In Genesis 4 we read that Cain and Able both brought sacrifices to the Lord Jesus Christ. Able brought an animal sacrifice while Cain brought an offering of produce he had harvested from the earth. The fruit of Cain represented the things of the earth which perish with the using (see Colossians 2:22). The animal sacrifice of Able represented the gift of life which is given from heaven. God accepted the sacrifice of Able but refused to accept the offering of Cain. However, He did give Cain some advice along with a warning.
Gen 4:7
7 "If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it." (NKJ)
Anyone in a position of authority should learn from this example of the Lord Jesus Christ. In this passage we see that God is a believer in due process for those who have committed a sin. First, He told Cain that what he did was unacceptable, and then He warned him that consequences would follow for continued disobedience.
The Apostle Paul describes the spiritual fruit of the earth in his letter to the Galatian believers.
Gal 5:19-21
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (KJV)
Cain’s heart was full of envy, strife, and murder. His offering was rejected, and his response was to kill his brother. Able’s sacrifice was accepted because his animal sacrifice was an acceptable picture of the sacrifice that Jesus Christ would make upon the cross of Calvary.
We today are called upon the bring an offering to Jesus Christ.
Rom 12:1-2
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (KJV)
As we experience spiritual union with Jesus Christ in His death, our bodies become a living sacrifice. Our responsibility is to offer that sacrifice to God so that God can fill our hearts with the fruit of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. In this way, we become an offering which is holy and acceptable unto God.
Gal 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (KJV)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Wednesday, April 30, 2003
Tuesday, April 29, 2003
We have seen that the person we know as the Lord Jesus Christ was Jehovah God of the Old Testament. Therefore, it was Jesus Christ who formed Adam out of the dust of the ground, and it was Jesus Christ who created Eve from one of Adam’s ribs. Adam and Eve enjoyed constant fellowship with Jesus Christ in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve had only one rule to live by. They were not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
The devil was determined to destroy Adam and Eve for he was jealous of their position of dominance over all things within the garden of God. The devil was very cunning and full of deceit and with his power of persuasion he convinced Adam and Eve to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Immediately, Adam and Eve knew what sin was, and they knew their own sinfulness. They made clothes of fig leaves for themselves to cover their nakedness.
As Jesus Christ came walking through the garden, they hid from Him. Jesus Christ confronted them with their sin and pronounced a curse upon them, upon the earth, and upon the devil. The sentence of death came upon Adam and Eve, for God had said that in the day they ate of the fruit they would surely die.
However, Jesus Christ had mercy on them, and He made coats of animal skin for Adam and Eve.
Gen 3:21
21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them. (KJV)
This is one of the earliest events of human history and in it we find that the shedding of blood was required to cover sin. This animal sacrifice pictured the sacrifice Jesus Christ would make on the cross of Calvary to save human beings from the consequence of sin.
The covering of animal skins was a picture of that which was to come, but it could never effectively take away sin or its consequences. Therefore, Adam and Eve did eventually die, and all of the descendants of Adam and Eve inherited the death that came upon them. However, when Jesus Christ gave His blood for the sins of the world, it provided a permanent solution for sin. John said that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but shall have everlasting life.
When Christ was resurrected from the grave, He took the spirits of Old Testament believers such as Adam and Eve with him into heaven.
Eph 4:8
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (KJV)
Since that day, when believers die, their spirits enter directly into heaven to dwell in the presence of the Lord. The spirits of all believers who have faced death from Adam and Eve to the present are waiting in heaven for the resurrection of their bodies. This will be a great day of rejoicing for all believers, and it will be a great victory over death and the devil.
1 Cor 15:54
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. (KJV)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
The devil was determined to destroy Adam and Eve for he was jealous of their position of dominance over all things within the garden of God. The devil was very cunning and full of deceit and with his power of persuasion he convinced Adam and Eve to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Immediately, Adam and Eve knew what sin was, and they knew their own sinfulness. They made clothes of fig leaves for themselves to cover their nakedness.
As Jesus Christ came walking through the garden, they hid from Him. Jesus Christ confronted them with their sin and pronounced a curse upon them, upon the earth, and upon the devil. The sentence of death came upon Adam and Eve, for God had said that in the day they ate of the fruit they would surely die.
However, Jesus Christ had mercy on them, and He made coats of animal skin for Adam and Eve.
Gen 3:21
21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them. (KJV)
This is one of the earliest events of human history and in it we find that the shedding of blood was required to cover sin. This animal sacrifice pictured the sacrifice Jesus Christ would make on the cross of Calvary to save human beings from the consequence of sin.
The covering of animal skins was a picture of that which was to come, but it could never effectively take away sin or its consequences. Therefore, Adam and Eve did eventually die, and all of the descendants of Adam and Eve inherited the death that came upon them. However, when Jesus Christ gave His blood for the sins of the world, it provided a permanent solution for sin. John said that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but shall have everlasting life.
When Christ was resurrected from the grave, He took the spirits of Old Testament believers such as Adam and Eve with him into heaven.
Eph 4:8
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (KJV)
Since that day, when believers die, their spirits enter directly into heaven to dwell in the presence of the Lord. The spirits of all believers who have faced death from Adam and Eve to the present are waiting in heaven for the resurrection of their bodies. This will be a great day of rejoicing for all believers, and it will be a great victory over death and the devil.
1 Cor 15:54
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. (KJV)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Monday, April 28, 2003
Jerusalem had been charged with excitement ever since the news broke that Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead, and then a spontaneous parade erupted as Jesus entered Jerusalem for the passover. In that parade the people yelled, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" But the Apostle John declared the spiritual reality concerning the hearts of the Jewish people.
John 12:37-41
37 Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him.
38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: "Lord, who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?"
39 For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere:
40 "He has blinded their eyes and deadened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn-- and I would heal them."
41 Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus' glory and spoke about him. (NIV)
Verses 40 and 41 refer back to the events of Isaiah chapter 6 when Isaiah saw Jehovah God sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up. Isaiah confessed his sinfulness as he saw the righteousness of the Lord.
Isa 6:5
5 Then said (Isaiah), Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. (KJV)
The Lord called Isaiah to preach but warned him that no one would listen.
Isa 6:9-10
9 And (the Lord said to Isaiah), Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.
10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. (KJV)
John said that when Isaiah saw Jehovah God, he actually saw Jesus Christ in all of His glory.
41 Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus' glory and spoke about him.
Isaiah knew that someday Jehovah God would come to earth in the person of Jesus Christ.
John 1:14
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (KJV)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III's link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Friday, April 25, 2003
The creation was a team project of the three persons of the Godhead: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
In Gen 2:26 we read:
26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. (KJV)
The Apostle Paul revealed in Colossians that Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God and the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Col 1:15, Col 2:9). Therefore, man was created in the image of Jesus Christ.
Paul also revealed that it was the Lord Jesus who was the active participant in the events of creation.
Col 1:16-17
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. (KJV)
This was confirmed by the Apostle John.
John 1:1-3
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.(KJV)
The Old Testament prophets proclaimed that Jehovah was the creator of heaven and earth.
Isa 45:18
18 For thus saith the LORD (Jehovah) that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD (Jehovah); and there is none else. (KJV)
The scriptures conclude that Jesus Christ is Jehovah. Jehovah accepted a body of flesh and was born of the virgin Mary. He died on the cross of Calvary for the sins of the world that those who believe could have eternal life. Every person will someday stand before Jesus Christ at the day of judgement. At that time it will be very clear to everyone that Jesus Christ is the Lord, Jehovah.
Phil 2:5-11
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (KJV)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
In Gen 2:26 we read:
26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. (KJV)
The Apostle Paul revealed in Colossians that Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God and the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Col 1:15, Col 2:9). Therefore, man was created in the image of Jesus Christ.
Paul also revealed that it was the Lord Jesus who was the active participant in the events of creation.
Col 1:16-17
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. (KJV)
This was confirmed by the Apostle John.
John 1:1-3
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.(KJV)
The Old Testament prophets proclaimed that Jehovah was the creator of heaven and earth.
Isa 45:18
18 For thus saith the LORD (Jehovah) that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD (Jehovah); and there is none else. (KJV)
The scriptures conclude that Jesus Christ is Jehovah. Jehovah accepted a body of flesh and was born of the virgin Mary. He died on the cross of Calvary for the sins of the world that those who believe could have eternal life. Every person will someday stand before Jesus Christ at the day of judgement. At that time it will be very clear to everyone that Jesus Christ is the Lord, Jehovah.
Phil 2:5-11
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (KJV)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Thursday, April 24, 2003
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth (Gen 1:1). Truly, we serve an awesome God. He created all things out of nothing. As the creator, God has full authority over the creation and has the right to require whatever He wants from His creation. Some wonder how there could be a God when there is so much evil in the world. C.S. Lewis rightly pointed out that if there was no God, there would be no standard by which to judge good and evil. God, Himself, is the standard. The presence of good and evil actually confirm the reality of God. God gave the Bible to reveal Himself to the humans He created.
As we read the account of creation in Genesis, we find that God refers to Himself as Elohim and as Jehovah.
Elohim created heaven and earth.
Gen 1:1
1 In the beginning God (Elohim) created the heaven and the earth. (KJV)
Jehovah created the earth and the heavens.
Gen 2:4
4 These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God (Jehovah) made the earth and the heavens, (KJV)
Elohim created man.
Gen 1:26-27
26 And God (Elohim) said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
27 So God (Elohim) created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. (KJV)
Jehovah formed man.
Gen 2:7
7 And the LORD God (Jehovah) formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (KJV)
This illustrates that there is no name which can fully declare the glory of God. God is infinite and there is no word which can fully ascribe to Him the appropriate attributes.
God spoke to Moses from the burning bush when He sent Moses to Egypt to deliver the Israelites. Moses asked Who he should say had sent him.
Exod 3:13-14
13 And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?
14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. (KJV)
God’s glory is beyond our human comprehension. All that we know of God is what we see in Jesus Christ.
John 14:8-9
8 Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us."
9 Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'?(NKJ)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
As we read the account of creation in Genesis, we find that God refers to Himself as Elohim and as Jehovah.
Elohim created heaven and earth.
Gen 1:1
1 In the beginning God (Elohim) created the heaven and the earth. (KJV)
Jehovah created the earth and the heavens.
Gen 2:4
4 These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God (Jehovah) made the earth and the heavens, (KJV)
Elohim created man.
Gen 1:26-27
26 And God (Elohim) said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
27 So God (Elohim) created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. (KJV)
Jehovah formed man.
Gen 2:7
7 And the LORD God (Jehovah) formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (KJV)
This illustrates that there is no name which can fully declare the glory of God. God is infinite and there is no word which can fully ascribe to Him the appropriate attributes.
God spoke to Moses from the burning bush when He sent Moses to Egypt to deliver the Israelites. Moses asked Who he should say had sent him.
Exod 3:13-14
13 And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?
14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. (KJV)
God’s glory is beyond our human comprehension. All that we know of God is what we see in Jesus Christ.
John 14:8-9
8 Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us."
9 Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'?(NKJ)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Wednesday, April 23, 2003
In Gen 12:1-3 we read:
1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. (KJV)
The blessing which God pronounced upon Abraham and his descendants was passed down to Isaac but not Ishmael, and it was passed down to Jacob but not Esau. It was passed down only to those who had faith in the God of Abraham. Only those who had faith in God left Egypt with Moses for the promised land. God had prepared Moses and the nation of Israel to enter the promised land and receive the Old Covenant Kingdom, but only Moses, Caleb and Joshua had the faith to believe that God would give them victory over their enemies in the land.
Because most of the nation of Israel refused to enter the land, God announced that they would be punished with forty years of wandering in the wilderness. The people became terrified at that prospect and some of the Jews decided that they would enter the land after all. Moses warned them not to try it because the power of God would not be with them. They entered the land and were slaughtered by the Canaanites. Only after forty years in the wilderness did the nation of Israel enter the promised land and receive the kingdom of the Old Covenant.
When the Lord Jesus came to earth, He offered the nation of Israel the New Covenant Kingdom, which was to be the ultimate fulfillment of God’s blessing to Abraham. Again, the nation of Israel refused to enter the promised land because of their unbelief. As a result, God set aside His promises to Abraham. In our present age, Israel has no special purpose among the nations. However, God has not forsaken His promise to Abraham. God will someday bring the nation of Israel back to the promised land, and they will enter the land through faith and will receive the kingdom of the New Covenant.
Today, there are some Jews who want to take the promised land by force, thinking that it is God’s plan for them to do so. They need to be warned that God is not with them in this effort. They will fail miserably. In fact their efforts will result in the ultimate reign of the antichrist who will slaughter those who try to take the land in their own might.
Daniel prophesied in Dan 11:13-14:
13 For the king of the north shall return, and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former, and shall certainly come after certain years with a great army and with much riches.
14 And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south: also the robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall. (KJV)
It is not wrong for Israel to have a nation today, but it would be wrong for the nation of Israel to try to take the promise of God by force. When Jesus Christ returns to establish the New Covenant Kingdom, He will defeat the antichrist and give the promised land to a small group of Jewish believers who have faithfully waited upon the Lord. These faithful Jews will be protected in the wilderness during the holocaust of the antichrist just as their forefathers were protected in the wilderness just before the Old Covenant Kingdom.
Today, it is most important that believers teach the nation of Israel about the truth of Jesus Christ and warn the nation of Israel of the dangers of trying to take the promised land by force. It is still true that God will bless those who bless Israel, but believers need to do some serious thinking about the best way to bless Israel.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. (KJV)
The blessing which God pronounced upon Abraham and his descendants was passed down to Isaac but not Ishmael, and it was passed down to Jacob but not Esau. It was passed down only to those who had faith in the God of Abraham. Only those who had faith in God left Egypt with Moses for the promised land. God had prepared Moses and the nation of Israel to enter the promised land and receive the Old Covenant Kingdom, but only Moses, Caleb and Joshua had the faith to believe that God would give them victory over their enemies in the land.
Because most of the nation of Israel refused to enter the land, God announced that they would be punished with forty years of wandering in the wilderness. The people became terrified at that prospect and some of the Jews decided that they would enter the land after all. Moses warned them not to try it because the power of God would not be with them. They entered the land and were slaughtered by the Canaanites. Only after forty years in the wilderness did the nation of Israel enter the promised land and receive the kingdom of the Old Covenant.
When the Lord Jesus came to earth, He offered the nation of Israel the New Covenant Kingdom, which was to be the ultimate fulfillment of God’s blessing to Abraham. Again, the nation of Israel refused to enter the promised land because of their unbelief. As a result, God set aside His promises to Abraham. In our present age, Israel has no special purpose among the nations. However, God has not forsaken His promise to Abraham. God will someday bring the nation of Israel back to the promised land, and they will enter the land through faith and will receive the kingdom of the New Covenant.
Today, there are some Jews who want to take the promised land by force, thinking that it is God’s plan for them to do so. They need to be warned that God is not with them in this effort. They will fail miserably. In fact their efforts will result in the ultimate reign of the antichrist who will slaughter those who try to take the land in their own might.
Daniel prophesied in Dan 11:13-14:
13 For the king of the north shall return, and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former, and shall certainly come after certain years with a great army and with much riches.
14 And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south: also the robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall. (KJV)
It is not wrong for Israel to have a nation today, but it would be wrong for the nation of Israel to try to take the promise of God by force. When Jesus Christ returns to establish the New Covenant Kingdom, He will defeat the antichrist and give the promised land to a small group of Jewish believers who have faithfully waited upon the Lord. These faithful Jews will be protected in the wilderness during the holocaust of the antichrist just as their forefathers were protected in the wilderness just before the Old Covenant Kingdom.
Today, it is most important that believers teach the nation of Israel about the truth of Jesus Christ and warn the nation of Israel of the dangers of trying to take the promised land by force. It is still true that God will bless those who bless Israel, but believers need to do some serious thinking about the best way to bless Israel.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Tuesday, April 22, 2003
Since believers today have the power of the Holy Spirit within them, why can’t we establish the spiritual kingdom of God on the earth? That is a question which theologians have debated for nearly 2 thousand years. Some say that we can and that we are. Others say that it can not happen until Christ returns to personally rule on the earth. As you may have guessed, I hold the latter view. The reason it this. Today, God has ordained in His perfect wisdom to allow the devil to have great power and authority within the world system. In fact, the Apostle Paul said that the devil is the “god of this world”.
2 Cor 4:3-4
3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (KJV)
The devil has very little power over believers today who are yielded to the power of the Holy Spirit.
I Jn 4:4
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)
However, the devil has used his power and authority to ensure that success within our present world system depends upon playing the devil’s game. For Christians to rule the world today, they would have to gain power by means of deceit and manipulation. Then to maintain power, they would have to abuse human rights and severely limit individual liberties. These methods will never establish a spiritual kingdom.
Reportedly, D.L. Moody said that our world is a sinking ship, and it is not our job to save the ship. It is our job to rescue as many people as we can before the ship goes down.
Some see it as pessimistic to say that we can not reform this world. To some this appears to limit the power of God. However, accepting the truth of God’s word as the blueprint for our goals and activities will prevent us from wasting time going in the wrong direction. Today believers can effectively work to make this world better but should focus on sharing the love of Jesus Christ with those who are under Satan’s spell. This can be done in any job including politically oriented jobs. We simply have to focus on our true mission. Jesus said that there are many who are waiting to hear the gospel.
John 4:35
35 . . . behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. (KJV)
When the Lord Jesus returns to set up the New Covenant Kingdom, not only will the world have the personal presence of the Lord Jesus, but the devil will be stripped of all of his power.
Rev 20:1-3
1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled . . . (KJV)
During the kingdom, human hearts will be filled with the Spirit of God, the curse will be lifted from the earth, and the world system will operate on the basis of true liberty and justice for all.
Micah 4:3
3 He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. (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
2 Cor 4:3-4
3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (KJV)
The devil has very little power over believers today who are yielded to the power of the Holy Spirit.
I Jn 4:4
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)
However, the devil has used his power and authority to ensure that success within our present world system depends upon playing the devil’s game. For Christians to rule the world today, they would have to gain power by means of deceit and manipulation. Then to maintain power, they would have to abuse human rights and severely limit individual liberties. These methods will never establish a spiritual kingdom.
Reportedly, D.L. Moody said that our world is a sinking ship, and it is not our job to save the ship. It is our job to rescue as many people as we can before the ship goes down.
Some see it as pessimistic to say that we can not reform this world. To some this appears to limit the power of God. However, accepting the truth of God’s word as the blueprint for our goals and activities will prevent us from wasting time going in the wrong direction. Today believers can effectively work to make this world better but should focus on sharing the love of Jesus Christ with those who are under Satan’s spell. This can be done in any job including politically oriented jobs. We simply have to focus on our true mission. Jesus said that there are many who are waiting to hear the gospel.
John 4:35
35 . . . behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. (KJV)
When the Lord Jesus returns to set up the New Covenant Kingdom, not only will the world have the personal presence of the Lord Jesus, but the devil will be stripped of all of his power.
Rev 20:1-3
1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled . . . (KJV)
During the kingdom, human hearts will be filled with the Spirit of God, the curse will be lifted from the earth, and the world system will operate on the basis of true liberty and justice for all.
Micah 4:3
3 He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. (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
Monday, April 21, 2003
The dispensations of God regarding His covenants with Israel were characterized by their association with the physical world. In the Old Covenant, Israel had a physical kingdom in which they offered physical tithes by means of physical sacrifices. They observed the physical sabbath day and numerous feast days. They also had various ceremonial washings with physical water.
During the time that the New Covenant kingdom was being offered to the nation of Israel by John the Baptist, the Lord Jesus and the apostles, there were many physical miracles, wonders, and signs that God gave to the Jews to demonstrate the validity of the offer.
When Jesus Christ returns to establish the New Covenant, Israel will again have a physical kingdom in which physical tithes are offered. The Bible says that the entire nation of Israel will serve as a nation of priests who will administer the various physical ceremonies and who will serve as judges for the nations of the world.
However, our present dispensation of the Church which is the Body of Christ is characterized by its association with the spiritual realm. We have spiritual immersion (baptism) into the Body of Christ. We enjoy the spiritual rest (sabbath) that we find in the Lord Jesus. We are spiritually translated into a heavenly kingdom. We enjoy spiritual miracles such as the gift of a heart that is characterized by love, joy, peace, longsuffering and all of the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
The Apostle Paul said that believers today enjoy all spiritual blessings as a result of our spiritual union with Christ. He said:
Col 2:10-12
10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
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)
The physical realm is but an empty shell without the spiritual reality just as the physical human body is dead without the spirit. Physical water baptism was only a picture of the spiritual immersion of the believer into Christ. Physical circumcision was merely a picture of the believer's identification with Christ in His death and the cutting away of the lusts of the flesh. This physical world has only a secondary significance for believers today because we are citizens of heaven (Phil. 3: 20), and we set our affections on things above (Col. 3:2).
When Christ returns to establish the New Covenant, this world will experience both the physical presence of the Lord Jesus and the spiritual power of the Holy Spirit. The world will witness a physical kingdom which is established in the power of the spiritual kingdom. Israel will be filled with the Holy Spirit and will bless the world with a government based in the truth and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. In our dispensation of the Church, we experience the spiritual blessings of Christ within our hearts. In the New Covenant dispensation, the spiritual blessings of Christ will take root in the hearts of the believers and will bring forth fruit in the political and social structures of the world. Tomorrow we will look at the reason that can not happen today.
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
During the time that the New Covenant kingdom was being offered to the nation of Israel by John the Baptist, the Lord Jesus and the apostles, there were many physical miracles, wonders, and signs that God gave to the Jews to demonstrate the validity of the offer.
When Jesus Christ returns to establish the New Covenant, Israel will again have a physical kingdom in which physical tithes are offered. The Bible says that the entire nation of Israel will serve as a nation of priests who will administer the various physical ceremonies and who will serve as judges for the nations of the world.
However, our present dispensation of the Church which is the Body of Christ is characterized by its association with the spiritual realm. We have spiritual immersion (baptism) into the Body of Christ. We enjoy the spiritual rest (sabbath) that we find in the Lord Jesus. We are spiritually translated into a heavenly kingdom. We enjoy spiritual miracles such as the gift of a heart that is characterized by love, joy, peace, longsuffering and all of the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
The Apostle Paul said that believers today enjoy all spiritual blessings as a result of our spiritual union with Christ. He said:
Col 2:10-12
10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
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)
The physical realm is but an empty shell without the spiritual reality just as the physical human body is dead without the spirit. Physical water baptism was only a picture of the spiritual immersion of the believer into Christ. Physical circumcision was merely a picture of the believer's identification with Christ in His death and the cutting away of the lusts of the flesh. This physical world has only a secondary significance for believers today because we are citizens of heaven (Phil. 3: 20), and we set our affections on things above (Col. 3:2).
When Christ returns to establish the New Covenant, this world will experience both the physical presence of the Lord Jesus and the spiritual power of the Holy Spirit. The world will witness a physical kingdom which is established in the power of the spiritual kingdom. Israel will be filled with the Holy Spirit and will bless the world with a government based in the truth and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. In our dispensation of the Church, we experience the spiritual blessings of Christ within our hearts. In the New Covenant dispensation, the spiritual blessings of Christ will take root in the hearts of the believers and will bring forth fruit in the political and social structures of the world. Tomorrow we will look at the reason that can not happen today.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Thursday, April 17, 2003
We have seen that Paul taught that each believer is in Christ and that the Spirit of Christ is in each believer. He also taught that this union resulted in believers becoming part of the body of Christ in a spiritual sense. Paul’s description of the body of Christ in his early epistles was very informal. Paul’s later epistles include Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians, and in these epistles, Paul formally presents the institution of the Church which is the Body of Christ.
Eph 1:22-23
22 (God) put all things under (Christ’s) feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (KJV)
Not only does this verse show the Body as an institution, it shows an institutional structure in which Christ is the Head of the Body. This is emphasized again in Colossians.
Col 1:18
18 And (Christ) is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. (KJV)
In I Corinthians 11:3, Paul said that Christ is the head of every man but made no mention of Christ being the head of the body. In I Corinthians 12:21, Paul made a general reference to the head of the body of Christ, but he said nothing about Christ being the head of that body. During the Acts period, when the Corinthian letters were written, God was working within the framework of His covenants with Israel, and it is only logical that God would not reveal his dispensation regarding the institution of the Church which is the Body of Christ until after His institutional relationship with Israel was set aside.
After Israel’s covenant program was set aside at the end of the book of Acts, God called Paul to tell the world about the institution of the Church which required a new dispensation from God. In II Corinthians 3:6, Paul said that he was a minister of the new covenant which was given to Israel, but in the later epistles Paul was emphatic about the fact that he was the minister of a new dispensation in which God was calling believers into a spiritual, institutional Church in the heavenlies. It was a Church whose members were chosen by God based on His knowledge of their faith in Christ. God revealed to Paul the details of this new dispensation which Paul called “the mystery” because it had never been revealed to any other prophet. Paul sensed the urgency of letting people know about the changes that had taken place.
Eph 3:8-9
8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: (KJV)
As magnificent as this new institution is, Paul never lost sight of the fact that the whole thing hinges on the faith of the individual believer and upon the spiritual union that exists between Christ and the believer. The following passage in Colossians reveals the continuing significance of this doctrine in Paul’s life and ministry.
Col 1:24-27
24 (I) now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and . . . the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:
25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: (KJV)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Eph 1:22-23
22 (God) put all things under (Christ’s) feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (KJV)
Not only does this verse show the Body as an institution, it shows an institutional structure in which Christ is the Head of the Body. This is emphasized again in Colossians.
Col 1:18
18 And (Christ) is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. (KJV)
In I Corinthians 11:3, Paul said that Christ is the head of every man but made no mention of Christ being the head of the body. In I Corinthians 12:21, Paul made a general reference to the head of the body of Christ, but he said nothing about Christ being the head of that body. During the Acts period, when the Corinthian letters were written, God was working within the framework of His covenants with Israel, and it is only logical that God would not reveal his dispensation regarding the institution of the Church which is the Body of Christ until after His institutional relationship with Israel was set aside.
After Israel’s covenant program was set aside at the end of the book of Acts, God called Paul to tell the world about the institution of the Church which required a new dispensation from God. In II Corinthians 3:6, Paul said that he was a minister of the new covenant which was given to Israel, but in the later epistles Paul was emphatic about the fact that he was the minister of a new dispensation in which God was calling believers into a spiritual, institutional Church in the heavenlies. It was a Church whose members were chosen by God based on His knowledge of their faith in Christ. God revealed to Paul the details of this new dispensation which Paul called “the mystery” because it had never been revealed to any other prophet. Paul sensed the urgency of letting people know about the changes that had taken place.
Eph 3:8-9
8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: (KJV)
As magnificent as this new institution is, Paul never lost sight of the fact that the whole thing hinges on the faith of the individual believer and upon the spiritual union that exists between Christ and the believer. The following passage in Colossians reveals the continuing significance of this doctrine in Paul’s life and ministry.
Col 1:24-27
24 (I) now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and . . . the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:
25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: (KJV)
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Wednesday, April 16, 2003
The spiritual union that exists between Christ and the believer is the central concept of all of Paul’s doctrine. Paul teaches that believers are in Christ, and that Christ is in every believer.
Rom 8:1
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus . . . (KJV)
Rom 8:9
9 . . . Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. (KJV)
Furthermore, Paul says that as believers become part of Christ, they become part of his body.
1 Cor 12:12-14
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit are we all (immersed) into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
14 For the body is not one member, but many. (KJV)
1 Cor 12:27
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. (KJV)
Rom 12:4-6
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us . . . (KJV)
Paul penned these thoughts around 58 A.D., and Paul’s description of believers as the body of Christ in very informal. In fact, it is so informal that it almost appears to be just an analogy. What it was in Paul’s mind at this time we do not know, but what it would become as a result of further revelation we do know because of what Paul wrote about the Church which is the Body of Christ in Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians.
Paul was imprisoned in Rome about 62 A.D. It was there that Paul made the final pronouncement that God had set aside His wife, the nation of Israel, for her infidelity. God had taken Israel as His wife as a part of the Old Covenant. Christ and the apostles had offered Israel the restoration of the marriage through the New Covenant. Israel rejected Christ and the New Covenant.
The letters Paul wrote after 62 A.D. include Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians, and in these epistles we find no reference to the New Covenant. In fact, in Ephesians, Paul said that God had revealed to him a mystery concerning a new dispensation of God in which Israel had no place of prominence and that this mystery had been kept secret since before the creation. Paul wrote:
Eph 3:3-7
3 . . . by revelation (God) made known unto me the mystery . . .
5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men . . .
6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. (KJV)
This new revelation had a profound effect on Paul’s understanding of the body of Christ, which is readily seen throughout Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link: http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Rom 8:1
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus . . . (KJV)
Rom 8:9
9 . . . Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. (KJV)
Furthermore, Paul says that as believers become part of Christ, they become part of his body.
1 Cor 12:12-14
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit are we all (immersed) into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
14 For the body is not one member, but many. (KJV)
1 Cor 12:27
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. (KJV)
Rom 12:4-6
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us . . . (KJV)
Paul penned these thoughts around 58 A.D., and Paul’s description of believers as the body of Christ in very informal. In fact, it is so informal that it almost appears to be just an analogy. What it was in Paul’s mind at this time we do not know, but what it would become as a result of further revelation we do know because of what Paul wrote about the Church which is the Body of Christ in Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians.
Paul was imprisoned in Rome about 62 A.D. It was there that Paul made the final pronouncement that God had set aside His wife, the nation of Israel, for her infidelity. God had taken Israel as His wife as a part of the Old Covenant. Christ and the apostles had offered Israel the restoration of the marriage through the New Covenant. Israel rejected Christ and the New Covenant.
The letters Paul wrote after 62 A.D. include Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians, and in these epistles we find no reference to the New Covenant. In fact, in Ephesians, Paul said that God had revealed to him a mystery concerning a new dispensation of God in which Israel had no place of prominence and that this mystery had been kept secret since before the creation. Paul wrote:
Eph 3:3-7
3 . . . by revelation (God) made known unto me the mystery . . .
5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men . . .
6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. (KJV)
This new revelation had a profound effect on Paul’s understanding of the body of Christ, which is readily seen throughout Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians.
Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link: http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
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