In Mark 5:25-34 a certain woman had an issue of blood for twelve years. We are all individuals in the eyes of God.
She had a problem. She was trying to stay alive. What made this even worse was in her physical dilemma she was also wandering around in discouragement because no Doctor could help her, and she spent all of her money. Physically ill, broke ( no money) and discouraged. I know what it is like to be so sick and helpless. Thank the Good Lord that we serve a God that deeply cares for us.
She had no control over her issues. Sound familiar? What do we do when we have to sit in a hopeless dilemma? Stay discouraged or have faith in Jesus Christ. God puts us in these dilemmas on purpose. We are then forced to make a decision.
Since we are so close to the rapture, this particular scenario has been taking place at an increasing rate because Jesus Christ does not have much time to do what He wants to accomplish with His children.
After twelve years Jesus Christ was walking through her home town, and in desperation she plunged her way through the crowd and touched His garment. God sees our discouragements. "Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you." 1st Peter 5:7.
I like it when the Bible says, " For she said, if I may touch His clothes, I shall be whole." The word "may" implies a possibility. She understood the authority that Jesus Christ had/has because many people were getting healed through Him.
All things are possible through Jesus Christ wherever we are, if it is in keeping with His will for our life.
She understood that anything was possible through Jesus Christ. Not only could this certain woman see the possibilities, but she used the word "whole" which means completion. Keep in mind she was probably in despair for twelve years. Faith in Jesus Christ rather than discouragement is always the answer. God lets us despair so we will turn to Him in faith. Most people choose sin as opposed to belief in God. This is our free will. When God puts me through a testing period, there always seems to be that space of choice. I can choose good or evil.
The Bible says, she felt in her body a healing taking place. Her faith in Jesus Christ changed her discouragement (a broken person) into healing (a whole person).
Our Lord Jesus Christ and the woman knew at the same time that a healing took place. "And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that virtue had gone out of Him"...Mark 5:30. When a true transaction of moral excellence and righteousness takes place from God to man, both will know.
Notice there was interest among both parties. The woman, " Felt in her body" and Jesus asked," Who touched my clothes? " God desires to be good to His children and to express His virtue in our spirit. Peter says..."Add to your faith virtue"...2nd Peter 1:5. I can see why after reading this story.
This does not have to happen in a physical healing. We could have a mental, emotional or circumstantial problem. Through our faith God will express His virtue, because He is good by nature.This is what God desires to do.
He asked a second time," Who touched me? " All those people were around our Savior and Jesus was interested in two things. Who did my goodness go into and where is this person? Remember virtue left Jesus, went into the woman and healed her.
As Jesus Christ looked around they both met face to face. Jesus Christ really does desire to meet us face to face. He wants our full attention. When God advances us to this level through His goodness we will feel compelled to tell Him the truth.The Bible says, "The woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before Him and told Him all the truth." Mark 5:33.
That sounds like how we are going to relate to Jesus Christ after the rapture of the Church. We will be in the presence of His Goodness and giving an account of our life.
The Goodness of God with fear and trembling in the same story. When she experienced the Goodness of God, fear and trembling took place in her life with complete honesty about her past.
Even if the most hardened skeptics read this story, they could not possibly get around the woman's faith, unless these people feel the account is some kind of a fairy tail.
Faith is the vehicle to the grace of God." For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast." Eph.2:8-9. Jesus told her, " Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole."If this certain women did not step out in faith, she probably never would have experienced the virtuous healing of Jesus Christ in her body. We need to trust God. There is no mathematical substitution for this biblical principle.
God will not allow anybody to approach Him through intellect. He knows more than we do. A five year old child could understand simple belief in Jesus Christ; however a 70 year old elder might get confused.
When all this was said and done Jesus said, " Go in peace, and be whole of thy plague." Jesus wanted her to be at peace. God desires us to walk in peace because Romans 15:33 says, " Now the God of peace be with you all."
Peter tells us to seek peace and ensue it. God allows us to war through all these problems because when we get peace and walk in it, we won't take it for granted.The fallen angels did in eternity past.They had peace in Heaven and chose war. There is something about being in turmoil and experiencing the peace of God.
If anyone reading this article did not accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, know that He is good by nature, only having your best interest in mind.The more we step out in faith, the more God will grant His virtue to us. I cannot help but think that one of the reasons so many Christians are looking forward to the rapture is because they will meet Jesus Christ face to face and see how good our Savior is, and experience His virtue.
Bob D.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
tHE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament
I believe that we all have to come to God through Christ, but God deals with the OT elect
differently then He does the NT Bride of Christ. There are numerous verses in the OT,
though none in the NT, that show The Holy Spirit being removed from the faithful and
sometimes coming upon the faithful more then once. Here are a few.
Num 11:17 & Num 11:25 Show us the Lord removing part of His spirit from Moses and
placing Him on others.
Num 11:17 And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit
which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the
people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone
Num 11:25 And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the
spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that,
when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.
In Judges 11:25 we have the Holy Spirit coming upon Samson three times. If the Spirit
hadn’t been removed He wouldn’t have had to come upon him and upon him and upon
him (Samson), then leaving him.
Judges 14:5 - 6 Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and
came to the vineyards of Timnath: and, behold, a young lion roared against him. And the
Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid,
and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done.
Judges 14:19 And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he went down to
Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave change of garments
unto them which expounded the riddle. And his anger was kindled, and he went up to his
father’s house.
Then again the Spirit came upon Samson in Judges 15:14 And when he came unto Lehi,
the Philistines shouted against him: and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him,
The Lord departed from Samson.
Judges 16:20 And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of
his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist
not that the LORD was departed from him.
Then to Saul twice before He was removed:
1Sa 10:10 And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met
him; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them.
1Sa 11:6 And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his
anger was kindled greatly.
1Sa 16:14 But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the
LORD troubled him.
The Spirit of the Lord went from:
1 Kings 22:24 But Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near, and smote Micaiah on the
cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee?
Even David feared that The Lord would remove His Spirit:
Pslm 51:11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Resting upon, not permanently residing in:
Isa 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and
understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of
the LORD;
Why was The Spirit of The Lord upon Isaiah? Because he had a job to do.
Isa 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to
preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to
proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
YBIC,
Ken
I believe that we all have to come to God through Christ, but God deals with the OT elect
differently then He does the NT Bride of Christ. There are numerous verses in the OT,
though none in the NT, that show The Holy Spirit being removed from the faithful and
sometimes coming upon the faithful more then once. Here are a few.
Num 11:17 & Num 11:25 Show us the Lord removing part of His spirit from Moses and
placing Him on others.
Num 11:17 And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit
which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the
people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone
Num 11:25 And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the
spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that,
when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.
In Judges 11:25 we have the Holy Spirit coming upon Samson three times. If the Spirit
hadn’t been removed He wouldn’t have had to come upon him and upon him and upon
him (Samson), then leaving him.
Judges 14:5 - 6 Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and
came to the vineyards of Timnath: and, behold, a young lion roared against him. And the
Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid,
and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done.
Judges 14:19 And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he went down to
Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave change of garments
unto them which expounded the riddle. And his anger was kindled, and he went up to his
father’s house.
Then again the Spirit came upon Samson in Judges 15:14 And when he came unto Lehi,
the Philistines shouted against him: and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him,
The Lord departed from Samson.
Judges 16:20 And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of
his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist
not that the LORD was departed from him.
Then to Saul twice before He was removed:
1Sa 10:10 And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met
him; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them.
1Sa 11:6 And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his
anger was kindled greatly.
1Sa 16:14 But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the
LORD troubled him.
The Spirit of the Lord went from:
1 Kings 22:24 But Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near, and smote Micaiah on the
cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee?
Even David feared that The Lord would remove His Spirit:
Pslm 51:11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Resting upon, not permanently residing in:
Isa 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and
understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of
the LORD;
Why was The Spirit of The Lord upon Isaiah? Because he had a job to do.
Isa 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to
preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to
proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
YBIC,
Ken
Monday, April 27, 2009
Betrayal and Offense
Betrayal and offense
The Bible unfortunately says in the future seven year tribulation period which I believe is very close, that betrayal and offense will be rampant around the world." And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another." Matthew 24:10.
Betrayal is one thing. Betrayal with offense is something entirely different.If we are betrayed without offense, we can just brush it off and not take it personal.If we are betrayed with offense, that is a deep seated emotion which goes through our spirit. Notice in the last part of Matthew 24:10..." And shall hate one another." Satan will set up three horrible emotions combined into one for the purpose of hurting people---(1) offense (2) betrayal (3) hatred.
There are many different situations around the world. Divorce, war, brothers, sisters, a friend or system may have offended you. It could be almost anything.
It's a shame adults are not like children. If you look at them interact, it's almost as if they are saying, "We are supposed to fight but we are also supposed to make up." With adults it almost seems like the offense of betrayal cuts so deep into the spirit that hatred often resides in people.
We have to start with ourselves. God's character in us would be the opposite of a spirit of betrayal. We are not called to offense or to betray people. We certainly should never have a spirit of hatred in our emotions. The Bible says we are to love Jesus Christ and other people.
If the person on the receiving end is offended, he or she might feel resentment and even fall into sin. A moral insult can do that to someone if both betrayal and offense is involved. People fail people and sometimes on purpose.
If you were offended through betrayal, there are no easy answers in the Bible. I will explain myself through an example in the Book of Revelation. "And they cried out with a loud voice, saying, how long, oh Lord, holy and true, doest thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the Earth?" Revelation 6:10.
Many of the newly converted Believers in Jesus Christ after the rapture of the Church will be looked upon around the world in an unfair way, and they will be betrayed through martyrdom. When they arrive in Heaven after their beheading,the martyrs will ask Jesus Christ Himself, "How long?"
This is a Jewish term so I am assuming many of the new converts will be of this origin. Even in a perfect environment (Heaven) they will still feel a sense of injustice inside of themselves and look to Jesus Christ Himself.
Do you see how deep betrayal can be through offense? There are different levels of betrayal and offense. If it cuts very deep, we will really need God's help. We will not be able to handle this on our own. Of course we are never to avenge ourselves through any kind of revenge. The Bible says..."Vengeance belongeth unto Me, I will recompense, sayeth the Lord"...Hebrews 10:30. If God sees fit to punish somebody or a group for something they did, He will do it.
As I was reading Genesis chapter 37, something fascinating was written. Not only does this account describe the way Joseph was betrayed, it also paints a symbolic story of what the person being betrayed goes through.
In verse 18 they conspired against Joseph. Jacob, who was their father showed favoritism towards Joseph. The brothers saw this as a gross injustice of unfairness.
In verse 19 they called Joseph a name (anger). Verse 20 says they originally conspired to kill him. I'm even surprised that some of the brothers wanted to go that far.
Verse 21 says Reuben objected. If it is a group betrayal usually somebody will resist. Actually he wanted to call the whole thing off. As you will soon see the brothers were divided into three groups. (1) Kill him (2) Sell him off (3) Call the whole thing off.
It is interesting to me that as a group they consented but did not agreed to selling him off to a foreigner. Even if there was some mercy in the group, for all practical purposes it did not help Joseph.The group consented to betrayal. I believe that is what the prophetic Word of God teaches. Betrayal is taking place now but not to the level that the 7 year tribulation period will produce.
It seems to me that the process of this betrayal is symbolic of how it operates. Verse 23 says they stripped him of his coat. If we are betrayed there is a stripping process of what is rightfully ours, even if we are living in the lap of luxury. If a society has been stripped, people with a trained eye will be able to see it.
Verse 24 says he was cast into a pit. Remember the pit was empty, dry and dark. If we are betrayed and stripped of what was rightfully ours and take offense to it, we will probably feel empty, dry and dark. A depression might even set in our spirit.
A society could fall into a pit because of stripping. I deal with people all of the time, and oftentimes the older people will say how simple and innocent times were when they were young. A sadness resides in their soul as they look at the world. Could it be that betrayal is in the middle of society and they cannot quite get around it? They wish they could but they cannot.
Verse 25 says the Ishmaelite came through ( foreigners). He was shortly sold to them. Isn't that what happens to us? If we are betrayed with offense, our environment may not look familiar to us. We might even feel like we are in a foreign place-surreal as it were.The same is true with a society.
Remember the brothers had to live with this lie for the rest of their lives, not to mention the guilt. They chose to work backwards with their problem rather than forward. An example of working forward with their dilemma would be going to Jacob (their father) and just saying," Dad, you are showing favoritism and that is not right."
Joseph's brothers chose to work backwards. There is always a certain element of deceit in this approach.
Joseph had to unfortunately carry this betrayal for years to come, even though he was a God fearing man. This weighed very heavy on his heart. I am sure this hurt him very much.
Jesus was betrayed and had to bear the weight of this offense by being tortured and dying on a cross for our sins, so we would not have to bear the weight of our transgressions. Thank you Jesus!
According to Matthew 24:10 the world will unfortunately be in a state of betrayal and offense with a spirit of hatred in the future seven year tribulation period. It may not start immediately but I am saddened by this, and I'm sure you are too. Betrayal and offense seem to come and go in cycles. I regretfully say the worst is yet to come.
If you are an unbeliever that has never accepted Jesus Christ into your heart as your personal Savior you might see why it is so important to respond to this decision today. He will not only come into your heart but you will be part of the rapture of the Church.We will experience the love of God for all eternity rather than betrayal and offense.
The more we take betrayal and offense personal, the more we will probably fall into sin. I cannot give you any simple answers if you are going through this because I gave an example in the book of Revelation. When the future martyred Believers in a perfect sinless environment (Heaven) are martyred they will still hold deep issue with their offense.
If our betrayal and offense cut deep into our spirit, we need to understand that God is sovereign and in perfect control. If we don't, we need to ask the Holy Spirit for illumination on this subject.
Also understand that the Bible says in John 15:14-15, " Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. (15) Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you."
We can specifically talk to God about our problem/problems. He is watching over our situation and will help us through our lives with His presence. God promises to work all things out for good, for all those that love Him and are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28. The Holy Spirit replaces the betrayal that may be lying dormant inside of us if we turn this emotion over to Jesus Christ.The Holy Spirit will give us supernatural peace to handle this problem.
God Bless You,
Bob D.
The Bible unfortunately says in the future seven year tribulation period which I believe is very close, that betrayal and offense will be rampant around the world." And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another." Matthew 24:10.
Betrayal is one thing. Betrayal with offense is something entirely different.If we are betrayed without offense, we can just brush it off and not take it personal.If we are betrayed with offense, that is a deep seated emotion which goes through our spirit. Notice in the last part of Matthew 24:10..." And shall hate one another." Satan will set up three horrible emotions combined into one for the purpose of hurting people---(1) offense (2) betrayal (3) hatred.
There are many different situations around the world. Divorce, war, brothers, sisters, a friend or system may have offended you. It could be almost anything.
It's a shame adults are not like children. If you look at them interact, it's almost as if they are saying, "We are supposed to fight but we are also supposed to make up." With adults it almost seems like the offense of betrayal cuts so deep into the spirit that hatred often resides in people.
We have to start with ourselves. God's character in us would be the opposite of a spirit of betrayal. We are not called to offense or to betray people. We certainly should never have a spirit of hatred in our emotions. The Bible says we are to love Jesus Christ and other people.
If the person on the receiving end is offended, he or she might feel resentment and even fall into sin. A moral insult can do that to someone if both betrayal and offense is involved. People fail people and sometimes on purpose.
If you were offended through betrayal, there are no easy answers in the Bible. I will explain myself through an example in the Book of Revelation. "And they cried out with a loud voice, saying, how long, oh Lord, holy and true, doest thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the Earth?" Revelation 6:10.
Many of the newly converted Believers in Jesus Christ after the rapture of the Church will be looked upon around the world in an unfair way, and they will be betrayed through martyrdom. When they arrive in Heaven after their beheading,the martyrs will ask Jesus Christ Himself, "How long?"
This is a Jewish term so I am assuming many of the new converts will be of this origin. Even in a perfect environment (Heaven) they will still feel a sense of injustice inside of themselves and look to Jesus Christ Himself.
Do you see how deep betrayal can be through offense? There are different levels of betrayal and offense. If it cuts very deep, we will really need God's help. We will not be able to handle this on our own. Of course we are never to avenge ourselves through any kind of revenge. The Bible says..."Vengeance belongeth unto Me, I will recompense, sayeth the Lord"...Hebrews 10:30. If God sees fit to punish somebody or a group for something they did, He will do it.
As I was reading Genesis chapter 37, something fascinating was written. Not only does this account describe the way Joseph was betrayed, it also paints a symbolic story of what the person being betrayed goes through.
In verse 18 they conspired against Joseph. Jacob, who was their father showed favoritism towards Joseph. The brothers saw this as a gross injustice of unfairness.
In verse 19 they called Joseph a name (anger). Verse 20 says they originally conspired to kill him. I'm even surprised that some of the brothers wanted to go that far.
Verse 21 says Reuben objected. If it is a group betrayal usually somebody will resist. Actually he wanted to call the whole thing off. As you will soon see the brothers were divided into three groups. (1) Kill him (2) Sell him off (3) Call the whole thing off.
It is interesting to me that as a group they consented but did not agreed to selling him off to a foreigner. Even if there was some mercy in the group, for all practical purposes it did not help Joseph.The group consented to betrayal. I believe that is what the prophetic Word of God teaches. Betrayal is taking place now but not to the level that the 7 year tribulation period will produce.
It seems to me that the process of this betrayal is symbolic of how it operates. Verse 23 says they stripped him of his coat. If we are betrayed there is a stripping process of what is rightfully ours, even if we are living in the lap of luxury. If a society has been stripped, people with a trained eye will be able to see it.
Verse 24 says he was cast into a pit. Remember the pit was empty, dry and dark. If we are betrayed and stripped of what was rightfully ours and take offense to it, we will probably feel empty, dry and dark. A depression might even set in our spirit.
A society could fall into a pit because of stripping. I deal with people all of the time, and oftentimes the older people will say how simple and innocent times were when they were young. A sadness resides in their soul as they look at the world. Could it be that betrayal is in the middle of society and they cannot quite get around it? They wish they could but they cannot.
Verse 25 says the Ishmaelite came through ( foreigners). He was shortly sold to them. Isn't that what happens to us? If we are betrayed with offense, our environment may not look familiar to us. We might even feel like we are in a foreign place-surreal as it were.The same is true with a society.
Remember the brothers had to live with this lie for the rest of their lives, not to mention the guilt. They chose to work backwards with their problem rather than forward. An example of working forward with their dilemma would be going to Jacob (their father) and just saying," Dad, you are showing favoritism and that is not right."
Joseph's brothers chose to work backwards. There is always a certain element of deceit in this approach.
Joseph had to unfortunately carry this betrayal for years to come, even though he was a God fearing man. This weighed very heavy on his heart. I am sure this hurt him very much.
Jesus was betrayed and had to bear the weight of this offense by being tortured and dying on a cross for our sins, so we would not have to bear the weight of our transgressions. Thank you Jesus!
According to Matthew 24:10 the world will unfortunately be in a state of betrayal and offense with a spirit of hatred in the future seven year tribulation period. It may not start immediately but I am saddened by this, and I'm sure you are too. Betrayal and offense seem to come and go in cycles. I regretfully say the worst is yet to come.
If you are an unbeliever that has never accepted Jesus Christ into your heart as your personal Savior you might see why it is so important to respond to this decision today. He will not only come into your heart but you will be part of the rapture of the Church.We will experience the love of God for all eternity rather than betrayal and offense.
The more we take betrayal and offense personal, the more we will probably fall into sin. I cannot give you any simple answers if you are going through this because I gave an example in the book of Revelation. When the future martyred Believers in a perfect sinless environment (Heaven) are martyred they will still hold deep issue with their offense.
If our betrayal and offense cut deep into our spirit, we need to understand that God is sovereign and in perfect control. If we don't, we need to ask the Holy Spirit for illumination on this subject.
Also understand that the Bible says in John 15:14-15, " Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. (15) Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you."
We can specifically talk to God about our problem/problems. He is watching over our situation and will help us through our lives with His presence. God promises to work all things out for good, for all those that love Him and are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28. The Holy Spirit replaces the betrayal that may be lying dormant inside of us if we turn this emotion over to Jesus Christ.The Holy Spirit will give us supernatural peace to handle this problem.
God Bless You,
Bob D.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
AMERICA IN THE BIBLE
America in the Bible
I Definitions
A. Israel – Israel throughout the Bible
B. Jordan – Ammon, Moab and Edom
1. Judges 11
C. Egypt – Egypt throughout the Bible
D. Sudan – Cush, son of Ham settled in what we know as Sudan
1. Darby - Ge 2:13 And the name of the second river is Gihon: that is it which surrounds the whole land of Cush.
2. KJV - Ge 2:13 And the name of the second river is Gihon: the same is it that compasseth the whole land of Ethiopia.
E. Russia – Rosh a son of Benjamin
1. Gen 46
F. Iran – Persia
G. Iraq – Babylon
H. Europe – Reunited Roman Empire
I. Central Asia – Magog
J. Seria
K. Greece
L. Saudi Arabia – Sheba and Dedan
M. Libya – Put
N. Lebanon – Tyre
O. Turkey –
II Is America Babylon the Great?
A. Some say New York City is the Babylon of Revelation
1. Revelation 17-18
2. Was the World Trade Center referred to in:
a. Rev 18:9-11 And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication, and lived luxuriously with her, shall weep and wail over her, when they see the smoke of her burning, standing afar off, through fear of her torment, saying, Woe, woe, the great city, Babylon, the strong city! for in one hour thy judgment is come. And the merchants of the earth weep and grieve over her, because no one buys their lading any more;
b. Jeremiah 50-51
1) Future Babylon will be the last of the super-powers – Jeremiah 50:12
2) Future Babylon is where a body of the world’s leaders assembles – Jeremiah 51:44
3) Future Babylon is the world’s policeman – Jeremiah 50:23
4) Future Babylon is extremely wealthy – Jeremiah 51:13
5) Future Babylon is a land of immigrants – Jeremiah 50:16
3. The woman on the beast – The Statue of Liberty
a. Robed in scarlet or purple – The Statue was originally robed in scarlet
b. Golden cup in her hand – Originally had a golden cup, but it was changed to a torch
c. Purple robe denotes royalty – Statue has a crown of seven spikes or horns
d. Cup contents: smelly pollutants connected to immigrants – Natural gas flame connected to immigrants
1) Revelation 15 And he says to me, The waters which thou sawest, where the harlot sits, are peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues.
e. Sits on seven heads – mountains or continents – Statue’s crown of seven spikes or horns representing seven continents.
f. Represents Babylon the mega-city – Statue overlooks Babylon on Long Island000
g. Reigns over the kings of the earth - Statue overlooks the UN building
h. Mother of harlots – Statue is the mother of exiles, according to the poem on the base of the statue.
B. No - Babylon is the rebuilt city of Babylon in Iraq
1. The Babylon of Revelation 17-18 is a city not a nation that persecutes God’s people
a. Revelation 17:6 And I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus. And I wondered, seeing her, with great wonder.
b. Revelation 18:24 And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all the slain upon the earth.
2. Babylon is the last-days capital of Antichrist Revelation 14:8; 16:19; 17:5; 18:2, 10, 21.
3. Babylon is mentioned 290 in the Bible and every time it is pictured as essence of evil and rebellion against God.
4. Babylon is Satan’s capital city on earth
a. Babylon is the city where man first began to worship himself in an organized rebellion against God – Gen 11:1-0
b. Babylon was the capital city of the first world ruler, Nimrod – Genesis 10:8-10; 11:9
c. Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, destroyed the city of Jerusalem and the temple in 586 B.C.
d. Babylon was the capital city of the first of four Gentile world empires to rule over Jerusalem
5. A rebuilt Babylon fits the criteria in Revelation 17-18
a. The city is on the Euphrates river,
b. Politically
c. Geographically
d. Its accessible
e. Has commercial facilities
f. Could very easily be a world oil trade center
6. Jeremiah 50-51 describes a geographical location and the seven parallels to Revelation 17-18 point to them being the same city. Compare:
a. Jeremiah 51:7a – Revelation 17:3-4; 18:6
b. Jeremiah 51:13 – Revelation 17:7
c. Jeremiah 51:7b – Revelation 17:2
d. Jeremiah 50:1 – Revelation 18:10
e. Jeremiah 51:8a – Revelation 18:8
f. Jeremiah 51:30b – Revelation 17:16
g. Jeremiah 50:39 - Revelation 18:21
h. Jeremiah 50:29 – Revelation 18:6
i. Jeremiah 51:63-64 – Revelation 18:21
j. Jeremiah 51:6, 45 – Revelation 18:4
k. Jeremiah 51:48 – Revelation 18:20
III America the Unnamed Nation in Isaiah 18
A. Isaiah 18:1-2 Woe to the land shadowing with wings, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia: That sendeth ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of bulrushes upon the waters, saying, Go, ye swift messengers, to a nation scattered and peeled, to a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden down, whose land the rivers have spoiled!
1. Insignia of wings – American Eagle
2. A land beyond the sea from Israel
3. Beyond Ethiopia – eliminates Europe, Asia and Africa
4. A nation scattered and peeled – a land stretched out and having a large landmass
5. A land of polluted rivers
B. This is really the land of Cush (Sudan)
1. Read Isaiah 18-20 in context
2. Dealing with modern-day Southern Egypt, Sudan, Somalia and northern Ethiopia
3. “the land shadowing with wings” truly relates to the whirring wings of insects that infest the Nile valley area.
IV The Young Lions of Tarshish of Ezekiel 38 (the best possibility)
A. Rosh’s (Russia’s) allies
1. Magog – Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan)
2. Mechech – Turkey
3. Tubal – Turkey
4. Persia – Iran
5. Ethiopia (Cush) – Sudan
6. Libya (Put) – Libya
7. Gomer – Turkey
8. Beth-togarmah – Turkey
9. All Muslim except Russia
B. Ezekiel 38:13 Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?
1. The name Tarshish is mentioned 20 times in the Bible and every time refers to a land farthest to the west of Israel (Psalm 72:10)
2. the merchants of Tarshish or traders of goods
3. many equate Tarshish to England and the young lions to the Americas
4. Sheba, and Dedan (Saudi Arabia)
C. Sheba, Dedan and Tarshish put up a minimal protest against Russia and her allies
D. Tarshish probably refers to Spain or England. Jonah went to Tarshish when he was commanded to go to Nineveh (Jonah 1:1-3)
E. Look at the alignment of the Gulf War and compare it to Ezekiel 38. The United States, Western Europe and Saudi Arabia against Iraq while Russia, Iran, Sudan, Liba and most of the other Middle East and Persian Gulf nations were aligned (secretly) with Iraq.
F. If the United States is Tarshish, what happened to our power?
V A fallen America
A. America is not mentioned specifically because she will be destroyed by other nations.
1. Recent terrorist attacks seem to point to our own freedom and technology being our Achilles’ heel.
B. America is not mentioned because she will have lost her influence as a result of moral and spiritual deterioration.
1. Even so, we would still be a major military power.
C. The Rapture causes America to fall apart
1. America must remain strong until the end time to ensure Israel’s existence
a. America is Israel’s number one ally
b. Economic and military aid $3-4 billion annually
c. Our aid makes up 7 to 8% of Israel’s budget
d. America will not fall as long as we continue to support Israel Gen 12:3
2. We know that the Antichrist will promise Israel peace for 7 years
a. Daniel 9:27
b. Even the revived Roman empire prospers as long as it supports Israel
1) Strengthens throughout the first 3 ½ years
2) Peace for the first 3 ½ years
3. Antichrist and the European empire will replace America as Israel’s chief ally and major world power
a. Daniel 2:44-45; 7:23-25
4. Nature abhors a vacuum
a. If America falls to her knees because of the rapture, Antichrist and the revived Roman empire will step in to fill the vacuum
5. America devastated;
a. Barna Research Online
1) 85% of Americans claim to be Christians
2) 41% of Americans claim to be born-again Christians
a) 115 million
3) 8% of American adults identify themselves as evangelical Christians
a) 15-20 million adults
b) 10 million children
b. Patrick Johnstone estimates 23% of Americans claim to be evangelical Christians
1) Approximately 65 million
c. The rapture will take somewhere between 25 and 65 million adults
1) Also the children under the age of accountability
2) The best of America will be taken Matthew 5:13-14
3) Double the combined population of New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago and Huston
6. Why not the rest of the world? (Patrick Johnstone)
a. America – 23 % of the population claim to be evangelicals
b. Africa – 11.4 of the population claim to be evangelicals
c. Latin America – 9.1 of the population claim to be evangelicals
d. Asia – 2.7 of the population claim to be evangelicals
e. Middle East – 0.3 of the population claim to be evangelicals
f. Europe – less then 2 % of the population claim to be evangelicals
1) 45 states
2) total population 500 million
g. Turkey – The city of Izmir
1) Population 3 million
2) 200 people attend a Christian church
3) 0.006 % just attend
VI Will American troops be at Armageddon?
A. Yes
1. Zechariah 14:2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.
2. Zechariah 12:3 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.
3. Revelation 16:14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
B. The four final world powers
1. The king of the North
a. Russia
b. Muslim allies
c. Daniel 11:40; 11:5-35; Ezekiel 38-39
2. The king of the South
a. Egypt – Muslim
b. Africa
c. Daniel 11:40
3. The king of the East
a. China
b. India, Pakistan, Japan
c. Revelation 16:12
4. The king of the West
a. Revived Roman empire
b. Daniel 2:40-43; Revelation 13:4-8
c. NATO nations
C. Even now we are being drawn into the one world government
1. First NATO
2. The UN
3. Now GATT, NAFTA, WTO
4. The World Court
5. Removing “one Nation under God”
6. Creation of a Multilanguage America
D. Who will America side with?
1. Definitely not any Muslim confederation
2. China and company – No, we have never allied with them
3. Antichrist and the revived Roman empire
a. We are aligned with them now – NATO
b. A majority of Americans can trace the ancestors back to Europe
c. “Religious” compatibility (remember - after the rapture)
Conclusion: I believe that America will be brought to its knees from the loss caused by the rapture. What will be the affect of 25 to 65 and maybe up to155 million adults taken in the rapture; along with an unknown number of children, just disappearing? Add to that an unknown number of people killed by disappearing Christians (planes, trains, cars etc crashing, doctors and nurses disappearing from operating rooms, etc).
How close are we? Look at Russia’s attempts to align with Muslim nations. Look at Europe trying to pander to the Palestinian and Iranian terrorists. What about the American congress wanting UN approval to attack Iraq? Can you see the pieces coming together?
The Bible doesn’t categorically show America falling or how it does. There are only two ways to know absolutely what is going to happen:1) To be with Christ in Heaven watching. 2) Fail to depend on Jesus to forgive your sins and the fact that He paid for your sins on the cross and actually living to see and participate in the fall of America. As for me, I’ll be with Christ watching and I hope to see you there.
I Definitions
A. Israel – Israel throughout the Bible
B. Jordan – Ammon, Moab and Edom
1. Judges 11
C. Egypt – Egypt throughout the Bible
D. Sudan – Cush, son of Ham settled in what we know as Sudan
1. Darby - Ge 2:13 And the name of the second river is Gihon: that is it which surrounds the whole land of Cush.
2. KJV - Ge 2:13 And the name of the second river is Gihon: the same is it that compasseth the whole land of Ethiopia.
E. Russia – Rosh a son of Benjamin
1. Gen 46
F. Iran – Persia
G. Iraq – Babylon
H. Europe – Reunited Roman Empire
I. Central Asia – Magog
J. Seria
K. Greece
L. Saudi Arabia – Sheba and Dedan
M. Libya – Put
N. Lebanon – Tyre
O. Turkey –
II Is America Babylon the Great?
A. Some say New York City is the Babylon of Revelation
1. Revelation 17-18
2. Was the World Trade Center referred to in:
a. Rev 18:9-11 And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication, and lived luxuriously with her, shall weep and wail over her, when they see the smoke of her burning, standing afar off, through fear of her torment, saying, Woe, woe, the great city, Babylon, the strong city! for in one hour thy judgment is come. And the merchants of the earth weep and grieve over her, because no one buys their lading any more;
b. Jeremiah 50-51
1) Future Babylon will be the last of the super-powers – Jeremiah 50:12
2) Future Babylon is where a body of the world’s leaders assembles – Jeremiah 51:44
3) Future Babylon is the world’s policeman – Jeremiah 50:23
4) Future Babylon is extremely wealthy – Jeremiah 51:13
5) Future Babylon is a land of immigrants – Jeremiah 50:16
3. The woman on the beast – The Statue of Liberty
a. Robed in scarlet or purple – The Statue was originally robed in scarlet
b. Golden cup in her hand – Originally had a golden cup, but it was changed to a torch
c. Purple robe denotes royalty – Statue has a crown of seven spikes or horns
d. Cup contents: smelly pollutants connected to immigrants – Natural gas flame connected to immigrants
1) Revelation 15 And he says to me, The waters which thou sawest, where the harlot sits, are peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues.
e. Sits on seven heads – mountains or continents – Statue’s crown of seven spikes or horns representing seven continents.
f. Represents Babylon the mega-city – Statue overlooks Babylon on Long Island000
g. Reigns over the kings of the earth - Statue overlooks the UN building
h. Mother of harlots – Statue is the mother of exiles, according to the poem on the base of the statue.
B. No - Babylon is the rebuilt city of Babylon in Iraq
1. The Babylon of Revelation 17-18 is a city not a nation that persecutes God’s people
a. Revelation 17:6 And I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus. And I wondered, seeing her, with great wonder.
b. Revelation 18:24 And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all the slain upon the earth.
2. Babylon is the last-days capital of Antichrist Revelation 14:8; 16:19; 17:5; 18:2, 10, 21.
3. Babylon is mentioned 290 in the Bible and every time it is pictured as essence of evil and rebellion against God.
4. Babylon is Satan’s capital city on earth
a. Babylon is the city where man first began to worship himself in an organized rebellion against God – Gen 11:1-0
b. Babylon was the capital city of the first world ruler, Nimrod – Genesis 10:8-10; 11:9
c. Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, destroyed the city of Jerusalem and the temple in 586 B.C.
d. Babylon was the capital city of the first of four Gentile world empires to rule over Jerusalem
5. A rebuilt Babylon fits the criteria in Revelation 17-18
a. The city is on the Euphrates river,
b. Politically
c. Geographically
d. Its accessible
e. Has commercial facilities
f. Could very easily be a world oil trade center
6. Jeremiah 50-51 describes a geographical location and the seven parallels to Revelation 17-18 point to them being the same city. Compare:
a. Jeremiah 51:7a – Revelation 17:3-4; 18:6
b. Jeremiah 51:13 – Revelation 17:7
c. Jeremiah 51:7b – Revelation 17:2
d. Jeremiah 50:1 – Revelation 18:10
e. Jeremiah 51:8a – Revelation 18:8
f. Jeremiah 51:30b – Revelation 17:16
g. Jeremiah 50:39 - Revelation 18:21
h. Jeremiah 50:29 – Revelation 18:6
i. Jeremiah 51:63-64 – Revelation 18:21
j. Jeremiah 51:6, 45 – Revelation 18:4
k. Jeremiah 51:48 – Revelation 18:20
III America the Unnamed Nation in Isaiah 18
A. Isaiah 18:1-2 Woe to the land shadowing with wings, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia: That sendeth ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of bulrushes upon the waters, saying, Go, ye swift messengers, to a nation scattered and peeled, to a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden down, whose land the rivers have spoiled!
1. Insignia of wings – American Eagle
2. A land beyond the sea from Israel
3. Beyond Ethiopia – eliminates Europe, Asia and Africa
4. A nation scattered and peeled – a land stretched out and having a large landmass
5. A land of polluted rivers
B. This is really the land of Cush (Sudan)
1. Read Isaiah 18-20 in context
2. Dealing with modern-day Southern Egypt, Sudan, Somalia and northern Ethiopia
3. “the land shadowing with wings” truly relates to the whirring wings of insects that infest the Nile valley area.
IV The Young Lions of Tarshish of Ezekiel 38 (the best possibility)
A. Rosh’s (Russia’s) allies
1. Magog – Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan)
2. Mechech – Turkey
3. Tubal – Turkey
4. Persia – Iran
5. Ethiopia (Cush) – Sudan
6. Libya (Put) – Libya
7. Gomer – Turkey
8. Beth-togarmah – Turkey
9. All Muslim except Russia
B. Ezekiel 38:13 Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?
1. The name Tarshish is mentioned 20 times in the Bible and every time refers to a land farthest to the west of Israel (Psalm 72:10)
2. the merchants of Tarshish or traders of goods
3. many equate Tarshish to England and the young lions to the Americas
4. Sheba, and Dedan (Saudi Arabia)
C. Sheba, Dedan and Tarshish put up a minimal protest against Russia and her allies
D. Tarshish probably refers to Spain or England. Jonah went to Tarshish when he was commanded to go to Nineveh (Jonah 1:1-3)
E. Look at the alignment of the Gulf War and compare it to Ezekiel 38. The United States, Western Europe and Saudi Arabia against Iraq while Russia, Iran, Sudan, Liba and most of the other Middle East and Persian Gulf nations were aligned (secretly) with Iraq.
F. If the United States is Tarshish, what happened to our power?
V A fallen America
A. America is not mentioned specifically because she will be destroyed by other nations.
1. Recent terrorist attacks seem to point to our own freedom and technology being our Achilles’ heel.
B. America is not mentioned because she will have lost her influence as a result of moral and spiritual deterioration.
1. Even so, we would still be a major military power.
C. The Rapture causes America to fall apart
1. America must remain strong until the end time to ensure Israel’s existence
a. America is Israel’s number one ally
b. Economic and military aid $3-4 billion annually
c. Our aid makes up 7 to 8% of Israel’s budget
d. America will not fall as long as we continue to support Israel Gen 12:3
2. We know that the Antichrist will promise Israel peace for 7 years
a. Daniel 9:27
b. Even the revived Roman empire prospers as long as it supports Israel
1) Strengthens throughout the first 3 ½ years
2) Peace for the first 3 ½ years
3. Antichrist and the European empire will replace America as Israel’s chief ally and major world power
a. Daniel 2:44-45; 7:23-25
4. Nature abhors a vacuum
a. If America falls to her knees because of the rapture, Antichrist and the revived Roman empire will step in to fill the vacuum
5. America devastated;
a. Barna Research Online
1) 85% of Americans claim to be Christians
2) 41% of Americans claim to be born-again Christians
a) 115 million
3) 8% of American adults identify themselves as evangelical Christians
a) 15-20 million adults
b) 10 million children
b. Patrick Johnstone estimates 23% of Americans claim to be evangelical Christians
1) Approximately 65 million
c. The rapture will take somewhere between 25 and 65 million adults
1) Also the children under the age of accountability
2) The best of America will be taken Matthew 5:13-14
3) Double the combined population of New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago and Huston
6. Why not the rest of the world? (Patrick Johnstone)
a. America – 23 % of the population claim to be evangelicals
b. Africa – 11.4 of the population claim to be evangelicals
c. Latin America – 9.1 of the population claim to be evangelicals
d. Asia – 2.7 of the population claim to be evangelicals
e. Middle East – 0.3 of the population claim to be evangelicals
f. Europe – less then 2 % of the population claim to be evangelicals
1) 45 states
2) total population 500 million
g. Turkey – The city of Izmir
1) Population 3 million
2) 200 people attend a Christian church
3) 0.006 % just attend
VI Will American troops be at Armageddon?
A. Yes
1. Zechariah 14:2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.
2. Zechariah 12:3 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.
3. Revelation 16:14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
B. The four final world powers
1. The king of the North
a. Russia
b. Muslim allies
c. Daniel 11:40; 11:5-35; Ezekiel 38-39
2. The king of the South
a. Egypt – Muslim
b. Africa
c. Daniel 11:40
3. The king of the East
a. China
b. India, Pakistan, Japan
c. Revelation 16:12
4. The king of the West
a. Revived Roman empire
b. Daniel 2:40-43; Revelation 13:4-8
c. NATO nations
C. Even now we are being drawn into the one world government
1. First NATO
2. The UN
3. Now GATT, NAFTA, WTO
4. The World Court
5. Removing “one Nation under God”
6. Creation of a Multilanguage America
D. Who will America side with?
1. Definitely not any Muslim confederation
2. China and company – No, we have never allied with them
3. Antichrist and the revived Roman empire
a. We are aligned with them now – NATO
b. A majority of Americans can trace the ancestors back to Europe
c. “Religious” compatibility (remember - after the rapture)
Conclusion: I believe that America will be brought to its knees from the loss caused by the rapture. What will be the affect of 25 to 65 and maybe up to155 million adults taken in the rapture; along with an unknown number of children, just disappearing? Add to that an unknown number of people killed by disappearing Christians (planes, trains, cars etc crashing, doctors and nurses disappearing from operating rooms, etc).
How close are we? Look at Russia’s attempts to align with Muslim nations. Look at Europe trying to pander to the Palestinian and Iranian terrorists. What about the American congress wanting UN approval to attack Iraq? Can you see the pieces coming together?
The Bible doesn’t categorically show America falling or how it does. There are only two ways to know absolutely what is going to happen:1) To be with Christ in Heaven watching. 2) Fail to depend on Jesus to forgive your sins and the fact that He paid for your sins on the cross and actually living to see and participate in the fall of America. As for me, I’ll be with Christ watching and I hope to see you there.
Monday, April 20, 2009
WHY A JUDGMENT
Why a Judgment?
Why does God have to judge the world? The heart of God was grieved when He looked into the hearts of men. In Genesis 6:5 the Bible says,"The wickedness of men was great on earth,and that every imagination of the thoughts of the heart was only evil continually." In Genesis 6:6 the Bible says..."And it grieved Him at His heart."Genesis 6:6.
The Holy Spirit gets more specific about the fruit of the heart of man in Genesis 6:11."The earth was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence." God saw that excessive sin in the world leads to violence. The violence is spoken of in verse 11 because these two are synonymous with one another.God can only look at so much evil before He intervenes.
At that particular time God gave Noah the Revelation about destroying the world with a flood, He was still willing to give the world 120 years even though the heart of God was grieved. He was reluctant to judge right away.
Peter says that God is not willing that anybody should perish in 2nd Peter 3:9. Jesus Christ sees the horror and sorrow of this reality everyday. It is the last thing He wants to do. His heart is truly broken. Remember we were fearfully and wonderfully made by God. Psalm 139:14.
In Genesis chapter 6 there is no doubt that there was idol worship because they did not listen to Noah's message. They were not interested in God. As a result the sin level lead to excessive violence.
This taught me something about God and my life. The more faith and reverence I give to Jesus Christ, the less I want to sin. I certainly don't want to be violent. Does that sound like the world we live in today? People can either repent and turn to Jesus Christ, or sin, violence and confusion will be the end result.
God has indeed given mankind a lot of horizontal latitude to do what they want. One of the biggest mysteries of the Bible is that not even one person outside of Noah's family stepped forward to repent and go into the Ark. That makes me think.
I don't believe many people are going up in the rapture of the Church in retrospect to the population of the world. Most of the human beings I meet don't even care about their eternity.
The evil that ran rampant in the world must have been really intense, yet God was patient. The Bible says, "Which sometime were disobedient, when once the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water." 1st Peter 3:20.
It is my opinion that Noah received Revelation regarding the 120 years and the flood when he was worshipping God. Noah felt compelled to preach (Genesis 6:22). He obeyed all of the specific instructions about building the Ark and he went into immediate diligence after God gave him Revelation.That tells me something about the heart of Noah.This model also convicts me to do as much as I can now for the Lord before I go up in the rapture.
I am amazed at the response of Noah and his attitude. He really did look at the world with fear; however, he had a heart for the lost. His empathies was repent and turn to the One True God that created the universe.
When anybody talks about God I always look for the message. If it is off then I just go back to a simple devotion to Jesus Christ. Depending on the situation I might even explain to the person why their empathies is off in a nice way. We need to be focused on Jesus Christ and proclaim Him to a lost and dying world.
Noah's emphasis was right but the inhabitants of the earth misunderstood him. They were sinful and wicked. Their conscience was seared to the message. I think that is kind of ironic because they were living in the dispensation of conscience (the fall to the flood).
I have talked to a good amount of people about Jesus Christ and there did seem to be a searing of their conscience. "I don't think the Bible really means that," "I don't think Jesus is coming soon," or "I know people talk about Jesus Christ but that's not something that applies to me." It was the same way back in the dispensation of conscience. I don't think they wanted to hear Noah except for entertainment purposes.They just wanted to mock and laugh.
God is showing mankind mercy today as the gospel travels around the world. He has given the regions of the earth some early warnings through natural disasters and the economy. People are also starting to get very concerned about war.
When the world shifts so far away into sin and violence, God has no other choice but to intervene. God is in perfect control because He is sovereign. World events match the prophecies of the Bible. We are getting really close to the rapture!
The story of Noah and the flood is centering around the heart of God, Noah's obedience and the hardness of people that inhabited the earth.The exact scenario is happening today. Jesus Christ loves people and desires to save them. God has sent His faithful servants to preach the gospel around the world. People are accepting Jesus Christ into their hearts but the world is still very hard toward God. History repeats itself.
When we give the gospel message to other people it has to come from our heart in a genuine and sincere way. I realize we are busy and live in a world of preoccupation but the recipient will know if we are giving the saving message of Jesus Christ from our heart. God will honor that approach because that is the same spirit that God has for mankind.
They may reject the message but they will almost always look at the messenger (that would be us). In this fast pace world I try and slow it down a bit.I try and have a heart to heart with somebody about the gospel. I will have to admit, since Jesus Christ is usually the last Person on their mind, it can be very difficult.
It was the same back in Noah's day. History repeats itself. Maybe we should pray that God will share His heart with us so we can be more effective for Jesus Christ. The time left is so short.
Bob D.
Why does God have to judge the world? The heart of God was grieved when He looked into the hearts of men. In Genesis 6:5 the Bible says,"The wickedness of men was great on earth,and that every imagination of the thoughts of the heart was only evil continually." In Genesis 6:6 the Bible says..."And it grieved Him at His heart."Genesis 6:6.
The Holy Spirit gets more specific about the fruit of the heart of man in Genesis 6:11."The earth was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence." God saw that excessive sin in the world leads to violence. The violence is spoken of in verse 11 because these two are synonymous with one another.God can only look at so much evil before He intervenes.
At that particular time God gave Noah the Revelation about destroying the world with a flood, He was still willing to give the world 120 years even though the heart of God was grieved. He was reluctant to judge right away.
Peter says that God is not willing that anybody should perish in 2nd Peter 3:9. Jesus Christ sees the horror and sorrow of this reality everyday. It is the last thing He wants to do. His heart is truly broken. Remember we were fearfully and wonderfully made by God. Psalm 139:14.
In Genesis chapter 6 there is no doubt that there was idol worship because they did not listen to Noah's message. They were not interested in God. As a result the sin level lead to excessive violence.
This taught me something about God and my life. The more faith and reverence I give to Jesus Christ, the less I want to sin. I certainly don't want to be violent. Does that sound like the world we live in today? People can either repent and turn to Jesus Christ, or sin, violence and confusion will be the end result.
God has indeed given mankind a lot of horizontal latitude to do what they want. One of the biggest mysteries of the Bible is that not even one person outside of Noah's family stepped forward to repent and go into the Ark. That makes me think.
I don't believe many people are going up in the rapture of the Church in retrospect to the population of the world. Most of the human beings I meet don't even care about their eternity.
The evil that ran rampant in the world must have been really intense, yet God was patient. The Bible says, "Which sometime were disobedient, when once the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water." 1st Peter 3:20.
It is my opinion that Noah received Revelation regarding the 120 years and the flood when he was worshipping God. Noah felt compelled to preach (Genesis 6:22). He obeyed all of the specific instructions about building the Ark and he went into immediate diligence after God gave him Revelation.That tells me something about the heart of Noah.This model also convicts me to do as much as I can now for the Lord before I go up in the rapture.
I am amazed at the response of Noah and his attitude. He really did look at the world with fear; however, he had a heart for the lost. His empathies was repent and turn to the One True God that created the universe.
When anybody talks about God I always look for the message. If it is off then I just go back to a simple devotion to Jesus Christ. Depending on the situation I might even explain to the person why their empathies is off in a nice way. We need to be focused on Jesus Christ and proclaim Him to a lost and dying world.
Noah's emphasis was right but the inhabitants of the earth misunderstood him. They were sinful and wicked. Their conscience was seared to the message. I think that is kind of ironic because they were living in the dispensation of conscience (the fall to the flood).
I have talked to a good amount of people about Jesus Christ and there did seem to be a searing of their conscience. "I don't think the Bible really means that," "I don't think Jesus is coming soon," or "I know people talk about Jesus Christ but that's not something that applies to me." It was the same way back in the dispensation of conscience. I don't think they wanted to hear Noah except for entertainment purposes.They just wanted to mock and laugh.
God is showing mankind mercy today as the gospel travels around the world. He has given the regions of the earth some early warnings through natural disasters and the economy. People are also starting to get very concerned about war.
When the world shifts so far away into sin and violence, God has no other choice but to intervene. God is in perfect control because He is sovereign. World events match the prophecies of the Bible. We are getting really close to the rapture!
The story of Noah and the flood is centering around the heart of God, Noah's obedience and the hardness of people that inhabited the earth.The exact scenario is happening today. Jesus Christ loves people and desires to save them. God has sent His faithful servants to preach the gospel around the world. People are accepting Jesus Christ into their hearts but the world is still very hard toward God. History repeats itself.
When we give the gospel message to other people it has to come from our heart in a genuine and sincere way. I realize we are busy and live in a world of preoccupation but the recipient will know if we are giving the saving message of Jesus Christ from our heart. God will honor that approach because that is the same spirit that God has for mankind.
They may reject the message but they will almost always look at the messenger (that would be us). In this fast pace world I try and slow it down a bit.I try and have a heart to heart with somebody about the gospel. I will have to admit, since Jesus Christ is usually the last Person on their mind, it can be very difficult.
It was the same back in Noah's day. History repeats itself. Maybe we should pray that God will share His heart with us so we can be more effective for Jesus Christ. The time left is so short.
Bob D.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
The Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus Christ
John 20:1-21
1 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. 2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. 3 Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. 4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.5 And he
stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. 6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, 7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. 8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. 9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went away again unto their own home. 11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, 12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. 14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. 16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. 17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. 18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her. 19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 20 And when he had so said, he showed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. 21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
Luke 24:1-53
1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. 3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: 5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, 7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. 8 And they remembered his words, 9 And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.
and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles. 11 And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not. 12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass. 13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. 14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. 16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. 17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? 18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? 19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: 20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. 21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. 22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; 23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. 24 And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not. 25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. 28 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. 29 But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. 30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. 32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? 33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, 34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. 35 And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread. 36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. 38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. 40 And when he had thus spoken, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? 42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. 43 And he took it, and did eat before them. 44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things. 49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. 50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. 51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: 53 And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.
John 2:18-22
18 Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign showest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? 19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. 20 Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? 21 But he spake of the temple of his body. 22 When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.
Acts 1:1-11
1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: 3 To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs,
being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: 4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. 6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
1 Cor 15:3-9
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
Acts 2:14, 22-28 14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: 22 Ye men of Israel hear these words, Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: 23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: 24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. 25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: 26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: 27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life;
1 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early,
stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying;
1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning,
10 It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James,
18 Then answered the Jews and said unto him,
1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus,
being seen of them forty days,
11 Which also said,
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received,
thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.
Agape,
Craig & Zelma
Agape,
Craig & Zelma
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