NOTE: (Heb. 9:23 keyword: patterns) Patterns defined: Strong’s #5262: exhibit for imitation or warning and ADUMBRATION which is defined: foreshadow, symbolize, foretell, prophesy, represent in outline & predict. <-Remember these two highlighted, underlined definitions of ADUMBRATION/patterns because they will be used in this article.
(Heb. 9:23 keyword: patterns: defined: foreshadow & prophesy) This concerns the hidden prophecies in O.T. objects, events, people, activities JUST LIKE (John 5:46-47) the writings of Moses, (John 6:32-33) the OT manna, (Matt. 12:40-41) Jonas (Jonah) three days in the belly of the whale then preached to the Gentiles in Nineveh, (Luke 4:27) Naaman the Syrian (a Gentile) and (John 3:14) the serpent on the pole; all four are mentioned by Jesus that are hidden prophesies about Jesus. END OF NOTE.
Do not forget the first 13 paragraphs that introduced us to our God Who is PURE LOVE personified and shared our life because (2Pet. 3:9) “the Lord is longsuffering (defined: Strong’s #3114: to cause grief, offend, to suffer while enduring the offenses and injuries of others) to us-ward“, (Eph. 4:13-32 esp. V.30 keyword: grieve defined: Strong’s #3076: to affect with sadness, cause grief, to be in sorrow) “and grieve not the holy Spirit of God“ AND (John 11:1-40 esp. V.35) “Jesus wept (defined: Strong’s w #1145: to shed tears).“ According to (V.4, 15, 33 & 40) Jesus wept because of their unbelief in the words Jesus had said.
After you have read the information under the sub-title STATISTICS: THE CHURCH IN AMERICA near the bottom of the HOME page and as you read below (1John 4:8 & 16 keywords: God is love) please see JESUS, PURE LOVE, LOVE ITSELF, LOVE PERSONIFIED, (Heb. 4:14-16) sitting on His beautiful throne of grace with tears streaming down His face while so much of His blood bought church ignores Him and His word and cavorts into sin! DO YOU?
(2Thess. 2:3 keywords: except there come a falling away first)
(falling: defined: Strong’s #646: Greek word: apostasia: from which the English word apostasy is derived: Apostasy is not a Biblical word: but the internet definition is: the abandonment or renunciation of a religious belief, defection which is an abandonment of a Biblical truth: a synonym is: heresy which is a Biblical word.
(1Cor. 11:19 keyword: heresies, Gal. 5:20-21, V.20 keyword: heresies then V.21 keywords: they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God & 2Pet. 2:1 keywords: shall bring in damnable heresies: Strong’s# 138-139: defined: #138: to take for oneself, and #139 which is taken from #138 and is defined: disunion.
(Gen. 3:1-13 esp. V.4-5 & V.13 key: Satan calls God’s word a lie & John 8:44) “Satan is a liar and a murderer”. (2Cor. 11:13-15 keyword: his ministers) Satan transforms (disguises) himself into an angel of light and his ministers transform (disguise) themselves into ministers of righteousness. Satan can seduce a preacher, teacher or Christian away from Biblical truth. (1Cor. 1:10-13 & 3:1-5 then 1Tim. 6:3-4, 2Tim. 4:1-4 & Titus 1:9-11) They take parts of God’s Word and say the rest of it does not apply; defection from the truth, and/or they say parts of God’s Word mean something else; to take for oneself, and/or they always find other Christians willing to leave the true church and follow them; disunion.
An individual must be part of the church before he/she can fall away. BELOW, BY SCRIPTURE, IS HOW IT IS TAKING PLACE. Please be patient as you read because it is in great scriptural detail. Yes, it is important and your eternal destination may depend on your reaction to what you read! And remember the above definitions: defection from truth, to take for oneself and disunion.
*****Please read this scripture->(Gen. 17:1-19 esp. V.7, 13 & 19 keywords: everlasting covenant) The key to understanding God’s everlasting covenant with Abraham is in the definition of the word everlasting because it is defined as 2 entities, #1) a permanent physical gift of land that would be forever passed on to Abraham’s descendants starting with Isaac then Jacob re-named Israel #2) AND something veiled, hidden. WHY SOMETHING HIDDEN? (1Cor. 2:6-8 esp. V.8 keywords: for had they known it) (Eph. 2:2 keywords: according to the prince of the power of the air and 6:10-18 esp. V.12 keywords: against principalities) Just in case you want to read the answer.
God said; “And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed in their generations for an (V. 7, 13 & 19) everlasting (defined as: #1 eternal, always, perpetual and #2 something concealed, to veil) covenant to be a God unto thee and to thy seed after thee. (Gen. 17:11 keyword: circumcision) The physical circumcision part of God’s covenant with Abraham (Rom. 2:28-29) was also a physical prophecy of the future (concealed, veiled) spiritual circumcision part of God’s covenant with Abraham.
(Gal. 3:26-29 esp. V.28 keyword: Greek: defined: a non-Jewish bloodline, a Gentile) (V.29) God counts Gentile Christians and Jewish Christians as being the spiritual seed of Abraham (Eph. 2:8-22 esp. V.11-12 & 18-19) and members of the new covenant spiritual commonwealth of Israel!*****
Always remember the NOTE scripture and definition starting the sixth paragraph below because there are many unrecognized and thus denied foreshadowing and prophetic events in the Old Testament such as (2Ki. 5:1-14 & Luke 4:27) the events of Naaman the Syrian’s (a Gentile) cleansing of leprosy being a prophecy of the operation of the coming Gentile church and (Num. 21:4-9 & John 3:14-15) the serpent on the pole fashioned by Moses a Jew is a prophecy of Jesus’ coming crucifixion, (Matt. 27:20-25) by the Jews, to rid Christians of sin’s poison. (John 5:46-47) Jesus said; “Moses wrote of me.”
(Jonah 1:1 thru 3:10 & Matt. 12:40) Jesus said: “For as Jonas (Jonah) was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man (Jesus) be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. (Ex. 16:12-36 & John 6:32-33) Jesus said; Moses gave you the bread from heaven (manna) but Jesus is the true bread from heaven. (Luke 24:44) Jesus said; “These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.”
JESUS IRREVOCABLY TIED THE O.T. AND N.T. TOGETHER with these prophesies but a growing number of Christian preachers and teachers deny that connection and teach that the Old Testament has nothing to do with the New Testament Church! (John 1:1 & 1John 1:1 keyword in both: Word) which is defined: something said, the thought, the motive of God & the Divine Expression i.e. Christ.
The motive of God was that (Gal. 4:4 keywords: fullness of the time) in the fullness of time Jesus would come (Gal. 4:4-5) to redeem them that were under the law (Jews). (Eph. 1:1-10 esp. V.10 keywords: dispensation of the fullness of times) In that same fullness of times (Eph. 2:10-22 esp. V.11 keyword: Gentiles and V.16 keywords: reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross) Jesus would bring salvation to the Gentiles (V.18 keyword: both) with access to God through the Holy Spirit (V.20) built upon the foundation of the apostles and the prophets! Dispensation is defined: Strong’s #3622: administration of a household.
(Luke 4:21 and Luke 24:44) When Jesus announced His mission in the N.T. He tied the O.T. and N.T. irrevocably together (Isa. 61:1-2 & 42:1 keyword: Gentiles) when He quoted the O.T. because His coming is prophesied all through the O.T. (John 10:16) “For other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them I also must bring and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” Jesus prophesied of other sheep which were not of this fold (Israel) and that was fulfilled (Rom. 9:24-26 & 11:9-13 then Rom. 2:28-29 and Eph. 2:8-22) when Christian Jews and Christian Gentiles became one fold.
(Gen. 4:3 keywords: process of time) God chose using a process of time that is lasting from the beginning (Rev. 20:11:15 then Rev. 10:6-7 esp. V.6 keywords: that there should be time no longer) until the final “book of life’ judgment at the ending of the events brought on by the sounding of the seventh angel and “the mystery of God should be finished as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.”
NOTE: (Heb. 9:23 keyword: patterns) Patterns defined: Strong’s #5262: exhibit for imitation or warning and ADUMBRATION which is defined: foreshadow, symbolize, foretell, prophesy, represent in outline & predict. <-Remember these two highlighted, underlined definitions of ADUMBRATION/patterns because they will be used in this article.
(Heb. 9:23 keyword: patterns: defined: foreshadow & prophesy) This concerns the hidden prophecies in O.T. objects, events, people, activities JUST LIKE (John 5:46-47) the writings of Moses, (John 6:32-33), the OT manna, (Matt. 12:40-41) Jonas (Jonah) three days in the belly of the whale then preached to the Gentiles in Nineveh, (Luke 4:27) Naaman the Syrian (a Gentile) and (John 3:14) the serpent on the pole mentioned by Jesus that are hidden prophesies about Jesus.
It is not about the Law given to Moses by God for the Jews to attempt to obey. (Eph. 2:4-10) Salvation by grace is the gift of God and you cannot force God to owe you salvation (Heb. 8:6 thru 9:28) by doing the works of the Law of Moses. (Rom. 3:1-31 esp. V.9, 20, 22-26 & 28-31) The Law brought only an awareness of sin but could not bring true righteousness. END OF NOTE.
Then read (Rom. 3:1 thru 6:23). Paul wrote: Basically these scriptures (Rom. 5:6 keywords: in due time) show the progression of God’s efforts through the whole Bible as He sets the stage for all of fallen mankind, those who will accept Jesus as Saviour, to return to God (Rom. 5:5-8 esp. V.5 keywords: love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost- ‘Spirit’) in a personal, living relationship of love. (Luke 24:44-49) The law of Moses given by God did not have a living relationship but was only a proof that man could not work his way to heaven following a written set of laws (John 14:15-26 & Acts 2:1-41) that were not alive with the presence of God (the Holy Spirit) in the individual; they only obeyed what the priests told them.
(Rom. 10:9-10) Only through faith in Jesus‘ death, burial and resurrection (Rom. 4:25) can we Christians (Jews and Gentiles) receive God’s free gifts of justification, (Eph. 2:8-9) salvation, (Rom. 5:10-11) reconciliation, atonement, (Rom. 5:17) righteousness (1Cor. 1:30) sanctification and redemption.
(Rom. 6:1-23) Paul writes: (V.1-5) Our baptism is symbolic of our death (burial) of the old man of sin and resurrection of a new man (born again) and that sometime in the future we will be resurrected from our physical death to forever be with Jesus (Matt. 17:1-2 & 1John 3:2) in our glorified bodies.
(V.6-18) Since we, individually the old man of sin, are spiritually dead to sin because we, individually the lost sinner, were spiritually crucified with Christ and we are free from sin but (V.12) it is up to us to not let sin reign in our mortal body; (V.13) we are not to yield (aid, assist, give presently) our members (limbs, parts of the human body) unto sin but yield (same definition) ourselves unto God and our members as instruments (to be busy about, utensil, tool) of righteousness unto God. (V.15) God forbids us to commit sin and use grace as an excuse to commit sin.
(V.16) “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield (submit self unto) yourselves servants (subservient) to obey; his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death (the death of the body with the implied idea of future misery in hell) or of obedience unto righteousness.“ Christians still have the power of choice after salvation. (V.17-23) These verses are cautionary and explain yielding and servanthood to God. (V.23) “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” BUT PAUL ALSO WROTE THE BOOK TO THE EPHESIANS THAT:
(Eph. 2:4-10 esp. V.10) (V.8-9) Many preachers, teachers and Christians bray these two verses of scripture long and loud; “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast (to glory in a thing= brag on self).” But then they ignore or run from (Eph. V.10 below) like it is the plague. You will see through this article that Christians are (Mark 12:30) to “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart (life), and with all thy soul (personality), and with all thy mind (intellect), and with all thy strength (physical power) after individual salvation and work accordingly.
It is a personal love affair because through salvation (2Cor. 5:17) the individual becomes a new creature (creation) in Christ. We, (Rom. 12:5, 1Cor. 12:11-13 & Eph. 4:12) the church comprised of individuals, are the only physical bodies Jesus has with which to do His works!
(Eph. V.10 above: ***written by the Apostle Paul***) “For we are his workmanship, created (make habitable, to completely change or transform = John 3:3-8 born again of the Spirit= Rom. 8:9 Spirit= 2Cor. 5:17 a new creature: defined: creation) in Christ Jesus unto good (pleasant, agreeable, joyful, happy upright, honorable) works (toil, act, deed, labor), which God hath before (defined: Strong’s# 4282: appoint beforehand, predestine) ordained (to fit up in advance) that we should (afterwards, in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity) walk (to live, deport oneself, follow as a companion, progress, to regulate, conduct and pass one’s life) in them.”
You must understand that all through the New Testament Paul was in a war with the Jewish leadership (Priests, Pharisees and Sadducees) and common Jews that believed Paul had gone reprobate with his teaching and preaching that Christians were free from the (Rom. 6:14, 7:4, & 10:1-14 then Gal. 10:16-21) Mosaic Law of dead works that sought to make God owe them salvation. They refused to believe (John 3:1-8) born again Christianity with the (John 14:15-27 esp. V. 16-18, 20 & 23) indwelling Holy Spirit (Gal. 2:19-21) made it a personal relationship of love AND they tried to draw the Christian Jews back (Gal. 3:1-14 & Heb. 9:1-15) under the Law given to Moses.
(James 2:14-26 esp. V.17, 20, 24 & 26) “But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” (Eph. 2:10 & James 2:14-26) Paul and James stood back to back SPIRITUALLY FIGHTING FOR THE SAME CAUSE in two different directions; (Gal. 2:11-21 esp. V.12 keywords: came from James) Paul fought the Jews, sometimes called Judaizers, who wanted to draw Christians back into cold, cold Judaism to obey the dead works of the Jewish Law and James fought the do nothing-itis, worldly, ho hum, lackadaisical, (Eph. 2:10, Titus 2:14 & Rev. 3:14-16) lukewarm Christians who would not do Christian works.
PROOF: (Eph. 2:10 above)<- written by Paul and (James 2:14-26 above)<- written by James both say the same things to Christians about works. Christians are given salvation but they are expected to work for Jesus, it is a personal relationship (Mark 12:30-31) based on love through the Holy Spirit. Judaism contained a list of rituals and a list of behaviors with no personal relationship with God through the indwelling Holy Spirit.
(Gal. 4:1-6 esp. V.4 keywords: when the fullness of time was come and Eph. 1:1-10 esp. V.10 keywords: That in the dispensation of the fullness of times, then Eph. 3:1-9 esp. V.2 keywords: dispensation of the grace of God and V.9 keywords: which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God) God used a process of time from the beginning of the world to return some of fallen mankind to Him! God had selected Israel to introduce God and His power to the world. Then God used Israel to introduce Christianity and its personal relationship with Him through the Holy Spirit to the world.
PROOF: Click on the commentary God, Satan and Man: the Relationship, scroll the menu to Part 15 THE NARROWING TO ABRAHAM and read the first four paragraphs. God always had a lineage of firstborn sons that worshipped him. (1Pet. 3:20 keywords: the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing) (2Pet. 2:5 keywords: Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness) God has always had a people to worship Him in whatever way was given since the casting out from Eden. God is using a process of time to permanently return willing mankind to Him.
WHY? (Gen. 1:1, Heb. 9:26-28, 1Pet 1:20 & Rev. 12:8 keywords: Lamb slain from the foundation of the world) Foundation is defined: Strong’s #2602: founding, figuratively: conception. Because God is God and He can do it any way He wants to! IT IS FOOLISHNESS TO THINK YOU CAN PARCEL OUT GOD’S SCRIPTURE INTO LITTLE PARTS THAT CONCERN ONLY YOUR OWN WAY OF THINKING. Something else: By now some of you must have thought; “Man, God sure is sloppy to let all those people born at the wrong time in the process to be sent to hell!” Please read the one article commentary Is God Fair on this website.
Ignorantly skipping through scriptures to find what you want to believe or being led by (2Cor. 4:4) the god of this world, Satan, the devil, to skip through scripture to find what (2Cor. 11:13-15 esp. V.15 keywords: his ministers also be transformed as ministers of righteousness) Satan, the false angel of light wants you to believe puts you under the spell (1Pet. 5:8 keyword: adversary: defined by Strong’s #476: opponent, arch-enemy) of Satan, the devil, who is the greatest enemy of the church.
(Eph. 6:10-18 esp. V.11-12 keywords: For we wrestle not against flesh and blood) In the Church’s spiritual warfare against evil (V.17-18) our weapons are the word of God, prayer and the Holy Spirit (John 14:24-26) who will teach us all things — “whatsoever I have said unto you”. BUT (Matt. 11:29 keywords: learn of me & 2Tim. 2:15 keywords: study to show thyself approved) we have to study that word.
(2Pet. 1:1-8 esp. V.4) This scripture is a ‘cherry picking’ example. I have heard these once in grace always in grace regardless of works preach and teach the first eight verses BUT they refuse to go on with (2Pet. 1:9-10 esp. V.9 keyword: purged: defined: cleansed, ablution, purification) which describes a saved person who does not think enough of Jesus and His salvation to want to work to study and (V.4) and learn to be a “partaker of the divine nature“. (V.10 keyword: fall: defined: Strong’s #4417: fail of salvation) And these once in grace always in grace regardless of works adherents will not admit a Christian can fall away into damnation.
And Paul told (1Tim. 4:4-16) (V.6) Timothy to put the brethren into remembrance (V.11) and command and teach. (2Tim. 4:2) Paul told Timothy to “Preach the word”. And Paul wrote (1Tim. 6:12-19) (V.12) “Fight (to struggle, labor fervently, strive to obtain something) the good fight (a contest, effort, anxiety) of faith (moral conviction of religious truth, the truth of God, reliance upon Christ for salvation, fidelity), lay hold (to seize, lay hold on, take) on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called (to bid, to invite), and hast professed (confession, acknowledge, give thanks, promise) a good (honest) profession before many witnesses.”
(V.13) “I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Jesus Christ, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession: (V.14) That thou keep this commandment without spot (unblemished), unrebukeable (blameless, not open to censure), until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: (V.17) Charge them that are rich (abounding in material resources or abounding in Christian virtues and eternal possessions) in this world (an age, a period of time), that they be not highminded (arrogant, proud), nor trust in uncertain (uncertainty) riches, but in the living God, who giveth (present, afford, exhibit) us richly (abundantly) all things (thoroughly, whatsoever, individually) to enjoy; (full enjoyment)”
(V.18) “That they do good (do good, act rightly), that they be rich (to be or become wealthy) in good (valuable, virtuous) works (toil, act, deed), ready (good at imparting, i.e. liberal) to distribute (please well), willing to communicate (sociable, ready and apt to form and maintain communion and fellowship);” (V.19) “Laying up in store (to treasure away) for themselves a good foundation (first principals) against (the point reached or entered) the time to come (afterwards), that they may lay hold on (take possession of, attain) eternal (perpetual, forever) life (life real and genuine, active and vigorous, devoted to God).”
Paul also wrote; (1Tim. 4:1-2) “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly (outspokenly, i.e. distinctly), that in the latter (after this) times some shall depart (instigate to revolt) from the faith (the truthfulness of God), giving heed to seducing (imposter, misleader, deceiver, corrupter) spirits (demon, evil spirit), and doctrines (teaching, instruction) of devils (evil spirits or the messengers and ministers of the devil);” AND
(2Tim. 3:1-5) “This know also, that in the last days perilous (troublesome, dangerous, harsh, fierce, savage) times shall come. Men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent (without self control), fierce despisers of those that are good (hostile of virtue), Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures (fond of pleasure) more than lovers of God; Having a form (appearance) of godliness (piety, holiness), but denying (contradict, reject) the power (abundance, ability, meaning, miraculous) thereof: from such turn away (to shun, avoid).”
This scripture to Christians, in the Book of 1Corinthians, must be addressed before we go on. (Definitions are in parenthesis and italics after the defined word.) (1Cor. 3:11-16) (V.11) “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (John 1:1-4, 1John 1:1-4 & 2Tim. 3:16) Jesus is the living word of God and “All scripture is given by inspiration of God,“. (V.12) “Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood hay, stubble;” This denotes that some works are valuable and others are worthless.
(V.13) “Every man’s work (toil, act, deed– same definition for all here) shall be made manifest (shining, i.e. apparent, publicly, known, open): for the day shall declare (made plain) it, because it shall be revealed (take off the cover, disclose) by fire (Strong’s #4442 specifically lightening) and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort (of what kind, how great, quality) it is.“ (V.14) “If any man’s work abide (stay, continue, endure, be present, remain) which he hath built (to build upon, to rear up) thereupon, he shall receive a reward (pay, wages).“
(V.15) “If any man’s work shall be burned (to burn down, consumed wholly), he shall suffer (to injure, experience detriment: detriment is defined: a cause of harm or damage) loss (to injure, experience detriment: detriment is defined: a cause of harm or damage): but he himself shall be saved (Strong’s #4982 to deliver, protect); yet so as by fire (Strong’s #4442 specifically lightening).“
(V.16) “Know ye not that ye are the temple (shrine, fane, fane is defined: holy place) of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth (to occupy, to reside) in you?“
(1Cor. 3:11-16) This is a basic scripture for the Catholic belief in a purgatory. It is also a basic scripture for the Protestant belief in the ‘once in grace always in grace’ belief that every Christian will go to heaven regardless of sin or works because Jesus will not OR cannot take a Christian name out of the book of life.
In the below investigation of (1Cor. 3:11-16) the scriptures are given and the Strong’s or Strong’s w Concordance numbers used are given at the beginning of the definitions of certain words if you wish to investigate further. The identifier i.e. in some of the definitions means “that is to say” and is used to add explanatory information to state the same thing a different way. Synonyms for i.e. are ‘to put it another way’, ‘to rephrase it’, and ‘that is’. Example: “This walking boot is synthetic, i.e. not leather or suede.”
When I first read (1Cor. 3:11-16) the first thought that ‘popped’ into my thoughts was; (Matt. 11:29-30 keywords: learn of me) “This is about newly saved Christians who have not yet learned how to be Christians and do works for God.” The second thing was (Matt. 8:5-13 keyword: centurion) but that was about a Gentile who believed Jesus and the Jews who would not believe in Jesus. SO: (1Cor. 3:11-16)<-This scripture calls for me to make a judgment for which I am unqualified (Matt. 7:1-5) except to judge myself. (Matt. 7:1-5) It is obvious Jesus’ words offer the only solution to define what (1Cor. 3:11-16) is telling us, you and me. BECAUSE:
Jesus said; (John 12:48) “He that rejecteth me and receiveth not my words (Strong’s #4487: utterance), hath one that judgeth him: the word (Strong’s #3056: the thought, reasoning, motive, the divine Expression i.e. Christ) that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” Obedience or disobedience to Jesus’ words are what determines each Christian’s final destination SO:
Jesus said; (Matt. 4:4) “It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. “Jesus said; (Matt. 6:21) “For where your treasure (Strong’s #2344: deposit i.e. wealth) is, there will your heart (Strong’s #2588: thoughts, feelings, mind= soul) be also.” Jesus said; (Matt. 10:37-38) “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy (Strong’s #514: deserving, comparable, or suitable: same definition for all) of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross (Strong’s #4716: figuratively exposure to death, i.e. self-denial), and followeth (Strong’s #190: to be in the same way with) after me is not worthy of me.
Jesus said; (Matt. 12:30) “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth (Strong’s #4863: collect, convene) not with me scattereth (Strong’s #4650: waste, be liberal) abroad.” Jesus said; (Matt. 12:36-37) “But I say unto you, that every idle (Strong’s #692: inactive, unemployed, lazy, useless) word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. (V.37) For by thy words thou shall be justified (Strong’s #1344: to show or regard as just or innocent), and by thy words thou shalt be condemned (Strong’s #2613 adjudge against, i.e. pronounce guilty).“
Jesus said; (Matt. 24:13) “But he that shall endure (Strong’s #5278: bear trials, have fortitude, persevere) unto the end, the same shall be saved (Strong’s #4982: delivered, protect).”
Jesus said; (Mark 12:30) “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart (Strong’s W #2588: center of blood circulation, center of physical life), and with all thy soul (Strong’s #5590: immortal soul: Greek word: psuche: from which the English word psyche is derived), and with all thy mind (Strong’s #1271: thinking, intellect), and with all thy strength (Strong’s #2479: physical forcefulness, ability, power); this is the first commandment.”
And Jesus said; (Mark 12:31) “And the second is like namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour (Strong’s W #4139: fellow man, countryman, Christian, friend: Neighbour is explicitly defined by Jesus in Luke 10:30-37 esp. V.36) as thyself. There is none other commandment (Strong’s W #1785: an order, command, charge) greater than these.”
Jesus said; (Luke 6:46) “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” Jesus said; (Luke 9:23) “If any man will come after me, let him deny (Strong’s #533: deny utterly, disown, abstain) himself, and take up his cross (Strong’s #4716: self denial) daily and follow me.” Jesus said; (Luke 9:26) “For whosoever shall be ashamed (Strong’s W #1870: to feel shame for) of me and my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed (Strong’s W #1870: to feel shame for), when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.”
(Luke 11:27) “a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps (Strong’s #3149: breasts) which thou hast sucked.” But Jesus said; (Luke 11:28) “Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.”
Jesus said; (Luke 16:19-28) (V.22) When these two men died their bodies were buried BUT (V.25) they will have a spiritual body with all the attributes of a physical body and those who follow God’s way like Lazarus will be comforted (Strong’s #3870: consolation) and those who refuse God’s way (the rich man had no love, empathy, sympathy, compassion, mercy, or generosity) will be tormented (Strong’s w #3600: to cause intense pain, to be in anguish) (V.23) in hell.
The rich man described in his supernatural, permanent existence could (V.23) see, (V.24) speak, smell, taste, feel, touch, (V.26-27) hear, understand, (V.27) pray, (V.28) memory, emotion- feel love, worry, (V.30) make a plea based on reason just like he had in his physical existence and he had an awful resignation to his fate because he did not ask to be removed from hell! Comforted (consolation) tells us Lazarus in his supernatural, permanent existence had the same physical, emotional and mental attributes as the rich man but his situation was opposite that of the rich man who was tormented.
Jesus said; (John 3:3 & 5) (V.3) “Verily, verily, (Strong’s #281: surely, surely) I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (V.5) “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of the water and of the Spirit (Strong’s #4151: Holy Spirit), he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” If you wish to investigate ‘born again’ it is explained in (Gal. 6:15 & 2Cor. 5:17-21 esp. V.17 keywords both scriptures: new creature: Strong’s #2937: new creation, THEN Rom. 2:28-29).
Jesus said; (John 8:51) “Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.” This statement is clarified in ->(Heb. 2:9-11 esp. V.11 keyword: brethren). AND: Scroll the menu on this commentary and read the two articles I Have Experienced Christian Physical Death Parts one and two and you will understand the above 4 paragraphs and the below paragraph completely.
Jesus said; (John 11:25-26) (V.25) “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth (Strong’s #4100-4102: to entrust one’s spiritual well-being to Christ, reliance upon Christ for salvation, conviction of the truthfulness of God: same definition for all three) in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: (V.26) And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believeth (same definition as the other two) thou this?”
NOTE: It is vital that every Christian thoroughly understand the identity of the Holy Spirit because (Rom. 8:9-17) if an individual person, church member or not, does not have the Holy Spirit they do not belong to Christ. The (Luke 11:13) Holy Spirit is also called (Matt. 12:28) the Spirit of God, (John 3:5) the Spirit, (John 16:13) the Spirit of truth, (John 14:26) Comforter, Holy Ghost, (Acts 2:18) Spirit of the Lord, (Rom. 8:2) Spirit of life, (Rom. 8:9) Spirit of Christ, (Rom. 8:15) Spirit of adoption, (Phil. 1:9) Spirit of Jesus Christ and the (Heb. 10:29) Spirit of grace. These all portray the works and identity of the Holy Spirit but, from many conversations I have had, they still somehow appear vague to a lot of Christians. END OF NOTE.
(2Cor. 11:13-15 esp. V.14) “And no marvel (Strong’s #2296: to wonder, to admire #2298: wondered at, i.e. by implication: wonderful); for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” In this commentary there is a three article series: Satan: A Study Guide and Teaching Manual. Near the bottom of the Home page is a sub-title THE CHURCH IN AMERICA: STATISTICS that will shock you to the roots of your hair by the ignorance of God’s Holy Word and the total lack of (1Cor. 1:13-16) discerning of the spirits by Christians, preachers and teachers! (1Pet. 5:8) Satan, the devil, is every Christian’s greatest enemy! If you do not know your enemy how can you possibly defeat him???
In the Book of John, Jesus completely explains the identity of the Holy Spirit and just how personal Jesus expects His relationship to be with every Christian. END OF NOTE.
Jesus said; (John 4:24) “God is a Spirit:” This agrees with (Gen. 1:1-2) when the “Spirit of God” started His creation process. Jesus said; (John 14:6) “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” This is verified (Acts 4:10-12 esp. V.10 keywords: by the name of Jesus Christ) (V.12) “Neither is there salvation (Strong’s #4991: rescue, deliver, save) in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” This will be addressed in a NOTE at the end of Jesus’ quotes.
Jesus said; (John 10:30) “I and my Father are one.” Jesus said; (John 14:6-7) (V.6) “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (V.7) If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.” (John 14:8) “Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.”
Jesus said; (John 14:9-10) (V.9) “Have I been so long so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, shew us the Father. (V.10) Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me?” This refers to (Matt. 3:16-17, Mark 1:6-11, Luke 3:21-23 & John 1:32-34).
Jesus said; (John 14:15-23 esp. V.15-18, 20-21 & 23) (V.15-18) “If ye love me keep my commandments (Strong’s #1785: injunction: defined: an authoritative warning or order).” And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”
Jesus said; (V.20-21) “At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments (Strong’s #1785: injunction: defined: an authoritative warning or order), and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest (Strong’s #1718: to exhibit in person) myself to him. Jesus said; (V.23) “If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode (Strong’s #3438: residence) with him.
Jesus said; (John 15:5) “He that abideth (Strong’s #3306: to stay in a given place, state, relation, expectancy) in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. (Gal. 5:22-23, Eph. 5:1-11 & Col. 3:12-17)<– The fruit of the Spirit are listed in these scriptures.
Jesus said; (John 15:14) “Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you.” BUT: Jesus said; (John 15:6) If a man abide (Strong’s #3306: to stay in a given place, state, relation, expectancy) not in me, he is cast (Strong’s #906: to throw or let go of a thing without caring where it falls) forth (Strong’s #1854: without) as a branch (Strong’s #2814: a limb or shoot as if broken off), and is withered (Strong’s #3583: to make dry); and men gather (Strong’s 4863: to draw together, collect) them, and cast (Strong’s #906: same as other) them into the fire, and they are burned (Strong’s #2545: to set on fire, consume).
John wrote something else about Jesus that shines the bright light of understanding concerning Jesus. (John 1:1-4) (V.1) “In the beginning (Strong’s w #756: origin) was the Word (Strong’s #3056: the thought, reasoning, motive, Divine Expression i.e. Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (V.2) the same was in the beginning with God. (V.3) All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. (V.4) In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” AND:
(1John 1:1-4) (V.1) “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (V.2) (For the life was manifested (Strong’s #5319: render apparent), and we have seen it, and bear witness (Strong’s #3140: testify, give evidence), and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested to us;) (V.3) That which we have seen and heard declare (Strong’s #518: to announce) we unto you, that ye may also have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship (Strong’s #2842: partnership, participation) is with the Father, and his Son Jesus Christ. (V.4) And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.”
(John 1:14) “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld (Strong’s #2300: to look closely at, perceive) his glory, the glory as of the only begotten (Strong’s #3439: only born) of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” (1John 5:6-7) (V.6) “This is he that came by water and blood, not by water only, but by water and blood. and it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.” (V.7) “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” THINK! It is obvious Jesus is the living Word of God!
(2Tim. 3:16-17) (V.16) “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable (Strong’s #5624: helpful, advantageous) for doctrine (Strong’s #1319: instruction, learning, teaching), for reproof (Strong’s #1650-51: admonish, conviction, rebuke), for correction (Strong’s #1882: straightening up again, rectification, reformation), for instruction (Strong’s #3809: tutorage, education, training, by implication disciplinary correction) in righteousness (Strong’s #1343-42: justification, equitable, by implication innocent, holy): (V.17) That the man of God may be perfect (Strong’s #739: fresh, i.e. by implication complete), thoroughly furnished (Strong’s #1822: to finish out, to equip fully) unto all good works (Strong’s #2041: toil, act, deed, doing labor).”
THE POINT MADE, Jesus said; (John 15:6) “If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” IS THAT: If a person will not abide in the Word of the Bible, (Matt. 13:23) to the very best of their ability, (Matt. 13:19-22 esp. V.19 keyword: word) they are not abiding in Jesus.
Definitions are in parenthesis and italics after the defined word. (1Cor. 3:11-16 again) (V.11) “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.“ (John 1:1-4, 1John 1:1-4 & 2Tim. 3:16) Jesus is the living word of God and “All scripture is given by inspiration of God,“. (V.12) “Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood hay, stubble;“ This denotes that some works are valuable and others are worthless.
(V.13) “Every man’s work (toil, act, deed– same definition for all here) shall be made manifest (shining, i.e. apparent, publicly, known, open): for the day shall declare (made plain) it, because it shall be revealed (take off the cover, disclose) by fire (Strong’s #4442 specifically lightening) and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort (of what kind, how great, quality) it is.“ (V.14) “If any man’s work abide (stay, continue, endure, be present, remain) which he hath built (to build upon, to rear up) thereupon, he shall receive a reward (pay, wages).“
(V.15) “If any man’s work shall be burned (to burn down, consumed wholly), he shall suffer (to injure, experience detriment: detriment is defined: a cause of harm or damage) loss (to injure, experience detriment: detriment is defined: a cause of harm or damage): but he himself shall be saved (Strong’s #4982 to deliver, protect); yet so as by fire (Strong’s #4442 specifically lightening).“
(V.16) “Know ye not that ye are the temple (shrine, fane, fane is defined: holy place) of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth (to occupy, to reside) in you?“
God also said; (1Pet. 4:17-18) (V.17) “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end (defined: Strong’s w #5056: the point aimed at as a limit) be of them that obey not the gospel of God? (V.18) And if the righteous scarcely (defined: Strong’s w #3433: with difficulty, hardly, not easily) be saved, where shall the ungodly (defined: Strong’s #765: destitute of reverential awe toward God, impious) and the sinner (defined: Strong’s #268: devoted to sin, not free from sin) appear?” SO:
I do know this: Jesus said; (Rev. 1:20 thru 2:6 esp. V.4-5) (V.4) “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left (Strong’s W #863: to send away, to let go, to disregard) thy first (Strong’s w #4413: first in time or place, first in rank, chief) love (Strong’s w #26: brotherly love, affection, good will, benevolence).” (V.5) Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen (Strong’s w #1601: to drop away, be driven out of one’s course, to lose, become inefficient), and repent, and do the first (foremost) works (same definition in all usages: toil, act, deed); or else I will come unto thee quickly, and remove thy candlestick (Strong’s w #3087: lamp-stand, illuminator) out of his place, except thou repent (Strong’s w #3340: to change one’s mind for better, heartily, to amend with abhorrence one’s past sins).” I do know if the illuminator is gone (Eph. 6:12 keyword: darkness) they will be in darkness!
(Matt. 5:13-16 esp. V.14 keywords: ye are the light (Strong’s w #5457: of truth and its knowledge, together with the spiritual purity associated with it) of the world (Strong’s w #2889: the ungodly multitude, the whole mass of men alienated from God, and therefore hostile to God<- this coincides with Phil. 3:17-19: next is Eph. 5:1-11 esp. V.2 keywords: And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us) The church and individual Christians are required to be the light of the world to draw people to Jesus! (Rev. 2:5) Jesus is threatening to remove this church. From what? From Himself by removing the Holy Spirit. Are there any churches like that today? Yes, when they follow political correctness and call abominations an acceptable Christian lifestyle!
(Rev. 3:1-6) (V.1) “I know thy works, that thou hast a name (Strong’s w #3686: all definitions are: ultimately the name over the door), that thou livest, and art dead (Strong’s w #3498: spiritually dead, destitute of a life that recognizes and is devoted to God).” (V.2-4) Jesus cautions them to strengthen the things which remain that are ready to die and examines their imperfect works. He tells them to repent and His coming will be as a thief in the night. Then He compliments the few in that church who have not defiled themselves.
(V.5) “He that overcometh (Strong’s w #3528: subdue, to conquer, prevail, get the victory) the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out (Strong’s w #1813: to smear out, obliterate, wipe away: this is the same definition as in Acts 3:19 when people are saved their sins are blotted out AND this blot out corresponds to Heb. 6:4-6) his name out of the book of life.”(Rev. 3:14-21 esp. V.16 keyword: spue defined: Strong’s w #1692: to vomit, to throw up- projectile vomiting) Do you think Jesus will vomit out these lukewarm Christians on some back corner of heaven? Really?!
In every Revelation church (Rev. 2:2, 9, 13, 19, 3:1 & 2, 8, 15) Jesus knew every Christian’s works. In every Revelation church (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 25, 3:5, 12, 21) the Christians had to overcome. (Rev. 2:5, 16, 21-22, 3:3, 19) Five of the Revelation churches had Christians who were advised to repent. The Christians in two Revelation churches, Smyrna and Philadelphia, had no sin from which to repent! (Matt. 18:15:17 esp. V.17 keywords: church and let him be unto thee as a heathen man & 1John 1:7-10 esp. V.10 key: we make Jesus a liar) Do you think; if a Christian suddenly dies and has not repented that (Rev. 20:10-15 esp. V.15) his name will still be in the book of life at the judgment?
NOTE: (John 14:6 keywords: Jesus saith; I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the Father, but by me AND Acts 4:10-12 esp. V.10 keywords: by the name of Jesus Christ) Christianity is the only religion in the world that offers (John 14:17-18, 20 & 23 esp. V.23 keyword: we) between God/Jesus and individual people a bonding together of their souls in a living, growing, loving, intimate, personal, friendship relationship with God/Jesus. (2Cor. 4:4 keywords: whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not) All other religions have a list of behaviors and a list of rituals that seek to make their concept of God owe them entry into their idea of heaven! END OF NOTE.
SO:
(read these for your life: 2Thess. 2:1-3 esp. V.1 keywords: “by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him“<- refers to the catching away of Christians written in 1Thess. 4:13-18 AND V.3 keywords: “that day shall not come, except there come a falling (defection from the truth, apostasy<- defined: heresy) away first“: THEN 2Tim. 4:1-4 esp. V.3 keywords: “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine (instruction); but after their own lusts (a longing for what is forbidden) shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching (to scratch i.e. to tickle) ears;”.
Jesus said; (Matt. 24:11-13) (V.11) “And many false (propagator of erroneous doctrine) prophets (INSPIRED SPEAKER) shall rise, and deceive (cause to roam from safety, truth or virtue) many. (V.13) And because iniquity (illegality, wickedness) shall abound (to increase), the love of many shall wax (to chill) cold. <-This corresponds perfectly with (2Cor. 11:13-15) because Satan INSPIRES these false speakers. (V.14) But he that shall endure (remain, bear trials, have fortitude, persevere) unto the end (termination) , the same shall be saved (keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction).”
REMEMBER! (1Tim. 4:1-2) “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly (outspokenly, i.e. distinctly), that in the latter (after this) times some shall depart (instigate to revolt) from the faith (the truthfulness of God), giving heed to seducing (imposter, misleader, deceiver, corrupter) spirits (demon, evil spirit), and doctrines (teaching, instruction) of devils (evil spirits or the messengers and ministers of the devil);”
THE FALLING AWAY
A growing number of Christian preachers and teachers deny the connection between the O.T. and the N.T. These same preachers and teachers skip through the scriptures ‘cherry picking’ certain scriptures to teach works are not necessary to get to heaven which is a watered-down, subtle type of once in grace always in grace regardless of works and that Jesus will not or cannot take a Christian’s name out of the book of life. It is (Heb. 6:8 keywords: thorns and briars) a man-made thorn that Jesus cannot conquer unless (2Tim. 2:15) they will study, listen to the Holy Spirit and rightly divide (dissect) the word of truth (2Tim. 3:16 keywords: all scripture) which includes both the O.T. and N.T.
YET: (Rev. 2:1-6) Jesus said works are (V.4 keywords: thou hast left thy first love) the measure of the Ephesus church’s love for Him (Rev. 1:20 keywords: the candlesticks are the seven churches) (V.5) and Jesus said He would remove their candlestick (church)! Remove from what? Remove them from Himself (Gen. 3:22-24) just like He did Adam and Eve. (John 8:44) “Ye are of your father the devil. and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own; for he is a liar, and the father of it.”
(2Cor. 4:4 & 11:13-15 esp. V.14 keywords: Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light (Rev. 2:5) If they did not “repent, do the first works” and return to their first love the church at Ephesus would probably go on as a religious organization, just like some churches do and are today, but under the guidance of Satan, the false angel of light, after Jesus left them!
Do you know any churches, preachers and teachers that fit that category today? (Rev. 2:18-23) Some churches permit blatant sin in their midst (V.22) and they will be left and must go through the tribulation prophesied in Revelation. Think not? See https://www.gaychurch.org and explore the list of gay affirming churches. Do you think the Holy Spirit guides that or is it (2Cor. 11:13-15 esp. V.14) the unholy spirit and his ministers with Satan’s feel good about yourself thorns of the concept of mindfulness, secular humanism, political correctness and liberalism?
For a complete scriptural study of homosexuality please click on the Sin in Church commentary on this website, scroll down the menu and read the scriptural article The Devil: The Deception Principal.
For several years that situation has been a rising source of dissension (thorns) in the United Methodist Organization and I will not be surprised if their denomination splits (a thorn) into two denominations.
For modern concepts of gender identity: Read the January 2017 Special Issue National Geographic Magazine GENDER REVOLUTION. Turn 5 pages into the magazine for the article The Gender Issue in which 15 separate genders are identified and read the March 27, 2017 Time Magazine article by Katy Steinmetz P. 48 titled infi-nite iden-tities.
For God’s concept of gender identity please read: (Gen. 1:27 & 5:1-2 keywords in both: Male and female created he them. THEN: Lev. 18:22 keywords: Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination. Abomination defined: Strong’s #8441: something disgusting, an abhorrence: THEN: Mal. 3:6 & Heb. 13:8 Key: God does not change. THEN: Rom. 1:24-28 esp. V. 24-27 key: pinpoints both female homosexual acts and “likewise (equally in the same way)” male homosexual acts. AND:
(Rom. 1:28) “And even as they did not like to retain (to hold) God (the Godhead, trinity) in their knowledge (recognition, full discernment), God gave them over to a reprobate (rejected, reprobate) mind (intellect, soul), to do (produce) those things which are not convenient (to reach to, fit). <–This is the punishment God placed upon them (Rom. 1:26-27) because they would not forsake their homosexual practices. And that fits perfectly into (Heb. 6:4-6) and the Holy Spirit had left them and the Holy Spirit would not return! (Rom. 1:31 keyword: covenantbreakers) They had broken God’s covenant beyond Love’s repair!
(Read these for your life: Prov. 6:16-19 esp. V.17 keywords: hands that shed innocent blood) For scriptural information concerning abortion see the Home page on this website and read the thirteen paragraphs after the first two introduction paragraphs. I do not criticize who people are or what they do. (John 3:15-16 keyword in both: whosoever) God considers all people equal and so do I consider all people equal. My job is to use God’s Word, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, to show people the way to heaven. Because: (Heb. 10:26-31 esp. V.31) (V.31) It is a fearful (Strong’s #5398: frightful) thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
Do not confuse the 14 to 20 tons, estimates vary, of civil law with the 3lb 5oz King James Version Super Giant Print Bible https://www.christianbook.com/kjv-reference, God’s Law. I do not know if you or your church know the difference between civil law or God’s law or meld the two together. To others I do not know if you even believe in God or in God’s law. But, I do know this, (Rev. 20:10-15) God will have the final say concerning each individual’s eternal destination (V.12-13 keywords in both: according to their works) regardless of what our civil laws and their enforcers, churches, preachers, presidents, governors, mayors, neighbors, dear friends, or families say.
You hear it said over and over; “America was founded on Christian principals!” but was it? If you wish to see the founding fathers for what they were and how they arrived at the constitution, plus the church that came to America that ‘helped’ them be what they were and what the church is today, and how the founding of America parallels only one other Biblical country that will ever exist, and also how a person from that country made it possible for America to win the Revolutionary War please click on the three article series INTRODUCTION to the commentary SIN IN CHURCH on this website. YOU WILL BE AMAZED! Yes, I am trying to entice you to read it.
(Luke 4:5-6 keywords: all the kingdoms of the world) Did Satan use the same thing against the church of the Laodiceans that he tried to use to buy Jesus’ worship? Of course, he did and that thorn of wanting the things of the world that leads to lukewarmness is still amazingly effective in modern churches. (Matt. 13:22 & 25-30 and Rev. 3:14-18 esp. V.16 keyword: spue: defined: to vomit, to throw up which is projectile vomiting) Do you think Jesus will vomit up these lukewarm Christians, that make Him sick to His stomach, in some back corner of heaven to stink up the place? Why? In every type of church in Revelation Jesus looked at their works and they all had to endure and/or overcome.
The penalties for refusing to let Jesus remove the thorns of ignorance, rebellion, pride, greed, lust and neglect by the once in grace always in grace regardless of works and/or sin preachers, teachers and believers are severe and permanent because they preach and teach Jesus cannot or will not take a Christian’s name out of the book of life. (2Thess. 2:3) Please, please read the sub-title THE CHURCH IN AMERICA: STATISTICS located near the end of the website INTRODUCTION on the HOME page and you will be shocked. (2Thess. 2:3) The falling (defection, apostasy) away is in full swing.
If any preacher or teacher says Jesus cannot or will not take a name out of the book of life (Rev. 3:5) they have called Jesus a liar, (Rev. 21:8) they are liars and liars will be thrown into the lake of fire. If they say works or sin do not matter the same punishment will be applied. They have either added to or taken away from Jesus’ words in the Book of revelation. BECAUSE:
(Rev. 22:18-19) (V.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“(1Thess. 4:13-18 then Rev. 5:9 & 7:9-17) Something hidden here “add unto him the plagues that are written in this book” means these individuals have not been taken with the catching away of the church! (V.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.”
(again: John 8:8 keyword: Pharisees then V.44) Jesus said unto the Pharisees (the believers in God who would not believe Jesus) (V.44) “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own; for he is a liar, and the father of it.”
I’ve even had these liars tell me (Rev. 1:1 thru 3:22) is not part of Jesus’ prophecy. I have also been told Jesus was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel and what Jesus said was not about the church (Matt. 15:24) and Jesus was sent only to the Jews: BUT (Luke 2:25-33 & 3:15 key: the Jews were looking for Messiah) the house of Israel did not recognize Jesus as the promised Messiah (Matt. 27:20-35 esp. V.25) and they refused Him. AND: (Rev. 1:3-4 keywords: the words of this prophecy & from him, 11 & 19-20) It is obvious this prophecy is to the seven churches.
BUT (John 4:22) Jesus said; “Salvation is of the Jews.” Jesus was a Jew, the disciples were Jews and Jesus was teaching them about founding the church (Acts 2:1-41) which they did (Acts 8:5-25 & 26:40 then 10:13-44) and salvation preached by the Jews went on to the Gentiles (Isa. 42:1-6, Jer. 16:14-19, Matt. 12:16-21 & Luke 2:27-32) just like the O.T. and N.T. prophecy said and here we are, you a Gentile or Jew bloodline- saved or lost and me a Gentile- saved.
(Rev. 1:1-20) (V.3-4) John declares his commission to write (V.3) the words of this prophecy (V.5) from Jesus (V.6-9) and honors Jesus the Speaker/Giver of the prophecy. (V.11) Jesus speaks from behind John and tells John the names of His selected seven types of churches that were to receive His letters of prophecy. (there were at least 33 scriptural churches at that time source: map of local churches in 70AD at www.bible.ca by Steve Rudd).
These seven selected churches HAD TO BE TYPES OF CHURCHES that represented every Christian, every group in some churches, every church and every denomination. Look around you, research on the internet and you can find every type of modern church, every group or individual Christians represented by one or some parts of the seven Revelation churches. To think they represent ‘church ages’ requires more than my imagination can handle. A fine example: please read the 3 article Introduction to the Sin in Church commentary. Please be sitting down when you do or you will simply fall over from shock! Yes, I am trying to entice you to read them! I was shocked as God revealed them to me!
(V.12-17) John turned, saw Jesus in all His glory and fainted, (V.17-19) Jesus touched John with His right hand, revived him and told him to write the things John had seen (past), which are (present) and the things which shall be hereafter (future). (V.20) and then Jesus starts revealing His prophecy. Why the personal appearance and exact personal descriptions of the churches in Jesus’ own spoken words?
BECAUSE: (Rom. 8:32-34 esp. V.33 keyword: elect: defined: favorite) Christians are God’s favorites! (John 14:21 keywords: and I will love him & 1John 4:19) Jesus loves Christians (Matt. 9:15, 25:1-10, Mark 2:19-20 & Luke 5:34-35 keyword in all: bridegroom) because the true church is the betrothed of Jesus the bridegroom. (Rev. 19:7 keywords: hath made herself ready) Jesus’ spiritual marriage to the true church has not yet happened. The true church is making herself ready (to prepare).
THINK (Deut. 6:4-6 & Mark 12:30 key: God does not change): If you were engaged (betrothed) to someone (Rev. 2:1-7 esp. V.5) and they did not love you enough to work to learn about you; your dreams and ambitions, what makes you happy or sad, your values, your expectations, the depths of your personality, your sacrifices to make them happy, if they did not love you enough to work to give their best to make your relationship what you want it to be, like you are working to make the relationship what they want it to be? (Rev. 2:15-16 & 20-23) What about if they did not love you enough and worked to sneak around dating other people, cheating on you?
(1Cor. 10:14 & 1John 5:21) That is a heart breaker when they love other things (Acts 12:21-22) and people more than you. (Rev. 21:8) It sounds like idolatry instead of the living relationship with you, doesn’t it? (Rev. 3:1-6 esp. V.5) How would you feel if they simply did not love you enough to work to try their best to make you happy like you are working to make them happy? (Rev. 3:15-16) Would you marry them and be forced to spend the rest of your life with someone who would not work to uphold their part of the marriage? (Rev. 19:7) Jesus will not either!
WORKS: (James 2:17-26 esp. V.20 keywords: faith without works is dead) Abraham is the example in these scriptures. (V.21-23) Abraham was justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son upon the altar and by works Abraham’s faith was made perfect because “Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.“ NOW: Read (Gen 12:1 thru 22:18) and you will read Abram/Abraham’s story of his seemingly endless works, disobedience, failures, fears, lies and etc. as he worked his way up to pure and complete trust in God by offering up the most important thing he had, ISAAC, and then he became God’s Friend.
The key is that Abraham was a work in progress because he never quit working as he tried over and over to obey God, God never deserted him and even protected and blessed him many times. Has God ever protected and blessed you? Are you perfect? I, the writer, am a long way from being perfect, the KING OF THE THORNS has forgiven me of the thorns of my sins, failures, neglect and stupidity over and over and over and PURE LOVE has protected me and blessed me many times because I have never quit working and trying to become a better Christian. When blessed with the magnitude and focus of JESUS’ LOVE my love seems even less than minuscule but I do love (John 20:28) JESUS, MY LORD AND MY GOD, with all of the little that I am; mister Nobody from the middle of Nowhere, KY.
Paul wrote about the focus of Jesus’ love; (2Cor. 11:3) “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled (deceived) Eve through his subtility (craftiness, cunning, false wisdom, sophistry:-> defined: evasion, deviousness, slyness, duplicity, cheating, subterfuge), so your minds (perception, purpose, intellect, thought) should be corrupted (to shrivel or wither, to spoil, to ruin, to deprave, defile, destroy) from the simplicity (singleness, sincerity without dissimulation or self-seeking, openness of heart manifesting itself by generosity) that is in Christ.” IN REALITY SIMPLICITY/singleness IS FOCUS (Matt. 11:29 & Rom. 8:10-17) because Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, is focused on helping each Christian become part of His eternal family!
I, an individual, receive the personal focus of Jesus’ love through His simplicity and so do you and every other individual Christian; it is personal because simplicity is the personality of PURE LOVE, THE KING OF THE THORNS, (John 20:24-31 esp. V.28 key: Jesus accepted Thomas’ recognition and admiration) “my LORD AND my GOD”. (Mark 12:30) “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart (center of circulation- life), and with all thy soul (personality, self, inner person), and with all thy mind (intellect), and with all thy strength (physical power); this is the first commandment.” and that same simplicity (focus) is what He expects and, without any doubt, deserves from each individual Christian. AND:
(2Cor. 5:20) as “ambassadors (representatives) for Christ” (Mark 12:31) Jesus expects us to “Thou shalt love thy neighbour (man, countryman, friend, near neighbour) as thyself.” show the simplicity of His love by our actions, words and works (Matt. 5:13-16 esp. V.14 keywords: Ye are the light of the world) because we are the beacon that only through the power of the Holy Spirit and God’s word will draw people to God for salvation.
Paul wrote (Phil. 3:1-21) (V.12) “Not as though I had already (even now) attained (to take), either were already perfect (to complete, accomplish, consummate): but I follow (to pursue) after, if that I may apprehend (to take eagerly, to possess) that for which also I am apprehended (to take eagerly, possess) of Christ Jesus.” (V.14) “I press (to pursue) toward the mark (a goal) of the high calling (invitation) of God in Christ Jesus.” (V.17) “Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark (regard) them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample (a model for imitation).” Paul knew he was not perfect; he knew Jesus possessed him (Acts 9:4-18) but Paul knew he had to be obedient and keep on working to attain the high calling of God through Jesus.
(V.18) “For many walk (to live, deport oneself), of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping (to sob), that they are the enemies (hateful, passively odious) of the cross (self denial, atonement) of Christ:“ (V.19) “Whose end (limit, conclusion, termination) is their destruction (ruin, damnation), whose God is their belly (a cavity, figuratively, the heart), and whose glory (as very apparent) is their shame (disgrace), who mind (to have a sentiment or opinion, to be mentally disposed more or less earnestly in a certain direction, to interest oneself in something with concern or obedience, to set the affection on) earthly (worldly physically or morally) things.“ Paul knew these Christians’ values and affections for worldly pursuits instead of working to be obedient servants to God would bring them ruin and damnation!
(John 14:15) Jesus said; “If ye love me keep my commandments.” (Heb. 13:5-6) Jesus, our Lord, will never leave us or forsake us. (John 15:1-6 esp. V.6 keywords: cast them into the fire) but there are Christians who refuse to abide in Jesus. (Matt. 7:21) Jesus said; “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.“ (Matt. 13:18-23) Jesus gives a parable list of what causes Christians to fail and you can ‘see’ them in the seven prophetic Revelation churches, and you can plainly see them in modern churches and denominations.
(Heb. 6:4-6)–> Plainly says that people who were once enlightened (illuminate, make to see) and have tasted of the heavenly gift (salvation) and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost (Spirit) can fall away and it is impossible for them to come back. But the once in grace always in grace regardless of works and/or sin will dance ‘cherry picking’ through other scriptures and prove (Heb. 6:4-6) means something else.
NOTE: In talking to a once in grace always in grace regardless of works preacher. I gave him all these scriptures about backsliding and he said; “I’ve gone beyond that!” I did not think to say; (2Cor. 11:13-15 esp. V.14) “Yes, and it was Satan who took you there. (Acts 20:26-27) I have told you the truth and I am clean of your blood. (Rev. 22:18-19) You and those who follow you are guilty of your own blood!” I SAY IT TO ALL OF YOU NOW!
THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU SEE AND HEAR. The natural progression of once in grace always in grace regardless of works (eternal security), that Jesus cannot or will not take a Christian’s name out of the Book of Life, naturally leads on into once in grace always in grace regardless of sin (eternal security). In my area a pastor embezzled money from his employer, got on drugs and eventually committed suicide. Another is in jail because of sex with a child. Read the national news concerning more famous preachers.
I personally heard a pastor of a mega church say in three different sermons in his weekly world-wide telecast; “Once you’ve sinned enough God will just take you on to heaven because you are not worth anything to Him here!” I stopped listening to that garbage salesman! (read these–>Prov. 15:3, Jer. 23:23-24 & Heb. 4:12-13) What do Christians do ‘behind closed doors’ that they think can be hidden from God? END OF NOTE.
(Mal. 3:5 & James 1:17) God does not change thus His word does not change and His attitude concerning His word does not change SO; His word is not some malleable thing that you can hammer out what you want to believe and God does not offer His Word up for revisions. BECAUSE:
PROOF: (read this! Jer. 26:1-6 esp. V.3 keyword: repent: Hebrew word definition: Strong’s #5162 to sigh, in a favorable sense to pity, console, in an unfavorable sense to avenge oneself) God sent Israel, His People, a judgment message; (V.3) God did not change His word nor His attitude. By their works they were violating their relationship with God and He would act according to His unchanging word!
#1) Israel could come back to God and He would have pity on them and console them! #2) Israel could refuse God’s warning concerning their sins and God would avenge Himself upon them! Israel disappeared for two thousand years because of the Hebrew’s (Jew’s) sins. Yes, Israel the nation came back on May 24, 1948 (Luke 16:19-31) but those individual Jews (Hebrews) that had transgressed God’s law did not!
The complete message in all this is do not quit trying to do your best for God or you will face ruin and damnation! PROOF: (divided into scriptural segments to promote understanding of who, what, when, where, why and how; Rom. 1:6-32 esp. V.6-7, 17, 18-21, 22-25, 26-28 & 29-32) Part of the church at Rome had progressively backslid into sin (V.28) until God did not mean anything to them and “God gave them over to a reprobate (rejected, castaway) mind (soul).”
And that judgment fits perfectly with (Heb. 6:4-6) in which those rejected, castaway former Christian people would never be allowed to come back to God (V.28) because God, His unchangeable word and His attitude toward sin did not mean anything to them. THAT judgment also fits some modern-day denominations, parts of denominations and individual Christians!
(Heb. 8:1 thru 9:12) (8:1-6) Jesus is the mediator of a better covenant (8:8) with Israel (8:10) in which the Lord said; “I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:” (John 14:26) which describes the work of the Holy Bible and the Holy Spirit in the new, better Grace Covenant (8:13) because the old covenant dictated by Jewish obedience to the law of Moses is ready to vanish away.
BUT: (Gen. 15:18-21) The land covenant part of God’s covenant with Abraham is still in effect (Gen. 17:7-8) forever. (Ezek. 36:16 thru 37:28 esp. 36:19 & 24 then 37:21) God is in the process of bringing Israel home now. (Zech. 13:1 thru 14:21 esp. 13:6 & 14:4) And Jesus will be there for the final battle (Dan. 9:26-27 & 12:1-13, Zech. 13:1-9, 2Thess. 2:3, Matt. 24:11-27 esp. V.15-27, 2Thess. 2:3 & Rev. 19:1 thru 20:9 esp.19:7-14) and the process that leads up to that final battle is happening now.
(Heb. 9:1-10 esp. V.7 keyword: everlasting) The physical Passover (the celebration in remembrance of the Lambs shed blood in Egypt that initiated the Passover by the death angel), the covenant and the divine service with its physical tabernacle accouterments of worship were but a foreshadowing, a prophesy, (Heb. 9:11-12) of the spiritual grace covenant revealed and unveiled and put into effect by the shed blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God. The new spiritual covenant that had been foreshadowed and prophesied in the earlier physical covenant God made with Abraham. Hidden in the definition of everlasting; #2 something concealed, to veil.
(John 4:22-23) Jesus, the Jew, said; “Salvation is of the Jews.” And the Jews as a nation refused to believe Jesus was their Messiah! But individual Jews, James, John, Peter, Paul and etc. “I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:” did accept the new covenant (Acts 2:1-47) and they founded the church through the Word of God brought by the Holy Spirit, (John 3:3-8) through the power of the Holy Spirit (John 14:5-26 key verses: 9,15,18,20-21,23-26) and the infilling of the Holy Spirit; it is a personal relationship with Jesus.
(Isa. 53:1-9 esp. V.7 & John 1:29) The blood of the true Passover Lamb had been shed the day before the Passover celebration of the physical lambs blood Passover in Egypt (Heb. 8:13 keyword: old) to physically show the new spiritual grace covenant, (Rom. 2:28-29) the spiritual circumcision of the soul, had superseded the old physical covenant (Gen. 17:11) of the physical circumcision of the flesh. AND:
(Ex. 11:1 thru 12:51 esp. 12:19 keywords: whether he be a stranger: defined: a foreigner, alien which is explained in 12:48-49, a non-Jew, Gentile and had to be circumcised physically and Eph. 2:7-22 esp. V.11 keyword: Gentiles) The Gentiles (non-Jews) (Rom. 2:29) “But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart (the thoughts or feelings), in the spirit (the rational soul), and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.“ were protected by the blood of the Lamb and were included in the new spiritual grace covenant (Ex:12:13-19) just like the Gentiles had physically been protected from the death angel by the lambs’ blood in Egypt.
Think about it! Even now the war declared by Lucifer/Satan (Gen. 3:1-15, Isa.14:12- 15 & Ezek. 28:13-17) in Eden is displayed in the physical war as the Satan led nations and people try to destroy physical Israel with the thorns of politics, finances, terrorism and war. AND:
(2Cor. 4:4 keyword: blinded then 11:14-15 esp. V.15 keywords: Satan transformed into an angel of light & Eph. 6:11 keywords: wiles of the devil and V.12) (V.12) “For we wrestle (struggle) not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers (force), against the rulers (lord of the world, prince of this age, the devil and his demons) of the darkness (obscurity, darkness of error) of this world, against spiritual wickedness (depravity, malice, evil purpose) in high places” AND:
(2Cor. 11:14-15) (V.15) “Therefore it is no great thing if his (Satan’s) ministers also be transformed as ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” Satan tries to spiritually destroy the church (1Cor. 1:10-11 keyword: contentions & 3:1-3 keywords: envying, strife, divisions) by the thorns of false preaching and teaching= various denominational beliefs (study this>2Thess. 2:1-17 esp. V.17 keywords: every good word and work & esp. V.3 & 7) (V.3) which are part of the great falling away (defection from the truth, apostasy<-see internet definition) before antichrist comes. (V.7) God through the Holy Spirit lets this falling away from the church continue (1Thess. 4:13-18) until the catching away (rapture) of the church (Prov. 1:29) because God always respects the individual’s right to choose.