God has created mankind in order to live with them in absolute happiness for ever. But people sinned and moved away from Him. But God has a plan for people.
In this life God separates the wheat from the tare, the saints from the sinners. The ones who accept the salvation that He offers through Christ and the ones who do not. One may choose to be in one of these two sides. We can not choose whether we want to be born but we can choose where we want to spend our lives in eternity.This life can be seen as a test, a trial. The ones who accept Jesus as their savior and follow Him during their lives will be with Him in eternity. The rest will be going away from Him. Having this in mind one can organize their life. As said by others Ecclesiastes is a good book to read as well for such questions.
In every age christians had to face difficult situations. In the early times it was the lions in the Roman arenas, today it is the lions of sin. It is a matter of decision. God will give the strength to go forward and finish in victory. But the decision is yours.
John is standing on a sea of glass, " And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal." Like unto crystal is not what is really. So the Spirit is giving a a concrete imagery of the real. Ezekiel stood below where John stood so we have this description: "And the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creature was as the colour of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above."(Ez.1:22) The seven angels having the seven last plagues stood "on the sea of glass, having the harps of God."(15:1-2) According to the vision of John the seven seal indicated how the Spirit has arranged events in heavenly places while the vision for Ezekiel was to comfort angels as ministers of fire was working with event to safeguard every saint redeemed from the earth. These martyrs complaining in the hearing of John were his contemporaries, and there were more to come meaning the great tribulation was in the offing. "That they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow-servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled." Fulfilment is left to the Son and we see him accordingly on mount Sion. " And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads."(Re.14:1) We hear this new song' breaking out when the Lamb took the book with seven seals.(5:9)"And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof:The following verse in 14:2 ties up with it. " And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth." (14:3) Here we see the four beasts and the elders, implying the heaven is described across as well. Before the Law of the Spirit Time and Space is nil.
"And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held." The Spirit shows the temple of God as was in the divine Will to which we could after a similitude set our own body as a living sacrifice. Conclusion is unambiguous. By making man a living soul God has set the context that shall never change. The problem with the nation of Israel was as Jesus faulted them, "but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you."( John 8:37) God commanded how they were to worship him (De.6:6;16:16) " and they shall not appear before the LORD empty." Their heart was not right before God. Consequently the list of martyrs that Jesus refers can go on and the genocidal policies of the nation at present going on in Gaza is just that. How can anyone with good conscience condone it? Yet we see arm merchants doing a roaring sale,- business is business, with one hand and with the other drawing redlines. Who is fooling whom? "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."( John 8:44) The Law of the Spirit and law of sin cannot be compromised. There is only one solution lest the law of sin should ever rear its head in the heart. "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service./And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Ro.12:1-2) For God is the judge. "Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice." (Ps.50:5)
You need a solid foundation in order to withstand this world . Let that foundation be the Bible and the wisdom , comfort and strength therein . Some scriptures to refer to and contemplate , hope they can help you ; John Ch 14 , Daniel Ch 3 and Ch 6 , Luke Ch 21 verses 12-19 , 2nd Corinthians Ch 5 and finally , I leave the last word to our Master John Ch 16 verse 33 . Build your faith on the solid foundations of Bible reading and praying to God through our Mediator and Saviour Jesus Christ , always giving God thanks for your daily bread and safety .
While we examined the first seals we were shown four riders going forth, to whom power was given, obviously an higher authority. Law of the Spirit obviously established the kingdom as belonging to God so we read in 6:2 "and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer." Conquering over law of sin is implied here. The symbols of offices that riders, each colour coded carry significance for man. so we shall consider the war in our members are after a similitude of war in heaven.
"For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:/But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members." There is a kingdom that heart of man carries to which Jesus referred "for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you."( Luke 17:21) God has fashioned all hearts alike and he also tries their hearts.
Law which is the Word is equally accessible to man. So whosoever is led by the Spirit is assured of life and peace. It is thus two laws contrary to one other wars within us. The man in white who rides forth to conquer and conquering is never shown in earth but we see the heavens opening,"And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean."(Re.19:11-14). God has not called us to join in the battle which is waged according to divine Will. What has Jesus Christ instead taught us?
"So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do." ( Luke 17:7-10)Our faithfulness is considered as exemplary and as though Christ in us did because our works were made manifest from our love of Christ. There is no other standard but the fulness of God in him. He showed as how."Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."(Matt.20:28)
We have this passage to assure us where our safety lies. "Then said the Lord unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth.
2 And it shall come to pass, if they say unto thee, Whither shall we go forth? then thou shalt tell them, Thus saith the Lord; Such as are for death, to death; and such as are for the sword, to the sword; and such as are for the famine, to the famine; and such as are for the captivity, to the captivity.
3 And I will appoint over them four kinds, saith the Lord: the sword to slay, and the dogs to tear, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the earth, to devour and destroy.
4 And I will cause them to be removed into all kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah king of Judah, for that which he did in Jerusalem."
The third rider on the black horses hold a pair of balances and does it make the wicked change their ways? For them business is business. "A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine."
God makes His will clear and the manner the Evangelicals have abused His word to further agenda, serving God and mammon shall not endure. "And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people./Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,/And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."(2 Co.6:16-18)
" And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth." Fourth part of the earth refers to the Law which kills.("But the Spirit giveth life"-2 Co.3:6). St Paul refers to the dispensation given to him," Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God."(Col.1:25) These dispensations are to fulfill the word of God. So God tells his Son,"The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool."(Ps.110:1). The rider on the white horse does just that. We do not see him till much later in Ch.19. " And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war."His name is Word of God. (19:11-13) We can safely identify him as Jesus Christ since he has a new name more excellent than any other name."and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself." We have it annotated in this passage,"and given him a name which is above every name:/That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;/And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."(Ph.2:9-11) The Four beasts embodying the Law of the Spirit makes the Word cover the length, breadth and depths so one fourth is merely indicative of the Word.
Similar power is given to the riders on their horses each colour coded. Their power is devolved from God, and God ways are not our ways so there is no way we shall understand the methodology. Our assurance is that the Spirit giveth life and the the everlasting covenant promises blessing to the believer. But to the rebellious, " Thus saith the Lord; Such as are for death, to death; and such as are for the sword,"
The world has been overwhelmingly evil both before and after the flood, and ever since then. When the apostles went into the pagan world to preach the gospel people were mostly wicked. It is a big world out there and for those of us who have grown up in countries that have been largely Christianized such as the U.S., we have lived in a fairly decent community if we are not involved with worldly entertainment business or politics. But now in the past 10 years, our communities have radically changed from when we grew up and there is much more open displays of wickedness in our land. But the wickedness has always been there, just not as abounding, nor has it been out in the open so blatantly, nor approved of by the populace in general as it is now.
If one lived in Africa, Christians are surrounded by occult practitioners in so many tribal communities. And Western Civ has its occult practitioners in such secret societies as the free masons, wiccan groups, new agers, etc.
Jesus told His disciples to be in the world but not of the world. That is what we should live like. Jesus and Paul said that this is a perverse and wicked generation in their times and that in the very end times the generations will still be wicked and perverse.
So, we should not enter situations that are obviously occultic, or immoral, or blasphemous, or deceptively wooing people into false teachings and idolatry. We should instead meet often with believers in worship and in everyday life. We should be prayerful for those we know who need to respond to the Gospel and be willing to share it with them as the Spirt leads us and opens doors in answer to our prayers.
Be of good courage and have hope. We are not alone and have great power in Christ to live godly lives before those who are living wickedly.
How does one follow Christ in such a wicked world that we live in. Sin is at every turn. All one has to do is just open there eyes or ears and you are surrounded by sin of one form or the other. How does one even stand a chance of salvation in this horrible age that we live in??
I also don't believe we are already "PREDETERMINED" to go to hell or heaven.
In regards to my post on John 10:9 I believe if any man enter in, he shall be saved!
And after you are saved, you are now able to bare fruit. ,
We are now to be guided and moved by the Spirit that dwells in us.
Without Christ Spirit we can do nothing that pleases God.
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. Jon 15:5.
What to think about about predetermination? Some say it is so and some say it is not. I personally lean towards we are not already chosen to go to hell or heaven.
Read the whole book of Ecclesiastes and pay special attention when you get to the very end of it , it will tell you your purpose . Also Isaiah Ch 64 v 1-8 , Jeremiah ch 18 v 1-6 and Romans Ch 9 v 13-24 . Matthew Ch 20 v 1-15 , ' is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own ? ' .
There are many denominations out there and many are filled with the wisdom of man with I am right, and you are wrong, not love. Salvation is in the simplicity that is in Christ that is with faith and prayer and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, in the Bible you will find the truth.
Romans 10:8-11 8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Is being baptized in water in the name of Jesus in the Bible? Acts 2:38Romans 6:3-4 and more. Is being baptized with the Holy Ghost/Spirit in the Bible? 1 Corinthians 12:13Titus 3:52 Corinthians 1:21-22 and more. Does one come before the other, not necessarily, Acts 10:45-48, but the sealing of the Holy Ghost/Spirit in us is a must, Romans 8:11, read all of 8.
We must work out our salvation, Philippians 2:12, we will stand in judgment accountable for ourselves, what different denominations say will not acquit us. It is a lifetime journey, love and obedience are a must, Romans 6:16.
God bless you and God bless your journey He will always be with you and lift you up, John 16:131 Corinthians 16:23-24.
I want to thank everyone for answering all my questions, I am sure there will be many more. I love reading the bible and learning more daily. My question today is how do you know what your purpose is, why was I put on this earth?
I'm not sure if I am asking the right way, or wording it correctly.
Law of nations is blind but when hoarders and black marketeer take advantage of the misery there is none to put a stop to it. The Law is none the wiser; so is Justice, clueless. It was thus in the Imperial Rome. they had bread and circus to buy votes. The lowest had nothing. So Law of nations keep this inequality go on. In the Post WWI under the Weimar government there was hyperinflation so a loaf of bread which cost 250 marks in January 1923, had risen to 200,000 million marks in November 1923. I remember vividly one of the Pabst films the dialogue went some thing like, "You can get beer on credit, but no bread" This is OK in a Godless society. When the voice from the midst of four beasts speak what you quoted, it tells that such wickedness do not go unnoticed in the sight of God. There comes a payback time.
"And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine."
Well it doesn't say penny but denarius (a day's wage as brother Jesse has explained). That means that wheat and barley will become extremely expensive. Doesn't that remind us a bit of this present time? Most of food today are made or contain wheat. Everything becomes so expensive in these days. So assuming that we are near the end, prices will continue to rise until most people will not be able to afford to buy food. People will become increasingly poorer and poorer. When we see the other seals we also see, apart from famine, wars, earthquakes and then the end. So, again if are near the end, the process of the end times has already started. It seems that things will never become better, only worse (we also see that with the climate crisis). I say that because I see people, christians included, who wish to go back to the good old days, something which will never occur. The worldwide economic crisis will become worse until the whole system breaks down (maybe this is what Rev 18 describes). But we also see in the first seal that Jesus is conquering on a white horse. This may mean that before all that comes to a critical point God is going to do something magnificent on earth. Maybe the gospel will be preached in the power of God as in the early days. This is our hope and pray. Personally I feel like Lot in Sodom and Gomorrah who tortured his soul by what he was seeing in those days in those places. People of the world are becoming uglier and uglier, both on the outside and in the inside. Lets be ready like the 5 wise virgins to welcome our Lord when He comes for our marriage. Hopefully before the great tribulation.
For the next few days we'll consider how spiritual growth, is gracious, gradual, and guaranteed. My interpetation is God's confirming his covenant & to be God's son and in growth. Galatians 3:17 KJV
And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
Though we have an important role to play, even our determination to flourish with fruit of the Spirit is evidence of God's grace.
Eveidence- Hebrews 11:1 KJV
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Myself trusting God and having faith has blessed me with evidence to receive (fruit of the Spirit)
Ways you can have faith is by reading your Holy Bible, prayer, attending church, involved in ministry, volunteering.
The Holy Spirit is the one who stimulates our desire to grow in Christ. Growth is gracious. My interpetation is God's grace Matthew 3:2 KJV, Ephesians 2:8 KJV
Trust that growth will happen, and when it does, thank Jesus for the fruit produced by his appointment.
Scriptures that will help you trust God that he establish Deuteronomy 8:18 KJV, Proverbs 10:22 KJV
Producing fruit John 15:7-8 KJV
7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
Jesus is our Savior and God who will return to conquer all that opposes God and resurrect all in Christ to imperishable, immortal life for eternity. God is gracious to us in that His grace enables us to live godly lives and to have a sober and serious mindset as we live in this world full of wickedness and unbelief. We have the power from God to say "NO" to sin, so we can receive this power in times of temptation when we ask God to 'lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one". God does not tempt anyone, but He does allow situations that do tempt us. But He does want to deliver us from what comes against us in the form of temptation when we desire to do his will. We can turn our mind and will to Him for help in overcoming sin's temptations. He will deliver us from the evil one because He won over him at the Cross.
When we study God's Word and hide it in our hearts, we have a powerful asset to win in the battle within between godliness and carnality. The importance of doing this is exemplified by Jesus in the wilderness temptations. So, we should aim to live a life pleasing to God because we are His and is worthy of being honored with every motive, thought, word, and deed we have. Desiring to become more and more like Jesus in this life is a good aim to have. He is at work in us to conform us to be like Jesus. Thank God!
"11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing (in grk the appearance of glory) of the great God and our Saviour(Saviour of ours) Jesus Christ;
14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
I went through the above verses today. It is one of my most favorite scripture as it is sort of a summary of our faith. It is so clear that Jesus Christ is the great God who we are expecting to appear in glory.
The above also tells us that God's grace teaches us to deny sin and live a holy life full of good works. So how can some claim that nothing else matters but grace, no need for works. Grace doesn't teach such a thing.
"And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,"
"And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind." Unlike the 24 elders with their seats set the four beasts encompass the throne as well from the midst of it. We shall examine the four beasts closely for there is much more to their role than than the words given to them to speak. The four beasts as mentioned here above stand in the midst of the throne as well For example the voice, "And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine."
They lead the elders in worship, "And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,/The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne." The four beasts as one, is the embodiment of the Law as Jesus Christ is the fulfilment of Law. So the word sounded- the Gospel of God (from the midst of the throne) and Law which is Person specific agree. "and the third beast had a face as a man" The command number Three refers to the Son. The beast as with other three were full of eyes explains life introspection and without. So Jesus would declare,"for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me."( John 14:30) The three beasts evoke the stewardship of the last Adam apart from the laws of nature are subservient to the Law of the Spirit.
"And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see."
The Lamb by opening the seal in its sequence is putting the will of the Lord God in motion. So how does the unseen world framed by the word of Gods is made to appear. Same as mentioned in the covenant, serially beginning with day one, speaking of which the line 'And the evening and the morning were the first day sets its own sequence. The sound of God, the noise of thunder sets its own overtones. It reveals the rider on a white horse, which is set in heaven. "And I saw, and behold a white horse."
John was there by invitation. The four beasts as established as Memorial are already aware of the will of God, in 'the now' and how it shall be brought to conclusion. So memorial of the four bests represent the law while the four and twenty elders signify 'the voices' heard at first "And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices."(4:5) Both together form the body of the triune God. There is the Spirit as seven lamps while the Lamb himself is the soul or the heart of God. Referring it as the will of God the visual clue of the slain Lamb establishes what God shall do. He shall make the man a living soul. This breath of God is the gospel of God is already expressed and the world made to appear is what we have here, "The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever."(11:15)
The white rider is setting out to conquer also is our signal, the slain lamb shall have his ministry on the earth and also shall have the throne of the Lamb in the now of divine Will. In short the four beasts watch over our inheritance among saints in light without breaking their continuous praise,"and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come."(4:8) They are memorial for the Law of the Spirit.
I will be praying for your son. I am a father too. Every parent knows how it feels when a child suffers bad situations.
Have also in mind that we, the children of God, have the authority as His children to ask and be given everything we ask our Father for. For us it is not like the rest of the world. Do not go to God as a beggar but as a child of His, with courage and confidence. Children have all the confidence that their parents love them and provide for them all the good things they need. They never doubt about their parents' love. Approach God as your Father who loves you and you will be given what you ask for. He wants very much our faith and trust. He evaluates them very much. What else can we offer Him, apart from faith and trust and a holy life? Do not forget that we are His priests and His Kings. You are His child, His friend, His king, His priest. He sacrificed His life for you. Won't He give you everything else that you want? May God bless you.
Just to add my opinion.
God has created mankind in order to live with them in absolute happiness for ever. But people sinned and moved away from Him. But God has a plan for people.
In this life God separates the wheat from the tare, the saints from the sinners. The ones who accept the salvation that He offers through Christ and the ones who do not. One may choose to be in one of these two sides. We can not choose whether we want to be born but we can choose where we want to spend our lives in eternity.This life can be seen as a test, a trial. The ones who accept Jesus as their savior and follow Him during their lives will be with Him in eternity. The rest will be going away from Him. Having this in mind one can organize their life. As said by others Ecclesiastes is a good book to read as well for such questions.
In every age christians had to face difficult situations. In the early times it was the lions in the Roman arenas, today it is the lions of sin. It is a matter of decision. God will give the strength to go forward and finish in victory. But the decision is yours.
Moses was married to an Ethiopian (black) woman. So that gives the answer you want
John is standing on a sea of glass, " And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal." Like unto crystal is not what is really. So the Spirit is giving a a concrete imagery of the real. Ezekiel stood below where John stood so we have this description: "And the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creature was as the colour of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above."(Ez.1:22) The seven angels having the seven last plagues stood "on the sea of glass, having the harps of God."(15:1-2) According to the vision of John the seven seal indicated how the Spirit has arranged events in heavenly places while the vision for Ezekiel was to comfort angels as ministers of fire was working with event to safeguard every saint redeemed from the earth. These martyrs complaining in the hearing of John were his contemporaries, and there were more to come meaning the great tribulation was in the offing. "That they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow-servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled." Fulfilment is left to the Son and we see him accordingly on mount Sion. " And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads."(Re.14:1) We hear this new song' breaking out when the Lamb took the book with seven seals.(5:9)"And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof:The following verse in 14:2 ties up with it. " And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth." (14:3) Here we see the four beasts and the elders, implying the heaven is described across as well. Before the Law of the Spirit Time and Space is nil.
"And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held." The Spirit shows the temple of God as was in the divine Will to which we could after a similitude set our own body as a living sacrifice. Conclusion is unambiguous. By making man a living soul God has set the context that shall never change. The problem with the nation of Israel was as Jesus faulted them, "but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you."( John 8:37) God commanded how they were to worship him (De.6:6;16:16) " and they shall not appear before the LORD empty." Their heart was not right before God. Consequently the list of martyrs that Jesus refers can go on and the genocidal policies of the nation at present going on in Gaza is just that. How can anyone with good conscience condone it? Yet we see arm merchants doing a roaring sale,- business is business, with one hand and with the other drawing redlines. Who is fooling whom? "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."( John 8:44) The Law of the Spirit and law of sin cannot be compromised. There is only one solution lest the law of sin should ever rear its head in the heart. "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service./And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Ro.12:1-2) For God is the judge. "Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice." (Ps.50:5)
While we examined the first seals we were shown four riders going forth, to whom power was given, obviously an higher authority. Law of the Spirit obviously established the kingdom as belonging to God so we read in 6:2 "and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer." Conquering over law of sin is implied here. The symbols of offices that riders, each colour coded carry significance for man. so we shall consider the war in our members are after a similitude of war in heaven.
"For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:/But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members." There is a kingdom that heart of man carries to which Jesus referred "for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you."( Luke 17:21) God has fashioned all hearts alike and he also tries their hearts.
Law which is the Word is equally accessible to man. So whosoever is led by the Spirit is assured of life and peace. It is thus two laws contrary to one other wars within us. The man in white who rides forth to conquer and conquering is never shown in earth but we see the heavens opening,"And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean."(Re.19:11-14). God has not called us to join in the battle which is waged according to divine Will. What has Jesus Christ instead taught us?
"So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do." ( Luke 17:7-10)Our faithfulness is considered as exemplary and as though Christ in us did because our works were made manifest from our love of Christ. There is no other standard but the fulness of God in him. He showed as how."Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."(Matt.20:28)
We have this passage to assure us where our safety lies. "Then said the Lord unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth.
2 And it shall come to pass, if they say unto thee, Whither shall we go forth? then thou shalt tell them, Thus saith the Lord; Such as are for death, to death; and such as are for the sword, to the sword; and such as are for the famine, to the famine; and such as are for the captivity, to the captivity.
3 And I will appoint over them four kinds, saith the Lord: the sword to slay, and the dogs to tear, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the earth, to devour and destroy.
4 And I will cause them to be removed into all kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah king of Judah, for that which he did in Jerusalem."
The third rider on the black horses hold a pair of balances and does it make the wicked change their ways? For them business is business. "A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine."
God makes His will clear and the manner the Evangelicals have abused His word to further agenda, serving God and mammon shall not endure. "And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people./Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,/And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."(2 Co.6:16-18)
" And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth." Fourth part of the earth refers to the Law which kills.("But the Spirit giveth life"-2 Co.3:6). St Paul refers to the dispensation given to him," Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God."(Col.1:25) These dispensations are to fulfill the word of God. So God tells his Son,"The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool."(Ps.110:1). The rider on the white horse does just that. We do not see him till much later in Ch.19. " And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war."His name is Word of God. (19:11-13) We can safely identify him as Jesus Christ since he has a new name more excellent than any other name."and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself." We have it annotated in this passage,"and given him a name which is above every name:/That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;/And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."(Ph.2:9-11) The Four beasts embodying the Law of the Spirit makes the Word cover the length, breadth and depths so one fourth is merely indicative of the Word.
Similar power is given to the riders on their horses each colour coded. Their power is devolved from God, and God ways are not our ways so there is no way we shall understand the methodology. Our assurance is that the Spirit giveth life and the the everlasting covenant promises blessing to the believer. But to the rebellious, " Thus saith the Lord; Such as are for death, to death; and such as are for the sword,"
You asked.
How does one even stand a chance of salvation
in this horrible age that we live in??
Pclark377 there haven't been a age where it wasn't horrible and that goes for all the nations of the earth.
We don't depend on the world conditions to get saved.
Christ came to save us out of a lost and dark world.
God bless you.
The world has been overwhelmingly evil both before and after the flood, and ever since then. When the apostles went into the pagan world to preach the gospel people were mostly wicked. It is a big world out there and for those of us who have grown up in countries that have been largely Christianized such as the U.S., we have lived in a fairly decent community if we are not involved with worldly entertainment business or politics. But now in the past 10 years, our communities have radically changed from when we grew up and there is much more open displays of wickedness in our land. But the wickedness has always been there, just not as abounding, nor has it been out in the open so blatantly, nor approved of by the populace in general as it is now.
If one lived in Africa, Christians are surrounded by occult practitioners in so many tribal communities. And Western Civ has its occult practitioners in such secret societies as the free masons, wiccan groups, new agers, etc.
Jesus told His disciples to be in the world but not of the world. That is what we should live like. Jesus and Paul said that this is a perverse and wicked generation in their times and that in the very end times the generations will still be wicked and perverse.
So, we should not enter situations that are obviously occultic, or immoral, or blasphemous, or deceptively wooing people into false teachings and idolatry. We should instead meet often with believers in worship and in everyday life. We should be prayerful for those we know who need to respond to the Gospel and be willing to share it with them as the Spirt leads us and opens doors in answer to our prayers.
Be of good courage and have hope. We are not alone and have great power in Christ to live godly lives before those who are living wickedly.
Predetermination.
I also don't believe we are already "PREDETERMINED" to go to hell or heaven.
In regards to my post on John 10:9 I believe if any man enter in, he shall be saved!
And after you are saved, you are now able to bare fruit. ,
We are now to be guided and moved by the Spirit that dwells in us.
Without Christ Spirit we can do nothing that pleases God.
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. Jon 15:5.
Blessings.
There are many denominations out there and many are filled with the wisdom of man with I am right, and you are wrong, not love. Salvation is in the simplicity that is in Christ that is with faith and prayer and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, in the Bible you will find the truth.
Romans 10:8-11 8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Is being baptized in water in the name of Jesus in the Bible? Acts 2:38 Romans 6:3-4 and more. Is being baptized with the Holy Ghost/Spirit in the Bible? 1 Corinthians 12:13 Titus 3:5 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 and more. Does one come before the other, not necessarily, Acts 10:45-48, but the sealing of the Holy Ghost/Spirit in us is a must, Romans 8:11, read all of 8.
We must work out our salvation, Philippians 2:12, we will stand in judgment accountable for ourselves, what different denominations say will not acquit us. It is a lifetime journey, love and obedience are a must, Romans 6:16.
God bless you and God bless your journey He will always be with you and lift you up, John 16:13 1 Corinthians 16:23-24.
RLW
I'm not sure if I am asking the right way, or wording it correctly.
thank you again
John 10:9 reads, " I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved!!!
Now they follow him!
They follow him BECAUSE they belong to him. "THEY AND ONLY THEY" HEAR HIS VOICE.
Those that are not his does not hear his voice and they don't follow him.
Also, his sheep only hears him.
There is no fruit barring unless he causes it.
They shall go in and out, and find pasture.
God bless.
Well it doesn't say penny but denarius (a day's wage as brother Jesse has explained). That means that wheat and barley will become extremely expensive. Doesn't that remind us a bit of this present time? Most of food today are made or contain wheat. Everything becomes so expensive in these days. So assuming that we are near the end, prices will continue to rise until most people will not be able to afford to buy food. People will become increasingly poorer and poorer. When we see the other seals we also see, apart from famine, wars, earthquakes and then the end. So, again if are near the end, the process of the end times has already started. It seems that things will never become better, only worse (we also see that with the climate crisis). I say that because I see people, christians included, who wish to go back to the good old days, something which will never occur. The worldwide economic crisis will become worse until the whole system breaks down (maybe this is what Rev 18 describes). But we also see in the first seal that Jesus is conquering on a white horse. This may mean that before all that comes to a critical point God is going to do something magnificent on earth. Maybe the gospel will be preached in the power of God as in the early days. This is our hope and pray. Personally I feel like Lot in Sodom and Gomorrah who tortured his soul by what he was seeing in those days in those places. People of the world are becoming uglier and uglier, both on the outside and in the inside. Lets be ready like the 5 wise virgins to welcome our Lord when He comes for our marriage. Hopefully before the great tribulation.
For the next few days we'll consider how spiritual growth, is gracious, gradual, and guaranteed. My interpetation is God's confirming his covenant & to be God's son and in growth. Galatians 3:17 KJV
And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
Though we have an important role to play, even our determination to flourish with fruit of the Spirit is evidence of God's grace.
Eveidence- Hebrews 11:1 KJV
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Myself trusting God and having faith has blessed me with evidence to receive (fruit of the Spirit)
Ways you can have faith is by reading your Holy Bible, prayer, attending church, involved in ministry, volunteering.
The Holy Spirit is the one who stimulates our desire to grow in Christ. Growth is gracious. My interpetation is God's grace Matthew 3:2 KJV, Ephesians 2:8 KJV
Trust that growth will happen, and when it does, thank Jesus for the fruit produced by his appointment.
Scriptures that will help you trust God that he establish Deuteronomy 8:18 KJV, Proverbs 10:22 KJV
Producing fruit John 15:7-8 KJV
7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
Written and Word spoken by REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY
This is one of my favorite verses, too.
Jesus is our Savior and God who will return to conquer all that opposes God and resurrect all in Christ to imperishable, immortal life for eternity. God is gracious to us in that His grace enables us to live godly lives and to have a sober and serious mindset as we live in this world full of wickedness and unbelief. We have the power from God to say "NO" to sin, so we can receive this power in times of temptation when we ask God to 'lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one". God does not tempt anyone, but He does allow situations that do tempt us. But He does want to deliver us from what comes against us in the form of temptation when we desire to do his will. We can turn our mind and will to Him for help in overcoming sin's temptations. He will deliver us from the evil one because He won over him at the Cross.
When we study God's Word and hide it in our hearts, we have a powerful asset to win in the battle within between godliness and carnality. The importance of doing this is exemplified by Jesus in the wilderness temptations. So, we should aim to live a life pleasing to God because we are His and is worthy of being honored with every motive, thought, word, and deed we have. Desiring to become more and more like Jesus in this life is a good aim to have. He is at work in us to conform us to be like Jesus. Thank God!
"11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing (in grk the appearance of glory) of the great God and our Saviour(Saviour of ours) Jesus Christ;
14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
I went through the above verses today. It is one of my most favorite scripture as it is sort of a summary of our faith. It is so clear that Jesus Christ is the great God who we are expecting to appear in glory.
The above also tells us that God's grace teaches us to deny sin and live a holy life full of good works. So how can some claim that nothing else matters but grace, no need for works. Grace doesn't teach such a thing.
"And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,"
"And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind." Unlike the 24 elders with their seats set the four beasts encompass the throne as well from the midst of it. We shall examine the four beasts closely for there is much more to their role than than the words given to them to speak. The four beasts as mentioned here above stand in the midst of the throne as well For example the voice, "And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine."
They lead the elders in worship, "And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,/The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne." The four beasts as one, is the embodiment of the Law as Jesus Christ is the fulfilment of Law. So the word sounded- the Gospel of God (from the midst of the throne) and Law which is Person specific agree. "and the third beast had a face as a man" The command number Three refers to the Son. The beast as with other three were full of eyes explains life introspection and without. So Jesus would declare,"for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me."( John 14:30) The three beasts evoke the stewardship of the last Adam apart from the laws of nature are subservient to the Law of the Spirit.
Amen to that. Many are called but few are chosen. Like Judas Iscariot many others were called but were lost.
"And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see."
The Lamb by opening the seal in its sequence is putting the will of the Lord God in motion. So how does the unseen world framed by the word of Gods is made to appear. Same as mentioned in the covenant, serially beginning with day one, speaking of which the line 'And the evening and the morning were the first day sets its own sequence. The sound of God, the noise of thunder sets its own overtones. It reveals the rider on a white horse, which is set in heaven. "And I saw, and behold a white horse."
John was there by invitation. The four beasts as established as Memorial are already aware of the will of God, in 'the now' and how it shall be brought to conclusion. So memorial of the four bests represent the law while the four and twenty elders signify 'the voices' heard at first "And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices."(4:5) Both together form the body of the triune God. There is the Spirit as seven lamps while the Lamb himself is the soul or the heart of God. Referring it as the will of God the visual clue of the slain Lamb establishes what God shall do. He shall make the man a living soul. This breath of God is the gospel of God is already expressed and the world made to appear is what we have here, "The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever."(11:15)
The white rider is setting out to conquer also is our signal, the slain lamb shall have his ministry on the earth and also shall have the throne of the Lamb in the now of divine Will. In short the four beasts watch over our inheritance among saints in light without breaking their continuous praise,"and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come."(4:8) They are memorial for the Law of the Spirit.
I will be praying for your son. I am a father too. Every parent knows how it feels when a child suffers bad situations.
Have also in mind that we, the children of God, have the authority as His children to ask and be given everything we ask our Father for. For us it is not like the rest of the world. Do not go to God as a beggar but as a child of His, with courage and confidence. Children have all the confidence that their parents love them and provide for them all the good things they need. They never doubt about their parents' love. Approach God as your Father who loves you and you will be given what you ask for. He wants very much our faith and trust. He evaluates them very much. What else can we offer Him, apart from faith and trust and a holy life? Do not forget that we are His priests and His Kings. You are His child, His friend, His king, His priest. He sacrificed His life for you. Won't He give you everything else that you want? May God bless you.