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, this period of time is commonly called 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/
Friday, August 29, 2003
Thursday, August 28, 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 also taught that there will be a catching up of believers toward the end of our present 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. Since the resurrection of Christ, the spirits of believers who die go directly into the presence of God, but those spirits go 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 for his spirit 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 to 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/
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 also taught that there will be a catching up of believers toward the end of our present 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. Since the resurrection of Christ, the spirits of believers who die go directly into the presence of God, but those spirits go 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 for his spirit 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 to 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/
Wednesday, August 27, 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)
It would appear that Paul 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 restraining force of verse 7 is the Church which is the Body of Christ. 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 could not have been 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 at the end of 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 his wrath. However, they will be protected from his wrath because God has not appointed them unto wrath (I Thessalonians 5: 9).
It has also been suggested that the force to be removed is the Holy Spirit. But we know that 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. Other noted scholars agree. 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/
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)
It would appear that Paul 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 restraining force of verse 7 is the Church which is the Body of Christ. 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 could not have been 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 at the end of 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 his wrath. However, they will be protected from his wrath because God has not appointed them unto wrath (I Thessalonians 5: 9).
It has also been suggested that the force to be removed is the Holy Spirit. But we know that 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. Other noted scholars agree. 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/
Tuesday, August 26, 2003
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. 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 dispensation, we are to study God’s word, rightly divided.
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)
We are to preach God’s word.
2 Tim 4:2
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (KJV)
We are to turn away from all that is not consistent with the truth of God’s word.
2 Tim 3:5
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (KJV)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.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 dispensation, we are to study God’s word, rightly divided.
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)
We are to preach God’s word.
2 Tim 4:2
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (KJV)
We are to turn away from all that is not consistent with the truth of God’s word.
2 Tim 3:5
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (KJV)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Monday, August 25, 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 New Covenant Kingdom to the Jews, while he was preaching the gospel of the grace of God to the Gentiles. Paul knew from Daniel’s prophecies that there would be a period of great tribulation before the kingdom was established. He assurred 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, during the tribulation period, 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 the tribulation period 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/
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, during the tribulation period, 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 the tribulation period 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/
Friday, August 22, 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/
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/
Thursday, August 21, 2003
Paul wrote Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians just before he was killed. They are among those epistles known as the prison epistles because Paul wrote them from his prison house. In all of scripture, the Church which is the Body of Christ was spoken of only in these letters. It is also true that the event known as the appearing of the Lord was revealed only in these letters. Paul said that, at the time of the Lord’s appearing, the Church will be caught up to be with Christ in heaven. In Colossians, he wrote:
Col 3:4
4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. (KJV)
In the books that Paul wrote before he was imprisoned at Rome, he never spoke of the Church which is the Body of Christ, and he never spoke of the appearing of the Lord. In the pre-prison epistles, he spoke of a catching up of believers which will occur at the time of Christ’s second coming to the earth. In Matthew 24, the Lord Jesus made it perfectly clear that His second coming will take place at the end of the tribulation period.
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)
In his pre-prison epistles, Paul spoke several times of this event.
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)
After Christ takes the Church which is the Body of Christ to heaven, many people will put their faith in Jesus Christ as great tribulation shakes the foundations of the earth. At the sound of the seventh trumpet, all believing Jews and Gentiles will be caught up to meet Christ in the air as He descends from heaven. At that time, all Israel will be saved, as Paul had prophesied in Romans 11: 26. The nation of Israel will at last receive her inheritance as she rules with Christ in a world wide kingdom of righteousness.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Col 3:4
4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. (KJV)
In the books that Paul wrote before he was imprisoned at Rome, he never spoke of the Church which is the Body of Christ, and he never spoke of the appearing of the Lord. In the pre-prison epistles, he spoke of a catching up of believers which will occur at the time of Christ’s second coming to the earth. In Matthew 24, the Lord Jesus made it perfectly clear that His second coming will take place at the end of the tribulation period.
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)
In his pre-prison epistles, Paul spoke several times of this event.
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)
After Christ takes the Church which is the Body of Christ to heaven, many people will put their faith in Jesus Christ as great tribulation shakes the foundations of the earth. At the sound of the seventh trumpet, all believing Jews and Gentiles will be caught up to meet Christ in the air as He descends from heaven. At that time, all Israel will be saved, as Paul had prophesied in Romans 11: 26. The nation of Israel will at last receive her inheritance as she rules with Christ in a world wide kingdom of righteousness.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Wednesday, August 20, 2003
The Mosaic Law was actually a marriage covenant between God and the nation of Israel. According to this marriage convenant, God was to provide for Israel while Israel served God with a heart of love. However, Israel was an unfaithful wife, and God sent her away into captivity in Babylon. God brought Israel back to the promised land after 70 years, but one could say that the marriage was never reconciled because Israel was continuously under the rule of other nations. 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 a military revolution. All of scriptures teach 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/
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 a military revolution. All of scriptures teach 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/
Tuesday, August 19, 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 have been 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. Jonah was thrown overboard and ended up in the belly of a fish. After God miraculously saved Jonah from the belly of the fish, Jonah finally agreed to preach to Nineveh. After the city repented, Jonah went to the east side of the city even though Israel was to the west. 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 experience 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 rejected 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 believe what God has said in His word.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
He bought a ticket to board a ship headed for Spain, the end of the known world. Jonah was thrown overboard and ended up in the belly of a fish. After God miraculously saved Jonah from the belly of the fish, Jonah finally agreed to preach to Nineveh. After the city repented, Jonah went to the east side of the city even though Israel was to the west. 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 experience 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 rejected 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 believe what God has said in His word.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Monday, August 18, 2003
Abraham believed what God told him, and God counted Abraham as righteous. Paul said that God has always dealt with mankind upon this very basis.
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 what God has said.
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.
During the period of time covered by the book of Acts, God offered Israel the New Covenant Kingdom. 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 Law, while Jews and Gentiles alike practiced water baptism.
During the Acts period, water baptism was especially important for the Jewish believers because the nation of Israel will function as a nation of priests in the New Covenant Kingdom. 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.
Today, we live in the dispensation of the Church which is the Body of Christ. Paul revealed truth for the Church in Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians. In these books, we find that the Church has no earthly kingdom, and we have no physical ceremonies or rituals to bind us to the earth. Paul said,
Col 2:20-22
20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? (KJV)
Phil 3:20
20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, (NKJ)
After the Church is caught up to be with Christ, 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/
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 what God has said.
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.
During the period of time covered by the book of Acts, God offered Israel the New Covenant Kingdom. 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 Law, while Jews and Gentiles alike practiced water baptism.
During the Acts period, water baptism was especially important for the Jewish believers because the nation of Israel will function as a nation of priests in the New Covenant Kingdom. 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.
Today, we live in the dispensation of the Church which is the Body of Christ. Paul revealed truth for the Church in Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians. In these books, we find that the Church has no earthly kingdom, and we have no physical ceremonies or rituals to bind us to the earth. Paul said,
Col 2:20-22
20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? (KJV)
Phil 3:20
20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, (NKJ)
After the Church is caught up to be with Christ, 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/
Friday, August 15, 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 spirit 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” simply gives further definition to “in spirit”.
John 4 continues developing the concepts expressed by the Lord Jesus 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. Therefore, Paul said:
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/
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 spirit 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” simply gives further definition to “in spirit”.
John 4 continues developing the concepts expressed by the Lord Jesus 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. Therefore, Paul said:
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/
Thursday, August 14, 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 time that God was offering the New Covenant Kingdom to Israel. 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 430 years 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/
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 time that God was offering the New Covenant Kingdom to Israel. 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 430 years 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/
Wednesday, August 13, 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? Before Paul was saved, the apostles simply preached that Jesus had been resurrected and was, therefore, still Israel’s Messiah. During the Acts period, the Apostle Paul revealed that Jesus Christ died for our sins to bring eternal life in accordance with the hope of the New Covenant Kingdom.
1 Cor 15:3-4, 50-52
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:
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.
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)
In Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians, Paul revealed the Church which is the Body of Christ and said that members of the Church experience eternal salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ and are blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places.
Eph 1:3,7
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace (NKJ)
Eph 2:4-7
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (NKJ)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.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? Before Paul was saved, the apostles simply preached that Jesus had been resurrected and was, therefore, still Israel’s Messiah. During the Acts period, the Apostle Paul revealed that Jesus Christ died for our sins to bring eternal life in accordance with the hope of the New Covenant Kingdom.
1 Cor 15:3-4, 50-52
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:
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.
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)
In Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians, Paul revealed the Church which is the Body of Christ and said that members of the Church experience eternal salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ and are blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places.
Eph 1:3,7
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace (NKJ)
Eph 2:4-7
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (NKJ)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Tuesday, August 12, 2003
Nicodemus was a Pharisee who came to Jesus by night. Presumably, he came by night 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 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 His identity. 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 this was the strangest thing he had ever heard, and he challenged the Lord.
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 clear from 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. In Ephesians, Paul says, we must do everything possible to maintain unhindered fellowship with the Holy Spirit.
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/
Jesus did not enter into that debate with Nicodemus for He could see that Nicodemus did not need intellectual clarification concerning His identity. 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 this was the strangest thing he had ever heard, and he challenged the Lord.
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 clear from 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. In Ephesians, Paul says, we must do everything possible to maintain unhindered fellowship with the Holy Spirit.
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/
Monday, August 11, 2003
In Genesis 6, we read that God 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)
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 John did not say that believers will have everlasting life. Believers have 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/
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)
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 John did not say that believers will have everlasting life. Believers have 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/
Friday, August 08, 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 to save them from the impending flood.
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/
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 to save them from the impending flood.
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/
Thursday, August 07, 2003
In Genesis 4, we read that Cain and Able both brought sacrifices to God. Able brought an animal sacrifice while Cain brought an offering of produce he had harvested from the field. Cain’s fruit represented the things of the earth which perish with the using (see Colossians 2:22). The animal sacrifice of Able represented the gift of life which is given from heaven. God accepted the sacrifice of Able but refused to accept the offering of Cain. However, He did give Cain some advice along with a warning.
Gen 4:7
7 "If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it." (NKJ)
Anyone in a position of authority should learn from the example God has set. In this passage we see that God is a believer in due process. First, He told Cain that what he did was unacceptable, and then He warned him that consequences would follow for continued disobedience.
The Apostle Paul describes the spiritual fruit of the earth in his letter to the Galatian believers.
Gal 5:19-21
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (KJV)
Cain’s heart was full of envy, strife, and murder. His offering was rejected, and his response was to kill his brother. Able’s sacrifice was accepted because his animal sacrifice was an acceptable picture of the sacrifice that Jesus Christ would make upon the cross of Calvary.
We today are called upon the bring an offering to God.
Rom 12:1-2
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (KJV)
As we experience spiritual union with Jesus Christ in His death, our bodies become a living sacrifice. Our responsibility is to offer that sacrifice to God so that God can fill our hearts with the fruit of the Holy Spirit of God. In this way, we become an offering which is holy and acceptable unto God.
Gal 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (KJV)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Gen 4:7
7 "If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it." (NKJ)
Anyone in a position of authority should learn from the example God has set. In this passage we see that God is a believer in due process. First, He told Cain that what he did was unacceptable, and then He warned him that consequences would follow for continued disobedience.
The Apostle Paul describes the spiritual fruit of the earth in his letter to the Galatian believers.
Gal 5:19-21
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (KJV)
Cain’s heart was full of envy, strife, and murder. His offering was rejected, and his response was to kill his brother. Able’s sacrifice was accepted because his animal sacrifice was an acceptable picture of the sacrifice that Jesus Christ would make upon the cross of Calvary.
We today are called upon the bring an offering to God.
Rom 12:1-2
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (KJV)
As we experience spiritual union with Jesus Christ in His death, our bodies become a living sacrifice. Our responsibility is to offer that sacrifice to God so that God can fill our hearts with the fruit of the Holy Spirit of God. In this way, we become an offering which is holy and acceptable unto God.
Gal 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (KJV)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Wednesday, August 06, 2003
We have seen that the person we know as the Lord Jesus Christ was Jehovah God of the Old Testament. Therefore, it was Jesus Christ who formed Adam out of the dust of the ground, and it was Jesus Christ who created Eve from one of Adam’s ribs. Adam and Eve enjoyed constant fellowship with Jesus Christ in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve had only one rule to live by. They were not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
The devil was determined to destroy Adam and Eve for he was jealous of their position of dominance over all things within the garden of God. The devil was very cunning and full of deceit, and with his power of persuasion he convinced Adam and Eve to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Immediately, Adam and Eve knew what sin was, and they knew their own sinfulness. They made clothes of fig leaves for themselves to cover their nakedness.
As the Lord Jesus came walking through the garden, they hid from Him. He confronted them with their sin and pronounced a curse upon them, upon the earth, and upon the devil. The sentence of death came upon Adam and Eve, for God had said that in the day they ate of the fruit, they would surely die.
However, Jesus Christ had mercy on them, and He made coats of animal skin for Adam and Eve.
Gen 3:21
21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them. (KJV)
This is one of the earliest events of human history, and in it we find that the shedding of blood was required to cover sin. This animal sacrifice pictured the sacrifice Jesus Christ would make on the cross of Calvary to save the world from the consequence of sin.
The covering of animal skin was a picture of that which was to come, but it could never effectively take away sin or its consequences. Therefore, Adam and Eve did eventually die, and all of the descendants of Adam and Eve inherited death as a result of their mortality. However, when Jesus Christ gave His blood for the sins of the world, it provided a permanent solution for sin. John said that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but shall have everlasting life.
When Christ was resurrected from the grave, He took the spirits of Old Testament believers such as Adam and Eve with him into heaven.
Eph 4:8
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (KJV)
Since that day, when believers die, their spirits enter directly into heaven to dwell in the presence of the Lord. The spirits of all believers who have died, from Adam and Eve to the present, are waiting in heaven for the resurrection of their bodies. Resurrection day will be a great day of rejoicing for all believers, and it will be a great victory over death and the devil.
1 Cor 15:54
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. (KJV)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
The devil was determined to destroy Adam and Eve for he was jealous of their position of dominance over all things within the garden of God. The devil was very cunning and full of deceit, and with his power of persuasion he convinced Adam and Eve to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Immediately, Adam and Eve knew what sin was, and they knew their own sinfulness. They made clothes of fig leaves for themselves to cover their nakedness.
As the Lord Jesus came walking through the garden, they hid from Him. He confronted them with their sin and pronounced a curse upon them, upon the earth, and upon the devil. The sentence of death came upon Adam and Eve, for God had said that in the day they ate of the fruit, they would surely die.
However, Jesus Christ had mercy on them, and He made coats of animal skin for Adam and Eve.
Gen 3:21
21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them. (KJV)
This is one of the earliest events of human history, and in it we find that the shedding of blood was required to cover sin. This animal sacrifice pictured the sacrifice Jesus Christ would make on the cross of Calvary to save the world from the consequence of sin.
The covering of animal skin was a picture of that which was to come, but it could never effectively take away sin or its consequences. Therefore, Adam and Eve did eventually die, and all of the descendants of Adam and Eve inherited death as a result of their mortality. However, when Jesus Christ gave His blood for the sins of the world, it provided a permanent solution for sin. John said that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but shall have everlasting life.
When Christ was resurrected from the grave, He took the spirits of Old Testament believers such as Adam and Eve with him into heaven.
Eph 4:8
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (KJV)
Since that day, when believers die, their spirits enter directly into heaven to dwell in the presence of the Lord. The spirits of all believers who have died, from Adam and Eve to the present, are waiting in heaven for the resurrection of their bodies. Resurrection day will be a great day of rejoicing for all believers, and it will be a great victory over death and the devil.
1 Cor 15:54
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. (KJV)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Tuesday, August 05, 2003
Jerusalem had been charged with excitement ever since the news broke that Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead, and then a spontaneous parade erupted as Jesus entered Jerusalem for Passover. In that parade the people yelled, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” But the Apostle John declared the spiritual reality of their hearts.
John 12:37-41
37 Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him.
38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: "Lord, who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?"
39 For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere:
40 "He has blinded their eyes and deadened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn-- and I would heal them."
41 Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus' glory and spoke about him. (NIV)
Verses 40 and 41 refer back to the events of Isaiah, Chapter 6, when Isaiah saw Jehovah God sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up. Isaiah confessed his sinfulness as he saw the righteousness of the Lord.
Isa 6:5
5 Then said (Isaiah), Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. (KJV)
The Lord called Isaiah to preach but warned him that no one would listen.
Isa 6:9-10
9 And (the Lord said to Isaiah), Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.
10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. (KJV)
John said that when Isaiah saw Jehovah God, he actually saw Jesus Christ in all of His glory.
41 Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus' glory and spoke about him.
Isaiah knew that someday Jehovah God would come to earth in the person of Jesus Christ to die for the sins of the world.
Isa 7:14
14 "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. (NKJ)
Isa 53:2,5
2 For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; and when we see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him.
5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. (NKJ)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
John 12:37-41
37 Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him.
38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: "Lord, who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?"
39 For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere:
40 "He has blinded their eyes and deadened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn-- and I would heal them."
41 Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus' glory and spoke about him. (NIV)
Verses 40 and 41 refer back to the events of Isaiah, Chapter 6, when Isaiah saw Jehovah God sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up. Isaiah confessed his sinfulness as he saw the righteousness of the Lord.
Isa 6:5
5 Then said (Isaiah), Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. (KJV)
The Lord called Isaiah to preach but warned him that no one would listen.
Isa 6:9-10
9 And (the Lord said to Isaiah), Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.
10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. (KJV)
John said that when Isaiah saw Jehovah God, he actually saw Jesus Christ in all of His glory.
41 Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus' glory and spoke about him.
Isaiah knew that someday Jehovah God would come to earth in the person of Jesus Christ to die for the sins of the world.
Isa 7:14
14 "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. (NKJ)
Isa 53:2,5
2 For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; and when we see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him.
5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. (NKJ)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Monday, August 04, 2003
The creation was a team project of the three persons of the Godhead: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
In Gen 2:26 we read:
26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. (KJV)
The Apostle Paul revealed in Colossians that Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God and the fulness of the Godhead bodily (Col 1:15, Col 2:9). Therefore, man was created in the image of Jesus Christ.
Paul also revealed that it was the Lord Jesus who was the active participant in the events of creation.
Col 1:16-17
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. (KJV)
This was confirmed by the Apostle John.
John 1:1-3
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.(KJV)
The Old Testament prophets proclaimed that Jehovah was the creator of heaven and earth.
Isa 45:18
18 For thus saith the LORD (Jehovah) that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD (Jehovah); and there is none else. (KJV)
The scriptures conclude that Jesus Christ is Jehovah. Jehovah accepted a body of flesh and was born of the virgin Mary. He died on the cross of Calvary for the sins of the world that those who believe could have eternal life. Every person will someday stand before Jesus Christ at the day of judgement. At that time it will be very clear to everyone that Jesus Christ is the Lord, Jehovah.
Phil 2:5-11
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (KJV)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
In Gen 2:26 we read:
26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. (KJV)
The Apostle Paul revealed in Colossians that Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God and the fulness of the Godhead bodily (Col 1:15, Col 2:9). Therefore, man was created in the image of Jesus Christ.
Paul also revealed that it was the Lord Jesus who was the active participant in the events of creation.
Col 1:16-17
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. (KJV)
This was confirmed by the Apostle John.
John 1:1-3
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.(KJV)
The Old Testament prophets proclaimed that Jehovah was the creator of heaven and earth.
Isa 45:18
18 For thus saith the LORD (Jehovah) that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD (Jehovah); and there is none else. (KJV)
The scriptures conclude that Jesus Christ is Jehovah. Jehovah accepted a body of flesh and was born of the virgin Mary. He died on the cross of Calvary for the sins of the world that those who believe could have eternal life. Every person will someday stand before Jesus Christ at the day of judgement. At that time it will be very clear to everyone that Jesus Christ is the Lord, Jehovah.
Phil 2:5-11
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (KJV)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Friday, August 01, 2003
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth (Gen 1:1). Truly, we serve an awesome God. He created all things out of nothing. As the creator, God has full authority over the creation and has the right to require whatever He wants from His creation. Some wonder how there could be a God when there is so much evil in the world. C.S. Lewis rightly pointed out that if there was no God, there would be no standard by which to judge good and evil. God, Himself, is the standard. The presence of good and evil actually confirms the reality of God. God gave the Bible to reveal Himself to the humans He created.
As we read the account of creation in Genesis, we find that God refers to Himself as Elohim and as Jehovah.
Elohim created heaven and earth.
Gen 1:1
1 In the beginning God (Elohim) created the heaven and the earth. (KJV)
Jehovah created the earth and the heavens.
Gen 2:4
4 These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God (Jehovah) made the earth and the heavens, (KJV)
Elohim created man.
Gen 1:26-27
26 And God (Elohim) said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
27 So God (Elohim) created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. (KJV)
Jehovah formed man.
Gen 2:7
7 And the LORD God (Jehovah) formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (KJV)
This illustrates that there is no name which can fully declare the glory of God. God is infinite and there is no word which can fully ascribe to Him the appropriate attributes.
God spoke to Moses from the burning bush when He sent Moses to Egypt to deliver the children of Israel. Moses asked Who he should say had sent him.
Exod 3:13-14
13 And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?
14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. (KJV)
God’s glory is beyond our human comprehension. All that we know of God is what we see in Jesus Christ, and Paul said that it pleased the Father that all of the fulness of God should dwell in Christ. There is nothing about God that is not totally and absolute truth of Jesus Christ.
John 14:8-9
8 Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us."
9 Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; . . . (NKJ)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
As we read the account of creation in Genesis, we find that God refers to Himself as Elohim and as Jehovah.
Elohim created heaven and earth.
Gen 1:1
1 In the beginning God (Elohim) created the heaven and the earth. (KJV)
Jehovah created the earth and the heavens.
Gen 2:4
4 These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God (Jehovah) made the earth and the heavens, (KJV)
Elohim created man.
Gen 1:26-27
26 And God (Elohim) said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
27 So God (Elohim) created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. (KJV)
Jehovah formed man.
Gen 2:7
7 And the LORD God (Jehovah) formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (KJV)
This illustrates that there is no name which can fully declare the glory of God. God is infinite and there is no word which can fully ascribe to Him the appropriate attributes.
God spoke to Moses from the burning bush when He sent Moses to Egypt to deliver the children of Israel. Moses asked Who he should say had sent him.
Exod 3:13-14
13 And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?
14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. (KJV)
God’s glory is beyond our human comprehension. All that we know of God is what we see in Jesus Christ, and Paul said that it pleased the Father that all of the fulness of God should dwell in Christ. There is nothing about God that is not totally and absolute truth of Jesus Christ.
John 14:8-9
8 Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us."
9 Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; . . . (NKJ)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
