Reasons to Believe

Science Helps Confirm The Creator

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Thanks to my forever-friend, Charles Hays who posted this on Face Book this week.

Over 30 years ago, Charlie encouraged me to participate with him in a radio program he wanted to produce called, Answers From Scripture.  It was a wonderful journey of bringing Jesus and the Bible to the Middle Tennessee area.  We would talk on different Biblical topics, take phone calls, and interview great workers for God.  That experience blessed me in so many ways.

 This website is dedicated to keeping alive Charlie’s vision of finding answers to life’s toughest questions through Scripture and life God has created. Then sharing it with a world who are seeking.

Thank you Charlie.   I love you brother.

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The Wall Street Journal
HOUSES OF WORSHIP

Science Increasingly Makes the Case for God
By ERIC METAXA

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The odds of life existing on another planet grow ever longer. Intelligent design, anyone?

In 1966 Time magazine ran a cover story asking: Is God Dead? Many have accepted the cultural narrative that he’s obsolete—that as science progresses, there is less need for a “God” to explain the universe. Yet it turns out that the rumors of God’s death were premature. More amazing is that the relatively recent case for his existence comes from a surprising place—science itself.

Here’s the story: The same year Time featured the now-famous headline, the astronomer Carl Sagan announced that there were two important criteria for a planet to support life: The right kind of star, and a planet the right distance from that star. Given the roughly octillion—1 followed by 27 zeros—planets in the universe, there should have been about septillion—1 followed by 24 zeros—planets capable of supporting life.

With such spectacular odds, the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, a large, expensive collection of private and publicly funded projects launched in the 1960s, was sure to turn up something soon. Scientists listened with a vast radio telescopic network for signals that resembled coded intelligence and were not merely random. But as years passed, the silence from the rest of the universe was deafening. Congress defunded SETI in 1993, but the search continues with private funds. As of 2014, researchers have discovered precisely bubkis—0 followed by nothing.

What happened? As our knowledge of the universe increased, it became clear that there were far more factors necessary for life than Sagan supposed. His two parameters grew to 10 and then 20 and then 50, and so the number of potentially life-supporting planets decreased accordingly. The number dropped to a few thousand planets and kept on plummeting.

Even SETI proponents acknowledged the problem. Peter Schenkel wrote in a 2006 piece for Skeptical Inquirer magazine: “In light of new findings and insights, it seems appropriate to put excessive euphoria to rest . . . . We should quietly admit that the early estimates . . . may no longer be tenable.”

As factors continued to be discovered, the number of possible planets hit zero, and kept going. In other words, the odds turned against any planet in the universe supporting life, including this one. Probability said that even we shouldn’t be here.

Today there are more than 200 known parameters necessary for a planet to support life—every single one of which must be perfectly met, or the whole thing falls apart. Without a massive planet like Jupiter nearby, whose gravity will draw away asteroids, a thousand times as many would hit Earth’s surface. The odds against life in the universe are simply astonishing.

Yet here we are, not only existing, but talking about existing. What can account for it? Can every one of those many parameters have been perfect by accident? At what point is it fair to admit that science suggests that we cannot be the result of random forces? Doesn’t assuming that an intelligence created these perfect conditions require far less faith than believing that a life-sustaining Earth just happened to beat the inconceivable odds to come into being?

There’s more. The fine-tuning necessary for life to exist on a planet is nothing compared with the fine-tuning required for the universe to exist at all. For example, astrophysicists now know that the values of the four fundamental forces—gravity, the electromagnetic force, and the “strong” and “weak” nuclear forces—were determined less than one millionth of a second after the big bang. Alter any one value and the universe could not exist. For instance, if the ratio between the nuclear strong force and the electromagnetic force had been off by the tiniest fraction of the tiniest fraction—by even one part in 100,000,000,000,000,000—then no stars could have ever formed at all. Feel free to gulp.

Multiply that single parameter by all the other necessary conditions, and the odds against the universe existing are so heart-stoppingly astronomical that the notion that it all “just happened” defies common sense. It would be like tossing a coin and having it come up heads 10 quintillion times in a row. Really?

Fred Hoyle, the astronomer who coined the term “big bang,” said that his atheism was “greatly shaken” at these developments. He later wrote that “a common-sense interpretation of the facts suggests that a super-intellect has monkeyed with the physics, as well as with chemistry and biology . . . . The numbers one calculates from the facts seem to me so overwhelming as to put this conclusion almost beyond question.”

Theoretical physicist Paul Davies has said that “the appearance of design is overwhelming” and Oxford professor Dr. John Lennox has said “the more we get to know about our universe, the more the hypothesis that there is a Creator . . . gains in credibility as the best explanation of why we are here.”

The greatest miracle of all time, without any close seconds, is the universe. It is the miracle of all miracles, one that ineluctably points with the combined brightness of every star to something—or Someone—beyond itself.

Mr. Metaxas is the author, most recently, of “Miracles: What They Are, Why They Happen, and How They Can Change Your Life” (Dutton Adult, 2014).

Correction

An earlier version understated the number of zeroes in an octillion and a septillion.

What is God Like?

Life and Death Confusion-The End and The Beginning

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“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”

Revelation 21:4

Here is a well-known verse that most can recite from memory, but have you looked closely at the words and the context?

First, let’s consider the context.  We find it in verse 1:

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away

Revelation 21:1

Did you catch that?  The earth we live on now is the first earth, but there is coming a time when God will create a new earth and a new heaven (the atmosphere)

This was prophesied from long ago, even before Jesus came to this earth the first time.

“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth;
And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.

Isaiah 65:17

“For as the new heavens and the new earth
Which I will make shall remain before Me,” says the Lord,
“So shall your descendants and your name remain.”

Isaiah 66:22

So, we can be certain that this earth we now stand on, will be destroyed and a new one created.  The tainted air we breath will also be changed.

As I look at the pollution of this world on the earth, in the air, and in the sea it is no wonder that God must use fire to melt all the filth and disease.  The fire is a cleansing act of God before creating a new heaven and earth.

Peter describes the day when the Lord will burn up this earth.

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

Even the elements will melt! All the “works” man has created will come to an end and be reduced to ashes.  Malachi had a similar vision of this day when he said,

“For behold, the day is coming,
Burning like an oven,

Malachi 4:1 (Partial)

What all is burned up? If we continue on with this verse in Malachi, we will discover something about the fate of those who reject the appeal of a loving God to repent and turn from evil ways.

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

Malachi 4: 1 (Complete)

The fate of this earth with its sin and rebellion come to ashes.  Continuing with Malachi, we read these words:

“You shall trample the wicked,
For they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet
On the day that I do this,”
Says the Lord of hosts.”

Malachi 4:3

Last night, my wife cleaned our oven by using the self-clean feature which sets the oven temperature very high.  This intense heat over a 4 hour period brings all the crud in the oven to ashes.  She then wiped out the ashes and the oven looked like new.  The fires God sends will cleanse the earth of all the “crud”

Peter saw  this “strange act” of God and used the example of the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah to illustrate the destiny of those who “live ungodly.”

“…turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly“

2 Peter 2:6

Look closely at these verses.  Just as Sodom and Gomorrah were reduced to ashes, so will be those who are lost.  Sodom and Gomorrah is the example!

Even Satan himself has a destiny with eternal destruction:

I brought fire from your midst;
It devoured you,
And I turned you to ashes upon the earth
In the sight of all who saw you.
 All who knew you among the peoples are astonished at you;
You have become a horror,
And shall be no more forever.”’

Ezekiel 28: 18-19

The fire God sends reduces all the “elements” and “works of earth to ashes.  This is a final work and not a continuous work of torture as many have tried to claim.

In the book of Revelation, a very literal depiction is given to help the reader understand that sin, death, and everything evil come to an end.

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

Revelation 20:9

Just as a hungry dog devours its food and leaves an empty bowl, so does the work of the fire.  This devouring fire is what destroys Satan as described in Ezekiel 28:18-19

This fire that is devouring the earth, the atmosphere, and all the elements is huge! It is world-wide and is described as a lake of fire in Revelation.

The fire is the end of everything we know, including the life and death struggle of this world.  Notice what is thrown into the lake of fire:

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

Revelation 20:14

Here John uses the concept many do not understand.  It is the second death.

How can there be a second death caused by the lake of fire?

As we discussed last time.  All of us, saved or lost are destined to die.  This is the first death.  But, those who are lost die a second death that is eternal.  They “perish” and, like Satan, will never be anymore.

Like a brother of mine said, “If you have been born once, you will die twice and if you are born twice, you will die once.”

Life or eternal death is at the heart of the bad news/good news found in John 3:16

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

There is a simple truth in this powerful verse that is often missed:

Believe = eternal life

Don’t Believe = Perish

Here is a simple formula to understand and clear up the confusion about life and death.

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The first death, the one all must experience, is the opposite of life.  When God created life, he used to elements to produce the soul.  Here is the verse and the formula:

“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Genesis 2:7″

The formula:

Dust (elements) + breath of life (God’s spirit) = Living Soul

The first death is the opposite of life:

“Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.”

Ecclesiastes 12:7

The formula:

Dust – spirit (breath of life) = Dead Soul

Moses described it this way:

In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

Genesis 3:19

David also said about the living:

You take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.

Psalm 104:29

Now don’t let this upset you because even though we turn to dust, that time period is as fast as you can blink your eye.  For our Lord will raise us from the grave or wherever our dust may be.  As Job said, our flesh can be destroyed, but the next moment we will see our Redeemer:

For I know that my Redeemer lives,
And He shall stand at last on the earth;
And after my skin is destroyed, this I know,
That in my flesh I shall see God,
Whom I shall see for myself,
And my eyes shall behold, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me!

Job 19: 25-27

We saw last time that it is the resurrection that is to give us hope of receiving eternal life.  After we are dead, we brought back to life.  To the sleeping in Christ, this change is like the time it takes to blink or twinkle your eye.

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

How my heart yearns for the day Jesus will return and re-unite us as described by Paul,

 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope…

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

1 Corinthians 4: 16-18

What a great reunion day that will be! Those long separated by death will experience the creation of life all over again.  The dust will have God’s breath of life (Spirit) breathed back into their nostrils and we will become incorruptible living souls again!  Glory!

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But the lost will not have this experience.  Although they died once like all of us the will die a second time.  Let’s let the Bible explain it.

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

Revelation 20:6

The lost also have a resurrection, but it not the joyful one.

Let’s follow some simple logic.  If there is a first resurrection, there must be at least a 2nd one.  Right?  If there is a first death, there must be a 2nd one.  Right?

Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

John 5:28-29

That is right!  All who are in the grave will be resurrected and the lost will experience the 2nd resurrection and the 2nd death that is eternal.  How does this happen?

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

Revelation 20:9

Those who are part of the 2nd resurrection go upon the breadth of the earth.  They are deceived by Satan. The “breadth” of the earth refers to the wide expanse.  There are literally millions! He convinces them that if they attack the city, they will have access to the tree of life which is located in the holy city (New Jerusalem) that has descended from heaven after the 1,000 years.  It is next to the river of life.  They certainly have a vast number of people for

“…wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.” Matthew 7:13

Then I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven,…Between the street of the city and the river there was a tree of life visible from both sides.

Revelation  21:2 and 22:2

Notice that Jesus talks about the “many” lost being destroyed in Matthew 7:13 .

This fire that the Lord uses to cleanse the earth and create a new one also destroys the disease of sin and death.  For it is also cast into the lake of fire.

And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

Revelation 20:15

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The first and second resurrections and the 1st death and 2nd death are separated by 1,000 years.

“But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished.”

Revelation 20:5

Here is a summary of what we have learned in this series on Life and Death confusion:

1.)  Death is real. It is the end of life.

2.)  It is compared to sleep even by Jesus himself.

3.) The sleep of death is quick.  The dead don’t know anything and it passes quickly like a blink of the eye.

4.) Those who are in Christ are resurrected first and meet the Lord in the air with those who are alive at the second coming. All are taken where Jesus is now.

5.) The saved are in heaven for 1,000 years.  To learn more about this, see the post called, “Part 4-Second Coming Predictions-1,000 years?”)

6.) At the end of the 1,000 years, the lost are raised from the dead and face the White Throne judgment (Revelation 20).  They are then deceived by Satan to attack the holy city New Jerusalem.

7.)  God sends fire out of heaven and the disease of sin is destroyed.

8.)  God creates a new heaven and a new earth with the New Jerusalem as its capital.

The idea that the unsaved suffer non-ending suffering and torment in white hot fire for eternity does not make sense in the light of these many verses.

I have run out of time.  I had promised to talk about the verses that seem to indicate the unsaved suffer throughout eternity and that the flames never go out.  I have the material nearly ready and it is rather lengthy.  I hope you don’t mind if I save it for next time.

Blessings!  May you have a wonderful God day!

What is God Like?

Life and Death Confusion-Part 2

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When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?

Isaiah 8:19

In today’s society, mediums and spiritiists do not whisper and mutter, they shout at us.  Their voice is heard on the TV, Movies, and small homes along a busy street!  The council from Isaiah is to inquire of God rather than looking to the dead for answers.  Moses confirms Isaiah’s council,

“Give no regard to mediums and familiar spirits; do not seek after them, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God.”

Leviticus 19:31

These spirits lie and deceive people about life and death.

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A popular TV series called the “Walking Dead,” is based on a comic book series by Robert Kirkman.   Should a comic book written by one man tell us more about the dead than the 40 writers of the Bible?

The walking dead (We use to call them Zombies) are those who have “died,” but somehow are able to walk, move, and eat human flesh.  This is a contradiction in terms; dead VS alive.  It echos of the first lie recorded in the Bible and told by Satan himself while disguised as a snake.

“You shall not surely die.”

Genesis 3:4

This was the first form of spiritualism meant to mystify and deceive the first couple.

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The “Walking Dead” is in its fifth season and has approximately 17 million viewers.  It is the most watch drama series in cable history.

There have been other TV series about life and death such as “Resurrection” and many movies such as “What Dreams Might Come’ and “The Sixth Sense.”  This is but just a few that give a writer’s view of death.

Unfortunately, this type of entertainment has contributed to confusion about Life and Death.  It is one the Dirty Dozen that confuse people about the truth as found in the time-tested word of God.  (“What to Do With Doubt-Dirty Dozen” from a previous blog.)

To further add to the confusion are well-meaning people and pastors who speculate that our dearly departed are “looking-down” at those who are still alive while enjoying the reward of heaven.  How could that be heaven if they see the pain and suffering we go through on planet earth?  God has a better plan even on the topic of death.

Then there are movies and experiences that tell of a  person who died on the operating table and went to a light in the sky or walked the streets of gold.  There is a popular movie about a young boy who died and saw heaven and family.  It is called, “Heaven is For Real.”

This sounds good, but is it truth?

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The only source for truth about what happens at death is found in God’s word,  Wouldn’t you agree?  Anything else is speculation, deceit, misinterpretation of scripture, or perhaps the mind imagining things due to the chemical reactions taking place during life and death situations.

The following verse proceeds our opening verse.  Not only are we instructed to consult God, but it is His word that is to be consulted for light and understanding.

“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

Let us spend a few moments seeing what the Bible has to say about death that comes to all people, whether counted among the save or counted among the lost.  _____________________________________________________________

The first recorded lie came through Satan disguised as a snake and it was about death!  He said,

“You will not surely die.”

The lie directly contradicted the plain words of the Lord, cautioning them about disobeying,

“You will surely die.”

Ever since then, the lie and contradiction of God’s word has grown into man forms so that most people (even Christians) think that no one really dies.  Their soul lives forever in one place or another.  Some believe that the person is reincarnated and come back in another form.

Paul tells us because of this first seed of disobedience, it grew into a world full of sin, death and dying:

“Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.”

Romans 5:12

The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:23

Notice that death is the payment to all men because of the sin that began thousands of years before. It is not eternal life in another form or even eternal life in a place of torment.

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Death means exactly what it says and it comes upon all mankind whether wealthy or  poor;  king or servant; male or female.

There are many passages from inspired men in the Bible who underscore the fact that when death comes there is no more life nor activity:

Solomon, who was given great wisdom and wrote the book of Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, and most of Proverbs described death as follows:

“Whatever you are capable of doing, do with all your might because there’s no work, thought, knowledge, or wisdom in the grave, which is where you are headed.”

Ecclesiastes 9:10 CB

“For the living know that they will die; But the dead know nothing, And they have no more reward, For the memory of them is forgotten.”

Ecclesiastes 9:5 NKJV

Summary:

No work

No thought, knowledge or wisdom in the grave

Dead don’t know anything

After enough time, the memory of them is forgotten.

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David, the father of Solomon, wrote about death in this manner:

Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.

 His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.

Psalm 146: 3-4

The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence.

Psalm 115:17

For in death there is no remembrance of You;
In the grave who will give You thanks?

Psalm 6:5

Summary:

The thoughts of a person perish

No one praises the Lord while dead

The dead have no remembrance of anyone including God and the dead do not give God thanks.

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Job who spoke “what is right” about God (Job 42:7) described death in the same way as Solomon. But he also mentioned death as waiting for a change.

His sons come to honor, and he does not know it; They are brought low, and he does not perceive it.

Job 14:21

If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait, Till my change comes.

Job 14:14

He knew that one day he would be resurrected and see his Redeemer (Jesus) at the last day on earth…a very longtime after his skin is destroyed.

For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth;
And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God,
Whom I shall see for myself, And my eyes shall behold, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me!

Job 19: 25-27

When will his change come?  Paul agrees with Job though they are separated by thousands of years:

“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 15:50

Don’t you like the satisfaction of understanding something that has been a mystery?  My wife and I enjoy mysteries on TV and in books.  We are always guessing at how the mystery will be solved.  In this passage and others, we see the mystery solved about death. Paul says, he is telling us a mystery that is now understood.   Job understood that he would be in the grave until his change came.  The change occurs “at the last trumpet.”  When this occurs, the righteous dead will be raised incorruptible (no longer subject to death and decay) and or mortality (subject to death) will be changed to immortality (no longer subject to death.)

Paul further reveals the mystery of death when he wrote his letter to the church at Thessalonica.  He was encouraging those who were waiting for the return of Jesus.  This is the clearest picture of what happens to those who have died “in Christ”

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

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

Why do we not comfort each other with the words Paul encouraged us to do rather than the fanciful and imaginative scenarios of men?  What a joy to know that one day Jesus himself will return to our sinful planet and there will be a loud sound of a trumpet and those who rise first will be those who have died “in Christ.”  How about those who rise second?  More on that later.

These along with those who are alive “in Christ” will meet them in the air and the Lord will take us to where He is now.  They will never be a separated from the Lord again.  What a comfort to know that those who died “in Christ” will be reunited with loved ones “in Christ” when Christ returns!  What a grand reunion day that will be!

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Jesus also helps us understand death and the passage of time by referring to it as sleep.  There is a real example of the experience of death.  Lazarus, who was a friend of Jesus and brother to Martha and Mary, got sick and died.  He was dead four days.  At four days, the body will have had enough time to decay and smell.  The story is in John 11.

Jesus told his disciples,

“Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.”  Then His disciples said, “Lord, if he sleeps he will get well.”  However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep.  Then Jesus said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead.”

Why did Jesus refer to Lazarus’ death as sleep if it was not an important lesson for them (and us) to know?

Lazarus was truly dead.  His spirit was not in heaven enjoying his reward.  He was dead just like Job, Solomon, and Paul described.

Jesus gave Mary hope by reminding her,

 “Your brother will rise again.”

John 11: 23

 Mary had her understanding of death correct when she acknowledged to Jesus,

“I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

John 11:24

 Her hope, as is Job, Paul’s, and all others is in the return of Christ and the resurrection.  It is not that they are in heaven somewhere already enjoying the reward of being with Jesus.

 Then Jesus tells her something that we all should know about the mystery of life and death,

“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.  And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

John 11:25, 26

Standing there before Martha is the one who will resurrect those “in Christ” at the “last day.”  Although we die, we will live again and never die again.

This is not the case for those who are not “in Christ.”  We will see in the next study that they will die like all do, but then they will “perish.”  Perish is eternal death. It is the opposite of the reward of eternal life as described in the world’s favorite verse:

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not PERISH, but have everlasting life.”

John 3:16

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Another time, Jesus referred to the death of a 12-year old child as sleep.  It is found in Mark 5: 35-43.

“Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping.”

Mark 5:38, 39

This idea of resting or sleeping until Jesus returns is not a new teaching.  It has been taught as such since the beginning of time.  If you have ever been in an old grave yard, you will often see the initials RIP.  This means rest in peace.  When did all this change?  Why do people believe we have an immortal soul that never dies and must live somewhere for eternity.  We will explore more in our next study.

A few years ago, I had to go into the hospital for surgery.  When the doctors and nurses put me to sleep, I knew nothing, felt no pain, and did not dream.  I did not feel or have any worries about my chest being open up and repairs made to my heart. I was not aware of the passage of time.  It had been almost 4 hours since they put me to sleep, but it felt like the passage of time was instant.

So it will be with Job and all those who died as believers.  Whether it is a thousand years or just a few hours, the passage of time will be instant.  So when your loved one dies in Christ, the next thing they will see will be the beautiful return of Jesus.  They will be given flesh like Jesus gave to Adam when he created them of the dust of the ground. They will be changed instantly in perfect heath with the gift of immortality.  Then they will rise in the air to meet Jesus and go to the place He has prepared for us.

 “I (Jesus) go to prepare a place for you. 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 14:2, 3

 Our hope is in the resurrection, not in dying so our soul can go to heaven. Until then, our body returns to dust and our Spirit returns to God who gave it.  The passage of time is but for a twinkling of an eye then we shall be changed and begin eternity with those redeemed by the Lord Jesus.

But what about those verses that seem to paint a different story like “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord” or the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus?

This we will study next time. Until then, put your hope and faith in Jesus who proclaims:

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

Revelation 1:18

Inspiration

A Sheet Full of Animals-A Lesson on Prejudice

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Based on Acts 10 and 11.  I urge you to read it!

“If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God? When they heard these things they become silent and they glorified God. saying, ‘Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.“

Acts 11: 17-19

Peter was not much different than the typical Jew of the day.  He had prejudices against non-Jews.  This prejudice, if retained by Peter and the growing group of believers, would greatly impede (or stop) the work Jesus had commissioned to his disciples to “carry the gospel to the entire world for a witness.”  If they remained separated from the Gentiles, the believers would have imploded by focusing only on their own experience with Jesus.  They would have likely created a commune of believers keeping to themselves, congregating for themselves; keeping clear of those who would make them common and unclean.

Jesus’ example had taught them better.  They had seen Him break down barriers by talking with “sinners” and those of other cultures.

Now it happened, as He was dining in Levi’s house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him.

Mark 2:15

When Jesus stopped to talk with the Samaritan woman at the well, he showed he did not discriminate against this racially mixed group of people who were not of the main-stream Jewish faith. Further, he did not care that she was a woman.  He did not subscribe to the typical prejudices of those who made themselves more righteous than others.

The woman said,

“Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.”

John 4:20

Jesus response to her revealed the character of God.  He  does not limit the value of a person related to sex, race, or culture.  What matters are those who worship in spirit and truth.

 “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

John 4: 23, 24

Later on Paul would agree with this when he stated,

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

Galatians 3:28, 29

The lessons Jesus taught on tolerance and acceptance came hard for the Apostles, especially to Peter. This time, as shown in our opening text, Peter appears to be on the “cutting edge” of this new way of thinking and “world view.”

The inner circle of believers, the Apostles, and other believers in Jerusalem heard that Peter had been eating with “uncircumcised men”

This created one of the first controversies in the church and involved the Apostles themselves who appeared to have similar prejudices against Gentiles.  Peter and the Apostles had something to learn and it started with a man named Cornelius,

“…a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household who gave alms generously to the people and prayed to God always.”

Acts 10:1,2

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At about 3:00 PM (9th hour) Cornelius, this “non-Jew” of Italian decent was visited by an Angel.  It was commonly believed among the Jews that angels did not associate themselves with Gentiles.

Nevertheless, the angel appeared and gave directions to him to

“…send men to Joppa and send for Simon whose surname is Peter.”

Acts 10: 5

Cornelius obeyed as directed by the angel.  He sent three of those employed by him: two of his household male servants and a devout soldier from those who waited on him continually.  

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The journey from Caesarea to Joppa was a long journey by foot of about 30 to 36 miles. Walking at a purposeful, but easy pace of 2.5 miles an hour, it would have been a trip of about 12-15 hours  If they left shortly after Cornelius’ vision,  let’s say about 5:00 PM, that would be about 19 hours until they arrived at Joppa.  Time enough for a short sleep of 4 to 7 hours.  “The next day as they were on their journey and drew near the city,” Peter was on a rooftop praying.  He was very hungry and while he waited for lunch to be prepared, he went on the rooftop at noon (6th hour)

Peter fell into a trance and saw a strange vision that he did not understand.

“…he fell into a trance and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air.  And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”

 But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.”

And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.” This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again.”

Acts 10: 11-16

The term “common” was used by the Jews whenever something clean came in contact with something unclean.  The clean became “common.”

Following the words of Moses to the children of Israel,  Peter and the Jews obeyed the diet laws by refraining from eating any animal considered as unclean and eating only those God proclaimed as clean. The description of clean and unclean animals can be found in Leviticus 11.

Many people are surprised to find in the story about the animals going on to the ark by two were “unclean animals.” The “clean” animals went into the ark by seven.

You shall take with you seven each of every clean animal, a male and his female; two each of animals that are unclean, a male and his female;

Genesis 7:2 

Despite the command to slay and eat, Peter would not and did not do as directed.

Despite an apparent easy message, Peter did not understand the meaning of this vision.  Was this a vision about diet?  Was God telling him it was OK to eat unclean animals because God had made them clean now?

A cursory reading of this is used by many as a vision about diet, but we will see that Peter understood it differently after going through a period of wonder about its meaning.

“Now while Peter wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate.”

Acts 10:17

Notice that the sheet was let down three times.  This is a significant number to Peter because he had denied the Lord three times and the Lord asked Peter three times if he loved him.  Then Jesus said to Peter, “Feed my sheep.”

The fact that the sheet was let down three times seems to indicate Peter’s need to fully understand the significance of the repetitive act.  Peter like many of us tend to be a little hard-headed and need the repetition before we “get it.”  Often when something is repeated by the Lord, it means it is very important.  Was a change in diet an important event?

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Peter greets the messengers sent from Cornelius. They stay the night with Peter and they all leave the next day to see Cornelius. Peter invites some of the disciples with him. They travel the long trip back to Caesarea where Cornelius is waiting for them.

Somewhere along the way, the meaning of the vision becomes clear to Peter.  When Peter greets Cornelius, he discloses (almost immediately)  the meaning of the sheet with the many different creatures:

“You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.“

Acts 10:28

The barriers set up by mankind and their religion was beginning to break down under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  The vision was not about diet, but a very important message of acceptance of all people so the message could go to everyone in the world.  It taught Peter something different than how he was raised. It was a message the early church needed to hear and know so their commission to go into all the world was not slowed by petty prejudices.

When Peter tells the story of Jesus to Cornelius and his household, they believe and they receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Those who came with Peter were astonished that the Holy Spirit was given to these Gentile believers! Like Peter, they needed to understand that God does not discriminate.

“While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.  And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.  For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.”

Acts 10: 44-46

Then Peter does something very much prohibited by the laws of the Jews.  He stays with them a few days!

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In the next Chapter of Acts (Acts 11), Peter is in Judea with the Apostles (those originally with Jesus) and other believers.  They all are astonished like those who were with Peter at Cornelius’ house.  You can hear in their exclamation of disdain for what Peter had done!

You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!”

Acts 11: 3

Peter then explained his vision to them.  At the end, Peter asks a serious question about the lesson he learned about prejudice and acceptance,

“….who was I that I could withstand God?”

When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”

Acts 11:17, 18

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Prejudice toward the Gentile slowly gave way. In this story, it gave way quickly…or did it? The believers were beginning to see that “….there is neither Jew nor Greek in Christ….”The separation of Jew and Gentile had been a tradition for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. They were looked upon as “inferior” in many ways. Also, the laws contained in ordinances would give way. Their job as the School Master to bring people to Christ was finished. Type had met anti-type. We now have the reality of Christ in the shadows that pointed forward to the work of Jesus.

“…which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.”

Colossians 2:17

Later in Galatians 2: 11-16, Paul calls out Peter for being hypocritical in his understanding about the separation of Jews and Gentiles.  I’ll save that story for another time.  But,  it points out that old prejudices are hard to break.

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How tough it must have been for tradition to be overcome, especially among those older and set in their ways, But, as Peter explained his vision of the sheet, many were convicted and “glorified God.” by changing their way of thinking.

Truth never changes, but are there traditions in the church that need to give way? Are there prejudices against women for example. Do we believe, “there is neither male nor female in Christ…”

For hundreds, if not thousands, of years there has been traditions in the church about women….Do those traditions need to give way? Can the holy spirit and the burden of pastoral ministry be laid on the heart of a female?  Will their ordination help speed up the spreading of the gospel to the entire world or will it impede its progress?  Let us trust God with our prejudices.

Maybe the Lord needs to send us a vision of the sheet? Maybe we should ask the same question as Peter, “Who am I that I should withstand God?”

This I know,

“if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven,..” 2 Chronicles 7:14

Brothers and sisters, we need to hear from heaven. Is not God calling us to pull out all the stops to reach this dying world?

Father, please hear our prayer for wisdom and guidance. Not our will, but Yours be done. Let us not withstand you if you are calling us to put away traditions and prejudices that prohibit the spreading of the gospel.

What to Do With Doubt

What To Do With Doubt-Part 4 (The Dirty Dozen)

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It is OK to doubt.

Sometimes the Bible equates doubt with the concept of confusion (both willingly or unwillingly).  Let’s explore doubt through this idea and see if it makes sense.  If it does, we will also discover what to do with doubt.

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There was a time after Jesus left the earth and early days of the church when God’s spirit came upon the disciples (As Jesus said it would) and they began to preach in the language of the many different people who were in Jerusalem

And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language.

Acts 2:5-6

This remarkable event had a purpose.  It was to ignite and spread the truth, the good news about Jesus.  The early church went from a hand full who had been with Jesus to thousands in one day!  It was just the beginning.  The new converts (or simply those who had been there) would hear the message about Christ and take it back to their homeland.  This migration of the message would lay the ground work for the travels and preaching of the disciples by preparing the hearts of those who would hear the story of Jesus confirmed by those who had been with Jesus.  They did a similar work of John the Baptist by preparing their friends and loved ones for the reception of the gospel.

 ‘“Prepare for God’s arrival!
Make the road straight and smooth”

Isaiah 40:3 (The Message)

But, for now, there was a bit of confusion by those who heard the disciples speaking in their own language.  Despite this miracle, there were some who doubted.

 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?

Acts 2:12

Since they could not explain what was going on, they were confused and it led to doubt.

Not much has changed over the thousands of years.  When man cannot understand or explain something, they doubt.  It is OK to doubt, but to refuse to seek answers and truth is a mistake.

If you are having doubts about Jesus, it might be that you have not sought the answers.  For this study, let’s try to understand why there is so much confusion regarding the truth about God, Jesus, and our purpose on earth.

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If you think about it, your religious preference, world-view, denomination, and thoughts about truth are often “preset” for you based where you were born and your parents.  If you are born in North America, you are likely a Christian, either Protestant or Catholic.  If you were born in the Mid-East, you are likely Islāmic in your beliefs.  Are your parents Chinese? Then likely you would subscribe to some sort of Buddhism.

As a child, you were trained up in the preference of your parents.  If your parents never attended church or sought truth, then you too likely have done the same.

With all of us, from different backgrounds, confusion reigns.  A simple answer is to say that all are just different paths to the same place.  Some might say, there is no “path”; there is no “place.”

But Jesus makes a claim that cuts across this:

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

John 14:6

Now if Jesus made this claim, He better be able to support it.  Either this is an absolute truth or it is an absolute lie.  It (and He) cannot be both.

It is tempting to go down the path of talking about the reality of absolute truth at this point, but I will save it for another time.  Instead let’s think about the things that would cloud our thinking and bring confusion and doubt about truth.

Here is a list of 12 items that can bring confusion and doubt in a person’s experience.  Before you read this list and think about it, know that there is a loving God who does not want us to be “ignorant” about truth regardless of how we got to a state of confusion.

“…I do not want you to be ignorant…”

1 Corinthians 12:1

  1.  Family religious ancestry (If Grandma’s beliefs were good enough for her, it must be right!)
  2. Popularity (If the masses believe this way, it must be right!)
  3. Tradition (It has always been believed this way)
  4. Dogma (Blindly following a set of creeds and rules for points with God.)
  5. Shallow study (Not only a cursory approach, but studying to prove a point rather than discovery of truth)
  6. No study (Gathering around us speakers we like and who support our un-researched beliefs.)
  7. Education (Especially denominational education) and Science explained with a humanistic agenda.  Remember, God is the author of all science!
  8. Closed-mindedness (Don’t want to know the truth.  Might interfere with my lifestyle)
  9. Feelings (My heart tells me what is truth)
  10. Good looking, articulate, entertaining ministers (Someone that is good looking and charismatic can’t be wrong!)
  11. Entertainment and Entertainers (These famous people are smarter than most. Aren’t they?)
  12. Actual deception from Satan himself (Don’t forget, he can appear as an angel of light. II Corinthians 11:14)

Let’s call these the “Dirty Dozen” for future reference.  Notice what is missing in all of these:  A personal knowledge and experience with God and his word! What do you think would happen if we earnestly asked Jesus, directly, for truth from His word through the work of the Holy Spirit?  What would happen if we honestly wanted to know truth, regardless of the presence of the Dirty Dozen?  How many Christians do this?  How many search like their lives depended on it?  Has church attendance become a routine and social event rather than worship and search for truth.

It should not be a surprise that the enemy of mankind can (and does) use the “Dirty Dozen” to keep truth from doing its work of introducing the lost to Jesus; building up the body of Christ; and enriching our experience with God.  Is that a fair statement?  He is the father of all lies

He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.

John 8:44

Actually, the Dirty Dozen is on automatic pilot in a world of sin.  Our sinful nature and those 12 items listed above can do their work on their own without Satan being just over your shoulder. He is not omnipresent, like God, is he?

So much to overcome in the pursuit of truth!  But, take heart!  God is working to draw every person on planet earth towards the one and only true God; towards truth about Him and His life saving teachings!  He does not want anyone to perish.  That is why the gospel must go to the whole world for a witness.  Yes, to the Chinese, the Japanese, the Asians, the Latino, the African, the English, Americans….everyone! Christianity is not an just for King James English speaking people. God and his written word is greater than the dirty dozen and greater than the boundaries of language, space, and culture!  He draws every person born onto the planet towards him…inviting us to search for truth.  If we search, we will find it!

That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.

John 1:9

And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.”

John 12:32

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

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Most Important Truth

At the very core of every doctrine is the character of God.  It is often overlooked that the reason Jesus came to this earth was not only to live a sinless life; pay for our sins by his death on the cross; and to reveal the power of God through his resurrection, but to reveal the true character of God and therefore draw people into salvation.  By the time Jesus arrived on the scene, the truth about the character of God had been turned into a lie.  Would you agree with that?  How had it turned into a lie?  Well meaning followers were influenced by the “professional” religious leaders (Scribes and Pharisees) in the interpretation of God’s word and character.  There were so many rules and misunderstandings that the creator God, they professed to know, was in their presence and he was not even recognized.

He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

John 1:10 

Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.

John 8:19

Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.”

Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

John 14:8-9

It is so important that we “know” the true character of God the Father and Jesus our Creator, that Jesus equates it with salvation and having eternal life:

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

John 17:3 (New King James Version)

He goes on further in explaining this important concept of knowing God as the basis of salvation.  In the following text, he discloses that there are many who think they know God and even have the works to prove it (or do they), but they are lost, because of this lack of knowledge!

“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; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

Matthew 7:21-23

Interesting that these people look like Christians and even have some of the spiritual gifts and works, but they practice lawlessness.  In other words, they have the form of godliness but deny its power. 2 Timothy 3:5.

If we “know” him, we know not only about him, but we know his character, his motives, and his feelings.  We find out about him through: His word, the life of Jesus, other born-again Christians, His work though other people, nature, even through working with him and doing his will.  Very important that we are willing to do his biding, because if we are not willing to follow, not only will we fail to get to  know him better, but we will become confused about his teaching:

“If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.”

John 7:17

The power of the dirty dozen is not to be underestimated.  Any one of them can, at the least, can prove to hinder a relationship with Jesus and at the worse lead to making “Christ of no effect” Galatians 5:4 (King James Version).  In the end, a true knowledge of God is not just facts or an understanding of his historical actions, but a present personal relationship with him.  When you do know him, you will know that he is forgiving, slow to anger, has your best interest in mind, etc.

The only way to overcome confusion is through a personal study and application of the powerful word of God created by a desire to find out the truth about God.  In the end, however, it is not how much you know that saves you, but how well you know Jesus.  Today, He invites you to:

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Matthew 11:29

How about it?  Are you ready to start your Jesus Journey?

Inspiration

A Lame Man Walks-Why Do You Wonder?

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Please read Acts Chapter 3

“Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this?”

Acts 3:12

It is tempting to let the story of the lame man overshadow the “meat” of Acts 3. In fact, Peter seems to down-play this miracle of healing when he says,

“Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?”

Acts 3:12

Peter immediately directs the eyes of the people towards Jesus and away from himself and even the lame man!

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The book of Acts is a continuation of the book of Luke (Both written by Luke).  As a physician, Luke must have been impressed by this healing. No doubt he had seen many people with similar problems, but could do little about it.  Perhaps he only prescribed something for the pain.  But, in a moment, this man’s ankles, legs, and feet became strong and he began to leap in his joy!

What a feeling it must have been to both walk and jump after spending his entire life on a dirty mat, assisted by family and strangers!  Despite this miracle, Peter points the people to something even more fantastic.  They are about to hear things they have never heard before!  It will change their lives and they will be able to walk too!

There is a powerful theme in this chapter that is eternal.  Its teaching is a critical part of the command of Jesus to:

“Go into all the world and preach the GOSPEL to every creature…” Mark 16: 15.

What is the good news? All its elements are found in Peter’s short sermon. Sadly, some of these elements are left out by many gospel workers today and, therefore, the power of the gospel is left incomplete.

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Peter begins to tell the crowd who wondered at the healing of the lame man the bad news. He reminds them that their sin crucified the “Prince of Life.”  But, there is good news:

They did it out of ignorance and the Lord knew it would happen and revealed it ahead of time through His prophets!

“But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled.”

Acts 3: 18

At the end of the first letter to Theophilus (Book of Luke), Luke told the story of how Jesus explained to the disciples about Himself as found in the Tanakh (what we call the Old Testament) See Luke 24. This was the day after the Resurrection and, perhaps, took Jesus hours to explain because there was so much material.

 Jesus’s Bible study along with His resurrection from the dead, made the disciples bold and full of faith. They were no longer afraid and almost all of them would die proclaiming the message of Jesus.  It is in this type of Bible study given by Jesus where people are first educated on the scripture and then converted.  It is the most effective method of turning non-believers unto believers.

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True conversion comes from a knowledge of Jesus through God’s word!  Conversion should come in this order:  Facts about Jesus, Faith  in Jesus, then Feelings of joy and peace in Jesus.

  Facts (God’s word) give the basis for Faith (Trust) and Faith gives the basis for Feeling (conviction, joy, desire to obey) that comes last.  Now it is not to say that some tragic event or feeling will lead someone to begin to look for facts about Jesus, but a knowledge of Jesus is the first step in true conversion.  Wouldn’t you agree?  How often has this order been shuffled resulting in a confused and weak convert?

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Conviction and spiritual eyesight will arise when people hear the story of Jesus and how it was foretold through the

“Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms”

(Luke 24:44)

In this chapter, Peter “connects the dots” for these people who are in wonder of the lame man being healed. Peter reminds the people about the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and God’s promise to bless the entire earth through Abraham’s seed. Then he reminds them how Pilate wanted to let Jesus go, but they chose a murderer over the “Holy and Righteous One.” Peter gives them hope by acknowledging the prayer of Jesus as He hung on the cross,

“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”

Luke 23:34

Peter concurs with that prayer, which he heard from a distance….The people, as well as the rulers, did their dirty deeds out of “ignorance!”

Then Peter begins to tell them the good news.  He  tells them the same thing Jesus told them,

“But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled.”

Acts 3: 18

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Now it is decision time. Peter has an alter call. A sermon like this needs a response.

“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus…”

Acts 3:29

Peter is offering them an opportunity to respond to what they just heard and to rid themselves of the ugly acts of sin. Their scarlet sins can be blotted out and Jesus will refresh them by coming into their lives (the new birth). Then he reminds them that although Jesus has gone away, He will come again and “restore all things.”

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The good news is simple, but it should always contain the 10 elements that Peter used here in the 3rd chapter and in his sermon in the 2nd chapter where 3,000 were added to the church:

1.) All of us are sinners and we will die eternally. (Bad news)

2.) Our sins (out of ignorance of the word) sent Jesus to the cross to die. (Bad news).  The good news is that His word is available to all.

3.) Jesus is found in the Old Testament as well as the new. (Prophecy).

4.) God foretold that that Jesus must suffer. He did it willingly for us. (Justification)

5.) Jesus was raised. Without this, we have no hope. (Resurrection)

6.) Repent for your sins and be converted. Refreshing (new birth) will come. Your life will be changed! (Sanctification)

7.) Be baptized as a public acknowledgment of your desire to follow Jesus (Obedience).  

8.) Rise to walk in newness of your new life in Christ. (Change your lifestyle)

9.) Depend on Jesus daily.  Heaven has received Jesus (Ongoing ministry of Jesus in Heaven. See Hebrews)

10.) Jesus is coming again to restore all things. The redeemed will all live in a new heaven and a new earth!  See Isaiah 66:22-23

When the gospel is presented (it may take some time) and people hear the entire story of Jesus, they will feel the pull of the Holy Spirit to make a decision for Christ.

“If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto myself.”

John 12:32

Today if you hear His voice and feel the knocking at the door to your heart, yield to the pull and do not resist.  Ask Him to take over your life….a life that has been marked by bad decisions and mistakes.  He will give you rest and peace.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”

Revelation 3:20

“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

Inspiration

Breakfast With Jesus

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Breakfast by The Sea

John 21: 1-17

It is after the Resurrection and before Pentecost. The disciples seem to have some time on their hands. 7 of the disciples are together: Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, James, John (Sons of Thunder-Mark 3:17) and two others (not named).

Peter jumps up and says, “I’m going fishing.” Peter can’t stand to sit still. He is like many of us; we must be busy. So the others follow and they spend the night fishing and talking on a calm sea. The thousands that would often line the shore to see Jesus are not there. The disciples are still young in the faith despite having spent over 3 years with Jesus.

In the light of the cool early morning, Jesus comes to visit them for the third time. He has been busy building a fire and getting the wood hot enough to turn them to coals. A perfect fire for cooking and warming cold hands and bodies. From the boat, Jesus is small in the distance, but John is able to recognize Him and tells Peter that it is the Lord! John has been the most intimate with Jesus. He would often lovingly lay his head on the warm chest of the Redeemer, so he is able to recognize the form and mannerisms of his Lord better than the others.

But, Peter (always the dramatic and impetuous one because of his intense feelings), jumped into the water in his underwear to swim to Jesus. The boat was too slow in reaching the shore. There Jesus had breakfast ready with fish and bread.

The Lord cares about his hunger and warmth. Jesus loves Peter and wants to encourage Him because He knows that one day Peter would give his life on a cross for Him. Instead of fighting and cutting off someone’s ear, he would let them take him away.

After a filling and satisfying breakfast, as the warm sun is coming up, they walk down the shore with the others just behind them. Jesus looks at Peter and asks him three times if he loves Him. Jesus knows Peter’s feelings, but He asks for Peter’s sake. The questions and the answers teach Peter a lesson of commitment to others. “Feed my sheep.”

The Lord still walks the shores wanting to have breakfast with us. There is something special about rising early to meet Jesus for breakfast, but can we recognize that He is there? Does someone who knows him intimately have to tell us?

Jesus may not be able to be seen or heard as in this story, but we can know that He is there by the knocking. Jesus said,

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”

Revelation 3:20

Brothers and Sisters, I see no reason to think that this verse is a one time event at the beginning of our experience. Jesus knocks at my door often. How about you? It is He calling us away from the others to talk with us and encourage us.

Each morning, I hear the knocking. He is waiting to warm me and feed me. Thank you Lord. “You know all things; you know that I love you.”

“Feed My lambs.”

“The first work that Christ entrusted to Peter on restoring him to the ministry was to feed the lambs. This was a work in which Peter had little experience. It would require great care and tenderness, much patience and perseverance. It called him to minister to those who were young in the faith, to teach the ignorant, to open the Scriptures to them, and to educate them for usefulness in Christ’s service. Heretofore Peter had not been fitted to do this, or even to understand its importance. But this was the work which Jesus now called upon him to do. For this work his own experience of suffering and repentance had prepared him.” Desire of Ages, p 814

Prophecies for Our Time

Prophecies For Our Time-He That Has An Ear, Listen Closely!

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He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.

Revelation 2:7

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If you have an ear (I think that is all of us), then there is a message for you and me in all of the seven churches of Revelation 2. For these messages to be effective in our Jesus Journey, we should  understand it is not for those who are unbelievers for it is to “the churches.”  This is the body of people who made a commitment to Jesus and started their own Jesus Journey. But, as many of us have experienced, the journey is not always smooth.  We make mistakes, we sin, we get side-tracked.

Do you think Jesus is interested in making our experience with Him the absolute best it can be?  Is it critical if we limp along in our experience? What happens if we are not victorious and the sinful man in us dominates our spiritual walk?

Are there things in our life that we are doing that tarnishes our witness for Him?  Are we willing to let Jesus tell us where we fall short and then to follow His council?  If we are one of those followers who is content with our weekly attendance of church for a spiritual boost and we don’t have a desire to grow in our daily experience, then these messages will be boring  and not applicable.

A friend of mine once told me that “going to church doesn’t make you a Christian even as going to a garage does not make you a mechanic.” 

If I feel I am “rich and have need of nothing,” then my time is better spent enjoying my reward on earth for the short time assigned to me.  But if I feel that soft knocking of Jesus at the door of the heart’s door, then I will see and feel the message Jesus has for me and all of us who profess the name of Jesus and call ourselves Christian.  Are you ready?  Let’s HEAR and DO what the Spirit has to say to the churches so that we might be Overcomers together in Christ.

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Hear, Do, and Overcome

Last time, we saw clearly that Revelation is a revealing of Jesus.  If we fail to see Jesus in its pages, we have missed the whole point of this book and even the Bible itself.

In Chapter 2, the theme continues.  The message that John was instructed to write to the 7 literal churches was not just for them.  This truth is revealed to us in the opening verse (See above).  Everyone (anyone with an ear) is to hear.  Of course, hearing is only part of the message.  To hear and not to react is a worthless exercise:

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.  For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror;  for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

James 1: 22-25

Did you notice that to hear only and not do the word creates self-deception.  We worry about others being deceived, but we can deceive ourselves if we are not doing (obeying) what we hear.  In fact, if we fail to “do” or obey, our walk in the light is hindered and we will understand less and less of God’s word.

Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going.

John 12:35

How can anyone say that obedience is not what is expected of those who would claim to be followers of Jesus?  How can “overcoming” not be the expectation in a life in Christ?

Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.

Revelation 1:3

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Four Points to Seven Churches

As we read the messages to the churches, we see a pattern in the approach of Jesus:

1.) God’s recognition of their accomplishments or their character.

2.) God pointing out something lacking in their experience.

3.) Council for their  shortfall/sin and an encouragement.

4.)  The reward for overcoming.

Study this chart.  Perhaps you will see yourself in one of the churches.

Church Name Description of Jesus Compliment Jesus’ Observation and Council Outcome if  council not followed Reward for overcoming
Ephesus Holds 7 stars in right hand and walks among the candlesticks Works, labor, patience, can’t bear those who are evil. Tested false apostles. Persevered, patience, labored and not weary. Left First love. Remember where fell from. Repent and return to your first love. Lampstand removed from its place.  I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”’
Smyrna First and The Last. Was dead and came to life. Works, tribulation, poverty, blasphemy of those pretending to be Jews Do not fear suffering. You will be tested in prison. It will last for 10 days. Be faithful even unto death None given! Crown of Life
Pergamos Has the sharp two-edged sword Works. Even dwelling were Satan’s throne is. Despite this, they hold fast to His name and don’t deny His faith. Some hold to the doctrine of Balaam. He taught Balak to put a stumbling block before God’s people so that they disobeyed God and became sexually immoral and disregarding God’s instructions. Some hold to the doctrine of the Nicolaitans. Repent! Come to you quickly and fight against them with the sword of His mouth Give some of the hidden manna to eat. A white stone with a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.
Thyatira Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire and feet like fine brass. Works, love, service, faith, and patience. Last works are more than the first! Allow Jezebel to teach and seduce. Commit sexual immorality eat things sacrified to idols. He gave her time to repent and did not! Repent and hold fast what you have till He comes Cast into a sickbed, Great tribulation . Will kill her children with death. Give to each one of you according to your works. Power over the nations. The gift of the morning star.
Sardis Has 7 Spirits of God and 7 stars Works that are not perfect, have a name, are alive, but dead. Be watchful and strengthen things which remain, that are ready to die.  Works are not perfect. Hold fast and repent. Few names not defiled their garments Will come upon you as a thief Shall walk with Me in white.  Will be clothed in white garments. Will not blot out his name from the Book of Life Confess His name before My Father and before His angels.
Philadelphia He who is holy and true. Has the key of David. He opens and no one shuts, shuts and no one opens. Works. Have a little strength, have kept My word and not denied My name. Have kept His command to persevere. Will keep you from the hour of trial that comes upon the whole earth. Hold fast to what you have that no one may take your crown. those of the synagogue of Satan…will make them worship before your feet. To know that I have loved you. Will keep you from the hour of trial that will come upon the whole world. Will make him a pillar in the temple of My God.  Will not go out anymore. Will write on him the name of My God and the name of His city and a new name
Laodicea Amen, Faithful and True Witness. Beginning of the creation of God. Works.  Rich, wealthy and have need of nothing! Neither cold nor hot. Wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. Buy gold refined in the fire. Buy white garments, anoint your eyes that you might see . Will vomit out of My mouth. Sit with Him on His throne.

 

Did you see yourself in any of these message?  Is your congregation like one of them or a combination?  Most important, are you willing to hear and do what Jesus directs to overcome those things Jesus points out as “(He) has against you?

It is with love and compassion that Jesus clearly identifies where we are in our Jesus Journey.  Just over the hilltop is the reward He brings with Him when he returns.  He does not wish that any should perish, but for all to come to repentance.  In fact, almost all the churches here in Revelation are instructed to repent.

Repentance is  the first step. As we recognize our need of gold tried in the fire, eye salve, and white garments, we will feel the Holy Spirit encouraging us to repent and turn to Jesus.  You might ask yourself, “Is repentance a one time event?  Is the one that I did at the start of my journey and have never had need since then sufficient?”

Did you notice that Jesus recognizes the good before He give His council?  All of them had works of some sort.  The Smyrna church was being persecuted which meant they were standing fast for the sake of Jesus.  There were no council for them.  I want to be like them!  Don’t you? But, they had tribulation and poverty. Are we willing to give up everything for Him?

Which church was in the worst condition?  Is it like me?  Am I the worse one on the chart?  Have I left my first love, like Ephesus or perhaps my doctrine or teaching is causing the people of God to stumble like the Pergamos church?  Lord, have mercy on me a sinner.

Maybe our experience is like the Laodicea church.  I am neither cold or hot.  Perhaps I am comfortable with my experience and lot in life.  Maybe I consider myself rich and in need of nothing both physically and spiritually.  I go to church each week to be seen and let everyone know how wealthy I am. Perhaps I have all that you need and have worked hard for it, but my experience is lacking in many ways.

Wherever we might find ourself in our walk with Jesus, there is forgiveness and mercy available if we repent and turn and follow him.

Do you feel your need of Jesus today? Can you hear and feel the knocking at the door of your heart?  This is the urging of the Holy Spirit to ask Jesus to come into your life.

If you hear, then do what the Lord urges upon you.  Repent and become an Overcomer to the glory of His name.

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

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A final word about Repentance

I have been a follower of Jesus for almost 40 years.  My journey has not been smooth.  I have often seen my need of a closer walk with Jesus and felt the knocking at the door to repent and turn back to Him.  Remember, the messages to the churches are not for the unbelievers, but the ones proclaiming to be followers.

“Repentance includes sorrow for sin and a turning away from it. We shall not renounce sin unless we see its sinfulness; until we turn away from it in heart, there will be no real change in the life.”  

Steps to Christ, Page 23

“There are many who fail to understand the true nature of repentance. Multitudes sorrow that they have sinned and even make an outward reformation because they fear that their wrongdoing will bring suffering upon themselves. But this is not repentance in the Bible sense. They lament the suffering rather than the sin. Such was the grief of Esau when he saw that the birthright was lost to him forever.”

Steps to Christ, page 23

May our great Lord bless you until next time….Eddie

Revelation 3:20

Prophecies for Our Time

Prophecies for Our Time-The Revealing

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The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw.  Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.

Revelation 1: 1-3 NKJV

The very first words of John tells us many useful things to keep in mind when studying Revelation:

1.) It is a revelation of Jesus Christ (Verse 1)

It is a book with Jesus at its center and it reveals to us Jesus in all His glory and how He appears  throughout its pages and therefore throughout the history of the church.  It is interesting to note that the translators of the King James Version of the Bible have given this book the title, “The Revelation of St. John the Divine.” This is a contradiction of the very first words of the book, which declare it to be “The Revelation of Jesus Christ.”

2.) The message of the book came from God himself through an angel to John and John witnesses to both the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Verse 1  & 2)

John witnesses or tells us what he saw in both the word of God and particularly the words of Jesus that he personally heard as one of his disciples.  He walked and talked with Jesus while upon this earth and knew him in a close spiritual way.  As a called disciple, he was able to touch and feel the warmth of the human form of Jesus.

John’s resume is very impressive.  He was so close to Jesus that he is often described as the beloved disciple. John was an evangelist and a gospel writer as well as an inspired letter writer. This is demonstrated in the epistles of 1, 2,  and 3 John.

But now, we can add prophet to his record of experience.

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Because of John’s intimate knowledge of Jesus and the word of God, he draws upon this understanding of both in his writing.   But, let us not forget the inspiration from the Holy Spirit and the visions given him.  This is the supernatural aspect of this book.

Revelation is practically impossible to understand without a knowledge of Jesus and familiarity with the other books of the Bible, particularly the book of Daniel.  Many of what John describes are in the book of Daniel and many other passages of scripture.

3.) The objective of the book is to show or reveal “the things which must shortly take place.” (Verse 3)

Our God wants us to know the truth.  The world is full of lies, but there is truth available to all. He reveals his secrets to His prophets who in turn reveals them to us through what they saw.  He will not do anything unless He discloses it ahead of time..

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

Amos 3:7

4.) There is a blessing for reading and keeping the words of Revelation because it talks of the nearness of the time when Jesus will return (Verse 7). But it is of little value to us personally if we do not “read and understand.” (verse 3)

I have often been told that Revelation is a closed book.  That no one can understand it, but the first few verses demonstrate the opposite.  It is a prophecy, just like Daniel and others, that can be understood when comparing  John’s words with other inspired writers he alludes to when he states he “bore witness to the word of God.”  The word of God is the word contained in the Old Testament and those words written by his fellow disciples in the New Testament.  It is here where we find the keys that unlock the symbolism and timelines of Revelation

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 To support the premise, let’s compare the book of Daniel with Revelation.  See the chart below:

ChartsGraphs-5088-Little-Horn-and-Sea-Beast

We will study this comparison in the coming lessons.  This charts is provided here simply to show the reader an example of the connection between the visions of Daniel with the visions of John.

This is important because there is much confusion today about the beast of Revelation 13 and the mark of the Beast. But, we will see that there is no need for any confusion.  Once you see clearly from God’s word the identity of the beast, you are more likely able to see what the mark is or is not.

Last week, I heard a radio talk-show pundit saying that he believed the “mark of the beast” was the “Rainbow Coalition.”  We have also heard that the bar code pricing system is the mark of the beast.  But it is only in the Word of God where we can we find the correct interpretation.  The prophecies are not dependent of  the ideas of a talk-show pundit, regardless of how intelligent they may think they are.

knowing this first: that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation.  For the prophecy came not in olden times by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

2 Peter 1:20 – 21

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John begins to describe::

His audience:

“seven churches in Asia” Verse 4

The origin of the message:

“From the seven spirits which are before His throne;

 and from Jesus Christ” (Verse 4 and 5)

The core message:

“Behold, He cometh with clouds, and every eye shall see Him, and they also who pierced Him; and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so. Amen.” (Verse 7)

This is an important statement about the manner in which Jesus comes.  When he left the earth and ascended to heaven, he left with clouds and returns with clouds. Clouds appear at many places when talking about the return of Jesus and of God.

And when He had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.

Acts 1:9

“I saw in the night visions, and behold, one like the Son of Man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him.”

Daniel 7:13

We can cross reference this scene found in Revelation regarding the throne of God.

And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the living beings and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands,

Revelation 5:5

These clouds are, perhaps the throng of angels that are so vast in number that they appear as clouds

2nd coming 2 2 coming

But the point is this “Every eye will see Him.”

This includes the saved and the lost, but with two different responses:

The saved:

“Lo, 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

The Lost:

and they said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb!

Revelation 6:16

There is no room for the theory of a secret rapture in the book of Revelation and other books of the Bible for that matter, where people see driverless cars, empty churches and wonder why everyone disappeared.  This is the work of Hollywood and makes for good entertainment, but it is not truth.

When Jesus returns heaven is emptied to come to our little planet that has been the stage for the great controversy between Christ and Satan.  Christ comes as the victor.

For the Son of Man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He shall reward every man according to his works.

Revelation 16:27

Is there anyone alive that cannot see this sight?

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John mentions that he was in the Spirit on a particular day:

I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a great voice as of a trumpet,

Revelation 1:10

This appears to be a casual reference to which day John was “in the Spirit.”  Many have tried to make this to be Sunday although there is no reference or context to make it so.

The context of this chapter would seem to indicate this as the “Day of the Lord” when Jesus returns, but even that statement is somewhat of an assumption. There is only one particular day of the week that God claims as his own.  It appears in scripture and in connection with creation:

“the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.”

Exodus 20:11

In the heart of the 10 commandments is the day that the Lord claims as his own because he is Creator.

 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.

Exodus 20:11

Want a new testament version of this?

Therefore the Son of Man is Lord also of the Sabbath.”

Mark 2:28

If Jesus claims to be Lord of the Sabbath.  Which day is the Lord’s day?

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On the Lord’s day, John hears a voice like a trumpet sound.  It is the voice of Jesus, for He says,

“I am Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last,”

Verse 11

Jesus is the beginning and the end.  He has always been and will always be.  He was with God the Father in the beginning.  Jesus is God and He is our Creator:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made.In Him was life, and that life was the Light of men.

John 1: 1-4

The instructions of Jesus to John is to write a book to the seven churches:

What thou seest, write in a book and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia: unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.”

Verse 11

These are seven literal churches who will get a first look at John’s new book.  The book will give them encouragement and direction, just as it will do for us.

As we will see, the book of Revelation is not just for these seven churches, but also for us.  Perhaps we will see ourselves in the characteristics of a particular church.

As we move through Revelation, let us always remember that is a revealing of Jesus.  The more we know about Him, the more security we can have in our own salvation because to know Him is to have eternal life:

And this is life eternal: that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent.

John 17:3

Herein is our comfort that Jesus rose again:

 I am He that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen, and have the keys of hell and of death.

Verse 18

Our hope depends on this fact that Jesus rose a victor over death….that He is alive today and always….that he has power over death.  If we want to get out of the locked room called death, Jesus has the keys and will let us out on that great Day of the Lord.  Paul knew the importance of this when he said,

 and if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.But now Christ is risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of those who slept.

1 Corinthians 15: 17-20

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Revelation 1 ends with Jesus repeating to John the instructions to write about things that John had seen (past) are now (John’s time), and the things in the future (from John’s time to ours)

 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter.

Verse 19

In Verse 20 we are reminded of how the symbols represent something:

The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in My right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

Verse 20

We can be assured that the candlesticks seen in the vision represent the seven churches.  Those churches are at different points in their experience just as we are.

We will find encouragement and a revealing of Jesus as we study this great book that promises us blessings if we read and understand.  By God’s grace and mercy may we do so.

Until next time, be blessed—Eddie

Prophecies for Our Time

Prophecies for Our Time-The Judgment

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“I watched till thrones were put in place,
And the Ancient of Days was seated;
His garment was white as snow,
And the hair of His head was like pure wool.
His throne was a fiery flame,
Its wheels a burning fire;
A fiery stream issued
And came forth from before Him.
A thousand thousands ministered to Him;
Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him.
The court was seated,
And the books were opened.

I watched then because of the sound of the pompous words which the horn was speaking; I watched till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed and given to the burning flame.

Daniel 7: 9 – 11

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Over the last few weeks, we have been studying the prophecies of Daniel 2, 7, 8, &9.  Daniel watched in his visions  a period spanning long periods of time.  We saw a 70-year period that was “cut off” or  a given to Israel to come to place in their experience, where they became the light to the world and welcomed in their Messiah.  But Israel rejected their Messiah, The Just One who was foretold in the scripture.

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In 34 AD Stephen  gave a powerful sermon found In Acts 7.  This is an important date, for it ended the period of 490 years (70 weeks) for the nation of Israel as a whole. (Please see previous posts that brings us up to this point.)

Stephen  described the history of God’s people (the Israelites)  who constantly rejected God, His law, and His prophets who were sent to encourage them to turn from their evil ways. Now they were continuing that tradition by rejecting the truth from Stephen.

He spoke of their father Abraham and Moses and described how they rejected the prophets. He then begin to talk about Jesus.  He quoted from Deuteronomy:

The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear.

Deuteronomy 18:15

As Stephen began to describe the temple, the tone of his sermon changes abruptly and he quickly proclaimed,

 You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute?

Acts 7:51, 52

Their problem is clearly identified here.  They resisted the work of the Holy Spirit just like their ancestors.  The prophets whom God had sent were rejected and persecuted.  They ignored the law given to them and now they had gone so far as to encourage the killing of the son of God of the Just One who was foretold in scripture:

And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it.

Acts 7: 52, 53

Here their fate was sealed.  The 70-week prophecy or 490 years came to an end.  This was 34 AD.  490 years after the commandment went forth to “restore and rebuild Jerusalem.”  Just as Daniel was shown in vision hundreds of years earlier.

A few years later, Paul and Barnabas would allude to this prophecy when they said,

Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to  the  Gentiles.

Acts 13: 46

Because of the truth, Stephen was stoned; sealing the rejection of Jesus whom Stephen saw standing at the right hand of God.

This 490 period given to the Jews in a special way was part of the of the 2,300 years that stretched to 1844, when the sanctuary was to be cleansed.

From 34 AD until now, there is not longer Greek or Jew, Male or Female. In fact, if we are in Jesus, we have become the new Israel and heirs of the promises given to Abraham:

And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Galatians 3:29

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But, Daniel saw even further as described in today’s opening verses.  Daniel saw until the 4th beast with the little horn was destroyed in the flames, when the earth is destroyed when Jesus returns.

“I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.”

Daniel 7: 11

As we will see in the coming weeks, this little horn power is also the Anti-Christ (The one who stands in the place of Christ). As mentioned, this beast is destroyed when Jesus returns:

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

Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

2 Thessalonians 2: 8, 9

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So in summary, Daniel watched and saw:

1.) Kingdoms rise and fall (Babylon, Medio-Persian, Greece, Rome)

2.) The rise of a cruel and deceptive power we now know to be the Roman Catholic church and their system of Popes (Fathers) and priests that stand in the place of Christ

3.) The judgement scene (1844)

4.) The return of Christ

5.) The end of the little horn power at the return of Christ

6.) Judgment given to the Saints

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We have not talked about the judgement scene much.  As described at the start of this study and repeated here.  Daniel sees the “Ancient of Days” take His seat as thousands minister to him and the books are opened.

“I watched till thrones were put in place,
And the Ancient of Days was seated;…The court was seated, And the books were opened.

Daniel 7: 9, 10

John describes the same scene in Revelation 20

And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

Revelation 20: 12

Let’s notice something here.  Everyone who has ever lived and died stand before God and are judged out of the Book of Life.  Let’s also notice that this is taking place where God’s throne is located, the heavenly sanctuary.  There is an investigation and decisions are being made based on what is being described in the books.

There is more than one book.  The scripture describes at least two other books that are used in the judgement. Besides the Book of Life, there is the Book of Remembrance.

Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.

Malachi 3:16

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There is much confusion and error about judgement.  The typical view of judgement by many is that it occurs when you die and it is a passage of moving either to heaven or to hell.  Once judged, you either pass through the pearly gates or are assigned a spot in hell.  Of course, there is confusion about hell.  For more information, see the post entitled

 Of course, there is  also confusion about hell.  For more information, see the post entitled Did Jesus talk more about Hell than Heaven?.  Also, see the post that follow it.

But, judgement is not that way at all.  For next few moments, let’s explore some important verses and concepts about judgement.

1.) The final message of judgement to mankind is found in Revelation:

And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,

Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

Revelation 14: 6-7

This angel’s message (1 of 3 messages) is the everlasting gospel or the good news about Jesus.  The angel (or messenger) gives a message that judgment is come.  The judgement has started and worship of the Creator is contrasted with a world that does not believe in creation nor a Creator.  Does that sound familiar to you?  Yes, we live in that world where evolution is considered the source of life and order.

Yes, we live in that world where evolution is considered the source of life and order.  The judgement has started and worship of the Creator is contrasted with a world that does not believe in creation nor a Creator.

There is a commandment that points to the great Creator.  It is the 4th Commandment:

 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 

Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:

But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

Revelation 20: 11

Regarding the Sabbath, one author has said,

“Had the Sabbath been universally kept, man’s thoughts and affections would have been led to the Creator as the object of reverence and worship, and there would never have been an idolater, an atheist, or an infidel.”

Great Controversy, Page 438

So in the last day, the angel is urging the people of the earth to return to honoring the Lord of the Sabbath and the Great Creator-Jesus.  Along with this encouragement comes the proclamation that judgment has come or it has started.

2.) The standard of judgment is the 10 commandments:

For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,”also said,“Do not murder.”Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.  So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.

James 2: 10 – 12

3.)  Our name can be blotted out of the book of life if we fail to be overcomers, but if we are converted our sins will be blotted out instead:

He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

Revelation 3:5

Please keep in mind, that overcoming sins in our lives is the work of God in our life by faith.  We can never be victorious without faith in the one who also redeems us!  If we yield to the conviction and power of God, he will make us overcomers.  Do not make the mistake that you have to focus on being good.  Focus on Jesus only. In the end our sins will be blotted out and not our name.

Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,

Acts 3:19

4.) We are not condemned if we are “in Jesus” and our lifestyle is to follow the urging of the Spirit.

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

Romans 8:1

5.) Since Jesus is our mediator, He can save us completely.  This means not only salvation from eternal death, but salvation from the power of sins in our lives now.

But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

Hebrews 7:24 – 25

If you have sin that pulls you down, have you turned to your high priest in heaven and asked for intercession?  If not, maybe you are trying to overcome on your own carnal strength.  This is an impossibility, for Jesus said,

I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

John 15:5 

Just like a branch gets its nourishment from the tree, we can our strength to overcome through the main tree-Jesus. How?  By trusting in Him and remaining or abiding in Him!  Abiding does not mean a casual once a week experience, but an ongoing one.  The branch doesn’t detach itself and then reattach every weekend.  It remains in Christ throughout the week!

6.)  The work of Judgment by the Ancient of Days is complete before Jesus returns, because when He comes, He brings His reward with Him.

And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work.

Revelation 22:12

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The judgment scene is  described both in Daniel 7 and Revelation 20.  It is a period just before Jesus returns.  The Ancient of Days sits and thousands of angels attend Him.  The books are open, not for God’s sake, but for the sake of those in attendance. These records are to demonstrate that God is just.

Again, here is the companion verse to Daniel as found in Revelation:

Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books

Revelation 20: 12

Notice the dead are judged.  Your spirit or body does not stand in front of the judge as the picture in this post suggests.  It is those who are dead now.

And as it is appointed for men to die once, but afterthis

Hebrews 9:12

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There is also a period where we will be provided opportunity to see that God was just.  The scripture tells us this about judgment:

Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

1 Corinthians 6:2

It is during the 1,000 years after Jesus returns that the saints (us) will be able to understand fully that our God is just and fair. For more information on the Thousand Years, click see the post called Part 4-Second Coming-1,000 Years

And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them.

Revelation 20:4

This is not a decision about who gets to have eternal life or not because the Ancient of Days or God has already made those decisions before Jesus returns.  It is a determination about the mercy and grace of God.  It will demonstrate that those who are lost were given every opportunity to repent and turn to God.

Our God is a just and fair God.  His judgments are right and true. May you be blessed as you consider the things of God’s word.

Next time, we will begin to study another form of judgment.  It is a judgment upon the wicked and evil of the earth.  We will see that Revelation is only understood in the light of Daniel’s visions.  We will discover more about the beast and his image.

Until then, may the Lord bless you and your family. – Eddie

"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