WHAT THE RAPTURE IS NOT

March 22, 2020 Eddie Leave a comment

The Rapture is Not

1. A word in the Bible.

The word is promoted as a secret snatching away of Christians, leaving the lost on earth for a 7 year period of tribulation, where the Anti-Christ rules. Many point to Paul’s description of the second coming in 1 Thessalonians as the starting point for the rapture scenario.

“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: 17-18

All the illusions of what happens during the “rapture” feed off this verse and are embellished in Bible fiction books and the work of Hollywood. However, the Bible is extremely clear about the events surrounding Jesus’ second coming. If you read only the verses describing the return of Christ, the truth becomes clear. If Jesus warned us about our need to understand, it must be important to each one of us individually.

“And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.” Matthew 24:4

2. It is not silent and invisible

Often Hollywood producers and writers of Bible fiction will describe the event as quite and sudden; leaving the lost to wonder, “What just happened?” The righteous are gone! Beds, clothing, cars, airplanes are minus bodies. But, consider these Biblical descriptions of the second coming and ask yourself if it is quite.

*”For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God.”

1 Thessalonians 4: 16

This is the verse right before the one described above that says the Christians will be “caught up to meet the Lord in the air!” Does it sound quite? Can you hear a shout, a voice, and a trumpet? Of course!

When Jesus returns, He comes in His glory, the glory of countless angels, and the glory of the Father Himself!

For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.

Luke 9:26

Jesus returns in His own glory, but also the glory of His Father, and the glory of the angels! It is an understatement to say this is a lot of glory!

Can the lost hear it? Can the lost see it? What are they saying when the Lord returns? They are in a panic and don’t want to see His face!

“ (they)…”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?”

Revelation 6: 16-17

Indeed, “who is able to stand” during the second coming? The second coming is described above as “the great day of His wrath” not the plagues and time of trouble!

As shown in 1 Thessalonians the ones who meet the Lord in the air (with their resurrected and glorified bodies) will survive this destructive event! The saved are saying,

“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.”

Isaiah 25:9

How many will see Him when he returns?

“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.”

Revelation 1:7

Jesus left in clouds and he returns in clouds. As the disciples watched in wonder as Jesus ascended. He was taken up with clouds. They were told He would come back in a similar manner i.e. visible!

Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

Acts 1:9-11

The lost morn, the save rejoice. Some will ask, “How can every eye see Him on a round earth?” It is simple. Like the rising of the sun, the second coming can be seen approaching the earth like clouds forming on the horizon! As the earth rotates, the righteous (both dead and alive) rise and are changed in a twinkling of an eye. The lost look for places to hide from the face of the lamb. But, some have been taught that He comes fast, in the “twinkling of the eye. “That takes us to the next the thing the Rapture is not:

3.) It is not instantaneous

As we saw above, there is enough time for the lost to run and attempt to hide from the Lord’s coming. The saved have time to proclaim they have waited on Him and He will save them. Every eye sees Him.

The Hollywood and the Biblical fiction writers paint a false picture of a man preaching the word of God suddenly disappearing. But how does the Bible describe it? Let’s look closely at two phrases they use: 1.) “Twinkling of an eye” and 2.) “Thief in the night.”

They claim from this partial verse that the Lord comes in the twinkling of an eye.

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. 1 Corinthians 15:52

But look closely at what is happening in a moment and in the twinkling of the eye. Let’s read the verse in its context.

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. 1 Corinthians 15: 51:53

Is it not very clear? The physical bodies of the saved are changed from mortal to immortal very quickly. They went into the grave sick and subject to death (corruptible) and rise to never see death and decay again!

It is not about the speed of the second coming, but rather the speed of the transformation from mortal to immortality! This happens with trumpets and sound and the very presence of God and His holy angels, not some instantaneous disappearing of the saved.

This description is a direct reference to the same author’s preview of the second coming in 1 Thessalonians 4: 16-18 where the dead are raised up and those of us alive are caught up to meet the Lord in the air. But, before we rise to meet him, our bodies are changed and receive the promise of immortality! What a reunion day that will be when we all meet together for the first time! Thank you Lord, for inspiring Paul to reveal this mystery!

Another verse often used in connection with the twinkling of the eye is found in Matthew 24.

For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.

Matthew 24: 27

Without the context, it certainly sounds like the Lord comes instantly like a flash of lightning! But, again, context is so important. Let’s read the verses before.

“Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.”

Matthew 24: 26-27

Jesus describes the lie He has already come and He is in the desert or in some secret inner room, This sounds like a secret coming to me. But, Jesus warns us to not believe it, because his coming is compared to lightning. The context is not the speed but rather the all-encompassing brightness! It is a brightness that covers the entire sky. This is confirmed by the fact that the skies are lit up with the glory of God and His angels! Just like the brightness of lightning, every eye can see it. His coming is not in the secret places of the desert or the inner rooms.

Paul describes the brightness in 2 Thessalonians:

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

This verse alludes to another event that occurs at the second coming-destruction. We will discuss it next.

But, you may ask: “How about the thief in the night that Paul describes?” Isn’t it secret? Let’s read the verse using context and related verses from Peter

For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.

1 Thessalonians 5: 2

From this verse, it is no doubt that His coming is compared to a thief in the night. It can be said, that when a thief comes, it is unexpected. It is not about a secret rapture, but rather the unexpected event, just like those during the time of Noah. Although they were warned, it was still unexpected. This idea is confirmed by Peter:

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

Both Paul and Peter say the Lord will come as a thief in the night, but Peter adds an additional description. When He comes as a thief, there is “great noise” “elements will melt.” Even the earth and all of man’s works are “burned up.” This doesn’t sound quite or secret.

Paul confirms Peter’s description. Let’s read the remainder of Paul’s description we read in 1 Thessalonians 5:2 (above)

For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape . But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.

1 Thessalonians 5: 2-4

He describes destruction when the Lord comes just like Peter did in his description! Did you notice that followers of Christ are not overtaken by darkness and the experience of a thief in the night? The thief in the night is not about secretiveness of the Lord’s coming, but rather being unprepared, as Jesus said here,

“But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.”

Matthew 24: 43

The Christians know approximately when Jesus is coming and are watching, the lost are going about their normal routine just like they were before the flood came in Noah’s day.

For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark,

Matthew 24:38

This brings us to the next point:

4. Is not an event where the lost are left behind

An interesting point: The phrase “left behind” is not in the Bible even though a whole series of books and movies are entitled as such! However, the word “left” is mentioned many times, but is it to be interpreted as “left behind?”

The movies and Bible fiction portray a dramatic moment where the saved are instantaneously snatched away leaving the lost wondering what just happened. They claim they are “left behind” to endure 7 years of tribulation (will discuss next time.)

The Bible verses used to support this are not interpreted in the context nor collaborated with other clear passages. Let’s explore the most often used and compare between two disciples: Matthew and Luke. First Matthew:

Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left.

Matthew 24: 40-41

At first glance and with Hollywood echoing its description, it certainly sounds like one man and one woman are taken up to meet the Lord and the other two are left on earth.

But, let’s read the context and the point of all of the words of Jesus:

³⁷But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. ³⁸For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, ³⁹and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.

Matthew 24: 37-39

Jesus compares the lost in the days of Noah with the lost at His coming (verse 37). Read the verse carefully and answer this question: “who got took away by the flood?” Was it the saved or the lost? In Noah’s day, it was those who were ignoring Noah’s plead to come in the ark (the lost). In the “day of the Lord” it is those not looking for the second coming (the lost). Of the people in Noah’s day, Jesus said the flood came and “took them all away.” So, it is the lost who are taken! The waters swirled and took them down stream where they were destroyed (dead). Just to be sure we are reading this correctly, let’s compare with Luke:

²⁶And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: ²⁷They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. ²⁸Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; ²⁹but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. ³⁰Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.

Luke 17: 26-30

So those who are described as being “taken all away.” in Matthew are described as being “destroyed” in Luke. Contradiction? No! Just a misapplication of the Bible fiction writers with the word “taken”.

“Taken” or “took” in its context means they are destroyed. I don’t want to be taken, I want to be left. Which means being the opposite of taken (destroyed). To illustrate: Suppose you had a library and your house burned down. When you go in to see how many of your books survived the fire, you might find a few unscathed by the fire. You would say, “I had a thousand books, but only three are “left” or remaining. Paul described what it means to remain alive or “left” in this passage:

“Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

1 Thessalonians 4: 17

The scholars who produced the NIV understood this and translated the words “alive and remain” as “alive and are left“:

After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

1 Thessalonians 4: 17 (NIV)

I want to remain alive when the Lord returns. Don’t you? I don’t want to be “taken away” in the destructive fires of His brightness.

Verse Luke 17:26 reminds us of the direct comparison between Noah and Christ. In both cases, the story is about the lost. In Noah’s day, the lost have ignored the appeals for salvation and are going about the normal routines of life expecting nothing to change. But, they are caught as a thief in the night (surprised) by the destructive event of the flood. They are destroyed (killed)! Verse 27.

The same thing happened to Sodom, but this time it was fire from heaven that “destroyed them all“!

As we understand what happened to the lost at the time of Noah (destruction by flood) and Sodom (destruction by fire); it will be the same when He returns. Peter describes it clearly:

Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, ¹²looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? ¹³Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

2 Peter 3: 11-13

So the fate of the lost is destruction at the second coming. Every known element will be burned up in intense flames (brightness) when the Lord returns. But, the saved have the promise of inheriting the earth; not the old earth, with its scars of sin, but a new earth where righteousness lives! When are the new heavens and the new earth created? We will look at this next time.

But, what about this 7 years of tribulation and the 1,000 years? Next time we will look closely at this…using only the Bible.

We have seen a clear picture of the second coming where there is no room for second chances i.e. 7 years to endure tribulation. When the Lord comes the time for salvation is stopped. This is expressed in Peter’s writings where he connects perishing with the second coming:

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:9

The above verse is in the context of his second coming. See verse 4:

“Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.”

2 Peter 3: 4

Our God delays the coming of Christ because he is “longsuffering toward us.” Today, we have our second and third chances, but when He comes there are no more opportunities and those that have spent the chances will perish as described above.

It is the enemy’s desire to make people put off the day of their salvation by encouraging them to believe they have a second chance during the 7 years of tribulation. To eat, drink, and go about the normal routines of life ignoring the appeal of a loving God to come into the ark of salvation.

In my research, I discovered a website dedicated to giving instructions to people who will be on earth during the 7 years of tribulation. It is a worthless website and a dangerous concept. Herein is why the Lord warns us. The theory of a second chance during the 7 years is both false and a danger to souls.

5.) It is not a Second Coming with a part A and part B

The return of Jesus to start eternity is a one-time event. Jesus takes us “to where He is” after He returns. We will stay there in heaven for 1,000 years and then the redeemed of all ages will all return to watch the Lord create a new earth. At this time, Jesus will set the New Jerusalem down on the new earth and this will become our home throughout eternity. Truly, the meek inherit the earth! We will discuss more in our next study.

After Christ’s second coming we go to be where Jesus is now!

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

John 14:3

As mentioned, after 1,000 years, we all return in the New Jerusalem and watch the Lord do what He did in Genesis 1:

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God…”

Revelations 21: 1-3

Summary:

We have been talking about what the rapture is not, but we have seen what the second coming really is. The events of the second coming of the Lord are as follows:

1.) The Lord can be seen coming in clouds with all the brightness and glory of Jesus, God the Father, and the holy angels.

2.) Every eye will see Him just as every eye sees the sun and lightning across the sky.

3.) The lost will run to places to hide.

4.) Despite the lost’s attempt to hide they are destroyed by the brightness of his coming. They are taken in death like the floods that took the lost in Noah’s day and the fires that took those in Sodom!

5.) The saved are not burned up, but remain alive. They remain or are leftover from the destruction.

6.) The saved will rejoice.

7.) The dead in Christ will be resurrected in the first resurrection (The Bible talks about a second resurrection. We will explore this next time.)

8.) Both the saved who are resurrected and those still alive after the destructive fire from heaven will be changed instantly. Their bodies will be glorified so that they are no longer subject to corruption nor death. They put on immortality.

9.) The saved meet the Lord in the air. This is the first time all the saved see each other! It is God’s great reunion day!

In future topics, will address these questions and many others:

1.) “Where does Jesus take the saved after He returns?”

2.) “What about the tribulation?”

3.) “Where did the 7 years come from?”

4.) “How about the 1,000 years?”

5.) “How about the new Jerusalem John saw coming down from heaven?”

6.) “What about the fate of the unsaved dead at the coming of Jesus?” “What happened to them?”

7.) “What about hell?”

All this we will explore from the Bible soon. Until then, put on the whole armor of God, because the enemy wants to slay you. But, you can find strength and protection under the wings of the One who is able to keep you until the end. The Lord Jesus.

Reasons to Believe

SCIENCE, SICKNESS, AND DEATH-GOOD REASONS TO DOUBT?

March 2, 2020 Eddie Leave a comment

Listen to my teaching, and you will be wise; do not ignore it.

Proverbs 8:33

A Brilliant Mind Falls Short

Albert Einstein was arguably one of the most brilliant minds of all times, yet he admitted his short-comings and “limited mind” on the topic of God. He did not believe in a personal God. He considered himself an agnostic or a “religious unbeliever.”

Einstein was not an atheist. He could see the work of a Creator in the order of the cosmos. He often complained about being put into the atheist camp:

“In view of such harmony in the cosmos which I, with my limited human mind, am able to recognize, there are yet people who say there is no God. But what really makes me angry is that they quote me for the support of such views.”5

“I’m not an atheist and I don’t think I can call myself a pantheist. We are in the position of a little child entering a huge library filled with books in many languages. The child knows someone must have written those books. It does not know how. It does not understand the languages in which they are written. The child dimly suspects a mysterious order in the arrangements of the books but doesn’t know what it is. That, it seems to me, is the attitude of even the most intelligent human being toward God.”6

Einstein also expressed his skepticism regarding the existence of an anthropomorphic God, such as the God of Abrahamic religions, often describing this view as “naïve”[3] and “childlike”.[11]

In a 1947 letter, he stated, “It seems to me that the idea of a personal God is an anthropological concept which I cannot take seriously.”[12] In a letter to Beatrice Frohlich on 17 December 1952, Einstein stated,

“The idea of a personal God is quite alien to me and seems even naïve.”[13]

He also said, in an interview with the Saturday Evening Post (1929):

“As a child, I received instruction both in the Bible and in the Talmud. I am a Jew, but I am enthralled by the luminous figure of the Nazarene.”

When asked,

“Do you accept the historical existence of Jesus?”, He replied emphatically,

“Unquestionably! No one can read the Gospels without feeling the actual presence of Jesus. His personality pulsates in every word. No myth is filled with such life.”7

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The Shortcoming of Scientific Intelligence-Lack of Knowledge

Here is the oxymoron of Einstein’s statements. It fits many who consider Jesus to be a wise teacher, but nothing more:

Albert had doubts about the existence of a personal God, but he found Jesus wise and appealing in many ways. That is personal. Despite all this, he would not follow God’s own instructions so that he could know him personally:

And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:13

God, Himself, tells the reader of His word that it is possible to know and understand Him.

But let him who glories glory in this,

That he understands and knows Me,

That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth.

For in these, I delight,” says the Lord.

Jeremiah 9:24

It is possible to have a personal relationship with One who delights in things. Being delightful is a very human emotion. It is an emotion that God possesses. There are human beings (like God) who are loving, kind, and always do the right thing for others, often sacrificing their desires and comforts. They did not come to be this way by themselves. God is the author of these qualities! But, there is another author at work that has opposite attributes.

Here is the big hangup in the scientific mind. Scientists won’t accept the fact that evil had a beginning and the flames of its passion are whipped up by this entity in the minds and hearts of people every day. He is the author of destruction and death.

The scientific mind can’t, or won’t, consider the Bible as a viable book to read and study; therefore, they will not search for spiritual knowledge. And since they won’t search its inspired writers, their skepticism grows. The converted Paul said,

But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

1 Corinthians 2:14

They can’t see the order of the cosmos and life, as did Mr. Einstein. They would rather attribute it to chance and billions of years of blind luck. But, let’s be fair. There are some very good reasons for people to doubt the existence of God or, at the least, a personal God.

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Religion and Jesus-Two Different Things:

Real followers of Christ (not the religious) have found that the key to understanding God is Jesus. It is all about Him from Genesis to Revelation:

1 Corinthians 2:14

You search the Scriptures… these are they which testify of Me.-Jesus

John 5:39

At another time, Jesus revealed to his disciples an important truth about the God of the Old Testament and Himself.

“These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.

Luke 24: 44, 45

So if the scriptures are about Jesus, we can’t just say he is a “good teacher” or a “good moral man”….who suddenly and without warning appeared on the scene. He is the One who all the writers of the Old Testament wrote and sought over the millennia. But, when

“the time was right, God sent his Son…” Galatians 4:4

So, why wouldn’t a scientific mind desire to know Jesus and scripture? It is because it is not science and does not fit into the comfortable world of science and its sterile operational paradigms. The Bible is not a book of science, but rather a book about the human experience and spiritual truths. If God is all that He claims to be, then He is the author of science and the scientists are merely the discoverers of His science. For example, scientists did not create the laws of gravity, they discovered them.

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Religion is Its Own Worst Enemy

Another couple of reasons for the scientific mind to dismiss the book that provides insight into many of the human experiences not addressed by science is the radical religionists and suffering.

The religious people are their own worst enemy! The ones who are not real followers of Jesus, but people who are ”religious,” portray the God of mercy and loving-kindness and his truth into undesirable rounds of ceremonies, does and don’ts, eternal torment, and guilt trips. Some even feel God desires them to terrorize people into belief. I am not just talking about our friends in the middle east. How often is eternal burning hell used as a weapon to scare the uninformed into belief?

You can’t blame unbelievers. For a long time, this was my main reason for unbelief and disdain for churches. There are no answers or peace in such a religious world. But, there is a path to truth in Jesus, who invites people into a one-on-one experience with Him.

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30

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Unbelief in God Because of Death and Suffering

Often I receive comments from readers of this blog and some of my Facebook sites who say that Jesus is “an imaginary friend.” While others ask, “Where was God’ when my (fill in a family member relationship) died from cancer or was killed in a car wreck, etc.

Einstein had similar feelings about the incompatibility of a caring God and the daily horrors of planet earth:

How many have asked….

“Why would God allow my family member to die of cancer?”

“Why has he allowed death and destruction to reign on this planet?”

“Where was God when...If there is a God, He is not in control.”

These questions pre-suppose that God should make our lives perfect and without sin, death, and destruction. To the uninformed, belief is contingent upon our feelings of what God should be to us. But, this is not according to what God reveals in His word. This author captures my next thoughts exactly:

God made man perfectly holy and happy; and the fair earth, as it came from the Creator’s hand, bore no blight of decay or shadow of the curse. It is transgression of God’s law–the law of love–that has brought woe and death. Yet even amid the suffering that results from sin, God’s love is revealed. It is written that God cursed the ground for man’s sake. Genesis 3:17. The thorn and the thistle–the difficulties and trials that make his life one of toil and care–were appointed for his good as a part of the training needful in God’s plan for his uplifting from the ruin and degradation that sin has wrought.

God’s Love for Man. Page 9

When God made man as described in the opening chapters of Genesis, everything He made, He declared “good” or “very good.” There was not death, decaying, or the curse. But something went wrong. Evil ( in the form of a rebellious angel called Lucifer), began our journey of sin, death, and decay. He is the author of the bad things in this life, not God for it is written:

Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from him. These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows from those lights. He is always the same.

James 1:17 (ERV)

So when we blame God for the evil in this world, we demonstrate we do so without a knowledge of God and what He has been revealed to us through his word.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,

Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

So are My ways higher than your ways,

And My thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55: 8, 9

Einstein’s failure to understand the motives of God are the result of his incorrect assumption that God intended this universe as His ultimate perfect creation. Einstein could not get past the moral problems that are present in our universe. He assumed, as most atheists do that a personal God would only create a universe that is both good morally and perfect physically. Where Einstein erred was in that thinking that there was a god who designed the universe, but designed it in such a way as to allow evil without a purpose

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It would be too inconvenient or dangerous to the dedicated scientist and to their worldview to consider there might be more to existence than what can be explained only through formulas, books, test tubes, and philosophies. Unbelieving professors that focus only on what can be seen and understood severely limit the God-created mind. Therefore, many won’t listen or follow any of Jesus’ words even though all are invited to follow Him down a path of discovery. So His words are chosen by unbelievers and religionists like fruit from the tree of knowledge to fit their own likeness of God. At the same time, other less palatable instructions are left to rot on the altar of narcissism and selfishness.

…while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:18

And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

John 5:39

Ultimately, we cannot project limited human thoughts, philosophies, or reasoning upon God and create Him in our own image. He is supreme. We are not. He is omnipotent; we are not.

How can we intelligently base our decision to be an unbeliever based on cancer, which is often the result of our own actions i.e., smoking cigarettes or runaway eating of anything and everything?

The order and intelligence of the design of the universe leave us will little excuse for unbelief.

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,

Romans 1:20

Yes, you can know God personally, but you must search and desire to understand and gain knowledge, unlike what you will learn from the textbooks or even blog sites like this. Being a scientist does not mean you can’t study and read the Bible. If you do, at the least, you will find wisdom. Many scientists are believers in Jesus and have faith in God’s word.

I have concluded that unbelievers are uninformed! When I searched out Jesus through the Bible, I found Him. He is there if you will just look.

Listen to my teaching, and you will be wise; do not ignore it.

Proverbs 8:33

If you want to begin your Jesus journey through the Bible, I invite you to click on the site below to start a basic understanding of God’s word. These studies will lead you to a deeper understanding of spiritual things and the God who made the universe.

Free Online Bible School

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References

“Science without religion is lame; religion without science is blind.” (Albert Einstein, “Science, Philosophy and Religion: a Symposium”, 1941)
“My position concerning God is that of an agnostic. I am convinced that a vivid consciousness of the primary importance of moral principles for the betterment and ennoblement of life does not need the idea of a law-giver, especially a law-giver who works on the basis of reward and punishment.” (Albert Einstein in a letter to M. Berkowitz, October 25, 1950; Einstein Archive 59–215; from Alice Calaprice, ed., The New Quotable Einstein, Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 2005, p. 206. )
Helen Dukas and Banesh Hoffman (eds) (1981). Albert Einstein, The Human Side. Princeton University Press. p. 43.
Cable reply to Rabbi Herbert S. Goldstein’s (Institutional Synagogue in New York) question to Einstein, “Do you believe in God?”.
Prinz Hubertus zu Lowenstein, Towards the Further Shore: An Autobiography (Victor Gollancz, London, 1968), p. 156.
G. S. Viereck, Glimpses of the Great (Macauley, New York, 1930), quoted by D. Brian, Einstein: A Life , p. 186.
G. S. Viereck, “What Life Means to Einstein,” Saturday Evening Post, 26 October 1929; Schlagschatten, Sechsundzwanzig Schicksalsfragen an Grosse der Zeit (Vogt-Schild, Solothurn, 1930), p. 60; Glimpses of the Great (Macauley, New York, 1930), pp. 373-374.

Faith, Reasons to Believe, What to Do With Doubt

WHAT TO DO WITH DOUBT PART 2

January 28, 2020 Eddie Leave a comment

“If you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about me.”

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel… By which also ye are saved… unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, ow that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures”

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

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Have you been able to see Jesus in the books of Moses (Generally accepted as Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy)? Have you seen Him in the other books of the Old Testament?

If you haven’t seen Jesus in the Old Testament you have missed 59% of the story about Jesus.

Come with me as we take a walk with two disciples who, after a three to four hour Bible study with Jesus had their lives changed. They went from massive disappointment to solid believers in Jesus. It can do the same for you.

This is written in first-person for a “reality” version of the story. At the end is some additional material which should appeal to your logic.

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It was early in the morning and the sky was getting brighter as I walked the dusty road speaking in low tones with my friend Cleopas about the things which had transpired over the last few days. So many things! All very bad!

It started with the arrest of Jesus in the Garden east of the city. During the night and into the early morning of the Preparation Day (Friday) the soldiers and mob began to move Him between the governor and religious leadership. Then they beat Him to a pulp and eventually crucified our Friend and Leader on a Roman cross on the hill outside of Jerusalem later in the afternoon of the Preparation Day.

I watched from a distance as He hung His head and took his last breath. He said something at the end, but I was unable to hear because I was trying to stay far enough away so that no one would try to connect me with Him . I would certainly be labeled as a fanatic believer in this prophet who the clergy had called a blasphemer. This led to his death. I think I saw Peter off in the distance. He appeared to be on his knees with his face in his hands. His disappointment must be very great!

There had been an earthquake and the sun refused to shine. Darkness took over the land like a thick smothering blanket. Everything seemed out of place…frightening. The large curtain in the temple had been ripped from top to bottom by some unseen hand. There were even reports of people, considered saints, coming out of their graves and appearing to many in the city! (Matthew 27: 51-53)

My personal disappointment is great because I believed everything He had taught. I was amazed at His great miracles and works of kindness. His followers thought Him to be the Messiah prophesied by many of the prophets hundreds of years ago. He was going to set up His kingdom and deliver my people from the iron rule of Rome. We thought He was the coming king upon which hung on all our hopes.

But, it seemed like He did not want the office of king. I had left everything to follow Him and learn His teachings. My commitment all came to nothing on Friday afternoon when He died. Now only doubt, but also sadness and disappointment hung on Cleopas and me like a heavy smelly cloak belonging to someone else. I want an explanation, but the reality of deception was creeping into my thoughts and it made me feel sick and foolish.

On top of everything else, the body of Jesus is missing! The women followers said He was alive, confirmed by a couple of other disciples, but I know better. It is just wishful thinking on their part. No one could have survived the beating, the nails, the loss of blood, and finally the sharp sword in the side. I saw it and refuse to believe anything but what my eyes can confirm. There was no mistaking… the vision of so much blood and the pale appearance of death was real.

It is the first day of the week. Fresh days lie before us as we make our way to Emmaus to start over; a walk of about 8 miles. It will take me the usual 3 1/2 hours or so to walk…maybe longer today because of our conversation and a heavy heart. This will give us plenty of time to try and put all the pieces together….to try to understand and make sense of everything and to decide what to do with the rest of our lives.

All of a sudden, an unexpected stranger walks up from behind and joins us. He asks,

“Why are you so sad and what are you discussing?”

I find these two questions odd in the light of the excitement and well-known events of the weekend. Slightly agitated and amazed Cleopas speaks before I can open my mouth and he answers the question with a question. He throws in some sarcasm for good measure.

“Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem that does not know the things which happened there these last few days?”

I am even more amazed when the stranger asks,

“What things?”

In disbelief, we began to explain to the young manr the events of the weekend. Reviewing everything does not help my disappointment and we rush through them as a courtesy to the stranger.

“These things concern Jesus of Nazareth who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified Him. But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened. Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early, astonished us. Then they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but Him they did not see.” Luke 24: 19-24

Then the stranger calls Cleopas and me “foolish ones” and that we are “slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken” This is certainly not so! I have always believed the prophets. I have come from a family who believes in the Tanakh (Old Testament) and I have read it often. The prophets said, that the Messiah would come and deliver Israel from its enemies. But the stranger began to recite the writings of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy) and all the Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Micah, Malachi, etc) of the Tanakh and explain things I had missed in my readings.

The stranger clearly points out passages that were references to Jesus. For the next 3 hours, I am amazed at the knowledge and clarity of the stranger’s words. As I listened to the stranger recite our ancient books, I begin to see that it was necessary for Jesus to die for the sins of the world, but that He would be raised up the third day! How had I missed that? Why had we not believed Jesus when He said it was necessary for Him to die and that he would rise again? It was like I had been reading the scripture the way I wanted it to read instead of letting it talk to me! Indeed, we felt foolish but encouraged by the words of the stranger. My heart burned within me! I wanted to hear more! This was all exciting and new to me!

As we get near the village where we plan to rest, it is almost dark. I don’t want the stranger to go and I look for excuses for Him to stay the night so we can hear more. Thankfully, He agrees to have supper with us. As He breaks the bread, I recognize those hands and the manner in which He breaks it! I finally look across the table into his eyes at about the same time as Cleopas. It is Jesus! As soon as we recognize him, He disappears! We had been talking to Jesus the whole time and we didn’t recognize Him!

With intense excitement and joy, Cleopas and I jump up and run the 8 miles back to Jerusalem! We must tell the 11 who were behind closed doors who share our confusion and disappointment. When we arrive, we find them huddled in a group in fear and disappointment. Out of breath, we begin to tell them what had happened over the last several hours. As we are telling them, Jesus appears in the room!

Everyone jumps back. They think they are seeing a spirit, but Jesus tells them it is Him and that He is not a spirit. To prove it, He invites them to touch Him and He asks for something to eat. They give Him some fish and some honeycomb. After everyone settles down and the scales of their eyes begin to fall away, Jesus repeats the same type of study Cleopas and I heard on the road to Emmaus. This time, He uses the entire Tanakh including the Psalms to explain how He is found all through scripture. All the disciples begin to understand that He had to die, but that He would rise on the third day. How could we have missed this? It was right there!

Then He said to us,

“These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you. that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me. (And He opened our understanding that we might comprehend the Scriptures.”) Luke 24:44

Do we need Jesus to open our understanding of Scriptures? Have we missed Jesus as we have read the Old Testament? What did Jesus teach these two disciples when He explained passages from all the books of the Old Testament? Is the Old Testament not relevant to New Testament Christians? Have we misunderstood Jesus? What does the entire Bible teach about Him?

Next, we will take a look at Jesus through the eyes of one who is a well-known doubter Thomas and attempt to understand why the resurrection of Jesus is an absolute cornerstone of the Christian faith. In fact, without it, Paul says we are most pitiful of all men. But, after we see through the eyes of Thomas we will exclaim as he did:

“My Lord and My God.” John 20:28

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ADDITIONAL MATERIAL

What is the possibility of one man fulfilling only eight of the Old Testament prophecies?

It is 1 x 10²⁸ or 1 in 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000. Given this and the time span between the writings of the Old Testament and the fulfillment by Christ in the New Testament, the prophecies were either given to the prophets by God, or the prophets just wrote them down as they thought they should be. With Christ fulfilling all eight prophecies, what are the odds the prophets were just guessing?

“Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me”

Psalm 40:7.

“The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy”

Revelation 19:10.

“…all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me”

Jesus Christ, Luke 24:44.

“For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.”

Jesus Christ, John 5:46.

“To Him give all the prophets witness”

Acts 10:43.

353 Prophecies Fulfilled in Jesus Christ!

Prophecy

Fulfillment

1. Gen. 3:15	Seed of a woman (virgin birth)	Galatians 4:4-5, Matthew 1:18
2. Gen. 3:15	He will bruise Satan’s head	Hebrews 2:14, 1John 3:8
3. Gen. 3:15	Christ’s heel would be bruised with nails on the cross	Matthew 27:35, Luke 24:39-40
4. Gen. 5:24	The bodily ascension to heaven illustrated	Mark 16:19
5. Gen. 9:26, 27	The God of Shem will be the Son of Shem	Luke 3:36
6. Gen. 12:3	Seed of Abraham will bless all nations	Galatians 3:8, Acts 3:25, 26
7. Gen. 12:7	The Promise made to Abraham’s Seed	Galatians 3:16
8. Gen. 14:18	A priest after the order of Melchizedek	Hebrews 6:20
9. Gen. 14:18	King of Peace and Righteousness	Hebrews 7:2
10. Gen. 14:18	The Last Supper foreshadowed	Matthew 26:26-29
11. Gen. 17:19	Seed of Isaac (Gen. 21:12)	Romans 9:7
12. Gen. 22:8	The Lamb of God promised	John 1:29
13. Gen. 22:18	As Isaac’s seed, will bless all nations	Galatians 3:16
14. Gen. 26:2-5	The Seed of Isaac promised as the Redeemer	Hebrews 11:18
15. Gen. 28:12	The Bridge to heaven	John 1:51
16. Gen. 28:14	The Seed of Jacob	Luke 3:34
17. Gen. 49:10	The time of His coming	Luke 2:1-7; Galatians 4:4
18. Gen. 49:10	The Seed of Judah	Luke 3:33
19. Gen. 49:10	Called Shiloh or One Sent	John 17:3
20. Gen. 49:10	Messiah to come before Judah lost identity	John 11:47-52
21. Gen. 49:10	Unto Him shall the obedience of the people be	John 10:16
22. Ex. 3:13-15	The Great “I AM”	John 4:26, 8:58
23. Ex. 12:5	A Lamb without blemish	Hebrews 9:14; 1Peter 1:19
24. Ex. 12:13	The blood of the Lamb saves from wrath	Romans 5:8
25. Ex. 12:21-27	Christ is our Passover	1Corinthians 5:7
26. Ex. 12:46	Not a bone of the Lamb to be broken	John 19:31-36
27. Ex. 15:2	His exaltation predicted as Yeshua	Acts 7:55, 56
28. Ex. 15:11	His Character-Holiness	Luke 1:35; Acts 4:27
29. Ex. 17:6	The Spiritual Rock of Israel	1Corinthians 10:4
30. Ex. 33:19	His Character-Merciful	Luke 1:72
31. Lev. 1:2-9	His sacrifice a sweet smelling savor unto God	Ephesians 5:2
32. Lev. 14:11	The leper cleansed-Sign to priesthood	Luke 5:12-14; Acts 6:7
33. Lev. 16:15-17	Prefigures Christ’s once-for-all death	Hebrews 9:7-14
34. Lev. 16:27	Suffering outside the Camp	Matthew 27:33; Heb. 13:11, 12
35. Lev. 17:11	The Blood-the life of the flesh	Matthew 26:28; Mark 10:45
36. Lev. 17:11	It is the blood that makes atonement	Rom. 3:23-24; 1John 1:7
37. Lev. 23:36-37	The Drink-offering: “If any man thirst”	John 7:37
38. Num. 9:12	Not a bone of Him broken	John 19:31-36
39. Num. 21:9	The serpent on a pole-Christ lifted up	John 3:14-18, 12:32
40. Num. 24:17	Time: “I shall see him, but not now.”	John 1:14; Galatians 4:4
41. Deut. 18:15	“This is of a truth that prophet.”	John 6:14
42. Deut. 18:15-16	“Had ye believed Moses, ye would believe me.”	John 5:45-47
43. Deut. 18:18	Sent by the Father to speak His word	John 8:28, 29
44. Deut. 18:19	Whoever will not hear must bear his sin	Acts 3:22-23
45. Deut. 21:23	Cursed is he that hangs on a tree	Galatians 3:10-13
46. Joshua 5:14-15	The Captain of our salvation	Hebrews 2:10
47. Ruth 4:4-10	Christ, our kinsman, has redeemed us	Ephesians 1:3-7
48. 1 Sam. 2:35	A Faithful Priest	Heb. 2:17, 3:1-3, 6, 7:24-25
49. 1 Sam. 2:10	Shall be an anointed King to the Lord	Mt. 28:18, John 12:15
50. 2 Sam. 7:12	David’s Seed	Matthew 1:1
51. 2 Sam. 7:13	His Kingdom is everlasting	2Peter 1:11
52. 2 Sam. 7:14a	The Son of God	Luke 1:32, Romans 1:3-4
53. 2 Sam. 7:16	David’s house established forever	Luke 3:31; Rev. 22:16
54. 2 Ki. 2:11	The bodily ascension to heaven illustrated	Luke 24:51
55. 1 Chr. 17:11	David’s Seed	Matthew 1:1, 9:27
56. 1 Chr. 17:12-13	To reign on David’s throne forever	Luke 1:32, 33
57. 1 Chr. 17:13	“I will be His Father, He…my Son.”	Hebrews 1:5
58. Job 9:32-33	Mediator between man and God	1 Timothy 2:5
59. Job 19:23-27	The Resurrection predicted	John 5:24-29
60. Psa. 2:1-3	The enmity of kings foreordained	Acts 4:25-28
61. Psa. 2:2	To own the title, Anointed (Christ)	John 1:41, Acts 2:36
62. Psa. 2:6	His Character-Holiness	John 8:46; Revelation 3:7
63. Psa. 2:6	To own the title King	Matthew 2:2
64. Psa. 2:7	Declared the Beloved Son	Matthew 3:17, Romans 1:4
65. Psa. 2:7, 8	The Crucifixion and Resurrection intimated	Acts 13:29-33
66. Psa. 2:8, 9	Rule the nations with a rod of iron	Rev. 2:27, 12:5, 19:15
67. Psa. 2:12	Life comes through faith in Him	John 20:31
68. Psa. 8:2	The mouths of babes perfect His praise	Matthew 21:16
69. Psa. 8:5, 6	His humiliation and exaltation	Hebrews 2:5-9
70. Psa. 9:7-10	Judge the world in righteousness	Acts 17:31
71. Psa. 16:10	Was not to see corruption	Acts 2:31, 13:35
72. Psa. 16:9-11	Was to arise from the dead	John 20:9
73. Psa. 17:15	The resurrection predicted	Luke 24:6
74. Psa. 18:2-3	The horn of salvation	Luke 1:69-71
75. Psa. 22:1	Forsaken because of sins of others	2 Corinthians 5:21
76. Psa. 22:1	“My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”	Matthew 27:46
77. Psa. 22:2	Darkness upon Calvary for three hours	Matthew 27:45
78. Psa. 22:7	They shoot out the lip and shake the head	Matthew 27:39-44
79. Psa. 22:8	“He trusted in God, let Him deliver Him”	Matthew 27:43
80. Psa. 22:9-10	Born the Saviour	Luke 2:7
81. Psa. 22:12-13	They seek His death	John 19:6
82. Psa. 22:14	His blood poured out when they pierced His side	John 19:34
83. Psa. 22:14, 15	Suffered agony on Calvary	Mark 15:34-37
84. Psa. 22:15	He thirsted	John 19:28
85. Psa. 22:16	They pierced His hands and His feet	John 19:34, 37; 20:27
86. Psa. 22:17, 18	Stripped Him before the stares of men	Luke 23:34, 35
87. Psa. 22:18	They parted His garments	John 19:23, 24
88. Psa. 22:20, 21	He committed Himself to God	Luke 23:46
89. Psa. 22:20, 21	Satanic power bruising the Redeemer’s heel	Hebrews 2:14
90. Psa. 22:22	His Resurrection declared	John 20:17
91. Psa. 22:27-28	He shall be the governor of the nations	Colossians 1:16
92. Psa. 22:31	“It is finished”	John 19:30, Heb. 10:10, 12, 14, 18
93. Psa. 23:1	“I am the Good Shepherd”	John 10:11, 1Peter 2:25
94. Psa. 24:3	His exaltation predicted	Acts 1:11; Philippians 2:9
95. Psa. 30:3	His resurrection predicted	Acts 2:32
96. Psa. 31:5	“Into thy hands I commit my spirit”	Luke 23:46
97. Psa. 31:11	His acquaintances fled from Him	Mark 14:50
98. Psa. 31:13	They took counsel to put Him to death	Mt. 27:1, John 11:53
99. Psa. 31:14, 15	“He trusted in God, let Him deliver him”	Matthew 27:43
100. Psa. 34:20	Not a bone of Him broken	John 19:31-36
101. Psa. 35:11	False witnesses rose up against Him	Matthew 26:59
102. Psa. 35:19	He was hated without a cause	John 15:25
103. Psa. 38:11	His friends stood afar off	Luke 23:49
104. Psa. 38:12	Enemies try to entangle Him by craft	Mark 14:1, Mt. 22:15
105. Psa. 38:12-13	Silent before His accusers	Matthew 27:12-14
106. Psa. 38:20	He went about doing good	Acts 10:38
107. Psa. 40:2-5	The joy of His resurrection predicted	John 20:20
108. Psa. 40:6-8	His delight-the will of the Father	John 4:34, Heb. 10:5-10
109. Psa. 40:9	He was to preach the Righteousness in Israel	Matthew 4:17
110. Psa. 40:14	Confronted by adversaries in the Garden	John 18:4-6
111. Psa. 41:9	Betrayed by a familiar friend	John 13:18
112. Psa. 45:2	Words of Grace come from His lips	John 1:17, Luke 4:22
113. Psa. 45:6	To own the title, God or Elohim	Hebrews 1:8
114. Psa. 45:7	A special anointing by the Holy Spirit	Mt. 3:16; Heb. 1:9
115. Psa. 45:7, 8	Called the Christ (Messiah or Anointed)	Luke 2:11
116. Psa. 45:17	His name remembered forever	Ephesians 1:20-21, Heb. 1:8
117. Psa. 55:12-14	Betrayed by a friend, not an enemy	John 13:18
118. Psa. 55:15	Unrepentant death of the Betrayer	Matthew 27:3-5; Acts 1:16-19
119. Psa. 68:18	To give gifts to men	Ephesians 4:7-16
120. Psa. 68:18	Ascended into Heaven	Luke 24:51
121. Psa. 69:4	Hated without a cause	John 15:25
122. Psa. 69:8	A stranger to own brethren	John 1:11, 7:5
123. Psa. 69:9	Zealous for the Lord’s House	John 2:17
124. Psa. 69:14-20	Messiah’s anguish of soul before crucifixion	Matthew 26:36-45
125. Psa. 69:20	“My soul is exceeding sorrowful.”	Matthew 26:38
126. Psa. 69:21	Given vinegar in thirst	Matthew 27:34
127. Psa. 69:26	The Saviour given and smitten by God	John 17:4; 18:11
128. Psa. 72:10, 11	Great persons were to visit Him	Matthew 2:1-11
129. Psa. 72:16	The corn of wheat to fall into the Ground	John 12:24-25
130. Psa. 72:17	Belief on His name will produce offspring	John 1:12, 13
131. Psa. 72:17	All nations shall be blessed by Him	Galatians 3:8
132. Psa. 72:17	All nations shall call Him blessed	John 12:13, Rev. 5:8-12
133. Psa. 78:1-2	He would teach in parables	Matthew 13:34-35
134. Psa. 78:2b	To speak the Wisdom of God with authority	Matthew 7:29
135. Psa. 80:17	The Man of God’s right hand	Mark 14:61-62
136. Psa. 88	The Suffering and Reproach of Calvary	Matthew 27:26-50
137. Psa. 88:8	They stood afar off and watched	Luke 23:49
138. Psa. 89:27	Firstborn	Colossians 1:15, 18
139. Psa. 89:27	Emmanuel to be higher than earthly kings	Luke 1:32, 33
140. Psa. 89:35-37	David’s Seed, throne, kingdom endure forever	Luke 1:32, 33
141. Psa. 89:36-37	His character-Faithfulness	Revelation 1:5, 19:11
142. Psa. 90:2	He is from everlasting (Micah 5:2)	John 1:1
143. Psa. 91:11, 12	Identified as Messianic; used to tempt Christ	Luke 4:10, 11
144. Psa. 97:9	His exaltation predicted	Acts 1:11; Ephesians 1:20
145. Psa. 100:5	His character-Goodness	Matthew 19:16, 17
146. Psa. 102:1-11	The Suffering and Reproach of Calvary	John 19:16-30
147. Psa. 102:25-27	Messiah is the Preexistent Son	Hebrews 1:10-12
148. Psa. 109:25	Ridiculed	Matthew 27:39
149. Psa. 110:1	Son of David	Matthew 22:42-43
150. Psa. 110:1	To ascend to the right-hand of the Father	Mark 16:19
151. Psa. 110:1	David’s son called Lord	Matthew 22:44, 45
152. Psa. 110:4	A priest after Melchizedek’s order	Hebrews 6:20
153. Psa. 112:4	His character-Compassionate, Gracious, et al	Matthew 9:36
154. Psa. 118:17, 18	Messiah’s Resurrection assured	Luke 24:5-7; 1Cor. 15:20
155. Psa. 118:22, 23	The rejected stone is Head of the corner	Matthew 21:42, 43
156. Psa. 118:26a	The Blessed One presented to Israel	Matthew 21:9
157. Psa. 118:26b	To come while Temple standing	Matthew 21:12-15
158. Psa. 132:11	The Seed of David (the fruit of His Body)	Luke 1:32, Act 2:30
159. Psa. 129:3	He was scourged	Matthew 27:26
160. Psa. 138:1-6	The supremacy of David’s Seed amazes kings	Matthew 2:2-6
161. Psa. 147:3, 6	The earthly ministry of Christ described	Luke 4:18
162. Prov. 1:23	He will send the Spirit of God	John 16:7
163. Prov. 8:23	Foreordained from everlasting	Rev. 13:8, 1Peter 1:19-20
164. Song. 5:16	The altogether lovely One	John 1:17
165. Isa. 2:3	He shall teach all nations	John 4:25
166. Isa. 2:4	He shall judge among the nations	John 5:22
167. Isa. 6:1	When Isaiah saw His glory	John 12:40-41
168. Isa. 6:8	The One Sent by God	John 12:38-45
169. Isa. 6:9-10	Parables fall on deaf ears	Matthew 13:13-15
170. Isa. 6:9-12	Blinded to Christ and deaf to His words	Acts 28:23-29
171. Isa. 7:14	To be born of a virgin	Luke 1:35
172. Isa. 7:14	To be Emmanuel-God with us	Matthew 1:18-23, 1Tim. 3:16
173. Isa. 8:8	Called Emmanuel	Matthew 28:20
174. Isa. 8:14	A stone of stumbling, a Rock of offense	1Peter 2:8
175. Isa. 9:1, 2	His ministry to begin in Galilee	Matthew 4:12-17
176. Isa. 9:6	A child born-Humanity	Luke 1:31
177. Isa. 9:6	A Son given-Deity	Luke 1:32, John 1:14, 1Tim. 3:16
178. Isa. 9:6	Declared to be the Son of God with power	Romans 1:3, 4
179. Isa. 9:6	The Wonderful One, Peleh	Luke 4:22
180. Isa. 9:6	The Counsellor, Yaatz	Matthew 13:54
181. Isa. 9:6	The Mighty God, El Gibor	1Cor. 1:24, Titus 2:3
182. Isa. 9:6	The Everlasting Father, Avi Adth	John 8:58, 10:30
183. Isa. 9:6	The Prince of Peace, Sar Shalom	John 16:33
184. Isa. 9:7	To establish an everlasting kingdom	Luke 1:32-33
185. Isa. 9:7	His Character-Just	John 5:30
186. Isa. 9:7	No end to his Government, Throne, and Peace	Luke 1:32-33
187. Isa. 11:1	Called a Nazarene-the Branch, Netzer	Matthew 2:23
188. Isa. 11:1	A rod out of Jesse-Son of Jesse	Luke 3:23, 32
189. Isa. 11:2	Anointed One by the Spirit	Matthew 3:16, 17, Acts 10:38
190. Isa. 11:2	His Character-Wisdom, Knowledge, et al	Colossians 2:3
191. Isa. 11:3	He would know their thoughts	Luke 6:8, John 2:25
192. Isa. 11:4	Judge in righteousness	Acts 17:31
193. Isa. 11:4	Judges with the sword of His mouth	Rev. 2:16, 19:11, 15
194. Isa. 11:5	Character: Righteous & Faithful	Rev. 19:11
195. Isa. 11:10	The Gentiles seek Him	John 12:18-21
196. Isa. 12:2	Called Jesus-Yeshua	Matthew 1:21
197. Isa. 22:22	The One given all authority to govern	Revelation 3:7
198. Isa. 25:8	The Resurrection predicted	1Corinthians 15:54
199. Isa. 26:19	His power of Resurrection predicted	Matthew 27:50-54
200. Isa. 28:16	The Messiah is the precious corner stone	Acts 4:11, 12
201. Isa. 28:16	The Sure Foundation	1Corinthians 3:11, Mt. 16:18
202. Isa. 29:13	He indicated hypocritical obedience to His Word	Matthew 15:7-9
203. Isa. 29:14	The wise are confounded by the Word	1Corinthians 1:18-31
204. Isa. 32:2	A Refuge-A man shall be a hiding place	Matthew 23:37
205. Isa. 35:4	He will come and save you	Matthew 1:21
206. Isa. 35:5-6	To have a ministry of miracles	Matthew 11:2-6
207. Isa. 40:3, 4	Preceded by forerunner	John 1:23
208. Isa. 40:9	“Behold your God.”	John 1:36; 19:14
209. Isa. 40:10.	He will come to reward	Revelation 22:12
210. Isa. 40:11	A shepherd-compassionate life-giver	John 10:10-18
2101. Isa. 42:1-4	The Servant-as a faithful, patient redeemer	Matthew 12:18-21
212. Isa. 42:2	Meek and lowly	Matthew 11:28-30
213. Isa. 42:3	He brings hope for the hopeless	John 4
214. Isa. 42:4	The nations shall wait on His teachings	John 12:20-26
215. Isa. 42:6	The Light (salvation) of the Gentiles	Luke 2:32
216. Isa. 42:1, 6	His is a worldwide compassion	Matthew 28:19, 20
217. Isa. 42:7	Blind eyes opened.	John 9:25-38
218. Isa. 43:11	He is the only Saviour.	Acts 4:12
219. Isa. 44:3	He will send the Spirit of God	John 16:7, 13
220. Isa. 45:21-25	He is Lord and Saviour	Philippians 3:20, Titus 2:13
221. Isa. 45:23	He will be the Judge	John 5:22; Romans 14:11
222. Isa. 46:9, 10	Declares things not yet done	John 13:19
223. Isa. 48:12	The First and the Last	John 1:30, Revelation 1:8, 17
224. Isa. 48:16, 17	He came as a Teacher	John 3:2
225. Isa. 49:1	Called from the womb-His humanity	Matthew 1:18
226. Isa. 49:5	A Servant from the womb.	Luke 1:31, Philippians 2:7
227. Isa. 49:6	He will restore Israel	Acts 3:19-21, 15:16-17
228. Isa. 49:6	He is Salvation for Israel	Luke 2:29-32
229. Isa. 49:6	He is the Light of the Gentiles	John 8:12, Acts 13:47
230. Isa. 49:6	He is Salvation unto the ends of the earth	Acts 15:7-18
231. Isa. 49:7	He is despised of the Nation	John 1:11, 8:48-49, 19:14-15
232. Isa. 50:3	Heaven is clothed in black at His humiliation	Luke 23:44, 45
233. Isa. 50:4	He is a learned counselor for the weary	Matthew 7:29, 11:28, 29
234. Isa. 50:5	The Servant bound willingly to obedience	Matthew 26:39
235. Isa. 50:6a	“I gave my back to the smiters.”	Matthew 27:26
236. Isa. 50:6b	He was smitten on the cheeks	Matthew 26:67
237. Isa. 50:6c	He was spat upon	Matthew 27:30
238. Isa. 52:7	Published good tidings upon mountains	Matthew 5:12,15:29,28:16
239. Isa. 52:13	The Servant exalted	Acts 1:8-11; Eph. 1:19-22, Php. 2:5-9
240. Isa. 52:14	The Servant shockingly abused	Luke 18:31-34; Mt. 26:67, 68
241. Isa. 52:15	Nations startled by message of the Servant	Luke 18:31-34; Mt. 26:67, 68
242. Isa. 52:15	His blood shed sprinkles nations	Hebrews 9:13-14, Rev. 1:5
243. Isa. 53:1	His people would not believe Him	John 12:37-38
244. Isa. 53:2	Appearance of an ordinary man	Philippians 2:6-8
245. Isa. 53:3a	Despised	Luke 4:28-29
246. Isa. 53:3b	Rejected	Matthew 27:21-23
247. Isa. 53:3c	Great sorrow and grief	Matthew 26:37-38, Luke 19:41, Heb. 4:15
248. Isa. 53:3d	Men hide from being associated with Him	Mark 14:50-52
249. Isa. 53:4a	He would have a healing ministry	Matthew 8:16-17
250. Isa. 53:4b	Thought to be cursed by God	Matthew 26:66, 27:41-43
251. Isa. 53:5a	Bears penalty for mankind’s iniquities	2Cor. 5:21, Heb. 2:9
252. Isa. 53:5b	His sacrifice provides peace between man and God	Colossians 1:20
253. Isa. 53:5c	His sacrifice would heal man of sin	1Peter 2:24
254. Isa. 53:6a	He would be the sin-bearer for all mankind	1John 2:2, 4:10
255. Isa. 53:6b	God’s will that He bear sin for all mankind	Galatians 1:4
256. Isa. 53:7a	Oppressed and afflicted	Matthew 27:27-31
257. Isa. 53:7b	Silent before his accusers	Matthew 27:12-14
258. Isa. 53:7c	Sacrificial lamb	John 1:29, 1Peter 1:18-19
259. Isa. 53:8a	Confined and persecuted	Matthew 26:47-27:31
260. Isa. 53:8b	He would be judged	John 18:13-22
261. Isa. 53:8c	Killed	Matthew 27:35
262. Isa. 53:8d	Dies for the sins of the world	1John 2:2
263. Isa. 53:9a	Buried in a rich man’s grave	Matthew 27:57
264. Isa. 53:9b	Innocent and had done no violence	Luke 23:41, John 18:38
265. Isa. 53:9c	No deceit in his mouth	1Peter 2:22
266. Isa. 53:10a	God’s will that He die for mankind	John 18:11
267. Isa. 53:10b	An offering for sin	Matthew 20:28, Galatians 3:13
268. Isa. 53:10c	Resurrected and live forever	Romans 6:9
269. Isa. 53:10d	He would prosper	John 17:1-5
270. Isa. 53:11a	God fully satisfied with His suffering	John 12:27
271. Isa. 53:11b	God’s servant would justify man	Romans 5:8-9, 18-19
272. Isa. 53:11c	The sin-bearer for all mankind	Hebrews 9:28
273. Isa. 53:12a	Exalted by God because of his sacrifice	Matthew 28:18
274. Isa. 53:12b	He would give up his life to save mankind	Luke 23:46
275. Isa. 53:12c	Numbered with the transgressors	Mark 15:27-28
276. Isa. 53:12d	Sin-bearer for all mankind	1Peter 2:24
277. Isa. 53:12e	Intercede to God in behalf of mankind	Luke 23:34, Rom. 8:34
278. Isa. 55:3	Resurrected by God	Acts 13:34
279. Isa. 55:4a	A witness	John 18:37
280. Isa. 55:4b	He is a leader and commander	Hebrews 2:10
281. Isa. 55:5	God would glorify Him	Acts 3:13
282. Isa. 59:16a	Intercessor between man and God	Matthew 10:32
283. Isa. 59:16b	He would come to provide salvation	John 6:40
284. Isa. 59:20	He would come to Zion as their Redeemer	Luke 2:38
285. Isa. 60:1-3	He would shew light to the Gentiles	Acts 26:23
286. Isa. 61:1a	The Spirit of God upon him	Matthew 3:16-17
287. Isa. 61:1b	The Messiah would preach the good news	Luke 4:16-21
288. Isa. 61:1c	Provide freedom from the bondage of sin	John 8:31-36
289. Isa. 61:1-2a	Proclaim a period of grace	Galatians 4:4-5
290. Jer. 23:5-6	Descendant of David	Luke 3:23-31
291. Jer. 23:5-6	The Messiah would be both God and Man	John 13:13, 1Ti 3:16
292. Jer. 31:22	Born of a virgin	Matthew 1:18-20
293. Jer. 31:31	The Messiah would be the new covenant	Matthew 26:28
294. Jer. 33:14-15	Descendant of David	Luke 3:23-31
295. Eze.34:23-24	Descendant of David	Matthew 1:1
296. Eze.37:24-25	Descendant of David	Luke 1:31-33
297. Dan. 2:44-45	The Stone that shall break the kingdoms	Matthew 21:44
298. Dan. 7:13-14a	He would ascend into heaven	Acts 1:9-11
299. Dan. 7:13-14b	Highly exalted	Ephesians 1:20-22
300. Dan. 7:13-14c	His dominion would be everlasting	Luke 1:31-33
301. Dan. 9:24a	To make an end to sins	Galatians 1:3-5
302. Dan. 9:24a	To make reconciliation for iniquity	Romans 5:10, 2Cor. 5:18-21
303. Dan. 9:24b	He would be holy	Luke 1:35
304. Dan. 9:25	His announcement	John 12:12-13
305. Dan. 9:26a	Cut off	Matthew 16:21, 21:38-39
306. Dan. 9:26b	Die for the sins of the world	Hebrews 2:9
307. Dan. 9:26c	Killed before the destruction of the temple	Matthew 27:50-51
308. Dan. 10:5-6	Messiah in a glorified state	Revelation 1:13-16
309. Hos. 11:1	He would be called out of Egypt	Matthew 2:15
310. Hos. 13:14	He would defeat death	1Corinthians 15:55-57
311. Joel 2:32	Offer salvation to all mankind	Romans 10:9-13
312. Jonah 1:17	Death and resurrection of Christ	Matthew 12:40, 16:4
313. Mic. 5:2a	Born in Bethlehem	Matthew 2:1-6
314. Mic. 5:2b	Ruler in Israel	Luke 1:33
315. Mic. 5:2c	From everlasting	John 8:58
316. Hag. 2:6-9	He would visit the second Temple	Luke 2:27-32
317. Hag. 2:23	Descendant of Zerubbabel	Luke 2:27-32
318. Zech. 3:8	God’s servant	John 17:4
319. Zech. 6:12-13	Priest and King	Hebrews 8:1
320. Zech. 9:9a	Greeted with rejoicing in Jerusalem	Matthew 21:8-10
321. Zech. 9:9b	Beheld as King	John 12:12-13
322. Zech. 9:9c	The Messiah would be just	John 5:30
323. Zech. 9:9d	The Messiah would bring salvation	Luke 19:10
324. Zech. 9:9e	The Messiah would be humble	Matthew 11:29
325. Zech. 9:9f	Presented to Jerusalem riding on a donkey	Matthew 21:6-9
326. Zech. 10:4	The cornerstone	Ephesians 2:20
327. Zech. 11:4-6a	At His coming, Israel to have unfit leaders	Matthew 23:1-4
328. Zech. 11:4-6b	Rejection causes God to remove His protection	Luke 19:41-44
329. Zech. 11:4-6c	Rejected in favor of another king	John 19:13-15
330. Zech. 11:7	Ministry to “poor,” the believing remnant	Matthew 9:35-36
331. Zech. 11:8a	Unbelief forces Messiah to reject them	Matthew 23:33
332. Zech. 11:8b	Despised	Matthew 27:20
333. Zech. 11:9	Stops ministering to those who rejected Him	Matthew 13:10-11
334. Zech. 11:10-11a	Rejection causes God to remove protection	Luke 19:41-44
335. Zech. 11:10-11b	The Messiah would be God	John 14:7
336. Zech. 11:12-13a	Betrayed for thirty pieces of silver	Matthew 26:14-15
337. Zech. 11:12-13b	Rejected	Matthew 26:14-15
338. Zech. 11:12-13c	Thirty pieces of silver cast in the house of the Lord	Matthew 27:3-5
339. Zech. 11:12-13d	The Messiah would be God	John 12:45
340. Zech. 12:10a	The Messiah’s body would be pierced	John 19:34-37
341. Zech. 12:10b	The Messiah would be both God and man	John 10:30
342. Zech. 12:10c	The Messiah would be rejected	John 1:11
343. Zech. 13:7a	God’s will He die for mankind	John 18:11
344. Zech. 13:7b	A violent death	Mark 14:27
345. Zech. 13:7c	Both God and man	John 14:9
346. Zech. 13:7d	Israel scattered as a result of rejecting Him	Matthew 26:31-56
347. Zech. 14:4	He would return to the Mt. of Olives	Acts 1:11-12
348. Mal. 3:1a	Messenger to prepare the way for Messiah	Mark 1:1-8
349. Mal. 3:1b	Sudden appearance at the temple	Mark 11:15-16
350. Mal. 3:1c	Messenger of the new covenant	Luke 4:43
351. Mal. 3:6	The God who changes not	Hebrews 13:8
352. Mal. 4:5	Forerunner in spirit of Elijah	Mt. 3:1-3, 11:10-14, 17:11-13
353. Mal. 4:6	Forerunner would turn many to righteousness	Luke 1:16-17

Faith, What to Do With Doubt

WHAT DO DO WITH DOUBT-PART 1

January 12, 2020 Eddie Leave a comment

“Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed, Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29

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It was the walk with Jesus by someone else that inspired me. Since age 25, I have had a walk with Jesus, but it is a non-physical spiritual walk of faith. In my walk, I can’t see His form, His eyes, His hair, His face, nor hear His kind voice, but there were two disciples who could. Their story is recorded in the new testament for our encouragement and contemplation. (We will look at this story in the next post.) Parts of their 3-hour conversation with Him was recorded because our Creator wants to help us in our walk of Faith. This is not my opinion. Jesus said it!

“…these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.” John 20:31

My questions is this: Do I have “life in His name”? Is my experience all about heaven and the hereafter or the “here-now”? May I propose to you that if we are not having a “here-now” experience with Jesus, we won’t have a “hereafter” experience with Him either. It all starts here! Now!

Don’t have this? Your journey can start now….or perhaps it has already started and you just don’t know it. Perhaps, if you have been on your Jesus journey for many years, you don’t have the assurance that you have eternal life.

Jesus said this to Thomas when He appeared to this doubter some 8 days after Jesus’ resurrection,

“Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed, Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29

Thomas had heard that Jesus was alive from people who would not lie to him i.e., the other disciples who had seen Him. But, Thomas wanted his own experience; not one based on the word of others. He was a doubter despite their convincing words. So, Jesus accommodated him and appeared to him.

But, wouldn’t Thomas have an advantage over us in the faith department because he could actually see and feel the hands and side of Jesus? Is faith built only on what you see? No! In the verse above, it indicates our experience is blessed by believing even though we have not seen. But, how does this work?

Are we going to be like Thomas and say,

“Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” John 20:25

Let’s be real. It is highly unlikely that Jesus is going to appear to any of us in our bedroom and say,

“Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Take your hand, and put it into my side. Stop doubting, and believe.”

John 20:27

Our faith in Jesus comes from three main sources available to everyone:

Creation

The Bible

Other Real People (Not REALigious people)

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Creation:

It is by observing and contemplating the beauty of life….a squirming warm new-born human, calf, puppy, or anything new to the world through the act of birth and procreation…the laughter, smile, and innocence of a small child. (They have more of the image of God at this point than any other time)….the wisdom of a bright-eyed old man who has been there before you….large mountains with a hat of ice and snow…the laughing lapping of the ocean waves against the shore at sunset…the colorful creatures swimming past you in the waters off Cozumel….the intricate detail and webbing of an opening spring flower to receive the life-giving sun rays…the sound of the morning birds outside your window bursting with the praise of its Creator. It is because of the signature of God on Creation that He says we can know Him….even the “invisible” things of Him…things we can’t see!

From the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly observed in what he made. As a result, people have no excuse.

Romans 1:20

Do you catch that? We have no excuse to be an unbeliever. Creation is available for all to see, touch, hear, taste. If we open our minds and be honest and logical, we will not only know there is a Creator, but we will know some things about Him.

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The Bible

This book is no accident. It is not just a collection of 40 different authors separated by hundreds of years and three different continents with an agenda to deceive people. If it had just one author, as do some religions, I would be skeptical too.

It is in the number of different books, authors, and cultures preserved for thousands of years who agree about Jesus, which gives the basis for faith.

Have you failed to see Jesus in the Old Testament? Has your experience been based only on the New Testament? You are missing something…at least 39 books of the 66! That is 59% of the story you are missing if you don’t visit the old testament! It is estimated that there are over 400 prophecies in the Old Testament about the first and second coming of Jesus.

I can say this with confidence because of the story that we will see in the next post. Jesus himself exclaimed to his disciples this very thing when He appeared to them after His resurrection. Once they understood that Jesus was throughout scripture, they went from fearful men hiding behind closed doors on the first day of the week, to week-long believers of Jesus willing to lay down their life for telling the truth about Jesus!

It is a life-giving gospel of love and peace for all people unlike the hatred and control of other religions we are seeing modern times.

It is difficult if not impossible to ignore the word of God during the week and snack on it occasionally and be a solid believer in Jesus. It was written that we might believe Jesus. That Bible given to you by your grandmother with its 66 books is all about Him! Yes, that means Genesis, Exodus, Deuteronomy…you name it. Here is how I know.

Jesus gave a Bible study to two disciples who had just witnessed his death a few days earlier. They were walking away from the massive head wound of discouragement. Their faith was near death. It was at the pinnacle of their hurt that Jesus showed up and encouraged them. They went from the depths of doubt, despair, and unbelief to their “hearts burning” within them. As I mentioned, we will look at this next time.

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The Experience of other real people (Not REALigious)

It was the experience of these two men that inspired men and continues even to this day. In my life I have seen some miraculous working of God in people’s lives. I have seen atheists turned into believer in Jesus (I am one of them). It is their testimony that is powerful in the dispelling of doubt.

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony

Revelation 12:11

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When I was younger, a friend and I received an invitation to give Bib

When I was younger, a friend and I received an invitation to give Bible studies to the mother and daughter of a young African-American man who was now a follower of Christ. He had given up his life as a professional fighter to follow Jesus. He wanted his family to know the beauty of God’s word. This is a powerful story in itself, but I will save it for another time.

On a frosty night in Nashville, Tennessee, I met with my friend to give the first of the Bible studies. We walked into the very poor apartment complex near downtown Nashville wearing our ties and suits (We had just come from work that required us to dress this way.). We carried our Bibles also. Needless to say, we stuck out in our appearance.

As we passed by a group of young men warming themselves by a dumpster, recently set ablaze, one of them asked, “Where are you going?” We told him, “To give a Bible study.” The words came out of my fear-lumped throat, “Come join us!” We had reason to fear because one of them said, “I have a gun.”

One of them showed up as a massive shadow in the doorway to the poor apartment! He sat down quietly and with a threat in his eyes. The massive shadow said nothing when he arrived and nothing when he left, but you could see trouble in his face and the way he carried himself.

As I gave the study about the life of Jesus, the rats scampered about…even under my feet! But, they did not distract from the beautiful story of Jesus’ love for all of mankind. Nevertheless, we never again saw the young man, with the big shadow, at the studies.

Several months later, I sat with my family in church waiting for the service to begin when my friend came up to me and asked me to come back to the vestibule. He wanted me to see something he said I was not going to believe.

I got up respectfully and walked to the back of the main auditorium and through the doors. Standing before me was the massive shadow who we had seen by the burning dumpster! His eyes said it all. I walked up to him and said, “You have Jesus in your life!” You could see in his eyes and face the transformation from a troubled soul to a man of peace because of his Savior who had been welcomed into this man’s life.

Somehow, our little time together on that frosty night led him to search for Jesus and he found Him. His experience reminded me of two great truths. God’s word, will never return to void and if someone searches for Jesus, they will find him.

“My word, which comes from my mouth, is like the rain and snow. It will not come back to me without results. It will accomplish whatever I want and achieve whatever I send it to do.”

Isaiah 55:11

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

Jeremiah 29:13

Next time, we will look at the walk with Jesus by the two disciples and how it can help us with doubt in our life, but even more importantly, how it can help us on our Jesus journey.

Blessings my friends.

Faith

Real Faith, Fake Faith

December 31, 2019 Eddie 1 Comment

Introduction

Faith is one of those common religious words used by churches and their members. It is not a word typically used by the scientific community or atheists. The experience of faith, however, is a daily experience by everyone regardless of their world view. For an easy understanding of faith, think of the word trust. Trust comes from knowing the words or actions of a person, process, of thing that perform as it has always. They are predictable and true. That will be the basic definition or premise used for this writing. But faith or trust is more dynamic for the believer in Christ. Since there is an enemy of Christ, there is also a misplaced thinking that can create a fake faith in the religious community. Therefore this writing is primarily for the church. It is interesting that Jesus had the most severe warnings for those who were religious than for those who were “sinners.”

True Faith Has Action

For an example of true faith, the story is told of the man who planned to walk a tight-rope across the roaring Niagara Falls. He received a lot of press, interviews, and attention, then the day came for his historic walk. The crowd and newspaper reporters gathered to hear the words of the daring young man. Everyone was surprised when a wheelbarrow was brought up and placed on the wire in front of the man. Then he said, “Who has the faith that I can push this wheelbarrow across this wire to the other side of the Niagara Falls? Everyone was silent except for one person. An old man said, “I have faith you can do it.” The next words tested the faith of the old man, “Ok since you have faith, please get in and I will push you across.” The old man refused to get in and thereby exposed to everyone that his words were just that, only words. But, the young man’s wife said, “I have faith in you” and she carefully placed herself in the cold garden utensil. She had been married to the daring young man for several years and had time to observe and trust in him and his abilities. He had pushed her across a thin wire many times before, but on a smaller scale. Today, she would put her trust in his ability even though the environment was windy, misty, and higher. Her faith had grown in the small things to where she could trust her husband in the big things…because she knew him.

In a similar manner trust in Jesus comes only from an experience with Him in the small things at first. Its source for trust is in the Bible and His words, they bring to life the experience of trust. “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (John 6: 63). The premise of this book is that real faith comes from three sources: God’s word, an experience with Him, and continued building trust. Faith is never stagnant, but it grows or dies with continued use or lack of use. Works (actions) and faith (trust) are not separate experiences that are a result of each other as James explains, “Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” James 2:18

Faith or trust in Jesus is so important that the writer of Hebrews said, “But without faith, it is impossible to please Him…” Hebrews 11:6. Jesus’ rhetorical question indicates there will be a small amount of saving faith when Jesus comes, “…when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8).

Fake Faith-Self Deception

On the other hand, there is a pseudo-faith in the world of religion that is misplaced and deadly. It may even contain good works or deeds, but lack a personal experience with Jesus. One of the most startling passages of scriptures paints a picture of people who offered up their works as evidence of their faith, but it is rejected by the Lord because He didn’t know them:

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you…” (Matthew 7: 21-23).

It is for these reasons I write my first book. Of all the topics I considered, this was by far the one that inspired me the most because it is so dynamic and so important. My desire is your experience with Christ will move to a new level of trust.

One last thing, I came from an atheist philosophy while in college to a full-blown believer in Christ when I was 25 years old. How that happened is part of this book. I am now 70 years old and have experienced Jesus in good times and bad times. The Bible tells us of the importance of personal experience and testimony. The stories of the people of God in the Old Testimony, even their failures, help us in modern society to reach a higher level of faith and hope. They are written so we can learn to grow in faith.

“For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4).

We are told by John our personal experience and testimonies with Jesus can actually overcome Satan.

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. (Revelation 12:11)

Fake News-Fake Faith

We live at a time where we often hear the phrase “Fake News.” It indicates the reporting of news that is not necessarily true. It also appears in the form of deception using facts purposely neglected or events spun to fit the writer’s desired narrative. In the spiritual realm facts (the basis of faith) can be counterfeited, ignored, or explained in such a way that our understanding of faith becomes worthless, even deadly. Solomon expressed it this way:

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” Proverbs 14:12 NKJV.

Solomon repeated these same words again in Proverbs 16:25. By repetition, he highlighted the extreme danger of putting too much trust in our own thoughts and feelings, especially those created by the manipulation of others who would seek to lead us down a wrong line of thinking either by direct intention to gain something or unintentional. This great wise man of God was subtly telling us, we may think a certain path is the right one, but it doesn’t make it right. Even more, our faulty reasoning and life plans can ultimately lead to destruction. This is why understanding true faith versus false faith is so important in today’s world.

Unfortunately, as erring humans, we often trust our feelings more than rely on objective rational thinking even in the world of faith. True faith, contrary to the opinion of unbelievers, is based on solid logical thinking. Fake faith, like fake news, is based on what we want to hear, so we choose to believe what makes us feel good or fits what we want the truth to be.

For many years we have been taught to “only believe.” But, real faith is not blind nor ruled by emotions. It is based on an understanding of the evidence. If we are going to truly trust something or someone, we must have a reason, a history of confirmed reliability, or unfailing consistency. The journey of experiences leads to trust.

Faith is Based on Evidence

As a little boy, I could fearlessly jump off the high couch into my father’s arms. Though a little shaky and mistrusting at the start, I soon believed in the strong arms of my Dad to always catch me for two simple reasons: 1.) My continued active experience of jumping/catching and 2.) I learned through this play that Dad loved me.

When I began my search for truth and meaning of life at age 25, I was glad to hear Paul say,

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”

Hebrews 11:1.

Substance and evidence are tangible reasons that connect us with the intangibles i.e. hope and things not seen. “Substance” is like the supper my wife makes for me. It is something I can see, smell, and taste. It is not made-up or imaginative. Evidence is similar except it requires the use of reasoning powers given to us by God. I can’t actually see her make the meal if I am not in the kitchen, but I have the evidence that there was rational planning in the delivery of my meal by the empty cartons, cans, and the aromatic smells. I can’t see the flavoring baked into the casserole, but I can see the evidence by the things lying around the kitchen such as salt and pepper shakers and I can taste it with my own tongue (substance). God has provided the meal of life in a similar way. This meal He provides is the substance for a life of faith that can grow over time and become steadfast by the evidence which is easily observable. Understand, I am not necessarily talking about the substance and evidence for creation, but rather the rational reasons to have faith and trust in our Creator that we don’t see.

The most convincing evidence of my Father’s love and a foundation of faith are found in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. But, how can I trust Him and His promises if I have not experienced a jump from low heights and Him catching me? I can’t know the flavors if I have not tasted. The Psalmist invites us to

“…taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” Psalm 34:8.

You see how tasting and trust go together with substance and evidence.

Faith comes not by feelings which are unreliable much of the time, but rather by the tangible ever-present realities around us, both physical and spiritual. Therefore, the elementary basis for faith is found in the facts and reasoning powers God provides in various venues in our lives, especially His word and creation. This will be an objective of this book, to find faith in the pages of God’s word which can be seen and tasted and then transferring this to a practical experience of faith in the One who made us. Faith is dynamic and active it is not a mental exercise of will power. God’s word, from Genesis to Revelation, tells of real people of the past who failed or excelled at faith. Their experiences will teach us to watch out and be cautious of their mistakes or learn how they succeeded at faith. “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” Romans 15:4. See also Hebrews 11.

Source of Real Faith

Real faith has its origin in God’s communication to mankind, primarily through chosen men who were inspired by God to write what they saw and experienced. Peter recognized that

“…holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit,”

2 Peter 1:2.

Luke desired to tell Theophilus what he knew as an observer at the time of Jesus,

“…it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus,” Luke 1:3

These thirty-five or so “holy men” wrote down what they saw and experienced. If we read with a desire to know, we will be blessed with faith from their communications.

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” Romans 10:17.

Here is the primary origin of faith for all who wish to understand the mysteries of life and the universe. Since the prophets of old were moved by the Spirit of God to write, we are encouraged to read what they wrote, particularly if we seek to know more about God. If we do, our faith will have substance and evidence on which to build our faith in God. Faith in the true God will come when we hear the word of God. It has been said, “Little time in God’s word equals little faith. Much time in God’s word equals much faith.” This is logically true, but we will see there are other Biblical directives, not just reading, to nurture the seedling of faith so that it grows into a faith larger than a mustard seed. Herein is another purpose of this book. It is to get our answers from scripture first on the topic of faith, but then to move into a personal experience that can move the mountains of difficulties we face every day in a sin-sick world with its fake news and fake faith. As we will see, true faith is critical for the searcher of faith and especially for the long-term church member who may think the way they are going is right, but they may be on a road to destruction even as they ride to church every weekend.

God does not discount feelings. In fact, feelings can be a tool in the hand of an omnipotent God. For example, we may feel that something is not right in our lives because there is no peace and no real practical trust in God when times get tough or even in everyday challenges. These feelings can lead to a search for answers, but the feelings should never trump the facts found in the time-tested word of God.

Real Faith and The End

One last thought before we move on. Jesus insinuated by a rhetorical statement that faith would be scarce when He returned,

“when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8).

Over the years, I have seen the power of God’s word to bring light to many people’s eyes and the creation of a new life full of forgiveness, happiness, determination, contentment, hope, and peace. I have seen the cruelest of men changed to loving faithful husbands and fathers. Equally inspiring transformations are those who were once unbelievers, doubters, and even atheists, who took up hearing and reading God’s word. It led to a complete change of mind and way of thinking. I was one of them. My way of thinking and feelings changed on a dare from my Christian wife. As we examine the people in the Hall of Faith (Hebrews 11), we will discover the difference between real faith and fake faith. From there, my prayer is for each reader to experience faith that is real and a glory to our Creator and soon coming King.

[i] *New King James Version is used in this book unless otherwise noted.

Inspiration, Prayer

A CHILD’S PRAYER

November 29, 2019 Eddie Leave a comment

Daddy, I’m going to pray my cat comes home.”

This morning, I was reminded of my daughter’s prayer when she was only 5 or 6 years-old. Some things in your memory just stay with you. This is one of them.

On a bright fall day, before my children were born, I was finishing up a bicycle ride that started at my Grandmother’s house and meandered through a local park. As I stopped at a four-way stop sign, I heard the weak sound of a kitten. I looked around and saw nothing until I heard the “plop” of a little black kitten fall from a small tree growing in the median of the two-lane parkway leading to Shelby park.

The desperate meowing grew louder as she came towards me. Her little skinny body and the pitiful sounds melted my heart! When I picked her up and cradled her in my hand next to the warmth of my body she began to purr loudly. I rode the last mile to my Grandmother’s house with the little furry sweetheart close to my heart in my left hand and the other hand on my handlebars. A very dangerous situation that prohibited me from shifting gears.

We feed her. She lapped up the milk and anything else we pulled from the refrigerator. Once she was feeling better, she showed-off her tree climbing skills. We were impressed that such a little kitten could race up the big oak tree so fast! She seemed at home in the tree.

From that day forward, Puss (from the story of Puss N Books) became a member of our little family. She grew to become a sleek athletic cat who preferred the outdoors. She was there waiting when we brought home all three of our children. She was always curious and protective of the new babies. As they grew older, the girls would dress Puss in doll clothes and push her around in a baby buggy. She endured her role as their infant for a while but eventually would jump out and run off…The girls would giggle and laugh as Puss shook her legs to kick off the remaining doll clothes!

During any holiday requiring fireworks, we kept Puss indoors because fireworks would frighten her, but on one 4th of July, she escaped to her beloved outdoors early in the day and we couldn’t find her as the day grew darker and the fireworks began. But, we didn’t worry because she always showed up.

The next morning, Puss did not scratch on the front window of the living room wanting in as was her usual custom. Sadly, one day turned into a week and a week into a month. My heart sank as I imagined a hawk or coyote snatching her up!

I was surprised that my oldest daughter said nothing about her missing furry sister. Almost three months later, I gave up and decided to put away Puss’s food bowl that was left out just in case she came home. Her food had long since been thrown away.

As I was thinking about this, my 5 or year-old daughter asked,

“Daddy, where is my cat?”

“I don’t know. Sweetheart. I think she may have found a new home.”

“Well, I”m going to pray she will come home.”

So she, her Mom, and I knelt at the foot of the floral-design living room couch where my doubting heart heard the simple precious words of my sweet little girl petition the God of the universe to send her little cat home. As she prayed I wondered how to tell her that Puss would probably never return. But then I thought I heard a familiar desperate meow. My heart jumped as the scratching at the back door began, accompanied by another weak meow. My wife and I looked at each other in unbelief, but my daughter jumped up and exclaimed as she ran, “My cat is home!”

We fed the skinny cat who lapped up the milk and anything else we could find in the refrigerator, just like the first time I brought her home!

Coincidence? I think not. Had the cat been living in the woods off mice or fed at someone else’s home? Probably. But, God in His great wisdom anticipated the sincere prayer of a little girl and sent Puss home.

God’s omnipotence is a hard thing for us to understand, but examples of the simple faith of a child demonstrate He knows our desires and needs before we ever ask for them.

“And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” Isaiah 65:24

Healthy Living

“I WILL BRING NONE OF THESE DISEASES UPON YOU” PART 1

November 21, 2019 Eddie Leave a comment

If you do this, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord Who heals you.” Exodus 15:26

And the Lord will take away from you all sickness, and will afflict you with none of the terrible diseases of Egypt which you have known, but will lay them on all those who hate you. Deuteronomy 7:15

Some may view the following experience as only an anecdote and somehow irrelevant. but all of us mortals have had similar experiences, which changed our lives forever. Some in a good way. Some in a bad way.

In the year 1971, I was 20 years old and a newly-wed. That year, an unexpected tragic event changed my life forever. Julie, my new wife, and I were just starting out on our life journey. We were in the prime of our youth and eager to experience life. But a shift in our thinking would occur from the events of the day starting with the ringing of our phone.

Since that hot summer day, I began to get interested in superior, not just good, health and longevity (except for ten years when I had a death wish-another story for another time.). Our new health motivation started with a phone call from my wife’s mother, Dorothy. On the other end of the line was a frantic and out-of-control screaming. Dorothy poured out almost unintelligible words that we interpreted as, “Come to your Grandad’s house!!! I think he’s dead!”

After scrambling through the yellow pages, we found and called an ambulance. Julie and I jumped in the car and raced several miles from Madison to Goodlettsville. 911 was in its infancy and not well-known back then. Cell phones were almost non-existent.

When we arrived, the crowd of three or four were outside including Dorothy. They seemed to be afraid of some monster that had gotten loose in the house. They refused to go in. The ambulance had not arrived. After a few questions to the sobbing family members, I went inside to the small kitchen in this simple little country home.

There he was! Lying peacefully on his back next to the kitchen sink, like he simply laid down to take a nap. I took his wrist to feel for a pulse from the wrist of this mid-sixty-year-old man in his overalls. From the first touch of his skin, I knew he was dead. He was cold and slightly stiff. Of course, there was no heartbeat. This big gentle farmer had passed into eternity.

At the time I was an atheist and had few words of comfort for the family…or myself. I liked this quiet man. He never showed a dislike for anyone and came across to most people as shy and humble. He was not educated by today’s standards, but he had reserved wisdom not often seen in our crazy society.

Well, the ambulance came and they rolled his body out the door to the sound of loud wailing from his adult daughters. They were also simple and poor people. I had a difficult time relating to them and never came into a close relationship with them. My lose.

When we got home and the adrenaline faded, I began to think about life and death. It bothered me that one day I, too, would pass into eternity. I wondered about the day of my death… ”would my family come home and find me lying on the floor dead from a heart attack?”

From that day forward I began to explore how to stay healthy. After much reading (no quick answers from google back then), I turned to a life of exercise, athletics, and changed my diet to a vegetarian after reading a book called “Food for Fitness.” Don’t bother trying to google it. I think it has long since gone out of print. In one chapter, it described the healthiest people in the world…those who lived the longest. For the first time in my life, I heard about the Seventh-Day Adventist that followed the simple health principals given by God to the nation of Israel. With that kind of name, I imaged them to be some hippie cult living in the deserts of California. Years later, I would find them to be warm Bible Christians with a desire to let the world know what they knew. They were far from what I thought.

So my new life as an athlete and vegetarian began. I would overdo the exercise! Over the next many years, I would train to run long distances and run eight marathons at or below a 3-hour pace. This qualified me to run the Boston Marathon, which I ran twice. I also became an avid bicycler and eventually the president of a local bike club. To this day (age 68), I enjoy biking. My time was spent either racing our touring on my expensive bikes. Research is now beginning to reveal that endurance athletes are not that healthy in their later years. A simple routine of exercise is much better.

But, little did I know, that about five years after the death of my wife’s Grandad, this self-centered atheist would reach out to God as I road on a bike trip across an Arizona desert. A simple prayer for Him to reveal Himself to me would lead to an extensive study of the Bible. In its pages, I would find the health laws God gave to help his creation stay healthy and the Bread of Life that would give them eternal life.

Today, I am amazed at the fact that the wealthiest country in the world is not the healthiest. I am also amazed that Christians have all this great health knowledge at their fingertips, but minimize God’s words. There are multitudes of health plans and diets to keep its writers wealthy for a long time. But all (including Christians) have dismissed the health laws that God promised Israel would make them disease-free… if they would simply listen and obey. He said, I will… “take away from you all sickness, and will afflict you with none of the terrible diseases of Egypt which you have known.” Deuteronomy 7:15

Some say, “That was for the Jews only.” But I wonder, “how are their stomachs different than ours?” This is no anecdote! Today there are millions who live by the health principals contained in God’s owner manual. The result is longer, healthier, happier lives especially if they consume the Bread of life.

Salvation is not based on the food we eat, but God desires that we prosper in health just as our souls. Life is so much more productive and enjoyable if we are healthy. It even helps our spiritual lives. Our bodies are temples that can glorify Him not only in physical health, but mental, and spiritual health.

“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 1:2

“…do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” 1 Corinthians 6:19

“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31

One day, all of us will pass away. But, I don’t want my family to find me dead on the floor. My desire is to be like Moses in this life,

“Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died. His eyes were not dim nor his natural vigor diminished.” Deuteronomy 34:7

My first wife, Julie, and I started to grow older with each passing of the day, just as all people do. She died of cancer this year. She now sleeps waiting for the day of the Lord. My ten years of a death-wish turned me from my healthy lifestyle. I ate and drank whatever I desired and eventually had a heart attack. My heart has never been the same.

But, several years ago, I returned to a healthy lifestyle. At age 68, I am more active than my peers and disease-free…hopefully forever. God’s grace and forgiveness are beyond words. We live in a dangerous and unhealthy world. This body is wearing down, but there are things we can do to make the journey from mortal to immortal better. Without a doubt, the death of a beloved Grandfather 1971 sent me on a journey that led me not only to a knowledge of the best health plan possible from God’s owner manual but to the Bread and Water (Jesus) that will give me eternal life. It is not an anecdote, it is the testimony of millions of people.

Next time, we will talk about the health plan from God. It will change your life and your experience with God…for the good.

Inspiration

I SEND AN ANGEL BEFORE YOU…

November 17, 2019 Eddie 4 Comments

My wife and I own and operate an Airbnb in our country home. We try to make everyone’s stay memorable and a blessing. But, oftentimes our guests are a blessing to us.

In this story, David is a fictitious name for the sake of his privacy.

David is a very kind soft-spoken Christian with an artificial leg. He doesn’t mind showing the tricks he can do with it! His sense of humor at the expense of his “handicap” is refreshing. He has state-of-the-art technology that can operate the type of walking or exercise he is doing through an app on his phone! He told us when he skis, he can set the app for downhill skiing!!

David is the director of a hospice center in a western state. His God-given talent is singing to those people who have come to the end of the road. He told us what a blessing it is to be with people and encourage them in their final days. But, as you will see God, had plans for him to serve and comfort people. God would turn a tragedy into triumph and groom him for this type of ministry.

My wife asked about how he lost his leg. It is here where his inspirational story begins…

He lost his leg in a motorcycle accident years ago. The speeding driver of a car hit and ran over him and his wife. His new wife of 3-months was on the seat behind him. Sadly, she died instantly. A paramedic was in a restaurant and saw the entire grisly crash. He immediately got up and ran to assist the downed riders. He was on the scene within seconds. But, when he got there, there was a black man already standing there comforting David. This surprised the paramedic! How did he get there so fast? But the man of color stayed with David the entire time comforting him even as they loaded David into the ambulance.

When the police and the paramedic began to focus their attention on writing the report of the accident, they turned to look for the black man. But he had vanished! Again, the paramedic was surprised! This was a small town where everyone knew each other. But no one knew the identity of the man, nor had anyone seen him come or go.

David was not supposed to live, but he did! He made a remarkable recovery to the astonishment of the doctors. There he stood before me on our back porch, with no evidence of the traumatic wreck except for his high-tech right leg. The story does not end here.

When David had recovered, he sought out the paramedic who was the second person on the scene and instrumental in saving his life. The paramedic said to David, “I have something odd to tell you about what happened that day. This is when he described the unusual presence of the unknown “man” who appeared and then vanished. Of course, David was amazed. But, what happened next added to the miracle of the day.

After leaving the paramedic, David sought out the policeman who also arrived at the accident within minutes. He told David he had pictures of the scene for him to see if he desired. David agreed although the policeman warned him of the stark bloody pictures. David looked through about 30 pictures. You guessed it! The black man was not in any of the pictures!!

My wife and I both said at the same time, “That was an angel!” David agreed. Shortly thereafter, David was asked to direct a hospice center. Now his purpose in life is to be an angel for those soon to pass into eternity. God had plans for David!!!

“Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared.” Exodus 23:20

The Soon Return of Jesus

SECOND COMING PREDICTIONS-THE ANTI-CHRIST REVEALED-PART 7

November 11, 2019 Eddie Leave a comment

The revelation of the Anti-Christ begins in Daniel 7 and 8. This is a study that provides many facts and history easily verified in any library. It is not for the faint-of-heart, but for those who have a living relationship with the Savior or for those seeking the truth as found in God’s word and through the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Much thanks to Amazing Facts for this material. If you would like more information about Amazing Facts, please go to https://www.amazingfacts.org/

Who … or what … is the antichrist? Evil alliance—or sinister individual? Some say his appearance is still in the future. Others say he appeared long ago in the days of ancient Rome. But the Bible indicates that he is alive today! Bible prophecies teach that this antichrist power will play a crucial role in the final events of earth’s history. Do you know who he is? Are you sure? You need to be, for you can’t understand last-day events until you understand this evil power. Be prepared for one of the most intriguing Study Guides yet!

This Study Guide is based on the book of Daniel chapter 7 and clearly and unmistakably identifies the antichrist. But it is only an introduction. Future lessons will reveal details of some of his activities that will have worldwide impact. What you discover today may displease or sadden you, but please remember that the prophecy of Daniel 7 comes from Jesus, who loves you. Pray for God’s guidance as you delve into this urgent subject. Be sure to read Daniel 7 before studying this lesson.

1. As chapter 7 begins, Daniel sees four beasts coming up out of the sea. In prophecy, what does a beast represent? What does the sea represent?

“The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth” (Daniel 7:23).
“The waters … are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues” (Revelation 17:15).

Answer: A beast represents a kingdom or nation. Water represents multitudes of people or large populations.

2. The four beasts of Daniel 7 represent four kingdoms (verses 17, 18). Babylon, the first kingdom (Daniel 2:38, 39), is represented as a lion in Daniel 7:4. (See also Jeremiah 4:7; 50:17, 43, 44.) What do the “eagle’s wings” mean? What do the “four winds” of verse 2 represent?

“The Lord will bring a nation against you … as swift as the eagle flies” (Deuteronomy 28:49).
“Says the Lord of hosts: … a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the farthest parts of the earth. And … the slain of the Lord shall be from one end of the earth even to the other end of the earth” (Jeremiah 25:32, 33).

Answer: The wings of eagles represent speed. (See also Jeremiah 4:13; Habakkuk 1:6–8.) Winds represent strife, commotion, and destruction. (See also Revelation 7:1–3.)

The bear with three ribs in its mouth symbolizes Medo-Persia.

3. What kingdom does the bear represent (Daniel 7:5)? What do the three ribs in its mouth symbolize?

Answer: Read Daniel 8. Notice that the beasts in chapter 8 parallel those in chapter 7. Daniel 8:20 specifically names Medo-Persia as the kingdom that precedes the male goat—that is, Greece—of verse 21. Medo-Persia is the second kingdom—the same power as the bear of Daniel 7. The empire was made up of two groups of people. The Medes came up first (represented in Daniel 7:5 by the bear raising up on one side), but the Persians eventually became stronger (represented in Daniel 8:3 by the ram’s second horn that grew “higher”). The three ribs represent the three principal powers conquered by Medo-Persia: Lydia, Babylon, and Egypt.

The leopard beast of Daniel 7 represents the world kingdom of Greece.

4. Greece, the third kingdom (Daniel 8:21), is represented by a leopard with four wings and four heads (Daniel 7:6). What do the wings represent? What do the four heads represent?

Answer: The four wings (instead of two, as the lion had) represent the incredible speed with which Alexander conquered the region (Jeremiah 4:11–13). The four heads represent the four kingdoms into which the empire of Alexander the Great was divided when he died. The four generals who headed these areas were Cassander, Lysimachus, Ptolemy, and Seleucus.

The world empire of Rome is symbolized by the monster beast of Daniel chapter 7.

5. The Roman Empire, the fourth kingdom, is represented by a powerful monster with iron teeth and 10 horns (Daniel 7:7). What do the horns represent?

Answer: The 10 horns represent the 10 kings or kingdoms into which pagan Rome was eventually split (Daniel 7:24). (These 10 kingdoms are the same as the 10 toes of the image described in Daniel 2:41–44.) Roving barbarian tribes swept in upon the Roman Empire and carved out land niches for their people. Seven of those 10 tribes developed into the countries of modern Western Europe, while three were “uprooted” and destroyed. The next section will discuss those kingdoms that were rooted up.

Visigoths – Spain

Anglo-Saxons – England

Franks – France

Alemani – Germany

Burgundians – Switzerland

Lombards – Italy

Suevi – Portugal

Heruli – Rooted up

Ostrogoths – Rooted up

Vandals – Rooted up

The little horn of Daniel 7:8 represents Antichrist.

6. In the Daniel 7 prophecy, what happens next?

“I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words” (Daniel 7:8).

Answer: The “little horn” power appears next. We must identify it carefully because the biblical characteristics identify it as the antichrist of prophecy and history. There must be no mistake in making this identification.

7. Does the Bible give clear points identifying antichrist?

Yes. God’s Word gives us nine characteristics of the antichrist in Daniel 7 so we can be certain of his identity. And even though some might find these truths painful, we must be honest enough to accept them as His revealed will. Now let’s discover these nine points.

Answer:
A. The little horn would come “up among them”—that is, from among the 10 horns that were the kingdoms of Western Europe (Daniel 7:8). So it would be a little kingdom somewhere in Western Europe.

B. It would have a man at its head who could speak for it (Daniel 7:8).

C. It would pluck out or uproot three kingdoms (Daniel 7:8).

D. It would be different from the other 10 kingdoms (Daniel 7:24).

E. It would make war with and persecute the saints (Daniel 7:21, 25).

F. It would emerge from the pagan Roman Empire—the fourth kingdom (Daniel 7:7, 8).

G. God’s people (the saints) would “be given into his hand” for “a time and times and half a time” (Daniel 7:25).

H. It would “speak great words against” or blaspheme God (Daniel 7:25 KJV). In Revelation 13:5, the Bible says the same power speaks “great things and blasphemies.”

I. It would “intend to change times and law” (Daniel 7:25).

Don’t forget—all these identification points come directly from the Bible. They are not some human opinion or speculation. Historians could tell you quickly what power is being described because these points fit only one power—the papacy. But in order to be certain, let us carefully examine all nine points one by one. There must be no room left for doubt.

8. Does the papacy fit these points?

Answer: Yes—it fits every point. Let’s take a closer look:

A. It came up among the 10 kingdoms of Western Europe.
The geographical location of the papal power is in Rome, Italy—in the heart of Western Europe.

B. It would have a man at its head who speaks for it.
The papacy meets this identifying mark because it does have one man at the head—the pope—who speaks for it.

C. Three kingdoms were plucked up to make way for the rise of the papacy.
The emperors of Western Europe were largely Catholic and supported the papacy. Three Arian kingdoms, however, did not—the Vandals, Heruli, and Ostrogoths. So the Catholic emperors decided they must be subdued or destroyed. Here is how theologian and historian Dr. Mervyn Maxwell describes the results in volume 1, page 129, of his book God Cares: “The Catholic emperor Zeno (474–491) arranged a treaty with the Ostrogoths in 487, which resulted in the eradication of the kingdom of the Arian Heruls in 493. And the Catholic emperor Justinian (527–565) exterminated the Arian Vandals in 534 and significantly broke the power of the Arian Ostrogoths in 538. Thus were Daniel’s three horns—the Heruls, the Vandals, and the Ostrogoths—‘plucked up by the roots.’ ” It is not difficult to recognize that the papacy fits this point.

D. It would be different from the other kingdoms.
The papacy clearly fits this description, as it came on the scene as a religious power and was different from the secular nature of the other 10 kingdoms.

E. It would make war with and persecute the saints.
That the church did persecute is a well-known fact, and the papacy admits doing so. Historians believe the church destroyed at least 50 million lives over matters of religious conviction. We quote here from two sources:

1. “That the Church of Rome has shed more innocent blood than any other institution that has ever existed among mankind, will be questioned by no Protestant who has a competent knowledge of history.” ¹

2. In The History of the Inquisition of Spain, D. Ivan Antonio Llorente provides these figures from the Spanish Inquisition alone: “31,912 persons were condemned and perished in the flames,” and 241,450 were “condemned to severe “penances.”

Words of Care and Concern
Lest anyone should think that we are attacking fellow Christians by identifying the little horn power, please keep in mind that the prophecy is aimed at a system and not individuals. There are sincere, devout Christians in all churches, including the Catholic faith. Daniel 7 is simply a message of judgment and correction upon a large religious institution that compromised with paganism, as many other churches have also done.

Prophecy Reveals Faults of All Faiths
Other prophecies point out the faults of the Protestant and Jewish faiths. God has true people in all religions. His true people (no matter what their faith) will always humbly accept the correction of the Lord and will not shut their ears and hearts against Him. We should be thankful that God’s Word speaks with impartial honesty on every subject.

Prophetic Time:
Time = 1 year
Times = 2 years
½ time = ½ year

F. It would emerge from the fourth kingdom of iron—the pagan Roman Empire.
We quote two authorities on this point:

1. “The mighty Catholic Church was little more than the Roman Empire baptized. … The very capital of the old Roman Empire became the capital of the Christian empire. The office of Pontifex Maximus was continued in that of the pope.” ²

2. “Whatever Roman elements the barbarians and Arians left … [came] under the protection of the Bishop of Rome, who was the chief person there after the emperor’s disappearance. … The Roman church … pushed itself into the place of the Roman World-Empire, of which it is the actual continuation.” ³

G. God’s people (the saints) would “be given into his hand” for “a time and times and half a time.”
Several things need clarification here:

1. A time is a year, times is two years, and half a time is half of a year. The Amplified Bible translates it: “Three and one-half years.” ⁴

2. This same time period is mentioned seven times in the books of Daniel and Revelation (Daniel 7:25; 12:7; Revelation 11:2, 3; 12:6, 14; 13:5): three times as a “time, times, and half a time”; twice as 42 months; and twice as 1,260 days. Based on the 30-day calendar used by the Jews, these time periods are all the same amount of time: 3½ years = 42 months = 1,260 days.

3. One prophetic day equals one literal year (Ezekiel 4:6; Numbers 14:34).

4. Thus, the little horn (antichrist) was to have power over the saints for 1,260 prophetic days; that is, 1,260 literal years.

5. The rule of the papacy began in ad 538, when the last of the three opposing Arian kingdoms was uprooted. Its rule continued until 1798 when Napoleon’s general, Berthier, took the pope captive with hopes of destroying both Pope Pius VI and the political power of the papacy. This period of time is an exact fulfillment of the 1,260-year prophecy. The blow was a deadly wound for the papacy, but that wound began to heal and continues healing today.

6. This same period of persecution is mentioned in Matthew 24:21 as the worst period of persecution God’s people experience. Verse 22 tells us it was so devastating that not one soul would have survived if God had not shortened it. But God did shorten it. The persecution ended long before the pope was taken captive in 1798. It is plain to see that this point, likewise, fits the papacy.

H. It would speak “pompous words” of blasphemy “against [God].”
Blasphemy has two definitions in Scripture:

1. Claiming to forgive sins (Luke 5:21).

2. Claiming to be God (John 10:33).

Does this point fit the papacy? Yes. Let’s first look at the evidence for it claiming to forgive sins, taken directly from its own literature: “Does the Priest truly forgive the sins, or does he only declare that they are remitted? The Priest does really and truly forgive the sins in virtue of the power given to him by Christ.”⁵ The papacy further undermines Jesus by setting up a system of confession to an earthly priest, thus bypassing Jesus, our High Priest (Hebrews 3:1; 8:1, 2) and only Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5). Next, consider the evidence for it claiming to be God: “We [the popes] hold upon this earth the place of God Almighty.”⁶ Here is more evidence: “The pope is not only the representative of Jesus Christ, but he is Jesus Christ, Himself, hidden under the veil of flesh.”⁷

I. It would “intend to change times and law.” In a future Study Guide, we will deal with the “times” of this point. It is a major topic and needs separate consideration. But what about changing “law”? The Amplified Bible translates “law” as “the law.” The reference is to changing God’s law. Of course, no one can really change it, but has the papacy attempted to do so? The answer is yes. In its catechisms, the papacy has omitted the second commandment against veneration of images and has shortened the fourth commandment from 94 words to eight and divided the tenth commandment into two commandments. (Check this for yourself. Compare the Ten Commandments in any Catholic catechism with God’s list of the commandments in Exodus 20:2-17.)

There is no doubt that the little horn power (the antichrist) of Daniel 7 is the papacy. No other organization fits all nine points. And, incidentally, this is not a new teaching. Every Protestant Reformer, without exception, spoke of the papacy as antichrist.⁸

The angel told Daniel that the prophecies of this book would be sealed until 1798, the time of the end.

9. Wasn’t Daniel told to seal up his book “until the time of the end” (Daniel 12:4)? When will Daniel’s prophecies be opened to our understanding?

Answer: In Daniel 12:4, the prophet was told to seal the book till the “time of the end.” In verse 6 an angelic voice asked, “How long shall the fulfillment of these wonders be?” Verse 7 says, “It shall be for a time, times, and half a time.” The angel assured Daniel that the section of the book dealing with end-time prophecies would be opened after the end of the 1,260-year period of papal control, which was, as we learned earlier in this Study Guide, 1798. So the time of the end began in the year 1798. As we have seen, the book of Daniel contains crucial messages from heaven for us today. We must understand it.

All religious teachings must be compared with Scripture to determine their accuracy.

10. Many Christians today have been misinformed regarding the antichrist. To believe an untruth about the antichrist could cause a person to be deceived. What should a person do when new Bible teachings are encountered?

“These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11).

Answer: When a new Bible teaching is encountered, the only safe procedure is to compare it carefully with Scripture to see if it is in harmony with God’s Word.

11. Are you willing to follow where Jesus leads, even though it might be painful?

Concluding Remarks

Many momentous prophecies from the Bible books of Daniel and Revelation will be featured in upcoming Amazing Facts Study Guides. God has given these prophecies to:

A. Reveal earth’s closing events.

B. Identify the participants in the final phase of the battle between Jesus and Satan.

C. Clearly reveal Satan’s sinister plans to ensnare and destroy us all.

D. Present the security and love of the judgment; God’s saints will be vindicated!

E. Uplift Jesus—His salvation, love, power, mercy, and justice

Major Participants Will Appear Repeatedly

Key participants in the closing war between Jesus and Satan will appear repeatedly in these prophecies. These include: Jesus, Satan, the United States, the papacy, Protestantism, and Spiritism. Jesus repeats and expands His messages from the prophets to make certain His warnings of love and protection come through with clarity and certainty.

Answer:

Thought Questions

1. I always thought the antichrist is a person, not an organization. Am I wrong?

This Study Guide has presented evidence that the antichrist is an organization—the papacy. The words “eyes of a man” in Daniel 7:8, however, do point to a leader. Revelation 13:18 speaks of a man with a number being involved. In Daniel 8, Greece is represented by a goat and its leader, Alexander the Great, is symbolized by a horn. The same is true of antichrist. The organization is the papacy. The pope in office is its representative. The prophecy of Daniel 7 is not saying that popes are evil and that Catholics are not Christians. There are many warm, loving Catholic Christians. The system, however, is called antichrist because it has attempted to usurp Jesus’ authority and attempted to change His law.

2. Do you think it is wise for Christians to pass laws enforcing Christianity?

No. The Bible is clear that all should have freedom to choose the direction they wish to go in matters of conscience (Joshua 24:15)—even if they choose to deny God. The Creator permitted Adam and Eve to choose to disobey even though it hurt both them and Him. Forced worship is not acceptable to God. Forced worship is the devil’s way. God’s way is loving persuasion. History shows that virtually every time the church passed laws to enforce its beliefs, persecution and murder of others resulted. This is a lesson we can learn from the history of the little horn during the Middle Ages.

3. Perhaps I have misunderstood, but my concept has always been that antichrist would be an evil being who openly opposed God. Is this concept incorrect?

We usually consider the word “anti” to mean “against.” It can also mean “in the place of” or “instead of.” Antichrist is guilty of assuming the prerogatives of God. It claims:

A. Its priests can forgive sins—which only God can do (Luke 5:21).

B. To have changed God’s law by dropping out the second commandment (against
worshiping images) and splitting the tenth into two parts. God’s law cannot be changed (Matthew 5:18).

C. That the pope is God on earth.

Satan’s Original Plan
Satan’s original plan was to assume God’s position and authority. His aim was to oust God and rule in His place. (See Study Guide 2.) When Satan was ejected from heaven, his aim did not change but rather intensified. Through the centuries he has endeavored, using various human agencies, to discredit God and take over His position.

Antichrist Appears to Be Spiritual
Satan aims to replace God in these last days by deceiving people into following the antichrist, who appears spiritual and holy. The main purpose of the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation is to expose Satan’s traps and strategies and lead people to anchor in Jesus and His Word for safety.

Antichrist Will Deceive Many
Most people will follow the antichrist (Revelation 13:3) thinking they are following Christ. Only the elect will be safe (Matthew 24:23, 24). They will be secure because they test every spiritual teaching and leader by Scripture (Isaiah 8:20). Religious deception is everywhere. We cannot be too careful.

4. Doesn’t the Bible say in 1 John 2:18–22 that there are many antichrists?

Yes. There have been many antichrists down through history who have worked against the kingdom of God. However, there is only one entity that specifically fulfills all the prophesied characteristics of the antichrist. In Daniel chapters 7 and 8 and in Revelation chapter 13, you will find at least 10 identifying traits of the antichrist. These 10 identifying marks are all fulfilled in only one entity—the papacy.

5. In prophecy, does the symbol “beast” mean “beastly” characteristics?

Not at all. God uses the symbolism of a beast to signify a ruler, nation, government, or kingdom. It is His way of depicting governments in prophecy. We do this ourselves to some degree: We have depicted Russia as a bear, the United States as an eagle, etc. The symbol “beast” is not a demeaning, disrespectful term. It is synonymous with “animal” or “creature.” Even Christ is portrayed as a lamb by John the Baptist (John 1:29) and the apostle John (Revelation 5:6, 9, 12, 13). The term “beast” is utilized by God to give us a message about nations and leaders—good and evil.

Quiz Questions

1. Which four world kingdoms are represented by beast symbols in Daniel chapter 7? (4)

_____   Sweden.
_____   Egypt.
_____   Greece.
_____   China.
_____   Medo-Persia.
_____   Japan.
_____   Babylon.
_____   Iraq.
_____   Rome.

2. In Bible prophecy, a beast represents a (1)

_____   Computer.
_____   Kingdom or nation.
_____   Creature or alien.

3. The 10 horns on the monster beast represent (1)

_____   Ten years.
_____   Ten special cities.
_____   Angels.
_____   Riches.
_____   The kingdoms into which pagan Rome eventually split.

4. How many tribes or nations were “rooted up” by the little horn power? (1)

_____   Eight.
_____   One.
_____   Six.
_____   Three.

5. The little horn power, or Antichrist, represents (1)

_____   One of Babylon’s generals.
_____   An evil ruler from the days of old pagan Rome.
_____   An evil power that will arise after the second coming of Jesus.
_____   Atheism.
_____   The papacy.

6. Check the true statements about the little horn (Antichrist) power from the list below: (3)

_____   It came from Egypt.
_____   It would persecute God’s people.
_____   It arose immediately after Babylon fell.
_____   It speaks great words against God.
_____   It attempted to change God’s law.

7. In prophecy, “time, times, and a half time” is symbolic of (1)

_____   Three and one-half literal days.
_____   42 years.
_____   1,260 literal years.

8. When did “the time of the end” begin? (1)

_____   A.D. 31
_____   A.D. 1991
_____   A.D. 588
_____   A.D. 1798

9. Antichrist is an organization, rather than a person. (1)

_____ Yes.
_____ No.

10. Antichrist exists today. (1)

_____ Yes.
_____ No.

11. God approves of enforcing true worship by law. (1)

_____ Yes.
_____ No.

12. General Berthier’s capture of the pope only wounded the papacy. Its deadly wound began to heal and continues healing today. (1)

_____ Yes.
_____ No.

13. What item from the list below is essential for the spiritual safety of God’s people in these end-time days? (1)

_____   Learn to preach.
_____   Pray much in public.
_____   Test every religious teaching by the Bible.

14. Are you willing to follow where Jesus leads, even though it may be painful? (1)

_____ Yes.
_____ No.

The Soon Return of Jesus

SECOND COMING PREDICTIONS-THE BASIS FOR THE ANTI-CHRIST’S STRONG DELUSION-PART 6

October 25, 2019 Eddie Leave a comment

“and all the world wondered after the beast..”

Revelation 13:3

And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie

2 Thessalonians 2: 10-11

How can the beast of Revelation 13 (aka the Antichrist) convince an entire world to follow? In the coming studies, the Antichrist will be revealed through God’s word. Please understand it is not something I discovered. It has been known for thousands of years. Great men and women of God proclaimed it long before our generation. But, there is a counterfeit to this information as there is with all of God’s truth. The enemy uses deception because he is the father of lies and there is no truth in him.

There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

Proverbs 14:12 and Proverbs 16:25

So how can we know the truth about the Antichrist? Only one way. From our Creator through His written and inspired word.

“Thy word is truth.”

John 17:17

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When we begin our study on the Antichrist, we must understand the foundation from which this work of delusion operates. This delusion is so strong that if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” The elect, are not deceived. Why? The answer lies (in part) in our opening passage 2 Thessalonians 2:10-11.

They received the love of the truth.

Over the years since my conversion to Christ from atheism (43 years), I have seen people come to Christ and receive Him. And, just as Jesus warns in the parable of the seed, there are many who receive the truth with joy, but for various reasons (e.g., cares of this life, riches, and tribulation), they fail to grow roots in the soil of Christ to produce fruit into salvation See Matthew 13.

But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.

Matthew 13: 20-21

Our passage in 2 Thessalonians 2, says, that because the truth is not loved, they are open to strong delusion and they will believe a lie.

Last week we studied how the religious people of Christ’s day did not accept Jesus because they were comfortable in their religious experience. They were self-deceived and felt no need of Jesus nor His words. Their world revolved around tradition. Change was not an option for them.

The religious people of the time of Jesus had the Tanakh (aka Old Testament) which was overflowing with prophecies about their Messiah Jesus, but Jesus didn’t fulfill the image they had formed in their imaginations. To this day, they continue to look for Him based on tradition and not the Tanakh (scripture). It was because of their traditions, the power of their peers, and false beliefs about the scripture that caused them to be in a state of delusion.

This will happen again before the Lord returns, or should I say , it is happening!

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One of the first works of Jesus after His resurrection was to explain to His disciples about Himself as revealed in scripture (Tanakh). It was because of Jesus’ “Bible study” and the reality His resurrection that His followers built a stronger faith in Him. We are told in scripture that faith comes by hearing God’s word.

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

Romans 10:17 NIV

If we desire more faith in Christ, then when need more of the word of God. Wouldn’t you agree? Revival in our hearts will come when we hear more of the word of God and less of our own word.

When talking with the Jews, Jesus said,

For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”

John 5:46-47

Indeed, Jesus gave a “Bible study” to His disciples when he talked with them on the first day of the week after His resurrection. It was not a New Testament Bible study because this portion of scripture was yet to be written, Don’t misunderstand, the New Testament is just as much of scripture as the Old Testament because holy men spoke (and wrote) as they were moved by the Holy Spirit through the followers of Jesus.

Luke 24:44-45

Peter compared the letters of Paul with scripture. Notice that the untaught and unstable “twisted” the meaning of his writings as they do with all scripture:

…and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.

2 Peter 3:16

We miss the entire story of Jesus if we say, “Well, that is in the Old Testament. It has been done away with. I don’t have to listen to it.“ It is true that there is an old covenant that passed away, but it does not mean that the words of the Law of Moses (First five books of the Bible), the Prophets (Major and Minor prophets, Jeremiah, Daniel, Amos, etc), and the Psalms (poetic books) have no meaning for us today. To reason in such a manner as to minimize or reject the old testament is to reject the love of the truth and the teaching/encouragement that comes with God’s entire word. But, just as important It also means missing more about Jesus and having more faith and hope in Him!

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.

Romans 15:4 NIV

When Jesus prayed for His disciples and all believers in John 17, he prayed to the Father these words:

Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

John 17:17

At the time Jesus prayed this prayer, the New Testament had not been created. Paul had not been converted. Jesus was referring to the Tanakh which contains all the books of what we call the Old Testament. Jesus used the Tanakh to help His disciples understand the scripture which spoke of Him.

The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.

Psalm 119: 160

As the writers of the New Testament began to write about Jesus (the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) and write letters to believers (writings of Paul, Peter, James, etc) they expounded on the Tanakh and their experience with Jesus. They encouraged the believers to trust in the entire word of God.

Notice that when Paul wrote an encouraging letter to young Timothy, there was no New Testament. He is referring primarily to the scripture or Tanakh:

“…and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:15-17

Did you notice that ALL SCRIPTURE makes the man of God complete? If we ignore any portion of our Bibles, we are in danger of being incomplete. For sure, we will miss learning more about Jesus.

It is unfortunate that we (Non-Jews) call the books of the Tanakh the “Old” Testament. It insinuates that it is not only ancient but irrelevant to those living after the cross.

Soon, I hope to write on the Old Covenant VS the New Covenant. This is, perhaps, where people become confused and throw out good doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. It is true there are things that are old and things that are new, but some things never pass away.

The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.”

Isaiah 40:8

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If the Antichrist is going to be effective in the work of strong delusion so that the whole world follows (even some Christians), the word of God must be minimized and ignored. Tradition, pomp, and display should dazzle the eyes and ears so that God’s word becomes old and outdated. Public opinion (Unbelievers) and the professional preachers (Believers) must reign supreme. It must be in the hands of religious people who have an agenda of power and hide parts of God’s word that reveal their work of deception. All this must come together for the enemy to succeed in deceiving the whole world, so that the Antichrist may flourish. Sadly, it has already happened and continues to this very day.

“And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. ”

Matthew 15:9

We are instructed to beware of teachers, leaders, and false prophets both in and out of the church who teach something contradictory to the entire word of God.

The children of Israel were warned to stay away from mediums (where the dead would talk), and fortune tellers. Why? Because they placed themselves in a place where they could be deceived:

“And when they say to you, “Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter,” should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living?”

Isaiah 8:19

It was not the dead that talked, but satanic agencies appearing as a dead person. God appeals to them to seek Him and not things and places that would open them up to deception.

The next verse gives us a basis to avoid delusion in all situations, including those who speak without using God’s word:

To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

Isaiah 8:20

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be where there is darkness and not light to direct me. Rather, I desire the light of God’s word to direct my path. Don’t you?

Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

Psalm 119: 105

We can conclude from God’s word that the work of the Antichrist will use strong delusion on those who do not love God’s truth. The tools of the Antichrist are sights, sounds, and yes even miracles. The choice, in the end, is to acknowledge one or the other. God’s truth or the sights, sounds, and false teachings of the Antichrist.

The work of the Antichrist looks to take away the one thing that can unmask the work of the enemy. It is God’s word and the work of the Holy Spirit who guides people into truth.

However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth

John 16:13

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In times past, we have seen God’s word burned by the Nazi’s. During the Dark Ages, the reformation began when a single Bible written in a little known language (Latin) was found by Martin Luther chained to a monastery wall.

Today, in the 21st Century, there are countless paper Bibles in multiple languages. In the last few years, the Bible has been digitized so that the work of finding verses and understanding it even in it’s early languages of Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic has become very easy. I use Bible Gateway and Strong’s Lexicon often in writing these studies.

Despite the availability of the Bible, many do not read it or study it. We are told an interesting prophecy related to the word of God and the end times:

“Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord”

Amos 8:11

This was fulfilled in the Dark Ages, but because we have the Bible so abundantly, we might be tempted to think this prophecy only applies to those in old times. But, read carefully. It is a famine of HEARING the words of the Lord.

This appears to make reference that the preachers and teachers of our time using less and less of the word of God, so the people don’t “hear” the words of the Lord.

If you have teachers and pastors who not only teach the word of God but also handle it correctly, you are blessed especially if they encourage you to read for yourself. Never forget, reading and understanding God’s word is not just for those who have a Ph.D. in religion. It is for you. If you are willing to follow God’s word, he will reveal more and more of His truth.

If anyone decides to follow God’s will, they will know the teachings, whether it is from God or not. If someone decides they don’t want to do God’s will, the opposite must be true. They will be confused and, perhaps, on the path to strong delusion.

“If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God…”

John 7:17

Who will God teach knowledge? What makes it easier to understand?

“Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine?”

Isaiah 28:9 (first part)

The answer is simple:

“…them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.”

Isaiah 28:9 (last part)

Is this not a description of little children (infants)?

This is why Jesus said,

“Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 18:3

The context of this verse is when the disciples asked Jesus who was the greatest in the kingdom of heaven (Verse 1). Jesus put a child in their midst to help them understand the great truth that we must have the faith of a little child. Jesus went on to say in the next verse:

“Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.”

Matthew 18:4

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The work of the Antichrist was at work at the time of the disciples as well as at the time we are now living. This work was a perversion of God’s word (lawlessness) and even leading people away to different teaching:

“For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.”

2 Thessalonians 2:7

This verse takes us back to our opening verse concerning strong delusion. Let’s read again:

And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

And for this cause, God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie

2 Thessalonians 2: 10-11

“…though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”

Galatians 1:8

There is another gospel preached in these last days from a messenger who appears as an Angel of Light. The deceptive work of the Antichrist will first be upon those who choose sights, sounds, public opinion and the words of a professional preacher’s doctrines that they personally prefer instead of God’s word.

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;”

2 Timothy 4:3

Have you noticed that the council and warnings from God’s word is not to unbelievers, but to believers who have become like the Scribes and Pharisees of old…Religions and comfortable in their traditions.

If we feel we are in need of nothing and we can never learn any more truth. If we feel our denomination has all the truth, we are setting ourselves up for strong delusion. It is God’s word that has all the truth!

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But, there is another work of the Anti-Christ that is perhaps even more important to understand the objective of the Anti-Christ is to come between you and Christ. It is not only what you know, but who you know. It is less about information and more about revelation and obedience to his will. If salvation was dependent only on knowing the scripture (head knowledge), then only those with a Ph.D. in religion would be saved.

Joyce Meyer said something that is very relevant here,

“You see, there is a difference between information and revelation. No matter how much information you get, if it never turns into revelation it’s not going to do you a whole lot of good.”

That revelation must be about Jesus and His will. It is when we have a revelation of God and Jesus Christ that we make our election sure and we will never fall:

“Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble”

2 Peter 1:10

What are “these things” that we should do to make sure we never stumble? The answer is found in its context which are the words preceding Verse 10:

But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.

2 Peter 1:5-9

Is this not a pattern of growth? But, notice the part I underlined. It is telling us that we will be “fruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” We actually begin to know more about Jesus by doing those things described through the power Jesus gives us.

This idea is expressed in the Old Testament when Jeremiah disclosed that Joaish (The last good king of Judah) knew Him because of what he did for others:

He defended the cause of the poor and needy,
and so all went well.
Is that not what it means to know me?”
declares the Lord.

Jeremiah 22:15-17 (NIV)

Jesus said the same thing in different words:

Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent…We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

John 17:3, 1 John 2:3-6 (NIV)

Eternal life is dependent on who you know (Jesus). But to know him must come through both God’s word and a revelation about Jesus through the work of the Holy Spirit. This will give you the heart to help others. If we are not willing to follow, the truth is not in us and we are deceitful to others and of little value in the work of God’s kingdom.

We may be like the Anti-Christ and have,

^“…. a form of godliness but deny its power”

2 Timothy 3:5

That power comes from God’s word and following it so that it affects your neighbor for his/her good.

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.

2 Corinthians 13:5

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I hope you have seen the need to base your faith on the word of God and not on sights, sounds, large crowds, and the influence of the world.

Also, knowing Jesus through practical experience with Him day by day.

These two things will provide the basis for avoiding the strong delusion that is upon the earth now. Next time, we will move further into our study of the Antichrist and the plans to take away the one thing that will unmask the work of Satan behind the scenes….the word of God.

Blessings to you and your family until next time…Eddie

The Rapture is Not

1. A word in the Bible.

2. It is not silent and invisible

3.) It is not instantaneous

4. Is not an event where the lost are left behind

5.) It is not a Second Coming with a part A and part B

Summary:

In future topics, will address these questions and many others:

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A Brilliant Mind Falls Short

The Shortcoming of Scientific Intelligence-Lack of Knowledge

Religion is Its Own Worst Enemy

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353 Prophecies Fulfilled in Jesus Christ!

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Introduction

True Faith Has Action

Fake Faith-Self Deception

Faith is Based on Evidence

Source of Real Faith

Real Faith and The End

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1. As chapter 7 begins, Daniel sees four beasts coming up out of the sea. In prophecy, what does a beast represent? What does the sea represent?

2. The four beasts of Daniel 7 represent four kingdoms (verses 17, 18). Babylon, the first kingdom (Daniel 2:38, 39), is represented as a lion in Daniel 7:4. (See also Jeremiah 4:7; 50:17, 43, 44.) What do the “eagle’s wings” mean? What do the “four winds” of verse 2 represent?

3. What kingdom does the bear represent (Daniel 7:5)? What do the three ribs in its mouth symbolize?

4. Greece, the third kingdom (Daniel 8:21), is represented by a leopard with four wings and four heads (Daniel 7:6). What do the wings represent? What do the four heads represent?

5. The Roman Empire, the fourth kingdom, is represented by a powerful monster with iron teeth and 10 horns (Daniel 7:7). What do the horns represent?

6. In the Daniel 7 prophecy, what happens next?

7. Does the Bible give clear points identifying antichrist?

8. Does the papacy fit these points?

9. Wasn’t Daniel told to seal up his book “until the time of the end” (Daniel 12:4)? When will Daniel’s prophecies be opened to our understanding?

10. Many Christians today have been misinformed regarding the antichrist. To believe an untruth about the antichrist could cause a person to be deceived. What should a person do when new Bible teachings are encountered?

11. Are you willing to follow where Jesus leads, even though it might be painful?

Thought Questions

1. I always thought the antichrist is a person, not an organization. Am I wrong?

2. Do you think it is wise for Christians to pass laws enforcing Christianity?

3. Perhaps I have misunderstood, but my concept has always been that antichrist would be an evil being who openly opposed God. Is this concept incorrect?

4. Doesn’t the Bible say in 1 John 2:18–22 that there are many antichrists?

5. In prophecy, does the symbol “beast” mean “beastly” characteristics?

Quiz Questions

1. Which four world kingdoms are represented by beast symbols in Daniel chapter 7? (4)

2. In Bible prophecy, a beast represents a (1)

3. The 10 horns on the monster beast represent (1)

4. How many tribes or nations were “rooted up” by the little horn power? (1)

5. The little horn power, or Antichrist, represents (1)

6. Check the true statements about the little horn (Antichrist) power from the list below: (3)

7. In prophecy, “time, times, and a half time” is symbolic of (1)

8. When did “the time of the end” begin? (1)

9. Antichrist is an organization, rather than a person. (1)

10. Antichrist exists today. (1)

11. God approves of enforcing true worship by law. (1)

12. General Berthier’s capture of the pope only wounded the papacy. Its deadly wound began to heal and continues healing today. (1)

13. What item from the list below is essential for the spiritual safety of God’s people in these end-time days? (1)

14. Are you willing to follow where Jesus leads, even though it may be painful? (1)

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"He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. Colossians 1:28