Paul wrote to Titus whom God had called as a pastor over the Church which is the Body of Christ. In Chapter 2 Paul said:
Titus 2:11-15
11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,
13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you. (NKJ)
Paul was reminding Titus that the hope of Abraham had passed away. No longer were believers to look for the heavenly city of God to come down to the earth (Heb 11:16), but believers were to rejoice in the hope of their calling, namely, the glorious appearing of Jesus Christ. Paul taught the believers at Colosse that:
Colossians 3:4
4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. (NKJ)
Paul explained to Titus that all believers today share this same hope for the grace of God has now appeared to all men. However, Paul knew that this message had to be taught with zeal for it was a new message. The program for the Church had been kept as a secret in the heart and mind of God since before the creation itself. Therefore, Paul told Titus to "speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority." Paul told the Ephesians about this great hope and was very concerned that they understand the importance of the message. He prayed:
Ephesians 1:17-18
17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,
18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, (NKJ)
In Ephesians 1:14, Paul referred to the catching up of the Church, the Body of Christ, as the redemption of Christ's purchased possession.
Ephesians 1:13-14
13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,
14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. (NKJ)
According to Ephesians 1:7, we already have spiritual redemption through His blood, but we are waiting for the redemption of our bodies which will occur at the appearing of the Lord and the rapture of the Church.
Philippians 3:20-21
20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. (NKJ)
The Church which is the Body of Christ is the purchased possession which is now waiting for its final redemption. In the mean time, we live on this earth learning how to live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, all to the praise of the glory of His grace.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Friday, April 16, 2004
Thursday, April 15, 2004
In Matthew 24, the Lord Jesus spoke with his disciples of the end of the age. He said:
Matthew 24:14
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (KJV)
The disciples may have thought the Lord Jesus was referring to the end of the world because they knew from the prophets that a new heaven and new earth would follow the coming of the Son of Man (Daniel 7:13, Isaiah 65:17). However, God revealed to Paul that our present age of the Church which is the Body of Christ will have to run its full course before the appearance of the new heaven and new earth, and God revealed to the Apostle John that Christ will reign on this earth for 1000 years before the new heaven and new earth.
With these things in mind, it would appear that when Christ spoke of the end, He was actually referring to the end of Gentile dominion over Israel, which will coincide with the second coming of Christ at the end of the tribulation period.
God had promised Israel a worldwide kingdom. However, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and took the prophet Daniel to Babylon. There in captivity, Daniel had the opportunity to interpret a dream for Nebuchadnezzar which opened his eyes to the future.
In Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, the king saw a great statue with a head of gold, with breast and arms of silver, with belly and thighs of brass, with legs of iron and with feet of part iron and part clay. The dream included a great stone which struck the feet of the statue and caused the entire statue to crumble.
The statue in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream represented the gentile nations which would rule over Israel from the time of Nebuchadnezzar to the time of Israel’s promised kingdom. Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar that he, as the king of Babylon, was the head of gold. History reveals that the arms of silver represented the empires of the Medes and the Persians while the belly and thighs of brass symbolized the Greek Empire headed by Alexander the Great. The feet of iron and clay stood for the Roman Empire, and the toes represented nations of the tribulation period.
Although Daniel, Chapter 2, does not mention the antichrist, Daniel’s later prophecies and the prophecies of the Revelation confirm that the 10 toes represent the 10 nations of the tribulation period which will conspire with the antichrist to rule the world. Jesus Christ, the stone made without hands, will deal the final blow to Gentile dominion when He destroys the antichrist and his evil empire.
Daniel 2:44-45
44 "And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.
45 "Inasmuch as you saw that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold-- the great God has made known to the king what will come to pass after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation is sure." (NKJ)
Today, we live in an age which is dedicated solely to the Church which is the Body of Christ. This a unique period of time in which God has set aside His plan and purpose for the nation of Israel. Paul said to Titus that being a member of the Church is a special calling.
Titus 2:14
14 (Christ) gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. (NKJ)
Our present Church age began with the setting aside of Israel's program about 30 years after the death of the Lord Jesus, and it will end with the rapture and resurrection of the Church. After the rapture and resurrection of the Church, God will once again call unto Himself the believing remnant of Israel as the antichrist rules the world in the final manifestation of gentile dominion over Israel.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Matthew 24:14
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (KJV)
The disciples may have thought the Lord Jesus was referring to the end of the world because they knew from the prophets that a new heaven and new earth would follow the coming of the Son of Man (Daniel 7:13, Isaiah 65:17). However, God revealed to Paul that our present age of the Church which is the Body of Christ will have to run its full course before the appearance of the new heaven and new earth, and God revealed to the Apostle John that Christ will reign on this earth for 1000 years before the new heaven and new earth.
With these things in mind, it would appear that when Christ spoke of the end, He was actually referring to the end of Gentile dominion over Israel, which will coincide with the second coming of Christ at the end of the tribulation period.
God had promised Israel a worldwide kingdom. However, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and took the prophet Daniel to Babylon. There in captivity, Daniel had the opportunity to interpret a dream for Nebuchadnezzar which opened his eyes to the future.
In Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, the king saw a great statue with a head of gold, with breast and arms of silver, with belly and thighs of brass, with legs of iron and with feet of part iron and part clay. The dream included a great stone which struck the feet of the statue and caused the entire statue to crumble.
The statue in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream represented the gentile nations which would rule over Israel from the time of Nebuchadnezzar to the time of Israel’s promised kingdom. Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar that he, as the king of Babylon, was the head of gold. History reveals that the arms of silver represented the empires of the Medes and the Persians while the belly and thighs of brass symbolized the Greek Empire headed by Alexander the Great. The feet of iron and clay stood for the Roman Empire, and the toes represented nations of the tribulation period.
Although Daniel, Chapter 2, does not mention the antichrist, Daniel’s later prophecies and the prophecies of the Revelation confirm that the 10 toes represent the 10 nations of the tribulation period which will conspire with the antichrist to rule the world. Jesus Christ, the stone made without hands, will deal the final blow to Gentile dominion when He destroys the antichrist and his evil empire.
Daniel 2:44-45
44 "And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.
45 "Inasmuch as you saw that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold-- the great God has made known to the king what will come to pass after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation is sure." (NKJ)
Today, we live in an age which is dedicated solely to the Church which is the Body of Christ. This a unique period of time in which God has set aside His plan and purpose for the nation of Israel. Paul said to Titus that being a member of the Church is a special calling.
Titus 2:14
14 (Christ) gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. (NKJ)
Our present Church age began with the setting aside of Israel's program about 30 years after the death of the Lord Jesus, and it will end with the rapture and resurrection of the Church. After the rapture and resurrection of the Church, God will once again call unto Himself the believing remnant of Israel as the antichrist rules the world in the final manifestation of gentile dominion over Israel.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Wednesday, April 14, 2004
During the tribulation period, the antichrist will rise to power through great deception. He will make a treaty with the Jews, but after 3½ years, he will break that treaty. He will turn on the Jews with all of the fury of Satan’s power. Paul warned the Thessalonian believers about the antichrist.
II Thessalonians 2:3-4
3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,
4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. (NKJ)
Paul said that, during the tribulation period, there will be a great falling away in which the religious world will be given strong delusion and will be deceived by the antichrist.
II Thessalonians 2:8-12
8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.
9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders,
10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie,
12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (NKJ)
However, Paul told Timothy that there will be a Satanic plot to corrupt doctrine within the Christian churches even during our present age.
I Timothy 4:1-2
1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,
2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, (NKJ)
I once heard a minister say that anyone who criticizes Christian churches has attacked Jesus Christ because the churches are the Body of Christ. In light of what Paul told Timothy, it would appear that we should be particularly critical of the earthly Christian churches. The earthly Christian churches have a long history of deception and tyranny. Are we to think that the earthly Christian churches of our time are immune to the demonic influences of the past? No. Paul says that those influences will increase in the latter times.
It would behoove each believer to question every doctrine taught in the Christian churches to see that the word of God is faithfully taught. As the Apostle Paul went preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, he found resistance in every city, but he praised those in Berea because they searched the scriptures to see if the things he taught were true.
Acts 17:10-11
10 Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. (NKJ)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
II Thessalonians 2:3-4
3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,
4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. (NKJ)
Paul said that, during the tribulation period, there will be a great falling away in which the religious world will be given strong delusion and will be deceived by the antichrist.
II Thessalonians 2:8-12
8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.
9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders,
10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie,
12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (NKJ)
However, Paul told Timothy that there will be a Satanic plot to corrupt doctrine within the Christian churches even during our present age.
I Timothy 4:1-2
1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,
2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, (NKJ)
I once heard a minister say that anyone who criticizes Christian churches has attacked Jesus Christ because the churches are the Body of Christ. In light of what Paul told Timothy, it would appear that we should be particularly critical of the earthly Christian churches. The earthly Christian churches have a long history of deception and tyranny. Are we to think that the earthly Christian churches of our time are immune to the demonic influences of the past? No. Paul says that those influences will increase in the latter times.
It would behoove each believer to question every doctrine taught in the Christian churches to see that the word of God is faithfully taught. As the Apostle Paul went preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, he found resistance in every city, but he praised those in Berea because they searched the scriptures to see if the things he taught were true.
Acts 17:10-11
10 Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. (NKJ)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Tuesday, April 13, 2004
The 70th week of Daniel is often called the tribulation period, and because each week in Daniel’s prophecy represents 7 years, we say that the tribulation period will last 7 years. However, Daniel never referred to the 70th week as the tribulation period. He simply said that in the middle of the 70th week the antichrist will break his treaty with the Jews, destroy Jerusalem and prohibit the offering of sacrifices in the temple.
We refer to the 70th week of Daniel as the tribulation period because of the Lord’s description of the 70th week in Matthew 24. In that description, Jesus referred to the cessation of temple sacrifices as the "abomination of desolation".
Matt 24:15-16,21
15 "Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand),
16 "then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
21 "For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. (NKJ)
Although the antichrist is the cause of this terrible tribulation, Daniel said the antichrist will rise to power through a promise of peace and prosperity.
Dan 8:23-25
23 "In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a stern-faced king, a master of intrigue, will arise.
24 He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy the mighty men and the holy people.
25 He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power. (NIV)
Though the antichrist preaches peace and prosperity, his promises will all be lies. In the middle of the 70th week, the antichrist will turn on his subjects and try to destroy all who do not worship him.
Rev 13:5-8
5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (KJV)
After the abomination of desolation, the antichrist will consolidate his power on earth to such an extent that no human power will be able to oppose him. He will rule unopposed until Jesus Christ returns with the clouds of heaven, followed by his army of immortal saints. When Christ returns at the end of the tribulation period, He will destroy the antichrist and cast him into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20).
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
We refer to the 70th week of Daniel as the tribulation period because of the Lord’s description of the 70th week in Matthew 24. In that description, Jesus referred to the cessation of temple sacrifices as the "abomination of desolation".
Matt 24:15-16,21
15 "Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand),
16 "then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
21 "For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. (NKJ)
Although the antichrist is the cause of this terrible tribulation, Daniel said the antichrist will rise to power through a promise of peace and prosperity.
Dan 8:23-25
23 "In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a stern-faced king, a master of intrigue, will arise.
24 He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy the mighty men and the holy people.
25 He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power. (NIV)
Though the antichrist preaches peace and prosperity, his promises will all be lies. In the middle of the 70th week, the antichrist will turn on his subjects and try to destroy all who do not worship him.
Rev 13:5-8
5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (KJV)
After the abomination of desolation, the antichrist will consolidate his power on earth to such an extent that no human power will be able to oppose him. He will rule unopposed until Jesus Christ returns with the clouds of heaven, followed by his army of immortal saints. When Christ returns at the end of the tribulation period, He will destroy the antichrist and cast him into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20).
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Monday, April 12, 2004
A little more than 2500 years ago, a man named Nebuchadnezzar ruled the Babylonian Empire, which was then the greatest empire in the world. He ruled from the city of Babylon which was about 30 miles south of present day Baghdad, Iraq. The prophet, Daniel, had been captured in Jerusalem and taken to Babylon, but Daniel was aware of Jeremiah’s prophecy concerning the return of the Jews to Jerusalem after 70 years in captivity (Daniel 9:2, Jeremiah 25:11). Daniel must have also known about Jeremiah’s prophecy concerning Israel’s New Covenant Kingdom (Jeremiah 31:31) because he asked God when that kingdom would come. In Daniel 9:24 the answer came.
Daniel 9:24-27
24 "Seventy weeks are determined for your people and for your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sins, to make reconciliation for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy.
25 "Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince, there shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublesome times.
26 "And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself; and the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be with a flood, and till the end of the war desolations are determined.
27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; but in the middle of the week he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, even until the consummation, which is determined, is poured out on the desolate." (NKJ)
It would be 70 weeks from the Jews’ return to Jerusalem to the New Covenant Kingdom. Daniel also found out that it would be a total of 69 weeks before the Messiah would come and be killed. After 69 weeks and the “cutting off” of the Messiah, a dark prince, know as the antichrist, would come and destroy Jerusalem and the temple. This evil prince would make a treaty with the Jews for one week and rule until the kingdom was established.
Did Daniel know how long each week would be? We do not know. But from the time Cyrus the Persian made the decree for the Jews to return to Jerusalem until Jesus Christ was killed was 483 years. This would make 69 weeks if each week is 7 years. Following the same time scale, the antichrist was to make a treaty with the Jews for 7 years before the New Covenant Kingdom was established.
This 7 year period is known as the 70th Week of Daniel, and, because of the Lord’s description of the 70th week in Matthew 24, it is also called the tribulation period. Daniel 9:27 is the only scriptural reference to indicate that the tribulation period will last 7 years. As John wrote about the tribulation period in the book of the Revelation, he never mentioned this seven year period, but in three different ways, he referred to a 3½ year period of tribulation. He referred to “time, times and a half time” (Revelation 12:14). He referred to 42 months (Revelation 11:2, Revelation 13:5). And he referred to 1260 days (Revelation 11:3, Revelation 12:6 – The Jewish calendar had 360 days per year). Daniel said the antichrist would break his treaty with the Jews in the middle of the 70th week, and it seems that the Apostle John’s prophecies in the Revelation concentrate more on those last 3½ years of Daniel’s 70th week.
As one reads Daniel’s prophecy, it is clear that the 70th week is set apart from the other 69 weeks, but there is no indication of a break in time between the 69th and the 70th week. It has now been nearly 2000 years since Jesus Christ was killed and neither the antichrist nor the kingdom has appeared.
It is obvious that Daniel did not see the age in which we now live. Our present age is a parenthetical age with a unique program which God did not reveal to the Old Testament prophets. This program was revealed to the Apostle Paul as a special stewardship concerning the Church which is the Body of Christ.
Colossians 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)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Daniel 9:24-27
24 "Seventy weeks are determined for your people and for your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sins, to make reconciliation for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy.
25 "Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince, there shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublesome times.
26 "And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself; and the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be with a flood, and till the end of the war desolations are determined.
27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; but in the middle of the week he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, even until the consummation, which is determined, is poured out on the desolate." (NKJ)
It would be 70 weeks from the Jews’ return to Jerusalem to the New Covenant Kingdom. Daniel also found out that it would be a total of 69 weeks before the Messiah would come and be killed. After 69 weeks and the “cutting off” of the Messiah, a dark prince, know as the antichrist, would come and destroy Jerusalem and the temple. This evil prince would make a treaty with the Jews for one week and rule until the kingdom was established.
Did Daniel know how long each week would be? We do not know. But from the time Cyrus the Persian made the decree for the Jews to return to Jerusalem until Jesus Christ was killed was 483 years. This would make 69 weeks if each week is 7 years. Following the same time scale, the antichrist was to make a treaty with the Jews for 7 years before the New Covenant Kingdom was established.
This 7 year period is known as the 70th Week of Daniel, and, because of the Lord’s description of the 70th week in Matthew 24, it is also called the tribulation period. Daniel 9:27 is the only scriptural reference to indicate that the tribulation period will last 7 years. As John wrote about the tribulation period in the book of the Revelation, he never mentioned this seven year period, but in three different ways, he referred to a 3½ year period of tribulation. He referred to “time, times and a half time” (Revelation 12:14). He referred to 42 months (Revelation 11:2, Revelation 13:5). And he referred to 1260 days (Revelation 11:3, Revelation 12:6 – The Jewish calendar had 360 days per year). Daniel said the antichrist would break his treaty with the Jews in the middle of the 70th week, and it seems that the Apostle John’s prophecies in the Revelation concentrate more on those last 3½ years of Daniel’s 70th week.
As one reads Daniel’s prophecy, it is clear that the 70th week is set apart from the other 69 weeks, but there is no indication of a break in time between the 69th and the 70th week. It has now been nearly 2000 years since Jesus Christ was killed and neither the antichrist nor the kingdom has appeared.
It is obvious that Daniel did not see the age in which we now live. Our present age is a parenthetical age with a unique program which God did not reveal to the Old Testament prophets. This program was revealed to the Apostle Paul as a special stewardship concerning the Church which is the Body of Christ.
Colossians 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)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Thursday, April 08, 2004
The disciples may have thought the world was about to come to an end as they asked the Lord Jesus about the end of the age in Matthew 24.
Matt 24:3
3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" (NKJ)
One has to wonder why the disciples would ask about the Lord’s coming when the Lord was already there. It seems apparent they understood that the coming of the Son of Man was going to be a grand and glorious event which was yet to come. The Lord had told them in Matthew 10:
Matt 10:23
23 "When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes. (NKJ)
The disciples may have known that Daniel said the Son of Man would come with the clouds of heaven to establish the kingdom.
Dan 7:13-14
13 "I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him.
14 Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed. (NKJ)
The Lord used similar terms as He described the coming of the Son of Man in Matthew 24.
Matt 24:29-30
29 "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
30 "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (NKJ)
Questions about the glorious coming of the Son of Man may have served to increase the mystery and sorrow when the Lord announced that He was going to be killed and raised again.
Matt 17:22-23
22 Now while they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men,
23 "and they will kill Him, and the third day He will be raised up." And they were exceedingly sorrowful. (NKJ)
We know now that it was His death, burial, resurrection and ascension that will bring to fruition the coming of the Son of Man.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Matt 24:3
3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" (NKJ)
One has to wonder why the disciples would ask about the Lord’s coming when the Lord was already there. It seems apparent they understood that the coming of the Son of Man was going to be a grand and glorious event which was yet to come. The Lord had told them in Matthew 10:
Matt 10:23
23 "When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes. (NKJ)
The disciples may have known that Daniel said the Son of Man would come with the clouds of heaven to establish the kingdom.
Dan 7:13-14
13 "I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him.
14 Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed. (NKJ)
The Lord used similar terms as He described the coming of the Son of Man in Matthew 24.
Matt 24:29-30
29 "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
30 "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (NKJ)
Questions about the glorious coming of the Son of Man may have served to increase the mystery and sorrow when the Lord announced that He was going to be killed and raised again.
Matt 17:22-23
22 Now while they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men,
23 "and they will kill Him, and the third day He will be raised up." And they were exceedingly sorrowful. (NKJ)
We know now that it was His death, burial, resurrection and ascension that will bring to fruition the coming of the Son of Man.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Wednesday, April 07, 2004
Shortly before the Lord Jesus was crucified, the disciples ask Him the question recorded in Matthew 24:3.
Matt 24:3
3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? (KJV)
The word translated world is aion which means age. The disciples knew that the kingdom of heaven was at hand and that the promise of the kingdom included the hope of a new heaven and a new earth.
Isa 65:17
17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. (KJV)
The Apostle John revealed in Revelation 20 that the Lord Jesus will rule the present earth for one thousand years before the New Heaven and New Earth is established.
Rev 20:4
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. (NKJ)
Since John did not reveal this information until 30 years after Christ’s death, the disciples would not have been aware of it. Neither did the disciples know about the age of our present dispensation concerning the Church which is the Body of Christ. The Apostle Paul said that the dispensation of the Church was revealed to him but had been kept secret even from the prophets of other ages.
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)
Since the Church age and the 1000 year reign of Christ lie between the crucifixion of Christ and the New Heaven and New Earth in God’s timeline for mankind, and since the disciples were aware of neither, it is reasonable to assume that, as the disciples asked Jesus about the end of the age, they may have thought that the world as they knew it was about to come to an end.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Matt 24:3
3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? (KJV)
The word translated world is aion which means age. The disciples knew that the kingdom of heaven was at hand and that the promise of the kingdom included the hope of a new heaven and a new earth.
Isa 65:17
17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. (KJV)
The Apostle John revealed in Revelation 20 that the Lord Jesus will rule the present earth for one thousand years before the New Heaven and New Earth is established.
Rev 20:4
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. (NKJ)
Since John did not reveal this information until 30 years after Christ’s death, the disciples would not have been aware of it. Neither did the disciples know about the age of our present dispensation concerning the Church which is the Body of Christ. The Apostle Paul said that the dispensation of the Church was revealed to him but had been kept secret even from the prophets of other ages.
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)
Since the Church age and the 1000 year reign of Christ lie between the crucifixion of Christ and the New Heaven and New Earth in God’s timeline for mankind, and since the disciples were aware of neither, it is reasonable to assume that, as the disciples asked Jesus about the end of the age, they may have thought that the world as they knew it was about to come to an end.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Tuesday, April 06, 2004
In our present age, when people believe that Christ died for their sins, they enter into a spiritual union with Christ. Instantaneously, the believer is spiritually united with Christ and seated with Christ in the heavenlies (Ephesians 2:6) as a member the Church which is the Body of Christ.
God’s earthly program, on the other hand, has always been administered by the nation of Israel, and Israel has always been required to perform certain earthly rituals in their worship. Circumcision was given through Abraham in Genesis 17, and the Passover was given through Moses in Exodus 12. As the children of Israel prepared to eat the first Passover and leave the land of Egypt, God instructed them that no uncircumcised male could partake of the Passover.
Three months after leaving Egypt, the nation of Israel came to the foot of Mt. Sinai where they received the Old Covenant Law. Circumcision and the Passover were both required observances of the law. Ten months after they arrived at Mt. Sinai, they partook of the second Passover feast, and one month later the nation of Israel left for the promised land.
The Lord led them to the border of the land of Canaan, and there at Kadesh Barnea the nation of Israel refused to enter the land. Their lack of faith brought the judgment of God, and they were sentenced to wander in the wilderness for forty years. After forty years, they came back to the land of Canaan, crossed the Jordan River and entered the promised land.
While the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they did not practice circumcision.
Joshua 5:5
5 For all the people who came out had been circumcised, but all the people born in the wilderness, on the way as they came out of Egypt, had not been circumcised. (NKJ)
After forty years in the wilderness, the nation of Israel entered the promised land, and there on the plains of Jericho, the men were circumcised. Only then could they partake of the Passover, which they did immediately after being circumcised.
Joshua 5:10
10 So the children of Israel camped in Gilgal, and kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight on the plains of Jericho. (NKJ)
Obviously, the rituals of the kingdom were set aside during the forty year postponement of the kingdom.
John the Baptist, the Lord Jesus and the disciples went to Israel preaching that the kingdom of heaven was at hand. After the Lord’s death, burial and resurrection, Paul revealed that this kingdom was to be none other than the New Covenant Kingdom promised by the prophets.
As God offered the New Covenant Kingdom, the believing Jews practiced all of the Old Covenant rituals as well as the New Covenant ritual of water baptism. God did many miracles to confirm the fact that they were on the border of the promised land once again. This time the promised land was planet earth, but as their forefathers had done so many years before, Israel refused to enter the kingdom because of their unbelief.
When Israel’s kingdom program was set aside as the end of the Acts period, God used the Apostle Paul to fully reveal the heavenly Church to which we belong today. The Church of our present age has no association with any earthly kingdom and, therefore, has no earthly rituals of worship.
.
Col 2:10-12
10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,
12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. (NKJ)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
God’s earthly program, on the other hand, has always been administered by the nation of Israel, and Israel has always been required to perform certain earthly rituals in their worship. Circumcision was given through Abraham in Genesis 17, and the Passover was given through Moses in Exodus 12. As the children of Israel prepared to eat the first Passover and leave the land of Egypt, God instructed them that no uncircumcised male could partake of the Passover.
Three months after leaving Egypt, the nation of Israel came to the foot of Mt. Sinai where they received the Old Covenant Law. Circumcision and the Passover were both required observances of the law. Ten months after they arrived at Mt. Sinai, they partook of the second Passover feast, and one month later the nation of Israel left for the promised land.
The Lord led them to the border of the land of Canaan, and there at Kadesh Barnea the nation of Israel refused to enter the land. Their lack of faith brought the judgment of God, and they were sentenced to wander in the wilderness for forty years. After forty years, they came back to the land of Canaan, crossed the Jordan River and entered the promised land.
While the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they did not practice circumcision.
Joshua 5:5
5 For all the people who came out had been circumcised, but all the people born in the wilderness, on the way as they came out of Egypt, had not been circumcised. (NKJ)
After forty years in the wilderness, the nation of Israel entered the promised land, and there on the plains of Jericho, the men were circumcised. Only then could they partake of the Passover, which they did immediately after being circumcised.
Joshua 5:10
10 So the children of Israel camped in Gilgal, and kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight on the plains of Jericho. (NKJ)
Obviously, the rituals of the kingdom were set aside during the forty year postponement of the kingdom.
John the Baptist, the Lord Jesus and the disciples went to Israel preaching that the kingdom of heaven was at hand. After the Lord’s death, burial and resurrection, Paul revealed that this kingdom was to be none other than the New Covenant Kingdom promised by the prophets.
As God offered the New Covenant Kingdom, the believing Jews practiced all of the Old Covenant rituals as well as the New Covenant ritual of water baptism. God did many miracles to confirm the fact that they were on the border of the promised land once again. This time the promised land was planet earth, but as their forefathers had done so many years before, Israel refused to enter the kingdom because of their unbelief.
When Israel’s kingdom program was set aside as the end of the Acts period, God used the Apostle Paul to fully reveal the heavenly Church to which we belong today. The Church of our present age has no association with any earthly kingdom and, therefore, has no earthly rituals of worship.
.
Col 2:10-12
10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,
12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. (NKJ)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Monday, April 05, 2004
Comparing the Lord's description of the end times in Matthew 24 with Paul's thoughts concerning the perilous last days of the Church in II Timothy 3 provides us with much food for thought. In Matthew 24, the Lord is clearly describing the tribulation period. He said that believers of that time should be looking for the abomination of desolation.
Matthew 24:15-16
15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: (KJV)
Daniel taught that the antichrist will make a treaty with Israel during the 7 year period that immediately precedes the kingdom. He also taught that in the middle of that 7 year period, the antichrist will break that treaty, capture the Jerusalem temple and prevent the daily sacrifices from being offered. The temple will, therefore, become desolate, and that will be an abomination to the Lord. In Matthew 24, the Lord said that this period of time will include the greatest tribulation the world has ever or will ever see.
Jesus also said that immediately after the tribulation of these days the Son of Man would come on the clouds of heaven and gather His elect from the four winds of heaven. This period of great tribulation, the second coming of Christ, and catching up of the elect all await a future fulfillment.
However, in II Timothy 3:1-5, Paul speaks of the last days of the Church which is the Body of Christ but does not include any mention of the antichrist, the abomination of desolation, or the extreme tribulation that the Lord Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24.
II Timothy 3:1-5
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (KJV)
This is clear evidence that the Church age will end before God resumes His dealings with Israel in the tribulation period. Paul indicated that the Church age will also end with the catching up of believers into the glory of heaven.
Col 3:4
4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. (NKJ)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Matthew 24:15-16
15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: (KJV)
Daniel taught that the antichrist will make a treaty with Israel during the 7 year period that immediately precedes the kingdom. He also taught that in the middle of that 7 year period, the antichrist will break that treaty, capture the Jerusalem temple and prevent the daily sacrifices from being offered. The temple will, therefore, become desolate, and that will be an abomination to the Lord. In Matthew 24, the Lord said that this period of time will include the greatest tribulation the world has ever or will ever see.
Jesus also said that immediately after the tribulation of these days the Son of Man would come on the clouds of heaven and gather His elect from the four winds of heaven. This period of great tribulation, the second coming of Christ, and catching up of the elect all await a future fulfillment.
However, in II Timothy 3:1-5, Paul speaks of the last days of the Church which is the Body of Christ but does not include any mention of the antichrist, the abomination of desolation, or the extreme tribulation that the Lord Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24.
II Timothy 3:1-5
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (KJV)
This is clear evidence that the Church age will end before God resumes His dealings with Israel in the tribulation period. Paul indicated that the Church age will also end with the catching up of believers into the glory of heaven.
Col 3:4
4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. (NKJ)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
Thursday, April 01, 2004
The Lord told Martha that He, Himself, is the resurrection and the life. He said that those who believe and then die, shall live again, while those who are alive at the time of the resurrection will never die.
In Matthew 24, the Lord Jesus said that there will be a resurrection and rapture of believers toward the end of the tribulation period just before the Lord comes to rule the earth. This was confirmed by the Apostle Paul in I Corinthians 15 and I Thessalonians 4.
In his prison epistles, Paul also taught that there will be a catching up of believers toward the end of our present age of the Church, the Body of Christ. In Colossians 3, he said:
Colossians 3:4
4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. (NKJ)
In each case, those caught up and those resurrected will be given immortal bodies like that of the Lord Jesus. But what happens to the believer between the time of death and the resurrection? Paul talked about that in II Corinthians 5.
II Corinthians 5:1-8
1 For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven,
3 if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked.
4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life.
5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord.
7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.
8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. (NKJ)
Paul was saying that if we die and this body returns to dust, God has prepared for us a new, eternal body. Since the time of the resurrection of Christ, the spirits of believers who die go directly into the presence of God, but those spirits go without a body. Paul essentially said he would much rather go to be with God in the rapture because then he could go into heaven with a body. However, Paul said that he was more than willing for his spirit to go into heaven without a body if that was God’s will, for to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.
Later, Paul wrote to the believers at Philippi and seemed much more at home with the idea of entering glory without a body.
Philippians 1:21-24
21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell.
23 For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.
24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. (NKJ)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
In Matthew 24, the Lord Jesus said that there will be a resurrection and rapture of believers toward the end of the tribulation period just before the Lord comes to rule the earth. This was confirmed by the Apostle Paul in I Corinthians 15 and I Thessalonians 4.
In his prison epistles, Paul also taught that there will be a catching up of believers toward the end of our present age of the Church, the Body of Christ. In Colossians 3, he said:
Colossians 3:4
4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. (NKJ)
In each case, those caught up and those resurrected will be given immortal bodies like that of the Lord Jesus. But what happens to the believer between the time of death and the resurrection? Paul talked about that in II Corinthians 5.
II Corinthians 5:1-8
1 For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven,
3 if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked.
4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life.
5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord.
7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.
8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. (NKJ)
Paul was saying that if we die and this body returns to dust, God has prepared for us a new, eternal body. Since the time of the resurrection of Christ, the spirits of believers who die go directly into the presence of God, but those spirits go without a body. Paul essentially said he would much rather go to be with God in the rapture because then he could go into heaven with a body. However, Paul said that he was more than willing for his spirit to go into heaven without a body if that was God’s will, for to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.
Later, Paul wrote to the believers at Philippi and seemed much more at home with the idea of entering glory without a body.
Philippians 1:21-24
21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell.
23 For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.
24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. (NKJ)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
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