The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. (Psalm 19:1, NKJV)
The “Revealing Israel” study began on the “Revealing Israel” blog. For archive purposes, the Revealing Israel blog can be accessed through the link to that blog, as is shown in the next line.
Replies to comments that are made on the Revealing Israel blog, will not receive a reply unless such a comment is addressed to this Equipping blog.
Posts and pages from the Revealing Israel blog, that are significant to the present Equipping blog’s study of Israel, will be edited and pasted on this blog. It is important to know that the Revealing Israel blog has many other posts that also relate to eschatology.
This particular article will be published on Equipping blog as a Page, and as a Post; the Post category is: “Revealing Israel.”
The Greek word, “apokalypsis,” is understood to mean, “disclosure, unveiling, or revelation,” and is the basis for the English word, “apocalypse.” There are many people whom are looking for an end of times destruction of all mankind, to include all of our world. “Apocalypse” is the name that is often used to identity such an “end of world event.” However, such a belief is far from the truth of the matter. The purpose of this “Revealing Israel” series of blog posts and pages is to provide credible data that will provide comfort of thought as it relates to the end of times discussion. Through the “photoworks of time studies” of times “past, present and future,” this study will reveal that there is no “end of times apocalypse” that will bring an end to our world or mankind. The role that Israel plays in end of times studies is often neglected, overlooked and attacked in our world’s political arenas, universities, and even in places of worship. Those, whom will seriously study this “Revealing Israel” series of posts and pages, will gain an understanding of the importance and events of “Israel in eschatology” that will exceed that of most of their peers, to include those on a professional level.
There a number of reasons for the change, with one being a recent deluge of new blog posts coming to my email in-boxes for three of my blogs.
The following blogs are written by me. I will immediately begin writing posts on the new Equipping blog, but will publish a post about this change on all of the blogs that I write. Instead of having many blogs, I will have categories on the Equipping blog that relate to each of the following blogs’ subjects.
You can click onto the other links, and you will be able to see all of my posts. The other links will not be deactivated. However all new posts will be published on:
Existing blogs are listed below. They can be viewed, but will have no new articles posted on them, except for this notice. I will be posting this notice on all of my blogs.
The following blogs can be accessed. However, no future articles will be posted on the blogs.
Since February 18, an excessive number of incoming blog posts have created a major problem for three of my blogs’ email accounts. Due to the many posts that have been coming to me from the below listed blog sites, I have had to block all posts that have been sent to me by Word Press. The situation that has occurred is one that was unforeseen. It has been very difficult to resolve the situation. Soon, I should be back in business. The Word Press Reader is not as user friendly as are the actual emails that show each blog post. The affected blogs are: Revealing, Compassing Ministries International and UTLOT.
Revealing – Spam folder total count 2227, with 200 in last 24 hours – Blogs: Sound Books, Like For Real Dough.
Compassion Ministries International – Spam folder total count 9043, with 1000 in last 24 hours – Blogs: Sound Books, Vehicle Traveller, Kopitiam Bot, High Velocity Sport.
UTLOT – Spam folder total count 1194, with 200 in last 24 hours – Blogs: News Annapurna, Ace News Service, PA Pundits – International, The Property Gazette.
There a number of reasons for the change, with one being a recent deluge of new blog posts coming to my email in-boxes for three of my blogs.
The following blogs are written by me. I will immediately begin writing posts on the new Equipping blog, but will publish a post about this change on all of the blogs that I write. Instead of having many blogs, I will have categories on the Equipping blog that relate to each of the following blogs’ subjects.
You can click onto the other links, and you will be able to see all of my posts. The other links will not be deactivated. However all new posts will be published on:
Existing blogs are listed below. They can be viewed, but will have no new articles posted on them, except for this notice. I will be posting this notice on all of my blogs.
The following blogs can be accessed. However, no future articles will be posted on the blogs.
Since February 18, an excessive number of incoming blog posts have created a major problem for three of my blogs’ email accounts. Due to the many posts that have been coming to me from the below listed blog sites, I have had to block all posts that have been sent to me by Word Press. The situation that has occurred is one that was unforeseen. It has been very difficult to resolve the situation. Soon, I should be back in business. The Word Press Reader is not as user friendly as are the actual emails that show each blog post. The affected blogs are: Revealing, Compassing Ministries International and UTLOT.
Revealing – Spam folder total count 2227, with 200 in last 24 hours – Blogs: Sound Books, Like For Real Dough.
Compassion Ministries International – Spam folder total count 9043, with 1000 in last 24 hours – Blogs: Sound Books, Vehicle Traveller, Kopitiam Bot, High Velocity Sport.
UTLOT – Spam folder total count 1194, with 200 in last 24 hours – Blogs: News Annapurna, Ace News Service, PA Pundits – International, The Property Gazette.
The John Ankerberg Show. Step by Step Through The Book of Revelation.
This post introduces a series of articles that are being published in a study of the Old Testament Jewish Prophets. The focus of the study is to tie prophecies, that go back as far as 840 B.C., to future events that will affect, not only Jews, but Gentiles too. Each post is being cataloged in the specific blog that relates to the end times. The blog name is Revealing. https://apocalypseandbeyond.wordpress.com/ is its link. A blog that has all of my blog links is UTLOT. https://utlot.wordpress.com/ is its link.
The opening video describes the end times events of our study. Bio information on the speakers in the video can be found at the bottom of this page.
Many people live their lives in total darkness, as it relates to their lack of understanding the times and things that lie ahead. As a way of illuminating such spiritual darkness, God has provided biblical prophecy. Certain Jews were chosen by God to present His Word to the Jews, whom are known in scripture as “God’s chosen people,” (Deuteronomy 7:6). The Jews were chosen by God to be a holy and righteous people, to bring a Holy and Righteous Messiah into our world. This study will focus on the prophets of Israel whom spoke words of judgment and encouragement to the Jews during the times of their being dispersed from their “God ordained land” (Genesis 15:18-21), which occurred after the death of King Solomon in 931 B.C. The prophecies will be studied from the time of their being given by God to each prophet, until the times of their fulfillment. From time to time there may be included in this blog, posts that are provided as “food for thought.”
Where is the judgment seat of Christ? What are Christians going to experience in heaven?
THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST
The Day Of Christ – The Day Of The Lord
Related scriptures are found at the bottom of the page.
THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST (2 Corinthians 5:10)
2 Corinthians 5:10 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
“For we must all appear before the tribunal of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or worthless.”
In order for us to have a clear understanding of the Judgment Seat Of Christ (Bema Judgment), we must also consider two other events that will occur, before and after the Bema Judgment. The Day of Christ will occur prior to the Bema Judgment, and is also known as the rapture of the church. The rapture is an event at which born again believers in Christ will be caught up and taken to heaven to be in the Presence of God the Father (2 Corinthians 12:1-4). The Day of the Lord will occur after the Bema Judgment, at the end of the tribulation, when Christ returns to Earth with his caught up believers. This return with the saints is known as the Second Coming Of Christ. It is an event where Christ will pass judgment on those whom were left behind from the rapture, and are still living in a state of unbelief toward Christ as their Lord and Savior. Judgment can be positive or negative. In a court room setting a judge will determine whether a defendant is either innocent or guilty. At the Judgment Seat Of Christ, believers in Christ have a judgment of eternal rewards that they will receive (1 Corinthians 2:9). At the second coming of Christ, Christ will judge survivors of the tribulation as to whether they will receive a judgment of eternal life or of eternal punishment.
Whenever there is a discussion of the Judgment Seat Of Christ, there is a tendency to lose sight of the fact that it will be believers in Christ whom will be taken there by Christ at the time of the rapture of the church. Our salvation has been secured at the time of our new birth, so the Judgment Seat Of Christ is not a place of determining anyone’s salvation; the giving of eternal rewards is its purpose.
The Judgment Seat Of Christ is an event that will include only New Testament born again believers in Christ, those of whom are also called saints. Absent from the Judgment Seat of Christ will be the saints of the tribulation, and of the Old Testament. The absence of the OT and tribulation saints is of key importance when determining the things that will happen at the Judgment Seat Of Christ. So, keeping in mind any harshness that has been said that awaits the raptured “bride of Christ,” there must also be raised a question. That question is: “why will the tribulation saints and the Old Testament saints not be subject to the same “ill-taught harshness,” that the bride of Christ is supposed to encounter?
Considering the Judgment Seat Of Christ, also known as the Bema Judgment.
The Bema Seat takes its name using imagery from Paul’s day. During the ancient Olympics, the judge sat along the finish line. His purpose was not to determine whether or not the participants actually ran the race. If they got that far, then they completed the course. But the Judge at the Bema seat determined how they came in, first, second, and so on, and he handed out the rewards. That is the imagery that the Bible gives us of the Believer’s Judgment. It is at the Judgment Seat of Life that Christ metes out the rewards not the punishments that we earn in life. (http://www.discoverrevelation.com/10.html)
The raptured believes in Christ will receive gifts at the Judgment Seat Of Christ. Consider the following note from the MacArthur Study Bible, as it relates to the Bema Judgment.
2 Corinthians 5:10. The judgment seat of Christ. “Judgment seat” metaphorically refers to the place where the Lord will sit to evaluate believers’ lives for the purpose of giving them eternal rewards. It is translated from the Gr. word be¯ma, which was an elevated platform where victorious athletes (e.g., during the Olympics) went to receive their crowns. The term is also used in the NT to refer to the place of judging, as when Jesus stood before Pontius Pilate (Matt. 27:19; John 19:13), but here the reference is definitely from the athletic analogy. Corinth had such a platform where both athletic rewards and legal justice were dispensed (Acts 18:12–16)
Every person came into this world as an unbeliever, having been totally flawed in body, soul and spirit, from the time of conception. It was not within our personal desires to have a relationship with Christ (John 1:11). We were “muck in the mire” people, on a collision course with “the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:11-15). We had no desire to be holy and righteous, but through the new birth, we became “the righteousness of God in Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:21). We didn’t fall in love with Christ; He fell in love with us (1 John 4:10). We didn’t give anything for Christ; He gave His life for us (Ephesians 5:25). Simply stated, we did not want Christ; Christ wanted us. Christ, through the calling of the Holy Spirit, “talked us into the whole thing!” So, even though we never wanted to be a part of the marriage of the Lamb, and had no desire to be at the Judgment Seat of Christ, “we’ll be there!” And, even though Christ has pledged His love for us, we have been told that He is going to “rip us apart,” past deed by past deed, and expose our past sinful life to the rest of the believers that are also in the same line, “knocking at their knees,” {sic} in spite of the fact that we are now, and will be then, as “the righteousness of God, in Christ.”
Consider those whom will be present at the Judgment Seat Of Christ. There will be God the Father, God the Son, and the raptured, born again, believers in Christ, of whom are the saints of the New Testament. The saints will have already attained a status of perfection of body, soul and spirit at the time of the rapture. Therefore, all of whom are present at the Judgment Seat Of Christ are “without flaw.” There is nothing more that can be done to make the saints more perfect than they are at the time that Christ descends to earth from heaven and returns to heaven taking the saints with him to be in the Presence of God the Father. The raptured saints will be judged to be righteous at the Judgment Seat Of Christ, and then will receive the rewards that “The Father” has prepared for them. (1 Corinthians 2:9)
Now, let’s consider this whole matter of the things that will, and will not, take place at the Judgment Seat Of Christ. Let’s also remember that only the saints of the New Testament will be present; the OT and Tribulation saints will be absent. The New Testament saints will be standing before the Judgment Seat of Christ in glorified spirits, souls and bodies. The full resurrection of the OT and Tribulation saints will not occur until at the end of the tribulation, when their bodies will be resurrected (Daniel 12:1-2; Revelation 20:4). The souls of those two groups of saints went to be in the Presence of God at the time of their death (Luke 16:19-31, 2 Cor 5:8, Eph 4:8, Phil 1:21-23). The spirits of the OT and Tribulation saints also have a place in the Presence of God, but at the time of their new birth (2 Cor 5:21).
A major reason that people have the wrong understanding of the Judgment Seat of Christ, is due to a lack of understanding of 1 Corinthians 3:1-15.
We will compare and contrast 1 Corinthians Chapter 3:1-15 with 2 Corinthians 5:10, to determine if there is anything that connects the two passages of scripture.
Consider the word “worthless,” or bad, in 2 Corinthians 5:10. Consider the translation of “whether good or worthless.” The translations that use the words, “whether good or bad,” put a negative connotation in the mind of readers, that either the raptured believer is being judged for salvation, or that every action in the life of the believer will be studied for sinfulness, with the result being that “the bride of Christ” will be humiliated on the way to “the marriage of the Lamb” (Revelation 19:7-8). Consider the significance of the bride of any wedding, and how only praise is poured on her. It is not of any difference at the marriage of the lamb and the journey to the marriage, especially when “The Bride Of Christ,” is “the bride of all brides,” and will be escorted to the wedding by the Groom of all Grooms, “Christ, our Lord.” Really! No bride can expect her former life to be “ripped apart,” event by event, on her way “to the wedding chapel,” and subsequently being lavished with praise and honor at the altar of marriage,” by the same man that just couldn’t wait to “put her in her place!”
Phaulon is the Greek word that is used to mean “worthless” or “bad” in 2 Cor 5:10. The primary meaning of phaulon is “worthless.”
Consider the note from the MacArthur Study Bible, and provided by Bible Gateway on 2 Corinthians 5:10.
“whether good or bad.” These Gr. terms do not refer to moral good and moral evil. Matters of sin have been completely dealt with by the death of the Savior.
The Open Bible, Copyright 1983, by Thomas Nelson, Inc, is a credible study source for 1 Corinthians Chapter 3. The seventeen contributors to the Study Aids are highly regarded as being expert in Theology. A key ingredient to the way that The Open Bible addresses this chapter is the way that it has put the chapter into three divisions. Verses 1-4 address the problem of division within the church at Corinth. Verses 5-17 discuss Ministers at the church being fellow workers with God. Verses 18-23 discuss Ministers at the church being accountable to God. With such a breakdown of the chapter, it is easy to discern that the problem, that the Apostle Paul is discussing, relates to Church leadership, as opposed to the individual believers at the church. It is also important to understand that the church at Corinth was by no means a model church of our Lord, and that the issues that Paul addresses in his letters to the church at Corinth are not addressed in any of the other epistles to the churches.
While comparing 1 Corinthians 3:1-15 with 2 Corinthians 5:10, the word “day,” is an important factor. Can we see a clear connection between “the day” of 1 Corinthians 3:13 with 2 Corinthians 5:10, The Judgment Seat Of Christ? I think not. But, we can see a clear connection between “The Day Of Christ with, “the day,” 1 Corinthians 3:13.
The expression “day of Christ,” occurs in the following passages: 1 Corinthians 1:8; 1 Corinthians 5:5; 2 Corinthians 1:14; Philippians 1:6; Philippians 1:10; Philippians 2:16. KJV has “day of Christ,” 2 Thessalonians 2:2 incorrectly, for “day of the Lord”; Isaiah 2:12; Revelation 19:11-21. The “day of Christ” relates wholly to the reward and blessing of saints at his coming, as “day of the Lord” is connected with judgment. (Scofield note 1 Cor 1:8)
The “day of the Lord:” This judgment occurs at the return of Christ Matthew 16:27; Luke 14:14. (Scofield note 2 Cor 5:10). (My note: The return of Christ for Judgment takes place at the end of the tribulation.)
THE PROBLEMS AT CORINTH
Due to improper pastoral/elder leadership, oversight and supervision, the church at Corinth had the following charges laid at the feet of its pastors.
1 Corinthians: a new perspective for a troubled church
The church in Corinth was in trouble. They were divided. They were immature. They were abusing the sacraments, spiritual gifts, and each other. The apostle Paul had founded this church earlier (Acts 18), and when he hears of the young church’s struggles, he writes them a letter.
And it’s a bold one. He tackles the issues the church faces, reprimands them for their shortcomings, and encourages them in love.
First Corinthians is not a step-by-step guide to solving church problems, however. Instead of telling the church precisely what to do, Paul proposes a new perspective: put God’s glory first. It’s the key to overcoming these struggles.
The Corinthians were fighting each other, with one faction claiming Paul as their leader while others claimed the eloquent Apollos, the original apostle Peter (Cephas), or the Lord Jesus Christ Himself (1 Co 1:12). Paul reprimands them for their immaturity (1 Co 3:3), and points to God as the one who deserves glory, not His servants (1 Co 3:5–7).
The church was condoning sexual immorality: one man was sleeping with his mother-in-law (1 Co 5:1) and others seem to have been seeing prostitutes (1 Co 6:16–18). The church was not judging their own based on God’s Word; rather, they were taking their disputes with other Christians to the secular courts (1 Co 6:5–7). Paul’s direction: recognize God’s authority and glorify Him with the physical body (1 Co 6:19-20).
The Corinthians had written Paul with questions about what they were at liberty to do in marriage, divorce, eating and drinking, and the like. Paul gives detailed responses on each topic, but sums up the Christian philosophy: “whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Co 10:31 ESV)
Next, we will discuss 1 Corinthians 3. The objective will be to show that this chapter does not relate to the Judgment Seat Of Christ, 2 Corinthians 5:10.
1 Corinthians 3 (The following scripture comes from Bible Gateway. The notes come form the MacArthur Study Bible, unless otherwise noted.)
1 Corinthians 3:1-4 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
The Problem of Immaturity
1 Brothers, I was not able to speak to you as spiritual people but as people of the flesh, as babies in Christ. 2 I gave you milk to drink, not solid food, because you were not yet ready for it. In fact, you are still not ready, 3 because you are still fleshly. For since there is envy and strife among you, are you not fleshly and living like unbelievers? 4 For whenever someone says, “I’m with Paul,” and another, “I’m with Apollos,” are you not unspiritual people?
3:1: carnal. Although Corinthian believers were no longer “natural,” they were not “spiritual” (fully controlled by the Holy Spirit). In fact, they were “carnal” (controlled by the fallen flesh). Though all believers have the Holy Spirit (cf. Rom. 8:9) they still battle the fallen flesh (see notes on Rom. 7:14–25; 8:23). babes in Christ. The carnality of those believers was indicative of their immaturity.
3:2 milk. Not a reference to certain doctrines, but to the more easily digestible truths of doctrine that were given to new believers. solid food. The deeper features of the doctrines of Scripture. The difference is not in kind of truth, but degree of depth. Spiritual immaturity makes one unable to receive the richest truths.
3:3 envy, strife. Carnality produces the attitude of envy, a severe form of selfishness, which produces the action of strife and the subsequent divisions. mere men. Apart from the will of the Spirit, hence carnal, not spiritual.
3:4 Paul…Apollos. Factionalism was the divisive product of carnality. Cf. 1:11–13.
1 Corinthians 3:5-11 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
The Role of God’s Servants
5 What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, and each has the role the Lord has given. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 8 Now the one planting and the one watering are one in purpose, and each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9 For we are God’s coworkers. You are God’s field, God’s building. 10 According to God’s grace that was given to me, I have laid a foundation as a skilled master builder, and another builds on it. But each one must be careful how he builds on it. 11 For no one can lay any other foundation than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ.
3:5–7 Who then is Paul…Apollos. A humble, but accurate assessment of the roles that ministers play. the Lord gave…God gave…God who gives. It is the Lord alone who can give the faith to the spiritually ignorant and dead. Salvation is God’s work of grace to whom He chooses to give it (see notes on Rom. 9:15–19; Eph. 2:8, 9).
3:8 are one. All the human instruments God uses to produce salvation life are equally considered and rewarded for their willingness to be used by God. But all the glory goes to Him, who alone saves. Because of that, the silly favoritism of v. 4; 1:12 is condemned. See notes on Matt. 20:1–16.
3:9 we. Paul, Apollos, Peter, and all ministers are equal workers in the field, but the spiritual life from that field is entirely by God’s grace and power. God’s building. Paul shifts the imagery from agricultural to construction (vv. 10–17).
3:10 master builder…foundation. The Gr. word is the root for architect, but contained the idea of builder as well as designer. Paul’s specialty was designing and building spiritual foundations (cf. Rom. 15:20). He was used by God to establish the groundwork for churches in Asia Minor, Macedonia, and Greece. Others (e.g., Timothy, Apollos) built the churches up from his foundations. That God used him in that way was all of grace (cf. v. 7; 15:20; Rom. 15:18; Eph. 3:7, 8; Col. 1:29).
each one. (my note). Per the following notes on church leadership, each elder is responsible for building on the foundation of Christ.
3:11 no other foundation. Paul did not design the foundation, he only laid it down by preaching Christ. Cf. 1 Pet. 2:6–8.
1 Corinthians 3:11-15 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
11 For no one can lay any other foundation than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on that foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, 13 each one’s work will become obvious, for the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. 14 If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, it will be lost, but he will be saved; yet it will be like an escape through fire.
3:11 no other foundation. Paul did not design the foundation, he only laid it down by preaching Christ. Cf. 1 Pet. 2:6–8.
3:12 if anyone builds. This is, first of all, in reference to the evangelists and pastors (v. 9), and then to all believers who are called to build the church through faithful ministry. gold, silver, precious stones. His quality materials represent dedicated, spiritual service to build the church. wood, hay, straw. Inferior materials implying shallow activity with no eternal value. They do not refer to activities that are evil (see note on v. 13).
3:13 (Scofield Study Note) Refers to the time of the Day of Christ: 1 Cor 1:7-8, 5:5; 2 Cor 1:14; Phil 1:6; 1:10; 2:16; 2 Thessalonians 2:2, per the following:
The expression “day of Christ,” occurs in the following passages: 1 Corinthians 1:8; 1 Corinthians 5:5; 2 Corinthians 1:14; Philippians 1:6; Philippians 1:10; Philippians 2:16. A.V. has “day of Christ,” 2 Thessalonians 2:2 incorrectly, for “day of the Lord”; Isaiah 2:12; Revelation 19:11-21 The “day of Christ” relates wholly to the reward and blessing of saints at his coming, as “day of the Lord” is connected with judgment.
3:14-15 revealed by fire. (My note: the words, “revealed by fire,” relates to apostate pastors.” See my closing note.)
The Day of Christ is the rapture. All born again believers in Christ are caught up by Christ and taken to heaven At that time, all spirits of these people will have been born again, being as pure as the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Cor 5:21). The bodies of the deceased and living believers will be changed into eternal glorified bodies (1 Cor 15:50-54). We will have souls (our minds, thoughts, reasoning, emotions), to never think a bad thought ever again (1 John 3:2). We will be like Christ, and will never be like the sinful person that we used to be. We will have perfected, spirits, souls and bodies (1 Thes 5:23).
Ephesians 4:11-12 teaches that God has ordained certain individuals to be responsible for “equipping the saints for works of ministry for the building up of the body of Christ.” Those leaders are called apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.” Of those in positions of leadership, pastors/elders have been given the authority and responsibility for leading each congregation. Church leaders were those whom were criticized by Paul at Corinth. Such leaders are also called: elders, shepherds, overseers, pastors, ministers, presbyters.
Based on scripture, each church should be under the leadership of its own chosen elders. Consider the first example of church leaders being chosen. Paul and Barnabas were on a ministry trip. They preached the Gospel of Christ and made many disciples (Acts 14:19-22). Consider verse 23 in the appointing of church leaders.
Acts 14:23 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
“When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.”
Paul and Barnabas appointed a plurality of elders at each church, and commended them to the Lord. There was no super structure of denominational control or supervision over any local congregation. Each congregation was led by “elders.” In Acts 14:23 – Acts 21:18, there are nine examples of church leadership, with each leader being identified as “elder” (Acts 14:23; 15:2; 15:4; 15:6; 15:22; 15:23; 16:4; 20:17; 21:18). In 1 Timothy 5:17 and 5:19; Titus 1:5; James 5:14, elders are identified as being church leaders. Notice, there is always a plurality of elders. Consider the following note:
The qualifications in Titus 1:6-9 and in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 apparently apply to elders. It becomes apparent that the elders were the spiritual leaders of the churches. Taken as a whole, the qualifications describe those being mature believers in Christ, of good repute, with gifts for teaching, management, and pastoral ministry.
In Acts 20:17 the elders (plural) of the church at Ephesus went to be with Paul. In Acts 20:27, those same elders are also called overseers and shepherds. The Greek translation shows from Acts 14:23, the Transliteration: presbuterous, “an elder,” has been used to identify “Presbyters” as church leaders. The definition is elder.
In Acts 26:16, the Apostle Paul explains that Christ, our Lord, appeared to him and appointed him to be an apostle and a minister. “Apostle” can also be identified as “witness.”
In no New Testament church was a single elder the leader of a congregation. In no circumstance was a deacon, trustee, or anyone other than an elder, chosen to lead a congregation. Some translations use the words “Pastor and Bishop,” to mean elder, with neither being scriptural. The title of Reverend is found in the King James Version, in Psalm 111:9, “holy and reverend is his name.” However the correct word to be used is “awesome,” which is used in the NKJV, NIV, HCSB, CSB, NASB, NET, NLT. Many Pastors shun being called “Reverend,” due its reference being made to God.
Related Scriptures: The Day Of Christ, The Day Of The Lord, The BEMA Judgment, End Time Judgment
Rapture: Day Of Christ: John 14:1-6, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Corinthians 15:50-54
Judgment Seat Of Christ: Rewards For Raptured Believers In Christ: 2 Corinthians 5:10:
Second Coming Of Christ: Day Of The Lord: Matthew 24:29-31, Mark 13:24-27; Luke 22:14, 21;23; John 13:18-19. Zechariah 14:1-14, Revelation 19:11-21
THE DAY OF THE LORD
Amos 5:18 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
“Woe to you who long for the Day of the Lord! What will the Day of the Lord be for you? It will be darkness and not light.”
5:18–20 Even the wicked wanted the Day of the Lord to come, mistakenly thinking that it would bring victory instead of judgment (cf. Zeph. 1:14–18).
THE DAY OF CHRIST
1 Corinthians 1:8 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
“He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you will be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1:8 the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. Cf. 5:5; 2 Cor. 1:14. This refers to the coming of the Lord for His church, the rapture (John 14:1–3; 1 Thess. 4:13–18; Rev. 3:10). This is to be distinguished from the Day of the Lord (1 Thess. 5:2, 4; 2 Thess. 2:2), a term referring to judgment on the ungodly (see Introduction to Joel: Historical and Theological Themes).
THE BEMA JUDGMENT
2 Corinthians 5:10 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
“For we must all appear before the tribunal of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or worthless.”
5:10 the judgment seat of Christ. “Judgment seat” metaphorically refers to the place where the Lord will sit to evaluate believers’ lives for the purpose of giving them eternal rewards.
Eternal Rewards
1 Corinthians 2:9 King James Version (KJV)
“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”
END TIME JUDGMENT
Matthew 25:46 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
“And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
25:46 everlasting punishment…eternal life. The same Gr. word is used in both instances. The punishment of the wicked is as never-ending as the bliss of the righteous. The wicked are not given a second chance, nor are they annihilated. The punishment of the wicked dead is described throughout Scripture as “everlasting fire” (v. 41); “unquenchable fire” (3:12); “shame and everlasting contempt” (Dan. 12:2); a place where “their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched” (Mark 9:44–49); a place of “torments” and “flame” (Luke 16:23, 24); “everlasting destruction” (2 Thess. 1:9); a place of torment with “fire and brimstone” where “the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever” (Rev. 14:10, 11); and a “lake of fire and brimstone” where the wicked are “tormented day and night forever and ever” (Rev. 20:10). Here Jesus indicates that the punishment itself is everlasting—not merely the smoke and flames. The wicked are forever subject to the fury and the wrath of God. They consciously suffer shame and contempt and the assaults of an accusing conscience—along with the fiery wrath of an offended deity—for all of eternity. Even hell will acknowledge the perfect justice of God (Ps. 76:10); those who are there will know that their punishment is just and that they alone are to blame (cf. Deut. 32:3–5).
CONCLUSION. The Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10) has no correlation to 1 Corinthians 3:11-15.
APPLICATION TO TODAY’S LIBERAL CHURCHES AND DENOMINATIONS.
Just as the problem of the church at Corinth was a result of its leaders deviating from the solid Word Of Christ, much of the same problem exists in many churches and denominations today. There are three major problems that are festering in the liberal world of “Christendom.” Pastors, whom may not even be born again, are attacking the significance of the Jews being God’s chosen people. Pastors are preaching from the pulpit that there is nothing wrong with homosexuality and same-sex marriage. Pastors are preaching that there is nothing wrong with killing unborn babies. As a result, many impressionable children and visitors to those liberal churches, are being fed an unholy diet of lies about God’s Holy Word. Such a continual preaching of lies can be an obstacle to people, keeping them from coming to saving faith in Christ as their Lord and Savior. I could go on.
Just whom are the liberal churches and denominations that have left the true Word of Christ? Take a look at the member denominations of the National Council of Churches. Pastors that teach a gospel of “Another Jesus,” as was the situation at the church at Corinth, are the subject of the following verse.
2 Corinthians 11:4 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
“For if a person comes and preaches another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or you receive a different spirit, which you had not received, or a different gospel, which you had not accepted, you put up with it splendidly!”
MacArthur Note. another Jesus…a different spirit…a different gospel. Despite their vicious attacks on him, Paul’s quarrel with the false apostles was not personal, but doctrinal. He could tolerate those hostile to him, as long as they preached the gospel of Jesus Christ (cf. Phil. 1:15–18). Those who adulterated the true gospel, however, received Paul’s strongest condemnation (cf. Gal. 1:6–9). Though the precise details of what the false apostles taught are unknown and don’t matter, they preached “another Jesus” and “a different spirit,” which added up to “a different gospel.” you may well put up with it! Paul’s fear that the Corinthians would embrace the damning lies of the false apostles prompted his jealous concern for them (see notes on vv. 2, 3).
Closing note:
Apostate pastors whom are preaching, “another Jesus,” may not be born again believers in Christ, facing an eternal destiny in the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:11-15). If those pastors have been saved, but have slid away from preaching the true Gospel of Christ, they will be like the pastors whom are mentioned in the discussion of 1 Corinthians 3:11-15. They will lose their eternal rewards that could have been given to them at the Bema Judgment. But, as a result of their false teachings of God’s Holy Word, they will be the conduit for unbelievers remaining as unbelievers, and finding their eternity in the Lake of Fire, after having received such judgment at the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15).
Parents have been told to teach the Word of God to their children (Deuteronomy 6:6-9). It is no one else’s responsibility to teach children the way of salvation by grace through faith in Christ, other than parents. My plea to parents of children is this: “don’t let your children have an eternity in the Lake of Fire.” You, and they, are subject to the Words of Christ.
John 3:3 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
“Jesus replied, “I assure you: Unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
John 3:16 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
“For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:18 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
“Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the One and Only Son of God.”
If we have been born again, we will believe in Christ as our Lord and Savior.
If we believe in Christ as our Lord and Savior, we have been born again.
What happens at the Great White Throne judgment?
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Holiness
Beulah Land
The people in the videos of this post sing songs of an expectant hope in Heaven. The videos were recorded about 25 years ago. A number of the singers are now in the presence of God. That presence also includes all saints who were ever born again before leaving this life. That eternal home is Beulah Land. (Revelation 21-22/Isaiah 62:4)/Isaiah 58:1-66:24)
Beulah Land is a place of pure holiness. No sin, or sinful inhabitants, will be found there. Consider the holiness of God the Father, God the Son, and the saints of all times. (A saint is someone whom has been born again. We often hear the term, “born again believers in Christ, to refer to saints.)
Leviticus 19:2 New King James Version (NKJV)
2 “Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.
1 John 1:5 New King James Version (NKJV)
5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.
2 Corinthians 5:17 New King James Version (NKJV)
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
2 Corinthians 5:21 New King James Version (NKJV)
21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
As we begin this study of the last chapter of the Book of Revelation we will receive a glimpse of total holiness. That holiness will be that of the eternal state of the New Heaven, New Earth and New Jerusalem. We also see a state of holiness that possesses all of the inhabitants of the eternal state, which is “eternity future,” for which all born again believers of all times will find, as is written in Revelation 21:4 (NKJV): “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” We, whom are the born again believers in Christ, will be in the Presence of God, as is shown in Revelation 22:3. “And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him.” Notice that we will serve, “Him,” God and the Lamb. Christ our Lord, will still be God. A scripture correction is needed for Revelation 22:14 in the King James Version, “14 Blessed are they that “do his commandments,” that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” The proper translation is that of The New American Standard Bible and New International Version: “Blessed are those who “wash their robes,” so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city.” The attainment of eternal life is not based on “doing commandments,” but by having a spirit that has been cleansed by the blood of Christ through the new birth, which is made possible by the work of God’s Holy Spirit (John 3:16-18; John 3:3-8).
As we look back at our study of Revelation, we have seen the wrath and judgment of God being poured out on those of whom were left behind from the rapture. Those same “earth dwellers” will be able to came to saving faith in Christ during the tribulation, even though they will most likely suffer martyrdom at the hands of the anti-Christ. We have seen that, through the rapture, all born again believers that are alive at that time, and all of those whom are “the dead in Christ,” will have been taken up by Christ to the third Heaven, Paradise, to be in the Presence of God the Father to be given rewards, and afterward will proceed to the Marriage of the Lamb in Heaven. We have seen in the seven years of tribulation that, in addition to the wrath and judgment of God, there will be great persecution by the anti-Christ on the left-behind Jews, and on the gentiles whom will have come to saving faith in Christ. Raptured and resurrected saints will have been taken from sin, and from its effects. The left behind earth dwellers will be facing the consequences of sin, due to their not having accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior.
We have seen that after the marriage of the Lamb in Heaven, Christ (the bridegroom) and the raptured saints (the church, the bride of Christ), will begin a descent to earth where sin is encountered in the Battle of Armageddon, which is a spiritual battle where Christ speaks victory over His enemies. We have seen that the 1,000 year reign of Christ will take place on earth, with the marriage supper of the Lamb and His bride taking place on Earth, with the guests also being present, whom are the Old Testament saints and the tribulation saints. Even though Christ is ruling and reigning for 1,000 years (the millennium), and the saints are ruling and reigning with Christ (NT, OT, Tribulation), sin will still be present, as is shown by the final assault of Satan and his allies on the saints of God at the end of the millennium. We have seen that the Great White Throne Judgment will take place at the end of the millennium, when Satan, the anti-Christ, the false prophet, and all unbelievers of all times will find their eternity in the lake of fire. After the Great White Throne Judgment, the saints of all times will no longer face sin, or its consequences. At that time the saints of God will realize the fulfillment of prophecy in their lives, of Genesis 3:15, when God will make “all things new,” (Revelation 21:5), “new Heaven, new Earth, new Jerusalem,” and “sin will be no more.”
Revelation 21:27 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
27 Nothing profane will ever enter it: no one who does what is vile or false, but only those written in the Lamb’s book of life.
(The word “saints” refers to the born again believers of all times, and not to those of which the Catholic Church calls saints.)
The Florida Boys – When He Was On the Cross (I Was On His Mind)
Consider the emotion that may come upon unbelievers when they come to faith in Christ as Lord and Savior. Also consider the fact that, by faith in Christ, the Spirit of Christ dwells within our spirit, that our spirit dwells within the Spirit of Christ, that our spirit becomes the righteousness of God in Christ, and that by such an intimate relationship we are eternally secure in Christ, never to be removed. Consider what it will be like when we come face to face with “Holy God,” with the knowledge that we, too, have been made to be Holy. (Colossians 1:27, 2 Corinthians 5:17, 2 Corinthians 5:21, John 10:28).
Jake Hess, James Blackwood, Glen Payne – Then I Met the Master
“What’s Heaven like?” That is the question that was raised in the video of my post, “Dinner With Jesus,” (January 10, 2018). May I also ask, “what will tomorrow be like?” As we consider both questions, we can honestly say, “I don’t really know the answer.” We can read the Bible verses that tell of the eternal state but, do we really have a clear understanding of what it will be like when we enter Heaven? The language of the Bible explains things of Heaven but, we have finite minds. Heaven is infinite, so how can we describe an infinite and eternal world, such as its being or existence? How can we describe God, in His fullness and holiness? We can’t! But, one thing that our finite minds can tell us is that God will never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6-8; Hebrews 13:5).
I Know Who Holds Tomorrow – Gaither Friends
If we were to be launched into outer space, and were to travel to the ends of the universe, we would find no end; God made it that way, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). God’s Presence would be with us, regardless of our location in outer space, and of our location in “inner space,” or wherever we might be. See the following verses.
Psalm 139:7-8 New King James Version (NKJV)
7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?
8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
Regardless of place or time, God is always in control
Psalm 103:19 New King James Version (NKJV)
19 The Lord has established His throne in heaven, And His kingdom rules over all.
Let me ask you to consider all that God has done for us in this life, and what He will do for us in eternity. Consider the twenty-third Psalm and the truth of life, present and eternal, that is so eloquently written by the psalmist David. This psalm is often read at funerals, in that it discusses death, but it ends with the assurance of life – eternal life.
Psalm 23 King James Version (KJV)
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
As opposed to my regular “verse by verse” explanation of scriptures, in this post I have provided only a reading exercise of Revelation Chapter 22. Please find a time that will be uninterrupted for you to read this final revelation of the Holiness of God and eternity. Consider, especially, the still waters of Psalm 23:2, as opposed to a turbulent sea, and the lack of a sea in Revelation 21:1. Such turbulence can relate to the turbulence of this life, e.g., sin, death, etc. The Presence of God’s Holy Spirit, dwelling within our spirit in this life, is just a sign of what it will be like when we are dwelling in eternity, and we see God, “face to face” (Revelation 22:4). Let the reading of Revelation 22 be a time for you to seek God’s Presence.
What a Day That Will Be
We may have a lot of head knowledge of what Heaven will be like. But, take a moment to consider what it will be like, when life’s journey is over and you find yourself in a state of pure holiness. All of the horrible things that we have had to face in this life will go away. Our perfect eternal body will dwell in a perfect New Heaven, New Earth and New Jerusalem, in the Presence of Holy God.
Bill & Gloria Gaither – Farther Along Russ Taff
Revelation 22 New King James Version (NKJV)
The River of Life
1 And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. 4 They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. 5 There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.
The Time Is Near
6 Then he said to me, “These words are faithful and true.” And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place.
7 “Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
8 Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things.
9 Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.” 10 And he said to me, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. 11 He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.”
Jesus Testifies to the Churches
12 “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”
14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.
16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
A Warning
18 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
I Am Coming Quickly
20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.”
Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Please remember that the promises of the eternal state, New Heaven, New Earth, New Jerusalem, are only for those whom have been born again. Consider the seriousness of the following verse; it is as serious as a heart attack: “as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”
Joshua 24:15 New King James Version (NKJV)
15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
A person not having been born again, has a promise of eternity in the lake of fire, (Revelation 20:11-15). Because of the lack of a Godly home, not having Godly parents to lead that home, an entire family may find its way to the lake of fire, “on the family plan.”
As I close this post, please let me make a personal plea to those on the road to the lake of fire. You may be traveling alone or, you may be leading your family to eternal punishment and eternal separation from God. You don’t have to stay on that road to destruction; you can make a “u turn” that will lead you to the Presence of God, where you will spend eternity in a total state of holiness. God’s Holy Spirit has been calling you to accept Christ as your Lord and Savior ever since you entered this life (John 1:9). Your acceptance of that call is only a thought away, by believing in Christ as your Lord and Savior. Once you do that, God’s Holy Spirit will begin to prompt your mind of things of holiness (John 16:8). If you are a parent who does not know Christ as your Lord and Savior, you need to come to that place of spiritual intimacy in your life. Your children need to come to that same saving faith in Christ as their Lord and Savior; it’s a matter of calling on Christ, not of any type of works (Romans 10:13). Listen to the words of the next song…God’s Presence is within a thought of you, waiting for you to submit yourself to Him. You can reach out to Christ; you can touch Him with your mind. Tomorrow may be too late.
The Talley Trio – He Is Here
For a detailed study of Revelation 22, the following link will provide excellent commentary that was written by Dr. John F. Walvoord (Deceased)
Watch for my new “UTLOT” blog. At this time, all of my existing blogs are contained within the UTLOT Blog. Soon, it will become a “one stop blog.” You can log onto it now, and begin following the UTLOT posts. In the not too distant future, all of my posts will be generated through the UTLOT blog. A passage of the day will be posted each day on an UTLOT Verses Page. I’m planning on going through the Book of John in groups of scriptures. I hope that you will follow the UTLOT blog.
Eternity 