During the tribulation period the antichrist will rise to power through great deception. He will make a treaty with the Jews, but after 3½ years, he will break that treaty. He will turn on the Jews and all believers with all of the fury of Satan’s power. Paul warned the Thessalonian believers about the antichrist.
II Th 2:3-4
3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,
4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. (NKJ)
Paul said that, during the tribulation period, there will be a great falling away in which the religious world will be deceived by the antichrist through strong delusion.
II Th 2:8-12
8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.
9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders,
10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie,
12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (NKJ)
However, Paul told Timothy that there will be a Satanic plot to corrupt doctrine within the Christian churches even during our present age.
1 Tim 4:1-2
1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,
2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, (NKJ)
I once heard a minister say that anyone who criticizes Christian churches has attacked Jesus Christ because the churches are the Body of Christ. In light of what Paul told Timothy, it would appear that we should be particularly critical of the earthly Christian churches. The earthly Christian churches have a long history of deception and tyranny. Should we think that the earthly Christian churches of our time are immune to the demonic influences of the past. No. Paul says that those influences will increase in the latter times.
It would behoove each believer to question every doctrine taught in the Christian churches to see that the word of God is faithfully taught. As the Apostle Paul went preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, he found resistance in every city, but he praised those in Berea because they searched the scriptures to see if the things he taught were true.
Acts 17:10-11
10 Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. (NKJ)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Friday, May 30, 2003
Thursday, May 29, 2003
The 70th week of Daniel is often called the tribulation period, and because each week in Daniel’s prophecy represents 7 years, we say that the tribulation period will last 7 years. However, Daniel never referred to the 70th week as the tribulation period. He simply said that in the middle of the week the antichrist would break his treaty with the Jews and then destroy Jerusalem and prohibit the offering of sacrifices in the temple.
We refer to the 70th week of Daniel as the tribulation period because of the Lord’s description of the 70th week in Matthew 24. In that description, He referred to the time when the antichrist will prohibit the offering of sacrifices and called it the abomination of desolation.
Matt 24:15-16
15 "Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand),
16 "then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. (NKJ)
We have seen that the book of the Revelation concentrates more on the last 3½ years of the 70th week of Daniel, and the Lord, Himself, indicates that the greatest tribulation will occur during that time.
Matt 24:21
21 "For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. (NKJ)
Daniel said the antichrist will rise to power through a promise of peace and prosperity.
Dan 8:23-25
23 "In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a stern-faced king, a master of intrigue, will arise.
24 He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy the mighty men and the holy people.
25 He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power. (NIV)
Though the antichrist will rise to power with a promise of peace and prosperity, his promises will be lies. In the middle of this 7 year period, he will turn on his subjects and will try to destroy all who do not worship him.
Rev 13:5-8
5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (KJV)
The antichrist will consolidate his power on earth to such an extent that no human power will be able to oppose him. He will rule unopposed until Jesus Christ returns with the clouds of heaven, followed by his army of immortal saints. When Christ returns at the end of the tribulation period, He will destroy the antichrist and cast him into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20).
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
We refer to the 70th week of Daniel as the tribulation period because of the Lord’s description of the 70th week in Matthew 24. In that description, He referred to the time when the antichrist will prohibit the offering of sacrifices and called it the abomination of desolation.
Matt 24:15-16
15 "Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand),
16 "then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. (NKJ)
We have seen that the book of the Revelation concentrates more on the last 3½ years of the 70th week of Daniel, and the Lord, Himself, indicates that the greatest tribulation will occur during that time.
Matt 24:21
21 "For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. (NKJ)
Daniel said the antichrist will rise to power through a promise of peace and prosperity.
Dan 8:23-25
23 "In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a stern-faced king, a master of intrigue, will arise.
24 He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy the mighty men and the holy people.
25 He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power. (NIV)
Though the antichrist will rise to power with a promise of peace and prosperity, his promises will be lies. In the middle of this 7 year period, he will turn on his subjects and will try to destroy all who do not worship him.
Rev 13:5-8
5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (KJV)
The antichrist will consolidate his power on earth to such an extent that no human power will be able to oppose him. He will rule unopposed until Jesus Christ returns with the clouds of heaven, followed by his army of immortal saints. When Christ returns at the end of the tribulation period, He will destroy the antichrist and cast him into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20).
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Wednesday, May 28, 2003
A little more than 2500 years ago, a man named Nebuchadnezzar ruled what was then the greatest empire in the world. He ruled from the city of Babylon which was about 30 miles south of present day Baghdad, Iraq. The prophet, Daniel, had been captured in Jerusalem and taken to Babylon. According to Daniel 9:2, Daniel was aware of Jeremiah’s prophecy concerning the return of the Jews to Jerusalem after 70 years in captivity (Jer 25:11). Daniel must have also known about Jeremiah’s prophecy concerning the promise of Israel’s future New Covenant Kingdom because he asked God when that kingdom would come. In Daniel 9:24 the answer came.
Dan 9:24-27
24 "Seventy weeks are determined for your people and for your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sins, to make reconciliation for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy.
25 "Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince, there shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublesome times.
26 "And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself; and the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be with a flood, and till the end of the war desolations are determined.
27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; but in the middle of the week he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, even until the consummation, which is determined, is poured out on the desolate." (NKJ)
It would be 70 weeks from the Jews’ return to Jerusalem to the New Covenant Kingdom. Daniel also found out that it would be a total of 69 weeks before the Messiah would come and be killed. After 69 weeks and the “cutting off” of the Messiah, a dark prince would come who would destroy Jerusalem and the temple. This evil prince would make a treaty with the Jews for one week and rule until the consummation or until the kingdom was established.
Did Daniel know how long each week would be? We do not know. But from the time Cyrus the Persian made the decree for the Jews to return to Jerusalem until Jesus Christ was killed was 483 years. This would make 69 weeks with each week being 7 years. Following the same time scale, the evil prince (the antichrist) would make a treaty with the Jews for 7 years before the New Covenant Kingdom would be established.
This 7 year period is known as the 70th Week of Daniel, and it is the only scriptural reference to indicate that the tribulation period will last 7 years. As John wrote about the tribulation period in the book of the Revelation, he never mentioned the seven year period, but in three different ways, he referred to a 3½ year period of tribulation. He referred to “time, times and a half time” (Rev 12:14). He referred to 42 months (Rev 11:2, Rev 13:5). And he referred to 1260 days (The Jewish calendar had 360 days per year.)(Rev 11:3, Rev 12:6). Daniel said the antichrist would break his treaty with the Jews in the middle of the 70th week, and it seems that the Apostle John’s prophecies in the Revelation concentrate more on those last 3½ years of Daniel’s 70th week.
As one reads Daniel’s prophecy, it is clear that the 70th week is set apart from the other 69 weeks, but there is no indication of a break in time between the 69th and the 70th week. It has now been nearly 2000 years since Jesus Christ, the Messiah, was killed, and neither the antichrist nor the kingdom has appeared. It is obvious that Daniel did not see the age in which we now live. Our present age is a parenthetical age with a unique program which was kept secret by God from the Old Testament prophets. That program is the program of the Church which is the Body of Christ which was revealed as a special dispensation to the Apostle Paul.
Col 1:24-26
24 (I) now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:
25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: (KJV)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Dan 9:24-27
24 "Seventy weeks are determined for your people and for your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sins, to make reconciliation for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy.
25 "Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince, there shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublesome times.
26 "And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself; and the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be with a flood, and till the end of the war desolations are determined.
27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; but in the middle of the week he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, even until the consummation, which is determined, is poured out on the desolate." (NKJ)
It would be 70 weeks from the Jews’ return to Jerusalem to the New Covenant Kingdom. Daniel also found out that it would be a total of 69 weeks before the Messiah would come and be killed. After 69 weeks and the “cutting off” of the Messiah, a dark prince would come who would destroy Jerusalem and the temple. This evil prince would make a treaty with the Jews for one week and rule until the consummation or until the kingdom was established.
Did Daniel know how long each week would be? We do not know. But from the time Cyrus the Persian made the decree for the Jews to return to Jerusalem until Jesus Christ was killed was 483 years. This would make 69 weeks with each week being 7 years. Following the same time scale, the evil prince (the antichrist) would make a treaty with the Jews for 7 years before the New Covenant Kingdom would be established.
This 7 year period is known as the 70th Week of Daniel, and it is the only scriptural reference to indicate that the tribulation period will last 7 years. As John wrote about the tribulation period in the book of the Revelation, he never mentioned the seven year period, but in three different ways, he referred to a 3½ year period of tribulation. He referred to “time, times and a half time” (Rev 12:14). He referred to 42 months (Rev 11:2, Rev 13:5). And he referred to 1260 days (The Jewish calendar had 360 days per year.)(Rev 11:3, Rev 12:6). Daniel said the antichrist would break his treaty with the Jews in the middle of the 70th week, and it seems that the Apostle John’s prophecies in the Revelation concentrate more on those last 3½ years of Daniel’s 70th week.
As one reads Daniel’s prophecy, it is clear that the 70th week is set apart from the other 69 weeks, but there is no indication of a break in time between the 69th and the 70th week. It has now been nearly 2000 years since Jesus Christ, the Messiah, was killed, and neither the antichrist nor the kingdom has appeared. It is obvious that Daniel did not see the age in which we now live. Our present age is a parenthetical age with a unique program which was kept secret by God from the Old Testament prophets. That program is the program of the Church which is the Body of Christ which was revealed as a special dispensation to the Apostle Paul.
Col 1:24-26
24 (I) now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:
25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: (KJV)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Tuesday, May 27, 2003
We saw yesterday that the disciples may have thought the world was about to come to an end as they asked the Lord Jesus about the end of the age in Matthew 24.
Matt 24:3
3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" (NKJ)
One has to wonder why the disciples would ask about the Lord’s coming when the Lord was already there. It seems apparent they understood that the coming of the Son of Man was going to be a grand and glorious event which was yet to come. The Lord had told them in Matthew 10:
Matt 10:23
23 "When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes. (NKJ)
The disciples may have known that Daniel said the Son of Man would come with the clouds of heaven to establish the kingdom.
Dan 7:13-14
13 "I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him.
14 Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed. (NKJ)
The Lord used similar terms as He described the coming of the Son of Man in Matthew 24.
Matt 24:29-30
29 "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
30 "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (NKJ)
Questions about the glorious coming of the Son of Man may have served to increase the mystery concerning the Lord’s announcement that He was going to be killed and raised again. Their questions, however, did not assuage their sorrow.
Matt 17:22-23
22 Now while they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men,
23 "and they will kill Him, and the third day He will be raised up." And they were exceedingly sorrowful. (NKJ)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Matt 24:3
3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" (NKJ)
One has to wonder why the disciples would ask about the Lord’s coming when the Lord was already there. It seems apparent they understood that the coming of the Son of Man was going to be a grand and glorious event which was yet to come. The Lord had told them in Matthew 10:
Matt 10:23
23 "When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes. (NKJ)
The disciples may have known that Daniel said the Son of Man would come with the clouds of heaven to establish the kingdom.
Dan 7:13-14
13 "I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him.
14 Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed. (NKJ)
The Lord used similar terms as He described the coming of the Son of Man in Matthew 24.
Matt 24:29-30
29 "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
30 "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (NKJ)
Questions about the glorious coming of the Son of Man may have served to increase the mystery concerning the Lord’s announcement that He was going to be killed and raised again. Their questions, however, did not assuage their sorrow.
Matt 17:22-23
22 Now while they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men,
23 "and they will kill Him, and the third day He will be raised up." And they were exceedingly sorrowful. (NKJ)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Monday, May 26, 2003
Shortly before the Lord Jesus was crucified, the disciples ask Him the question recorded in Matthew 24:3.
Matt 24:3
3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? (KJV)
The word translated world is aion which means age. The disciples knew that, if the kingdom was to be established, the age they were in would end and the glorious age of the kingdom would follow. However, they may have also thought that the coming kingdom would bring about a new heaven and a new earth. Isaiah spoke of the kingdom and said,
Isa 65:17
17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. (KJV)
The Apostle John revealed in Revelation 20 that the Lord Jesus will rule the present earth for one thousand years before the new heaven and new earth is established.
Rev 20:4
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. (NKJ)
Since John did not reveal this information until 30 years after Christ’s death, the disciples would not have been aware of it. Neither did the disciples know about the age of our present dispensation concerning the Church which is the Body of Christ. The Apostle Paul said that the dispensation regarding the Church was revealed to him but was kept secret until then.
Col 1:24-26
24 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church,
25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God,
26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. (NKJ)
Therefore, as the disciples asked about the end of the age, they may have thought that the earth as we know it was about to end.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Matt 24:3
3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? (KJV)
The word translated world is aion which means age. The disciples knew that, if the kingdom was to be established, the age they were in would end and the glorious age of the kingdom would follow. However, they may have also thought that the coming kingdom would bring about a new heaven and a new earth. Isaiah spoke of the kingdom and said,
Isa 65:17
17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. (KJV)
The Apostle John revealed in Revelation 20 that the Lord Jesus will rule the present earth for one thousand years before the new heaven and new earth is established.
Rev 20:4
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. (NKJ)
Since John did not reveal this information until 30 years after Christ’s death, the disciples would not have been aware of it. Neither did the disciples know about the age of our present dispensation concerning the Church which is the Body of Christ. The Apostle Paul said that the dispensation regarding the Church was revealed to him but was kept secret until then.
Col 1:24-26
24 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church,
25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God,
26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. (NKJ)
Therefore, as the disciples asked about the end of the age, they may have thought that the earth as we know it was about to end.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Friday, May 23, 2003
When a person accepts, by faith, that Christ died for their sins, a spiritual union takes place between that person and Jesus Christ. At that moment of faith, the believer is spiritually united with Christ and seated with Christ in the heavenlies (Eph 2:6) as a member of the Church which is the Body of Christ.
God’s earthly program, on the other hand, has always been administered by the nation of Israel, and they have always been required to perform certain earthly rituals in their worship of the Lord. Circumcision was given through Abraham in Gen 17, and the Passover was given through Moses in Exodus 12. As the children of Israel prepared to eat the first Passover and leave the land of Egypt, God instructed them that no uncircumcised male could partake of the Passover.
Three months after leaving Egypt, the nation of Israel came to the foot of Mt. Sinai. There Moses received the Old Covenant Law, and both the practice of circumcision and the Passover became required observances of the law. Ten months after they arrived at Mt. Sinai, they partook of the second Passover feast, and one month later, the nation of Israel left for the promised land.
The Lord led them to the border of the land of Canaan, and there at Kadesh Barnea the nation of Israel refused to enter the land. Their lack of faith brought the judgement of God, and they were sentenced to wander in the wilderness for forty years. After forty years, they came back to the land of Canaan, crossed the Jordan River and, by faith, entered the promised land.
While the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they did not practice circumcision.
Josh 5:5
5 Now all the people that came out were circumcised: but all the people that were born in the wilderness by the way as they came forth out of Egypt, them they had not circumcised (KJV)
Therefore, after forty years in the wilderness, the nation of Israel entered the promised land, and there on the plains of Jericho, the men were circumcised. Only then could they partake of the Passover, which they immediately after being circumcised.
Josh 5:10
10 And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho. (KJV)
Israel’s Old Covenant Kingdom was set aside as she wandered in the wilderness, and the rituals which were designed for kingdom worship were not observed.
From the time of John the Baptist to the end of the book of Acts, the nation of Israel was offered the New Covenant Kingdom. The Jews continued their observance of the Old Covenant customs, while Jews (and Gentiles after Paul) experienced water baptism and miracles, wonders and signs. This time Israel was on the border of an even greater promised land. Again, they refused to enter because of their unbelief.
God set aside the program of the New Covenant Kingdom, and Israel, as a nation, has been wandering in the wilderness from that time until now. All of the earthly rituals and signs associated with the Old and New Covenant Kingdoms have been set aside.
Even as Israel was rejecting the earthly kingdom in the Acts period, the scriptures indicate that God was secretly building the Church to which we belong in the heavens. When Israel's kingdom program was set aside, God began to reveal, through the Apostle Paul, this heavenly Church and its associated program or dispensation. This dispensation included no earthly rituals of worship, and the signs and wonders ceased.
Col 2:10-12
10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,
12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. (NKJ)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
God’s earthly program, on the other hand, has always been administered by the nation of Israel, and they have always been required to perform certain earthly rituals in their worship of the Lord. Circumcision was given through Abraham in Gen 17, and the Passover was given through Moses in Exodus 12. As the children of Israel prepared to eat the first Passover and leave the land of Egypt, God instructed them that no uncircumcised male could partake of the Passover.
Three months after leaving Egypt, the nation of Israel came to the foot of Mt. Sinai. There Moses received the Old Covenant Law, and both the practice of circumcision and the Passover became required observances of the law. Ten months after they arrived at Mt. Sinai, they partook of the second Passover feast, and one month later, the nation of Israel left for the promised land.
The Lord led them to the border of the land of Canaan, and there at Kadesh Barnea the nation of Israel refused to enter the land. Their lack of faith brought the judgement of God, and they were sentenced to wander in the wilderness for forty years. After forty years, they came back to the land of Canaan, crossed the Jordan River and, by faith, entered the promised land.
While the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they did not practice circumcision.
Josh 5:5
5 Now all the people that came out were circumcised: but all the people that were born in the wilderness by the way as they came forth out of Egypt, them they had not circumcised (KJV)
Therefore, after forty years in the wilderness, the nation of Israel entered the promised land, and there on the plains of Jericho, the men were circumcised. Only then could they partake of the Passover, which they immediately after being circumcised.
Josh 5:10
10 And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho. (KJV)
Israel’s Old Covenant Kingdom was set aside as she wandered in the wilderness, and the rituals which were designed for kingdom worship were not observed.
From the time of John the Baptist to the end of the book of Acts, the nation of Israel was offered the New Covenant Kingdom. The Jews continued their observance of the Old Covenant customs, while Jews (and Gentiles after Paul) experienced water baptism and miracles, wonders and signs. This time Israel was on the border of an even greater promised land. Again, they refused to enter because of their unbelief.
God set aside the program of the New Covenant Kingdom, and Israel, as a nation, has been wandering in the wilderness from that time until now. All of the earthly rituals and signs associated with the Old and New Covenant Kingdoms have been set aside.
Even as Israel was rejecting the earthly kingdom in the Acts period, the scriptures indicate that God was secretly building the Church to which we belong in the heavens. When Israel's kingdom program was set aside, God began to reveal, through the Apostle Paul, this heavenly Church and its associated program or dispensation. This dispensation included no earthly rituals of worship, and the signs and wonders ceased.
Col 2:10-12
10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,
12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. (NKJ)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Thursday, May 22, 2003
In today’s message, I want to compare the Lord’s description of the end times in Matthew 24 with Paul’s thoughts concerning the last days in II Timothy 3. In Matthew 24, the Lord is clearly describing the tribulation period. He said that believers of that time should be looking for the abomination of desolation.
Matt 24:15-16
15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: (KJV)
Daniel taught that the “vile person”, the antichrist, will make a treaty with Israel during the 7 year period that immediately precedes the kingdom. He also taught that in the middle of that 7 year period, the antichrist will break that treaty, capture the Jerusalem temple and prevent the daily sacrifices from being offered. The temple will, therefore, become desolate, and that will be an abomination to the Lord. In Matthew 24, the Lord said that this period of time would include the greatest tribulation the world has ever or will ever see. Therefore, we call this period of time the tribulation period.
However, in 2 Tim 3:1-5, Paul speaks of the last days but does not include any mention of the antichrist, the abomination of desolation, or the extreme tribulation that the Lord Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24..
2 Tim 3:1-5
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (KJV)
In this passage, Paul was actually speaking of the last days of the Church age. This is clear evidence that the dispensation of the Church which is the Body of Christ is separate and apart from God’s program for Israel and that the Church age will end before God resumes His dealings with Israel in the tribulation period.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Matt 24:15-16
15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: (KJV)
Daniel taught that the “vile person”, the antichrist, will make a treaty with Israel during the 7 year period that immediately precedes the kingdom. He also taught that in the middle of that 7 year period, the antichrist will break that treaty, capture the Jerusalem temple and prevent the daily sacrifices from being offered. The temple will, therefore, become desolate, and that will be an abomination to the Lord. In Matthew 24, the Lord said that this period of time would include the greatest tribulation the world has ever or will ever see. Therefore, we call this period of time the tribulation period.
However, in 2 Tim 3:1-5, Paul speaks of the last days but does not include any mention of the antichrist, the abomination of desolation, or the extreme tribulation that the Lord Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24..
2 Tim 3:1-5
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (KJV)
In this passage, Paul was actually speaking of the last days of the Church age. This is clear evidence that the dispensation of the Church which is the Body of Christ is separate and apart from God’s program for Israel and that the Church age will end before God resumes His dealings with Israel in the tribulation period.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Wednesday, May 21, 2003
The Lord told Martha that He, Himself, is the resurrection and the life. He said that those who believe and then die, shall live again, while those who are alive at the time of the resurrection will never die.
The Lord Jesus said and Paul confirmed that there will be a resurrection and rapture of believers toward the end of the tribulation period just before the Lord comes to rule the earth.
Paul taught that there will be a catching up of believers toward the end of this dispensation when Christ shall appear in the glory of heaven, and believers will in an instant appear with Him in glory.
In each case, those caught up and those resurrected will be given an immortal body, a glorious body like that of the Lord Jesus. But what happens to the believer between the time of death and the resurrection? Paul talked about that in his epistle to the believers at Corinth.
2 Cor 5:1-8
1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. (KJV)
He said that if we die and this body returns to dust, God has prepared for us a new, eternal body which will be waiting for us in the heavens. When we die, our spirits go to be with God, but we go as a spirit without a body. Paul essentially said he would much rather go to be with God in the rapture because then he could go into heaven with a body (being clothed upon). However, Paul said that he was more than willing to go to heaven without a body if that was God's will, for to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.
Later, Paul wrote the believers at Philippi and seemed much more at home with the idea of entering glory without a body.
Phil 1:21-24
21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell.
23 For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.
24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. (NKJ)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III's link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
The Lord Jesus said and Paul confirmed that there will be a resurrection and rapture of believers toward the end of the tribulation period just before the Lord comes to rule the earth.
Paul taught that there will be a catching up of believers toward the end of this dispensation when Christ shall appear in the glory of heaven, and believers will in an instant appear with Him in glory.
In each case, those caught up and those resurrected will be given an immortal body, a glorious body like that of the Lord Jesus. But what happens to the believer between the time of death and the resurrection? Paul talked about that in his epistle to the believers at Corinth.
2 Cor 5:1-8
1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. (KJV)
He said that if we die and this body returns to dust, God has prepared for us a new, eternal body which will be waiting for us in the heavens. When we die, our spirits go to be with God, but we go as a spirit without a body. Paul essentially said he would much rather go to be with God in the rapture because then he could go into heaven with a body (being clothed upon). However, Paul said that he was more than willing to go to heaven without a body if that was God's will, for to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.
Later, Paul wrote the believers at Philippi and seemed much more at home with the idea of entering glory without a body.
Phil 1:21-24
21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell.
23 For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.
24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. (NKJ)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III's link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Tuesday, May 20, 2003
That day when Christ returns to defeat the antichrist and rule the earth is often called the “Day of the Lord”. In II Thessalonians 2, the Apostle Paul instructed the believers that the antichrist has to be revealed before the Day of the Lord can occur. As he spoke of the rule of the antichrist, he said that something is holding the antichrist back until God’s appointed time.
II Th 2:6-8
6 And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time.
7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.
8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. (NKJ)
Yesterday, I mentioned that I think this is referring to the power that civil laws have to restrain the efforts of the devil. The devil resists any authority other than his own. The terrorism, pestilence and disease of the early years of the tribulation period will make people more than willing to give up the liberties that are guaranteed by law in exchange for the security that is offered by a leader who promises to eliminate their suffering.
Some have suggested that it is the taking away of the Church which is the Body of Christ which will allow the antichrist to be revealed. However, this epistle was written about 52 A.D., and Paul did not reveal the institution of the Church which is the Body of Christ until about 62 A.D. The first hint of the Body of Christ was in I Corinthians 12 which was written about 57 A.D. With this point in mind, Paul said in verse 6 of II Thess 2 that whatever was restraining the devil was something they already knew about. Therefore, Paul can not be talking about the Church.
Is it possible that Paul was referring to the catching up of the believers of the tribulation period? That is not likely because that rapture will occur at the sound of the last trumpet which is described in Revelation 11. That will occur after the antichrist’s reign of terror. The believers of the tribulation period can not be taken out of the way before the antichrist is revealed because they will be the primary target of the wrath of the antichrist.
It has also been suggested that it is the taking away of the Holy Spirit which will allow the antichrist to be revealed. But we know the Holy Spirit will be very active in the lives of the believers of the tribulation period, especially during the intense persecution they will experience at the hands of the antichrist.
Therefore, it seems most reasonable that Paul is referring to the power of civil law. In their Bible commentary, Jamieson, Fausset and Brown quote Olshausen who said:
. . . the power that has restrained the man of sin from his full and final
development, is the moral and conservative influence of political states.
They also quote Alford who said:
. . . He who (now restrains) refers to those who rule those (political states) by which
the great upbursting of godlessness is kept down.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
II Th 2:6-8
6 And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time.
7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.
8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. (NKJ)
Yesterday, I mentioned that I think this is referring to the power that civil laws have to restrain the efforts of the devil. The devil resists any authority other than his own. The terrorism, pestilence and disease of the early years of the tribulation period will make people more than willing to give up the liberties that are guaranteed by law in exchange for the security that is offered by a leader who promises to eliminate their suffering.
Some have suggested that it is the taking away of the Church which is the Body of Christ which will allow the antichrist to be revealed. However, this epistle was written about 52 A.D., and Paul did not reveal the institution of the Church which is the Body of Christ until about 62 A.D. The first hint of the Body of Christ was in I Corinthians 12 which was written about 57 A.D. With this point in mind, Paul said in verse 6 of II Thess 2 that whatever was restraining the devil was something they already knew about. Therefore, Paul can not be talking about the Church.
Is it possible that Paul was referring to the catching up of the believers of the tribulation period? That is not likely because that rapture will occur at the sound of the last trumpet which is described in Revelation 11. That will occur after the antichrist’s reign of terror. The believers of the tribulation period can not be taken out of the way before the antichrist is revealed because they will be the primary target of the wrath of the antichrist.
It has also been suggested that it is the taking away of the Holy Spirit which will allow the antichrist to be revealed. But we know the Holy Spirit will be very active in the lives of the believers of the tribulation period, especially during the intense persecution they will experience at the hands of the antichrist.
Therefore, it seems most reasonable that Paul is referring to the power of civil law. In their Bible commentary, Jamieson, Fausset and Brown quote Olshausen who said:
. . . the power that has restrained the man of sin from his full and final
development, is the moral and conservative influence of political states.
They also quote Alford who said:
. . . He who (now restrains) refers to those who rule those (political states) by which
the great upbursting of godlessness is kept down.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Monday, May 19, 2003
On Friday, I mentioned that during the tribulation period there will be a great religious apostasy which will allow a religion from the depths of hell to rise to power while the protections of human government are obliterated. We saw that these things do not apply directly to those of us in this dispensation of the Church which is the Body of Christ. Before the tribulation period begins, our dispensation will end with the appearing of the Lord in heaven and the catching up of those who believe.
However, there is every reason for us to be on guard for many of the same dangers that will exist during the tribulation period. Paul wrote to Timothy about the last days of the Church age and said,
2 Tim 3:1-5
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (KJV)
Obviously, this is not as extreme as the evil of the tribulation period, but things are moving in that direction.
Paul wrote Timothy about the seducing spirits of the latter times of the Church age.
1 Tim 4:1-2
1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; (KJV)
Again, this is but a foreshadowing of what will happen in the tribulation period when God will send “strong delusion” upon the people (II Thess 2:11).
To combat this evil in our own dispensation, we are to study God’s word (II Tim 2:15), preach God’s word (II Tim 4:2), and turn away from all that is not consistent with the truth of God’s word (II Tim 3:5).
In keeping with this we should be mindful of the fact that, in the tribulation period, people will stop believing in the power of law. The antichrist will be very popular at first even though he is described as the “lawless one”. The other day I read a letter to the editor of USA Today. The letter was from a lady who said it is more important to protect our families than it is to protect the civil liberties of those who are accused of terror related crimes. We all know how important it is to protect our families, but sometimes we may forget how important it is to live in a society that is governed by law.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
However, there is every reason for us to be on guard for many of the same dangers that will exist during the tribulation period. Paul wrote to Timothy about the last days of the Church age and said,
2 Tim 3:1-5
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (KJV)
Obviously, this is not as extreme as the evil of the tribulation period, but things are moving in that direction.
Paul wrote Timothy about the seducing spirits of the latter times of the Church age.
1 Tim 4:1-2
1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; (KJV)
Again, this is but a foreshadowing of what will happen in the tribulation period when God will send “strong delusion” upon the people (II Thess 2:11).
To combat this evil in our own dispensation, we are to study God’s word (II Tim 2:15), preach God’s word (II Tim 4:2), and turn away from all that is not consistent with the truth of God’s word (II Tim 3:5).
In keeping with this we should be mindful of the fact that, in the tribulation period, people will stop believing in the power of law. The antichrist will be very popular at first even though he is described as the “lawless one”. The other day I read a letter to the editor of USA Today. The letter was from a lady who said it is more important to protect our families than it is to protect the civil liberties of those who are accused of terror related crimes. We all know how important it is to protect our families, but sometimes we may forget how important it is to live in a society that is governed by law.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Friday, May 16, 2003
Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians were among his first epistles. During the time he wrote these letters, he was preaching the gospel of the grace of God to Gentiles as God was offering the New Covenant Kingdom to Israel through Peter and the other apostles. Paul knew from Daniel’s prophecies that there would be a period of great tribulation before the kingdom was established. He gave assurance to the Thessalonian believers that their tribulation did not escape the notice of God for Jesus Christ would return to earth with great vengeance on those who were causing their suffering.
II Th 1:5-8
5 (Your persecution and tribulation are) a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: (KJV)
However, Paul instructed these believers that the antichrist would have to be revealed before Christ’s return.
II Th 2:3-4
3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,
4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. (NKJ)
Paul indicated that the antichrist would rise to power during a time of great religious apostasy which he called “the falling away”. In the book of the Revelation, the Apostle John described the murderous religion of the antichrist.
Rev 17:5-6
5 And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
6 I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement. (NKJ)
Paul said that the forces which restrain this murderous religion will be taken out of the way, and the antichrist will be revealed.
II Th 2:7-8
7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.
8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. (NKJ)
The devil has such great opportunity within the realm of religion because he can hide his sinister deeds behind a veil of piety and self-righteous works. From an historical perspective, human government has often protected God’s people from religious tyranny. Martin Luther was protected by a German chancellor while the Catholic Church sought to kill him for preaching the grace of God. The Constitution of the United States was written to ensure, among other things, that no injustice such as the Salem witch trials would ever again take place in our country. It is likely that society’s commitment to the rule of law is what will hinder the devil in the early years of the tribulation period.
Paul wrote Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians while he was in a Roman prison after Israel’s promise of the New Covenant Kingdom was set aside. In these epistles there is no discussion of the antichrist or the return of the Lord to the earth to punish the ungodly and exalt the righteous. Our present dispensation will end with the rapture of believers, and then God will once again offer the New Covenant Kingdom to Israel. When that happens, the scenario of II Thessalonians will become very real to the believers of that time.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
II Th 1:5-8
5 (Your persecution and tribulation are) a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: (KJV)
However, Paul instructed these believers that the antichrist would have to be revealed before Christ’s return.
II Th 2:3-4
3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,
4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. (NKJ)
Paul indicated that the antichrist would rise to power during a time of great religious apostasy which he called “the falling away”. In the book of the Revelation, the Apostle John described the murderous religion of the antichrist.
Rev 17:5-6
5 And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
6 I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement. (NKJ)
Paul said that the forces which restrain this murderous religion will be taken out of the way, and the antichrist will be revealed.
II Th 2:7-8
7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.
8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. (NKJ)
The devil has such great opportunity within the realm of religion because he can hide his sinister deeds behind a veil of piety and self-righteous works. From an historical perspective, human government has often protected God’s people from religious tyranny. Martin Luther was protected by a German chancellor while the Catholic Church sought to kill him for preaching the grace of God. The Constitution of the United States was written to ensure, among other things, that no injustice such as the Salem witch trials would ever again take place in our country. It is likely that society’s commitment to the rule of law is what will hinder the devil in the early years of the tribulation period.
Paul wrote Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians while he was in a Roman prison after Israel’s promise of the New Covenant Kingdom was set aside. In these epistles there is no discussion of the antichrist or the return of the Lord to the earth to punish the ungodly and exalt the righteous. Our present dispensation will end with the rapture of believers, and then God will once again offer the New Covenant Kingdom to Israel. When that happens, the scenario of II Thessalonians will become very real to the believers of that time.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Thursday, May 15, 2003
Not long before the Lord Jesus was crucified, His friend, Lazarus, died. Jesus went to Bethany to comfort Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus, and as the Lord arrived, Martha went out to greet Him. They had the following conversation:
John 11:21-26
21 Then Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.
22 "But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You."
23 Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."
24 Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."
25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.
26 "And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" (NKJ)
It is interesting that Martha was aware of the fact that the Old Testament scriptures teach that there is life after death. I have heard secular scholars say that the Old Testament says nothing about life after death. Although the resurrection of the dead is rarely talked about in the Old Testament, the fact of the resurrection is certainly taught. One of the most famous resurrection verses is found in one of Job’s discourses.
Job 19:25-27
25 I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.
26 And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God;
27 I myself will see him with my own eyes-- I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! (NIV)
As you may recall, the subject of the resurrection was one of the hotly debated topics of Jesus’ day. The Sadducees said there would be no resurrection, while the Pharisees believed in the resurrection. Apparently, the Pharisees were more conservative and interpreted the scriptures more literally. Clearly, Martha had been given the benefit of exposure to a literal interpretation of the scriptures.
However, Martha is a good example to us all that we should never become complacent in our understanding of the scriptures in that, regardless of our understanding of the scriptures, we always have a lot to learn. In John 11, the Lord Jesus shared with Martha something that would not become general knowledge for another 20 years or so.
In verse 25, the Lord confirmed the resurrection of the dead, but in verse 26, He taught that there would be some believers who would never die. About twenty years later, the Apostle Paul taught the church at Corinth about the catching up of believers who would never die.
1 Cor 15:51-52
51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed--
52 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. (NKJ)
The Apostle Paul hoped that he would be among those who would never die. All believers since the resurrection of Christ have been able to rejoice in the fact that they may be one of those who never taste of death.
Phil 3:20-21
20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. (NKJ)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
John 11:21-26
21 Then Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.
22 "But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You."
23 Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."
24 Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."
25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.
26 "And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" (NKJ)
It is interesting that Martha was aware of the fact that the Old Testament scriptures teach that there is life after death. I have heard secular scholars say that the Old Testament says nothing about life after death. Although the resurrection of the dead is rarely talked about in the Old Testament, the fact of the resurrection is certainly taught. One of the most famous resurrection verses is found in one of Job’s discourses.
Job 19:25-27
25 I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.
26 And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God;
27 I myself will see him with my own eyes-- I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! (NIV)
As you may recall, the subject of the resurrection was one of the hotly debated topics of Jesus’ day. The Sadducees said there would be no resurrection, while the Pharisees believed in the resurrection. Apparently, the Pharisees were more conservative and interpreted the scriptures more literally. Clearly, Martha had been given the benefit of exposure to a literal interpretation of the scriptures.
However, Martha is a good example to us all that we should never become complacent in our understanding of the scriptures in that, regardless of our understanding of the scriptures, we always have a lot to learn. In John 11, the Lord Jesus shared with Martha something that would not become general knowledge for another 20 years or so.
In verse 25, the Lord confirmed the resurrection of the dead, but in verse 26, He taught that there would be some believers who would never die. About twenty years later, the Apostle Paul taught the church at Corinth about the catching up of believers who would never die.
1 Cor 15:51-52
51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed--
52 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. (NKJ)
The Apostle Paul hoped that he would be among those who would never die. All believers since the resurrection of Christ have been able to rejoice in the fact that they may be one of those who never taste of death.
Phil 3:20-21
20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. (NKJ)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Wednesday, May 14, 2003
At the end of our present dispensation of the Church which is the Body of Christ, Christ will appear in heaven, and believers will instantaneously appear with Him in glory. Paul called this event the appearing of the Lord and spoke of it only in the prison epistles after Israel's promise of the New Covenant Kingdom was set aside.
Col 3:4
4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. (KJV)
The tribulation period will follow the appearing of the Lord, but after the tribulation period, Christ will again gather His elect. This gathering will include all believers from the time of Adam who were not caught up at the appearing of the Lord. The Lord Jesus described this event in Matthew 24.
Matt 24:29-31
29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (KJV)
Paul spoke of this event only in the pre-prison epistles before the setting aside of Israel's New Covenant Kingdom promise. He called this event the coming of the Lord.
1Thes 4:15-17
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.
16 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.
17 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. (NKJ)
Matthew 24 and I Thessalonians 4 both refer to the trumpet sound which will occur at the second coming of the Lord, but in I Corinthians 15, Paul says this event will occur at the sound of the last trump.
1 Cor 15:52
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (KJV)
The events of the last trump are recorded in Rev. 11.
Rev 11:15 and 18
15 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever." . . .
18 The nations were angry; and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your saints and those who reverence your name, both small and great-- and for destroying those who destroy the earth." (NIV)
At this time, Israel will accept Christ as her King. There will be a great banquet in the clouds above the earth. This celebration is called the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
Rev 19:7 and 9
7 "Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready." . . .
9 Then he said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!'" And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of God." (NKJ)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Tuesday, May 13, 2003
As I have mentioned before, the Old Covenant was actually a marriage contract between God and the nation of Israel. Israel was an unfaithful wife, and God sent her away into captivity in Babylon. God brought Israel back to the promised land, but the marriage was never reconciled. John the Baptist and the Lord Jesus came to Israel preaching "the kingdom of heaven is at hand". This was actually an offer to reconcile the marriage according to the New Covenant which was foretold by the prophets in the Old Testament scriptures.
I often mention that the nation of Israel as a whole rejected the offer of this new marriage covenant. However, even a casual reading of the gospels and the book of Acts will reveal a considerable number of Jews who did believe that Jesus was the messiah, and who did believe that Jesus had come to establish the New Covenant Kingdom. That raises the question of how many Jews had to believe before the Lord Jesus would actually take the reigns of government and establish the kingdom.
First of all, the Lord Jesus was not a revolutionary. He did not come to overthrow the existing government by mean of an internal revolution. All of scripture teaches the importance of submission to the existing authorities. David would not overthrow Saul by force. Paul and Peter both instructed believers to be in submission to political authorities. When Peter drew his sword to defend the Lord Jesus, the Lord said to him,
Matt 26:52
52 . . . "Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. (NKJ)
This would imply that at least the Jewish leadership would have to accept Jesus Christ by faith and voluntarily relinquish their power to Christ before Jesus would reign as king. However, God actually has a much better plan for His ascension to power. Paul gave us a glimpse into that perfect plan in Romans 11.
Rom 11:26-27
26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. (KJV)
During the tribulation period, the antichrist will dedicate himself to destroying every single Jew on the face of the earth. The anti-Semitism of Nazi Germany was but a hint of the hatred and annihilation the Jews will face under the antichrist. Even many believing Jews will be killed during that time, but God will protect 144,000 Jews from the terror of the antichrist. At a certain time, God will gather his elect from the four winds of heaven.
Matt 24:30-31
30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (KJV)
Believers, living and dead, will be caught up and united with Christ in the clouds above the earth. They will be given new, immortal bodies, and they will accept Christ as their king. At that time all Israel will be saved, and Christ will rule according to the unanimous consent of His new bride, the born-again nation of Israel.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III's link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
I often mention that the nation of Israel as a whole rejected the offer of this new marriage covenant. However, even a casual reading of the gospels and the book of Acts will reveal a considerable number of Jews who did believe that Jesus was the messiah, and who did believe that Jesus had come to establish the New Covenant Kingdom. That raises the question of how many Jews had to believe before the Lord Jesus would actually take the reigns of government and establish the kingdom.
First of all, the Lord Jesus was not a revolutionary. He did not come to overthrow the existing government by mean of an internal revolution. All of scripture teaches the importance of submission to the existing authorities. David would not overthrow Saul by force. Paul and Peter both instructed believers to be in submission to political authorities. When Peter drew his sword to defend the Lord Jesus, the Lord said to him,
Matt 26:52
52 . . . "Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. (NKJ)
This would imply that at least the Jewish leadership would have to accept Jesus Christ by faith and voluntarily relinquish their power to Christ before Jesus would reign as king. However, God actually has a much better plan for His ascension to power. Paul gave us a glimpse into that perfect plan in Romans 11.
Rom 11:26-27
26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. (KJV)
During the tribulation period, the antichrist will dedicate himself to destroying every single Jew on the face of the earth. The anti-Semitism of Nazi Germany was but a hint of the hatred and annihilation the Jews will face under the antichrist. Even many believing Jews will be killed during that time, but God will protect 144,000 Jews from the terror of the antichrist. At a certain time, God will gather his elect from the four winds of heaven.
Matt 24:30-31
30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (KJV)
Believers, living and dead, will be caught up and united with Christ in the clouds above the earth. They will be given new, immortal bodies, and they will accept Christ as their king. At that time all Israel will be saved, and Christ will rule according to the unanimous consent of His new bride, the born-again nation of Israel.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III's link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Monday, May 12, 2003
Sometimes it is not enough to follow the culture of your religion. Jonah is a great example of a man caught between the corrupt Jewish culture of the Old Covenant Kingdom and the call of God. God told Jonah to preach to the people of Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire. Besides his own personal prejudice against Gentiles, he, being a prophet, may have known that the Assyrian Empire would in a couple of hundred years destroy the nation of Israel. And almost certainly Jonah had heard that the King of Assyria was just beginning his military conquest of the Middle East. In Jonah’s eyes and the eyes of his fellow countrymen, preaching to Nineveh could be seen as an act of treason. Jonah thought he would rather die.
He bought a ticket to board a ship headed for Spain, the end of the known world. After God miraculously saved Jonah from the belly of the fish, Jonah finally agreed to preach to Nineveh. It is interesting that after the city repented, Jonah went to the east side of the city. It is interesting because Israel was on the west side. Maybe Jonah did not want to go home. What if his fellow citizens heard about his ministry to Nineveh? Maybe he thought he would not be the most popular prophet in Israel.
The first lesson for us is that we must be careful about putting our patriotism above the Word of God. Jonah’s fellow countrymen would have considered him a hero if he had been willing to die rather than save Nineveh. But Jonah was willing, after some not-so-gentle persuasion from God, to be a hero for the cause of Christ. Not only did he bring the entire city of Nineveh to its knees before God, but his time in the belly of the fish became the greatest picture in all of the Bible of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. The Lord Jesus said to the Pharisees of His day:
Matt 12:39-41
39 . . . “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.
40 "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
41 "The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here. (NKJ)
The second lesson for us is that we must be careful about valuing our religion above the word of God. The people of Nineveh were not just saved from physical destruction, but they were saved for all of eternity. We know they were saved in a spiritual since because Jesus said they will one day rise up in judgement against the Jews who killed the Lord Jesus. It is also true that the people of Nineveh will rise up in judgement against the Jews of Jonah’s day, because the Jews of Jonah’s day and the Jews of Jesus’ day were victims of their own religion. Their religion made the false assumption that God hated other people as much as they did. If they had known God’s Word, they would have known about God’s love for the Gentile nations. They would have known that God intended for the nation of Israel to be a testimony to the nations concerning God’s love and grace.
The Jews of Jonah’s day were destroyed by the Assyrians and the Jews of Jesus’ day were destroyed by the Romans, but there is a greater judgement that is yet to come. It is a judgement which will bring eternal separation from God to those who refuse to follow the personal leading of God.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III's link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
He bought a ticket to board a ship headed for Spain, the end of the known world. After God miraculously saved Jonah from the belly of the fish, Jonah finally agreed to preach to Nineveh. It is interesting that after the city repented, Jonah went to the east side of the city. It is interesting because Israel was on the west side. Maybe Jonah did not want to go home. What if his fellow citizens heard about his ministry to Nineveh? Maybe he thought he would not be the most popular prophet in Israel.
The first lesson for us is that we must be careful about putting our patriotism above the Word of God. Jonah’s fellow countrymen would have considered him a hero if he had been willing to die rather than save Nineveh. But Jonah was willing, after some not-so-gentle persuasion from God, to be a hero for the cause of Christ. Not only did he bring the entire city of Nineveh to its knees before God, but his time in the belly of the fish became the greatest picture in all of the Bible of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. The Lord Jesus said to the Pharisees of His day:
Matt 12:39-41
39 . . . “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.
40 "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
41 "The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here. (NKJ)
The second lesson for us is that we must be careful about valuing our religion above the word of God. The people of Nineveh were not just saved from physical destruction, but they were saved for all of eternity. We know they were saved in a spiritual since because Jesus said they will one day rise up in judgement against the Jews who killed the Lord Jesus. It is also true that the people of Nineveh will rise up in judgement against the Jews of Jonah’s day, because the Jews of Jonah’s day and the Jews of Jesus’ day were victims of their own religion. Their religion made the false assumption that God hated other people as much as they did. If they had known God’s Word, they would have known about God’s love for the Gentile nations. They would have known that God intended for the nation of Israel to be a testimony to the nations concerning God’s love and grace.
The Jews of Jonah’s day were destroyed by the Assyrians and the Jews of Jesus’ day were destroyed by the Romans, but there is a greater judgement that is yet to come. It is a judgement which will bring eternal separation from God to those who refuse to follow the personal leading of God.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III's link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Friday, May 09, 2003
Abraham believed what God told him, and God counted Abraham as righteous. Paul said that this is a principle upon which God deals with all of mankind.
Rom 4:5
5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. (KJV)
Much of the hatred we see in our world today is caused by the different religions of the world. Many times Muslims in Muslim communities simply follow the customs taught by their Muslim leaders. Many Hindus just follow the teachings of their Hindu leaders. Many Christians base their lives on the doctrine of the Christian traditions. On judgement day, God will not judge people on the basis of their compliance with their religious culture. He will judge on the basis of their faithfulness to the Word of God.
That is why the Apostle Paul told Timothy,
2 Tim 2:15
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (KJV)
It is obvious that God deals with people differently in different times. How can we find out what God expects from us? We must rightly divide the word of truth. In the Old Testament, God gave the nation of Israel a kingdom which would bring great physical blessings to its citizens. To live in that kingdom, the Jews were required to live according to the Old Covenant Law.
The dispensation of the offer of the New Covenant Kingdom began with John the Baptist and continued through the end of the book of Acts. During that dispensation, God did many miracles as a sign to the nation of Israel that Jesus Christ was the promised messiah. During that dispensation, Jewish believers continued practicing the Old Covenant Law which included the circumcision of all male children. Jews and Gentiles alike practiced water baptism as a sign of their faith.
Water baptism was especially important for the Jewish believers because, in the New Covenant Kingdom, the nation of Israel will function as a nation of priests. As such, they will perform the priestly duties for the nations of the world just as the Levites did for the tribes of Israel in the Old Covenant Kingdom. The priests of both kingdoms were to be set apart by ceremonial washings in water.
In our present dispensation of the Church which is the Body of Christ, we do not have an earthly kingdom, and we have no physical ceremonies or rituals to bind us to the earth. Paul said,
Phil 3:20
20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, (NKJ)
At the end of our present dispensation of the Church which is the Body of Christ, the Lord Jesus Christ will appear in the heavens, and believers will instantaneously appear with Him in heaven.
Col 3:1-4
1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.
2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. (NKJ)
After that, God will offer the New Covenant Kingdom to Israel once again. According to the book of the Revelation, the world will once again see great miracles, wonders and signs, but many of them will be done by the supernatural power and trickery of the antichrist and the false prophet.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III's link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Rom 4:5
5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. (KJV)
Much of the hatred we see in our world today is caused by the different religions of the world. Many times Muslims in Muslim communities simply follow the customs taught by their Muslim leaders. Many Hindus just follow the teachings of their Hindu leaders. Many Christians base their lives on the doctrine of the Christian traditions. On judgement day, God will not judge people on the basis of their compliance with their religious culture. He will judge on the basis of their faithfulness to the Word of God.
That is why the Apostle Paul told Timothy,
2 Tim 2:15
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (KJV)
It is obvious that God deals with people differently in different times. How can we find out what God expects from us? We must rightly divide the word of truth. In the Old Testament, God gave the nation of Israel a kingdom which would bring great physical blessings to its citizens. To live in that kingdom, the Jews were required to live according to the Old Covenant Law.
The dispensation of the offer of the New Covenant Kingdom began with John the Baptist and continued through the end of the book of Acts. During that dispensation, God did many miracles as a sign to the nation of Israel that Jesus Christ was the promised messiah. During that dispensation, Jewish believers continued practicing the Old Covenant Law which included the circumcision of all male children. Jews and Gentiles alike practiced water baptism as a sign of their faith.
Water baptism was especially important for the Jewish believers because, in the New Covenant Kingdom, the nation of Israel will function as a nation of priests. As such, they will perform the priestly duties for the nations of the world just as the Levites did for the tribes of Israel in the Old Covenant Kingdom. The priests of both kingdoms were to be set apart by ceremonial washings in water.
In our present dispensation of the Church which is the Body of Christ, we do not have an earthly kingdom, and we have no physical ceremonies or rituals to bind us to the earth. Paul said,
Phil 3:20
20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, (NKJ)
At the end of our present dispensation of the Church which is the Body of Christ, the Lord Jesus Christ will appear in the heavens, and believers will instantaneously appear with Him in heaven.
Col 3:1-4
1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.
2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. (NKJ)
After that, God will offer the New Covenant Kingdom to Israel once again. According to the book of the Revelation, the world will once again see great miracles, wonders and signs, but many of them will be done by the supernatural power and trickery of the antichrist and the false prophet.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III's link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Thursday, May 08, 2003
In John 4 the Lord Jesus was speaking with the Samaritan woman. He offered her living water, of which, if she drank, she would never thirst again. She was very interested, but then the devil distracted her with one of the political issues of the day. Was it acceptable to worship God without going to Jerusalem? Jesus said,
John 4:23-24
23 . . . the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (KJV)
I have heard interpretations of this verse which assert that God wants believers to worship in a spiritual and a physical way. This would equate spiritual with spiritual and physical with truth. This is an unfortunate interpretation in that it goes against the context of the passage. The Lord Jesus was emphasizing that it really does not matter to God where a person worships in the physical world. The spiritual reality of the heart is where real truth lies. Therefore, “in truth” does not stand in contrast to “in spirit”, but “in truth” simply gives further definition to “in spirit”.
In John 4, the Apostle John was in the process of developing the concepts which the Lord Jesus expressed to Nicodemus in John 3. As you may recall, the Lord Jesus told Nicodemus he needed to be born again because
John 3:6
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (KJV)
The physical world will always have a tendency to draw believers away from the Spirit of God. The natural human body is at war with the Spirit of God. Paul wrote:
Rom 7:23
23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. (NKJ)
The Spirit of Christ is the only hope believers have of overcoming the destructive pull of the physical body.
Rom 8:2
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. (NKJ)
Even the things of the physical earth have a tendency to draw the believer away from God.
Col 3:1-2
1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. (KJV)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III's link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
John 4:23-24
23 . . . the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (KJV)
I have heard interpretations of this verse which assert that God wants believers to worship in a spiritual and a physical way. This would equate spiritual with spiritual and physical with truth. This is an unfortunate interpretation in that it goes against the context of the passage. The Lord Jesus was emphasizing that it really does not matter to God where a person worships in the physical world. The spiritual reality of the heart is where real truth lies. Therefore, “in truth” does not stand in contrast to “in spirit”, but “in truth” simply gives further definition to “in spirit”.
In John 4, the Apostle John was in the process of developing the concepts which the Lord Jesus expressed to Nicodemus in John 3. As you may recall, the Lord Jesus told Nicodemus he needed to be born again because
John 3:6
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (KJV)
The physical world will always have a tendency to draw believers away from the Spirit of God. The natural human body is at war with the Spirit of God. Paul wrote:
Rom 7:23
23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. (NKJ)
The Spirit of Christ is the only hope believers have of overcoming the destructive pull of the physical body.
Rom 8:2
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. (NKJ)
Even the things of the physical earth have a tendency to draw the believer away from God.
Col 3:1-2
1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. (KJV)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III's link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Wednesday, May 07, 2003
The first time the word righteous is used in the Bible is in the Lord’s description of Noah in Gen 6:9.
Gen 6:9
9 This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God. (NIV)
Hebrews says that Noah’s righteousness was the righteousness of faith.
Heb 11:7
7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. (KJV)
The first time the word righteousness is used in the Bible is in Gen 15:6.
Gen 15:6
6 And (Abraham) believed in the LORD; and (the LORD) counted it to him for righteousness. (KJV)
Paul quoted Gen 15:6 as he wrote to the believers in Galatia.
Gal 3:5-7
5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
(KJV)
Paul wrote the epistle to the Galatians during the dispensation of the offer of the New Covenant Kingdom. During that time many miracles were done as a sign to the nation of Israel. Paul’s point was that these miracles were not done through the power of the law but through the power of faith. His proof of the power of faith lay in the fact that Abraham’s righteousness came through faith before the law was ever given.
Paul quoted Gen 15:6 again as he wrote to the Romans.
Rom 4:1-5
1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. (KJV)
From the very beginning of the Bible we see that righteousness is a gift from God and is given in response to faith.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III's link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Gen 6:9
9 This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God. (NIV)
Hebrews says that Noah’s righteousness was the righteousness of faith.
Heb 11:7
7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. (KJV)
The first time the word righteousness is used in the Bible is in Gen 15:6.
Gen 15:6
6 And (Abraham) believed in the LORD; and (the LORD) counted it to him for righteousness. (KJV)
Paul quoted Gen 15:6 as he wrote to the believers in Galatia.
Gal 3:5-7
5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
(KJV)
Paul wrote the epistle to the Galatians during the dispensation of the offer of the New Covenant Kingdom. During that time many miracles were done as a sign to the nation of Israel. Paul’s point was that these miracles were not done through the power of the law but through the power of faith. His proof of the power of faith lay in the fact that Abraham’s righteousness came through faith before the law was ever given.
Paul quoted Gen 15:6 again as he wrote to the Romans.
Rom 4:1-5
1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. (KJV)
From the very beginning of the Bible we see that righteousness is a gift from God and is given in response to faith.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III's link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Tuesday, May 06, 2003
Abraham grew up in Ur of the Chaldeans worshiping the various pagan gods of that culture. But the Lord Jesus Christ spoke to Abraham and said,
Gen 12:1-2
1 . . . "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.
2 "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. (NIV)
So Abraham left and the Lord was with Abraham as he traveled to the promised land. One day Abraham mentioned to the Lord that he did not have any children in spite of the promise of Gen 12:2. The Lord Jesus confirmed the promise and said that Abraham’s descendants would be as numerous as the stars of heaven. Then one of the great events of human history occurred.
Gen 15:6
6 And (Abraham) believed in the LORD, and (the LORD) accounted it to him for righteousness. (NKJ)
Years later the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 3 that God can not give salvation to those who do good works because all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Then in Romans 4 Paul quoted Gen 15:6 and gave the good news that God will save anyone who has faith like that of Abraham. When people simply believe what God says, God counts that for righteousness.
What has God been saying since Jesus died on the cross of Calvary? During the dispensation of the offer of the New Covenant Kingdom, Paul wrote:
1 Cor 15:3-4
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: (KJV)
Then Paul wrote these words for those of us in the dispensation of the Church which is the Body of Christ.
Eph 1:7
7 In (Christ) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (KJV)
Eph 2:8-9
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. (KJV)
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Gen 12:1-2
1 . . . "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.
2 "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. (NIV)
So Abraham left and the Lord was with Abraham as he traveled to the promised land. One day Abraham mentioned to the Lord that he did not have any children in spite of the promise of Gen 12:2. The Lord Jesus confirmed the promise and said that Abraham’s descendants would be as numerous as the stars of heaven. Then one of the great events of human history occurred.
Gen 15:6
6 And (Abraham) believed in the LORD, and (the LORD) accounted it to him for righteousness. (NKJ)
Years later the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 3 that God can not give salvation to those who do good works because all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Then in Romans 4 Paul quoted Gen 15:6 and gave the good news that God will save anyone who has faith like that of Abraham. When people simply believe what God says, God counts that for righteousness.
What has God been saying since Jesus died on the cross of Calvary? During the dispensation of the offer of the New Covenant Kingdom, Paul wrote:
1 Cor 15:3-4
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: (KJV)
Then Paul wrote these words for those of us in the dispensation of the Church which is the Body of Christ.
Eph 1:7
7 In (Christ) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (KJV)
Eph 2:8-9
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. (KJV)
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Monday, May 05, 2003
Nicodemus was a pharisee who came to Jesus by night presumably because he was afraid of what the other Pharisees would think if they knew he was with Jesus. He told Jesus that he and all of the Pharisees knew that there was something special about Him. He said that the miracles Jesus did showed clearly that God was with Him.
Jesus did not enter into that debate with Nicodemus for He could see that Nicodemus did not need intellectual clarification concerning the identity of Jesus. Jesus saw immediately that Nicodemus needed to be born again.
John 3:3
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (KJV)
Nicodemus was dumbfounded. He must have thought that this was the strangest thing he had ever heard, and he challenged the Lord Jesus.
John 3:4
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? (KJV)
John 3:5
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (KJV)
Certainly one has to be born as a human being before they can enter the kingdom, but Jesus told Nicodemus that one must experience another, spiritual birth before they qualify for the kingdom. As Jesus spoke of being born of water and born of the Spirit, He was drawing a contrast between physical birth and spiritual rebirth. That is born out in verse 6 where Jesus said,
John 3:6
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (KJV)
When people believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for their sins, the Holy Spirit brings them into spiritual union with Jesus Christ, and they are forever changed.
2 Cor 5:17
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (KJV)
The Holy Spirit seals the believer in Christ and becomes the life force within the believer. He reveals the Word of God. He gives guidance. He convicts of sin. He gives the joy of the Lord in all circumstances. Therefore, Paul gives the following instruction.
Eph 4:30-32
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. (KJV)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Jesus did not enter into that debate with Nicodemus for He could see that Nicodemus did not need intellectual clarification concerning the identity of Jesus. Jesus saw immediately that Nicodemus needed to be born again.
John 3:3
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (KJV)
Nicodemus was dumbfounded. He must have thought that this was the strangest thing he had ever heard, and he challenged the Lord Jesus.
John 3:4
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? (KJV)
John 3:5
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (KJV)
Certainly one has to be born as a human being before they can enter the kingdom, but Jesus told Nicodemus that one must experience another, spiritual birth before they qualify for the kingdom. As Jesus spoke of being born of water and born of the Spirit, He was drawing a contrast between physical birth and spiritual rebirth. That is born out in verse 6 where Jesus said,
John 3:6
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (KJV)
When people believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for their sins, the Holy Spirit brings them into spiritual union with Jesus Christ, and they are forever changed.
2 Cor 5:17
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (KJV)
The Holy Spirit seals the believer in Christ and becomes the life force within the believer. He reveals the Word of God. He gives guidance. He convicts of sin. He gives the joy of the Lord in all circumstances. Therefore, Paul gives the following instruction.
Eph 4:30-32
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. (KJV)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Friday, May 02, 2003
In Genesis 6, we read that the Lord Jesus Christ looked upon the earth and saw the wickedness of men, but Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. Noah, by faith, believed that great judgement was coming upon the earth. By faith, Noah built an ark according to the instructions of the Lord. God told Noah,
Gen 6:14
14 "Make yourself an ark of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch. (NKJ)
Noah sealed the ark with pitch so that the ark would be waterproof and none of the judgement waters would touch those who were sealed inside the ark. Before the rains came, the Lord brought Noah and his family into the ark, and the Lord shut the door.
Gen 7:16
16 And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in. (KJV)
As we saw yesterday, the ark is a picture of the Lord Jesus in that those who by faith are spiritually baptized or immersed into the Lord Jesus are protected from the fiery judgement which is to come in the next life. The pitch is symbolic of the Holy Spirit for it is the Holy Spirit of God Who seals us inside Jesus Christ.
Eph 1:13
13 . . . ye also trusted (in Christ), after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
(KJV)
Eph 4:30
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
(KJV)
The day of redemption is the day when we stand before the Lord Jesus and plead the shed blood of Christ as our atonement or payment for sin. The seal of the Holy Spirit will protect not only in that day of judgement but it seals and protects us in Christ until that day. From the day we believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins, we are protected in Christ by the Holy Spirit of God.
John 3:36 says,
36 "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (NKJ)
Notice that it does not say that he who believes will have everlasting life. The believer has everlasting life the moment they believe. They are sealed by the Holy Spirit of God unto the day of redemption.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Gen 6:14
14 "Make yourself an ark of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch. (NKJ)
Noah sealed the ark with pitch so that the ark would be waterproof and none of the judgement waters would touch those who were sealed inside the ark. Before the rains came, the Lord brought Noah and his family into the ark, and the Lord shut the door.
Gen 7:16
16 And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in. (KJV)
As we saw yesterday, the ark is a picture of the Lord Jesus in that those who by faith are spiritually baptized or immersed into the Lord Jesus are protected from the fiery judgement which is to come in the next life. The pitch is symbolic of the Holy Spirit for it is the Holy Spirit of God Who seals us inside Jesus Christ.
Eph 1:13
13 . . . ye also trusted (in Christ), after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
(KJV)
Eph 4:30
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
(KJV)
The day of redemption is the day when we stand before the Lord Jesus and plead the shed blood of Christ as our atonement or payment for sin. The seal of the Holy Spirit will protect not only in that day of judgement but it seals and protects us in Christ until that day. From the day we believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins, we are protected in Christ by the Holy Spirit of God.
John 3:36 says,
36 "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (NKJ)
Notice that it does not say that he who believes will have everlasting life. The believer has everlasting life the moment they believe. They are sealed by the Holy Spirit of God unto the day of redemption.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Thursday, May 01, 2003
After the first sin of Adam and Eve, the population of human beings rapidly increased, and mankind became more and more sinful. The people on the earth were very much like Cain in that they had no respect for the desire of God. They wanted what they wanted, when they wanted it. God had been very merciful in that He had not brought great judgement upon them as their wickedness increased. But Genesis 6 says:
Gen 6:3
3 And the LORD said, "My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years." (NKJ)
God decided to destroy all of mankind accept for a man named Noah and his family. He instructed Noah to build a huge boat. When the boat was finished, God brought Noah and his family into the boat.
Gen 7:1
1 And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation. (KJV)
The righteousness of Noah was not based on his own human perfection but was based on the grace of God.
Gen 6:8
8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. (KJV)
Grace is getting something that is not deserved. Therefore, Noah did not deserve to be saved from the flood, but Noah found grace because he was a man of faith. God told Noah that a great flood of water was coming which would destroy all the people on the face of the earth. Noah believed God and did what God told him to do. Noah told this same message to his neighbors but not one of them believed his warning.
The writer of the book of Hebrews made the following observation.
Heb 11:7
7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. (KJV)
Even though Noah had never seen rain, he still believed that what God had said was true.
People could be accepted by God if they were sinlessly perfect. The problem is that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. God in His mercy decided to offer Jesus Christ as the full payment for all sin so that faith could be the determining factor in salvation.
The ark that Noah built was a picture of Jesus Christ. Those who were in the ark were saved from the judgement. When we accept Christ by faith and believe that He died for our sins, we are baptized or spiritually immersed into Christ. Those who enter into Christ by faith find salvation from the judgement to come. It is important to remember that people must accept Christ before they die. There will be no second chance in the after life.
Heb 9:27
27 . . . it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (KJV)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Gen 6:3
3 And the LORD said, "My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years." (NKJ)
God decided to destroy all of mankind accept for a man named Noah and his family. He instructed Noah to build a huge boat. When the boat was finished, God brought Noah and his family into the boat.
Gen 7:1
1 And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation. (KJV)
The righteousness of Noah was not based on his own human perfection but was based on the grace of God.
Gen 6:8
8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. (KJV)
Grace is getting something that is not deserved. Therefore, Noah did not deserve to be saved from the flood, but Noah found grace because he was a man of faith. God told Noah that a great flood of water was coming which would destroy all the people on the face of the earth. Noah believed God and did what God told him to do. Noah told this same message to his neighbors but not one of them believed his warning.
The writer of the book of Hebrews made the following observation.
Heb 11:7
7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. (KJV)
Even though Noah had never seen rain, he still believed that what God had said was true.
People could be accepted by God if they were sinlessly perfect. The problem is that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. God in His mercy decided to offer Jesus Christ as the full payment for all sin so that faith could be the determining factor in salvation.
The ark that Noah built was a picture of Jesus Christ. Those who were in the ark were saved from the judgement. When we accept Christ by faith and believe that He died for our sins, we are baptized or spiritually immersed into Christ. Those who enter into Christ by faith find salvation from the judgement to come. It is important to remember that people must accept Christ before they die. There will be no second chance in the after life.
Heb 9:27
27 . . . it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (KJV)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
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