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Let’s get serious!
Let’s restate the question of the title of this blog: “Will your children be one of those “left behind?” Let’s add to that question, with the question:”will you be one of those “left behind?” In order to ensure that one’s child is not “left behind,” the parent of the child needs to be such a family leader that will provide a family environment that is “sold out to Christ.” So, before we go any further, ask yourself an honest question, and provide an honest answer. After all, if you and your family are not “sold out” to Christ, you are looking at a family unit that will be much like the father and daughter in the video who were not sold out to Christ, and found themselves trapped in the tribulation, and had to deal with the many persecutions that the anti-Christ was rolling out all over the world. Here is the question for you, and for every member of your family to answer. “Are you sold out Christ as your Lord and Savior; have you been born again?” If you have been born again, you have the Spirit of God dwelling within your spirit, prompting you to righteous action and thought (John 16:7-11). If you have a continued lifestyle of thought and action affirming sexual immorality, to include adultery and homosexuality (1 Corinthians 6:9-10), and the killing of unborn babies (Revelation 21:8), you do not have the Spirit of God dwelling within your spirit prompting you to righteousness; you have not been born again; you are not sold out to Christ; you will be left behind when the rapture occurs and will be one of those who will face the persecutions of the anti-Christ and will be subject to the judgments of God (seal, trumpet, bowl) as found in Revelation 6-19.
The video that is provided with this post gives a good picture of how things will be after the rapture occurs. It shows those people who are not saved prior to the rapture taking place, but who come to accept Christ during the tribulation. The movie will also show the anti-Christ directed suffering and death that come upon those tribulation saints. Please! Please! Don’t be left behind. Accept Christ now (John 3:16)! A painful reality awaits those who are left behind: Sin, Satan, The Anti-Christ, The False Prophet, The Tribulation, The Battle Of Armageddon, The Great White Throne Judgment; they’re all real. The Lake Of Fire, which burns forever and ever awaits you if you do not know Christ as your Lord and Savior/If you have not been born again. A better reality awaits those who have accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior prior to the rapture: Father, Son, Holy Spirit; the New Birth that removes sin from your spirit; the rapture of the church, which takes away from the world those who have been born again so they will not have to come under the judgments of the tribulation, and the attack of Christ on the world, on those who oppose Him, during the Battle of Armageddon; the thousand-year reign of Christ, where those who have been born again will rule and reign with Christ for a thousand years; The New Heaven, New Earth, New Jerusalem, All things new (Rev 21:5), An eternity with Christ….
At this point of time in the history of America, and in much of the world, there is a concerted effort to force the acceptance of homosexuality, same-sex marriage and the killing of unborn babies, on those of us who hold to the teachings of the true Word of God. Such force comes from the Democrat party in the USA, the five major liberal news networks, the entertainment industry, much of academia, as well as the liberal watered-down church. We have been told that not only must we accept homosexuality, same-marriage and the killing of unborn babies, but that we must also embrace those abominable actions. If you belong to a denomination, or attend a church, that is numb to the truth of God’s Word on homosexuality, same-sex marriage and the killing of unborn babies, you need to get out of it and find a place of worship that teaches the truth of God’s Holy Word, especially if you have children who are depending on you to guide them in the truth of the Bible. If you belong to a denomination, or belong to a church, that approves of the position that the Democrat party has on the acceptance of abortion on demand and homosexual marriage, you had better do a spirit check; you are probably not born again; you are encouraging, and giving support, to those who are trying to force the acceptance of same-sex marriage and the killing of unborn babies on those of us who hold close to the teachings of God’s Word; you’re probably on your way to the tribulation.
Please don’t shoot the messenger! Somebody needs to tell the leaders of the Democrat party the things that can keep them from the tribulation. Those leaders need to get right with God, or the sin of their lives will lead them to the to the judgments of God that will be poured out on those who will be “left behind” and find themselves in the tribulation.
Do I need to “name names?” There are too many to list on this page. But, I will make it easy for you to know their names. The members of the Democrat party, who are either in elected office, or who are running to be elected to office, are people who support abortion on demand (even up to the point of birth), and homosexual marriage. The party that all of my family members supported while I was growing up; the party that I supported until I realized that it was going the way of sinful opposition to God’s Holy Word, the Democrat party, is the party whose party plank calls for the support of abortion on demand and homosexual marriage. Anyone who votes for democrats, is also voting for abortion on demand and homosexual marriage. If you say that you are a follower of Christ, but vote for people who support abortion on demand, or homosexual marriage, you had better do a spirit check. If you continually vote for candidates who support abortion on demand, or homosexual marriage, you probably have not been born again, and you probably are on your way to the tribulation, the battle of Armageddon, the Great White Throne Judgment, and the Lake of Fire. You’re probably going to be “left behind” when the rapture occurs! Hey! Don’t shoot the messenger. The message is true.
Consider the position of the “lady,”? who wanted to be the leader of our nation, as it relates to killing an unborn baby up until the time that the child will be born, and as she has stated “will have constitutional rights. She has stated that an unborn child does not have constitutional rights until the time that it is born. She believes that it is okay for a child to be destroyed “up until the point of birth.” Her thoughts are those of the Democrat party. Look at your child. Do you have such a position of “the Lady of the left.”
Consider the pastors who threw their support behind the “lady,?” who believes that it is okay to kill an unborn baby up until the time that the baby is born.
Consider the support that those pastors are lending for the support of killing unborn babies, up until the time of birth. Consider how such a “group of the clergy,” are preaching and teaching things that will lead impressionable children away from the truth of God’s Word, as it relates to the killing of unborn babies. If you support such a group of “the clergy” you are also complicit in the killing of unborn babies.
Consider those who will be left behind and end up in the tribulation, and will be known as “earth dwellers.” Each verse shows the earth dwellers as people who are more in love with the things of the earth than they are of the things of Heaven and God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit).
Revelation 3:10 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
10 Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
Revelation 6:10 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
10 and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”
Revelation 8:13 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
13 Then I looked, and I heard an eagle flying in midheaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!”
Revelation 11:10 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
10 And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and celebrate; and they will send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.
Revelation 13:8 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain.
Revelation 13:14 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who *had the wound of the sword and has come to life.
Revelation 17:8 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
8 “The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to come up out of the abyss and go to destruction. And those who dwell on the earth, whose name has not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, will wonder when they see the beast, that he was and is not and will come.
Comment: The whole world.
Rev 3:10, “the whole world.” world “oikoumene” = inhabited earth. (Scofield Study Bible)
No one in the “whole world” will be pardoned from the seal, trumpet and bowl judgments. Consider the severity of the judgments. Ask why Christ would do such things to people who have accepted Him as their Lord and Savior; to those who have been born again, and have the Holy Spirit dwelling within their spirit. There is no reason! Those who have been born again will be raptured out of the world prior to the tribulation (Rev 3:10, John 14:1-3; 1 Thes 4:13-18; 1 Cor 15:50-54). Without the rapture of those who have been born again, even little babies and small children would be subjected to the judgments of the time of tribulation (My comment).
Parents, “teach your children!”
Deuteronomy 6:5-9 Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. 7 Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them be a symbol on your forehead. 9 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your city gates.
Tell your children about the truth that you will see in the following video.
Keep your focus on Christ and His Word.
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As you consider this post, also consider the fact that there have been too many American Presidents who have been trying to legislate peace in the middle east for too long of a period of time. The truth of the matter is that there will not be peace in the middle east, or anywhere else on earth, until Christ comes back to earth and sets up His millennial (1,000 year) Kingdom (Zechariah 14, Revelation 19-20, Matthew 24-25). The subject of the tribulation has been described as: “pre-trib, mid-trib, and post-trib.” Unfortunately, there have been far too many pastors who have added “pan-trib,” saying that it will “all pan out” in the end. Folks, such a statement shows a great lack of respect for the teachings of the Bible that clearly show that the rapture of the church will come, “as directed by God,” prior to the beginning of the tribulation, and is know as the “pre-tribulation rapture of the church. (Mid-trib means that all believers in Christ (including little babies) will have to go through the first half of the judgments of the tribulation. Post tribulation means that all believers in Christ (including little babies) will have to through all of the judgments of the tribulation. The “off the cuff” insult to God’s Holy Word, that things “will just pan out,” is totally incorrect. God has a plan, which will not just “pan out,” as a result of “happen stance.”) This subject is too serious not to be taught. Too many believers in Christ think that they will have to go through the tribulation, or parts of it, and will also be subjected to the Battle of Armageddon, which is also totally false. Remember the purpose of the leaders of the church, Ephesians 4:11, “equip the saints.”
The following link tells us about the man who authored the Left Behind Series of books.
The man who wrote the Left Behind series, Tim LeHaye, was traveling on an airliner. He noticed a pilot flirting with a stewardess. He also noticed that the pilot was wearing a wedding ring. The thought came to Dr. LeHaye about the coming of Christ in the air for the rapture of the church (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) at such a time that he was observing. Dr. LeHaye soon wrote his first book on the events that surround the rapture of the church, which was titled “Left Behind.” The rapture of the church, which is the coming of Christ in the air to take His believers out of this world, prior to the beginning of the tribulation period (the 70th week of Daniel). This event precedes the second coming of Christ when He will come for judgment of the world, which will come at the end of the tribulation (7 years after the rapture of the church) (Matthew 24:21, 29-30). The teaching of this subject is greatly ignored, and often scorned. The subject of the rapture of the church is taught in clear detail in the Bible, but is not being taught in many Christian congregations; it is an event that is like none other. Let me encourage you to follow this blog and study the posts that relate to this subject. The posts that relate to the end of times can be found by selecting the category of “Journey.” As is shown in the linked article, Tim LeHaye had been the pastor of the congregation where Dr. David Jeremiah is now the Senior Pastor.
God has been very good to me by putting very gifted teachers of the end times in my life. He has also given me a great desire to study things that relate to the end times. Let me encourage you to equip yourselves with study tools that will help you to gain a better understanding of “the Revelation (singular) of Christ (Revelation 1:1). One such tool is the MacArthur Study Bible. Its notes in the book of Revelation, and other books of the Bible, will provide you with information about the end times that may not have been provided to you by other pastors or teachers.
Consider the teaching of this post, “Left Behind I.” Other posts that relate to the Left Behind series and the end times will follow.
Matthew 24:8-12 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
(note) It is important to know that Christ is speaking to Jews (the church had not yet been established) about things that relate to “left behind Jews” who will experience the judgments of God during the tribulation. Much of that which Christ said in this passage would not have had any meaning to Gentiles; e.g., “the Sabbath.” The Sabbath is a sign between God and the Jews, and is to be kept by the Jews (Exodus 33:13). During the time of tribulation, “left behind Gentiles” will also be subjected to the judgments of God (seal, trumpet, and bowl judgments).
8 All these events are the beginning of birth pains.
Persecutions Predicted
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. 11 Many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.12 Because lawlessness will multiply, the love of many will grow cold.
The persecutions that are discussed are also known as “birth pains,” “birth pangs,” and sorrows, vs 8. Consider the commentary on verse 8 from the MacArthur Study Bible.
Famines, earthquakes, and conflicts have always characterized life in a fallen world; but by calling these things “the beginning” of labor pains, Christ indicated that things will get notably and remarkably worse at the end of the era, as these unique tribulations signal the soon arrival of Messiah to judge sinful humanity and set up His millennial kingdom. Cf. 1 Thes. 5:3; Rev. 6:1–17; 8:1—9:21;16:1–21;
The rapture of the church is not the second coming of Christ, when our Lord will return from Heaven and stand on the Mount Of Olives in Jerusalem. During the tribulation Christ will inflict a series of judgments on all “earth dwellers” (those who missed the rapture because they had not been born again). The purpose of the events of the tribulation will be to judge sin and to bring Israel to accept Jesus as Messiah (Daniel 9:24). The Anti-Christ will be under the control of God. God will not be just an observer; He will be in control of the seal judgments, the trumpet judgments, and the bowl judgments, which will come upon all of those that dwell upon the earth. (Revelation 3:10). No one who is present during the tribulation will be exempted from God’s judgment. Those whom have been born again, and have the Spirit of God dwelling within their Spirits, will not be among those “earth dwellers.” At the time of the rapture of the church, all of those whom have been born again will be removed from the earth. At that time, the only dwellers on earth will be those whom have not been born again; those whom do not have the Spirit of God dwelling within their spirits. Those “unborn again” earth dwellers, and only they, will be the objects of God’s judgments. Such people cling to the things that are not of God, and Heaven. We, whom are born again, are citizens of Heaven and therefore cling to Heavenly matters because of the influence that God’s Holy Spirit places within our spirits (John 16:7-11). Those, whom have not been born again, are minus the dwelling of the Holy Spirit within their spirits, have no understanding of spiritual things (1 Cor 1:18; 2:14), and have no Spiritual leading and influence in their lives. Such people, which have not been born again, (Gentile or Jew) will have the opportunity to accept Jesus as Messiah during the tribulation, and will most likely become martyrs of the Anti-Christ and become tribulation martyrs. To believe that “all” people in the world will go through any part of the tribulation, is to also believe that little children and little babies will also be the objects of the judgments of God. If anyone has any misunderstanding about the severity of the judgments of God, a quick look at those judgments should provide a much clearer understanding of God’s love vs his stern judgment. Check out the seal judgments (Rev 6:1-17); the trumpet judgments (Rev 8:2-9:21; 11:15-19); and the bowl judgments (Rev 15-16). As opposed to the harshness of God’s wrath that will follow when Christ returns to earth for judgment, there is a verse of encouragement for those of us who will have been raptured out of this world.
Titus 2:11-13 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
11 For the grace of God has appeared with salvation for all people, 12 instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
It is a “blessed hope” that we believers in Christ have, as we await his coming in the air to take us out of this world, which will protect us from the tribulation and judgments that will soon follow.
Consider the Words of Jesus in Matthew 11:28-30, as they relate to His protection and love for His people.
Matthew 11:28-30 New King James Version (NKJV)
28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
The love of Christ for his people is very clear in Mt 11:28-30. But, did He “very conveniently” leave out of that conversation that His people would have to suffer, along with all those whom are not His people, the horrible conditions of the judgments of the tribulation? I think not! Consider, also, the love that Christ expressed for His Church, which is His Bride/His born again believers of the world that is expressed in Eph 5:25.
Ephesians 5:25 New King James Version (NKJV)
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,
Jesus is the “bridegroom of all bridegrooms.” He tells all of us that His love for us (the born again body of Christ/his bride) is such that he loved us so much that “He died for us.” Jesus, through the work of the Holy Spirit, courted us and “stole our hearts from the unbelieving world.” His Word told husbands to love “their wives.” But, are we to believe that Jesus is going to leave His bride in the world to face the persecution of the Anti-Christ and God’s directed seal, trumpet and bowl judgments? I think not!
During the tribulation, Christ will not be present on earth; He will be judging the earth. Consider where His believers will be; we will be with Him, in Him. When we were born again, our spirits became inhabitants of the Spirit of Christ, and Christ became an inhabitant of our Spirits, as we read in the following verses.
John 10:30 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
30 The Father and I are one.” (note: God the Father and God the Son are literally “One”)
John 14:11 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me. Otherwise, believe because of the works themselves (note: God the Father and God the Son dwell within “The Other”)
John 14:16-17 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever.17 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. (note: the Spirit of God dwells literally “in our spirits.” He does not dwell within the spirits of the unborn again world)
John 14:20 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
20 In that day you will know that I am in My Father, you are in Me, and I am in you. (note: we see the literal dwelling of the God-Head in us, and us in the God-Head ‘Father, Son, Holy Spirit)
2 Corinthians 5:17 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come. (note: we are literally, “in Christ”)
Colossians 1:27 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
27 God wanted to make known among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (note: Christ is literally, “in us)
Future posts will discuss scriptures that describe the rapture of the church and the Judgment Seat Of Christ “for rewards for believers in Christ;” the tribulation, the Anti-Christ, and the judgments of God (seal, trumpet, bowl judgments); the martyred tribulation saints (those which came to Christ during the tribulation) and the two slain witnesses which are resurrected; the dragon/Satan, the Anti-Christ/the Beast, the false prophet/a religious leader; the woman of Revelation 12 and the 144,000 Jewish missionaries; the mark of the beast; the preparation for the Battle of Armageddon; the marriage of the lamb and the marriage supper; the second coming of Christ at the Battle of Armageddon (with the accompanying raptured saints and angels); the resurrection of the other saints of all times (Old Testament and tribulation saints); the 1,000 year reign of Christ and the binding of Satan; the loosing of Satan and the Battle of Gog and Magog; the resurrection of those which were not born again and the Great White Throne Judgment (for those not born again); the lake of fire (for Satan, the beast, the false prophet, and for those not born again); the new heaven, new earth, and new Jerusalem; eternity for God’s born again people with God and the Lamb.
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Consider the following verses of scripture; verses of personal desires for intimacy with God, and verses that relate to the sovereignty of God. Consider whether there are verses that are theatrical performances of God, or if they are the actions of God that are being performed for His honor and glory. Consider God’s people. Consider the desires and longings of our hearts for us to be in the immediate and intimate Presence of God.
Matthew 5:6
6 Those who are hungry and thirsty to be right with God are happy, because they will be filled.
Psalm 107:8-9
8 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his love
and for the miracles he does for people.
9 He satisfies the thirsty
and fills up the hungry.
Psalm 42
1 As a deer longs for flowing streams,
so I long for you, God.
2 I thirst for God, the living God.
When can I come and appear before God?
Psalm 63:1
God, you are my God; I eagerly seek you.
I thirst for you;
my body faints for you
in a land that is dry, desolate, and without water.
Isaiah 55:6
6 Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call to him while he is near.
Hebrews 13:8
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Genesis 5:24
24 And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.
Hebrews 11:5
5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
Exodus 4:3
3 Then God said, “Throw your walking stick on the ground.”
So Moses threw his walking stick on the ground, and it became a snake. Moses ran from it,
Exodus 40:34-35
34 Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35 And Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle of meeting, because the cloud rested above it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
Numbers 22:28
28 Then the Lord caused the donkey to speak. The donkey said to Balaam, “Why are you angry at me? What have I done to you? You have hit me three times!”
Joshua 10:12-14
12-13 The day God gave the Amorites up to Israel, Joshua spoke to God, with all Israel listening:
“Stop, Sun, over Gibeon;
Halt, Moon, over Aijalon Valley.”
And Sun stopped,
Moon stood stock still
Until he defeated his enemies.
13-14 The sun stopped in its tracks in mid sky; just sat there all day. There’s never been a day like that before or since—God took orders from a human voice! Truly, God fought for Israel.
1 Kings 8:11
11 the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.
2 Kings 6:4-6
4 When they arrived at the Jordan, they began cutting down trees; 5 but as one of them was chopping, his axhead fell into the river.
“Oh, sir,” he cried, “it was borrowed!”
6 “Where did it fall?” the prophet asked. The youth showed him the place, and Elisha cut a stick and threw it into the water; and the axhead rose to the surface and floated!
2 Chronicles 5:13-14
13 in unison when the trumpeters and the singers were to make themselves heard with one voice to praise and to glorify the Lord, and when they lifted up their voice accompanied by trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and when they praised the Lord saying, “He indeed is good for His loving kindness is everlasting,” then the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud, 14 so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God.
2 Chronicles 7:1-2
1 Now when Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the house. 2 The priests could not enter into the house of the Lord because the glory of the Lord filled the Lord’s house.
Ezekiel 4:1-16
Ezekiel Acts Out an Attack on Jerusalem
The Lord said:
1 Ezekiel, son of man, find a brick and sketch a picture of Jerusalem on it. 2 Then prepare to attack the brick as if it were a real city. Build a dirt mound and a ramp up to the top and surround the brick with enemy camps. On every side put large wooden poles as though you were going to break down the gate to the city. 3 Set up an iron pan like a wall between you and the brick. All this will be a warning for the people of Israel.
4-5 After that, lie down on your left side and stay there for three hundred ninety days as a sign of Israel’s punishment—one day for each year of its suffering. 6 Then turn over and lie on your right side forty more days. That will be a sign of Judah’s punishment—one day for each year of its suffering.
7 The brick stands for Jerusalem, so attack it! Stare at it and shout angry warnings. 8 I will tie you up, so you can’t leave until your attack has ended.
9 Get a large bowl. Then mix together wheat, barley, beans, lentils, and millet, and make some bread. This is what you will eat for the three hundred ninety days you are lying down. 10 Eat only a small loaf of bread each day 11 and drink only two large cups of water. 12 Use dried human waste to start a fire, then bake the bread on the coals where everyone can watch you. 13 When I scatter the people of Israel among the nations, they will also have to eat food that is unclean, just as you must do.
14 I said, “Lord God, please don’t make me do that! Never in my life have I eaten food that would make me unacceptable to you. I’ve never eaten anything that died a natural death or was killed by a wild animal or that you said was unclean.”
15 The Lord replied, “Instead of human waste, I will let you bake your bread on a fire made from cow manure. 16 Ezekiel, the people of Jerusalem will starve. They will have so little food and water that they will be afraid and hopeless.
Consider Ezekiel 4:1-16. Do you see “theatrics,” or do you see the Holy Spirit of God working through the prophet Ezekiel?
Consider the stated scriptural purpose for the things that God does, or for the things that God allows to happen.
Hebrews 2:4
4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
Romans 8:28
28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.
Consider the following video. Consider the people who are present. Do you consider them (possibly 10,000 present) to have been “duped?” After having considered the above scriptures, which some people may believe to be “extreme,” consider whether “theatrics, or the work of God’s Holy Spirit,” were present among the people who were present at the revival meeting. The illustration of the prophet Ezekiel might be considered by some people to be something that is theatrical. In all things, consider God and His purposes. God is supreme. His Spirit may appear at any gathering of believers, for His purposes, regardless of whom the speaker may be.
Carpenters Home Church Revival Highlights – Lakeland, FL 1993
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America’s Role In The Last Days
It is important to know the identity of the people who will undergo the judgments of God, which will be poured out on “all of those” that are living throughout the whole world. These people, which were “left behind” from the rapture of the church, will not have been born again at the time of the catching up of the saints (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). They will be present during the time of the “Seventieth Week Of Daniel” (the time when the tribulation occurs) and will endure the judgments of God and will suffer from the oppressiveness of the anti-Christ” (Seventieth Week of Daniel – Daniel 9:27).
The events of this passage take place when the Great Tribulation is taking place, with the Judgments of God being poured out on the earth, during which time the anti-christ is persecuting those left-behind people who have come to know Christ as Lord and Savior; their identity is “earth dwellers,” and “those who dwell on the earth,” (identifying scriptures are listed below in the comments section).
Notice in Rev 14:6 that the angel is proclaiming the gospel of Christ to “those who dwell on the earth.” Let’s consider the belief of many people who the church will not be raptured from the earth, but will remain on earth during the tribulation. But, here is the problem with such a teaching. If those people who have accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior, and have been born again, and find themselves on earth during the tribulation, but still must have the Gospel preached to them during the tribulation, they are having to accept Christ a second time. None of this scenario makes any sense. Those who will have already accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior, prior to the rapture of the church, will have no reason to have the gospel preached to them again. Here is the truth of the matter. Believers in Christ, who have believed the gospel, prior to the rapture, will be taken from the earth, and will not be present during the tribulation. Those people, who have not accepted Christ as Lord and Savior, will stay behind on earth when the rapture of the church takes place. Those unbelievers will undergo the judgments of God and the oppression of the anti-Christ. God’s mercy will cause the angel to “proclaim the Gospel to those who dwell on the earth,” those of “every nation, tribe, tongue, and people” (Rev 14:6), which are those who are left behind.
The words, “dead in Christ,” (1 Thes 4:16) are key. “Dead in Christ” represents those believers in Christ who died, prior to the catching up/rapture of the saints (believers in Christ). The “dead in Christ,” will be caught up immediately before “we who are alive and remain,” (living believers in Christ) (1 Thes 4:17) who will also be caught up to be with Christ, “and shall always be with the Lord,” (1 Thes 4:17). In Rev 14:13, we see the words, “blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on.” Such a statement refers to the ones who were “left behind,” those who had not accepted Christ as Savior, and had not been born again, prior to the rapture of the church, but who had come to accept His gospel while undergoing the Judgments of God and the torture and oppression of the anti-christ, during the Seventieth Week Of Daniel.
The events of this passage of scripture will take place during the “Seventieth Week Of Daniel.” We have discussed that subject, and will go back to it later, for greater understanding.
It is important for everyone to understand that anyone who has not been born again, anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ dwelling within their spirit, anyone who does not know Christ as their Lord and Savior, will be among those people who are known as “earth dwellers,” and will be subject to the effects of the bowl judgments. There is no purpose for those of us who have been born again to endure the Judgments of God. Christ is the “bridegroom of all bridegrooms.” No bridegroom, such as Christ, will put His bride (the church/the born again believers in Christ) in the midst of such judgments of God. If there is no rapture of the church, consider the fact that every child will also be the subjects of the judgments.
What Is The Second Coming?
Matthew 24:29-30 New King James Version (NKJV) (Second Coming Of Christ)
The Coming of the Son of Man (After the tribulation) Corresponds with Zechariah 14:1-1-14 (Second Coming Of Christ); Revelation 19:11-20:4 (Second Coming Of Christ); Judgment of the Gentiles/Unbelievers of the Nations: Rev 20:11-15; Matthew 25:31-34; 25:41.46.
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.
Text
The Bowl Judgments
(Notice in verse 1 that the angels are dispatched by God to pour out the bowl judgments; Walvoord Commentary on Revelation) (Notice that the Bowl judgments are the most severe of the judgments of God, following the Seal and Trumpet judgments. The order of the Seal, Trumpet and Bowl judgments are clearly laid for us to understand. Notice in verse 16, the preparation for “Armageddon.” Many people are concerned that they will be present during the Battle of Armageddon. The truth of scripture is that only “earth dwellers” will be present during the Battle of Armageddon. A question may be raised about the USA, e.g., “will the USA be present during the Battle of Armageddon?” Again, the truth of scripture is that those of the USA, who are found not to be believers in Christ, will be among the earth dwellers. All earth dwellers will be present during all of the judgments of God (Seal, Trumpet, Bowl). The church (born-again body of believers in Christ) is not mentioned in the Book of Revelation, from 4:1 until 19:7, where the marriage of the Lamb takes place, and the raptured saints of Christ begin their ascent from Heaven back to earth, with Christ, where He conquers the forces of Satan at the Battle of Armageddon, 14:11-21, in a spiritual battle victory, 14:15. Until this event, those who had been born again, prior to the time of rapture of the church, are taken from earth to heaven in the rapture, where they receive spiritual gifts (2 Corinthians 5:10), and are united with Christ in the Marriage of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7) (Mine).
Revelation 16 New King James Version (NKJV)
1 Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth.”
First Bowl: Loathsome Sores The Bowl Judgments
2 So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.
Second Bowl: The Sea Turns to Blood
3 Then the second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living creature in the sea died.
Third Bowl: The Waters Turn to Blood
4 Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. 5 And I heard the angel of the waters saying:
“You are righteous, O Lord,
The One who is and who was and who is to be,
Because You have judged these things.
6 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets,
And You have given them blood to drink.
For it is their just due.”
7 And I heard another from the altar saying, “Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments.”
Fourth Bowl: Men Are Scorched
8 Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire. 9 And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory.
Fifth Bowl: Darkness and Pain
10 Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues because of the pain. 11 They blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and did not repent of their deeds.
Sixth Bowl: Euphrates Dried Up
12 Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. 13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
15 “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.”
16 And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.
Seventh Bowl: The Earth Utterly Shaken
17 Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, “It is done!” 18 And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. 19 Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. 20 Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. 21 And great hail from heaven fell upon men, each hailstone about the weight of a talent. Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, since that plague was exceedingly great.
Revelation 16 Comments. (MacArthur Study Bible notes) Everybody should own a MacArthur Study Bible.
16:2 first…bowl…a foul and loathsome sore. The Septuagint (LXX) uses the same Gr. word to describe the boils that plagued the Egyptians (Ex. 9:9–11) and afflicted Job (Job 2:7). In the NT, it describes the open sores that covered the beggar Lazarus (Luke 16:21). All over the world, people will be afflicted with incurable, open, oozing sores. mark of the beast. Only the worshipers of Antichrist will be afflicted (see note on 13:16; cf. 14:9–11).
16:3 second…bowl…every living creature in the sea died. This is reminiscent of the second trumpet (8:8, 9), and of the first plague against Egypt (Ex. 7:20–25). This plague, however, will be far more widespread. The water in the world’s oceans will become thick, dark, and coagulated, like the blood of a corpse. The death and decay of billions of sea creatures will only add to the misery of this judgment.
16:4 third…bowl…rivers and springs of water. Fresh water, already in short supply because of the prolonged drought (11:6), will now suffer the fate of the oceans (cf. Ex. 7:19ff.). In addition to suffering from thirst, the worshipers of Antichrist will have no clean water with which to wash their sores.
16:5 who is and who was and who is to be. This phrase expresses God’s eternality (cf. 1:4, 8; 4:8; 11:17). Verse 6 says that the eternal God will judge justly because they have killed the believers and preachers of the gospel (6:9–11; 7:9–17; 11:18; 17:6; 18:20). This slaughter will have no parallel in history (Matt. 24:21) and neither will the vengeance of God (cf. Rom. 12:19–21).
16:6 given them blood to drink. The thick, blood-like substance which the fresh waters have become is all that is available to drink (cf. v. 4). For it is their just due. The angel exonerates God from any charge that His judgments are too harsh. The unspeakably wicked generation then alive will shed more blood than any before it, including that of saints (6:9; 17:6) and prophets (11:7–10). God’s judgment is fair and proper (cf. Ex. 21:25–27; Lev. 24:19, 20; Heb. 10:26–31).
16:7 altar. The personified altar echoes the words of the angel, reinforcing the truth that God is just in all judgment (19:1, 2; cf. Gen. 18:25; Ps. 51:4; Rom. 3:4).
16:8 fourth…bowl…scorch…with fire. The sun that normally provides light, warmth, and energy will become a deadly killer. With no fresh water to drink, earth’s inhabitants will face extreme heat. The scorching heat will melt the polar ice caps, which some estimate would raise the level of the world’s oceans by 200 ft., inundating many of the world’s major cities and producing further catastrophic loss of life (cf. Amos 9:5, 6). The resulting disruption of ocean transportation will make it difficult to distribute the dwindling resources of food and water.
16:9 they did not repent. Incredibly, sinners will still refuse to repent (cf. vv. 11, 21), and instead blaspheme God—the One they know has caused their afflictions.
16:10 throne of the beast. This refers to either Antichrist’s actual throne, or his capital city, but extends to all his dominion. Regardless of where the darkness begins, it eventually covers Antichrist’s entire kingdom. full of darkness. Worldwide darkness is elsewhere associated with the judgment of God (cf. Is. 60:2; Joel 2:2; Mark 13:24, 25). gnawed their tongues. A futile attempt to alleviate the pain from their sores, the drought, and the fierce heat.
16:11 blasphemed the God of heaven. A sign of their continued loyalty to Antichrist and their anger at God for the cumulative miseries brought about by the first 5 bowls. “God of heaven,” a frequent OT title for God, appears in the NT only here and in 11:13. their sores. The lingering effects of the first bowl are the chief cause of their blasphemy.
16:12 Euphrates. Called “the great river” 5 times in Scripture (cf. 9:14; Gen. 15:18; Deut. 1:7; Josh. 1:4), it flows some 1,800 mi. from its source on the slopes of Mt. Ararat to the Persian Gulf (see note on 9:14). It forms the eastern boundary of the land God promised to Israel (Gen. 15:18; Deut. 1:7; 11:24; Josh. 1:4). With its flow already reduced by the prolonged drought and intensified heat, God supernaturally will dry it up to make way for the eastern confederacy to reach Palestine (Is. 11:15). the kings from the east. God providentially draws these kings and their armies in order to destroy them in the battle of Armageddon (v. 14). Their reason for coming may be to rebel against Antichrist, whose failure to alleviate the world’s suffering will no doubt erode his popularity. Or, this may be a final act of rabid anti-Semitism intent on destroying Israel, perhaps in retaliation for the plagues sent by her God. Since the sun may have melted the ice caps on Ararat, flooding the valley of the Euphrates as the river overflows its banks and bridges, the land will be swamped. God will have to dry it up miraculously for the eastern army to get to Armageddon.
16:13 three unclean spirits. A common NT designation for demons (cf. Matt. 12:43; Mark 1:23; Luke 8:29). These are especially vile, powerful, and deceitful (v. 14). like frogs. This figure further emphasizes their vileness. Frogs were unclean animals according to OT dietary laws (Lev. 11:10, 11, 41). Persian mythology viewed them as plague-inducing creatures. The demons are thus described as slimy, cold-blooded, loathsome beings. the dragon…the beast…the false prophet. The “unholy trinity,” composed of Satan (the dragon; see note on 12:3), the Antichrist (the beast; see note on 11:7), and Antichrist’s associate (the false prophet; see note on 13:11), spew out this plague.
16:14 signs. These are supernatural wonders (cf. 13:12–15) designed to deceive (cf. 19:20; 1 Kin. 22:20–23; Mark 13:22) the kings into invading Palestine. Their impact will be so great that the unclean spirits are able to induce the kings to make the journey to Palestine in spite of their sores, the intense heat, drought, and darkness. kings of the earth. No longer just the eastern confederacy, but now all the world begins to gather in Palestine for the final, climactic battle (Ps. 2:2, 3; Joel 3:2–4; Zech. 14:1–3). the battle of that great day of God Almighty. The Battle of Armageddon (v. 16). It is the great war with God and Christ (see notes on 2 Thess. 1:7–10; cf. Joel 2:11; 3:2, 4). The war will end when Christ arrives (19:17–20).
16:15 Blessed. See note on 1:3. watches, and keeps his garments. Our Lord stresses the need for constant readiness for His return (cf. 1 John 2:28). The imagery pictures a soldier ready for battle, or a homeowner watchful for the arrival of a thief (see also 3:3; 1 Thess. 5:2, 4; 2 Pet. 3:10).
16:16 Armageddon. The Heb. name for Mt. Megiddo, 60 mi. N of Jerusalem. The battle will rage on the nearby plains, site of Barak’s victory over the Canaanites (Judg. 4), and Gideon’s victory over the Midianites (Judg. 7). Napoleon called this valley the greatest battlefield he had ever seen. But the Battle of Armageddon will not be limited to the Megiddo plains—it will encompass the length of Palestine (see note on 14:20).
16:17 seventh…bowl…“It is done!” This bowl will complete God’s wrath (except for final judgment on the rebellion at the end of the Millennium; 20:7–10) and immediately precedes the second coming of Christ. It will usher in the worst calamity in the history of the world. The voice from the temple in heaven is undoubtedly that of God Himself. “It is done!” is best translated, “It has been and will remain done” (cf. John 19:30). God will punctuate the completion of His wrath with a devastating earthquake—the most powerful in earth’s history (cf. vv. 19–21).
16:19 the great city. Cf. 11:13; 21:10; see notes on Zech 14:1–8. Jerusalem will be split into 3 parts (Zech. 14:4), not as a judgment (cf. 11:13), but as an improvement. The additional water supply (Zech. 14:8) and topographical changes (Zech. 14:4, 5) will prepare the city for its central place in the millennial kingdom. Jerusalem is the only city to be spared the judgment (cf. 1 Chr. 23:25; Ps. 125:1, 2; Mic. 4:7) and will be made more beautiful (Ps. 48:2), because of her repentance (see 11:13). cities of the nations. God’s purpose is very different for the rest of the world’s cities—they are to be destroyed. Babylon. The capital of the Antichrist’s empire will receive a special outpouring of God’s wrath as prophesied in Is. 13:6–13. Chapters 17, 18 give details of its destruction.
16:20 every island fled…mountains…not found. This powerful earthquake will radically alter all the earth’s topography, preparing it for the coming millennial kingdom. Cf. 6:12–14; Is. 40:4, 5; Jer. 4:23–27.
16:21 a talent. The heaviest weight a normal man could carry (about 75 lbs.). The huge size of the hailstones indicates unparalleled atmospheric convulsions. Such massive chunks of ice will cause unimaginable devastation and death.
Comments: Earth Dwellers (Mine)
Consider the horrible things that will happen during the time of the judgments. It is important to remember that those who will suffer from those judgments are the ones which Revelation calls “earth dwellers.” Such people are those who had never accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior; they were left behind when the rapture took place. Instead, they chose the things of this world over the things of heaven. Consider the verses that discuss those who are “earth dwellers,” also known as “those who dwell on the earth.” Notice that “all who live on the earth” will be subject to the judgments of God. Notice, also, that even in the face of the judgments of God, the “earth dwellers” will not change their attitudes toward Christ.
Revelation 3:10 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
10 Because you have kept My command to endure, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is going to come over the whole world to test those who live on the earth.
Revelation 6:10 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
10 They cried out with a loud voice: “Lord, the One who is holy and true, how long until You judge and avenge our blood from those who live on the earth?”
Revelation 8:13 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
13 I looked again and heard an eagle flying high overhead, crying out in a loud voice, “Woe!Woe! Woe to those who live on the earth, because of the remaining trumpet blasts that the three angels are about to sound!”
Revelation 11:10 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
10 Those who live on the earth will gloat over them and celebrate and send gifts to one another because these two prophets brought judgment to those who live on the earth.
Revelation 13:8 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
8 All those who live on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name was not written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slaughtered.
Revelation 13:14 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
14 He deceives those who live on the earth because of the signs that he is permitted to perform on behalf of the beast, telling those who live on the earth to make an image of the beast who had the sword wound and yet lived.
Revelation 17:8 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to come up from the abyss and go to destruction. Those who live on the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast that was, and is not, and will be present again.
Non-Earth Dwellers
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 New King James Version (NKJV)
The Comfort of Christ’s Coming
13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 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. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
Titus 2:13 New King James Version (NKJV)
13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
For those of us who have been born again, we have the comfort of Paul’s words to Titus. We are looking for the appearing of Christ to take us to Heaven with Him so that we will not be subject to the effects of the judgments that will be poured out upon those who “dwell on the earth.”
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Renald E. Showers is widely recognized as one of the most distinguished theologians in America. A graduate of Philadelphia College of Bible (now Cairn University), he also holds a BA degree in history from Wheaton College, a ThM in church history from Dallas Theological Seminary. Dr. Showers spent many years as a university professor and served on the faculties of Lancaster School of the Bible, Moody Bible Institute, and Philadelphia College of Bible, as well as being a visiting lecturer and conference speaker around the world. For 27 years until his retirement in 2016, he served as a Bible teacher, author, and speaker for The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, Inc., and a contributing editor for Israel My Glory magazine.
http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?SpeakerOnly=true&currSection=sermonsspeaker&Keyword=Dr.%5ERenald%5EShowers
Dr. Renald Showers is an author and Bible teacher for The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, Inc. He is the author of numerous books, including What on Earth is God Doing?, There Really Is a Difference, and Maranatha: Our Lord Come. Dr. Showers has served in the pastorate, and as a member of the faculties of Lancaster Bible College, Moody Bible Institute and Philadelphia College of the Bible, and as a visiting lecturer at Word of Life Bible Institute, Calvary Bible College and Baptist Bible Theological Seminary. He is a graduate of Wheaton College, Dallas Theological Seminary and Grace Theological Seminary. Dr. Showers and his wife Eleanor reside in Willow Street, Penn
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The Bill Of Rights protects the citizens of the United States Of America from the government of the United States Of America
THE BILL OF RIGHTS – FULL TEXT
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Amendment II
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.
Amendment III
No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.
Amendment VII
In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.
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Text
John 10
Jesus the True Shepherd
1 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them.
Jesus the Good Shepherd
7 Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. 12 But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. 13 The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.
17 “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. 18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”
19 Therefore there was a division again among the Jews because of these sayings. 20 And many of them said, “He has a demon and is mad. Why do you listen to Him?”
21 Others said, “These are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”
The Shepherd Knows His Sheep
22 Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. 23 And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch. 24 Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, “How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. 26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and My Father are one.”
Renewed Efforts to Stone Jesus
31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. 32 Jesus answered them, “Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?”
33 The Jews answered Him, saying, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.”
34 Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods”’? 35 If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), 36 do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? 37 If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; 38 but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.” 39 Therefore they sought again to seize Him, but He escaped out of their hand.
The Believers Beyond Jordan
40 And He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was baptizing at first, and there He stayed. 41 Then many came to Him and said, “John performed no sign, but all the things that John spoke about this Man were true.” 42 And many believed in Him there.
Study Notes
10:1–39 Jesus’ discourse on Himself as the “Good Shepherd” flowed directly from chap. 9, as Jesus continued to talk to the very same people. The problem of chap. 9 was that Israel was led by false shepherds who drew them astray from the true knowledge and kingdom of Messiah (9:39–41). In chap. 10, Jesus declared Himself to be the “Good Shepherd” who was appointed by His Father as Savior and King, in contrast to the false shepherds of Israel who were self-appointed and self-righteous (Ps. 23:1; Is. 40:11; Jer. 3:15; cf. Is. 56:9–12; Jer. 23:1–4; 25:32–38; Ezek. 34:1–31; Zech. 11:16).
10:40 He went away again beyond the Jordan. Because of the increasing hostility (see v. 39), Jesus went from the region of Judea into the unpopulated area across the Jordan. to the place where John was baptizing at first. Cf. Matt. 3:1–6; Mark 1:2–6; Luke 3:3–6. This is probably a reference to either Perea or Batanea, the general area in the tetrarchy of Philip in the E and NE of the Sea of Galilee. The statement is ironic, since the area where John first began became the last area in which Jesus stayed before He left for Jerusalem and crucifixion. The people remembered John’s testimony to Christ and affirmed their faith in Him (vv. 41, 42).
The scripture text was taken from Biblegateway.com
The translation of the text is from The New King James Version.
Unless otherwise noted, scripture notes were taken from The MacArthur Study Bible notes that are contained in Biblegateway.com
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In the video, the words of Matthew 24:14 were spoken. It is important to understand the words of Matthew 24:14. The key words to consider are “gospel of the kingdom.”
Matthew 24:14
14 This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.
Notice that it is the gospel of the kingdom that is necessary to be preached to the whole world, and not the Gospel of Christ.
“and then the end will come.“ “The end” refers to the final, excruciating birth pangs (see note on v. 8). This is how Christ characterizes the time of Great Tribulation described in the verses that follow. (MacArthur Study Bible)
It is important to know the identity of the people who will undergo the judgments of God, which will be poured out on “all of those” that are living throughout the whole world. These people, which were “left behind” from the rapture of the church, will not have been born again at the time of the catching up of the saints (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). They will be present during the time of the “Seventieth Week Of Daniel” (the time when the tribulation occurs) and will endure the judgments of God and will suffer from the the oppressiveness of the anti-Christ” (Seventieth Week of Daniel – Daniel 9:27).
The events of this passage take place when the Great Tribulation is taking place, with the Judgments of God being poured out on the earth, during which time the anti-christ is persecuting those left-behind people who have come to know Christ as Lord and Savior; their identity is “earth dwellers,” and “those who dwell on the earth,” (identifying scriptures are listed below in the comments section).
Notice in Rev 14:6 that the angel is proclaiming the gospel of Christ to “those who dwell on the earth.” Let’s consider the belief of many people who the church will not be raptured from the earth, but will remain on earth during the tribulation. But, here is the problem with such a teaching. If those people who have accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior, and have been born again, and find themselves on earth during the tribulation, but still must have the Gospel preached to them during the tribulation, they are having to accept Christ a second time. None of this scenario makes any sense. Those who will have already accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior, prior to the rapture of the church, will have no reason to have the gospel preached to them again. Here is the truth of the matter. Believers in Christ, who have believed the gospel, prior to the rapture, will be taken from the earth, and will not be present during the tribulation. Those people, who have not accepted Christ as Lord and Savior, will stay behind on earth when the rapture of the church takes place. Those unbelievers will undergo the judgments of God and the oppression of the anti-Christ. God’s mercy will cause the angel to “proclaim the Gospel to those who dwell on the earth,” those of “every nation, tribe, tongue, and people” (Rev 14:6), which are those who are left behind.
The words, “dead in Christ,” (1 Thes 4:16) are key. “Dead in Christ” represents those believers in Christ who died, prior to the catching up/rapture of the saints (believers in Christ). The “dead in Christ,” will be caught up immediately before “we who are alive and remain,” (living believers in Christ) (1 Thes 4:17) who will also be caught up to be with Christ, “and shall always be with the Lord,” (1 Thes 4:17). In Rev 14:13, we see the words, “blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on.” Such a statement refers to the ones who were “left behind,” those who had not accepted Christ as Savior, and had not been born again, prior to the rapture of the church, but who had come to accept His gospel while undergoing the Judgments of God and the torture and oppression of the anti-christ, during the Seventieth Week Of Daniel.
The events of this passage of scripture will take place during the “Seventieth Week Of Daniel.” We have discussed that subject, and will go back to it later, for greater understanding.
Text
Revelation 15
Prelude to the Bowl Judgments
1.Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is complete.
2 And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God. 3 They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying:
“Great and marvelous are Your works,
Lord God Almighty!
Just and true are Your ways,
O King of the saints!
4 Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name?
For You alone are holy.
For all nations shall come and worship before You,
For Your judgments have been manifested.”
5 After these things I looked, and behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened. 6 And out of the temple came the seven angels having the seven plagues, clothed in pure bright linen, and having their chests girded with golden bands. 7 Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever. 8 The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power, and no one was able to enter the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.
Revelation 15 Comments. (BibleGateway.com/MacArthur Study Bible notes) Everybody should own a MacArthur Study Bible.
15:1–8 Chapter 15 introduces the 7 bowls of wrath, God’s final judgments at the end of the 7 year Tribulation period. The bowl judgments come in a rapid-fire, staccato fashion, each one stronger in fury and intensity. The bowls are the last plagues that issue from the blast of the seventh trumpet, and will conclude the seventh seal (see note on 6:1).
15:1 wrath of God. See notes on 11:18; 14:10; 16:19; 19:15; cf. Rom. 1:18–21.
15:2 sea of glass. God’s heavenly throne sits on a transparent crystal platform or pavement (see note on 4:6). victory over the beast. All the saints from every nation, including Israel, ultimately triumph over Satan’s Antichrist and his system because of their faith in Jesus Christ. number of his name. See note on 13:17.harps. See note on 5:8.
15:3 song of Moses. Sung by the people of Israel immediately after their passage through the Red Sea and their deliverance from the Egyptian armies (Ex. 15:1–21; cf. Deut. 32:1–43), this was a song of victory and deliverance that the redeemed who overcome Antichrist and his system will readily identify with. song of the Lamb. See 5:8–14. These two songs celebrate two great redemptive events: 1) deliverance of Israel by God from Egypt through Moses; and 2) deliverance of sinners by God from sin through Christ. Great and marvelous are Your works. This statement from the song of the Lamb extols God’s powerful works in creation as He providentially upholds the universe (cf. Ps. 139:14). Almighty. God is omnipotent (cf. Amos 4:13). King of the saints. God is sovereign over the redeemed of every nation (cf. Jer. 10:7).
15:4 God’s holy and perfect character inevitably demands that He judge (cf. Ps. 19:9; Nah. 1:3, 6). After God’s righteous judgment is complete, He will set up Christ’s millennial kingdom on earth and the elect from every nation will come and worship Him (cf. Ps. 66:4; Is. 66:23; Phil. 2:9–11).
15:5 the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony. This refers to the location of the ark of the covenant in the Holy of Holies where God dwells (see note on 11:19; cf. Num. 10:11).
15:6 seven plagues. The final, most severe judgments from God, described in chap. 16 (see note on v. 1). linen…golden bands. The fabric represents holiness and purity (19:14). These are belts or girdles, running from the shoulder to the waist, that each of the 7 angels wear over his garments. The bands demonstrate riches, royalty, and untarnished glory.
15:7 four living creatures. See notes on 4:6–8. seven golden bowls. These are shallow saucers, familiar items often associated with various functions of the temple worship (1 Kin. 7:50; 2 Kin. 12:13; 25:15), such as wine (Amos 6:6) and blood sacrifice (Ex. 27:3). Their flat shallowness pictures how the divine judgments will be emptied instantly rather than slowly poured, drowning those who refused to drink the cup of salvation. wrath of God. See notes on 11:18; 14:10.
15:8 filled with smoke. Cf. Ex. 19:16–18; 40:34–35; 1 Kin. 8:10, 11; Is. 6:4. (See the verses below)
Exodus 19:16-18
Israel At Mt. Sinai
16 Then it came to pass on the third day, in the morning, that there were thunderings and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain; and the sound of the trumpet was very loud, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. 17 And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. 18 Now Mount Sinai was completely in smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire. Its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly.
Exodus 40:34-35
The Cloud and the Glory
34 Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35 And Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle of meeting, because the cloud rested above it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
1 Kings 8:10-11
The Ark Brought To The Temple
10 And it came to pass, when the priests came out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the Lord, 11 so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.
Isaiah 6:4
Isaiah’s Vision Of The Lord
4 And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke.
Comments: Earth Dwellers (Mine)
Consider the horrible things that will happen during the time of the judgments. It is important to remember that those who will suffer from those judgments are the ones which Revelation calls “earth dwellers.” Such people are those who had never accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior; they were left behind when the rapture took place. Instead, they chose the things of this world over the things of heaven. Consider the verses that discuss those who are “earth dwellers,” also known as “those who dwell on the earth.” Notice that “all who live on the earth” will be subject to the judgments of God. Notice, also, that even in the face of the judgments of God, the “earth dwellers” will not change their attitudes toward Christ.
Revelation 3:10 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
10 Because you have kept My command to endure, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is going to come over the whole world to test those who live on the earth.
Revelation 6:10 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
10 They cried out with a loud voice: “Lord, the One who is holy and true, how long until You judge and avenge our blood from those who live on the earth?”
Revelation 8:13 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
13 I looked again and heard an eagle flying high overhead, crying out in a loud voice, “Woe!Woe! Woe to those who live on the earth, because of the remaining trumpet blasts that the three angels are about to sound!”
Revelation 11:10 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
10 Those who live on the earth will gloat over them and celebrate and send gifts to one another because these two prophets brought judgment to those who live on the earth.
Revelation 13:8 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
8 All those who live on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name was not written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slaughtered.
Revelation 13:14 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
14 He deceives those who live on the earth because of the signs that he is permitted to perform on behalf of the beast, telling those who live on the earth to make an image of the beast who had the sword wound and yet lived.
Revelation 17:8 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to come up from the abyss and go to destruction. Those who live on the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast that was, and is not, and will be present again.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 New King James Version (NKJV)
The Comfort of Christ’s Coming
13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 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. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
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Renald E. Showers is widely recognized as one of the most distinguished theologians in America. A graduate of Philadelphia College of Bible (now Cairn University), he also holds a BA degree in history from Wheaton College, a ThM in church history from Dallas Theological Seminary. Dr. Showers spent many years as a university professor and served on the faculties of Lancaster School of the Bible, Moody Bible Institute, and Philadelphia College of Bible, as well as being a visiting lecturer and conference speaker around the world. For 27 years until his retirement in 2016, he served as a Bible teacher, author, and speaker for The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, Inc., and a contributing editor for Israel My Glory magazine.
http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?SpeakerOnly=true&currSection=sermonsspeaker&Keyword=Dr.%5ERenald%5EShowers
Dr. Renald Showers is an author and Bible teacher for The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, Inc. He is the author of numerous books, including What on Earth is God Doing?, There Really Is a Difference, and Maranatha: Our Lord Come. Dr. Showers has served in the pastorate, and as a member of the faculties of Lancaster Bible College, Moody Bible Institute and Philadelphia College of the Bible, and as a visiting lecturer at Word of Life Bible Institute, Calvary Bible College and Baptist Bible Theological Seminary. He is a graduate of Wheaton College, Dallas Theological Seminary and Grace Theological Seminary. Dr. Showers and his wife Eleanor reside in Willow Street, Penn
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Lord Have Mercy
2 Chronicles 7:14
14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
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Наш Бог Всемогущий Бог – Хор церковь Суламита
God, “Elohim,” loves the Slavic peoples, to include the Slavic people of Russia.
Do the Slavic people of Russia love God, “Elohim,” in return?
Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Use the Lexicon explanation below to see “Elohim” as being the first name of God that is shown in the Bible.)
John 3:16, “”For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (God loves all of the people of the world, even the Slavic people of Russia and those in all Slavic nations.)
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“to have and to hold,
from this day forward,
for better, for worse,
for richer, for poorer,
in sickness and in health,
until death do us part”
Matthew 19:4-6
4 Jesus answered, “Surely you have read in the Scriptures: When God made the world, ‘he made them male and female.’ 5 And God said, ‘So a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two will become one body.’ 6 So there are not two, but one. God has joined the two together, so no one should separate them.” (New Century Version)
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Five days of Valentine? Let’s do six!
If she’s with family or friends, or in an auditorium that is full of people, recognize her – point her out! Look straight into her eyes – never take your eyes off her. Talk to her – tell her how much she means to you. Cherish the memories – look to the future. Cross your heart – make a promise to her that you will always be her man, and that she will always be the special woman that makes your life worth living. All of the other people may be important, but she is the most important person in your life. Fellows, you may not be able to sing like George Strait, but you can always have a song that she will love to hear you sing to her. Make her laugh – never let your shyness get in the way of praising her.
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Four days of Valentine? Why so few? Let’s do another one!
In this song, John Michael tells of the things that he has found from studying his wife. In the movie “Fireproof,” Caleb was about to lose his marriage. Michael, the best friend of Caleb, provided sound advice for Caleb. As it related to Caleb’s wife, Catherine, Michael said, “you’ve got to study your wife!” Listen to the things that John Michael Montgomery says in the song about his wife. He had studied her, and had noticed some very simple things about her; but they were things that told him what his wife was like. He learned how she responded to certain things. He learned the way that she loved him. And, from studying his wife, he also learned how much he loved her. Fellows, if you haven’t noticed by now, “women are different!” Study your woman to let her know how much you love her.
14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.
Matthew 1:22-25 New King James Version (NKJV)
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.”
24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, 25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.
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Key Verse: John 8:30 New King James Version (NKJV)
30 As He spoke these words, many believed in Him.
From Biblehub.com, we see the Greek:
came to believe ἐπίστευσαν episteusan 4100 to believe, entrust from pistis
Strong’s Concordance: 4100. pisteuó
pisteuó: to believe, entrust
Original Word: πιστεύω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: pisteuó
Phonetic Spelling: (pist-yoo’-o)
Short Definition: I believe, have faith in
Definition: I believe, have faith in, trust in; pass: I am entrusted with.
HELPS Word-studies: 4102. pistis
4100 pisteúō (from 4102 /pístis, “faith,” derived from 3982 /peíthō, “persuade, be persuaded”) – believe (affirm, have confidence); used of persuading oneself (= human believing) and with the sacred significance of being persuaded by the Lord (= faith-believing). Only the context indicates whether 4100 /pisteúō (“believe”) is self-serving (without sacred meaning), or the believing that leads to/proceeds from God’s inbirthing of faith.
Strong’s Concordance
pistis: faith, faithfulness
Original Word: πίστις, εως, ἡ
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: pistis
Phonetic Spelling: (pis’-tis)
Short Definition: faith, belief, trust
Definition: faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness.
Parallel Verses – John 8:30
As you read the verse from the different translations, can you see any attack on the King James Version? The key to the verse is clearly stated in each translation verse, which is that “many Jews believed in Jesus for salvation,” as opposed to just an acknowledgment that Jesus was speaking truth.
New International Version
Even as he spoke, many believed in him.
New Living Translation
Then many who heard him say these things believed in him.
English Standard Version
As he was saying these things, many believed in him.
Berean Study Bible
As Jesus spoke these things, many believed in Him.
Berean Literal Bible
Of His speaking these things, many believed in Him.
New American Standard Bible
As He spoke these things, many came to believe in Him.
King James Bible
As he spake these words, many believed on him.
Holman Christian Standard Bible
As He was saying these things, many believed in Him.
The following verses of scripture are taken from BibleGateway.com
John 8 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
The Adulterous Woman
1 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people were coming to Him; and He sat down and began to teach them. 3 The scribes and the Pharisees *brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center of the court, 4 they *said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?” 6 They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground. 7 But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court.10 Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.”
Jesus Is the Light of the World
12 Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”13 So the Pharisees said to Him, “You are testifying about Yourself; Your testimony is not true.” 14 Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I testify about Myself, My testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. 15 You judge according to the flesh; I am not judging anyone. 16 But even if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone in it, but I and the Father who sent Me. 17 Even in your law it has been written that the testimony of two men is true. 18 I am He who testifies about Myself, and the Father who sent Me testifies about Me.” 19 So they were saying to Him, “Where is Your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither Me nor My Father; if you knew Me, you would know My Father also.” 20 These words He spoke in the treasury, as He taught in the temple; and no one seized Him, because His hour had not yet come.
21 Then He said again to them, “I go away, and you will seek Me, and will die in your sin; where I am going, you cannot come.” 22 So the Jews were saying, “Surely He will not kill Himself, will He, since He says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?” 23 And He was saying to them, “You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world. 24 Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” 25 So they were saying to Him, “Who are You?” Jesus said to them, “What have I been saying to you from the beginning? 26 I have many things to speak and to judge concerning you, but He who sent Me is true; and the things which I heard from Him, these I speak to the world.” 27 They did not realize that He had been speaking to them about the Father. 28 So Jesus said,“When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me.29 And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.” 30 As He spoke these things, many came to believe in Him.
The Truth Will Make You Free
31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” 33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, ‘You will become free’?”
34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. 36 So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.37 I know that you are Abraham’s descendants; yet you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you. 38 I speak the things which I have seen with My Father; therefore you also do the things which you heard from your father.”
39 They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus *said to them, “If you are Abraham’s children, do the deeds of Abraham. 40 But as it is,you are seeking to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God; this Abraham did not do. 41 You are doing the deeds of your father.”They said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father: God.”42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me. 43 Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me.46 Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not believe Me? 47 He who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God.”
48 The Jews answered and said to Him, “Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?” 49 Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me. 50 But I do not seek My glory; there is One who seeks and judges. 51 Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he will never see death.” 52 The Jews said to Him, “Now we know that You have a demon. Abraham died, and the prophets also; and You say, ‘If anyone keeps My word, he will never taste of death.’ 53 Surely You are not greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets died too; whom do You make Yourself out to be?” 54 Jesus answered, “If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing;it is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God’; 55 and you have not come to know Him, but I know Him; and if I say that I do not know Him, I will be a liar like you, but I do know Him and keep His word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.” 57 So the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.” 59 Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple.
Commentary on key verses is provided by Dr. R.C. Sproul, and is taken from the Reformation Study Bible which he edited, and contains the English Standard Version (ESV).
8:5 the Law. The punishment prescribed by law for adultery was death (Lev. 20:10; Deut. 22:22). Stoning was not specified, except in one case (Deut. 22:24).
8:6 to test him. If Jesus told them to carry out the stoning, He would violate the Roman law by which the Romans reserved to themselves the execution of the death penalty in occupied lands (18:31). If Jesus told them to release the woman, He would appear to condone adultery and violate the law of Moses.
wrote. This is the only passage where Jesus is said to write. Nothing is said about what He wrote.
8:7 Jesus’ challenge showed the accusers to be disqualified as judges. Their purpose was not to enforce Moses’ law but to entrap Jesus, and they were using this woman as a pawn to achieve their wicked design.
8:11 condemn. This is a legal term referring to the sentence of a court. Jesus indicates that no such lawful procedures have been followed and therefore there is no basis for the capital punishment proposed. Jesus admonished the woman not to go on sinning.
8:12 I am the light of the world. In Jesus’ time, candles were used as part of the celebration of the Feast of Booths. During this feast, the rock that provided water in the wilderness and the pillar of fire that provided light and guidance were remembered (Ex. 13:21). The rock pointed to Jesus (1 Cor. 10:4), and He also is the light to which the pillar of fire as a type pointed. Since God is light (1 John 1:5), Jesus’ words amount to a claim of deity. Again, “I am” points back to Ex. 3:14 (6:35 note)
8:13 your testimony is not true. This discussion, which runs through v. 19, pivots on the question of valid testimony. The Pharisees say that Jesus’ testimony is not legally acceptable because it lacks corroboration (Deut. 17:6; 19:15).
8:14 I know where I came from. Since Jesus knows where He “came from” (heaven), He knows that His testimony is valid and true. Jesus’ origin is again the point of conflict (7:41–43, 52 and notes).
8:16 not I alone. Since the Father is His witness, Christ’s testimony is legally acceptable. In any case, one who has the witness of God needs nothing more.
8:19 The Pharisees misunderstood Jesus’ claim as a reference to His physical father, and they may have been eager to challenge Him as a child allegedly born out-of-wedlock. In speaking of His Father, however, Jesus was not talking about Joseph but about God. Knowledge of the Father comes through the Son (1:18; 14:9; 1 John 5:20). The Pharisees’ blindness to Jesus shows that their technical knowledge of the law did not give them the knowledge of God.
8:21 I am going away. Jesus speaks of His death, resurrection, and ascension.
die in your sin. Jesus clearly states the two destinies of humanity. Not all will be saved; some cannot go where Jesus is going. The only way of salvation is to believe (v. 24; 3:16, 18).
8:24, 28 I am he. Here Jesus applies Old Testament language for Yahweh to Himself (Ex. 3:14; Is. 43:10), an identification that becomes unambiguous in v. 58.
8:28 lifted up. See note at 3:14.
8:30 believed in him. From what is said later (vv. 33, 37, 39), it is apparent that their profession was superficial. True believers are those who abide in His word (v. 31). Perseverance distinguishes those who are truly born of God (15:2, 6; 1 John 2:19).
8:32 you will know the truth. Holding to the teaching of Christ who is the truth (14:6) leads one to the truth that sets a person free from slavery to sin. Salvation is not obtained by intellectual knowledge as the Gnostics imagined, but by a vital relationship with Jesus Christ and a commitment to the truth He revealed (18:37).
8:33 We . . . have never been enslaved. The Jews had been enslaved in Egypt and later were ruled by the Philistines, the Assyrians, and others. Since they could hardly deny this, they were probably saying that they had been a nation under God since the Exodus, no matter what else had happened to them. It is also possible that they were speaking about the time of the Romans, when they had certain liberties, including official recognition as a religion.
8:34 everyone who commits sin is a slave. Jesus describes the gravity of sin and the predicament of humanity under sin. His hearers did not understand the freedom He offered them as they did not understand the bondage they were in. See “The Freedom and Bondage of the Will” at Jer. 17:9.
8:36 if the Son sets you free. Regeneration (the new birth) is the work of the Holy Spirit (3:3–8), accomplished on the basis of Christ’s death and resurrection on our behalf (3:14–16).
free indeed. Jesus was not speaking of political freedom, nor merely a freedom by which we are relieved from physical bondage. True freedom is to serve God, to fulfill the purposes of those specially created in God’s image. Sin deprives us of this fulfillment because sin clouds our minds, degrades our feelings, and enslaves our wills. This is what the Reformers called “total depravity”; its only remedy is the grace of God in spiritual rebirth (3:3). See “Christian Liberty” at Gal. 5:1.
8:37 offspring of Abraham. God is interested in spiritual descent rather than physical ancestry. It does not matter how good a person’s ancestors have been if he or she is walking in the path of disobedience (Ezek. 18). Likewise it does not matter how bad a person’s ancestors have been if that person is renewed by God’s Spirit and walks in the way of faith.
8:40 This is not what Abraham did. Abraham was obedient to God’s direction even when it was painful for him. Jesus’ audience claimed to be Abraham’s descendants, but Jesus shows they are not like their ancestor in the essential matter of obedience. True sonship is not defined by biology but by obedience.
8:41 born of sexual immorality. This may well have been a sarcastic suggestion that Jesus was illegitimate
8:42 you would love me. The unity between Father and Son is so profound that no one can belong to the Father and reject the Son. Again Jesus’ origin is a point of contention (7:41–43 note).
8:44 You are of your father the devil. The relation of truth and righteousness has been prominent in this Gospel. People love darkness (error) rather than light (truth), because their deeds are evil (3:10). A frightful contrast is apparent here; there are just two options: God or Satan. By God’s grace, Abraham (vv. 39–41) had walked in the way of faith and obedience. Those who rejected Jesus were doing the opposite.
your will. Sinners desire to do what is evil. Only a supernatural act of grace can redirect a person’s will to desire the good.
He was a murderer . . . a liar. Among all the sins that could be mentioned as characteristic of Satan, murder and lying are singled out: lying because it is the direct opposite of “truth,” the central emphasis of this section (vv. 32–47); and murder because they desired to kill Jesus (v. 40). Satan contrasts sharply with Jesus who is “the truth, and the life” (14:6) and the giver of life (10:10, 28).
8:46 Which one of you convicts me of sin. No one can convict Jesus of sin, or prove any charge against Him. Jesus is free of all sin (2 Cor. 5:21), “holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners” (Heb. 7:26), doing always what pleases the Father (v. 29).
8:47 you do not hear. Sin paralyzes our spiritual senses. Only an act of God’s grace enables a sinner to hear His voice (cf. v. 43; 10:3, 4, 16, 27).
8:48 a Samaritan. A term of insult, possibly implying that Jesus was born out-of-wedlock (v. 41 note).
have a demon. When cornered by the truth, Jesus’ enemies turn to blasphemy (Matt. 12:24, 31).
8:49 I do not have a demon. Jesus’ conduct, in honoring the Father and not seeking self-glory, is the opposite of what a demon-possessed person would do. Jesus is not afraid to refer the matter to God’s judgment (cf. 17:4).
8:51 if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.Death, as eternal separation from fellowship with God, is the judicial punishment for sin (Rom. 6:23). Since Jesus died as the substitute for His people, those who belong to Him are freed from the penalty of sin because Christ endured it for them.
never. In extending the promise beyond this life, Jesus lays claim to a divine prerogative. The Jews understood the statement as promising avoidance of physical death (v. 52). Earlier statements made clear what Jesus meant (5:24–29).
8:53 Are you greater than our father Abraham. Abraham and the prophets, great as they were in the history of redemption, could not take away death. Only Christ has triumphed over the grave.
8:54 my glory. In the days of His earthly ministry, Jesus did not seek honor even though it belonged to Him as the Son of God. Christ’s glory was visible to those who had eyes to see it (1:14). It was apparent in His resurrection and ascension (1 Tim. 3:16), and will be seen fully at His Second Coming.
8:56 Abraham . . . saw it and was glad. Abraham saw Christ’s day as he embraced in faith many promises given to him by God, promises that demanded the coming of Christ to be fulfilled. Since the context of the discussion has been Satan as a murderer and Jesus as one whose death delivers from death, it may have special reference to God’s providing the ram as a substitute when Abraham was prepared to sacrifice Isaac. This statement shows clearly that even in Old Testament times, believers were saved through faith in Christ presented to them in the foreshadowing given by God to reveal His redemptive plan (cf. Acts 4:12).
8:57 fifty years old. Jesus was closer to thirty (Luke 3:23)
8:58 before Abraham was, I am. This is a clear reference to Jesus’ eternal pre-existence. Since this is an attribute of God alone, this text is a forceful statement of Jesus’ deity. The present tense of the verb suggests the eternal present of God’s eternity. “I am” is also reminiscent of God’s name in Ex. 3:14 (vv. 24, 28 note). See “Jesus Christ, God and Man” at 1:14.
8:59 they picked up stones. The Jews would not accept Christ’s claim to be God, but treated it as blasphemy, for which stoning was required in the law (Lev. 24:16; cf. John 10:31; Matt. 26:65).
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Who is it that says that there are only “Three Days Of Valentine?”
Surely, Cupid’s arrow has its resting place in view. Please don’t
hold up “that warrior’s shield” that will block “the love of your life,”
from becoming the most important person in your life. Listen carefully
to the meaning of “Al Di La.”
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Key Associated Verses (All dates are from Scofield Study Bible)
Matthew 1:23-25 New American Standard Bible (NASB) (4 B.C.)
23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.”
24 And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, 25 but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.
Note: 1:23 virgin. Scholars sometimes dispute whether the Hebrew term in Is. 7:14 means “virgin” or “maiden.” Matthew is quoting here from the LXX which uses the unambiguous Gr. term for “virgin” (see note on Is. 7:14). Thus Matthew, writing under the Spirit’s inspiration, ends all doubt about the meaning of the word in Is. 7:14. Immanuel. Cf. Is. 8:8, 10. (Mac Arthur Study Bible note)
Isaiah 7:14 New American Standard Bible (NASB) 742 B.C.
14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.
Isaiah 8:8 New American Standard Bible (NASB) (742 B.C.)
8 “Then it will sweep on into Judah, it will overflow and pass through, It will reach even to the neck; And the spread of its wings will fill the breadth of your land, O Immanuel.
Isaiah 8:10 New American Standard Bible (NASB) (742 B.C.)
10 “Devise a plan, but it will be thwarted; State a proposal, but it will not stand, For God is with us.”
John 14:9 New American Standard Bible (NASB) (33 A.D.)
9 Jesus *said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
The following verses of scripture are taken from BibleGateway.com
John Chapter 7 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Jesus Teaches at the Feast
1 After these things Jesus was walking in Galilee, for He was unwilling to walk in Judea because the Jews were seeking to kill Him. 2 Now the feast of the Jews, the Feast of Booths, was near. 3 Therefore His brothers said to Him, “Leave here and go into Judea, so that Your disciples also may see Your works which You are doing. 4 For no one does anything in secret when he himself seeks to be known publicly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.”5 For not even His brothers were believing in Him. 6 So Jesus *said to them, “My time is not yet here, but your time is always opportune. 7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it, that its deeds are evil. 8 Go up to the feast yourselves; I do not go up to this feast because My time has not yet fully come.” 9 Having said these things to them, He stayed in Galilee.
10 But when His brothers had gone up to the feast, then He Himself also went up, not publicly, but as if, in secret. 11 So the Jews were seeking Him at the feast and were saying, “Where is He?” 12 There was much grumbling among the crowds concerning Him; some were saying, “He is a good man”; others were saying, “No, on the contrary, He leads the people astray.” 13 Yet no one was speaking openly of Him for fear of the Jews.
14 But when it was now the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and began to teach. 15 The Jews then were astonished, saying, “How has this man become learned, having never been educated?” 16 So Jesus answered them and said, “My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me. 17 If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself. 18 He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.
19 “Did not Moses give you the Law, and yet none of you carries out the Law? Why do you seek to kill Me?” 20 The crowd answered, “You have a demon! Who seeks to kill You?” 21 Jesus answered them, “I did one deed, and you all marvel.22 For this reason Moses has given you circumcision (not because it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and on the Sabbath you circumcise a man. 23 If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath so that the Law of Moses will not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made an entire man well on the Sabbath? 24 Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”
25 So some of the people of Jerusalem were saying, “Is this not the man whom they are seeking to kill? 26 Look, He is speaking publicly, and they are saying nothing to Him. The rulers do not really know that this is the Christ, do they?27 However, we know where this man is from; but whenever the Christ may come, no one knows where He is from.” 28 Then Jesus cried out in the temple,teaching and saying, “You both know Me and know where I am from; and I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know.29 I know Him, because I am from Him, and He sent Me.” 30 So they were seeking to seize Him; and no man laid his hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come. 31 But many of the crowd believed in Him; and they were saying, “When the Christ comes, He will not perform more signs than those which this man has, will He?”
32 The Pharisees heard the crowd muttering these things about Him, and the chief priests and the Pharisees sent officers to seize Him. 33 Therefore Jesus said, “For a little while longer I am with you, then I go to Him who sent Me.34 You will seek Me, and will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come.”35 The Jews then said to one another, “Where does this man intend to go that we will not find Him? He is not intending to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks, is He? 36 What is this statement that He said,‘You will seek Me, and will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come’?”
37 Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” 39 But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
Division of People over Jesus
40 Some of the people therefore, when they heard these words, were saying, “This certainly is the Prophet.” 41 Others were saying, “This is the Christ.” Still others were saying, “Surely the Christ is not going to come from Galilee, is He?42 Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the descendants of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” 43 So a division occurred in the crowd because of Him. 44 Some of them wanted to seize Him, but no one laid hands on Him.
45 The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, and they said to them, “Why did you not bring Him?” 46 The officers answered, “Never has a man spoken the way this man speaks.” 47 The Pharisees then answered them, “You have not also been led astray, have you? 48 No one of the rulers or Pharisees has believed in Him, has he? 49 But this crowd which does not know the Law is accursed.” 50 Nicodemus (he who came to Him before, being one of them) *said to them, 51 “Our Law does not judge a man unless it first hears from him and knows what he is doing, does it?” 52 They answered him, “You are not also from Galilee, are you? Search, and see that no prophet arises out of Galilee.” 53 [Everyone went to his home.
Commentary on key verses is provided by Dr. R.C. Sproul, and is taken from the Reformation Study Bible which he edited, and contains the English Standard Version (ESV). (Everyone should own a Reformation Study Bible).
7:2 Feast of Booths. The longest festival of the Jewish year (lasting seven days), this feast followed the Jewish New Year and the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur, Lev. 23; Deut. 16). It was a celebration of God’s gracious provision for the Israelites in the wilderness and the completion of the year’s harvest. There was a ceremonial water-drawing (commemorating the provision of water in the wilderness, Num. 20:2–13) and a lamp-lighting ritual. The first of these ceremonies provides the setting for Jesus’ proclamation in vv. 37, 38, the second for His statement in 8:12.
7:3, 5, 10 his brothers. Cf. 2:12; Matt. 12:46. Some of the brothers later believed in Jesus (Acts 1:14).
7:6 My time. See vv. 8, 30; 2:4; 8:20; 12:23; 13:1; 17:1; Matt. 26:18; Mark 14:41. Such passages show the concern of Jesus to conform to God’s schedule.
7:7 The world. Humanity in its opposition to God and His purpose….evil. Evildoers resent being unmasked by the good (3:19, 20).
7:8 I am not going up to this feast. Jesus does indeed later go to the Feast. His brothers have asked Him to present Himself openly to the crowds. But Jesus asserts that He is “not” yet ready to appear in such a public way.
7:13 for fear of the Jews. This is not a reference to all those who were natural descendants of Abraham. Rather, the term refers to Jewish leaders and officials who were hostile toward Jesus.
7:15 has never studied. Jesus was not known to have been taught by any rabbi, yet His knowledge and wisdom astounded those who heard Him (cf. 3:2; Matt. 7:28; Luke 2:47).
7:16 his who sent me. Jesus indicates the source of His teaching. His message is not original with Himself but comes from His Father.
7:17 will know. A true perception of the divine nature of Christ’s teaching is granted to those who earnestly desire to do God’s will (Ps. 25:14).
7:18 on his own authority. A contrast is established between self-seeking messengers and Jesus, whose guiding principle is to be true to His mission (12:49). See 1:14, 17; 14:6; 18:37; 2 Cor. 11:10; Rev. 3:7, 14; 19:11—passages where Christ and His message are identified with truth. This is also said of God the Father (7:28; 8:26; 17:3; Ps. 31:5; Is. 65:16; Rom. 3:4; 1 Thess. 1:9; 1 John 5:20; Rev. 6:10; 15:3; 16:7) and of the Holy Spirit (14:17; 15:26; 16:13; 1 John 4:6; 5:6). The same applies to the Scripture and apostolic preaching (17:17; Ps. 119:30, 43, 138,142, 151, 160; Eph. 1:13; Col. 1:5; 2 Tim. 2:15; James 1:18). This is in sharp contrast with Satan who is “a liar” (8:44).
7:19 Moses . . . the law. The blessing of having received the law as the revelation of God’s will (cf. Ps. 103:7; Rom. 3:2; 9:4) becomes a bane through disobedience (Rom. 7:7–12).
7:20 have a demon. Compare 8:48–52; 10:19–20; Matt. 12:24.
7:21 I did one deed. Jesus refers to the one deed He had done in their region, the healing of the lame man (5:1–15).
7:22 circumcision. Circumcision was prescribed in the law of Moses (Lev. 12:3), but it was previously instituted by God in the days of Abraham (Gen. 17:10–14). The regulation that it had to be performed on the eighth day was commonly regarded as taking precedence over the law of rest on the Sabbath.
7:23 whole body well. Jesus calls attention to the inconsistency of His accusers. There were a number of activities permitted on the Sabbath, including circumcision. He compares these activities with the work of healing.
7:27 we know where this man comes from. The people knew that Jesus was from Galilee (vv. 41, 52), and this seemed to conflict with the prevailing view that the Messiah would come from Bethlehem (v. 42; Matt. 2:5, 6) or that His origin would be unknown. Jesus in response points to His divine origin rather than an earthly location. In failing to acknowledge His divine mission they showed their ignorance of God’s plan, in spite of the miracles, which were proof of God’s endorsement (v. 31).
7:30 they were seeking to arrest him. The plots against Christ’s life could not succeed until God’s own time had come.
7:34 You will seek me and you will not find me. This is not in contradiction with Matt. 7:7. There Jesus is speaking about a thirst for God (cf. v. 37) that only the Holy Spirit creates in someone; but here He is referring to an effort to find Him geographically, which would be futile since He would be in heaven. Note the contrast between unbelievers (v. 34) and believers (14:3).
7:35 Where does this man intend to go. The Jews were puzzled as to Christ’s origin and so could not understand His destination, which was heaven. They understood it merely in geographical terms and were not pleased at the thought that He would exercise His ministry among the Greeks, heathens that they despised.
7:37, 38 At the climax of the feast, Jesus repeated dramatically the message He had given to the Samaritan woman (4:10–14) making clear that coming to Him meant believing in Him.
7:38 as the Scripture has said. What follows is not an exact quotation from the Old Testament, but there are several Old Testament passages that connect water with the end-time gift of the Spirit (e.g., Is. 44:3; Ezek. 36:25–27) and the blessings of the present (messianic) age (e.g., Is. 12:3; 58:11). Jesus fulfills the meaning of the Feast of Booths (v. 2 note)….rivers. This implies great abundance, benefiting not only believers, but also those around them.
7:39 the Spirit had not been given. Jesus is referring to the blessing of Pentecost. Of course, the Holy Spirit was present in the Old Testament period, but at Pentecost He entered into a more intimate relationship with believers (14:17; 1 Cor. 6:19). This is the Messiah’s gift to His people: He baptizes with the Spirit (Matt. 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16), but this blessing in its full measure and glory must await the ascension of Christ who will pour out the Spirit from heaven upon His people (16:7; cf. Eph. 4:8).
7:40 the Prophet. A reference to Deut. 18:15. It is interesting to observe the testimony of those outside the group of disciples who were not blinded by prejudice. They understood that Jesus could be “the Prophet” promised by Moses. They knew that His miracles were worthy of the Messiah they expected (v. 31). Some called him “the Christ” (v. 41), and they testified that no one ever spoke like Him (v. 46).
7:41–43 Dispute over the identity of Jesus continues to focus on His origin (cf. vv. 25–36 and notes). The people’s questioning remains trapped within the limits of this world (3:1–15; 4:1–26).
7:45–52 The strong prejudice of the chief priests and Pharisees is apparent in their condemnation of the temple guards (vv. 47,48), of the crowd (v. 49), and even of Nicodemus, one of their number (v. 52).
7:52 Galilee was held in contempt by the Sanhedrin as a mixed-race region where the law was not zealously observed.
Eternity 