Christmas Reflections 2021

The thought that's been heavy on my heart for several days....

How much do we truly make Christmas about Jesus Christ?

Seriously - think about it, ponder on it, and soul search.

I'm not knocking the presents, the lights, the trees, the parties, or family gatherings.   I enjoy those, too.  

But if Jesus is the Reason for the Season, how much focus do we truly place on Him?

I've never taught my children there was santa....for many reasons. 

• I didn't like a fictitious character getting credit for what I worked hard to provide. 
• I didn't like the focus being on santa instead of / more than Jesus.  
• Just to name a few

So, while I didn't do those that, I still had to soul search how much I truly centered Christmas around Christ to my children.  

I said He was, but did my actions say something different?  We drove around playing Christmas music and looking at lights after their Dad passed,  trying to find some Christmas cheer. We tried to enjoy the beautiful tree with the presents beneath and the joy they'd bring, meager though they were. We gathered for parties with friends. And watched parades.

Even the Church "Christmas programs"

But how much attention did Jesus truly receive? 

Was it, is it, truly about HIM? or about watching the adorable kids perform? Or the warm fuzzy feeling WE get inside enjoying all these Christmas festivities and songs?

And the songs....don't get me wrong.  I love singing Jingle Bells and other fun joyful Christmas songs.  But how much are they truly about Jesus? and to Jesus? So many, too many, are about santa, or self, or worse...lust, fornication,  and adultery. I've cringed and grieved so much lately.  

I've reflected and I've repented for any way I've grieved God's heart and any time I didn't make Christmas more Christ focused.  

Because without Christ,  there would not be a Christmas!

Let's challenge each other to get back to Christmas being more Christ centered. After all, it's all about HIM and unto HIM. 

The Potter's Will

"The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,  Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: So he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel." (Jeremiah 18:1-6)

How many times have we said, "Use me, Lord!" or "I'll do whatever You ask!" and "Whatever it takes for my will to break, that's what I'll be willing to do!"  Yet when the trials and opposition come, and things get tougher, we begin to struggle and fight against it praying for it to end.

God is trying to form and shape us into the vessel HE wants us to be. When we fight against the storms, whose will are we really seeking?  God's will? Or our own?  He knows what's best for us and will not put on us more than we can bear (although sometimes we feel it is). When we come through these trials, we'll be refined like silver and tried like gold.

Trials will either make you...bitter or better.   You can either become...a victim or a victor.

Through trials you gain:

Experience

Knowledge

Endurance

Patience

Understanding

Compassion

 Love

 Faith

God has each of us on the potter's wheel, but sometimes we resist the way He's forming us.  He's trying to shape us one way, but we're pulling in another. If we have our way, we will be deformed. But, if we let God have His way, we'll be transformed into a vessel of honor...something we both will be proud of.

It hurts!  Oh, how it hurts at times...but stay yielded to the Potter’s will!

Posted to Facebook and More To Life 

12-6-2018

https://www.moretolifetoday.net/the-potters-will/

My House Shall BeCalled A House of Prayer

 “And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer…” (Matthew 21:13)

In this passage of verse, Jesus became angry when He saw that the Temple had become a place to buy and sell, rather than a place to pray as was God’s original design.

When we hear this phrase, we often think of it as referring to a building such as the Temple in the Old Testament or the Church building in which we gather to have service on certain days of the week.  However, the word “house” can be defined as “a dwelling place” (see Strong’s G3624).  God wants the place where He dwells to be a place filled with prayer.

“But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you…” (Romans 8:9)

The Greek word for “dwell” comes from the Greek word for ‘House’ and means “to occupy a house, reside” (see Strong’s G3611).  WE are God’s House, His dwelling place, if we have the Holy Ghost living inside of us.

“…For ye are the Temple of the Living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” (2 Corinthians 6:16)

WE are the Temple of the Living God.  WE are to be the House of Prayer.

For it is through prayer that mountains move. It is through prayer that situations change. It is through prayer that WE change and get in alignment with God’s Will.

It was during a prayer meeting that the Holy Ghost was poured out on the Day of Pentecost. It was during a prayer meeting that the Holy Ghost was poured out at the Azusa Street Revival.

Let us not just appear to be a house of prayer but to actually BE a house of prayer!

Posted on FB and More to Life

12-5-18

https://www.moretolifetoday.net/the-house-of-prayer/

Is Your Anchor Secure

 “Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast…” (Hebrews 6:19)

I was a widowed single mom for many years. Because funds were tight at times, I often had to be ‘handymom’. On one of those occasions, while trying to put shelving up in the bathroom, the drill slipped and drilled a hole in my finger. Thankfully, it wasn’t severe enough to require a visit to the doctor, so I bandaged my finger and proceeded to finish the job.

Standing there, feeling accomplished, suddenly all my hard work came crashing to the ground when one of the family cats decided to jump up on one of the shelves. Rather than get upset, I thanked God for allowing me to see BEFORE I put all the items on the shelves that they were not secure. To fix the problem, I merely needed stronger anchors. Anchors had been used originally to secure those shelves, but those anchors were not strong enough to hold up to the weight that they were going to have to bear.

How many times in life have we tried to secure things with weak anchors such as quick, microwave prayers as we rush through the day then groggy prayers as we are falling asleep at night? It may help things to appear to stay in place, but a burden heavier than we can carry may send us crashing to the ground.

Is your anchor strong and secure? If not, it’s not difficult to replace that weak anchor. It’s as simple as reading your Bible and praying daily combined with fasting often. The more time we spend with Jesus, the more secure our anchor will become so that we will be able to handle the weight of the storms life may send our way.

Posted on FB and More To Life on 12-4-18

https://www.moretolifetoday.net/is-your-anchor-secure/

A good marriage

 Someone asked the question on what makes a good marriage so I thought I'd share my thoughts on what made our marriage good with a love that has lasted beyond the grave....

A good marriage is not perfect, it will have it's ups and downs, and yes you will get angry with each other at times.

A good marriage is not giving up on each other and never letting the word 'divorce' proceed out of the mouth in the bad times.

A good marriage is one that endures because you love each other unconditionally, overlooking faults, or failures.

A good marriage realizes love is not a feeling but an action.

A good marriage endures through sickness and in health, in the good times and in the bad, loving and enduring even when it seems you've seen more of 'the poorer' than 'the richer' because you realize it is not money that makes you rich but the love you share so even if you don't have a lot of money, you are rich in what really matters...love, a true love, that has lasted far beyond the grave. A love that death could not kill. That is a good marriage and one I wouldn't trade for anything.

**Disclaimer, no offense intended for those who have been divorced. Some circumstances are beyond your control and I meant nothing negative toward anyone by my words. My reference is meant that when the going gets tough, the tough do not get going but stick together through it and grow stronger in their unity and love.

Posted on Facebook 12-3-2018

Bridle the Tongue

 “…He who restrains his lips is wise…and a man of understanding holds his peace.” (Proverbs 10:19, 11:12)

Have you ever had one of those “bite your tongue” days?  I definitely have, and I’m sure you have to.   What I would have said may have been truth, but it would not have been kind.

The Bible says to “speak the Truth IN LOVE” (Ephesians 4:15). Some words may be truth, but if they’re not spoken in love they should not be spoken at all.   

The wisest man who ever lived wrote, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1).  

You can either place wood or water on the fire.  Wood feeds the flame and makes it burn higher and hotter while water helps to douse and put out the flame of anger.  If you choose to put wood (harsh words) on the fire (an argument), you may find yourself getting burnt.

The Bible tells us, “…he who restrains his lips is wise.”  (Prov 10:19) and “…a man of understanding holds his peace.”  (Proverbs 11:12) “He who guards his mouth preserves his life, but he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.”  (Proverbs 13:3).  Your words can get you in more trouble than the things you’ve done.

“He that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil (speaking injurious words), and his lips that they speak no guile (deceitful words):”   (1 Peter 3:10)

When I choose to bridle my tongue, I will not have regrets today for what I said yesterday.

Prayer:  “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.”  (Psalm 19:14)

Posted on More To Life and Facebook 

12-3-2018

https://www.moretolifetoday.net/bridle-the-tongue/

Divorce and Remarriage

 This post won't be popular and I am not trying to offend anyone but I was asked to share this study concerning divorce and remarriage.  

It's important  to note that these Scriptures and teaching are written for the admonition and instruction of the saved.  Judgment begins at the House of God. (I Pt 4:17)  Hosea 4:6 issues a warning, "My people perish for lack off knowledge..."  We, as Born Again Believers, cannot be ignorant to God's Word.  

A new babe in Christ needs to fed the sincere milk of the Word, focusing on teaching the foundation and essentials of the doctrine (repentance, baptism,  infilling of the Holy Ghost,  then the necessity of living a holy life)

***IMPORTANT NOTE: All definitions are copied from Strong's Hebrew/Greek Lexicon.  They are not my personal interpretation. 

All Scriptures are King James version.  

Let's start by looking at  Matthew  5:31-32

-- It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, SAVING (except ) FOR THE CAUSE OF FORNICATION, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery. 

Jesus is correcting some incorrect teachings in this passage of Scripture.  The Pharisees believed and taught that if a man was displeased with his wife, he could divorce her.  They liked to refer back to the teaching of Moses in Deuteronomy. 

Deuteronomy 24:1-3

When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house. And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man's wife.

Jesus did not mince words when the Pharisees came to him with this excuse, trying to use Scripture to justify divorce.  

Mark 10:2-12

And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him. 

And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you? 

And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away.

 And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the HARDNESS OF YOUR HEART HE WROTE YOU THIS PRECEPT. But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.

 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

 And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter. And he saith unto them, 

Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.   

Mark 10 omits the phrase except for the cause of fornication.   

Looking at this one passage of  Scripture in Mark 10 would cause one to question whether anyone could ever be free to remarry once divorced.  This is where you have to study the Scriptures, comparing what each disciple wrote in the Gospels.  A person cannot take one Scripture and make a doctrine out of it.  They must be looked at in its entirety, comparing Scripture with Scripture.   

Mt 5 and Mt 19 can be used to cross reference (compare with) Mark 10 for further explanation concerning Jesus' teachings...

Matthew 19:3-9

The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? 

And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. 

They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?

 He saith unto them, -- Moses BECAUSE OF THE HARDNESS OF YOUR HEARTS SUFFERED YOU TO PUT AWAY YOUR WIVES: BUT FROM THE BEGINNING IT WAS NOT SO.

 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, EXCEPT IT BE FOR FORNICATION, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery. 

Fornication is more than  premarital sex.   The word translated as fornication is the Greek word "porneia" G4202 meaning:

Harlotry (including adultery & incest)

Illicit sexual intercourse  (adultery,  fornication,  homosexuality, lesbianism, beastiality (sexual relations with an animal), etc)

Intercourse with relatives (Lev 18)

Intercourse with a divorced man or woman (Mk 10:11-12)

Jesus' teachings reveal the only Biblically sanctioned grounds for divorce is unfaithfulness by their spouse.   If the spouse has committed adultery, incest, or turned to some other lewd perversion such as homosexuality or lesbianism or beastiality (which are an abomination to God), then the person is allowed to divorce and is free to remarry.  

When Jesus taught in Mt 5:31-32 and Mt 19:9...

"But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, SAVING (except ) FOR THE CAUSE OF FORNICATION, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery." He was trying to correct an error in their thinking.   

According to the teachings of Jesus, a married person cannot divorce their spouse just because they decide they no longer love that person, their breath stinks, they don’t like that they're getting fat, going bald, not as attractive as when they first married, or whatever  "reason"  (excuse) they may try to come up with to justify divorce.   Jesus said if a person divorces their spouse for ANY OTHER CAUSE OTHER THAN SEXUAL UNFAITHFULNESS and then remarries, they are considered an adulterer.  And if they divorce their spouse without biblical  grounds, and their spouse remarries,  they are causing the divorced spouse to commit adultery. 

Some err in thinking that marrying the person cancels out the sin and makes it justified in the eyes of God. If this was so, John the Baptist would not have been vehemently chastising  Herrod that it was a sin for him to be married to his brother PHILLIP'S WIFE.  (Mark 6:17)  Notice John still referred to her as Phillip's wife despite Herrodius divorcing him and then marrying Herrod.  Neither of them wanted to be told their marriage was still a sin and not sanctioned in the eyes of God.  Yet John the Baptist felt so strongly against it that it cost him his life.  

Romans 7:1-3

-- Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. So then IF, WHILE HER HUSBAND LIVETH, SHE BE MARRIED TO ANOTHER MAN, SHE SHALL BE CALLED AN ADULTERESS: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another.

Does this mean the person who has divorced and remarried without Biblical grounds (unfaithful spouse) should divorce their second spouse and return to the first?   Biblically, once someone has remarried,  their first spouse cannot take them back again.   

Dt 24:3-4

And if the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and giveth it in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, which took her to be his wife;    Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before the Lord.

Who then is free to remarry? 

Widows are free to remarry.  (Rom 7:1-3 + I Cor 7:39)

The one who has remained faithful to their marriage vows despite the unfaithfulness of a spouse who has broken their vows.  (Mt 5:31-32 + Mt 19:3-9)

Reconciliation is always best, if possible,  but sexual faithfulness is important to God and why He makes allowance for this one cause.  The two become one flesh whenever sexual relations take place.  The marriage bed becomes defiled when someone steps outside of their marriage vows and commits adultery.  They have joined themself to another, violating their marriage partner and the sacredness of their unity.

1 Corinthians 6:16-20

What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot (*see def below) is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. 

Flee fornication. 

Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Definition of harlot:

any woman indulging in unlawful sexual intercourse, whether for gain or for lust

Hebrews 13:4

Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.  

1 Corinthians 6:9-10

Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,    Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

We like to focus on the love and mercy of God (which He is), but we cannot be ignorant to the side of God that requires holiness and righteous living with consequences for those who don't.

As posted on Facebook 12-3-2016

 

Which Baptism is correct?

Did you know? 

Jesus taught Peter and the Disciples how to baptize (John 4:1-2)

Peter remembered what Jesus said later on as recorded in Matthew 28:19 and yet he still commanded them to be baptized in the NAME of JESUS.
And yet....None of the other Apostles argued with Peter that it was not how Jesus said to baptize.

Why? Because Jesus had already taught them HOW to baptize and WHO He was.
They understood what Jesus was instructing in Mt 28:19 and knew that Peter instructed correctly.
We do not find record anywhere that they baptized any other way than in the Name of Jesus.

Have you been baptized in the Name of Jesus?
Act 22:16 - And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the NAME of the Lord.

The Message of Repentance is not popular

Noah wasn't popular. He was mocked and ridiculed for preaching the need to repent and warning about the coming destruction. No one believed him until it began to rain and it was too late.

Jeremiah wasn't popular. He was hated and despised for preaching the need to repent and warning that destruction was coming while the majority proclaimed blessings, peace and safety. He felt the pressure to silent. He was persecuted but he could not refrain from speaking. No one believed him until it was too late.

John the Baptist wasn't popular for preaching his hard messages on repentance but he kept preaching and warning against sin. He lost his life trying to warn and adminish others.

Oh to be like Jesus! We sing it. We proclaim it. But Jesus was only popular for a short span of time while He healed the sick, fed the multitudes, and performed miracles. They loved Him while He was doing things FOR them. But when He began to preach the harder messages of denying the flesh and taking up your cross and calling out sin, the crowds began to thin as people turned against Him. Until finally, there were only a faithful few standing with Him at the foot of the cross while the majority that once followed and adored Him yelled "Crucify Him!"

Messages of true repentance are not popular but these preachers keep preaching and warning because they care for your soul. They love you enough to keep warning you even when they know they're often despised. Again, the cries are going forth to repent. Will you listen? Will you examine and cleanse your heart? Saints and sinners alike. God in His mercy is giving another altar call before it's too late. Will you heed to His voice?

Disputing False Doctrine

Paul realized the need to combat false teachings. He stayed in Ephesus for 2 years DISPUTING and trying to PERSUADE the people concerning the Kingdom of God and correcting false doctrine. 

Some hardened their heart and would not hear or believe.  Some spoke evil against them and "that way". But Paul continued teaching in that area DISPUTING DAILY so that some might believe and be saved.  The others will never be able to say when they stand before God that they were not told. 

Keep teaching and preaching the Truth. Speak the truth in love but speak the Truth without fear or seeking the favor of man. Time is running out. Souls are hanging in the balance.  💔🙏

Come Unto Jesus

 So many are focusing on mental health awarenness when the main focus needs to be on spiritual health awareness. 

So many are focusing on talking to a counselor instead of directing people to the Wonderful Counselor. (Isaiah 9:6)

So many are directing others to a pill to mask the pain instead of directing them to the Healer of the Brokenhearted. (Luke 4:18)

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus - Phl 2:5

We are instructed to have the mind of Christ...to think how Jesus thinks. He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. (Isaiah 53:3) Jesus knows all about heartache and sorrows. Sorrows will come in this life, but Jesus gives us hope and deliverance to rise out of depression.

Jesus came to preach good tidings unto the meek (meek means depressed in mind - H6035). He came to bind up the Brokenhearted (crushed in heart - H7665). He came to proclaim liberty to the captives and to open the prison doors of those whose minds are bound. Jesus wants to give you the oil of joy instead of mourning. And the garment of praise instead of the spirit of heaviness.

Jesus said...

Come unto Me, all ye that labour (feel fatigued - G2872) and are heavy laden (overburdened with anxiety - G5412), and I will give you rest (refreshing - G373).   (Mt 11:28)

Come, let Jesus heal your heart and mind. 

GOD GAVE US PASTORS

 Taught at Bible Study on 10-21-2019

GOD GAVE US PASTORS

 

And I will give you pastors according to mine heart,
which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
Jeremiah 3:15

 

October is Pastor Appreciation month….a time when we recognize the work and sacrifice of Pastors and give them honor.

Many do not fully realize what all their pastor does for them and the Church.  They spend countless hours and even sleepless nights praying for various ones in the congregation.  

They cry, pray, and fast for souls they see going astray.  They visit the sick, make hospital calls (sometimes in the middle of the night), and emergency runs during a crisis (thankfully the police are understanding most times).

They counsel and advise.  They try to lead and guide.

They grieve when someone does not listen to their words and ends up in a mess.  Then tries to comfort and help them work things out when they come back to the Pastor in tears pleading with him to fix it.

The Pastor makes house calls trying to reach out to lost souls or backsliders, working outreach in an effort to see Church growth as souls are birthed into the Kingdom. 

Sometimes, he is the one running to pick people up for Church and then getting them back home afterward.  All while trying to prepare for the service.

The Pastor is usually the first one at Church trying to get things ready for the Service and he is usually the last one to leave: making sure the sound system and audio are turned off, turning off lights, turning off the AC/Heat units, making sure doors are locked because there is no one else available to do it.

The Pastor is sometimes the janitor as well because there are few or none who are able or willing to help with repairs around the Church.  In 2018, on Pastor Appreciation Day, our pastor was up on a ladder changing a light bulb and adjusting the projector screen because there was no one else available to do it.  (Bro. Robert helps where and when he can – and does a lot – but he can’t do everything)

The modern day mindset of a Pastor’s duties

The modern day mindset is that the Pastor should also be there not just to feed them spiritually but also to mow their lawn, make repairs around the house, babysit, help pay bills or buy groceries, run errands for them or take them here or there when asked, etc and do it all for free with a smile…which are misconceptions of a pastor’s duties.

We live in a day when people only want to hear a motivational, feel-good message.  Anything less is considered harsh and labeled unloving, uncaring, and judgmental.  That is unbiblical thinking.

A resigned Pastor was invited to come back and preach at a Church that he formerly pastored.  He preached the clear Word and named sins that people needed to get out of their lives.  Some heeded the preached Word and with tears, came to the altar to repent. 

One particular man rose up indignant and responded, “How dare he?! He knows better than to preach like that!”  I was shocked that he would speak against the man of God like that and didn’t respond but wish I had said, “No, sir, he knows better than to not preach like that.”

People today do not fear to speak against Man of God like they used to.  People have lost their fear of God and respect for the office of the Pastor.

God has set Pastors as the watchman over our souls

Pastors have a fearful responsibility.  They’re human and don’t like to or want to deal with people getting angry with their words but God has mandated for them to warn against sin.

Ezekiel 3:17-21

When I say unto the wicked, thou shalt surely die;
and thou givest him not warning,
nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way,
to save his life;
the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity;
but his blood will I require at thine hand. 

Yet, if thou warn the wicked,
and he turn not from his wickedness,
nor from his wicked way,
he shall die in his iniquity;
but thou hast delivered thy soul.

Again, when a righteous man
doth turn from his righteousness,
and commit iniquity,
and I lay a stumblingblock before him,
he shall die:
because thou hast not given him warning,
he shall die in his sin,
and his righteousness which he hath done
shall not be remembered,
but his blood will I require at thine hand.

Nevertheless, if thou warn the righteous man,
that the righteous sin not,
and he doth not sin,
he shall surely live,
because he is warned,
also, thou hast delivered thy soul.

If the Pastor does not warn against sin, that person’s blood will be required of the Pastor at judgment day.  (see also Ezek 33:1-9 + Ecc 12:9-12)

That’s a heavy and fearful responsibility!  Especially, in this day and time when people do not feel that is the Pastor’s place.  

Paul admonished Timothy (a young Pastor) to not only PREACH the Word, but he was also to REPROVE (tell a fault) and REBUKE (forbid, charge, admonish).  THEN he followed up by instructing him to EXHORT (intreat, beseech) with all long-suffering and doctrine.

Sometimes the Pastor has to speak clearly and reprove and rebuke a sin – not that he wants to but because we are living in a time when people do not want to hear that what they’re doing is contrary to the Word of God and is a sin.  Instead, they are turning their ears away from the Truth. 

2 Timothy 4:2-4

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

Paul also admonished Timothy that those who sin were to be rebuked before all (publicly). (1 Timothy 5:20)  This is contrary to current modern theology, but it is Bible. 

Pastors are not trying to humiliate someone and rarely has our Pastor ever had to address a sin publicly.  The goal is repentance and restoration, but sometimes sins have to be addressed.

Paul actually named names and called out sins – he would be considered judgmental and unloving by today’s standards – but he was warning against false doctrines, false prophets, and wolves in sheep’s clothing and trying to stop sins that were spreading like a cancer.

Paul issued some strong teaching to the churches and instructions to the Pastors.  After, he concluded with “Brethren, pray for us.” (1 Thess 5:25)

Pastors face and deal with things many most likely will never know about. 

Paul listed many of the perils (dangers) he faced that most did not think about.  He was stoned, beaten, thrown in prison, shipwrecked, faced robbers, made many journeys which wearied his body.  But he also faced dangers from his own countrymen and false brethren.

He was weary, tired, and in pain at times.  There were times he was hungry and thirsty. There were times he was cold and not properly clothed.  He would fast often to see strongholds broken and those who were captive to sin set free. Not to mention the things he had to deal with daily and also the care of the Church. (2 Cor 11:23-28)

There are many things Pastors deal with but will never mention it.

Our Pastor needs our prayers. We need to pray for our Pastor and all Pastors – they carry a heavier load than we realize or can comprehend.

We need to thank God for Pastors who are more concerned about our soul than about hurting our feelings in an effort to get us ready for Heaven.

 

 

 

Romans 10:14-15, 17

How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed?
and how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heart?
and how shall they hear without a preacher?

And how shall they preach except they be sent?
as it is written, how beautiful are the feet of them
that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things.

So then faith cometh by hearing,
and hearing by the Word of God.

Hearing the preached Word of God helps to increase our Faith and develop us into mature Christians in Christ.

 

And I will give you pastors according to mine heart,
which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
Jeremiah 3:15

The Pastors goal is to help us grow in knowledge and understanding of God’s Word.  But we have to do our part by showing up for feeding times.

The Gospel only works on the hungry and thirsty. 

Thank God for Pastors!  Thank God for our Pastor!

And I know he’s thankful for those who love God, love His Word, and are faithful to prayer and Church attendance…it makes his job a little easier.  😊

THE MARK OF THE BEAST and THOSE THAT DO KNOW THEIR GOD

 

THE MARK OF THE BEAST and
THOSE THAT DO KNOW THEIR GOD

I was unsure whether to continue with Endtime studies or move on to another topic, but because we are living in perilous times and can see signs that the antichrist will soon be revealed and the implementation of the mark will soon be introduced, I felt it imperative to continue with this line of study.

Many people realize that it cannot be very long until this prophecy will be fulfilled. We can clearly see that governments and corporations around the world are pushing us in that direction rapidly.  But many think it won’t be implemented until after the Church is raptured out. Those that adhere to that belief could end up taking the Mark without realizing it, thinking ‘there’s no way that could be it.  The Church is still here.’ That is why we teach what the Bible says concerning WHEN the rapture will occur and what lies ahead.

What Do We Know About the Mark?

Revelation 13:16-18 says….And he causeth ALL both small and great,
rich and poor, free and bond,
to receive a MARK in their right hand or in their foreheads.

And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had THE MARK,
or the NAME OF THE BEAST, or the NUMBER of his name.

Here is wisdom, let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is six hundred threescore and six (666).

We focus mainly on the mark but Scripture reveals there will be 3 different things that will allow a person to be able to BUY or SELL… (1) Receiving the mark …..OR (2) Having the name of the beast …..OR (3) Having the number of his name

Definitions:
       Mark = a scratch or etching, i.e. a stamp, a badge of servitude  (G5480)
       Name = a ‘name’ (literally or figuratively) (authority or character) (G3686)
       Number = a number (as reckoned up) (G706)

I don’t claim to understand fully how it will be implemented and what each mean or how it will be used… I do believe it will be presented as something ‘for the greater good.’

Whatever it turns out to be, the main thing is that the Bible issues a dire warning against taking the mark and worshiping the beast and its image…..

Revelation 14:9-11

And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice,
If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark
in his forehead or in his hand,
The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God,
which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation;
and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever:
and they have no rest day nor night,
who worship the beast and his image,
and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

Revelation 16 reveals there will be vials of God’s wrath that will be poured out upon those who had the mark of the beast and upon them which worshipped his image.

This is only for those who take the mark and worship the beast.

This is not to cause us to fear but rather to alert us to Watch and pray! 
And pray for and reach for your unsaved family and friends!
Time is running out! 

But the good news is God’s Word assures us….

The people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits in those days (Daniel 11:32).

Do you know your God?  Are you walking in the power of His might?

Ephesians 6:10
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord,
and in the power of His might.

God wants to work mightily through each and every one of us who are Born Again!

We are going to have to trust Him like never before in these Endtime hours.
We are going to have to learn how to walk in the Spirit, and not in the flesh.
We are going to have to learn how to pray and operate in the Gifts of the Spirit.
That is God’s will when He gives a person the Holy Ghost…a vessel He can use.

God will give us patience and strength to face the persecution we are going to face in these Last Days, but we need to be walking in the will of God and keep His commandments.

Revelation 14:12

Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

 

HERE ARE THEY THAT KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD AND THE FAITH OF JESUS!  Those are the ones who will be able to stand!

In this end time hours, we need to do as Ezra did and prepare our hearts so we’ll be sensitive to hear God’s Voice and what the Spirit is saying to the Church in these last days.

Ezra 7:10 - Ezra had PREPARED HIS HEART
                      (1) to SEEK the Law of the Lord,
                      (2) and TO DO IT,
                      (3) and to TEACH in Israel statutes and judgments.

PREPARE means ‘to make something ready for use’ and also ‘make someone ready or able to do or deal with something’
          Are you making your heart ready for God to use?
          Are you making yourself ready to be able to deal with whatever God asks of you?

SEEK the Law of the Lord means ‘to go in search of: look for, to try to discover, or seek advice’
          Are you searching the Scriptures daily?
          Are you trying to discover what God’s Word instructs or requires of you?
          Are you asking God for His advice? 
          Are you open to listen to what God is saying to do or not do?

TO DO IT
          Are you willing to do whatever God asks or requires of you?
          Remember the old slogan ‘Just do it!’?
           We only have a little time left.  Is there anything worth being lost over?
          Is there anything worth in this world that’s not worth giving up in comparison
               to eternity and all Jesus did for you and me?
          Can you truly pray and say ‘whatever it takes to draw closer to You, Lord, that’s
               what I’ll be willing to do’
           If not, we need to go back to the first and prepare our hearts through prayer and
               fasting.

TEACH GOD’S STATUTES AND JUDGMENTS
          God doesn’t want us to be a novice concerning His Word.
          We are to STUDY to show ourselves approved unto God. 

2 Tim 2:15

          Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman (teacher) that needeth
          not to be ashamed, rightly dividing (expounding) the Word of Truth.

God wants each of us to be able to teach others about His Word as we grow in the wisdom, knowledge and understanding of His ways. 

The more time we spend with Him, the more we’ll get to know Him.
The more we get to know Him, the more we’ll know about Him.
The more we know about Him, the more we can tell others about Him.

All of us need to be telling others about Jesus and trying to lead them to Him. 
Jesus saved us so we can reach for and try to save others.

It’s harvest time – in the natural season and in the spiritual season.  Are you praying to be a laborer in the harvest?  Jesus said in Luke 10:2…

          The Harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few:
          Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He would send forth labourers
           into His harvest.

John 4:35
           Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

These things need to be our focus in this endtime hours…
           To know our God!
          To walk in the power of His might!
          To Prepare our hearts through prayer and fasting and Bible reading!
          To Seek God’s laws and learn HIS WAYS, not our ways!
          To just do it!
          And to teach others about Jesus!  Be a witness for Him!

 

Because in the end when we finally stand before Him, we want to hear Him say “Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter in!” and not “depart from Me, I never knew you.”

There is nothing worth missing heaven for.
There is nothing worth going to hell over.
We’ve got to be ready so we can stand and make it all the way Home!

The Millennial Reign - The 7th Dispensation

 

THE MILLENNIAL REIGN

 

Most of us have rarely or barely heard reference to the Millennial Reign.  If we did, it was so brief that we barely caught it, didn’t really understand what it was, what is meant by it or when it happens. 

If you’re like me, you grew up hearing and thinking: the trumpet is going to sound, we’ll be raptured out to be with Jesus, we’ll stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ, some will be cast into hell while others will be welcomed into Heaven.  And time shall be no more.

So, is there a Millennial Reign?  If so, what is it and when does it take place?

I do not claim to have all the answers contained within this study.  There are more Scriptures references than what is mentioned within this brief study, but I’m sharing what I’ve learned to the best of my limited understanding.

 

THE MILLENNIAL REIGN – 7^th DISPENSATION

When God created, He was revealing His plan for the ages to come.

For 6 days, God worked.  Then, on the 7^th day He rested.  Although God created the earth in 6 days, He was revealing that each of those days represented a dispensation of time. 

Remember, 2 Peter 3:8 states…

…one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

These dispensations represent how God would deal with man regarding salvation. 

FIRST DISPENSATION: INNOCENCE
          Man, woman, and animals dwelt together in peace with mankind having
           dominion over the animals and garden.  They had no knowledge of evil
           until the serpent tempted them to disobey God.  From then on, innocence
           was lost.

SECOND DISPENSATION: CONSCIENCE
           This dispensation began when they were driven from the Garden of Eden. 
           They now knew right from wrong and were given a conscious to either
            listen to or ignore, too often choosing to ignore.

THIRD DISPENSATION: HUMAN GOVERNMENT
            Wickedness and evil had been wiped out in the flood. Man still had a
            conscious and now became responsible for governing one another. Had
            men’s spirits been actively controlled by God’s Spirit, man would have
            righteously ruled the world. But the sin nature prevented that.  We see
            that it didn’t take long after exiting the Ark for sin to begin to rear its ugly
            head once again through Noah’s son. This dispensation ended at the
            Tower of Babel.

FOURTH DISPENSATION: PROMISE or ABRAHAMIC COVENANT
          This time period goes from Abraham to Moses and ends with their refusal
          to enter Canaan out of fear.  Thus, they wandered for 40 years in the
          wilderness.

FIFTH DISPENSATION: LAW
          This time period spans from Moses to the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ.  The
          time of Law ended on the Day of Pentecost when the Church was birthed
          and Salvation became obtainable through the New Birth experience as
          taught by Peter in Acts 2:38.

SIXTH DISPENSATION: GRACE or MESSIANIC PERIOD
          This is the time frame from the Birth of the Church until the end of
          Armageddon. We are currently in that dispensation which is wrapping up
          quickly.

SEVENTH DISPENSATION: MILLENNIAL REIGN
          This is the time when satan will be bound and Jesus Christ will rule the
          earth.  We will rule and reign with Him during this time period.

 

WHERE DOES THE TERM ‘MILLENNIAL REIGN’ COME FROM?

REVELATION {20:1} And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. {20:2} And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, {20:3} And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

**This is after the return of Christ where He gathers His Saints at the Battle of Armageddon.  The dead in Christ will rise first, then we which are alive and remain will be caught up to join them….

1 THESSALONIANS 4

13 – But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

14 – For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

15 – For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

16 – For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17 – then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

18 – Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

It’s comforting to know that if we make it to meet Jesus in the air or we die because we would not deny His name, then from then on we will forever be with the Lord!

At the end of Armageddon, the Beast, the False Prophet, and all who took his Mark will be cast into the Lake of Fire. 

Rev 19:20
And the beast was taken,
and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him,
with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast,
and them that worshipped his image.
These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

        Notice the false prophet worked miracles that deceived people that had received the mark of the beast.  Deception is rampant.  This is why we warn to guard your hearts and minds and stay prayed up and alert spiritually.

After they are cast into the Lake of Fire, an angel having the keys to the bottomless pit will bind satan for 1000 years so that he can not deceive the nations during that time.

 

REVELATION {20:4} And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and [I saw] the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received [his] mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

**All who were martyred for the cause of Christ and would not deny His name by worshipping the beast or taking his mark will live and reign with Christ during this thousand years.  

 

{20:5} But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This [is] the first resurrection.

**Scripturally we see the first resurrection is for the dead in Christ.  All others will remain in the grave until the end of the Millennial Reign.

{20:6} Blessed and holy [is] he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

**Those that have part in the first resurrection will not have to worry about death or hell ever again.  THEY MADE IT!  Hallelujah!

For 1000 years, no one will have to worry about the devil deceiving people or stirring up strife.

 

THINGS WE KNOW SCRIPTURALLY ABOUT THE MILLENNIAL REIGN

*satan will be bound 1000 years – Rev 20:1-3

 

*Christ will Reign –                                Zech 14:9

And the LORD shall be king over all the earth:
in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.

Rev 11:15
And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven,
saying, The kingdoms of this world are become [the kingdoms] of our Lord,
and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

 

*Health and joy will be restored

Isaiah 33:24
And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick:
the people that dwell therein [shall be] forgiven [their] iniquity

Isaiah 35:5-6
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
{35:6} Then shall the lame [man] leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.
{35:7} And the parched ground shall become a pool,
and the thirsty land springs of water:
in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, [shall be] grass with reeds and rushes. {35:8} And an highway shall be there, and a way,
and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it;
but it [shall be] for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err [therein. {35:9} No lion {{in the sense of violence}} shall be there,
nor [any] ravenous beast shall go up thereon,
it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk [there: ]
{35:10} And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion
with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

 

*Human Life will be extended –

Isaiah 65:20
There shall be no more thence an infant of days,
nor an old man that hath not filled his days:
for the child shall die an hundred years old;
but the sinner [being] an hundred years old shall be accursed.

**It sounds like people will still choose to sin despite the devil being bound
**It also sounds like there will still be death & funerals during this time???
I do not clearly understand this since the second death will have no power on those who were part of the first resurrection – Rev 20:6.  Perhaps this is referring to those who choose to sin during this time? ))

Zech 8:1-7
{8:1} Again the word of the LORD of hosts came [to me,] saying, {8:2} Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury. {8:3} Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain. {8:4} Thus saith the LORD of hosts; There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age. {8:5} And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof. {8:6} Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvellous in mine eyes? saith the LORD of hosts. {8:7} Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country; {8:8} And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.

 

*There will be peace and justice -  

Zech 14:11
And [men] shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter destruction;
but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited.

Isaiah 2:2-4
And it shall come to pass in the last days, [that] the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. {2:3} And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. {2:4} And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

 

Micah 4:1-7
But in the last days it shall come to pass, [that] the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. {4:2} And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. {4:3} And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. {4:4} But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make [them] afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken [it.] {4:5} For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever. {4:6} In that day, saith the LORD, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted; {4:7} And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever.

 

 

 

 

*There will be one language

Zephaniah 3
{3:8} Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination [is] to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, [even] all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy. ((*Referring to Armageddon*)) {3:9} For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.
{3:10} From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, [even] the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering. {3:11} In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain. {3:12} I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD. {3:13} The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make [them] afraid.

 

*The nature of animals will be changed….

ISAIAH 11:6
The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb,
and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion
and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.
{11:7} And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
{11:8} And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp (Cobra),
and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ (viper’s) den.
{11:9} They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain:
for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

ISAIAH 65:25
The wolf and the lamb shall feed together,
and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock:
and dust [shall be] the serpent’s meat.
They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.

ISAIAH 35:9
No lion {{in the sense of violence}} shall be there, nor [any] ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk [there: ]

* Everyone will go up to worship the Lord Jesus Christ in Jerusalem.
There will be punishment on the nations that refuse, so this reveals there will still be free choice but the devil will not be here to blame it on.

Zech 14:16-21
And it shall come to pass, [that] every one that is left of all the nations
which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship
the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.
{14:17} And it shall be, [that] whoso will not come up of [all] the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts,
even upon them shall be no rain.
{14:18} And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that [have] no [rain;] there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen
that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.
{14:19} This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.

{14:20} In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses,
HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD;
and the pots in the LORD’S house shall be like the bowls before the altar.
{14:21} Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be
holiness unto the LORD of hosts:
and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein:
and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite
in the house of the LORD of hosts.

 

THEN TOWARD THE END OF THE 1,000 YEARS

REVELATION {20:7} And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,

Satan will gather the nations to the BATTLE OF GOG AND MAGOG

{20:8} And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom [is] as the sand of the sea.

{20:9} And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

THIS BATTLE IS OVER QUICKLY!  THE 1,000 YEARS ARE COMPLETED!

THE DEVIL IS BOUND AND CAST INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE…

{20:10} And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet [are,] and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT

{20:11} And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

{20:12} And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is [the book] of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

{20:13} And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell (Hades, place of departed souls) delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

{20:14} And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

{20:15} And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

 

NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH

{21:1} And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

{21:2} And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

{21:3} And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God [is] with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, [and be] their God.

NO MORE TEARS, DEATH, SORROW, CRYING OR PAIN

{21:4} And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

{21:5} And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

{21:6} And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

{21:7} He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

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

 

THE LAMB’S WIFE – NEW JERUSALEM

{21:9} And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.

{21:10} And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

{21:11} Having the glory of God: and her light [was] like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;

{21:12} And had a wall great and high, [and] had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are [the names] of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:

{21:13} On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.

{21:14} And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

{21:15} And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.

{21:16} And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.

{21:17} And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred [and] forty [and] four cubits, [according to] the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.

{21:18} And the building of the wall of it was [of] jasper: and the city [was] pure gold, like unto clear glass.

{21:19} And the foundations of the wall of the city [were] garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation [was] jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; {21:20} The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.

{21:21} And the twelve gates [were] twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city [was] pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

{21:22} And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.

{21:23} And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb [is] the light thereof.

{21:24} And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.

{21:25} And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.

{21:26} And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.

{21:27} And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither [whatsoever] worketh abomination, or [maketh] a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

{22:1} And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

{22:2} In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, [was there] the tree of life, which bare twelve [manner] of fruits, [and] yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree [were] for the healing of the nations.

{22:3} And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:

{22:4} And they shall see his face; and his name [shall be] in their foreheads. {22:5} And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

{22:6} And he said unto me, These sayings [are] faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.

{22:7} Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth (watch, observe) the sayings of the prophecy of this book.