Pastor Joseph J. Reine's two new books.


" Unlocking The Mysteries Of Prayer"

This short ebook could change your thinking about prayer, forever!


and

"SALVATION We Are Not Afraid!"

Catholicism Versus The Word Of God.

Traditions Of Men And What Saith The Lord.

Read first hand what your Bible says, you'll be

surprised to learn The Truth!

This book was written for thousands of people

to be liberated from ecclesiastical prisons.


http://www.amazon.com


Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Bible Questions Answered: Jude Eleven

Bible Questions Answered:
Who are these mentioned in Jude 11?
Alexandria/ Athens, Greece

Bible Answers:

Jude 11
Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
(Read the one chapter of Jude at the end of this Bible answer.)

Three names mentioned.

The way of Cain:

Genesis 4:1-16 NLT
1 Now Adam had sexual relations with his wife, Eve, and she became pregnant. When she gave birth to Cain, she said, “With the Lord’s help, I have produced a man!” 2 Later she gave birth to his brother and named him Abel. When they grew up, Abel became a shepherd, while Cain cultivated the ground.
3 When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the Lord.
4 Abel also brought a gift—the best of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift,
5 but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected.
6 “Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected?
7 You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.”
8 One day Cain suggested to his brother, “Let’s go out into the fields.” And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother, Abel, and killed him.
9 Afterward the Lord asked Cain, “Where is your brother? Where is Abel?”
“I don’t know,” Cain responded. “Am I my brother’s guardian?”
10 But the Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground!
11 Now you are cursed and banished from the ground, which has swallowed your brother’s blood.
12 No longer will the ground yield good crops for you, no matter how hard you work! From now on you will be a homeless wanderer on the earth.”
13 Cain replied to the Lord, “My punishment is too great for me to bear!
14 You have banished me from the land and from your presence; you have made me a homeless wanderer. Anyone who finds me will kill me!”
15 The Lord replied, “No, for I will give a sevenfold punishment to anyone who kills you.” Then the Lord put a mark on Cain to warn anyone who might try to kill him.
16 So Cain left the Lord’s presence and settled in the land of Nod,east of Eden.

The eldest son of Adam and Eve, who's trade was that of agriculture.
Because God refused Cain's sacrifice of produce over his brothers sacrifice of a lamb, hatred grew in the heart of Cain for his brother, because his sacrifice, was accepted.
Cain became the first murderer, slaying his own brother in a fit of jealous rage.

Both sons knew “very-well,” what to sacrifice, because of God's first sacrifice of an animal to clothe, (their fallen parents), Adam and Eve in the garden.

Genesis 3:21 KJV (First bloody animal sacrifice, made, by God.)
Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

(The way of Cain.)
Cain, was a believer in God!
Cain was a believer in the practice of Godly Worship!
But
Cain wished to manipulate Godly Doctrine, to the ways of his own choosing.

It has been Satan's desire from the very beginning, to discredit, a bloody sacrifice for (which, in O.T. times, only covered) sins, which pointed the way to Christs sacrifice at Calvary (which cleanses the believer of his sins).

Jesus warned us about a Last Days false church.....
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? (A Charismatic Church).
and in thy name have cast out devils? (A Charismatic Church-exorcism)
and in thy name done many wonderful works? (A Church of many “religious,”works.)
[23] And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me,
ye that work iniquity.

How in the world, could God, possibly say such a thing to a church like this????????
Simple.
They were following the way of Cain!
Yes, they had a belief in God!
Yes, they practiced religious worship!
Yes, they did many wonderful works!
But
Like Cain, they wished to manipulate Godly Doctrine, to the ways of their own choosing.
NO, They did not do the will of the Father which is in heaven.
Mankind, “is-Not,” saved/or forgiven of his sins, by the means of “self-righteousness,” “religious-works, or the giving of money!”
Repentance, forsaking sin, living a Godly life, making Christ the Lord (Master) of their lives, this they did not do!

And so what does our Saviour say of them?
“Then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.”

But, “workers of iniquity?”
Yes,
And perhaps more so than any others!
Because they appear to those who don't know any better that this is the way to live.
But, their way of living is an “Evil Deception,” that is leading them and anyone stumbling into their church, there as well.

WARNING, WARNING, WARNING
The Word of God, tells us

Isaiah 64:6 KJV
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.

Ephesians 2:8,9 KJV
[8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves (religious works included): it is the gift of God:
[9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Galatians 2:16 KJV
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Galatians 3:10,11 KJV
[10] For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
[11] But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

Romans 3:19-28 KJV
[19] Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
[20] Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
[21] But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
[22] Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
[23] For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
[24] Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
[25] Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
[26] To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
[27] Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
[28] Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Romans 5:1 KJV
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Romans 6:23 KJV
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Hebrews 10:4-12 KJV
[4] For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
[5] Wherefore when He cometh into the world, He saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared Me:
[6] In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.
[7] Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.
[8] Above when He said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;
[9] Then said He, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that He may establish the second.
[10] By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
[11] And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
[12] But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

Titus 3:4-7 KJV
[4] But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
[5] Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
[6] Which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
[7] That being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

I John 5:11-13 KJV
[11] And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
[12] He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
[13] These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Matthew 10:38 KJV
And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me.

Matthew 16:24 KJV
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

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

Matthew 7:13,14 KJV
[13] Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
[14] Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

If you are in a church that practices the Way of Cain, ….

II Corinthians 6:17,18 KJV
[17] Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
[18] And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.


The error of Balaam: (Read Numbers 22:-31:)

Balaam was a prophet, but proved himself to be a “False Prophet.
The king of Moab (and with the Midianites and their five kings.), Balak son of Zippor, fearing the great strength of the Israelites, asked the prophet Balaam to curse them, so that he could over take and destroy them.

Although he said he could only say what God would say, and God only blessed Israel, yet Balaam went back again and again, perhaps seeking the great financial reward promised him, if he but only could curse the people of God, but the message was always the same. Israel was the blessed people of God.

Having failed to be able to curse God's chosen people, Balaam did the next thing, and that was to induce the Israelites to sin.
He persuaded them to intermarry with the heathen Moabites, and to worship their idol, Baal.

If Balaam could not curse the people of God, now certainly he thought, neither could they now receive God's blessing.

What would be the end of such a prophet?
Balaam was slain by the sword of God's people.

Numbers 31:1-16
1 Then the Lord said to Moses,
2 “On behalf of the people of Israel, take revenge on the Midianites for leading them into idolatry. After that, you will die and join your ancestors.”
3 So Moses said to the people, “Choose some men, and arm them to fight the Lord’s war of revenge against Midian.
4 From each tribe of Israel, send 1,000 men into battle.”
5 So they chose 1,000 men from each tribe of Israel, a total of 12,000 men armed for battle.
6 Then Moses sent them out, 1,000 men from each tribe, and Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest led them into battle. They carried along the holy objects of the sanctuary and the trumpets for sounding the charge.
7 They attacked Midian as the Lord had commanded Moses, and they killed all the men.
8 All five of the Midianite kings—Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba—died in the battle. They also killed Balaam son of Beor with the sword.
9 Then the Israelite army captured the Midianite women and children and seized their cattle and flocks and all their wealth as plunder.
10 They burned all the towns and villages where the Midianites had lived.
11 After they had gathered the plunder and captives, both people and animals,
12 they brought them all to Moses and Eleazar the priest, and to the whole community of Israel, which was camped on the plains of Moab beside the Jordan River, across from Jericho.
13 Moses, Eleazar the priest, and all the leaders of the community went to meet them outside the camp.
14 But Moses was furious with all the generals and captains who had returned from the battle.
15 “Why have you let all the women live?” he demanded.
16 “These are the very ones who followed Balaam’s advice and caused the people of Israel to rebel against the Lord at Mount Peor. They are the ones who caused the plague to strike the Lord’s people.


Now why does Jude so warn us of Balaam, today?

II Peter 2:1-22 KJV
[1] But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
[2] And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
[3] And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
[4] For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
[5] And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;
[6] And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;
[7] And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:
[8] (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)
[9] The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
[10] But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
[11] Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.
[12] But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;
[13] And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;
[14] Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
[15] Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
[16] But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.
[17] These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
[18] For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
[19] While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
[20] For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
[21] For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
[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.

II Corinthians 11:13-15 KJV
[13] For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
[14] And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
[15] Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

II Corinthians 6:14-18 KJV
[14] Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
[15] And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
[16] And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
[17] Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
[18] And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

II Corinthians 7:1 KJV
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

How does the sin of Balaam manifest itself in today's world?
Whenever there is ministry for gain, there is Balaamism.
The Word of God, commercialized, for financial gain.
Reward, in all of it's forms, applause of men, organizational power, promotion, money, etc, etc. etc, the works of the flesh.
Gain, being the key word. Using God's gifts, or the preaching of His Word, for financial gain.

I Timothy 6:10 KJV
[9] But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
[10] For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

There are may ministers in our world, without mentioning names, that are “multi-millionaires, and some billionaires.”
Preaching that “they trust God, for all their needs,” but if they even come down with a hangnail, they rush to the Mayo Clinic.

The Church of Jesus Christ today, has a sickness unto death, and it is without any doubt, hypocrisy!

Many pray for revival, but if it meant a complete revelation of their net worth, their love for power or position, the seeking would be over.

And that is what revival is all about, complete and without any hesitation or obscurity, first the revealing of what the sickness is, then the reviving from the clutches of the disease.

And of course it goes without saying, I cannot have a revival for you, nor you for me. We must come to the place of revival alone with God, in complete and open honesty.

Ministry Merchandising......

John 2:12-16 KJV
[12] After this He went down to Capernaum, He, and His mother, and His brethren, and His disciples: and they continued there not many days.
[13] And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,
[14] And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:
[15] And when He had made a scourge of small cords, He drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;
[16] And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not My Father's house an house of merchandise.


The Gainsaying of Core (Korah):

Numbers 16:1-50 KJV
[1] Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men:
[2] And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown:
[3] And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?
[4] And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face:
[5] And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the LORD will shew who are His, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto Him: even him whom He hath chosen will He cause to come near unto Him.
[6] This do; Take you censers, Korah, and all his company;
[7] And put fire therein, and put incense in them before the LORD to morrow: and it shall be that the man whom the LORD doth choose, he shall be holy: ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi.
[8] And Moses said unto Korah, Hear, I pray you, ye sons of Levi:
[9] Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them?
[10] And He hath brought thee near to Him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also?
[11] For which cause both thou and all thy company are gathered together against the LORD: and what is Aaron, that ye murmur against him?
[12] And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab: which said, We will not come up:
[13] Is it a small thing that thou hast brought us up out of a land that floweth with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, except thou make thyself altogether a prince over us?
[14] Moreover thou hast not brought us into a land that floweth with milk and honey, or given us inheritance of fields and vineyards: wilt thou put out the eyes of these men? we will not come up.
[15] And Moses was very wroth, and said unto the LORD, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them.
[16] And Moses said unto Korah, Be thou and all thy company before the LORD, thou, and they, and Aaron, to morrow:
[17] And take every man his censer, and put incense in them, and bring ye before the LORD every man his censer, two hundred and fifty censers; thou also, and Aaron, each of you his censer.
[18] And they took every man his censer, and put fire in them, and laid incense thereon, and stood in the door of the tabernacle of the congregation with Moses and Aaron.
[19] And Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the congregation.
[20] And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,
[21] Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.
[22] And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation?
[23] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
[24] Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.
[25] And Moses rose up and went unto Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him.
[26] And he spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins.
[27] So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children.
[28] And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the LORD hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind.
[29] If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the LORD hath not sent me.
[30] But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD.
[31] And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them:
[32] And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods.
[33] They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation.
[34] And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also.
[35] And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.
[36] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
[37] Speak unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, that he take up the censers out of the burning, and scatter thou the fire yonder; for they are hallowed.
[38] The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates for a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the LORD, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel.
[39] And Eleazar the priest took the brasen censers, wherewith they that were burnt had offered; and they were made broad plates for a covering of the altar:
[40] To be a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the LORD; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as the LORD said to him by the hand of Moses.
[41] But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the LORD.
[42] And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD appeared.
[43] And Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of the congregation.
[44] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
[45] Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment. And they fell upon their faces.
[46] And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the LORD; the plague is begun.
[47] And Aaron took as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the congregation; and, behold, the plague was begun among the people: and he put on incense, and made an atonement for the people.
[48] And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed.
[49] Now they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, beside them that died about the matter of Korah.
[50] And Aaron returned unto Moses unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the plague was stayed.

Korah, Dathan and Abiram, and their followers, denied the authority of Moses under God.
Denied that Moses and Aaron were specially called of God to lead the people of Israel.
They claimed, their right to lead, as well as the priesthood.

But God had a message for them,
31 ….the ground clave asunder that was under them:
32 And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods.
33 They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation.

Hebrews 10:31 KJV
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Honor of the true servants of the Lord.

Philippians 2:29,30 NLT
29 Welcome him (Epaphroditus) with Christian love and with great joy, and give him the honor that people like him deserve.
30 For he risked his life for the work of Christ, and he was at the point of death while doing for me what you couldn’t do from far away.

I Thessalonians 5:12,13 KJV
[12] And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
[13] And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

I Timothy 5:17-22 NLT
17 Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well,especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching.
18 For the Scripture says, “You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.” And in another place, “Those who work deserve their pay!”
19 Do not listen to an accusation against an elder unless it is confirmed by two or three witnesses.
20 Those who sin should be reprimanded in front of the whole church; this will serve as a strong warning to others.
21 I solemnly command you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus and the holy angels to obey these instructions without taking sides or showing favoritism to anyone.
22 Never be in a hurry about appointing a church leader...."

Hebrews 13:7 KJV
Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

Every man of God, who is a servant of the living God, Pastor, Evangelist, Missionary, etc. will face at one time or another, some one who will brazenly walk into their church, off of the street and with evil zeal, claiming that they know the proper interpretation of the scripture, more so than the man who is called of God, and who has dedicated his life to higher education in studying the Word of God, and his years of untiring service.

No one would ever try this sort of thing at the doctor's office, but in the church, any one from living under a bridge can and often do march into a church, only to announce “Parson-that's your interpretation, here's what that verse really means.”

Friends, we must, “watch out for the sin of Korah, Dathan and Abiram!
Let such a person be anathema.

It is the Man of God, that has been called and ordained to preach, and teach the glorious gospel, in your church, not another.
It is the Man of God, who has been called by Godly elders, to come to your church, and members who voted him your pastor.
It is the Man of God, that will one day stand in judgment, to answer to all that he has done, or not done, according to the Word of God, not another.
It is the Man of God, that you a member of the church of the Lord Jesus Christ, are to honor, uphold in prayer, and support.

Revelation 1:16,20 KJV
[16] And He had in His right hand seven stars: and out of His mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and His countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
[20] The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in My right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels* of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.


Revelation 2:1 KJV
Unto the angel* of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith He that holdeth the seven stars in His right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

* Angel: Greek: Aggelos: To bring tidings, a messenger, Pastor. Pastors, are held in God's right hand.

We must ever be careful, not to become the instrument of the evil one.
False worship, merchandising in the work of the Lord, dishonor for the servants of the Lord, wherever God's work is, there the evil one hatches his wiley, schemes to detract and destruct the work of the Lord.
Selah

Jude:
[1] Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:
[2] Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.
[3] Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
[4] For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
[5] I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.
[6] And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
[7] Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
[8] Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.
[9] Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
[10] But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.
[11] Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
[12] These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
[13] Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
[14] And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
[15] To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
[16] These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.
[17] But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
[18] How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
[19] These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
[20] But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
[21] Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
[22] And of some have compassion, making a difference:
[23] And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
[24] Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
[25] To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Bible Questions Answered: Addictions

Bible Questions Answered:
What can a person do to stop the drinking habit?
Gerald/ Vancouver, British Columbia – Canada

Bible Answers:
Perhaps no day, has ever been so enslaving as the day in which we, live. Addictions of every sort, like a luncheon buffet spread out before us, enticing us, by their aromas, and culinary delights.

The picture not seen, and well hidden, though is that of the bondage, fear, and misery, that addictions bring, to the one who so consumes.
Alcohol, nicotine, immorality, gambling, gluttony, narcotics, gossip, slander, occult, lying, and countless other things.

Addiction: A compulsive habit. Whereas once the individual was in control, later, the habit.

Addictions are bondage:

John 8:34 KJV
Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

Romans 6:16 KJV
Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

II Peter 2:19 NLT
19 They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you.

How many millions of dear souls, in this late hour find themselves ensnared by one of Satan's schemes.

Ephesians 6:10-18 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.

* Wiles: The Greek word Meth-od-i-ah: Traveling over, travesty, Trickery, to lie in wait. (Abingdon Strong)
Satan, has some wiley schemes, some evil methods, for the destruction of mankind, and we need to be aware of them.

II Timothy 2:25,26 KJV
25 Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth.
26 Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.

Spiritual Armor:

Ephesians 6:13-18 KJV
[13] Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
[14] Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
[15] And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
[16] Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
[17] And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
[18] Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Deliverance from the bondage of the enemy, comes only through the power of God.

Psalm 32:7 KJV
Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.

Luke 4:18 KJV (Prophecy concerning Christ)
The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

II Samuel 22:2 KJV
And he (David) said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;

Psalm 18:1-3 KJV
[1] I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.
[2] The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation,
and my high tower.
[3] I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

Psalm 34:4 KJV
I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Isaiah 46:4 KJV
And even to your old age I am He; and even to hoar (grey) hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.

Jeremiah 1:8 KJV
“...for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.”

Hebrews 2:18 NLT
Since He Himself has gone through suffering and testing, He is able to help us when we are being tested.

Isaiah 58:6 KJV
Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

John 8:32,36 KJV
[32] And ye shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free.
[36] If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

John 14:6 KJV
Jesus saith unto him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.

Galatians 5:1 KJV
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Job 5:19 KJV
He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.

Psalm 91:1-3 NLT
1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust Him.
3 For He will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease.

I Corinthians 10:13 NLT
The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure.

II Timothy 4:18 KJV
And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto His heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

II Peter 2:9 KJV
The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

God knew how to deliver:

David, kept from the lion and the bear.
I Samuel 17:37 KJV
David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, He will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. (Goliath) And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, thrown into the fiery furnace.
Daniel 3:27 KJV
And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellers, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.

Daniel in the lion's den.
Daniel 6:21,22,27 KJV
[21] Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.
[22] My God hath sent His angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before Him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.
[27] He delivereth and rescueth, and He worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.

Apostles, freed from prison.
Acts 5:18,19 KJV
[18] And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.
[19] But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth,...

Peter freed from prison.
Acts 12:7 KJV
And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.

Paul and Silas from prison.
Acts 16:26 KJV
[25] And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
[26] And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.

Isaiah 9:2,4 KJV
[2] The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
[4] For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor...

Isaiah 10:27 KJV
And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.

Jeremiah 34:8 KJV
This is the word that came unto Jeremiah from the LORD...to proclaim liberty unto them;

Isaiah 61:1 KJV
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

II Corinthians 3:17 KJV
Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

II Timothy 1:7 KJV
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Luke 10:19 KJV
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.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Bible Questions Answered: Melchizedek-Who Was He?

Bible Questions Answered:
Who is Melchizedek?
Arnold/ Raleigh, Mississippi

Bible Answers:
Abraham, rescued his nephew Lot, from four raiding kings who sacked Sodom, where he lived, and Gomorrah.
Abraham, routed the enemy, taking back Lot and his family and goods.
King and Priest, Melchizedek, met Abraham, to give him bread and wine, and God's blessing.

Genesis 14:18-20 KJV
[18] And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and He was the Priest of the Most High God.
[19] And He blessed him (Abraham), and said, Blessed be Abram of the Most High God, possessor of heaven and earth:
[20] And blessed be the Most High God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave Him tithes of all.

Matthew 26:26-29 KJV
[26] And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is My body.
[27] And He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
[28] For this is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
[29] But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom.

Melchizedek, described:

Hebrews 7:1-3 KJV (Read Hebrews chapters five- eight.)
[1] For this Melchisedec, King of Salem, Priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
[2] To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of Righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of Peace;
[3] Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.

Melchizedek, was a theophany of the Lord Jesus Christ. (An Eternal King-High Priest who would one day come from Judah.)

Melchizedek: Hebrew: Mal-kee-tseh-dek: A royal king of right/ righteousness.
King of Salem: Hebrew: Shaw-lame: (Shawlem) Peace/ Peaceful

Melchizedek:
There is absolutely “no,” biblical history of his parents.
Descendant of no priestly family.
His genealogy, is not ever given.
There is no record of his birth or death.
There is no Biblical record of his being dedicated to office, or leaving the office of the Priesthood, or of having a successor.
Melchizedek was an Eternal Priest (Psalm 110:4).

Does this describe any earthly man(born under Adam), of course not!
This is our King-High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ.

This is the same pre-incarnate, eternal Son of God, who visited with Abraham sometime after, in the company of two angels.

Genesis 18:1,2 KJV

1] And the LORD appeared unto him (Abraham) in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;
[2] And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,

King of Salem:

Isaiah 9:6,7 KJV
[6] For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The Mighty God,
The Everlasting Father
, The Prince of Peace.
[7] Of the increase of His Government and Peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

John 14:27 KJV
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Hebrews 7:2 KJV
To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation
King of Righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of Peace;


King of Righteousness:

Psalm 85:8-13 KJV
[8] I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for He will speak peace unto His people, and to His saints: but let them not turn again to folly.
[9] Surely His salvation is nigh them that fear Him; that glory may dwell in our land.
[10] Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
[11] Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
[12] Yea, the LORD shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase.
[13] Righteousness shall go before Him; and shall set us in the way of His steps.

Psalm 119:142 KJV
Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Thy law is the truth.

Isaiah 45:24 KJV
Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to Him shall men come; and all that are incensed against Him shall be ashamed.

At the right hand of God the Father, is an Eternal High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Psalm 110:1-7 AMP
1 THE LORD (God) says to my Lord (the Messiah), Sit at My right hand, until I make Your adversaries Your footstool.
2 The Lord will send forth from Zion the scepter of Your strength; rule, then, in the midst of Your foes.
3 Your people will offer themselves willingly in the day of Your power, in the beauty of holiness and in holy array out of the womb of the morning; to You [will spring forth] Your young men, who are as the dew.
4 The Lord has sworn and will not revoke or change it: You are a Priest forever, after the manner and order of Melchizedek.
5 The Lord at Your right hand will shatter kings in the day of His indignation.
6 He will execute judgment [in overwhelming punishment] upon the nations; He will fill the valleys with the dead bodies, He will crush the [chief] heads over lands many and far extended.
7 He will drink of the brook by the way; therefore will He lift up His head [triumphantly].

Romans 8:34 KJV
Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again,
who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.


Hebrews 1:1-3 KJV
[1] God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
[2] Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds;
[3] Who being the Brightness of His Glory, and the Express Image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins,
sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;


Hebrews 10:12 KJV
But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever,
sat down on the right hand of God;


Hebrews 5:8-10 KJV (Hebrews 6:20, 7:21)
[8] Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered;
[9] And being made perfect, He became the Author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him;
[10] Called of God an High Priest after the order of Melchisedec.

John 1:1,2,18 KJV
[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
[2] The same was in the beginning with God.
[18] No man hath seen God at any time; the only Begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him.

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Bible Questions Answered: Elders-The Twenty Four

Bible Questions Answered:
Who are the elders of Revelation?
Marian/ Naples, Italy

Bible Answers:
The scripture to which you refer is.....
Revelation 4:1-11 KJV
[1] After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
[2] And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.
[3] And He that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.
[4] And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.
[5] And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
[6] And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
[7] And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.
[8] And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
[9] And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to Him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,
[10] The four and twenty elders fall down before Him that sat on the throne, and worship Him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
[11] Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Revelation 5:1-14 KJV (A continued view of the elders.)
[1] And I saw in the right hand of Him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
[2] And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
[3] And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
[4] And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
[5] And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
[6] And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
[7] And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne.
[8] And when He had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
[9] And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
[10] And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
[11] And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
[12] Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive Power, and Riches, and Wisdom, and Strength, and Honour, and Glory, and Blessing.
[13] And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and Honour, and Glory, and Power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
[14] And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

Revelation 4:1-11 NLT
1 Then as I looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven, and the same voice I had heard before spoke to me like a trumpet blast. The voice said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this.”
2 And instantly I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it.
3 The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones—like jasper and carnelian. And the glow of an emerald circled His throne like a rainbow.
4 Twenty-four thrones surrounded Him, and twenty-four elders sat on them. They were all clothed in white and had gold crowns on their heads.
5 From the throne came flashes of lightning and the rumble of thunder. And in front of the throne were seven torches with burning flames. This is the sevenfold Spirit of God.
6 In front of the throne was a shiny sea of glass, sparkling like crystal.
In the center and around the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes, front and back.
7 The first of these living beings was like a lion; the second was like an ox; the third had a human face; and the fourth was like an eagle in flight.
8 Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered all over with eyes, inside and out. Day after day and night after night they keep on saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty— the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.”
9 Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever),
10 the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever). And they lay their crowns before the throne and say,
11 “You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.”

Revelation 5:1-14 NLT (A continued view of the elders.)
1 Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who was sitting on the throne. There was writing on the inside and the outside of the scroll, and it was sealed with seven seals.
2 And I saw a strong angel, who shouted with a loud voice: “Who is worthy to break the seals on this scroll and open it?”
3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it.
4 Then I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll and read it.
5 But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
6 Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit of God that is sent out into every part of the earth.
7 He stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne.
8 And when He took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.
9 And they sang a new song with these words:
You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it.
For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 And you have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God. And they will reign on the earth.”
11 Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders.
12 And they sang in a mighty chorus:Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered— to receive Power and Riches and Wisdom and Strength and Honor and Glory and Blessing.”
13 And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang:Blessing and Honor and Glory and Power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.”
14 And the four living beings said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb.

Elders: Greek: Presbuteros: (Presbyter), Older, A senior, member of the celestial council. (Abingdon Strong)
The elders in Revelation 5:8, have harps and golden censers, filled with incense, symbolic of the prayers of the saints.
These elders have thrones and crowns.
These elders are both Kings and Priests.

Why are there twenty four of them?
This was of the Old Testament Levitical order of the Priesthood, found in I Chronicles 24, also I Chronicles 25:.

Who are these elders?

Exodus 19:5,6 KJV
[5] Now therefore, if ye will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people: for all the earth is Mine:
[6] And ye shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

They represent the people of God, today, all born again believers, the Church of God.

Revelation 1:4-6 KJV
[4] John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from Him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before His throne;
[5] And from Jesus Christ, who is the Faithful Witness, and the First Begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the Kings of the earth. Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood,
[6] And hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Revelation 1:4-6 NLT
4 This letter is from John to the seven churches in the province of Asia.
Grace and peace to you from the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come; from the sevenfold Spirit before His throne;
5 and from Jesus Christ. He is the faithful witness to these things, the first to rise from the dead, and the ruler of all the kings of the world.
All Glory to Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding His blood for us.
6 He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to Him forever and ever! Amen.

I Peter 2:9 KJV
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light:

Revelation 19:8 KJV
[7] Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready.
[8] And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

Crowns: See The Bible Prayer Line -Index – Bible Questions Answered: Crowns Different

Saints, Christian, Kings and Priests of God, called today.....

Psalm 29:1,2 KJV
[1] Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength.
[2] Give unto the LORD the glory due unto His name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

Philippians 2:10,11 KJV
[10] That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
[11] And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Psalm 103:22 KJV
Bless the LORD, all His works in all places of His dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.

Psalm 145;10 KJV
All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee.

Psalm 33:8 KJV
Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Bible Lesson: Falling Away-The Great

Bible Lesson: The Great Falling Away- Just One More End-Of-Days Sign.

Recently Trinity College in Hartford, Conn. Released a a survey, “The American Religious Identification Survey (ARIS),” which revealed some interesting facts.

Christianity is declining, while atheism is on an increase.

Christians: (As a group.)
1990 86% of Americans were Christian.
2001 77% of Americans were Christian.
2008 76% of Americans were Christian.

Protestants: (90% of church decline comes from this group-mainline denominations).
2001 17% Christian believers.
2008 12.9% Christian believers.

Catholics:
The Largest religious group with some 57 million people.
Since 1990, they have gained 11 million members.
Since 2008, the church has lost members, which has now become about 25% of Americans.

Atheism: (No religious beliefs.)
1990 8.2% Say they have no religious beliefs.
2001 14% Say they have no religious beliefs.
2008 15% Say they have no religious beliefs.

People in “Nondenominational,” churches grew.
1990 1% Say their church is nondenominational.
2008 8.2% Say their church is nondenominational.

Jews:
1990 1.8% Religious.
2008 1.2% Religious.

Muslims:
2008 0.6% percent say that they are Muslim.

Observations:
Baptists, America's largest Protestant Church, though having gained some, still has declined as a proportion of population.
Muslims, have grown by some .6%, and Jews have declined some 3.1 million in 1990 to 2.7 million 2008.
Atheists on the other hand, have doubled since 2001 to 1.6 million.
Wiccans, and pagans are growing faster today, then in the 90's.

Of the 54,461 people polled, 12% say that they personally believe in a power, but not God.
Of the people polled, 1.2% say they are presently involved with beliefs like, Scientology, Wicca, and Santeria.
Of the thousands polled, 30% said that they did not or would not have a “Christian,” wedding ceremony.
Of the thousands of people polled, 27% said they wanted nothing to do with a so called “Christian,” funeral.


Dear Friend, all these things, our Lord warned us of.

Matthew 24:12 KJV
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

II Thessalonians 2:1-12 KJV
[1] Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto Him,
[2] That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
[3] Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come,
except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin (the coming Anti-Christ) be revealed, the son of perdition;

[4] Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
[5] Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
[6] And now ye know what (Who) withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
[7] For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only He (God the Holy Spirit) who now letteth* will let, until He be taken out of the way (Change of office, in the world, but no longer a restraining power in the world).
[8] And then shall that Wicked (A.C.) be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the Spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming:
[9] Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
[10] And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
[11] And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
[12] That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

* Letteth: Greek: Katecho: To hold down, hold (fast), retain, seize on, stay, withhold.

We see the stage being set, for the arrival of the Anti-Christ, light and darkness cannot exist in the same place.
Christian beliefs, and church attendance, falling, sacraments, being cast aside.
Morals, set aside for “Situation Ethics.”
A hedonistic and immoral people have forgotten the warnings of the Word of God.

Galatians 5:19-21 NLT
19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures,
20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division,
21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before,
that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

Matthew 7l:21 KJV
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.

I Corinthians 6:9,10 NLT
9 Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality,
10 or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.

Matthew 19:23,24 KJV
[23] Then said Jesus unto His disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
[24] And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Matthew 6:24 NLT
No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Matthew 5:20 KJV
For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Daniel 8:23 KJV
And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.

I John 2:18 KJV
Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

I Peter 4:7 KJV
But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

I Peter 5:8,9 KJV
[8] Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
[9] Whom resist stedfast in the faith,...”

I John 5:4,5 KJV
[4] For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
[5] Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

John 14:6 KJV
Jesus saith unto him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.

See The Bible Prayer Line – Index- Bible Lesson: Salvation Prayer.