From www.prophecynewswatch.com/article.cfm?recent_news_id=5200

Here are ten reasons Nisan 1 (April 2) is a pivotal date in 2022:

1. DANIEL'S SEVEN WEEKS

Nisan 1 this year marks the completion of seven Sabbatical weeks since the 1967 restoration of Jerusalem to the Jews.  This is significant because Daniel's Weeks Prophecy says Messiah will appear "seven weeks" after Jerusalem is restored:

"From the going forth of the command to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince, there shall be seven weeks (Dan. 9:25). 

The only modern restoration of Jerusalem occurred in June 1967 when the Jews took possession of the Holy City for the first time in nearly 2,000 years. Counting seven weeks from the start of the first Sabbatical week following Jerusalem's 1967 restoration (Nisan 1973), we arrive at Nisan 2022.

2. THE FIFTIETH YEAR 

Because Nisan 1 marks the completion of seven Sabbatical weeks, it also marks the start of a fiftieth year, a potential Jubilee (Lev. 25:8-10).

It is interesting to note that, because 2022 is a fiftieth year, this year's Pentecost, or fiftieth day, represents a "fiftieth within a fiftieth," a numeric concurrence denoting harvest and the fullness of time that occurs only twice a century.

3. JERUSALEM'S WALL

Nisan 1 this year marks the completion of "seven" and "sixty-two" Sabbatical weeks since Jerusalem's wall was rebuilt by Islamic ruler Suleiman. This is significant because Daniel's Weeks Prophecy mentions specifically the wall surrounding Jerusalem being rebuilt:

"From the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince, there shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; the street shall be built again, and the wall" (Dan. 9:25). 

Suleiman ordered the rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall in 1536-37 AD. Counting "seven" and "sixty-two" weeks from the start of the first Sabbatical week following the order to rebuild (Nisan 1539 AD), we arrive at Nisan 2022.

4. SOLAR ECLIPSE ANNIVERSARY

Nisan 1 this year marks seven years to the day since a total solar eclipse darkened the northernmost tip of the globe, the point where the longitudinal lines intersecting every nation and landmass converge.

Besides occurring on the biblical New Year, the Nisan eclipse coincided with the spring equinox. For perspective, a total solar eclipse occurs on the spring equinox only one other time during the roughly 750-year period spanning 1662 AD-2406 AD. Such an eclipse at the top of the globe, however, is said to happen only once every 100,000 years, making it unprecedented.

According to the Talmud, solar eclipses are a sign for the Gentile world. That the unprecedented Nisan eclipse occurred seven years ago is significant because God is known for giving a seven-year warning prior to bringing judgment (Gen. 7; 41; Joshua 6).

5. THE ELEVENTH WEEK

Nisan 1 this year marks the start of the eleventh Sabbatical week (2022-29) since Israel became a nation in 1948. The number eleven denotes chaos, disorder, and judgment in Scripture, themes associated with the Tribulation period. 

The next Sabbatical cycle (2029-36) is the twelfth. The number twelve signifies God's authority and a perfect governmental foundation in Scripture, pointing to the establishment of Jesus' Millennial Kingdom.

6. THE 354th WEEK

Nisan 1 this year marks the start of the 354th Sabbatical week since Daniel's Weeks Prophecy began to be fulfilled when a group of Jews began the journey home to Jerusalem, from Babylon, on the first day of Nisan in 457 BC (Ezra 7:9).

The number 354 is significant for a couple of reasons. First, it is the number of days comprising the lunar year. Since the Moon is symbolic of the Church, or Bride of Christ, it could be said that 354 denotes the fullness of time related to the Bride. 

Second, it is interesting to note that . . .

Strong's #354 in the Hebrew concordance is the word ayyal, referring to a stag, or male deer. 

Strong's #354 in the Greek concordance is the word analémpsis, referring to a "taking up" into heaven. 

That the Hebrew and Greek words related to the number 354 refer to a stag and a taking up to heaven is striking because one of the most profound rapture illustrations in the Bible depicts Jesus as a young stag who comes suddenly to gather up His beloved:

"The voice of my beloved!
Behold, he comes
Leaping upon the mountains,
Skipping upon the hills.
My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag.
Behold, he stands behind our wall;
He is looking through the windows,
Gazing through the lattice.
My beloved spoke, and said to me:
'Rise up, my love, my fair one,
And come away'" (Song 2:8-10).

While concurrences like the above do not carry the same weight as Scripture, they nonetheless give one pause. In the New Testament the word coincidence is used only once (Luke 10:31). It is translated from a Greek word, synkyria, which is defined as "a confluence that occurs by God's providential arrangement of circumstances." 

That is to say, where God is concerned, there are no coincidences.

The following anniversaries are not, as the above, precisely linked to Nisan 1. However, they do occur within days or months of this pivotal date.

7. BETHLEHEM STAR

June 30 this year marks seven years since a once-in-two-millennia appearance of the "Bethlehem-Star," the Jupiter-Venus conjunction that heralded Jesus' first coming. 

Could this dazzling and much publicized heavenly alignment have been a seven-year warning pointing to the return of Jesus?

8. BLOOD MOONS 

2022 marks seven years since consecutive blood-moon eclipses occurred on the spring and fall harvest festivals, Passover and Tabernacles. Significantly, the Tabernacles eclipse was a "super blood moon," a phenomenon in which the Moon's proximity to Earth causes it to appear particularly large. 

According to the Talmud, blood moons are a bad omen for Israel. Could the extra-large blood moon of 2015, visible above Jerusalem, have been the ultimate seven-year warning?

9. LEAFING OF THE FIG-TREE 

March 10 this year marks 73 years since the newly planted 'fig tree,' Israel, substantially enlarged its borders by prevailing in the first Arab-Israeli War. That same spring, the fledgling Jewish nation established its first government and was admitted to the UN Organization.
 
Israel's growth spurt in spring 1949 is noteworthy because Jesus says the generation who sees the still tender fig branch "put forth leaves" will see all the end-times events come to pass (Matt. 24:32, 34). 

A typical human lifespan in Scripture is 70-80 years (Psalm 90:10). Counting 80 years from 1949, we arrive at 2029. Subtracting seven years, the presumed length of the Tribulation period, we arrive at 2022.

10. THE SETTING UP OF AN ABOMINATION 

2022 marks 1,335 years since the Dome of the Rock, an Islamic shrine dedicated to Allah, was built on the Temple Mount in 687-88 AD. This is significant because in Daniel's final vision of the end times, the setting up of an abomination that causes desolation is an important time-marker: 

"From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days" (Dan. 12:11, 12).

In Daniel's prophecies, a day typically represents a year (Dan 9:24-27). Counting 1,290 prophetic years from when the daily Temple sacrifice was taken away by Nebuchadnezzar in 586-85 BC, we arrive at 687-88 AD, the year the Dome of the Rock was set up. Counting forward 1,335 years from when the Dome of the Rock was set up, we arrive at 2022.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

To sum up, the first day of Nisan in 2022 marks, precisely . . .
• The end of "seven weeks" from the modern restoration of Jerusalem.
• The start of the 50th year from the modern restoration of Jerusalem.
• The end of "seven" and "sixty-two" weeks from the rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall by Suleiman.
• The seven-year anniversary of an unprecedented solar eclipse at the top of the globe. 
• The start of the eleventh Sabbatical week since Israel became a nation in 1948.
• The start of the 354th Sabbatical week since Daniel's Weeks Prophecy began to be fulfilled in 457 BC.

Anniversaries not precisely linked to Nisan 1, but which occur within days or months of this date, include:

• The seven-year anniversary of the Bethlehem Star conjunction.
• The seven-year anniversary of consecutive blood moons on God's harvest festivals.
• The 73rd anniversary of the 'leafing of the fig tree' in spring 1949. 
• The 1,335th anniversary of the setting up of an abomination on the Temple Mount.

With the above in view, it can be said that the year beginning at Nisan marks a calendrical convergence like no other.

The most compelling anniversaries are those related to Daniel 9:25, a verse purposed to convey the time of Jesus' coming by a reckoning of Sabbatical weeks.

It defies coincidence that Daniel's weeks may be counted separately or together and from different orders to rebuild Jerusalem to point to the same year: 2022. This remarkable concurrence is a result of the two orders to rebuild the Holy City (Suleiman and contemporary) being separated by a span of sixty-two weeks.

What's more, the seven-weeks reckoning suggests the year beginning at Nisan is a Jubilee.

Only God knows what events 2022 might bring. However, it is certainly a year ripe with possibility.

The rapid pace of change is certainly more than most can bear or understand. But, as with all major events in the end times, the Bible has already told us they would happen.

Daniel 12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

Many running to and fro and knowledge increasing sure sounds like today. It would be nice if the increase in knowledge were for the good of mankind; however, it is mostly comprised of human surveillance, social data gathering and more intelligent AI. None of these initiatives are good for the common person.

The redefining of marriage, gender, roles and he training of very young children in these is rapidly changing all that God put into place for the family structure.

It won't stand long, God will put an end to all of the traditions that are being perverted each and every day.

Keep your faith, always! And be ready.

A nice video to explain what is going on after the sudden disappearance of 100s of millions of people.

The Rapture and the Thief in the Night

A new topical Bible study has been constructed using a web app called TiddlyWiki. Tiddlers in British are small fish or in modern parlance, small bits of information. The app works equally well on computers and mobile devices. The web page is here. And some screenshots are below.

CHRISTmas 2020 is almost here!

It is hard to believe all the changes during this year. I believe it is not about hardship but about being given a lot more time to acknowledge God's place in our lives. And, just as important, it's about Jesus sacrifice and His soon return to defeat evil and refresh the world.

Evil wants to reset our world also, in the form of global governance, banking, surveillance and other things that will be very intrusive to our way of life.

But, Good does triumph over Evil, it is guaranteed, even when life gets very dark and dangerous. Jesus is our light at the end of the tunnel and needs to be the central light in our lives. That is the point of the year of our Lord, 2020.
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Copied from a Youtube page. All of the links work but you will see a redirect message from Youtube. Just click on "Go to site" to get to the link page.

​​Bible prophecy is converging and flying off the pages from the Bible!
We are on the cusp on the rapture!! 
God bless 
Bro Keegan Watchman in the wilderness🙏 
Mywebsite: www.rapturecountdown.com

1. 📖SCRIPTURE: The miraculous rebirth of Israel as a nation🌱. Just as Isaiah 66:8 says, on May 14, 1948, Israel became a nation in “one day.” This sign alone tells us we live in the last days before Jesus’ return to earth. At that time, the land of Israel was a barren wasteland just as Ezekiel 36:34-36 said it would be when Israel returned to the land. In verse 35 the prophet says, “The land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden,” indicating how God would turn the desert into fruitful fields.  
🎯CURRENTLY IN PLAY: Today, Israel exports one billion dollars worth of fruits and vegetables. Is this not a fulfillment of Isaiah 27:6? God’s protection of the current nation of Israel has been nothing short of miraculous. Israel’s victory in the Six-Day War of 1967 compares with the victories we read about in the Old Testament such as those of Joshua and Gideon.

2.📖SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 17, the destruction of Damascus!💣
🎯CURRENTLY IN PLAY : Damascus is already 75 % destroyed! We do know that tensions continue to escalate in Syria as Israel continues to bomb Iranian military installations. This does not, however, appear to discourage Iran from building up its military in the area. THIS PROPHECY IS ON THE VERGE! https://storyful.com/resources/blog/how-war-has-changed-syrias-landscape-mapping-the-destruction-of-east-damascus/

3.📖SCRIPTURE: Wars and rumors of wars, pestilences (Matt. 24:6-7): Jesus said that one sign of the end of the age would be “wars and rumors of wars.” While this has been true in some way or another for centuries, this sign defines the times in which we live. 
🎯CURRENTLY IN PLAY : Tensions with Iran have escalated significantly!! Pestilences-Coronavirus: https://www.google.co.in/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/amp/world-51318246 10 plagues are hitting our planet simultaneously: https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/10-plagues-are-hitting-our-planet-simultaneously

4.📖SCRIPTURE: The Temple (Matt. 24:15): Jesus predicted the antichrist would someday defile a temple in Israel just as Daniel prophesied (9:27).
🎯CURRENTLY IN PLAY :Everything is ready for construction to begin including the architecture plans, vessels ,priestly garments and the Temple Institute in Israel is now training Levites for service in the temple. https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/144915/sanhedrin-gets-authorization-to-use-their-trees-for-third-temple/

5.📖SCRIPTURE : SCRIPTURE : DEUTERONOMY 28:37 The rise of Anti-Semitism and Anti-Christian fervor.
🎯CURRENTLY IN PLAY : Does not the dramatic increase we see in Anti-Semitism violence along with today’s fierce opposition to biblical values set the stage for the killing of Jews and believers during the tribulation?

6. 📖SCRIPTURE: The battle of Gog and Magog (Ezek. 38-39):The armies that the prophet Ezekiel prophesied would invade Israel in the last days are currently in Syria, and their forces are growing by the month. The nations of the Middle East are aligned precisely as the prophet said they would be over 2,600 years ago.
📖 SCRIPTURE: ZECHARIAH 12: 1-3 https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/143754/turkey-deploys-2000-troops-to-libya-to-reestablish-muslim-caliphate-with-jerusalem-as-capital/
🎯CURRENTLY IN PLAY :The alliance between Russia,Iran,Sudan Turkey and Libya has set the stage for the Gog and Magog War (Ezekiel 38). http://dmgnews.com/index.php/2020/01/17/the-rise-of-gog-putin-positions-himself-to-influence-russia-for-life/

7.📖SCRIPTURE: Scoffers (2 Peter 3:1-10): The mocking of our beliefs in a rapture and premillennial return of Jesus is prevalent both inside and outside the church.
🎯CURRENTLY IN PLAY : We live in a day when even believers ridicule  the rapture, the millennium, and the New Jerusalem of Revelation 21-22.

8.📖SCRIPTURE: The world now has the capability via computers, Artificial Intelligence, and gigantic data bases to control buying and selling on a worldwide scale, just as Revelation 13:16-17 says the antichrist will do in the tribulation.
🎯CURRENTLY IN PLAY :This is already on the way through chip inserts and tracking of products and bank accounts.  With the world moving in this direction even before the appearance of the antichrist, how close must we be to the rapture and the tribulation? China has begun micro-chipping its population for the purpose of controlling them through rewards based on what they purchase and how they spend their money and they have a credit scoring system in place! Cash, plastic or HAND?: https://www.wsj.com/articles/cash-plastic-or-hand-amazon-envisions-paying-with-a-wave-11579352401 ID 2020 Alliance: https://principia-scientific.org/id2020-alliance-will-combine-vaccinations-implantable-id-microchips/

9.📖SCRIPTURE: Earthquakes (Matt. 24:7)
🎯CURRENTLY IN PLAY : Creation is groaning!. An earthquake survey revealed that the number is 3 times over! Rarely a week goes by without a strong earthquake somewhere in the world! https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-07-15/number-global-earthquakes-3-times-above-normal

10.📖SCRIPTURE: (Revelation 13: 2-4, 7) Pope Francis openly and repeatedly calls for a one-world religion, as well as for a one-world government to combat climate change.
🎯CURRENTLY IN PLAY : At the World Government Summit in February of 2019, thousands of leading globalists, communists, Islamists and others from around the world converged on the Arabian Peninsula. Their goal: promote technocratic globalism and plot the future of what they often call their “New World Order”. Pope Francis Unveiled the Globalist New World Religion at Summit with United Nations Leader: https://www.endtime.com/prophecy-news/pope-francis-unveils-globalist-new-world-religion-at-summit-with-united-nations-leader/  Pope -Imam sign covernant: https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-02-07/snyder-one-world-religion-looms-pope-islams-top-imam-sign-historic-covenant
Abrahamic house: https://www.google.co.in/amp/s/truth4freedom.wordpress.com/2019/09/23/the-catholic-muslim-interfaith-council-created-by-pope-francis-announces-new-chrislam-headquarters-opening-in-2022-that-combines-a-mosque-and-church-according-to-signed-covenant-now-the-end/amp/ Pope Francis to attend inter-religious Peace Event in Rome!: The ecumenical service is called “An Encounter of Prayer for Peace in the Spirit of Assisi,” and the theme is “No one is saved alone — Peace and Fraternity.”

11.📖SCRIPTURE: Matthew 24:6,7     📖 SCRIPTURE :(Revelation 17:12-13 )
🎯CURRENTLY IN PLAY: The nations of the GLOBE are in a complete state of political and economic unrest and uncertainty!!.From the U.S to South America ,Europe to Hong kong! https://www.google.co.in/amp/s/www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna1106006

12.📖SCRIPTURE: (Revelation 17:12-13) A one world army.
🎯CURRENTLY IN PLAY :We are seeing the ten toes described in the book of Daniel formed right before our eyes with President Emmanuel Macron of France and President Merkel from Germany leading the way as they just paraded the 10 nations army! https://www.thetrumpet.com/20971-bastille-day-showcases-european-military-cooperation

13.📖SCRIPTURE: (Revelation 13:16-17) A one world currency!
🎯CURRENTLY IN PLAY :Then U.S currently has a debt amounting to in trillions! So when the U.S dollar is knocked off ,the question you need to ask is... where is your next go to currency? Also there is a crypto currency called LIBRA that is currently being readied! https://www.google.co.in/amp/s/businessday.ng/technology/article/facebooks-libra-a-one-world-currency/amp/

14.📖SCRIPTURE : The parable of the Fig tree (Matthew 24:32-34)
🎯CURRENTLY IN PLAY: Israel(Fig tree) is the number one sign of the end times which has flourished like never before!.They are the 8th most powerful economy in the world! https://www.christiantruthcenter.com/the-fig-tree-generation-the-generation-that-will-not-pass/

15.📖SCRIPTURE: We are the generation (Psalm 90:10).
🎯CURRENTLY IN PLAY: We are the generation that are seeing all these signs come to pass!!

16.📖SCRIPTURE:Peace and saftey (1 Thessalonians 5:3). 📖Parted my land (Joel 3:1-2) 📖Covenant with Abram(Genesis 15:18)
🎯CURRENTLY IN PLAY: The Trump peace plan dubbed the "Deal of the century" is being discussed almost everday!. This plan could very well be made greater as the forerunner to DANIEL 9:27 (The false peace covernant)! https://www.timesofisrael.com/trump-plan-gives-palestinians-capital-in-jerusalem-but-beyond-security-barrier/ https://m.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/UN-Security-Council-unanimously-calls-for-two-state-solution-618671

17.📖SCRIPTURE: Increase in birth pangs (Matthew 24:8).
🎯CURRENTLY IN PLAY:The number of volcanos, earthquakes, tornadoes, forest fires have increased in both frequency and intensity! https://www.google.co.in/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/amp/world-australia-50951043

18.📖SCRIPTURE : The exponential increase in wickedness (2 Tim. 3:1-5)
🎯CURRENTLY IN PLAY : Communities formed like the LGBT, transgenderism and laws passed with regards to killing of unborn children! https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/lgbt-rights

19.📖As in the days of Noah and Lot (Matthew 24:37-39)
🎯CURRENT WORLD EVENT: With the abortion laws and LGBT rights passed these are the days of Noah and Lot that we are living in!

20. 📖The Great Apostasy (2 Thessalonians 2:3)
🎯CURRENTLY IN PLAY: We are witnessing  apostasy and the falling away like never before! My pdf on the TOP 20 END TIME SIGNS speaks on the 2 words CONVERGENCE and AGENDA that define the very final moments that we are living in!: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Sq83X7nijaQM0HN-WqnWsUEWASw9aSSr

Another article shared from Brother Keegan:

Most of the world is asleep today while the signs are screaming loudly for the return of our Lord!!
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The church today is like Harry R. Truman saying yes one day the Lord will return not realising that day is here!!

As Mount Saint Helens rumbled during the Spring months of 1980, he stood firm in his resolve to remain on the mountain as if he owned it!! Harry R. Truman, an innkeeper, refused to leave his home despite an evacuation order and repeated warnings that came via recurring earthquakes, just as the Lord is repeatedly warning this world!!! The birth pangs are increasing and intensifying by the minute!!

Harry R. Truman acknowledged it was “possible” the mountain might “blow” someday, but he never reached the place where he was willing “to pack up his bags” and leave his home!

Finally on that which he thought would happen 'one day' occurred on May 18, 1980 as Mount St. Helens erupted with such force that the top 1,300 feet of the mountain instantly disappeared!
The explosion caused a huge landslide that moved down the mountainside at speeds in excess of 110 miles per hour devouring everything in its path, including his residence at Spirit Lake!!

Harry R. Truman is a reflection and epitomizes so many in our world today! Just like Mr. Truman, they hear the warnings of biblical prophecy and sense the danger inherent in our day, but they do not turn to the Savior or watch for His appearing as we are told to do!

📖Matthew 24:42 "watch"
📖Matthew 24:44 "be ready"
📖Matthew 25:13 "watch"
📖Mark 13:33  "watch and pray "
📖Mark 13:35 "watch"
📖Mark 13:37 "what i say to you i say to all, watch"

THE WARNING SIGNS ARE EVERYWHERE!!

The Lord is not silent during these last days. The first significant indicator of the last days occurred on May 18, 1948 when Israel became a nation in fulfillment of Isaiah 66:8!!

Fast forward to 2020 and we see the world government of the coming tribulation waiting to take over before our eyes along with the technology necessary for the antichrist to enforce the “mark of the beast” under the penalty of death! Lawlessness abounds along with the violence of our day, coupled with the multitude of signs, repeatedly warn us of the approaching devastation and death of the coming day of the Lord.

Sadly like Harry R. Truman, many believers are not yet willing to “pack their bags” in anticipation of Jesus’ imminent return. They do not recognize the urgency of the day in which they live and as a result they live solely for the things of this world without the necessary balance of an eternal perspective.

JESUS IS COMING QUICKLY!!!

Jesus’ last words to His church contain the promise of His speedy return. “He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon” (Rev. 22:20). The word for “soon” in the Greek is tachu, which is much better translated “quickly.” It refers to the swiftness or the speed of an action. The Lord ended His direct revelation to the church as a whole with the promise of His quick return for His bride! Amen!!

Our glorification is going to be in an instant! Paul describes the swiftness of Jesus’ appearing to take us home, “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed” (1 Cor. 15:52). Jesus will raise the dead in Christ and catch the living saints away in an instant, in the “twinkling of an eye.” !!

What we already see in our world tells us this day is exceedingly close...at the door!!!

Just like the devastation that followed the Mount St. Helens eruption, 1 Thessalonians 5:3 tells us that “sudden destruction” will fall on those left behind after the rapture. After we depart from the earth, the world will experience unspeakable terror during the seven-year tribulation!

What You Should Do?

So with all that's taking place, what should you do? The answer is clear - make the most of the time you have left. If you're not a Christian, turn to Jesus now. He paid for your sins through His blood was shed on the cross. There is no other name by which we are saved (Acts 4:12). Jesus alone is the way to heaven (John 14:6), so turn to Him while you still can.

If you're already Christian, don't fear the events of the Tribulation. Jesus promised to protect His followers from "the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world" (Revelation 3:10). But don't think that because you'll avoid the Tribulation, you won't face trials in this life. Jesus says you will. He says you'll face many trials and tribulations in this world, but don't let them bring you down, because He has overcome the world (John 16:33).

Realize the rapture itself could be the next traumatic event to hit the world!!

Think of those left behind, the fear they'll have, and the world they'll be living in. Use that as motivation to spread the Gospel. Right now, more people than ever are seeking Him. God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose for them (Romans 8:28).

Paul referred to a “crown of righteousness” reserved for “all who have loved his appearing” (2 Tim. 4:8); a special reward exists for those eagerly anticipating Jesus’ return to take us home.

As for readiness, the apostle John wrote, “And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink away from him at his coming” (1 John 2:28).

There’s no genuine imminent hope for those who dismiss the prophetic signs of the day in which we live; only the fleeting hope that “somehow life will somehow return to normal in the future.” They cannot see how the “Great Reset” championed by the elite of our world will lead to the kingdom of the antichrist just as John wrote about in the book of Revelation.

Those of us who understand the warnings of Revelation know that the judgments described on its pages are imminent!!!!

We who are students of Bible Prophecy today and as Bereans (Acts 17:11) can clearly discern the times we are living in !

The Sons of Issachar as told in 1 Chronicles 12:32 ... had understanding of the times, but people did not discern the signs of the times during Jesus’ first coming even after over 300 detailed Bible Prophecies had foretold of it!!

Unlike the Pharisees and Sadducees of Jesus’ day, we recognize the signs of Jesus’ return and look up in anticipation of His appearing to take us to the place He is preparing for us in his Father’s house (John 14:1-3). It does not get any better than that!

The story of Harry R. Truman warns us of the dangers in ignoring the prophetic signs that tell us we indeed live in the last days....in fact in the FINAL HOUR!!! Just like the eruption that suddenly consumed the top of Mount St. Helens, so the day of the Lord will bring sudden devastation to this world, to those who now reject the saving message of the Gospel and will be left behind to face the day of the Lord.

Harry R. Truman ignored the warnings of the impending disaster. What will you do with the warnings of biblical prophecy?

As this dispensation of the church age (The Age Of Grace) draws to an end, it’s time for us to take our stand as  Children of the Light(1 Thessalonians) and tell a lost and dying world that it’s time to repent, believe the Gospel, and be converted to a new life in Jesus Christ today! Explain to them with simplicity (Not Religion) the gospel of our salvation (1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Romans 10:9-10)!!!

Here is an article shared from Brother Keegan:

Promise of the Rapture

Jesus promised in John 14:3, “I will come again.” Where was He going? Remember that Jesus said this to sorrowing disciples because He had just told them He was going away (13:33, 36). He will tell them later (16:7) that it will be for their benefit that He go away. So where was He going? To where He was before He came to earth. “I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father” (16:28). In chapter 16, He said three times that He was going to the Father (verses 10, 17, 28). Where is the Father? In the Father’s house (14:2 – “In my Father’s house are many rooms”). What is the Father’s house? Heaven, the place from which He came.

At this “coming again” He says He will “take you to myself, that where I am you may be also” (14:3). Jesus promised to come again and to take the disciples to the place where He is going.

The attacks on the pre tribulation rapture often run something like this...The word “rapture” is not found in Scripture.

The Latin Bible does contain the word rapio (1Th 4:17), and our English word “rapture” is derived from it. Rapio means “to seize or snatch away.”

Purpose of the Rapture (Why?)

What is the purpose of this great event? Jesus stated two things about the purpose of the Rapture. One is “to receive you unto myself” (this happens in the air) and the other, tied closely to the first, is “that where I am there you may be also” (this happens by taking us to the Father’s house). Paul writes that the purpose is “to meet the Lord in the air.” And as a result, we will forever be with the Lord (1Th 4:17).

What needs to happen, then, for this purpose to be realized? Christ’s Bride is composed of those in heaven without bodies, yet Christ Himself is in a body of glory. They need to be reunited with bodies, but bodies of glory. Another part of the Bride is upon earth, in bodies of corruption. They must be changed, which is exactly what we find in 1 Corinthians 15:51: “We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed” (KJV). Thus, believers who have died are raised and changed, and believers who are living are changed. The Lord Jesus “will transform these humble bodies of ours into the likeness of his glorious body” (Php 3:21 NET). Immediately afterwards, we will be “caught up together … to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1Th 4:17 KJV). So the purpose of the Rapture is for Christ to unite His Bride, the Church, to receive us to Himself forever, and to take us home to be with Him. Perhaps His anticipation of this event is even greater than ours!
 
Pre-tribulation Rapture (When?)

A number of Scriptures point to a pre-tribulation Rapture. First, consider texts teaching that Christ’s return is imminent. If He were not going to return until after the seven-year tribulation period begins or concludes, the texts emphasizing His return “at any moment” (i.e., imminent) appear senseless. Some argue the tribulation period has either passed or we’re living it now. Jesus described the tribulation as follows: “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be” (Mat 24:21 ESV). This language strongly implies the tribulation has not yet occurred.

Consider some of the imminence texts. In Titus 2:13 Paul says we are “waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” . Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 1:7-8, “… so that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall also confirm you unto the end” (KJV). Also, 1 Thessalonians 1:10 instructs us to “wait for His Son from heaven.” The teaching of these and additional texts (Php 3:20; Heb 9:28) is that we await the “any-moment” appearing of our Savior to take us to be with Him. The imminence texts are consistent with a pre-tribulation Rapture position.

Second, there are texts teaching exemption from wrath. 1 Thessalonians 1:10 says that we are to wait for His Son from heaven, even Jesus, who “delivered us from the wrath to come” or, literally, “the coming wrath”. The coming wrath appears to be a reference to the tribulation period. The nature of the tribulation itself is God’s wrath (Rev 6:17). Paul writes, “God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1Th 5:9). If some contend that part of the tribulation is not God’s wrath but Satan’s, the argument doesn’t hold, for we are saved from wrath – period. Romans 8:1 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation [judgment] for those who are in Christ Jesus”. Revelation 3:10 is also helpful here, where Jesus promises, “I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth” . He does not say, “I will keep you in” but “I will keep you from.” The next verse (v11) tells us exactly how Christ will accomplish this – “I am coming soon.” We are saved from the coming wrath (i.e., the seven-year tribulation period) because the Rapture will remove us from the place where that wrath will be poured out.

Third, a pre-tribulation Rapture is consistent with the removal of the restrainer in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-8. Paul is writing to address the faulty belief among the Thessalonians that the Day of the Lord had already arrived (v2). They had received a letter, claiming to be written by Paul, which led them to embrace this false view. Because of this, they were “shaken in mind” and “alarmed” (v2). They believed they had missed the Rapture and were going to endure the horrors of the tribulation period!!

The tribulation period cannot begin until this restrainer is removed.

Who or what is this restrainer?

First, note that the word for restrain (v6) is katecho and means “to hold something back.”  Second, both neuter and masculine nouns are used to refer to this restrainer (v6 “what” and v7 “he”). Third, consider that this restrainer must be removable. Fourth, the restrainer must be powerful enough to hold back the outbreak of evil under “the man of lawlessness.” Only God can hold back the outbreak of evil. I believe this refers to the Holy Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit is spoken of in Scripture as restraining sin and evil in the world (Gen 6:3) and is our restraint as believers. He convicts us of sin and wars against the flesh, thus restraining the full outbreak of evil in our lives.

But how can God be removed, for God is omnipresent? I believe the restrainer is the Holy Spirit at work in and through the Church. This is the only view that adequately explains the use of both neuter and masculine genders. In Greek the word pneuma (Spirit) is neuter. But the Holy Spirit is also referred to consistently in Scripture by the masculine pronoun “he” (esp. in John 14-16). Mark Hitchcock wrote, “The church and its mission of proclaiming and portraying the gospel is the primary instrument the Holy Spirit uses in this age to restrain evil. We are the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Mat 5:13-16). We are the temple of the Holy Spirit both individually and corporately.”[2]

But how can the Holy Spirit of God be removed? Is He not omnipresent? This is why I say the restrainer is the Holy Spirit in the Church. The event in 2 Thessalonians 2 seems to be a reversal of the Day of Pentecost. What began the Church Age? The coming of the Holy Spirit. What will end the Church Age? The removal of the Holy Spirit. How can He be removed? By removing from the earth all those who are indwelt by the Holy Spirit (i.e., all that are part of the Church) at a pre-tribulation Rapture. This must happen before the Day of the Lord begins.

That trumpet is going to sound any day now!

For Christians and Jews, there is no better example of Bible prophecy than Isaiah chapters 52 and 53. It forms a complete picture of Jesus suffering and Jesus the Messiah. Many Jews have become Messianic Jews because of these verses that were written over 600 years before Jesus was born!






​CHAPTER 52 VERSES:

Isaiah 52:13-15 Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. As many were astonied (astonished) at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider. 

Commentary: The Messiah as Sin-bearing Sacrifice (52:13–53:12)

   The closing verses of chapter 52 really belong to chapter 53. They trace the history of the Servant of Jehovah from His earthly life to the cross and then to His glorious appearing. Adolph Saphir, himself a Hebrew Christian, rhapsodizes on this greatest of all prophecies of the cross:

   Blessed, precious chapter, how many of God’s ancient covenant people have been led by thee to the foot of Christ’s cross!—that cross over which was written, “Jesus Christ, the King of the Jews!” And oh! what a glorious commentary shall be given of thee when, in the latter days, repentant and believing Israel, looking unto Him whom they have pierced, shall exclaim, “Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted!”

CHAPTER 53 VERSES:

1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? 2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 
4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. 8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. 9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. 
10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. 11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. 

Commentary: 

53:1 The repentant remnant of Israel recalls that when the report of the Messiah’s First Advent went forth, not many believed. And consequently the saving power of the LORD was not revealed to many either.
53:2 The Lord Jesus grew up before the delighted gaze of Jehovah like an exotic, tender plant in this world of sin. He was like a root out of dry ground. Israel was the dry ground, a most unlikely soil. The nation of Israel could see no beauty in Him, nothing in His appearance to attract them.

F. B. Meyer describes the mystery of His humiliation:

   The tender plant; the sucker painfully pushing its way through the crust of the caked ground; the absence of natural attractiveness. Such imagery awaits and receives its full interpretation from the New Testament, with its story of Christ’s peasant parentage, his manger-bed, and lowly circumstances—fisherfolk his choice disciples; poverty his constant lot; the common people his devoted admirers; thieves and malefactors on either side of his cross; the lowly and poor the constituents of his Church. This were humiliation indeed, though the irregularities of human lot are scarce distinguishable from the heights whence He came.

53:3 Despised and rejected, He was a Man of sorrows who knew what grief was. To men He was repulsive; even by Israel He was not appreciated.

    “Man of Sorrows,” what a name
    For the Son of God who came
    Ruined sinners to reclaim!
    Hallelujah! what a Saviour!

    Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
    In my place condemned He stood;
    Sealed my pardon with His blood;
    Hallelujah! what a Saviour!
   —Philip P. Bliss

53:4–6 The remnant now knows and acknowledges the truth about Him. They confess: “It was our griefs He bore, our sorrows He carried, yet as we saw Him on the cross, we thought He was being punished by God for His own sins. But no! It was for our transgressions, for our iniquities, and in order that we might have peace, in order that we might be healed. The truth is that we were the ones who went astray and who walked in self-will, and Jehovah placed our iniquity on Him, the sinless Substitute.” Until that time when the remnant acknowledges Him, we who are Christians can confess:

    He was wounded for our transgressions,
    He bore our sins in His body on the tree;
    For our guilt He gave us peace,
    From our bondage gave release,
    And with His stripes, and with His stripes,
    And with His stripes our souls are healed.

    He was numbered among transgressors,
    We did esteem Him forsaken by His God;
    As our sacrifice He died,
    That the law be satisfied,
    And all our sin, and all our sin,
    And all our sin was laid on Him.

    We had wandered, we all had wandered,
    Far from the fold of “the Shepherd of the sheep”;
    But He sought us where we were,
    On the mountains bleak and bare,
    And brought us home, and brought us home,
    And brought us safely home to God.
   —Thomas O. Chisholm

Our Lord Jesus suffered all five kinds of wounds known to medical science: contusions—blows by a rod; lacerations—scourging; penetrating wounds—crown of thorns; perforating wounds—nails; incised wounds—the spear.
53:7, 8 Like a sheep, that is, silent and uncomplaining before its shearers, He endured the cross. He was hurried away from prison and a fair trial (or “by oppression and judgment He was taken away”). It seemed impossible that He would have any posterity since He was cut off in His prime, slain for the sins of the people.
53:9 Wicked men plotted to bury Him with the criminals, but God overruled, and He was with the rich at His death—in the new tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. Men plotted a shameful burial for Him although He had done no wrong, spoken no lie.
53:10, 11a Yet the LORD saw fit to bruise Him, to put Him to grief. When His soul has been made an offering for sin, He will see His posterity, that is, all those who believe on Him, He shall prolong His days, living in the power of an endless life. All God’s purposes shall be realized through Him. Seeing the multitudes of those who have been redeemed by His blood He will be amply satisfied.
53:11b “By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many.” This may mean that His knowledge of the Father’s will led Him to the cross, and it is by His death and resurrection that He can reckon believers to be righteous. Or it may mean “by the knowledge of Him,” that is, it is by coming to know Him that men are justified (John 17:3). In either case, it is through His bearing their iniquities that justification is possible for the “many.”

The last stanza of Thomas Chisholm’s hymn, quoted above, reads triumphantly:

    Who can number His generation?
    Who shall declare all the triumphs of His Cross?
    Millions, dead, now live again,
    Myriads follow in His train!
    Victorious Lord, victorious Lord,
    Victorious Lord and coming King!

53:12 Another result of His finished work is that Jehovah will divide Him a portion with the great, that is, with the saints, whose only greatness lies in their connection with Him. And He shall divide the spoil with the strong; here again the strong are those believers who are weak in themselves but strong in the Lord.

Four reasons for His glorious triumph are given.

(1) He poured out His soul unto death;
(2) He was numbered with the transgressors, that is, the two thieves;
(3) He bore the sin of many;
(4) He made intercession for the transgressors.
​
​David Baron comments:

The verb … yaphˊgiaˊ (“made intercession”) is an instance of the imperfect or indefinite future, and expresses a work begun, but not yet ended. Its most striking fulfilment, as Delitzsch observes, was the prayer of the crucified Saviour, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” But this work of intercession which He began on the cross He still continues at the right hand of God, where He is now seated, a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance unto Israel and the forgiveness of sins.

On the paradoxes of this great passage as a whole, Moody comments:

  Despised, yet accepted and adored. Poor, yet rich. To die, yet to live. The Rabbis said there must be a double Messiah to fulfill this chapter.

Friends, I found this nice list of recent Biblical signs from this website and decided to post them here as well. We should not be surprised at much of anything happening in 2020 as the Bible has foretold it.

https://www.unsealed.org/2020/06/well-you-did-ask-for-sign.html

Signs Regarding Israel and Its People: 

• Israel's rebirth as a nation on May 14, 1948 (Jeremiah 31:10, Jeremiah 33:7, Ezekiel 36:8-13, 22-32, Ezekiel 37:1-6, 21-27, Ezekiel 39:27-29, Isaiah 66:8, Isaiah 11:11, Amos 9:14-15) 
• Israel would be reborn in one day (Isaiah 66:8) 
• Ezekiel's 430 days of laying, which predicted Israel's rebirth in spring 1948 (Ezekiel 4:1-8, Leviticus 26:14-46) 
• Jerusalem Recaptured in the Six-Day War, June 1967 (Zechariah 12:2-3) 
• Anti-Semitism worldwide (Deuteronomy 28:37; Jeremiah 29:18; 44:8; Luke 21:20-24; Revelation 12) 
• Jewish Aliyah in progress (return of Jews to Israel) (Jeremiah 31:10, Jeremiah 33:7, Ezekiel 36:8-13, 22-32, Ezekiel 37:1-6, 21-27, Ezekiel 39:27-29, Isaiah 66:8, Isaiah 11:11, Amos 9:14-15) 
• Jews will return from the north, south, east and west, from all over the world (Isaiah 43:5-6, Jeremiah 31:7-10) 
• Before Israel's rebirth, it would be a wasteland (Deuteronomy 29:23-28, Ezekiel 36:8-11, Ezekiel 36:33-36) 
• After Israel's rebirth, it will blossom and become a land “flowing with milk and honey” (Isaiah 27:6, 35:1-2; Ezekiel 36:34-36) 
• Israel's economy would bloom (Ezekiel 38:12-13) 
• Israel would plant vineyards (Joel 3:18, Amos 9:13-15) 
• Israel would plant trees, specifically cedar, acacia, myrtle, oil, cypress, pine, and box (Isaiah 41:18-20) 
• Hebrew language would be restored (Zephaniah 3:9, Isaiah 19:18) 
• Jerusalem would be rebuilt on its own ruins (Jeremiah 30:18, Zechariah 12:6) 
• Jerusalem would be a “cup of trembling” and a “burdensome stone” to all surrounding people (Zechariah 12:2-2) 
• All surrounding nations would be united against Israel (Psalm 83:4-8; Zechariah 12:2) 
• There will be attempts to divide Israel  (Joel 3:2; Daniel 11:39) 
• Israel will be restored as one nation, rather than two kingdoms (Ezekiel 37:15-22) 
• Rebirthed Israel will be invincible (Zechariah 12:6-9, Jeremiah 30:3-7; Zechariah 14; Mark 13:14-20) 
• Israel will be an “unwalled city” (Ezekiel 38:8-11) 
• Most Jews remain blind to the fact that Jesus is their Messiah, which will continue until the upcoming time of trouble (Luke 19:41-42; Luke 13:34-35; Romans 11:25-26) 
• Strong interest in forming a peace and/or land treaty with Israel (Daniel 9:27) 
• Third Temple plans are complete, Levite priests are trained, Temple furniture, garments, and sacred vessels have been made (Revelation 11:1-3, Daniel 9:27, Matthew 24:15, 2 Thessalonians 2:4, Ezekiel chapters 40-48) 
• Temple sacrifices re-instituted, this has occurred in practice (Daniel 9:27, 12:11) 
• A rare red heifer suitable for sacrifice is actively being sought/bred (Numbers 19:1-22, Hebrews 9:13) 

Signs Regarding the Church: 

• Many from Egypt to Assyria (Iraq and the Middle East) will call upon the name of the Lord and be saved (Isaiah 19:16-25) 
• The gospel has been preached to all nations (but not yet all people groups) (Matthew 24:14, Mark 13:10) 
• The Bible—God's word—will never “pass away.”  The Bible is the best selling book in human history (Luke 21:33) 
• Despite the good, as a whole the church will be marked by apostasy and a departure from sound doctrine (Amos 8:11, Revelation chapters 2-3, 1 Timothy 4:1-3, 2 Timothy 4:3-4, Luke 18:8) 
• Bible teachers will bring in heretical teachings, have many followers, and draw others away from the Christ of the Bible (2 Peter 2:1-2) 
• False teachers would take advantage of their followers financially (2 Peter 2:3) 
• Deceptive signs and wonders sought by the “church” (Matthew 7:22-23; 24:24; 2 Thessalonians 2:9) 
• Some in the church will be led by deceiving spirits and the “doctrines of demons,” such as the “heavenly visitors and visitations” (1 Timothy 4:1) 
• Disqualified Regarding the Faith: they are no longer considered to be a part of the faith, they have left the church (2 Timothy 3:1-8) 
• Some will confess faith in Christ, but not obey Him (Matthew 24:48-51; Matthew 7:22-23). 
• Some have lost their First Love, passion for Jesus Christ (Revelation 2:1-7) 
• Some will compromise with the world, and bring that compromise into the church (Revelation 2:12-17) 
• Some will bring an acceptance of sexual immorality into the church (Revelation 2:18-19) 
• Some will go through the motions of religion, but actually be “spiritually asleep” (Revelation 3:1-6) 
• Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power (choosing “religion” and some kind of profession of following God through outward appearances, but lacking true faith and true relationship with God in the heart) (2 Timothy 3:1-8) 
• Burdened with sins and led astray by various passions (following lusts of the flesh) (2 Timothy 3:1-8) 
• Much of the church near the end times will be marked by lukewarmness (Revelation 3:14-22) 
• Scoffing and Mocking of the “pretribulation rapture” will come from within the church (2 Peter 3:2-4) 
• Christian martyrdom will increase (Revelation 6:9-11) 

Signs Regarding Society:

• A final transitional generation of 70-80 years (Matthew 24:34-35, Luke 21:32-33, Mark 13:30-31, Psalm 90:10) 
• Immorality will be prevalent in Society (2 Timothy 3:1-8, Isaiah 5:20-21) 
• Youth will be increasingly rebellious and disobedient (2 Timothy 3:2-3; Mark 13:12) 
• In the last days there will come times of difficulty: hardships (2 Timothy 3:1-8) 
• People will be lovers of self, narcissistic (2 Timothy 3:1-8) 
• People will be lovers of money (2 Timothy 3:1-8) 
• People will be proud, arrogant: having the attitude of people who think that they are better or more important than other people (2 Timothy 3:1-8) 
• Society will become more abusive (2 Timothy 3:1-8) 
• People will be more ungrateful (2 Timothy 3:1-8) 
• Society will become unholy: not showing respect for a god or a religion (2 Timothy 3:1-8) 
• Society will be heartless, unappeasable (2 Timothy 3:1-8) 
• People will become more slanderous (gossip)  (2 Timothy 3:1-8) 
• Without self-control: lacking control over feelings or actions (2 Timothy 3:1-8) 
• Society will become brutal: extremely cruel or harsh (2 Timothy 3:1-8) 
• People will not love what is good (high quality, correct, proper, holy) (2 Timothy 3:1-8) 
• People will be treacherous: not able to be trusted—including governments (2 Timothy 3:1-8) 
• Many will be reckless (2 Timothy 3:1-8) 
• Many will be swollen with conceit: too much pride in their own worth or goodness (2 Timothy 3:1-8) 
• Society will be marked by the love of pleasure rather than the love of God (2 Timothy 3:1-8) 
• People will be materialistic (2 Timothy 3:1-8) 
• Learning will be widespread, but it won't bring people closer to the Truth that is found in the Bible (2 Timothy 3:1-8) 
• People will oppose the truth found in the Bible and choose instead to believe lies—such as about humanity's creation and purpose (2 Timothy 3:1-8) 
• Christians will be hated, or at least resented (Luke 21:17; Revelation 6:9-11; 20:4) 
• Many will reject the Ten Commandments as a moral code (Matthew 24:12; Revelation 9:21) 
• Corruption will be common (2 Timothy 3:1-8) 
• Sexual immorality will be rampant.  This includes sexual activity outside of marriage, lust, pornography, explicit shows and books, masturbation, adultery, etc. (Jude 18; Revelation 9:21) 
• Homosexuality will come to the forefront, as in the days of Lot (Luke 17:28-30, Genesis 18:20-29, Jude 1:5-7, Romans 1:26-28, 2 Peter 2:4-10) 
• Society will be marked by violence, as in the days of Noah (Genesis chapters 6-9, Jude 1:6-7, 2 Peter 3:1-7, Luke 17:26) 
• DNA manipulation will occur, as in the days of Noah (Genesis chapters 6-9, Jude 1:6-7, 2 Peter 3:1-7) 
• There will be a denial of the Global Flood (2 Peter 3:5-6) 
• Knowledge will increase greatly near the time of the end (Genesis 11:1-9, Daniel 12:4) 
• Travel capabilities will greatly increase near the time of the end (Daniel 12:4) 
• Some will have substantial wealth and luxuries (James 5:1-3; Revelation 3:17; Revelation 18) 
• Global communications a reality (Revelation 11:9-10; 17:8)
• Interest in vegetarian eating (1 Timothy 4:3-4) 
• Some would forbid marriage, such as seen in Catholic Church leadership (1 Timothy 4:3) 
• Technology exists to place a mark on someone's hand or forehead (Revelation 13:16) 
• Technology exists to have a global economic system (Revelation 13:16-17) 
• People will be open to being marked (tattoo'd, branded, tracked) (Revelation 13:16) 
• Despite the Bible's numerous warnings, most people will be taken by surprise (Luke 21:34-36; 1 Thessalonians 5:2-6) 
• People will mock the warning signs and those who try to warn them saying that these signs have always been around, there is nothing new about them (2 Peter 3:3-4) 

Additional Signs:

• False Christs, false Saviors, false “messiah” figures and prophets will come (Matthew 24:4-5, Mark 13:5-7) 
• Specific sun, moon, and star sign which occurred on September 23, 2017 (Revelation 12:1-2) 
• Abortion and Euthanasia are “end time signs,” as humanity tries to control its own beginning and end and “be as gods” (Genesis chapters 3, 6) 
• The Euphrates River will be dried up—a dam was completed in 1990 that could make this happen (Revelation 16:12) 
• Global population explosion—compared to when the prophecy was written 1950 years ago (Revelation 7:9-14) 
• Egypt, once a superpower, will still exist but as a “lowly kingdom” (Ezekiel 29:14-16)  
• Climate change and mass death of animals will occur near the end (Hosea 4:2-3) 

Satanic Signs:

As part of God's foretelling, we understand that satan is “chomping at the bit,” waiting to unleash his nefarious plan.  We may watch him move his pawns into place based on what the Bible tells us he is going to do.

• For the mystery of lawlessness [rebellion against divine authority and the coming reign of lawlessness] is already at work... (2 Thessalonians 2:7) 
• People will be interested in sorceries, witchcraft, magic, the occult (Revelation 9:21, 18:23, 21:8, Isaiah 47:9-15, Micah 5:10-15) 
• “Alien” (demonic) activity and sightings (2 Thessalonians 2:7-12, Revelation 12:3-4, Ephesians 6:12, 2 Corinthians 11:14) 
• Fallen angels will interact with mankind (1 Timothy 4:1; Luke 17:26; Genesis 6:1-4) 
• Macroevolution pushed as “fact” (2 Thessalonians 2:7-12, John 8:44) 
• Blasphemy will become common—taking the Lord's Name in vain (2 Timothy 3:2; Revelation 16:9, 11, 21)
• Epidemic drug use (Revelation 9:21) 
• People will worship idols of their own making—this simply means showing a strong devotion to someone or something that isn't God.  (Revelation 9:20; 13:12-15; 19:20; Micah 5:10-15; Zechariah 13:1-2, Romans 1:18-25) 
• Consciences will be seared—people will call evil “good” and good “evil.” (1 Timothy 4:2, Isaiah 5:20) 

The Bible connects these things to the worship of satan and his world system.  Even during this upcoming time of trouble, most of humanity will cling to these things instead of turning to the one true God:

Now the rest of mankind... still did not repent of the works of their hands. They did not stop worshiping demons and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk. Furthermore, they did not repent of their murder, sorcery, sexual immorality, and theft.  (Revelation 9:20-21) 

Signs of War: 

• Wars will occur, such as WW1 and WW2 (Mark 13:6-7, Luke 21:9, Matthew 24:6) 
• Rumors of wars (Mark 13:6-7, Luke 21:9, Matthew 24:6) 
• Ethnic conflicts (Mark 13:6-8; Luke 21:9-10) 
• The capacity to destroy all life would be a reality (Matthew 24:21-22) 
• A global cry for “peace and security” (1 Thessalonians 5:3) 

Future wars:

• Destruction of Damascus (Isaiah 17:1, Jeremiah 49:23-27, Amos 1:3-5, Zechariah 9:1-8) 
• Arab-Israeli War: Egypt, Jordan/Palestine, Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon (Psalm 83) 
• Gog-Magog War: Russia, Turkey, Ethiopia, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and perhaps others seem to attack Israel very unexpectedly (Ezekiel 38-39) 
• World War III (Matthew 24:7, Mark 13:8, Luke 21:10) 

Debatable Signs: 

Lastly, I present to you some additional signs that there is some disagreement as to whether or not they apply:

• Chaotic weather patterns (Luke 21:25-26) 
• 6000 years allotted for human government on earth (Ecclesiastes 3:1, Psalm 90:4, 2 Peter 3:3-10, Hosea 5:15-6:2, Genesis 6:3) 
• Solar eclipse centered over the USA on August 21, 2017 
• Planet X, Nibiru—a somewhat enigmatic planet which does happen to appear on the NASA website.  If it exists, it may explain some of the supernatural phenomenon which are to come. 
• Literal Babylon (formerly Babel) restored (Zechariah 5:11; Isaiah 13) 
• Nuclear weapons would be available (Zechariah 14:12) 
• Asia (the kings from the east) would be capable of deploying a 200-million-man army.  This army may be human or demonic, I am unsure. (Revelation 9:14-16; 16:12) 
• The Catholic Eucharist: some believe this fulfils the saying that Christ would be in the secret chambers and inner rooms (Matthew 24:26) 
• False Signs: Eucharist “miracles” (Matthew 24:23-27) 
• Apparition of “Mary,” Mary as the head of a global counterfeit church, queen of heaven and earth (Revelation 17, 18:7) 
• Mary representing Rome: there is debate on the future identity of “Mystery Babylon” (Revelation 17:9, 18) 

A Preview of Signs to Come: 

God has clearly spelled out what will occur during the final seven-to-ten years of this age.  These have not yet occurred; however, previews have been given!  The stage is set for them to occur in full force very swiftly—as soon as God's restraint on them is lifted:

A preview of “birth pangs”:

• New and devastating deadly diseases (pestilences) (Matthew 24:7, Revelation 6:8) 
• Global earthquakes (Matthew 24:7, Mark 13:8, Luke 21:11) 
• Global famines (Matthew 24:7, Mark 13:8, Luke 21:11, Revelation 6:5-8) 
• Terrors and great signs from heaven (Luke 21:11) 

More previews:

• A Global Government, with a “new world order” (Daniel 2:40-44, 7:23; Revelation 13:7-8) 
• A Global Ruler (Daniel chapters 7, 11, Revelation 13) 
• A One World Religion (Revelation 13:8,12, Revelation 17) 
• Global Peace and Security promised (Daniel 8:23-25) 
• Environmental Devastation (Revelation 11:18) 
• Signs in the sun, the sun will scorch the inhabitants of earth (Luke 21:25, Revelation 16:8-9) 
• The Eastern Gate in Israel will remain closed until the Messiah returns (Ezekiel 44:1-3) 
• Israel will have no king until Jesus returns (Hosea 3:4-5) 
• Ancient Petra, in Jordan would exist, and possibly will become a place of refuge (Isaiah 16:1-4; Matthew 24:16; Revelation 12:6, 14) 
• Birds of prey will eat the dead flesh of the enemy armies that fall in battle against Israel.  Fun Fact: Israel is the migratory bird capital of the world.  (Ezekiel 39:4, 17; Revelation 19:17-21) 

I understand that we are seeing wars, earthquakes, famines, pestilences, various terrors and signs in the heavens even today.  They even seem to be increasing in frequency and severity.  As of yet, these are still isolated events.  The Coronavirus (Covid19) Pandemic is coming close to a global event, but the other signs aren't occurring globally on top of it--yet.  Think of it as grave foreshadowing... What we see now is disruptive, but what will occur then is incomprehensible!

 ...when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates.  (Matthew 14:33)

The book of Revelation is meant to REVEAL, not conceal.  It's challenging to understand at times, yes, but God has hidden keys throughout the whole body of Scripture that unlock meaning.  It's the most amazing and beautiful puzzle which ties together the entire revelation of God to humanity.

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.  (John 16:13) 

What I write here is my best understanding from Scripture, but it is a human understanding, and thus will be flawed in some points.  I urge you to search the Scripture for yourself to see if these things are so, praying for wisdom!

It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.  (Proverbs 25:2)

The lists above are not exhaustive, but I hope you find them helpful as you watch and wait for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Maranatha!

Friends, we all need to pay close attention to the nation of Israel which many Bible scholars call God's Timepiece. It was created by God specifically to be His chosen people. After many periods of disobedience, God scattered the Jewish people for 1,900 years. Ezekiel prophesied the reformation of Israel would occur. It reformed as a nation on May 14th, 1948. It has been 72 years since then and so much has happened around the world.

The Bible says that before the 1948 generation passes, Jesus will return. While the length of a generation is assumed by many to be 70 years, in Psalms it is extended to as much as 80 years.

Psalms 90:10: The days of our lives are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they be eighty years, yet is their labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

This may seem an over simplification but does fit nicely with all that we are seeing in 2020:

Biblical lifespan of man: 80 years (with years of labor and sorrow)
Israel rebirth: May 14th 1948
Years from May 14th 1948 to 2020: 72 years
Years left in lifespan: 8 years
The year for 1948 generation to be over (1948 + 80 years): 2028
Latest year for Jesus Christ to return: 2028
Latest year for the Rapture and the beginning of the 7 year tribulation (2018 – 7): 2021

We can take this as a guideline on how quickly the age of the Christian church can come to a close. This end of the age will be the Rapture of the church. Afterwards, the 7 year period known as the Tribulation will begin. The Tribulation is to test and punish both Jews and unbelievers. It will be the hardest time in human history. Millions of new believers will be saved during this period.

For those who don't believe Israel is special, read on just how it was preserved over thousands of years. No other nation was scattered to the ends of the earth, brought back together and has flourished like Israel, God's chosen people.

Christians were grafted onto God's family tree through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. But, in regards to the coming tribulation, Christians will be dealt with separately from the Jewish nation of Israel.

The Miracle of Israel

Morris, Henry M.. Many Infallible Proofs: Evidences for the Christian Faith . Master Books.

The continued existence of the Jews, after centuries of dispersal and persecution unique in human history, is a mute but eloquent testimony to fulfilled prophecy. The restoration of Israel as a nation among nations in our own generation is merely the most recent in a long line of prophecies dealing with the Jewish people which finally came to pass.

When the nation was first founded, through Abraham, God promised: "I will make of thee a great nation …And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed" (Gen. 12:2-3). Not only did Israel become a great nation under David and Solomon, but it is destined for even greater days in the future. The nations that have befriended the Jews (notably the United States and, to a lesser degree, England, France, and others) have indeed been blessed. Those that have persecuted the Jews (Egypt, Babylon, Assyria, Rome, Spain, Nazi Germany, and others — Russia's time is coming!) have eventually gone down to defeat and humiliation.

Through the Holy Scriptures, almost all written by Jews, and through Jesus Christ, the seed of Abraham has indeed become a blessing to all families of the earth. Some from every nation have found salvation and blessing through faith in Him.

God promised the children of Israel great blessing in the land of promise if they would remain faithful to Him. He also predicted great suffering, persecution, and worldwide dispersion when they forsook Him. These prophecies came to pass. Some of these warnings were as follows:

• The Lord shall scatter thee among all peoples, from the one end of the earth even unto the other …And thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear day and night, and shall have none assurance of thy life (Deut. 28:64-66).
  
• And I will deliver them to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth for their hurt, to be a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse, in all places whither I shall drive them (Jer. 24:9).
  
• My God will cast them away, because they did not hearken unto him: and they shall be wanderers among the nations (Hos. 9:17).
  

Numerous other such prophecies exist, concerning specific judgments and sufferings. But with all this, they would not be exterminated, like so many other nations of antiquity (indeed like all other nations who were driven from their homeland). "Though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full end of thee" (Jer. 30:11).

Even more impossible than that a people could retain its identity without a homeland for two thousand years is that they should then return and establish their ancient nation once again. Yet this is exactly what the Bible had predicted.

• Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land (Ezek. 37:21).
  
• And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time (note, the second time — the first was when he brought them back from the Babylonian captivity) to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left …and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth (Isa. 11:11-12).
  

​The "wandering Jews" were without a national home for "many days" (Hos. 3:4-5), and it seemed impossible that such prophecies as these could ever be fulfilled. Even many Bible-believing Christians thought for centuries that God was through with Israel and that all the Old Testament promises to Israel should be spiritualized and applied to the church. But now, with the return of the Jews and the re-establishment of their nation, it is evident in a unique way that God's Word means exactly what it says.

Recently, after spending a whole day looking at JavaScript ways to present slideshows on the web, I remembered that Google Slides works very well. Below are links to a series of slideshows on important information regarding the Holy Bible. These will work well on mobile devices in Landscape view and on any size PC display.

Many believe the Bible foretells with much precision the time of Jesus return. His first return will be to take true believers from Earth before the worst years of tribulation start. Some believe we are already in the tribulation period. Who can argue that the last few years have been quite unusual and stressful. This one slide slideshow displays the key events before Jesus returns at the Rapture. CLICK HERE OR ON THE PIC TO VIEW

The Rapture of Christian believers is next on the calendar, no other prophecies have to occur before the snatching away of believers. CLICK HERE OR ON THE PIC TO VIEW
​

The Christian Life New Testament

MASTER OUTLINES & STUDY NOTES

Compiled by Porter Barrington

This work is published in conjunction with The Holy Bible, New King James Version – Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

FORWARD

The Bible is the most important book ever written.  It is God’s written Word to man.  The New Testament tells about the Lord Jesus Christ, Himself.  It tells of His birth, His death, and His resurrection.

These outlines have been put together by Porter Barrington, who has been an evangelistic pastor all of his adult life.  The Word of God has been at the heart of his entire ministry.

The Christian Life Study Outlines and Notes are the amplification of a ministry of over 35 years, both in the pastorate and in the field of teaching and evangelism. These lessons by Porter Barrington on the Great Doctrines of the Bible are simple without being ordinary, short without being shallow, brief without being dwarfed, positive without being over-formal and comprehensive without being complicated.

They were produced to fill a need in the life of the average Christian, to provide an incentive to know more of God’s Holy Word. If diligently studied, they will help to establish you in the faith and give you spiritual confidence.

It is suggested that you study the Master Outlines in the order given; one each day for fifteen days, and at the end of fifteen days, you will know more about the New Testament than you ever thought possible. This study is equal to an advanced course in Systematic Theology. If you review these lessons often, you will continue to grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Now begin your Bible study by clicking on Outline One below.

Outline 1: The Bible
Outline 2: God
Outline 3: Jesus Christ
Outline 4: The Holy Spirit
Outline 5: Sin
Outline 6: Judgments
Outline 7: Rewards
Outline 8: The Church
Outline 9: Prayer
Outline 10: Faith
Outline 11: The Abundant Life
Outline 12: Repentance
Outline 13: The New Birth
Outline 14: Salvation
Outline 15: Witnessing

The Bible is The Word of God

It is important for a new or renewed Christian to start right; therefore, the first lesson is designed to help establish your faith in the Bible, for it IS the word of God.  Keep in mind that the Bible is not a book of philosophy, although it is philosophical. Do not go to the Bible for a scientific argument. However, there is no discrepancy between ascertained facts of science and the Bible. The Bible is not a book of history, but is found to be accurate when recording history. The Bible was given to us from God, revealing Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and God the Son, the only Savior John 14:6. He is the center and the circumference. It is Christ from Genesis to Revelation John 5:39.

The Bible is as high above all other books as the heavens are above the earth. Someone has said of the Bible: “Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe and practice it to be right.”

1) The Bible claims to be the inspired word of God – (II Timothy 3:16-17):  16) “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17) that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God.” Upon this statement of fact, evangelical Christianity stands. The Bible claims to be the inspired Word of God. By “inspiration” we mean that the Holy Spirit exerted His supernatural influence upon the writers of the Bible. The writings were inspired – not necessarily the writers, for the Bible nowhere claims to have been written by inspired men.

1. The Holy Spirit is the author of the Bible (II Peter 1:21). Christ told His disciples that he would leave “many things’ unrevealed, and that the Holy Spirit would come and choose certain persons and through them reveal His perfect will unto man; and that the Holy Spirit would be the believer’s teacher (John 16:12-15).
2. Man is the instrument used by the Holy Spirit to write the Bible
3. Results: the infallible Word of God.  Therefore, the Bible is free from error and absolutely trustworthy. (Psalm 119:89, and Matthew 24:35)

2) The Bible is a difficult book (I Corinthians 2:14-16): 14) “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15) But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. 16) For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.”

The Bible is a difficult book because it came from the infinite to the finite – from the unlimited, all powerful God, to limited man. Therefore, you cannot understand the Bible as you would understand the writings of Plato or Socrates. You can study the great philosophers with the natural mind, and by diligent application, grasp their profound meanings. If the Bible could be understood by natural man, it would be a natural book and could not be the Word of God. Since the Bible is from God, and therefore spiritual, before you can receive its teachings, you must be born of the spirit John 3:6 and filled with the Spirit Ephesians 5:18. Always approach the Bible praying that the Spirit will be your teacher and will guide you to a better understanding of His Holy Word, or it will remain a difficult, closed book John 16:12-15

3) The Bible is a book of oneness (2 Peter 1:21): “for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”

The oneness or unity of the Bible is a miracle. It is a library of 66 books, written by over 35 different authors, in a period of approximately 1,500 years. Represented in the authors is a cross section of humanity, educated and uneducated, including kings, fishermen, public officials, farmers, teachers and physicians. Included in the subjects are religion, history, law, science, poetry, drama, biography and prophecy. Yet its various parts are as harmoniously united as the parts that make up the human body.

For 35 authors, with such varied backgrounds, to write on so many subjects, over a period of approximately 1,500 years, in absolute harmony, is a mathematical impossibility. It could not happen! Then how do we account for the Bible? The only adequate explanation is: “Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”

4) The Bible claims special power (Hebrews 4:12): “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

“For the word of God is living and powerful…” The Bible claims:
​

1. Dividing power as a sword (above verse). The Bible will separate man from sin II Psalm 119:11 or sin will separate man form the Bible Isaiah 59:2
2. Reflecting power as a mirror James 1:22-25. In the Bible, we see ourselves as God sees us – as sinners Romans 3:23
3. Cleansing power as water Ephesians 5:26. David prayed that God would “wash him from iniquity” and “cleanse him from sin.” Psalm 51:2
4. Reproductive power as seed 1 Peter 1:23. We are children of God because we have been born into the family of God by the incorruptible seed of God. This is the new birth John 3:1-7
5. Nourishing power as food 1 Peter 2:2. The Bible is spiritual food for the soul. No Christian can remain strong in the Lord and not study the Word of God

5) The Bible commands the believer to study the scriptures (2 Timothy 2:15) “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

“Study to show thyself approved unto God” is a command. As you study the Bible, you will discover that it does not just contain the Word of God – it IS the Word of God. You must also keep in mind that the Word of God contains the words of God, as well as the words of Satan, demons, angels and man – both good and bad. God is truth and cannot lie. Satan “is a liar and the father of it” John 8:44. Man is natural and is therefore limited, and does not always speak the truth. To illustrate: Matthew 22:15-46. In this portion of Scripture, we have the words of Jesus, of the Pharisees, of the Herodians and of the Sadducees. The Pharisees, Herodians and Sadducees were trying to entangle Jesus in His teachings, that they might accuse Him of breaking God’s law. Their words were spoken with evil intent, revealing the thinking of the natural man, along with the words of God that came from the lips of Jesus.

As you study the Bible, ask yourself these questions:

1. Who is speaking: God, demon, angel or man?
2. To whom is he speaking: to the nation Israel, to the Gentiles, to the Church, to men in general or to some individual man or being?
3. How can this Scripture be applied to my own life to make me a better Christian?

GOD

The Bible reveals God as the only infinite and Eternal Being, having no beginning and no ending. He is the Supreme Personal Intelligence, and Righteous Ruler of His universe. He is life, and therefore, the only source of life (John 5:26).

Man is natural and cannot know God by wisdom (Job 11:7). God is a person and can be known only by revelation. In the Old Testament He revealed Himself to and through His prophets? In the New Testament He reveals Himself through Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:1-3)

1) The existence of God (Hebrews 11:6): But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

1. The Bible nowhere attempts to prove or argue the existence of God. “For he that comes to God must believe that he is.”
2. The existence of God as a fact taken for granted by the writers of both the Old and New Testaments. “In the beginning God” (Genesis 1:1). The Bible opens by announcing the sublime fact of God and His existence. There are arguments for the existence of God; they are not conclusive but are food for thought:
3. Universal belief in God comes from within man. It is innate in man, and comes from rational intuition.

• The argument from “cause and effect.” Everything that began owes its existence to a cause. We have a watch; we must have a watchmaker. We have a building; we must have a builder. We have creation; we must have a creator. This creation could not have come into existence without an intelligent, personal creator, any more than the alphabet could produce a book without an author.
• The argument from anthropology. Man’s moral and intellectual nature argues for a moral and intellectual creator.  The Bible and the Christ that it reveals; His virgin birth, His sinless life, His vicarious death and His bodily resurrection – all of this and much, much more – argue for the existence of God.

2) The Bible reveals God as personality.  He is called “the living and true God” – One possessing self-consciousness and self-determination.  His personality is shown in what He does, such as:

1. God loves. “God so loved the world” (John 3:16)
2. God hates.  “These six things the Lord hates” (Prov 6:16 OT)
3. God cares.  “He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7)
4. God grieves. “He was grieved in His heart” (Gen. 6:6 OT)

Only a personality can love, hate, care and grieve; therefore God must be a living, eternal and personal being.

3) The Nature of God (I John 4:8): He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
​
God is described 4 ways in the Bible. Since God cannot be defined, they are incomplete. However, they do throw light upon the nature of God. They are:

1. “God is love” (I John 4:8). This is the nature of God in His divine compassion.
2. “God is light” (1 John 1:5). The nature of God’s divine character; there is no darkness in Him.
3. “God is consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29). This is the nature of God in His divine holiness.
4. “God is a Spirit” (John 4:24). This is the nature of God in His divine essence.

4) The attributes of God reveal His nature. Do not think of His attributes as abstract, but as vital mediums through which His holy nature in unveiled – attributes ascribed to Him, such as:

1. Life is ascribed to God (John 5:26).
2. All knowledge is ascribed to God (Psalm 147:5).
3. All power is ascribed to God (Revelation 19:6).
4. Filling the universe with His presence is ascribed to God (Psalm 139:7-10).

God is everywhere but not in everything. If God were in everything, man could worship any object and he would be worshipping God. God is spirit. (John 4:24)

5) Grace is the love and mercy of God in action. Mercy is negative, and love is positive; both together mean grace. To show mercy in love is grace. God showed mercy in love when He sent His Son to bear our sins in His own body on the cross (John 3:16).

1. The grace of God saves forever (Romans 8:38, 39).
2. The grace of God is unconditional; that is, we are not saved if we “hold out unto the end”, or “fail not” or “do our best.” We are saved by the grace of God, apart from works.(Ephesians 2:8-9)
3. The grace of God is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9).
4. The grace of God makes no discrimination (Revelation 22:17).
5. The grace of God justifies (Romans 3:23-24).
6. The grace of God makes every believer an heir (Titus 3:7).
7. The grace of God teaches the believer how to live (Titus 2:11-12).
8. The grace of God is nothing less than the unlimited love of God expressed in the gift of His Son, our Savior. It is the undeserved love of God toward sinners.

6) The Trinity of God (Matthew 3:16-17): 16) “When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.  17) And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

By the Trinity of God we mean His tri-personal existence as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – three distinct persons in one God.

1. The Father is recognized as God (1 Peter 1:2) and is all the fullness of the Godhead (John 1:18).
2. The Son is recognized as God (Hebrews 1:8 – and is all the fullness of the Godhead in the flesh (John 1:14).
3. The Holy Spirit is recognized as God (Acts 5:3-4) and is all the fullness of the Godhead acting upon man, convicting him of sin (John 16:7-11) and guiding the believer into all truth (John 16:12-15).
4. The doctrine of the Trinity is not explained in the Old Testament, but is rather implied, (Genesis 1:26).
5. The doctrine of the Trinity is revealed in the New Testament. In verses 16 and 17, we have Christ being baptized in water, the Father speaking from heaven, and the Holy Spirit descending as a dove. We are to baptize in the “name (not names) of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).

Even creation implies the doctrine of the Trinity.

1. In creation, we have space, matter, and time in one creation.
2. In space, we have length, width, and height in one space.
3. In matter, we have energy, motion, and phenomenon in one substance.
4. In time, we have past, present, and future in one time.
5. In man, we have body, soul, and spirit in one man (1 Thessalonians 5:23).
6. In the Holy Trinity, we have Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in one God.

JESUS CHRIST

Christianity is unlike any other religion, because it is more than a religion–it is the story of the life of the Son of God. Christ is Christianity is Christ. He is the main subject of each book of the New Testament, and fulfills all the promises of God in the Old Testament. From His incarnation to His Second Coming (Revelation 17:14), He is the God-man, Christ Jesus in glory, exalted above all creatures, having “all power in heaven and in earth”. Matthew 28:18

During His earthly ministry, He claimed to be God in human flesh. He is what He claimed, or He is not. (Revelation 1:8). Before His claim can be denied, there are some things that must be accounted for:

• His virgin birth
• His holy, sinless life
• His many miracles
• His vicarious death
• His bodily resurrection

1) The Deity of Jesus Christ (John 1:1) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

The deity of Jesus Christ, or His God nature, is established in the New Testament. Some of the facts are:

1. He is called God by the apostle John (John 1:1)
2. He is called God by the apostle Thomas (John 20:28).
3. He is called God by God the Father (Hebrews 1:8).
4. He claimed to be God in that He was with the Father before creation (John 17:5)
5. He claimed to be God in that He was before Abraham.  Abraham rejoiced to see My day…” (John 8:51-59)
6. He received worship, and only God is to be worshiped (Matthew 14:33). Angels refused worship (Revelations 22:8-9).  Man refused worship (Acts 10:25-26)
7. He forgives sin (Mark 2:5-11). Only God can forgive sin.
8. He is creator and maker of all things (Colossians 1:16)
9. He is Sustainer of all things (Hebrews 1:3). Only God can control the universe.
10. He claimed to have “all authority … in heaven and on earth” (Matt. 28:18).
11. He walked upon the blue waters of Galilee, commanded the winds and the waves, healed the sick, raised the dead, gave sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, cast out demons, made the lame to walk, turned water into wine, and fed five thousand with the lunch of a lad.

2) The Humanity of Jesus Christ (Romans 1:3)  3)“concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh,”

The Humanity of Jesus Christ is seen in His human parentage (Matthew 2:11)

• He developed as a normal human being (Luke 2:52)
• He was subject to all the sinless infirmities of the human nature:
• He hungered (Matthew 4:2)
• He was thirsty (John 19:28).
• He was weary (John 4:6)
• He wept (John 11:35)
• He was tempted (Hebrews 4:15)

Jesus is man, and yet He is more than man. He is not God and man, but the God-man. He is God in human flesh. His two natures are put together in such a way that the two natures become united in one person, having a single consciousness and will.

3) The Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ – (Luke 1:26-35) 26) Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27) to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David.  The virgin’s name was Mary.  28) And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”  29) But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was.  30) Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.  31) “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus.  32) “He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.  33) “And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”  34) “Then Mary said to the angel “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”  35) “And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.

The virgin birth of Jesus Christ is without duplicate in history. It was by virgin birth that God became man, one person but two natures: God nature and the nature of man-man without sin (Hebrews 4:15). The union of the two natures became the God-man Christ Jesus.

1. The first hint of the virgin birth is found in (Genesis 3:15). The One to defeat Satan was to be born of “the seed” of the woman. This is a biological miracle: there is no “seed” of the woman. From this, we are to understand that One was to be born of a woman without a human father (Luke 1:34-35)
2. Isaiah prophesied of the coming Christ (Isaiah 7:14).
3. Isaiah prophesied of Christ (Isaiah 9:6-7). This means that God gave His only begotten Son who was with Him from eternity, and the Child Jesus was born of a virgin. God gave His Son “unto us.”
4. According to prophecy, He was to be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2)

4) The Death of Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:8).   And being found in the appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

The death of Jesus Christ is mentioned more than 120 times in the New Testament and is spoken of many times by the prophets in the Old Testament.

• The death of Jesus Christ was Vicarious (Matthew 20:28). He was God’s substitute for sinners (2 Corinthians 5:21). On the cross, Christ was made sin for the sinner, the sinner is made righteous.
• The death of Jesus Christ was natural (John 19:31-37). By a natural death, we mean that His spirit and soul were separated from His body.
• The death of Jesus Christ was unnatural (Romans 6:23). By an unnatural death, we mean that since He was sinless, in that He “committed no sin” (1 Peter 2:22)

1. “had no sin” (1 John 3:5)
2. “knew no sin” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
3. before He could die, He had to be “made sin for us.” Therefore, His death was unnatural.

• The death of Jesus Christ was preternatural (Revelation 13:8). By this, we mean that the death of Jesus was not an afterthought with God; it was the forethought of God.
• The death of Jesus Christ was supernatural (John 10:17-18). Jesus said, “No one takes life from me.” Then He said, “I lay it down of Myself”. “I have power to take it up again.” This He did on the cross, after three days and three nights, He took life up again when He arose from the dead.

Only God in the form of man could die a vicarious, natural, unnatural, preternatural, and supernatural death.

5) The Resurrection of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:1-20): 1) Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. 2) And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. 3) His countenance was like lightning and his clothing as white as snow. 4)  And the guards shook for fear of him, and became as dead men.  5)  But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.  6) “He is not here; for He is raised, as He said.  Come; see the place where the Lord lay.  7)  “And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him.  Behold, I have told you.”  8).  So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word. 9)  And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him.  10) Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid, Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.”  11)  Now while they were going, behold, some of the guards came into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened. 12)  When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers.  13)  saying, “Tell them, ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.’  14)  “And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will appease him and make you secure.”  15)  So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day. 16)  Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them.  17)  When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.  18).  And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  19)  “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,  20)  “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  Amen.

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). The resurrection of Jesus Christ was the doctrine of the disciples, the faith of the true believer, the courage of the martyr, the theme of every sermon, and the power of every evangelist.

Luke tells us that we have “many infallible proofs” of His resurrection (Acts 1:3). Let us look at some of these “infallible proofs”:

1. After His resurrection He appeared first to Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-18).
2. He appeared to the women returning from the tomb (Matthew 28:5-10)
3. Then He appeared to Peter (Luke 24:34)
4. To the Emmaus disciples (Luke 24:13-31)
5. To the apostles, Thomas not present (Luke 24:36-43)
6. Again to the apostles, Thomas present (John 20:24-29)
7. To the seven by the Sea of Tiberius (John 21:1-23)
8. To over five hundred brethren (1 Corinthians 15:6)
9. He was seen of James (1 Corinthians 15:7)
10. He was seen again by the eleven apostles (Matthew 28:16-20; Acts 1:3-12)
11. He was seen of Stephen, the first martyr (Acts 7:55)
12. He was seen of Paul on his way to Damascus (Acts 9:3-6; I Corinthians 15:8).

Many of these eye witnesses died martyr’s deaths because they preached the resurrection of Jesus Christ. They were glad to die for a living Christ. They had the “infallible proofs.”

When Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, all of His disciples “forsook Him and fled” (Matthew 26:56). From this time until after His resurrection, the disciples lived in fear. They did not believe that He would rise from the dead (John 20:9). Without the Resurrection, the cross would have been the end of Christianity. After the death of Jesus, we see His disciples dejected, discouraged, and defeated. The death of Jesus meant the end. How do we account for the great change that came into their lives three days and three nights later? The only logical explanation is that they had the “infallible proofs” that He had risen from the dead, and was alive forevermore. They saw Him, talked with Him touched Him, and ate with Him.

Now look at some “infallible proofs” according to circumstantial evidence:

1. The change that came into the lives of the disciples after the Resurrection-from fear to unlimited courage. They rejoiced in persecution (Acts 5:40-42)
2. The early church began to worship on the first day of the week, the day of the Resurrection. It was not a law-it was spontaneous (Acts 20:7). For almost two thousand years, the church has worshiped on the first day. For the Christian, every Sunday is Easter
3. The early Christians went everywhere with the word of the Resurrection (Acts 8:1-4)
4. The empty tomb – for if Jesus is not alive, what happened to His body? The Roman guards were paid to say, “His disciples came at night, and stole Him away while we slept” (Matthew 28:12-13).

First, the disciples were afraid. If they stole His body, then how do you account for the fact that they all suffered, and most of them died martyrs’ deaths? Would not one of them reveal the hiding place to save his own life?

Second, no one was ever arrested or tried for stealing the body of Jesus. It is evident that the governing officials did not believe the story of the guards.

Third, the guards could have been put to death for sleeping while on watch.

Fourth, if they were asleep, how could they known who “stole” the body?

Fifth, had the enemies of Jesus moved the body, they could have produced it and ended Christianity!!

The linen clothes found in the empty tomb are proof of the Resurrection (John 20:1-10). Had anyone stolen the body, they would not have removed the linen clothes from a three day old dead body. When John saw the linen clothes, he knew that a miracle had taken place. Jesus came out of the clothes, and they collapsed without disturbing the folds. They were left in the empty tomb; and when John saw and believed that Jesus had risen from the dead.

6) The Ascension and Second Coming of Jesus Christ (Acts 1:9-11):  9) Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of sight.  10) And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11) who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven?  This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go up into Heaven.”

After forty days of instructing His disciples, the risen Christ ascended up on high and is seated at the right hand of the Father (Hebrews 10:12). Two men brought the message of His second coming to the apostles (Acts 1:11). The message of the second coming of Jesus is so important, that it is mentioned over 300 times in the New Testament.
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1. He is coming to take His church to be with Him (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; John 14:1-6)
2. He is coming to judge the nations (Matthew 25:31-46)
3. He is coming to save Israel (Romans 11:25-26)
4. He is coming to sit upon the throne of David (Luke 1:31-33; Isaiah 9:6-7)
5. He is coming to bring righteous government to this earth again, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20)

THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit is God, and is equal to the Father and the Son. He is God the Holy Spirit, and is distinct from the Father and the Son. In the Genesis account of creation, He is seen actively engaged in the work of creation, along with the Father and the Son. In the Old Testament, He empowered men for service; but, when they were disobedient, He departed from them.

When David sinned, he prayed, “and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me”(Psalm 51:11).

In the New Testament, we see the Holy Spirit indwelling the believer, never leaving, filling and empowering him. A scriptural understanding of God the Holy Spirit will make you a better Christian and servant of God.

1) The Deity of the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3-4):  3) But Peter said, “Ananias, why has the Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?  4) “While it remained was it not your own?  And after it was sold, was it not in your own control?  Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”

In dealing with Ananias, Peter revealed the Holy Spirit’s Deity (Acts 5:3a). In this Scripture it is very clear that the Holy Spirit is God, and He is co-equal, co-eternal, and co-existent with the Father and Son.

1) His deity is also set forth in that He possesses divine attributes:

• He is everywhere present in the universe (Psalm 139:7-10)
• He has all power (Luke 1:35)
• He has all knowledge (I Corinthians 2:10-11)
• He is eternal (Hebrews 9:14)

2) His deity is revealed, His name is coupled in equality with the name of the Father and the Son.

• In the baptism of the believer (Matthew 28:19)
• In the apostolic benediction (II Corinthians 13:14)

3) His deity is seen in relation to the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.

• Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35)
• He was anointed by the Holy Spirit for service – Acts 10:38.
• He was led by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 4:1)
• He was crucified in the power of the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 9:14)
• He was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:11)
• Jesus gave commandments to the apostles and the church through the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:2)

If Jesus needed to depend solely upon the Holy Spirit here on the earth, can we afford to do less?

2) The Emblems of the Holy Spirit (Luke 3:16):  John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you wit water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose.  He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

It is difficult to impart truth by words. Frequently they reveal only a half-truth. The Bible used certain emblems when telling of the Holy Spirit, because they show more about Him. They are:

1. Fire as an emblem (Luke 3:16). Fire speaks of His consuming, purifying power (Acts 2:3, Isaiah 6:1-7)
2. Wind as an emblem. (John 3:8). Wind speaks of His depth in His mighty regenerating power.
3. Water as an emblem. (John 7:37-39).
4. Seal as an emblem (Ephesians 1:13) Seal speaks of His ownership; it is a finished, eternal transaction.
5. Oil as an emblem (Acts 10:38) Oil speaks of His power to anoint for service.
6. Dove as an emblem (Mark 1:10). The dove speaks of His gentle, tender, peaceful nature. We may know “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7) only when fully surrendered to God.

3) Sins against the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:31-32):  31) “therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. 32) “Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.

This is a solemn study, because the Holy Spirit is God and can be sinned against by both the believer and the unbeliever. May He help you search your heart as you consider:

1. The sin of blaspheming the Holy Spirit. This sin is committed by unbelievers. It is often called the “unpardonable sin.” It has no forgiveness. It was committed by the enemies of Jesus when they accused Him of casting out demons by the power of Satan (Matthew 12:24) when Jesus cast them out by the “Spirit of God” (Matthew 12:28
2. The sin of resisting the Holy Spirit (Acts 7:51). This sin is committed by the unbeliever when rejecting Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
3. The sin of grieving the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30-32). This sin is committed by believers. He is grieved by us unless He controls our lives to the glory of Jesus Christ.
4. The sin of quenching the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19) This sin is committed by Christians when known sin is allowed to go unconfessed (1 John 1:9; Isaiah 59:1-2)
5. The sin of lying to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:1-11). The sin of Ananias and Sapphira was deception. They tried to mock God (Galatians 6:7) The Holy Spirit can be sinned against, He is God.

4) The Work of the Holy Spirit (John 16:7-14):  7) “Nevertheless I tell you the truth.  It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.  8 ) “And when He has come, He will convict toe world of sin, and of righteousness and of judgment; 9) “of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10) “of rightness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11) “of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.  12) “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.  13) “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but what ever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.  14) “He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you….”

In instructing His disciples, regarding the coming of the Holy Spirit, Jesus said, “. . . for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will . . .”

1. ​Convict men of the sin of unbelief (John 16:9)
2. Convict men that Jesus is the righteousness of God (John 16:10; Romans 10:3-4)
3. Convict men that the power of Satan has been broken (John 16:11)
4. Regenerate the believer (John 3:5; Titus 3:5)
5. Indwell the believer  (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
6. Seal the believer (Ephesians 1:13-14)
7. Baptize the believer (Acts 1:5; 1 Corinthians 12:13)
8. Infill the believer (Ephesians 5:18)
9. Empower the believer (Acts 1:8)
10. Lead the believer (Galatians 5:16-18)
11. Administer spiritual gifts to the believer (1 Corinthians 12:1-11)
12. The Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost, to remain with the church until it is complete and presented to the Lord Jesus at His coming. Just as Jesus Christ finished the work He came to do in the flesh, so the Holy Spirit will finish the work He came to do in the church.

5) The Fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23):  22) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23) gentleness, self-control.  Against such there is no law.

“The Fruit of the Spirit is love.” Only as we live in love can we fulfill the will of God in our lives. The believer must become love-inspired, love-mastered, and love-driven (2 Corinthians 5:14). Without the fruit of the Spirit (love), we are just a religious noise (1 Corinthians 13:1).

“The Fruit of the Spirit is love,” and it is manifested in joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control:

1. Joy is love’s strength.
2. Peace is love’s security.
3. Longsuffering is love’s patience.
4. Kindness is love’s conduct.
5. Goodness is love’s character.
6. Faithfulness is love’s confidence.
7. Gentleness is love’s humility.
8. Self–control is love’s victory.
9. “Against such there is no law.” A Holy Spirit-controlled man needs no law to cause him to live a righteous life. The secret of a Spirit-controlled live is found in dedication to God (Romans 12:1-2)

Put your all on the altar, and the Holy Spirit will fill your heart with the love of God (Romans 5:5)

SIN

In considering the question of sin, we are faced with two startling facts. The first fact is that man makes so little of sin. To some, it is an illusion-a religious mirage-the invention of some fanatic. It is denied, joked about, and laughed at by man. Many, who believe sin to be a fact, continue in it with little thought of its penalty.

The second fact is that God makes so much of sin. God said, “The soul who sins shall die” (Ezekiel 18:20). “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). All sins are an abomination to God (Proverbs 6:16-19), and He hates those who work iniquity (Psalm 5:5). Moses said, “…All who behave unrighteously, are an abomination to the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 25:16). Sin is an evil force. Its presence cannot be escaped in this life, but it can be overcome by the power of God.

1) The Origin of Sin (Jude 1:6): And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their one abode, He has reserve in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day;

The origin of sin is one of the mysteries of the Bible. “The secret things belong to the Lord our God” (Deuteronomy 29:29). Its origin is one of the “secret things” that will remain wrapped in obscurity.

Sin was first noted in the heart of Satan. He was created a perfect being, “…till iniquity was found in you” (Ezekiel 28:11-19). Satan fell from perfection when he exerted his will above the will of God. Five times he said, “I will” (Isaiah 14:12-17). It was his will over God’s will – this is sin. It is believed that Satan, when first created, was the ruler of this earth (Genesis 1:1). , and that he fell through self-will; and at his fall, the earth “was without form, and void” (Genesis 1:2).

Isaiah tells us that God created the earth “not in vain” (Isaiah 45:18). “He did not create it a chaos.” The earth was a perfect creation in Genesis 1:1. Something happened that caused a catastrophe and the earth became “without form and void” (Genesis 1:2), but it was not created thus.

It is believed that some of the angels, along with Satan, sinned by leaving their first estate. This does not prove that Satan was the originator of sin, but it does reveal sin in the heart of Satan before God created man.

2) What is Sin (I John 3:4): Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.

It is impossible to deny the existence of sin, when the whole world is in conflict between good and evil. If sin were not a fact, there would be no crime; we would not need jails or prisons. We would need no locks on our doors, or vaults for our valuables. To some, sin is being indiscreet; or it is a weakness of the flesh. To others, it is the absence from good. To the so-called scholar, sin is ignorance; and to the evolutionist, it is the nature of the beast. The latest theory is that sin is a disease to be treated by science, because man is not a sinner-he is only sick. To others, sin is a form of selfishness, but God declares that;
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1. Sin is lawlessness (1 John 3:4)
2. Sin is falling short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)
3. Sin is rebellion against God (Isaiah 1:2).
4. Sin is unbelief; it makes God a Liar (1 John 5:10)
5. Sin is going your own way, planning your life according to your own will, without seeking the will of God (Isaiah 53:6)
6. All unrighteousness is sin (1 John 5:17)

Sin is a folly to deceive you, a force to destroy you, and a fact to condemn you. Sin is a volitional act of disobedience against the revealed will of God.

3) How Sin Entered into the World (Romans 5:12):  Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.

“…by one man sin entered into the world.” The fall of man is found in Genesis 3:1-24 When Adam sinned, his seed became corruptible (1 Peter 1:23) Therefore, we are sinners, because we are born in sin (Psalm 51:5) You do not have to teach children to be bad, but you do have to teach them to be good. You do not have to teach them to lie, but you do have to teach them to tell the truth.”  Therefore as by one man’s offense judgment came to all men resulting in condemnation” (Romans 5:18) According to the Word of God, all men are judged sinners; all are condemned already (John 3:18). “All have sinned” (Romans 3:23) Sin entered the world through our first parents in the Garden of Eden, and “all have sinned” because all are sinners.

Man sins by choice, because he is a sinner by nature. Therefore, the dominion sin has over you is according to the delight you have in it

4) The Results of Sin (Ephesians 2:1): And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,

“The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23) As a result of man’s sin, there are three deaths. Keep in mind that death does not annihilate; it only separates. In the Garden of Eden, it separated man from God Spiritually; this is spiritual death. In natural death, it separates the spirit and the soul from the body; this is physical death. In final death, it separates man from the mercy of God forever; this is eternal death.

1. The wages of sin is spiritual death. Just as sin separated man from God spiritually and drove him from the presence of God out of the Garden, so sin will separate you from God (Isaiah 59:1-2) The only way back to God is to confess your sins to Him (1 John 1:9) and forsake your sins ( Isaiah 55:7) that you may be restored to fellowship with God.
2. The wages of sin is physical death. Physical death is a result of sin. Death had no claim on man until man sinned. Now all die, because all are in sin. Death is universal; and, since we have a universal effect, we must have a universal cause, and that cause is universal sin. All men die-the good and the bad-the young and the old – and man will continue to die until death is destroyed by the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:26) and is swallowed up in victory (1 Corinthians 15:54-57)
3. The wages of sin is eternal death. “The soul who sins shall die” (Ezekiel 18:20). This is eternal separation from the love of God (Revelation 20:14). Once the soul passes beyond the portals of Hades, he is lost and lost forever. He will continue to exist, but without hope. He is damned and damned to all eternity. Eternal death is eternal separation from God (Luke 16:19-31)

5) Gods Remedy for Sin (2 Corinthians 5:21):  For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Man, not willing to accept God’s remedy for his ruin, strives to bring about his own salvation by human means.
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1. He strives for self-righteousness, when he needs too be made the righteousness of God (verse 21 above) (Isaiah 64:6)
2. He strives to reform when he needs to regenerated (Titus 3:5)
3. He strives to turn over a new leaf, when he needs a new life (John 10:10)
4. He strives to be justified by the Law, when he needs to be justified by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Galatians 2:16)
5. He strives to clean up the old man, when he needs to be made a new man in Christ (Ephesians 4:24)
6. He strives to be saved by good works, when he needs salvation by the grace of God (Ephesians 2:8-9)

The only remedy for the ruin of man is the Son of God being made sin for us on the cross. The only way to receive this remedy is by faith in Him as personal Savior. (John 20:30-31)

JUDGEMENT

1) In the Scriptures, we are instructed to “rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). This is most essential when studying the judgments. Do not endeavor to make all the judgments conform to the theory of one “general judgment.” The “general judgment” theory is the invention of religion, and is not taught in the Word of God. There are five separate judgments revealed in the Bible, and they differ as to time, place, and purpose. Yet, they all have one thing in common: the Lord Jesus Christ is the judge. (John 5:22)

Everyone – from Adam to the last man to be born on this earth – will stand before the Lord Jesus Christ to be judged.

1. In the first judgment, the sins of the believers have already been judged in Christ on the cross.
2. In the second judgment, the believer is to judge self, or be judged and disciplined by the Lord Jesus.
3. In the Third judgment, all believers must appear at the “judgment seat of Christ” where their works are to be judged.
4. In the forth judgment, all nations are to be judged at the Second Coming of Christ.
5. In the fifth judgment, the wicked dead are to be judged at the great white throne.

2) Judgment of the Believers Sin (John 5:24): “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

In the above verse, our Lord tells us that the believer “shall not come into judgment.” (Matthew 10:15) Our sins were judged in Christ on Calvary and every believer “has passed out of death into life.”

1. This is present salvation. Christ paid for our sins. He was judged in the believer’s stead. The believer will not come into judgment because:
2. Jesus Christ paid the penalty, and on the grounds of His substitutional death, the believer is separated from his sins forever (Psalm 103:12)
3. The sins of believer have been “blotted out” and God has promised that He “will not remember your sins” (Isaiah 43:25)
4. Our Lord suffered for our sins, “the just for the unjust” that we might be saved and never come into judgment as sinners (1 Peter 3:18 )

The believer will never be condemned with the world, because Christ was condemned in his place. “For He has made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Christ was made a curse for us on the cross and “has redeemed us from the curse of the law” (Galatians 3:13; Hebrews 9:26). The believer will not come into judgment because his sins have been purged (Hebrews 1:3).

3) Judgment of the Believers Self (1 Corinthians 11:31-32): 31) For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged.  32) But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.

The judgment of the believer’s self is more than judging things in the believer’s life. When the believer judges self, the good and the bad in his life come to light; and he will confess the bad (1 John 1:9) and forsake it (Isaiah 55:7) However, it is not enough just to judge sin in the believer; he must judge self.

1. To judge self is to practice self-abnegation, for when the believer sees self as God sees him, he will renounce self. It is replacing the self life with the Christ life (Colossians 3:4). Christ is the believer’s life.
2. To judge self is to deny self. This is more than self-denial. Self-denial is denying one’s self of the gratifications of the flesh. If we practice self-denial only, it is treating the symptom and not the cause. But when we deny self, we are attacking the cause, for in self (that is, in the flesh) “nothing good dwells” (Romans 7:18 ). To deny self is to take up our cross and follow Christ (Mark 8:34-38 ).
3. To judge self is to lose the self life and find the Christ life (Galatians 2:20)
4. To judge self is to no longer be self-conscious, but become Christ-Conscious (Matthew 28:20)
5. To judge self is to no longer be self-controlled, but to become Christ controlled (Acts 9:6)
6. To judge self is to no longer practice self-esteem, but to esteem others better than self (Philippians 2:3). To judge self is to become selfless.

4) Judgment of the Believers Works (2 Corinthians 5:10): For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

1. The believer’s works will be judged at the “judgment seat of Christ.” The term, “judgment seat of Christ” is found only twice in the Bible; but it is referred to many times. It is found in the above verse; also Romans 14:10. A careful reading of both verses with the context reveals that only believers will appear at the “judgment seat of Christ.” Their works will be judged, not their sins, for we have already seen that the sins of the believer were judged in Christ on Calvary, and “There is therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1)
2. This judgment will take place “in the air,” following the first resurrection. “The dead in Christ shall rise first” (1 Thessalonians 4:14-18 ). There will be a thousand years between the resurrection of the saved and the unsaved (Revelation 20:4-5), and there will be a thousand years between the “judgment seat of Christ” where only saved will appear and the “great white throne judgment” where only the unsaved will appear.
3. At the judgment seat of Christ, the believer will give an account of himself to God. Therefore we should look to our own works, and not judge the works of others (Romans 14:10-13).
4. It is a most humbling thought to know that some day the believer will face all of his works – “good or bad.” Some will be ashamed (1 John 2:28 ) and “suffer loss” – not the loss of salvation, but the loss of rewards (1 Corinthians 3:11-15). So whatever you do, do it to the glory of God. (Colossians 3:17)

5) Judgment of Nations (Matthew 25:31-46) 31) “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him then He will sit on the throne of His glory.  32) “All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them from one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep form the goats. 33) “And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.  34) “Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:  35) “for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;  36) ‘I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ 37) “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed you, or thirsty and gave you drink?  38) “When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?  39)‘Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’  40) “And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly , I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to Me.’  41) Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:42) ‘for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43) ‘I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’  44) “Then they also will answer Him saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’  45) “Then He will answer them, saying ;Assuredly, I say to you, in as much as you did not do it to one of these, you did not do it to Me.’ 46) “And these things will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

This judgment is not the judgment of the great white throne (Revelation 20:11-15). A careful comparison of the two judgments will establish the following facts:

1. The judgment of the nations will take place “when the Son of Man comes in His glory.….Then He will sit on the throne of His glory.” The great white throne is never called “the throne of his glory” (Revelation 20:11-15)
2. At this judgment, He will judge the living nations (Joel 3:11-16). At the white throne judgment, he will judge the wicked dead.
3. At this judgment, there will be no resurrection of the dead. At the great white throne, the entire wicked are raised: “The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them……..” (Revelation 20:13)
4. At this judgment, the judge is God “The King” judging the living nations in His earthly kingdom. At the great white throne, the judge is God, judging only the wicked dead.
5. At this judgment, there are no books opened. At the great white throne, the “books were opened.”
6. At this judgment, there are three classes judged: “sheep” – the saved (Revelation 7:9-17); “goats” – The unsaved (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10); “tribes” – the elect of Israel (Revelation 7:1-8, Romans 11:25-28). At the great white throne, there is only one class: “the dead.”
7. At this judgment, the King gives the kingdom to those who have eternal life. At the great white throne, there are no saved and no kingdom; they are all “cast into the lake of fire.

6) Outline 6.5: Judgment of the Wicked (Revelation 20:11-15):  11) Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away.  And there was found no place for them.  12) And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened.  And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life.  And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.  13) The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them.  And they were judged, each one according to his works.  14) Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire.  This is the second death.  15) And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

The great white throne judgment will follow the thousand year reign of Christ. This is the final judgment, and only the wicked dead are to be judged. According to (Revelation 20:5), the believers were resurrected a thousand years before this judgment, and their works were judged at the “judgment seat of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 5:10)

1. ​At this judgment, the wicked dead will seek a hiding place from the face of the Lord Jesus Christ, the judge. But there is no hiding place.
2. At this judgment, the “dead, great and small” will stand before God. But the greatness of the great will be of no value. “There is none who does good, no, not one” (Romans 3:12)
3. At this judgment, the “book of life” will be opened. Why the “book of life” if there are no saved at this Judgment? The wicked will be shown that God in His mercy provided space for them in the “book of life,” so that they are without excuse. (Romans 1:18-20)
4. At this judgment, the dead will be judged “according to their works.” God is a just God; and since there are degrees of punishment in hell, some will be punished more than others (Luke 12:42 , 48 )
5. At this judgment, there will be no acquittal, no higher court to which the lost may appeal. It is lost, and lost forever; it is damned to all eternity, and that without hope. There is a Hades (Luke 16:19-31) and in Hades, there is no hope, no sympathy, no love; even the love of God does not extend beyond the portals of Hades.

REWARDS
​
1) There is a vast difference in the doctrine of salvation for the lost, and the doctrine of rewards for the saved.  Salvation is “the gift of God, not of works” (Eph. 2:8-9).  Salvation is received by faith in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ (John 3:36).  Rewards are according to the works of the believer (Matt. 16:27).

A most revealing Scripture concerning rewards is found in 1 Cor. 3:8-15.

1. First, every believer will be rewarded “according to his own labor” (verse 8).  We do not labor for salvation.
2. Second, “we are God’s fellow workers” (verse 9) – not for salvation, but for rewards.
3. Third, the believer is to build on the Lord Jesus Christ, “for no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (verse 11)
4. Fourth, the believer has a choice of two kinds of building materials: “gold, silver, precious stones” – this is building with eternal materials; or “wood, hay, straw” – this is building with temporal materials (verse 12) (2 Cor. 4:18)

2) The believer who builds on Christ with eternal materials, “gold, silver, precious stones,” shall receive a reward.  Those who build on Christ with temporal materials, “wood, hay, straw,” will receive no reward.  The works of “wood, hay, straw” will be destroyed at the “judgment seat of Christ,” and he believer will suffer loss – not the loss of salvation, but the loss of rewards.

In the first year of my ministry, I set at the bedside of a dying friend.  As we talked of his home going, tears filled his eyes.  Being young in the Lord, I thought he was afraid to die, and attempted to speak words of encouragement to him.  He said, “I am not afraid to die; I am ashamed to die.” He went on to say that Christ was his Savior, but he had lived for self, and now had to meet the Lord Jesus Christ empty handed. His life loomed up before him as “wood, hay, straw.”  He was “saved so as by fire.”

Rewards are called “crowns” in the New Testament.

1. The Crown of Life (James 1:12)
2. The Crown Imperishable (1 Cor. 9:24-27)
3. The Crown of Rejoicing (1 Thess. 2:19-20)
4. The Crown of Righteousness (2 Tim. 4:5-8)
5. The Crown of Glory (1 Peter 5:2-4)

3) The Crown of Life (James 1:12): Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

1. This reward could be called the lover’s crown.  Upon examination of the above verse, we discover that the believer finds strength to overcome temptation and endure trials, through the love of God.  Paul said, “We also glory in tribulations.”  The question is, do we today glory in tribulations?  We can, only if the “love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit” (Rom 5:2-5). Without the love of God in the heart of the believer, trials can cause him to become bitter and critical and lose the “crown of life.”
2. All believers have eternal life (John 3:15-16), but not all believers will be rewarded with the “crown of life.”  This crown will be given to those who are “faithful until death” (Rev 2:10). To receive the “crown of life” the believer must love the Lord more than his own life.  “For whoever desires to save his life (live for self) will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s (live for Christ at all cost) will save it” (Mark 8:35).  This reward will be given to those who live for Christ, and endure temptations, in the power of the love of God (1 Cor 10:13).

The Crown Imperishable (1 Cor 9:24-27): Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize?  Run in such a way that you may obtain it.  25) And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things.  Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.  26) Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty.  Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.  27) But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

Paul makes use of the Greek games to illustrate the spiritual race of the believer.  They ran to win a “perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.”  No young man could contend in the games unless he was a Greek citizen, born of Greek parents.  No unsaved person can participate in the services of the Lord for rewards; only the born of God are eligible (John 3:3)

Just as the athlete must deny himself many gratifications of he body, so the believer must say “I discipline my body and bring it into subjection” or he will become “disqualified.”  He will not loose his salvation, but he will lose the “imperishable crown.”

The Greek games had hard and fast rules for all participants.  The New Testament contains the rules for believers who would enter the spiritual race to win the “imperishable crown.”

1. The believer must deny self of anything that would weigh him down and hold him back (Heb. 12:1)
2. The believer must keep his eyes fixed on Christ, and not look to the right or the left (Heb. 12:2)
3. The believer must find strength in the Lord (Eph. 6:10-18)
4. The believer must place his all upon the altar of the Lord (Rom. 12:1-2)
5. The believer must, by faith, refuse anything that would impede spiritual progress (Heb. 11:24-29)

Do not be spiritual spectator.  Enter the race and run to win the “imperishable crown.”

4) The Crown of Rejoicing (1 Thess. 2:19-20): For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing?  Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?
The “crown of rejoicing” is the soul winner’s crown.  The greatest work you are privileged to do for the Lord is to bring others to knowledge of Christ as personal Savior.  The degree of you joy in heaven will determined by the souls you have had a part in bringing to Christ.  Paul tells the Thessalonian believers that they are his “hope, or joy or crown of rejoicing” now and when Jesus comes.

1. It is wise to win souls to Christ (Prov. 11:30 OT)
2. It is a work against sin to win souls to Christ (James 5:20)
3. It is a cause for joy in heaven to win souls to Christ (Luke 15:20)
4. Every soul winner will shine as the stars forever (Dan. 12:3 OT)

How can you win souls to Christ:

1. Witness with your life; live that others may see Christ in you (2 Cor. 3:2 and Gal. 2:20)
2. Witness with your mouth, trusting the Holy Spirit to give power to the spoken word (2 Cor. 9:6)
3. Witness with tithes and offerings that others may preach Christ, and you will have “fruit (reward) that abounds to your account” (Phil. 4:15 and 2 Cor. 9:6)

God has promised that your labor will not be in vain in the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58).  The soul winner will not rejoice alone – all of heaven will rejoice with him when he receives the “crown of rejoicing” (John 4:36)

5) The Crown of Righteousness (2 Tim. 4:5-8): 5) But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.  6) For I am already being poured out as a drink offering and my departure is at hand.  7) I have fought the good fight.  I have finished the race.  I have kept the faith.  8) Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

The “crown of righteousness” is a reward, and it is not to be confused with the “righteousness of God” which the believer receives when he becomes a Christian; for at that time, the believer is to “become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor. 5:21).  This saving righteousness is a gift to be accepted by the lost.  The “crown of righteousness” is a reward to be earned by the saved.  If the believer looks for, and loves the doctrine of the second coming of Christ, it will affect his whole life.  Look at the dynamic impact this truth had on the life of the apostle Paul.  He could say:

1. “I have fought the good fight” (verse 7, also 1 Cor. 15:32).  He fought a spiritual battle throughout his Christian life, and won.  He never surrendered to the enemies of righteousness (Eph 6:12).
2. “I have finished the race.”  He had a race to run.  And he did not detour the hard places; neither did he look back (Luke 9:61-62). He finished his race with his eyes fixed on Christ (Phil. 1:6)
3. “I have kept the faith.”  He preached the “whole counsel of God” – never betraying any of the great doctrines (Acts 20:24-31). The apostle looked ahead to the “judgment seat of Christ” where the “crown of righteousness” will be given to those “who have loved His appearing.” How important it is for the believer to look with a heart of love for the second coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, that he may receive the “crown righteousness” (verse 8).

6) The Crown of Glory (1 Peter 5:2-4): and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive crown of glory that does not fade away.

The “crown of glory” is a special reward for the faithful, obedient, God-called pastor.  He will receive this reward when the “Chief Shepherd appears.”  It is eternal; it “does not fade away.”  Every believer may share in the pastor’s “crown of glory.”  He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward” (Matt. 10:41).  Support your faithful, God-called pastor by praying for him and encouraging him in the work of the Lord.  Under gird his ministry with God’s tithes and your offerings (Mal. 3:10 OT) giving freely of your time to the service of the Lord.  And God will reward you for supporting His chosen servant by allowing you to share in your pastor’s reward.  The pastor will earn this “crown of glory by:

1. ​Feeding the church.  He is to proclaim the Word of God without fear or favor; and, when necessary, he will “convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (2 Tim. 4:2-5).
2. Taking spiritual oversight of the church.  The pastor is responsible to God for the message preached to his people.  No pastor should preach to please the people; he is to please this Lord (Gal. 1:10)
3. Being an example to the church.  He is not to serve for the reward of money.  Yet, the church is responsible to care for his every material need (1 Tim. 5:18).  He is the spiritual leader, and not a dictator.  He is to walk with God by faith.  “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.”

THE CHURCH

Church is not a place to go, or a building, or something you do. It has no walls. It is organic in the sense that it is made up of the people of God. We “are” the Church. Additionally, a congregation is an assembly of people gathering together to worship, fellowship, and study about God. And “a place of worship” also called a “temple,” is exactly that. A place that people use for worship.

1) Jesus said, “I will build My church” (ecclesia) (Matt. 16:18). The word “ecclesia” in the New Testament is used to designate any assembly whether it be political (Acts 19:39), Christian (Eph. 1:22-23), or national (Acts 7:38).  It means a called-out assembly or congregation.  God called Israel out of Egypt; they congregated in the wilderness; they were, “the church in the wilderness.”  Today, God calls the saved out of the world to congregate in worship.  This is the church in the world, in it, but not of it.

2) Unlike the church in the wilderness, the Church that Jesus is building will never cease.  He said, “The gates of Hades shall not over power it.”  His Church is not synonymous with Christendom.  It is in Christendom in the same way in which it is in the world, in it, but not of it.  Christendom is made up of those who profess to be Christians, but they know not Christ as a personal Savior (Matt. 7:21-23, also, 2 Tim 3:5 and Titus 1:16).  Only blood-washed, born again, Spirit-baptized believers constitute the church that Jesus is building.  It is called a:

• Mystery – Eph. 3:3-10
• Body – 1 Cor. 12:12-31
• Building – Eph. 2:10-22
• Bride – 2 Cor. 11:2

3) The Church: Its Foundation (Matt. 16:13-18) – Peter’s Confession of Christ – 13) Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He began asking His disciples, saying, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14) And they said, “some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” 15) He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”  16) And Simon Peter answered and said “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”  17) And Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.  18) “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and gates of Hades shall not overpower it…”

1. “Upon this rock I will build My church.”  Leading up to this declaration He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is? They answered naming some of the prophets.  Then He said to them, “But who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of he living God” (Matt. 16:16).  In verse thirteen Jesus spoke of Himself as the “Son of Man.”  Now Peter speaks of Him as the “Son of the living God.”  Jesus blessed Peter and said that this great truth came from God the Father.  Again He said to Peter, “You are Peter, (Petros, a little rock) and upon this rock (Petra, a big rock) I will build My church.”  Jesus did not say that He would build His church upon Peter, but upon Himself, the Rock of Ages.
2. Simon Peter called Jesus the “living stone,” the precious “corner stone,” a “stone of stumbling,” and a “rock of offense.”  He spoke of all believers, including himself, as “living stones.”  Christ is the foundation and believers are the building stones (1 Pet. 2:1-10)
3. Paul speaks of Christ as the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets (Eph. 2:19-22).  He also said, “For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”  (1 Cor. 3:11) Although the church was a mystery in he Old Testament, yet Isaiah said, “thus says the Lord GOD,  ‘Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, a costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed’” (Is. 28:16).  Christ is the sure foundation of His church and all believers are little building stones built into a holy temple in the Lord.

4) The Church: Its Head (Col. 1:18) He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; so that He Himself might come to have first place in everything.

• “He is also head of the body, the church.”  Christ is the foundation, cornerstone, and head of His Church.  He is head of the local church, and He is head of the church in its all-inclusive sense, including all born again, blood-washed Spirit-baptized believers in heaven and earth.

5) The church is more than a religious organization; it is an organism, with Christ as the living head.  It is alive with the life of Christ made living in each member (1 Cor. 12:1-31).  Let us examine briefly the church and observe its role as the body of Christ:

1. The members of the body are given spiritual gifts according to the will of the Holy Spirit (verses 1-11).
2. The unity of the body is seen in its many members with different operations all related and coordinated under one Head (verse 12).
3. All are baptized by one Spirit into one body (verse 13).
4. There is one Holy Spirit.
5. There is one Holy Spirit baptism.
6. There is one body (the church).

6) This is the church in its broadest sense.  You cannot join this church.  The only way to become a member of His body is to be spiritually born (John 3:1-7) and baptized into it by the Holy Spirit.

1. The members differ one from the other, yet they function as one in the will of God (verses 14-18)
2. The least or weakest member is necessary for the proper function of the whole body (verses 22, 23).
3. If one member suffers, the whole body suffers; if one is honored, all are honored (verse 26).
4. The members are to desire the greater spiritual gifts and minister in love (verse 31).

7) The Lord Jesus Christ has never delegated His authority to anyone, whether he be pope, pastor, deacon, or the majority of the congregation.  He is “head over all things to the church” (Eph. 1:22), the only absolute and final authority.

8) The Church: Its Organization (Titus 1:4-5) 4) … to Titus, my true child in a common faith:  Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.  5) For this reason I left you in Crete, that you might set in order what remains, and appoint elders in every city as I directed you.

1. There is scriptural evidence of some organization in the local church from its inception.  It was a definite and permanent organized congregation, but not as we know it today.
2. Paul left Titus in Crete to organize the believers into local church bodies and to “set in order what remains, and appoint elders in every city” (verse 5).

9) The local New Testament church is a microcosm of the complete body of Christ in heaven and earth.  The word “church” is used over one hundred times in the New Testament, and the great majority of the references refer to the local congregation.

• ​Organization in the local church is seen in:

1. Its Officers:  He gave to the church “apostles” (this refers to the twelve; there are no apostles in the church today), “profits” (we have no prophets and have not had since the last book of the New Testament was written), “evangelists” (the evangelist will serve the church until Jesus comes,), and “pastors and teachers” (Eph. 4:11:11-12).  Pastors and teachers are local ministers; the apostles, prophets and evangelist are ministers at large.
2. Another officer is the deacon.  His qualifications are set forth in 1 Timothy (Tim. 3:8-13).  Deacons are never called a board in the Scriptures.  They are not to run the church; they are ordained to assist the pastor by ministering to the saints (Acts 6:1-7).

10) Its Membership records:  The church must have kept records of its members.  The Book of Acts tells us that there were about 120 in the upper room.  The account (Acts 1:15-26) reads like the average local church business meeting. Simon Peter is the pastor; he takes the lead and gives direction in choosing one to take the place of Judas.  “And they drew lots,” and Matthias was chosen to be an apostle.  On the day of Pentecost about 3,000 were added to the body of Christ by Holy Spirit baptism (1 Cor. 12:13) and the local church in Jerusalem by water baptism (Acts 2:41).  Again the records show another 5,000 added (Acts 4:4).  The Scriptures tell us that “the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47).

11) Its Ordinances:

1. Baptism (baptize means to immerse).  The Lord commands the believer to be baptized.  This is the believer’s first opportunity to obey his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  In the early church no one ever questioned water baptism; they obeyed (Matt. 28:18-20 and Rom. 6:1-4). Baptism does not save.  It is a picture of you faith in His death, burial, and resurrection.  It is faith in Christ that saves (John 3:36) and the Ordinance of Baptism that identifies the believer with the risen Savior.
2. The Lords Supper.  There is no saving power in the Lords Supper.  It is a memorial.  The bread is symbolical of His broken body and the wine of His shed blood for the remission of our sins.  Baptism identifies the believer with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection;  and the Lords Supper is a memorial to be observed by the believer to “proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes” (1 Cor. 11:23-34)

12) The Church: It’s Discipline (Matt. 18:15-17) 15) “And if your brother sins, go and reprove him in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. 16) “But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed.  17) “And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as Gentile and a tax-gatherer.

1. This is the most difficult and necessary function of the local assembly and its importance cannot be exaggerated.  “Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough? Clean out the old leaven” (1 Cor. 5:6-7).  Leaven in the Scripture is always a type of evil.  The church is to clean out any evil in its membership.  The motive for disciplining a brother is love (1 John 4:7-11).  The goal is to restore him to fellowship with his Lord and the church.
2. “If you brother sins …”
3. The first step is to be taken by the one sinned against.  He is to go to his brother alone, not seeking revenge or self-justification, “if he listens to you, you have won a brother.”
4. If he does not repent, the second step is to take one or two believers and go to him again.
5. If he will not hear the two or three, the third step is taking it to the church.
6. A good example of church discipline is reported in Paul’s letters to the church at Corinth.  He used strong words calling upon the church to discipline a member for fornication.  He wrote, “Remove the wicked man from among yourselves” (1 Cor. 5:1-13). In his second letter to the Corinthian church we learn that the man repented and was restored to the fellowship of God’s people.  Now Paul writes, “forgive and comfort him … reaffirm your love for him” (2 Cor. 2:3-11).  The attitude of the church toward a repenting brother should always be that of forgiveness in love.

13) The Church: Its Worship and Work (Matt 28:16-20) 16) But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. 17) And when they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. 18) And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19) “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20) teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

1. First, the church: its worship.  “When they say Him they worshiped Him” (verse 17).  To worship is to bow down in awe; to pay divine honors to God in humble, reverent homage.  There are three essentials in worship, they are
   1. Faith, “the people believed … then they bowed low and worshiped” (Ex. 4:31).
   2. Spirit, “those who worship Him must worship in spirit (John 4:23-24) Spiritual worship is worship directed by the indwelling Holy Spirit (Phil. 3:3).
   3. Truth, “those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24).Jesus Christ is truth, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).  Therefore, there can be no pretense or hypocrisy in true worship.  The parable of the Pharisee and the publican illustrates true worship (Luke 18:9-14).  The publican worshiped in truth and he went home justified.  The Pharisee worshiped in religious pride and he went home rejected.
2. Second, the church: its work.  “For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you” (1 Thess. 1:8).  The church in Thessalonica did the work of the Lord so well that the apostles did not have to evangelize Macedonia and Achaia.  The church shared its faith with the lost and after all that is the main work of the church. This is how that, “this took place for two years … all who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks” (Acts 19:8-10).  All of Asia did not journey to Ephesus to hear Paul.  It is evident that the believers went everywhere sharing the gospel. The work of the church is to go with the gospel because:
   
   
   1. The church is commissioned to work (verses 18-20).
   2. The church is to work with Christ (2 Cor. 6:1), and the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:32).
   3. The church is to work with Christ in His field (the world) (Matt. 13:36-43); and Mark 16:15).
   4. The need for the church to work is great (John 4:35).
   5. The time for the church to work is now (2 Cor. 6:2).
   6. The church is to work until Jesus comes to judge the works of the saints (2 Cor. 5:10).
   7. The church will be rewarded for its works (1 Cor. 3:9-15).  God’s program for the local church is, come and worship, and go and work (witness) (Acts 8:1-4)
      
      
3. The Church: Its Power (Acts 1:8) “…but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
   
   

• On the day of Pentecost the church received power to evangelize the world.  When the hundred and twenty came down from the upper room, they came in the dynamics of the Holy Spirit.  It was a spiritual “repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21).  Some were empowered for special service, but all received power to witness.
• The real power of the church is not found in:

1. Modern buildings or unique methods of preaching and teaching.
2. Its great wealth or how that wealth is used.
3. The church’s prominence or popularity. The Laodicean church was the first bragging congregation, (Rev. 3:14-22) but not the last.
4. They said, “We are rich.”  God said they were poor.
5. They said, “We are wealthy.” God said they were wretched.
6. They said, “We do not need anything.” God said they need everything.
7. They said, “We are busy in the church.” God said they were miserable.
8. They said, “We have a vision.”  God said they were blind.
9. They said, “We are clothed in fine garments.” God said they were naked.
10. They said, “We are satisfied.” God said they make Him sick.

14) You can always recognize a Holy Spirit-powered church.  The evidence is obvious; they have power to:
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1. Evangelize: They share their faith with the lost and souls are saved.  Evangelism is the only way to make full proof of your ministry (2 Tim. 4:5).  When a church is not involved in winning souls, it grieves the Holy Spirit and is void of power…
2. Reproduce: Souls are born into the family of God by the “imperishable” seed which is the word of God (1 Pet. 1:23).  The Spirit-filled believer sows the seed; this is evangelism.  The Holy Spirit hovers over the seed, convicting and leading the lost to repentance.  This is the spiritual birth.
3. Change: people (Acts 2:37-41); places (Acts 5:28); and things (Matt. 17:20-21).
4. Turn the world upside down (Acts 17:6)

This is the power that filled the upper room congregation on the day of Pentecost.  That power is with the believer today in the person of the Holy Spirit.  He is the power of the church.

15) The Church: Its Future (1 Thess. 4:16-17) 16) for the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with a voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. 17) Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord.

The true Church of Jesus Christ has a glorious, victorious future in the world, in the air, in the kingdom and in eternity; it cannot fail.  “The gates of Hades shall not overpower it” (Matt. 16:18). The Church of Jesus Christ will emerge triumphant for, “we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us” (Rom.8:35-39). The church cannot fail because Christ is its Head, the Holy Spirit is its power, and the Word of God is its guide.

• The future of the church in the world.  At Pentecost the Holy Spirit set the course for the church as it journeys from the upper room to the Rapture. It is to:

1. Wage war (Eph. 6:10).
2. Run a race (Heb. 12:1-2)
3. Work in love (1 Cor. 3:9)

• The future of the church in the air. We shall be caught up.  Caught up:

1. In our imperishable, glorified bodies (1 Cor. 15:42-44)
2. To meet the Lord in the heavens and for the great majority of the church we will see Him in His resurrected body for the first time (1 John 3:2)
3. That our deeds may be judged at the judgment seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5:10). This is the bema judgment.
4. That we may be rewarded or suffer loss of reward (1 Cor 3:11-15)

• The future of the church in the kingdom.

1. The twelve apostles will sit on thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel (Matt. 19:28).
2. All who overcome the evils of Christendom (Laodicea) will sit with Christ on His Kingdom Throne (Rev. 3:21)
3. We shall reign with Him a thousand years (Rev. 20:4-6).

• The future of the church in eternity.  After the kingdom reign of one thousand years there will be “a new heaven and a new earth” Rev.21:1).  The earth will be restored to its original, created state (Gen 1:1 OT).  God’s earthly people Israel will inherit the new earth (Ex. 32:13 OT).

16) The church. His bride will remain in His presence forever.  If in His human form He is in the new heaven or the new earth, we will be with Him, to see Him, to serve Him, and to worship Him.  He will continue to bestow upon His bride the riches of His eternal grace (Eph. 2:6-7).  Even in our perfect, glorified bodies it will take eternity (time without end) to begin to comprehend the greatness of His grace.

PRAYER

Prayer is as old as man, as universal as religion is, and as instinctive as breathing (Gen. 4:26 OT). All men of all faiths practice it in some form. Prayer springs from the heart with a need – a need greater than man’s ability to encounter. Prayer is man’s acknowledgement of a being higher than he is.

Most men try to pray, yet so few know how. There are two kinds of prayers: the prayer that does not reach God and the prayer that does reach God. This is illustrated by our Lord in the parable of the Pharisee and the publican (Luke 18:9-14). Both men went to the same place, at the same time, for the same purpose – to pray.

The Pharisee prayed in his religious pride, expecting God to answer because he thought himself worthy. He informed God of his own goodness, that he was better than others were. He boasted of his good works. He said, “I fast; I gave.” This is the kind of prayer that does not reach God. It is self-righteous prayer.

Now look at the publican and his prayer. He came to God in great humility, conscious of his unworthiness, confessing himself a sinner, and begging for mercy. This is the kind of prayer that does reach God. This is righteous prayer.

It is a rare privilege to pray; because it brings you into close fellowship with God, admitting your need for Him and your utter dependence upon Him.

1) What is Prayer Keep Asking, Seeking, Knocking (Matt. 7:7-11) 7) “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8) “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks, finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9) “Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10) “Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11) “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will you Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

Prayer is asking and receiving; it is talking with God. It is making your request known to Him in faith. The above Scripture is so simple on the surface that we are in danger of failing to recognize its immensity. Our Lord instructs the believer to ask, see, and knock; because these three works cover the whole spectrum of prayer.

1. Prayer is asking and receiving. When you know the will of God regarding a need, whether it is material or spiritual, you can ask and receive. This is prayer according to the revealed will of God (1 John 5:14-15)
2. Prayer is seeking and finding. When you do not know the will of God regarding a need, whether it b e material or spiritual, then you are to seek His will in prayer concerning this need until you find it. This is prayer for knowledge of the unrevealed will of God in a specific need (Col. 3:1; also Jer. 29:12-13 OT)
3. Prayer is knocking and opening. When you know the will of God, and yet you find a closed door, you are to knock, and keep knocking until God opens the door. This is tenacious prayer – prayer for mountain-moving faith. Knocking prayer perseveres until the impossible becomes the possible this is miracle-working prayer (Matt 17:14-21). All things are possible when you ask, seek, and knock

2) Why Pray? The Parable of the Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1) Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to prayer and not lose heart.
Pray:

1. Because Jesus said, “Men always ought to pray” (above verse 1). Prayer is imperative. You are commanded to pray (Matt. 26:41).
2. Because prayer is the only way to get things from God.  “You do not have because you do not ask” (James 4:2).
3. Because there is joy in prayer (John 16:24)
4. Because prayer will save you out of all your troubles (Ps 34 OT).
5. Because prayer can unlock the treasure chest of God’s wisdom (James 1:5).
6. Because prayer is a channel of power (Jer. 33:3 OT).
7. Because it is a sin not to  pray (1 Sam. 12:33 OT)
8. Because sinners can be saved when they prayer in faith (Rom. 10:13-14).
9. Because Jesus, while here in the flesh, prayed often to the Father. Now if Jesus, the Son of God, needed to pray, then we should “pray without ceasing” (1 Thes. 5:17)

3) How to Pray (Matt. 6:9-13) 9) “In this manner, therefore, pray; 10) Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. 11) Give us this day or daily bread. 12) And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. 13) And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and glory forever. Amen.

“In this manner, therefore pray.” Our Lord gave this as a model prayer after one of His disciples said unto Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples” (Luke 11:1).

1. We are to pray to our Father in heaven” (verse 9), because He is all-wise, all-loving, and all-powerful. We are also instructed to pray in the name of Jesus (John 14:13-14) depending on the meditative influence of the Holy Spirit.
2. We are to pray for His will to be done in everything.
3. We are to pray for the coming of the Kingdom (Matt. 25:31-46).
4. We are to pray for our daily necessities.
5. We are to pray for forgiveness and are to practice forgiving others.
6. We are to pray for the leading of the Lord and for deliverance from evil.
7. We are to pray in faith, for “without faith it is impossible to please Him” (Heb. 11:5).

This model prayer is brief, to the point, and not repetitious. It is the perfect prayer.

4) Where to Pray Peter Freed from Prison (Acts 12:5) Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.

There was a remarkable change in the prayer life of the disciples after the resurrection of Jesus, and it is noted again after Pentecost. Before the death of Jesus, the disciples slept while Jesus prayed in the Garden (Matt. 26:36-46). But, after His death and resurrection:

1. They assembled in the upper room, waiting for the coming of the Holy Spirit and they prayed. We should always pray when assembled with believers (Acts 1:13-14)
2. They prayed as they went from house to house (Acts 2:42-47)
3. They prayed in the church when Peter was in prison (verses 5-19)
4. Paul and Silas prayed in prison (Acts 16:25). Here we see Christians praying in the presence of unbelievers, but not to be heard of them. Never pray to please others present; pray only to please God.
5. The most important place to pray is any place where you can be alone with God (Matt. 6:6)
6. We are instructed to pray in all places at all times (1 Tim. 2:8).

It is great joy to be able to talk with God, any time, any place, under any condition, and to know that He will hear and answer.

5) Hindrances to Prayer A Word to Husbands (1 Peter 3:7) Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.

When prayers are not answered, you should examine yourself in the light of God’s Word. If you find anything not pleasing to God, confess it, believing God for forgiveness that you prayers may be answered (1 John 1:9)

1. An inharmonious relationship between husband and wife will hinder prayer (verses 1-7).
2. Selfishness will hinder prayer (James 4:3).
3. An unforgiving spirit will hinder prayer (Matt. 5:22-24). Many Christians go without answers to prayer because they have wronged others, or have been wronged and have failed to humble themselves and seek reconciliation.
4. Unbelief will hinder prayer (James 1:6-7 and Heb. 11:6)
5. Known sin in the heart will hinder prayer (Is. 59:2 OT also Ps. 66:18 OT).

When you pray, go to God in all humility. Ask Him to reveal anything in your life that is not pleasing to Him. Then judge it; confess it, calling it by name and forsake it. Pray in all simplicity and earnestness, believing, and God will hear and answer.

6) Does God Answer All Prayers? (John 15:7) ”If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

The Bible is filled with answered prayers from Genesis to Revelation. You are command to pray, and God has promised to answer (Jer. 33:3 OT). In the above Scripture, there are two requirements for answers to prayer. First you are to abide in Him; that is, to continue in Him. It means to remain in His perfect will at all cost (Rom. 12:1-2). Second, His words are to abide in you; they are to become a vital part of you life. You are to be filled with and guided by His words (Col. 3:16-17). Meet these two requirements, and your prayers will be answered.

1. ​The answer is sometimes immediate. Peter walked on the water to go to Jesus, and as he began to sink, he prayed, “Lord, save me!” The answer was immediate (Matt. 14:22-31)
2. The answer is sometimes delayed. The delay is according to His will (Rom. 8:28). The resurrection of Lazarus is a good example of delayed answer to prayer. Lazarus was sick. Mary and Martha sent for Jesus to come and heal him. But Jesus delayed coming until Lazarus was dead and in the tomb for four days. Then He came and raised Lazarus for the dead. The answer was delayed – but not denied (John 11:1-44).
3. The answer is sometimes “no.” When God answers with a “no,” He always accompanies the answer with peace (Phil. 4:6-7) and grace (2 Cor. 12:7-10).
4. The answer is sometimes different from what you expect. You pray for perseverance and God sends tribulation – because “tribulation produces perseverance” (Rom. 5:3). God answers all your prayers – not according to your wishes, but according to His perfect will.