Two WARS run in the Earth-Russia/Ukraine& Israel/Palestine,the worst WAR will happen in HEAVEN,a celestial ENVIRONMENT (Eph.1:3-8),a spiritual WAR-Re.11:15-18;and one of the 7 heads of the Beast of sea,a Gentile Beast-Re.13:1-the MAIN PARTNER of the Dragon-Re.13:11 combined with Re.13:2,will be mortally wounded-Re.13:3, and Isaiah 51:9-16 reveal as follow:
9Awake,awake,put on strength,O arm of the Lord;awake,as in the ancient days,in the generations of old.Art thou not it that hath cut RAHAB,and wounded the DRAGON?
10Art thou not it which has dried the sea(by allegory,now peoples,and NATIONS,and multitudes of all tongues),the waters of the great deep;that has made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over?(You know the Hebrews had to cross the Red Sea,and walk through a desert until they got to the Promised Land.What about GOD's people now in this current time?)Now GOD's people must go through(I mean win a war)against the Red Dragon)
11Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return,and come with singing unto Zion;and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy;and sorrow and mourning shall flee away
12I,even I,am he that comforteth you:who art thou,that thou should be afraid of a man that shall die,and of the son of man which shall be made as grass;
13And forgettest the Lord thy maker,that has stretched forth the heavens,and laid the foundations of the earth;and has feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor,as if he were ready to destroy?where is the fury of the oppressor?
14The captive exile hastenes that he may be loosed,and that he should not die in the pit,nor that his bread should fail.
15But I am the Lord thy GOD,that divided the sea,whose waves roared:The Lord of hosts is His name
16And I have put my words in thy mouth,and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand,that I may plant the heavens,and lay the foundations of the earth,and say unto Zion,Thou art my people
We have all come another day closer to the return of Christ. Isaiah 51:6 and other verses in Psalms refer to the earth waxing old like a garment; but as Job said there will be a resurrection and we shall see Him in our own flesh ( Job 19:26 and surrounding verses). The suffering of the saints which is part of God's purging process in our own lives will come to an end; certainly if Paul with the immense suffering promised him in Acts 9:16 could state that sufferings now are no comparison to what is to come ( Romans 8:18) heaven is too wonderful for words.
Whatever is left will be restored during the Millennium so that people can live fulfilled long lives in a peaceful existence. The earth will produce its fruit in abundance and Satan will be restrained. Only this will bring about the end of war ( Isaiah 2:4).
I will be the first to admit; and I doubt that I'm the only one that it seems almost a cruel joke to hold on to such hope; especially in regard to the Rapture which was rather obsessed over in the 1970s and 1980s and today hardly discussed in traditional church settings. We have come to a point where it is not discussed in church; but there are numerous online sites which are pretty much obsessed with the topic and endless dreams and visions that individuals are supposed to have had on the issue. It is hard to imagine just how great it will be not to have Satan and his emissaries like a spider with tentacles removed from what is now a chokehold on almost everything in the world today. Nonetheless we have a cloud of witnesses ( Heb. 12:1) which are of every saint who has died since the time of Christ and in fact some are the "first of the firstfruits" as it were of the O.T. saints resurrected in Matthew 27:52 and 53.
To imagine society without the violence and lawlessness of today is a stretch. When Christ comes to rule with a rod of iron He will also be just (see Isaiah 11:3 and other verses). Today may He reign in our hearts.
You are confounding "Heavens" with Sky, for heavens are spiritual, sky is material. When Paul Apostle was caught to the third heaven, he did not make a travel to the space, to the sky, of course, as do the spaceman or the rockets. Your thinking is from a human perspective, a stumblingblock, not from GOD's perspective. By the way, when JESUS was born, He came from heaven, not from the Sky, from the space, understand? Furthermore, All things were made by my Lord JESUS; and without JESUS was not any thing made that was made.
Hebrews 1-2 and 11:3
1 - GOD, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last Days(last two Days or last 2000 years)spoken unto us by His Son,whom GOD hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also GOD made the worlds.
11:3 Through FAITH(not by sight, or even by the letter of the Scriptures,the letter kills)we UNDERSTAND that the WORLDS were framed/created by the Word of GOD-the Word is GOD-,self-executing-,so that things which are seen WERE NO MADE of things which do appear.
Isaiah 40:21-22
21Have ye not known?have ye not heard?hath it not been told you from the beginning?have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth?
22It is He that sitteth upon the circle of the earth,and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers;that stretcheth out the HEAVENS as a curtain,and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in.
Isaiah 51:14-17
14The captive exile hasteneth that he may be loosed,and that he should not die in the pit,nor that his bread should fail.
15But I am the Lord thy GOD,that divided the sea,whose waves roared:The Lord of hosts is His name.
16And I have put my WORD in thy mouth,and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand,that I MAY PLANT THE HEAVENS, and lay the foundations of the earth,and say unto Zion,Thou art my people.
17 Awake,awake,stand up,O Jerusalem,which hast drunk at the hand of the Lord the cup of his fury...
Isaiah 51:16-20 from the King James Version of the Bible is a passage in the Old Testament that contains a message of divine promise, warning, and prophecy to the people of Israel. Here's a brief explanation of the verses:
Verse 16: In this verse, God is speaking to Israel, and He says that He has given His words to Israel to speak, and He has protected and covered them like a sheltering hand. The purpose of this divine intervention is so that God can bring about the creation or restoration of the heavens and the foundations of the earth, and declare to Zion that they are His chosen people.
Verse 17: This verse calls for Jerusalem to wake up and stand strong because it has experienced God's wrath and suffering, represented as drinking from the cup of His fury. Jerusalem has gone through hardship and must now rise and face its challenges.
Verse 18: Jerusalem is depicted as having no one to guide or support her among her own people. There is a sense of abandonment or lack of help from those she has given birth to.
Verse 19: Two significant adversities have come upon Jerusalem - desolation, destruction, famine, and the sword. The verse raises the question of who will comfort or console Jerusalem in the face of these hardships.
Verse 20: This verse describes the dire state of Jerusalem, with its sons weakened and defeated, lying in the streets like trapped wild bulls. The reason for their suffering is said to be the fury and rebuke of God.
In summary, these verses convey a message of God's involvement in the fate of Jerusalem, expressing both divine protection and judgment. It underscores the need for Jerusalem to awaken and take action in the face of adversity.
16 And I have put my words in thy MOUTH, and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I MAY PLANT THE HEAVENS, and lay the foundations of the earth(Israel), and say unto Zion, Thou art my people.
17 Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast drunk at the hand of the Lord the cup of His fury; thou hast drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling, and wrung them out.
18 There is none to guide her among all the sons whom she hath brought forth; neither is there any that taketh her by the hand of all the sons that she hath brought up.
19 These two things are come unto thee; who shall be sorry for thee? desolation, and destruction, and the famine, and the sword: by whom shall I comfort thee?
20 Thy sons have fainted, they lie at the head of all the streets, as a wild bull in a net: they are full of the fury of the Lord, the rebuke of thy GOD.
In the first sentence of your post you emphasized GOD putting His Word in the mouths of his servants,the prophets,and you highlighted Je. and Ez: Isa. came also to my memory-Is.6:1-13.
And Hebrews 1:1-2 say:1 GOD,who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these LAST DAYS(last two days or two millennia)spoken unto us by His Son...
But I would highlight also Isaiah 51:14-The captive exiled hasteneth that he may be loosed,and that he should NOT DIE in the pit, nor that his bread should fail.
15 I am the Lord thy GOD,that divided the sea(nations),whose waves roared:The Lord of hosts is his name.
16 And I have put my words in thy MOUTH, and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand,that I may PLANT THE HEAVENS,and lay the foundations of the earth,and say unto Zion,Thou art my people.
The 1st heaven was planted by the Words GOD has put in the MOUTH of Moses,and His holy prophets-the Old Testament-and lasted around 1.500 years,from Moses until JESUS;
The 2nd heaven was planted by the Words GOD has put in the MOUTH of JESUS,and His Apostles-the New Testament-,and it has lasted around 2000 years;
The 3rd heaven will last 1.000 years,it will be planted by the Words GOD has left written to be announced by the captive exiled, actually a rod of iron,and a sharp Sword- Hebrews 4:12-13 combined with Rev.11:15-18,and Ps.2:1-12,and 1Thess.4:16, Daniel 12:1-3,Rev.19:11-21 and 6:2,among other biblical references.
The heaven of the heavens-the Eternity-will be established when the 3rd heaven be ended- Rev. 20:7-10;
Luke 20:35-35
35 They which shall be accounted WORTHY to obtain that world(next world-the millennial GOD's Kingdom-,and the resurrection from the dead,neither marry,nor are given in marriage:
36 Neither can they die any more:for they are equal unto the angels;and are the children of GOD,being the children of the resurrection.
May our Lord GOD bless and keep us,and give us His protection
Obviously the "EVERLASTING" conditons described in scripture concerning the Abrahamic and Davidic Covenants.
Scriptures such as Isaiah 51:11 and many others don't exist of yet.
They are certainly back in the land but the wailing wall in Jerusalem reminds me of Matthew 27:25.
Also Matthew 23:38-39 seems to parallel with Hosea 5:15.
Does Israel disobedience void the UNCONDITIONAL COVENANT AND PROMISES?
According to Psalms 89:27-36. NO!
"My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him.
His seed also will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven.
If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments;
If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments;
Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes.
Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, NOR SUFFER MY FAITHFULNESS TO FAIL.
( This is a marvelous saying! It's God's faithfulness that is on display!!)
MY COVENANT WILL I NOT BREAK, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.
Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David.
His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me."
Daniel has much to say about this in Daniel 9:24
"Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy."
I may be different, but in my understanding of the Bible, I approach scripture simply and do not try to complicate things with preconceived ideas and let the Bible and the Holy Spirit do the interpretation. To me, a symbol will have a non-symbolic meaning.
A symbol represents something real, a real person, a real thing, or a historical event. When I read, I understand words in a literal sense first, then in a figurative or spiritual sense if the literal doesn't make sense.
Are the Christians now the Israel of God? Have the promises to Israel and the church merged into one common heritage? If so that brings up.
Will the promise of the land given to Abraham's seed, Isaac then Jacob be fulfilled? Isaiah 11:11-12Ezekiel 37:21-25Jeremiah 24:5-6Ezekiel 34:11-12Ezekiel 36:24-26Hosea 3:4-5Micah 4:6-7Zechariah 13:8-9
Will Jesus the Messiah return and reign on the earth, with a rod of iron? Isaiah 2:1-4Isaiah 11:1-4Daniel 2:44Daniel 7:14Zechariah 14:1-4Jeremiah 3:17Revelation 2:26-27Revelation 11:15Revelation 12:5Revelation 19:11-21.
Will there be a literal millennium during which Satan will not deceive the nations and Christ will reign on earth? Revelation 20:1-62 Timothy 2:11-12Isaiah 2:2-4Isaiah 11:5-16Isaiah 65:19-25Isaiah 51:4-5 Zechariah 14:16-21Micah 4:1-4Psalms 46:7-11Matthew 19:28.
To me there are too many scriptures that are showing God has not replaced Israel with the Church. We see in Romans 11:24-27 a day when God will again turn to Israel, the day Jesus returns. Forgive me if some of the scriptures do not fit.
Continuing with just a few of the Day of the Lord verses.
Zephaniah 1:15
Isaiah 13:9
Lamentations 2:1
Isaiah 13:13
Isaiah 51:22
Jeremiah 25:15
Revelation 16:19
Revelation 14:10
Revelation 16:1
Isaiah 63:1-6.
This is what Paul is telling them is not at hand. This is what we all agree on besides a few that the Church will not see.
However some see the Rapture in Revelation 20:4-6 sadly mistaking it for the Resurrection.
That would place the Church on the Earth during the wrath of the Lord that comes upon all the Earth.
When we take 2 Thessalonians 2:3
"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, AND THAT MAN OF SIN BE REVEALED, the son of perdition;
Paul gives them the sequence of events in chronological order of what happens "AFTER" that what he reminded them of previously in
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
That's why he opens up saying "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by "OUR" gathering together unto him," 2 Thessalonians 2:1.
Paul included them and himself in this gathering! So did they see the son of perdition? No.
We take 2 Thessalonians 2:3 with the following scriptures to pitch our viewpoint. 2 Thessalonians 2:6-15.
The son of perdition can't come while the light bearers is in the world. The Church! Who sits in the midst of the Church? Christ/His Holyspirit.
Psalm 79. Asaph passed from this earth several HUNDRED years before the Babylonian captivity however this Psalm certainly sounds like that captivity; and it certainly has some parallels to later events such as the destruction of the Temple in AD 70 as well as the end times. Verse 6 certainly seems to be a universal sort of destruction for all of God's enemies in the impreccatory sort of narrative.
We see further parallels with verse 10 and the passage in Revelation 6:10 on "how long"? Verse 11 seems to indicate the prisoners being released as some other prophetic verses state such as Isaiah 51:14. And verse 12 shows with the "sevenfold" rendering as similar to the sevenfold series of judgments in Revelation; references in Deuteronomy and other scriptures about sevenfold judgments.
Finally; the last verse shows how the "sheep of thy pasture" will give thanks forever and to all generations. That could certainly be a Millennial reference.
There are many prophecies which make Asaph in that catagory. We see that he led song and apparently lived a long life. We do well to look at the song of Miriam in Exodus 15:20-21 to see how powerful worship and song is related to many victories of God.
We are reminded of James once again in regard to the tongue and how dangerous it can be. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways ( James 1:8
There are also prophetic overtones once again; such as the character of the Antichrist in Dan. 11:32. We also see in the first verse that godly and faithful man fails and ceases. That reminds us of what happens when the restrainer is removed in 2 Thess. 2:6. Verse 4 seems to show a world thinking that they are without leadership (small lord). The verse about silver tried in a furnace of earth; purified seven times reminds us of the seven year Tribulation as well as the concept in Leviticus 26:18 for God's people.
Verse 7 shows preservation from this (possibly the last) generation. That could indicate a deliverance FROM the wicked; or THROUGH the Tribulation when the wicked reach their apex.
God knows how to preserve His children as we see the concept in 2 Peter 2:9 (also translated dtemptations) also it is clearer in Romans 1:16-17 where we are kept from the "wrath to come." Verse 5 reminds us that as Christ said "the poor will always be among you." ( Matt. 26:11). It appears that children will be restored according to Isaiah 49:25 as well as literal releasing of prisoners in Isaiah 51:14; although other verses can be applied to Christ freeing us from the prison of sin such as Isaiah 61:1-2 quoted by Christ.
These verses could have been penned by David with some of his own personal situation on his mind at least; but these broad promises certainly go beyond just being applied to David's situation as the Spirit inspired these passages in Psalms as in all scipture.
Jeremiah 20:1, Yeah, sad when someone of trusted positions act corrupt, cruel & evil, abusing their authority, especially in the house of The LORD our GOD! Proverbs 15:3, that's why GOD sent Jeremiah to prophecy to them. Jeremiah 1:4-19, Jeremiah 4:1-6, notice Jeremiah 20:1-6, Jeremiah 7,
But then: Jeremiah 3:12, Jeremiah 12:15, Isaiah 51:11, Isaiah 35:10, Isaiah 44:22, Isaiah 55:7, John 3:15-21,
Even today we see hypocrisy but Jesus already knew, lived it & gave us direction : Matthew 23, Matthew 25:31-46,
That's a great verse Joshua (btw, I think you meant to write Isaiah 51:16); a verse of great assurance to Judah (who would go into Babylonian captivity about one hundred years later).
Even though Isaiah's message may seem presumptuous, Isaiah had already prophesied (as did other prophets) of Judah's & Israel's captivities. But now, the promise was given that they would be released from captivity & return to their own land. Isaiah chapter 51 is but one chapter of God's encouragement for them to be faithful to their God & Redeemer (i.e. hopefully they would have learnt their lesson from their punishment). So in verse 16 (the special verse given to you), the words here are reminders to Judah of God's special, unflinching interest in His special possession.
"I have put my words in thy mouth": assures them that they were the only ones of all the peoples of the Earth to receive God's Laws & Truths; they were the ones selected through whom the Messiah would come & through Him & because of Him, would God's Word spread to all. The Gospel of Christ was the message of life & hope to all those sitting in darkness bound in sin's shackles. Judah (& Israel) already received God's Truths & they were expected to learn from their punishment to declare the Name of the LORD as a witness to His Power & Goodness. But did they? Sadly, No.
But this part of the verse you've received is indeed special & timely. You should not be as Judah was, a privileged people with every reason to be a shining light to the world, yet remaining unchanged. As a child of God, with Christ's Spirit reigning in your heart, you not only have God's Word hidden there, but you are God's Light to shine forth & bring His Word to others who might be sitting in darkness & bondage; to share the words He's put into your heart & mouth. May those words echo King David's praise in Psalm 35:28, "And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long." Be greatly blessed, dear brother.
Dear Antonio James on Hebrews 3 and all the rest :).
Thanks for the reminder from the Hebrews.
1 John 3.10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
Isaiah 51:2 Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him."
2 Peter 3:1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
Ephesians 5:14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
2 Timothy 4.7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
John 5:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
Revelation 22:15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
The nondescript person here uttering a complaint sounds much like the author of Lamentations mourning over the situation during the Babylonian invasion. There is great similarity also to Job during his sufferings. There perhaps is the greatest meaning in the time when Christ returns (v.13). Daniel states that there are set times; and even Antichrist can't change times and delay Christ's return and victory over him ( Daniel 2:21). Once again; as in earlier Psalms the heathen shall fear the name of the Lord (v. 15). The prisoners will be set free ( Isaiah 51:14) as v. 20 indicates; and during the Millennium God looks down from heaven (heavenly Jerusalem) in v. 19. Eventually, the earth shall perish and be changed (v. 20) at the end of the period; and at the time of the Great White Throne judgment. ( Rev. 20:11). Then there shall be eternal glorified saints continuing forever (v. 28). This could indicate those already in redeemed bodies from the church age; as well as those natural men that live physically with their descendants (seed) during the 1000 years; who live throughout that period and are translated into eternity.
READ THE SIGNS__Matthew 24__Luke 21 - In Reply - 2 years ago
Global warming is an excuse for Governments and secret societies to track & monitor people. Computers record everything. The wise thing to do is trust Jesus to save you from the End of Days.
2 PETER CHAPTER 3
10 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.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the FAY OF GOD, wherein the heavens being on FIRE shall be dissolved, and the elements shall MELT WITH FERVENT HEAT?
13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. (See BORN AGAIN in John 3)
15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
See also: Isaiah 51:6, Revelation 21:1
Timing of Jesus's Return is any time now.
God is going to restore the earth to like it was in the Garden of Eden. No scars, no pollution, no sin; no Satan, no demons; all extinct animals and creatures will be returned.
SERVING JESUS UNTIL THE LAST MOMENT - In Reply - 2 years ago
I'm not refusing anything. Jesus doesn't know the time of the end. Only the Father knows.
I'm a street preacher. I just get people ready to go__period.
I watch for the signs, that happen on this earth; in these political systems; plagues and pandemics on all continents; changes in money systems.
Advancements or increased "labor pains". We all have our part to doas the BODY OF CHRIST.
I think Matthew 16:1-4; 12:39-42; Jonah 3:1-4
We are all parts of the Body of Christ, but each body part is not identical. The Holy Spirit gives as He wills.
Not everyone that comes in here can understand the book of Revelation. It corresponds to other events on earth, and in the heavens.
Like right now the Arab kingdoms are uniting; and with China and Russia.
MATTHEW 24:42-51 sign of Noah
MATTHEW 25: 1-13 the 10 Virgins
I do not believe that Jesus will suffer His Bride to be killed. I believe we will see the beginning of the Trib. and warn people. A great harvest. I think Noah labored on the Ark 6 days a week and preached in the city. When the Ark was ready, GOD SHUT THE DOOR. The door was massive and had to be secured outside.
Can any of us conquer the fear of man, and get this message we know so well, and preach so well here, and take it to people who are perishing, "out there".
People watch the news every day (YouTube or tv) so there is an awareness of the signs. We just need to open up WHERE this is all leading to. All this global warming hype from the Government, IS 2 PETER 3:10-12. The earth is warming, and we are being warned. Isaiah 51:6
You do your task, and I am doing mine. I'm looking up every day and night for Jesus's appearing in the clouds. I'm going with Him no matter what: pre, mid, whenever it happens. I want to be doing what He asks: harvesting, doing good. Matthew 25: 31-46
May CHRIST IS US grace us with HIS wisdom and HIS understanding.
Luke 17:21 ....Behold, the kingdom of God is WITHIN YOU.
Matthew 12:28 But if I (Christ) cast out DEVILS by the SPIRIT OF GOD, then the kingdom of God has come unto you.
Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was CAST OUT ....
Revelation 11:15 ...The kingdoms of this world (Satan in us) are become the kingdoms of God (CHRIST IN US), and his Christ; and he shall reign (IN US) for ever and ever.
Colossians 1:27 ...This mystery...CHRIST IN YOU...
GARDEN OF GOD
Song of Solomon 5:1 I (Christ) am come unto my GARDEN...
Isaiah 58:11 ...and thou shall be like a watered GARDEN....
Isaiah 61:11 ...and as the GARDEN causeth the things that are sown it to spring forth; so the Lord WILL CAUSE righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.
Ezekiel 36:35 And they shall say, This land (kingdom of God) that was DESOLATE is become like the GARDEN OF EDEN ...
Genesis 2:9 ...And the TREE OF LIFE also in the midst of the GARDEN, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
Isaiah 51:3 For the Lord shall comfort Zion (His chosen): he will comfort all her waste places: and he WILL MAKE her wilderness like EDEN, and her deserts like the GARDEN OF THE LORD: joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.
Genesis 3:8 ..the Lord God walking in the GARDEN..
Ezekiel 31:8 The cedars in the GARDEN OF GOD could not hide him: the fir trees were not like his boughs, and the chestnut trees were not like his branches: nor any tree in the GARDEN OF GOD were like unto him (Christ) in his beauty.
Deceive the government? I think it not deception to not honor a government that kills babies by the millions through their support of Planned Parenthood.
Thank you for your thoughtful post, Chris. Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the SIN of the world, is able to save to the UTTERMOST those who come unto God by Him, for He ever lives to make intercession for them. Salvation is all about a PERSONAL relationship with the Savior. He has even provided for us, by His FINISHED work on the Cross, the works for us to enter into. ( Ephesians 2:8-10). Many will say "Lord, Lord" to Jesus on the last day, and point to THEIR works as proof of a relationship (which was non-existent) with Him, when there is only ONE work God will accept for our Salvation and redemption: the BLOOD of a sinless, spotless Lamb offered at Calvary. The Apostle Paul knew there is ONE way to KNOW Christ: thru His Cross, His death, and His sufferings ( Philippians 3:7-11). There is a world-loving, sensual church today that has completely walked away from the meaning of the Cross: which is DIE to self, and become united with Christ in His Cross and partake of the Power of His Resurrection that flows from His Cross, which is the power of God and the Wisdom of God ( 1st Corinthians 1:23-24).
Dear Bendito, please be respectful to others who interpret scripture different than you. You projected an assumption on someone you don't know by claiming that person has a 'low opinion' of Jesus. That's false and not very nice to say that to a Christian.
People could use the same logical fallacy against such an argument. For example: Matthew 7:21 clearly says not everyone who claims they are a follower of Jesus (a Christian) will enter heaven. So, for one who doesn't believe this verse, another could possibly assume such a person is calling Jesus a liar. That would probably seem unfair, wouldn't it?
There's many other places where Jesus warns Christians to obey and avoid sin. Some find this quite inconvenient and are quite motivated to make the verses say and mean something else. Why not dig deeper in the Bible and pray to God for understanding. God bless.
Thank you Andy - well written. However, as Christians & by virtue that that title implies, we're no longer under the Old Covenant but under the New, that which Christ has instigated for us. So many believers place themselves under the Old when claiming to be obedient to the Spirit's Law written on their hearts. I can't fathom how that can possibly work as the annulment of the Old was necessary before the New could take effect ( Hebrews 7:18,19). So the great question is: can a believer depend entirely on the Spirit's Voice to his heart, or His reminders of the 'higher' Law that exceeded that which was written on stone, and also have spiritual discernment to what is sin for him that may not be sin for another?
And then another question that comes to mind: can a believer who has truly been saved through Christ's Blood & have the indwelling Spirit to be his constant Guide & Strengthener, ever fall into such spiritual disrepair, where "the flesh needs be given up for destruction so that the spirit might be saved in the day of Christ?"( 1 Corinthians 5:5). Again, believers are divided on this issue, & we ought not to be, if we understand the saving Grace of God that comes without measure & without flaw. I detect that often the Gospel we preach is done with such zeal for the sinner's soul, that we fail to make it a more serious matter requiring deep introspection & conviction. Without being affected by the depth of our sin & certain everlasting judgement, the sinner's response to receive Christ might well be superficial, resembling the seed that did not fall into 'good ground'.
Many Churches are filled with such, even in the pulpit, & so I valued the time I had with older Sunday School children, teaching them from a very well titled workbook: "So, you think you are a Christian!" Every lesson was a challenge to both teacher & student to maintain great vigilance of the soul, being introspective & knowing the full significance of Christ's great Sacrifice.
Adam, thanks for your comment. Yes, we daily have the choice whom we are going to serve: SIN, expressed thru our carnal nature, or the RIGHTEOUSNESS of Christ thru the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ, provided by Christ's death and blood sacrifice. There is a world-loving, carnal church imploding all around us today who by their works and teachings have denied Christ and His Cross, and are leading their followers unto the Broad way that leads to destruction. The Doorway to Eternal life is thru the Cross, as we take His Cross, and make it our own. ( Galatians 2:20).
I personally believe that Christianity is an active religion. It literally means a Christ-follower and following is an activity, not a passive or stationary thing. Many are taught that believing in Jesus gives them a get out of jail (hell) free card like Monopoly. That they have zero obligations, don't have to worry about sin, can even enjoy sinning, and can continue their lifestyle following the world with no consequence. I don't believe that. I know they have a few cherrypicked supporting verses which frames that view, but one has to ignore the mountain of other verses that Jesus said himself. So much of what Jesus said was to his followers to avoid sin. So, when all those Bible verses in context are put together I get an understanding that if we're following Jesus actively, like driving on a highway, we can have confidence in grace that we're saved. However, if we metaphorically exit off then turn around and start travelling the opposite direction- the direction of evil, and following the world, then I believe that Christian is no longer saved. I believe Christians still have free will, that they're not forced to be sinless. Even angels in heaven itself still had the freewill to sin and did, so I don't think it's a stretch to think that a Christian still has 100% freewill to sin after becoming a Christian. We must actively try to avoid sin and follow Jesus. God bless...
Thanks for your reply. The law is for sinners. Christ fulfilled ALL the requirements of the Law for believers by His death on the Cross. Believers are justified by GRACE thru Faith in Christ alone. Believers are under a new law: the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus.( Romans 8:2). Those who continue to SIN, without repenting, ("workers of iniquity") lose out with God, fall from Grace, and bring themselves back under the authority of the Law of SIN and death. Hope that clears up what I meant in the 1st post.
If indeed the Law of God is still in force & binding upon the Christian, what in your understanding, is the design & objective of the New Covenant which comes through the Blood of Christ? In other words, do you see any conflict arising between the Covenants when a believer tries to syncretize the two?
Jesus Christ came to FULFILL the Law, not to do away with it. Many will say "Lord, Lord" (the workers of iniquity, or lawlessness) on the last day who will miss that key point.
Art thou not it which hath dried the sea, the waters of the great deep; that hath made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over?
Jeremiah 31:11
For the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he.
Hosea 13:14
I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.
Matthew 20:28
Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Mark 10:45
For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
1 Timothy 2:6
Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
9Awake,awake,put on strength,O arm of the Lord;awake,as in the ancient days,in the generations of old.Art thou not it that hath cut RAHAB,and wounded the DRAGON?
10Art thou not it which has dried the sea(by allegory,now peoples,and NATIONS,and multitudes of all tongues),the waters of the great deep;that has made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over?(You know the Hebrews had to cross the Red Sea,and walk through a desert until they got to the Promised Land.What about GOD's people now in this current time?)Now GOD's people must go through(I mean win a war)against the Red Dragon)
11Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return,and come with singing unto Zion;and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy;and sorrow and mourning shall flee away
12I,even I,am he that comforteth you:who art thou,that thou should be afraid of a man that shall die,and of the son of man which shall be made as grass;
13And forgettest the Lord thy maker,that has stretched forth the heavens,and laid the foundations of the earth;and has feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor,as if he were ready to destroy?where is the fury of the oppressor?
14The captive exile hastenes that he may be loosed,and that he should not die in the pit,nor that his bread should fail.
15But I am the Lord thy GOD,that divided the sea,whose waves roared:The Lord of hosts is His name
16And I have put my words in thy mouth,and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand,that I may plant the heavens,and lay the foundations of the earth,and say unto Zion,Thou art my people
Get ready
We have all come another day closer to the return of Christ. Isaiah 51:6 and other verses in Psalms refer to the earth waxing old like a garment; but as Job said there will be a resurrection and we shall see Him in our own flesh ( Job 19:26 and surrounding verses). The suffering of the saints which is part of God's purging process in our own lives will come to an end; certainly if Paul with the immense suffering promised him in Acts 9:16 could state that sufferings now are no comparison to what is to come ( Romans 8:18) heaven is too wonderful for words.
Whatever is left will be restored during the Millennium so that people can live fulfilled long lives in a peaceful existence. The earth will produce its fruit in abundance and Satan will be restrained. Only this will bring about the end of war ( Isaiah 2:4).
I will be the first to admit; and I doubt that I'm the only one that it seems almost a cruel joke to hold on to such hope; especially in regard to the Rapture which was rather obsessed over in the 1970s and 1980s and today hardly discussed in traditional church settings. We have come to a point where it is not discussed in church; but there are numerous online sites which are pretty much obsessed with the topic and endless dreams and visions that individuals are supposed to have had on the issue. It is hard to imagine just how great it will be not to have Satan and his emissaries like a spider with tentacles removed from what is now a chokehold on almost everything in the world today. Nonetheless we have a cloud of witnesses ( Heb. 12:1) which are of every saint who has died since the time of Christ and in fact some are the "first of the firstfruits" as it were of the O.T. saints resurrected in Matthew 27:52 and 53.
To imagine society without the violence and lawlessness of today is a stretch. When Christ comes to rule with a rod of iron He will also be just (see Isaiah 11:3 and other verses). Today may He reign in our hearts.
You are confounding "Heavens" with Sky, for heavens are spiritual, sky is material. When Paul Apostle was caught to the third heaven, he did not make a travel to the space, to the sky, of course, as do the spaceman or the rockets. Your thinking is from a human perspective, a stumblingblock, not from GOD's perspective. By the way, when JESUS was born, He came from heaven, not from the Sky, from the space, understand? Furthermore, All things were made by my Lord JESUS; and without JESUS was not any thing made that was made.
Hebrews 1-2 and 11:3
1 - GOD, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last Days(last two Days or last 2000 years)spoken unto us by His Son,whom GOD hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also GOD made the worlds.
11:3 Through FAITH(not by sight, or even by the letter of the Scriptures,the letter kills)we UNDERSTAND that the WORLDS were framed/created by the Word of GOD-the Word is GOD-,self-executing-,so that things which are seen WERE NO MADE of things which do appear.
Isaiah 40:21-22
21Have ye not known?have ye not heard?hath it not been told you from the beginning?have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth?
22It is He that sitteth upon the circle of the earth,and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers;that stretcheth out the HEAVENS as a curtain,and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in.
Isaiah 51:14-17
14The captive exile hasteneth that he may be loosed,and that he should not die in the pit,nor that his bread should fail.
15But I am the Lord thy GOD,that divided the sea,whose waves roared:The Lord of hosts is His name.
16And I have put my WORD in thy mouth,and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand,that I MAY PLANT THE HEAVENS, and lay the foundations of the earth,and say unto Zion,Thou art my people.
17 Awake,awake,stand up,O Jerusalem,which hast drunk at the hand of the Lord the cup of his fury...
GOD bless
Verse 16: In this verse, God is speaking to Israel, and He says that He has given His words to Israel to speak, and He has protected and covered them like a sheltering hand. The purpose of this divine intervention is so that God can bring about the creation or restoration of the heavens and the foundations of the earth, and declare to Zion that they are His chosen people.
Verse 17: This verse calls for Jerusalem to wake up and stand strong because it has experienced God's wrath and suffering, represented as drinking from the cup of His fury. Jerusalem has gone through hardship and must now rise and face its challenges.
Verse 18: Jerusalem is depicted as having no one to guide or support her among her own people. There is a sense of abandonment or lack of help from those she has given birth to.
Verse 19: Two significant adversities have come upon Jerusalem - desolation, destruction, famine, and the sword. The verse raises the question of who will comfort or console Jerusalem in the face of these hardships.
Verse 20: This verse describes the dire state of Jerusalem, with its sons weakened and defeated, lying in the streets like trapped wild bulls. The reason for their suffering is said to be the fury and rebuke of God.
In summary, these verses convey a message of God's involvement in the fate of Jerusalem, expressing both divine protection and judgment. It underscores the need for Jerusalem to awaken and take action in the face of adversity.
16 And I have put my words in thy MOUTH, and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I MAY PLANT THE HEAVENS, and lay the foundations of the earth(Israel), and say unto Zion, Thou art my people.
17 Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast drunk at the hand of the Lord the cup of His fury; thou hast drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling, and wrung them out.
18 There is none to guide her among all the sons whom she hath brought forth; neither is there any that taketh her by the hand of all the sons that she hath brought up.
19 These two things are come unto thee; who shall be sorry for thee? desolation, and destruction, and the famine, and the sword: by whom shall I comfort thee?
20 Thy sons have fainted, they lie at the head of all the streets, as a wild bull in a net: they are full of the fury of the Lord, the rebuke of thy GOD.
In the first sentence of your post you emphasized GOD putting His Word in the mouths of his servants,the prophets,and you highlighted Je. and Ez: Isa. came also to my memory-Is.6:1-13.
And Hebrews 1:1-2 say:1 GOD,who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these LAST DAYS(last two days or two millennia)spoken unto us by His Son...
But I would highlight also Isaiah 51:14-The captive exiled hasteneth that he may be loosed,and that he should NOT DIE in the pit, nor that his bread should fail.
15 I am the Lord thy GOD,that divided the sea(nations),whose waves roared:The Lord of hosts is his name.
16 And I have put my words in thy MOUTH, and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand,that I may PLANT THE HEAVENS,and lay the foundations of the earth,and say unto Zion,Thou art my people.
The 1st heaven was planted by the Words GOD has put in the MOUTH of Moses,and His holy prophets-the Old Testament-and lasted around 1.500 years,from Moses until JESUS;
The 2nd heaven was planted by the Words GOD has put in the MOUTH of JESUS,and His Apostles-the New Testament-,and it has lasted around 2000 years;
The 3rd heaven will last 1.000 years,it will be planted by the Words GOD has left written to be announced by the captive exiled, actually a rod of iron,and a sharp Sword- Hebrews 4:12-13 combined with Rev.11:15-18,and Ps.2:1-12,and 1Thess.4:16, Daniel 12:1-3,Rev.19:11-21 and 6:2,among other biblical references.
The heaven of the heavens-the Eternity-will be established when the 3rd heaven be ended- Rev. 20:7-10;
Luke 20:35-35
35 They which shall be accounted WORTHY to obtain that world(next world-the millennial GOD's Kingdom-,and the resurrection from the dead,neither marry,nor are given in marriage:
36 Neither can they die any more:for they are equal unto the angels;and are the children of GOD,being the children of the resurrection.
May our Lord GOD bless and keep us,and give us His protection
Amen
Part 2.
Obviously the "EVERLASTING" conditons described in scripture concerning the Abrahamic and Davidic Covenants.
Scriptures such as Isaiah 51:11 and many others don't exist of yet.
They are certainly back in the land but the wailing wall in Jerusalem reminds me of Matthew 27:25.
Also Matthew 23:38-39 seems to parallel with Hosea 5:15.
Does Israel disobedience void the UNCONDITIONAL COVENANT AND PROMISES?
According to Psalms 89:27-36. NO!
"My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him.
His seed also will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven.
If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments;
If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments;
Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes.
Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, NOR SUFFER MY FAITHFULNESS TO FAIL.
( This is a marvelous saying! It's God's faithfulness that is on display!!)
MY COVENANT WILL I NOT BREAK, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.
Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David.
His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me."
Daniel has much to say about this in Daniel 9:24
"Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy."
See Examining the covenants
Part 2.
God bless.
I may be different, but in my understanding of the Bible, I approach scripture simply and do not try to complicate things with preconceived ideas and let the Bible and the Holy Spirit do the interpretation. To me, a symbol will have a non-symbolic meaning.
A symbol represents something real, a real person, a real thing, or a historical event. When I read, I understand words in a literal sense first, then in a figurative or spiritual sense if the literal doesn't make sense.
Are the Christians now the Israel of God? Have the promises to Israel and the church merged into one common heritage? If so that brings up.
Will the promise of the land given to Abraham's seed, Isaac then Jacob be fulfilled? Isaiah 11:11-12 Ezekiel 37:21-25 Jeremiah 24:5-6 Ezekiel 34:11-12 Ezekiel 36:24-26 Hosea 3:4-5 Micah 4:6-7 Zechariah 13:8-9
Will Jesus the Messiah return and reign on the earth, with a rod of iron? Isaiah 2:1-4 Isaiah 11:1-4 Daniel 2:44 Daniel 7:14 Zechariah 14:1-4 Jeremiah 3:17 Revelation 2:26-27 Revelation 11:15 Revelation 12:5 Revelation 19:11-21.
Will there be a literal millennium during which Satan will not deceive the nations and Christ will reign on earth? Revelation 20:1-6 2 Timothy 2:11-12 Isaiah 2:2-4 Isaiah 11:5-16 Isaiah 65:19-25 Isaiah 51:4-5 Zechariah 14:16-21 Micah 4:1-4 Psalms 46:7-11 Matthew 19:28.
To me there are too many scriptures that are showing God has not replaced Israel with the Church. We see in Romans 11:24-27 a day when God will again turn to Israel, the day Jesus returns. Forgive me if some of the scriptures do not fit.
God bless,
RLW
Part 2.
Continuing with just a few of the Day of the Lord verses.
Zephaniah 1:15
Isaiah 13:9
Lamentations 2:1
Isaiah 13:13
Isaiah 51:22
Jeremiah 25:15
Revelation 16:19
Revelation 14:10
Revelation 16:1
Isaiah 63:1-6.
This is what Paul is telling them is not at hand. This is what we all agree on besides a few that the Church will not see.
However some see the Rapture in Revelation 20:4-6 sadly mistaking it for the Resurrection.
That would place the Church on the Earth during the wrath of the Lord that comes upon all the Earth.
When we take 2 Thessalonians 2:3
"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, AND THAT MAN OF SIN BE REVEALED, the son of perdition;
Paul gives them the sequence of events in chronological order of what happens "AFTER" that what he reminded them of previously in
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
That's why he opens up saying "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by "OUR" gathering together unto him," 2 Thessalonians 2:1.
Paul included them and himself in this gathering! So did they see the son of perdition? No.
We take 2 Thessalonians 2:3 with the following scriptures to pitch our viewpoint. 2 Thessalonians 2:6-15.
The son of perdition can't come while the light bearers is in the world. The Church! Who sits in the midst of the Church? Christ/His Holyspirit.
2 Thessalonians 2:6-8.
God bless.
We see further parallels with verse 10 and the passage in Revelation 6:10 on "how long"? Verse 11 seems to indicate the prisoners being released as some other prophetic verses state such as Isaiah 51:14. And verse 12 shows with the "sevenfold" rendering as similar to the sevenfold series of judgments in Revelation; references in Deuteronomy and other scriptures about sevenfold judgments.
Finally; the last verse shows how the "sheep of thy pasture" will give thanks forever and to all generations. That could certainly be a Millennial reference.
There are many prophecies which make Asaph in that catagory. We see that he led song and apparently lived a long life. We do well to look at the song of Miriam in Exodus 15:20-21 to see how powerful worship and song is related to many victories of God.
There are also prophetic overtones once again; such as the character of the Antichrist in Dan. 11:32. We also see in the first verse that godly and faithful man fails and ceases. That reminds us of what happens when the restrainer is removed in 2 Thess. 2:6. Verse 4 seems to show a world thinking that they are without leadership (small lord). The verse about silver tried in a furnace of earth; purified seven times reminds us of the seven year Tribulation as well as the concept in Leviticus 26:18 for God's people.
Verse 7 shows preservation from this (possibly the last) generation. That could indicate a deliverance FROM the wicked; or THROUGH the Tribulation when the wicked reach their apex.
God knows how to preserve His children as we see the concept in 2 Peter 2:9 (also translated dtemptations) also it is clearer in Romans 1:16-17 where we are kept from the "wrath to come." Verse 5 reminds us that as Christ said "the poor will always be among you." ( Matt. 26:11). It appears that children will be restored according to Isaiah 49:25 as well as literal releasing of prisoners in Isaiah 51:14; although other verses can be applied to Christ freeing us from the prison of sin such as Isaiah 61:1-2 quoted by Christ.
These verses could have been penned by David with some of his own personal situation on his mind at least; but these broad promises certainly go beyond just being applied to David's situation as the Spirit inspired these passages in Psalms as in all scipture.
But then: Jeremiah 3:12, Jeremiah 12:15, Isaiah 51:11, Isaiah 35:10, Isaiah 44:22, Isaiah 55:7, John 3:15-21,
Even today we see hypocrisy but Jesus already knew, lived it & gave us direction : Matthew 23, Matthew 25:31-46,
Hopefully these are helpful
Even though Isaiah's message may seem presumptuous, Isaiah had already prophesied (as did other prophets) of Judah's & Israel's captivities. But now, the promise was given that they would be released from captivity & return to their own land. Isaiah chapter 51 is but one chapter of God's encouragement for them to be faithful to their God & Redeemer (i.e. hopefully they would have learnt their lesson from their punishment). So in verse 16 (the special verse given to you), the words here are reminders to Judah of God's special, unflinching interest in His special possession.
"I have put my words in thy mouth": assures them that they were the only ones of all the peoples of the Earth to receive God's Laws & Truths; they were the ones selected through whom the Messiah would come & through Him & because of Him, would God's Word spread to all. The Gospel of Christ was the message of life & hope to all those sitting in darkness bound in sin's shackles. Judah (& Israel) already received God's Truths & they were expected to learn from their punishment to declare the Name of the LORD as a witness to His Power & Goodness. But did they? Sadly, No.
But this part of the verse you've received is indeed special & timely. You should not be as Judah was, a privileged people with every reason to be a shining light to the world, yet remaining unchanged. As a child of God, with Christ's Spirit reigning in your heart, you not only have God's Word hidden there, but you are God's Light to shine forth & bring His Word to others who might be sitting in darkness & bondage; to share the words He's put into your heart & mouth. May those words echo King David's praise in Psalm 35:28, "And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long." Be greatly blessed, dear brother.
Thanks for the reminder from the Hebrews.
1 John 3.10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
Isaiah 51:2 Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him."
2 Peter 3:1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
Ephesians 5:14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
2 Timothy 4.7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
John 5:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
Revelation 22:15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
2 PETER CHAPTER 3
10 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.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the FAY OF GOD, wherein the heavens being on FIRE shall be dissolved, and the elements shall MELT WITH FERVENT HEAT?
13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. (See BORN AGAIN in John 3)
15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
See also: Isaiah 51:6, Revelation 21:1
Timing of Jesus's Return is any time now.
God is going to restore the earth to like it was in the Garden of Eden. No scars, no pollution, no sin; no Satan, no demons; all extinct animals and creatures will be returned.
Be born again now. Don't procrastinate!
M.
where it says "everlasting shall be upon their heads"
Can someone verify that the word "be" is italicized or not?
thanks a lot
I'm a street preacher. I just get people ready to go__period.
I watch for the signs, that happen on this earth; in these political systems; plagues and pandemics on all continents; changes in money systems.
Advancements or increased "labor pains". We all have our part to doas the BODY OF CHRIST.
I think Matthew 16:1-4; 12:39-42; Jonah 3:1-4
We are all parts of the Body of Christ, but each body part is not identical. The Holy Spirit gives as He wills.
Not everyone that comes in here can understand the book of Revelation. It corresponds to other events on earth, and in the heavens.
Like right now the Arab kingdoms are uniting; and with China and Russia.
MATTHEW 24:42-51 sign of Noah
MATTHEW 25: 1-13 the 10 Virgins
I do not believe that Jesus will suffer His Bride to be killed. I believe we will see the beginning of the Trib. and warn people. A great harvest. I think Noah labored on the Ark 6 days a week and preached in the city. When the Ark was ready, GOD SHUT THE DOOR. The door was massive and had to be secured outside.
Can any of us conquer the fear of man, and get this message we know so well, and preach so well here, and take it to people who are perishing, "out there".
People watch the news every day (YouTube or tv) so there is an awareness of the signs. We just need to open up WHERE this is all leading to. All this global warming hype from the Government, IS 2 PETER 3:10-12. The earth is warming, and we are being warned. Isaiah 51:6
You do your task, and I am doing mine. I'm looking up every day and night for Jesus's appearing in the clouds. I'm going with Him no matter what: pre, mid, whenever it happens. I want to be doing what He asks: harvesting, doing good. Matthew 25: 31-46
In the spirit of love, Mishael
May CHRIST IS US grace us with HIS wisdom and HIS understanding.
Luke 17:21 ....Behold, the kingdom of God is WITHIN YOU.
Matthew 12:28 But if I (Christ) cast out DEVILS by the SPIRIT OF GOD, then the kingdom of God has come unto you.
Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was CAST OUT ....
Revelation 11:15 ...The kingdoms of this world (Satan in us) are become the kingdoms of God (CHRIST IN US), and his Christ; and he shall reign (IN US) for ever and ever.
Colossians 1:27 ...This mystery...CHRIST IN YOU...
GARDEN OF GOD
Song of Solomon 5:1 I (Christ) am come unto my GARDEN...
Isaiah 58:11 ...and thou shall be like a watered GARDEN....
Isaiah 61:11 ...and as the GARDEN causeth the things that are sown it to spring forth; so the Lord WILL CAUSE righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.
Ezekiel 36:35 And they shall say, This land (kingdom of God) that was DESOLATE is become like the GARDEN OF EDEN ...
Genesis 2:9 ...And the TREE OF LIFE also in the midst of the GARDEN, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
Isaiah 51:3 For the Lord shall comfort Zion (His chosen): he will comfort all her waste places: and he WILL MAKE her wilderness like EDEN, and her deserts like the GARDEN OF THE LORD: joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.
Genesis 3:8 ..the Lord God walking in the GARDEN..
Ezekiel 31:8 The cedars in the GARDEN OF GOD could not hide him: the fir trees were not like his boughs, and the chestnut trees were not like his branches: nor any tree in the GARDEN OF GOD were like unto him (Christ) in his beauty.
WE ARE THE GARDEN OF GOD....CHRIST IN US...
People could use the same logical fallacy against such an argument. For example: Matthew 7:21 clearly says not everyone who claims they are a follower of Jesus (a Christian) will enter heaven. So, for one who doesn't believe this verse, another could possibly assume such a person is calling Jesus a liar. That would probably seem unfair, wouldn't it?
There's many other places where Jesus warns Christians to obey and avoid sin. Some find this quite inconvenient and are quite motivated to make the verses say and mean something else. Why not dig deeper in the Bible and pray to God for understanding. God bless.
And then another question that comes to mind: can a believer who has truly been saved through Christ's Blood & have the indwelling Spirit to be his constant Guide & Strengthener, ever fall into such spiritual disrepair, where "the flesh needs be given up for destruction so that the spirit might be saved in the day of Christ?"( 1 Corinthians 5:5). Again, believers are divided on this issue, & we ought not to be, if we understand the saving Grace of God that comes without measure & without flaw. I detect that often the Gospel we preach is done with such zeal for the sinner's soul, that we fail to make it a more serious matter requiring deep introspection & conviction. Without being affected by the depth of our sin & certain everlasting judgement, the sinner's response to receive Christ might well be superficial, resembling the seed that did not fall into 'good ground'.
Many Churches are filled with such, even in the pulpit, & so I valued the time I had with older Sunday School children, teaching them from a very well titled workbook: "So, you think you are a Christian!" Every lesson was a challenge to both teacher & student to maintain great vigilance of the soul, being introspective & knowing the full significance of Christ's great Sacrifice.
I personally believe that Christianity is an active religion. It literally means a Christ-follower and following is an activity, not a passive or stationary thing. Many are taught that believing in Jesus gives them a get out of jail (hell) free card like Monopoly. That they have zero obligations, don't have to worry about sin, can even enjoy sinning, and can continue their lifestyle following the world with no consequence. I don't believe that. I know they have a few cherrypicked supporting verses which frames that view, but one has to ignore the mountain of other verses that Jesus said himself. So much of what Jesus said was to his followers to avoid sin. So, when all those Bible verses in context are put together I get an understanding that if we're following Jesus actively, like driving on a highway, we can have confidence in grace that we're saved. However, if we metaphorically exit off then turn around and start travelling the opposite direction- the direction of evil, and following the world, then I believe that Christian is no longer saved. I believe Christians still have free will, that they're not forced to be sinless. Even angels in heaven itself still had the freewill to sin and did, so I don't think it's a stretch to think that a Christian still has 100% freewill to sin after becoming a Christian. We must actively try to avoid sin and follow Jesus. God bless...
Art thou not it which hath dried the sea, the waters of the great deep; that hath made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over?
Jeremiah 31:11
For the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he.
Hosea 13:14
I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.
Matthew 20:28
Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Mark 10:45
For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
1 Timothy 2:6
Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.