Primary or secondary applications: An open ended question.
In the last few hours I have wrestled with the question of discipleship and whether it is primary or "secondary" in importance.
First of all I need to categorically state that it is still VERY important and indeed necessary if we are ever going to be "sold out" for Jesus to ensure that we truly are disciples; and that of lasting ones that aren't going to walk away like many Jesus challenged on His way to eventually being crucified on the cross. Taking a brief internet survey of this subject there are varying opinions. It seems that one can be saved without being a disciple at least the level of commitment Jesus described. The thief on the cross would be one example; there was no time to work through issues like Jesus did with the 12 Apostles He chose as His primary disciples. The Corinthian church also stands out as a place where immature believers sometimes died before their time and had many other issues; clearly not acting as a mature disciple at least in terms of submitting their lives to the Lord.
The church changed over time; and although other churches also had issues it would seem certainly that the many admonitions written in Paul's Epistles and Peter and John's writings of the same were primarily to build believers up in the local churches to live as worthy of the calling; and hence good disciples.
If we are saved; we are ultimately justified and glorified ( Romans 8:30). We don't see sanctification there as would be expected as a true disciple; but again we certainly need to grow in this way to recieve spiritual rewards in heaven (Phillipians 3:14; also see other verses about crowns for service; ministry; patiently waiting for His appearing; etc.) Just because it doesn't necessarily determine our ultimate fate to lose out on what will be at least for the Millennium if not all of eternity our spiritual position in heaven would hardly be unimportant. I'll leave this open to debate
Jesus was conceived of the Holy Ghost, Matthew 1:20 of the seed of a woman/Mary, Genesis 3:15, and born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God, John 1:13. Jesus grew up the same way that we do, Luke 2:40.
He was subject to the pulls of the flesh. He was tempted and influenced by Satan, Luke 4:1-2. He had a will and human desires, Luke 22:41-42. Although Jesus was filled without measure with the power of the Holy Ghost, and gave all things into his hand, John 3:34-35 Jesus humbled Himself and was obedient unto death, Philippians 2:5-11.
To be the payment for sins of man and to be the Savior of mankind and destroy the works of the devil, Jesus had to be a human, Hebrews 2:14-18, the promise God made was to Abraham and his seed, that was Jesus the Messiah/Christ, Galatians 3:16.
Jesus the last Adam came into this world sinless as the first Adam and had to be laden with what we are as humans. The man Jesus, Romans 5:15, had to endure and overcome sin and rise above the influences of Satan to become the payment for the sins and this atonement made way for our deliverance from Satan's bondage, Romans 3:21-26.
He also was prepared to be a merciful and faithful High Priest, Hebrews 4:14-16. God sent His own Son to condemn sin in the flesh that the law could not do that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled, Romans 8:3-4.
Jesus the Son of God a human being had to deal with life as we do. He lived in the same time, space, and constraints as we do. He was born under the law, He became tired, He became hungry, He was subject to persecution, subject to pain, subject to the Roman rulers, He had to deal with all the things the same way we do, and all was the for the will of the Father, not His, Matthew 26:42.
Only in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth do we have hope, and are saved, Acts 4:12.
That's good, brother Bennymkje, may our Lord GOD bless us today and always, and give us His protection.
You know, our conversation is in heaven( Ephesians 1:3-8); from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself. By the way, The last ENEMY that shall be destroyed is death-1Co.15:26 combined with Luke 20:35-36. It is the Power, great mystery. Philippians 3:20-21 combined with Romans 8:18-19.
As is written, look up, and lift up your heads; your redemption draweth nigh. Aleluia!
Furthermore, the current time, the Lord's Day, the seventh and last Day or seventh and last millennium, it is of resurrection - Daniel 12:1-3 combined with 1Thessalonians 4:16 and Revelation 11:15-18 - and we which are alive and remain - We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be CHANGED(by the Word of GOD-the Word is GOD, self-executing), i.e. we shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air( Isaiah 60:8), i.e. to meet the Lord in the 3rd heaven, 3rd heavenly place in Christ( 2Corinthians 12:1-4), and so shall we ever be with the Lord. --> Would it be or will it be in the day 1335, the misterious biblical day, day 1335? 45 days after 1290 days? Daniel 12:12.
Wherefore comfort one another with these words- 1 Thessalonians 4:18 combined with Daniel 12:2-11.
Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing.
May our Lord GOD bless us and keep us, and give us His protection, today and ever
Love is his nature. It's impossible for God not to Love.
Whether, reward or chastening, God do it out of Love when it is a direct act coming from him.
But why do God allow evil to come upon us by the world.
I believe it's for our spiritual growth.
We also have to keep in mind that Christ suffered and he is truly the only one we can call good.
Here is where you will have to trust God!
In the end we become stronger. I have to lean on Romans 8:28.
Why do God allow bad things to happen to Good people is a often asked question.
Here's a few things to consider.
1) Bad things may happen to good people in this world, but this world is not the end. Christians have an eternal perspective: "We do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
2) Bad things happen to good people, but God uses those bad things for an ultimate, lasting good. "We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him..
3) Bad things happen to good people, but those bad things equip believers for deeper ministry.
God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
4) Bad things happen to good people, and the worst things happened to the best Person. Jesus was the only truly Righteous One, yet He suffered more than we can imagine. We follow in His footsteps: "If you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
I know it's hard when we are down but we have to trust God.
Daniel 9:24-27, in this prophecy, there are seventy weeks or 490 years determined unto Daniel's people and the holy city to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
Have these 6 things been fulfilled in Jesus the Messiah, and the judgment of it carried out in 70 AD? If so, all of this prophecy has been fulfilled in the past.
1 To finish the transgression. To break or violate, as a law, civil or moral; the act of transgressing. Psalms 32:1Isaiah 53:5-11Romans 4:14-15Galatians 3:18-19Hebrews 9:14-15.
2 To make an end to sins. Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. Matthew 1:21Hebrews 10:8-11John 1:291 Corinthians 15:31 John 3:5Psalm 32:1Romans 3:21-26Romans 8:3.
3 To make reconciliation for iniquity. Reconciliation is an element of salvation that refers to the results of the atonement. Colossians 1:20-22Isaiah 53:6Isaiah 53:11Romans 5:11Ephesians 2:16Titus 2:142 Corinthians 5:18-19.
4 To bring in everlasting righteousness. In conformity to the demands of the covenant and according to God's will. Isaiah 61:10-11Romans 3:21-26Romans 5:17-212 Corinthians 5:211 Peter 2:24.
5 To seal up the vision and prophecy. The greatest prediction, which runs like a golden thread through the whole contents of the Old Testament, is that regarding the coming and work of the Messiah, Jesus. Daniel 9:23Matthew 11:11-15Mark 1:14-15John 5:36-40John 6:27Acts 3:18.
6 To anoint the most holy. The high priest went into the holy of holies once a year with the blood of a sacrificed bull. Jesus our high priest with His own blood anointed the most holy not made with hands once and for all, forever. Hebrews 9:6-14.
Emotional healing: Prayers and communication with the Lord.
The Spirit of the Lord should be what guards our heart ( Prov. 4:23); keeps the reins of our heart in check ( Jeremiah 17:10); gives us the mind of Christ ( 1 Cor. 2:16) as well as communing with our soul ( Romans 8:16).
As ironic as it seems; it may be often best to focus on prayers for our enemies rather than friends. With any kind of healing; there is the tendency because of our own emotional connection to desperately ask for relief from pain and suffering of any sort for those we know and love. What we fail to see sometimes especially with those we are familiar with is that God often uses suffering as a form of chastisement to get someone's attention and turn to the Lord. Obviously we shouldn't be the arbitrators of what kind of test others should go through and deliberately hold ack on prayers either. As we study persevering in prayer; we should also learn to sense the course of events the Lord is directing in an individuals life over time and tweek the prayer appropriately.
Mental healing: This subject of course intersects with emotions and physiological factors; such as Dopamine levels. Actual brain damage may be involved as well as unknown factors. Overall; of course patterns of behavior will bring healing as one focuses their energies on study of the Word and living out a Godly and obedience life of service to the Lord and of course turns away from worldliness. Those too fixated on faith healing at the expense of anything else are missing out on even Paul's example of his thorn in the flesh. Many are able to sympathize with others who are down and out; and the transparency of our own strugles can be a real inspiration and valuable in evangelism. This is more than the boasting of how depraved we are; although incorporates an internal comprehension of our good deeds being filthy rags before conversion. What it DOES show is unconditional love and an open heart to ruined sinners.
Completing my example 1 of prayer for someone to be saved; as I repeatedly nag it isn't something we find in scripture. Paul when on trial went as close as saying he wished to see someone saved ( Acts 26:28 with Agrippa). Just as we once were before the light broke through we were once blinded to the truth; and therefore shouldn't expect any efforts no matter how sincere or even faith filled will make one iota of difference in bringing someone to salvation. That is a really harsh statement at face value.
We know for a fact it won't work with someone already physically deceased; and of course that would be a sin or necromancy and useless according to Hebrews 9:27. But we were once "dead in sin" ( Ephesians 2:13). It is easy as a true believer to be perplexed how people can have multiple and long term opportunities to hear the Gospel and still reject it. What is worse is those who go along and perhaps make a confession but are insincere in their hearts; thus never producing "good fruit". We know that if we hear the truth it is of God as our spirit testifies with His Spirit that we are children of God. ( Romans 8:16).
The rest of the world is content that Christ is a good teacher or Prophet as that is all they can see; His humanity apart from Divinity as a member of the Godhead.
I will leave this topic with a general statement. We should sow seeds with whoever we can; but not make an undo effort to spend an inordinate amount of time with those not open to the Gospel at the expense of the Great Commission at large.
As Jesus stated in comparison to our service to God we must hate those closest to us; which doesn't mean of course to abandon care as that makes us worse than an infidel. Our motivation for service must be to serve God always; and that has to be despite whether all those we care about come to Christ or not.
This likely is the start of another lengthy series of postings. I fear that my sermon like "lecturing" isn't exactly working at times.
I felt it prudent to let the scriptures speak for themselves-and am unaware of anyone who has searched the scriptures both O.T. and N.T. for a comprehensive study of all times that prayer occurred and repeated themes and patterns that could be established.
Praying "in the Spirit" ( Ephesians 6:18 and 2 other references) is hard to precisely define. There are many theological discussions on what is "proper" or improper things to pray about; but I am unaware of any doctrinal statements that nail it down like there are on other church ordinances; and ceremonies. Interestingly as I have brought up several times on this forum there is no scripture that invokes a saint to pray for a SPECIFIC person to come to Christ. It seems the majority of prayers are personal in scripture. With that being said; intercession for the saints is a vital component ( Romans 8:27); and praying for the nation asking for mercy with national sins is another theme; associated with God's covenant promises being affirmed in the long run despite the disobedience as we see in the case of Daniel chapter 9.
As I may have mentioned in the past; a friend of mine a few years back started an early morning prayer group which I briefly attended before moving back home with my parents and stated that he was "desperate" for prayer. I know of at least one person in my current church who is in his 60s but gets up at 4 or so each day to pray and listen to a Bible study before working his full time job. I have known a couple others in the past who have done the same sort of thing. I'd like to be that way myself; rather than the "ZOMBIE" like state that I am in the early morning. My prayer is fairly consistent but later in the morning although traffic to work has cut that short recently.
Even though there is a distinction between the children of God and the children of the world the scripture says to be kind to all men. Galatians 6:10.
However, we're not all Brothern.
John 1:11-12 says "He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the "sons of God, even to them that believe on his name"
Jesus also said in Matthew 12:50 "For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Ephesians 2:19 states Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God.
So, there is a clear distinction in scripture between God's children and those who haven't received him.
1 John 3:9-10 covers this well, "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
"Sons of God" emphasizes a natural, internal relationship with God rather than an external adoption. Becoming God's children involves a real change and transformation, not just a change in title or position. We partake in the divine nature.
All people are not naturally God's children. We must be born again through faith in Christ to become God's children.
This separates us from Adam.
We are now joint heirs with Christ. Romans 8:14-17 "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Hi Karma, I've been in a very similar situation. I was struggling so bad with doubts about my own salvation, and it scared me so so much. One thing that was a huge help to me, was realizing that salvation doesn't depend on ME, I didn't earn it, so I definitely can't lose it on my own. Salvation is a FREE gift, given by the Lord Jesus Christ, and it's very simple.
The Bible says we're all sinners, (Roman's 3:23) and since God is a holy and just God our sin needs to be punished. God loves us so much, that while we were His enemy, He sent His only Son Jesus Christ to come and pay for our sins. He died for all of our sins, past, present and future. But He didn't stay dead. 3 days later Jesus Christ rose from the dead, proving His sacrifice for our sins was accepted by God. Now He offers salvation to us FREELY, all we have to do is believe and trust in what He has done.
Roman's 10:13 says "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
God made salvation so simple, that anyone can receive it. Baptism has nothing to do with salvation, praise God it depends on Him.
If you're not saved, you can be saved. You're living now, and the Bible says in John 6:37 "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." If you sincerely call upon the Lord, believing and trusting in only what He's done for you, He will save you. Simple as that. He won't cast you out.
Now is the day of salvation ( 2nd Corinthians 6:2). Romans 8:38-39 - Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ
If salvation is based on something that I have to do tomorrow or have to not do tomorrow, or based upon MY performance/works as a Christian, then there's no way to know ur saved because there's no way to know what u will or won't do tomorrow. If we could lose our salvation, we would.
But if I'm trusting solely in what Jesus Christ has done, that is fixed, settled, and final, and that is eternal security.
I suppose today's scripture from Joshua 24:18 is as good a place as any to tackle that subject. As for the entire Bible as we have it today; there is no verse in scripture mentioning all the written texts as a whole; probably because they weren't complete yet.
1 Corinthians 13:10 mentions things passing away when the partial is complete; or something to that affect. Revelation also has verses warning about not adding or subtracting which could mean adding to that book or all scripture. Since the written texts originally came from oratory (with the exception of the 10 Commandments originally penned by God Himself); God planned it out so that the scribes would count every LETTER of a scroll; and get rid of a copy to start again if it was even slightly off. 2 Timothy 3:16 explains that all scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching; reproof; etc.
I have discussed in older posts a summation of the Apocrypha as to truths of historic or moral truths that are borrowed from true scripture; which always states "thus saith the Lord" except for places like Ruth and Esther; or Song of Solomon. God's truths are absolute; as we see from the claims of Christ's divinity; and the laws in the 10 Commandments. The repetitive themes such as scriptures being repeated again in the New Testament to enhance their true meanings bring a cohesiveness to the Bible. We also have such admonitions as 1 John 4:2 stating what any "spirit" testifies about Christ having come in the flesh.
That would correlate with verses like Matthew 16:17 where it is clear that Christ's DIVINITY (as the "I am") can only be understood or revealed through the Spirit. I noticed that myself pre conversion it didn't enter my mind that Christ was God or part of the "Godhead". As our spirit testifies with "his Spirit"( Romans 8:16) that we are His children and His Word is truth the Lord will build our discernment of truth as we grow and mature in Him to know what is true (see also John 10:27).
20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
Death is an enemy; and verse 26 of this chapter indicates that it will eventually be eliminated. Jesus was the "first of the firstfruits" so to speak; which extends through the Rapture/Resurrection event of the righteous; through the Revelation 14:4 event of the translation of the 144,000. After this we will have the Second Coming when those that survive until that time physically will survive to repopulate the earth in the Millennial period; followed by the time the Heavenly Jerusalem comes down and God the Father dwells with men (v. 24).
It is hard to comprehend let alone understand all the mysteries of His death; burial and resurrection. It is as a grand play on stage; except that the pathos is real; and His atonement was sufficient for us all to deliver our sins as far as the east is from the west. ( Psalm 103:12). He ever lives to intercede for His people ( Hebrews 7:25). He first rose from the dead and we shall likewise. He who believes in Him will never die ( John 11:25-26) even though he dies physically in reality it is only the body that sleeps as we see about Lazarus earlier in that chapter. We have hope unlike the world for those "fallen asleep" ( 1 Thess. 4:14-18).
All of creation also is awaiting the change and groans until now ( Romans 8:23). For those who believe the last scene of this real life drama is glorious and never ending; while there is no peace for the wicked ( Isaiah 48:22; etal). Let that sink in as the world in its ignorance turns this glorious day into a mockery.
Hello Jessica: It sounds like you have been a really good person all your life, although I'm not sure what kind of "social justice" you have been an advocate/activists for, but I'm sure you have done your best to help people. I understand you now want Justise from God for this terrible wrong that has been done to you. First, I'd like to ask: do you BELIEVE in God and Jesus only, or are you a forgiven, justified, regenerated, new birth child of God because you have repented to Jesus and Jesus only and accepted Christ as your Savior? If not please read the book of John and 1st, 2nd, 3rd Peter and pray and ask Jesus into your heart. If you have never done this, if you "believe" in God because of the denomination you in and believe a doctrine, which doesn't teach a one-on-one relationship with Jesus Christ then I can understand why this prayer has not been answered answered for you, however, if you are a true child of God, you must trust Him to handle this situation in His time and His way. By fretting over this situation you are not allowing God to have His way. It is a sign to Him that you don't trust Him to take care of this for you. I'd like to give you three scriptures that I hope will help you besides the books I mentioned above.
Hello Jpiegaro. This is a subject that has been debated often & it really boils down to how one approaches & understands God's Word on this matter, as also with other subjects.
My understanding on this, indeed on all matters pertaining to Israel, is that the Ten Commandments which includes the necessity of keeping the Sabbath Day holy was wholly incumbent upon Israel & Israel alone. No other people received the Decalogue, as also with circumcision, the festivals, sacrifices, priestly functions, other laws, etc. Unfortunately, when the Jew turned to Christ, as also with the Gentile, the knowledge they had or we received from the Old Testament are presumed to be automatically passed onto & applied to those now In Christ. We readily acknowledge the laws concerning our relationship to God & to one another, as given in the OT, but then imply that Sabbath-keeping must also apply to us. We do so in ignorance.
Shabbat (Hebrew, from the root, Shin-Bet-Tav), being the seventh day, means 'to cease, to end, to rest', & Israel was to sanctify (set apart) this day for cessation from all activity, even as the LORD Himself hallowed it ( Exodus 20:10,11). There could be no transposition of this Sabbath Day to any other day; hence, it was never 're-converted' to become a Sunday, thus the term 'Christian Sabbath' really is a misnomer. One can use the 7th day, or any day, as a day of rest as desired, but I don't ever see it as a requirement for those who are In Christ Jesus, as those now under a new Law given us (even, imputed in us) by the Holy Spirit ( Romans 8:2) & also being led of the Spirit ( Galatians 5:18). When we look at the Gospels & the Acts of the Apostles, we find many references to the Sabbath Day, since either the Law was still in force (pre-Cross) or the apostles took advantage of the day for ministry to the Jews in synagogues (in Acts). But in NT Church practise, they met on the 1st Day of the Week, with no reference to the old Law of Sabbath(s).
We have a wonderful God and he does heal However, Isaiah 53:5 is not emphasizing that kind of healing. In fact it's talking about much more than healing the body.
Isaiah 53:4-6.
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
But HE WAS WOUNDED FOR OUR "TRANSGRESSIONS", HE WAS BRUISED FOR OUR 'INIQUITIES": the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
(All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the "INIQUITY" of us all.)
Isaiah 53:5 is emphasizing Christ as the sacrificial Lamb, taking our place on the cross.
(We are healed from the penalty of sin.)
By this we become sons of God!
For encouragement I would associate these passages with Romans 8:14-18 and
Romans 8:32.
"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, HOW SHALL HE NOT WITH HIM ALSO FREELY GIVE US ALL THINGS?
We go to him with faith and confidence as a son and ask if it's in his will.
Romans 8:16 says: "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:"
Hebrews 12:6 states: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
Matthew 5:44-46 says
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 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.
46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
These verses bring a clear understanding of those who are His children and possess His Spirit from those who don't. We can't love our enemies in our own strength in the same way we can in Him; but perhaps the other side of the argument should be examined; we cannot hate our sin; our former "good deeds" and appreciate the verse in Jeremiah 17:9 about our hearts being "deceitfully wicked" apart from a revelation from God through His Spirit. This truth results in a response of repentance whose origin comes from God; and results in actions coming from a new heart or nature; rather than just outer actions in some attempt to be righteous in our own strength. Atheists can often be more "moral" than we are in charitable giving; for example but they cannot without self righteousness. Thus; no amount of penance; fasting; etc. can save us. Jesus begins the work and to those He has called and chosen He insures that they are sanctified and glorified after being saved as we see from Romans 8:30.
Other Gospel verses show that His sheep hear His voice. We have true love for other believers if we are saved as well as a true love for Christ and we trust Him as well and have Him not just as Savior but Lord and Master as well.
The enemy will often convince us otherwise but believers have overcome the world.
"For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die."
The next verse describes how we were yet sinners; or what Colossians 1:21 states in even harsher terms as "enemies of God."
Next time you hear someone talking about how loving we all should be ask them if they would be willing to die for their enemies who hate them. We hear a lot of talk these days about the love of God; usually reduced to some mushy sentimentality and hardly differentiated from human passions. First off; it is only a half truth to go around talking about God's love only when it happens to coincide with pleasant or pleasurable circumstances for people on earth. Yes God loved us when we were yet sinners but provided provision through the Son as His ONLY method to reconcile the enmity between us and Him due to indwelling sin. God cannot look upon sinful man and love Him in the state he is in but DESPITE the fact that he is in a lost state with a heart that is; according to Jeremiah 17:9 "desperately wicked". God's METHOD is by having the Son; for we either have the Son and therefore know God or we know neither (see 1 John 23:24). This involves the Father and Son coming to "dwell within us" ( John 14:23 which also implies the Holy Spirit sealing us until the day of redemption ( Eph. 4:30).
Those who would view Jesus as someone that is primarily promoting some sort of sentimental affection either is Biblically illiterate or willfully deceived. He talked about being a sword to divide families ( Matthew 10:34-36); rebuked the Pharisees harshly a number of times; destroyed the Temple moneychanger market at least twice; and challenged those who would feign to be His disciples but whose heart wasn't in it. He even rebuked His own disciples. This is demonstrating that true love in His own life was obeying God; and we are called to do the same for Christ ( John 14:23).
Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Unless there is nothing you can change to stop this situation in a loving, peaceful way, trust that God is allowing this situation in your life for His good purpose toward you. Do your best to keep your things safe and then trust God to settle this in His way which is always best. Also in Jeramiah 29:11 God gives us additional confirmation of His thoughts always being on us. I will pray for you to be able to be at peace in the Lord until He intervenes for you. God Bless :)
Hello Virdee. I was touched by what you wrote, of your struggle to have assurance of salvation. The Scripture that came to mind is all of Romans chapter 8, which would answer your doubts & fears. If I might briefly go through some points in this chapter with you, even as you follow it in your Bible. Here is a chapter giving the one IN Christ full assurance of their position before God, particularly as the apostle related it to himself, he who was made free from the deathly hold that the Law had upon him & from the lusts of the flesh.
Romans 8:1: Paul immediately lays the foundation that he is referring to 'true' believers: to those who walk according to the Holy Spirit's direction & not by fulfilling the desires of the flesh. Those who are unbelievers, or hope they are believers, will not obey the Holy Spirit, simply because the Spirit is not in residence in their lives (vv 9,14). When the Spirit speaks or directs (i.e. we heed the Law of the Spirit only now in our new life/makeup), the believer will listen & obey. If we are swayed by the flesh, we will very soon know of our wandering & either return to holy living or face discipline. We can fully trust God that 'He will not leave or forsake us'; we are His children adopted into His Family (vv 14-17) & we cannot be 'un-adopted'. We will not only face the normal trials in life that come to each one of us, but also the attacks by the enemy of our souls (vv 35-39), but none of these will remove us from the "Love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord". With this confidence given to us, it should be our delight to obey Him in everything He tells us or requires of us. Then when the Day of His Appearing comes, our confidence in Christ & His Blessed Work in us, causes us to rejoice & "not be ashamed at His Coming" ( 1 John 2:28). Those who live in sin & selfish desires will be in terror & horror overcoming them, when they see the Holy One of God appear & their sins exposed. Onto Page 2.
Well Oseas, from reading of your beliefs, I'm unable to place where you exactly are with this. You were first dealing with the Name of God in Isaiah. You've now quoted Acts 7:53-58, particularly verse 55, "But he (Stephen), being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God". In the NT, Koine Greek is the language used. If you believe that the Hebrew 'Yahweh' written of God in the OT is a devilish name, does this also apply to the Greek word for God: 'Theos'?
You asked, "what GOD's NAME was manifested by my Lord JESUS?" Yet, reading the rest of your comments, it appears to me that you hold to an "only Jesus is in Heaven" position, that when Jesus was made flesh, "GOD called Himself Jesus.." Really!!! So, as not to be mistaken, are you in that camp, that says 'that since God is in Christ that only Jesus is now in Heaven'? I'm hoping that I've misunderstood you, as we know most assuredly that when Jesus ascended into Heaven, He went back to the Father & is seated at His right Hand ( John 20:17, Acts 2:32,33, Romans 8:34, Hebrews 1:3, 1 Peter 3:22, etc.). So, NOT two Gods, but the One God, with Jesus His Son Who came forth out of God now distinct from Him through the incarnation. Thus He rightly fully claims the eternity of the Godhead (the Alpha & Omega), & also receives the worship of all. So your comments are troubling, if that is your position.
Isaiah 52:14 states: As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men...
Whenever we question suffering and why it needs to be on this earth today; the ultimate question may be why did God's Son have to suffer beyond any other in creation? Again; the physical death would have been nothing compared to the sweat of drops of blood considering His upcoming separation from the Father and taking on our sins onto Himself. This atonement is perhaps the biggest reason suffering needs be; it all began with the fall of man and it's ripple effect in all Creation but God in His infinite wisdom knew that this atonement needed to happen to restore all things to Himself ( Acts 3:21).
One could; of course look at all of human history as one would view a screen play; full of drama; pathos and various characters of antagonist or protagonist leanings. This helps us to examine God's overall "emotions" (again reducing things to a human level to comprehend characteristics of the Godhead). If we were to examine our free will in the midst of this it could be crudely compared to a rogue actor doing some unscripted scene which is confined to the small time allotted for the play to act itself out.
This shows how we as humans cannot ultimately change the course of predetermined events; but also that we are not robots ourselves who are always bound to the same script but all have individual roles to play and also how all of us are interconnected to each other. This results in all who are His own on "stage right" as it were and the rest on "stage left". Proverbs 3:6 says in all ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your steps (I believe that is one translation).
When we look to the Apostle Paul's declaration that the sufferings of the present time are nothing compared to the glory to come ( Romans 8:18) we see that the joys of heaven will therefore be so much the greater after the harvest from today's brief trials
The sin of the sons of God having relations with women ( Gen. 6:2) and the resulting hybrid offspring seems to be clear as written; although some take it as some symbolic event. People often try to make a spurious claim of these being offspring of Cain and ignore the fact that all mankind was judged at the flood except for Noah and his immediate family (who I would say Genesis 6:9 indicates that his seed wasn't corrupted as the rest of mankind when it mentions that he was "perfect in his generations")
Science seems to indicate several mass extinctions separated by aeons of time; the greatest of which I believe is stated to be in the Cambrian mass extinction event the better part of 1 billion years ago; and the later one wiping out the dinosaurs and other creatures some 65 million years or so. What it can't explain; of course is how undigested food is found in dinosaurs that were obviously frozen to death in mass graves along with other complexities where trees; and catastrophic destruction of trees and other evidence clearly indicating a mass inundation of flood waters. As I alluded to in the first post today there is more than ample evidence of giant and advanced structures (pyramids in various countries; Balbak (or however it is spelled) and other giant sized structure found in islands in the Mediterranean and elsewhere in the world such as Stonehenge which defy explanation as to how the stones were moved and how they were cut to reflect advanced technology and often tied in with regular astronomical events with the direction they are facing.
Christians at least up until recently have understood that man's evil resulted in collateral damage to the rest of creation which continues to groan up until today ( Romans 8:19-22). It would seem that the last evil Satan is going to bring to pass after the mass appeal of alternate sexual lifestyles is a merging with AI. This guarantees damnation as Revelation promises.
Thanks Giannis for sharing in this. I can agree to Romans 8:29, " that he might be the firstborn among many brethren"; that clearly 'prototokos' here refers to Christ being our 'Forerunner' leading those who are saved by His Blood, into the new Birth He has provided for us; i.e. we follow Jesus, Who is the Firstborn among us.
Yet, with Colossians 1:15, "the firstborn of every creature" (or, creation), doesn't seem to imply that believers are the object; though you (or, your Church) feels it does: "that first born of all creation means that Jesus was the first child of God among all other born(again) children (us, God's children)". It's interesting that 'creation' is used here, which doesn't seem to easily bring Christ's Church into its meaning.
That was interesting about the usage of 'arche', that it could be applied to rulers, principalities, etc. I checked your reference Revelation 3:14, and though the application of 'arche' is defined as "that by which anything begins to be, the origin, active cause", your other references ( Colossians 1:16 & Ephesians 3:10) certainly apply to 'principalities/rulers'. And other references are given in support of this: Luke 12:11, Titus 3:1, Ephesians 1:21, Colossians 2:10, & others. So thank you for giving us more to consider in this matter.
I suppose a question thread isn't kosher with a sequel. Anyway; there are many scriptures that can be used to point out each part of the TULIP acronym; for instance T-Total Depravity We could quote Jeremiah 17:9; O-Unconditional Election ( Ephesians 1:4); L-Limited Atonement ( John 10:26-27); I-Irresistable Grace ( Acts 9:3-6 the "Damascus Road" experience) and finally P-Perseverance of the Saints ( Romans 8:30).
Many of these themes are interchangeable with the verses quoted. The terminology isn't the greatest; as people can indeed grieve the Spirit as scripture indicates. I believe limited atonement is also the hardest thing to prove; I would say that "Effectual grace" is a much better term.
I wrote what I did in the first posting on purpose as many tend to have a sort of pride about which Reformer is their favorite or obsess on the subject making a doctrine be above the author and finisher of our faith Christ Himself. We can't fit our theological premise neatly with all scriptures in human understanding. I take; for example the politically incorrect stance that free will doesn't intimidate God with His predestination plans. There are distinct advantages to understanding these doctrines however.
1. It explains why those in our families and others we are close to and hear the Gospel for years never become believers.
2. It shows how God draws His elect from before a confession of faith (preserves our lives until coming to salvation) for believers.
3. It allows us to "test ourselves to see if we are in the faith" ( 2 Cor. 13:5) so that we can indeed claim His promises as something we actually possess because of a saving faith rather than "decisional regeneration" a term where people make a confession but their hearts are not in it.
I mentioned on an old posting how a small group split because God grants repentance ( 2 Tim. 2:25; etal). Some didn't want to preach the need to repent; although God grants the desire we must bear fruit and change our ways
A good work is when we do the will of God as a response to his love, mercy and our new identity of righteousness in Jesus Christ. In our New Covenant with God, grace is the ruling factor.
Grace and truth have come to us through Jesus. ( John 1:17) Truth is the law. And the problem with the law is our flesh, our fallen nature.
Grace - Godly ability, the divine influence which works in the heart of man making him able. It is God's perfect provision for man's every need.
It takes both truth and grace for good works. We need truth to know what the action of good works are. And we also need grace in order to have the proper motivation for good works.
The term "fallen from grace" doesn't mean that someone has fallen from sin. Rather it means they no longer have access to God's ability in them. They have left grace and are fixated on truth alone, and are trying to do good works in their own ability.
But what they get in that case is nothing but dead works instead.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
We have all come another day closer to the return of Christ. Isaiah 51:6 and other verses in Psalms refer to the earth waxing old like a garment; but as Job said there will be a resurrection and we shall see Him in our own flesh ( Job 19:26 and surrounding verses). The suffering of the saints which is part of God's purging process in our own lives will come to an end; certainly if Paul with the immense suffering promised him in Acts 9:16 could state that sufferings now are no comparison to what is to come ( Romans 8:18) heaven is too wonderful for words.
Whatever is left will be restored during the Millennium so that people can live fulfilled long lives in a peaceful existence. The earth will produce its fruit in abundance and Satan will be restrained. Only this will bring about the end of war ( Isaiah 2:4).
I will be the first to admit; and I doubt that I'm the only one that it seems almost a cruel joke to hold on to such hope; especially in regard to the Rapture which was rather obsessed over in the 1970s and 1980s and today hardly discussed in traditional church settings. We have come to a point where it is not discussed in church; but there are numerous online sites which are pretty much obsessed with the topic and endless dreams and visions that individuals are supposed to have had on the issue. It is hard to imagine just how great it will be not to have Satan and his emissaries like a spider with tentacles removed from what is now a chokehold on almost everything in the world today. Nonetheless we have a cloud of witnesses ( Heb. 12:1) which are of every saint who has died since the time of Christ and in fact some are the "first of the firstfruits" as it were of the O.T. saints resurrected in Matthew 27:52 and 53.
To imagine society without the violence and lawlessness of today is a stretch. When Christ comes to rule with a rod of iron He will also be just (see Isaiah 11:3 and other verses). Today may He reign in our hearts.
Hello Pnovello, I would echo the good advice given you by others here. The Scripture that immediately came to mind was 2 Corinthians 12:9, "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
This was the Apostle Paul who received this powerful, yet comforting Word from His Lord. As Adam wrote here, Paul was a prime example of much suffering, not just in the physical realm, but also spiritual & emotional. His life was marked by daily suffering & anguish of heart & spirit, yet he persevered in the Gospel, knowing that his sufferings were but momentary compared to 'the glory which is yet to be revealed (to us &) in us'. "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." ( Romans 8:18). See also 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.
If these great men of faith, even our sinless Lord & Savior Jesus Christ, were not immune from suffering, we know that while we are in the flesh, the workings of sin & corruption within, will always manifest itself in one form or another. My wife & I have been thus far blessed not to have any debilitating illness or injury come upon us (only the minor interruptions to sound health, because of age), yet we know that we can never take this for granted & are resting in our Father's Arms each day for whatever the day might bring forth.
Psalm 27 has always been precious to us. Sure, it was King David calling upon God as his enemies troubled him from every side, but can we not also consider that it's not just the anger of men we might face, but just living in corrupt bodies in a corrupt world that continually works against our joy & perfection in Christ? Please read this Psalm of praise & trust by David & particularly v14, "Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD."
But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Romans 8:38-39 says:
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
It would seem that we are coming to the fulfillment of both Psalm 83 and one of Isaiah 17:1 very soon as well. At some point a false peace will take over at the first seal of Revelation and it could appear to head that way immediately before then; followed by the Rapture. We probably have years ahead; if He tarries of unprecedented persecution and sad to say martyrdom. We are said to be hated of ALL nations; then the end will come ( Matthew 24:9). This could have a final fulfillment during the Tribulation but also could be speaking of today.
Prayer of course is paramount. I know someone who has recently moved to Israel in the ministry (I will leave out his name and position for security sake). He and his wife see firsthand the displacement of hundreds of thousands from the border areas being attacked on multiple fronts. There are those behind the scenes funding and staging the mass demonstrations in several cities today who no doubt will not stop until they are forced to and have no less goal than overthrowing our government and making this into a Muslim country with Sharia law. No doubt we should continue to pray for individuals the Lord puts into our lives. Some things are better avoided; but we all need to search our hearts to trust God if we need to defend the life of another in these situations of mass looting and no doubt increasing violence. We all need to prepare for martial law at the very least. The end is near and now it is vital that we preach it and trust God iving obediently
In the last few hours I have wrestled with the question of discipleship and whether it is primary or "secondary" in importance.
First of all I need to categorically state that it is still VERY important and indeed necessary if we are ever going to be "sold out" for Jesus to ensure that we truly are disciples; and that of lasting ones that aren't going to walk away like many Jesus challenged on His way to eventually being crucified on the cross. Taking a brief internet survey of this subject there are varying opinions. It seems that one can be saved without being a disciple at least the level of commitment Jesus described. The thief on the cross would be one example; there was no time to work through issues like Jesus did with the 12 Apostles He chose as His primary disciples. The Corinthian church also stands out as a place where immature believers sometimes died before their time and had many other issues; clearly not acting as a mature disciple at least in terms of submitting their lives to the Lord.
The church changed over time; and although other churches also had issues it would seem certainly that the many admonitions written in Paul's Epistles and Peter and John's writings of the same were primarily to build believers up in the local churches to live as worthy of the calling; and hence good disciples.
If we are saved; we are ultimately justified and glorified ( Romans 8:30). We don't see sanctification there as would be expected as a true disciple; but again we certainly need to grow in this way to recieve spiritual rewards in heaven (Phillipians 3:14; also see other verses about crowns for service; ministry; patiently waiting for His appearing; etc.) Just because it doesn't necessarily determine our ultimate fate to lose out on what will be at least for the Millennium if not all of eternity our spiritual position in heaven would hardly be unimportant. I'll leave this open to debate
Jesus was conceived of the Holy Ghost, Matthew 1:20 of the seed of a woman/Mary, Genesis 3:15, and born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God, John 1:13. Jesus grew up the same way that we do, Luke 2:40.
He was subject to the pulls of the flesh. He was tempted and influenced by Satan, Luke 4:1-2. He had a will and human desires, Luke 22:41-42. Although Jesus was filled without measure with the power of the Holy Ghost, and gave all things into his hand, John 3:34-35 Jesus humbled Himself and was obedient unto death, Philippians 2:5-11.
To be the payment for sins of man and to be the Savior of mankind and destroy the works of the devil, Jesus had to be a human, Hebrews 2:14-18, the promise God made was to Abraham and his seed, that was Jesus the Messiah/Christ, Galatians 3:16.
Jesus the last Adam came into this world sinless as the first Adam and had to be laden with what we are as humans. The man Jesus, Romans 5:15, had to endure and overcome sin and rise above the influences of Satan to become the payment for the sins and this atonement made way for our deliverance from Satan's bondage, Romans 3:21-26.
He also was prepared to be a merciful and faithful High Priest, Hebrews 4:14-16. God sent His own Son to condemn sin in the flesh that the law could not do that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled, Romans 8:3-4.
Jesus the Son of God a human being had to deal with life as we do. He lived in the same time, space, and constraints as we do. He was born under the law, He became tired, He became hungry, He was subject to persecution, subject to pain, subject to the Roman rulers, He had to deal with all the things the same way we do, and all was the for the will of the Father, not His, Matthew 26:42.
Only in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth do we have hope, and are saved, Acts 4:12.
We are to hold fast in our faith to the end.
God bless,
RLW
You know, our conversation is in heaven( Ephesians 1:3-8); from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself. By the way, The last ENEMY that shall be destroyed is death-1Co.15:26 combined with Luke 20:35-36. It is the Power, great mystery. Philippians 3:20-21 combined with Romans 8:18-19.
As is written, look up, and lift up your heads; your redemption draweth nigh. Aleluia!
Furthermore, the current time, the Lord's Day, the seventh and last Day or seventh and last millennium, it is of resurrection - Daniel 12:1-3 combined with 1Thessalonians 4:16 and Revelation 11:15-18 - and we which are alive and remain - We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be CHANGED(by the Word of GOD-the Word is GOD, self-executing), i.e. we shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air( Isaiah 60:8), i.e. to meet the Lord in the 3rd heaven, 3rd heavenly place in Christ( 2Corinthians 12:1-4), and so shall we ever be with the Lord. --> Would it be or will it be in the day 1335, the misterious biblical day, day 1335? 45 days after 1290 days? Daniel 12:12.
Wherefore comfort one another with these words- 1 Thessalonians 4:18 combined with Daniel 12:2-11.
Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing.
May our Lord GOD bless us and keep us, and give us His protection, today and ever
Amen
God does love you, he also loves your aunt.
Love is his nature. It's impossible for God not to Love.
Whether, reward or chastening, God do it out of Love when it is a direct act coming from him.
But why do God allow evil to come upon us by the world.
I believe it's for our spiritual growth.
We also have to keep in mind that Christ suffered and he is truly the only one we can call good.
Here is where you will have to trust God!
In the end we become stronger. I have to lean on Romans 8:28.
Why do God allow bad things to happen to Good people is a often asked question.
Here's a few things to consider.
1) Bad things may happen to good people in this world, but this world is not the end. Christians have an eternal perspective: "We do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
2) Bad things happen to good people, but God uses those bad things for an ultimate, lasting good. "We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him..
3) Bad things happen to good people, but those bad things equip believers for deeper ministry.
God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
4) Bad things happen to good people, and the worst things happened to the best Person. Jesus was the only truly Righteous One, yet He suffered more than we can imagine. We follow in His footsteps: "If you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
I know it's hard when we are down but we have to trust God.
God bless you and we will be praying for you.
Hey brother just one last thing to consider.
Daniel 9:24-27, in this prophecy, there are seventy weeks or 490 years determined unto Daniel's people and the holy city to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
Have these 6 things been fulfilled in Jesus the Messiah, and the judgment of it carried out in 70 AD? If so, all of this prophecy has been fulfilled in the past.
1 To finish the transgression. To break or violate, as a law, civil or moral; the act of transgressing. Psalms 32:1 Isaiah 53:5-11 Romans 4:14-15 Galatians 3:18-19 Hebrews 9:14-15.
2 To make an end to sins. Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. Matthew 1:21 Hebrews 10:8-11 John 1:29 1 Corinthians 15:3 1 John 3:5 Psalm 32:1 Romans 3:21-26 Romans 8:3.
3 To make reconciliation for iniquity. Reconciliation is an element of salvation that refers to the results of the atonement. Colossians 1:20-22 Isaiah 53:6 Isaiah 53:11 Romans 5:11 Ephesians 2:16 Titus 2:14 2 Corinthians 5:18-19.
4 To bring in everlasting righteousness. In conformity to the demands of the covenant and according to God's will. Isaiah 61:10-11 Romans 3:21-26 Romans 5:17-21 2 Corinthians 5:21 1 Peter 2:24.
5 To seal up the vision and prophecy. The greatest prediction, which runs like a golden thread through the whole contents of the Old Testament, is that regarding the coming and work of the Messiah, Jesus. Daniel 9:23 Matthew 11:11-15 Mark 1:14-15 John 5:36-40 John 6:27 Acts 3:18.
6 To anoint the most holy. The high priest went into the holy of holies once a year with the blood of a sacrificed bull. Jesus our high priest with His own blood anointed the most holy not made with hands once and for all, forever. Hebrews 9:6-14.
Jesus said it in John 19:28-30.
God bless,
RLW
The Spirit of the Lord should be what guards our heart ( Prov. 4:23); keeps the reins of our heart in check ( Jeremiah 17:10); gives us the mind of Christ ( 1 Cor. 2:16) as well as communing with our soul ( Romans 8:16).
As ironic as it seems; it may be often best to focus on prayers for our enemies rather than friends. With any kind of healing; there is the tendency because of our own emotional connection to desperately ask for relief from pain and suffering of any sort for those we know and love. What we fail to see sometimes especially with those we are familiar with is that God often uses suffering as a form of chastisement to get someone's attention and turn to the Lord. Obviously we shouldn't be the arbitrators of what kind of test others should go through and deliberately hold ack on prayers either. As we study persevering in prayer; we should also learn to sense the course of events the Lord is directing in an individuals life over time and tweek the prayer appropriately.
Mental healing: This subject of course intersects with emotions and physiological factors; such as Dopamine levels. Actual brain damage may be involved as well as unknown factors. Overall; of course patterns of behavior will bring healing as one focuses their energies on study of the Word and living out a Godly and obedience life of service to the Lord and of course turns away from worldliness. Those too fixated on faith healing at the expense of anything else are missing out on even Paul's example of his thorn in the flesh. Many are able to sympathize with others who are down and out; and the transparency of our own strugles can be a real inspiration and valuable in evangelism. This is more than the boasting of how depraved we are; although incorporates an internal comprehension of our good deeds being filthy rags before conversion. What it DOES show is unconditional love and an open heart to ruined sinners.
Completing my example 1 of prayer for someone to be saved; as I repeatedly nag it isn't something we find in scripture. Paul when on trial went as close as saying he wished to see someone saved ( Acts 26:28 with Agrippa). Just as we once were before the light broke through we were once blinded to the truth; and therefore shouldn't expect any efforts no matter how sincere or even faith filled will make one iota of difference in bringing someone to salvation. That is a really harsh statement at face value.
We know for a fact it won't work with someone already physically deceased; and of course that would be a sin or necromancy and useless according to Hebrews 9:27. But we were once "dead in sin" ( Ephesians 2:13). It is easy as a true believer to be perplexed how people can have multiple and long term opportunities to hear the Gospel and still reject it. What is worse is those who go along and perhaps make a confession but are insincere in their hearts; thus never producing "good fruit". We know that if we hear the truth it is of God as our spirit testifies with His Spirit that we are children of God. ( Romans 8:16).
The rest of the world is content that Christ is a good teacher or Prophet as that is all they can see; His humanity apart from Divinity as a member of the Godhead.
I will leave this topic with a general statement. We should sow seeds with whoever we can; but not make an undo effort to spend an inordinate amount of time with those not open to the Gospel at the expense of the Great Commission at large.
As Jesus stated in comparison to our service to God we must hate those closest to us; which doesn't mean of course to abandon care as that makes us worse than an infidel. Our motivation for service must be to serve God always; and that has to be despite whether all those we care about come to Christ or not.
This likely is the start of another lengthy series of postings. I fear that my sermon like "lecturing" isn't exactly working at times.
I felt it prudent to let the scriptures speak for themselves-and am unaware of anyone who has searched the scriptures both O.T. and N.T. for a comprehensive study of all times that prayer occurred and repeated themes and patterns that could be established.
Praying "in the Spirit" ( Ephesians 6:18 and 2 other references) is hard to precisely define. There are many theological discussions on what is "proper" or improper things to pray about; but I am unaware of any doctrinal statements that nail it down like there are on other church ordinances; and ceremonies. Interestingly as I have brought up several times on this forum there is no scripture that invokes a saint to pray for a SPECIFIC person to come to Christ. It seems the majority of prayers are personal in scripture. With that being said; intercession for the saints is a vital component ( Romans 8:27); and praying for the nation asking for mercy with national sins is another theme; associated with God's covenant promises being affirmed in the long run despite the disobedience as we see in the case of Daniel chapter 9.
As I may have mentioned in the past; a friend of mine a few years back started an early morning prayer group which I briefly attended before moving back home with my parents and stated that he was "desperate" for prayer. I know of at least one person in my current church who is in his 60s but gets up at 4 or so each day to pray and listen to a Bible study before working his full time job. I have known a couple others in the past who have done the same sort of thing. I'd like to be that way myself; rather than the "ZOMBIE" like state that I am in the early morning. My prayer is fairly consistent but later in the morning although traffic to work has cut that short recently.
Part 1
Even though there is a distinction between the children of God and the children of the world the scripture says to be kind to all men. Galatians 6:10.
However, we're not all Brothern.
John 1:11-12 says "He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the "sons of God, even to them that believe on his name"
Jesus also said in Matthew 12:50 "For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Ephesians 2:19 states Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God.
So, there is a clear distinction in scripture between God's children and those who haven't received him.
1 John 3:9-10 covers this well, "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
"Sons of God" emphasizes a natural, internal relationship with God rather than an external adoption. Becoming God's children involves a real change and transformation, not just a change in title or position. We partake in the divine nature.
All people are not naturally God's children. We must be born again through faith in Christ to become God's children.
This separates us from Adam.
We are now joint heirs with Christ. Romans 8:14-17 "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
See part 2
The Bible says we're all sinners, (Roman's 3:23) and since God is a holy and just God our sin needs to be punished. God loves us so much, that while we were His enemy, He sent His only Son Jesus Christ to come and pay for our sins. He died for all of our sins, past, present and future. But He didn't stay dead. 3 days later Jesus Christ rose from the dead, proving His sacrifice for our sins was accepted by God. Now He offers salvation to us FREELY, all we have to do is believe and trust in what He has done.
Roman's 10:13 says "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
God made salvation so simple, that anyone can receive it. Baptism has nothing to do with salvation, praise God it depends on Him.
If you're not saved, you can be saved. You're living now, and the Bible says in John 6:37 "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." If you sincerely call upon the Lord, believing and trusting in only what He's done for you, He will save you. Simple as that. He won't cast you out.
Now is the day of salvation ( 2nd Corinthians 6:2). Romans 8:38-39 - Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ
If salvation is based on something that I have to do tomorrow or have to not do tomorrow, or based upon MY performance/works as a Christian, then there's no way to know ur saved because there's no way to know what u will or won't do tomorrow. If we could lose our salvation, we would.
But if I'm trusting solely in what Jesus Christ has done, that is fixed, settled, and final, and that is eternal security.
I will pray for you
1 Corinthians 13:10 mentions things passing away when the partial is complete; or something to that affect. Revelation also has verses warning about not adding or subtracting which could mean adding to that book or all scripture. Since the written texts originally came from oratory (with the exception of the 10 Commandments originally penned by God Himself); God planned it out so that the scribes would count every LETTER of a scroll; and get rid of a copy to start again if it was even slightly off. 2 Timothy 3:16 explains that all scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching; reproof; etc.
I have discussed in older posts a summation of the Apocrypha as to truths of historic or moral truths that are borrowed from true scripture; which always states "thus saith the Lord" except for places like Ruth and Esther; or Song of Solomon. God's truths are absolute; as we see from the claims of Christ's divinity; and the laws in the 10 Commandments. The repetitive themes such as scriptures being repeated again in the New Testament to enhance their true meanings bring a cohesiveness to the Bible. We also have such admonitions as 1 John 4:2 stating what any "spirit" testifies about Christ having come in the flesh.
That would correlate with verses like Matthew 16:17 where it is clear that Christ's DIVINITY (as the "I am") can only be understood or revealed through the Spirit. I noticed that myself pre conversion it didn't enter my mind that Christ was God or part of the "Godhead". As our spirit testifies with "his Spirit"( Romans 8:16) that we are His children and His Word is truth the Lord will build our discernment of truth as we grow and mature in Him to know what is true (see also John 10:27).
For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
For as in Adam all die, even so "IN CHRIST" shall all be made alive.
But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming"
What an marvelous saying!!
The key is being "in Christ"
This is the baptism he came to perform on all those who accepts him as savior! ( Jews and Gentiles alike)
This is what Paul is saying in 1 Corinthians 12:13. "unto the Jews first and then to the Gentiles"
This is what John the Baptist is saying to the Jews when preparing the way for their Messiah.
THE RESURRECTION.
The belief in the resurrection of the body is an vital aspect of our faith as we see in 1 Corinthians 15:17-20
Also the resurrection promotes a "New birth" taken place!
This is where the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead quickens our mortal bodies as mentioned in Romans 8:11-14.
So, we are baptized into Jesus death as mentioned in Romans 6:3.
Romans 6:4-11 gives us our present state by the power of the Holyspirit.
Verse 11 says we are to reckon "or to recognize" ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
We have been given an earnest of the Holyspirit to will and perform inside us!
So, We have been given the earnest of the Spirit,
Sealed and predestinated, with a promise of redemption for the purchased possession. "by the blood of Christ."
This is what the resurrection means to us.
God bless.
20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
Death is an enemy; and verse 26 of this chapter indicates that it will eventually be eliminated. Jesus was the "first of the firstfruits" so to speak; which extends through the Rapture/Resurrection event of the righteous; through the Revelation 14:4 event of the translation of the 144,000. After this we will have the Second Coming when those that survive until that time physically will survive to repopulate the earth in the Millennial period; followed by the time the Heavenly Jerusalem comes down and God the Father dwells with men (v. 24).
It is hard to comprehend let alone understand all the mysteries of His death; burial and resurrection. It is as a grand play on stage; except that the pathos is real; and His atonement was sufficient for us all to deliver our sins as far as the east is from the west. ( Psalm 103:12). He ever lives to intercede for His people ( Hebrews 7:25). He first rose from the dead and we shall likewise. He who believes in Him will never die ( John 11:25-26) even though he dies physically in reality it is only the body that sleeps as we see about Lazarus earlier in that chapter. We have hope unlike the world for those "fallen asleep" ( 1 Thess. 4:14-18).
All of creation also is awaiting the change and groans until now ( Romans 8:23). For those who believe the last scene of this real life drama is glorious and never ending; while there is no peace for the wicked ( Isaiah 48:22; etal). Let that sink in as the world in its ignorance turns this glorious day into a mockery.
Maranatha. Lord come soon!
Agape.
Mathew 6: 25-26, Romans 8:28, Ephesians 2:3-4
My understanding on this, indeed on all matters pertaining to Israel, is that the Ten Commandments which includes the necessity of keeping the Sabbath Day holy was wholly incumbent upon Israel & Israel alone. No other people received the Decalogue, as also with circumcision, the festivals, sacrifices, priestly functions, other laws, etc. Unfortunately, when the Jew turned to Christ, as also with the Gentile, the knowledge they had or we received from the Old Testament are presumed to be automatically passed onto & applied to those now In Christ. We readily acknowledge the laws concerning our relationship to God & to one another, as given in the OT, but then imply that Sabbath-keeping must also apply to us. We do so in ignorance.
Shabbat (Hebrew, from the root, Shin-Bet-Tav), being the seventh day, means 'to cease, to end, to rest', & Israel was to sanctify (set apart) this day for cessation from all activity, even as the LORD Himself hallowed it ( Exodus 20:10,11). There could be no transposition of this Sabbath Day to any other day; hence, it was never 're-converted' to become a Sunday, thus the term 'Christian Sabbath' really is a misnomer. One can use the 7th day, or any day, as a day of rest as desired, but I don't ever see it as a requirement for those who are In Christ Jesus, as those now under a new Law given us (even, imputed in us) by the Holy Spirit ( Romans 8:2) & also being led of the Spirit ( Galatians 5:18). When we look at the Gospels & the Acts of the Apostles, we find many references to the Sabbath Day, since either the Law was still in force (pre-Cross) or the apostles took advantage of the day for ministry to the Jews in synagogues (in Acts). But in NT Church practise, they met on the 1st Day of the Week, with no reference to the old Law of Sabbath(s).
We have a wonderful God and he does heal However, Isaiah 53:5 is not emphasizing that kind of healing. In fact it's talking about much more than healing the body.
Isaiah 53:4-6.
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
But HE WAS WOUNDED FOR OUR "TRANSGRESSIONS", HE WAS BRUISED FOR OUR 'INIQUITIES": the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
(All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the "INIQUITY" of us all.)
Isaiah 53:5 is emphasizing Christ as the sacrificial Lamb, taking our place on the cross.
(We are healed from the penalty of sin.)
By this we become sons of God!
For encouragement I would associate these passages with Romans 8:14-18 and
Romans 8:32.
"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, HOW SHALL HE NOT WITH HIM ALSO FREELY GIVE US ALL THINGS?
We go to him with faith and confidence as a son and ask if it's in his will.
God bless.
Hebrews 12:6 states: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
Matthew 5:44-46 says
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 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.
46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
These verses bring a clear understanding of those who are His children and possess His Spirit from those who don't. We can't love our enemies in our own strength in the same way we can in Him; but perhaps the other side of the argument should be examined; we cannot hate our sin; our former "good deeds" and appreciate the verse in Jeremiah 17:9 about our hearts being "deceitfully wicked" apart from a revelation from God through His Spirit. This truth results in a response of repentance whose origin comes from God; and results in actions coming from a new heart or nature; rather than just outer actions in some attempt to be righteous in our own strength. Atheists can often be more "moral" than we are in charitable giving; for example but they cannot without self righteousness. Thus; no amount of penance; fasting; etc. can save us. Jesus begins the work and to those He has called and chosen He insures that they are sanctified and glorified after being saved as we see from Romans 8:30.
Other Gospel verses show that His sheep hear His voice. We have true love for other believers if we are saved as well as a true love for Christ and we trust Him as well and have Him not just as Savior but Lord and Master as well.
The enemy will often convince us otherwise but believers have overcome the world.
Romans 8:7 states:
"For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die."
The next verse describes how we were yet sinners; or what Colossians 1:21 states in even harsher terms as "enemies of God."
Next time you hear someone talking about how loving we all should be ask them if they would be willing to die for their enemies who hate them. We hear a lot of talk these days about the love of God; usually reduced to some mushy sentimentality and hardly differentiated from human passions. First off; it is only a half truth to go around talking about God's love only when it happens to coincide with pleasant or pleasurable circumstances for people on earth. Yes God loved us when we were yet sinners but provided provision through the Son as His ONLY method to reconcile the enmity between us and Him due to indwelling sin. God cannot look upon sinful man and love Him in the state he is in but DESPITE the fact that he is in a lost state with a heart that is; according to Jeremiah 17:9 "desperately wicked". God's METHOD is by having the Son; for we either have the Son and therefore know God or we know neither (see 1 John 23:24). This involves the Father and Son coming to "dwell within us" ( John 14:23 which also implies the Holy Spirit sealing us until the day of redemption ( Eph. 4:30).
Those who would view Jesus as someone that is primarily promoting some sort of sentimental affection either is Biblically illiterate or willfully deceived. He talked about being a sword to divide families ( Matthew 10:34-36); rebuked the Pharisees harshly a number of times; destroyed the Temple moneychanger market at least twice; and challenged those who would feign to be His disciples but whose heart wasn't in it. He even rebuked His own disciples. This is demonstrating that true love in His own life was obeying God; and we are called to do the same for Christ ( John 14:23).
Justification.
Sanctification.
Glorification.
If you are a Christian, you are guaranteed all three steps (see Romans 8:29-30).
You are forever justified, you are being sanctified, and you will for sure be glorified.
1 Corinthians 6:11.
All three of these things are from God's grace, not because of anything you have done or will do to earn them. see Ephesians 2:8-9.
You cannot earn your justification, you cannot achieve your sanctification, and you cannot merit your glorification.
You can do nothing without Christ.
John 15:4-5.
Romans 3:10-24.
God bless and Good night.
Hello Virdee. I was touched by what you wrote, of your struggle to have assurance of salvation. The Scripture that came to mind is all of Romans chapter 8, which would answer your doubts & fears. If I might briefly go through some points in this chapter with you, even as you follow it in your Bible. Here is a chapter giving the one IN Christ full assurance of their position before God, particularly as the apostle related it to himself, he who was made free from the deathly hold that the Law had upon him & from the lusts of the flesh.
Romans 8:1: Paul immediately lays the foundation that he is referring to 'true' believers: to those who walk according to the Holy Spirit's direction & not by fulfilling the desires of the flesh. Those who are unbelievers, or hope they are believers, will not obey the Holy Spirit, simply because the Spirit is not in residence in their lives (vv 9,14). When the Spirit speaks or directs (i.e. we heed the Law of the Spirit only now in our new life/makeup), the believer will listen & obey. If we are swayed by the flesh, we will very soon know of our wandering & either return to holy living or face discipline. We can fully trust God that 'He will not leave or forsake us'; we are His children adopted into His Family (vv 14-17) & we cannot be 'un-adopted'. We will not only face the normal trials in life that come to each one of us, but also the attacks by the enemy of our souls (vv 35-39), but none of these will remove us from the "Love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord". With this confidence given to us, it should be our delight to obey Him in everything He tells us or requires of us. Then when the Day of His Appearing comes, our confidence in Christ & His Blessed Work in us, causes us to rejoice & "not be ashamed at His Coming" ( 1 John 2:28). Those who live in sin & selfish desires will be in terror & horror overcoming them, when they see the Holy One of God appear & their sins exposed. Onto Page 2.
You asked, "what GOD's NAME was manifested by my Lord JESUS?" Yet, reading the rest of your comments, it appears to me that you hold to an "only Jesus is in Heaven" position, that when Jesus was made flesh, "GOD called Himself Jesus.." Really!!! So, as not to be mistaken, are you in that camp, that says 'that since God is in Christ that only Jesus is now in Heaven'? I'm hoping that I've misunderstood you, as we know most assuredly that when Jesus ascended into Heaven, He went back to the Father & is seated at His right Hand ( John 20:17, Acts 2:32,33, Romans 8:34, Hebrews 1:3, 1 Peter 3:22, etc.). So, NOT two Gods, but the One God, with Jesus His Son Who came forth out of God now distinct from Him through the incarnation. Thus He rightly fully claims the eternity of the Godhead (the Alpha & Omega), & also receives the worship of all. So your comments are troubling, if that is your position.
Whenever we question suffering and why it needs to be on this earth today; the ultimate question may be why did God's Son have to suffer beyond any other in creation? Again; the physical death would have been nothing compared to the sweat of drops of blood considering His upcoming separation from the Father and taking on our sins onto Himself. This atonement is perhaps the biggest reason suffering needs be; it all began with the fall of man and it's ripple effect in all Creation but God in His infinite wisdom knew that this atonement needed to happen to restore all things to Himself ( Acts 3:21).
One could; of course look at all of human history as one would view a screen play; full of drama; pathos and various characters of antagonist or protagonist leanings. This helps us to examine God's overall "emotions" (again reducing things to a human level to comprehend characteristics of the Godhead). If we were to examine our free will in the midst of this it could be crudely compared to a rogue actor doing some unscripted scene which is confined to the small time allotted for the play to act itself out.
This shows how we as humans cannot ultimately change the course of predetermined events; but also that we are not robots ourselves who are always bound to the same script but all have individual roles to play and also how all of us are interconnected to each other. This results in all who are His own on "stage right" as it were and the rest on "stage left". Proverbs 3:6 says in all ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your steps (I believe that is one translation).
When we look to the Apostle Paul's declaration that the sufferings of the present time are nothing compared to the glory to come ( Romans 8:18) we see that the joys of heaven will therefore be so much the greater after the harvest from today's brief trials
The sin of the sons of God having relations with women ( Gen. 6:2) and the resulting hybrid offspring seems to be clear as written; although some take it as some symbolic event. People often try to make a spurious claim of these being offspring of Cain and ignore the fact that all mankind was judged at the flood except for Noah and his immediate family (who I would say Genesis 6:9 indicates that his seed wasn't corrupted as the rest of mankind when it mentions that he was "perfect in his generations")
Science seems to indicate several mass extinctions separated by aeons of time; the greatest of which I believe is stated to be in the Cambrian mass extinction event the better part of 1 billion years ago; and the later one wiping out the dinosaurs and other creatures some 65 million years or so. What it can't explain; of course is how undigested food is found in dinosaurs that were obviously frozen to death in mass graves along with other complexities where trees; and catastrophic destruction of trees and other evidence clearly indicating a mass inundation of flood waters. As I alluded to in the first post today there is more than ample evidence of giant and advanced structures (pyramids in various countries; Balbak (or however it is spelled) and other giant sized structure found in islands in the Mediterranean and elsewhere in the world such as Stonehenge which defy explanation as to how the stones were moved and how they were cut to reflect advanced technology and often tied in with regular astronomical events with the direction they are facing.
Christians at least up until recently have understood that man's evil resulted in collateral damage to the rest of creation which continues to groan up until today ( Romans 8:19-22). It would seem that the last evil Satan is going to bring to pass after the mass appeal of alternate sexual lifestyles is a merging with AI. This guarantees damnation as Revelation promises.
Yet, with Colossians 1:15, "the firstborn of every creature" (or, creation), doesn't seem to imply that believers are the object; though you (or, your Church) feels it does: "that first born of all creation means that Jesus was the first child of God among all other born(again) children (us, God's children)". It's interesting that 'creation' is used here, which doesn't seem to easily bring Christ's Church into its meaning.
That was interesting about the usage of 'arche', that it could be applied to rulers, principalities, etc. I checked your reference Revelation 3:14, and though the application of 'arche' is defined as "that by which anything begins to be, the origin, active cause", your other references ( Colossians 1:16 & Ephesians 3:10) certainly apply to 'principalities/rulers'. And other references are given in support of this: Luke 12:11, Titus 3:1, Ephesians 1:21, Colossians 2:10, & others. So thank you for giving us more to consider in this matter.
Many of these themes are interchangeable with the verses quoted. The terminology isn't the greatest; as people can indeed grieve the Spirit as scripture indicates. I believe limited atonement is also the hardest thing to prove; I would say that "Effectual grace" is a much better term.
I wrote what I did in the first posting on purpose as many tend to have a sort of pride about which Reformer is their favorite or obsess on the subject making a doctrine be above the author and finisher of our faith Christ Himself. We can't fit our theological premise neatly with all scriptures in human understanding. I take; for example the politically incorrect stance that free will doesn't intimidate God with His predestination plans. There are distinct advantages to understanding these doctrines however.
1. It explains why those in our families and others we are close to and hear the Gospel for years never become believers.
2. It shows how God draws His elect from before a confession of faith (preserves our lives until coming to salvation) for believers.
3. It allows us to "test ourselves to see if we are in the faith" ( 2 Cor. 13:5) so that we can indeed claim His promises as something we actually possess because of a saving faith rather than "decisional regeneration" a term where people make a confession but their hearts are not in it.
I mentioned on an old posting how a small group split because God grants repentance ( 2 Tim. 2:25; etal). Some didn't want to preach the need to repent; although God grants the desire we must bear fruit and change our ways
Part 2
A good work is when we do the will of God as a response to his love, mercy and our new identity of righteousness in Jesus Christ. In our New Covenant with God, grace is the ruling factor.
Grace and truth have come to us through Jesus. ( John 1:17) Truth is the law. And the problem with the law is our flesh, our fallen nature.
Grace - Godly ability, the divine influence which works in the heart of man making him able. It is God's perfect provision for man's every need.
It takes both truth and grace for good works. We need truth to know what the action of good works are. And we also need grace in order to have the proper motivation for good works.
The term "fallen from grace" doesn't mean that someone has fallen from sin. Rather it means they no longer have access to God's ability in them. They have left grace and are fixated on truth alone, and are trying to do good works in their own ability.
But what they get in that case is nothing but dead works instead.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Romans 8:14
God bless.
We have all come another day closer to the return of Christ. Isaiah 51:6 and other verses in Psalms refer to the earth waxing old like a garment; but as Job said there will be a resurrection and we shall see Him in our own flesh ( Job 19:26 and surrounding verses). The suffering of the saints which is part of God's purging process in our own lives will come to an end; certainly if Paul with the immense suffering promised him in Acts 9:16 could state that sufferings now are no comparison to what is to come ( Romans 8:18) heaven is too wonderful for words.
Whatever is left will be restored during the Millennium so that people can live fulfilled long lives in a peaceful existence. The earth will produce its fruit in abundance and Satan will be restrained. Only this will bring about the end of war ( Isaiah 2:4).
I will be the first to admit; and I doubt that I'm the only one that it seems almost a cruel joke to hold on to such hope; especially in regard to the Rapture which was rather obsessed over in the 1970s and 1980s and today hardly discussed in traditional church settings. We have come to a point where it is not discussed in church; but there are numerous online sites which are pretty much obsessed with the topic and endless dreams and visions that individuals are supposed to have had on the issue. It is hard to imagine just how great it will be not to have Satan and his emissaries like a spider with tentacles removed from what is now a chokehold on almost everything in the world today. Nonetheless we have a cloud of witnesses ( Heb. 12:1) which are of every saint who has died since the time of Christ and in fact some are the "first of the firstfruits" as it were of the O.T. saints resurrected in Matthew 27:52 and 53.
To imagine society without the violence and lawlessness of today is a stretch. When Christ comes to rule with a rod of iron He will also be just (see Isaiah 11:3 and other verses). Today may He reign in our hearts.
This was the Apostle Paul who received this powerful, yet comforting Word from His Lord. As Adam wrote here, Paul was a prime example of much suffering, not just in the physical realm, but also spiritual & emotional. His life was marked by daily suffering & anguish of heart & spirit, yet he persevered in the Gospel, knowing that his sufferings were but momentary compared to 'the glory which is yet to be revealed (to us &) in us'. "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." ( Romans 8:18). See also 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.
If these great men of faith, even our sinless Lord & Savior Jesus Christ, were not immune from suffering, we know that while we are in the flesh, the workings of sin & corruption within, will always manifest itself in one form or another. My wife & I have been thus far blessed not to have any debilitating illness or injury come upon us (only the minor interruptions to sound health, because of age), yet we know that we can never take this for granted & are resting in our Father's Arms each day for whatever the day might bring forth.
Psalm 27 has always been precious to us. Sure, it was King David calling upon God as his enemies troubled him from every side, but can we not also consider that it's not just the anger of men we might face, but just living in corrupt bodies in a corrupt world that continually works against our joy & perfection in Christ? Please read this Psalm of praise & trust by David & particularly v14, "Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD."
But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Romans 8:38-39 says:
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
It would seem that we are coming to the fulfillment of both Psalm 83 and one of Isaiah 17:1 very soon as well. At some point a false peace will take over at the first seal of Revelation and it could appear to head that way immediately before then; followed by the Rapture. We probably have years ahead; if He tarries of unprecedented persecution and sad to say martyrdom. We are said to be hated of ALL nations; then the end will come ( Matthew 24:9). This could have a final fulfillment during the Tribulation but also could be speaking of today.
Prayer of course is paramount. I know someone who has recently moved to Israel in the ministry (I will leave out his name and position for security sake). He and his wife see firsthand the displacement of hundreds of thousands from the border areas being attacked on multiple fronts. There are those behind the scenes funding and staging the mass demonstrations in several cities today who no doubt will not stop until they are forced to and have no less goal than overthrowing our government and making this into a Muslim country with Sharia law. No doubt we should continue to pray for individuals the Lord puts into our lives. Some things are better avoided; but we all need to search our hearts to trust God if we need to defend the life of another in these situations of mass looting and no doubt increasing violence. We all need to prepare for martial law at the very least. The end is near and now it is vital that we preach it and trust God iving obediently