PUNCHING UP THE PACKAGE
Our Christianity is a package deal. We can’t pick financial blessings and overlook the mistreatment of our fellow man. We can’t claim heaven as our home and forget that there ... View MorePUNCHING UP THE PACKAGE
Our Christianity is a package deal. We can’t pick financial blessings and overlook the mistreatment of our fellow man. We can’t claim heaven as our home and forget that there are people still going to hell.
Yet the religious world thinks nothing of arguing church dogma and religious precepts that differ only slightly from denomination to denomination.
Even Catholic to Protestant … we all believe in the same Christ.
We need to punch up the package. That means we need to tout the triumph of the entire deal. We need to raise Jesus high and let the arguments slip away unnoticed.
How important does God consider this? Let’s look at ten examples from his Word:
Example #1:
2 Timothy 2:14 tells us: “Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.”
Winning the argument is for our edification only. God’s kingdom receives no satisfaction at all from our victory.
Example #2:
2 Timothy 2:16 cautions us: “But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness.”
The current soap opera drama or neighborhood gossip is not good subject matter, not if we want to remain close to God.
Example #3:
2 Timothy 2:23-25 says: “Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.”
Quarreling brings no one to Jesus. Rather, it drives them away.
Example #4:
James 4:1-3 questions: “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.”
Rather than argue with each other, we should turn to God with our words, for he has all the final answers.
Example #5:
2 Corinthians 10:5 gives us focus: “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”
When we compare the arguments of this world against the Bible, all dissention will fade away. Only the Word carries the ultimate truth.
Example #6:
Proverbs 21:9 offers us a humorous comparison: “It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.”
The lesson we can learn from this? If we persist in arguing, we will drive people from the church and from Jesus.
Example #7:
Proverbs 15:1 is our solution: “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
We can’t afford to cave in to wrong thinking just for the sake of peace. Neither can we confront misconceptions with a strong hand. Rather, we must gently present the truth.
Example #8:
1 Timothy 6:4 describes the argumentative man: “He is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions.”
This is a mirror we can hold up to ourselves. How do we compare?
Example #9:
James 1:19 speaks to those on both sides of the argument: “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.”
It takes two to argue. It also takes two to slow down and discuss a subject peacefully.
Example #10:
Matthew 7:3 shows just how ludicrous arguing really is: “Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?”
No one is perfect. We just tend to overlook our own imperfections and yet hold others to impossible standards.
Not only is Christianity a package deal, so are the people who walk the straight and narrow way at our side. When we punch up the package, we become a support network for one another. We encourage stragglers in times of difficulty, correct misunderstandings with gentle words, and always, always stand by those who endeavor to do right in the sight of the Lord.
Christianity is not Winner Takes All. We find our success as a team.
Copyright © 2015 MyChurchNotes.net
THE SMALL RAINBOW
Rainbows are transient things, not there in the most real sense, but rather an effect of several other things. What makes up a rainbow? Water. Sunlight. That’s it. Even then, howeve... View MoreTHE SMALL RAINBOW
Rainbows are transient things, not there in the most real sense, but rather an effect of several other things. What makes up a rainbow? Water. Sunlight. That’s it. Even then, however, we must be at a certain angle to the sun, and the water in the sky must be in a certain location, or the rainbow is not there at all.
But who cares about all that? It is the beauty of the rainbow that is important. It spans the sky, and in all its colors we see the magnificence of God’s creation exemplified.
What rainbows really do is signal the coming clearing, the ending of the storm, and the brightening of the day. In Genesis 9:17, God tells Noah that the rainbow is a sign unto man that he will never again destroy the earth by flood.
We cannot see a rainbow in the midst of the storm, however. If there is no sun, there is no rainbow. It takes water droplets refracting the sun’s rays to create the rainbow, and without both, the magic is simply not there.
Hence God’s promises.
God reassures us that the storm will end. We will see our rainbow. No matter how dark the clouds, the sun will eventually break through. God’s promises are our “small rainbows.”
Here are ten of God’s small rainbows to which we can cling in the time of storm:
God’s Small Rainbow #1 –
Genesis 8:1 tells us that God remembered Noah, and the waters receded.
God’s Small Rainbow #2 –
Psalm 3:2-6 says the Lord answers us from his holy hill.
God’s Small Rainbow #3 –
Mark 4:30-34 relates Jesus’ story of the mustard seed that grows to be the largest of all garden plants.
God’s Small Rainbow #4 –
Luke 18:35-43 describes Jesus giving sight to the blind man.
God’s Small Rainbow #5 –
1 Corinthians 15:54-58 lets us know that death has lost its sting through our victory in Jesus Christ.
God’s Small Rainbow #6 –
Revelations 22:18-21 promises Jesus is coming soon.
God’s Small Rainbow #7 –
Leviticus 26:40-45 reassures us God will honor his covenants with us.
God’s Small Rainbow #8 –
Joshua 10:25 wants us to be strong and courageous, for the Lord is with us.
God’s Small Rainbow #9 –
Job 5:16 states that the poor have hope.
God’s Small Rainbow #10 –
Romans 5:2-7 offers us the glory of God, for hope does not disappoint those who are in Christ.
In the darkest storm, we can see the small rainbow in the breaking clouds, and we know the end is come. We are filled with hope, because we can see the clearing sky.
God’s promises give us that hope. Even amidst the troubles that surround us, when we cling to one of God’s promises, we have his small rainbow with us all the time.
When we keep our eyes on Jesus, he is our promise of hope.
Copyright © 2014 MyChurchNotes.net
3 CONDITIONS THAT DETERMINE OUR SALVATION
“Take it on faith.”
We hear that assertion, and we know what it means.
“You can believe me. I don’t need to offer any further proof.”
Or do we? How does t... View More3 CONDITIONS THAT DETERMINE OUR SALVATION
“Take it on faith.”
We hear that assertion, and we know what it means.
“You can believe me. I don’t need to offer any further proof.”
Or do we? How does this sound?
“The water pump works. Take it on faith.” Or, “Your retirement package is a sure thing. Take it on faith.”
Or how about this doozie, “God wouldn’t keep you from heaven. Take it on faith.”
Ouch! We must do due diligence, check out the backstory, make sure all the pins are aligned before we send the bowling ball down the lane.
Here are 3 Conditions that Determine Our Salvation:
Condition #1:
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21)
We can say we are saved, but what do our actions reveal? Have we changed our behavior to imitate the life of Jesus?
Condition #2:
“But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22)
Showing up on Sundays for the pastor’s sermon is great, but do we live out the lesson during the week?
Condition #3:
“And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.” (Acts 5:32)
The author, Paul, is talking about how “We must obey God rather than men” (v.29, ESV). We must make the choice that Jesus would make.
Now back to our initial statement that we can “take it on faith.” Faith is the crux of how Christianity works, but we also read that “faith without works is dead” (James 2:26, NASB).
Now is our time. Let’s get busy for the Lord. It’s not just our heart but our feet that help us reach our final destination.
(Verses from the NKJV)
Copyright © 2023 MyChurchNotes.net
Tina Hawkins' Spiritual Networking
#1
John MacArthur Study Bible
CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION
Editor's note: The reader must understand one thing. The book of Revelation is WILDLY out of chronological order, even the judgements. That's okay. The L... View MoreCHRONOLOGICAL ORDER OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION
Editor's note: The reader must understand one thing. The book of Revelation is WILDLY out of chronological order, even the judgements. That's okay. The Lord in His glorious wisdom gave it to us that way. For example, the 6th and 7th seals take place at the VERY END of the Great Tribulation. Easily and abundantly provable. And Rev.7:9-17 happens after the thousand year reign.
Not understanding this FACT that the book of Revelation is so very out of chronological order is THE MAIN REASON for its difficulty in being understood and for there being so much bad teaching on it. I hope to remedy that situation here.
"It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the honor of kings to search out a matter". (Pro.25:2)
THE BEGINNING
12:1-5
Commentary:
This, of course, is the birth and ascension of Jesus Christ which took place several decades before John was even penning these words. Obviously, the Woman, initially is Mary --- and by extension, I believe that she is Israel (which is represented by the 12 stars, in my opinion). But her identity is about to go through a bit of a transformation.
Ch.1-4
Commentaries:
IN GENERAL:
I do not hold to the view that the addresses to the 7 churches represent 7 distinct Church ages, as some have suggested. I believe that they represent issues in the Church as it steps into the last of the last days.
1:3
The word "is" in this verse is not in the original. It was inserted by the medieval translators. It didn't apply when it was inserted over 400 years ago --- but it most certainly does now.
2:1-7
This really smacks of Protestantism to me. There is a certain "sense" of righteousness, yet having left their first love. The Church left its first love with the advent of Constantine. And the embarrassment known as the Protestant Reformation did not one blessed thing to remedy that situation. All it accomplished was disunity. And that is proof positive that the Holy Spirit is not to be found in our 501-c-3 government Freemason run churches.
And I'm not so sure about any hatred for the Nicolaitans (which means "lording over the people"). The last church I was ever in was lorded over by 5 Nicolaitans --- and they had a rule that said, "You may not teach the teachers." So I came up with my own rule that said, "The teachers are UNTEACHABLE". And I knocked the dust off my shoes.
2:8-11
This Synagogue of Satan is EXACTLY who is orchestrating this beginning of sorrows nightmare that the world is currently going through. Men like Bill Gates (who practically owns the W.H.O.), Henry Kissinger (long time member of the Illuminati), George Soros, Klaus Schwab (whose mother was a Rothchild), the Rockefeller Foundation (which is subservient to the Rothchilds) and the Rothchilds themselves (who control half of the wealth on this planet). The Synagogue of Satan rules this world.
2:18-20
This sounds strikingly like a reference to the ecumenical union (thank you, Billy Graham) with the Whore of Babylon (aka, the Vatican) that is taking place with the so-called Churches today.
3:10
The key word in this verse is the word "KEEP". It literally means "To guard from loss or injury by keeping the Eye upon". No more. No less. Just as God did for Job, just as He did for Noah, just as He did for Daniel in the lion's den, just as He did for the three IN THE MIDST OF THE FIERY FURNACE, just as He did and is doing for the persecuted saints --- and just as He will do for the Tribulation saints who are put to the slaughter throughout the entirety of the Great Tribulation --- for Revelation 12:11 & 17 and 7:9-17 tells me that they are KEPT indeed. (See also Jhn.16:33 & 17:15.)
3:14-19
This absolutely puts me in mind of those who hold to the heresy known as pre-trib rapture --- or who attend mega-churches --- or who follow the Prosperity gospel, for example. In other words, an easy 99% percent of what refers to itself as the Church today. They are generally the most spiritually lazy people out there and really have no clue as to the lateness of the hour.
WHAT FOLLOWS SETS THE STAGE FOR THE LAST 3 1/2 YEARS OF DANIEL'S 70TH WEEK
17:1-11 The Vatican in all its glory
Commentary:
17:1-9
The Whore of Babylon is manifestly the Vatican. Both Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel had visions pertaining to her. In Nebuchadnezzar's vision (Dan.2:40-43), we understand from history that the 4th prophetic kingdom that followed Greece was Rome. The feet and ten toes of iron and clay are Rome's last days incarnation --- which began with Constantine and continues to this day.
In Daniel's vision (Dan.7:7-8), the 4th empire describes the beast which is most assuredly the same Satanic beast that we see in Revelation that the Whore of Babylon rides. And the little horn --- the Antichrist --- comes out from among the 10 horns. I find this to be extremely interesting especially in light of who I think are the 10 horns (which I will discuss a little later on).
The Whore of Babylon here is described as having committed spiritual fornication with the kings of the earth --- which the Vatican has most certainly done throughout her entire history.
She is arrayed in purple and scarlett. Purple is the color of the Bishops and Scarlet is the color of the Cardinals.
She is bedecked with untold riches --- which the Vatican most certainly enjoys.
She is drunk with the blood of the saints. There isn't an entity on the entire planet of whom this is truer than the Vatican.
She is a CITY (as opposed to a country) that sits on 7 hills. That would be the city of Rome where we find the Vatican. I don't think it can be any clearer than this.
7:1-8
11:1-6
Commentary:
11:1-2
We see here that there is a temple erected in Jerusalem. It obviously has no covenantal significance whatsoever. But it most certainly DOES have a prophetic one. And it is not necessarily a great stone edifice --- because the Jews have a working replica of the original Mosaic wilderness temple that can be thrown up in no time flat. Just a possibility.
COMMENCEMENT OF THE GREAT TRIBULATION --- THE LAST 3 1/2 YEARS OF DANIEL'S 70TH WEEK (as per Daniel chapter 12 --- the unsealing of that which was sealed).
Ch. 5
12:6-10
Commentary:
Satan and his fallen ones have been cast down unto the earth. He who is withholding (as per II Ths. 2) stands down and ceases to withhold full-fledged evil into the world --- Satan possesses the Antichrist and makes his move just as peace (Dan.8:25) was at long last achieved in the Middle East --- and an unsuspecting world is taken quite by surprise as it finds itself already and unknowingly 3 1/2 years into Daniel's 70th Week --- and sudden destruction comes (I Ths.5:3, Luke 21:20-22, Mat. 24:15-21, Mar.13:14-19). This, of course, would be occurring in conjunction with the Abomination of Desolation, which Luke 17:26-31 and the beginning of the Olivet Discourse would strongly suggest takes the entire world by surprise. And of course, the prophecied temple must be standing (Rev.11:1-2). Everyone seems to think that this temple MUST be some huge stone temple. But nowhere in scripture does it say that the third temple has to be a stone temple. I suppose it could be, but I somehow doubt it. I just doubt that there will be enough time at this late hour for that. But it doesn't matter. The Jews already have a third temple. They have a working replica of the original Mosaic wilderness temple that could be erected in no time flat. And that could fulfill prophecy just as easily as any stone temple. All it would take is a short --- even a VERY short --- window of peace (Dan.8:25 / I Ths.5:3) at, I would suggest, around a Passover, since that is the only time they have access to Temple Mount, and it would be a done deal --- just in time for the Antichrist to come in and cause the sacrifice and oblation to cease (Dan.9:27) and commit the Abomination of Desolation.
12:13-16
And a Woman who has an obvious New Covenant (aka, marriage contract) with the Lord is hidden away in the wilderness for the duration (much like the way that the garden of Eden was hidden away from fallen man, I would suppose). I absolutely do not believe that this is unregenerate, apostate Israel but rather the Israel of God --- i.e., the Jew first, Gentile second New Testament Church. So how do we explain the persecuted Church --- the Tribulation saints --- who are martyred throughout most of the Great Tribulation with many surviving all the way unto the coming of the Lord? I think the answer is easy. After the Woman is hidden away, the 144,000 are dispersed throughout the world evangelizing. Also, the world will be aware of the 2 Witnesses and they will indeed be a tremendous witness. And a number which no man can number will get saved during the Great Tribulation. And I'm sure many of the fake and phony Laodiceans, which comprises 99% of what is thought of as Christianity will actually get saved during that time. These will be the remnant of the Woman's seed (Rev.12:11 & 17).
6:1-2
Commentary:
This is a favorite verse that the "scholars" --- especially the pre-tribers --- use to "prove" the notion that the Antichrist creates a 3 1/2 year peace (contrary to what I Ths.5:3 says) as opposed to the middle of the Tribulation as where I believe Rev. 6:1-2 is properly placed. Now while I have no doubt that the unbelieving Synagogue of Satan Jews (which are not all Jews by any means) will know who he is at the beginning of Daniel's 70th Week and will consider him to be the Messiah (just my educated opinion), nevertheless, nowhere in scripture does it say that the Antichrist declares himself to be the Messiah. When he reveals himself at mid-trib, he declares himself to be God then blasphemes God and everything in heaven (Rev.13:6). This is happening at the exact same time as Revelation 12:6-10 when Satan is cast down onto the earth and he immediately reanimates and possesses the Antichrist who was slain with a sword (probably in a Satanic ritual sacrifice, I would think).
At any rate, the "scholars" say that because he rides in with a bow and no mention of arrows, that that means that he comes in peace --- which is just absurd. These "scholars" seem to have missed the fact that it says that he rides in CONQUERING AND TO CONQUER!
Let me further my point.
In Gen.48:22, Israel claimed to have defeated the Amorites with his bow. No mention of arrows. So how did he defeat them? Did he wop 'em over the head with his bow? You see the problem? Arrows are obviously implied.
12:11-13:8
Commentary:
12:11-17
I believe that after the Woman (the believing remnant of the Israel of God --- aka, the true followers of Christ) is hidden away for the duration, the 144,000 and the 2 Witnesses will evangelize the world --- completed by the angel of 14:7 and bring to salvation the Tribulation saints --- a number which no man can number. These are the see of the Woman who are martyred for the most part.
MID-TRIBULATION AND BEYOND
6:3-4
13:9-10
6:5-6
13:11-18
Commentary:
13:14-15
These verses tell us that life is given to "the image" of the beast that it should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. What a strange idea this must have seemed to humanity down through the long centuries that an object like a graven image could come to life and actually speak and actually have control of every human being on the face of the earth --- until now. It seems to me that we literally have this image of the beast staring us right in the face. We now have all sorts of artificial intelligence that is, for all practical purposes, infinitely more intelligent than we are. And it is comprised of the "internet of things" that is comprised of your smart appliances, your smart phone, items you buy from the store, the very clothes you wear, these accursed covid tests and nanotech filled vaccines --- not to mention all of the surveillance you are under when you leave your home including satellites that can surveil you down to your very DNA. And all of these things are paying very close attention to you --- and they are talking to one another --- and they report back to headquarters. And headquarters is a quantum artificial intelligence computer that has the entire world in its grip. And you can bet your bottom dollar that your life is held in the balance by this Satanic beast system. And to top it all off, they have disclosed to the public that they have created actual miniature living robots that they have named xenobots. And you must keep in mind that whatever they disclose to the public is many years behind what it is that they ACTUALLY have. Creating a living image of the beast should be a cakewalk for these Satanists.
6:7-11
8:2-13
Commentaries:
8:8-9
A third part of the sea is struck by a VERY massive meteor. It's interesting to note that the Atlantic Ocean comprises just about 1/3 of the ocean --- so it would seem to be the most likely place for this thing to hit. Only imagine the tsunami. Surely it would splash on the doorsteps of the mile high city of Denver --- and kill countless millions in America, Europe and Africa.
8:12
I find this to be interesting because this is exactly what a star does just before it goes into nova --- as it apparently does in Rev.16:8. What's interesting is that the entire phenomenon of novas was only discovered in recent decades. And yet here we have one recorded in prophecy.
Ch.9
Commentary:
9:1-6
"Men will seek death and death will flee from them."
Now that used to perplex me to no end. People are dying by the millions and billions and yet death is fleeing from them? How absurd --- until I thought to read it IN CONTEXT with the verses that surround that verse --- both before and after. And the context has most certainly to do specifically with the venomous sting of these demonic locusts. Let me give an example from nature.
There is a wasp that has an affinity for caterpillars. When it finds one, it will sting it, thus paralyzing it. The venom of the wasp is very interesting. It performs three functions. It paralyzes the victim SO THAT IT CAN'T PUT ITSELF OUT OF ITS OWN MISERY. It begins digesting the caterpillar from the inside out, which must be an absolute nightmare for the poor caterpillar. And thirdly, it makes it impossible for the caterpillar to die. Then it drags the caterpillar into its lair and lays an egg next to it. And when the baby wasp hatches, it has a live caterpillar to dine on.
I don't think it's any more complicated than that. But five months --- can you only imagine!!!
VERY NEAR THE END
Ch. 10
VERY, VERY NEAR THE END
11:7-10
Commentary:
The 2 Witnesses are killed in Jerusalem.The Lord calls apostate Israel Sodom and Egypt at this point. And that makes sense because the Jews there (specifically the Ultra Orthodox, the Chabad Lubavitchers, the Zionists and the Sanhedrin --- to wit, the Synagogue of Satan) have yet to have ever left Egypt. And Jerusalem is probably the #2 gay capital of the world --- Tel Aviv being #1. Thus, Sodom and Egypt.
17:12 - 14
Commentary:
Who are the 10 Kings? The 10 Kings are exactly who scripture says they are. They are not 10 nations. They are not 10 regions of the earth (as the U.N. apparently wants to divide it). They are 10 MEN who HAVE NO KINGDOM AS YET. They would certainly be the 10 most powerful men in the world, or so I would think. In my opinion, they are more than likely the Synagogue of Satan men I mentioned in my commentary on Rev.2:8-11. Bill Gates, Henry Kissinger, George Soros, Klaus Schwab, the Rockefellers and the Rothchilds, for example.They are predominant among the men who truly rule this world --- yet THEY HAVE NO KINGDOM AS YET.
17:15 - ch.18
Commentary:
And she (the Vatican) is gone. God grant that she lay still and never rise again!
18:20
Commentary:
This, along with Rev.19:1-2, is a crucial verse in regard to the resurrection of the dead in Christ (I Ths.4:16) because the fall of Babylon marks the end of institutionalized martyrdom. Remember in Rev.6:9-11, at the opening of the 5th seal, the martyred saints cry out to the Lord, "How long do you not judge and AVENGE OUR BLOOD?" on their murderers, essentially. And the Lord gave them to understand that that would not happen until the rest of the martyrdoms should be fulfilled. And when does this happen? It happens at this verse which we are now looking at, Rev.18:20:
"Rejoice over her (Babylon) heaven and you holy apostles and prophets, for GOD HAS AVENGED YOU ON HER" --- in fulfillment of the question asked of the martyrs under the altar. It is only obvious that institutionalized martyrdom comes to an end at this point. I believe that this is mere days before the end of Daniel's 70th Week and that the resurrection of the dead in Christ is at hand.
14:6-7
Commentary:
The Great Commission is fulfilled --- and by an angel no less. Man (especially the so-called Church), who has failed so miserably down through the ages, is not going to get the glory on this one.
14:8-12
11:11-14
Commentary:
The resurrection of the 2 Witnesses
There is an aspect of this that I find --- confusing --- for lack of a better word. According to Rev.11:3, the 2 Witnesses' ministry lasts for EXACTLY 1,260 days --- the exact same amount of time as the Great Tribulation. And it seems quite clear that their ministry begins in the vicinity of the middle of Daniel's 70th Week. Yet we see their ministry come to an end apparently just immediately before the blowing of the last trump (I Cor. 15:52), which, from what I can tell, is mere days before the end of the Great Tribulation. And that begs the question:
Does the ministry of the 2 Witnesses actually begin a few days before the mid- point of Daniel's 70th Week? It would seem so. At least that's the best sense I can make of it. At any rate, the last trump (I Ths.4:16 &
I Cor.15:52) signals the resurrection of the dead in Christ. Interesting timing, wouldn't you say?
11:15-19
Commentary:
This is the last trump of I Cor.15:52. The resurrection of the dead (not the living) in Christ. And they go straight into the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (ch.19) One thing that is extraordinarily distinct about this last trumpet judgement is this:
The first 6 trumpet judgements are absolutely horrific. But the 7th one is full of unspeakable joy in heaven. And it says this:
15 "And the 7th angel sounded and there were great voices in heaven saying, 'The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ and He shall reign forever and ever.'
16 And the four and twenty elders who sat before God on their seats fell upon their faces and worshipped God,
17 Saying, 'We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, who are and was and are to come, because You have taken to You Your great power and have reigned.
18 And the nations were angry, and Your wrath is come AND THE TIME OF THE DEAD (I Ths.4:16, the resurrection of the dead in Christ, if I may suggest) THAT THEY SHOULD BE JUDGED AND THAT YOU SHOULD GIVE REWARD UNTO YOUR SERVANTS, THE PROPHETS, AND TO THE SAINTS, AND THEM THAT FEAR YOUR NAME, SMALL AND GREAT, and should destroy them who destroy the earth.'"
No way is this not the resurrection of the Dead in Christ! And please notice what happened in conjunction with all of this:
The 2 Witnesses are resurrected and caught up to heaven in the sight of the entire world!
Case closed!!!
14:14-16
Commentary:
I believe this to be another view of the resurrection of the dead in Christ.
19:1-10
Commentary:
Vs.2 mentions once more the destruction of the Whore of Babylon and the blood of the martyrs having been avenged. What is of particular interest here is the connection of the destruction of the Whore of Babylon with the quite apparent resurrection of the dead in Christ and the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Each one on the heels of the other. Notice also that this seems to be a continuation of the heavenly conversation that was begun in 11:15-18 at the resurrection of the dead in Christ.
14:1-5
14:13
Commentary:
We see here that God, in His great mercy, is still allowing men to come to salvation all the way up until the return of the Lord --- and beyond that, quite frankly --- despite the lies that are taught about no chance for salvation by grace once Daniel's 70th Week begins.
Now between the resurrection of the dead in Christ and the space of time leading up to the resurrection of those who survive unto the coming of the Lord
(I Ths.4:13-17), surely believers are still dying from deprivation, natural disaster, murder and what have you. I believe that they join the dead in Christ and go straight to the Marriage Supper also --- just as the parables of the Marriage Supper that Jesus gave in Mat.22:1-10 and Luke 14:15-24 would strongly suggest.
THE END (IN FAIRLY RAPID SUCCESSION)
Ch. 15-16:11
Commentary:
15:1-4
It seems quite manifestly obvious to me that this is happening while the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, which began a little earlier in Rev.19, is still taking place --- because the resurrection of the dead in Christ is obviously what we are looking at here.
Commentary:
16:1-2
These verses most certainly put one in mind of James 5:1-3:
"Go to now, you rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.
"Your riches are corrupted" (literally, putrified) "and your garments are moth-eaten.
"Your gold and silver are cankered and the rust of them. shall be a witness against you and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. You have heaped treasure together for the last days."
Some very interesting things about these scriptures. For one, gold and silver don't rust. So what could be meant by this? Also, the word "rust" here literally means "venom". And the word "fire" literally means "lightning". Certainly this must have something to do with the mark of the beast.
Commentary:
16:8-11
The sun experiences a minor nova-like event --- which, of course, would take out the grid --- and the kingdom of the Antichrist becomes full of darkness. And then everything which is tied into the grid --- I would think especially all of the nanotechnology, for instance, that is crawling around inside of the bodies of those who take the mark that the Satanist globalists have attempted to inflicted upon every human on this planet with (though my God will protect His own from, according to Romans 8:35-39) --- goes haywire. And they gnawed their tongues for pain. Just a thought.
16:12-21
6:12-17
Commentary:
6:12-14
This is Isa.13:10, Joel 2:30-32 and Mat.24:29-30. It is also Isa.34:4. It is the 6th SEAL. And it is at the VERY END of the Great Tribulation.
Commentary:
6:15-17
The most powerful men on the planet --- primarily those in league with the Synagogue of Satan, since they, after all, are THE power in the world in these last days --- are not at Armageddon. No, no. It has always been their policy to let other saps do their fighting for them. These men are under the earth in great fear begging the rocks to fall on them. Currently, these same powerful men have constructed massive underground military bases with inter-connecting tunnels that go for thousands of miles globally. They had intended to live down there while they destroyed humanity on the surface. Ironically enough, the earth is being destroyed all right. But it's the wrath of God that's doing it. And though they are in such fear that they are wishing that the earth would just collapse on them --- and despite the fact that the greatest earthquake the world has ever seen just happened (which I'm sure would have caused a deal of it to collapse) --- there is good reason to believe that they do not get their wish.
I say that because in Mic.7:17, we see them coming out from their underground hideout.
"They shall lick the dust like a serpent. They shall move out of their holes like worms of the earth. They shall be afraid of the Lord, our God, and shall fear because of You."
8:1
Commentary:
"Half an hour of silence". Gentiles have no CLUE as to the meaning of this. But if you are a knowledgeable Jew, you understand that this refers to one thing and one thing only --- Yom Kippur. At the end of the 30 minutes of silence the high priest emerges from the Holy of Holies. And I believe our High Priest will do likewise and burst forth out of the Holy of Holies onto this world with the brightness of His coming.
14:17-19
19:11-19
19:11-13
Commentary:
I believe that this is where we see the fulfillment of I Ths.4:15 & 17 --- "we who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord...shall be caught up together with them (the dead in Christ) in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air" --- changed in the twinkling of an eye to instantly return with the Lord as part of His conquering army. Obviously, they miss the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. But so what? So does everyone who gets saved during the Kingdom Age. So do the Israelites who get saved at His return. No matter. It will take all of eternity for the Lord to reveal all of His goodness and glory to us. And I'd say that more than makes up for it.
14:20
19:20-21
THE KINGDOM AGE AND BEYOND
20:1-6
Commentary:
20:4 & 6
We see here that the Tribulation saints are not only part of the Bride of Christ but that they are part of the FIRST resurrection --- as opposed to some mythical pre-tribulation rapture. WHO KNEW!!!
20:7- 22:5
7:9-17
22:6-21
THE BEGINNING!!!
HALLELUJAH!!!
THE SHARP BLADE
When we cook, we want the sharpest blade possible. That T-bone steak? The meat has to come off the bone. Ham, no matter how meaty and tender, also has to be carved off the bone. Even ... View MoreTHE SHARP BLADE
When we cook, we want the sharpest blade possible. That T-bone steak? The meat has to come off the bone. Ham, no matter how meaty and tender, also has to be carved off the bone. Even vegetables require the sharpest knife possible, or else all we will do is bruise the food and damage its appearance.
Yet, that same blade can cut other things, too. Get a finger too close while slicing that onion, and the blood will flow. Painfully, too.
The same is true during cleanup. The sharper the knife, the more care we have to take to ensure we don’t cut ourselves.
What about our hearts? What about when life is that sharp blade, and it slices us to the core? Our job, our health, or even those we are closest to; what about when life slices those things away from us, and we can do nothing except cry out in despair?
The Word gives us bandages for our wounds, padding that we can wrap around the injuries, so that we can heal and move on.
Let’s take a look at six of God’s healing bandages:
Bandage #1: Proverbs 3:5
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”
Sometimes we simply have to step out in trust, and accept that God knows more than we do. He has all of time in his hands; we can see only the present moment.
Bandage #2: Ephesians 4:31-32
“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ forgave you.”
Life cannot be allowed to take the joy of God from us. Our relationship with other people is more important. Even in our distress, we must reach out, allowing God to keep us connected, one to another.
Bandage #3: Isaiah 43:18-19
“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
God has a new path for us, if only we can turn loose of the old. If all we do is look back, we will never find his new direction. Instead, we will run into every obstruction in our way, even the ones God does not intend.
Bandage #4: Philippians 3:13-14
“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Only God can help us heal our wounds. All he asks from us is that we remember our job: to win others to Christ by the example we live out every day.
Bandage #5: Proverbs 29:11
“A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.”
We will hurt. We will know pain. However, it is the love of God that others must see in us.
Bandage #6: Philippians 4:6
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
God is our source. When we are in pain, he wants us to turn to him, so that he may reach back unto us. Then his healing can cross that great divide, flooding into our places of hurt, and healing our every wound.
Life has a way of hitting us broadside. That is what it means to be human. God doesn’t prevent life from happening to us, but when it does, he will be our bandage. He will place our feet on solid ground, and we will find our peace in him.
When life beats us up, God’s love wraps us up.
Copyright © 2014 MyChurchNotes.net
Free Song Download #1
I'm giving away free song downloads until Christmas. This first song, "Nicodemas," is from my first album, Messages That Matter, which was released in 1986. I was 31 years old a... View MoreFree Song Download #1
I'm giving away free song downloads until Christmas. This first song, "Nicodemas," is from my first album, Messages That Matter, which was released in 1986. I was 31 years old at the time and had a great time recording this and other songs with some very talented musicians. I loved recording my part of the harmonica-electric guitar "duel" in the lead break.
"Nicodemas" was always one of my favorite songs to sing, and as God opened doors, I was blessed to sing it many times in many places in the 1980s and 1990s. The music style is a little bit different from what you hear today. 🙂 But the message is as relevant now as it has always been, "You must be born again."
Just hit the link below to listen or download for free. https://brianmarkweller.com/track/1896148/nicodemas
LIFTED UP BY LOVE
Sometimes we get love wrong. We only see the emotion, and it’s more than that. The most enduring love is an action, something we do that shows someone we care.
Love makes life bett... View MoreLIFTED UP BY LOVE
Sometimes we get love wrong. We only see the emotion, and it’s more than that. The most enduring love is an action, something we do that shows someone we care.
Love makes life better for those we care about. Let’s look at five proofs.
Love Proof #1:
Proverbs 22:15 tells us love helps us give direction to our children, keeping them from making foolish choices.
Love isn’t about always saying yes, but about saying let’s discuss it.
Love Proof #2:
Ephesians 2:8-9 says love is a gift, and we never have to earn it.
We endeavor to improve the lives of the ones we love because we love them, not because they can give us something in return.
Love Proof #3:
Hebrews 12:5-11 lets us know that love involves discipline.
If we love without correction, we become an enabler, allowing and supporting poor behaviors that become harmful to our loved ones.
Love Proof #4:
2 Timothy 3:16 reveals a plan for showing our love to others.
Love as only an emotion is hollow. The Bible gives us a plan for action so that others can see our love.
Love Proof #5:
Acts 4:12 gives us the ultimate love.
Christ loved us before we were born, and he knew we’d never know the extent of his compassion for us without putting action to his emotions. He came to earth, became a man, and gave his life for us in the most painful way possible. He did it to make life better for those he cared about.
Jesus came to improve the world in which we live.
Jesus’ example is our example. If we truly love our fellow man, we must get out of our living rooms and show them. That’s what love is all about, action, something we do that shows someone we care.
Bake a cake for a neighbor. Visit a coworker in the hospital. Offer to give someone a ride. Tell that grandson a little money is on the way. Teach a Sunday school class one weekend. Mow an elderly person’s yard.
Put love into action, and the world will be lifted up by love.
When we truly love, we step out as Christ did and show that love to others.
Copyright © 2015 MyChurchNotes.net
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