Tag Archives: God’s Word

Creation Week – Day 4

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For centuries the understanding of the first day of creation has caused mass confusion. In my first post in this series, I demonstrated that the “light,” created by God that first day was the electromagnetic field – not the sun. As we follow along chronologically, the second day the waters were divided and the firmament installed, the third day the seas and land were separated and vegetation appeared. And here is where day-age theorists run into trouble.

If the plants were created on the third day – how did they photosynthesize for 1,000 years or more until the sun was created on the fourth “day?”

“And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years; And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth; and it was so. And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night; He made the stars also.

And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness; And God saw that it was good. And the evening and the morning were the first day. Genesis 1:13-19

Just some quick facts for evolutionists to ponder. If the planets and their 72 known moons evolved from the same materials – should they not share similar characteristics?

  1. All planets should spin in the same direction, but Venus, Uranus, and Pluto spin backwards.
  2. All 72 moons in our solar system should orbit their planets in the same fashion, but 8 are known to orbit backwards.
  3. The orbits of these 72 moons should lie in the equatorial plane of the planet they are orbiting, but there are many that have inclined orbits, including our own moon.
  4. Our sun is about 98% hydrogen or helium. If Big Bang and planetary evolution are true – the closest planets to the Sun, Earth, Mars, Venus, and Mercury should share the same composition, but they don’t. The four closest planets to the Sun are less than 1% helium or hydrogen.

More from the Bible – “As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured: so will I multiply the seed of David My servant, and the Levites that minister unto Me.” Jeremiah 33:22 This was written at a time when only 5,000 stars were visible to the human eye. Since the invention of the telescope in the 17th century, today astronomers estimate there are at least ten thousand billion trillion stars.

God knows how many stars there are – “He telleth the number of the stars; He calleth them all by their names.” Psalm 147:4

Until the 16th century, geocentricity was the widely held belief, but 3,000 years ago it was written in the Word that. . .

4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, 5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. 6 His (the sun’s) going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit ( the sun’s) unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. Psalm 19:4-6

Each star is unique –

There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differeth from another star in glory. 1 Corinthians 15:41

sage

Creation Week – Day 2

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Water, water everywhere. And quite a bit of it is drinkable. It is necessary for life, for even the most simple bacteria require water molecules within their Periplasmic space to function.  Something to consider also – just as nothing living can survive without water, so nothing Spiritual can survive without Living Water.  Water can exist in three states simultaneously, solid, liquid, gas, and Living Water exists in Three states simultaneously, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 

And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day. Genesis 1: 6-8

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What is the firmament? Mentioned five times in this passage – it should not be overlooked. If we think about modern insulated windows, which trap inert gases, such as Argon, between the panes, it should not be too hard to understand.

Air in cavity between glass panes of insulated glass is usually dried by desiccant filled inside space bars prior to sealing. As insulated glass technology develops, Instead of air, dry nitrogen is used to further improve thermal conductivity. Nowadays, less conductive and slower-moving inert gases such as argon and krypton are extensively used instead. Inert gas moves or transfers hot or cold through the space at a much slower rate than air. These inert gases provide optimum insulation performances. They further reduce heat and sound transfer from one side of the double glazed unit to the other. http://xinology.com:888/Glass-Processing-Equipments-Supplies-Consumables/glass-insulating/inert-gas-filling-system/introduction.html

It is known that Venus and Saturn’s moon – Titus, both have dense canopies. Various scientists have made postulations worthy of considering in the light of Scripture. It won’t serve to detail them all here, but they all share one common theme. At a point in earth’s history – there was a dense layer of water surrounding the earth – nothing like the atmosphere we have now – but something like what we see in modern window and greenhouse applications. This firmament, with billions and billions of tons of water,  trapped between the layers, would have made the earth’s entire climate much like a tropical greenhouse, with consistent temperature globally.

Besides the obvious benefit of consistent warm temperature, there are some other things to ponder about God’s “very good” creation. Just these few qualities would be a boon to all life:

  1. increased air pressure
  2. stronger magnetic field
  3. slightly higher carbon dioxide and oxygen
  4. warmer soil
  5. warmer water

And the results of these ideal conditions?

  1. longer life spans
  2. minimal disease
  3. increased stamina
  4. gigantic plant and animal specimens of some plant and animal species that continue to grow for their entire life span

A patient receives treatment in a state-of-the-art Sechrist Monoplace
Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber

Used to treat burn, stroke, MS, cerebral palsy. . .

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But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. John 4: 14

For an in depth and scholarly study of the term – firmament – or in the Hebrew – raqia  – see here. 

sage

The New Birth – #5 – Threefold Proof of the New Birth

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Every truly born-again person, has the threefold proof of the New Birth:

  1. Inward proof
  2. Outgoing proof
  3. Outward proof

1 John 5:1

 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth Him that begat loveth Him also that is begotten of Him.

1.  “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.”  Personal faith in Christ – that He is GOD – is personal evidence that the born-again individual is a child of God.

  1 John 5: 10, 13 – He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made Him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of His Son.

  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.  This is INWARD proof of the New Birth.

1 John 4:7-11

7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.

10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

2. “Everyone that loveth is born of God.”  We are to love mankind with the love of God.  Our sinful flesh is not capable of loving what is unlovable;  we must allow God to love mankind through us.  Rom. 5:5 – And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.  God’s love for man, expressed through truly born-again souls, is OUTGOING proof of the New Birth. 

1 John 2:29

If ye know that He is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of Him. 

3.  “. . .every one that doeth righteousness is born of Him.”  When we are genuinely converted, and born anew, we will make a practice of doing right at all times and at all costs!  2 Cor. 5:17- Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  This is OUTWARD proof of the New Birth. 

Dear Readers,  If you do not have the threefold proof of the New Birth as demonstrated in Scripture,  now is the time to get on your knees and accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior.  And when using the term “personal,” it simply means that it is between you and the Lord – no one can do it for you.  There is NO SALVATION  through  your priest, Pope, rabbi, minister, father, mother, family, religion, cult, ritual,  self-help program or book.  You must have saving faith in His vicarious death, burial, and bodily resurrection –  believing that He Personally  experienced torturous death in your place, and overcame the tomb by the power of His Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 6:2

(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

Tomorrow may be too late!

The New Birth – #4 – The Only Means

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John 3:14-15

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Numbers 21:5-9

5 And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.

6 And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.

7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, and against thee; pray unto the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.

8 And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.

9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

Moses lifted up the serpent for a sinful, disobedient people.  Anyone bitten by the fiery serpents was given a choice.  With an act of faith and humility, he could simply look at the brazen serpent and live – 0r – with an act of stubbornness and pride, he could refuse to look, and die.

Isaiah 45:22

 LOOK UNTO ME, AND BE YE SAVED, ALL THE ENDS OF THE EARTH: FOR I AM GOD, AND THERE IS NONE ELSE.

“Even so must the son of man be lifted up.”  Just as the brazen serpent in the wilderness was the only means for the children of Israel to be healed, so is the death of Jesus Christ the only means for the new birth.  The only way to achieve regeneration is by faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

means

noun: means; noun: means of something

  1. 1.an action or system by which a result is brought about; a method.

Romans 1:16

 FOR I AM NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST: FOR IT IS THE POWER OF GOD UNTO SALVATION TO EVERY ONE THAT BELIEVETH; TO THE JEW FIRST, AND ALSO TO THE GREEK.

THE SINNER MUST COME TO CHRIST BELIEVING:

1. That Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures. 

Isa. 53:1-12 –

Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?

2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.

11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Zech. 13:6 – And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.

2.  That Christ was buried.  This is the proof of His death.  He was in the tomb for three days and nights. 

3. That Christ rose again, according to the Scriptures.  Here is the power of the Gospel that saves, but it is powerless to save the sinner who does not believe.  Rom. 1:16 – For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

THE MEANS OF THE NEW BIRTH CAN ONLY BE FOUND ONE WAY:

1. “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. . .”  is the only means of the new birth.  Acts 4:12 –  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

2. Our blessed Redeemer, Jesus Christ, gladly came into the world to become the only means of the new birth.  John 12:27 – Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.  

John 17:1-5 –

These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

3. That the Holy Spirit came into the world on the Day of Pentecost to convince and convict all men, everywhere, of their personal need for the new birth.

John 16: 7-11

7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;

10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;

11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

A personal faith in the death, burial, and resurrection is the essential and only means of the new birth.

The New Birth – #3 – The Incorruptible Nature

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1 Peter 1:23

 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

The above verse, contains the doctrine of the two seeds, two births, and two natures.

1. Corruptible seed produces a corruptible nature.  Rom. 1:23 – And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.  Corruptible man can only produce corruptible seed.  Matt. 7:18 – A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.  “ALL HAVE SINNED,” because – For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. . . Romans 3:23.    Every single person is born in sin.  Psalm 51:5 – Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

WE ARE NOT SINNERS BECAUSE WE SIN!

WE SIN BECAUSE WE ARE SINNERS! 

2. Incorruptible seed produces an incorruptible nature.  2 Pet. 1:4- Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.  No matter what we do, born again Christians can not corrupt the incorruptible nature.  Therefore, the incorruptible seed of God gives birth to a new nature that cannot be corrupted – at any time – or in any way.  The new birth produces the life of Christ – which is made living in man – only by the indwelling Holy Spirit.  Rom. 8:8-10 –   8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.  9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.  10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

The seed of man is corruptible; the birth of man is natural – therefore – the very nature of man is entirely sinful. 

The seed of God is incorruptible; the new birth is spiritual – therefore – the new nature is entirely sinless. 

Both natures exist within the born again believer.  Whichever nature we allow to dominate will determine how much we sin, and how closely we walk with the Lord.  Feeding the old nature by fulfilling fleshly and worldly lusts, will keep the old, corruptible nature strong and dominant.  Feeding the new nature with spiritual food via Bible study and memorization, Christian fellowship, and church attendance, will keep the new nature strong, help us to overcome the world, the flesh and the devil – thereby causing us to walk closely to the Lord.

The New Birth – Part 2 – The New Sinless Nature

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And now – for one of the most misinterpreted verses in the entire Bible.   Please do not try to understand it in the light of personal experience. 

1 John 3:9

Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for His seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

It is essential for believers to keep in mind that the above verse is speaking of the new nature – not the old nature – because the old nature was not born of God.  The old nature is born of fallen man, and it is completely depraved.  The new nature is born of God, and it is completely holy.  The two natures are present in every born again Christian. 

what does the Bible say about the new nature?

1.  The new nature does not sin, because it is the product of the seed of God. [see above verse]

2.  The new nature does not sin, because it is the divine nature of God, and since God can not sin, the new nature that issues from His Holy Seed can not sin.  2 Peter 1:4 – Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

what does the bible say about the old nature?

1.  The old nature will sin any time we allow it to sin.  Rom. 6:12 – Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.  If you are born again, you will continue under the old nature 1 Cor. 9:27 – But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.  by not yielding to the desires of the flesh – or the old nature will keep you under, and you will live a defeated Christian life.  Rom. 8:13 – For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

2.  There is nothing good in the old nature.  Nothing whatsoever.  Rom. 7:18 – For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.  The power to live a righteous life cannot be found in the old nature, it can only be found in the new nature.  Gal. 2:20 – I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

if you have been “born again” – you have two natures – the old and the new – and you will walk according to one or the other.   Examine your Christian walk according to the word of god – not by comparing yourself to other people.

Romans 8:5-6

5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

The New Birth – #1 – Jesus and the Two Births

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John 3:1-6

3 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

In the above Scriptures, we see Jesus Christ and Nicodemus – coming face to face.  The Son of God – Jesus – and the son of natural man – Nicodemus.  Although Nicodemus was a very religious man, he was not a child of God.  We can sense his discomfort and shock during the “meeting of minds” he had with the Lord.  It is the same today when people learn that their religion is not enough.  It NEVER is!  Nicodemus comes to Jesus secretly,  thinking of Him only as “a teacher come from God.”  Nicodemus did not know Jesus, but Jesus knew Nicodemus –

John 2:24-25

24 But Jesus did not commit Himself unto them, because He knew all men,

25 And needed not that any should testify of man: for He knew what was in man.

But Jesus knew that Nicodemus needed more.  Jesus knows that we need more.

  1. We need more than a teacher – we need a Savior
  2. We need more than religion – we need regeneration
  3. We need more than the law – we need life.

Jesus came right to the point when He said  – “Ye must be born again.”  Nicodemus then asks – “How can a man be born when he is old?”

Then, our blessed Savior points out the difference between the two births – “That which is born of the flesh is flesh (the flesh can not change ) and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit (the Spirit can not change)

THE FLESH BIRTH. . .

1. The flesh birth produces an old, sinful nature – even in a tiny baby!  Ps. 51:5 – Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

2. The flesh birth produces a corruptible nature. – 1 Peter 1:23 – Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

3. The flesh birth produces an old nature under the sentence of death – from the moment an infant draws breath! – Rom. 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

4. The flesh birth produces an old nature, that makes every single unsaved person – a child of the devil.  1 John 3:10 – In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

THE NEW BIRTH . . .

1. The new birth produces a sinless nature.  1 John 3:9 – Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

2. The new birth produces a nature that cannot sin.  1 John 3:9 – Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

3. The new birth produces a righteous nature.  2 Cor. 5:21- For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

4. The new birth produces a divine nature.  2 Peter 1:4 – Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

narrow way

Every born again person, no matter what spiritual age, has two natures.  The old nature, from the flesh birth, and the spiritual nature from the new birth.  By the old birth – we are children of the flesh; by the new birth we are the children of God. To what degree we allow the old flesh nature dominate, will determine how much we sin, and conversely, how much we allow the new spiritual nature to dominate, will determine how closely we walk with the Lord.

John 3:7

 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

The New Birth – Introduction

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It is of the greatest importance to fully grasp what Jesus meant when He said to Nicodemus – “Ye must be born again.”  The New Birth is Spiritual, and it is as much a birth as the actual physical birth of a human being. 

the new birth is not just a figure of speech!!!!!

Our first birth is of the “seed of man,” and the second birth is of the “seed of God.”

1 Peter 1:23

 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

Therefore, one cannot become a child of God by joining a church, any more than a chimpanzee could become a man by joining the human race.  The chimpanzee can dress in human clothing, type on a computer, eat human food, and even drive a car – in many ways living exactly like a man – but the behaviors do not qualify him for the human race.  He is still a chimp.  However, if by some miracle the chimp could be “born again” by the seed of a man, then – and only then – could he become a man.  Acting like a Christian does not make you a Christian, anymore than acting like a human makes a chimp a human. 

The only way to become a child of god is to be “born from above,” by the “incorruptible seed of god.” 

The New Birth is a new creation! 

2 Corinthians 5:17 –  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

The New Birth is a spiritual resurrection!

Ephesians 2:1-9 –  And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;  2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:  3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.  4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,  5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)  6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:  7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.  8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

The New Birth is regeneration!

Titus 3:5 – Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost

The New Birth is partaking of the Divine Nature!

2 Peter 1:4 – Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

The New Birth is receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior by faith!

John 1:12 – But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name

The New Birth is being made the righteousness of God!

2 Corinthians 5:21 –  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

the new birth is compulsory (not optional!) if you are to become a child of god. 

John 3:6-8

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Repentance – #6 – The Importance of Repentance

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Repentance is so important that god commands “all men everywhere to repent.” 

Acts 17:30

 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

All means ALL!!!!!

1. The lost are to repent.  Jesus said:  But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.   (Matt. 9:13)   He said again:  3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.  4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem.  5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.   (Luke 13:3-5)

2. Backsliding, born-again Christians are to repent.  Paul said: Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. (2 Cor. 7:9)   The believers in the church at Corinth were quite carnal.  In his first letter to them, he called upon the church to discipline the guilty party, in his second letter he rejoices because the guilty have repented. 

3.  Local churches are to repent!  In the Revelation of Jesus Christ, chapters 2 and 3, our LORD sent seven letters to seven churches.  He called upon five of them to repent.

The church at Ephesus was to repent because she had left her first love. 

The church at Pergamos was to repent because she permitted the doctrine of Balaam to to be taught, and to eat thing sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. 

The church at Thyatira was to repent because she suffered Jezebel to teach and seduce God’s servants to commit fornication. 

The church at Sardis was to repent because she was a dying congregation. 

The church at Laodicea was to repent because she thought she was rich and did not need anything.  In her opinion – she had arrived.  She did not know that she was neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm, and God was ready to spew her out of His mouth. 

God called on all five of these churches to repent – or he would remove their candlesticks – and they would cease to give their light in the spiritual darkness of the world. 

 The lost are to repent – or perish.

The back-slidden Christian is to repent – or be disciplined.

The local church is to repent – or lose its effectiveness in a world lost to sin. 

Coming up next, the final installment on Repentance – the evidence of repentance!

The Abundant Life – #5 – The Mature Life

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2 Peter 3:18

 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Just as there are four stages of growth in the  natural man, there are four stages of growth in the new born spiritual man, which leads to maturity in the Christian life.

1. The baby stage.  1 Cor. 3:1-4 – And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.  3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?  4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?  A baby thinks only of itself.  If the baby is denied what it wants, it will wail.  The baby seeks its own, its feelings are easily hurt, and – it is often jealous.  The baby lives to be served – it never serves.  It can only drink milk, and cannot eat solid food.  The baby cries a great deal – but never sings.  It tries to talk – but makes no sense.

IT IS A SAD BUT TRUE FACT, THAT MANY CHRISTIANS DISPLAY THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A SPIRITUAL BABY.  THOUGH THEY ARE BORN AGAIN INTO THE FAMILY OF GOD – THEY NEVER GROW AND DEVELOP SPIRITUALLY.  THE SPIRITUAL BABY IS A CARNAL CHRISTIAN.

2. The little child stage.  1 John 2:12 – I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake. Some Christians grow enough to become little children spiritually – but many stop there.  Spiritual little children are often untruthful, envious,  and even cruel.  When rebuked, they take on the role of martyr.  If crossed, they feel resentment, and may even make a scene.  They are talebearers, repeating everything they hear (grownups call it gossip!)  The child is given to emotional outbursts, and their immaturity causes them to be easily puffed up.  They live for praise, and will accept that praise from ANYONE!  The child only seeks after what will appeal to self.

ARE YOU A SPIRITUAL CHILD????

3. The young man stage.  1 John 2:13 – I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known Him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.  Another sad fact – not many believers reach the stage of a young man in Christ.  He is strong and virile – well able to overcome his enemy – Satan (in his many forms) The young man’s vision for the future consists of his faith and courage.  He is preparing for his most productive years.  

WE CAN BECOME A YOUNG MAN SPIRITUALLY BY “PUTTING AWAY CHILDISH THINGS!”  1 COR. 13:11 – WHEN I WAS A CHILD, I SPAKE AS A CHILD, I UNDERSTOOD AS A CHILD, I THOUGHT AS A CHILD: BUT WHEN I BECAME A MAN, I PUT AWAY CHILDISH THINGS.

4. The father stage.  1 John 2:13 – I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.  This stage can be reached by all believers – but SO FEW EVER ATTAIN IT.  The spiritual father has peace with God.  Rom. 5:1 – Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.  The father knows the peace of God.  Phil. 4:7 – And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  He rejoices in his spiritual children.  1 Thess. 2:19 – For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?  The father has learned contentment under ALL circumstances.  Phil. 4:11 – Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.  He knows the ONLY source of true strength.  Phil. 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.  The father NEVER broods over the past, but continually looks to the future.  

Phil.3: 13, 14 –   13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,  14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  He knows that ALL  things work together in his life for ETERNAL GOOD.   Rom. 8:28 – And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.

THE SPIRITUAL FATHER ENJOYS THE ABUNDANT LIFE NOW – AND WILL ENJOY IT IN THE LIFE TO COME.  EPH. 2:7 – THAT IN THE AGES TO COME HE MIGHT SHEW THE EXCEEDING RICHES OF HIS GRACE IN HIS KINDNESS TOWARD US THROUGH CHRIST JESUS.

This concludes our study of the Abundant Life.  Next up in our deep study of doctrine – Repentance!

Rewards of Crowns – Part 3

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The beauty of our LORD is so evident in the crowns  He gives to some of the saved.  So far in this series we have explored:

  1. The Crown of Life
  2. The Crown Incorruptible

Some say this next crown is the best crown – it is the “soul-winners” crown, and is the reward for the greatest work a believer can do for the LORD.  Bringing others to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  The degree of joy we experience in heaven is directly related to the souls we have had a part in bringing to Christ. 

THE CROWN OF REJOICING!

1 THESSALONIANS 2:19

 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?

It is GREAT wisdom to win lost souls to Christ.  Pro.11:30 –  The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

We work AGAINST sin when we win lost souls to Christ. James 5:20 – Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

Heaven is FILLED with joy when souls are won for Christ. Luke 15:10 – Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

We SHINE as the stars in heaven when we win souls for Christ. Dan.12:3 –  And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

The wonderful thing about this crown, is that it can be won by any believer!  

HOW TO WIN SOULS TO CHRIST:

Make your life a witness!  Live in such a manner that the lost can see Christ living in you.  2 Cor.3:2 – Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men. . .

Let the Holy Spirit use your mouth as a witness to give power to the spoken word!  Acts 1:8 – But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Let your “stuff” be a witness, that others may preach Christ with your tithes and offering – and you will have fruit that will abound to your account!  Phil. 4:15-17 –

15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.

16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

2 Cor. 9:6 – But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

THIS PROMISE FROM GOD –

1 CORINTHIANS 15:58

 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

jesus-christ-wallpapers-4

YOU WILL NOT REJOICE ALONE WHEN YOU RECEIVE THE CROWN OF REJOICING – ALL HEAVEN WILL REJOICE TOO!

JOHN 4:36

 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.

The Rewards of Crowns – Part 2

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As if the Crown of Life weren’t enough – our gracious and merciful LORD wishes to bless some of us even further. 

THE CROWN INCORRUPTIBLE

In 1 Corinthians 9: 24-27, Paul makes use of the Greek games as an analogy of the spiritual race of the believer.  As we are in the midst of Olympic games now, this is especially meaningful.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

According to Greek law at the time, no young man could participate in the games unless he was a Greek citizen.  Paul’s brilliant analogy allows us to see that no unsaved person can participate in working for the LORD for rewards.  You must be a citizen of heaven.

Close examination of verse 27 shows us that just as the athlete controls his flesh, so believers must do the same.  The athlete and the believer are both in the race – and both may lose their “crown,” or reward.  If the athlete does not win the crown –  he does not lose his Greek citizenship.  Nor does the believer lose their salvation – they only lose the crown.

THE RULES OF OUR GAMES

The believer must deny themselves of anything that restrains them from full dedication to the LORD and His service.  Heb. 12:1 – Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Our eyes must be fixed on Christ – “our finish line,” looking neither to the right hand nor to the left.  Heb. For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Our strength must be found only in the LORD.  Eph. 6:10-18 –

8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with Him.

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.

Our all must be placed on the altar of the LORD.  Holding back does not win anything!  Rom. 12:1-2 – 

12 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.

We all, must, by faith, refuse anything that will impede spiritual progress.  You may even have to refuse a job or a promotion if it places you  in a situation which stifles (or is openly hostile) to your spiritual growth.    Heb.11:24-29 –

24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;

25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.

Should we be “spiritual spectators?”  Or should we enter this most important race of all – to win the incorruptible crown!  

The Rewards of Crowns – Introduction

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It is essential to understand the vast difference between the doctrine of salvation for the lost, and the doctrine of rewards for the saved. 

Salvation is a gift from God. . .

EPHESIANS 2:8-9

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Rewards are  given according to the works of the believer. . .

MATTHEW 16:27

27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and then He shall reward every man according to his works.

WE DO NOT LABOR FOR SALVATION!!!!!

This Scripture reveals all Truth about rewards-

1 CORINTHIANS 3:8-15

8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. (every believer will be rewarded according to his own labor)

9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. (we are laborers together with God for rewards – not salvation!)

10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (the believer is to build on the LORD Jesus Christ – the only foundation)

12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; (every believer has a choice between two types of building materials – gold, silver, precious stones – the eternal building materials; or wood, hay and stubble – the temporary building materials)

13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Every believer who builds with eternal materials, will receive rewards – and those believers who build with temporary materials will not receive rewards – because their wood, hay and stubble will be “burned.”  These believers will actually be ashamed at the Judgment Seat of Christ.  

1 JOHN 2:28

water in a weary land

 And now, little children, abide in Him; that, when He shall appear,

we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.

It is important enough to mention the doctrine of “Lordship Salvation.”  There is ambiguous understanding of this term among God’s people – largely because of the redefining of the term “repentance.”  What many preachers are teaching as repentance is not what the King James Bible says.  The true definition of repentance means to “turn, or change your mind.”  It does not mean the sinner stops sinning! If you for one minute, think you are capable of not sinning, or keeping the Law – you are effectually denying the complete sufficiency of our Savior’s atonement for the sins of the entire world.  By saying that you are “keeping the Ten Commandments,” you have placed  yourself on His level – which is blasphemy – for only He can keep the Law perfectly, because He is the Personification of it.

Repentance, properly defined, is necessary for salvation. Biblical repentance is changing your mind about Jesus Christ,  and turning towards Him in faith for salvation.   Turning from sin is not the definition of repentance, but it is one of the of signs of genuine,  faith-based repentance towards the Lord Jesus Christ.  We are to build only on the foundation that is Christ – and not with the shabby materials of wood, hay and stubble, but with solid stones of planting, cultivating, and harvesting the Gospel of Peace.

cornerstone

1 PETER 2:6-8

6 Wherefore also it is contained in the Scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on Him shall not be confounded.

7 Unto you therefore which believe He is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the Stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

8 And a Stone of stumbling, and a Rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the Word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

Judgments – Part 5

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In review – the first four parts of this series on judgments covered:

  1. The judgment of the believer’s  sins
  2. The judgment of the believer’s self
  3. The judgment of the believer’s works
  4. The judgment of the nations

This fifth and final study on the judgments will cover the judgment of the wicked.

IN THE FIFTH JUDGMENT THE WICKED DEAD ARE TO JUDGED AT THE GREAT WHITE THRONE WHICH TAKES PLACE AFTER THE 1,000 YEAR REIGN OF KING JESUS CHRIST ON EARTH

AT THIS JUDGMENT, THE WICKED DEAD WILL SEEK  A HIDING PLACE FROM THE FACE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.  NO HIDING PLACE WILL BE FOUND FOR THEM.  Rev. 20:11 –  And I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it, from Whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

AT THIS JUDGMENT, THE “DEAD, SMALL AND GREAT,” WILL STAND BEFORE GOD.  THE GREATNESS OF THE PERSON WILL BE WORTHLESS.  Romans 3:12 – They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

AT THIS JUDGMENT, THE “BOOK OF LIFE,” WILL BE OPENED .  IF THERE ARE NO SAVED AT THIS JUDGMENT – WHY IS THE “BOOK OF LIFE” OPENED?  THE WICKED WILL BE SHOWN THAT GOD IN HIS MERCY GRANTED SPACE FOR THEM WITHIN THE “BOOK OF LIFE,” SO THAT THEY ARE WITHOUT EXCUSE.  Romans 1: 18-20 –

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

20 For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.

AT THIS JUDGMENT THE WICKED WILL BE JUDGED “ACCORDING TO THEIR WORKS.”  BECAUSE GOD IS JUST, AND THERE ARE DEGREES OF PUNISHMENT IN HELL, SOME WILL BE PUNISHED MORE THAN OTHERS.  Luke 12: 42,48 – 42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?  /  48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

AT THIS JUDGMENT THERE CAN BE NO ACQUITTAL, NO PAROLE, NO PURGATORY, NO HIGHER COURT IN WHICH TO APPEAL.  LOST – AND LOST FOREVER!  DAMNED TO ALL ETERNITY WITHOUT HOPE.  NO SYMPATHY, NO LOVE, NO ESCAPE.  NOT EVEN THE GREAT LOVE OF GOD EXTENDS PAST THE PORTALS OF HELL.  Luke 16: 19-31

19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,

21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:

28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

All the unbelievers who have died and are in Hell will be resurrected and stand before the Great White Throne!  Hell will be emptied and the wicked will stand in a court of LAW before the only righteous Judge of the Universe where they will be sentenced to the Lake of Fire. 

The “Book of Life,” is there in case anyone claims innocence!  None of the wicked dead will be wearing the proper attire – the Blood of Jesus Christ! 

REVELATION 20:14

 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

great white throne judgment

If you are not sure  your name is in the Lamb’s book of life, you need to make sure by trusting in Christ as your Savior.  The future does not end here. . . think about eternity . .

JOHN THEN SEES AN UNINHABITABLE EARTH

REVELATION 21:1

 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

new heaven and new earth

TIME ON EARTH IS FINISHED BUT ETERNITY CONTINUES!

Judgments – Part 4

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Quickly reviewing  the first three segments of this series (which dealt entirely with the judgements of believers) :

  1. The judgment of the believer’s sins
  2. The judgment of the believer’s self
  3. The judgment of the believer’s works

This fourth part deals with the judgment of the nations, all of which  are to be judged at the Second Coming of Christ. 

The judgment of the nations is not the great white throne judgment.

The judgment of the nations will take place “when the Son of man shall come in His glory. . .then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory.”  Rev. 20:11-15 – 

11 And I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.  If you read that passage carefully, you will see that the Great White Throne is never called “the throne of His glory.”  The throne of His glory is here on earth – and  judges only the living!

At the judgment of the nations, there will be no resurrection of the dead.  But at the Great White Throne – ALL the wicked dead are raised.  Rev. 20:13 – And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

At the judgment of the nations, the judge is GOD “the King” judging the living nations in His earthly kingdom.  But at the Great White Throne, the judge is GOD, judging only the wicked dead. 

At the judgment of the nations – no books are opened!  Whereas at the Great White Throne the “books were opened.” 

At the judgment of the nations, there are two classes of people judged:

  “sheep” – the saved.  Rev. 7: 9-17 –

9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,

12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?

14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in his temple: and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.

16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.

17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.  These are those who are saved during the Great Tribulation, after the sealing of the 144,000 Jews who do the work of evangelizing the world. 

“goats” – the unsaved   2 Thess. 1:7-10

7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels,

8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power;

10 When He shall come to be glorified in His saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.  Hard to believe, but there will be many with hardened hearts, who will still reject Jesus Christ, even while they experience the terrible events during  the Great Tribulation.  

At the great white throne there is only one class – “the wicked dead”

At the judgment of the nations, the Righteous King gives the earthly kingdom to those who are born again as “sheep.”  This begins the millennial earthly reign of Christ.  At the Great White Throne which occurs after the 1,000 years – there are no saved, and no Kingdom – they are ALL cast into the Lake of Fire. 

The judgment of the nations has nothing to do with the church!!!!

judgment of the nations

Matthew 25:31-32

31 When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory:

32 And before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats. . .

Judgments – Part 3

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So far in this study series, we have covered the judgment of the believer’s sins, followed by the judgment of the believer’s self.  We now go onto the third judgment – the judgment of the believer’s works. 

The believer’s works will be judged at the “judgment seat of Christ.”  This term is used only in the following two places in the Bible, though it is referred to many times. 

Romans 14:10

But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at naught thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:10

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Careful reading of both passages reveals within the context that only believers will appear before the “judgment seat of Christ.” Only their works will be judged – not their sins!!!!  the believer’s sins were already judged in Christ on Calvary –

Romans 8:1

 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

This judgment will take place in the air following the first resurrection!  1 Thess. 4: 14-18  14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.

15 For this we say unto you by the Word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

16 For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

At the judgment seat of Christ, the believer will give an account of himself to God.  It is evident that we should look to our own service, and not judge the works of others.  This passage speaks only to the Body of Christ!!  Rom. 14: 10-13 –

10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.

It is very humbling to know that someday the believer will be faced with ALL his works – good or bad.  Some will be ashamed and suffer loss – not the loss of salvation – but the loss of rewards.  1Cor. 3:11-15 –   11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

1 John 2:28

And now, little children, abide in Him; that, when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at his coming.

water in a weary land

Whatever you do – no matter how insignificant it may seem  – do it to the glory of God.

Colossians 3:17

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.

Judgments – Part 2

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The first segment of this study covered the judgment of the believer’s sins.  We now move on to the next kind of judgment – the judgment of the believer’s self! 

This judgment is far more than judging things in the believer’s life.  When we, as believers, judge our own selves, everything comes to light – good and bad.  We then confess the bad –

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

And then forsake it –

Isaiah 55:7

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.

It is not enough to just judge sin in the believer; he must judge self

To judge oneself, is to practice self-abnegation.  When the believer sees self the way God sees him – he will renounce self.  Essentially, this is replacing the self-life with the Christ-life.  Christ IS the believer’s life.  Col. 3:4 – When Christ, Who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.

To judge oneself is to deny oneself.  This is much more than self-denial.  Self denial is denying one’s self of the gratification of the flesh.  If we only practice self-denial, we are treating the symptom and not the cause.  But to deny self – is to ATTACK the cause, because in that self there is “no good thing.”  Deny self – and pick up your cross and follow Him!  Mark 8:34-38 –

34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.

36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when He cometh in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.

To judge self is to LOSE the self-life, and find the Christ-life.   Gal.2:20 – I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.

To judge self is to no longer be self-conscious, but to become Christ-conscious.  Matt. 28:20 – Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

To judge self is to no longer be self-controlled, but to be Christ-controlled.  Acts 9:6 – And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

And the most important – to judge self is to no longer practice self-esteem, but to esteem others better than self.  Phil. 2:3 – Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.


“Comparative Christianity” is something we all practice, some more than others.  The only One we should compare ourselves with is Jesus Christ.  This comparison will help you to judge yourself against Him, not other believers.  Egoism and pride must be forsaken!  Praise Him!

water in a weary land

1 Corinthians 11:31-32

31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

The Nature of Sin – Part 5

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Deuteronomy 25:16

For all that do such things, and all that do unrighteously, are an abomination unto the Lord thy God.

Sin is an evil force, the presence of which cannot be escaped from in this earthly, fleshly, life.  No – it cannot be escaped from – but it can be overcome by the power of God! 

God’s remedy for sin

Mankind, in the fallen state, is unwilling to accept God’s remedy for his own ruination, and forever strives to bring about his own salvation through human means. 

Man continually  strives for self-righteousness, when his  needs must  be made the righteousness of God.  2 Cor. 5:21 – For He hath made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.  

Man continually strives to reform himself, when he needs to be regenerated.  Titus 3:5 – Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. . .

Man continually strives to “turn over a new leaf,” when what he truly needs is a “new life.”  John 10:10 – The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Man continually strives to be justified by the law, when his only real hope is to be justified by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Gal. 2:16 – Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Man continually strives to “clean up” the “old man,” when what he really needs is to be made a “new man” in Christ.  Eph. 4:24 – And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

And finally, man continually strives to be saved by good works, when salvation can only be found through the Grace of God.  Eph. 2:8,9 – For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

The only remedy for the ruination of man is the Son of God, being made sin for us on the cross at Calvary.  The only way to receive this remedy, is through faith in Him as personal Savior.

Isaiah 64:6

But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

water in a weary land

John 20:30-31

30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book:

31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name.

The Nature of Sin – #2 – What is Sin?

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This second part of five studies on the nature of sin has to do with how we perceive it.  Since the very beginning in the Garden of Eden – man and his adversary the devil – have tried to cloud the issue – the existence of sin. 

It is impossible to deny the existence of sin.  Our entire world has been deep in a conflict  between good and evil  for thousands of years.  If, as pop-culture and satanists maintain, sin is an “illness,” or mere “lifestyle” choice – then there would be no need for prisons, or even a judicial system! 

Left to his own imaginations – mankind, under the influence of the evil one – relabels sin to make it more palatable.  Adultery is changed into  indiscretion.  Gluttony, perversion and idleness become simple weaknesses  of the flesh.  To devout religionists – it is the absence of good – their own brand of good, to be precise.  Academia defines sin as ignorance, and evolutionists lump it into the “nature of the beast,” hash.  The most recent permutation in the “renaming the sin game” is identifying sin as a disease needing to be treated by science.  The patient is not a sinner – the patient is sick!  

SINCE MANKIND IS INCAPABLE OF DETERMINING THE TRUTH ABOUT SIN – IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE RELY ONLY ON GOD AND HIS WORD TO DEFINE SIN FOR US.

Sin is the transgression of the law.  1 John 3:4 – Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

Sin is coming short of the glory of God.  Rom. 3:23 – For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.

Sin is rebellion against God.  Isa. 1:2 – Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the Lord hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against Me.

Sin is unbelief, it makes God a liar.  1 John 5:10 – He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made Him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of His Son.

Sin is “doing it my way,” planning your  life according to your own will, without seeking the will of God.  Isa. 53:6 – All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

Sin is all unrighteousness.  1 John 5:17 – All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.

Sin is a folly to deceive you, a force to destroy you and a fact to condemn you.  Sin is a volitional act of disobedience against the revealed will of God.  [Author unknown]

sparrows

Psalm 119:11

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.

The Prophetic Emphasis of the Bible

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Just a quick thought that I felt had to be stated in view of the recent discussion we had with a commenter regarding  the rapture of the church.

  • The Old Testament emphasizes the millennial reign of Christ
  • The Gospels emphasize the second coming which ushers in the millennial reign of Christ
  • The Epistles emphasize the rapture
  • The Revelation emphasizes the Great Tribulation

If you keep this little chart in mind it will be easier to keep the prophetic time line organized in your study.  For example, it is extremely helpful when dealing with a passage like  Luke 17:20-37.  Since that passage is in the Gospels, it probably deals with the second coming of Christ to earth.  The ones “taken” and the ones “left” are expressions dealing with the separation that will take place when Christ returns  to earth.  

The Epistles make references to the “Day of Christ,” which usually indicates the rapture. 

1 Corinthians 1:7-8

7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the  day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 5:5

To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

2 Corinthians 1:14

As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are our’s in the day of the Lord Jesus.

Philippians 1:10

That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.

Philippians 2:16

Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

I keep a copy of that little chart, written on an index card, in my Bible as a book mark. Very helpful!

Jesus Christ the Son of God – Part 6

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After forty days of teaching His disciples, the risen Christ ascended upon high, to be seated at the right hand of the Father in glory. 

HEBREWS 10:12

 But this man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God. . .

THE MESSAGE OF THE SECOND COMING IS SO IMPORTANT, THAT IT IS DOCUMENTED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT OVER THREE HUNDRED TIMES.

A. He is coming again to take His Bride, the church, to be with Him. 

1 Thessalonians  4:16-17  

16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 

17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

 John 14:1-6

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 

2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

B. He is coming again to judge the nations.

Matthew 25:31-46

31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:

43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

C. He is coming again to save the Nation of Israel – apart from the rapture of the church.

Romans 11:25-25

25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.

D. He is coming again to sit upon the throne of David. 

Luke 1: 31-33

31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.

32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Isaiah 9: 6-7

6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

E. He is coming again to bring righteous judgment to the earth.

Hebrews 1:8

But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

JESUS CHRIST IS COMING BACK TO EARTH AGAIN!

water in a weary land

Acts 1:11. . .

. . .this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.

This concludes our study of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. For the other studies in this series, please see the Apologetics page.  Our next course of study will delve into the subject of sin – its origin, consequences, and its remedy.

God the Father – #1- The Existence of God

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God is the only Infinite and Eternal Being – having no beginning and no end – the Creator and Sustainer of all things. 

The Bible nowhere attempts to prove or argue the existence of God.  God’s existence is a fact taken for granted by the writers of both the old and new testaments.

The Bible opens by announcing the sublime fact of God and His eternal existence – “In the beginning God,” Gen. 1:1 

  • Universal belief in God comes from within mankind.  It is an innate belief, sourced from rational intuition.
  • The cause and effect argument – Everything that began owes its existence to a cause – we have a watch – we must have a watchmaker.  The Creation could not have come into being without a creator, no more than a book can be produced from the alphabet without an author.
  • Via anthropology – man’s moral and intellectual nature argues for a moral and intellectual creator.
  • The Bible and the Christ it reveals – His Virgin birth, sinless life, vicarious death and bodily resurrection, and documented miracles – all argue for the existence of God. 

Man is natural and cannot know God by wisdom. The Bible argues for our faith in God – not His existence.  It says in multiple places that those who do not believe in the existence of God are fools, because He is so obvious. 

Job 11:7

King James Version (KJV)

Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?

old bible

Hebrews 11:6

King James Version (KJV)

But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

The phrase highlighted in red above is pivotal. “he that cometh to God must believe that He is,” is imperative.  This is the free will that He gave to us – we must decide, and then choose Him. 

The Bible is the Inspired Word of God – #5 – Commanded to Study

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This fifth and final study of  The Bible relates to how we relate to the Word.  Often believers will put The LORD on the “back-burner,” while tending to their lives in the flesh.  This is directly opposite of what we are commanded to do – and the very lack of Bible study – is what causes this lackadaisical attitude towards the things of God.  It has been  said of God’s Holy Book – “Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be right.”

As you study the Bible, you will discover that it does not just contain the Words of God – it IS the Word of God.  But just as importantly, the Word of God contains the WORDS of God, and also the words of demons, angels, Satan, and man – good and bad.

THE BIBLE COMMANDS THE BELIEVER TO STUDY THE SCRIPTURES

As you study your Bible – ask yourself these questions –

  • Who is speaking: God, demon, angel, or man? 
  • Once you identify the speaker – identify who he is  speaking to  – the nation of Israel, the Gentiles, the church, men in general, or some individual or supernatural being?
  • How can this Scripture apply to my life to grow me in spiritual maturity and closer to The LORD? 

God is Truth personified, and cannot lie, while Satan “is a liar and the father of it.” John 8:44   Man is natural and fleshly – which makes him limited, therefore, man does not always speak the truth. 

Case in point –  let us do an observation of this passage –

MATTHEW 22:15-46

King James Version (KJV)

15 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle Him in his talk.

16 And they sent out unto Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that Thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest Thou for any man: for Thou regardest not the person of men.

17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest Thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?

18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye Me, ye hypocrites?

19 Shew Me the tribute money. And they brought unto Him a penny.

20 And He saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?

21 They say unto Him, Caesar’s. Then saith He unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.

22 When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left Him, and went their way.

23 The same day came to Him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked Him,

24 Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.

25 Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother:

26 Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.

27 And last of all the woman died also.

28 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.

29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.

31 But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,

32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.

33 And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at His doctrine.

34 But when the Pharisees had heard that He had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.

35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked Him a question, tempting Him, and saying,

36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

38 This is the first and great commandment.

39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,

42 Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is He? They say unto Him, The son of David.

43 He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call Him Lord, saying,

44 The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit Thou on my right hand, till I make Thine enemies thy footstool?

45 If David then call him Lord, how is He his Son?

46 And no man was able to answer Him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask Him any more questions.

In this particular passage, we have the words of Jesus, the words of the Pharisees, the Herodians, and the Sadducees.  The Pharisees, Herodians and Sadducees were all trying to trick The LORD into trapping Himself in His own teachings – for one reason.  They were looking for some way to accuse Him of breaking God’s law.  Everything that came out of their mouths, was with 100% evil intent.  The whole episode reveals the thinking of the natural man, at the same time, revealing the thinking of God, through the Words of Jesus Christ. 

The failure of Bible students to divide the identities of the speakers and their  audience correctly, has even given rise to entire sects and cults.  This is how Replacement Theologists operate, by inserting the church into dialog taking place between The LORD and Israel. 

old bible

2 TIMOTHY 2:15                

King James Version (KJV)

 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.