Hi, don't sweat the small details. The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. The Holy Spirit has already found you. God will direct you as needed: remember, His will not yours, be done. So don't push yourself. And, for now, be content as you simply read the Bible and keep this in your Heart:
Mark 12:28-34
Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, "Which is the first commandment of all?" Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments is: 'Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." So the scribe said to Him, "Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He. And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God."
Trust in Jesus and all will be well; even in regard the Enemy. The Enemy is currently in panic-mode, as he knows his time is short and his days are numbered. All the horrors of the world and the attacks on the minds of children from certain 'proud' folk is all part of the (already failed) plan to undermine the Kingdom. God's Kingdom is already here. This world was bought and paid for with Jesus' Blood. The enemy has no power over those that are saved. So, have no fear, God's Kingdom is here. Yes, there's going to be a bit of trouble, but everything is going according to God's Plan and all will be to His Glory. Hold fast, enjoy your new-found Life and Trust In Jesus. Blessings to You.
Yes David , I agree , it's a very distressing book . Poor Jeremiah suffered greatly , chapter 39 is terrifying . Jeremiah would have suffered not just because of what happened to Israel as a nation but on a personal level also , somewhere in there it tells us that one of his daughters was married to Zedekiah , therefore
some of those children that were killed in chapter 39 could well have been Jeremiah's own grandchildren . To me it's the saddest book in Israel's history .
Asking for strong protection and breakthrough for us and all in need. Lord Jesus please grant strength, encouragement and please fight our battles ( Ex. 14:14). Thank you.
Too right, Ladybug76. As a catholic, lapsed and returning to Jesus after many years 'away', I see the corruption at the core of the Vatican. Not only the evil 'artwork' in the Throne Room (that when mirrored is Bap**met), not only the secret and hushed-up abuse, not only the betrayal of Chinese Christians to the evil of the CCP, not only the 'serpent-styled' building, not only the recent 'audience' in which he gave face-time and handshakes to a so-called artist that encased a Crucifix in a container of his own ur*e, not only the Vatican telescope named.....Lucifer! The Vicar of Christ (hah!): vicar is from word vicarious, essentially referencing a 'replacement' on Earth, of .............Jesus! This current popery is so far removed from Our Saviour....
Excerpt from The Axe Laid to the Root of the Old Corrupt Tree
1 of 2
That the true knowledge is only to be had by the immediate revelation of Christ in the soul. No man knows the Father, but the Son, and he to whom the son reveals him. The dead shall hear the voice of the son of God, and they that hear shall live. There is no raising of a dead soul to life, but by the immediate voice of Christ. Outward preaching, reading the Scriptures, &c. may direct and encourage men to hearken after and wait for the voice; but it is the immediate voice of Christ in the soul, which alone can quicken the soul to God: and till the light of life shine immediately from Christ in the heart, the true knowledge is never given. 2 Cor. 4:6. Therefore they that never yet heard the immediate voice of Christ, are still dead in their sins, and have not yet received the true, living knowledge, but a dead, literal knowledge, which gives a false shining of things in the dead part, but kills the life. Indeed the proper use of all means, is to bring to the immediate voice, life, and power; and till this be done, till the soul come to that, to hear that, to feel that, to be rooted there, there is nothing done that will stand; but men stick by the way, crying up the means, and never knowing, tasting, or enjoying the thing which the means point to.
But he that knows God comes into the immediate presence; and he that daily lives in God, lives in the immediate life; and the true faith leads to this, giving the soul such a touch and taste of it at first, as makes unsatisfiable without it. By this Christ cuts off the Jews, with all their zeal and knowledge. John 5:37-38. "Ye have not heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape; and ye have not his word abiding in you." There is the hearing of the voice, the sight of the shape, and the having the word of God abiding in the heart, which gives both the hearing of the voice, and the sight of the shape, and keeps the soul quick, and living in the life. The voice gives life, the sight of the shape daily conforms into the image, which is beheld by the eye of life; and the word abiding in the heart nourishes and feeds the living soul with the pure bread of life. But the Jews knew not this; but were crying up their sabbaths, the law of Moses, the ordinances of Moses, the temple of God, the instituted worship of God, and so were shut out of the thing itself which those things ended in, and out of a capacity of receiving it. And thus many zealous ones at this day, not having come to this, no more than the Jews did, but sticking in the letter of the gospel, as the Jews did in the letter of the law, stumble at the present dispensation of life, and cannot do otherwise.
You are right. "flesh and bones cannot be the image of God".
JESUS said: Luke 20:35-36
35 - They which shall be accounted WORTHY to obtain that world(next world-Kingdom of GOD- Revelation 11:15-18.Take a look.)- , and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:
36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of GOD( John 1:14), being the children of the resurrection.
By the way, only and only JESUS was n ot born of the sin, was not of the Devil( John 8:44 & 46. Take a look.)
Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of GOD - John 3:3.
"It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not." ( Lamentations 3:22)
...and in the wilderness where you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way that you went until you came to this place.' ( Deuteronomy 1:31)
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. ( Romans 5:8)
The mercy of God and His lovingkindness are something that never pass; or grow old. It is something to daily praise Him for no matter what the circumstances as we know that we shall indeed be in His presence someday; and out of these old bodies whether by Rapture or Resurrection. He has secured us for all eternity. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. ( Psalm 103:12). As believers he has replaced our heart of stone with a heart of flesh ( Ezekiel 36:26). His children are sanctified and inevitably glorified ( Romans 8:30). Whether we consider the Israelites physically delivered from Egypt's bondage to the Promised Land; or our own delivery from the earth to heaven the Spirit seals believers with this "down payment" ( Eph. 1:13).
WORD OF WARNING
That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. ( Matt. 5:45).
This verse is related to previous ones speaking of loving our enemies as part of the Sermon on the Mount. Christ shared close ties with Judas Iscariot; according to Psalm 41:9 "Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me." The unregenerate enjoy for a time the creation in this life but attribute their blessings to what they consider the "goodness" of their heart; their accomplishments; merits; accolades etc. See Ecclesiastes 8:11 for a warning on delayed judgment; also see Galatians 6:7.
I was thinking about my life, all the years passed. I reflected on the loss and heartache, the traumas and pain; the losing of my children and the hopes and dreams that died. I remembered aunts and uncles and grandparents that suddenly weren't there. All the effort I put in as a nurse, all the people I met and said goodbye to. I glimpsed at my childhood play and the long days in the sun or running over a snow-covered field with no cares for the years of anguish-tainted joy yet to come. And I spent most of those years in a Far Country, angry at God, angry that my lot had been dealt so unfairly, angry at every hurt and every paper-cut, blaming God for even the least of slights. 6 weeks ago a wave of overwhelming love and sadness and anguish and joy and tenderness and comfort and forgiveness rocked me inside and a sentence appeared in my head: "Shaun, come Home" I realized, like I really didn't know otherwise, that throughout all those long-ago moments of light and dark, Father and Son and Spirit watched me with an aching Love as I screamed and kicked and hated and, patiently, He whispered in the silence of my mind: it doesn't matter, just come Home. Since then, knowing exactly where that voice came from and to whom it belongs, I've been on a mission to return to the Love and Light of Our Friend Jesus, who is God. Today, the days of rain having finally stopped, I sat in the garden and read Ecclesiastes and, well, I'm still crying now; I know that everything was always in God's loving and tender care, and at the End of Everything, He remains and calls us Home, to rest.
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die...A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
The Book of Jeremiah is not a happy Book. It is Judgment Judgment Judgment; just like many of the Old Testament prophetic books. It is not a Book that we like to spend much time in; and as a result most Christians, most Bible teaches do not.
The setting of Jeremiah is the rebellion of National Israel and God's Judgment upon them for their rebellion. But this Book is much much more than that. And what I am going to say is going to be disturbing to many and contradictory to much of what I read in the comments on this site.
The Book of Jeremiah is today's Newspaper. While in the setting of National Israel, it is also very much about the churches and congregations of our Day and, therefore, about God's Judgment that has come upon the churches and congregations for a similar rebellion because the Bible has lost its Ultimate Authority and because they have developed doctrines and practices that, while pleasing to men, are contrary in many ways to the commandments and teachings of God and the True Gospel of the Bible.
I believe that we are living in that period of history which God describes in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21. Where passages like 1 Peter 4:17 and 2 Thessalonians 2 are very definitely in play. And that God is continuing to save His Elect apart from any church or congregation as the True Gospel is proclaimed by individuals and ministries apart from any church or denomination.
The next Big Event in God's Plan for this World will be the return of Christ on the clouds of glory to Resurrect and Rapture ALL True Believers, destroy Satan and those that have not become saved and this sin-cursed Earth and create New Heavens and a New Earth where those whom Christ has saved will live and reign with Him Eternally.
There is no "future glory for National Israel" nor a "future golden age" on this sin-cursed Earth. But there is a grand and glorious Eternal Future for the "Israel of God".
This is a time to "examine ourselves" 2 Cor 13:5, 2 Pet 1:10.
If we look at ( Jer 31:27) The LORD says "that I will sow the house of Israel, and the house of Judah"
Many people mistakenly say all the house of Israel are Jews, they are not. This verse clearly separates the two.
There were 12 sons of Jacob. One was named Judah whose descendants are of the tribe of Judah, these are the Jews.
The word (Israel) in that verse is #3478 in the Hebrew language; it means he will rule (as) God, a symbolic name of Jacob, also typically ((of his posterity)).
(of his posterity) The word posterity means 1) Future generations. 2) All of a persons descendants.
Now if we look at ( Rev. 7:4-8) we see 12,000 being sealed from each of the 12 tribes of the children of (Israel). the word (Israel) in this verse is Greek #2474; it means the adopted name of Jacob, including his descendants. ((his descendants)) are the 12 tribes of the house of Israel.
If we look at (Ester 3:4) "for he had told them that he was a Jew"
The word (Jew) is #3064; it means a Jehudite (i.e. Judaite or Jew) or descendant of Jehudah (i.e. Judah)
The Jews are clearly descendants of Judah. They are not the whole house of Israel.
The whole house of Israel are what people consider to be the lost tribes, the tribes that are scattered where God wanted them to be for this generation. The Jews are of the tribe of Judah only!
We cannot forget what our Lord JESUS said: Matthew 11:27, combined with John 1:18, and 14:8-9
The Word is GOD. Great and deep mystery - The Word is GOD.
JESUS said: ... No MAN knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any MAN the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him. Matthew 11:27KJV
John the Baptist, the angel of the Lord, said: No MAN hath seen GOD at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him - John 1:18KJV. (Hallelujah! Very very deep)
Philip saith unto JESUS, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us. JESUS saith unto Philip, "Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; how sayest thou then, Show us the Father? John 14:8-9KJV (Here we see the Word made flesh speaking to Philip that who see Him, see the Father-the Word-. In fact, the mystery of GOD the Father is very very deep. Hebrews 1:1-3KJV reveals us: --> 1 GOD, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last days (last two days or last 2.000 years) spoken unto us by His Son(the Word made flesh), whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds;
3 Who being the brightness of His Glory, and the EXPRESS IMAGE of GOD's Person(expressed as is written in the Word of GOD, the Bible, the Scriptures, the Word of GOD), and upholding all things by the Word of His Power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. - Hallelujaaaah!!!
Right. Very soon there will be TWO DISTINCTS MAN Beasts operating or reigning in the Earth in this current time of Apocalypse, time of the END( 1Corinthians 15:24-28.Take a look.) Let us be ready to face them with the Sword, the Word of GOD- Hebrews 4:12-13KJV-. As you said, they are:
1 - the Beast of sea
2 - the Beast of the earth
1 - The very old and serial Gentilic MAN Beast of sea - Rev.13:1-10- , has seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy, and whose very ancient roots are described in the verse 2.
2 - The MAN Beast of the earth having two horns like a lamb, a false lamb, in fact a false and ruthless messiah, Rev.13:11-18 combined with John 5:43-47 and 2 Thessalonians 2:2-4 and 9-12. Terrible. Terrible.
Let us prepare to enter and face the final environment of the last week of the Devil's world, and the establishment of the FIFTH universal Devil's kingdom, the Antichrist's kingdom, and also in the middle of this last week the Abomination of Desolation- Daniel 9:27-, this satanic Kingdom is represented and described allegorically in the feet and ten toes of the statue of Nebuchadnezzar, part of iron and part of clay, according to Dan.2:41-45.Take a look.
In that fifth universal empire of the Devil, the universal empire of Antichrist, two satanic Beasts will be reigning on Earth, a Gentile Beast and a Jewish Beast, both represented literally in Rev.13, first as the Beast that rose out of the sea, rose from among the nations, from among the peoples, it rose precisely in Italy more or less 2.000 years ago still in the Roman Empire, and the second Beast, the Beast that will still rise from the Earth in this current time, precisely in Israel -Jerusalem- the holy city- this Beast will sit on his own throne as if he was God, claiming to be the messiah, actually an IMPOSTER, a false Christ,-Matt.24:23-, as JESUS warned us, and will exalt himself as if he were God, but he is MAN and not God.
Sorry my pastor but you rushed my statement before allowing the revelation to reveal itself.
As you say let us make a Man in our own image
Let us make a man in our own image
Your flesh and bones cannot be the image of God
Your flesh and bones get's sick
Image of God doesn't get sick
Your flesh and bones grows weary
God doesn't grow weary
Your flesh and bones dies
God doesn't die
Ezekiel Ezekiel Can this bones live again
Ezekiel Ezekiel Can this bones live again
This statement takes me back to creation when Adam was just lying lifeless body before God blew the spirit of Man which is God himself inside him.
Even after Ezekiel commanded the bones to come together did they have life? No
No he had to command the spirit of Man to come forth and give this lifeless bodies life.
The image of God is the Man inside you.
Remember Moses when he said I want to see you God face to face, He said no Man no flesh can see me and live again.
For you will never ever ever see the spirit inside you and Live again for you would have seen the image you were made in by God which is the image of Man that inside you
Hello Jharveys. I'll share very generally on the passage you quoted.
The chapters 30 to 33 in Jeremiah are God's Words to His people (Israel & Judah) giving them His Promise & certain hope for their future restoration back to their lands. Some consider these chapters as applying to their recovery from the Assyrian & Babylonian captivity (in which they were in at the time), but verses such as Jeremiah 30:3,7,10,11 & others seem to indicate that all of Israel will return to their land of promise, & not just the 'few' who came out of the present captivity. The mention of the 'terrible day, none ever like it, even the time of Jacob's trouble, but Israel will come out of it', indicates that there is still salvation & hope for Israel even after going through the coming time of Great Tribulation.
Then chapter 31 continues this theme of restoration for Israel; with verses 1 to 22 concerning the Northern Kingdom (Israel); verses 23 to 26 the Southern Kingdom (Judah); and verses 27 to 40 to both Kingdoms.
So to Jeremiah 31:23-34 (your passage), the message is first to Judah & then God establishes His New Covenant with both houses (from verse 27). To Judah, God tells them that they will know His blessing on Jerusalem (Mt. Zion) where justice & holiness abounds (v23); & the people will thrive in food production (vv24,25). And so to, the New Covenant which still awaits enforcement, vv27-34 and other verses beyond, gives God's Assurance that both man & animals will abound, that He will prosper them & not afflict & destroy them as before, & they will realize that each one is accountable & punishable for their own sins & not blame their fathers (the meaning of verses 29 & 30). That future day, Israel will have God's Laws written upon their hearts (v33), i.e. they will be changed inwardly & not just giving lip-service as previously and all will truly know intimately their God & not a conditional-based Covenant of the old Mosaic Law. Hope that gives you an adequate outline.
Flesh and bones are not the image of God but a creation of God, a shelter for his spirit the reason he constantly repeats and reminds us that his not Man, Is because he cannot be his own creation in form of flesh.
Adam when he was formed He never came alive, the Bible says he was lying lifeless and the spirit was blown inside then Adam came alive and carried the image of God inside him, the wisdom of Man which is God himself living as man inside flesh. There's was no school of thoughts for Adam, but still entrusted with a garden and it's naming for all species. God was a spirit of Man which formed flesh to dwell in it. The flesh can't be the image of God it's just a creation created for the Man Who was and still is God
What God meant through the prophet is that He is not Flesh and bones that he might change and again too prove that God is a man or should I say the spirit of Man that Lives inside flesh and bones.
Animal's still don't talk till today, because there's no man living inside them.
The Term Man in my statement doesn't limit God to being flesh but solely supreme Spirit to flesh, for flesh is dust and clay and when dust and clay grows weary it returns to the soil but the Man inside you returns to its creator. Let us debate this from this point
Hey Jema, Thanks and Wow! I have complete empathy with you. After the parish priest and the priests at the Mill Hill Mission in London all refused me entry into priest training (because I asked too many questions, I think) I joined a prayer group at the sixth form college. They identified as a Catholic Charismatic Renewal Group. I have never felt as lonely. So, tight and excluding, and if I ever questioned anything, or disagreed, they let me know their disapproval and so I eventually drifted away. I 'looked into' Zoroastrianism, or at least what is considered Western Gathic Zarathushtrianism - reading the Gathas of Zarathushtra - beautiful writings of upliftment and the right way of living: Good Thoughts, Good Words and Good Deeds...but, providing no 'Hope'. I read the texts of Gnosticism - the Nag Hammadi writings: deep and profound but involves taking the New Testament away from the Old, thereby rendering Jesus with no historical nor prophetic context. The return to the catholic church recently has revealed that the church is not a warm and welcoming sentiment, just individuals, families and cliques that want nothing to do with anyone outside their space. And, the Scriptural interpretations are becoming increasingly worldly (progressive/liberal). I discovered this part of the KJV website by chance and I don't mind opening up: apart from my Mum there's nobody I can actually share my faith with. I'm married but my wife doesn't even believe that we live on afterwards, and has no spiritual/religious leanings at all; it's hard and the gap is widening...! I've been in touch with the local Independent Methodist Church, so I may attend a Service in the week. I have no idea about them, but the alternatives here are CofE (woke), Brethren Evangelical, or Pentacostal. I struggle to understand the differences and similarities and expectations. I'll report back on the Independent Methodist Connexion in due course. ps I was an attractive young man once...ah, memories!
What an awesome testimony ! Thank you so much for sharing and also your other excellent post . The Bible is where you need to be , all day every day . God is there ,Jesus is there and all true believers are there with you . You are such an encouragement to us all , it's so uplifting to hear that God is still calling people out of this World and into His arms . One word of caution , be very choosey with whom you share your joy and remember , all other Christians are just sinful humans , they / we are imperfect , so we might disappoint you :) . When I first was saved , the congregation I went to were not very welcoming , they were a lot older than me , most of them , they were very insular and it's a good job that my reason for going there was NOT to find friends . I don't think that it helped me much as I was an attractive young single woman in those days , so none of the men would talk to me in case their wives disapproved and none of the women wanted to know me either . I had three friends ,and old widowed lady and a married couple old enough to be my parents . No one else even looked at me . As I said , I wasn't looking for friends , I was looking for God , and I found Him in the Bible . He's been with me always but I didn't know it then , I know it now :) . Stay on here with us and tell us more about your journey , love to you in Christ .
Hi StandTro, sorry for late reply: the anti-Christ spirit is anything that opposes the Word. All that stands against the teaching, mission, life of Jesus, anything that is counter to the Christian life is anti-Christ. However, the Man of Perdition, the 'hero' of the people that is yet to be revealed on the world-stage will aim to bring about a total collapse of Christianity and the morals and values that the True Christian stands for. It's already started as various Christian denominations are cherry-pick Scripture if it doesn't suit the current social narrative. So, for example Lev 18:22, 1 Cor 6:9 are now totally devalued; the thread of Scripture is being unraveled. In some quarters the Lord's Prayer is now seen as offensive and patriarchal. Thousands are leaving the Church as those in authority make sweeping changes to 'belief'. Souls are being lost as liberal, progressive, worldly bibles fail to teach the FULL and true Word. Currently, the United nations 53rd Human Rights Council have released a report that claims that religious freedom violates LGBT rights. The 5000+ Christians slaughtered in Nigeria last year don't make Mainstream news. Christianity is hanging by a thread: the anti-Christ spirit is satan doing his best to keep as many souls from returning to Jesus. But, wait, there are going to be more 'pandemics', crises, world 'problems' that need solving with a We're All In It Together mentally, and personal 'beliefs' and lifestyles are going to be counter-productive to the New Order. And the Man of Sin, seen by most as a hero, will 'save the day'.
I was baptized as a child into the roman catholic tradition. Refused entry into the priesthood at 15, and again at 17, because I simply asked questions about faith, doctrine, dogma, I left the 'faith' for many, many years, on a fruitless search for 'truth'. Forty-odd years later, around 4 weeks ago, I experienced a sudden, and unexpected inner explosion of ache/pull/urge/anguish/joy...I had to come Home to Jesus. What to do? The first port of call, of course would be the RC church. I went to Confession (that's a given) and attended Mass. I've been about 4 times, attended a 'bible discussion' and, as a result, had the scales ripped away from my eyes: hypocrisy, emptiness of conviction, scripture cherry-picking, wokeness, unquestioning popery and a failure of the people to even begin to make me feel welcome and included. Despite this the 'feeling' inside is stronger than ever. I know that God through His Spirit and with the unstopping Love of Jesus is urging me on to seek and find my place in the Church. People in my life are astounded by my conviction, are lost for words by my sudden commitment, and are listening patiently as I share the Faith. All I need now is a body of people to share my Love of Jesus with.
The tribulation period and the wrath of God are different periods, to not get this right will throw off the timeline for the Lastdays prophecy in many ways.
In (Lu 17:27-30) v29 "But ((the same day)) that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all". Instead of focusing on them eating, and drinking and marrying, and giving in marriage, put your focus on THE SAME DAY. The same day Lot went out it rained fire and brimstone! The wrath of God starts the same day Jesus comes.
( 2 Thess 1:7-10) v7 "when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels".
v8 "In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God" (In flaming fire taking vengeance on them is pouring out His wrath on them) The word (wrath) is #3709; it means violent passion, punishment, anger, indignation, ((vengeance)).
v9 "Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power".
( John 3:36) In this verse He that believeth will be those who are taken in ( Mt. 24:40-42) the ones caught up to meet the Lord in the clouds in ( 1 Thess 4:16-17) which happens "Immediately AFTER the tribulation of those days" ( Mt 24:29-31)
Those who (believeth not) are the one's left in ( Mt. 24:40-42) the wrath of God abideth on them, the disobedient ones in ( Eph 5:6) and ( Col 3:6) and ( Rom 1:18)
Believers receive everlasting life!
non-believers receive the wrath of God!
( Zephaniah 1:14-18) v14 "The great day of the LORD is near" v15 "That day is a day of wrath".
These verses show us that God's wrath comes the same day Jesus comes.
( Rom 1:18) ( Eph 5:6) ( Col 3:6) ( Rev 6:16-17) God's wrath comes on bad, disobedient, non-believers in Jesus Christ.
( 1 Thess 5:9) Believers in Jesus are not appointed to wrath.
( 1Thess 1:10) The word (delivered) is 4506; it means to rush or draw (for oneself) to rescue.
( Rom 5:9) "being now justified by his blood we shall be saved from wrath through him"
Today; as stated in my earlier post we don't have meals in church specifically commemorating Communion. In our country
not only do we not have many opportunities for feasting in special occasions (as marriages seem to be on the decline); but regular meals often are frenzied with cell phone interruptions or people glued to the TV set.
There are still some cultures where there is significance to taking an extended time and an elaborate meal. Such is the case in the Mediterranean and Middle East; and this can be a way missionaries can have an opportunity to witness the Gospel to Muslims in particular. It is fine under certain circumstances and at times necessary to do a quick Gospel presentation; but willingness to accept an invitation for a family meal can allow for more in depth conversation and interactions which also help to facilitate long term relationships that in time can bear fruit. Understanding how to initiate conversation in such environments often starts with the male head of the household. It takes wisdom and discernment when to fully engage in sharing the Gospel and when to offer evidence of error in other faiths (as it could cost us our lives). Nonetheless; we need to allow the Spirit to guide us in these situations.
Inviting the "poor; maimed; blind etc" ( Luke 14:13) is helpful as well at least in principal. Today our Pastor shared about someone in Cleveland who started giving basketballs to kids in a neighborhood that had a housing project in Ohio that shot up the business and set a car on fire. Eventually; in 10 years the man was feeding over 100 kids when he left that position. He had started just giving a few kids a free drink. It does take discernement admittedly these days with so many who expect handouts to help support drug or alcohol addiction. Perhaps more directly the mission field gives more opportunities; but there are places helping men to be productive; and at times we should help strangers
Agreed, there is lots to be said for meeting together for meals, whether as family or as brethren. These really should be a common occurrence in these situations. We can always celebrate what Christ has done for us and for our fellowship with Him when we met and eat together. It seems that people like to DO stuff together like going to a game or movie or a run. But we do not foster relationships that can survive well with just being together for a meals without all the other things we think we need to be doing together. Being together is better than doing together, I think. But there is also a time to work together for the Lord, to pray together for each other's needs or those of those afar.
I would so like to see a return to Sunday potluck dinners at church. Having met together in the morning for worship, one can finish off the Lord's Day with an evening meal with those we worship with in unity and truth.
The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners! ( Luke 7:34).
And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. 32It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found. ( Luke 15:31:32).
I have combined these verses to show the meaning of another verse ( Mark 2:19) which shows how with the bridegroom (Christ) present the Disciples couldn't fast but they would later on. Now of course that doesn't mean that they shouldn't fast such as what they lacked in Mark 9:29 for deliverance; what it DOES mean is that the joy of being present with the Lord when they were communing together resulted in enjoying meals together; like the Prodigal Son should have had with his father and restored brother.
Since we normally don't have "love feasts" together ( 1 Cor. 11:20-34) it may be a foreign concept but probably should be present in churches today or would often be a helpful concept. Nonetheless; for purposes here let us just refer to any communal meals we partake with our brothers and sisters in the Lord. IF; and I say that emphatically we are ever to imbibe in alcoholic beverages it should be to enjoy the celebration with family or trusted friends and of course praise and worship of God.
We also; of course have to abstain if we or anyone else present is known to have a problem with drinking.
The company we keep also in Christ's example was NOT swaying Him to sin but the Lord was clearly in charge of conversations.
I previously mentioned the lambasting Christ did to the Pharisees when they invited Him over for a meal; that happened more than once but never as clearly as in Luke 11; and Matthew 23. He certainly would be perceived as a most rude houseguest!!!!
We all like Paul have times of plenty and want; feasting and fasting more or less.
Dear god please my in this siuation with a new home and cars my lone ones near and far, and help saves soul in the world, my church family bring the people back, with a clean heart, thank you in advance for this thing things in jesus mighty name.
What Giannis said is equally true. Every major trauma the Lord went through He was hounded; such as with the death report of John the Baptist. He had perhaps a brief moment with the Disciples but attempting to be alone with them was rapidly ended with the throngs that came to Him for healings; etc. There is the very real possibility that although Christ was struggling to meet His needs in human form but He had to struggle further relying on the Spirit.
What I am saying is thinking about Job for instance we see the same sort of scenario. For bigger purposes Satan is allowed to buffet us when already weak when the Lord has the Spirit strengthen us because of purposes beyond our grasp. It is like Moses as well who was overwhelmed by the masses he was trying to appease; although the one time he succumbed to anger in human weakness it cost him from physically entering in the Promised Land in this life.
Clearly then it is most vital for us to pray for and support others who are in the ministry. We see that from Peter escaping from prison. Lack of such prayers also could allow some to die or struggle more than they would otherwise. How God works through prayer is a mystery; He of course intercedes for us and makes the prayer acceptable to God through His priestly ministry in heaven.
I can't help but think of what happens if we have a power grid failure; for instance. Suddenly we will suffer from long term issues. Those of us who are wise and can afford things such as solar energy or have their own farm; etc of course will do better.
Persecution as well could certainly deprive us of sleep not to mention other things often taken for granted today. May we all be as Christ who said meat for Him that the Disciples didn't know about was doing the will of God. ( John 4:34). In such a situation I would rather be the head than the tail so to speak. We will need to parcel out resources for our family but trust God for wisdom for others in need.
We know certain things to be true of God for one reason: in His mercy He has condescended to reveal some of His qualities to us. God is spirit, by nature intangible ( John 4:24). God is One, but He exists as three Persons-God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit ( Matthew 3:16-17). God is infinite ( 1 Timothy 1:17), incomparable ( 2 Samuel 7:22), and unchanging ( Malachi 3:6). God exists everywhere ( Psalm 139:7-12), knows everything ( Psalm 147:5; Isaiah 40:28), and has all power and authority ( Ephesians 1; Revelation 19:6).
Who is God? - His Work
We cannot understand God apart from His works, because what God does flows from who He is. Here is an abbreviated list of God's works, past, present, and future: God created the world ( Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 42:5); He actively sustains the world ( Colossians 1:17); He is executing His eternal plan ( Ephesians 1:11) which involves the redemption of man from the curse of sin and death ( Galatians 3:13-14); He draws people to Christ ( John 6:44); He disciplines His children ( Hebrews 12:6); and He will judge the world ( Revelation 20:11-15).
Who is God? - A Relationship with Him
In the Person of the Son, God became incarnate ( John 1:14). The Son of God became the Son of Man and is therefore the "bridge" between God and man ( John 14:6; 1 Timothy 2:5). It is only through the Son that we can have forgiveness of sins ( Ephesians 1:7), reconciliation with God ( John 15:15; Romans 5:10), and eternal salvation ( 2 Timothy 2:10). In Jesus Christ "all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form" ( Colossians 2:9). So, to really know who God is, all we have to do is look at Jesus.
Jerry that is much of what we know about God and that probably don't scratch the surface on GOD!
EL-OLAM [el-oh-lahm]: "Everlasting God" ( Psalm 90:1-3) - God's nature is without beginning or end, free from all constraints of time, and He contains within Himself the very cause of time itself. "From everlasting to everlasting, You are God" ( Psalm 90:2).
EL-GIBHOR [el-ghee-bohr]: "Mighty God" ( Isaiah 9:6) - the name describing the Messiah, Christ Jesus, in this prophetic portion of Isaiah. As a powerful and mighty warrior, the Messiah, the Mighty God, will accomplish the destruction of God's enemies and rule with a rod of iron ( Revelation 19:15).
Those are just perhaps a few of the names of GOD.
Here's another article that might help.
Who is God? - The Fact
The fact of God's existence is so conspicuous, both through creation and through man's conscience, that the Bible calls the atheist a "fool" ( Psalm 14:1). Accordingly, the Bible never attempts to prove the existence of God; rather, it assumes His existence from the very beginning ( Genesis 1:1). What the Bible does is reveal the nature, character, and work of God.
Who is God? - The Definition
Thinking correctly about God is of utmost importance because a false idea about God is idolatry. In Psalm 50:21, God reproves the wicked man with this accusation: "You thought I was altogether like you." To start with, a good summary definition of God is "the Supreme Being; the Creator and Ruler of all that is; the Self-existent One who is perfect in power, goodness, and wisdom."
Who is God? - His Character
Here are some of God's characteristics as revealed in the Bible: God is just ( Acts 17:31), loving ( Ephesians 2:4-5), truthful ( John 14:6), and holy ( 1 John 1:5). God shows compassion ( 2 Corinthians 1:3), mercy ( Romans 9:15), and grace ( Romans 5:17). God judges sin ( Psalm 5:5) but also offers forgiveness ( Psalm 130:4).
Mark 12:28-34
Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, "Which is the first commandment of all?" Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments is: 'Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." So the scribe said to Him, "Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He. And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God."
Trust in Jesus and all will be well; even in regard the Enemy. The Enemy is currently in panic-mode, as he knows his time is short and his days are numbered. All the horrors of the world and the attacks on the minds of children from certain 'proud' folk is all part of the (already failed) plan to undermine the Kingdom. God's Kingdom is already here. This world was bought and paid for with Jesus' Blood. The enemy has no power over those that are saved. So, have no fear, God's Kingdom is here. Yes, there's going to be a bit of trouble, but everything is going according to God's Plan and all will be to His Glory. Hold fast, enjoy your new-found Life and Trust In Jesus. Blessings to You.
some of those children that were killed in chapter 39 could well have been Jeremiah's own grandchildren . To me it's the saddest book in Israel's history .
1 of 2
That the true knowledge is only to be had by the immediate revelation of Christ in the soul. No man knows the Father, but the Son, and he to whom the son reveals him. The dead shall hear the voice of the son of God, and they that hear shall live. There is no raising of a dead soul to life, but by the immediate voice of Christ. Outward preaching, reading the Scriptures, &c. may direct and encourage men to hearken after and wait for the voice; but it is the immediate voice of Christ in the soul, which alone can quicken the soul to God: and till the light of life shine immediately from Christ in the heart, the true knowledge is never given. 2 Cor. 4:6. Therefore they that never yet heard the immediate voice of Christ, are still dead in their sins, and have not yet received the true, living knowledge, but a dead, literal knowledge, which gives a false shining of things in the dead part, but kills the life. Indeed the proper use of all means, is to bring to the immediate voice, life, and power; and till this be done, till the soul come to that, to hear that, to feel that, to be rooted there, there is nothing done that will stand; but men stick by the way, crying up the means, and never knowing, tasting, or enjoying the thing which the means point to.
But he that knows God comes into the immediate presence; and he that daily lives in God, lives in the immediate life; and the true faith leads to this, giving the soul such a touch and taste of it at first, as makes unsatisfiable without it. By this Christ cuts off the Jews, with all their zeal and knowledge. John 5:37-38. "Ye have not heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape; and ye have not his word abiding in you." There is the hearing of the voice, the sight of the shape, and the having the word of God abiding in the heart, which gives both the hearing of the voice, and the sight of the shape, and keeps the soul quick, and living in the life. The voice gives life, the sight of the shape daily conforms into the image, which is beheld by the eye of life; and the word abiding in the heart nourishes and feeds the living soul with the pure bread of life. But the Jews knew not this; but were crying up their sabbaths, the law of Moses, the ordinances of Moses, the temple of God, the instituted worship of God, and so were shut out of the thing itself which those things ended in, and out of a capacity of receiving it. And thus many zealous ones at this day, not having come to this, no more than the Jews did, but sticking in the letter of the gospel, as the Jews did in the letter of the law, stumble at the present dispensation of life, and cannot do otherwise.
Issac Penington
You are right. "flesh and bones cannot be the image of God".
JESUS said: Luke 20:35-36
35 - They which shall be accounted WORTHY to obtain that world(next world-Kingdom of GOD- Revelation 11:15-18.Take a look.)- , and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:
36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of GOD( John 1:14), being the children of the resurrection.
By the way, only and only JESUS was n ot born of the sin, was not of the Devil( John 8:44 & 46. Take a look.)
Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of GOD - John 3:3.
"It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not." ( Lamentations 3:22)
...and in the wilderness where you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way that you went until you came to this place.' ( Deuteronomy 1:31)
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. ( Romans 5:8)
The mercy of God and His lovingkindness are something that never pass; or grow old. It is something to daily praise Him for no matter what the circumstances as we know that we shall indeed be in His presence someday; and out of these old bodies whether by Rapture or Resurrection. He has secured us for all eternity. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. ( Psalm 103:12). As believers he has replaced our heart of stone with a heart of flesh ( Ezekiel 36:26). His children are sanctified and inevitably glorified ( Romans 8:30). Whether we consider the Israelites physically delivered from Egypt's bondage to the Promised Land; or our own delivery from the earth to heaven the Spirit seals believers with this "down payment" ( Eph. 1:13).
WORD OF WARNING
That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. ( Matt. 5:45).
This verse is related to previous ones speaking of loving our enemies as part of the Sermon on the Mount. Christ shared close ties with Judas Iscariot; according to Psalm 41:9 "Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me." The unregenerate enjoy for a time the creation in this life but attribute their blessings to what they consider the "goodness" of their heart; their accomplishments; merits; accolades etc. See Ecclesiastes 8:11 for a warning on delayed judgment; also see Galatians 6:7.
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die...A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
Jesus, I Trust In You
The Book of Jeremiah is not a happy Book. It is Judgment Judgment Judgment; just like many of the Old Testament prophetic books. It is not a Book that we like to spend much time in; and as a result most Christians, most Bible teaches do not.
The setting of Jeremiah is the rebellion of National Israel and God's Judgment upon them for their rebellion. But this Book is much much more than that. And what I am going to say is going to be disturbing to many and contradictory to much of what I read in the comments on this site.
The Book of Jeremiah is today's Newspaper. While in the setting of National Israel, it is also very much about the churches and congregations of our Day and, therefore, about God's Judgment that has come upon the churches and congregations for a similar rebellion because the Bible has lost its Ultimate Authority and because they have developed doctrines and practices that, while pleasing to men, are contrary in many ways to the commandments and teachings of God and the True Gospel of the Bible.
I believe that we are living in that period of history which God describes in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21. Where passages like 1 Peter 4:17 and 2 Thessalonians 2 are very definitely in play. And that God is continuing to save His Elect apart from any church or congregation as the True Gospel is proclaimed by individuals and ministries apart from any church or denomination.
The next Big Event in God's Plan for this World will be the return of Christ on the clouds of glory to Resurrect and Rapture ALL True Believers, destroy Satan and those that have not become saved and this sin-cursed Earth and create New Heavens and a New Earth where those whom Christ has saved will live and reign with Him Eternally.
There is no "future glory for National Israel" nor a "future golden age" on this sin-cursed Earth. But there is a grand and glorious Eternal Future for the "Israel of God".
This is a time to "examine ourselves" 2 Cor 13:5, 2 Pet 1:10.
If we look at ( Jer 31:27) The LORD says "that I will sow the house of Israel, and the house of Judah"
Many people mistakenly say all the house of Israel are Jews, they are not. This verse clearly separates the two.
There were 12 sons of Jacob. One was named Judah whose descendants are of the tribe of Judah, these are the Jews.
The word (Israel) in that verse is #3478 in the Hebrew language; it means he will rule (as) God, a symbolic name of Jacob, also typically ((of his posterity)).
(of his posterity) The word posterity means 1) Future generations. 2) All of a persons descendants.
Now if we look at ( Rev. 7:4-8) we see 12,000 being sealed from each of the 12 tribes of the children of (Israel). the word (Israel) in this verse is Greek #2474; it means the adopted name of Jacob, including his descendants. ((his descendants)) are the 12 tribes of the house of Israel.
If we look at (Ester 3:4) "for he had told them that he was a Jew"
The word (Jew) is #3064; it means a Jehudite (i.e. Judaite or Jew) or descendant of Jehudah (i.e. Judah)
The Jews are clearly descendants of Judah. They are not the whole house of Israel.
The whole house of Israel are what people consider to be the lost tribes, the tribes that are scattered where God wanted them to be for this generation. The Jews are of the tribe of Judah only!
I hope this is helpful for you and others.
Blessings to you.
We cannot forget what our Lord JESUS said: Matthew 11:27, combined with John 1:18, and 14:8-9
The Word is GOD. Great and deep mystery - The Word is GOD.
JESUS said: ... No MAN knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any MAN the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him. Matthew 11:27KJV
John the Baptist, the angel of the Lord, said: No MAN hath seen GOD at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him - John 1:18KJV. (Hallelujah! Very very deep)
Philip saith unto JESUS, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us. JESUS saith unto Philip, "Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; how sayest thou then, Show us the Father? John 14:8-9KJV (Here we see the Word made flesh speaking to Philip that who see Him, see the Father-the Word-. In fact, the mystery of GOD the Father is very very deep. Hebrews 1:1-3KJV reveals us: --> 1 GOD, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last days (last two days or last 2.000 years) spoken unto us by His Son(the Word made flesh), whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds;
3 Who being the brightness of His Glory, and the EXPRESS IMAGE of GOD's Person(expressed as is written in the Word of GOD, the Bible, the Scriptures, the Word of GOD), and upholding all things by the Word of His Power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. - Hallelujaaaah!!!
GOD BLESS
Right. Very soon there will be TWO DISTINCTS MAN Beasts operating or reigning in the Earth in this current time of Apocalypse, time of the END( 1Corinthians 15:24-28.Take a look.) Let us be ready to face them with the Sword, the Word of GOD- Hebrews 4:12-13KJV-. As you said, they are:
1 - the Beast of sea
2 - the Beast of the earth
1 - The very old and serial Gentilic MAN Beast of sea - Rev.13:1-10- , has seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy, and whose very ancient roots are described in the verse 2.
2 - The MAN Beast of the earth having two horns like a lamb, a false lamb, in fact a false and ruthless messiah, Rev.13:11-18 combined with John 5:43-47 and 2 Thessalonians 2:2-4 and 9-12. Terrible. Terrible.
Let us prepare to enter and face the final environment of the last week of the Devil's world, and the establishment of the FIFTH universal Devil's kingdom, the Antichrist's kingdom, and also in the middle of this last week the Abomination of Desolation- Daniel 9:27-, this satanic Kingdom is represented and described allegorically in the feet and ten toes of the statue of Nebuchadnezzar, part of iron and part of clay, according to Dan.2:41-45.Take a look.
In that fifth universal empire of the Devil, the universal empire of Antichrist, two satanic Beasts will be reigning on Earth, a Gentile Beast and a Jewish Beast, both represented literally in Rev.13, first as the Beast that rose out of the sea, rose from among the nations, from among the peoples, it rose precisely in Italy more or less 2.000 years ago still in the Roman Empire, and the second Beast, the Beast that will still rise from the Earth in this current time, precisely in Israel -Jerusalem- the holy city- this Beast will sit on his own throne as if he was God, claiming to be the messiah, actually an IMPOSTER, a false Christ,-Matt.24:23-, as JESUS warned us, and will exalt himself as if he were God, but he is MAN and not God.
As you say let us make a Man in our own image
Let us make a man in our own image
Your flesh and bones cannot be the image of God
Your flesh and bones get's sick
Image of God doesn't get sick
Your flesh and bones grows weary
God doesn't grow weary
Your flesh and bones dies
God doesn't die
Ezekiel Ezekiel Can this bones live again
Ezekiel Ezekiel Can this bones live again
This statement takes me back to creation when Adam was just lying lifeless body before God blew the spirit of Man which is God himself inside him.
Even after Ezekiel commanded the bones to come together did they have life? No
No he had to command the spirit of Man to come forth and give this lifeless bodies life.
The image of God is the Man inside you.
Remember Moses when he said I want to see you God face to face, He said no Man no flesh can see me and live again.
For you will never ever ever see the spirit inside you and Live again for you would have seen the image you were made in by God which is the image of Man that inside you
The chapters 30 to 33 in Jeremiah are God's Words to His people (Israel & Judah) giving them His Promise & certain hope for their future restoration back to their lands. Some consider these chapters as applying to their recovery from the Assyrian & Babylonian captivity (in which they were in at the time), but verses such as Jeremiah 30:3,7,10,11 & others seem to indicate that all of Israel will return to their land of promise, & not just the 'few' who came out of the present captivity. The mention of the 'terrible day, none ever like it, even the time of Jacob's trouble, but Israel will come out of it', indicates that there is still salvation & hope for Israel even after going through the coming time of Great Tribulation.
Then chapter 31 continues this theme of restoration for Israel; with verses 1 to 22 concerning the Northern Kingdom (Israel); verses 23 to 26 the Southern Kingdom (Judah); and verses 27 to 40 to both Kingdoms.
So to Jeremiah 31:23-34 (your passage), the message is first to Judah & then God establishes His New Covenant with both houses (from verse 27). To Judah, God tells them that they will know His blessing on Jerusalem (Mt. Zion) where justice & holiness abounds (v23); & the people will thrive in food production (vv24,25). And so to, the New Covenant which still awaits enforcement, vv27-34 and other verses beyond, gives God's Assurance that both man & animals will abound, that He will prosper them & not afflict & destroy them as before, & they will realize that each one is accountable & punishable for their own sins & not blame their fathers (the meaning of verses 29 & 30). That future day, Israel will have God's Laws written upon their hearts (v33), i.e. they will be changed inwardly & not just giving lip-service as previously and all will truly know intimately their God & not a conditional-based Covenant of the old Mosaic Law. Hope that gives you an adequate outline.
Adam when he was formed He never came alive, the Bible says he was lying lifeless and the spirit was blown inside then Adam came alive and carried the image of God inside him, the wisdom of Man which is God himself living as man inside flesh. There's was no school of thoughts for Adam, but still entrusted with a garden and it's naming for all species. God was a spirit of Man which formed flesh to dwell in it. The flesh can't be the image of God it's just a creation created for the Man Who was and still is God
Animal's still don't talk till today, because there's no man living inside them.
The Term Man in my statement doesn't limit God to being flesh but solely supreme Spirit to flesh, for flesh is dust and clay and when dust and clay grows weary it returns to the soil but the Man inside you returns to its creator. Let us debate this from this point
The tribulation period and the wrath of God are different periods, to not get this right will throw off the timeline for the Lastdays prophecy in many ways.
In (Lu 17:27-30) v29 "But ((the same day)) that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all". Instead of focusing on them eating, and drinking and marrying, and giving in marriage, put your focus on THE SAME DAY. The same day Lot went out it rained fire and brimstone! The wrath of God starts the same day Jesus comes.
( 2 Thess 1:7-10) v7 "when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels".
v8 "In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God" (In flaming fire taking vengeance on them is pouring out His wrath on them) The word (wrath) is #3709; it means violent passion, punishment, anger, indignation, ((vengeance)).
v9 "Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power".
( John 3:36) In this verse He that believeth will be those who are taken in ( Mt. 24:40-42) the ones caught up to meet the Lord in the clouds in ( 1 Thess 4:16-17) which happens "Immediately AFTER the tribulation of those days" ( Mt 24:29-31)
Those who (believeth not) are the one's left in ( Mt. 24:40-42) the wrath of God abideth on them, the disobedient ones in ( Eph 5:6) and ( Col 3:6) and ( Rom 1:18)
Believers receive everlasting life!
non-believers receive the wrath of God!
( Zephaniah 1:14-18) v14 "The great day of the LORD is near" v15 "That day is a day of wrath".
These verses show us that God's wrath comes the same day Jesus comes.
( Rom 1:18) ( Eph 5:6) ( Col 3:6) ( Rev 6:16-17) God's wrath comes on bad, disobedient, non-believers in Jesus Christ.
( 1 Thess 5:9) Believers in Jesus are not appointed to wrath.
( 1Thess 1:10) The word (delivered) is 4506; it means to rush or draw (for oneself) to rescue.
( Rom 5:9) "being now justified by his blood we shall be saved from wrath through him"
God Bless you.
Today; as stated in my earlier post we don't have meals in church specifically commemorating Communion. In our country
not only do we not have many opportunities for feasting in special occasions (as marriages seem to be on the decline); but regular meals often are frenzied with cell phone interruptions or people glued to the TV set.
There are still some cultures where there is significance to taking an extended time and an elaborate meal. Such is the case in the Mediterranean and Middle East; and this can be a way missionaries can have an opportunity to witness the Gospel to Muslims in particular. It is fine under certain circumstances and at times necessary to do a quick Gospel presentation; but willingness to accept an invitation for a family meal can allow for more in depth conversation and interactions which also help to facilitate long term relationships that in time can bear fruit. Understanding how to initiate conversation in such environments often starts with the male head of the household. It takes wisdom and discernment when to fully engage in sharing the Gospel and when to offer evidence of error in other faiths (as it could cost us our lives). Nonetheless; we need to allow the Spirit to guide us in these situations.
Inviting the "poor; maimed; blind etc" ( Luke 14:13) is helpful as well at least in principal. Today our Pastor shared about someone in Cleveland who started giving basketballs to kids in a neighborhood that had a housing project in Ohio that shot up the business and set a car on fire. Eventually; in 10 years the man was feeding over 100 kids when he left that position. He had started just giving a few kids a free drink. It does take discernement admittedly these days with so many who expect handouts to help support drug or alcohol addiction. Perhaps more directly the mission field gives more opportunities; but there are places helping men to be productive; and at times we should help strangers
Agreed, there is lots to be said for meeting together for meals, whether as family or as brethren. These really should be a common occurrence in these situations. We can always celebrate what Christ has done for us and for our fellowship with Him when we met and eat together. It seems that people like to DO stuff together like going to a game or movie or a run. But we do not foster relationships that can survive well with just being together for a meals without all the other things we think we need to be doing together. Being together is better than doing together, I think. But there is also a time to work together for the Lord, to pray together for each other's needs or those of those afar.
I would so like to see a return to Sunday potluck dinners at church. Having met together in the morning for worship, one can finish off the Lord's Day with an evening meal with those we worship with in unity and truth.
The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners! ( Luke 7:34).
And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. 32It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found. ( Luke 15:31:32).
I have combined these verses to show the meaning of another verse ( Mark 2:19) which shows how with the bridegroom (Christ) present the Disciples couldn't fast but they would later on. Now of course that doesn't mean that they shouldn't fast such as what they lacked in Mark 9:29 for deliverance; what it DOES mean is that the joy of being present with the Lord when they were communing together resulted in enjoying meals together; like the Prodigal Son should have had with his father and restored brother.
Since we normally don't have "love feasts" together ( 1 Cor. 11:20-34) it may be a foreign concept but probably should be present in churches today or would often be a helpful concept. Nonetheless; for purposes here let us just refer to any communal meals we partake with our brothers and sisters in the Lord. IF; and I say that emphatically we are ever to imbibe in alcoholic beverages it should be to enjoy the celebration with family or trusted friends and of course praise and worship of God.
We also; of course have to abstain if we or anyone else present is known to have a problem with drinking.
The company we keep also in Christ's example was NOT swaying Him to sin but the Lord was clearly in charge of conversations.
I previously mentioned the lambasting Christ did to the Pharisees when they invited Him over for a meal; that happened more than once but never as clearly as in Luke 11; and Matthew 23. He certainly would be perceived as a most rude houseguest!!!!
We all like Paul have times of plenty and want; feasting and fasting more or less.
What I am saying is thinking about Job for instance we see the same sort of scenario. For bigger purposes Satan is allowed to buffet us when already weak when the Lord has the Spirit strengthen us because of purposes beyond our grasp. It is like Moses as well who was overwhelmed by the masses he was trying to appease; although the one time he succumbed to anger in human weakness it cost him from physically entering in the Promised Land in this life.
Clearly then it is most vital for us to pray for and support others who are in the ministry. We see that from Peter escaping from prison. Lack of such prayers also could allow some to die or struggle more than they would otherwise. How God works through prayer is a mystery; He of course intercedes for us and makes the prayer acceptable to God through His priestly ministry in heaven.
I can't help but think of what happens if we have a power grid failure; for instance. Suddenly we will suffer from long term issues. Those of us who are wise and can afford things such as solar energy or have their own farm; etc of course will do better.
Persecution as well could certainly deprive us of sleep not to mention other things often taken for granted today. May we all be as Christ who said meat for Him that the Disciples didn't know about was doing the will of God. ( John 4:34). In such a situation I would rather be the head than the tail so to speak. We will need to parcel out resources for our family but trust God for wisdom for others in need.
Part 5.
Who is God? - His Nature
We know certain things to be true of God for one reason: in His mercy He has condescended to reveal some of His qualities to us. God is spirit, by nature intangible ( John 4:24). God is One, but He exists as three Persons-God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit ( Matthew 3:16-17). God is infinite ( 1 Timothy 1:17), incomparable ( 2 Samuel 7:22), and unchanging ( Malachi 3:6). God exists everywhere ( Psalm 139:7-12), knows everything ( Psalm 147:5; Isaiah 40:28), and has all power and authority ( Ephesians 1; Revelation 19:6).
Who is God? - His Work
We cannot understand God apart from His works, because what God does flows from who He is. Here is an abbreviated list of God's works, past, present, and future: God created the world ( Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 42:5); He actively sustains the world ( Colossians 1:17); He is executing His eternal plan ( Ephesians 1:11) which involves the redemption of man from the curse of sin and death ( Galatians 3:13-14); He draws people to Christ ( John 6:44); He disciplines His children ( Hebrews 12:6); and He will judge the world ( Revelation 20:11-15).
Who is God? - A Relationship with Him
In the Person of the Son, God became incarnate ( John 1:14). The Son of God became the Son of Man and is therefore the "bridge" between God and man ( John 14:6; 1 Timothy 2:5). It is only through the Son that we can have forgiveness of sins ( Ephesians 1:7), reconciliation with God ( John 15:15; Romans 5:10), and eternal salvation ( 2 Timothy 2:10). In Jesus Christ "all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form" ( Colossians 2:9). So, to really know who God is, all we have to do is look at Jesus.
Jerry that is much of what we know about God and that probably don't scratch the surface on GOD!
I HOPE THIS HELPS.
GOD BLESS.
Part 4.
EL-OLAM [el-oh-lahm]: "Everlasting God" ( Psalm 90:1-3) - God's nature is without beginning or end, free from all constraints of time, and He contains within Himself the very cause of time itself. "From everlasting to everlasting, You are God" ( Psalm 90:2).
EL-GIBHOR [el-ghee-bohr]: "Mighty God" ( Isaiah 9:6) - the name describing the Messiah, Christ Jesus, in this prophetic portion of Isaiah. As a powerful and mighty warrior, the Messiah, the Mighty God, will accomplish the destruction of God's enemies and rule with a rod of iron ( Revelation 19:15).
Those are just perhaps a few of the names of GOD.
Here's another article that might help.
Who is God? - The Fact
The fact of God's existence is so conspicuous, both through creation and through man's conscience, that the Bible calls the atheist a "fool" ( Psalm 14:1). Accordingly, the Bible never attempts to prove the existence of God; rather, it assumes His existence from the very beginning ( Genesis 1:1). What the Bible does is reveal the nature, character, and work of God.
Who is God? - The Definition
Thinking correctly about God is of utmost importance because a false idea about God is idolatry. In Psalm 50:21, God reproves the wicked man with this accusation: "You thought I was altogether like you." To start with, a good summary definition of God is "the Supreme Being; the Creator and Ruler of all that is; the Self-existent One who is perfect in power, goodness, and wisdom."
Who is God? - His Character
Here are some of God's characteristics as revealed in the Bible: God is just ( Acts 17:31), loving ( Ephesians 2:4-5), truthful ( John 14:6), and holy ( 1 John 1:5). God shows compassion ( 2 Corinthians 1:3), mercy ( Romans 9:15), and grace ( Romans 5:17). God judges sin ( Psalm 5:5) but also offers forgiveness ( Psalm 130:4).
See Part 5.