In the Old Testament, it was a great privilege to be associated with God's Covenant people. The punishment for most sins was to be cut off from the Covenant community. One of the great privileges of being part of the Covenant community was to offer sacrifices at the tabernacle or temple where all sacrifices were to be offered.
Lev 17:8-9
8 "Also you shall say to them: 'Whatever man of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell among you, who offers a burnt offering or sacrifice,
9 'and does not bring it to the door of the tabernacle of meeting, to offer it to the LORD, that man shall be cut off from among his people. (NKJ)
When Daniel was in Babylon, his heart was grieved because the city of Jerusalem and the sanctuary of God were desolate.
Dan 9:17
17 "Now therefore, our God, hear the prayer of Your servant, and his supplications, and for the Lord's sake cause Your face to shine on Your sanctuary, which is desolate. (NKJ)
In the Old Covenant, however, we see that one's relationship to God was separate and apart from one's relationship to the Covenant community. Daniel's personal relationship with God flourished in Babylon even though he was cut off from the temple of God. It appears that the wise men who came to worship Jesus at His birth were true followers of Christ even though they had apparently never been introduced to the fellowship of the Covenant community. It also appears that the Ninevites who repented in Jonah's day were given eternal life apart from fellowship with the Covenant community (Matt 12:41).
As Paul preached the New Covenant message during the Acts period, he taught that many of the concepts of the Old Covenant would apply to the New Covenant community, including the concept of cutting off those who sin. In II Thessalonians, he wrote:
II Th 3:6
6 But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. (NKJ)
When a certain man was accused of a particular sin in the church at Corinth, Paul commanded them, as a church, to have nothing to do with him.
1 Cor 5:4-5
4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
5 deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. (NKJ)
However, these concepts of discipline apparently did not carry over into the dispensation of the Church which is the Body of Christ. In I Timothy, Chapter 1, Paul told Timothy to instruct those who go astray. Paul mentioned the heresies of Alexander and Hymenaeus and said that he personally had turned them over to Satan so that they would learn not to blaspheme, but he did not instruct the congregation as a whole to do so. In fact, Paul emphasized that the goal of God's commandment is love, that Christ came into the world to save sinners, and that he, Paul, had been a blasphemer but was shone the mercy of God.
Paul did say, in I Timothy, Chapter 5, that an elder who sins should be rebuked publicly so that others may take warning. In Chapter 6, Paul also warned Timothy to flee from the evil of those who teach false doctrine for they are conceited and are often motivated by financial gain.
However, in II Timothy, Chapter 2, Paul warned Timothy about Hymenaeus and Philetus, who were teachers of false doctrine, and, rather than calling a meeting of the Church to administer corporate discipline, Paul simply instructed Timothy to study the Word of God so that he would be able to defend the truth. Paul said that in every house there are some vessels of honor and some vessels of dishonor and the Lord knows those who are His.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Friday, January 30, 2004
Thursday, January 29, 2004
God gave circumcision to Abraham and his descendants as a sign of the promise God had given to Abraham. God told Abraham that anyone who did not submit to circumcision should be cut off from the family. There was never a link between this sign and eternal life or personal salvation.
Gen 17:14
14 "And the uncircumcised male child, who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant." (NKJ)
When Moses was forced to flee from Egypt, he lived in the desert for 40 years. During that time, he married and had sons. It is interesting that Moses did not circumcise one of his sons until he was on the way back to Egypt to be reunited with the Jewish community (Exodus 4:24-26). As it was from the beginning, the sign of circumcision was associated with being accepted in Jewish society and was formally included as a requirement of the Old Covenant Law when it was given at Mt. Sinai.
When John the Baptist came preaching that the kingdom of heaven was hand, he was essentially introducing God’s offer of the New Covenant Kingdom. This New Covenant Kingdom was to be based on the shed blood of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. The sign given in association with the New Covenant was water baptism, which, like circumcision, had nothing to do with eternal life or personal salvation. It was merely a sign which was required for association with the New Covenant community. Water baptism was practiced by John the Baptist as well as Jesus and His disciples. In Matthew 28, the Lord sent the disciples out to preach the message of the New Covenant Kingdom and to baptize those who believed.
The Apostle Paul practiced water baptism during the period of time covered by the book of Acts, but, even then, he said that God did not send him to baptize.
1 Cor 1:17
17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel . . . (NKJ)
Therefore, Paul never operated under the same commission as the other apostles, and from the beginning of his ministry, he emphasized he did not receive his message from the other apostles.
Gal 1:11-12
11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.
12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. (NKJ)
The book of Acts records Israel’s rejection of the Lord Jesus Christ and the New Covenant Kingdom. At some point after the events of Acts 28, Paul stopped preaching the New Covenant message except in the book of Hebrews where he apparently addressed the Jews of the tribulation period.
In Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians, Paul revealed the Church which is the Body of Christ and the heavenly, spiritual character of the Church. The Church has only one baptism, and that is the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Eph 4:4-5
4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; (NKJ)
In Colossians, Paul made it clear that our spiritual baptism is an operation of God.
Col 2:12
12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. (KJV)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Gen 17:14
14 "And the uncircumcised male child, who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant." (NKJ)
When Moses was forced to flee from Egypt, he lived in the desert for 40 years. During that time, he married and had sons. It is interesting that Moses did not circumcise one of his sons until he was on the way back to Egypt to be reunited with the Jewish community (Exodus 4:24-26). As it was from the beginning, the sign of circumcision was associated with being accepted in Jewish society and was formally included as a requirement of the Old Covenant Law when it was given at Mt. Sinai.
When John the Baptist came preaching that the kingdom of heaven was hand, he was essentially introducing God’s offer of the New Covenant Kingdom. This New Covenant Kingdom was to be based on the shed blood of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. The sign given in association with the New Covenant was water baptism, which, like circumcision, had nothing to do with eternal life or personal salvation. It was merely a sign which was required for association with the New Covenant community. Water baptism was practiced by John the Baptist as well as Jesus and His disciples. In Matthew 28, the Lord sent the disciples out to preach the message of the New Covenant Kingdom and to baptize those who believed.
The Apostle Paul practiced water baptism during the period of time covered by the book of Acts, but, even then, he said that God did not send him to baptize.
1 Cor 1:17
17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel . . . (NKJ)
Therefore, Paul never operated under the same commission as the other apostles, and from the beginning of his ministry, he emphasized he did not receive his message from the other apostles.
Gal 1:11-12
11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.
12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. (NKJ)
The book of Acts records Israel’s rejection of the Lord Jesus Christ and the New Covenant Kingdom. At some point after the events of Acts 28, Paul stopped preaching the New Covenant message except in the book of Hebrews where he apparently addressed the Jews of the tribulation period.
In Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians, Paul revealed the Church which is the Body of Christ and the heavenly, spiritual character of the Church. The Church has only one baptism, and that is the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Eph 4:4-5
4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; (NKJ)
In Colossians, Paul made it clear that our spiritual baptism is an operation of God.
Col 2:12
12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. (KJV)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Wednesday, January 28, 2004
God established the Old Covenant with the nation of Israel at Mt. Sinai, and in that covenant God promised to bless Israel with great physical blessings if they kept the law.
Deut 28:2,4,7
2 "And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God:
4 "Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, the produce of your ground and the increase of your herds, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks.
7 "The LORD will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways. (NKJ)
If anyone broke the law, they were to be deported or expelled from Jewish society.
Num 15:30-31
30 'But the person who does anything presumptuously, whether he is native-born or a stranger, that one brings reproach on the LORD, and he shall be cut off from among his people.
31 'Because he has despised the word of the LORD, and has broken His commandment, that person shall be completely cut off; his guilt shall be upon him.'" (NKJ)
God had already established that standard when He gave the sign of circumcision to Abraham.
Gen 17:14
14 "And the uncircumcised male child, who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant." (NKJ)
Jewish society was to be a testimony to the nations of the world concerning the glory of God’s righteousness, but God never promised them eternal life in return for keeping the law. God knew that the law would prove to be a burden they would not be able to bear. It was given to prove that man can not live up to God’s perfect standard of righteousness.
The Apostle Paul proved from the Old Testament scriptures that God’s standard for eternal salvation had always been faith.
Rom 1:16-17
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." (NKJ)
The Bible declares that God allowed the nation of Israel to be defeated by the Babylonians because they had broken God’s law, but those who had faith in God did not lose their salvation. Daniel and Ezekiel proved that point when their relationship with God flourished even in the spiritual desert of Babylon. They could not offer the sacrifices required by the law, but their faith sustained them.
When the Jews returned from Babylon to the promised land, they were dedicated to the ideals of the law. But as time went on, their dedication to the law resulted in a society that suffered under the oppression of its religious leaders because its religious leaders had no spiritual relationship with God. The Pharisees and the Sadducees established a society in which the people had to submit to their traditions or be cut off from society. Those who refused to submit were called “sinners” and were social and economic outcasts. Furthermore, any one who failed to treat them as outcasts was labeled as a “sinner” and treated accordingly.
This set the stage for Jesus Christ to enter the world, offer His blood as the sin offering, and make possible the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The power of the Holy Spirit set the world free from the bondage of the law.
Rom 8:3-4
3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,
4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. (NKJ)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Deut 28:2,4,7
2 "And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God:
4 "Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, the produce of your ground and the increase of your herds, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks.
7 "The LORD will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways. (NKJ)
If anyone broke the law, they were to be deported or expelled from Jewish society.
Num 15:30-31
30 'But the person who does anything presumptuously, whether he is native-born or a stranger, that one brings reproach on the LORD, and he shall be cut off from among his people.
31 'Because he has despised the word of the LORD, and has broken His commandment, that person shall be completely cut off; his guilt shall be upon him.'" (NKJ)
God had already established that standard when He gave the sign of circumcision to Abraham.
Gen 17:14
14 "And the uncircumcised male child, who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant." (NKJ)
Jewish society was to be a testimony to the nations of the world concerning the glory of God’s righteousness, but God never promised them eternal life in return for keeping the law. God knew that the law would prove to be a burden they would not be able to bear. It was given to prove that man can not live up to God’s perfect standard of righteousness.
The Apostle Paul proved from the Old Testament scriptures that God’s standard for eternal salvation had always been faith.
Rom 1:16-17
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." (NKJ)
The Bible declares that God allowed the nation of Israel to be defeated by the Babylonians because they had broken God’s law, but those who had faith in God did not lose their salvation. Daniel and Ezekiel proved that point when their relationship with God flourished even in the spiritual desert of Babylon. They could not offer the sacrifices required by the law, but their faith sustained them.
When the Jews returned from Babylon to the promised land, they were dedicated to the ideals of the law. But as time went on, their dedication to the law resulted in a society that suffered under the oppression of its religious leaders because its religious leaders had no spiritual relationship with God. The Pharisees and the Sadducees established a society in which the people had to submit to their traditions or be cut off from society. Those who refused to submit were called “sinners” and were social and economic outcasts. Furthermore, any one who failed to treat them as outcasts was labeled as a “sinner” and treated accordingly.
This set the stage for Jesus Christ to enter the world, offer His blood as the sin offering, and make possible the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The power of the Holy Spirit set the world free from the bondage of the law.
Rom 8:3-4
3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,
4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. (NKJ)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Tuesday, January 27, 2004
In Galatians 4, Paul said that Hagar (the bondwoman) and Sarah (the freewoman) represented the Old Covenant and the New Covenant, respectively. The Old Covenant was glorious. In fact, Moses’ face was shining so brightly as he came down from Mt. Sinai that he had to wear a veil over his face. However, the New Covenant was even more glorious because it brought freedom from sin to those who put their faith in Christ.
In the book of Hebrews, Paul wrote to the believing Jews of the tribulation period to give them confirmation of the promises given to Abraham. He reminded them that Christ was called to be their High Priest.
Heb 5:4-6
4 And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was.
5 So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: "You are My Son, today I have begotten You."
6 As He also says in another place: "You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek"; (NKJ)
But in Hebrews 8, Paul said:
Heb 8:1, 4, 6-8
1 Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens,
4 For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law;
6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.
7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second.
8 Because finding fault with them, He says: "Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah– (NKJ)
Certainly, there would have to be a new covenant for the Lord Jesus to serve as the High Priest. According to the Old Covenant, priests had to come from the tribe of Levi, but the Lord Jesus was from the house of Judah. Paul said that the New Covenant is based upon the sacrifice of the shed blood of Christ and that, according to the New Covenant, Jesus serves as the High Priest in the heavenly city of Jerusalem. Abraham was looking for this heavenly city to come down to the earth.
Heb 11:8-10
8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.
9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise;
10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. (NKJ)
We clearly see the hope of the New Covenant Kingdom held out in Galatians and again in Hebrews. But do we today wait for God’s heavenly city to come down to the earth? Not at all. In Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians, Paul revealed the parenthetical age in which we live today. Believers of our present age are members of the Church which is the Body of Christ, and our hope is to be caught up to be with Christ in heaven.
Col 3:4
4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. (KJV)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
In the book of Hebrews, Paul wrote to the believing Jews of the tribulation period to give them confirmation of the promises given to Abraham. He reminded them that Christ was called to be their High Priest.
Heb 5:4-6
4 And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was.
5 So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: "You are My Son, today I have begotten You."
6 As He also says in another place: "You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek"; (NKJ)
But in Hebrews 8, Paul said:
Heb 8:1, 4, 6-8
1 Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens,
4 For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law;
6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.
7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second.
8 Because finding fault with them, He says: "Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah– (NKJ)
Certainly, there would have to be a new covenant for the Lord Jesus to serve as the High Priest. According to the Old Covenant, priests had to come from the tribe of Levi, but the Lord Jesus was from the house of Judah. Paul said that the New Covenant is based upon the sacrifice of the shed blood of Christ and that, according to the New Covenant, Jesus serves as the High Priest in the heavenly city of Jerusalem. Abraham was looking for this heavenly city to come down to the earth.
Heb 11:8-10
8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.
9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise;
10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. (NKJ)
We clearly see the hope of the New Covenant Kingdom held out in Galatians and again in Hebrews. But do we today wait for God’s heavenly city to come down to the earth? Not at all. In Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians, Paul revealed the parenthetical age in which we live today. Believers of our present age are members of the Church which is the Body of Christ, and our hope is to be caught up to be with Christ in heaven.
Col 3:4
4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. (KJV)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Monday, January 26, 2004
In Paul’s Acts-period epistles, he revealed a mystery which had been given to him by God. This mystery was hidden in the Old Testament scriptures.
Rom 16:25-26
25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began
26 but now has been made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures has been made known to all nations . . . (NKJ)
This mystery related to the promise of the New Covenant which was pictured in the life of Sarah.
Gal 4:21-26
21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law?
22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman.
23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise,
24 which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar--
25 for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children--
26 but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all. (NKJ)
Hagar, being a bondwoman, pictured the Mosaic Law (The Old Covenant) which kept the people in bondage to sin. Sarah, being free, pictured the New Covenant. At the last supper, the Lord Jesus took the cup of wine and said:
Luke 22:20
20 . . . "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you. (NKJ)
The shed blood of Christ provided God’s required atonement for sin and made possible the indwelling of the Holy Spirit which ushered in the initial phase of Israel’s New Covenant. The New Covenant was to be a covenant in which the laws of God were written in the hearts of the people by the power of the Holy Spirit. In Galatians 4, Paul said that the Old Covenant was given in relationship to the earthly city of Jerusalem which was under the bondage of Roman rule. He then concluded that the New Covenant was a covenant of freedom which will have its ultimate fulfillment when the heavenly city of Jerusalem comes down from heaven to the earth.
Paul reminded his readers that God had told Abraham to cast out the bondwoman and her son because her son could not be heir to the promise with the son of the freewoman. Paul’s point was that salvation can not come by a mixture of law and grace. It has to be one or the other. To be saved by the law one has to keep every aspect of the Law every minute of every day. To be saved by grace people have to believe that Christ died for their sins. Because the logic of this argument can not be disputed, I would pose Paul’s question of verse 21 to those today who wish to be saved by good works:
Gal 4:21
21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? (NKJ)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Rom 16:25-26
25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began
26 but now has been made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures has been made known to all nations . . . (NKJ)
This mystery related to the promise of the New Covenant which was pictured in the life of Sarah.
Gal 4:21-26
21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law?
22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman.
23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise,
24 which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar--
25 for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children--
26 but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all. (NKJ)
Hagar, being a bondwoman, pictured the Mosaic Law (The Old Covenant) which kept the people in bondage to sin. Sarah, being free, pictured the New Covenant. At the last supper, the Lord Jesus took the cup of wine and said:
Luke 22:20
20 . . . "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you. (NKJ)
The shed blood of Christ provided God’s required atonement for sin and made possible the indwelling of the Holy Spirit which ushered in the initial phase of Israel’s New Covenant. The New Covenant was to be a covenant in which the laws of God were written in the hearts of the people by the power of the Holy Spirit. In Galatians 4, Paul said that the Old Covenant was given in relationship to the earthly city of Jerusalem which was under the bondage of Roman rule. He then concluded that the New Covenant was a covenant of freedom which will have its ultimate fulfillment when the heavenly city of Jerusalem comes down from heaven to the earth.
Paul reminded his readers that God had told Abraham to cast out the bondwoman and her son because her son could not be heir to the promise with the son of the freewoman. Paul’s point was that salvation can not come by a mixture of law and grace. It has to be one or the other. To be saved by the law one has to keep every aspect of the Law every minute of every day. To be saved by grace people have to believe that Christ died for their sins. Because the logic of this argument can not be disputed, I would pose Paul’s question of verse 21 to those today who wish to be saved by good works:
Gal 4:21
21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? (NKJ)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Friday, January 23, 2004
The Apostle Paul told the believers of Galatia that God had placed Israel under the guardianship of the Law until she was mature enough to receive her inheritance. This inheritance was a kingdom through which all of the nations of the earth would be blessed. Paul said that as long as Israel was under the Law, she was treated as a slave with no rights. When Christ came, He died for sin and gave the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to those who put their faith and trust in Him. If Israel had put her faith in Christ, she would have been brought to spiritual maturity and would have been in a position to receive her inheritance.
Gal 4:3-6
3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world.
4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" (NKJ)
Even Christian people often turn back to the elementary rituals and ceremonies of religion when they feel spiritually weak. However, their faith in Christ should lead them to call out to their heavenly Father for He will answer them and show them great and mighty things (Jer. 33:3). Paul told these people:
Gal 4:9
9 But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? (NKJ)
When Paul spoke of the weak and beggarly elements, he was primarily thinking of the practice of circumcision for there were Jews who were telling the believers of Galatia that they could not be saved without being circumcised. However, he also had in mind all of the various requirements of the Law.
Gal 4:10
10 You observe days and months and seasons and years. (NKJ)
Galatians was written during the Acts period as God was offering Israel her promised inheritance. During this period of time, Paul taught that nobody can be saved by the law (Gal 2:16). However, he made a distinction between Jews and Gentiles in terms of their observance of the law. He indicated that it was appropriate for the Jews to observe the Law (Acts 21:18-26), but he was emphatic that the Gentiles should not (Gal 2:3-5).
Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians were written after the Acts period, and in these epistles Paul revealed the Church which is the Body of Christ. Believers today belong to this heavenly Church which has no longing for Israel's kingdom inheritance. The Church is to set its affections on things above, not on the things of the earth (Colossians 3:2). We have no reason to participate in the beggarly elements of the earth for we are spiritually circumcised and spiritually baptized.
Col 2:11-12
11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,
12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. (NKJ)
Paul admonishes us, as members of Christ's Church, to recognize our completeness in the fulness of Christ so that we are not cheated by a cowardly return to the rituals associated with the laws of Israel's promised kingdom.
Col 2:8-10
8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: (KJV)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Gal 4:3-6
3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world.
4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" (NKJ)
Even Christian people often turn back to the elementary rituals and ceremonies of religion when they feel spiritually weak. However, their faith in Christ should lead them to call out to their heavenly Father for He will answer them and show them great and mighty things (Jer. 33:3). Paul told these people:
Gal 4:9
9 But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? (NKJ)
When Paul spoke of the weak and beggarly elements, he was primarily thinking of the practice of circumcision for there were Jews who were telling the believers of Galatia that they could not be saved without being circumcised. However, he also had in mind all of the various requirements of the Law.
Gal 4:10
10 You observe days and months and seasons and years. (NKJ)
Galatians was written during the Acts period as God was offering Israel her promised inheritance. During this period of time, Paul taught that nobody can be saved by the law (Gal 2:16). However, he made a distinction between Jews and Gentiles in terms of their observance of the law. He indicated that it was appropriate for the Jews to observe the Law (Acts 21:18-26), but he was emphatic that the Gentiles should not (Gal 2:3-5).
Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians were written after the Acts period, and in these epistles Paul revealed the Church which is the Body of Christ. Believers today belong to this heavenly Church which has no longing for Israel's kingdom inheritance. The Church is to set its affections on things above, not on the things of the earth (Colossians 3:2). We have no reason to participate in the beggarly elements of the earth for we are spiritually circumcised and spiritually baptized.
Col 2:11-12
11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,
12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. (NKJ)
Paul admonishes us, as members of Christ's Church, to recognize our completeness in the fulness of Christ so that we are not cheated by a cowardly return to the rituals associated with the laws of Israel's promised kingdom.
Col 2:8-10
8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: (KJV)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Thursday, January 22, 2004
Gal 1:11-12
11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.
12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. (NKJ)
These words were written by the Apostle Paul to the believers of Galatia during the time period covered by the book of Acts. In these Acts period epistles, Paul used the Old Testament scriptures to prove that faith has always been God’s requirement for salvation, not works.
Rom 1:16-17
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." (NKJ)
Rom 3:10
10 As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one; (NKJ)
Rom 4:3
3 For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." (NKJ)
Rom 4:6-8
6 just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works:
7 "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered;
8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin." (NKJ)
Clearly, the mystery of the God's grace, as revealed by Paul in his Acts-period epistles, was a mystery which was hidden in the Old Testament scriptures.
Rom 16:25-26
25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began
26 but now has been made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures has been made known to all nations . . . (NKJ)
However, in Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians, Paul was allowed to reveal the mystery of the Church which is the Body of Christ. The prophets of old knew nothing about this mystery.
Col 1:24-26
24 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church,
25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God,
26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. (NKJ)
Eph 3:5
5 (This mystery) in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: (NKJ)
As the mystery of God’s grace was revealed in the Acts period, believers were healed and spoke in tongues. They also practiced water baptism and other rituals of the law. But as Paul revealed the mystery of the Church which is the Body of Christ in Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians, the sign gifts and the rituals passed away.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.
12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. (NKJ)
These words were written by the Apostle Paul to the believers of Galatia during the time period covered by the book of Acts. In these Acts period epistles, Paul used the Old Testament scriptures to prove that faith has always been God’s requirement for salvation, not works.
Rom 1:16-17
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." (NKJ)
Rom 3:10
10 As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one; (NKJ)
Rom 4:3
3 For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." (NKJ)
Rom 4:6-8
6 just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works:
7 "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered;
8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin." (NKJ)
Clearly, the mystery of the God's grace, as revealed by Paul in his Acts-period epistles, was a mystery which was hidden in the Old Testament scriptures.
Rom 16:25-26
25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began
26 but now has been made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures has been made known to all nations . . . (NKJ)
However, in Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians, Paul was allowed to reveal the mystery of the Church which is the Body of Christ. The prophets of old knew nothing about this mystery.
Col 1:24-26
24 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church,
25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God,
26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. (NKJ)
Eph 3:5
5 (This mystery) in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: (NKJ)
As the mystery of God’s grace was revealed in the Acts period, believers were healed and spoke in tongues. They also practiced water baptism and other rituals of the law. But as Paul revealed the mystery of the Church which is the Body of Christ in Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians, the sign gifts and the rituals passed away.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Wednesday, January 21, 2004
In the book of Genesis, God gave Abraham a promise. When Abraham believed God’s promise, God forgave all of his sins and counted him as righteous. One aspect of God’s promise to Abraham was that all of the nations of the earth would be blessed through Abraham’s Seed. In Galatians 3, Paul explained that the Seed of Abraham is Jesus Christ and concluded that the promise will not come to those who keep the Law but to those who have faith like Abraham. His argument is supported by the fact that Abraham received the promise by faith 430 years before the Law was given.
The Mosaic Law had said that if Israel would keep the Law, God would give her physical blessings such as health and wealth. However, He had never said that He would give her eternal life or the promised kingdom as a reward for keeping the Law. In Galatians 3, Paul explained that God gave the Law to serve as a guardian over Israel until Christ came. When Christ came, He made it possible for Israel to be made righteous through faith and to receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The power of God’s indwelling Spirit made the purpose of the Law obsolete.
In Acts 15 we see Paul and Barnabas at the Jerusalem Council proclaiming that God was saving Gentiles who had never submitted to circumcision or other rituals of the Law. When the Jewish leaders were reminded of the fact that Cornelius was saved by faith without circumcision, they concluded that the Gentiles did not need to comply with the legal requirements of the Law.
Given the truths expressed in Galatians, one has to wonder why the Jews continued to observe the Law. And since Paul wrote Galatians after the Jerusalem Council, one might wonder if Paul had come to the conclusion that even the Jews should stop observing the Law. After all, he said that Christ came to take Israel out from under the bondage of the Law. On Paul’s final trip to Jerusalem, he was challenged about this very thing.
Acts 21:20-21
20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord. And they said to him, "You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law;
21 "but they have been informed about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs.
Paul was asked to participate in some Jewish rituals to prove that, according to his doctrine, it was appropriate for the Jews to observe the Law. Since he did participate in the requested rituals, we can conclude that in the Acts period Paul considered it appropriate for the Jews to observe the Law but inappropriate for the Gentiles to do so.
Galatians is typical of Paul’s Acts-period epistles in that he emphasized the hope of the kingdom which had been promised to Abraham, and it would appear that the observance of the Law by the Jews was connected to that hope. However, even in these epistles Paul taught the Jewish believers that their acceptance in the sight of God was based solely on their faith in Christ. Therefore, they were, indeed, set free from the bondage of the Law.
Ephesians, Philippinas and Colossians were written after the Acts period, and in these epistles Paul revealed our present dispensation of the Church which is the Body of Christ. In these epistles, he never mentioned Abraham or the kingdom promised to Abraham, and he vehemently condemned those who continued to observe the Law.
Phil 3:2-3
2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation!
3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, (NKJ)
The book of Hebrews was written after Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians, and in this book Paul wrote words of comfort for the Jewish believers who will suffer great persecution in the tribulation period. In this epistle, his message was once again dominated by the promises given to Abraham. His words paint a beautiful picture of that promised kingdom which will come down out of heaven.
Obviously, the revelation of the Church which is the Body of Christ in Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians is surrounded by books, both before and after, whose dominant theme is the kingdom promised to Abraham. The fact that Paul did not mention Abraham’s hope in Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians indicates that our present age of the Church which is the Body of Christ is a parenthetical age between God’s offer of Israel’s hope in the Acts period and God’s offer of Israel’s hope in the tribulation period. We can also safely conclude that the Church has no specific hope concerning the promises given to Abraham.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
The Mosaic Law had said that if Israel would keep the Law, God would give her physical blessings such as health and wealth. However, He had never said that He would give her eternal life or the promised kingdom as a reward for keeping the Law. In Galatians 3, Paul explained that God gave the Law to serve as a guardian over Israel until Christ came. When Christ came, He made it possible for Israel to be made righteous through faith and to receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The power of God’s indwelling Spirit made the purpose of the Law obsolete.
In Acts 15 we see Paul and Barnabas at the Jerusalem Council proclaiming that God was saving Gentiles who had never submitted to circumcision or other rituals of the Law. When the Jewish leaders were reminded of the fact that Cornelius was saved by faith without circumcision, they concluded that the Gentiles did not need to comply with the legal requirements of the Law.
Given the truths expressed in Galatians, one has to wonder why the Jews continued to observe the Law. And since Paul wrote Galatians after the Jerusalem Council, one might wonder if Paul had come to the conclusion that even the Jews should stop observing the Law. After all, he said that Christ came to take Israel out from under the bondage of the Law. On Paul’s final trip to Jerusalem, he was challenged about this very thing.
Acts 21:20-21
20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord. And they said to him, "You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law;
21 "but they have been informed about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs.
Paul was asked to participate in some Jewish rituals to prove that, according to his doctrine, it was appropriate for the Jews to observe the Law. Since he did participate in the requested rituals, we can conclude that in the Acts period Paul considered it appropriate for the Jews to observe the Law but inappropriate for the Gentiles to do so.
Galatians is typical of Paul’s Acts-period epistles in that he emphasized the hope of the kingdom which had been promised to Abraham, and it would appear that the observance of the Law by the Jews was connected to that hope. However, even in these epistles Paul taught the Jewish believers that their acceptance in the sight of God was based solely on their faith in Christ. Therefore, they were, indeed, set free from the bondage of the Law.
Ephesians, Philippinas and Colossians were written after the Acts period, and in these epistles Paul revealed our present dispensation of the Church which is the Body of Christ. In these epistles, he never mentioned Abraham or the kingdom promised to Abraham, and he vehemently condemned those who continued to observe the Law.
Phil 3:2-3
2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation!
3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, (NKJ)
The book of Hebrews was written after Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians, and in this book Paul wrote words of comfort for the Jewish believers who will suffer great persecution in the tribulation period. In this epistle, his message was once again dominated by the promises given to Abraham. His words paint a beautiful picture of that promised kingdom which will come down out of heaven.
Obviously, the revelation of the Church which is the Body of Christ in Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians is surrounded by books, both before and after, whose dominant theme is the kingdom promised to Abraham. The fact that Paul did not mention Abraham’s hope in Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians indicates that our present age of the Church which is the Body of Christ is a parenthetical age between God’s offer of Israel’s hope in the Acts period and God’s offer of Israel’s hope in the tribulation period. We can also safely conclude that the Church has no specific hope concerning the promises given to Abraham.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Tuesday, January 20, 2004
In Galatians, Chapter 3, Paul reminded the believers that God had saved them simply as a result of their faith in Christ, and that He had done many miracles, wonders and signs to give evidence of their salvation. The works of the law had not contributed in the least to their salvation. To support this argument, he mentioned what had been a very overlooked detail of the Old Testament scriptures, that Abraham was saved by faith 430 years before the Law was ever given. He quoted from Genesis 15:
Gen 15:5-7
5 Then God brought Abraham outside and said, "Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them." And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be."
6 And Abraham believed in the LORD, and God accounted it to him for righteousness.
7 Then God said to him, "I am the LORD, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to inherit it." (NKJ)
Therefore, Abraham was saved by faith and received the promise of an earthly kingdom 430 years before the Law was given. At this point it was only logical for Paul to ask the question in Galatians 3:19.
Gal 3:19
19 What purpose then does the law serve? . . .
His answer:
. . . It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; (NKJ)
Paul explained that God gave the law as a tutor or guardian to watch over the nation of Israel until the coming of Christ.
When Abraham left his home in the land of the Chaldeans, God had told Abraham that He would make a great nation out of his descendants, and then, several years after Isaac was born, God told Abraham that He would bless all of the nations of the world through his seed.
Gen 22:18
18 "In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice." (NKJ)
Paul revealed that the seed to which God referred was Jesus Christ.
Gal 3:16-18
16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, "And to seeds," as of many, but as of one, "And to your Seed," who is Christ. (NKJ)
Israel was like a minor child who had a great inheritance but was too young to receive it. She had been promised this great earthly kingdom but was still an infant nation. Minor children are usually placed under a guardian until a time set by their father. At a certain time, set by God the Father, Jesus Christ came into the world to bring Israel to maturity through faith. Paul explained that from that time there was no further need for the guardianship of the Law.
Gal 3:21-25
21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law.
22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
23 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed.
24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. (NKJ)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Gen 15:5-7
5 Then God brought Abraham outside and said, "Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them." And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be."
6 And Abraham believed in the LORD, and God accounted it to him for righteousness.
7 Then God said to him, "I am the LORD, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to inherit it." (NKJ)
Therefore, Abraham was saved by faith and received the promise of an earthly kingdom 430 years before the Law was given. At this point it was only logical for Paul to ask the question in Galatians 3:19.
Gal 3:19
19 What purpose then does the law serve? . . .
His answer:
. . . It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; (NKJ)
Paul explained that God gave the law as a tutor or guardian to watch over the nation of Israel until the coming of Christ.
When Abraham left his home in the land of the Chaldeans, God had told Abraham that He would make a great nation out of his descendants, and then, several years after Isaac was born, God told Abraham that He would bless all of the nations of the world through his seed.
Gen 22:18
18 "In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice." (NKJ)
Paul revealed that the seed to which God referred was Jesus Christ.
Gal 3:16-18
16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, "And to seeds," as of many, but as of one, "And to your Seed," who is Christ. (NKJ)
Israel was like a minor child who had a great inheritance but was too young to receive it. She had been promised this great earthly kingdom but was still an infant nation. Minor children are usually placed under a guardian until a time set by their father. At a certain time, set by God the Father, Jesus Christ came into the world to bring Israel to maturity through faith. Paul explained that from that time there was no further need for the guardianship of the Law.
Gal 3:21-25
21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law.
22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
23 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed.
24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. (NKJ)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Monday, January 19, 2004
The Apostle Paul said that God called him to preach the gospel of the grace of God to the Gentiles. He also said that his message was not something he had learned from the leaders of the Christian Church in Jerusalem.
Gal 1:15-19
15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me through His grace,
16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood,
17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days.
19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord's brother. (NKJ)
In Galatians, Chapter 2, Paul spoke of another trip he made to Jerusalem to meet with the leaders of the Jerusalem Church. That meeting is known as the Jerusalem Council, and its events are recorded in Acts 15. In that meeting it was decided that the Gentiles did not have to observe the rituals of the Mosaic Law to be saved.
When Peter mentioned that God had saved Cornelius (Acts 10) even though Cornelius was uncircumcised, Peter, James, and John agreed that Paul’s ministry among the uncircumcised believers was a legitimate ministry of God. Consequently, they agreed that even though the Jews would continue observing the rituals of the law, the Gentiles would not be required to do so.
Gal 2:9
9 and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. (NKJ)
After explaining these things in Galatians, Chapter 2, Paul revealed that real spiritual power can only come through a spiritual identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection.
Gal 2:20
20 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (NKJ)
The Holy Spirit of God, living within him, had given him something that the Law of Moses never could: deliverance from the bondage of sin.
Gal 2:17-19
17 "But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not!
18 "For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
19 "For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. (NKJ)
When Paul thought about the tremendous change that Jesus Christ had made in his heart and in his life, he declared that he would never frustrate the grace of God by giving up on the pure gospel of the grace of God.
Gal 2:21
21 "I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain." (NKJ)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Gal 1:15-19
15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me through His grace,
16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood,
17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days.
19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord's brother. (NKJ)
In Galatians, Chapter 2, Paul spoke of another trip he made to Jerusalem to meet with the leaders of the Jerusalem Church. That meeting is known as the Jerusalem Council, and its events are recorded in Acts 15. In that meeting it was decided that the Gentiles did not have to observe the rituals of the Mosaic Law to be saved.
When Peter mentioned that God had saved Cornelius (Acts 10) even though Cornelius was uncircumcised, Peter, James, and John agreed that Paul’s ministry among the uncircumcised believers was a legitimate ministry of God. Consequently, they agreed that even though the Jews would continue observing the rituals of the law, the Gentiles would not be required to do so.
Gal 2:9
9 and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. (NKJ)
After explaining these things in Galatians, Chapter 2, Paul revealed that real spiritual power can only come through a spiritual identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection.
Gal 2:20
20 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (NKJ)
The Holy Spirit of God, living within him, had given him something that the Law of Moses never could: deliverance from the bondage of sin.
Gal 2:17-19
17 "But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not!
18 "For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
19 "For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. (NKJ)
When Paul thought about the tremendous change that Jesus Christ had made in his heart and in his life, he declared that he would never frustrate the grace of God by giving up on the pure gospel of the grace of God.
Gal 2:21
21 "I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain." (NKJ)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Friday, January 16, 2004
Shortly after the Apostle Paul was saved on the road to Damascus, he went to Antioch of Syria where he ministered with Barnabas preaching the gospel of the grace of God. This message is succinctly expressed in I Corinthians 15.
1 Cor 15:3-4
3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: 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, (NKJ)
Paul taught in Galatians 2 that people are saved by faith in Jesus Christ apart from the works of the law.
Gal 2:16
16 "knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. (NKJ)
However, Paul wrote this Epistle to the Galatians because some Jewish believers had come teaching that God requires compliance with the law of Moses for salvation. We see his stern warning to the people in chapter 1.
Gal 1:6-8
6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel,
7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. (NKJ)
Paul further warned them that they should not listen to the arguments of men even if those arguments are based on the Old Testament scriptures because the truth of his message of grace had been given to him as a direct revelation from God.
Gal 1:11-12
11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.
12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. (NKJ)
Paul had lived most of his life as a strict follower of the law of Moses.
Gal 1:13-14
13 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it.
14 And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers. (NKJ)
But when Paul met Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus, everything changed.
Gal 1:22-24
22 . . . I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ.
23 But they were hearing only, "He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy."
24 And they glorified God in me. (NKJ)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
1 Cor 15:3-4
3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: 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, (NKJ)
Paul taught in Galatians 2 that people are saved by faith in Jesus Christ apart from the works of the law.
Gal 2:16
16 "knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. (NKJ)
However, Paul wrote this Epistle to the Galatians because some Jewish believers had come teaching that God requires compliance with the law of Moses for salvation. We see his stern warning to the people in chapter 1.
Gal 1:6-8
6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel,
7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. (NKJ)
Paul further warned them that they should not listen to the arguments of men even if those arguments are based on the Old Testament scriptures because the truth of his message of grace had been given to him as a direct revelation from God.
Gal 1:11-12
11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.
12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. (NKJ)
Paul had lived most of his life as a strict follower of the law of Moses.
Gal 1:13-14
13 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it.
14 And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers. (NKJ)
But when Paul met Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus, everything changed.
Gal 1:22-24
22 . . . I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ.
23 But they were hearing only, "He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy."
24 And they glorified God in me. (NKJ)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Thursday, January 15, 2004
When the Lord Jesus Christ returns to the earth, He will be the cure for all of the evils promoted by the antichrist, just as He is the cure for all that is antichrist today. The Apostle John said:
I Jn 4:3-4
3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. (KJV)
The devil and his demonic agents are very active in the world today. Paul said we struggle with them.
Eph 6:12-13
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. (NIV)
We have power over these principalities and powers because the Lord Jesus disarmed them at the cross.
Col 2:15
15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. (NIV)
Obviously, the spiritual armor God has provided for our battle is very effective.
Eph 6:14-18
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints– (NKJ)
One of the purposes of the Church which is the Body of Christ is to bring glory to God by putting on display the victory of the Church over the authorities and powers of the darkness of this world.
Eph 3:8-11
8 Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.
10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,
11 according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NIV)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
I Jn 4:3-4
3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. (KJV)
The devil and his demonic agents are very active in the world today. Paul said we struggle with them.
Eph 6:12-13
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. (NIV)
We have power over these principalities and powers because the Lord Jesus disarmed them at the cross.
Col 2:15
15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. (NIV)
Obviously, the spiritual armor God has provided for our battle is very effective.
Eph 6:14-18
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints– (NKJ)
One of the purposes of the Church which is the Body of Christ is to bring glory to God by putting on display the victory of the Church over the authorities and powers of the darkness of this world.
Eph 3:8-11
8 Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.
10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,
11 according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NIV)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Wednesday, January 14, 2004
We have seen that Daniel was a great prophet of God. However, Daniel did not know about the present age in which we live. The Apostle Paul said God kept this age and the dispensation that relates to this age a secret until He revealed it through Paul.
Eph 3:1-5
1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles--
2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you,
3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery . . .
5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: (NKJ)
As a result, Paul often warned people to follow him and his doctrine. To the Philippians, he wrote:
Phil 3:17
17 Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. (NIV)
Phil 4:9
9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (NIV)
To Timothy, Paul wrote:
1 Tim 1:3,11
3 . . . that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust. (NKJ)
2 Tim 2:2
2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. (NKJ)
2 Tim 3:10,14
10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, . . .
14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, (NKJ)
God has always saved people by His grace, but the dispensation of the grace of God was a mystery, hidden from the prophets, until it was revealed through the Apostle Paul. Understanding this mystery helps believers to appropriately pattern their lives and their worship after the doctrine of the Apostle Paul. It also makes it possible for Bible students to appreciate all scripture as a consistent presentation of God’s dealings with different groups of people in different times.
2 Tim 3:16
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, (NKJ)
All scripture is profitable. One would pay a great price for neglecting any portion of God’s word, but it must be rightly divided according to Paul’s doctrine.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Eph 3:1-5
1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles--
2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you,
3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery . . .
5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: (NKJ)
As a result, Paul often warned people to follow him and his doctrine. To the Philippians, he wrote:
Phil 3:17
17 Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. (NIV)
Phil 4:9
9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (NIV)
To Timothy, Paul wrote:
1 Tim 1:3,11
3 . . . that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust. (NKJ)
2 Tim 2:2
2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. (NKJ)
2 Tim 3:10,14
10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, . . .
14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, (NKJ)
God has always saved people by His grace, but the dispensation of the grace of God was a mystery, hidden from the prophets, until it was revealed through the Apostle Paul. Understanding this mystery helps believers to appropriately pattern their lives and their worship after the doctrine of the Apostle Paul. It also makes it possible for Bible students to appreciate all scripture as a consistent presentation of God’s dealings with different groups of people in different times.
2 Tim 3:16
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, (NKJ)
All scripture is profitable. One would pay a great price for neglecting any portion of God’s word, but it must be rightly divided according to Paul’s doctrine.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Tuesday, January 13, 2004
After Daniel’s vision in Daniel, Chapter 8, an angel explained to him the meaning of the vision. The angel said that a great leader from Greece would overthrow the Medes and Persians and that his kingdom would then be divided among four of his generals. The angel said that the antichrist would come out of one of these four regions of the Greek Empire. The angel even gave a few details regarding the antichrist.
Dan 8:25
25 "Through his cunning he shall cause deceit to prosper under his rule; and he shall exalt himself in his heart. He shall destroy many in their prosperity. He shall even rise against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without human means. (NKJ)
It strikes me that the antichrist will destroy many “in their prosperity”. For thousands of years, rulers have tried to maintain their grip over their subjects by stealing from them and oppressing them. I am reminded of the cruelty of a ruler like Saddam Hussein who kept his people in poverty and murdered those who did not pay homage to him. When the antichrist comes, he will be much more clever. He will first reward the masses with great prosperity, realizing that once people have experienced wealth, they will do anything to keep what they have. By this means, he can appear to be benevolent while exercising complete control over his subjects. However, his subjects will be destroyed in their prosperity.
My son, James, used to work for a charity group that does home repairs for needy people. One day, James told me about a man whose house was in great need of repair. James told the man that his group would be willing to make the needed repairs free of charge, and James was shocked when the man said, “The Lord has always been very good to me, and you might want to help someone who really needs it.”
This man knew the truth of I Timothy 6:6.
1 Tim 6:6
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. (KJV)
Such a person would not be a very easy target for the antichrist. He obviously had a moral compass which could not be swayed by a desire for the material things of this life. The Apostle Paul warned the believers at Philippi that many religious leaders actually have a greater desire for material success than they do for teaching the truth of God’s Word.
Phil 3:18-19
18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame-- who set their mind on earthly things. (NKJ)
Paul then warned Timothy about the pitfalls associated with greed.
1 Tim 6:8-10
8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.
9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (NKJ)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Dan 8:25
25 "Through his cunning he shall cause deceit to prosper under his rule; and he shall exalt himself in his heart. He shall destroy many in their prosperity. He shall even rise against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without human means. (NKJ)
It strikes me that the antichrist will destroy many “in their prosperity”. For thousands of years, rulers have tried to maintain their grip over their subjects by stealing from them and oppressing them. I am reminded of the cruelty of a ruler like Saddam Hussein who kept his people in poverty and murdered those who did not pay homage to him. When the antichrist comes, he will be much more clever. He will first reward the masses with great prosperity, realizing that once people have experienced wealth, they will do anything to keep what they have. By this means, he can appear to be benevolent while exercising complete control over his subjects. However, his subjects will be destroyed in their prosperity.
My son, James, used to work for a charity group that does home repairs for needy people. One day, James told me about a man whose house was in great need of repair. James told the man that his group would be willing to make the needed repairs free of charge, and James was shocked when the man said, “The Lord has always been very good to me, and you might want to help someone who really needs it.”
This man knew the truth of I Timothy 6:6.
1 Tim 6:6
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. (KJV)
Such a person would not be a very easy target for the antichrist. He obviously had a moral compass which could not be swayed by a desire for the material things of this life. The Apostle Paul warned the believers at Philippi that many religious leaders actually have a greater desire for material success than they do for teaching the truth of God’s Word.
Phil 3:18-19
18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame-- who set their mind on earthly things. (NKJ)
Paul then warned Timothy about the pitfalls associated with greed.
1 Tim 6:8-10
8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.
9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (NKJ)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Monday, January 12, 2004
In Daniel, chapter 8, Daniel reveals his third vision. In this vision, Daniel saw a ram with two horns which was destroyed by a goat with one prominent horn.
Dan 8:3
3 Then I lifted my eyes and saw, and there, standing beside the river, was a ram which had two horns, and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last. (NKJ)
The ram represents the Medo-Persian Empire. History reveals that the Medes dominated the empire first, but then the Persians ascended to power and became even more powerful than the Medes. The Medes and Persians were able to overthrow the Babylonian Empire when Cyrus the Persian entered the city through a pair of doors which were left unlocked in the city wall. This had been prophesied by Isaiah.
Isa 45:1
1 "Thus says the LORD to His anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have held-- to subdue nations before him and loose the armor of kings, to open before him the double doors, so that the gates will not be shut: (NKJ)
However, Cyrus the Persian was a commanding general under Darius the Mede. Therefore, Daniel correctly stated that Darius defeated Belshazzar in this battle for Babylon.
Dan 5:30-31
30 That very night Belshazzar, king of the Chaldeans, was slain.
31 And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old. (NKJ)
The prominent horn of the goat which defeated the Ram was Alexander the Great who died at a relatively young age and left his empire to be divided among his four commanding generals.
Dan 8:8
8 The goat became very great, but at the height of his power his large horn was broken off, and in its place four prominent horns grew up toward the four winds of heaven. (NIV)
Out of one of these four remnants of the Greek Empire will come the antichrist.
Dan 8:9-11
9 Out of one of them came another horn, which started small but grew in power to the south and to the east and toward the Beautiful Land.
10 It grew until it reached the host of the heavens, and it threw some of the starry host down to the earth and trampled on them.
11 It set itself up to be as great as the Prince of the host; it took away the daily sacrifice from him, and the place of his sanctuary was brought low. (NIV)
This vision is very interesting in that it narrows down the roots from which the antichrist will rise. Daniel’s previous visions show 10 nations that rise up out of the Roman Empire and yield their power to the antichrist, but this vision reveals that the antichrist, himself, will rise up out of the vestiges of the Greek Empire.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Dan 8:3
3 Then I lifted my eyes and saw, and there, standing beside the river, was a ram which had two horns, and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last. (NKJ)
The ram represents the Medo-Persian Empire. History reveals that the Medes dominated the empire first, but then the Persians ascended to power and became even more powerful than the Medes. The Medes and Persians were able to overthrow the Babylonian Empire when Cyrus the Persian entered the city through a pair of doors which were left unlocked in the city wall. This had been prophesied by Isaiah.
Isa 45:1
1 "Thus says the LORD to His anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have held-- to subdue nations before him and loose the armor of kings, to open before him the double doors, so that the gates will not be shut: (NKJ)
However, Cyrus the Persian was a commanding general under Darius the Mede. Therefore, Daniel correctly stated that Darius defeated Belshazzar in this battle for Babylon.
Dan 5:30-31
30 That very night Belshazzar, king of the Chaldeans, was slain.
31 And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old. (NKJ)
The prominent horn of the goat which defeated the Ram was Alexander the Great who died at a relatively young age and left his empire to be divided among his four commanding generals.
Dan 8:8
8 The goat became very great, but at the height of his power his large horn was broken off, and in its place four prominent horns grew up toward the four winds of heaven. (NIV)
Out of one of these four remnants of the Greek Empire will come the antichrist.
Dan 8:9-11
9 Out of one of them came another horn, which started small but grew in power to the south and to the east and toward the Beautiful Land.
10 It grew until it reached the host of the heavens, and it threw some of the starry host down to the earth and trampled on them.
11 It set itself up to be as great as the Prince of the host; it took away the daily sacrifice from him, and the place of his sanctuary was brought low. (NIV)
This vision is very interesting in that it narrows down the roots from which the antichrist will rise. Daniel’s previous visions show 10 nations that rise up out of the Roman Empire and yield their power to the antichrist, but this vision reveals that the antichrist, himself, will rise up out of the vestiges of the Greek Empire.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Thursday, January 08, 2004
One of the many interesting parallels between God’s earthly kingdom and the kingdom of Satan is that God’s earthly kingdom has its capital city in the land of Palestine, while the empire of the devil has always had its capital city in the plain of Shinar of present day Iraq. Jerusalem is God’s capital city in the land of Palestine, and its roots go back to the city of Salem where Melchizedek was priest and king. Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek after defeating the armies which had looted Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 14). Jerusalem later became the capital city of the Old Covenant Kingdom under King David and will be the capital city of the New Covenant Kingdom when Christ rules the earth for 1,000 years.
Satan’s capital city of Babylon goes back to the tower of Babel in the land of Shinar and the apostate religion of Nimrod (Genesis 10:9,10). Later, the city of Babylon was established in the plain of Shinar and became the capital city of the Babylonian Empire. Babylon will become the capital city of the empire of the antichrist in the tribulation period (Zechariah 5:5-11). It is interesting to note that one of the kings who looted Sodom and Gomorrah and was defeated by Abraham in Genesis 14 was the King of Shinar. This gives further evidence of the continuous rivalry that has existed throughout history between God’s power in Jerusalem and the Satan’s power in Babylon.
Another parallel between the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of the devil is seen in the trinity of the deities. The Bible clearly teaches that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit dwell together as one. Satan will imitate that pattern during the tribulation period with the antichrist, the false prophet, and the dragon who is Satan, himself.
Furthermore, this parallel is seen in the fact that Jesus Christ was killed by the religious leaders of His day. He was buried, and He rose again the third day. As the great impostor, Satan will manipulate the hearts of certain people during the tribulation period who will cause the antichrist to suffer a mortal wound. After this mortal wound the antichrist will appear to come back to life.
Finally, Jesus Christ was God in human form. He was born of a virgin and, therefore, had no human father. Satan, being the great imitator, will rise from the bottomless pit (Revelation 17: 8) to dwell within the body of the antichrist after the antichrist receives his mortal wound.
Regardless of Satan’s attempts to imitate God’s earthly kingdom, his empire of evil will be no match for the power of God. Satan’s empire of lies will crumble before the truth of Jesus Christ. At the end of the tribulation period, Jesus Christ will return to earth with the hosts of heaven to defeat the antichrist. Christ will cast the antichrist and the false prophet into the lake of fire and will cast Satan into the bottomless pit for a thousand years. At the end of the thousand years, Satan will be loosed for one final rebellion. His rebellion will be crushed, and he will be cast into the lake of fire with 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/
Satan’s capital city of Babylon goes back to the tower of Babel in the land of Shinar and the apostate religion of Nimrod (Genesis 10:9,10). Later, the city of Babylon was established in the plain of Shinar and became the capital city of the Babylonian Empire. Babylon will become the capital city of the empire of the antichrist in the tribulation period (Zechariah 5:5-11). It is interesting to note that one of the kings who looted Sodom and Gomorrah and was defeated by Abraham in Genesis 14 was the King of Shinar. This gives further evidence of the continuous rivalry that has existed throughout history between God’s power in Jerusalem and the Satan’s power in Babylon.
Another parallel between the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of the devil is seen in the trinity of the deities. The Bible clearly teaches that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit dwell together as one. Satan will imitate that pattern during the tribulation period with the antichrist, the false prophet, and the dragon who is Satan, himself.
Furthermore, this parallel is seen in the fact that Jesus Christ was killed by the religious leaders of His day. He was buried, and He rose again the third day. As the great impostor, Satan will manipulate the hearts of certain people during the tribulation period who will cause the antichrist to suffer a mortal wound. After this mortal wound the antichrist will appear to come back to life.
Finally, Jesus Christ was God in human form. He was born of a virgin and, therefore, had no human father. Satan, being the great imitator, will rise from the bottomless pit (Revelation 17: 8) to dwell within the body of the antichrist after the antichrist receives his mortal wound.
Regardless of Satan’s attempts to imitate God’s earthly kingdom, his empire of evil will be no match for the power of God. Satan’s empire of lies will crumble before the truth of Jesus Christ. At the end of the tribulation period, Jesus Christ will return to earth with the hosts of heaven to defeat the antichrist. Christ will cast the antichrist and the false prophet into the lake of fire and will cast Satan into the bottomless pit for a thousand years. At the end of the thousand years, Satan will be loosed for one final rebellion. His rebellion will be crushed, and he will be cast into the lake of fire with 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/
Monday, January 05, 2004
The antichrist of the tribulation period and his false prophet will support a powerful Satanic religion. The false prophet will do great miracles to deceive the people, but murder will be in his heart.
Rev 13:13-15
13 He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.
14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived.
15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. (NKJ)
He will make every person worship the image of the antichrist and receive a mark on their right hand or on their forehead to buy or sell. The false prophet and the antichrist will be cast into the lake of fire when Christ returns to establish the New Covenant Kingdom.
Rev 19:20
20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. (NKJ)
The religion of the antichrist and false prophet will be a blood thirsty religion which is centered in the city of Babylon.
Rev 17:3-6
3 So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
4 The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication.
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)
It is interesting that the 10 nations who align themselves with the antichrist will hate his religion.
Rev 17:16-18
16 "And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire.
17 "For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.
18 "And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth." (NKJ)
Apparently, their loyalty to the antichrist will be based solely upon political convenience.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Rev 13:13-15
13 He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.
14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived.
15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. (NKJ)
He will make every person worship the image of the antichrist and receive a mark on their right hand or on their forehead to buy or sell. The false prophet and the antichrist will be cast into the lake of fire when Christ returns to establish the New Covenant Kingdom.
Rev 19:20
20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. (NKJ)
The religion of the antichrist and false prophet will be a blood thirsty religion which is centered in the city of Babylon.
Rev 17:3-6
3 So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
4 The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication.
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)
It is interesting that the 10 nations who align themselves with the antichrist will hate his religion.
Rev 17:16-18
16 "And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire.
17 "For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.
18 "And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth." (NKJ)
Apparently, their loyalty to the antichrist will be based solely upon political convenience.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Friday, January 02, 2004
The Prophet Daniel spoke in Daniel, Chapter 7, about the nations which would rule over Israel. He saw a lion, a bear, and a leopard which stood for the Babylonian Empire, the Medo-Persian Empire, and the Greek Empire.
In the Revelation, the Apostle John saw the total rule of the Gentiles as a beast with seven heads and ten horns, which was like a leopard but had feet like a bear and a mouth like a lion.
Rev 13:1-2
1 Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name.
2 Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. (NKJ)
John described a similar beast in Revelation 17 and said the seven heads represent seven kings of which 5 are fallen.
Rev 17:10
10 There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time. (NKJ)
To see the full extent of Gentile dominion over Israel, one needs to go back to the Assyrian Empire which conquered the northern 10 tribes of Israel before Nebuchadnezzar conquered Jerusalem. That would give 5 empires up to the time of John’s writing of the Revelation. They were Assyria, Babylon, Media, Persia, and Greece. John spoke of the Roman Empire as the one which is, and he spoke of the empire of the antichrist as the empire yet to come.
Back in Rev 13, John said that one of the heads of the beast would receive a mortal wound but would either survive the wound or be revived after being clinically dead.
Rev 13:3-5
3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast.
4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?"
5 And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. (NKJ)
After receiving this mortal wound, the body of the antichrist will be possessed by Satan. The antichrist is the seventh head of the beast, but, after receiving the indwelling power of Satan, he will become the eighth head of the beast.
Rev 17:8 and 11
8 "The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
11 "And the beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition. (NKJ)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
In the Revelation, the Apostle John saw the total rule of the Gentiles as a beast with seven heads and ten horns, which was like a leopard but had feet like a bear and a mouth like a lion.
Rev 13:1-2
1 Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name.
2 Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. (NKJ)
John described a similar beast in Revelation 17 and said the seven heads represent seven kings of which 5 are fallen.
Rev 17:10
10 There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time. (NKJ)
To see the full extent of Gentile dominion over Israel, one needs to go back to the Assyrian Empire which conquered the northern 10 tribes of Israel before Nebuchadnezzar conquered Jerusalem. That would give 5 empires up to the time of John’s writing of the Revelation. They were Assyria, Babylon, Media, Persia, and Greece. John spoke of the Roman Empire as the one which is, and he spoke of the empire of the antichrist as the empire yet to come.
Back in Rev 13, John said that one of the heads of the beast would receive a mortal wound but would either survive the wound or be revived after being clinically dead.
Rev 13:3-5
3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast.
4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?"
5 And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. (NKJ)
After receiving this mortal wound, the body of the antichrist will be possessed by Satan. The antichrist is the seventh head of the beast, but, after receiving the indwelling power of Satan, he will become the eighth head of the beast.
Rev 17:8 and 11
8 "The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
11 "And the beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition. (NKJ)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
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