What Was Christ Jesus!?

Our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ, has warned us – “’ Take heed that no one deceives you. 5) For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I AM the Christ,’ and will deceive many’” – Matthew 24:4-5. WARNING that many will correctly say that He is the Christ – yet will deceive many!

The apostle Paul in approximately AD 49, in his epistle to the brethren there in Galatia, writes – “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7) which is NOT ANOTHER; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ” – Galatians 1:6-7.

So, not only were some even then turning to “a different gospel, which is NOT ANOTHER,” but they were also turning to a different Christ. To a Christ that did not die. Recall, God’s living words say, “For IF we believe that Jesus died …” which certainly means that there are millions of our peoples who believe that HE DID NOT DIE! MILLIONS of sincere believers are deceived by a global deception!

A Global Doctrine of the Anti-christ

There was growing during the mid-1st century AD a doctrine of the Anti-christ – that our Lord Jesus Christ was not actually a human and that He did not inherit human nature from Adam. And that He did not have all the normal human passions, emotions, and weaknesses of which we all have to struggle with – that our Lord and Savior did not truly “become flesh.” This false doctrine is called the Anti-christ doctrine.

I have spoken of this false doctrine before, as I stated in “Prophecy – According to Jesus Christ” - Most of this world does not believe that Jesus died. Many – including a friend of mine who was a minister of the Assemblies of God – sadly, believe that upon giving up “the ghost,” He went down into the “pit” – into prison – to preach to spirits, and that He had an immortal “soul,” of which He could not die. But, friends, in His own words, Jesus said, “’ I AM He who lives, and was dead.’” I believe Jesus’ own words when He said that! So many have this misunderstanding about the immortality of the soul.

Be sure to read Personal From… Most Horrendous Lie Perpetrated Upon Mankind for more information on the false concept of the immortality of the soul.

Let us be warned TODAY – “every spirit that DOES NOT CONFESS that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh IS NOT OF GOD. And this is the spirit of the Anti-christ, which you have heard WAS COMING, and is now already in the world” – 1 John 4:3. The year was approximately AD 85-95.

MILLIONS UPON MILLIONS this day are being taught, in one form or another, this grave deception manufactured by Satan the Devil! One of the more off-the-wall teachings – is that Jesus had a “special kind of blood.” Then there is a teaching that Jesus DID NOT inherit His mother’s human nature. Of course, this erroneous teaching blatantly denies many Scriptures showing us that our Lord and Savior came as the Son of Man! Sadly, even TODAY – in this 21st-century world – multiple millions of our peoples are being deceived by this doctrine.

Was Christ Jesus human, or was He Divine!? Or was He both!? It’s IMPORTANT to know the TRUTH OF GOD on this vital subject. Your very life depends upon it!

A Doctrine of Satan

In the spring of 2018, while I was studying God’s living word in relation to the resurrections, I came across the conversation that our Lord Jesus had with Jarius, the synagogue ruler, regarding his daughter. I came to our Lord Jesus’ words, “’ Stop wailing,’ Jesus said, ‘she is not dead but asleep.’” A soft whispering voice in my mind spoke to me which said, “You must believe Me!”

This too must be applied to the fact that our Lord Jesus Christ actually DIED and ROSE – was resurrected. WE MUST BELIEVE !

One of the main reasons of why Satan the Devil – our mortal and spiritual enemy – formulated this doctrine of the Anti-christ is this -

To deny the truth that a normal human being – with HUMAN NATURE – could, with the glorious help of God’s Spirit, live in perfect obedience to the immutable LAW OF GOD as our Lord Jesus Christ did.

The apostle Paul explains why He came IN THE LIKENESS OF SINFUL FLESH –

“For what the law [the Old Covenant] COULD NOT DO in that it was weak THROUGH THE FLESH, …”

Minister Michael C. Garrett explains –

“It’s talking about the law of the Old Covenant. The law of the Old Covenant is an extremely physically oriented ritualistic grouping of ideas for people who were unconverted and very carnal, very physical – naturally human. But the Old Covenant, even though it had its place for a time, it ultimately could not solve your problems, because there was never life – there was never a promise of eternal life – contained in the tenants of the Old Covenant. The New Covenant, under which we now live with Jesus Christ being not only our Savior but now our living High Priest. That’s an agreement that has the PROMISE OF ETERNAL LIFE! … It is an extremely important principle! … The weakness of that covenant was the human carnality – the human flesh of people.” 1

“ … God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, …”

Our Lord Jesus Christ substituted HIMSELF for sinful flesh. He, being the sacrifice!

“ … on account of sin: He condemned sin IN THE FLESH” – Romans 8:3.

Christ opened the door to ending death. JESUS CHRIST opened the DOOR to all of us being under the bondage of sin and death (here speaking of the eternal second death).

“that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us …” meaning that the righteousness of God will be fulfilled in us. “ … who do not walk according to the flesh …” which means following certain physical rituals. “ … but according to the Spirit [of God]” – Romans 3:4.

So, Satan the Devil manufactured this idea that it is impossible for a human being to keep the spiritual Law of God, and so Jesus came as our Savior – not “IN THE FLESH” but that He was only Divine so that He could keep the Law of God perfectly in our stead! And thus therefore we don’t have to keep the spiritual Law of God. Truly, what our Lord Jesus Christ did in our stead was to sacrifice HIMSELF! His obedience is our EXAMPLE!

“For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22) ‘Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth’” – 1 Peter 2:21-22.

For our Lord Jesus teaches us – “ … ‘ if you want to enter into life [eternal life], KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS’” – Matthew 19:17. “ …’ For it is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God’” – Luke 4:4.

As our upper heavenly Elder Brother, High Priest, and Savior explains to us in the likes of the Book of Matthew chapter 5, we are to DO and TEACH the commandments of God, and that our righteousness (and it’s not our own righteousness, but a righteousness which is through faith in Christ, THE RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH IS FROM GOD BY FAITH – cf. Philippians 3:9) should exceed ‘the righteousness’ of the scribes and Pharisees.

Our Lord Jesus goes on in this chapter to actually mention some of His commandments that were given at Mount Sinai – about murder, stealing, about adultery. Speaking of the letter of the commandments. Our righteousness (and again, not our own righteousness - THE RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH IS FROM GOD BY FAITH) is to exceed the uber-religious of our day – of those who want to be JEWISH and Christian. Or, the term Judeo-Christian. And to this day – within the Church of God – there are people throughout all of these congregations who believe that they want to become followers of Jewish tradition and that somehow that will make them more righteous. Of this, our Lord Jesus tells us – “’ For I say to you, that unless your righteousness [the righteousness which is from God by faith] exceeds the righteousness [the righteousness from their trying to keep all the extremely physically oriented ritualistic laws] of the scribes and Pharisees, you WILL BY NO MEANS ENTER THE KINGDOM [FROM] HEAVEN’” – Matthew 5:20.

It wasn’t God’s eternal and relevant Law that was the problem – it was that people could never perfectly keep God’s Law. 

For His Law defined just what sin is.

In Romans 7:12 the apostle Paul writes, “Therefore the Law [speaking here of the TEN COMMANDMENTS] is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good.”

Continuing in chapter 5 of the Book of Matthew we see that our Lord Jesus elevated God’s Law to a spiritual plane.

Turning over to the Book of Matthew chapter 23 Jesus stated –

Verse 2 – “ … ‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3) Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, …’”

They were actually speaking and teaching God’s Law out of the ‘Book of Moses’ – as they call it. And He actually told the multitude and His disciples to ‘observe and do’ what they were teaching in regards to God’s Law. “ … ‘but …’” He continues, “ … ‘do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.’”

It's like what I have witnessed personally by some “ministers of righteousness” in which I have heard quote our Lord Jesus, “’ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, … By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.’” Yet, sadly, they neither have nor do they show this ‘love for one another.’ Again, our Lord Jesus Christ, “’ do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.’”

Satan the Devil through his false ministers who appear as “ministers of righteousness” are deceiving this whole world into believing in a FALSE CHRIST! A Christ who not only did not come in the likeness of flesh, but who did away with God the Father’s Law and made it possible for mankind to inherit eternal life WITHOUT having to build – with the help of God’s Spirit – holy, righteous GODLY CHARACTER. As they teach – just believe and you will be saved.

Christ Was Human and Divine

One of the most puzzling problems to many a theologian is understanding just how the LORD God ordained that the ultimate penalty for humanities sin was to be paid. In fact, it was a large contention even during the apostles’ day.

One truth we need to understand is that the reward of sin – its very penalty – is eternal DEATH. Unfortunately, another thing that the churches of this world teach as doctrine – you’ve all heard it many times – is the immortality of the soul. Oh, do they love to talk about the immortality of the soul! And yet, not one place in the Bible can you find that concept! Not one! Now, you can find where Jesus Christ is the only One who has immortality within Him. And, obviously, God the Father has immortality within Him. But as far as us!? You know, Ezekiel 18 two times says, “The soul who sins SHALL DIE.” And, in the Book of Romans 1:32 – “…that those who practice such things are deserving of DEATH, …” Romans 6:16 – talks about a ‘sin leading to death.’ And Romans 6:21 – “…the end of those things is DEATH.” As well as –

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” – Romans 6:23.

Nothing about immortality! He goes on, Romans 7:5 – talks about the ‘motions of sins, which did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto DEATH.’ And then, Romans 8:6 – “For to be carnally minded is DEATH.” I think you get the idea. The Bible, over and over says, if we don’t walk the correct path and have the correct relationship with God, we are subject to eternal death. The Book of Revelation on two occasions talks about the ‘second death.’ Not just the death of our human bodies, but the death of our totality! Just gone! Just burned up – gone! No more! Cease to exist! No such thing as the immortality of the soul.

Jesus Christ was the ultimate sacrifice, which permanently deals with sin and this ENDS the sacrificial system!

“For I [the apostle Paul] delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ DIED for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4) and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” – 1 Corinthians 15:3-4.

Since the apostle Paul – through the inspiration of the Spirit of God – indeed calls Satan the Devil the “god of this age” who has “blinded” this world (2 Corinthians 4:4), the greater majority of people have indeed been blinded, and have yet to be covered by the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ – our very Creator. Yet, this will happen for nearly all who will be called in an age to come – as God’s Master Plan of redemption and salvation to all, and not just today’s elect.

Our great High Priest was VICTORIOUS over Satan! 

And as the apostle Paul says, “But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterwards those who are Christ’s at His coming” – 1 Corinthians 15:23. And then all who has ever lived or will live (cf. Revelation 20:5, 11-13). Now, this atoning sacrifice doesn’t apply to humans UNTIL God the Father calls them, repent, baptized, and been gifted God’s Holy Spirit (cf. John 6:44; Mark 4:10-12; Acts 2:38) and truly try (with help from Almighty God and our Lord Jesus Christ) to live as THEY would have us live (cf. 1 John 2:6).

But, if our Lord Jesus Christ was ONLY human, He would have only been able to pay for one life - His own! No human being could have saved all humanity! Yet, the Word (the Logos, cf. John 1:1 – the being who would become our Lord Jesus Christ) alone could not of HIMSELF pay the penalty of mankind’s sin. Because the penalty is the forfeiting of HUMAN LIFE - not plant or animal life. The LORD God (the family of God; which at the moment consists of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ) are not only the source of all life, They also have life within Themselves! Notice –

“’ For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself’” – John 5:26.

This means They – having life in Themselves and being wholly spirit beings – cannot die.

“ … For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” – 2 Corinthians 4:18b.

Therefore it was essential that there be One who was not only human but also divine.

UNLESS Jesus Christ and God the Father directly intervene there is no life after death! There is no such thing as an “immortal soul.” And the whole concept of an “immortal soul” began way back in the garden of Eden with our enemy Satan the devil – cf. Genesis 3:4.

Man DOES NOT have life inherent within himself. The LORD God tells us –

“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 being” – Genesis 2:7.

The LORD God told Adam because he heeded the voice of his wife –

“’ In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you RETURN to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return’” - Genesis 3:19.

Then the LORD God sent man out of the garden of Eden – “lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever” – verses 22-24.

So we see that man DID NOT have eternal life within themselves – and the LORD God did not permit man to obtain eternal life at that time.

The LORD God ALONE has life to give –

“In Him was LIFE [eternal life], and the life was the light of men” – John 1:4.

And, as our Lord Jesus told Lazarus’ sister Martha, “’ I AM the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live’” – John 11:25.

So, if our Lord Jesus Christ was only human, He could have saved but only one person – Himself. And given eternal life to no one. To do this required God – the very life and power of THE CREATOR OF ALL LIFE!

Jesus of Nazareth IS THE CREATOR!

The very first place in God’s living word where God is mentioned in time sequence is in the Book of John chapter 1 – we should all be familiar with it.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2) He was in the beginning with God. 3) All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made” – John 1:1-3.

Again, this revelation from Jesus Christ may seem redundant to some, yet this is knowledge that so few in this world truly grasp. The Word was a personal being, and He was called “the Word.” Originally written in the Greek language, the word was Logos – which translates to Spokesman, or the One who speaks. So, this Word was with God.

God is another being. So now we have two beings. Because then apostle John says, “and the Word was God.”

Under the very inspiration of the Spirit of God, the apostle Paul wrote –

“He [Jesus the Christ] is the image of the invisible God [God the Father], the firstborn over all creation. 16) For BY HIM all things were created that are in heaven, and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created THROUGH HIM and FOR HIM” – Colossians 1:15-17.

Christ Jesus – the Son of God – “His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, THROUGH WHOM also He made the worlds; … to the Son He says: ‘Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. … 10) And: ‘You, LORD, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. 11) They will perish, but You remain; And they will all grow old like a garment; 12) Like a cloak You will fold them up, And they will be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not fail’” – Hebrews 1:2, 8, 10-12.

“For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast” – Psalm 33:9.

This shows us that Jesus of Nazareth was also divine and that He was (and is) the very CREATOR OF ALL THINGS VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE!

HE IS GOD OUR SAVIOR!

Therefore, His life which He SACRIFICED for all of us is of greater value than the complete total of all human beings past, present, and future!  

And then Hebrews 7 we read about Melchizedek. Notice verse 3 – this being – “without father, without mother, …” So, how can you be a being and not have a father or a mother!? Well, there are only two such beings. “ … without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, …” – and even angelic beings and demonic spirits have a beginning. At one point they didn’t exist, and at one point they were created. “…but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.” And then it goes on to say, in verse 4 – “Now consider how great this [M]an [really] was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils.” Melchizedek, king of Salam, without mother, without father, without beginning or end of days – the One we now call Jesus Christ! Abraham believed the One we now call Jesus Christ! And Abraham was the first person to understand the concept of the New Covenant.

Yet, we see that He was “like the Son of God.” He wouldn’t become the Son of God until He was born of the virgin Mary.

So, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ – the very One through whom God the Father created the heavens and the earth, was translated INTO FLESH!

Notice God’s living word –

“ … Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel” – Isaiah 7:14.

Which means “God with us.” Now, certainly, it must have been a difficult time for Joseph – wouldn’t you say!? Here he was betrothed (engaged to be married) to a young Jewish virgin, and he discovers one night while sitting down eating dinner, she’s pregnant. Surely it would have been difficult and troubling news for him to have found out. And it says that he didn’t want to “make her a public example” and instead decided to “put her away secretly” – which was lawful for him to do if she was found pregnant. “But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream” and told him, “Do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.” – the very power and Spirit of the Creator Almighty God! – cf. Matthew 1:18. God (Jesus the Messiah) is coming to be a human being!

And one of the FIRST PROPHECIES OF THIS VERY THING  – Genesis 3:15.

Here we see that even our Lord Jesus Christ’s glorious name revealed Him both as SAVIOR AND GOD! A divine being with us IN THE FLESH!

And as stated earlier - the Word (the Logos, cf. John 1:1 – the being who would become our Lord Jesus Christ) alone could not of HIMSELF pay the penalty of mankind’s sin. In order to pay the penalty of human sin, it wasn’t enough that He was divine. HE ALSO MUST BE HUMAN.

The LORD God’s definition of what sin is –

“Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness” - 1 John 3:4.

Lawlessness against the Government of God!

From the very foundation of the world, the LORD God’s Law was given to man – which included the TEN COMMANDMENTS – cf. Romans 4:15!

The transgression of the LORD God’s Law constitutes sin.

And to note: "For it is not possible that THE BLOOD OF BULLS AND GOATS could take away sins. 5) THEREFORE, when He came into the world, He said: 'Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me. 6) In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. 7) Then I said, 'BEHOLD, I HAVE COME─In the volume of the book [the HOLY BIBLE] it is written of Me─ To do Your will, O God'" - Hebrews 10:4-7.

God had added this sacrificial system there at Mount Sinai which had to do with the sacrifice of bullocks, goats, lambs, and turtle doves. Along with the sacrificial lamb at Passover – these were all a symbol of redemption until the ‘SEED SHOULD COME’ – the ONE AND ONLY true sacrifice! God added this sacrificial system as a temporary atonement for His people UNTIL THE TIME OF REFORMATION - cf. Hebrews 9:10.

We see this principle – that a blood sacrifice must be made to atone for sin – when Abel sacrificed a firstborn of his flock, a lamb.

“And in the process of time [not long after creation, in Hebrew, ‘at the end of days’ – some suggesting that Cain might have brought the offering on the Sabbath 2] it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD. 4) Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his OFFERING, 5) but He did not respect Cain and his OFFERING. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell” – Genesis 4:3-5.

Abel gave a BLOOD SACRIFICE for the atonement of sin. Cain did not bring any firstborn from a flock – he just brought a basket of fruit.

So here is the very possibility of sin for Cain – and he could not have sinned if there had not been a Law for him to transgress.

In chapter 8 of the Book of Genesis when the ark came to rest in the seventh month, on the mountain of Ararat – Noah did something.

“Then Noah built an altar to the LORD, and took of every clean animal and every clean bird [see Leviticus 11:1-47], and offered burnt offerings on the altar” – Genesis 8:20.

The patriarch Noah gave a BLOOD SACRIFICE for the atonement of sin.

Now, we are still centuries before the LORD God gave His Law at Mount Sinai having to do with the sacrificial system of the Old Covenant – of the Mosaic law. Here, Noah built an altar – and not only did he take of animals, but he took only of every clean animal.

Turning into the Book of Leviticus chapter 16 we see the goat slain at the Atonement ceremony – and one doesn’t have to fully understand Leviticus 16 to have the love of our Savior Jesus Christ to be poured out upon them, or His grace, His Spirit, His glorious promise of eternal life. Yet, a great many churches that are still deeply entrenched in the Old Covenant make you think that this is the ultimate crux of the gospel of Christ. It is not!

It is true that our Lord Jesus Christ would become our Atonement – it was prophesied – we often read this during the Passover – or the Lord’s Supper – because it’s such a description of what Jesus endured – Isaiah 53:1-3.

The LORD God’s Master Plan laid out before us!

“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation [atonement] for our sins” – 1 John 4:10.

“For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7) For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8) But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9) Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10) For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11) And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation” – Romans 5:6-11.

Our Lord Jesus Christ was the ‘atonement’ for us in the reconciliation to Father God.

The LORD God explains to us in 1st Corinthians –

“For since by man [Adam] came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22) For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23) BUT EACH ONE IN HIS OWN ORDER: Christ the firstfruits [Our Lord Jesus Christ HIMSELF], AFTERWARD those who are Christ’s at His second coming [a first resurrection of the dead – in Christ]. 24) Then comes THE END, …” – 1 Corinthians 15:22-24.

Jesus Christ had HUMAN NATURE

This nature is but an invisible pull toward the likes of self-centeredness, vanity, lust, greed, jealousy, envy, hatred, and rivalry. It is a nature of rebellion, and hostility against authority. He also had another pull, as we all do, the inordinate desire of the FLESH – an unrighteous desire of our five senses. Yet, He lived WITHOUT SIN!

The apostle Paul wrote –

“Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world [meaning, under the bondage of the Mosaic law].”

The Jamieson Fausset and Brown Commentary writes according to this “elements of the world” – “The Jews in their bondage to the law of Moses, as the representative people of the world, include all mankind virtually amenable to God’s Law. … Even the Gentiles were under “bondage,” and in a state of discipline suitable nonage, till Christ came as the Emancipator” 3

4) But WHEN THE FULLNESS OF THE TIME HAD COME, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law [the Mosaic law], to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons [of sonship]” – Galatians 4:3-5.

So, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was born of a woman “under the law” – here meaning the Mosaic law. And being human He was under the inevitable law that human cells die – which results in death. All cells in a human being and in animals have a clock, represented by the telomeres on the ends of the chromosomes. When these are worn away, the cell dies. Material things are not eternal. 

Our Lord Jesus took upon Himself a physical human body and was made subject to death to be our Savior! Not only the natural first death but also the eternal second death! However, our Lord Jesus Christ had to be sacrificed for the Scriptures to be fulfilled - cf. Isaiah 53:7. The LORD God has a MASTER PLAN to save all mankind (past, present, and future) from the death penalty, and our Lord Jesus was the "Lamb of God" who came to take away the sin of the world - John 1:29.

“Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, HE HIMSELF LIKEWISE SHARED IN THE SAME, that THROUGH DEATH He might destroy him who had power of death, that is, the devil” – Hebrews 2:14.

The apostle Paul further explains –

“who, being in the form of God, …” – this exactly tells us that Jesus was a member of the divine Elohim – the God family. “ … did not consider it robbery to be equal with God.” – in other words, He was on a level with the God family. He was a divine being that had been there with God. And He did not think that position of authority and power was something to be grasped at – to cling to. He believed that it was more important to risk eternal life – giving it all up. “but made Himself of no reputation, …” – and I have written in my margin, “He emptied Himself.” He let go of all of that power, glory, position, and the eternal life that He had. “ … taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8) And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” – that’s the kind of mind that we are to have! We are to be willing to go all in when it comes to Almighty God and Jesus Christ!

And in living a perfect life, and in doing great miracles, our Lord Jesus DID NOT have any special help from God the Father that we cannot also have.

Sadly, this is a truth of which so many are deceived. □

Bibliography

1) Garrett, M.C., Christ In You (Unleavened Bread – Day 3) – 2017 “VIDEO,” 21 Apr. 2019.

2) Jamieson Fausset and Brown Commentary on the Whole Bible. Jamieson Robert, Fausset R. A., Brown David, Zondervan Publishing House, 1961, pg. 20.

3) Ibid. pg. 1269.

Additional article of interest

Anti-christs – in the last hour - Now listen carefully – you can attempt to keep God’s Laws – the Ten Commandments – you can strive your entire life to live by God’s Laws and you will be no closer to the kingdom of God than a serial murderer. Because, “personal protection and ultimate salvation” is based upon LOOKING TO JESUS CHRIST, LOOKING TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD, LOOKING TO THE NEW COVENANT!

Personal From… What Gospel? - Back in the spring of 2018, a man on Facebook tried to tell me “the gospel that should be preached now is the Gospel of grace of God.” He also went on to say, “the gospel of the kingdom will be preached again after the rapture to Israel before the second coming. We cannot preach the gospel of the kingdom now because that was meant for the lost sheep of the house of Israel only.” But, is this correct!? Today, as it was so long ago (cf. Galatians 1:6-9), many preach a different gospel – “which is not another.”

Did Jesus Have Long Hair? - This early morning I had noticed the issue of Did Jesus Have Long Hair? came up. We receive a great number of “friend” requests from people on Facebook who have pictures of a supposed Jesus with long hair and feminine features. Did our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ have long hair!?

God's Promises To Abraham - chapter 5

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COJCOM · God's Promises To Abraham - Chapter 5

0:04 - Hillary vs Trump 2016 - Part II
4:58 - 'I will even appoint terror over you' - Leviticus 26:16.
10:49 - Ancient Assyria
14:26 - Review
17:03 - Isaac and Rebekah
34:47 - “’ Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.’” – Matthew 7:12.

Chapter 5

Hillary vs Trump 2016 - part II

When the Republican convention had finished in Cleveland, Ohio and they officially nominated Donald J. Trump, which he chose Indiana governor Mike Pence to be his running mate, all the news organizations then ramped up for the Democratic convention which was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania the following week. And they presumed – and she had won the nominated process –the former first lady, former senator and secretary of state, wife of Bill Clinton - Hillary Clinton was nominated officially and became the Democratic nominee to become president of the United States. And this was the time - every four years – that I go into television hiding. And, there are stations like USA and TNT that have a lot of reruns and the TMC which has a lot of older movies, and there’s TV Land, which has a lot of old television shows. Well, during that time I catch up on my old westerns and old comedies. Because quite frankly I just have a hard time with these election years.

     I had thought at the time about the two candidates. Now, certainly, anything could have happened – accidents and diseases and tragedies – and you don’t really wish that on anybody. And, unless something had happened, the two main candidates became Donald Trump for the Republicans and Hillary Clinton for the Democrats. And I started thinking about it. Both of these people are obviously highly intelligent. You know they both had very active brains – very intelligent, very creative. They are both highly accomplished. I mean, you think about Donald Trump and his empire of real estate. And, you think about Hillary Clinton and all of the things that she has done. Both have very high and lofty goals. Both are very ambitious – they have been all of their lives. And both have a very – in my estimation; and I only know of them from what I see on the television or read about them – highly elevated senses of self-worth. Both have huge egos. And that’s not necessarily a good thing in my book. And apparently from what I was able to find out, read and study, both expect – from the people which are around them – total and complete unwavering loyalty. I mean – if you join one of their teams you’re expected to toe the line completely and never color outside the lines. And there’s a little dictatorial nature in them. And also from what I have been able to glean from reading and hearing about them, both of them have apparently a very highly evolved sense of vengefulness and spitefulness. You have heard stories about both of them! If you cross their paths, if you resist them, if you do not fall in line with them, they become extremely agitated and rather not very Christian in their responses. And all of this reminds me of someone else!

1. Intelligent.
2. Highly accomplished.
3. High lofty goals.
4. A huge sense of ego.
5. Expect and demand total loyalty.
6. Highly vengeful spirit for anybody that steps outside the group.

Do these traits remind you of anybody!?

     The last thing listed here – comparing and contrasting those two people – we now know that Donald J. Trump became the president of the United States on January 20th, 2017. And I just shook my head and went – how did we get here!? How, as a nation – and I’ve said this from the get-go – of over 329 BILLION people did we end up with the two of them being in line to be the next president!? And I know there were a couple of independent candidates, third party and fourth party – and they might have taken votes away from one or the other – but they weren’t in the running. It was either Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton. And what a situation it was! And I wanted to comment on that.

‘I will even appoint terror over you’ – Leviticus 26:16

Another thing I want to comment on which actually does tie into this book is – once again our television sets and our computer screens, newspapers, are filled with stories of violence and terror. In the previous chapter, I mentioned that we had the incident in Nice, France, where a man took a 19-tonne cargo truck and deliberately drove into crowds of people celebrating Bastille Day on the Promenade des Anglais. He went out of his way to run down as many people as he could. Finally, his vehicle came to an end, and finally, he was shot. But not until he had murdered, slaughtered, assassinated, executed – whatever word you want to use – 86 totally innocent people. Many of them were children. And this was in the wake of the Dallas policemen and the policemen in Baton Rouge, and in the wake of what happened in San Bernardino, and the 49 people who were murdered – executed – in the nightclub down in Orlando, Florida. It was also in the wake of bombings and shootings which happened in Paris, and Brussels. And it seemed like a tidal wave – of every day or every other day! And then on July 18th, 2016, we heard reports at the time – and we didn’t hear a lot about it because of the cable news people were preoccupied with the Republican convention – a smattering report that in Bavaria, Germany, an Afghan refugee Riaz Khan Ahmadzai attacked and injured four people, two critically, on a train near Würzburg in Germany. Finally, he was cornered by the police and was shot dead. A 17-year-old! And he dedicated his attack to ISIS. And yet still, we turned on our television sets and we heard about the mass shooting in the vicinity of the Olympia shopping mall in the Moosach district of Munich, Germany in which 9 were killed and 36 were injured (four by gunfire)! The gunman - David Sonboly - an 18-year-old Iranian-German with dual nationality ended up killing himself. The report by the Bavarian State Office of Criminal Investigation and the public prosecutor's office in March 2017 concluded that the shooting was not political. The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, Germany's security agency, also believe he was a "psychologically ill avenger" rather than a terrorist.  I know as I listened to the reports at that time, there were some of the newscasters who were suggesting that he might have been a Right-wing extremist – as in a neo-Nazi. And you did hear in all of the discussions at that time, and I was amazed at how freely they talked about it in the wake of that shooting, that in Germany among the people – the citizens, not the leaders – there was a growing controversy about Angela Merkel's  German government - about its decision to invite into Germany over a million refugees from Islamic countries.  And this is really starting to boil over! You’re hearing the same things said about France – the people of France have become extremely disgusted with these interlopers coming into their country and then wanting to kill the French. And apparently, the same anger is building in Germany! I had even heard one reporter fleetingly refer to riotous situations – and apparently, there are neo-Nazi groups, or far-Right leaning people who are becoming more and more vociferous and militant in their language about “the foreign invasion.”

     So, folks, this story continues on and on. Because this is going to go on more and more.

     I had also heard at that time – that in Afghanistan a twin bombing occurred in the vicinity of Deh Mazang square in Kabul. At least 97 people were killed and 260 injured. The terrorist group ISIS claimed responsibility.  Now, we used to say it was once a month, and then it felt like it was once a week, and now it’s getting to be about every day – or every other day! These horrible stories are happening all throughout the Western world! As for us Americans, we don't feel content, don’t feel totally secure, because this same horrible bloodbath is coming to cities – and already has – near to where we live! It’s a horrible thing to contemplate, but it is the zeitgeist – the spirit of this age – of anger and violence. And just very scary and very frightening!

Ancient Assyria

The Brexit vote. Britain’s decision – the people voted to leave the European Union. And how we’re trying to show from the pages of the Bible that it was inevitable that the British people and the European people go down separate paths. Because we believe that the British people and the American people are the recipients of the blessings that God promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (whose name was changed to Israel), and then one of Israel’s sons was Joseph – and Joseph had two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. We believe that they are the distant progenitors of both the English people (the British people/Ephraim) and the American people (Manasseh) – the founding stock. Later in this book – when we get through with the promises of Abraham – we’re going to talk about Europe in Prophecy. And the two of them don’t stay together. You have Britain and America on one side of this issue, and you have a soon-coming United Europe – by whatever name they come to call themselves – on another page of prophetic history. And these attacks – such as the one in Munich, Germany in 2016 – if it wasn’t actually ISIS motivated, then it was done in an age when the ISIS mentality is permeating more and more people. And the German people – somewhere down the road is going to say, “Das reicht! Nicht mehr!” In other words, “We’re not going to put up with this violence!” And right now the German people are from a socialist-type country and they are very sort of hard-working – they’ve always been known as hard-working and industrious. But historically – the German people have been very militant, very war-like. And all you need to do is open the pages of your history books and read and realize that the two great wars – the two great world wars of the 20th century – were started because of situations that revolved mainly inside of Germany. And then those sentiments became very aggressive and very war-like – and because of it well over 62 million people died in the 20th century in wars that had Germany a central part of them! There is a part of the German DNA – when they finally get their act together and get focused on a goal (and we might think it’s not a good goal) they go after it! And somewhere down the road, the German people are going to say, “Genug davon!” Germany won’t be led by Angela Merkel, but just as England said, “Enough of this migration into our country – we want out of this system.” And they voted to leave the European Union, so the German people – on their own – will say, “ Genug von diesem Chaos!” German people like order. They’re very meticulous – very order oriented. And when chaos and violence start to engulf their society there will be somewhere a political party – a political figure – who will rise up and say, “Join my team. We’re going to put an end to this!” And it’s going to happen! It’s all talked about in the pages of your Bible.

Review

Let’s go back and talk about the promises that God gave to Abraham and to his descendants. I'm calling this book God's Promises To Abraham, but keep in mind when I say that, I’m actually meaning Abraham and his descendants. In chapter one we talked about how we – the United States of America and the United Kingdom – were founded by the people who were descended from Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Ephraim, and Manasseh. And how we as Christians – as followers of Jesus Christ and the New Covenant – are also related to Abraham. Because it’s said about Abraham over and over – “Abraham believed God!” And it was accounted to him – or it was accredited to him as righteousness.

     Genesis 25:23 – Rebekah, who was Isaac’s wife, she had two babies forming in her womb – verse 22 – and they struggled. There was this constant conflict. “And the LORD said to her: ‘Two nations are in your womb, Two peoples [two different types of people] shall be separated from your body; One people shall be stronger than the other, And the older shall serve the younger.’” And we talked about how that Esau was destined to become the progenitor – the founding stock – of the people we now call the Turkish people.

     Genesis 26:5 – “’ Because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.’” And He says to Isaac in verse 2 – “…’ Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land of which I shall tell you. 3) Dwell in this land, and I will be with you and bless you; for to you and your descendants I give all these [countries], and I will perform the oath which I swore to Abraham your father. 4) And I will make your descendants multiply as the stars of heaven; I will give to your descendants all these [countries]; and in your seed [or through your descendants] all the nations of the earth shall be blessed.’” – and that was the central promise to Abraham.

     At the end of this book we're going to talk about the ultimate promise God gave to Abraham. And that promise was eternal life as a part of the Kingdom of God.

Isaac and Rebekah

Genesis 26:6 – “So Isaac dwelt in Gerar. 7) And the men of the place asked about his wife. And he said, ‘She is my sister’; …” – now, he’s talking about his wife. And, I’m going to point out that we’ve heard this story before. In the life of Abraham – which is very interesting to me – how so many similarities between what Abraham went through, his son Isaac went through. Remember – Abraham’s wife Sarah was barren – unable to have children until God blessed her. The same thing happened with Rebekah, who was Isaac’s wife, she was unable to have children until Isaac pleaded with God and God blessed her, and then she was able to bear children. Well, here’s another story where you think – haven’t I read this before!? Well, let’s read what Isaac did and then we’ll go back and look at Abraham. “… for he was afraid to say, ‘She is my wife,’ because he thought, ‘lest the men of the place kill me for Rebekah, because she is beautiful to behold.’” Here’s another similarity. Abraham’s wife Sarah – even in what we would call a pretty aged state; an older lady – was a tremendous-looking lady. And apparently Rebekah – also a very beautiful woman; very easy on the eyes, as they sometimes say. And, Isaac is fearful that if he claims her to be his wife, they will simply kill him and take her. And he feared – he was scared.

     Abraham and Isaac, and Jacob – we’re all told in the Word of God that they’re going to be a part of the Kingdom of God. They already have their ticket punched in order to be a part of the Kingdom of God upon the return of Jesus Christ! And they are all biblical “superheroes” – as you might say. Just fantastic stories. And, they had moments in their lives where they spoke with God – literally spoke with the One we now call Jesus Christ! Where Jesus Christ came to them in their prayers, in their thoughts – and sometimes actually in person. And, we’ll read later how Jacob wrestled in the dirt – like two schoolboys on a playground – with the One we now call Jesus Christ! I mean, they had a closeness and relationship with God that none of us have ever approached. These are biblical “heavyweights.” And yet they too were human. And they too as it’s often said, “Had feet of clay.” They had their strong points, but they also had their weak points.

     And I just want to point that out. The people of God are not always perfectly righteous. The people of God – the followers of Jesus Christ – are just mortal men and women who are attempting to grow in grace and in knowledge – as it were day by day, week by week, month by month, and year by year. In spiritual growth, you have your high points and then you have moments in your life where it’s just disappointing – or it’s frustrating. Sometimes it’s because we don’t spend enough time in prayer and Bible study. Sometimes we invite this unto ourselves. It’s sort of a spiritual depression. Sometimes people around us go out of their way to make our lives more miserable. It might be a boss, it might be a family member, it might be a health issue – you know all of a sudden we discover we have this illness, disease, or maybe a very serious disease, and that can take the air out of your balloon really quick spiritually speaking. We hope that compared from one month to the next month or from one year to the next year we hope that we are more spiritually mature. And in the year – in the spring holy days and the fall holy days – I discuss with myself and often talk about this to share with others, that hopefully one year ago compared to now we have made some improvement. Hopefully, we’re a little spiritually more mature – a little more spiritually competent that we’ve grown in grace and in knowledge.

     But Abraham had his weaknesses – even though he’s called the father of the faithful. And he’s called the ‘friend of God.’ How is that for an epitaph on a tombstone!? “Here lies a friend of God” And it’s written by the finger of God! And Isaac had some moments where he didn’t shine all that well either. And here is one of them. He showed a little lack of faith. I’ve often said that faith is often synonymous with courage. If you have a little lack of courage, you are in effect having a lack of faith. And here Isaac has a lack of courage and a lack of faith. He fears what these people might do to him if he claims Rebekah as his wife. So he says, “O’ she’s my sister.”

     Verse 8 – “Now it came to pass, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked through a window, and saw, and there was Isaac, [sporting with Rebekah] his wife.” Now, isn’t that a nice euphemism!? 6 And all of a sudden Abimelech says, “Woe!” Verse 9 – “Then Abimelech called Isaac and said, “Quite obviously she is your wife; so how could you say, ‘She is my sister’?” Isaac said to him, ‘Because I said, ‘Lest I die on account of her.’” 10) And Abimelech said, “What is this you have done to us? One of the people might soon have lain with your wife, and you would have brought guilt on us.” 11) So Abimelech charged all his people, saying, ‘He who touches this man or his wife shall surely be put to death.” Now again, this is the king of the Philistines. We don’t normally have a very good feeling about the Philistines. Because in biblical parlance we’re always rooting for the other side. You know – you think about King David and his problems with the Philistines. We’re rooting for young David who with his slingshot slays Goliath. We’re sort of naturally prone to feel a sort of antipathy towards the Philistines and maybe a certain disrespect. But here in this chapter and in this incident the Philistines show a lot of honor – and the king of the Philistines shows a lot of honor.

     With that in mind – let’s put a placement card here in Genesis 26 – and let’s turn back to Genesis 12. We’re going to see two stories about Abraham.

     Genesis 12:9 – “So Abram journeyed, going on still toward the South. 10) Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to dwell there, for the famine was severe in the land. 11) And it came to pass, when he was close to entering Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife, ‘Indeed I know that you are a woman of beautiful countenance. 12) Therefore it will happen, when the Egyptians see you, that they will kill me, but they will let you live.” – now isn’t this the same story we just read concerning Isaac!? The same thinking – the same rationalization!? So, the son was indeed like the father. Verse 13 – “Please say you are my sister, that it may be well with me for your sake, and that I may live because of you.” 14) So it was, when Abram came into Egypt, that the Egyptians saw the woman, that she was very beautiful. 15) The princes of Pharaoh also saw her and commended her to Pharaoh. And the woman was taken to Pharaoh’s house. 16) He [the Pharaoh] treated Abram well for her sake. He had sheep, oxen, [jack’s – male donkeys], male and female servants, [jenny’s – female donkeys], and camels. 17) But the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. 18) And Pharaoh called Abram and said, ‘What is this you have done to me?’ …” – now, obviously – because of the plagues – Pharaoh figures it out!

     Isn’t it interesting how many times in the stories of the Bible that the chosen people of God end up interacting with EGYPT! It’s fascinating! And here’s one instance where Abram and his wife are in Egypt.

     And the LORD plagues the Pharaoh. Think about the children of Israel – many generations down the road who end up in slavery in Egypt. And in order to help release them – God did what!? He plagued the Pharaoh and his house and all the country of Egypt. So, these reoccurring themes are very interesting!

     “…’ Why did you not tell me that she was your wife?’ …” – the Pharaoh figures out why he is being “cursed.” Verse 19 – “Why did you say, ‘She is my sister’? I might have taken her as my wife. …’” 7 And, they didn’t have any problem with having multiple wives back then. “…’ Now therefore, here is your wife; take her and go your way.’ 20) So Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him; and they sent him away with his wife and all that he had.”

     Now, going back to verse 16 – take another look at verse 16. “He [the Pharaoh] treated Abram well for her sake. He had sheep [in other words, the Pharaoh gave Abram sheep, oxen, donkeys, servants, and camels]…” And I want to point something out – was God proud of the future Abraham lying to the Pharaoh!? Probably not. Could God handle that!? Yes, God rolled with the punches. He knew that Abram was lying. He knew that Abram was lacking faith. He knew that Abram was lacking courage. But God still blessed Abraham with wealth. Isn’t that amazing!? The Pharaoh gave Abram these animals – worth a tremendous amount of money. Abraham becomes a very wealthy man. And so did Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. And one of the reasons they gained in great wealth is because God took the circumstances in which Abraham or his descendants were found, and He found a way to bless Abraham. Remember – “’ I will bless them that bless you, and I will curse them that curse you’”!? And basically, God says to Abraham and to his descendants, “I’m gonna take care of you.” We too in our lives should look to God Almighty and Jesus Christ with an expecting faith. That no matter what happens, They are going to look after us and They are going to take care of us. Now, God doesn’t promise us all a mansion, or a fancy Rolls-Royce. But I dare say – unless I chose not to eat – I have never been hungry. I have never been without drinking water. I have never been without someplace to lay my head – some living arrangement. And really, when you get down to it, how much stuff do you need in your life!? I mean – everyone wants to have good health. Well, historically, God has been very gracious to me. Well, everyone wants to have food in their belly, and water. Well, He has taken care of that. Well, everyone wants some type of roof over their head. Well, He’s taken care of that. Well, you know, we’re a very blessed people – especially if we live in a country that has many things and many opportunities. So, I’m not as wealthy as Donald Trump, but I might be more happy and content deep down inside!? I don’t have all the titles of Hillary Clinton, but I’m looking forward to a title that Hillary won’t be able to “lie herself into.” Because, you see, someday, me and all of you who are fellow co-workers with Jesus Christ, we look forward to being called ‘the sons and daughters of God’ for all eternity. The chosen of God. I’ll take that anytime over the temporary titles which Donald and Hillary are seeking with such fervor. Eternal members of the Family of God. That’s what God is placing before us!

     Now, let’s turn to Genesis chapter 20. Here we have another story – about who!? Abraham. “And Abraham journeyed from there to the South, and dwelt between Kadesh and Shur, and stayed in Gerar.” – now wait a minute, didn’t we just read about that!? Recall chapter 26, verse 6, talking about Isaac – “So Isaac dwelt in Gerar.” Abraham and Isaac both dwelt in the same location.

     Verse 2 – “Now Abraham said of Sarah his wife, ‘She is my sister.’ And Abimelech …” – again, a title given to Philistine kings, rather than a personal name, like pharaoh for Egyptian kings. Possibly the same Abimelech that’s in chapter 26. However, they’re both in Gerar, and they are both dealing with a Philistine king titled Abimelech. But it could theoretically be his son. “… king of Gerar sent and took Sarah. 3) But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, ‘Indeed you are [all but a] dead man …’” – WHOA! Talk about a nightmare! This is the Creator God saying, “Buddy, you’re all but dead!” Now, that would get your attention! “…’ because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man’s wife.’ 4) But Abimelech had not come near her; …” – he had not had sexual relations with her. “… and he said, ‘Lord, will You slay a righteous nation also? 5) Did he not say to me, ‘She is my sister’? And she, even she herself said, ‘He is my brother.’ In the integrity of my heart and innocence of my hands I have done this.’” – this Philistine king is saying to God – keep in mind he is a Philistine, and again we sort of have a low opinion of the Philistines, and yet, this Philistine king is having a conversation with God. So, this Philistine king must have had something of quality about him. ‘Lord, will You slay a righteous nation also?’ – maybe under this Philistine king, the people were decent people!? I don’t know – it would be something to think about. Verse 6 – “And God said to him in a dream, ‘Yes, I know that you did this in the integrity of your heart. For I also withheld you from sinning against Me; …’” – so God is saying, ‘I’m the One that kept you from going into the bed chamber and attempting to have sex with the woman.’ “…’ therefore I did not let you touch her. 7) Now therefore, restore the man’s wife; for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you shall live. But if you do not restore her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours.’” – now, sometimes God speaks very boldly. And sometimes God speaks in terms of life and death. I know a lot of people go to a church on a Sunday and they want to think about, ‘Well, the little Lord Jesus away in a manger. The beautiful little child.’ ‘Oh, the beautiful Man that had the long hair and sad face.’ And they think of God maybe the same way you and I might think of a puppy dog or a kitty cat. But the Being who is speaking to this Philistine king is the same Being that we now call Jesus Christ! And Jesus Christ can be kind, and He can be patient, and He can be merciful, and He can be loving when that’s His game plan. And at times He can be just downright distinct and definite! ‘You touch her, you touch him, and you and all of your household will die.’

“’ Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.’” – Matthew 7:12

I’ve often said – in my life I’ve had an adage or an axiom to live by. And I’ll give you a cleaned-up version – and I pretty much try and follow this axiom.

     Number One: Always treat a lady or a gentleman as though they are a lady or a gentleman.

     Number Two: Always treat the south end of a horse as though it is indeed the south end of horse.

     Number Three: Never, ever, ever, get the two confused.

    This means you never treat a lady or a gentleman as though they’re the south end of a horse. And you never treat the south end of a horse as though they’re a lady or a gentleman. Because they aren’t! And if you do – or you attempt to – they will always take it as a sign of weakness. And they’ll become just more aggressive. And so, at times, you must meet aggression – or the spirit of aggression – with a counteracting force – or spirit of aggression. Just in order to protect yourself – to survive you have to do so. But it’s exactly what God says – ‘I’m gonna treat them the way that they deserve to be treated.’

     This is one of the most often mentioned concepts in the Bible. In the end, we will all receive - according to our works – exactly what we deserve to receive. We will either be blessed, or we will be cursed. And God doesn’t have a problem meeting out justice. And, I understand that. I don’t have a real hard problem with that. There are times people might say, “Well, Mike, you’re mighty hard on that ‘little guy’ down in Texas!” Have you ever stopped and asked yourself why I have been and why I will be!? It’s very simple. People’s eternal lives are at stake! The lives of people I know. The lives of people I have cared about and loved and befriended are being led – by his direction. And his direction – he refuses to even acknowledge the name Jesus Christ. I can’t tell you how absolutely obtuse that is! If you cannot say or write the name, and revere the name of Jesus Christ, you have no pathway to eternal life! And therefore, you can’t lead anybody to eternal life. And that’s why that becomes such an issue with me. Because I’m worried about people I once knew. Well, they may hate me – I don’t hate them. And I’m still worried about you folks! And some of you may read this book. As I asked my one-time friend, who was in a hospital bed, I said, “Do you really believe that the ‘little guy’ down there in Texas can lead you to the Promised Land – just like Moses and Joshua!?” And he couldn’t speak. Because deep down inside he knew what I was saying was true. But he still – apparently – feels at some level a sense of obligation to stay in that “camp.” And so I fear for my former friend. I truly do – I fear. I just know that the train is going in the wrong direction. Because the ONLY WAY that you have eternal life is through Jesus Christ and through the principles and the concepts of the New Covenant. Which is why I talk about that so much. That is the overriding force of what we’re about here at the Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ.

     Verse 8 – “So Abimelech rose early in the morning, called all his servants, and told all these things in their hearing; and the men were very much afraid. 9) And Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, ‘What have you done to us? How have I offended you, that you have brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? You have done deeds to me that ought not to be done.’” I mean, Abraham’s little fib – his little half-lie; and we’re going to talk about that in just a moment – even though God could look over it, God could handle it, God didn’t allow His world to fall apart – Abraham potentially put another man and his whole kingdom and his household into terrible jeopardy. He said, ‘You have done deeds to me that ought not to be done.’ Verse 10 – “Then Abimelech said to Abraham, ‘What did you have in view, that you have done this thing?’ 11) And Abraham said, ‘Because I thought, surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will kill me on account of my wife.’” – now again, it’s fear. Abraham feared. Fear is a very human emotion. Fear – as I have said – is the lack of faith. Abraham should have been more filled with faith and belief that God would protect him and protect his wife. Also, read this – ‘Because I thought, surely the fear of God is not in this place.’ Abraham was attempting to judge this Philistine king and his household and his countrymen – and misread them.

     Notice verse 12 – this is an interesting part of the story. I don’t know if you remember this, but this is really interesting to me. “’ But indeed she is truly my sister. She is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; …’” – Sarah – originally called Sarai – was his half-sister. Now, to us we go – “Oh shocking! He married his half-sister!” Well, who did the children of Adam and Eve marry!? Have you ever thought about that? Where did all the people come from!? There’s only one possibility. The children of Adam and Eve ended up marrying one another. Well, it was their only possibility! And here in this situation – our society would probably not condone it now – but God condoned it. God allowed it. God didn’t struggle with it. So, yeah, Sarah was his sister – technically. But Abraham didn’t tell the whole story, did he!? He said what we often call a ‘little white lie.’ Well, Abraham was human. And so, if someone tells you a lie just don’t be totally shocked. If I got offended every time someone told me a lie, I would just be perpetually upset. Because people – in this day and age – aren’t very honest. Verse 13 – “’ And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father’s house, that I said to her, ‘This is your kindness that you should do for me: in every place, wherever we go, say of me, ‘He is my brother.’’”

     Again, let’s put a placement card here and turn back to chapter 12 and verse 16 – The Pharaoh “treated Abram well for her sake. He had [or as my margin says, he gave him] sheep, oxen, [jack’s – male donkeys], male and female servants, [jenny’s – female donkeys], and camels.” Bestowed upon him a tremendous amount of wealth. Well, in chapter 20, verse 14 – “Then Abimelech took sheep, oxen, and male and female servants, and gave them to Abraham; and he restored Sarah his wife to him.” Every time Abraham got involved in one of these situations – in which he really did not shine with honor – God still blessed him and made him more and more wealthy. It’s just an amazing story. God understood his weaknesses. And, the God we are speaking of here is the same God we now call Jesus Christ. God knows your frame – as He says in Isaiah, ‘That we are but dust.’ He knows we’re flawed. He knows we’re weak at times. He knows that at times we can be so magnificent, and He knows that at times we can be not very magnificent. But He also has a Spirit of forgiveness. I wish people were as forgiving as God is. Don’t you wish you lived in a world where people could forgive and forget and lay things aside!? But no, we live in a world where people – even church people – they just get hooked on something and they just grind and grind. Well, the God that we serve is indeed a merciful God! Verse 15 – “And Abimelech said, ‘See, my land is before you; dwell where it pleases you.’ 16) Then to Sarah he said, ‘Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver; indeed this vindicates you before all who are with you and before everybody.’ Thus she was rebuked. 17) So Abraham prayed to God; and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female servants. Then they bore children; 18) for the LORD had closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.”

     Isn’t that an interesting story!? I find it interesting.

     If you would, turn back to chapter 26, verse 12 – going back now to Isaac. This is after Isaac has not been totally truthful with the Philistine king – maybe the same king, or maybe the son. “Then Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold; and the LORD blessed him.” – now again, we live in a culture that says, “Well, if you do something bad, God’s just gonna smack you down, and throw you away!” No, not necessarily. God is understanding. God is merciful. God is patient. And if God is on your side, He’ll even take your weaknesses and try and teach you something from them, and try to open future doors for you. So, again, a wonderful story about God’s mercy. Verse 13 – “The man began to prosper, …” - he became wealthy in money and livestock, grain, and personal stature. If God be for you, who can be against you!? God blessed Isaac, “and continued prospering until he became very prosperous; …” – so the finances of Abraham and then later Isaac grew greatly. Even though the beginning of the situation wasn’t very honorable. God took lemons – and made lemonade – for both Abraham and Isaac. Verse 14 – “for he had possessions of flocks and possessions of herds and a great number of servants. So the Philistines envied him. 15) Now the Philistines had stopped up all the wells which his father’s servants had dug in the days of Abraham his father, and they had filled them with earth. 16) And Abimelech said to Isaac, ‘Go away from us, for you are much mightier than we.’” Abraham and then Isaac had prospered so greatly in numbers of people, wealth, and livestock, that the king of the Philistines was getting a little nervous, “Your mightier than we are now.” But keep in mind – verse 12 – the LORD had blessed Isaac. Verse 17 – “Then Isaac departed from there and pitched his tent in the Valley of Gerar, and dwelt there. 18) And Isaac dug again the wells of water which they had dug in the days of Abraham his father, for the Philistines had stopped them up after the death of Abraham. He called them by the names which his father had called them. 19) Also Isaac’s servants dug in the valley, and found a well of running water there. 20) But the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen, saying, ‘The water is ours.’ So he called the name of the well Esek, because they quarreled with him. 21) Then they dug another well, and they quarreled over that one also. So he called its name Sitnah [enmity, meaning hatred, dislike]. 22) And he moved from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it. So he called its name Rehoboth [spaciousness], because he said, ‘For now the LORD has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.’ 23) Then he went up from there to Beersheba. 24) And the LORD appeared to him the same night and said, ‘I Am the God of your father Abraham; do not fear, for I AM with you. …’” – what is He stressing to him!? Be courageous. Be filled with faith. Don’t be afraid. Remember both Abraham and Isaac lacked faith. They both lacked courage. And one of the first things God tells him in this dream is, ‘fear not, for I AM with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants for My servant Abraham’s sake.’ 25) So he built an altar there and called on the name of the LORD, and he pitched his tent there; and there Isaac’s servants dug a well. 26) Then Abimelech came to him from Gerar with Ahuzzath, one of his friends, and Phichol the commander of his army. 27) And Isaac said to them, ‘Why have you come to me, since you hate me and have sent me away from you?’ 28) But they said, ‘We have certainly seen that the LORD is with you. So we said, ‘Let there now be an oath between us, between you and us; and let us make a covenant [an agreement] with you, 29) that you will do us no harm, since we have done nothing to you but good and have sent you away in peace. You are now the blessed of the LORD.’” – so, these people were wise enough to recognize that God was with Isaac.

     You know, we have a problem within the churches of God – sometimes the people don’t even understand who God truly is working with. But back here – these non-believers, they understood that God was with Isaac.

     Verse 30 – “So he made them a feast, and they ate and drank. 31) Then they arose early in the morning and swore an oath with one another; and Isaac sent them away, and they departed from him in peace. 32) It came to pass the same day that Isaac’s servants came and told him about the well which they had dug, and said to him, ‘We have found water.’ 33) So he called it Shebah. Therefore the name of the city is Beersheba to this day.

     Verse 34 – “When Esau …” – remember, Esau, Edom – the progenitor of the Turks. “…was forty years old, he took as wives Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite. 35) And they were a grief of mind to Isaac and Rebekah.” They don’t approve.

     And this brings us to the next chapter. This story truly gets interesting between Esau and Jacob. Jacob, who got his name changed to Israel. And, a lot of spiritual lessons can be learned from it. When we get through with the promises God made to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Ephraim, and Manasseh – we’re going to start talking about Europe in Prophecy. We’re going to try and show how Abraham’s family was to go in one direction, and we’re going to try and show that the prophecies of Europe take us down another road. And how in the end times all of that plays out. And again – world news – some of the things we are reading and hearing directly relate to some of the fulfilling – or getting ready to fulfill – some of the prophecies which we’re going to talk about. 

Michael C. Garrett   About

Publication Date 2022

Link to this online book.

  

     

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A Morning Bible Study - Just What Is Armageddon?

Leonard V. Johnson     About

In our latest Letter to our Friends, we briefly speak of Armageddon. Just what is Armageddon!? Does it have anything to do with the 1998 blockbuster movie “Armageddon” starring Bruce Willis!? Nearly everyone on this planet has heard the name “Armageddon.” World leaders, movie directors, and even scientists have all used this biblical name when speaking of an all-out nuclear war between world nations, or even a “planet-killing” asteroid! Yet, very few know just what Armageddon is.

In this Bible study let’s begin to understand how this name fits into biblical prophecy – especially when it comes to the glorious and powerful return of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ!

“Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, The power and the glory, The victory and the majesty; For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, And You are exalted as head over all” – 1st Chronicles 29:11. Amen.

1) What are the first FOUR future plagues allowed by the LORD God upon an unrepentant sinful world!? Called in the Bible “the seven last plagues.”

ONE

“Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, ‘Come and see.’ 2) And I looked, …”

So, it was the apostle John that this cherub was addressing – not the whole world here.

“ … and behold, a WHITE HORSE. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.” – Revelation 6:1-2.

Now, I guess there could be different interpretations. However, it is possible that this represents a false religion gaining great strength and world prestige again –the Mother Church of Europe – which has plunged this world into numerous world wars!

Notice –

“ …’ Take heed that no one deceives you. 5) For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many’” – Matthew 24:4-5.

TWO

“When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, ‘Come and see.’ 4) Another HORSE, FIERY RED, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword” – Revelation 6:3-4.

This is our Lord Jesus Christ suggesting the prophecy of the prophet Daniel in chapter 11. A direct reference to a final holy war between the end-time Catholic United States of Europe (‘king of the North’) and the Islamic confederation of nations (‘king of the South’) – cf. Daniel 11:40; Revelation 9:13-16.

Notice –

“’ For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. …’” – Matthew 24:7a.

Religious motivated militancy and aggression often lead to war. And wars often lead to FAMINE, which is mentioned as number three.

THREE

“When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, ‘Come and see.’ So I looked, and behold, a BLACK HORSE, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. 6) And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, ‘A quart of wheat for a denarius [which was approximately one day’s wage for a worker!], and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine.’” – Revelation 6:5-6.

The black horse of FAMINE. So here the food is very scarce. Your food is being measured out on a scale in very small quantities – like a cup of wheat. Not enough food to sustain one’s family let alone themselves! And, not only the purchase of wheat but also of barley.

Notice –

“ … ‘ And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places’” – Matthew 24:7b.

FOUR

“When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, ‘Come and see.’ 8) So I looked, and behold, a PALE HORSE. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades [the grave] followed him. And power was given to them over A FOURTH OF THE EARTH, to kill with SWORD, with HUNGER, with DEATH, and by the beasts of the earth” – Revelation 6:7-8.

So, it is as if death and the grave are personified here with this being which is sitting upon this pale horse.

You take 8 billion people – we’re talking about 2 billion people who are going to die as a result of these events here! And I know this is horrible news! Again, when the prophet Ezekiel saw what was written on that scroll, it was lamentations and mourning and woe.” – cf. Ezekiel 2:9-10.

The majority of the Anglo-Saxon-dominated nations will be affected – which are the end-time descendants of Israel, also prophetically referred to as Israel (cf. Genesis 48).

Notice –

“’ All these are the beginning of sorrows’” – Matthew 24:8.

2) What are the last THREE future plagues upon a still unrepentant sinful world!?

FIVE

“When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held” – Revelation 6:9.

This, of course, is allegorical language. Throughout our history, many peoples were martyred doing God’s true work – and in the very near future, there will be many more martyred. So, the fifth seal talks about the martyrdom of God’s true servants – a group of “end-time prophets” who go out throughout the world as a witness to all nations and preach the living gospel message – the kingdom of God.

Notice –

“’ Then they will deliver you …’” – here pertaining mostly to the final “end-time prophets” – cf. Revelation 11. “ ‘… up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10) And then many will be offended, will betray one another. 11) Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12) And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold’” – Matthew 24:9-12.

And they – possibly twelve final end-time prophets – will be given power from God Almighty and Jesus Christ to begin prophesying – testifying - to kings, to world rulers, to the captured and subjugated elect of God, to a great religious leader and political leader – standing before the god of the earth (Satan the devil) – WARNING for 3 ½ years!

“’ And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world AS A WITNESS to all the nations, AND THEN THE END WILL COME’” – Matthew 24:14.

SIX

“I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood” – Revelation 6:12.

Logically, the moon appears "like blood" or reddish – when it appears in an atmosphere full of dust, smoke, or smog! The atmosphere will be thick with volcanic ash towers from a great number of volcanoes erupting around the globe, possibly caused by the massive "great earthquake."

Our Lord Jesus Christ also prophesied of this sixth seal.

Notice –

“’ Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; …’” – Matthew 24:29a.

SEVEN

“When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour” – Revelation 8:1.

Now, we believe that the first four of these trumpets are in conjunction with the prophesied “end time prophets” which are spoken of in the Book of Revelation chapter 11 – which finalizes with the “Two Witnesses.”

This ‘fallen star’ is Satan the Devil and his demons being thrown into the ‘bottomless pit’ just before the glorious and powerful return of Jesus Christ, His saints, and His angels! – cf. Revelation 20:1-2. Back in the 1st chapter of the Book of Revealing, our Lord Jesus Christ tells us that “stars” can represent angels – Revelation 1:20.

“And they [these 200 million strong Islamic soldiers, which is spoken of when the sixth angel sounds his trumpet] had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon” – Revelation 9:11.

Of course here referring to Satan the Devil.

“One woe is past. Behold, still two more woes are coming after these things.”

3) What will occur when this SIXTH TRUMPET BLAST is poured out!?

“Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared” – Revelation 16:12.

The great river Euphrates – the longest river in southwest Asia, it is 1,740 miles (2,800 km) long, and it is one of the two main constituents of the Tigris-Euphrates river system – will be dried up. The river rises in Turkey and flows southeast across Syria and through Iraq.

“And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon [a reference to Satan the Devil], out of the mouth of the beast [a final end time Catholic United States of Europe], and out of the mouth of the false prophet [a final end time great religious leader]” – Revelation 16:13.

Notice that these three unclean spirits directly influence the leaders of nations - verse 14.

4) Are these three unclean spirits truly responsible for gathering together the armies of the nations!?

“For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings [the leaders] of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty” – Revelation 16:14.

Satan the Devil and two of his demons will especially work through human leaders. Such as a final end-time “beast,” a political-military leader of the 10-nation revival of the “Holy” Roman Empire. Also, through a final end time “false prophet,” a great religious leader who will have global appeal because “he performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven [the atmosphere] on the earth in the sight of men” – Revelation 13:11-17. They work together and will spiritually influence this world’s political and military leaders to mobilize their forces!

5) WHERE do these three spirits of demons cause the armies of the nations to be gathered together!?

“And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon” – Revelation 16:16.

The nations will gather their great military forces at a place called “Armageddon.” Armageddon actually comes from the Greek rendering of the Hebrew name Har Megiddo. “hill of Megiddo.” Megiddo is a plain about 86 miles north of Jerusalem.

Ancient Megiddo was one of the royal cities of the Canaanites. The city was not fully occupied by the Israelites until the time of King Solomon. Notice –

“And Solomon had twelve governors over all Israel, who provided food for the king and his household; each one made provision for one month of the year. … 12) Baana the son of Ahilud, in Taanach, Megiddo, and all Beth Shean, …” – 1st Kings 4:7, 12.

Megiddo and the valley of Megiddo became a strategic site. Megiddo was the most important fortress city that guarded the strategic passes of the Mt. Carmel area.

For the kingdom of Israel, Megiddo as well as the Plain of Jezreel became a battleground for centuries. Time after time vicious bloody battles were fought there. Today Tel Megiddo is a national park!

Notice the Book of Joel chapter 3 –

Verse 1 – “’ For behold, in those days and at that time, When I bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem.’”

Here speaking about a two-fold prophetic statement at the time of the end when these nations are going to be in a type of subjugation. Now, do we ever hear this talked about in our news media!? That we here in the great United States of America could be someday in a state of subjugation by a foreign power!? Absolutely prostrate on the ground in front of our enemies!?

Verse 2 – “’ I will also gather all nations, And bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat.’”

The name Jehoshaphat means “YHWH has judged.” So, the focal point of this massive battle will be in the Valley of Jehoshaphat. This valley is slightly northeast of the Old City of Jerusalem, which then separates the Temple Mount from the Mount of Olives. Today it known as the Kidron Valley.

6) How is this great climatic battle pictured!?

Continuing in the Book of Joel chapter 3 –

Verse 9 – “Proclaim this among the nations: ‘Prepare for war! Wake up the mighty men, Let all the men of war draw near, Let them come up. 10) Beat your plowshares into swords And your pruning hooks into spears; Let the weak say, ‘I am strong.’”

Verse 11 – “Assemble and come, all you nations [the Gentile nations], And gather together all around. …”

Verse 12 – “’ Let the nations be wakened, and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; …” – indeed, speaking of just what we read in Revelation 16:16.

“ … ‘For there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations. 13) Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. …’” –see Revelation 14:14-16. “ … ‘Come, go down; For the winepress is full, The vats overflow – For their wickedness is great.’”

Verse 14 – “Multitudes, multitudes [millions!] in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.”

7) What will occur when the SEVENTH TRUMPET BLAST sounds!?

We’re speaking about a time here when there is NO MORE DELAY.

“but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets” – Revelation 10:7.

SEVENTH ANGEL, SEVENTH TRUMP! THIS IS THE RESURRECTION TRUMP! And you can turn to 1st Thessalonians chapter 4 and 1st Corinthians chapter 15, and we can read about this very event! – “the mystery of God would be finished.” In fact, this is the culmination of the event which is depicted by all of God’s prophets down through history. Certainly, all of the prophecies we read about that is yet to be fulfilled, such as in the Book of Isaiah chapter 2, Micah chapter 4, and even in the Book of Habakkuk where it says, “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, As the waters cover the sea.” All of God’s prophets have looked to this moment in time! And here it is about to unfold! They have all thought about and meditated and pondered this very moment! There are even some of whom I know – begotten children of God who have since died – that looked for this very moment in time! In the Book of Hebrews, the apostle Paul speaks of men and women, who lived by faith – some of which were “tortured, … had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment … stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented─ of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. And ALL THESE, having obtained a good testimony THROUGH FAITH, DID NOT RECEIVE THE PROMISE”! “These all died IN FAITH, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them.” – cf. Hebrews 11:13, 35, 36-39.

“Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven [the atmosphere], saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord [God the Father] and of His Christ [our Lord Jesus Christ], and He shall reign forever and ever!” – Revelation 11:15.

The BLOWING OF THE SEVENTH TRUMP is that event where the saints of God – living and dead – are resurrected and brought into full-time eternal membership in the family of God! □

Scriptural Index

Old Testament - Genesis 48; 1 Kings 4:7, 12; 1 Chronicles 29:11; Ezekiel 2:9-10; Daniel 11:40; Joel 3:1, 2, 9-10, 11, 12, 13, 14; Habakkuk 2:14.

New Testament - Matthew 24:4-5, 7, 8, 9-12, 14, 29; Hebrews 11:13, 35, 36-39; Revelation 1:20; 6:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9, 12; 8:1, 7-12; 9:1-11, 12, 13-19; 10:7; 11:15; 13:11-17; 14:14-16; 16:12, 13, 14, 16; 20:1-2.