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Friday, December 31, 2010

Bible Lesson: New Things

Bible Lesson: Things New:

Psalm 33:3 KJV
1 Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.
2 Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto Him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.
3 Sing unto Him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.

Psalm 40:1-4 KJV
1 I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
3 And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
4 Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust..."

Psalm 96:1-4 KJV
1 O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth.
2 Sing unto the LORD, bless His name; shew forth His salvation from day to day.
3 Declare His glory among the heathen, His wonders among all people.
4 For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: He is to be feared above all gods.

Psalm 98:1,2 KJV
1 O sing unto the LORD a new song; for He hath done marvelous things: His right hand, and His holy arm, hath gotten Him the victory.
2 The LORD hath made known His salvation: His righteousness hath He openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.

Psalm 144:9 KJV
I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.

Isaiah 42:8-10 KJV
8 I am the LORD: that is My name: and My glory will I not give to another, neither My praise to graven images.
9 Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.
10 Sing unto the LORD a new song, and His praise from the end of the earth..."

Isaiah 43:19 KJV
Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

Isaiah 62:2,3 KJV
2 And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name.
3 Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.

Isaiah 65:17 KJV
For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.

Isaiah 66:22,23 KJV
22 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before Me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.
23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before Me, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 31:31-34 KJV
31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which My covenant they brake, although I was an Husband unto them, saith the LORD:
33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put My law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be My people.
34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know Me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

Lamentations 3:22,23 KJV
22 It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

Ezekiel 11:19,20 KJV
19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new Spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:
20 That they may walk in My statutes, and keep Mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be My people, and I will be their God.

Ezekiel 18:30-32 KJV
30 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.
31 Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.

Ezekiel 36:26,27 KJV
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.

Matthew 13:52 KJV
Then said He unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.

Matthew 26:27-29 KJV
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.

Mark 16:17 KJV
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

John 13:34,35 KJV
34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35 By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Romans 6:3,4 KJV
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death?
4 Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Romans 7:6 NLT
5 When we were controlled by our old nature, sinful desires were at work within us, and the law aroused these evil desires that produced a harvest of sinful deeds, resulting in death.
6 But now we have been released from the law, for we died to it and are no longer captive to its power. Now we can serve God, not in the old way of obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way of living in the Spirit

II Corinthians 3:5,6 KJV
5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the Spirit: for the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life.

II Corinthians 5:17 KJV
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Ephesians 4:23,24 KJV
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Hebrews 9:14,15 NLT
14 "...the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power
of the Eternal Spirit, Christ offered Himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins.
15 That is why He is the one who mediates a new covenant between God and people, so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under that first covenant.

Hebrews 10:16-23 KJV
16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
20 By a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh;
21 And having an High Priest over the house of God;
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised;)

Hebrews 12:22-24 KJV
22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
24 And to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

II Peter 3:13 KJV
Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Revelation 2:17 KJV
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

Revelation 3:12 KJV
Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from My God: and I will write upon him My new name.

Revelation 5:9,10 KJV
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.

Revelation 14:3 NLT
This great choir sang a wonderful new song in front of the throne of God and before the four living beings and the twenty-four elders. No one could learn this song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.

Revelation 21:1-7 KJV
1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her Husband.
3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God.
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
5 And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And He said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
6 And He said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son.

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Bible Questions Answered: Under The Rod

Bible Questions Answered:
Must we all pass under the, rod of God, or may we escape by praying the Our Father?
Helen/ Calgary, Canada

Bible Answer:

Bible Text:
Leviticus 27:32 KJV
And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever
passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD.

Passing under the rod, just what did that mean?
Poems have been written, signifying that it meant punishment, but that is wrong!

Leviticus 27:32 NLT
Count off every tenth animal from your herds and flocks and set them apart for the Lord as holy.

Shepherds often kept their flocks of sheep in caves, for protection from animals and robbers.
When the shepherd herded his flock into a cave, he counted his sheep, by tapping each one that entered the sheepfold of safety.

Should the shepherd, determine that one was missing, out he must go to find the missing lost sheep.

This alone is the meaning of “passing under the rod.”

Jeremiah 33:13 KJV
In the cities of the mountains, in the cities of the vale, and in the cities of the south, and in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, shall the flocks pass again under the hands of him that telleth them, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 33:13 NLT
Once again shepherds will count their flocks in the towns of the hill country, the foothills of Judah, the Negev, the land of Benjamin, the vicinity of Jerusalem, and all the towns of Judah. I, the Lord, have spoken!

Now concerning the subject of chastisement.
The Lord's Prayer is “not,” a spiritual talisman!

There is no such device in the life of God's child. God's people are to be holy, for God is holy.
I Peter 1:15,16 KJV
15 But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Chastisement:

Deuteronomy 8:5 KJV
Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee.

Job 5:17 KJV
Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:

Psalm 94:12 KJV
Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;

Proverbs 3:11,12 KJV
11 My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of His correction:
12 For whom the LORD loveth He correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

John 15:2 KJV
Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

Hebrews 12:5-14 KJV
5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him:
6 For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth.
7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of Spirits, and live?
10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but He for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness.
11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

Dear friend, are you under the rod of the Almighty? Has He counted you safe in His pavilion of salvation?

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Bible Questions Answered: Christian Fellowship

Bible Questions Answered:
My folks want me to ditch some of my friends because they may be into some drinking or sex. I say what's the big deal thats a lot of people.
Curt/ Miami, Florida U.S.A.

Bible Answer:

A Christian is not, to fellowship with the ungodly.

Genesis 3:3 KJV
But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

Exodus 23:2 NLT
"You must not follow the crowd in doing wrong..."

II Chronicles 19:1,2 NLT
1 When King Jehoshaphat of Judah arrived safely home in Jerusalem,
2 Jehu son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him. “Why should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord?” he asked the king. “Because of what you have done, the Lord is very angry with you.

Psalm 1:1,2
1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law doth he meditate day and night. KJV

Psalm 97:10 KJV
Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: He preserveth the souls of His saints; He delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.

Proverbs 4:14,27 KJV
14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

Proverbs 14:16 KJV
A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.

Proverbs 24:1 NLT
Don’t envy evil people or desire their company.

Isaiah 52:11 NLT
Get out! Get out and leave your captivity, where everything you touch is unclean. Get out of there and purify yourselves, you who carry home the sacred objects of the Lord.

Matthew 10:11-14 NLT
11 “Whenever you enter a city or village, search for a worthy person and stay in his home until you leave town.
12 When you enter the home, give it your blessing.
13 If it turns out to be a worthy home, let your blessing stand; if it is not, take back the blessing.
14 If any household or town refuses to welcome you or listen to your message, shake its dust from your feet as you leave.

John 15:19 KJV
If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

Acts 2:40 NLT
Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!”

Romans 12:9 KJV
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.

I Corinthians 5:9-11 NLT
9 When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin.
10 But I wasn’t talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that.
11 I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people.

I Corinthians 10:20 KJV
But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

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.

Ephesians 5:1-13 NLT
1 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are His dear children.
2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered Himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
3 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people.
4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.
5 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
6 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey Him.
7 Don’t participate in the things these people do.
8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!
9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.
10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord.
11 Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.
12 It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret.
13 But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them,

I Thessalonians 4:3 KJV
God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin.

I Thessalonians 5:22 KJV
Abstain from all appearance of evil.

II Thessalonians 3:6;14,15 NLT
6 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we give you this command in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: Stay away from all believers who live idle lives and don’t follow the tradition they received from us.
14 Take note of those who refuse to obey what we say in this letter. Stay away from them so they will be ashamed.
15 Don’t think of them as enemies, but warn them as you would a brother or sister.

II Timothy 3:5 KJV
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

I Peter 3:12 NLT
The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and His ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns His face against those who do evil.”

II John 10,11 KJV
10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

III John 11 KJV
Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

Revelation 21:8 KJV
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Monday, December 27, 2010

Bible Questions Answered: Shepherd's Fear Of The Angels.

Bible Questions Answered:
Why were shepherds so afraid of angels, because they are spirits?
Andre/ Moscow, Russia

Bible Text:
Luke 2:8-14 KJV
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone* round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

*Shone-Greek-Perilampo (Per-ee-lam-po): To illuminate all around-shine forth.
(Abingdon/Strong-Biblical Concordance)

Bible Answer:
For four hundred years, there had been nothing but silence from prophet or priest, it seemed as though God was silent, and then, the Shepherds, out in the dark fields at night, became extremely afraid because angels from God appeared over them in dazzling light. The revelation was both totally unexpected and overwhelming.

As has been stated before, the brilliant Star of Bethlehem, was none other than a mighty angel sent from God.
Revelation 9:1 KJV
And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.

Yes, Angels may appear, because of their Shechinah glory, as brilliant stars from heaven.
This was a fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy...

Isaiah 9:2 KJV
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.

(A twofold fulfillment: The angelic Great Light seen by the shepherds/ The Great Light, spiritually given by Christ.)

Religious leaders of the day were not living, looking, or searching the scriptures, for the coming of the Messiah, so Christ's coming was not revealed to them, and because it was revealed to lowly, outcast shepherds, the religious leaders of the day, would never have anything to do with it!

The Saviour, would be known for His humility so His coming was announced first to the lowly, shepherds of Bethlehem.

The Shepherds, were afraid, not only because of blinding angelic light, they had become fearful also because, not only were they viewing a heavenly spectacle, but the angel was addressing them personally!

And they became afraid, because not only one angel had appeared to them, but a “multitude,” of angels

Luke 2:13,14 KJV
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

What a visitation!
Luke 2:15-20 KJV
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this Child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Have you met this humble and loving Saviour?

Friday, December 24, 2010

Bible Questions Answered: Nunc Dimittis

Bible Questions Answered:
What is the “Nunc Dimittis”?
Billy/ St. Louis, Missouri

Bible Answer:

It was an anthem (or song) given by the saintly, Simeon.

Luke 2:25-35 KJV
25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation* of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him after the custom of the law,
28 Then took he Him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
33 And Joseph and his mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him.
34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary His mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

*Consolation-Greek: Parakleisis (Par-ak-lay-sis): Solace, comfort, consolation.

Luke 2:25-35 NLT (Simeon's Prophecy)
25 At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the
Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him
26 and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.
27 That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the
law required,
28 Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,
29 “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised.
30 I have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared for all people.
32 He is a Light to reveal God to the nations, and He is the Glory of your people Israel!”
33 Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about Him.
34 Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall,
but He will be a joy to many others. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose Him.
35 As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”

Godly Simeon, had spent his life in the temple, waiting for the “Consolation of Israel,” the “Comfort of Israel,” or the one who would come and “Comfort Israel, as they were under Roman occupation. Their, comfort, their deliverer.

As an old man, Simeon saw the day came when Mary and Joseph came to the temple to present Jesus to the Lord.

Exodus 13:1,2 KJV
1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2 Sanctify unto Me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is Mine.

Because by God's decree, a male child being God's own, had to be redeemed by his parents, through a sacrifice to the Lord. And so Mary and Joseph brought “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

It was then (lead by the Holy Spirit) that Simeon, saw the Child, made his announcement and prophecy.

Simeon knew well the prophecies concerning the coming of the Messiah.

Genesis 3:15 KJV
And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise His heel.

Genesis 12:3 KJV
And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

Genesis 49:10 KJV
The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between His feet, until Shiloh come; and unto Him shall the gathering of the people be.

Deuteronomy 18:15 KJV
15 The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto Him ye shall hearken;
18 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put My words in His mouth; and He shall speak unto them all that I shall command Him.

Psalm 2:2 KJV
The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against His Anointed, saying,

Psalm 45:2,7 KJV
2 Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.
7 Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

Psalm 68:18 KJV
Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.

Psalm 69:21 KJV
They gave Me also gall for My meat; and in My thirst they gave Me vinegar to drink.

Psalm 110:1 KJV
The LORD said unto My Lord, Sit thou at My right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

Psalm 118:22 KJV
The Stone which the builders refused is become the Head Stone of the corner.

Psalm 132:11 KJV
The LORD hath sworn in truth unto David; He will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.

Isaiah 2:4 KJV
And He shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

Isaiah 7:14 KJV
Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call His name Emmanuel.

Isaiah 8:13-15 KJV
13 Sanctify the LORD of Hosts Himself; and let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread.
14 And He shall be for a Sanctuary; but for a Stone of stumbling and for a Rock of offense to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
15 And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.

Isaiah 9:2,6,7 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.
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, Counselor, 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.

Isaiah 11:5,10 KJV
5 And righteousness shall be the girdle of His loins, and faithfulness the girdle of His reins.
10 And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and His rest shall be glorious.

Isaiah 25:8 KJV
He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of His people shall He take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.

Isaiah 28:16 NLT
16 Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “Look! I am placing a Foundation Stone in Jerusalem, a Firm and Tested Stone. It is a Precious Cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken.

Isaiah 42:1,2 KJV
1 Behold My Servant, whom I uphold; Mine Elect, in whom My soul delighteth; I have put My Spirit upon Him: He shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
2 He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause His voice to be heard in the street.

Isaiah 49:6 KJV
And He said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be My servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a Light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be My Salvation unto the end of the earth.

Isaiah 52:14 KJV
As many were astonished at thee; His visage was so marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men:

Isaiah 53:2,7 KJV (Whole chapter.)
2 For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him.
7 He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth.

Isaiah 55:4 KJV
Behold, I have given him for a Witness to the people, a Leader and Commander to the people.

Isaiah 59:16 KJV
And He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore His arm brought salvation unto Him; and His righteousness, it sustained Him.

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;

Isaiah 62:11 KJV
Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy Salvation cometh; behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him.

Isaiah 63:1 KJV
Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in His apparel, traveling in the greatness of His strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.

Jeremiah 23:5 KJV
Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a Righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

Ezekiel 17:22 KJV
Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also take of the highest branch of the high cedar, and will set it; I will crop off from the top of his young twigs a Tender One, and will plant it upon an high mountain and eminent:

Daniel 2:34 KJV
34 Thou sawest till that a Stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.
44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

Daniel 7:13 KJV
I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of Man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him.

Daniel 9:25 KJV
Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

Micah 5:2 KJV
But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Haggai 2:7 KJV
And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of Hosts.

Zechariah 3:8 KJV
Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth My servant the BRANCH.

Zechariah 6:12 KJV
And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of Hosts, saying, Behold the Man whose name is The BRANCH; and He shall grow up out of His place, and He shall build the temple of the LORD:

Zechariah 9:9,10 KJV
9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: He is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
10 And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and He shall speak peace unto the heathen: and His dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth.

Zechariah 11:12 KJV
And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver.

Zechariah 12:10 KJV
And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon Me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for Him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for Him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

Zechariah 13:7 KJV
Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, and against the Man that is My Fellow, saith the LORD of Hosts: smite the Shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn Mine hand upon the little ones.

Malachi 3:1 KJV
Behold, I will send My Messenger, and He shall prepare the way before Me: and the LORD, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the Covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, He shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.

Had the religious leaders of Israel known well these versus, they would have recognized the baby Jesus as the promised Messiah, but they did not.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Bible Questions Answered: Manger Or House?

Bible Questions Answered:
I see a discrepancy between Luke's account (manger) of the Lord's lodging and Matthew's which states a house. Thank you.
Roy/ Dallas Texas

Bible Answer:

Text:
Matthew 2:11 KJV
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down, and worshiped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

Luke's account:

Luke 2:4-7 KJV
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him
in a manger*; because there was no room for them in the inn*.


*Manger-Greek; Phatne (Fat-nay): A crib (for fodder), stall.

*Inn-Greek; Kataluma (Kat-al-oo-mah): Lodging-place: guest chamber.
(Abingdon's/ Strong's Concordance of the Bible.)

Please, may it come to no one as a surprise, that in the day of our Lord's birth, there were no Holiday Inns, Radisons, etc. as well as motels and lodges.

When travelers came to Bethlehem to be taxed, they made plans to stay with relatives, or friends who lived there. And yes this no doubt was Joseph's plan as well, but alas if it was, others had come and beaten him to it, leaving no option, but to stay with the animals.

And now concerning the subject of a manger.
Manger: A box or trough to hold fodder for horses or cattle to eat.
(New World Dictionary)

Again, may it come as no surprise to anyone, that there were no and barns or buildings to house animals in Bethlehem.

But wasn't there a place of shelter for the baby Jesus?
Yes, it was where the shepherds kept their sheep at night or in time of inclement weather. In Bethlehem are scattered caves where shepherds kept their flocks, in protection against marauding animals and robbers.

The manger was in a cave, with animals.

Now, this of course still leaves the question of Luke's account of the manger versus Matthew's account of the house.

The answer is that some time had elapsed, since our Lord's birth and His being taken to a house.
No doubt and we can see that in this account, Joseph did his best to see to it Mary and the child were in a house of warmth and safety, and he did, it was there that the wise men found the baby Jesus.

One cannot leave this subject but point out the wisdom of the wise men.

Matthew 2:11 KJV
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother,
and fell down, and worshiped Him:
and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

Having seen the King of the Jews, the Wise Men, fell down on their knees, their foreheads to the ground in homage to the baby Jesus.

Isn't it interesting that people of other faiths, take their shoes off before entering their places of worship, while Christian people today, need to do nothing?

Perhaps, we have failed.
Perhaps, it is time to show the reverence, and worship to the living God, that we always should have shown. Our King, is the Lord of Lord's and the King of Kings, the great I AM.

Exodus 3:4,5 KJV
4 And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.
5 And He said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.

Joshua 5:15 KJV
And the Captain of the LORD's host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.

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

Psalm 89:7 KJV
God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about Him.

Selah

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Bible Questions Answered: Soul Sleep- II

Bible Questions Answered:
Some people tell me that when you die, your soul is asleep, until resurrection, others don't think this.
Aadyn/ Melbourne, Australia

Bible Answer:

Our Lord's words to the penitent thief on the cross...
Luke 23:43 KJV
And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with Me in paradise.

Our Lord's teaching concerning the afterlife...
Luke 16:22,23 KJV
22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments,...(Please see our Saviour's teaching/Mark 9:42-48)

(In preface to our next verse please read, whole story of the rich man and Lazarus, Luke 16:19-31.)

This true account as told by the Saviour, relates how that the dead are “not-sleeping,” but very much awake and aware of their surroundings, albeit joy or pain.

Lazarus had gone to a place called “Abraham's bosom,” or paradise, which was located at the center of the earth, and at some distance from the area known as hell.
The two were separated “afar off/ verse 23,” “a great gulf fixed, separated the two verse 26.

All this is mentioned to allude to the words of the Apostle Paul to the Ephesian believers....

Ephesians 4:8-10 NLT
8 ...the Scriptures say,
“When He ascended to the heights, He led a crowd of captives and gave gifts to His people.”
9 Notice that it says “He ascended.” This clearly means that Christ also descended to our lowly world.
10 And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that He might fill the entire universe with Himself.

Who were these “captives,” that our Lord lead into the heights (heaven)? They were the righteous since Adam and Eve, who had been waiting in Paradise for Christ to take them to heaven.

Why hadn't they all gone to heaven before this time/ and why was such a place necessary (paradise)?
It was because the title of “first-fruit,” first to ascend into heaven, belonged to the Lord Jesus Christ.
He is the first-fruit of resurrection.

Far from being asleep, the Lord Jesus having descended into Paradise, lead the captives, to heaven, the everlasting home of the redeemed.

The Apostle Paul's words …
II Corinthians 5:6-8 KJV
6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

II Corinthians 12:2-4 KJV
1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
4 How that he was caught up into paradise ( the third heaven), and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

1st heaven: The atmosphere.
2nd heaven: The Starry heaven, the universe.
3rd heaven: God's throne, heaven, everlasting Eden, home of the blessed.

Other Proof:

Moses and Elijah certainly were not soul sleeping!
Matthew 17:1-6 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.

Moses had been dead for centuries, and Elijah been taken up many centuries before.


Thursday, December 16, 2010

Bible Lesson: Miracles Of Jesus: Feeding Of The Five Thousand

Bible Lesson: Miracles Of Jesus; Five Thousand Fed.

Location: N.E. Galilee (Bethsaida)

Bible Text: Mark 6:30-44 KJV/ Matthew 14:13/ Luke 9:10/ John 6:5-13.
30 And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told Him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.
31 And He said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.
32 And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.
33 And the people saw them departing, and many knew Him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and out went them, and came together unto Him.
34 And Jesus, when He came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and He began to teach them many things.
35 And when the day was now far spent, His disciples came unto Him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed:
36 Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat.
37 He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto Him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat?
38 He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes.
39 And He commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass.
40 And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.
41 And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, He looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided He among them all.
42 And they did all eat, and were filled.
43 And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes.
44 And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men.

Mark 6:30-44 NLT
30 The apostles returned to Jesus from their ministry tour and told Him all they had done and taught.
31 Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and His apostles didn’t even have time to eat.
32 So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone.
33 But many people recognized them and saw them leaving, and people from many towns ran ahead along the shore and got there ahead of them.
34 Jesus saw the huge crowd as He stepped from the boat, and He had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So He began teaching them many things.
35 Late in the afternoon His disciples came to Him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late.
36 Send the crowds away so they can go to the nearby farms and villages and buy something to eat.”
37 But Jesus said, “You feed them.” “With what?” they asked. “We’d have to work for months to earn enough money to buy food for all these people!”
38 “How much bread do you have?” He asked. “Go and find out.” They came back and reported, “We have five loaves of bread and two fish.”
39 Then Jesus told the disciples to have the people sit down in groups on the green grass.
40 So they sat down in groups of fifty or a hundred.
41 Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, He kept giving the bread to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people. He also divided the fish for everyone to share.
42 They all ate as much as they wanted,
43 and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftover bread and fish.
44 A total of 5,000 men and their families were fed from those loaves!


Mark 6:30-31 KJV
30 And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told Him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.
31 And He said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.

The disciples having just buried the body of the beloved John the baptist, having been beheaded by Herod Antipas, Jesus instructs them, as He does all weary ministers of the gospel, “ Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while.”

Mark 6:32-34 KJV
32 And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.
33 And the people saw them departing, and many knew Him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and out went them, and came together unto Him.
34 And Jesus, when He came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and He began to teach them many things.

Jesus and His disciples, entered into a ship and set off from the N.E. shore of Galilee (Bethsaida) to the N.W. shore of Galilee, a distance of some ten miles.

Some of the Jesus' followers had seen Him leave in the ship, and they ran on the shore to go before Him.
Of interest to some is the fact that those on foot, preceded the Master and His disciples, by boat, how could this be? It could more than likely be due to the winds on Galilee being against the ship.

Jesus never lacked for followers, how hungry the soul of man is, and that has not changed in 2000 years.

Our great Saviour, “was moved with compassion toward them,” what of us?

Matthew 9:35-38 KJV
35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
37 Then saith He unto His disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest.


Mark 6:35-38 KJV
35 And when the day was now far spent, His disciples came unto Him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed:
36 Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat.
37 He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto Him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat?
38 He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes.

How like man, the disciples answer to the thousands of tired and hungry was...”Send them away.”
The faithless heart of man, knows only human reasoning.

Man's soulless answer is “you can give a man a fish, or you can teach him to fish.”
This saying never came from the lips of a caring, giving, sacrificing God, who gave all that He had, until His very life itself, was given!
Rather it comes from the hearts of stingy, selfish, greedy men!

Our blessed Saviour's compassion, love and faith, changed water into wine, healed the sick and raised the dead.

Luke 6:38 KJV Our Saviour taught us...
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Matthew 10:8 KJV
"...freely ye have received, freely give."

Matthew 9:29 KJV He said...
"...According to your faith be it unto you."


Mark 6:39-41 KJV
39 And He commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass.
40 And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.
41 And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, He looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided He among them all.

Our Lord, never sends anyone away empty!
Our Lord, never sends anyone away empty!

Philippians 4:6,19 KJV
6 Be careful for (anxious over) nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
19 But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Genesis 18:14 KJV
"Is any thing too hard for the LORD?..."

To man, the miraculous is beyond the norm.
To God, the miraculous is the norm.

Looking up to heaven in prayer, our Lord, blessed and broke the loaves and fish, and gave them to His disciples to distribute the the people.


Mark 6:42-44 KJV
42 And they did all eat, and were filled.
43 And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes.
44 And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men.

It has been well said, that if there were some 5,000 men on this day, what would the count be if the wives and children had been counted, 10,000-15,000, more?

What do you need today, there is always abundance at the hands of the Saviour.

John 10:10 KJV
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

II Corinthians 9:8 KJV
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

Ephesians 3:20 KJV
Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Mark 11:22 KJV
And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.

II Chronicles 20:20 KJV
"... Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established;.."

John 6:28,29 KJV
28 Then said they unto Him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent.

Hebrews 11:6 KJV
But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Bible Questions Answered: Polygamy

Bible Questions Answered:
I hear that polygamy is on the rise in America, although against the law, it is increasing. What can we tell these people?
Shad/ Los Angeles, California U.S.A.

Bible Answer:

There is a religious organization that teaches that the more wives a man has the more honor he will have in the next world.

Marriage:

Matthew 22:29,30 KJV
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.

Matthew 22:29,30 NLT
29 Jesus replied, “Your mistake is that you don’t know the Scriptures, and you don’t know the power of God.
30 For when the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage. In this respect they will be like the angels in heaven.

Genesis 2:7, 21-24 KJV
7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife (not wives): and they shall be one flesh.

Deuteronomy 17:17 KJV
Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.

Matthew 19:4-6 NLT
4 “Haven’t you read the Scriptures?” Jesus replied. “They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’
5 And He said, ‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’
6 Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.”

I Timothy 3:1-5,12 KJV
1 This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

Titus 1:6 KJV
If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.

The Word of God, versus the teachings of men:

II Timothy 3:15-16 KJV
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

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.

Revelation 22:14,15 KJV
18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Bible Questions Answered: Queen Of Heaven

Bible Questions Answered:
When did Mary, become the queen of heaven?
Milena/ Prague, Czech Republic

Bible Answer:

Not in the Word of God, made so by the tradition of men.
The reference “the Queen of Heaven,” no way is connected to Mary the virgin young lady, who became the mother of our Lord.

The name “Queen of Heaven,” referred to sinful women of Judah, who in fertility rites, baked round flat cakes, resembling the moon, and made drink offerings to the female goddess, Ashtaroth-Queen of Heaven, (counter-part to the male image of Baal) in Canaanite moon worship.

Scripture references:
Jeremiah 7:18/ 44:17,18,19,25

Jeremiah 7:13-26 New American Standard Version
13"And now, because you have done all these things," declares the LORD, "and I spoke to you, rising up early and speaking, but you did not hear, and I called you but you did not answer,
14 therefore, I will do to the house which is called by My name,in which you trust, and to the place which I gave you and your fathers, as I did to Shiloh.
15"I will cast you out of My sight, as I have cast out all your brothers, all the offspring of Ephraim.
16"As for you, do not pray for this people, and do not lift up cry or prayer for them, and do not intercede with Me; for I do not hear you.
17"Do you not see what they are doing in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem?
18"The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead dough to make cakes for the queen of heaven; and they pour out drink offerings to other gods in order to spite Me.
19"Do they spite Me?" declares the LORD "Is it not themselves they spite, to their own shame?"
20 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, My anger and My wrath will be poured out on this place, on man and on beast and on the trees of the field and on the fruit of the ground; and it will burn and not be quenched."
21 Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, "Add your burnt offerings to your sacrifices and eat flesh.
22"For I did not speak to your fathers, or command them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings and sacrifices.
23"But this is what I commanded them, saying, 'Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you will be My people; and you will walk in all the way which I command you, that it may be well with you.'
24"Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in their own counsels and in the stubbornness of their evil heart, and (went backward and not forward.
25"Since the day that your fathers came out of the land of Egypt until this day, I have sent you all My servants the prophets, daily rising early and sending them.
26"Yet they did not listen to Me or incline their ear, but stiffened their neck; they did more evil than their fathers.

Jeremiah 44:1-30 New American Standard Version
1 The word that came to Jeremiah for all the Jews living in the land of Egypt, those who were living in Migdol, Tahpanhes, Memphis, and the land of Pathros, saying,
2"Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, 'You yourselves have seen all the calamity that I have brought on Jerusalem and all the cities of Judah; and behold, this day they are in ruins and no one lives in them,
3 because of their wickedness which they committed so as to provoke Me to anger by continuing to burn sacrifices and to serve other gods whom they had not known, neither they, you, nor your fathers.
4'Yet I sent you all My servants the prophets, again and again, saying, "Oh, do not do this abominable thing which I hate."
5'But they did not listen or incline their ears to turn from their wickedness, so as not to burn sacrifices to other gods.
6'Therefore My wrath and My anger were poured out and burned in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem, so they have become a ruin and a desolation as it is this day.
7'Now then thus says the LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, "Why are you doing great harm to yourselves, so as to cut off from you man and woman, child and infant, from among Judah, leaving yourselves without remnant,
8 provoking Me to anger with the works of your hands, burning sacrifices to other gods in the land of Egypt, where you are entering to reside, so that you might be cut off and become a curse and a reproach among all the nations of the earth?
9"Have you forgotten the wickedness of your fathers, the wickedness of the kings of Judah, and the wickedness of their wives, your own wickedness, and the wickedness of your wives, which they committed in the land of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem?
10"But they have not become contrite even to this day, nor have they feared nor walked in My law or My statutes, which I have set before you and before your fathers."'
11"Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, 'Behold, I am going to set My face against you for woe, even to cut off all Judah.
12'And I will take away the remnant of Judah who have set their mind on entering the land of Egypt to reside there, and they will all meet their end in the land of Egypt; they will fall by the sword and meet their end by famine Both small and great will die by the sword and famine; and they will become a curse, an object of horror, an imprecation and a reproach.
13'And I will punish those who live in the land of Egypt, as I have punished Jerusalem, with the sword, with famine and with pestilence.
14'So there will be no refugees or survivors for the remnant of Judah who have entered the land of Egypt to reside there and then to return to the land of Judah, to which they are longing to return and live; for none will return except a few refugees.'"
15 Then all the men who were aware that their wives were burning sacrifices to other gods, along with all the women who were standing by, as a large assembly, including all the people who were living in Pathros in the land of Egypt, responded to Jeremiah, saying,
16"As for the message that you have spoken to us in the name of the LORD, we are not going to listen to you!
17"But rather we will certainly carry out every word that has proceeded from our mouths, by burning sacrifices to the queen of heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, just as we ourselves, our forefathers, our kings and our princes
did in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem; for then we had plenty of food and were well off and saw no misfortune.
18"But since we stopped burning sacrifices to the queen of heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have lacked everything and have met our end by the sword and by famine."
19"And," said the women, "when we were burning sacrifices to the queen of heaven and were pouring out drink offerings to her, was it without our husbands that we made for her sacrificial cakes in her image and poured out drink offerings to her?"
20 Then Jeremiah said to all the people, to the men and women--even to all the people who were giving him such an answer--saying,
21"As for the smoking sacrifices that you burned in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem, you and your forefathers, your kings and your princes, and the people of the land, did not the LORD remember them and did not all this come into His mind?
22"So the LORD was no longer able to endure it, because of the evil of your deeds, because of the abominations which you have committed; thus your land has become a ruin, an object of horror and a curse, without an inhabitant, as it is this day.
23"Because you have burned sacrifices and have sinned against the LORD and not obeyed the voice of the LORD or walked in His law, His statutes or His testimonies, therefore this calamity has befallen you, as it has this day."
24 Then Jeremiah said to all the people, including all the women, "Hear the word of the LORD, all Judah who are in the land of Egypt,
25 thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, as follows: 'As for you and your wives, you have spoken with your mouths and fulfilled it with your hands, saying, "We will certainly perform our vows that we have vowed, to burn sacrifices to the queen of heaven and pour out drink offerings to her " Go ahead and confirm your vows, and certainly perform your vows!'
26"Nevertheless hear the word of the LORD, all Judah who are living in the land of Egypt, 'Behold, I have sworn by My Great Name,' says the LORD, 'never shall My name be invoked again by the mouth of any man of Judah in all the land of Egypt, saying, "As the Lord GOD lives."
27'Behold, I am watching over them for harm and not for good, and all the men of Judah who are in the land of Egypt will meet their end by the sword and by famine until they are completely gone.
28'Those who escape the sword will return out of the land of Egypt to the land of Judah few in number Then all the remnant of Judah who have gone to the land of Egypt to reside there will know whose word will stand, Mine or theirs.
29'This will be the sign to you,' declares the LORD, 'that I am going to punish you in this place, so that you may know that My words will surely stand against you for harm.'
30"Thus says the LORD, 'Behold, I am going to give over Pharaoh Hophra king of Egypt to the hand of his enemies, to the hand of those who seek his life, just as I gave over Zedekiah king of Judah to the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, who was his enemy and was seeking his life.'"

What does the Word of the Lord say?

Exodus 20:1-5 KJV
1 And God spake all these words, saying,
2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
3 Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.
4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me;

I Chronicles 16:29 KJV
Give unto the LORD the glory due unto His name: bring an offering, and come before Him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

Psalm 95:6 KJV
O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.

Psalm 96:9 KJV
O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before Him, all the earth.

Isaiah 42:8 KJV
I am the LORD: that is My name: and My glory will I not give to another, neither My praise to graven images.

What Did Jesus Say?

Matthew 4:10 KJV
Then saith Jesus...it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.

What do the angels of heaven say?

Revelation 14:6,7 KJV
6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to Him...worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

Should we worship or pray to any other?

Revelation 22:9 New Living Translation
8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw all these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me.
9 But he said, “No, don’t worship me. I am a servant of God, just like you and your brothers the prophets, as well as all who obey what is written in this book. Worship only God!”

And a final thought, the picture of Revelation 12:1 is also, not Mary!

Revelation 12:1,2 NLT
1 Then I witnessed in heaven an event of great significance. I saw a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon beneath her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head.
2 She was pregnant, and she cried out because of her labor pains and the agony of giving birth.

Most theologians agree, this woman, represents “believers,” in both the time of the O.T. and N.T.
Her crown of 12 stars, represents both, the twelve tribes of Israel, and the twelve disciples of the N.T.
From her came the child, who Satan desperately wished to destroy, the Lord Jesus.
(more could be said and will be at a latter date, concerning this subject.)

Deuteronomy 4:19,20 NLT
19 And when you look up into the sky and see the sun, moon, and stars—all the forces of heaven—don’t be seduced into worshiping them. The Lord your God gave them to all the peoples of the earth.
20 Remember that the Lord rescued you from the iron-smelting furnace of Egypt in order to make you His very own people and His special possession, which is what you are today.

Deuteronomy 17:2,3 NLT
2 “When you begin living in the towns the Lord your God is giving you, a man or woman among you might do evil in the sight of the Lord your God and violate the covenant.
3 For instance, they might serve other gods or worship the sun, the moon, or any of the stars—the forces of heaven—which I have strictly forbidden.

Job 31:26-28 NLT
26 “Have I looked at the sun shining in the skies, or the moon walking down its silver pathway,
27 and been secretly enticed in my heart to throw kisses at them in worship?
28 If so, I should be punished by the judges, for it would mean I had denied the God of heaven.

The end of the matter:

John 3:16 KJV
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him (Not She or They) should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 6:68 KJV
Then Simon Peter answered Him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

John 8:24 KJV
I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins.

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.

Acts 4:10-12 KJV
10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by Him doth this man stand here before you whole.
11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

I Corinthians 3:11 NLT
For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.

Revelation 22:17-20 NLT
17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life.
18 And I solemnly declare to everyone who hears the words of prophecy written in this book: If anyone adds anything to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book.
19 And if anyone removes any of the words from this book of prophecy, God will remove that person’s share in the tree of life and in the holy city that are described in this book.
20 He who is the Faithful Witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!”
Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

Friday, December 10, 2010

Bible Questions Answered: Apostasy-In The Church

Bible Questions Answered:
What signs are we to be looking for, as far as the Lord's return, in the church. Some say there is coming a great world wide revival.
Pat/ Sydney, Australia

Bible Answer:

The Word of the Lord, speaks of apostasy in the church, in the last days.

Matthew 24:11-13 KJV
11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

II Thessalonians 2:1-3,11,12 KJV Deceptions/ and falling away.
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 be revealed, the son of perdition;
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.

I Timothy 1:19 KJV
Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

I Timothy 4:1-3 NLT False Religions.
1 Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.
2 These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead.
3 They will say it is wrong to be married
and wrong to eat certain foods.
But God created those foods to be eaten with thanks by faithful people who know the truth.
4 Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks.
5 For we know it is made acceptable by the word of God and prayer.

II Timothy 3:1-9 NLT
1 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times.
2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred.
3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good.
4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God.
5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!
6 They are the kind who work their way into people’s homes and win the confidence of vulnerable women who are burdened with the guilt of sin and controlled by various desires.
7 (Such women are forever following new teachings, but they are never able to understand the truth.)
8 These teachers oppose the truth just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses. They have depraved minds and a counterfeit faith.
9 But they won’t get away with this for long. Someday everyone will recognize what fools they are, just as with Jannes and Jambres.

II Timothy 4:2-4 KJV
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Hebrews 3:12,13 KJV
12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

Hebrews 6:4-8 NLT
4 For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened—those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit,
5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come—
6 and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing Him to the cross once again and holding Him up to public shame.
7 When the ground soaks up the falling rain and bears a good crop for the farmer, it has God’s blessing.
8 But if a field bears thorns and thistles, it is useless. The farmer will soon condemn that field and burn it.

Hebrews 10:26-29 KJV
26 For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
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?

II Peter 2:1-22 NLT False Teachers.
1 But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves.
2 Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered.
3 In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction will not be delayed.
4 For God did not spare even the angels who sinned. He threw them into hell, in gloomy pits of darkness, where they are being held until the day of judgment.
5 And God did not spare the ancient world—except for Noah and the seven others in his family. Noah warned the world of God’s righteous judgment. So God protected Noah when He destroyed the world of ungodly people with a vast flood.
6 Later, God condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and turned them into heaps of ashes. He made them an example of what will happen to ungodly people.
7 But God also rescued Lot out of Sodom because he was a righteous man who was sick of the shameful immorality of the wicked people around him.
8 Yes, Lot was a righteous man who was tormented in his soul by the wickedness he saw and
heard day after day.
9 So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while keeping the wicked under punishment until the day of final judgment.
10 He is especially hard on those who follow their own twisted sexual desire, and who despise authority. These people are proud and arrogant, daring even to scoff at supernatural beings without so much as trembling.
11 But the angels, who are far greater in power and strength, do not dare to bring from the Lord a charge of blasphemy against those supernatural beings.
12 These false teachers are like unthinking animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed. They scoff at things they do not understand, and like animals, they will be destroyed.
13 Their destruction is their reward for the harm they have done. They love to indulge in evil pleasures in broad daylight. They are a disgrace and a stain among you. They delight in deception even as they eat with you in your fellowship meals.
14 They commit adultery with their eyes, and their desire for sin is never satisfied. They lure unstable people into sin, and they are well trained in greed. They live under God’s curse.
15 They have wandered off the right road and followed the footsteps of Balaam son of Beor, who loved to earn money by doing wrong.
16 But Balaam was stopped from his mad course when his donkey rebuked him with a human voice.
17 These people are as useless as dried-up springs or as mist blown away by the wind. They are doomed to blackest darkness.
18 They brag about themselves with empty, foolish boasting. With an appeal to twisted sexual desires, they lure back into sin those who have barely escaped from a lifestyle of deception.
19 They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you.
20 And when people escape from the wickedness of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and then get tangled up and enslaved by sin again, they are worse off than before.
21 It would be better if they had never known the way to righteousness than to know it and then reject the command they were given to live a holy life.
22 They prove the truth of this proverb: “A dog returns to its vomit." And another says, “A washed pig returns to the mud.”

II Peter 3:3,4,17 KJV
3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4 And saying, Where is the promise of His coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

Jude 4,8,11-13,16 KJV
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.
8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.
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.
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.

Revelation 3:14-22 KJV Laodicean Age.
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God;
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.
21 To him that over cometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.
22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.