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Thursday, July 31, 2008

Bible Questions Answered: Rapture-Word Origin

Bible Questions Answered:
Where are the scriptures concerning the rapture, and I see this word is “Not” in the bible.
Harry / Walsall, U.K.

Bible Answers;

Rapture Scriptures:

I Corinthians 15:50-58 NLB
50 What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever.
51 But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed!
52 It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed.
53 For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.
54 Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled:

"Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?"

56 For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power.
57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.


I Thessalonians 4:13-18 NLB
13 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope.
14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with Him the believers who have died.
15 We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet Him ahead of those who have died.
16 For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves.
17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.
18 So encourage each other with these words.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The word “Rapture,” does not appear in the KJV Bible.
The word “Rapto: “Caught up,” “Snatched away,” is found in (I Thessalonians 4:17) in the Latin Vulgate Translation.
The Vulgate (Latin) Bible was prepared by St. Jerome (Monk, and church scholar), of the 4th century.
The Vulgate was the “Official Bible,” of the Roman Catholic Church.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Are you “saved?”

John 3:16,17 KJV
[16] For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
[17] For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.

Do you know the Lord, is He your Saviour?
See The Bible Prayer Line: Index: Bible Lessons: Salvation Prayer

The Rapture is the “Secret-Catching-Away,” of the blood bought, Bride of Christ.
This could take place before you take your next breath.

Isaiah 55:6 KJV Seek ye the LORD while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near:”

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Bible Questions Answered: Pearls Before Swine

Bible Questions Answered:
As Christians, are there some people, who we should not speak to?
Mary/ Appleton, Wisconsin

Bible Answers:
Yes, our Lord taught us the following....

Matthew 7:6 KJV
[6] Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

Dogs:
Philippians 3:2,3 NLB
2 Watch out for those dogs, those people who do evil, those mutilators who say you must be circumcised to be saved.
3 For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort

Swine:
II Peter 2:22 KJV
[22] But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

Matthew 12:22-32 KJV
[22] Then was brought unto Him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and He healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.
[23] And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the Son of David?
[24] But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.
[25] And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:
[26] And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?
[27] And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.
[28] But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
[29] Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.
[30] He that is not with Me is against Me; and he that gathereth not with Me scattereth abroad.
[31] Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
[32] And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

There are some who have heard the Word of God, and reject it.
They reject it, because they refuse to live for the one who gave it.
To share the Holy things of God with these, is to only see them trampled the precious things of God, like dogs, or swine.

Those who blaspheme the words of God, oft are those who have heard it and rejected it.

Matthew 4:3 KJV
...the tempter came to Him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, ...”

Matthew 4:6 KJV
“...And saith unto Him, If thou be the Son of God,...”

Matthew 7:21-23 KJV
[21] Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
[22] Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
[23] And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Bible Questions Answered: Generation-Shall Not Pass

Bible Questions Answered:
Can you tell us what Matthew 24:34 is talking about?
Helen / Coventry, U.K.

Bible Answers:

Matthew 24:32-34 KJV
[32] Now learn a parable of the fig tree (Israeli Nation); When his branch is yet tender (Israel became a nation 1948), and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
[33] So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
[34] Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

The word for “generation,” is the Greek word, “Genea: Breed, stock,kind, race, family.”

Or Lord was referring to one of two things.

1)
The Jewish Nation, which would endure all things until Christ's Second Advent.

For example::
Destruction of Jerusalem under Roman Emperor Titus (70 A.D.).
Dispersion
WWII
WWIII (Enemy from the north, Ezekiel 38/39)
Great Tribulation
Second Advent

2)
Or our Lord was referring to His Bride, the blood bought Church of Jesus Christ, the generation of believers that saw the budding of the “Fig Tree.”

From that date to this, some sixty years.

This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

Signs of these last days described in Matthew 24;
vs. 4 Deception
vs. 6 Wars and rumors of wars
vs 7 Famines, Pestilences, and earthquakes
vs 9 Religious and Ethnic Persecution
vs 10 Offense and Betrayal
vs 11 False Prophets
vs 12 Iniquity abounding, love declining
vs 14 Gospel preached in all the world.

Luke 21:28 KJV
And when these things
begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

Prayer Request: Frederick

Prayer Requests:

Frederick is a 56 years old man, from Oklahoma, he writes saying; please pray for me, I believe that God is calling me to the pastorate. Please pray that the Lord, will show me where in Oklahoma, to hold meetings, and that He will bless my work there.

Frederick is a baptized in the Holy Spirit, Christian, who believes that the coming of the Lord, is very, very near.

Thank you for praying for Him.

Isaiah 30:21 KJV "And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left."

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Bible Questions Answered: Evil Spirits

Bible Questions Answered:
What is the power of the air, mentioned by Paul?
Lenny / Ottawa, Illinois

Bible Answers:
The scripture to which you refer is...

Ephesians 2:2 KJV “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:”

The Apostle further defined these powers in...

Ephesians 6:10-12 KJV
[10] Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.
[11] Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
[12] For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against...
principalities, against
powers, against
the rulers of the darkness of this world, against
spiritual wickedness in high places.

Ephesians 1:17-23 KJV
[17] That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him:
[18] The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
[19] And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to usward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power,
[20] Which He wrought in Christ, when He raised him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places,
[21] Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
[22] And hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church,
[23] Which is His body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all.

Colossians 1:16 KJV
[16] For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him:
[17] And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.

Colossians 2:13-15 KJV
[13] And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
[14] Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross (the Lord Jesus Christ);
[15] And having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

I Timothy 4:1 KJV
[1] Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

II Corinthians 11:12-15 NLB
12 But I will continue doing what I have always done. This will undercut those who are looking for an opportunity to boast that their work is just like ours.
13 These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ.
14 But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
15 So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness.
In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.

If we but had spiritual eyes to see, we would see that there are principalities and powers of evil spirits in the atmosphere around planet earth, the Word of God says so.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against...
principalities, against
powers, against
the rulers of the darkness of this world, against
spiritual wickedness in high places. (the prince of the power of the air)
Ephesians 6:12 KJV

I John 4:1-3 KJV
[1] Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
[2] Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
[3] And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

Luke 10:19,20 KJV
[19] Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
[20] Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Bible Questions Answered: Covetousness

Bible Questions Answered:
Corinthians says we are to seek another mans wealth, I thought we were not to covet our neighbors things?
Shelia/ Seoul, South Korea

Bible Answers:
The scripture to which you refer is, the Apostle Paul's words to the Corinthians...

I Corinthians 10:24 KJV
Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.

The Apostle Paul, began from chapter 8:1-the 10th chapter, admonishing believers to “Give no occasion of stumbling either to Jews or to Greeks or to the Church of God:..”

No the Apostle, hardly condoned breaking the tenth commandment of covetousness.

This is a poor translation, on an original text, see how it is translated elsewhere...

I Corinthians 10:24 NLB
Don't be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.

I Corinthians 10:24 NEB
Do not seek your own good, but the good of the other person.

I Corinthians 10:24 NASB
Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor.

I Corinthians 10:24 RSV
Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Bible Questions Answered: Believe-Cannot

Bible Questions Answered:
I have a friend, spent years in a church, and yet who says he cannot believe, so then what?
Carol/ Springfield, Illinois

Bible Answers:
Is it possible for a people to no longer be able to believe?
Yes.

Oh, how careful we must be in our daily lives, receiving and applying the Word of God, in all we do.

To be a hearer only, and not a doer of the Word, makes us a Rejector of the Word, and lost.

The scripture that best describes this situation is....

John 12:37-41 NLB
37 But despite all the miraculous signs Jesus had done, most of the people still did not believe in Him.
38 This is exactly what Isaiah the prophet had predicted:
"LORD, who has believed our message?
To whom has the LORD revealed His powerful arm?"
39 But the people couldn't believe, for as Isaiah also said,
40 "The Lord has blinded their eyes
and hardened their hearts—
so that their eyes cannot see,
and their hearts cannot understand,
and they cannot turn to Me
and have Me heal them."

41 Isaiah was referring to Jesus when he said this, because he saw the future and spoke of the Messiah's glory.

This is yet future, but its principle, has been at work since the days of Christ.

II Thessalonians 2:10-12 NLB
9 This man (the coming Anti-Christ; world leader) will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles.
10 He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them.
11 So God will cause them to be greatly deceived, and they will believe these lies.

12 Then they will be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing the truth.

Other Scriptures:

Isaiah 63:10 KJV
[10] But they rebelled, and vexed His holy Spirit: therefore He was turned to be their enemy, and He fought against them.

Matthew 12:22-32 KJV
[22] Then was brought unto Him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and He healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.
[23] And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?
[24] But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.
[25] And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:
[26] And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?
[27] And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.
[28] But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
[29] Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.
[30] He that is not with Me is against Me; and he that gathereth not with Me scattereth abroad.
[31] Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
[32] And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

Ephesians 4:30 KJV
[30] And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

I Thessalonians 5:19 KJV
[19] Quench not the Spirit.

Hebrews 10:28-31 KJV
[28] He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
[29] Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of Grace?
[30] For we know Him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto Me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge His people.
[31] It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

I John 5:17 NLB
16 If you see a Christian brother or sister sinning in a way that does not lead to death, you should pray, and God will give that person life. But there is a sin that leads to death, and I am not saying you should pray for those who commit it.

Genesis 6:3 KJV
[3] And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man,...”

Hebrew 3:15 KJV
[15] “...To day if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts...”

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Bible Questions Answered: Water And Spirit

Bible Questions Answered:
What does John mean, born of water and Spirit?
Henry J. / Castle Rock, Colorado

Bible Answers:
The scripture to which you refer is....

John 3:5 KJV
[5] Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Water Baptism is “not,” the water spoken of here!
Water Baptism is our duty, but in no wise, does it grant Salvation!

I Peter 3:21 KJV
[21] The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

I Peter 3:21 NETB
3:20....God patiently waited in the days of Noah as an ark was being constructed. In the ark a few, that is eight souls, were delivered through water.
3:21 And this prefigured baptism, which now saves you not the washing off of physical dirt but the pledge of a good conscience to God – through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

Romans 10:8,9 KJV (The Pledge)
[8] But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
[9] That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Ephesians 2:8,9 KJV
[8] For by grace (Acronym: God's Riches At Christ's Expense) are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
[9] Not of works (religious or otherwise), lest any man should boast.

Isaiah 64:6 KJV
6] But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

John 1:12,13 KJV
[12] But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name:
[13] Which were born, not of blood (Earthly Nobility), nor of the will of the flesh (Earthly Inclinations), nor of the will of man ( Human resources, religious or otherwise), but of God.


Well if our Lord is not talking about baptism, and He is not, what is He talking about?
Water in scripture is often referred to as the Word of God.

The Spirit of God uses the Word, to lead one to the Lord Jesus, and the New Birth.

John 7:37-39 KJV
[37] In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst (spiritual thirst for the living water of His word), let him come unto me, and drink.
[38] He that believeth on Me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
[39] (But this spake He of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive:...”

Matthew 4:4 KJV
[4] But He answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.


Ezekiel 36:25-27 KJV
[25] Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
[26] A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
[27] And I will put My spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them.

Titus 3:4-7 NLB
4 But—"When God our Savior revealed His kindness and love,
5 He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.
He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.
6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.
7 Because of His grace He declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life."

James 1:18 KJV
[18] Of His own will begat He us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

I Peter 1:22,23 KJV
[22] Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
[23] Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

Ephesians 5:25,26 KJV
[25] Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it;
[26] That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

John 3:5 KJV
[5] Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water (The Word of God,) and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Friday, July 18, 2008

Bible Questions Answered: Wealth-God's?

Bible Questions Answered:
All the wealth, does it belong to God or to Satan?
Arnold P./ Sanford, Florida

Bible Answers:

Deuteronomy 10:14 KJV
[14] Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD's thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is.

Job 41:11 KJV
[11] ...whatsoever is under the whole heaven is Mine.

Psalm 24:1 KJV
[1] The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

Psalm 50:10-12 KJV
[10] For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.
[11] I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are Mine.
[12] If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is Mine, and the fulness thereof.

All of creation is the Lord's!
That being so, and yet James writes....

James 2:5 KJV
[5] Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He hath promised to them that love Him?

Often times wealth is more of a curse than a blessing.
The poorest sinner with Christ in his heart is wealthy beyond measure.
While the wealthiest millionaire, is bankrupt, who knows not the Lord.

Matthew 16:24-26 KJV
[24] Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
[25] For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it.
[26] For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Bible Questions Answered:Church vs. Tribulation

Bible Questions Answered:
I see that Paul mentions the trump of God, and so does John, this proves that the church goes into the tribulation!
(see scriptures 1 Corinthians 15:51, 52 and Revelation 11:15.)

John K./ Riverton, Utah

Bible Answers:

I Corinthians 15:51,52 KJV
[51] Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
[52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Revelation 11:15 KJV
[15] And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

I Corinthians 15:51-58 and I Thessalonians 4:13-18, have to do with the rapture of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, His Bride, (Prior to the Tribulation).

The scripture Revelation 11:15 is the last trumpet judgment sounded at the end of the Tribulation Period.

Now the Church of Jesus Christ, does “Not,” go into or through the Tribulation.

The Church is addressed in Revelation 1-3, but is not seen again in the book of Revelation until chapter 22:17 where we read “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”

The Apostle Paul speaking to the Thessalonian believers specifically stated...

II Thessalonians 2:1-12 NLB
1 Now, dear brothers and sisters, let us clarify some things about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we will be gathered to meet Him.
2 Don't be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Don't believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us.
3 Don't be fooled by what they say. For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness (Anti-Christ) is revealed—the one who brings destruction.
4 He will exalt himself and defy everything that people call god and every object of worship. He will even sit in the temple of God, claiming that he himself is God.
5 Don't you remember that I told you about all this when I was with you?
6 And you know what (Who-God the Holy Spirit) is holding him (the Anti-Christ) back, for he can be revealed only when his time comes.
7 For this lawlessness is already at work secretly, and it will remain secret until the one (God the Holy Spirit) who is holding it (the Anti-Christ) back steps out of the way.(The Rapture Of The Church Of Jesus Christ)
8 Then the man of lawlessness will be revealed, but the Lord Jesus will kill him with the breath of His mouth and destroy him by the splendor of His coming.
9 This man will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles.
10 He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them.
11 So God will cause them to be greatly deceived, and they will believe these lies.
12 Then they will be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing the truth.

The Anti-Christ, and his work cannot begin, until the Church has been raptured to heaven.

Other scriptures that say the same thing.

I Thessalonians 1:9,10 NLT
8 And now the word of the Lord is ringing out from you to people everywhere, even beyond Macedonia and Achaia, for wherever we go we find people telling us about your faith in God. We don't need to tell them about it,
9 for they keep talking about the wonderful welcome you gave us and how you turned away from idols to serve the living and true God.
10 And they speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God's Son from heaven—Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. He is the one who has rescued us from the terrors of the coming judgment.

The Coming Saviour, will rescue us from the terrors of coming judgment!

I Thessalonians 5:9,10 KJV
[9] For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
[10] Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.

God has “Not,” appointed the Church of Jesus Christ, to “Wrath-the tribulation,” but to Salvation by our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ!

Revelation 15:1 KJV
[1] And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.

Revelation 16:1 KJV
[1] And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.

Luke 21:34-36 KJV
[34] And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
[35] For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.(the secret catching away of Christ's Bride, and the revelation of the coming world ruler, the Anti-Christ.)
[36] Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

The Church of Jesus Christ, “Escapes-the Tribulation!”

Revelation 3:10 NLT
10 "Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world

Amen

Monday, July 14, 2008

Bible Questions Answered: Peter,James, And John-No Death?

Bible Questions Answered:
In Matthew 16:28 Jesus said that some of His disciples, would not taste death till the Lord would come. So, are these men alive on earth yet today, seeing how the Lord has not come yet?
Bobby R./ Okayama, Japan

Bible Answers:

Matthew 16:28-17:1-8 KJV
[28] Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in His kingdom.

Matt.17:1-8

[1] And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
[2] And was transfigured before them: and His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light.
[3] And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with Him.
[4] Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
[5] While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him.
[6] And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.
[7] And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.
[8] And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.

And also.....

John 21:17-23 KJV

[17] He (the Lord Jesus) saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
[18] Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.
[19] This spake He, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He saith unto him, Follow Me.
[20] Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved (the Disciple John) following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?
[21] Peter seeing him (John) saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?
[22] Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.
[23] Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?


It is unfortunate, that Bible translators when making chapter divisions did not make Matthew 16:28 as Matthew 17:1. If this were the case, as it should be, these verses in Matthew, would be, so easily understood.

Christ was speaking of His soon, coming Transfiguration.
Christ's Transfiguration, was seeing Him (in a foretaste of His) coming into His Kingdom.

And again, it is also true of Christ's Glorification, after His Resurrection, after His death.

Concerning Christ's Transfiguration, Peter, James, and John (the Sons of Thunder), saw for one moment the glory of the pre-incarnate Christ.

His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white and glistening.

Without any doubt, this was again the site John saw later while on the island of Patmos.

Revelation 1:12-18 NLB

12 When I turned to see who was speaking to me, I saw seven gold lampstands.

13 And standing in the middle of the lampstands was someone like the Son of Man. He was wearing a long robe with a gold sash across His chest.

14 His head and His hair were white like wool, as white as snow. And His eyes were like flames of fire.

15 His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and His voice thundered like mighty ocean waves.

16 He held seven stars in His right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came from His mouth. And His face was like the sun in all its brilliance.

17 When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as if I were dead. But He laid His right hand on me and said, "Don't be afraid! I am the First and the Last.

18 I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.

Peter, later wrote saying.....

II Peter 1:15-18 KJV

[15] Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.
[16] For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.
[17] For He received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to Him from the excellent glory, This is My Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
[18] And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with Him in the holy mount.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

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Saturday, July 12, 2008

Bible Questions Answered: Job's Prophecy

Bible Questions Answered:
I read that Job knew prophetic truth, what truth?
Andrew S./ Glasgow, Scotland UK

Bible Answers:
The scripture to which you refer is....

Job 19:25-27 KJV
[25] For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
[26] And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
[27] Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

Job professed a belief that

  • He believed that his REDEEMER was alive, and that one day He would vindicate, and restore, him.

  • He believed that his REDEEMER would one day come and stand upon the earth.

  • He believed in RESURRECTION, that although his body would one day die and decay, yet one day in his flesh, he would see God.

Job was a man of faith!

Now it may be true as it was with the prophets, that not all was understood, yet that the inspirational words from the Lord, were believed, and that without doubt!

I Peter 1:8-12 NLB
8 You love Him (the Lord Jesus Christ) even though you have never seen Him. Though you do not see Him now, you trust Him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.
9 The reward for trusting Him will be the salvation of your souls.
10 This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you.
11 They wondered what time or situation the Spirit of Christ within them was talking about when He told them in advance about Christ's suffering and His great glory afterward.
12 They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you. And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen.

II Peter 1:21 KJV
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

A Great Day, soon coming for all blood bought Children of God!

I Corinthians 15:51-58 NASB
51.Behold, I tell you a mystery ; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed,
52.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 will be
changed.
53.For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54.But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is
written, "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory.

55."O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY ? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING ?"
56.The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law ;
57.but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58.Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.

I Thessalonians 4:13-18 NASB
13.But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.
14.For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.
15.For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.
16.For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
17.Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.
18.Therefore comfort one another with these words

Friday, July 11, 2008

Bible Questions Answered: Angels Beholding The Face Of God

Bible Questions Answered:
What is meant that angels always behold the face of God?
Helen L./ Gainesville, Florida

Bible Answers:
The scripture to which you refer is....

Matthew 18:10 KJV
Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of My Father which is in heaven.”

Our Lord, stated that these angels, are always in a state of readiness, to do the will of God in heaven.

This idea is expressed else where in scripture:

I Kings 1:20 KJV
And thou, my lord, O king, the eyes of all Israel are upon thee, that thou shouldest tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.”

I Kings 1:20 NLB
And now, my lord the king, all Israel is waiting for you to announce who will become king after you.”

And again in....

Psalm 123:2 KJV
Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us.

Psalm 123:2 NLB
We keep looking to the LORD our God for His mercy,
just as servants keep their eyes on their master,
as a slave girl watches her mistress for the slightest signal.”

The Apostle Paul reminds us....

Hebrews 1:14 KJV
Are they not all ministering spirits(Angels), sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?”

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Bible Questions Answered: Last Supper-Why Called

Bible Questions Answered:
Can you please tell me why the “Eucharist,” is also called the “Last Supper?”
Benton H./ Durban, South Africa

Bible Answers:
The answer is the following, it was the last of our Lord's

  • Public Ministry (John 19:30 “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said, It is finished: and He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost.”

  • Nazarite Vow (it was the end of His Nazarite Vow.)

The Lord Jesus Christ was a Nazarene, having grown up in the town of Nazareth.
Peculiar to Nazareth, was the “Nazareth Vow.”

The Nazareth Vow, was a vow of an individual to separate themselves unto the Lord.
It may have been for a set time, or a vow for life.

Three acts of separation are mentioned, of the Nazarite Vow.

Numbers 6:1-8; 13-15 KJV
[1] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
[2] Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When either man or woman shall separate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazarite, to separate themselves unto the LORD:

A)
[3] He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink, and shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried.
[4] All the days of his separation shall he eat nothing that is made of the vine tree, from the kernels even to the husk.

B)
[5] All the days of the vow of his separation there shall no rasor come upon his head: until the days be fulfilled, in the which he separateth himself unto the LORD, he shall be holy, and shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow.

C)
[6] All the days that he separateth himself unto the LORD he shall come at no dead body.
[7] He shall not make himself unclean for his father, or for his mother, for his brother, or for his sister, when they die: because the consecration of his God is upon his head.
[8] All the days of his separation he is holy unto the LORD.


[13] And this is the law of the Nazarite, when the days of his separation are fulfilled: he shall be brought unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation:
[14] And he shall offer his offering unto the LORD, one he lamb of the first year without blemish for a burnt offering, and one ewe lamb of the first year without blemish for a sin offering, and one ram without blemish for peace offerings,

(Our Lord became the burnt, sin, and peace offerings for us, at Calvary.)

[15] And a basket of unleavened bread, cakes of fine flour mingled with oil, and wafers of unleavened bread anointed with oil, and their meat offering, and their drink offerings.

(The bread and wine were given at the last supper, emblems that would represent His shed blood and broken body.)

The Nazarite Vow is reminiscent of the consecration of High Priests, which Jesus Christ is.

Hebrews 4:14-16 KJV
[14] Seeing then that we have a great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
[15] For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
[16] Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Leviticus 21:10-12 KJV
[10] And he that is the high priest among his brethren, upon whose head the anointing oil was poured, and that is consecrated to put on the garments, shall not uncover his head, nor rend his clothes;
[11] Neither shall he go in to any dead body, nor defile himself for his father, or for his mother;
[12] Neither shall he go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God; for the crown of the anointing oil of his God is upon him: I am the LORD.

Wine:

In John chapter 2:1-11 we find the story of the wedding of Cana.
When they had run out of wine, Mary told the Lord....

John 2:3 “...They have no wine.”

Christ's reply was...verse 4
“Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.”

Mary had intended that He help them.
But Christ, insisted that the hour ....”the hour of ending His Nazarite Vow, had not yet come.”
And because it hadn't, He wanted nothing to do with grapes or wine.

The Pharisee's had called the Lord a “Winebibber.”

But, Jesus was not a “winebibber (Matthew 11:18,19).”

[18] For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.
[19] The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.

When some one does not wish to believe, or to repent of their sins, nothing can convince them!
The Pharisees, were just such people, their religion was only open show, with no inward presence.

They condemned John the Baptist, because he “came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.”

Christ came as an ordinary man, eating and drinking, the opposite of John and would the Pharisees be pleased?

[19] The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.

Long Hair:

Contrary to some of todays “contemporary artists,” the Lord Jesus Christ, did not have short hair, or look like some kind of modern day hippie!

How well, we would do, if only, we would study the word to see if those things are so.

Like Samson of old (and Samuel), no razor had come upon his head.

Our Lord, never, true to His vow, had His hair cut.

This was also true of Christ's beard.

Isaiah 50:6I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.”


Could not touch a dead body:

Of the miracles of Jesus, three distinct times, He raised some one from the dead.

Widows only son Luke 7:11-16
Daughter of Jairus (Ruler of the Synagogue) Luke 8:41,42,49-56
Lazarus John 11:32-44

When Jesus spoke the word, or touched them, they were alive!

Isaiah 8:20 KJV
To the law and to the testimony (of the power of God): if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”

Matthew 17:1-8 KJV
[1] And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
[2] And was transfigured before them: and His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light.
[3] And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with Him.
[4] Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
[5] While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him.
[6] And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.
[7] And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.
[8] And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.


Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Bible Questions Answered: Unjust Steward

Bible Questions Answered:
Why did the Lord praise the unjust steward, when he was basically crooked?
Sarah -/ Tehran, Iran

Bible Answers:
The scripture to which you refer is...

Luke 16;1-8 NLT
1 Jesus told this story to His disciples: "There was a certain rich man who had a manager handling his affairs. One day a report came that the manager was wasting his employer's money.
2 So the employer called him in and said, 'What's this I hear about you? Get your report in order, because you are going to be fired.'
3 "The manager thought to himself, 'Now what? My boss has fired me. I don't have the strength to dig ditches, and I'm too proud to beg.
4 Ah, I know how to ensure that I'll have plenty of friends who will give me a home when I am fired.'
5 "So he invited each person who owed money to his employer to come and discuss the situation. He asked the first one, 'How much do you owe him?'
6 The man replied, 'I owe him 800 gallons of olive oil.' So the manager told him, 'Take the bill and quickly change it to 400 gallons.
7 "'And how much do you owe my employer?' he asked the next man. 'I owe him 1,000 bushels of wheat,' was the reply. 'Here,' the manager said, 'take the bill and change it to 800 bushels.
8 "
The rich man had to admire the dishonest rascal for being so shrewd. And it is true that the children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with the world around them than are the children of the light.
9 Here's the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your earthly possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home.


On closer scrutiny, you will notice, that it was not the Messiah, who commended the manager, but his rich employer!

More than likely you are reading the KJV.

Luke 16:3 KJV
Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed.

Notice that the “l” in “lord,” is not capitalized, and it is not because it refers the the manager's employer “the rich man,” and not to Jesus Christ, who is merely relating the story.

The rich man praised his manager because he acted so “shrewdly” (vs. 8).

Now our Lord told us this story for a reason. And that reason is, we to0, should be shrewd- i.e. wise for the “kingdom of God!”

Well how can we be?

By following the example of the unjust manager, ...

vs. 9
Here's the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your earthly possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home.”

As Christians, we are to use our resources to build the “Kingdom of God.”
Using our money to witness to the lost, who do not know the Saviour.

First, we must be faithful to our church!

Then, we are to help those in need wherever they may be, and do it in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour.

One day when it comes our time to go home to be with the Lord, we will find many there to great us, who we have sent on ahead, through our love and giving!

Saturday, July 5, 2008

Bible Questions Answered: Daniel's 70 Weeks

Bible Questions Answered:
Rev. Could you shed some light on the seventy weeks.
Bernard G. / Brooklyn, New York

Bible Answers:
The scripture to which you refer is.....

Daniel 9:1-27 NASB
1.In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of Median descent, who was made king over the kingdom of the Chaldeans -
2.in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, observed in the books the number of the years which was revealed as the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet for the completion of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years.
3.So I gave my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth and ashes.
4.I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed and said, "Alas, O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments,
5.we have sinned, committed iniquity, acted wickedly and rebelled, even turning aside from Your commandments and ordinances.
6."Moreover, we have not listened to Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your name to our kings, our princes, our fathers and all the people of the land.
7."Righteousness belongs to You, O Lord, but to us open shame, as it is this day -to the men of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, those who are nearby and those who are far away in all the countries to which You have driven them, because of their unfaithful deeds which they have committed against You.
8."Open shame belongs to us, O Lord, to our kings, our princes and our fathers, because we have sinned against You.
9."To the Lord our God belong compassion and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against Him;
10.nor have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in His teachings which He set before us through His servants the prophets.
11."Indeed all Israel has transgressed Your law and turned aside, not obeying Your voice ; so the curse has been poured out on us, along with the oath which is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, for we have sinned against Him.
12."Thus He has confirmed His words which He had spoken against us and against our rulers who ruled us, to bring on us great calamity ; for under the whole heaven there has not been done anything like what was done to Jerusalem.
13."As it is written in the law of Moses, all this calamity has come on us; yet we have not sought the favor of the LORD our God by turning from our iniquity and giving attention to Your truth.
14."Therefore the LORD has kept the calamity in store and brought it on us; for the LORD our God is righteous with respect to all His deeds which He has done, but we have not obeyed His voice.
15."And now, O Lord our God, who have brought Your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand and have made a name for Yourself, as it is this day -we have sinned, we have been wicked.
16."O Lord, in accordance with all Your righteous acts, let now Your anger and Your wrath turn away from Your city Jerusalem, Your holy mountain ; for because of our sins and the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and Your people have become a reproach to all those around us.
17."So now, our God, listen to the prayer of Your servant and to his supplications, and for Your sake, O Lord, let Your face shine on Your desolate sanctuary.
18."O my God, incline Your ear and hear ! Open Your eyes and see our desolations and the city which is called by Your name ; for we are not presenting our supplications before You on account of any merits of our own, but on account of Your great compassion.
19."O Lord, hear ! O Lord, forgive ! O Lord, listen and take action ! For Your own sake, O my God, do not delay, because Your city and Your people are called by Your name."

Gabriel Brings an Answer

20.Now while I was speaking and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God in behalf of the holy mountain of my God,
21.while I was still speaking in prayer, then the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision previously, came to me in my extreme weariness about the time of the evening offering.
22.He gave me instruction and talked with me and said, "O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you insight with understanding.
23."At the beginning of your supplications the command was issued, and I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed ; so give heed to the message and gain understanding of the vision.

Seventy Weeks and the Messiah

24."Seventy weeks (A week consisting of 7 years, not days: thus 490 years) have been decreed for your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy place.
25."So you are to know and discern that from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince there will be seven weeks (49 years) and sixty-two weeks (434 years; 49 + 434= 483 years) ; it will be built again, with plaza and moat, even in times of distress.
26."Then after the sixty-two weeks (434 years) the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. And its end will come with a flood ; even to the end there will be war ; desolations are determined.
27."And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week (7 years), but in the middle of the week ( 3 ½ years) he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering ; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate."


Daniel 9:1-27 NLB

Daniel's Prayer for His People

1 It was the first year of the reign of Darius the Mede, the son of Ahasuerus, who became king of the Babylonians.
2 During the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, learned from reading the word of the LORD, as revealed to Jeremiah the prophet, that Jerusalem must lie desolate for seventy years.
3 So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with Him in prayer and fasting. I also wore rough burlap and sprinkled myself with ashes.
4 I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed:
"O Lord, you are a great and awesome God! You always fulfill your covenant and keep your promises of unfailing love to those who love you and obey your commands.
5 But we have sinned and done wrong. We have rebelled against you and scorned your commands and regulations.
6 We have refused to listen to your servants the prophets, who spoke on your authority to our kings and princes and ancestors and to all the people of the land.
7 "Lord, you are in the right; but as you see, our faces are covered with shame. This is true of all of us, including the people of Judah and Jerusalem and all Israel, scattered near and far, wherever you have driven us because of our disloyalty to you.
8 O LORD, we and our kings, princes, and ancestors are covered with shame because we have sinned against you.
9 But the Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against Him.
10 We have not obeyed the LORD our God, for we have not followed the instructions He gave us through His servants the prophets.
11 All Israel has disobeyed your instruction and turned away, refusing to listen to your voice.
"So now the solemn curses and judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured down on us because of our sin.
12 You have kept your word and done to us and our rulers exactly as you warned. Never has there been such a disaster as happened in Jerusalem.
13 Every curse written against us in the Law of Moses has come true. Yet we have refused to seek mercy from the LORD our God by turning from our sins and recognizing his truth.
14 Therefore, the LORD has brought upon us the disaster He prepared. The LORD our God was right to do all of these things, for we did not obey Him.
15 "O Lord our God, you brought lasting honor to your name by rescuing your people from Egypt in a great display of power. But we have sinned and are full of wickedness.
16 In view of all your faithful mercies, Lord, please turn your furious anger away from your city Jerusalem, your holy mountain. All the neighboring nations mock Jerusalem and your people because of our sins and the sins of our ancestors.
17 "O our God, hear your servant's prayer! Listen as I plead. For your own sake, Lord, smile again on your desolate sanctuary.
18 "O my God, lean down and listen to me. Open your eyes and see our despair. See how your city—the city that bears your name—lies in ruins. We make this plea, not because we deserve help, but because of your mercy.
19 "O Lord, hear. O Lord, forgive. O Lord, listen and act! For your own sake, do not delay, O my God, for your people and your city bear your name."

Gabriel's Message about the Anointed One

20 I went on praying and confessing my sin and the sin of my people, pleading with the LORD my God for Jerusalem, His holy mountain.
21 As I was praying, Gabriel, whom I had seen in the earlier vision, came swiftly to me at the time of the evening sacrifice.
22 He explained to me, "Daniel, I have come here to give you insight and understanding.
23 The moment you began praying, a command was given. And now I am here to tell you what it was, for you are very precious to God. Listen carefully so that you can understand the meaning of your vision.
24 "A period of seventy sets of seven (70 weeks/ a week being 7 years, not days: and thus 490 years) has been decreed for your people and your holy city to finish their rebellion, to put an end to their sin, to atone for their guilt, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to confirm the prophetic vision, and to anoint the Most Holy Place.
25 Now listen and understand! Seven sets of seven (49 years) plus sixty-two sets of seven (434 years; 49+434=483 years) will pass from the time the command is given to rebuild Jerusalem until a ruler—the Anointed One—comes. Jerusalem will be rebuilt with streets and strong defenses, despite the perilous times.
26 "After this period of sixty-two sets of seven (434 years), the Anointed One (God's Son the Lord Jesus Christ) will be killed, appearing to have accomplished nothing,
and a ruler (The Ant-Christ) will arise whose armies will destroy the city and the Temple. The end will come with a flood, and war and its miseries are decreed from that time to the very end.
27 The ruler (The Ant-Christ) will make a treaty with the people for a period of one set of seven (seven years), but after half this time (3 ½ years),
he will put an end to the sacrifices and offerings. And as a climax to all his terrible deeds, he will set up a sacrilegious object (the Abomination of Desolation) that causes desecration, until the fate decreed for this defiler is finally poured out on him."


The Angel Gabriel told Daniel that God's Prophetic Clock started at ....
The Command to rebuild Jerusalem, after the Babylonian destruction.
And God's Prophetic Clock, stopped the day when Christ rode into Jeusalem to proclaim Himself “King of Kings and Lord of Lords.”
(483 years to the day.)

Sixty Nine of the prophetic weeks had then expired. (69 x 7 = 483 years)

Now there has been a “Gap” between the time of Christ's Sacrifice to this present day.
The Period of “Grace,” the Church Age.
And now for some two thousand years Christ has and is gathering out His blood bought Bride.

The Apostle Paul, warns that this time will abruptly draw to a close.

II Thessalonians 2:6-12 NASB

Man of Lawlessness

1.Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him,
2.that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.
3.Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,
4.who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.
5.Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things ?
6.And you know what (not a “what,” but “who”) restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed.
7.For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work ; only He (God the Holy Spirit) who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way
(i.e. His restraining power over evil, lifted.):
8.Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming ;
9.that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders,
10.and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved.
11.For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false,
12.in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.

The day the Rapture (Catching Up) of the Church of Jesus Christ takes place-on earth starts the time known as the day of Jacobs trouble (Jeremiah 30:7 “Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble;...” )-the Tribulation.

A world ruler (the Anti-Christ) will step forth, endorsed by a world religious ruler (the false prophet)

They will rule for 7 years, and this period of 7 years, will be the last of God's prophetic weeks. (483 + 7 = 490 years or 70 x 7).

Mark 13:30-37 KJV
[30] Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.
[31] Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
[32] But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
[33] Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
[34] For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
[35] Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
[36] Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
[37] And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.\

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Bible Questions Answered: Judgment-Coming

Bible Questions Answered
What does this verse mean? (Matthew 24:28)
Ralph T./ Stewart, British Columbia-Canada

Bible Answers:

Matthew 24:27,28 NASB
27."For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.
28."Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.

Luke 17:37 NASB
And answering they said to Him, "Where, Lord ?" And He said to them, "Where the body is, there also the vultures will be gathered."

These verses speak of the judgment that is to come at Christ's Second Advent. Though men will try to hide themselves, there will be no escape.

Job 39:27-30 NASB
26."Is it by your understanding that the hawk soars, Stretching his wings toward the south
27."Is it at your command that the eagle mounts up And makes his nest on high ?
28."On the cliff he dwells and lodges, Upon the rocky crag, an inaccessible place.
29."From there he spies out food ; His eyes see it from afar.
30."His young ones also suck up blood ; And where the slain are, there is he."

The Eagle, the Hawk, sees their prey from afar, and they cannot escape.
And so it will be with the enemies of Christ, at His return.

Revelation 6:15-17 NASB
15.Then the kings of the earth and the great men and the commanders and the rich and the strong and every slave and free man hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains ;
16.and they said to the mountains and to the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb ;
17.for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand ?"

Psalm 2:12 NASB
12.Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way, For His wrath may soon be kindled.
How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Bible Questions Answered: Resurrection Body

Bible Questions Answered:

What will our new bodies be like as Christians?
Helen C./ Horsham, Victoria/ Australia

Bible Answers:

I Corinthians 15:35-58 NLT
35 But someone may ask, "How will the dead be raised? What kind of bodies will they have?"
36 What a foolish question! When you put a seed into the ground, it doesn't grow into a plant unless it dies first.
37 And what you put in the ground is not the plant that will grow, but only a bare seed of wheat or whatever you are planting.
38 Then God gives it the new body he wants it to have. A different plant grows from each kind of seed.
39 Similarly there are different kinds of flesh—one kind for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish.
40 There are also bodies in the heavens and bodies on the earth. The glory of the heavenly bodies is different from the glory of the earthly bodies.
41 The sun has one kind of glory, while the moon and stars each have another kind. And even the stars differ from each other in their glory.
42 It is the same way with the resurrection of the dead. Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever.
43 Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength.
44 They are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be raised as spiritual bodies. For just as there are natural bodies, there are also spiritual bodies.
45 The Scriptures tell us, "The first man, Adam, became a living person."* But the last Adam—that is, Christ—is a life-giving Spirit.
46 What comes first is the natural body, then the spiritual body comes later.
47 Adam, the first man, was made from the dust of the earth, while Christ, the second man, came from heaven.
48 Earthly people are like the earthly man, and heavenly people are like the heavenly man.
49 Just as we are now like the earthly man, we will someday be like the heavenly man.
50 What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever.
51 But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed!
52 It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed.
53 For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.
54 Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled:

"Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?"

56 For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power.
57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

The resurrected Christ, appeared to His disciples, showing them His new immortal, glorified body.

Luke 24:36-43 NASB
36.While they were telling these things, He Himself stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be to you."
37.But they were startled and frightened and thought that they were seeing a spirit.
38.And He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts ?
39."See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself ; touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have."
40.And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet.
41.While they still could not believe it because of their joy and amazement, He said to them, "Have you anything here to eat ?"
42.They gave Him a piece of a broiled fish ;
43.and He took it and ate it before them.

The mortal body we have today, is subject to, disease, pain, decay, and death, but not so of the resurrected glorious body to come, it can never fall prey to any of these things.

The new immortal body, will be raised in glory and power.

I Corinthians 15:54,55,57 KJV
Death is swallowed up in victory.
O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?

57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Psalms 139:13-15 KJV
[13] For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
[14] I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
[15] My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret,...”

If these words are true of our present limited physical (mortal) body, and they of course are, what words will there be to describe our new glorious resurrected immortal body?

Christian people, let us start to thank and praise our living God, now.

James 1:17 KJV
17] Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.