Character-HolinessJohn 8:46; Revelation 3:7
64. Psa. 2:6To own the title KingMatthew 2:2
65. Psa. 2:7Declared the Beloved SonMatthew 3:17, Romans 1:4
66. Psa. 2:7, 8The Crucifixion and Resurrection intimatedActs 13:29-33
67. Psa. 2:8, 9Rule the nations with a rod of ironRev. 2:27; 12:5; 19:15
68. Psa. 2:12Life comes through faith in HimJohn 20:31
69. Psa. 8:2The mouths of babes perfect His praiseMatthew 21:16
70. Psa. 8:5, 6His humiliation and exaltationHebrews 2:5-9
71. Psa. 9:7-10Judge the world in righteousnessActs 17:31
72. Psa. 16:10Was not to see corruptionActs 2:31; 13:35
73. Psa. 16:9-11Was to arise from the deadJohn 20:9
74. Psa. 17:15The resurrection predictedLuke 24:6
75. Psa. 18:2-3The horn of salvationLuke 1:69-71
76. Psa. 22:1Forsaken because of sins of others2 Corinthians 5:21
77. Psa. 22:1“My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”Matthew 27:46
78. Psa. 22:2Darkness upon Calvary for three hoursMatthew 27:45
79. Psa. 22:7They shoot out the lip and shake the headMatthew 27:39-44
80. Psa. 22:8“He trusted in God, let Him deliver Him”Matthew 27:43
81. Psa. 22:9-10Born the SaviourLuke 2:7
82. Psa. 22:12-13They seek His deathJohn 19:6
83. Psa. 22:14His blood poured out when they pierced His sideJohn 19:34
84. Psa. 22:14, 15Suffered agony on CalvaryMark 15:34-37
85. Psa. 22:15He thirstedJohn 19:28
86. Psa. 22:16They pierced His hands and His feetJohn 19:34, 37; 20:27
87. Psa. 22:17, 18Stripped Him before the stares of menLuke 23:34, 35
88. Psa. 22:18They parted His garmentsJohn 19:23, 24
89. Psa. 22:20, 21He committed Himself to GodLuke 23:46
90. Psa. 22:20, 21Satanic power bruising the Redeemer’s heelHebrews 2:14
91. Psa. 22:22His Resurrection declaredJohn 20:17
92. Psa. 22:27-28He shall be the governor of the nationsColossians 1:16
93. Psa. 22:31“It is finished”John 19:30, Heb. 10:10, 12, 14, 18
94. Psa. 23:1“I am the Good Shepherd”John 10:11, 1Peter 2:25
95. Psa. 24:3His exaltation predictedActs 1:11; Philippians 2:9
96. Psa. 30:3His resurrection predictedActs 2:32
97. Psa. 31:5“Into thy hands I commit my spirit”Luke 23:46
98. Psa. 31:11His acquaintances fled from HimMark 14:50
99. Psa. 31:13They took counsel to put Him to deathMt. 27:1, John 11:53
100. Psa. 31:14, 15“He trusted in God, let Him deliver him”Matthew 27:43
101. Psa. 34:20Not a bone of Him brokenJohn 19:31-36
102. Psa. 35:11False witnesses rose up against HimMatthew 26:59
103. Psa. 35:19He was hated without a causeJohn 15:25
104. Psa. 38:11His friends stood afar offLuke 23:49
105. Psa. 38:12Enemies try to entangle Him by craftMark 14:1, Mt. 22:15
106. Psa. 38:12-13Silent before His accusersMatthew 27:12-14
107. Psa. 38:20He went about doing goodActs 10:38
108. Psa. 40:2-5The joy of His resurrection predictedJohn 20:20
109. Psa. 40:6-8His delight-the will of the FatherJohn 4:34, Heb. 10:5-10
110. Psa. 40:9He was to preach the Righteousness in IsraelMatthew 4:17
111. Psa. 40:14Confronted by adversaries in the GardenJohn 18:4-6
112. Psa. 41:9Betrayed by a familiar friendJohn 13:18
113. Psa. 45:2Words of Grace come from His lipsJohn 1:17, Luke 4:22
114. Psa. 45:6To own the title, God or ElohimHebrews 1:8
115. Psa. 45:7A special anointing by the Holy SpiritMt. 3:16; Heb. 1:9
116. Psa. 45:7, 8Called the Christ (Messiah or Anointed)Luke 2:11
117. Psa. 45:17His name remembered foreverEphesians 1:20-21, Heb. 1:8
118. Psa. 55:12-14Betrayed by a friend, not an enemyJohn 13:18
119. Psa. 55:15Unrepentant death of the BetrayerMatthew 27:3-5; Acts 1:16-19
120. Psa. 68:18To give gifts to menEphesians 4:7-16
121. Psa. 68:18Ascended into HeavenLuke 24:51
122. Psa. 69:4Hated without a causeJohn 15:25
123. Psa. 69:8A stranger to own brethrenJohn 1:11; 7:5
124. Psa. 69:9Zealous for the Lord’s HouseJohn 2:17
125. Psa. 69:14-20Messiah’s anguish of soul before crucifixionMatthew 26:36-45
126. Psa. 69:20“My soul is exceeding sorrowful.”Matthew 26:38
127. Psa. 69:21Given vinegar in thirstMatthew 27:34
128. Psa. 69:26The Saviour given and smitten by GodJohn 17:4; 18:11
129. Psa. 72:10, 11Great persons were to visit HimMatthew 2:1-11
130. Psa. 72:16The corn of wheat to fall into the GroundJohn 12:24-25
131. Psa. 72:17Belief on His name will produce offspringJohn 1:12, 13
132. Psa. 72:17All nations shall be blessed by HimGalatians 3:8
133. Psa. 72:17All nations shall call Him blessedJohn 12:13, Rev. 5:8-12
134. Psa. 78:1-2He would teach in parablesMatthew 13:34-35
135. Psa. 78:2To speak the Wisdom of God with authorityMatthew 7:29
136. Psa. 80:17The Man of God’s right handMark 14:61-62
137. Psa. 88The Suffering and Reproach of CalvaryMatthew 27:26-50
138. Psa. 88:8They stood afar off and watchedLuke 23:49
139. Psa. 89:27FirstbornColossians 1:15, 18
140. Psa. 89:27Emmanuel to be higher than earthly kingsLuke 1:32, 33
141. Psa. 89:35-37David’s Seed, throne, kingdom endure foreverLuke 1:32, 33
142. Psa. 89:36-37His character-FaithfulnessRevelation 1:5; 19:11
143. Psa. 90:2He is from everlasting (Micah 5:2)John 1:1
144. Psa. 91:11, 12Identified as Messianic; used to tempt ChristLuke 4:10, 11
145. Psa. 97:9His exaltation predictedActs 1:11; Ephesians 1:20
146. Psa. 100:5His character-GoodnessMatthew 19:16, 17
147. Psa. 102:1-11The Suffering and Reproach of CalvaryJohn 19:16-30
148. Psa. 102:25-27Messiah is the Preexistent SonHebrews 1:10-12
149. Psa. 109:25RidiculedMatthew 27:39
150. Psa. 110:1Son of DavidMatthew 22:42-43
151. Psa. 110:1To ascend to the right-hand of the FatherMark 16:19
152. Psa. 110:1David’s son called LordMatthew 22:44, 45
153. Psa. 110:4A priest after Melchizedek’s orderHebrews 6:20
154. Psa. 112:4His character-Compassionate, Gracious, et alMatthew 9:36
155. Psa. 118:17, 18Messiah’s Resurrection assuredLuke 24:5-7; 1Cor. 15:20
156. Psa. 118:22, 23The rejected stone is Head of the cornerMatthew 21:42, 43
157. Psa. 118:26The Blessed One presented to IsraelMatthew 21:9
158. Psa. 118:26To come while Temple standingMatthew 21:12-15
159. Psa. 132:11The Seed of David (the fruit of His Body)Luke 1:32, Act 2:30
160. Psa. 129:3He was scourgedMatthew 27:26
161. Psa. 138:1-6The supremacy of David’s Seed amazes kingsMatthew 2:2-6
162. Psa. 147:3, 6The earthly ministry of Christ describedLuke 4:18
163. Prov. 1:23He will send the Spirit of GodJohn 16:7
164. Prov. 8:23Foreordained from everlastingRev. 13:8, 1Peter 1:19-20
165. Song. 5:16The altogether lovely OneJohn 1:17
166. Isa. 2:3He shall teach all nationsJohn 4:25
167. Isa. 2:4He shall judge among the nationsJohn 5:22
168. Isa. 6:1When Isaiah saw His gloryJohn 12:40-41
169. Isa. 6:8The One Sent by GodJohn 12:38-45
170. Isa. 6:9-10Parables fall on deaf earsMatthew 13:13-15
171. Isa. 6:9-12Blinded to Christ and deaf to His wordsActs 28:23-29
172. Isa. 7:14To be born of a virginLuke 1:35
173. Isa. 7:14To be Emmanuel-God with usMatthew 1:18-23, 1Tim. 3:16
174. Isa. 8:8Called EmmanuelMatthew 28:20
175. Isa. 8:14A stone of stumbling, a Rock of offense1Peter 2:8
176. Isa. 9:1, 2His ministry to begin in GalileeMatthew 4:12-17
177. Isa. 9:6A child born-HumanityLuke 1:31
178. Isa. 9:6A Son given-DeityLuke 1:32, John 1:14, 1Tim. 3:16
179. Isa. 9:6Declared to be the Son of God with powerRomans 1:3, 4
180. Isa. 9:6The Wonderful One, PelehLuke 4:22
181. Isa. 9:6The Counsellor, YaatzMatthew 13:54
182. Isa. 9:6The Mighty God, El Gibor1Cor. 1:24, Titus 2:13
183. Isa. 9:6The Everlasting Father, Avi AdthJohn 8:58; 10:30
184. Isa. 9:6The Prince of Peace, Sar ShalomJohn 16:33
185. Isa. 9:7Inherits the throne of DavidLuke 1:32
186. Isa. 9:7His Character-JustJohn 5:30
187. Isa. 9:7No end to his Government, Throne, and kingdomLuke 1:33
188. Isa. 11:1Called a Nazarene-the Branch, NetzerMatthew 2:23
189. Isa. 11:1A rod out of Jesse-Son of JesseLuke 3:23, 32
190. Isa. 11:2Anointed One by the SpiritMatthew 3:16, 17, Acts 10:38
191. Isa. 11:2His Character-Wisdom, Knowledge, et alColossians 2:3
192. Isa. 11:3He would know their thoughtsLuke 6:8, John 2:25
193. Isa. 11:4Judge in righteousnessActs 17:31
194. Isa. 11:4Judges with the sword of His mouthRev. 2:16; 19:11, 15
195. Isa. 11:5Character: Righteous & FaithfulRev. 19:11
196. Isa. 11:10The Gentiles seek HimJohn 12:18-21
197. Isa. 12:2Called Jesus-YeshuaMatthew 1:21
198. Isa. 22:22The One given all authority to governRevelation 3:7
199. Isa. 25:8The Resurrection predicted1Corinthians 15:54
200. Isa. 26:19His power of Resurrection predictedMatthew 27:50-54
201. Isa. 28:16The Messiah is the precious corner stoneActs 4:11, 12
202. Isa. 28:16The Sure Foundation1Corinthians 3:11, Mt. 16:18
203. Isa. 29:13He indicated hypocritical obedience to His WordMatthew 15:7-9
204. Isa. 29:14The wise are confounded by the Word1Corinthians 1:18-31
205. Isa. 32:2A Refuge-A man shall be a hiding placeMatthew 23:37
206. Isa. 35:4He will come and save youMatthew 1:21
207. Isa. 35:5-6To have a ministry of miraclesMatthew 11:2-6
208. Isa. 40:3, 4Preceded by forerunnerJohn 1:23
209. Isa. 40:9“Behold your God.”John 1:36; 19:14
210. Isa. 40:10.He will come to rewardRevelation 22:12
211. Isa. 40:11A shepherd-compassionate life-giverJohn 10:10-18
212. Isa. 42:1-4The Servant-as a faithful, patient redeemerMatthew 12:18-21
213. Isa. 42:2Meek and lowlyMatthew 11:28-30
214. Isa. 42:3He brings hope for the hopelessMt. 12:14-21; John 4:1-54
215. Isa. 42:4The nations shall wait on His teachingsJohn 12:20-26
216. Isa. 42:6The Light (salvation) of the GentilesLuke 2:32
217. Isa. 42:1, 6His is a worldwide compassionMatthew 28:19, 20
218. Isa. 42:7Blind eyes opened.John 9:25-38
219. Isa. 43:11He is the only Saviour.Acts 4:12
220. Isa. 44:3He will send the Spirit of GodJohn 16:7, 13
221. Isa. 45:21-25He is Lord and SaviourPhilippians 3:20, Titus 2:13
222. Isa. 45:23He will be the JudgeJohn 5:22; Romans 14:11
223. Isa. 46:9, 10Declares things not yet doneJohn 13:19
224. Isa. 48:12The First and the LastJohn 1:30, Revelation 1:8, 17
225. Isa. 48:16, 17He came as a TeacherJohn 3:2
226. Isa. 49:1Called from the womb-His humanityMatthew 1:18
227. Isa. 49:5A Servant from the womb.Luke 1:31, Philippians 2:7
228. Isa. 49:6He will restore IsraelActs 3:19-21; 15:16-17
229. Isa. 49:6He is Salvation for IsraelLuke 2:29-32
230. Isa. 49:6He is the Light of the GentilesJohn 8:12, Acts 13:47
231. Isa. 49:6He is Salvation unto the ends of the earthActs 15:7-18
232. Isa. 49:7He is despised of the NationJohn 1:11; 8:48-49; 19:14-15
233. Isa. 50:3Heaven is clothed in black at His humiliationLuke 23:44, 45
234. Isa. 50:4He is a learned counselor for the wearyMatthew 7:29; 11:28, 29
235. Isa. 50:5The Servant bound willingly to obedienceMatthew 26:39
236. Isa. 50:6“I gave my back to the smiters.”Matthew 27:26
237. Isa. 50:6He was smitten on the cheeksMatthew 26:67
238. Isa. 50:6He was spat uponMatthew 27:30
239. Isa. 52:7Published good tidings upon mountainsMatthew 5:12; 15:29; 28:16
240. Isa. 52:13The Servant exaltedActs 1:8-11; Eph. 1:19-22, Php. 2:5-9
241. Isa. 52:14The Servant shockingly abusedLuke 18:31-34; Mt. 26:67, 68
242. Isa. 52:15Nations startled by message of the ServantLuke 18:31-34; Mt. 26:67, 68
243. Isa. 52:15His blood shed sprinkles nationsHebrews 9:13-14, Rev. 1:5
244. Isa. 53:1His people would not believe HimJohn 12:37-38
245. Isa. 53:2Appearance of an ordinary manPhilippians 2:6-8
246. Isa. 53:3DespisedLuke 4:28-29
247. Isa. 53:3RejectedMatthew 27:21-23
248. Isa. 53:3Great sorrow and griefMatthew 26:37-38, Luke 19:41, Heb. 4:15
249. Isa. 53:3Men hide from being associated with HimMark 14:50-52
250. Isa. 53:4He would have a healing ministryMatthew 8:16-17
251. Isa. 53:4Thought to be cursed by GodMatthew 26:66; 27:41-43
252. Isa. 53:5Bears penalty for mankind’s iniquities2Cor. 5:21, Heb. 2:9
253. Isa. 53:5His sacrifice provides peace between man and GodColossians 1:20
254. Isa. 53:5His sacrifice would heal man of sin1Peter 2:24
255. Isa. 53:6He would be the sin-bearer for all mankind1John 2:2; 4:10
256. Isa. 53:6God’s will that He bear sin for all mankindGalatians 1:4
257. Isa. 53:7Oppressed and afflictedMatthew 27:27-31
258. Isa. 53:7Silent before his accusersMatthew 27:12-14
259. Isa. 53:7Sacrificial lambJohn 1:29, 1Peter 1:18-19
260. Isa. 53:8Confined and persecutedMatthew 26:47-75; 27:1-31
261. Isa. 53:8He would be judgedJohn 18:13-22
262. Isa. 53:8KilledMatthew 27:35
263. Isa. 53:8Dies for the sins of the world1John 2:2
264. Isa. 53:9Buried in a rich man’s graveMatthew 27:57
265. Isa. 53:9Innocent and had done no violenceLuke 23:41, John 18:38
266. Isa. 53:9No deceit in his mouth1Peter 2:22
267. Isa. 53:10God’s will that He die for mankindJohn 18:11
268. Isa. 53:10An offering for sinMatthew 20:28, Galatians 3:13
269. Isa. 53:10Resurrected and live foreverRomans 6:9
270. Isa. 53:10He would prosperJohn 17:1-5
271. Isa. 53:11God fully satisfied with His sufferingJohn 12:27
272. Isa. 53:11God’s servant would justify manRomans 5:8-9, 18-19
273. Isa. 53:11The sin-bearer for all mankindHebrews 9:28
274. Isa. 53:12Exalted by God because of his sacrificeMatthew 28:18
275. Isa. 53:12He would give up his life to save mankindLuke 23:46
276. Isa. 53:12Numbered with the transgressorsMark 15:27-28; Luke 22:37
277. Isa. 53:12Sin-bearer for all mankind1Peter 2:24
278. Isa. 53:12Intercede to God in behalf of mankindLuke 23:34, Rom. 8:34
279. Isa. 55:3Resurrected by GodActs 13:34
280. Isa. 55:4A witnessJohn 18:37
281. Isa. 55:4He is a leader and commanderHebrews 2:10
282. Isa. 55:5God would glorify HimActs 3:13
283. Isa. 59:16aIntercessor between man and GodMatthew 10:32
284. Isa. 59:16bHe would come to provide salvationJohn 6:40
285. Isa. 59:20He would come to Zion as their RedeemerLuke 2:38
286. Isa. 60:1-3He would shew light to the GentilesActs 26:23
287. Isa. 61:1The Spirit of God upon himMatthew 3:16-17
288. Isa. 61:1The Messiah would preach the good newsLuke 4:16-21
289. Isa. 61:1Provide freedom from the bondage of sinJohn 8:31-36
290. Isa. 61:1-2Proclaim a period of graceGalatians 4:4-5
291. Jer. 11:21Conspiracy to kill JesusJohn 7:1, Matthew 21:38
292. Jer. 23:5-6Descendant of DavidLuke 3:23-31
293. Jer. 23:5-6The Messiah would be both God and ManJohn 13:13, 1Ti 3:16
294. Jer. 31:22Born of a virginMatthew 1:18-20
295. Jer. 31:31The Messiah would be the new covenantMatthew 26:28
296. Jer. 33:14-15Descendant of DavidLuke 3:23-31
297. Eze.34:23-24Descendant of DavidMatthew 1:1
298. Eze.37:24-25Descendant of DavidLuke 1:31-33
299. Dan. 2:44-45The Stone that shall break the kingdomsMatthew 21:44
300. Dan. 7:13-14He would ascend into heavenActs 1:9-11
301. Dan. 7:13-14Highly exaltedEphesians 1:20-22
302. Dan. 7:13-14His dominion would be everlastingLuke 1:31-33
303. Dan. 9:24To make an end to sinsGalatians 1:3-5
304. Dan. 9:24To make reconciliation for iniquityRomans 5:10, 2Cor. 5:18-21
305. Dan. 9:24He would be holyLuke 1:35
306. Dan. 9:25His announcementJohn 12:12-13
307. Dan. 9:26Cut offMatthew 16:21; 21:38-39
308. Dan. 9:26Die for the sins of the worldHebrews 2:9
309. Dan. 9:26Killed before the destruction of the templeMatthew 27:50-51
310. Dan. 10:5-6Messiah in a glorified stateRevelation 1:13-16
311. Hos. 11:1He would be called out of EgyptMatthew 2:15
312. Hos. 13:14He would defeat death1Corinthians 15:55-57
313. Joel 2:32Offer salvation to all mankindRomans 10:9-13
314. Jonah 1:17Death and resurrection of ChristMatthew 12:40; 16:4
315. Mic. 5:2Born in BethlehemMatthew 2:1-6
316. Mic. 5:2Ruler in IsraelLuke 1:33
317. Mic. 5:2From everlastingJohn 8:58
318. Hag. 2:6-9He would visit the second TempleLuke 2:27-32
319. Hag. 2:23Descendant of ZerubbabelLuke 2:27-32
320. Zech. 3:8God’s servantJohn 17:4
321. Zech. 6:12-13Priest and KingHebrews 8:1
322. Zech. 9:9Greeted with rejoicing in JerusalemMatthew 21:8-10
323. Zech. 9:9Beheld as KingJohn 12:12-13
324. Zech. 9:9The Messiah would be justJohn 5:30
325. Zech. 9:9The Messiah would bring salvationLuke 19:10
326. Zech. 9:9The Messiah would be humbleMatthew 11:29
327. Zech. 9:9Presented to Jerusalem riding on a donkeyMatthew 21:6-9
328. Zech. 10:4The cornerstoneEphesians 2:20
329. Zech. 11:4-6At His coming, Israel to have unfit leadersMatthew 23:1-4
330. Zech. 11:4-6Rejection causes God to remove His protectionLuke 19:41-44
331. Zech. 11:4-6Rejected in favor of another kingJohn 19:13-15
332. Zech. 11:7Ministry to “poor,” the believing remnantMatthew 9:35-36
333. Zech. 11:8Unbelief forces Messiah to reject themMatthew 23:33
334. Zech. 11:8DespisedMatthew 27:20
335. Zech. 11:9Stops ministering to those who rejected HimMatthew 13:10-11
336. Zech. 11:10-11Rejection causes God to remove protectionLuke 19:41-44
337. Zech. 11:10-11The Messiah would be GodJohn 14:7
338. Zech. 11:12-13Betrayed for thirty pieces of silverMatthew 26:14-15
339. Zech. 11:12-13RejectedMatthew 26:14-15
340. Zech. 11:12-13Thirty pieces of silver cast in the house of the LordMatthew 27:3-5
341. Zech. 11:12-13The Messiah would be GodJohn 12:45
342. Zech. 12:10The Messiah’s body would be piercedJohn 19:34-37
343. Zech. 12:10The Messiah would be both God and manJohn 10:30
344. Zech. 12:10The Messiah would be rejectedJohn 1:11
345. Zech. 13:7God’s will He die for mankindJohn 18:11
346. Zech. 13:A violent deathMark 14:27
347. Zech. 13:7Both God and manJohn 14:9
348. Zech. 13:7Israel scattered as a result of rejecting HimMatthew 26:31-56
349. Zech. 14:4He would return to the Mt. of OlivesActs 1:11-12
350. Mal. 3:1Messenger to prepare the way for MessiahMark 1:1-8
351. Mal. 3:1Sudden appearance at the templeMark 11:15-16
352. Mal. 3:1Messenger of the new covenantLuke 4:43
353. Mal. 3:6The God who changes notHebrews 13:8
354. Mal. 4:5Forerunner in spirit of ElijahMt. 3:1-3; 11:10-14; 17:11-13
355. Mal. 4:6Forerunner would turn many to righteousnessLuke 1:16-17

Reasons to Believe

CONTEXT-PART 6-LUKE’S PARABLES SUMMARIZED

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Luke recorded the most parables (25). Eighteen of them are unique among the gospel writers. One of those is the Rich Man and Lazarus…the most misunderstood of all the parables. This will be reviewed next time.

As I studied each parable I put them in a chart. By doing so, I noticed a pattern. This pattern consisted of these three points:

1.) There was an instance or question that prompted Jesus to respond. The context for His response is critical in understanding the point of the parable.

2.) The parable was not an actual event nor actual people. They were not the focus of the parable. The story is used like an example to illustrate a truth about the kingdom of God.

3.) The point of the story most often comes at the end, where Jesus usually speaks it plainly. However, in a few instances, it is not explained especially when it is against the religious leaders and even Israel itself.

As human beings, we learn best by seeing or hearing examples. These parables fall into that category of learning. But, as I soon discovered, there are different types of hearers! Some listeners would hear and respond and become followers. Some would hear and not give it another thought. They would go on their merry way. While others didn’t understand the parable at all.

Below are my notes from each parable in Luke. For maximum benefit, please prayerfully read the parable then compare with my short notes. My emphasis is on the context and the message. These parables are of no use unless we hear (understand) and apply them personally.

The series of parable recorded by Luke ends with the parable of the fig tree and the need to watch for signs of His second coming. Deception will be involved so we need to test every claim against God’s word.

Beware of relying on headings in your Bible to locate parables. A parable of Jesus It is always found in the context and structure of Jesus teaching. Headings were not part of the oldest manuscripts. In fact, there was no paragraphs or punctuation in those ancient writings. They are for organizational purposes only. Just because a section is not marked as a parable, does not mean it is not.

Probably one of the most interesting and debated parables is the one about the Rich Man and Lazarus. Only Luke records this parable. I have heard well-known pastors assert that this is not a parable, but an actual event. I will discuss this more in the next (and last) blog on this topic of Context. But, for now, let’s contemplate the power of context by understanding Jesus’ parables and the application of His teaching about the kingdom of God.

Following is a summary of each one of the parables in this useful chart. Next time we will discuss the most misunderstood parable of all these parables.

TitleTrigger
(Context)		Message
Sower
8:4-7		Large crowd. Universal messageExplained to the disciples in 8: 11-17. Good soil…good hearers who produce fruit. Danger to those who give up due to trials and allowing Satan to take it away.
Covering up the lamp
8: 16-18		Likely a continuation from the previous parable. Spoken only to His disciples.“nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light.”
Good Samaritan 10: 25-28A lawyer asks about what could he do to inherit eternal life. Jesus responded by asking a question. The lawyer answers by quoting the Tora. Jesus explains in detail who is a neighbor.Everyone is a neighbor. When someone who is in need, regardless of who they are, they should be extended mercy and help. Don’t discriminate!
A Midnight Friend
11: 5-8		Disciples wanted Jesus to teach them how to prayPersistence in prayer to God (our friend) will produce results. “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”
Unclean Spirit Goes Away. Seven return
11: 24-26		Jesus accused of casting out demons by Beelzebub (Satan).“the last state of that man is worse than the first.” A clean house (life) unoccupied by God’s Spirit can be dangerous to the person initially made clean.
Lamp of the Body
11: 33-36		Crowd was seeking a sign. Jesus gave them the sign of Jonah, queen of the south and Solomon.Be careful that the light in you is not darkness. What you think is truth is really error. If you have light with no darkness, it will be made known to others and yourself.
Sparrows Worth VS the worth of humans
12: 4-7		A very large crowd gathers and Jesus starts by telling his disciples to beware of the “leaven of the Pharisees.”Don’t fear what man can do you, even up to killing your body. They can kill the body but can’t kill soul, but God can. It is more important to fear God. Notice that the soul is not immortal. It can be killed by the Lord. You are more important than a sparrow.
Rich Fool
12: 13-21		“Then one from the crowd said to Him, ‘Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.’” ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you (for thinking only of yourself);…“So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” Do not worry about your life, what you shall eat… “Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.”
Faithful and Unfaithful Servant
12: 35-48		After the parable above (Rich Fool), Jesus turns to the disciples. It appears to be for them only (see v. 41) “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.… For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.“
Barren Fig Tree
13: 6-9		Some present told Jesus about the recent slaughter of the Galileans by Pilate and the accident of the tower at Siloam. By Jesus answer, they seem to think these were judgements of God, which He denies. His answer clarifies what is necessary in each person’s life (ie repent or perish.)The fig tree Israel) bore no fruit for three years. The owner wanted to cut it down, but the keeper of the vineyard wanted a little more time (God’s patience and grace toward Israel). This time indicates that Israel would bear no fruit and would be cut down. Just as God was patient with Israel for 3 1/2 years of His physical visitation, God is patient with us to bear fruit. If not, we will be cut down (perish)
Mustard Seed
13: 18-19		The ruler of the Synagogue was indignant because Jesus healed a woman on the Sabbath of an infirmity she had for eighteen years Kingdom of God is compared to a small seed that grows into a large tree where all of creation is benefited by it. A place to rest (nest). Israel had become exclusive and isolated itself from the rest of the world. They were hypocrites. For the individual, we should become like the tree where people can come and be at rest.
Leaven
13: 20-21		Same context as above. Jesus continuesThe leaven represents what happens with the kingdom of God it (yeast) begins to permeate after being introduced into society (dough).
Man invited to a party chooses best seat 14: 7-14Jesus had healed on the Sabbath. He noticed how people chose the best seats when they came to the Sabbath dinner held by one of the rulers of the Pharisees. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”
Great Supper
14: 15-24		At the same dinner as explained above, a guest responds to Jesus parables by saying, “Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God!” Various people make excuses because they are so busy and obviously uninterested in the supper (God’s kingdom). Those making excuses are the people of God who have been blessed by Him. So the invitation goes out to the lower rung of society, those who appear to be unblessed. (the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind.). “I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.’ ”
Salt
14: 34-35		Great multitude following after Jesus. Jesus explains how they can become His disciple. They must leave all to follow Him and to “bear His cross.”Discipleship without devotion is like worthless salt that has lost its taste. It is worthless. “ It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill (rubbish heap), but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
Lost Sheep
15: 1-7		Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.”I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.
Who are the real sinners? Those who feel they don’t need to repent.
Lost Coin 15 8-10Continuation of the above“…there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Lost Son
15: 11-32
Continuation of the above “your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’ ”
Unjust Steward
15: 1-13 		Still in the context above, but He
turns to His disciples 		 “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”
Rich Man and Lazarus
15: 19-31		Pharisees (who loved money) heard the parables above and turn their noses up at Jesus.If they did not understand Scriptures (Moses and Prophets)They would not believe in Jesus even if He rose from the dead.  ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’ ”
Persistent Widow
18: 1-8		Jesus had just told His disciples about the nature of His second coming“men always ought to pray and not lose heart, … when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”
Pharisee and the Tax Collector
18: 9:14		Same as above “…everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
 Minas
19: 11-27		He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately.For I say to you, that to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.  But bring here those enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, and slay them before me.’ ”
Wicked Vinedressers and the Cornerstone 20: 9-19chief priests and the scribes, together with the elders, confronted Him “He will come and destroy those vinedressers and give the vineyard to others.”…Whoever falls on that stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.”
Fig Tree
21: 29-33		Disciples were showing (bragging) about the temple in Jerusalem. Jesus responds by telling them it would be destroyed. Then He talked about the signs and the nature of His second coming. He told them to beware of deception about His return.Watch for the signs!
 “When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.“

Good Bible Interpretation, Reasons to Believe

CONTEXT-PART 5-A STRING OF PARABLES

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Last time, we observed the lavish act of love by “a sinful woman” for Jesus (Luke7). She poured an alabaster flask of fragrant oil on the feet of Jesus and used her hair as a towel to soak up tears and an expensive box of perfume, The outpouring of her heart and the fragrant perfume filled the room with the sweet smell of her fondness for Jesus.

It became an awkward moment for the guests at the house of one of the Pharisees. The Pharisees, in particular , squirmed because Jesus seemed to be unaware of this woman’s sins. Jesus perceived their discomfort and he began the first parable recorded by Luke. The message of the parable was this: Whosoever has been forgiven much, loves much (v.47). The Pharisees had just as much to be forgiven, but their traditions and pride kept them back from seeking the payment of their debt through Jesus.

For Mary, she went away with her burden of debt removed. Her sins were forgiven. It would change her life forever.

What I like about the story is how this woman (likely Mary of Magdalene) shook up the formality of the moment by an act of love. As followers of Christ, our love for Jesus will make people uncomfortable. Lavish acts of love make people aware of their own condition . It may lead them to seek to know the Lord of love we worship. Your light of love is not to be covered up, but exposed for all the see…even if it makes them uncomfortable.

It is from this starting point that many parables are recorded by Luke. They are occasional and spread out through the first 11 chapters of the Luke, Then a turning point occurs at the end of Chapter 11. Jesus scolds the Pharisees for their religious hypocracy. He uses very direct language and begins each sentence with the word “woe”:

“But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like graves which are not seen, and the men who walk over them are not aware of them.”

Luke 11: 42-44

Then Jesus turns to the Lawyers and tells them the truth about their hypocrisy. Here is just a snippet:

“And He said, “Woe to you also, lawyers! For you load men with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers. 

Luke 11:46

This very direct sincere disclosure of their deepest sins angers them. They begin to turn on Him:

And as He said these things to them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to assail Him vehemently, and to cross-examine Him about many things, lying in wait for Him, and seeking to catch Him in something He might say, that they might accuse Him. Luke 11: 53-54

Then Jesus turns to his disciples and gives them warnings:

He began to say to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. Luke 12: 1-2

Even here, Jesus uses the symbol of leaven, light and darkness. But what is important to note is that Jesus accelerates the use of parables. Partly because the Pharisees and Lawyers are looking to trap Him in his words so they can begin a smear campaign (accuse Him).

Beginning in this chapter, Jesus tells at least 18 more parables. Chapter 15 and 16 are all parables! There is another reason Jesus used parables besides cloaking the truth in stories and symbols as we will discover next time.

Good Bible Interpretation, Reasons to Believe

context-part 4-A parable of extravagence

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In our last study (Part 3), we discovered a good way to understand Jesus’ parables. It is quite simple. The point is usually found at the end of the story. It is almost like reading the last chapter of the book. But if you do that alone, you miss or fail to appreciate the ending details as we will see in the parables recorded in Luke.

In the first four chapters, Luke records the lineage and the calling of the disciples, etc. In chapter 5, Jesus speaks plainly to the multitudes in his first sermon on the mount. In Chapter 6, Jesus gets crossways with the “righteous” Pharisees about the Sabbath. Their non-scriptural application of religious/cultural rules leads Jesus to proclaim Himself as the “Lord of the Sabbath.” This means, He created a literal day of rest and knows how it should be honored. Jesus’ conclusion about the Sabbath is: “It is lawful to do good on the Sabbath” and to “save life” Matthew 12:12, Luke 3:4

In chapter 7, Jesus heals the Centurions Servant and raises the Widow of Nain’s son. In the same chapter, a sinful woman washes the feet of Jesus, and her sins are forgiven. Luke tells us this was Mary, also called Magdalene (Luke 8:2). This incident with Mary sparks the first parable in the book. The story of the creditor and two debtors is given to Peter (and the crowd in the house) to help them understand a principal of God’s kingdom. Here is the truth at the end of the parable:

 “Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”

Luke 7: 47.

This truth is simple and to the point. The more the sins, the more the love for the One who has the power and authority to forgive. But let’s now read the entire parable:

 “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.  (In today’s US dollars, this is about $3,700 and $1,850, respectively. A significant sum in those days. ) And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?

Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.”

And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.” Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil

“Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”

Luke 7: 41-47

In this parable, Jesus begins with a story that is likely not an actual event, but a story about forgiveness of debt and the feeling of joy that comes from it. The more that was owed, the greater the feeling of burdens lifted. What a great experience of joy when debt is no longer part of our life!

My wife and I recently became totally debt free. We don’t owe any loans, credit cards, or mortgages. It has allowed us to take a deep breath and remove many worries. But the point in this parable is not only about literal debt, but rather it is about spiritual debt!

Mary loved Jesus for His compassion and non-judgmental attitude toward her. This likely preceded her sins being forgiven. Because it is not until after the parable is spoken and explained that Jesus forgives her sins and says,

“Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

Verse 48

Because she had “many sins.” Her feeling of great appreciation and love for Jesus must have grown even more when she heard those words that her debt of sins (primarily prostitution) was removed.

In my lifetime, I have observed that the “worst of sinners” often make the best evangelists for God. Their witness is dramatic and effective. They can’t keep their joy of forgiveness to themselves.

In the very next chapter 8, the number of women who minister to Jesus grows. They provide Jesus and the twelve with their own possessions (8: 1-3). Included among them was this same Mary whose sins were forgiven.

“…Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons.”

Luke 8: 2 last part

It is no wonder that Mary was extravagant with her love for Jesus and serving Him! She even gave to Jesus and His apostles her own possessions!

It is not God’s will that we are burdened by a mind heavy with the guilt of sin and helplessness. No matter what our sins may be or how many times we indulged in them, Jesus can give forgiveness and power over the demons of sin. A great feeling of freedom will come, and you cannot contain yourself in your service to God! Your possessions will belong to God.

This is the deep message of this simple parable.

In our society, today, pornography, adultery, fornication, and perversion are rampant and even justified. It is the sin of an indulgent self-centered society that ignores God. But with it comes guilt for many. For those who feel this burden of guilt, they can have the assurance of peace in their life through Jesus’ promises to “not condemn.” He has the ability and right to forgive sins and to provide the motivation and power to overcome the sins which “so easily ensnare us.”

“And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”.” John 8:11

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4

Do you want that feeling of joy, peace, and energy to serve Jesus? Do you want to be free from the power of sin? Cast all your burdens of sin and doubt upon Him. Sin is burdensome, but forgiveness is more powerful to the heart and soul. It will give you joy and peace that cannot be found anywhere else in this world.

How does one practically “cast all their burdens onto Jesus?” It always begins with praying to the Savior who hears your heart. Tell Him you have sinned and cannot bear the results and consequences. Ask for forgiveness and tell Him,

“I trust You to do what You have promised. “

Then believe you have forgiveness and stay close to Him (daily and moment by moment) through prayer, reading His word, and being active for His kingdom. A real experience is not inward, but rather it reaches out to those who need Him in one way or another.

My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 14:27

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5: 6-7

In our next study, we will look at a string of parables from the book of Luke and list the point of each. There is one parable in particular that has been greatly misunderstood because of tradition and an attack on God’s character of love. But its message is powerful if correctly understood.