September 2020 – Eternity

Israel In Acts, 2:1-36, Pentecost, 33 A.D.

Video Title: Day Of Pentecost.

Article Title: Israel In Acts, 2:1-36, Pentecost, 33 A.D.

Introduction:

It has been fifty days since Passover. Notice in the video the prayer in the upper room (Acts 1:13) being from Matt 6:10, “Thy kingdom come.” Jews were still waiting for the Kingdom, not Heaven (Acts 1:3, 6), and were praying for “the Kingdom to come.” Notice that the words of those Jews were being spoken in the languages of the Jews who were in Jerusalem for the Feast of Pentecost (Acts 2:6), and that those in the upper room were men and women, totaling 120 Jewish believers in Christ (Acts 1:13-15). See foot of page for comment providers.

Deuteronomy 16:9-12

9 “You shall count seven weeks for yourself; you shall begin to count seven weeks from the time you begin to put the sickle to the standing grain. 10 Then you shall celebrate the Feast of Weeks to the Lord your God with a tribute of a freewill offering of your hand, which you shall give just as the Lord your God blesses you; 11 and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God, you and your son and your daughter and your male and female servants and the Levite who is in your town, and the stranger and the orphan and the widow who are in your midst, in the place where the Lord your God chooses to establish His name. 12 You shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and you shall be careful to observe these statutes.

Note: 16:10–12 the Feast of Weeks. Seven weeks later this second feast was celebrated. It was also called the “Feast of Harvest” (Ex. 23:16) or the “day of firstfruits” (Lev. 23:9–22; Num. 28:26–31) and later came to be known as “Pentecost” (Acts 2:1). With the grain harvest completed, this one-day festival was a time of rejoicing. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit, 50 days after the death of Christ at the Passover, was on Pentecost and gives special meaning to that day for Christians (cf. Joel 2:28–32; Acts 2:14–18). (MSB)

Acts 2:1-36. A Jewish Feast. Jews in town from many countries, hearing the truth Of Christ in their own languages. (Notes: MSB, unless otherwise noted).

Acts 2:1-4

The Day of Pentecost.

1 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.

Note: 2:1. “Day of Pentecost.” “Pentecost” means “fiftieth” and refers to the Feast of Weeks (Ex. 34:22, 23) or Harvest (Lev. 23:16), which was celebrated 50 days after Passover in May/June (Lev. 23:15–22). It was one of 3 annual feasts for which the nation was to come to Jerusalem (see note on Ex. 23:14–19). At Pentecost, an offering of firstfruits was made (Lev. 23:20). The Holy Spirit came on this day as the firstfruits of the believer’s inheritance (cf. 2 Cor. 5:5; Eph. 1:11, 14). Those gathered into the church then were also the firstfruits of the full harvest of all believers to come after. “in one place.” The upper room mentioned in 1:13.

Note: 2:2. “a sound . . . as . . . mighty wind.” Luke’s simile described God’s action of sending the Holy Spirit. Wind is frequently used in Scripture as a picture of the Spirit (cf. Ezek. 37:9, 10; John 3:8).

Note: 2:3. The disciples could not comprehend the significance of the Spirit’s arrival without the Lord sovereignly illustrating what was occurring with a visible phenomenon. “tongues, as of fire.” Just as the sound, like wind, was symbolic, these were not literal flames of fire but supernatural indicators, like fire, that God had sent the Holy Spirit upon each believer. In Scripture, fire often denoted the divine presence (cf. Ex. 3:2–6). God’s use of a fire-like appearance here parallels what He did with the dove when Jesus was baptized (Matt. 3:11; Luke 3:16).

Note: 2:4. “all.” The apostles and the 120. Cf. Joel 2:28–32. “filled with the Holy Spirit.” In contrast to the baptism with the Spirit, which is the one-time act by which God places believers into His body (see notes on 1 Cor. 12:13), the filling is a repeated reality of Spirit-controlled behavior that God commands believers to maintain (see notes on Eph. 5:18). Peter and many others in Acts 2 were filled with the Spirit again (e.g., 4:8, 31; 6:5; 7:55) and so spoke boldly the Word of God. The fullness of the Spirit affects all areas of life, not just speaking boldly (cf. Eph. 5:19–33). “with other tongues.” Known languages (See Acts 2:6, 11 notes).

Acts 2:5-13. The Crowd’s Response. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2%3A5-13&version=NASB

Note: 2:5. Jews, devout men. Hebrew males who made the pilgrimage to Jerusalem. They were expected to celebrate Pentecost (see note on v. 1) in Jerusalem, as part of observing the Jewish religious calendar. See note on Ex. 23:14–19.

Note: 2:6. “this sound.” The noise like gusty wind (v. 2), not the sound of the various languages. “speak in his own language.” As the believers were speaking, each pilgrim in the crowd recognized the language or dialect from his own country.

Note: 2:7. “Galileans.” Inhabitants of the mostly rural area of northern Israel around the Sea of Galilee. Galilean Jews spoke with a distinct regional accent and were considered to be unsophisticated and uneducated by the southern Judean Jews. When Galileans were seen to be speaking so many different languages, the Judean Jews were astonished.

Note: 2:9–11 The listing of specific countries and ethnic groups proves again that these utterances were known human languages.

Note: 2:9. “Parthians.” They lived in what is modern Iran. “Medes.” In Daniel’s time, they ruled with the Persians, but had settled in Parthia. “Elamites.” They were from the southwestern part of the Parthian Empire. “Mesopotamia.” This means “between the rivers” (the Tigris and Euphrates). Many Jews still lived there, descendants of those who were in captivity and who never returned to the land of Israel (cf. 2 Chr. 36:22, 23). “Judea.” All the region once controlled by David and Solomon, including Syria.

Note: 2:9, 10. “Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia.” All were districts in Asia Minor, in what is now Turkey.

Note: 2:10. “Egypt.” Many Jews lived there, especially in the city of Alexandria. The nation then covered the same general area as modern Egypt. “Libya adjoining Cyrene.” These districts were W of Egypt, along the North African coast. “Rome.” The capital of the Empire had a sizeable Jewish population, dating from the second century B.C. proselytes. “Gentile converts to Judaism.” Jews in Rome were especially active in seeking such converts.

Note: 2:11. “Cretans.” Residents of the island of Crete, off the southern coast of Greece. “Arabs.” Jews who lived S of Damascus, among the Nabatean Arabs (cf. Gal. 1:17). “we hear them speaking.” See note on v. 6. wonderful works of God. The Christians were quoting from the OT what God had done for His people (cf. Ex. 15:11; Pss. 40:5; 77:11; 96:3; 107:21). Such praises were often heard in Jerusalem during festival times.

Note: 2:13 new wine. A drink that could have made one drunk.

Acts 2:14-36. Peter’s Sermon. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2%3A14-36&version=NASB

Note: 2:14–40. After the Holy Spirit’s arrival, the first major event of church history was Peter’s sermon, which led to 3,000 conversions and established the church (vv. 41–47) (My note. These were Jews who came to saving faith in Christ. See 2:36’s Jewish context.)

Note (Mine): Consider the audience of Peter. Acts 2:14: they are Jews. Acts 2:16-21: the message is related to Jewish prophecy. Acts 2:22-24: they are Jews. Acts 2:25-35: the message is related to Jewish prophecy.

Note: 2:22–36. Here is the main body of Peter’s sermon, in which he presented and defended Jesus Christ as Israel’s Messiah.

Note (Mine): Verse 36 is key: “Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.”

Note: 2:36. Peter summarizes his sermon with a powerful statement of certainty: the OT prophecies of resurrection and exaltation provide evidence that overwhelmingly points to the crucified Jesus as the Messiah. “both Lord and Christ.” Jesus is God as well as anointed Messiah (cf. Rom. 1:4; 10:9; 1 Cor. 12:3; Phil. 2:9, 11).

Note (Mine): The message on Pentecost was spoken by a Jew (The Apostle Peter), “to Jews,” who were in Jerusalem for one of three required Jewish feasts (Ex 23:14-17, Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, Tabernacles). The message was about a Jew, “Christ,” whom had been crucified after Jews in Jerusalem, whom had not come to faith in Christ as Messiah cried, “Crucify Him,” (Matt 27:22). It is important to understand that whenever a verse has the words, “the Jews,” it is important to understand whether “the Jews” relates to believing Jews or, whether it relates to unbelieving Jews. Have “the Jews accepted Christ” as Messiah, or have “the Jews not accepted Christ” as Messiah?

Note: 23:14–19 Requiring all males to be present for 3 specified feasts at a central sanctuary would have had a socially and religiously uniting effect on the nation. The men must trust the Lord to protect their landholdings while on pilgrimage to the tabernacle (cf. 34:23, 24). All 3 feasts were joyful occasions, being a commemoration of the Exodus (the Feast of Unleavened Bread), an expression of gratitude to God for all the grain He had provided (the Feast of Harvest), and a thanksgiving for the final harvest (the Feast of Ingathering). Alternative names appear in the biblical record for the second and third feasts: the Feast of Weeks (34:22) or Firstfruits (34:22; Acts 2:1), and the Feast of Tabernacles or Booths (Lev. 23:33–36). For additional discussions, see, Lev. 23:1–24:9; Num. 28, 29; Deut. 16. (Pentecost, Harvest, and Weeks are the same feast).

This article is part of a timeline study of the Book of Acts. Editing details are shown, as follows:

Translation Considerations. “The New American Standard Bible (NASB) translation was chosen for this, and other studies, because of two main reasons. First, the NASB capitalizes the first letter of pronouns that relate to God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit); not all Bible translations show that same respect for God. Second, the NASB has a history of correctness in translation.”

Comment Providers. BKC=The Bible Knowledge Commentary. DHC=David Hocking Commentary; HC=Holman Commentary; MSB=MacArthur Study Bible; MBC=Moody Bible Commentary; NAC=New American Commentary; NIV=NIV Study Bible; NKJV= New King James Study Bible; RLT=Robert L. Thomas Commentary; RC=Ryrie Commentary; RSB=Ryrie Study Bible; SRN=Scofield Reference Notes; WRC= Walvoord Commentary. Credentials for individual commentators can be found on my “About Sources” page.

Video Details. Day of Pentecost HD. Gise Ríos.

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Israel In Isaiah, 4:2-6, 760 B.C., The Millennial Kingdom

Video Title: Bill And Gloria Gaither – Where Could I Go (Live) Gaither Music TV.

Article Title: Israel In Isaiah, 4:2-6, 760 B.C., The Millennial Kingdom.

I. Introduction.

A. In the opening video we see many gospel singers, whom are “in Christ” or whom have died “in Christ.” Notice that Vestal Goodman held a handkerchief in her hand, almost all of the time (special memories). Consider the blessings of seeing so many of our deceased loved ones in heaven, on earth during the millennium, and on into the eternal state. As we, “Go To The Lord,” in the rapture, consider all of the born again believers in Christ, “who will be going with us!” Consider all of our saved friends and loved ones who will exit planet earth with us, and land in one of those “many dwelling places,” in “My Father’s House,” (John 14:2).

B. At the time of the rapture of the church (1 Cor 15:50-54; John 14:2-6), the “dead in Christ” will be raised from where their deceased bodies lie (1 Thes 4:16). We who are alive, will be caught up in the air, after the deceased saints are resurrected” (1 Thes 4:17). We, “saints of Christ,” will stay in God’s Presence, throughout the time of the seven years of Tribulation (which follows the rapture), and will return to earth at the Battle of Armageddon (Rev 19:11-21). Upon arrival back on earth we, “resurrected and raptured saints,” will remain on earth for one thousand years (Rev 20:4), which is called the Kingdom Age of the millennium. Following the millennium we will enter into the eternal state of the “new heaven, new earth, and new Jerusalem,” (Rev 21:1-2).

C. During the millennium, all of those whom will be present will go to Jerusalem for Jewish feasts, as follows: MSB Note. Zechariah 14:16 Feast of Tabernacles. The historical background can be found in Lev. 23:33–36; Num. 29:12–38; Deut. 16:13–17. In addition to the Feast of Tabernacles, two other feasts will be celebrated in the Millennium, i.e., 1) Feast of the New Year (Ezek. 45:18–20) and 2) Passover (Ezek. 45:21–25). These feasts are no more efficacious than were the feasts of the Mosaic era or the Lord’s Supper in the church age. They all provided a symbolic anticipation or remembrance of Christ’s unique and once-for-all sacrifice at Calvary.

D. The following passage tells of some of the conditions in the Kingdom (Isa 2:1-4, 11:6-9; 56:3-8; 65:25); the passage relates to the Jews (Isa 1:1) whom will come to saving faith in Christ. These “born again and resurrected” Jews of the Old Testament (Ezek 36:24-29; John 3:3) will rule and reign, under Christ’s authority, over the land of Israel (Gen 15:18-21, Dan 12:1-3; Matt 19:28). New Testament “born again, resurrected and raptured saints,” (2 Cor 5:17) will rule and reign (1 Cor 6:2) over the the land that is outside of Israel. Those having resurrection bodies will rule and reign over those whom do not have resurrection bodies.

E. Jews and Gentiles who will be left behind from the rapture, but come to faith in Christ during the tribulation, and survive the Tribulation, will enter the Kingdom Age in mortal bodies. Those Jews who die during the Tribulation, after having come to saving faith in Christ, will be resurrected at the end of the Tribulation and will rule and reign (Dan 12:1-3; Matt 19:28-29) within the boundaries of Israel. Those Gentiles who die during the Tribulation, after having come to saving faith in Christ, will also be resurrected at the end of the Tribulation and will rule and reign outside of Israel (Rev 20:4).

F. Gentiles and Jews, who come to saving faith in Christ during the Tribulation, and survive the tribulation, will enter the Kingdom Age with born again spirits, but not having resurrected bodies and souls (Jews Mt 24:40-41; Gentiles 25:31-34); they will be given resurrection bodies and souls prior to their entry into the eternal state of Rev 21:1-2. Children will be born to those in the Kingdom age who do not have resurrection bodies; these children will have to come to saving faith in Christ in order for them to enter into the eternal state. Everyone who enters into the eternal state must have resurrection bodies and souls, which comes as a result of the new birth.

G. In Matthew 24:40-41, (Jews) “those taken” will be taken in death to the Great White Throne Judgment where they will be resurrected and thrown into the lake of fire (Rev 20:11-15). In Rev 20:12, notice “the dead,” as opposed to “the dead in Christ” in 1 Thes 4:16. In Mt 24:40-41, “those that are left,” are left to enter the Kingdom. In the Rapture, “those that are taken” are taken to Heaven by Christ (John 14:6); “those that are left,” will be left behind to be tested in the Tribulation, per Rev 3:10.

H. Gentiles who survive the Tribulation, but don’t come to saving faith in Christ, will be taken, in death, to the Great White Throne Judgment (Mt 25:41, 46); where they will have the same judgment as the unbelieving Jews of Mt 24:40-41.

I. The Abrahamic Covenant with the Jews gives them “land, people, and blessings” (Gen 12:1-3; 15:18-21; 17:8). The Davidic Covenant provides for a Godly government within the area of the Abrahamic Covenant (2 Sam 7:8-16). Nations, who are located outside of Israel, will be governed by born again leaders (Zech 14:16). In all of the world, “the Lord will be King over all the earth,” (Zech 14:9). Gentiles will be blessed during the Kingdom because they had previously blessed Jews (Gen 12:3), and will be “grafted in” to the blessings of the Jews (Rom 11:17-24); unbelieving Jews can be grafted back into the blessings that they had forfeited. MSB note: 11:17: Once grafted in, Gentiles partake of the richness of God’s covenant blessings as the spiritual heirs of Abraham (see notes on 4:11, 12; Gal. 3:29). MSB note: 11:23, 24: In the future, Israel will repent of unbelief and embrace the Messiah (Zech. 12:10). In the terms of Paul’s analogy, God will at that time gladly graft the (believing) Jewish people back into the olive tree of His covenant blessings because it was theirs originally (9:4)—unlike the wild branches (the Gentiles, cf. Eph. 2:11, 12).

J. The millennium’s peacefulness will be changed to violence, as the children who are born during the millennium do not accept Christ as Savior, and join the released Satan for the battle of Gog and Magog; they lose (Rev 20:7-10).

II. Translation Considerations. “The New American Standard Bible (NASB) translation was chosen for this, and other studies, because of two main reasons. First, the NASB capitalizes the first letter of pronouns that relate to God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit); not all Bible translations show that same respect for God. Second, the NASB has a history of correctness in translation.”

III. Comment Providers. BKC=The Bible Knowledge Commentary. DHC=David Hocking Commentary; HC=Holman Commentary; MSB=MacArthur Study Bible; MBC=Moody Bible Commentary; NAC=New American Commentary; NIV=NIV Study Bible; NKJV= New King James Study Bible; RLT=Robert L. Thomas Commentary; RC=Ryrie Commentary; RSB=Ryrie Study Bible; SRN=Scofield Reference Notes; WRC= Walvoord Commentary. Credentials for individual commentators can be found on my “About Sources” page.

V. Article Text: Isaiah 4:2-6.

2 In that day the Branch of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth will be the pride and the adornment of the survivors of Israel. 3 It will come about that he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy—everyone who is recorded for life in Jerusalem. 4 When the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and purged the bloodshed of Jerusalem from her midst, by the spirit of judgment and the spirit of burning, 5 then the Lord will create over the whole area of Mount Zion and over her assemblies a cloud by day, even smoke, and the brightness of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory will be a canopy. 6 There will be a shelter to give shade from the heat by day, and refuge and protection from the storm and the rain.

VI. Comments.

A. 4:2. “Branch of the LORD.” I.e., Messiah (RSB)

B. 4:2 “Branch.” This messianic title occurs also in Jer. 23:5; 33:15; Zech. 3:8; 6:12. The thought behind the title relates to 2 Sam. 23:5, that of growth. The life of the Branch will bear spiritual fruit (cf. John 15:4, 5) (MSB)

C. 4:3-6. “God’s Glory” will be a canopy of protection for the nation. Fulfillment awaits the return of Messiah and establishment of His kingdom. (RSB).

D. 4:3 “he who is left . . . holy.” “Holy” or “set apart” is another way of describing the remnant who will inherit God’s prosperity in that day (cf. 1:9, 27; 3:10) (MSB).

E. 4:4 “spirit of burning.” For other instances of purging by burning, see 1:25; 6:6, 7 (MSB).

F. 4:5-6 “covering . . . tabernacle.” The future inhabitants of Jerusalem will enjoy the Lord’s protective covering over the glory on Mt. Zion. This recalls Ezekiel’s prophecy of the return of the Shekinah to the temple (Ezek. 43:2–5) (MSB).

VII. Video details. Bill & Gloria Gaither – Official Video for ‘Where Could I Go (Live).

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End Times 24, Revelation 14:1-5, The 144,000 On Mount Zion

Video Title: Does God specifically protect the 144,000, and if so, why?

Article Title: End Times 24, Revelation 14:1-5, The 144,000 On Mount Zion.

I. Introduction:

A. In any, and every, setting in the Bible, there is a specific scripture that must be considered. As we consider the verses of this article, we must consider the words of that verse, Romans 8:28, as follows:

1. “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

2. Let’s consider God’s purpose for the Jewish prophet, Jeremiah:

a. Jeremiah 1:5

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
And before you were born I consecrated you;
I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

b. The calling on the life of Jeremiah took place before he was conceived. There was nothing that could have prevented the purpose that God for Jeremiah from being fulfilled.

3. Let’s consider God’s purpose for another Jew, the Apostle Paul:

a. Galatians 1:15-16

“15 But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased 16 to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles,..”

b. The calling on the life of the Apostle Paul took place from the time of his birth. There was no force that could have undone God’s calling and purpose for the life of Paul.

4. We have discussed the individual lives of Jeremiah and Paul. Now, let’s consider the purpose that God has planned for millions of born again believers in Christ:

a. Revelation 3:10

“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.”

b. In this verse, the “hour of testing” relates to the Tribulation, which will come upon those “who dwell upon the earth;” these are people whom had not accepted Christ as Lord and Savior prior to the Rapture of the church (1 Thes 4:16-17). Other verses that relate to “earth dwellers are:” Rev 6:10, 8:13, 11:10; 13:8, 13:14 and 17:8. As the chapters increase in number, the tribulation increases in severity for those “who dwell on the earth.” Believers in Christ have the promise of God that they will be saved from the hour of testing, which is more correct in saying, “out of the hour of testing.” Christ said that “he will keep” those who have kept the word of “His” perseverance. It is not of the believer’s perseverance that brings about eternal life; Jude 24 says that Christ keeps us from stumbling. Also, once we have been born again, we can not be unborn. Each believer is a part of the body of Christ, which is the Bride of Christ (Eph 5:22-32). Christ is the Bridegroom of all bridegrooms; He is not going to leave His prized possession on this earth (His bride) with the knowledge that He will be submitting her to the tribulation judgments that He and angels will be pouring out on those “who dwell on the earth.” See Rev 6:1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12; 8:1, etc. (Ref: Walvoord, Ryrie, MacArthur, Hocking, Patterson). The key teaching of Rev 3:10 is that born again believers in Christ will be “saved out of the tribulation.” The object of the Tribulation is Israel (Jer 30:7). The purpose of the Tribulation is to draw unbelieving Jews to saving faith in Christ (Mt 23:37-39; Zech 12:10). There is no mention of the church being in the Tribulation anywhere in Scripture; neither is there any purpose. Consider that which happens when we are born again: (1) Our spirit dwells within the Spirit of “Father, Son, Holy Spirit” (John 14:20). (2) Our spirit is as righteous as the righteousness of Christ (2 Cor 5:21). The righteousness that we attain when we are born again does not increase or decrease; we are the “righteousness of Christ;” period! (3) Once the Spirit of Christ “dwells within” our spirit (Col 1:27), nothing that we may do can force the Spirit of Christ out of our Spirit (John 10:28-31). (4) God has given us eternal life (1 John 5:11). (5) Nothing about the Tribulation can make us (The Bride of Christ), more righteous. (6) Nothing about the Tribulation can make us (the Bride of Christ) more holy, or more worthy, for spending eternity with God.

5. We will now consider God’s purpose for “the 144,000 Jews” in Revelation Chapter 7.

a. Revelation 7:3-4

3 saying, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we have sealed the bond-servants of our God on their foreheads.”
4 And I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred and forty-four thousand sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel:

b. In these verses (7:3-4) we see that the 144,000 Jews are sealed. The seal on their foreheads symbolizes protection and ownership and God’s intention to protect the 12 tribes of vs 4 during the Tribulation (Walvoord). Will the seal be spiritual, or a physical mark? Your guess is as good as those of the many theologians that I checked; they have differing ideas.

6. We will now consider God’s purpose for “the 144,000 Jews” in Revelation Chapter 14.

a. Revelation 14:1

“Then I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads.”

b. In this verse (14:1) we see that all of the 144,000 Jews, having been sealed (7:3-4), are still alive. The purpose of these Jews is to witness to others who were left behind from the Rapture. The church has been raptured, and is no longer present on earth; so, the role of witnessing goes to these 144,000 Jews (J. Dwight Pentecost). By divine sovereignty, the 144,000 are chosen by God for His purposes. We see that the 144,000 have survived the tribulation (with all of its Godly judgments), and have gone directly to the millennium (kingdom age), where they (all 144,000 Jews of Rev 7:3-4) are alive at the second coming of Christ (Matt 24:29-31). Mt. Zion is on earth, and not in heaven (Walvoord).

7. The conclusion of the salvation of the church and the 144,000 Jews is that the church is saved from (saved out of) the time of the Tribulation, whereas, the 144,000 Jews are saved “through the Tribulation.”

II. Text. Revelation 14:1-5.

The Lamb and the 144,000 on Mount Zion

1 Then I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder, and the voice which I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps. 3 And they *sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one could learn the song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who had been purchased from the earth. 4 These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they have kept themselves chaste. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been purchased from among men as first fruits to God and to the Lamb. 5 And no lie was found in their mouth; they are blameless.

III. Translation Considerations. . “The New American Standard Bible (NASB) translation was chosen for this, and other studies, because of two main reasons. First, the NASB capitalizes the first letter of pronouns that relate to God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit); not all Bible translations show that same respect for God. Second, the NASB has a history of correctness in translation.”

IV. Comment Providers. BKC=The Bible Knowledge Commentary. DHC=David Hocking Commentary; HC=Holman Commentary; MSB=MacArthur Study Bible; MBC=Moody Bible Commentary; NAC=New American Commentary; NIV=NIV Study Bible; NKJV= New King James Study Bible; RLT=Robert L. Thomas Commentary; RC=Ryrie Commentary; RSB=Ryrie Study Bible; SRN=Scofield Reference Notes; WRC= Walvoord Commentary. Credentials for individual commentators can be found on my “About Sources” page.

VI. Comments. Revelation 14:1-5 (MSB).

A. 14:1 “Then I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads.”

1. “a Lamb.” See note on Rev 5:6, as follows:

a. “Lamb.” Hearing of a lion, John turns to see a lamb (lit. “a little, pet lamb”). God required the Jews to bring the Passover lamb into their houses for 4 days, essentially making it a pet, before it was to be violently slain (Ex. 12:3, 6). This is the true Passover Lamb, God’s Son (cf. Is. 53:7; Jer. 11:19; John 1:29).

b. “as though it had been slain.” The scars from its slaughter are still clearly visible, but it is standing—it is alive. seven horns. In Scripture, horns always symbolize power, because in the animal kingdom they are used to exert power and inflict wounds in combat.

c. “Seven horns” signify complete or perfect power. Unlike other defenseless lambs, this One has complete, sovereign power.

d. “seven eyes . . . seven Spirits.” Cf. 4:5; see note on Rev 1:4, as follows:

(1) “seven churches which are in Asia.” Asia Minor, equivalent to modern Turkey, was composed of 7 postal districts. At the center of those districts were 7 key cities which served as central points for the dissemination of information. It is to the churches in those cities that John writes.

(2) “who is and who was and who is to come.” God’s eternal presence is not limited by time. He has always been present and will come in the future.

(3) “the seven Spirits.” There are two possible meanings: 1) a reference to Isaiah’s prophecy concerning the 7-fold ministry of the Holy Spirit (Is. 11:2); or 2) more likely, it is a reference to the lampstand with 7 lamps (a menorah) in Zechariah—also a description of the Holy Spirit (see notes on 4:5; 5:6; Zech. 4:1–10). In either case, 7 is the number of completeness, so John is identifying the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

2. “Mount Zion.” The city of Jerusalem, where Messiah will return and plant His feet (cf. Pss. 2; 48:1, 2; Is. 24:23).

3. “one hundred and forty-four thousand.” See note on Rev 7:4, as follows:

a. “One hundred and forty-four thousand.” A missionary corps of redeemed Jews who are instrumental in the salvation of many Jews and Gentiles during the Tribulation (vv. 9–17). They will be the firstfruits of a new redeemed Israel (v. 4; Zech. 12:10). Finally, Israel will be the witness nation she refused to be in the OT (see notes on Rom. 11:25–27).

b. “all the tribes of the children of Israel.” By sovereign election, God will seal 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes, promising His protection while they accomplish their mission.

4. “name.” The counterpart to the mark of the beast. It is the stamp that will identify the 144,000 as belonging to God (See note on Rev 13:6).

B. 14:2. “And I heard a voice from heaven, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder, and the voice which I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps.”

1. “harps.” See note on Rev 5:8, as follows.

a. “harp.” These ancient stringed instruments not only accompanied the songs of God’s people (1 Chr. 25:6; Ps. 33:2), but also accompanied prophecy (cf. 1 Sam. 10:5). The 24 elders, representative of the redeemed church, played their harps in praise and in a symbolic indication that all the prophets had said was about to be fulfilled.

b. “bowls full of incense.” These golden, wide-mouth saucers were common in the tabernacle and temple. Incense was a normal part of the OT ritual. Priests stood twice daily before the inner veil of the temple and burned incense so that the smoke would carry into the Holy of Holies and be swept into the nostrils of God. That symbolized the people’s prayers rising to Him.

c. “prayers of the saints.” Specifically, these prayers represent all that the redeemed have ever prayed concerning ultimate and final redemption.

C. 14:3. “And they *sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one could learn the song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who had been purchased from the earth.”

1. “new song.” The song of redemption, which is being sung by all the redeemed saints in one gigantic choir. They are rejoicing over the accomplishment of God’s entire redemptive work before Christ’s return (cf. Pss. 33:1–3; 40:3; 96:1; 144:9, 10; 149; Luke 15:10; see note on Rev 5:9).

2. “the four living creatures, and the elders.” See notes on Rev 4:4, 6.

a. Rev 4:4 “twenty-four elders.” Their joint rule with Christ, their white garments (19:7, 8), and their golden crowns (2:10) all seem to indicate that these 24 represent the redeemed (vv. 9–11; 5:5–14; 7:11–17; 11:16–18; 14:3; 19:4). The question is which redeemed? Not Israel, since the nation is not yet saved, glorified, and coronated. That is still to come at this point in the events of the end. Their resurrection and glory will come at the end of the 7-year tribulation time (cf. Dan. 12:1–3). Tribulation saints aren’t yet saved (7:9, 10). Only one group will be complete and glorified at that point—the church. Here elders represent the church, which sings the song of redemption (5:8–10). They are the overcomers who have their crowns and live in the place prepared for them, where they have gone with Jesus (cf. John 14:1–4).

b. Rev 4:6 “sea of glass.” There is no sea in heaven (21:1), but the crystal pavement that serves as the floor of God’s throne stretches out like a great, glistening sea (cf. Ex. 24:10; Ezek. 1:22). four living creatures. Lit. “four living ones or beings.” These are the cherubim (sing., cherub), those angels frequently referred to in the OT in connection with God’s presence, power, and holiness. Although John’s description is not identical to Ezekiel’s, they are obviously both referring to the same supernatural and indescribable beings (Pss. 80:1; 99:1; see notes on Ezek. 1:4–25; 10:15). full of eyes. Although not omniscient—an attribute reserved for God alone—these angels have a comprehensive knowledge and perception. Nothing escapes their scrutiny (cf. v. 8).

D. 14:4. “These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they have kept themselves chaste. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been purchased from among men as first fruits to God and to the Lamb.”

1. “not defiled with women.” An illustration of God’s ability to keep believers remarkably pure in the midst of great difficulty. This phrase indicates that the 144,000 Jewish evangelists will have not only resisted the perverse system of Antichrist, but they will have also resisted all temptations to illicit sex. Cf. 2 Cor. 11:2.

2. “follow the Lamb.” This indicates partisanship for Jesus Christ. The victorious 144,000 are unwaveringly loyal to Him, whatever the cost (cf. Matt. 16:24; Mark 10:21; Luke 9:23; John 10:27; 12:26; 14:15).

3. “firstfruits.” Like the OT firstfruits offerings, these men will be set apart for special service to God (cf. Deut. 26:1–11). Some see firstfruits as the first large group of redeemed Israel (see note on 11:13), saved much earlier, and representative of more converts to follow (cf. Rom. 16:5; 1 Cor. 16:15), the first fruits of a redeemed Israel (Rom. 11:1–5, 11–15, 25–27).

E. 14:5. “And no lie was found in their mouth; they are blameless.”

1. “no deceit.” The 144,000 speak God’s truth accurately and precisely, with no exaggeration or understatement (cf. Zeph. 3:13).

2. “without fault.” Not sinless, but sanctified (see Eph. 1:4; 5:27; Col. 1:22).

VII. Video details. Does God specifically protect the 144,000, and if so, why?

John Ankerberg Show. From the series “Revelation: The Last Words of Jesus” featuring very special guests Dr. Ron Rhodes, Dr. Ed Hindson, and, Dr. Mark Hitchcock. For speaker credentials, see my “About Sources” page.

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Israel In Acts, 1:1-11, 33 A.D., Notes

Article Title: Israel In Acts, 1:1-11, 33 A.D., Notes

Introduction.

What is the Kingdom?

Consider a time in the history of our created earth that there was no challenge to the rulership of God over His creation. That time was in Genesis before the fall of Adam and Eve (Gen Chapters one and two). Adam and Eve were appointed to rule over God’s creation (Gen 1:26), with Adam being given the overall charge. When Adam and Eve fell in Genesis Chapter 3, the appointment of Adam and Eve to be administrators of God’s creation was taken away. Consider the following, more in depth discussion of Dr. Andrew M. Woods, which come from his book, “The Coming Kingdom, pages 6-8. Credentials for Dr. Woods can be found in my Equipping Site page, “About Sources.” Everyone should have a copy of “The Coming Kingdom.”

[The biblical story of the kingdom begins as early as the Garden of Eden. Here God placed Adam and Eve in a position of Authority over God’s creation. (See Gen 1:26-28).

The technical term for this hierarchy, where God rules over a man who, in turn, governs creation on God’s behalf, is “the office of Theocratic Administrator.” This term simply refers to someone who governs for God. In other words, God ruled the world, indirectly through the first Adam.

However, Satan soon took the form of a serpent with the specific goal of perverting and reversing this divinely ordained hierarchy. Instead of governing the physical world for God, Adam and Eve were influenced by creation (the serpent) to rebel against God (Gen 3). Such rebellion represented a top to bottom reversal of God’s original intention of the office of Theocratic Administrator. Adam, who was supposed to be the spiritual leader of his marriage, blamed Eve for the sin. Similarly, Eve, who was supposed to be governing the animal kingdom for God, blamed the serpent for this rebellion (Gen 3:11-13). Satan’s success in inciting the rebellion against Adam and Eve removed the office of Theocratic Administrator from the earth, as Satan at that point became the ruler of the world (Luke 4:5-8; John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; 2 Cor 4:4; Eph 2:2; 1 John 5:19). What then is the story line of the Bible? It is how this office is restored through the messianic kingdom. Just as God the Father originally intended to indirectly govern the physical world through the first Adam, He will one day govern the world through the Last Adam, or God the Son.

The restoration of the physical kingdom, or office of Theocratic Administrator as the dominant theme of the Bible, has been recognized by numerous theologians, such as the late Drs. Charles Ryrie and Harold Hoehner, both of Dallas Theological Seminary.]

Consider a key scripture passage that relates to the Kingdom, as follows:

Luke 17:20-21 (NASB) “20 Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; 21 nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.”

What is the Kingdom? The kingdom is not heaven, but is the result of a covenant between God and Israel. The kingdom will exist on earth for 1,000 years (Rev 20:4), and is also known as the “millennium.” During the kingdom age Gentiles will also be present, and will be blessed too (Gen 12:1-3; 15:18-21; 17:7-8; 2 Sam 7:8-16; Isa 2:1-4; 11:6-9; 56:3-8; 65:25; Mt 3:1-2; 4:17; 10:5-7; Lk 10:1, 11).

The Kingdom is a place, a people. and a blessing, per Gen 12:1-3, and can not be placed within us. But, we can be placed within the Kingdom, which will happen for those whom have been born again. (See Ezekiel 36:24-29, John 3:3, and 2 Cor 5:17). Please read the scripture particulars that are placed in the above paragraph. The correct translation of Luke 17:20-21 is important to understand, “The kingdom of God is in your midst” (NASB), and not “within you,” (KJV). The meaning is that the kingdom is near, but not here. If first century Israel had accepted Christ as Messiah, the Kingdom would have been present, with all of the blessings that are contained in scripture, as are stated above.

Ezekiel 36:24-29 was a prophecy to Jews of the new birth, and the blessings that will accompany those whom will be born again and reside in the Kingdom (587 B.C., NASB).

24 For I will take you from the nations, gather you from all the lands and bring you into your own land. 25 Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. 26 Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances. 28 You will live in the land that I gave to your forefathers; so you will be My people, and I will be your God. 29 Moreover, I will save you from all your uncleanness; and I will call for the grain and multiply it, and I will not bring a famine on you.

John 3:3 was a statement that Christ spoke to Jews, about the necessity of the new birth, when He was teaching them about the Kingdom (30 A.D., NASB).

3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

2 Corinthians 5:17 was a statement that the Apostle Paul made to Christians about the benefit of being born again (60 A.D., NASB).

17 “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”

Consider Matthew 3:2, “repent” (27 A.D., NASB), which is the same “repent” as is stated in Acts 2:38 (33 A.D.)

2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Repent, “metanoeite,” 3340: means to change one’s mind or purpose,” about Christ, which is the same as in Acts 2:38, “repent.”

Consider a sermon that was preached by Dr. Andy Woods, in relation to the Kingdom, as follows:

[Youtube video,” The Coming Kingdom 08. The Kingdom Offered – Matthew 3:2; beginning at 45.00 minutes. ”

These are notes that were taken from the sermon of Dr. Woods.

The kingdom is the unchallenged rulership of God that has drawn near to man in the Person of Christ.

“The kingdom of heaven,” because of it source, originates in heaven; it comes from heaven; it is talking about the origin of the kingdom.

The words, kingdom of heaven and kingdom of God, are interchangeable. The rule of heaven, drawing near to earth, comes in the person of Christ.

The kingdom is not some mystical reign of Christ in the heart.

The Kingdom is “at hand” (Matt 3:2), does not mean “here,” but “near,” and was spoken only to national Israel (Matt 10:5-7).]

Acts 1:1-11. Verses and Notes.

Acts 1:3. “To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God.”

Note. Ryrie Study Bible note.. “Forty days.” The only reference to the length of Christ’s ministry on earth between His resurrection and His ascension.

Acts 1:6. “So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?”

Ryrie note: The Messianic, Davidic, millennial kingdom on this earth. The time of its coming is unrevealed (Matt 24:36, 42.)

Acts 1:11. “.They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”

My Note: See Zechariah 14:1-5, 9. Matthew 24:29-31. Revelation 19:11-21. The elect of Mt 24:31 relates to Israel (Deu 14:2).

Translation Considerations. . “The New American Standard Bible (NASB) translation was chosen for this, and other studies, because of two main reasons. First, the NASB capitalizes the first letter of pronouns that relate to God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit); not all Bible translations show that same respect for God. Second, the NASB has a history of correctness in translation.”

Video details. JESUS, (English), Jesus Gives Great Commission and Ascends to Heaven. Jesus Film.

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End Times 23, Revelation 13:11-18, The False Prophet

Video Title. What does the false prophet do to honor the Antichrist?

Article Title. End Times 23, Revelation 13:11-18, The False Prophet

I. As we learn of the False Prophet in the opening video we see the final character of the unholy trinity, which consists of Satan, the Antichrist, and the False Prophet, who act in opposition to the Holy Trinity of God The Father, God The Son, and God The Holy Spirit.
https://www.compellingtruth.org/unholy-trinity.html
The Antichrist will be a political leader.
https://www.davidjeremiah.org/age-of-signs/6-answers-to-questions-about-the-antichrist
The False Prophet will be a religious leader. https://davidjeremiah.blog/the-false-prophet-in-the-book-of-revelation/
The credentials of the two participants in the video, Drs. John Ankerberg and Jimmy DeYoung, can be found in this site’s “About Sources” page.

II. Text. Revelation 13:11-18. The Beast From The Earth

11 Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb and he spoke as a dragon. 12 He exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence. And he makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed. 13 He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men. 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. 15 And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast would even speak and cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed. 16 And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, 17 and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name. 18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.

VI. Comments. Revelation 13:11-18.

A. 13:11. (MSB)

1. “another beast.” This is the final false prophet (called such in 16:13; 19:20; 20:10) who promotes Antichrist’s power and convinces the world to worship him as God. This companion beast will be the chief, most persuasive proponent of satanic religion (cf. 16:13; 19:20; 20:10). Antichrist will be primarily a political and military leader, but the false prophet will be a religious leader. Politics and religion will unite in a worldwide religion of worshiping the Antichrist (see 17:1–9, 15–17).

2. “out of the earth.” Likely another reference to the abyss that lies below the earth. The false prophet will be sent forth and controlled by a powerful demon from below. The earth imagery, in contrast to that of the foreboding, mysterious sea in v. 1, may imply that the false prophet is subtler and more winsome than Antichrist.

3. “two horns like a lamb.” This describes the relative weakness of the false prophet compared to Antichrist, who has 10 horns. A lamb has only two small bumps on its head, very inferior to the 10-horned beast.

4. “like a lamb.” The lamb imagery may also imply that the false prophet will be also a false Christ masquerading as the true Lamb. Unlike Antichrist, the false prophet will come not as a killing, destroying animal, but as one who appears gentle and deceptively attractive.

5. spoke like a dragon. The false prophet will be Satan’s mouthpiece, and thus his message will be like the dragon, Satan—the source of all false religion (cf. 2 Cor. 11:14).

B. 13:12. (See individual comments)

1. “exercises all the authority of the first beast.” The false prophet exercises the same kind of satanic power as Antichrist because he is empowered by the same source. He, too, will have worldwide influence and a reputation as a miracle worker and speaker. (MSB)

2. “causes . . . to worship.” “He causes” is used 8 times of him. He wields influence to establish a false world religion headed by Antichrist and to entice people to accept that system. (MSB)

3. “whose fatal wound was healed..” This phrase should be taken at face value, as is described in the Lexicon. https://biblehub.com/lexicon/revelation/13-12.htm (Mine).

a. “fatal.” 2288. thanatos: death. 2288 thánatos (derived from 2348 /thnḗskō, “to die”) – physical or spiritual death; (figuratively) separation from the life (salvation) of God forever by dying without first experiencing death to self to receive His gift of salvation.

b. “healed.” 2323. therapeuó: to serve, cure. 2323 therapeúō – properly, heal, reversing a physical condition to restore a person having an illness (disease, infirmity). [2323 (therapeúō), the root of “therapy” and “therapeutic,” usually involves natural elements in the process of healing.]

c. From Rev 13:3. “his fatal wound was healed.” Apparently Satan will miraculously restore Antichrist to life in imitation of the resurrection of Christ. No wonder the world will acclaim Antichrist (RSB). As in 13:12, “fatal: 2288, and healed: 2323,” are consistent in both verses (13:3, 13:12). (Mine)

C. 13:13. (MSB)

1. “great signs.” The same phrase is used of Jesus’ miracles (John 2:11, 23; 6:2), which indicates the false prophet performs signs that counterfeit Christ’s. Satan, who has done supernatural works in the past (e.g., Ex. 7:11; 2 Tim. 3:8), must use his strategy of false miracles to convince the world that Antichrist is more powerful than God’s true witnesses (chap. 11), including Jesus Christ.

2. fire come down from heaven. The context indicates that the false prophet does counterfeit pyrotechnic signs continually to convince men of his power, and also in imitation of the two witnesses (11:5).

D. 13:14. “make an image.” This refers to replication of Antichrist that is related to the throne he will erect during the abomination of desolation, halfway into the Tribulation period. This will happen in the Jerusalem temple when Antichrist abolishes the former false world religion and seeks to have people worship him alone as God (cf. Dan. 9:27; 11:31; 12:11; Matt. 24:15; 2 Thess. 2:4). The false prophet and Antichrist again will deceive the world with a clever imitation of Christ, who will later return and reign from the true throne in Jerusalem. (MSB)

E. 13:15. (MSB)

1. “speak.” The false prophet will give the image of Antichrist the appearance of life, and the image will seem to utter words—contrary to what is normally true of idols (cf. Ps. 135:15, 16; Hab. 2:19).

2. “cause . . . to be killed.” His gentleness is a lie, since he is a killer (7:9–17). Some Gentiles will be spared to populate the kingdom (Matt. 25:31–40), and Jews will be protected (12:17).

F. 13:16. “a mark.” In the Roman Empire, this was a normal identifying symbol, or brand, that slaves and soldiers bore on their bodies. Some of the ancient mystical cults delighted in such tattoos, which identified members with a form of worship. Antichrist will have a similar requirement, one that will need to be visible on the hand or forehead. (MSB)

G. 13:17. (MSB)

1. “buy or sell.” Antichrist’s mark will allow people to engage in daily commerce, including the purchase of food and other necessities. Without the identifying mark, individuals will be cut off from the necessities of life.

2. “number of his name.” The beast (Antichrist) will have a name inherent in a numbering system. It is not clear from the text exactly what this name and number system will be or what its significance will be.

H. 13:18. “His number is 666.” This is the essential number of a man. The number 6 falls one short of God’s perfect number, 7, and thus represents human imperfection. Antichrist, the most powerful human the world will ever know, will still be a man, i.e., a 6. The ultimate in human and demonic power is a 6, not perfect, as God is. The 3-fold repetition of the number is intended to reiterate and underscore man’s identity. When Antichrist is finally revealed, there will be some way to identify him with this basic number of a man, or his name may have the numerical equivalent of 666. (In many languages, including Heb., Gr., and Lat., letters have numerical equivalents.) Because this text reveals very little about the meaning of 666, it is unwise to speculate beyond what is said. (MSB)

VII. Video details.

What does the false prophet do to honor the Antichrist?
John Ankerberg Show.
From our series “Through the Book of Revelation with Dr. Jimmy DeYoung”.
For more information on this series, please visit: https://jashow.org/through-the-book-of-revelation/

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