Look Up For Your Redemption Draws Near

 

Look Up For Your Redemption Draws Near!

 

There is much talk in The Church about the end of time,  the Rapture, the Great Tribulation and the current wars and political situation in Israel, America and the world. There are many sermons and books about the time in which we live and the prophecies about the End of Days and the Great Tribulation. Many of them are contradictory to each other because there is much confusion of the order of and overlapping of events as described in The Bible.

 

Luke 21:28 “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your Redemption draws near!”

Matthew 24:13 “But he who endures to the end shall be Saved!”

Matthew 24:44 “Therefore you also be ready, for The Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect!”

 

JESUS told us many of the signs we should be watching for, some of which have been happening since the tower of Babel; some of which have not happened yet; some of which have been fulfilled  and yet will be fulfilled again. Like the destruction and desolation of the Temple in Jerusalem: it has happened three times; the Chaldeans under Nebuchadnezzar, The Greeks, though it is not recorded in The Bible and the Romans in 70 AD which is not recorded in The Bible. Yet it will be desolated again by the antichrist! The Chaldeans and the Romans destroyed Jerusalem, The Temple and desecrated the Temple; the Greeks only desecrated The Temple; the antichrist will only desecrate The Temple.

 

But all the signs JESUS gave us in The Gospels and The Revelation are to help us know the time in which we live so that we can Endure and be Ready for His Return. There is too much teaching on the signs and not enough on the Enduring! If we are keeping watch for His Return and are ready for His Return then we will not be caught as if by a thief in the night (Luke 21:34-36). We have to endure the persecution of the End of Days, just as we have to endure the persecution of the present day. During the Last Days it will be harder, but that is only for seven years.

 

JESUS said the time would be cut short for the sake of the Saints (Matthew 24:22); seven years is pretty short out of the almost 2000 since CHRIST was Crucified and Raised. The Church has been persecuted ever since His Ascension and will be until the Seventh Trumpet. At the Seventh Trumpet the Church will be raptured and the seven bowls (vials) of GOD’s Wrath will be poured out on the nations, then the battle of Armageddon, then CHRIST will take His Throne in Jerusalem and Reign for one thousand years. What a day that will be! (Revelation 11:14-19; 14; 15; 16; 19)

 

By the modern calendar we are in the year 2024 - it has changed since the first century AD and they have no idea when we reach 6000 years of humanities rule over the earth since they are confused about the Beginning.

By the Hebrew calendar we are in the year 5785 – it has changed since the first century AD, but they believe we have 215 more years of humanities rule over the earth.

By the Essene calendar we are in the year 5950 – this is original Hebrew calendar counting from Creation, which means we have 50 more years of humanities rule over the earth.

 

What does all this mean? That is the mystery that is hidden in the Scriptures that each of us who believe in JESUS CHRIST as The Son of GOD Who was Crucified to take away our sins and Raised from the dead to Give us Eternal Life have to find. Seek first The Kingdom of GOD and His Righteousness is more than a promise about GOD meeting the needs of our physical life; it is the command to search out GOD and His Plan for our life! Do a simple word search of seek on your electronic Bible app, then obey.

 

The Bible tells us that every thought, word and action of our life is recorded and will be reviewed at the Great White Throne Judgment, and we will be judged accordingly.

 

Don’t be confused by those who teach that Christians will be judged by CHRIST at the Bema Seat, not at The Great White Throne. The Bema Seat of Judgment is The Great White Throne; JESUS and The Father are One, read Revelation 20:11-15, understand how inclusive verses 12-13 are.

 

GOD is going to hold each and everyone of us; Redeemed and not redeemed, heard about JESUS or did not hear about JESUS; accountable to how we lived our life. It is our responsibility to seek GOD and learn of His Ways and then Obey! We live in a time when almost every person in the world has heard about JESUS and most of the world has access to The Bible in one form or another. If you listen to what others say about GOD, JESUS, The HOLY SPIRIT and The Bible, and they teach incorrect or falsely what the Bible says and what GOD expects of you and you live your life according to that teaching; GOD will judge them for that but He will also judge you because you did not take the time to seek Him, to study His Word or listen to His SPIRIT. You could wind up being like those in Matthew 7:21-23 or 1 Corinthians 3:11-15.

 

“Seek The LORD while I may be found…!” “You Seek first The Kingdom of GOD and His Righteousness…!” Isaiah 55:6; Matthew 6:33; GOD The Father and JESUS The CHRIST both have commanded us to seek them.

 

https://youtu.be/k7GDv36rE1I

Are You Watching And Ready For JESUS' Return?

 

Are You Watching And Ready

For JESUS’ Return?

 

Do you believe in the  Rapture or Catching Away of The Church at the beginning of the Great Tribulation? Sorry that is not going to happen! The Rapture will happen at the Last Trumpet, The Day JESUS CHRIST returns to the earth to start His 1000 year Reign over the nations. Please study these Scriptures: Matthew 24:29-31; Mark 13:24-27; Luke 21:25-28; 1 Corinthians 15:50-55 ; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 John 2:28-3:3; Revelation 11, 14, 16 and 19.

 

The Church is going to be Raptured or Caught Up to JESUS just before the Bowls of GOD’s Wrath are poured out on the nations (Revelation 14:15-18 and15-16). JESUS did not tell us that we have to endure to the end (Matthew 10:22, 24:13 [Mark 13:13]) or to overcome (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21) to be saved (not salvation from death and hell, but to be saved from GOD’s Wrath that is to be poured out on the nations of the earth) if there was nothing to be overcome or to endure!

 

“By your patience possess your souls.” Luke 21:19, what does that mean? Study The last 3 ½ years of the Great Tribulation: Matthew 24:15-28; Mark 13:14-23; Luke 21:19-28; Revelation 11, 13 ,14:1-13; 15, 16.

 

There is much talk among the pre-tribulation rapturists about there is no mention of the Church in Revelation after Chapters 4 or 5. What?

 

In chapter 5 the 24 Elders are Christians who have been promoted, The Church is in Heaven and on the earth until the Eternal Kingdom of Revelation in chapters 21 and 22. There is only One Body of CHRIST – The Church, since JESUS’ Resurrection, it is both in Heaven in GOD’s presence and on the earth doing the Work of His Kingdom (Matthew 22:32-33; John 14:1-5; 2 Corinthians 5:1-11). In Revelation 6:9-11 the martyrs cry out to GOD; chapter 7:9-10 a great multitude from every nation, tribe, people and tongue are worshiping GOD in Heaven; chapter 8:3-4 the prayers of the saints are being lifted up to Heaven; chapter 9:1-12 the locusts plague is only for those who have taken the mark of the beast, if there were no Christians why make this distinction? Chapter 11 the 2 Witnesses, are they not part of The Church? Chapter 12:13-17, the devil seeing he is defeated in Heaven and has only a short time is going after The Church, this will not end until he is bound for 1000 years during CHRIST’s reign over the nations, even then he will be let loose for a season to raise up another army of people who do not want to serve GOD; the devil is not finally stopped until the Great White Throne Judgment of Revelation 19:11-15. Chapter 13:7-8 the antichrist and the false prophet make war with the saints; chapter 14 the 144,000 Hebrew men who serve JESUS they are part of The Church, “Here is the patience of The Saints, here are those who keep the commandments of GOD and the Faith of JESUS. Then I heard a voice from Heaven saying to me, ‘Write: “Blessed are the dead who die in The LORD from now on”’ ‘Yes,’ says The SPIRIT, ‘that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.’” Revelation 14:12-13. Then comes the Rapture (Revelation 14:14-16) and The Wrath of GOD (Revelation 14:17-20).

 

Some say those who did not really believe are left behind at the Rapture and they become the Church during the Great Tribulation. If all the “True Christians” get raptured at the beginning of the Great Tribulation, who is going to disciple the now want to be “Real Christians” during the Great Tribulation? That was ok for the book series and movies but it does not play out in real life. Those who believed they are a Christian because they said a prayer at some point in their life and that they should have been Raptured, for the most part are not suddenly going to want to serve GOD according to the Bible, which they do not know anything about.

 

What actually will happen is that many if not most of those who believe in and depend on the Rapture at the beginning of the Great Tribulation, when they find out that there is no Rapture at the beginning and that they have to go through the Great Tribulation they are going to revolt against GOD. Those who taught the Rapture at the beginning of the Great Tribulation will apologize trying to tell everyone they made a mistake and the Rapture will come in the middle of the Great Tribulation (Which it will not!), before it gets really bad. They will be mock and attack, even physically those who lied to them – many people are going to be very mad and want to extract revenge on those who lied to them; and non-Christians are going to jump on the bandwagon attacking Christianity and The Bible.

 

Pretribulation rapturists also quote this Scripture “Unless The LORD had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for The Elect’s sake, whom He Chose, He shortened the days.” Mark 13:20 “The Elect” is The Church, The body of CHRIST in the earth; “no flesh” is all humanity, even The Elect. I am not sure how this reflects on the Rapture but it does speak of GOD’s desire not to torture His creation and to save as many as possible (Ezekiel 33:11-12; 2 Peter 3:7-9).

 

Now about GOD shortening the time, remember that GOD invented time and is not bound by it as we are. Out of the 6000 years of humanities rule (which Adam surrendered to the devil practically at the beginning and is almost over), 7 years of Great Tribulation is a very short time and 3 ½ years is extremely short; surly “True Christians” can “…overcome him (the devil) by The Blood of The Lamb, and by word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” Revelation 12:11

 

All that was the introduction to the meat of this teaching, Are you watching and ready for JESUS’ Return (Second coming)? Since there is no Rapture at the beginning of the Great Tribulation are you ready? Have you prepared for when you cannot go to the market to buy food, or to the pharmacy to buy medicines, or rent an apartment, etc.? It’s going to be bad enough at the beginning when you are hated for being a Christian, when you lose your job, get beat up by anti-christians, or any number of things that can be done to you and your family just because you are a Christian. Many nominal Christians are going to fall away during this time, study the parables of the  sower Matthew 13:1-23; Mark 4:1-20; Luke 8:4-15.

 

In Matthew 24:45-25:30 JESUS gives us 3 parables of being faithful and ready for His Return.

In Matthew 24:32-44; Mark 13:28-32  and Luke 21:29-38 JESUS gives us two parables of watching and being ready for His Return.

In Matthew 25:31-46 JESUS tells us what is going to happen at His Return to the nations that survive.

 

JESUS told us we would have trials, tribulations, tests and persecutions all through our life as a Christian and He warns us how much worse it will be during the Great Tribulation. So are you preparing for the Great Tribulation? JESUS told us to know the signs of the times, prepare for His coming and to watch for His coming so that we are not caught off guard. Matthew 24:36-51 “…Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour (watch of the night) your LORD is coming…Therefore you also be ready, for the son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect…Blessed is that servant whom his Master, when he Comes, will find so doing; Matthew 25:1-13 and Luke 12:35-48 “…Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which The Son of Man is coming.”

 

“Then He also said to the multitudes, ‘Whenever you see a cloud rising out of the west, immediately you say, “A shower is coming”; and so it is. And when you see the south wind blow, you say, “There will be hot weather”; and there is. Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it that you do not discern this time?’” Luke 12:54-56

 

“Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came and testing Him, asked that He would show them a sign from Heaven. He answered and said to them, ‘When it is evening you say, “It will be fair weather for the sky is red”; and in the morning, ”It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.” Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of Jonah.’ And He left them and departed.” Matthew 16:1-4 (Mark 8:11-12) Now the sign they wanted was some miracle to convince them He was the Son of GOD, JESUS wanted them to recognize the signs of Scripture being fulfilled.

 

Remember, JESUS said that He was coming back “as a thief in the night”, but only to those who are not watching and ready for His Return. If you are watching for His Return by doing what He has given you to do (and GOD has given every person a calling in His Kingdom on the earth), if you are studying the signs of the time in which we live, if you are seeking His Kingdom and Righteousness before everything else. Then you will not be surprised when He returns.

 

But if you believe that you are going to be rescued (raptured) before the Great Tribulation, then you probably are not preparing for the Great Tribulation, so your experience will be even worse than if you made basic preparations for surviving a pending catastrophic storm.

 

Study these parables, it does not end well for the servants who lose track of the signs of JESUS’ Return, back slid into sin or just did nothing. Even some will be busy doing the Works of The Kingdom as they want to do it and miss out on Eternity, Matthew 7:13-29, 15:7-20. GOD is serious, when JESUS says things like, “If you put your hand to the plow and look back, you are not fit for The Kingdom of GOD.” Luke 9:57-62 Or “If you love father, mother, siblings, spouse or children more than Me, you are not worthy of Me.” Matthew 10:37-39, what do you think He means?

 

JESUS said that many are called and few chosen (Matthew 7:13-14, 20:16, 22:14) what does that mean? “For GOD so Loved the world that He sent His Only Begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have Everlasting Life. He did not send His Son into the world to Condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved.” “To those who believed in Him He gave the Right to be the Children of GOD, to those who were born not of the flesh but of GOD.” (my paraphrase of John 3:16-17 and John 1:12-13) This is what JESUS was trying to get Nicodemus to understand in John 3:1-15. Everybody is called to be saved! But not everyone will except the Gift of Salvation.

 

To be of those who are chosen we must keep GOD’s and JESUS’ commandments, yes JESUS gave us about 50 commandments (though I’ve never tried to find them all myself). GOD gave the Hebrews the Torah with all its commandments, of which The Ten Commandments applies to all humanity (Exodus 20:1-17). Here are just a few of JESUS’ commandments: “Love your enemies, do good to those who spitefully use you.” (Matthew 5:43-48) “Lay down your life, take up your cross and follow Me.” (Mark 8:34-38) “If you keep My Commandments you will be My disciples indeed and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-36) “Unless you repent you will perish.” (Luke 13:1-5) and the most important commandment of JESUS, The Great Commission Mark 16:14-18.

 

Are you ready for His Return at the end of the Great Tribulation?

 

https://youtu.be/PsdQETFtwao

Isaiah 40:31 Wait

 

Isaiah 40:31

Wait

 

“Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel; ‘My way is hidden from The LORD, and my just claim is passed over by my GOD’?

Have you not known?

Have you not heard?

The Everlasting GOD, The LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary.

His Understanding is Unsearchable.

He gives Power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength.

Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall.

But those who Wait on The LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”

Isaiah 40:27-31 NKJV

 

There are a lot of teachings on verse 31, but I am studying “wait”.

There are a few types of waiting: waiting on, as a servant or slave to the needs and desires of others; waiting for something (known or unknown) to happen; waiting for someone or something to arrive or depart; waiting for some event to start or conclude; waiting in hiding out of fear or to surprise or attack someone or something.

 

Many quote this verse with the emphasis on “…they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” But the commandment is to Wait on The LORD! (Remember, every Blessing comes with a Commandment [or Requirement]).

 

So how do we wait? There is plenty of teaching about being in the presence of The LORD, quite and listening (this is harder than implied); meditating is easier because our mind wants to be active.

 

But waiting on The LORD is not being all quiet and still, as seen in the definitions below waiting also means to have expectation of GOD’s Purpose to come forth in our life, family, community, fellowship, and nation. What is it that you are expecting GOD to be doing today in these areas and how are you (or are you) participating. Waiting is always both active and still whether you are waiting as a servant or waiting in secret you are actively waiting!

 

What is the result of waiting on GOD? Being One with Him in JESUS, in John 15 JESUS makes it clear that we are to Abide in Him, in John 17, JESUS prays GOD’s Will for us to be One with Them. GOD takes away our sin and gives us His SPIRIT (The Holy SPIRIT) and Adopts us as Joint-Heirs with JESUS of His Eternal Kingdom, “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live you will live also. At that day you will know that I Am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.” John 14:19-20 (Jonh 1:12-13; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; Romans 8:14-17).

 

So as you wait on The LORD wait with patience expectation whether in quiet stillness, or meditation on His Word, or in actively doing the Work GOD has given you to do.

 

Wait – 6960 = qâvâh; a primary root; to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e. collect; (figuratively) to expect:-gather (together), look patiently, tarry, wait (for, on, upon).

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible, A Concise Dictionary of The
words in The Hebrew Bible, James Strong, MacDonald Publishing

 

Wait – vb 1: to remain inactive in readiness or expectation ⟨~~ for orders⟩ 2: to delay serving (a meal) 3: to act as attendant or servant ⟨~~ on customers⟩ 4: to attend as a waiter : serve ⟨~~ tables⟩ ⟨~~ at a banquet⟩ 5: to be ready [await, hide, hold on, stay : also hang around, linger, stick around.

Wait – n 1:a position of concealment usually with intent to attack or surprise ⟨lie in ~~⟩ 2: an act or period of waiting.

Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary and Thesaurus, 2006

 

https://youtu.be/BHdcibXbH6g

Hebrews Chapter 11 Faith Parts 1 & 2

 

Hebrews Chapter 11

Faith Parts 1 & 2

 

The word faith was only used two times in the Old Testament in the KJV and The NKJV:

Faith = Hebrew: established, i.e. (figuratively) trusty; also (abstractly) trustworthiness: faith (-ful), truth. “And He said: ‘I will hide My face from them, I will see what their end will be, for they are a perverse generation, children in whom is no faith.” Deuteronomy 32:20 Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary #329

Faith = Hebrew: literally - firmness; figuratively - security; morally – fidelity : faith (-ful, -ly, -ness [man]), set office, stability, steady, truly, verily. “Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him; but the just (My just one) shall live by his faith.” Habakkuk 2:4 Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary #530

Faith = Greek: persuasion, i.e. credence; morally – convictions (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of GOD or a religious teacher), especially – reliance upon CHRIST for Salvation; abstractly – constancy in such profession, by extension the system of religious (Gospel) Truth itself: assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity. Strong’s Greek Dictionary #4102 (#4102 was used every time in the New Testament except 6; #3640 was used 5 times in Matthew 6:30, 8:26, 14:31, 16:8, Luke 12:28; and #1680 was used once in Hebrews 10:23.) Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance

 

In the modern Church the word faith has taken on mystical meaning, some supernatural power. The definition I like the best is “…constancy in such profession, by extension the system of religious (Gospel) Truth itself: assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.” In some translations it is rendered as trust, i.e. Do you trust GOD at His Word?

 

 

Part 1

 

:1-2 Now Faith is the substance (realization) of things hoped for (Colossians 2:15-17, the evidence (Or confidence) of things not seen (Romans 4:13-16).  For by it the elders obtained a good testimony (2 Corinthians 4:13-18).

 

:3 By Faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of GOD, so that the things which are seen are not made of things which are visible. (Genesis 1; John 1:1-4)

 

:4 By Faith Abel offered to GOD a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, GOD testifying of his gifts; and through it, he being dead still speaks (Genesis 4:3-5; Hebrews 12:22-24).

 

:5 By Faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found because GOD had taken him” (Genesis 5:21-24); for before he was taken, he had this testimony, that he pleased GOD.

 

:6 For without Faith (Psalm 37:3-6; Proverbs 3:3-8) it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to GOD must Believe that He Is (John 14:1, 20:29-31; James 2:19; 1 John 3:24), and that He is a Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Isaiah 55:6-7; Matthew 6:31-33).

 

:7 By Faith Noah being divinely warned of things not yet seen (Genesis 6:13-22), moved with GODLY Fear (Proverbs 9:10), prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to Faith (Romans 3:21-26).

 

:8-10 By Faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance (Genesis 12:1-4). And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same Promise (Romans 4:16); for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is GOD (Revelation 21:1-2, 10).

 

:11-12 By Faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed (Genesis17:19, 18:11-14), and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him Faithful Who had Promised (Genesis 21:1-2). Therefore from one man and him as good as dead (Romans 4:19-22), were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude (Genesis15:5) – innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore (Genesis 22:17; Romans 4:17-18).

 

:13-16 These all died in Faith, not having received the Promises (Genesis 12:7; 2 Corinthians 7:1), but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is a Heavenly country (2 Peter 1:2-4; 1 John 2:24-25). Therefore GOD is not ashamed to be called their GOD, for He has prepared a City for them (Revelation 21:22-27).

 

https://youtu.be/mkE2m13_7a8

 

___________________________________________________________________________________

Part 2

 

:17-19 By Faith Abraham, when he was tested (1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 1 Peter 1:6-7), offered up Isaac (Genesis 22:9-18; James 2:20-21), and he who had received the Promises offered up his only begotten son (John 3:16-17), of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called (Genesis 21:12),” concluding that GOD was Able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense (Acts 13:29-35).

 

:20 By Faith Isaac Blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come (Genesis 27:26-40).

 

:21By Faith Jacob, when he was dying, Blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshipped, leaning on the top of his staff (Genesis 48:1-20).

 

:22 By Faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the Children of Israel, and gave instruction concerning his bones (Genesis 50:24-25).

 

:23 By Faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command (Exodus 1:16-24, 2:1-3).

 

:24-26 By Faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter (Exodus 2:11-15), choosing rather to share affliction with the people of GOD than to enjoy the passing (temporary) pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach (reviling because of) of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt (Romans 8:18); for he looked to the Reward (Revelation 22:12).

 

:27 By Faith he forsook Egypt (Exodus 2:15), not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him Who is invisible (1 Timothy 1:17).

 

:28 By Faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them (Exodus 12:21, 29-30; John 1:29; Romans 5:20-21).

 

:29 By faith they passed though the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were all drowned (Exodus 14:22-30; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13).

 

:30 By Faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. (Joshua 6; Zechariah 4:6-7).

 

:31 By Faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace. (Joshua 2:1, 6:22-25; Ruth 4:18-22; Matthew 1:5-6 [JESUS’ genealogy includes a harlot, a Moabite and an adulterous woman]).

 

Verses 31 and 32 show that John 3:16-17 is true, 2 Peter 3:9.

 

:32-34 And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon (Judges 6:11-7:25) and Barak (Judges 4:6-24) and Samson (Judges 13:24-16:31) and Jephthah (Judges 11:1-12), also of David and Samuel and the prophets; who through Faith subdued kingdoms, worked Righteousness,  obtained Promises, stopped the mouths of lions (Daniel 6), quenched the violence of fire (Daniel 3:23-28), escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong (1 Corinthians 1:26-31; Romans 8:26-30; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10), became valiant in battle, turned to fight the armies of the aliens.

 

:35-38 Women received their dead raised to life again (1 Kings 17:22). Others were tortured (Acts 22:25), not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourings, yes, even of chains and imprisonment (Genesis 39:20) [the story of Joseph sold into slavery and put in prison Genesis 39-41; Jeremiah put in stocks and thrown into a muddy pit Jeremiah 37-38]). They were stoned (1 Kings 21:1-16),  they were swan in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword (Acts 12:1-4). They wandered about (2 Kings 1:8) in sheepskins and goatskins (Zechariah 13:4), being destitute, afflicted, tormented – of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob wandered through the Promised Land but never possessed more than a place to bury their dead; 1 Kings 18:4, 19:1-10; ).

 

:39-40 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through Faith, did not receive the Promise. GOD having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us (John 8:27-30; 1 Peter 3:18-19; Ephesians 4:7-10).

 

https://youtu.be/0JpWJLIu2lE

Hebrews Chapter 11:17-40 Faith Part 2

 

Hebrews Chapter 11:17-40

Faith Part 2

 

:17-19 By Faith Abraham, when he was tested (1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 1 Peter 1:6-7), offered up Isaac (Genesis 22:9-18; James 2:20-21), and he who had received the Promises offered up his only begotten son (John 3:16-17), of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called (Genesis 21:12),” concluding that GOD was Able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense (Acts 13:29-35).

 

:20 By Faith Isaac Blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come (Genesis 27:26-40).

 

:21By Faith Jacob, when he was dying, Blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshipped, leaning on the top of his staff (Genesis 48:1-20).

 

:22 By Faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the Children of Israel, and gave instruction concerning his bones (Genesis 50:24-25).

 

:23 By Faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command (Exodus 1:16-24, 2:1-3).

 

:24-26 By Faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter (Exodus 2:11-15), choosing rather to share affliction with the people of GOD than to enjoy the passing (temporary) pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach (reviling because of) of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt (Romans 8:18); for he looked to the Reward (Revelation 22:12).

 

:27 By Faith he forsook Egypt (Exodus 2:15), not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him Who is invisible (1 Timothy 1:17).

 

:28 By Faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them (Exodus 12:21, 29-30; John 1:29; Romans 5:20-21).

 

:29 By faith they passed though the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were all drowned (Exodus 14:22-30; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13).

 

:30 By Faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. (Joshua 6; Zechariah 4:6-7).

 

:31 By Faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace. (Joshua 2:1, 6:22-25; Ruth 4:18-22; Matthew 1:5-6 [JESUS’ genealogy includes a harlot, a Moabite and an adulterous woman]).

 

Verses 31 and 32 show that John 3:16-17 is true, 2 Peter 3:9.

 

:32-34 And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon (Judges 6:11-7:25) and Barak (Judges 4:6-24) and Samson (Judges 13:24-16:31) and Jephthah (Judges 11:1-12), also of David and Samuel and the prophets; who through Faith subdued kingdoms, worked Righteousness,  obtained Promises, stopped the mouths of lions (Daniel 6), quenched the violence of fire (Daniel 3:23-28), escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong (1 Corinthians 1:26-31; Romans 8:26-30; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10), became valiant in battle, turned to fight the armies of the aliens.

 

:35-38 Women received their dead raised to life again (1 Kings 17:22). Others were tortured (Acts 22:25), not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourings, yes, even of chains and imprisonment (Genesis 39:20) [the story of Joseph sold into slavery and put in prison Genesis 39-41; Jeremiah put in stocks and thrown into a muddy pit Jeremiah 37-38]). They were stoned (1 Kings 21:1-16),  they were swan in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword (Acts 12:1-4). They wandered about (2 Kings 1:8) in sheepskins and goatskins (Zechariah 13:4), being destitute, afflicted, tormented – of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob wandered through the Promised Land but never possessed more than a place to bury their dead; 1 Kings 18:4, 19:1-10; ).

 

:39-40 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through Faith, did not receive the Promise. GOD having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us (John 8:27-30; 1 Peter 3:18-19; Ephesians 4:7-10).

 

https://youtu.be/0JpWJLIu2lE

Hebrews Chapter 11:1-16 Faith Part 1

 

Hebrews Chapter 11:1-16

Faith Part 1

 

The word faith was only used two times in the Old Testament in the KJV and The NKJV:

Faith = Hebrew: established, i.e. (figuratively) trusty; also (abstractly) trustworthiness: faith (-ful), truth. “And He said: ‘I will hide My face from them, I will see what their end will be, for they are a perverse generation, children in whom is no faith.” Deuteronomy 32:20 Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary #329

Faith = Hebrew: literally - firmness; figuratively - security; morally – fidelity : faith (-ful, -ly, -ness [man]), set office, stability, steady, truly, verily. “Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him; but the just (My just one) shall live by his faith.” Habakkuk 2:4 Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary #530

Faith = Greek: persuasion, i.e. credence; morally – convictions (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of GOD or a religious teacher), especially – reliance upon CHRIST for Salvation; abstractly – constancy in such profession, by extension the system of religious (Gospel) Truth itself: assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity. Strong’s Greek Dictionary #4102 (#4102 was used every time in the New Testament except 6; #3640 was used 5 times in Matthew 6:30, 8:26, 14:31, 16:8, Luke 12:28; and #1680 was used once in Hebrews 10:23.) Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance

 

In the modern Church the word faith has taken on mystical meaning, some supernatural power. The definition I like the best is “…constancy in such profession, by extension the system of religious (Gospel) Truth itself: assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.” In some translations it is rendered as trust, i.e. Do you trust GOD at His Word?

 

:1-2 Now Faith is the substance (realization) of things hoped for (Colossians 2:15-17, the evidence (Or confidence) of things not seen (Romans 4:13-16).  For by it the elders obtained a good testimony (2 Corinthians 4:13-18).

 

:3 By Faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of GOD, so that the things which are seen are not made of things which are visible. (Genesis 1; John 1:1-4)

 

:4 By Faith Abel offered to GOD a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, GOD testifying of his gifts; and through it, he being dead still speaks (Genesis 4:3-5; Hebrews 12:22-24).

 

:5 By Faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found because GOD had taken him” (Genesis 5:21-24); for before he was taken, he had this testimony, that he pleased GOD.

 

:6 For without Faith (Psalm 37:3-6; Proverbs 3:3-8) it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to GOD must Believe that He Is (John 14:1, 20:29-31; James 2:19; 1 John 3:24), and that He is a Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Isaiah 55:6-7; Matthew 6:31-33).

 

:7 By Faith Noah being divinely warned of things not yet seen (Genesis 6:13-22), moved with GODLY Fear (Proverbs 9:10), prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to Faith (Romans 3:21-26).

 

:8-10 By Faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance (Genesis 12:1-4). And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same Promise (Romans 4:16); for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is GOD (Revelation 21:1-2, 10).

 

:11-12 By Faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed (Genesis17:19, 18:11-14), and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him Faithful Who had Promised (Genesis 21:1-2). Therefore from one man and him as good as dead (Romans 4:19-22), were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude (Genesis15:5) – innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore (Genesis 22:17; Romans 4:17-18).

 

:13-16 These all died in Faith, not having received the Promises (Genesis 12:7; 2 Corinthians 7:1), but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is a Heavenly country (2 Peter 1:2-4; 1 John 2:24-25). Therefore GOD is not ashamed to be called their GOD, for He has prepared a City for them (Revelation 21:22-27).

 

https://youtu.be/mkE2m13_7a8

Perseverance - Endurance

 

Perseverance – Endurance

 

Prayer is not passive! Luke 11:1-4 The LORD’s Prayer! Verses 5-8 the parable of persistence. Verses 9-10 “So I say to you, Ask, and it will be Given to you; Seek, and you will Find; Knock, and it will be Opened to you. For everyone who Asks Receives, and he who Seeks Finds, and to him who Knocks it will be Opened. Keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking.  (James 5:13-16; 1 John 5:14-15).”

 

Luke 18:1-8 The parable of the unjust judge and the persistent widow. Verses 7-8 “And shall GOD not avenge His Own Elect who cry out day and night to Him (Proverbs 25:15), though He bears long with them (Revelation 6:9-11)? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when The son of Man comes, will He really find Faith on the earth (2 Peter 3:8-9)?”

 

This is not a rhetorical question, though in one sense it is because JESUS knows that there will be a remnant of Faithful Believers doing The Will of GOD in the earth as it is in Heaven! But, He is asking those who are there at the time and us who are hearing now: “Will you be faithful till the end no matter how long it takes?” He is personalizing His teaching to all who hear or read it.

 

Perseverance = to continue steadfastly or determinedly; to persist.

Endurance = the power or habit of enduring; the ability to withstand prolonged strain.

Patience = perseverance; the ability to endure; forbearance.

 

Persistence and Faith: we must be persistent in our Faith (Trust) in GOD if we are going to live by Faith for GOD. Luke 11:8 in the KJV the word is importunity which means troublesome persistence in insisting; demanding. In verse 9 JESUS goes on telling us to ask and keep asking, seek and keep seeking, knock and keep knocking. And He gives us an example; Matthew 26:36-46, JESUS prayed three times if the cup could pass from Him, “but not My Will but Yours be done.” Why? 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:14-16!

 

What my life as a Christian should look like Romans 12:9-21!

 

Mark 13:1-13 Signs of the End of the Age.

:13 “And you will be hated by all for My Name’s sake. But he who endures (bears patiently) to the end will be saved (James 5:7-11; Revelation 12:10-12).”

 

Study Hebrews 11 on the endurance of Faith in the Old Testament; some of them never received in this life what they endured for!

https://youtu.be/eXrwEwBxOok

JESUS Was Not Poor!

 

JESUS Was Not Poor!

 

JESUS was not poor!

His stepfather, Joseph was a craftsman, they would have been a middle class family, they received gifts of gold from the wise men (we do not know how much). This allowed them to live in Egypt and return to Israel a few years later (Matthew 2). They had at least 7 children JESUS of course was the first born (Mark 6:1-6). Mary and her other children followed JESUS around, poor families did not travel (Luke 8:19-21). JESUS learned his father’s craft (Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3; Luke 4:22), so would some if not all of his four other sons, they would have supported the family.

 

 The Scripture that is used to claim that JESUS was poor is 2 Corinthians 8:8-9, “I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your Love by the diligence of others. For you know the Grace of our LORD JESUS Christ, yet that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” Paul is challenging the people to give to the poor of the Church in Judea, not claiming that JESUS lived in poverty!

 

JESUS left the riches of Heaven, not earthly riches, He did not own great wealth in Heaven, His Riches were His being The Son of GOD and doing The Will of GOD! His poverty was the fact that He was living in the flesh in the earth where He was being rejected as the Savior of humanity.

 

In Matthew 6:19-24, JESUS challenges us to not seek earthly treasures but Heavenly Treasures, which are the Rewards for doing the Will of GOD; 1 Corinthians 3:5-15.

 

Read the Gospels, JESUS had nothing good to say about money or rich people.

 

https://youtu.be/MZvq3rG9o0Q

Am I A Peter Or A Paul?

Am I A Peter Or A Paul?

 

We are most familiar with Peter because he walked with JESUS as a disciple, then served JESUS as an Apostle and a Bondservant (1 Peter 1:1, 2 Peter 1:1). We know that he lived in Capernaum and with his brother Andrew was a fisherman by trade; they were not poor as is often portrayed, but they were not rich. We know that Peter was married and that one of the Mark’s in The Bible is his son (many believe The Gospel of Mark was written by Peter’s son).

 

We know of his failure at the trial of JESUS, where Peter denied knowing JESUS three times. And we know of his success on the Day of Pentecost, his first sermon led to 3000 people getting saved. He led the Church in Jerusalem and Judea for the first few years; where the Church was stuck.

 

The martyrdom of the Deacon Stephen let to the Church finally going into Samaria preaching The Gospel.

 

GOD gave Peter a vision of animals being let down from heaven on a sheet and told him to kill and eat; but Peter said “Not so LORD! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.”, and GOD told Peter “What GOD has cleansed (Declared clean) you must not call common.”, this happened three times. Then GOD told Peter to go with the men who were knocking at the gate, this led to the Gentiles hearing and receiving the Gospel Message.

 

Peter wrote two of the Epistles, (though not in The Bible, he went to Rome and was crucified upside down).

 

We are also familiar with Paul because of his great conversion experience and his many evangelist travels. He called himself a Bondservant and an Apostle, and once a Prisoner of Christ (Philemon 1:1), to the Thessalonians he just called himself Paul. He was from Tarsus of Cilicia, a Jewish Roman citizen, brought up in Jerusalem under Gamaliel as a zealous Pharisee, but not a member of the Sanhedrin. He would have been familiar with JESUS and His teachings, which is why he said, “I persecuted this Way to the death...” He was not married as some teach, in 1 Corinthians 7, teaching about marriage, he says, “But I say this as a concession, not as a commandment. For I wish that all men were even as myself. But each one has his own gift from GOD, one in this manner and another in that. But I say to the unmarried and the widows: it is good for them if they remain even as I am.”

 

Paul made three know and described missionary trips preaching The Gospel to Jews and Gentiles (Acts11:19-30, 12:25-28:31), making disciples and raising up local leaders. He traveled with several different people over the years and raised up many of the first century Church Leaders; he wrote 14 of the Epistles; (like Peter some of Paul’s life is not in The Bible, but we know he was beheaded in Rome during his second imprisonment there).

 

All of the Apostles did missionary travels and started Churches, discipling and raising up leaders; we just do not have their stories in The Bible. Together they wrote 7 epistles, and they were all martyred for their faith. James the brother of John of the sons of Zebedee, he was martyred by Herod Archelaus (Matthew 2:19-23; Acts 12:1-4). James (the brother of JESUS called himself a Bondservant; John did not introduce himself in his Epistles; Jude, another brother of JESUS called himself a Bondservant.

 

So what is the difference between Peter and Paul? Exuberance! Peter was more laid back taking things as they came, Paul was a go getter (type A personality). Peter was hotheaded before the Day of Pentecost, so was Paul before his meeting with JESUS, he held the cloaks of those stoning Stephen, then he started arresting and persecuting Christians. (if you have ever been persecuted by a Christian hater the one thing they all are is hatefully in your face!) Paul and Barnabas broke up their team over John Mark.

 

But Peter and Paul both did what JESUS called them to do, though Peter sometimes needed a little encouragement (shove).

 

https://youtu.be/YLvChCLwy2E

Psalm 83 With Commentary

 

Psalm 83 TLV

A song of Asaph. (A Levite in the time of David)

“GOD do not keep silent.

Do not hold Your Peace, O GOD.

Do not be still.

For look, Your enemies make an uproar.

Those who hate You life up their head.

They make a shrew plot against Your People, conspiring against Your Treasured Ones.

‘Come’, they say, ‘let’s wipe them out as a nation!

Let Israel’s name be remembered no more!”

For with one mind they plot together.

Against You do they make a covenant.

The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, Moab and the Hagrites, Gebal, Ammon and Amalek, Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre, even Assyria has joined them, becoming a strong arm for Lot’s sons.”

(All of the Arab nations are descendants of Abraham or his nephew Lot: “And Terah took his son Abram and his grandson Lot, the son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sari, his son Abram’s wife, and they went out with them from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to the land of Canaan; and they came to Haran and dwelt there…So Abram departed as The LORD had spoken to him, and Lot went with him; and Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.” [Genesis 11:31, 12:4] “Then Sari, Abram’s wife, took Hagar her maid, the Egyptian, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan…So Hagar bore Abram a son; and Abram named his son, whom Hagar bore, Ishmael.” [Genesis 16:3, 15] “And He (GOD) said, ‘I will certainly return to you according to the time of life, and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son.’…And The LORD visited Sarah as He had said, and The LORD did for Sarah as He had spoken. For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which The LORD had spoken to him. And Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him – Isaac.”  [Genesis 18:10, 21:1-3] “Abraham again took a wife, and her name was Keturah; and she bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian (Judges 6:1-3, 1 Chronicles 1:32-33), Ishbak and Shua…But Abraham gave gifts to the sons of his concubines which Abraham had; and while he was still living he sent them eastward, away for Isaac his son, to the country of the east.” [Genesis 25:1-2, 6]

So Abraham had at least eight sons;

Ishmael had twelve sons they became the Ishmaelites [Genesis 25:12-18, 1 Chronicles 1:29-31]

Isaac had two sons Jacob and Esau [Genesis 25:19-28; 1 Chronicles 1:34]; Esau had five sons and they became the nation of Edom (Genesis 36; Deuteronomy 2:1-8; 1 Chronicles 1:34-37, 43-54); Jacob had twelve sons and they became the nation of Israel. [Genesis 35:23-26, 1 Chronicles 2:1-2]

“…Thus both daughters of Lot were with child by their father. The first bore a son and called his name Moab; he is the father of the Moabites to this day (Deuteronomy 2:9-12). And the younger, she also bore a son and called his name Ben-Ammi; he is the father of the people of Ammon to this day (Deuteronomy 2:17-29).” [Genesis 19:30-38])

“Selah” (A pause – a good time to think about what you just read) 

“Do to them as You did to Midian, to Sisera and Jabin at the Kishon River, who perished at En-dor – they became as dung for the ground.

Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb – all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna, who said, ‘Let us take possession of the pasturelands of GOD.’

My GOD, make them like tumbleweed, like chaff before the wind.

As a fire burns a forest, and as a flame sets mountains ablaze, so pursue them with Your tempest, and terrify them with Your storm.

Cover their faces with shame, so they may seek Your Name–ADONAI.

Let them be ashamed and dismayed forever.

Let them be humiliated and perish.

Let them know that You alone–Whose Name is ADONAI – are El Elyon (GOD Most High) over all the earth.” 

GOD’s protection is for Israel, His chosen people, they are only defeated when He is judging and punishing them. GOD is accomplishing His Will in all the nations of the earth through Israel GOD Blesses those who bless Israel and He curses those who curse Israel. “Now The LORD had said to Abram: ‘Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house to a land I will show you. I Will make you a great nation; I Will Bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I Will Bless those who bless you, and I Will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Genesis 12:1-3 We see that almost all of the Middle East Nations; the cousins of the Israelites; are at war with them still. This is older than Mohammad’s religion Islam which he started about 610AD.

 https://youtu.be/5Ns0mHEkII4