Introduction: The following verses can easily be related to news accounts of today’s world. Look for a common ground that clearly exists among the attackers of Israel. We are looking at a time that is known as the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21, 33 A.D.) Dates are taken from the Scofield Study Bible, KJV Personal Size, 1909 A.D., updated 1917 A.D.
Ezekiel 38:3-6 New American Standard Bible (NASB) (587 B.C.)
3 and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal. 4 I will turn you about and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out, and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them splendidly attired, a great company with buckler and shield, all of them wielding swords; 5 Persia, Ethiopia and Put with them, all of them with shield and helmet; 6 Gomer with all its troops; Beth-togarmah from the remote parts of the north with all its troops—many peoples with you.
Resources: Mac Arthur Study Bible; Ryrie Study Bible; Scofield Study Bible; R.C. Sproul (RSB); My thoughts.
Comments:
vs 4. “I will turn you about and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out.” God is in control of this invasion. Just as He used Assyria (Isa 8) and Babylon (21:19) as human invaders for His judgments, He will use this invading army. In this case He brings the invaders to Palestine so that He will bring judgment (v 8) on the invader itself (38:18-23; 39:1-10). God uses the language of hooks in the jaws, as in judging Egypt (29:4). From the vantage point of the aggressors, they think that it is their plan to seize the spoil which draws them to Palestine (vv 11,12).(Mac Arthur)(See scriptures below in Related Scriptures) (Ezekiel 38:18-23 and 39:1-10 will be studied later, but can be studied now.)
vs 4. In this battle actual horses will be used. During the tribulation, production and the movement of goods will be greatly restricted by the judgments of that time (Ryrie).
vs 5. “Persia, Ethiopia and Put.” The invasion includes a coalition of forces from the east and south of Palestine. Persia is modern-day Iran. Libya is in North Africa, and Ethiopia is south of Egypt. (Mac Arthur)
vs 6. “Gomer.” This is present day Armenia, which was also known as Capedocia, having a people called Gomer in Assyrian inscriptions. Beth-togarmah is today’s eastern Turkey, and is in northeast Asia Minor. (Mac Arthur)
vs 6. Gomer. This is probably a group from the area north of the Black Sea, known to the Assyrians as the Gimirrai and to the Greeks as the Cimmerians. Gog leads a coalition of nations from the south and the north. The picture is of a total mobilization against the people of God. Compare the divine summons to war in Joel 3:9–11. (R.C. Sproul) (See note below)
vs 5-6. Other allies will be Persia (Iran), Ethiopia (northern Sudan), Put (Libya), Gomer (probably the eastern part of Turkey and Ukraine), and Beth-togarmah (the part of Turkey near the Syrian border). (Ryrie).
Related Scriptures:
Joel 3:9-11 Amplified Bible (AMP) (800 B.C.)
9 Proclaim this among the nations: Prepare war! Stir up the mighty men! Let all the men of war draw near, let them come up. 10 Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears; let the weak say, I am strong [a warrior]! 11 Hasten and come, all you nations round about, and assemble yourselves; there You, O Lord, will bring down Your mighty ones (Your warriors).
My Note: Verse 10. Beating “plowshares into swords and pruning hooks into spears” indicates a change from peace to war in the oncoming seven-year Tribulation. Consider the opposite, “swords into plowshares,” in Micah 4:3, below.
Micah 4:3 21st Century King James Version (KJ21) (710 B.C.)
3 And He shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off. And they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
My Note: “beat their swords into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks,” indicates an end of war and beginning of peace. This illustration indicates a change from the time of Tribulation (war) to the time of the Millennium or Kingdom of Heaven, which is a time of peace, and is also known as the thousand-year Millennial reign of Christ. (See Joel 3:9-11, above)
Isaiah 8:5-8 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) (742 B.C.)
5 The Lord spoke to me again: 6 Because this people has refused the waters of Shiloah that flow gently, and melt in fear before Rezin and the son of Remaliah;7 therefore, the Lord is bringing up against it the mighty flood waters of the River, the king of Assyria and all his glory; it will rise above all its channels and overflow all its banks; 8 it will sweep on into Judah as a flood, and, pouring over, it will reach up to the neck; and its outspread (See Ez 38:4 Mac Arthur note)
Ezekiel 21:19 Revised Standard Version (RSV) (593 B.C.)
19 “Son of man, mark two ways for the sword of the king of Babylon to come; both of them shall come forth from the same land. And make a signpost, make it at the head of the way to a city;(See Ez 38:4 Mac Arthur note)
Ezekiel 29:1-4 New Life Version (NLV) (588 B.C.)
1 On the twelfth day of the tenth month in the tenth year, the Word of the Lord came to me saying, 2 “Son of man, look toward Pharaoh king of Egypt, and speak against him and against all Egypt. 3 Tell them, ‘The Lord God says, “I am against you, Pharaoh king of Egypt. You are the big animal that lies in his rivers and says, ‘The Nile is mine. I made it.’ 4 I will put hooks in your mouth. I will make the fish of your rivers stick to your hard skin. And I will pull you up out of your rivers, with the fish that stick to your hard skin. (See Ez 38:4 Mac Arthur note).
Ezekiel 38:11-12 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) (587 B.C.)
11 You will say, ‘I will go up against a land of open villages; I will come against a tranquil people who are living securely, all of them living without walls and without bars or gates— 12 in order to seize spoil and carry off plunder, to turn your hand against ruins now inhabited and against a people gathered from the nations, who have been acquiring cattle and possessions and who live at the center of the world. (See Ez 38:4 Mac Arthur note)
Genesis 10:2 New American Standard Bible (NASB) (2347 B.C.)
2 The sons of Japheth were Gomer and Magog and Madai and Javan and Tubal and Meshech and Tiras.
Verse 2 – Scofield note
1 Gomer 2 Magog 3 Madai 4 Javan 5 Tubal 6 Meshech 7 Tiras
1 Progenitor (forefather) of the ancient Cimerians and Cimbri, from whom are descended the Celtic family.
2 From Magog are descended the ancient Scythians, or Tartars, whose descendants predominate in the modern day of Russia. Ezekiel 38:2; Ezekiel 39:6; Revelation 20:8.
Notice that the names of the nations who will invade Israel are today’s countries who have shown continued and open hostility to the nation of Israel. There is a great Muslim participation in the attack. None of the invaders are true allies of the United States Of America. It is easy to see that because the USA is Israel’s key military supporter, the term “parenthetical player” can be used to describe the USA, which is not named in any of these scriptures. But, it is very possible that the military forces of the USA will be involved in defending Israel during this invasion. The qualifier is that United States forces may be present, minus its members who will have been raptured. Unsaved soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and coast guardsmen will be left to fight in this battle.(1 Thes 4:16-17) (My thoughts)
For a worship song, I have chosen a song that I have known and loved for many years. You might want to read Micah 4:1-3. During the song all of the following are permitted: hand raising and clapping; foot stomping and dancing; and saying amen and hallelujah many times.
Today, as I was watching a Mecum auto auction something unusual happened. A Gibson Les Paul guitar was auctioned for $105,000, with the proceeds going to Curing Kids Cancer. A man played the guitar just before the bidding began, and it really sounded great! The gift of the money for cancer cure is in line with Matthew 25:40, “… inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these, My brethren, you did it to me.” I have heard that Les Paul Gibson guitars are “top of the line,” but my limited knowledge of guitars leaves me clueless as to why any guitar would bring about such a high price at an auction. The cars that were being sold in the auction were of the vintage and muscle car eras, and were beautifully maintained. During the program, a thought came to my mind about “slant 6 engine.” I can remember a lot of people talking about that type of engine, but I have never really understood the reason for its popularity. I searched information on the slant 6 engine and have included its link in this post. By the way, the link shows some really good technical data and pictures. I have also included a link to a Mecum Auto Auction that took place at Harrisburg, PA. A lot of the classic cars are shown that are similar to the auction that I watched today. A 55 Chevy, two-door hardtop, manual transmission, canary yellow is my favorite. So, here is my challenge. Can somebody please tell me all that I need to know about Les Paul Gibson Guitars and Slant 6 Engines? I know much more about Matthew 25:40, but I would love to know somebody else’s ideas about that subject.
The Mopar slant six engines – Allpar http://www.allpar.com/slant6.html – View by Ixquick Proxy – Highlight
The Slant Six: Story of the Most Durable Engine Around – used in all sorts of Chrysler, Plymouth, Dodge, and Valiant cars.
Please forgive me for “posting a post,” especially after I “posted” that I would not “post another post” until after Christmas! However! I have found myself enjoying this Christmas Eve evening by watching one of my favorite of all time movies (you probably have been drawn to the movie too) and I’ve got to talk to you about the movie, and the times. “Miracle On 34th Street” has always found a place of warmth in my soul. As I see the downtown store scenes of Christmas shoppers in the movie, my mind drifts back to the days of my childhood. My step-father was usually away from home working as a merchant seaman, so my mother would take my younger brother, sister, and me “downtown” on shopping excursions. My mother was very good at shopping and not letting us know that all of the wrapped boxes “were not really ours.” As with many downtown shopping areas in America “in the 50s,” we had streets in my home town that were lined with tall buildings, such as Sears, Penny’s, Woolworth’s, McCrory’s, Kress’s, and you know the rest of them. The streets were nicely decorated with “Christmas” markings (not Happy Holidays yet!). The store personnel would always say, “Merry Christmas,” without the fear of being fired! My family didn’t have a car, so we would always ride a city busy or take a cab. The drivers were very friendly and would also give “Christmas greetings” to us. I can remember the long kelly green coat that my mother wore; she always had a wide black belt around the coat; and, she would have on black high heels – she had given up on wearing a hat and white gloves (sort of what Aunt Bea would wear!). And, we didn’t have a television at home. So, now you know all about my family. Now! Back to the movie. I am very envious of the people of my age who were able to do their “downtown shopping” in the cities of Boston, Philadelphia, New York, St. Louis and the other large cities. The stores that are mentioned in “Miracle On 34th Street,” such as Macy’s, Gimbel’s, Stern’s, Bloomingdale’s, McCreery’s and Hearns must have been wonderful places to shop. In the movie, a Macy’s store employee referred a shopper over to Gimble’s for an item that cost $2.98; can you imagine that? the price or the courtesy! Well, back to the movie. I trust that all of you will have a very merry Christmas.
Miracle On 34th Street – 1947
Free Online Full Movie
1 And the word of the Lord came to me saying, 2 “Son of man, set your face toward Gog of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him
The year of this prophecy is 587 B.C. The prophet and priest (1:3), Ezekiel, receives this prophecy from God which addresses the future of Israel. The time of the invasion will be during the tribulation, which is also known as the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30:7) The church of Christ has been raptured. The nation of Israel is coming under increased persecution; an attack on Israel will take place. The time of Jacob’s trouble is identical to the tribulation (Scofield Study Bible). Jacob’s trouble, is also known as Jacob’s distress; it is the coming days of tribulation that will come upon all Israel (Jacob) (Ryrie Study Bible).The time of Jacob’s trouble is the period of unprecedented difficulty for Israel, as the verse defines; is set in a context of Israel’s final restoration. It is best equated with the time of tribulation, just before Christ’s second advent (Mac Arthur Study Bible). For us to know the identities of Magog, Rosh, Meshech and Tubal is key to understanding this prophecy. Their current day social and political sentiments and activities show great hostility toward the nation of Israel and Jews throughout the world.
The following note comes from the Scofield Study Bible, as it discusses “Gog.” Notice the references to Russia.
That the primary reference is to the northern (European) powers, headed up by Russia, all agree. The whole passage should be read in connection with Zechariah 12:1-4; Zechariah 14:1-9; Matthew 24:14-30;Revelation 14:14-20; Revelation 19:17-21, “gog” is the prince, “Magog,” his land. The reference to Meshech and Tubal (Moscow and Tobolsk) is a clear mark of identification. Russia and the northern powers have been the latest persecutors of dispersed Israel, and it is congruous both with divine justice and with the covenants (e.g. (See Scofield “Genesis 15:18”) See Scofield “Deuteronomy 30:3” that destruction should fall at the climax of the last mad attempt to exterminate the remnant of Israel in Jerusalem. The whole prophecy belongs to the yet future “day of Jehovah”; Isaiah 2:10-22; Revelation 19:11-21 and to the battle of Armageddon Revelation 16:14 See Scofield “Revelation 19:19” but includes also the final revolt of the nations at the close of the kingdom-age. Revelation 20:7-9.
The Mac Arthur Study Bible makes the following comments: “Gog” refers to a person, described as a prince from the land of Magog , who is the final Antichrist. Gog and Magog are named again in Rev 20:8, where they are used symbolically of the final world uprising against Jerusalem, its people and Messiah King. This attack comes not just from the north, but from the four corners of the world, as a world of sinners at the end of the 1,000 year kingdom come to fight the saints in Jerusalem. On that day,there is only one weapon used – divine fire. The Ryrie Study Bible describes: “Magog” as being the land of the Scythians, which is occupied by Russia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan. “Rosh” as being Iran. “Meshech and Tubal” being the area of Turkey. Notice that Scofield, Mac Arthur, and Ryrie are not identical in their conclusions, but it is easy to see that the locations of these lands are north, northeast, and east of the Black Sea and Caspian Sea. Mac Arthur makes a statement that is worthy of consideration: “Summing up, a chief prince who is the enemy of God’s people, will lead a coalition of nations against Jerusalem. The details of this enemy force and its destruction are given by Ezekiel in chapters 38-39.
Let me take this time to wish all of you a very merry Christmas. I will take a break and be back on the blog path in a few days. As you listen to the song on the video, please remember that Jesus is the reason for the season.
The nation of Israel has been scattered all over the world since its dispersion that lasted from 722 BC through 586 BC (See 2 Kings 17:1-6 and 2 Kings 25:11, and the connecting chapters). Jews have been being drawn back to Israel by God as a nation since the United Nations granted it statehood in 1948. God’s plan for Israel is not dependent upon the United Nations, the United States, or any other governing body in the world. God’s plan to return Israel to its promised land is based on His Sovereignty and His Holy Word. God’s chosen people, the Jews (Deu 7:6), will be under fierce assault by their enemies after the church has been raptured (1 Thes 4:16-17). Their enemies are also the enemies of God and of the church of Christ. Those times will be terrible.Consider the following scriptures and comments. Please notice that I use repetition to reenforce pertinent information.
Psalm 103:19 Holman Christian Standard Bible
The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.
Ezekiel 36:24 Holman Christian Standard Bible
For I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries, and will bring you into your own land
God’s chosen people, the Jews (Deu 7:6), will come under a major armed assault by their enemies in their promised land of Israel. Their attackers are also enemies of God, and of the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is not a denomination but is the body of born-again believers in Christ. In coming posts, we will discuss Ezekiel 38:1 through Ezekiel 39:29. We will read about the removal of the enemies of the Jews from their promised land. We will see the invasion of Israel and the intervention of God to protect the Jews, who are the nation of Israel. As Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 24:21, Holman Christian Standard Bible, “For at that time there will be great tribulation, the kind that hasn’t taken place from the beginning of the world until now and never will again!” Those future times will be terrible for those who will be present during them, which includes anyone in the world who has not been born again. Jews and Gentiles, who have no personal relationship with Jesus as their Lord and Savior, will be personal witnesses of the events that will take place during the times of Ezekiel 38 and 39. We, who have been born again, are able to read about the tribulation that Jesus discusses with His disciples. For those who have not been born again, they will be eye witnesses, both of the attacks on Israel and of the worldwide assault on anything and anybody resembling God. So, here is my plea to those who have not accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior; “please do so!”
The term that God’s Holy Word uses to describe those who have a place in Him, for now and eternity, is “born again” (John 3:3-8). A person who has been born again, or born from above, has a spirit that is as pure as the Spirit of Christ, and is indwelled and prompted for righteousness by the Spirit of “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” The scriptures that follow tell us a lot about the indwelling of the Spirit of God, and the teaching and conviction of righteousness that come from having the Spirit of God indwelling us. The way for unbelievers to achieve eternal life with God is also very clearly shown as being grace through faith.
John 7:38 Holman Christian Standard Bible
The one who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, will have streams of living water flow from deep within him.”
John 7:39 Holman Christian Standard Bible
He said this about the Spirit. Those who believed in Jesus were going to receive the Spirit, for the Spirit had not yet been received because Jesus had not yet been glorified.
John 14:16 Holman Christian Standard Bible
And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever.
John 14:17 Holman Christian Standard Bible
He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive Him because it doesn’t see Him or know Him. But you do know Him, because He remains with you and will be in you.
John 14:20 Holman Christian Standard Bible
In that day you will know that I am in My Father, you are in Me, and I am in you.
John 14:26 Holman Christian Standard Bible
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit–the Father will send Him in My name–will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.
John 15:26 Holman Christian Standard Bible
“When the Counselor comes, the One I will send to you from the Father–the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father–He will testify about Me.
John 16:8 Holman Christian Standard Bible
When He comes, He will convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment:
John 16:9 Holman Christian Standard Bible
About sin, because they do not believe in Me;
John 16:10 Holman Christian Standard Bible
about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see Me;
John 16:11 Holman Christian Standard Bible
and about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged
John 16:13 Holman Christian Standard Bible
When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak whatever He hears. He will also declare to you what is to come.
John 17:21 Holman Christian Standard Bible
May they all be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I am in You. May they also be one in Us, so the world may believe You sent Me.
1 Corinthians 2:14 Holman Christian Standard Bible
But the unbeliever does not welcome what comes from God’s Spirit, because it is foolishness to him; he is not able to understand it since it is evaluated spiritually.
Colossians 1:27 Holman Christian Standard Bible
God wanted to make known among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory
Ephesians 2:8 Holman Christian Standard Bible
For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift–
Romans 10:17 New American Standard Bible
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
The final scripture tells us something that is very important about environment. The preaching of the Word is key to a person’s coming to saving faith in Christ. It is important for children to be brought up in a church that clearly teaches God’s Word. If our children are not in church, they should be! Consider the man who recently murdered the two police officers in New York. From what I have read about the murderer’s background, he came from a muslim family, and his mother was afraid of him. There was no mention of a father in the home. Muslims have no assurance of eternal life. They are trying to prove themselves worthy of eternal life in paradise. Consider the view of muslims, as many present their lifestyles to the world. There are too many young males and females who are brought up in homes where no father is present. It is incumbent upon the church of Christ to reach out to single parents and encourage them to have their children in church. The vast numbers of young people who are shown in news films committing continued acts of lawlessness, violence, vandalism, arson, and crimes against persons and property are proof of the many people who have no relationship with Jesus as their Lord and Savior. As the church of Christ, we have a commission to “go and teach” those people the words of love of Jesus. We need to be proactive in sharing the gospel with those who may appear to be unreachable, and find a way of getting them into a church setting. We need to realize the severity of the great multitude of those people whose eternity is set for Hell. But, we should also consider the church environment. We need to know if the Word of God will be preached, and not things that are not of God’s Word. Consider the words of the Book of Hebrews as they relate to organized church gatherings.
Hebrews 10:24-25 New International Version
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
We are told to meet in a spirit of love, and to continue meeting and encouraging one another. But, there can be major road blocks in churches that prevent an environment of love. There are churches that get involved in things that are not of God, and have messages from the pulpit that have nothing to do with God’s love. Such churches are operating in direct opposition to God’s love. God’s Word warns such churches of the consequences of such ungodly behavior, as follows:
To the church of Ephesus, God’s Word states a complaint.
Revelation 2:4 New American Standard Bible
But I have this against you, that you have left your first love
The church at Ephesus had moved so far from its ministry that it was told:
Revelation 2:5 New American Standard Bible
‘Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place– unless you repent.
Because the church at Ephesus had strayed from its ministry of serving Christ, the consequence was that God’s judgment would bring an end to that church.
The purpose of the church of Christ is stated in Matthew 28:19-20, as follows:
New American Standard Bible
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
The purpose of the church of Christ is to teach the words of Jesus and bring unbelievers to belief in Christ as their Lord and Savior; baptizing them, and teaching them to lead other unbelievers to saving faith in Jesus. A Godly environment of each church is key to the good health and continued success of the congregation.
Let’s go back to the man who murdered the two New York police officers. His spiritual situation is the result of bad parenting and not learning about the love that comes through a personal relationship with Jesus, as Lord and Savior. There are many other people who have the same potential of hatred growing within their mind; that is driven by a spirit that has not been born again; but is in close spiritual relationship with Satan. The many people of the world, who do not have a relationship with Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior, do not have the influence of righteousness within them that comes from having the Holy Spirit indwelling them.
There is a congregation that is currently in the same danger as we saw present with the Church at Ephesus. This present day church recently violated its trust as being a place where young children, and unbelieving adults, can go to hear the Word of God spoken from the pulpit in a way that builds up the name of Jesus and desires to lead lost souls to Christ. There is a video of part of the church service. Women are shown wearing red choir robes. Venomous hateful speech is clearly being spoken from the pulpit. The church’s pastor should be ashamed for allowing such ungodly conduct from taking place in the congregation where he has been given the charge of being that congregation’s shepherd, overseer, elder, bishop, minister, and any other name that can be attributed to his calling. The congregation should also be ashamed by allowing their sanctuary to be used in such an ungodly manner. Usually, I will show a video of examples. This time, I will not do that. I will not let such hatefulness be shown in this post. My responsibility as a pastor is to “equip the saints for the work of ministry for the building up of the body of Christ.” (Eph 4:11-12). I encourage you to search You Tube for the video that can found by typing,”rev al at ferg ch.” May your church never be used in such an unholy way. May your children never be placed in such a den of Satan. May you prepare your children to not be of those who will be “left behind.” May you not be left behind. May you and your children go into the presence of God together, in the rapture of the church.
As I normally do, I will put a nice video at the foot of this post. I trust that it will lighten your soul from the worldly situations that face all of us… It was at a wedding that Jesus performed His first miracle (John 2:1-11)… The song that follows was sung at a Catholic wedding. The name of the priest is Ray Kelly. The location is Ireland. I have posted the video previously. I pray that you will receive a blessing from it.
Wedding Song – Hallelujah
Chris And Leah O’Kane
Selected video of the wedding follows. It shows some very tender moments. The bride is beautiful. I will add that all brides are beautiful.
Matthew, Revelation, Zechariah, Ezekiel, The Sony Hack Attack, And The World Geo-Political Situation
Consider God’s Holy Word – Consider World Events – Don’t Be Left Behind
Matthew 24:1-21 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) Selected Verses
1 As Jesus left and was going out of the temple complex, 3 While He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples approached Him privately and said, “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what is the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?” 4 Then Jesus replied to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and they will deceive many. “6 You are going to hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, because these things must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these events are the beginning of birth pains. 9 “Then they will hand you over for persecution, and they will kill you. You will be hated by all nations because of My name 10 Then many will take offense, betray one another and hate one another. 21 at that time there will be great tribulation, the kind that hasn’t taken place from the beginning of the world until now and never will again!”
Revelation 16:16 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
16 So they assembled them at the place called in Hebrew, Armagedon.
Zechariah 14:1-5 Revised Standard Version (RSV)
14 Behold, a day of the Lord is coming, when the spoil taken from you will be divided in the midst of you. 2 For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be taken and the houses plundered and the women ravished; half of the city shall go into exile, but the rest of the people shall not be cut off from the city. 3 Then the Lord will go forth and fight against those nations as when he fights on a day of battle. 4 On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives which lies before Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley; so that one half of the Mount shall withdraw northward, and the other half southward.5 And the valley of my mountains shall be stopped up, for the valley of the mountains shall touch the side of it; and you shall flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzzi′ah king of Judah. Then the Lord your God will come, and all the holy ones with him.
Revelation 19:11-14 New King James Version (NKJV)
11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had ” a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.”
CHINA, RUSSIA, OR IRAN MAY HAVE ASSISTED NORTH KOREA IN SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT HACK; AL-QAEDA, THE ISLAMIC STATE, OTHER DARKER ANGELS ARE WATCHING AND LEARNING FROM THIS EVENT
December 18, 2014 · by Fortuna’s Corner · in Al Qaeda, China, CIA, Covert operations, Cyber War, Cybersecurity, DIA,espionage, spying, Intelligence Community, Internet, Iran, national security, NSA, POTUS, Russia, U.S. Cyber Command, US Military · 1 Comment
China, Russia, or Iran May Have Assisted North Korea In Sony Pictures Entertainment Hack; al-Qaeda, the Islamic State, Other Darker Angels Are Watching And Learning From This Event http://www.fortunascorner.wordpress.com
Fox News is reporting this evening that the U.S. investigation into the hack of Sony Pictures Entertainment, has turned up evidence that does not point to North Korea as the “sole entity,” in the case; but rather, raises the possibility that Iran, China, or Russia may have been involved,” an intelligence Community source told Fox News. Catherin Herridge of Fox News says “the [intelligence] source pointed to the sophistication of the malware “modules,” or packets that destroyed the Sony IT network — on a level that has not been seen from North Korea in the past — but, [which] has been seen from Iran, China, or Russia.
It is very important for believers in Christ to be aware of the things of the world and how they may be pointing to the rapture of the church, the tribulation, the return of Christ for the judgment of sin, and the final spiritual battle that will take place before God’s saved people will spend eternity with Him. Each day I will be posting information that relates to the end times. Consider the news post that accompanies this writing. The nations of North Korea, Russia, China, Iran, and Israel are frequently named in daily news reports. It will be my attempt to show a correlation between Israel and the nations of the world that are common-day critics and attackers of “God’s chosen people” (Deu 7:6). God’s Holy Word provides sound advice for those of us who know the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Hosea 4:6 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge”
It is important for God’s people to be aware of the events that are affecting our world today. Let me encourage you to keep up with the news reports each day. Unfortunately, the news outlets that I watched everyday while I was growing up have demonstrated a biased reporting against the nation of Israel. Fox news provides a more balanced view of current events. I watch as many of the news outlets as I am able to do so; I encourage you to do the same.
As we are faced with increasingly greater acts of lawlessness in our world, let us cling to the following verses of scripture.
Psalm 46:10 King James Version (KJV)
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
The words of the HCSB appears to be appropriate for our world of today.
Psalm 46:10 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
“Stop your fighting—and know that I am God, exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth.”
As we are “being still” and knowing that “God is God,” let us take time to “take all of that in.” Consider God’s Word and the song about “who God is.” IMMANUEL! GOD WITH US!
Isaiah 7:14 King James Version (KJV)
14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Isaiah 9:6 King James Version (KJV)
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.
Matthew 1:22-23 King James Version (KJV)
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Thomas Road Baptist Church
Charles Billingsley
Immanuel
1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.
12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
“When we come to Jesus, shouldn’t we return, “another way?” Think about it.
2 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Glory in the Highest
8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.
Peter Benenson, December 10th, 1961.
Luke 2:8-14 21st Century King James Version (KJ21)
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!”
There are small restaurants and coffee shops in many cities and towns that present an unusual opportunity for witnessing. In my town there is a quaint coffee shop that has a piano that is situated near most of the tables where patrons drop in and spend an enjoyable time, consuming hot coffee and tasty muffins, and sharing intimate conversations. There have been times when I have been there enjoying the niceness of an evening when someone would make their way over to the piano and begin planing a series of songs that just “hit the needed spot.” The stresses of the day would seem to disappear from my mind and leave me desiring more of that soul-easing music. I can imagine that there are other similar places that have pianos that can also be played for the comfort of the customers. Consider the setting that is shown in the following video. A young man sits down at a piano in a restaurant and begins to play a song that is pleasing to the mind of almost anybody, whether Christian, Jew, or indifferent. I am certain that there are readers of this post who are musically inclined and talented, and who would like to take such an opportunity to share the message of Jesus to people who are usually isolated, or insulated, from such a story of the gospel of Christ. Give it a listen; share the story. Consider adding a guitarist, or other musicians, and have a small combo. Always consider ways of creative witnessing (Acts 1:8).
Our nation needs to be cleansed by God. Please join in prayer with me this Wednesday, and every Wednesday at noon to pray for our nation. I am on Eastern Standard time. If you can’t pray at that time, consider praying at some other time for our nation. Invite others to be a part of this much needed time of self-examination.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
“Search Me O, God,” and “Cleanse Me,” are two titles that lead the same song and the same message. It is a message that we should all have within our souls. I first heard the song in 1977 when my Pastor sang it, while being accompanied by a very good female singer. It is a song that I will sing, while also being accompanied by a much better female voice. When I listen to Glen Payne and George Younce singing this beautiful message of our calling out to God after we have sinned, and I think of my, now deceased, best ever pastor singing it, tears begin to swell. When we…
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
The year was 1959. The month was September. I had just started sixth grade in Gretna, Louisiana. I would spend the next three years at the same “Grammar School.” My life was common to those of my school mates. I lived in a small house that was located only about three hundred feet from the school. At lunch time, I could go home, or go to a nearby grocery store and buy a “po boy” sandwich (French or Italian bread with ham, turkey, shrimp, or oysters, mayonnaise, lettuce and tomato slices). I could also have my lunch at school where we would have tasty red beans and rice, with links of smoked sausage, every Monday. I would arrive at school every day early enough that I could play basketball or jacks. I might also shoot marbles or try to sharpen my yo-yo skills. When we started our school day, we would say the pledge to the flag and say a prayer. We had real Christmas holidays, and had real Christmas programs at school. We would sing Christmas carols, which included biblical songs. The school would give the children song sheets that showed the words to those biblical songs. Teachers were free to talk to their classes about their church lives. Most of my friends watched the same television programs. We didn’t have cable tv or dish types, so our selection was limited to traditional network programming. The programs were family oriented and were not restricted to “church and state” limitations. The Cleaver family went to church and Sunday School. Andy, Barney, Aunt Bea, Opie, and Gomer were shown in their church, even when Gomer might fall asleep and snore during the “Reverend’s” sermons. The Christmas programs that were produced and shown by ABC, NBC, and CBS did not hide the fact that “Jesus was the reason for the season.” Television hosts did not omit “Jesus” from their discussions when they were talking about Christmas. Jesus was truly “God with us” during those programs. Please take time to play the videos that I have selected to show that there was truly a much simpler time of Christmas in our nation’s not too distant history. You may gather that I am a fan of Bing Crosby’s songs. May God bless the USA!
It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas
Andy Williams
The Christmas Waltz
Frank Sinatra
The Christmas Song
Nat King Cole
Christmas
Andy Williams
The Secret Of Christmas
Bing Crosby
Silver Bells
Bob Hope And Olivia Newton John
The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
Andy Williams
The Bells Of St. Mary’s
Bing Crosby
O Sanctissima
Bing Crosby
My Favorite Things
Andy Williams
The Lord’s Prayer
Perry Como
Do You Hear What I Hear
Bing Crosby
Ave Maria
Perry Como
Away In A Manger
Bing Crosby
The Carpenters
On The Perry Como Show
The Osmond And Williams Families
On The Andy Williams Show
Silent Night
Bing Crosby
O Holy Night
Andy Williams
White Christmas
Bing Crosby
If you have any memories that you would like to share, I would be honored to read them. Please have a Merry Christmas, in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus. Amen.
Marlee and Jacob were married on Christmas Eve, “twenty years ago.” On this Christmas Eve, the couple are headed to an attorney’s office…to sign divorce papers. Think about Marlee, Jacob, and your marriage situation. Do you remember the words that you and your mate said to each other as you stood before God, the minister, family and friends, and the rest of the people who were watching and listening as you professed your love for one another other? If you have forgotten those special words, I have written a traditional wedding vow for you to consider. Please read it now.
“To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish…’til death do us part.”
If you are also considering a Christmas Eve “divorce papers appointment,” please! Let me ask you to listen to the following audio recording of Marlee and Jacob, as they are on their way to sign their papers…on Christmas Eve. The time of the recording is fifty-four minutes. Let me ask you to set aside an uninterrupted period of time, “for fifty-four minutes.” Think about your wedding vows. Think about your marriage…please. Set aside fifty-four minutes and consider your marriage.
There are two links that will get you to the recording. I am leaving both of them intact so that you will be able to activate at least one of them, in the event that the other may not work. The one that is at the bottom is the one that I have used. You can click “right in the middle” of the wedding ring (amazing, isn’t it?) to begin the recording. After you have listened to the story of Marlee and Jacob (or, of you and your mate), please set aside another eight minutes and seventeen seconds to listen to the song and oratory that are provided by Bill and Gloria Gaither. It tells about the love and challenge that have encompassed their marriage. After you have read, listened to, and watched everything that is in this post, let me ask you a very personal question. You can answer to yourself. So, here it is. When you check something on fb from a “friend” of the opposite sex, “do you get a spark?” If your answer is “yes,” maybe fb is not something that you should have as a part of your life.
Christmas Specials | Moody Radio http://www.moodyradio.org/christmas-specials/ – View by Ixquick Proxy – Highlight
Celebrate Christmas with Moody Radio, and listen to a variety of special programs around the sights, sounds and themes of Christmas.
Revelation 1 New King James Version (NKJV) – Sermon Draft
Many people have found the Book of Revelation to be “a really interesting book to read.” There are a lot of scripture cross references that come from both the Old and New Testaments. But, it is interesting to know that not many sermons or lessons provide a deep look into the book, whose key selling point comes from Chapter 1 Verse 3: “1:3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.” Based on the violent times that surround us, the time is “very near.” Consider the following verses that tell us about “the nearing of time.”
Matthew 24:5-8, “For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.” An increase in false messiahs, an increase in warfare, and increases in famines, plagues, and natural disasters—these are signs of the end times. In this passage, though, we are given a warning: we are not to be deceived, because these events are only the beginning of birth pains; the end is still to come.”
1 Timothy 4:1-2 “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron”
2 Timothy 3:1-5 “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 ” Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.”
We can not deny the obvious and ungodly times that we are experiencing. There is no way that the people who are looting, burning, and destroying property of others can believe themselves to be born again. Parents and friends of such ungodly people have a calling to tell those anarchists of their need to repent of their sins and to call on Christ to save them from an eternity of death and suffering. We are not doing any favors for anyone by ignoring their sinful lifestyles.
The end of the times that we call the Church Age are coming to an end. It is for our families, for our friends, and for ourselves that we should seriously study the book of the end of times, which Holy Scripture calls “Revelation.” Times will be more violent than they have ever been when the church, the born again believers in Christ, will be suddenly and secretly taken out of our world in the catching away/the rapture of the church (Matthew 24:21;1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
We will now begin a chapter by chapter study of Revelation, with support coming from other books of the Bible that relate to the end times. Key authors, such as Charles Ryrie, R.C.Sproul, John Mac Arthur, C.I. Scofield, John Walvoord, and others, will be included as sources of scriptural information that will be gleaned from their study bibles and books of commentary.
PROLOGUE (1:1-3)
VERSE 1 “1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John,”
1.1 Of Jesus Christ = from Jesus Christ… from God… to Jesus… by angel… to John the Apostle…
1.2 must shortly take place = not soon to happen… when it happens – will take place swiftly.
VERSE 2 “1:2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw.”
2.1 all things that he saw = a testimony of John’s vision. (the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth)
VERSE 3 “1:3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.”
3.1 the blessings of reading, hearing, keeping:
3.1.1 the seven churches of Revelation would be blessed by John’s reading the vision.
3.1.2 we are blessed today by reading John’s vision.
3.2 prophecy = the vision is prophetic (futurist); not historic (preterist).
3.2 the time is near = a season… the next event is the Rapture of the church (1 Thes 4:16-18)… occur at any time.
SALUTATION (4:1-8)
VERSE 4 “1:4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne,”
4.1 the seven churches = in Asia, Turkey… not all present during the times of apostolic missions.
Ephesus, Thyatira, Laodecia (in Acts, Colossians, and Revelation)
Smyrna, Pergamos, Sardis, Philadelphia (only in Revelation)
4.2 from Him Who “was,” “is, and “is to come.” = Eternal presence of God: Father, Son, Holy Spirit.
4.3 the seven Spirits of God = The perfect fullness of God’s Holy Spirit.
4.4 before His throne = a stately seat; of power; a seat of power and authority, above all other power and authority.
VERSE 5 “1:5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,”
5.1 firstborn from the dead = Christ the first to receive a resurrected body that is immortal…. vs Lazarus …
5.2 Colossians 1:15 “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.”
5.3 John 11:43-44 “Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth !,” And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with grave clothes ”
5.4 Consider the difference in Jesus and Lazarus being raised from death.
5.5 Consider the comment from the Reformation Study Bible on Colossians 1:15.
5.6 Col 1:15 image of the invisible God. For Paul, belief in the deity of Christ (Rom. 9:5; Phil. 2:6; Titus 2:13) is practical. Since He is by nature God, Christ reveals the God who is otherwise invisible (1 Tim. 1:17; 6:16). The thought is also found in John 1:1–18 and Heb. 1:3. Calvin observes that “we must be careful not to look for Him anywhere else, for apart from Christ whatever offers itself to us in the name of God will turn out to be an idol.”
5.7. the firstborn of all creation. Paul is not saying that the Son was the first created being (v. 17 note). In the Old Testament, a firstborn son would be the principal heir of an estate (Deut. 21:17; cf. Ex. 4:22; Ps. 89:27). Used of Christ, the term “firstborn” means that He has such honor and dignity, not that He was the oldest child in a family. Christ is especially loved by His Father (v. 13), and all things were created in Him, by Him, and for Him (vv. 16, 17).
VERSE 6 “1.6” “and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
6.1 kings and priests = a description of both Israel and the church. We shall minister to God forever. (See Exodus 19:6 and 1 Peter 2:9-10)
Exodus 19:6 “And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”
2 Peter 2:9-10 “9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.”
VERSE 7 “1.7” “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.”
7.1 The next event in the Lord’s coming is that of His coming in the air to catch up the saints of all time and take them to Heaven. There is no indication that this event will be seen by those who are left behind (See 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
7.1.1. 1 Thes 4:16-17, “16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”
7.2 The Second Coming Of Christ, to the earth. Those who miss the Rapture will see this event as it happens (See Matthew 24:29-30).
Every eye will see Him = Mat 24:29-30. “29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”
7.3. Those who pierced Him = The nations of Israel will look on Jesus when He returns, and will mourn its rejection of Him as Messiah. Although, many Jews will accept Jesus as Messiah during the Tribulation (See. Zechariah 12:10).
7.4. The tribes will mourn = The wailing of the Gentile nations will not be due to a cry of repentance, but of terror at judgment (see Zech 12:10).
Zech 12:10. “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.”
VERSE 8 “1.8” “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
8.1 the Alpha and the Omega = The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. God is Alpha (Creator) and Omega (the One who ushers in the new heaven and new earth). He is Lord of all—past, present, and future—as suggested by “who is . . . is to come” (cf. 4:1–5:14 note). His sovereignty in creation guarantees the fulfillment of His purposes in re-creation (Rom. 8:18–25). (Reformation Study Bible)
8.2 who is to come. = In the future God will come to fulfill all His purposes (21:1–22:5). (Reformation Study Bible)
THE VISION OF CHRIST GLORIFIED (1:9-18)
VERSE 9 “1:9” “I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.”
9.1 patient endurance = John is a fellow believer of persecution, and is not superior to the seven churches of Asia Minor.
9.2 Patmos = A small island off the west coast of Asia Minor. Patmos had a Roman penal settlement.
VERSE 10 “1.10” “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet,”
10.1 in the Spirit = in a state of spiritual ecstasy. See 2 Corinthians 12:4. “how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.”
10.2 the Lord’s Day = not Sunday. John was projected forward to the future day of the Lord as he received the revelation of the unfolding of the end times (Walvood Commentary).
10.3 a loud voice =the voice of Jesus.
VERSE 11 “1.11” “saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”
11.1 what you see … write … send = the vision that the Apostle John had seen was to be written in a book (Revelation), and sent to the seven churches of Asia Minor.
VERSE 12 “1.12” “Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands,”
12.1 seven golden lampstands = the seven churches of Asia Minor. The church’s function is to give light. The golden metal represents the deity and glory of Christ. The implied olive oil is symbolic of the Holy Spirit.
VERSE 13 “1.13” ” and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.”
13.1 in the midst of the seven lampstands = Christ is shown in the midst of the lampstands, that is in the midst of the churches.
13.2 Son of man = the title emphasizes of Jesus, His humanity and Messianic character.
13.3 clothed = shows Christ as priest and judge. See Daniel 7.9, in the description of the Ancient of Days.
13.4 Daniel 7.9, “I watched till thrones were put in place, And the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, And the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, Its wheels a burning fire;”
13.5 the Ancient of Days took his seat. = The title “Ancient of Days” is a designation for God on the throne, and judgment. (RSB)
13.6 his throne . . . its wheels. The depiction of God’s throne resembles Ezekiel’s vision of the throne chariot of God (Ezek. 1:15–28). (RSB)
VERSE 14 “1.14” ” His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire;”
14.1 like white wool … snow = A depiction of Christ’s wisdom and purity.
14.2 eyes like a flame of fire = Piercing and penetrating in holiness. (See 1 Cor 3:13).
14.3. 1 Cor 3:13 “each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.
14.4 1 Cor 3:13 note. Ryrie Study Bible. The flame of fire in Rev 1:14 compares to 1 Cor 3:13 as it relates to judgment.
VERSE 15 “1.15” “His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters;
15.1 This picture of Christ standing ready to judge and purify is completed by the description of His voice as the thundering voice of the Son of God revealing His majesty and power before which human authority must bow. (Walvoord Commentary) See Phl 2:9-10.
15.2 Phil 2:9-10. “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,”
VERSE 16 “1.16” “He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength”
16,1 in His right hand = a place of honor.
16.2 he held seven stars = the stars are the angels (pastors) of the seven churches.
16.3 sword = a symbol of the truth and severity of the Word of God. A weapon of Divine judgment.
16.4 His countenance = depicts the brilliant glory of His face.
16.5 See Acts 9:3-4,and 1 John 3:2 for examples of the light and glory of the face of Christ.
16.5.1 “Acts 9:3-4, “3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
16.5.2 “1 John 3:2″ ” Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”
VERSE 17 “1:17” “And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.’ ”
17.0 I saw Him = in a spiritual ecstatic trance.
17.1 I fell at His feet = the majesty and glory of Jesus was; John fell at His feet.
17.1a Right hand = sign of power and blessing
17.1b Fear not = the Sovereign Lord spoke words of comfort
17.1c The First and The Last = The Sovereign Lord had conquered death and Hades by His power
17.2 do not be afraid = John had been at the transfiguration of Jesus (Matt 17:6); had been at the side of Jesus at the last Passover meal (John 13:23); had been with the mother of Jesus at His crucifixion (John 19:25-27); was at the empty tomb (John 20:1-5); saw Jesus resurrected (John 20:19-20); was given special grace by Jesus (John 21:20-23); saw Jesus ascend up into Heaven (John 21:46-51; Acts 1:8-9). As John was at the feet of Jesus, Jesus said to John, the apostle that Jesus loved, “fear not.” (KJV). It was like Jesus said to John, “you know who I am,” (my words).
VERSE 18 “1:18″ I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.”
18.0 He who lives = the Living One; the Living God; the Possessor of life and death; never to die again; your life eternal is in Me.
18.1 the keys of Hades and Death = “the keys” denote the authority of Christ over physical death and Hades. the place that temporarily holds the immaterial part of the unbeliever between death and the ultimate casting into the lake of fire (See Rev 20:14).
18.2 the keys of Death = Christ alone holds the key or authority over death; no one can die without divine permission. Because Christ is in authority over Hades, He is also sovereign over the life to come.
JOHN COMMISSIONED TO WRITE (1:19-22)
VERSE 19 “1:19” “Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.”
19.1 the things you have seen = Chapter 1.
19.2 the things which are = Chapters 2-3 (the present state of the church).
19.3 the things which will take place after this = Chapters 4-22.
19.4 this outline allows for a futuristic understanding of Revelation.
VERSE 20 “1:20” “The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.”
20.1 the seven stars = the pastors of the seven churches.
20.2 the seven golden lampstands = the seven churches.
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS OF EXPERIENCES WITH GOD
One of the key thoughts that has stayed with me is that the Apostle John, not only was told by the voice of God to write the Book of Revelation, but he also came face to face with our Triune God … Father, Son, Holy Spirit … who displayed all three offices of … Prophet, Priest, King (Rev 1:9-18). We should all consider how we would act if we were to experience such an event in our life. There are two other scriptural incidents that we should consider, of God coming “face to face” with His prophets. As we read about the experiences of Isaiah and Ezekiel with God, we should mentally put ourselves in their circumstances and think about how we might respond.
Isaiah 6:1-9 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
A Vision of God in the Temple
1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty; and the hem of his robe filled the temple. 2 Seraphs were in attendance above him; each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. 3 And one called to another and said:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory.”
4 The pivots on the thresholds shook at the voices of those who called, and the house filled with smoke. 5 And I said: “Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”
6 Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding a live coal that had been taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. 7 The seraph touched my mouth with it and said: “Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out.” 8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I; send me!” 9 And he said, “Go and say to this people:
‘Keep listening, but do not comprehend;
keep looking, but do not understand.’
Ezekiel 1:1-3; 1:26-28 New King James Version (NKJV)
1 Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifthday of the month, as I was among the captives by the River Chebar, that the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God. 2 On the fifth day of the month, which was in the fifth year of King Jehoiachin’s captivity, 3 the word of the Lordcame expressly to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the River Chebar; and the hand of the Lord was upon him there.
26 And above the firmament over their heads was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like a sapphire stone; on the likeness of the throne was a likeness with the appearance of a man high above it. 27 Also from the appearance of His waist and upward I saw, as it were, the color of amber with the appearance of fire all around within it; and from the appearance of His waist and downward I saw, as it were, the appearance of fire with brightness all around. 28 Like the appearance of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the brightness all around it. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. So when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of One speaking.
Ezekiel 2:1-2 New King James Version (NKJV)
1 And He said to me, “Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak to you.” 2 Then the Spirit entered me when He spoke to me, and set me on my feet; and I heard Him who spoke to me.
WORSHIP VIDEOS
The videos that have been chosen were recorded at the Brownsville Assembly of God in Pensacola, Florida. They deal with personal worship experiences that reflect on our need for God to be merciful to us, and for us to seek His mercy, grace, and forgiveness. Such mercy is needed for us, individually, and for our nation. The videos were made during the Revival at the church which began on Father’s Day in 1995 and ended in the year 2000.The revival speaker was Evangelist Pastor Steve Hill, who passed from this life on March 9, 2014 and is now in the Presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus.
Lord Have Mercy – Lindell Cooley
Mercy Seat – Charity James Hubbard
Evangelist Pastor Steve Hill
Forgive Me – Altar Call For Repentance
Evangelist Pastor Steve Hill
20-21 Among those who had come up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They approached Philip with the request, “Sir, we want to see Jesus.”
America needs to come to Jesus. Our nation, and the entire world, is in a serious state of anarchy. We are killing millions of unborn babies each year. We are violating God’s Word by allowing men to marry men, and women to marry women. These three things are indicative of our nation being governed by sinful people. Gods’ people are remaining silent on these issues. We must seriously consider Revelation 2:4, as it says to the church at Ephesus, “you have lost your first love.” Consider God’s indictment on that church in verse 5, “remember from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come quickly and remove your lampstand from its place — unless you repent.”
Please pray with me for America to come to Jesus, as well as other nations that have also lost their love for Jesus. I will be praying this Wednesday at noon, until one pm, eastern standard time. If your time zone is greatly different, consider getting a prayer group together in your area, at noon of your time. The USA had been the lampstand of the world for many years. Now, its brightness of righteousness is becoming dim. If we do not repent of our nation’s sins, we may also have our lampstand removed. Yes! The USA has definitely lost its first love. We must repent. Our nation’s leaders must repent. Let us consider our scripture reading, again.
John 12:21 J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS)
20-21 Among those who had come up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They approached Philip with the request, “Sir, we want to see Jesus.”
May our nation come to Jesus. We need revival in our land.
In today’s world there is an increasing use of the word, “hell.” “Hell” appears to be the main word for many to use in their conversations with other people. Of course, we have all probably heard one person telling another to “go to hell!” But, because of the seriousness of the true meaning of the word, “hell,” no one should be directed to go there. For most people, their understanding of the word, hell, is “the end of the line,” for wicked people, with all of the achieved awards for wickedness awaiting them. The way that people use the word “hell” can sometimes be confusing. Its meaning can be very specific, or general in how it is used. Such words as Gehenna, Hades, Hell, Sheol, Tartaros, and Torments are indicative of this subject, and will be discussed in this post. It is important to note that of the three normally used words that relate to hell, “Sheol, Hades, and Hell,” the King James Version never uses “Sheol or Hades.” However, the word “Hell” is used fifty-four times in the KJV. Conversely, the New American Standard Bible uses Sheol sixty-five times, Hades ten times, and only uses Hell fifteen times. This study will discuss each form of the word, “hell.” Scriptures will be discussed, as they relate to each of the forms of hell. A list of scriptures will be provided that relates to each word that has been used to designate Hell, or to any related condition of that word.
Yashab. Hebrew, 3427.
Psalm 23:6 King James Version (KJV)
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Consider the lexicon teachings on this verse, as it relates to “dwelling” in the House of the Lord. David knew that after his death he would be a permanent inhabitant of God’s house, and that he would be aware of his surroundings after death. David was quite confident that he would have an eternal life that was active, and that was not what some have called, “soul sleep.”
NASB Lexicon. Hebrew. 3427, “Yashab.” And I will dwell.to sit, remain, dwell.
KJV Lexicon. Hebrew. 3427. and I will dwell, yashab (yaw-shab’). to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry.
Sheol/Hell. 7585, Hebrew. (Hades is the Greek word).
Psalm 16:7-10 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Consider the relationship of David and God.
7 I will bless the Lord who has counseled me; Indeed, my mind instructs me in the night. 8 I have set the Lord continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will dwell securely. 10 For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.
Psalm 16:10 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Consider the assurance of David that He would not be abandoned by God after his death.
10 For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay
See the note from the Reformation Study Bible:
16:10 you will not abandon my soul to Sheol. The immediate application of this psalm is to David and to the Old Testament saints. It refers to deliverance from the immediate threat of death, but it points prophetically to the Son of David whom the historical David reflected and anticipated. Both Peter and Paul recognized that Jesus was the ultimate fulfillment of this psalm (Acts 2:25–28; 13:35).
NASB Lexicon. Sheol, 7585. underworld (place to which people descend at death)
KJV Lexicon. Sheol, 7585. In hell. sh’owl (sheh-ole’). Hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories and inmates — grave, hell, pit.
Sheol identifies the condition of death. Relative to the state of death that David described, there is an awareness of comfort, and not of sleep.
Hades/Hell. 86, Greek. (Sheol is the Hebrew word).
Acts 2:27 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
27 Because You will not abandon my soul to Hades, Nor allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.
NASB Lexicon. 86. “TO HADES.” Hades, the abode of departed spirits.
KJV Lexicon. 86. αδου noun – genitive singular masculine. haides hah’-dace: unseen, i.e. Hades or the place (state) of departed souls — grave, hell.
Luke 16:19-24 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
consider the teaching of The Rich Man and Lazarus
19 “Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day. 20 And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, 21 and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man’s table; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores. 22 Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.’
Consider an example of Hades.
Luke 16:23 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
23 In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom.
NASB Lexicon. 86. Hades, the abode of departed spirit.
KJV Lexicon. 86. αδη noun – dative singular masculine
haides hah’-dace: unseen, i.e. Hades or the place (state) of departed souls — grave, hell.
See the note from the Reformation Study Bible”
16:23 in Hades. The usual Greek name for the place of the dead. In the New Testament it is not used with reference to the righteous. Here it is clearly a place of torment.
Hades identifies a condition in death. The rich man was aware of his condition, which was one of being tormented. He was aware of his surroundings, and was also aware of the condition of Lazarus, which was in “Abraham’s bosom.” By being in such a state, Lazarus was in the presence and comfort of God. There was no way that the rich man and Lazarus could change places. The rich man was not in this condition of torment, because he was rich but because he did not have an intimate relationship with God. (John 17:3); he had not been born again (John 3:3-8). Lazarus was having “the time of his life,” and had no awareness of the torment that the rich man was suffering. Perhaps such a lack of the rich man’s condition is related to Revelation 21:4:
Revelation 21:4 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”
After we have entered into the Presence of God there is no reason for us to be burdened by the conditions over which we have no control. Lazarus had suffered death. Yet, in death, Lazarus was experiencing life with God. The rich man had also died and was burdened by what he knew would be the fate of his unsaved family members (Luke 16:27-31). In death, the rich man was experiencing an eternal state of torment and separation from God.
Tartaros/Hell. 5020, Greek.
2 Peter 2:4 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment;
NASB Lexicon. 5020. but cast them into hell. ταρταρώσας.tartarōsas. to cast into hell. from Tartaros (a Gr. name for the abode of the damned)
KJV Lexicon. 5020. ταρταρωσας. verb – aorist active participle – nominative singular masculine. tartaroo tar-tar-o’-o: to incarcerate in eternal torment — cast down to hell.
We have been conditioned to think of Hell as being the eternal state of the wicked. The Greek word, tartaros, shows the destination and condition of the wicked, who are those who have not been born again (John 3:3-8); those who have no intimate relationship with God John 17:3).
Gehenna/Hell. 1067, Greek.
James 3:6 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.
NASB Lexicon. 1067. by hell. γεέννης. geennēs. Gehenna, a valley West and South of Jerusalem, also a symbolic name for the final place of punishment of the ungodly.
KJV Lexicon. 1067. γεεννης noun – genitive singular feminine. geena gheh’-en-nah: valley of (the son of) Hinnom; ge-henna (or Ge-Hinnom), a valley of Jerusalem, used (figuratively) as a name for the place (or state) of everlasting punishment — hell.
See the note from the Reformation Study Bible:
3:6 tongue is a fire. An uncontrolled tongue is likened to a fire that rages out of control (Ps. 120:3, 4; Prov. 16:27).
staining. Evil speech (including blasphemy, gossip, slander, lying, false vows, and the like) has the power to spoil, stain, and corrupt the entire moral character of a person.
See the note from Dr. John F. Walvoord.
In James 3:6, the damage accomplished by an uncontrolled tongue is compared to a fire which corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
Let’s continue with the complete statement of Dr. Walvoord. Notice that the teaching of Gehenna is that the punishment is unending.
Narrative, Gehenna,
John F. Walvoord writes
“All the references to gehenna, except James 3:6, are from the lips of Christ himself, and there is an obvious emphasis on the punishment for the wicked after death as being everlasting. The term gehenna is derived from the Valley of Hinnom, traditionally considered by the Jews the place of the final punishment of the ungodly. Located just south of Jerusalem, it is referred to in Joshua 15:8 and 18:16, where this valley was considered a boundary between the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. In this place human sacrifices were offered to Molech; these altars were destroyed by Josiah (2 Kings 23:10). The valley was later declared to be ‘the valley of slaughter’ by Jeremiah (Jer. 7:30-33). The valley was used as a burial place for criminals and for burning garbage. Whatever its historical and geographic meaning, its usage in the New Testament is clearly a reference to the everlasting state of the wicked, and this seems to be the thought in every instance. In James 3:6 the damage accomplished by an uncontrolled tongue is compared to a fire which ‘corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.’ “Christ warned that a person who declares others a fool ‘will be in danger of the fire of hell’ (Matt. 5:22). In Matthew 5:29 Christ states that it is better to lose an eye than to be thrown into gehenna, with a similar thought regarding it being better to lose a hand than to go into gehenna (Matt. 5:30). In Matthew 10:28 believers in Christ are told not to be afraid of those who kill the body, but rather to ‘fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell’ (KJV). A similar thought is mentioned in Matthew 18:9, where it is declared better ‘to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.’ In Matthew 23:15 Christ denounces the Pharisees who ‘travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.’ In Matthew 23:33 he denounces the Pharisees and the scribes, asking the question, ‘How will you escape being condemned to hell?’ In Mark 9:43, 45, 47, the thought recorded in Matthew about it being better to lose part of the body than to be cast into hell is repeated (cf. Matt. 5:22, 29, 30). Luke 12:5 contains a similar thought to that expressed in Matthew 10:28, that one should fear the devil far more than those who might kill them physically. Though not always expressly stated, the implication is that the punishment will have duration and be endless.”
John F. Walvoord in Four Views on Hell, p. 20.
Torments. 2851, Greek.
Matthew 25:46 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
46 These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
“To punish” is spoken of as being eternal punishment for those condemned by Christ (Mt 25:46); spoken of the temporary torment produced by fear in the soul of one conscious of sin before the love of God brings about peace at salvation (1 John 4:18).
It is important for believers in Christ to know that upon death we do not go to Gehenna, Hades, Hell, Sheol, Tartaros, Torments, Purgatory, Limbo, or anywhere other than the Presence of God. We do not enter a state of soul sleep. Upon our death, we experience what David spoke about in Psalm 23:6, in that we will “dwell in the House of the Lord forever.” The experience of Lazarus in Luke 23:23, showed that he was in the presence of God by being the “bosom of Abraham.” In Luke 23:43, Jesus told the thief on the cross, “today you will be with Me in Paradise.” For all of us, the Apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:8, “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” All of these promises of eternal life are given to those of us who have been born again (John 3:3-8); to those of us who have an intimate relationship with God (John 17:3).
Hell. Scriptures Of Reference
Gehenna
Josh 15:8,Josh 18:16, 2 Kings 23:10, Jer 7:30-33, Matt 5:22, Matt 5:29-30, Matt 10:28, Matt 18:9, Matt 23:15, Matt 23:33, Mark 9:43, 45, 47, Luke 12:15
Hades
Matt 11:23, Luke 16:23-24
Hell
Matt 5:22, Matt 10:28, Mark 9:47, James 9:47, 2 Pet 2:4
Sheol
Gen 37:35, Job 7:9, Ps 49:15, Pr 15:11, Isa 38:10, Eze 32:27, Hab 2:5
Torments
Matt 25:41, Matt 25:46, Luke 8:28, Luke 16:23-28, Rev 9:5, Rev 14:10-11, Rev 16:10-11, Rev 18: 9-10, Rev 20: 9-10
Two videos will be shown that relate to “our Father’s House.” The videos have a similar message, but a different way of expressing that eternal hope. It was with great emotion that I searched for a video that would match the thoughts that came to me as I was putting this post together. I trust that I have been obedient to the Spirit of God, as He led me in this study. I trust that you will be drawn to the truth that there is a heavenly home waiting for all of those who have been born again; to those who have an intimate relationship with God.
Heaven: My Father’s House
Anne Graham Lotz
Eternal Life Medley
The Barrett Sisters
Consider the words that came from one of the people who commented on this video. You may find common ground with the writer.
We just don’t do it like this anymore, and it’s truly SAD! This reminds me of my childhood days when the choir would actually “march” down the aisle…..and ya know i fell right in {PRAISE GOD}! What says that we have to put away the old songs to make room for the new ones? Doesn’t the word tell us ALL that God made is good?
1 O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.
2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:
7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;
8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.
9 O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!
The eighth psalm tells of the excellence of God and of His work in creation. It also tells of the exaltation of God of lowly mankind in His giving them dominion over His creation, as we see in the following verse of scripture.
Genesis 1:28 King James Version (KJV)
28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
Consider the words of the song of the Majesty and Glory of God that follows this discussion.
As we see the things that are going on in our nation today, we see scenes of rioting, looting, and burning private and public properties. We also see “protestors” blocking roads and impeding the flow of traffic of travelers who have no connection with the cause for which the protestors, aka anarchists, are mounting in their charge against decency. There are also people who have decided to make a statement for their cause by lying down on department store floors and interfering with people who just wanted to buy some goods at those stores. A dictionary definition of “peculiar” can relate to such unlawful actions. Two of the meanings are “odd” and “strange.” It is within my scope of reasoning and understanding to say that such anarchists are truly odd and strange in the way that they go about life. Of course, the word “peculiar” can find its way into biblical scripture. The following two King James Verse scriptures relate to God’s people as being “peculiar.” The Jews were said to be a peculiar people because they were chosen by God to bring the Messiah into the world (Deuteronomy 14:2). Those of us who have come to saving faith through Jesus, the Messiah, are also said to be “peculiar” people. That is because, as it says in 1 Peter 2:9, “we shew forth the praises of God” (See John 1:9). We, as believers in Christ, may also appear to the anarchists as being “odd” and “strange” because we don’t embrace their methods of “bringing about change” in our nation.
Deuteronomy 14:2 King James Version (KJV)
2 For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth
1 Peter 2:9 King James Version (KJV)
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
John 1:9 King James Version (KJV)
9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
The New American Standard Bible chooses a more contemporary word than peculiar to describe God’s people. In the two following verses, we see that God’s chosen people are “special,” in that we are chosen for God’s own possession. It is clear that the anarchists who are trying to destroy our form of government are not “special” or chosen for God’s own possession.
Let’s consider ways that we can make ourselves known as being “special” and “chosen for God’s own possession.” Let’s take every opportunity that is available to praise God, and to sing praises to Him. We are indwelled by the fruit of the Spirit of God. Let’s live our lives in a way that shows that we are indwelled with, and influenced by, the Spirit of God. (See Galatians 5:23, at the bottom of the page). As we can easily see, the people who are rioting, looting, and burning public and private property show no evidence that they are indwelled by God’s Holy Spirit. As believers in Christ, we have our work laid out for us to do. We must tell the anarchists, and the other lost people of the world, the words of Jesus, per Matthew 28:18-20 (See below). We must never forget the words that Jesus spoke to Nicodemus, that in order for us to see the Kingdom of God we must be born again (See John 3:3-8 below).
Deuteronomy 14:2 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
2 For you are a holy people to the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.
1 Peter 2:9 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
Galatians 5:22-23 Revised Standard Version (RSV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23 gentleness, self-control;
Matthew 28:19-20 Revised Standard Version (RSV)
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.”
John 3:3-8 New King James Version (NKJV)
3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Now, let us enter into a time of worship and praise, as we consider the Majesty and Glory of God.
The Majesty And His Glory
Metro Singers – Hyattsville, MD
Eternity 