"In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah, the son of Iddo." (Ze.1:1-NIV)
Zechariah was a contemporary of Haggai, we have the date given so the book as with other prophetic writings in the Bible discusses the topical events,- and it is the starting for the end times and nevertheless the truth of narrative never veers from the divine Will as fulfilled by the Son. "In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness".(13:1)
The Spirit uses tags consistently so several visions Four horses, Four carpenters (1:7-21) are dead giveaways to indicate the universality of divine Will. Symbolism of man on the red horse among the myrtle trees is different from the man between the banks of Ulai. (Dan.8:16). Looking up and down have similar significances. The four carpenters are deputed from heaven to "to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it."(1:21)
The Spirit anchors this line as coming from the Lord is key to the rest of the book. "I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the LORD of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem."(1:16) He who has come to Jerusalem mercies shall return where he came from. "He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things."(Ep.4:10)
The line that stretched upon Jerusalem is now taken up in Ze.4:10. "For they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth". Jerusalem in the last book is shown descending from heaven, as New Jerusalem.(Re.21:3)
God sent his angels to take Lot to safety before He destroyed Sodom. "Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do anything till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar."(Ge.19:22). It must have had another name earlier but the Spirit gives significance of it in spiritual terms as similar to the cleft of a rock where God deposited Moses while His glory was in full flow. Moses would only see the back parts. The cleft of the rock is set in terms of the Rock of Ages. In a manner of speaking it was city prepared for him in advance.
"The daughters of Zelophehad speak right: thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father's brethren; and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them." (v.7) This was a singular case, which necessitated an additional law to be made to the civil code of Israel.
In Christ the church is the body in which there is no gender issue, and our inheritance is of God. Our inheritance among the heirs, the saints called unto the kingdom of light are as co-heirs with Christ. "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light (1 Pe.2:9)"
Gibeon meaning hill or hill city situated within the territory allotted to the tribe of Benjamin. "Now the Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites"-Nu.21:2. The Spirit sets down Gibeon as the sin of disobedience. God had warned Moses, "Do not make any covenant with them or their gods"(Ex.23:32-NIV). Much of Israel's problems owed ever since to their failure. The inhabitants of Gibeon approached Israel by guile and they struck a league under oath before 'Jehovah God of Israel'. Thus the lives of the Gibeonites were spared., which Joshua found only three days later.
They were, ('ye are cursed') as the five Amorite kings who were hung up on poles at the stone of Gibeon. Their curse stands in relation to the Son who became a curse for us. Consider these two verses in which the phrase,' unto this day' is how the Spirit sets it in frame of reference to the death of the Son the cross.
Firstly on the Gibeonites, "And Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of the LORD, even unto this day, in the place which he should choose.(9:27)". The phrase 'unto this day occurs again in connection with the five Amorite kings defeated by Joshua. "That Joshua commanded, and they took them down off the trees, and cast them into the cave wherein they had been hid, and laid great stones in the cave's mouth, which remain until this very day."( Josh 10:27)
What we have in the last chapter is the description of the new earth, the inheritance of the children of light. It is most essential to know that the key feature of this earth is light so glorious as not to require the sun. Two motifs make the description of the garden-city given Rev.22:1-5 is the continuation of the Garden of Eden. Firstly Adam had the glory of light as his covering that obviated the shame attached to nakedness. He was inheritor of light so as to be qualified as son of God in the Lucan genealogy Lk.3:38. Compare the separation of light from darkness (Ge.1:3) before the creation of the sun, moon and the stars(1:14).
Second motif is the tree of life of which Adam was free to eat. In the new earth we see the same tree on either side of the pure water of life. "And on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations(Re.22:2). In the Genesis account the two trees were set as two witnesses of the Word. Tree of salvation signified the tree of life. On the other hand the tree of the knowledge of good and evil signalled judgment. By eating thereof in disobedience the tree of life judged Adam and expulsion was its consequence.
Before the new earth is inaugurated this shall happen,- and everything of defilement and symptomatic of man's ungodliness must be stripped off the earth. "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up(2 Pe.3:10)".
In the creation account we are given at the end , "These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens,(Ge.2:4)" This day is the reconstituted Time.
'All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made ( John 1:3).Time element does not change so when Jesus said, 'My Father worketh hitherto; and I work' it is equally true. The Word aspect is in control so when Jesus said, 'things concerning me have an end' it is referring to his humanity. The risen Christ before his Ascension promised his disciples. 'And lo, I am with you always, even unto the world (Matt.28:20)." This moves forward as well as backwards that explains the Alpha Omega aspect of the word.
We have additional clue to it in the penultimate chapter of the Bible. Re.21:5-7
"And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely./ He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son".
Where the Spirit referred to generations in the Genesis it was from the standpoint of the Father we have here from the Son. For this reason He establishes His authority, I am Alpha and Omega etc., The generations of the heavens and of the earth in the same flow unstoppable as willed by the Father give over to new heaven and the new earth. As the 24 elders testified, -it is their testimony, it is created for His pleasure.
St Paul on his first missionary trip to Asia Minor planted the churches in in southern Galatia were planted (Ac.13:13-14:23) and he went through northern Galatia on his second(Ac.16:6) and third (Ac.18:23) missionary journeys.
We find in this epistle, his vigorous condemnation of the heresies that were brought in by Judaizers -those who sought to make living under the Mosaic Law a requirement of the Christian faith and had gained an influence in the Galatian churches. Paul wrote the book a few months before his attendance at the Jerusalem Council in AD 49, a meeting where the apostles would take up this very topic (Ac.15:1-30). Where Christ was the fulfilment of the Law (Ro.10:4) 'to everyone that believeth' these false brethren insisted on observance which was according to carnal wisdom. Taking line of least resistance, as the early church would in the post-Constantine period adopt the cultural and ecclesiastical rites of the pagan world, it was indeed a deception played upon the unsuspecting congregation.
Epistle to the Galatians holds much more relevance now in hindsight, the benefit of comparing the theological position the church holds now,- a far cry from the great stir that Judaizers in the time of Paul set off, against errors of human wisdom confusing the word of God. Ecumenism of recent times does not address the perfection of the word of God and in the midst of gloom and doom our certainty is that the foundation of God nevertheless stands sure and God knows who are his.
As usual he closes the epistle by writing at the end of the letter himself in large letters (Gal.6:11).
This epistle has always been among those Pauline epistles least challenged on the issue of authorship.
This wasn't written to a single church in a single city. For example, 1 Thessalonians is addressed to the specific church (1 Thess.1:1) this was addressed to the churches of Galatia. This was a region where a number of churches were doing the ministry of God
I would have to say no. There is only one "gift" that is given to a believer, and that is the gift of the Holy Spirit. We read about Jesus' healing of many. And yes, He gave power to His apostles to heal some. Jesus never failed when He healed. We cannot say the same for the apostles.
If there are such men today with the power to heal the same as Jesus did, my question is why do we have so many children in hospitals that are dying?
I completely agree with what you are saying here, Amen! As long as we are in this fleshly body, we cannot be completely free from sin. And what about the sins we don't even realize we are committing? What does it mean in Romans 14:23, that little phrase which reads, "for whatsoever is not of faith is sin."
Once we become aware of what that phrase truly means, we then realize how difficult (and dare I say impossible) it is to be completely sin free. Personally, I find it to be a struggle at the end of the day to confess to the Lord that I went the entire day without sin.
Jesus said in ( Rev 22:13) I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
The first verse and the last verse in the Bible are ( Gen 1:1) and ( Rev 22:21)
The first and last words in the first and last verses are
( Gen 1:1) (In) and (earth)
And in ( Rev 22:21) (The) and (Amen)
These four words (In) (earth) (The) and (Amen) show up in the KJB 77777 times! And the KJB ONLY!
( Isaiah 45:23) "I have (sworn) by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness" The word (sworn) is #7650; it means to be complete, to seven oneself, (as if by repeating a declaration seven times) ( Ps 12:6-7)
Good discussion here. We have engaged in this topic a number of occasions before, but it is always a good topic to continue examining.
I agree that we should desire to be Christ-like, but only Christ, who is God in the flesh is truly altogether good and sinless. In this life our sinful nature remains in us, it permeates our whole being. But being reborn, we now have a victorious spiritual nature enlivened by the Holy Spirit. The grace of God administered to us by the Holy Spirit not only gives us the desire to ,ive a life in imitation of Christ but also gives us the power to resist the sinful nature, whereas the unbeliever does not have such power because the Holy Spirit does not dwell in them. So, as believers, we are able to live godly lives, but not sin-free lives. The Holy Spirit is our sanctifier, and He is bit by bit conforming us to the moral character of Christ.
I have met people who claim to have reached sinless perfection in their lives, but in reality, I notice many sins happening in their lives. They have just pridefully either deluded themselves, or ignore these sines, or else attribute them to mistakes or weaknesses, but do not admit them to be sin. For me, I know I am growing in holiness because the Spirit lives in me, but also, because He lives in me, I am more and more aware of sins I do not do inwardly and outwardly, in attitudes and motives, and in reluctance when I know the right thing to do, even though I still may obey, the reluctance shows me that I am still sinful.
The word (pure) is #2889; it means sound, clear, unadulterated, uncontaminated, innocent or holy.
Comparing the KJB and the Nasb.
KJB ( Col 1:14) "In whom we have redemption through his blood"'
The Nasb says "in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins"
Here the Nasb removes the blood of Jesus Christ!
KJB ( 2 Sam 21:19) Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim, a Bethlehemite, slew the brother of Goliath the Gittite.
The Nasb says "Elhanan the son of Jaare-oregim the Bethlehemite killed Goliath the Gittite"
Here the Nasb says Elhanan killed Goliath, wouldn't that be adding to the Word? ( Prov 30:5-6) ( Rev 22:18-19)
KJB ( Jn 7:8) Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come.
The Nasb says "Go up to the feast yourselves; I am not going up to this feast, because my time is not yet fully arrived".
Jesus went to the feast so the Nasb is making Jesus look like He's a liar, but ( Proverbs 30:5-6)
KJB ( Jn 6:47) "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life"
The Nasb says "Truly, truly, I say to you, the one who believes has eternal life"
The KJB is the Inspired Word of God! There are many verses where Jesus tells us we should keep His Words!
All modern versions fit perfectly with this verse ( Jer 23:36) The word (perverted) is #2015; it means to turn about or over, to change, overturn pervert, change. Someone is changing the words of the living God, that would be all modern version bibles.
( 1 Tim 4:1) In the (latter times which is our time now) many will give heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.
( 2 Tim 4:3-4) Do you not see that the Nasb is doctrine that's not sound? You could safely say its even anti-Jesus!
Modern versions are all the same, they are only words of men, these bibles are not Inspired by God!
( Isa 45:22-23) v23 "I have (sworn) by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return.
The word (sworn) is #7650; it means to be complete, to seven oneself, (as if by repeating a declaration seven times) charge (by an oath, with an oath)
( Ps 12:6-7) v6) The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth purified (seven) times.
The word (seven) is #7659; it means dual adverb of 7651, seven times, 7651; from 7650, a primary cardinal number; seven (as the sacred full one) an infinite number, 7650; to be complete, to seven oneself, (as if repeating a declaration seven times) charge (by an oath, with an oath). The same meaning as the word (sworn) As God said "I have sworn by myself the word is gone out of my mouth"..
Also a time in the Bible is 1 year, so purified (seven) (times) is purified 7 years. It took 7 years to finish the translation of the KJB.
( 2 Tim 3:16) "All scripture is given by inspiration of God". The word (scripture) is #1124; it means a document, holy Writ, (or its contents or a statement in it) especially to write, write (-ing, -ten)
The scripture that is inspired by God is a written document!
One that we have today! ( 2 Tim 2:15) "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth". If we are told to "Study" and "rightly divide the word of truth" then we most defiantly do have scripture, the word of truth in a written document with us today!
( 2 Pet 1:19-21) v20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the (scripture) is of any private interpretation. v21 "but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost". (scripture) is #1124; its a written document, holy Writ, the same meaning as the scripture inspired by God in ( 2 Tim 3:16)
moved by the Holy Ghost? What does the Holy Ghost do?
( Jn 14:26) "he shall teach you all things" He taught them all things
As Christian disciples, we are to be "Christ-like" NOT "THE CHRIST! No one expects any Christian to achieve sinless perfection only Jesus Christ the son of GOD was ever able to do that.
Leviticus 17:10-14 The eating of BLOOD was likewise forbidden. The blood was for ATONEMENT, not for nourishment. "The life of the flesh is in the blood." v11 The principle behind atonement is life for life. Since the wages of sin is death, symbolized by the shedding of blood, so "without the shedding of blood is no remission." Forgiveness does not come because the penalty of sin is EXCUSED, but because it is [[[ TRANSFERRED ]]] to a sacrifice whose lifeblood is poured out. Verse 11 is one of the key verses in Leviticus and should be memorized. When an animal was slaughtered, its blood was drained immediately. An animal that died accidentally was unclean if its blood was not drained right away.
This reveals just how SERIOUS sin actually is. You can get rid of it, it follows you... It has to be TRANSFERRED.. This is why the blood of Jesus Christ is SO PRECIOUS! He is the ultimate sacrifice for all our sins past, present, and future. We are covered under his blood! As Christians, we should try to avoid sin as much as possible, but if we do fall down we can repent, and the LORDS' blood will cover that sin! That is how back-sliding Christians can be restored.
Do we really ever reach a stage that we become "dead to sin", in other words a sinless state? Paul suggests us to consider ourselves dead to sin that is strive not to be controlled/influenced by it, but has anybody ever succeeded to become sinless?
ABSOLUTELY not and it is not even possible simply due to the fact that "man" in his fallen state will always have his sin nature. There is a struggle between this sin nature and us yielding to the lead of the Holy Spirit.
The difference between the Christian and the unsaved is that the Christian does not make sin his/her current walk in life. They might sin on occasion, but regret it and grieve the Holy Spirit, confess the sin, and repent and try not to do it again. A far cry from the unsaved who sin with impunity and not only have no conscience about the sins they commit they are proud of doing them!
The Christian internally no longer WANTS to sin and feels grieved when he does so, in a way he is dead to sin, but the unsaved could give a damn and is proud about it!
Post-baptismal sin can not make anyone lose their salvation... Only individual apostasy can do that, but if one turns back from this apostasy it is still not too late because the Holy Spirit is still working with at least some kind of spiritual pulse no matter how unspiritual the apostate might be.
(9) Those who genuinely become concerned about their spiritual condition and have a desire to return to God in true repentance (i.e., changing one's attitude toward God, admitting sin, turning from one's own way and submitting to God) can be sure that they have not committed the unforgivable sin (cf. Mk 3:29), or ultimate apostasy. God's Word clearly affirms that he does not want anyone to perish or be spiritually lost and separated from him for eternity ( 2Pe 3:9; cf. Isa 1:18-19; 55:6-7). In fact, the heavenly Father will joyfully receive any wayward, rebellious or lost child who truly repents and returns to him (compare Gal 5:
Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.
There are those who look at the latter rain described in Joel 2:23-27 we see what is similar text (along with the early rain). The final revival of the world likely will fulfill other promises in Joel such as in Joel 2:28 also mentioned at least partially fulfilled in Acts 2:17. We also can't ignore how God has blessed Israel even today with more rainfall then surrounding nations; and no doubt the earth in the Millennium will be fruitful more than ever for the final fulfillment with literal rainy seasons of predictable nature (except for those who don't come to worship God as we see later on in Zechariah).
Verse 2 describes that there were those as if there was no shepherd; apparently struggling into part of verse 3. This reminds us of Christ's statement in Matthew 9:36-38.
Verses 3 and 5 show indications of later verses in Zechariah of Judah fighting against the enemy armies in campaigns related to Armageddon; specifically after the taking of half of the city of Jerusalem. Basically the rest of this chapter shows the unity of Judah and Ephriam and gives glory to Christ as the victor over the enemies. Verses 9 and 10 show an ingathering from Egypt and other places.
The pride of Assyria in verse 11 could be partially fulfilled in the past but Antichrist himself is known as the "Assyrian" in Ezekiel 31:3. Egypt is mentioned too; although it's national prominence will never be what it was ( Ezekiel 29:15) but it will cry out in the last days ( Isaiah 19:20) and of course it is mentioned in Zechariah 14:17 they will still exist and need to worship God every year.
The apostle James pretty much sums it up below. TRUE LIFE SAVING FAITH is not barren it produces fruit. Not because we want Jesus to love us more, but because we love HIM. Faith without works is dead! Dead faith! Remember the parable of the talents? Some "Christians" are going to have a rude awakening when the Messiah returns.
James 2:15-20 (KJV) 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?"
Do we really ever reach a stage that we become "dead to sin", in other words a sinless state? Paul suggests us to consider ourselves dead to sin that is strive not to be controlled/influenced by it, but has anybody ever succeeded to become sinless?
The burden of the word of the Lord in the land of Hadrach, and Damascus shall be the rest thereof: when the eyes of man, as of all the tribes of Israel, shall be toward the Lord.
According to Isaiah 17:1 Damascus shall become a ruinous heap. There will be a highway; nonetheless in the last days according to Isaiah 19:23 there will be a highway from Assyria into Egypt which encompasses part of Syria; Turkey; and a couple other nations. Isaiah 17:3 states the rest of Syria will be as the glory of Israel. No doubt there will finally be peace among the survivors of the surronding nations.
The destruction of Tyre is also mentioned in Ezekiel 26 and 27 (along with the prince of Tyre and king of Tyre in chapter 28 signifying a human and Lucifer controlling things behind the scenes with his history). This prophecy was partly fulfilled; as to some of the details which I won't elaborate on here.
The same could be said for the Philistines and others mentioned in verses 5 through 7; verse 8 shows the Lord's conquering and control in the future.
Verse 9 is a direct prophecy of Christ riding on a donkey during Palm Sunday and signifies hi eventual rule on earth. His dominion from sea to sea is also in Psalm 72:8 and was a popular hymn of Sir Arthur Sullivan as seen in verse 10.
The rest of the chapter talks about prisoners being brought forth; interestingly it mentions the "blood of the covenant" in verse 11. That shows the King of Kings here but apparently can refer to the earlier promises from the Abrahamic covenant. We see the final blessings here in the last verse for the whole earth; and God's majesty in deliverance of prisioners and over all the enemies of the land. Verse 13 mentions the sons of Greece which certainly had some fulfillment in the book of Maccabees but could indicate some areas near where Antichrist rules from as being conquered with prisoners set free also.
I wouldn't use terms like "true saving faith". Words including the term "true", like "truly saved people" can mislead people into false beliefs. I would say an "active faith". Faith exists in reborn christians but it has to produce results, like fruit, like works...Is it possible for a christian to not have an active faith? Well in the parable of the Sower the 3rd case is an example. If a reborn person stops following Jesus and directs themselves towards other things even if those things may not be sinful but may get us out of our christian path, then their faith becomes inactive. Why do people direct themselves towards other things? People often say ,"a person follows his heart", that is what he loves best where his heart and treasure is. Then the light in our lamp is in danger of going off.
The Spirit conveys God's mercy, forgiveness and acceptance, and he gives them the desire and power to do God's will ( Jn 3:16; 1Co 15:10; Php 2:13; 1Ti 1:15-16). The whole process and progress of the Christian life, from beginning to end, is dependent on this grace.
(1) God gives a degree of grace as a gift ( 1Co 1:4) to unbelievers (i.e., those who do not yet know or have not accepted Christ) so that they may be able to respond to his message and mercy and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ ( Eph 2:8-9; Tit 2:11; 3:4).
(2) God gives grace to believers (i.e., those who choose to accept and follow Christ) so they can be "set free from sin" (Ro 6:20, 22), "to will and to act according to his good purpose" ( Php 2:13; cf. Tit 2:11-12; see Mt 7:21, note on obedience as a gift of God's grace). God's grace also helps believers to pray ( Zec 12:10), to grow in their relationship with Christ ( 2Pe 3:18) and to communicate the message about Christ to others (Ac 4:33; 11:23).
(3) God's grace must be desired, pursued and accepted ( Heb 4:16). Some of the ways by which God's grace is received are: studying and obeying God's Word ( Jn 15:1-11; 20:31; 2Ti 3:15); hearing and responding to the preaching of the gospel-the "good news" about Christ ( Lk 24:47; Ac 1:8; Ro 1:16; 1Co 1:17-18); praying ( Heb 4:16; Jude 1:20); fasting, which is going without food for a period of time to focus on spiritual matters through prayer ( Mt 4:2; 6:16); worshiping Christ ( Col 3:16); being continually filled with the Holy Spirit ( Eph 5:18); and participating in the Lord's Supper, or "communion" (Ac 2:42; see Eph 2:9, note on how grace works).
(4) God's grace can be resisted and rejected ( Heb 12:15), received in vain and without lasting effect ( 2Co 6:1), set aside and disregarded ( Gal 2:21) and abandoned by people who, at one time, truly believed and accepted Christ ( Gal 5:4).
J. Wesley Adams and Donald C. Stamps, Fire Bible (Springfield, MO: Life Publishers International, 2011)
Thunderings and Lightenings go together. The Word became flesh and we beheld his glory. John would attest its glory in terms of grace. "And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.". Grace and truth came along with it so in our example we live by the true Light. When Jesus prayed, "Sanctify them" (the disciples and the believers at large) this word is truth and the light we see through his light.
Lightening is the judgment aspect of the word. Lightening as Elijah brought down from heaven.
Jesus spoke of it in the discourse of end times. " For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be./ For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together."(Matt.24:27-28)
East is with reference to Eden and in the Genesis account (2:10) the Garden of Eden was watered by the river indicating that God blessed us with all spiritual blessings in Christ. With the fall of man he was expelled and he moved farther from the east. Also after the great deluge the nations did not return where they come from but as the Spirit tells us, "And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east,"(Ge.11:2) Somewhat like the tower of Babel the fools would to plant colonies in Mars without having a clue to the mess they have made on the earth.
The brambles in the fable of Jotham has cast a shadow and when we see flames coming out of it we need keep our faith firm.
And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
The Throne is the embodiment of God with His glory surround. When the Psalm declares it he says,"There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard."(Ps.19:3). This voice has a direct impact on the manner the earth shall form eventually and it is what thundering does. "The voice of the Lord is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the Lord is upon many waters."(Ps.29:3) The Spirit of God moving upon the many waters has many agencies to which the command number Seven attest. As a memorial seven lamps of fire burning before the throne see to the successful conclusion of the Salvation Plan of God. Worthy was the Lamb to open the book with seven seals. He is shown in his power and wisdom. "And, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been cranny that nothing escapes from the gospel proclaimed. The Spirit while working upon the face of the waters set up a word-wide web which we see in operation. slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth." (5:6) His power and wisdom are directed to every nook and cranny that nothing escapes from the gospel proclaimed. The Spirit while working upon the face of the waters set up a word-wide web which we see in operation.
:"(Ps.29:7-9a) Even in our times we see the very same voice dividing the flames of fire. If the wildfires in Canada affect the US and move across the Atlantic to Europe and send heatwaves in its wake we are seeing the effect of His voice in action, "Yea, the Lord sitteth King for ever." (Ps.29:10)
Now we have this angel, ,"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,/ Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." Of the everlasting gospel we accounted Three and half years. So this work in heaven concerns the risen Christ. The angel warns "For the hour of his judgment is come.' The great silence before the seventh seal explains this. The command number Four is assigned to the proclamation of the Gospel. Gospel is one whether under heaven or in heaven. Four Synoptic gospels establish Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world.
The angel commands, "Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not."(10:4) Compare with the angel in the following chapter and it is also with regards to to time scale. "And the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein/ But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months."(11:1-2)
Time, times and an half is from POV of the Gospel and 42 months is like a reverse shot, to use a term from cinematography.
"In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah, the son of Iddo." (Ze.1:1-NIV)
Zechariah was a contemporary of Haggai, we have the date given so the book as with other prophetic writings in the Bible discusses the topical events,- and it is the starting for the end times and nevertheless the truth of narrative never veers from the divine Will as fulfilled by the Son. "In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness".(13:1)
The Spirit uses tags consistently so several visions Four horses, Four carpenters (1:7-21) are dead giveaways to indicate the universality of divine Will. Symbolism of man on the red horse among the myrtle trees is different from the man between the banks of Ulai. (Dan.8:16). Looking up and down have similar significances. The four carpenters are deputed from heaven to "to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it."(1:21)
The Spirit anchors this line as coming from the Lord is key to the rest of the book. "I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the LORD of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem."(1:16) He who has come to Jerusalem mercies shall return where he came from. "He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things."(Ep.4:10)
The line that stretched upon Jerusalem is now taken up in Ze.4:10. "For they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth". Jerusalem in the last book is shown descending from heaven, as New Jerusalem.(Re.21:3)
God sent his angels to take Lot to safety before He destroyed Sodom. "Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do anything till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar."(Ge.19:22). It must have had another name earlier but the Spirit gives significance of it in spiritual terms as similar to the cleft of a rock where God deposited Moses while His glory was in full flow. Moses would only see the back parts. The cleft of the rock is set in terms of the Rock of Ages. In a manner of speaking it was city prepared for him in advance.
Nu.27:1-7
"The daughters of Zelophehad speak right: thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father's brethren; and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them." (v.7) This was a singular case, which necessitated an additional law to be made to the civil code of Israel.
In Christ the church is the body in which there is no gender issue, and our inheritance is of God. Our inheritance among the heirs, the saints called unto the kingdom of light are as co-heirs with Christ. "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light (1 Pe.2:9)"
Gibeon meaning hill or hill city situated within the territory allotted to the tribe of Benjamin. "Now the Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites"-Nu.21:2. The Spirit sets down Gibeon as the sin of disobedience. God had warned Moses, "Do not make any covenant with them or their gods"(Ex.23:32-NIV). Much of Israel's problems owed ever since to their failure. The inhabitants of Gibeon approached Israel by guile and they struck a league under oath before 'Jehovah God of Israel'. Thus the lives of the Gibeonites were spared., which Joshua found only three days later.
They were, ('ye are cursed') as the five Amorite kings who were hung up on poles at the stone of Gibeon. Their curse stands in relation to the Son who became a curse for us. Consider these two verses in which the phrase,' unto this day' is how the Spirit sets it in frame of reference to the death of the Son the cross.
Firstly on the Gibeonites, "And Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of the LORD, even unto this day, in the place which he should choose.(9:27)". The phrase 'unto this day occurs again in connection with the five Amorite kings defeated by Joshua. "That Joshua commanded, and they took them down off the trees, and cast them into the cave wherein they had been hid, and laid great stones in the cave's mouth, which remain until this very day."( Josh 10:27)
What we have in the last chapter is the description of the new earth, the inheritance of the children of light. It is most essential to know that the key feature of this earth is light so glorious as not to require the sun. Two motifs make the description of the garden-city given Rev.22:1-5 is the continuation of the Garden of Eden. Firstly Adam had the glory of light as his covering that obviated the shame attached to nakedness. He was inheritor of light so as to be qualified as son of God in the Lucan genealogy Lk.3:38. Compare the separation of light from darkness (Ge.1:3) before the creation of the sun, moon and the stars(1:14).
Second motif is the tree of life of which Adam was free to eat. In the new earth we see the same tree on either side of the pure water of life. "And on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations(Re.22:2). In the Genesis account the two trees were set as two witnesses of the Word. Tree of salvation signified the tree of life. On the other hand the tree of the knowledge of good and evil signalled judgment. By eating thereof in disobedience the tree of life judged Adam and expulsion was its consequence.
Before the new earth is inaugurated this shall happen,- and everything of defilement and symptomatic of man's ungodliness must be stripped off the earth. "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up(2 Pe.3:10)".
In the creation account we are given at the end , "These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens,(Ge.2:4)" This day is the reconstituted Time.
'All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made ( John 1:3).Time element does not change so when Jesus said, 'My Father worketh hitherto; and I work' it is equally true. The Word aspect is in control so when Jesus said, 'things concerning me have an end' it is referring to his humanity. The risen Christ before his Ascension promised his disciples. 'And lo, I am with you always, even unto the world (Matt.28:20)." This moves forward as well as backwards that explains the Alpha Omega aspect of the word.
We have additional clue to it in the penultimate chapter of the Bible. Re.21:5-7
"And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely./ He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son".
Where the Spirit referred to generations in the Genesis it was from the standpoint of the Father we have here from the Son. For this reason He establishes His authority, I am Alpha and Omega etc., The generations of the heavens and of the earth in the same flow unstoppable as willed by the Father give over to new heaven and the new earth. As the 24 elders testified, -it is their testimony, it is created for His pleasure.
St Paul on his first missionary trip to Asia Minor planted the churches in in southern Galatia were planted (Ac.13:13-14:23) and he went through northern Galatia on his second(Ac.16:6) and third (Ac.18:23) missionary journeys.
We find in this epistle, his vigorous condemnation of the heresies that were brought in by Judaizers -those who sought to make living under the Mosaic Law a requirement of the Christian faith and had gained an influence in the Galatian churches. Paul wrote the book a few months before his attendance at the Jerusalem Council in AD 49, a meeting where the apostles would take up this very topic (Ac.15:1-30). Where Christ was the fulfilment of the Law (Ro.10:4) 'to everyone that believeth' these false brethren insisted on observance which was according to carnal wisdom. Taking line of least resistance, as the early church would in the post-Constantine period adopt the cultural and ecclesiastical rites of the pagan world, it was indeed a deception played upon the unsuspecting congregation.
Epistle to the Galatians holds much more relevance now in hindsight, the benefit of comparing the theological position the church holds now,- a far cry from the great stir that Judaizers in the time of Paul set off, against errors of human wisdom confusing the word of God. Ecumenism of recent times does not address the perfection of the word of God and in the midst of gloom and doom our certainty is that the foundation of God nevertheless stands sure and God knows who are his.
As usual he closes the epistle by writing at the end of the letter himself in large letters (Gal.6:11).
This epistle has always been among those Pauline epistles least challenged on the issue of authorship.
This wasn't written to a single church in a single city. For example, 1 Thessalonians is addressed to the specific church (1 Thess.1:1) this was addressed to the churches of Galatia. This was a region where a number of churches were doing the ministry of God
I would have to say no. There is only one "gift" that is given to a believer, and that is the gift of the Holy Spirit. We read about Jesus' healing of many. And yes, He gave power to His apostles to heal some. Jesus never failed when He healed. We cannot say the same for the apostles.
If there are such men today with the power to heal the same as Jesus did, my question is why do we have so many children in hospitals that are dying?
I completely agree with what you are saying here, Amen! As long as we are in this fleshly body, we cannot be completely free from sin. And what about the sins we don't even realize we are committing? What does it mean in Romans 14:23, that little phrase which reads, "for whatsoever is not of faith is sin."
Once we become aware of what that phrase truly means, we then realize how difficult (and dare I say impossible) it is to be completely sin free. Personally, I find it to be a struggle at the end of the day to confess to the Lord that I went the entire day without sin.
Blessings!
The first verse and the last verse in the Bible are ( Gen 1:1) and ( Rev 22:21)
The first and last words in the first and last verses are
( Gen 1:1) (In) and (earth)
And in ( Rev 22:21) (The) and (Amen)
These four words (In) (earth) (The) and (Amen) show up in the KJB 77777 times! And the KJB ONLY!
( Isaiah 45:23) "I have (sworn) by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness" The word (sworn) is #7650; it means to be complete, to seven oneself, (as if by repeating a declaration seven times) ( Ps 12:6-7)
The KJB is the pure preserved Word of God!
( Titus 1:9-16)
Truth matters.
Blessings to all who seek His Truth.
Good discussion here. We have engaged in this topic a number of occasions before, but it is always a good topic to continue examining.
I agree that we should desire to be Christ-like, but only Christ, who is God in the flesh is truly altogether good and sinless. In this life our sinful nature remains in us, it permeates our whole being. But being reborn, we now have a victorious spiritual nature enlivened by the Holy Spirit. The grace of God administered to us by the Holy Spirit not only gives us the desire to ,ive a life in imitation of Christ but also gives us the power to resist the sinful nature, whereas the unbeliever does not have such power because the Holy Spirit does not dwell in them. So, as believers, we are able to live godly lives, but not sin-free lives. The Holy Spirit is our sanctifier, and He is bit by bit conforming us to the moral character of Christ.
I have met people who claim to have reached sinless perfection in their lives, but in reality, I notice many sins happening in their lives. They have just pridefully either deluded themselves, or ignore these sines, or else attribute them to mistakes or weaknesses, but do not admit them to be sin. For me, I know I am growing in holiness because the Spirit lives in me, but also, because He lives in me, I am more and more aware of sins I do not do inwardly and outwardly, in attitudes and motives, and in reluctance when I know the right thing to do, even though I still may obey, the reluctance shows me that I am still sinful.
The word (pure) is #2889; it means sound, clear, unadulterated, uncontaminated, innocent or holy.
Comparing the KJB and the Nasb.
KJB ( Col 1:14) "In whom we have redemption through his blood"'
The Nasb says "in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins"
Here the Nasb removes the blood of Jesus Christ!
KJB ( 2 Sam 21:19) Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim, a Bethlehemite, slew the brother of Goliath the Gittite.
The Nasb says "Elhanan the son of Jaare-oregim the Bethlehemite killed Goliath the Gittite"
Here the Nasb says Elhanan killed Goliath, wouldn't that be adding to the Word? ( Prov 30:5-6) ( Rev 22:18-19)
KJB ( Jn 7:8) Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come.
The Nasb says "Go up to the feast yourselves; I am not going up to this feast, because my time is not yet fully arrived".
Jesus went to the feast so the Nasb is making Jesus look like He's a liar, but ( Proverbs 30:5-6)
KJB ( Jn 6:47) "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life"
The Nasb says "Truly, truly, I say to you, the one who believes has eternal life"
The KJB is the Inspired Word of God! There are many verses where Jesus tells us we should keep His Words!
All modern versions fit perfectly with this verse ( Jer 23:36) The word (perverted) is #2015; it means to turn about or over, to change, overturn pervert, change. Someone is changing the words of the living God, that would be all modern version bibles.
( 1 Tim 4:1) In the (latter times which is our time now) many will give heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.
( 2 Tim 4:3-4) Do you not see that the Nasb is doctrine that's not sound? You could safely say its even anti-Jesus!
Modern versions are all the same, they are only words of men, these bibles are not Inspired by God!
The Truth matters.
Blessings.
God bless you and thanks for all your help.
( Isa 45:22-23) v23 "I have (sworn) by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return.
The word (sworn) is #7650; it means to be complete, to seven oneself, (as if by repeating a declaration seven times) charge (by an oath, with an oath)
( Ps 12:6-7) v6) The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth purified (seven) times.
The word (seven) is #7659; it means dual adverb of 7651, seven times, 7651; from 7650, a primary cardinal number; seven (as the sacred full one) an infinite number, 7650; to be complete, to seven oneself, (as if repeating a declaration seven times) charge (by an oath, with an oath). The same meaning as the word (sworn) As God said "I have sworn by myself the word is gone out of my mouth"..
Also a time in the Bible is 1 year, so purified (seven) (times) is purified 7 years. It took 7 years to finish the translation of the KJB.
( 2 Tim 3:16) "All scripture is given by inspiration of God". The word (scripture) is #1124; it means a document, holy Writ, (or its contents or a statement in it) especially to write, write (-ing, -ten)
The scripture that is inspired by God is a written document!
One that we have today! ( 2 Tim 2:15) "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth". If we are told to "Study" and "rightly divide the word of truth" then we most defiantly do have scripture, the word of truth in a written document with us today!
( 2 Pet 1:19-21) v20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the (scripture) is of any private interpretation. v21 "but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost". (scripture) is #1124; its a written document, holy Writ, the same meaning as the scripture inspired by God in ( 2 Tim 3:16)
moved by the Holy Ghost? What does the Holy Ghost do?
( Jn 14:26) "he shall teach you all things" He taught them all things
( Rev 22:7) ( Rev 22:18-19)
Leviticus 17:10-14 The eating of BLOOD was likewise forbidden. The blood was for ATONEMENT, not for nourishment. "The life of the flesh is in the blood." v11 The principle behind atonement is life for life. Since the wages of sin is death, symbolized by the shedding of blood, so "without the shedding of blood is no remission." Forgiveness does not come because the penalty of sin is EXCUSED, but because it is [[[ TRANSFERRED ]]] to a sacrifice whose lifeblood is poured out. Verse 11 is one of the key verses in Leviticus and should be memorized. When an animal was slaughtered, its blood was drained immediately. An animal that died accidentally was unclean if its blood was not drained right away.
This reveals just how SERIOUS sin actually is. You can get rid of it, it follows you... It has to be TRANSFERRED.. This is why the blood of Jesus Christ is SO PRECIOUS! He is the ultimate sacrifice for all our sins past, present, and future. We are covered under his blood! As Christians, we should try to avoid sin as much as possible, but if we do fall down we can repent, and the LORDS' blood will cover that sin! That is how back-sliding Christians can be restored.
Hi again Jim.
Do we really ever reach a stage that we become "dead to sin", in other words a sinless state? Paul suggests us to consider ourselves dead to sin that is strive not to be controlled/influenced by it, but has anybody ever succeeded to become sinless?
ABSOLUTELY not and it is not even possible simply due to the fact that "man" in his fallen state will always have his sin nature. There is a struggle between this sin nature and us yielding to the lead of the Holy Spirit.
The difference between the Christian and the unsaved is that the Christian does not make sin his/her current walk in life. They might sin on occasion, but regret it and grieve the Holy Spirit, confess the sin, and repent and try not to do it again. A far cry from the unsaved who sin with impunity and not only have no conscience about the sins they commit they are proud of doing them!
The Christian internally no longer WANTS to sin and feels grieved when he does so, in a way he is dead to sin, but the unsaved could give a damn and is proud about it!
Post-baptismal sin can not make anyone lose their salvation... Only individual apostasy can do that, but if one turns back from this apostasy it is still not too late because the Holy Spirit is still working with at least some kind of spiritual pulse no matter how unspiritual the apostate might be.
(9) Those who genuinely become concerned about their spiritual condition and have a desire to return to God in true repentance (i.e., changing one's attitude toward God, admitting sin, turning from one's own way and submitting to God) can be sure that they have not committed the unforgivable sin (cf. Mk 3:29), or ultimate apostasy. God's Word clearly affirms that he does not want anyone to perish or be spiritually lost and separated from him for eternity ( 2Pe 3:9; cf. Isa 1:18-19; 55:6-7). In fact, the heavenly Father will joyfully receive any wayward, rebellious or lost child who truly repents and returns to him (compare Gal 5:
Verse 1 states:
Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.
There are those who look at the latter rain described in Joel 2:23-27 we see what is similar text (along with the early rain). The final revival of the world likely will fulfill other promises in Joel such as in Joel 2:28 also mentioned at least partially fulfilled in Acts 2:17. We also can't ignore how God has blessed Israel even today with more rainfall then surrounding nations; and no doubt the earth in the Millennium will be fruitful more than ever for the final fulfillment with literal rainy seasons of predictable nature (except for those who don't come to worship God as we see later on in Zechariah).
Verse 2 describes that there were those as if there was no shepherd; apparently struggling into part of verse 3. This reminds us of Christ's statement in Matthew 9:36-38.
Verses 3 and 5 show indications of later verses in Zechariah of Judah fighting against the enemy armies in campaigns related to Armageddon; specifically after the taking of half of the city of Jerusalem. Basically the rest of this chapter shows the unity of Judah and Ephriam and gives glory to Christ as the victor over the enemies. Verses 9 and 10 show an ingathering from Egypt and other places.
The pride of Assyria in verse 11 could be partially fulfilled in the past but Antichrist himself is known as the "Assyrian" in Ezekiel 31:3. Egypt is mentioned too; although it's national prominence will never be what it was ( Ezekiel 29:15) but it will cry out in the last days ( Isaiah 19:20) and of course it is mentioned in Zechariah 14:17 they will still exist and need to worship God every year.
John 1:29 ...... Behold, the Lamb of God, which taketh away the SIN of the world.
Hebrews 12:1 ... an the SIN which doth so easily beset us ......
What is this singular SIN that so easily besets God's people, and Jesus said he will TAKE AWAY, because his blood covers all other sins.
John 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of SIN.......
John 16:9 Of SIN, because they BELIEVE NOT .... (the Word of God)......
Philippians 1:29 ... it is GIVEN TO YOU on the behalf of Christ to BELIEVE
God Bless YOU!
Do you BELIEVE you are dead to sin?
Matthew 8:13 And Jesus said ..... Go thy way, and as thou has BELIEVED, so it BE DONE UNTO THEE, and his servant was healed the selfsame hour.
Philippians 1:29 For unto you IT IS GIVEN on the behalf of Christ to not only BELIEVE but to suffer for his sake;
God Bless YOU!
The apostle James pretty much sums it up below. TRUE LIFE SAVING FAITH is not barren it produces fruit. Not because we want Jesus to love us more, but because we love HIM. Faith without works is dead! Dead faith! Remember the parable of the talents? Some "Christians" are going to have a rude awakening when the Messiah returns.
James 2:15-20 (KJV) 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?"
Do we really ever reach a stage that we become "dead to sin", in other words a sinless state? Paul suggests us to consider ourselves dead to sin that is strive not to be controlled/influenced by it, but has anybody ever succeeded to become sinless?
Verse 1 states:
The burden of the word of the Lord in the land of Hadrach, and Damascus shall be the rest thereof: when the eyes of man, as of all the tribes of Israel, shall be toward the Lord.
According to Isaiah 17:1 Damascus shall become a ruinous heap. There will be a highway; nonetheless in the last days according to Isaiah 19:23 there will be a highway from Assyria into Egypt which encompasses part of Syria; Turkey; and a couple other nations. Isaiah 17:3 states the rest of Syria will be as the glory of Israel. No doubt there will finally be peace among the survivors of the surronding nations.
The destruction of Tyre is also mentioned in Ezekiel 26 and 27 (along with the prince of Tyre and king of Tyre in chapter 28 signifying a human and Lucifer controlling things behind the scenes with his history). This prophecy was partly fulfilled; as to some of the details which I won't elaborate on here.
The same could be said for the Philistines and others mentioned in verses 5 through 7; verse 8 shows the Lord's conquering and control in the future.
Verse 9 is a direct prophecy of Christ riding on a donkey during Palm Sunday and signifies hi eventual rule on earth. His dominion from sea to sea is also in Psalm 72:8 and was a popular hymn of Sir Arthur Sullivan as seen in verse 10.
The rest of the chapter talks about prisoners being brought forth; interestingly it mentions the "blood of the covenant" in verse 11. That shows the King of Kings here but apparently can refer to the earlier promises from the Abrahamic covenant. We see the final blessings here in the last verse for the whole earth; and God's majesty in deliverance of prisioners and over all the enemies of the land. Verse 13 mentions the sons of Greece which certainly had some fulfillment in the book of Maccabees but could indicate some areas near where Antichrist rules from as being conquered with prisoners set free also.
I wouldn't use terms like "true saving faith". Words including the term "true", like "truly saved people" can mislead people into false beliefs. I would say an "active faith". Faith exists in reborn christians but it has to produce results, like fruit, like works...Is it possible for a christian to not have an active faith? Well in the parable of the Sower the 3rd case is an example. If a reborn person stops following Jesus and directs themselves towards other things even if those things may not be sinful but may get us out of our christian path, then their faith becomes inactive. Why do people direct themselves towards other things? People often say ,"a person follows his heart", that is what he loves best where his heart and treasure is. Then the light in our lamp is in danger of going off.
Link
The Spirit conveys God's mercy, forgiveness and acceptance, and he gives them the desire and power to do God's will ( Jn 3:16; 1Co 15:10; Php 2:13; 1Ti 1:15-16). The whole process and progress of the Christian life, from beginning to end, is dependent on this grace.
(1) God gives a degree of grace as a gift ( 1Co 1:4) to unbelievers (i.e., those who do not yet know or have not accepted Christ) so that they may be able to respond to his message and mercy and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ ( Eph 2:8-9; Tit 2:11; 3:4).
(2) God gives grace to believers (i.e., those who choose to accept and follow Christ) so they can be "set free from sin" (Ro 6:20, 22), "to will and to act according to his good purpose" ( Php 2:13; cf. Tit 2:11-12; see Mt 7:21, note on obedience as a gift of God's grace). God's grace also helps believers to pray ( Zec 12:10), to grow in their relationship with Christ ( 2Pe 3:18) and to communicate the message about Christ to others (Ac 4:33; 11:23).
(3) God's grace must be desired, pursued and accepted ( Heb 4:16). Some of the ways by which God's grace is received are: studying and obeying God's Word ( Jn 15:1-11; 20:31; 2Ti 3:15); hearing and responding to the preaching of the gospel-the "good news" about Christ ( Lk 24:47; Ac 1:8; Ro 1:16; 1Co 1:17-18); praying ( Heb 4:16; Jude 1:20); fasting, which is going without food for a period of time to focus on spiritual matters through prayer ( Mt 4:2; 6:16); worshiping Christ ( Col 3:16); being continually filled with the Holy Spirit ( Eph 5:18); and participating in the Lord's Supper, or "communion" (Ac 2:42; see Eph 2:9, note on how grace works).
(4) God's grace can be resisted and rejected ( Heb 12:15), received in vain and without lasting effect ( 2Co 6:1), set aside and disregarded ( Gal 2:21) and abandoned by people who, at one time, truly believed and accepted Christ ( Gal 5:4).
J. Wesley Adams and Donald C. Stamps, Fire Bible (Springfield, MO: Life Publishers International, 2011)
Lightenings
Thunderings and Lightenings go together. The Word became flesh and we beheld his glory. John would attest its glory in terms of grace. "And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.". Grace and truth came along with it so in our example we live by the true Light. When Jesus prayed, "Sanctify them" (the disciples and the believers at large) this word is truth and the light we see through his light.
Lightening is the judgment aspect of the word. Lightening as Elijah brought down from heaven.
Jesus spoke of it in the discourse of end times. " For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be./ For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together."(Matt.24:27-28)
East is with reference to Eden and in the Genesis account (2:10) the Garden of Eden was watered by the river indicating that God blessed us with all spiritual blessings in Christ. With the fall of man he was expelled and he moved farther from the east. Also after the great deluge the nations did not return where they come from but as the Spirit tells us, "And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east,"(Ge.11:2) Somewhat like the tower of Babel the fools would to plant colonies in Mars without having a clue to the mess they have made on the earth.
The brambles in the fable of Jotham has cast a shadow and when we see flames coming out of it we need keep our faith firm.
Lightenings
And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
The Throne is the embodiment of God with His glory surround. When the Psalm declares it he says,"There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard."(Ps.19:3). This voice has a direct impact on the manner the earth shall form eventually and it is what thundering does. "The voice of the Lord is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the Lord is upon many waters."(Ps.29:3) The Spirit of God moving upon the many waters has many agencies to which the command number Seven attest. As a memorial seven lamps of fire burning before the throne see to the successful conclusion of the Salvation Plan of God. Worthy was the Lamb to open the book with seven seals. He is shown in his power and wisdom. "And, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been cranny that nothing escapes from the gospel proclaimed. The Spirit while working upon the face of the waters set up a word-wide web which we see in operation. slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth." (5:6) His power and wisdom are directed to every nook and cranny that nothing escapes from the gospel proclaimed. The Spirit while working upon the face of the waters set up a word-wide web which we see in operation.
:"(Ps.29:7-9a) Even in our times we see the very same voice dividing the flames of fire. If the wildfires in Canada affect the US and move across the Atlantic to Europe and send heatwaves in its wake we are seeing the effect of His voice in action, "Yea, the Lord sitteth King for ever." (Ps.29:10)
Thunderings
Now we have this angel, ,"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,/ Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." Of the everlasting gospel we accounted Three and half years. So this work in heaven concerns the risen Christ. The angel warns "For the hour of his judgment is come.' The great silence before the seventh seal explains this. The command number Four is assigned to the proclamation of the Gospel. Gospel is one whether under heaven or in heaven. Four Synoptic gospels establish Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world.
The angel commands, "Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not."(10:4) Compare with the angel in the following chapter and it is also with regards to to time scale. "And the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein/ But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months."(11:1-2)
Time, times and an half is from POV of the Gospel and 42 months is like a reverse shot, to use a term from cinematography.