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Thu, Jul 31st - 8:25PM
IS THERE SCRIPTURAL JUSTIFICATION FOR THE REBUILDING OF THE TEMPLE?
Absolutely none! A number of scholars, authors, pastors and Bible Colleges teach the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. At this time, it is good to ask what will be the function of the temple?
Premillennialists are dogmatic about the rebuilding of the temple. Who are premillennialists? Premillennialists are those people who believe and teach that the second coming of our Lord will be followed by his earthly thousand - year reign.
Dr. Charles F. Stanley wrote concerning the Antichrist. " He will bring great persecution on Israel (Dan. 7: 25) and even establish a center of worship in the temple in Jerusalem " (2 Thess. 2: 3 - 4) (p. 283, Handbook For Christian Living).
There are two things wrong with Dr. Stanley's statement. Firstly, Daniel 7; 25 does not refer to Israel. This is what that Scripture states, " ... The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times and half a time" and secondly, there will be no use for a future temple. The setting up of the Antichrist in God's temple (2 Thess. 2: 4) could be used symbolically with reference to Antiochus Epiphanes. "It set itself up to be as great as the Prince of the host; it took away the daily sacrifice from him, and the place of his sanctuary was brought low. Because of rebellion, the host of the saints and the daily sacrifice were given over to it. It prospered in everything it did, and truth was thrown to the ground" (Dan. 8: 11 - 12).
Could the apostle Paul be saying that the Antichrist will be as despicable as Antiochus Epiphanes? After Antiochus Epiphanes conquered Jerusalem, he set himself up in the temple proclaiming himself to be equal to God. He abolished the daily sacrifice and erected an altar to a pagan god. History records that he sacrificed a sow on the altar. Judas Maccabeus retook Jerusalem and tore down the pagan altar. The temple was rededicated.
"Antiochus IV (Epiphanes), the king of Syria, captured Jerusalem in 167 BC and desecrated the Temple by offering the sacrifice of a pig on an altar to Zeus (the Abomination of Desolation). In seeking to prohibit Judaism and Hellenize the Jews, Antiochus forbade their religious practices and commanded that copies of the Law be burned, all of which is related by Josephus in the Antiquities of the Jews (XII.5.4)."
The apostle Peter writes concerning the apostle Paul: " His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction" (2 Pet. 3: 16).
Is "he sets himself up in God's temple proclaiming himself to be God (2 Thess. 2: 4), one of the apostle's hard things to understand?
WHAT WAS THE FUNCTION OF THE TEMPLE UNDER THE FIRST COVENANT?
1) A dwelling place for God on earth (between the cherubim on the ark of the covenant). 2) A place for meeting 3) A place for offering sacrifices 4) A place for worship 5) A place where the high priest met with God once a year to atone for his sins and the sins of the Jewish people 6) A place to hear the reading of the Scriptures
An earthly high priest was essential for atoning for his sins and the sins of the Jewish people under the first covenant. Under the new covenant, we do not have high priests. Each born again believer confesses his or her sins to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. " If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives (1 John 1: 9 - 10). Jesus is our heavenly high priest. " Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess" (Heb. 4: 14). Under the new covenant, believers are God's temple. "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you" (1 Cor. 3: 16).
Under the new covenant, we do not offer sacrifices. Our Lord Jesus Christ was the final sacrifice. UNDER THE NEW COVENANT WE OFFER A SACRIFICE OF PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING.
There will be no function for a future temple.
Under the new covenant, community of believers have buildings where they meet for worship and other purposes. A born again believer's body is God's temple. Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you (1 Cor. 3: 16).
A WARNING TO BELIEVERS
The apostle wrote to the Galatians:
If anyone observes a law and does not continue to observe everything written in the Book of the Law, he/she is under a curse (Gal. 3: 10).
When you receive Jesus Christ as your Savior, you become children of God, for those who were baptized into Christ have been clothed in Christ.
Under the new covenant there is no ethnic, status or gender distinction because believers are all one in Christ. Anyone who belongs to Christ is a seed of Abraham and therefore heirs according to the promise (Gal. 3: 26 - 29).
The Colossians had strict counsel from the apostle Paul:
Do not allow anyone judge you by what you eat or drink or regarding a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath Day. These were only a shadow. The reality is found in Chris (Col. 2: 16 - 17).
The new covenant is based on faith and faith alone.
Christ became a curse for us and therefore redeemed us from the curse of the law. He did this that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Him, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit (Gal. 3: 13, 14).
As children of God, how should we live?
1) proclaim the death of our LORD by engaging in Holy Communion (1 Cor. 11: 26)
2) do the good works which God has prepared in advance for us to do (Eph. 2: 10) 3) live holy lives (Heb. 12: 14)
Make an effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord" (Heb. 12: 14).
NOTE - (italic - mine) blue - scriptural quotation purple - scriptural paraphrase
CopyrightⒸ 2023 by Rev. Joseph E. Mahabir (B.A Hons. (York University), M.Ed. (University of Toronto), Divinity M. A. (magna cum laude), (Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA).
"Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright c 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers."
THE RAPTURE
What is the rapture? The rapture is:
1) The gathering of people before Jesus (Matt. 25: 32).
2) The gathering of people to Jesus (2 Thess. 2: 1).
3) The catching up of people in the clouds to meet Jesus (1 Thess. 4: 17).
4) Appearing with Christ in glory (Col. 3: 4). 5) The gathering of our Lord's elect (Matt. 24: 29 - 31).
The word rapture is not found in the Scriptures. It is derived from the Latin verb "rapio" which is used in the Latin Bible. It means seize, snatch or catch up. Many books have been written about the rapture. Theories abound.
They are:
1) The pre-tribulation
2) The mid-tribulation
3) The pre-wrath
4) The post-tribulation (The last day, the end of the age)
Of all the rapture theories, the pre-tribulation is the most popular. A number of Bible Colleges teach the theory and many ministries preach it. But, is it scriptural? Satan did not stop with Adam and Eve. Lies! lies! lies! The pre-tribulation, mid-tribulation and pre-wrath rapture theories are BIG LIES. The pre-tribulation theory had its origin in 1830. A woman, Margaret Mc Donald, in a church in Scotland pastored by Edward Irving, in an utterance claimed that there will be a "secret rapture of the church before the Great Tribulation." The concept was spread by John Darby, a pastor and author, and it was kept alive by the Scofield Reference Bible.
Today, all over the globe, pastors, authors and Bible teachers feed believers with the BIG LIE of a pre-tribulation rapture by falsely referencing 1 Thessalonians 4: 16 - 17. These verses describe future activities but they do not state when they will occur. The apostle Peter informs us that there will be one future coming of our LORD and it will take place on the day of judgment (THE DAY OF THE LORD - THE DAY OF GOD), thus proving that the second coming and the coming down from heaven for the rapture will be a single event (Matt. 25: 31 - 46; 1 Thess. 4: 16 - 17; 2 Pet. 3: 3 - 13).
The apostle's teaching proves unequivocally that the pre-tribulation, mid-tribulation and the pre-wrath rapture theories are false. The pre-tribulation, mid-tribulation and pre-wrath rapture theories are not only unscriptural but also Satanic. They reject the teaching of our LORD, his apostles and that of Dr. Luke. Scripture informs us unequivocally that there will be one resurrection of all the dead (Dan. 12: 2; John 5: 28 - 29; Acts 24: 15).
Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out - those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned (John 5: 28 - 29).
Since the rapture involves the resurrection, therefore, the rapture will take place when the resurrection occurs.
When will the rapture happen? On the authority of the Word of God, the rapture will take place -
1) At the last day (John 6: 39). Jesus said: `And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.
2) At the last trumpet ( 1 Cor. 15: 51 - 52). The apostle Paul stated: Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed - in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
3) After the seventh angel sounds his trumpet. The seventh angel sounded his trumpet ... The nations were angry; and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your saints and those who reverence your name, both small and great - and for destroying those who destroy the earth (Rev. 11: 15, 18).
4) At the end of the thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended (Rev. 20: 5).
Dr. Luke informs us that our LORD must remain in heaven until the day comes for God to restore everything.
"He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets" (Acts 3: 21).
Since God will restore everything on the day of judgment by creating a new heaven and a new earth (2 Pet. 3: 13), therefore, our LORD will remain in heaven until the day of judgment. Proving that the second coming and the coming down from heaven for the rapture will be a single event (Matt. 25: 31, 1 Thess 4: 16 - 17).
" ... Come, Lord Jesus" (Rev. 22: 20).
NOTE - (italic - mine) scriptural quotation scriptural paraphrase
"Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright c 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers."
CopyrightⒸ 1985 by Rev. Joseph E. Mahabir (B.A Hons. (York University), M.Ed. (University of Toronto), Divinity M. A. (magna cum laude), (Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA).
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Wed, Jul 30th - 11:59AM
THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST The concept of the judgment seat of Christ is found in the apostle Paul's letter to the Corinthians. He writes: For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad (2 Cor. 5: 10). One day in the future which is known only by God the Father (Matt. 24: 36) all humanity will stand before our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. When Jesus comes in his glory with all his angels, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All nations will be made to stand before him. He will place the righteous on his right and the unrighteous on his left. Jesus will say to the righteous: Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance; the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. To those on his left, Jesus will say: Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels (Matt. 25: 31 - 34; 41). Believers will be evaluated (have been evaluated) by Jesus to receive rewards based on their work done during their lifetime. This judgment is based on the quality and faithfulness of the believers' work and how they used their time, gifts and resources for the Kingdom of God. (All born again believers have received gifts from the Holy Spirit to serve God). Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good (1 Cor. 12: 7). The prophet Micah was motivated by the Holy Spirit to address the social ills of his day. Judah had enjoyed economic prosperity which placed wealth and power in the hands of a few. This resulted in social injustice. He wrote: He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6: 8). The prophet's words to those in Judah who were engaged in unacceptable behavior apply to all people. Jesus said to his disciples: Because wickedness will increase in the last days, the love of most people will grow cold but those who are faithful to the end will be saved
Note: italic - mine blue - scriptural quotation red - scriptural quotation (emphasis) purple - scriptural paraphrase
God has prepared good works in advance for born again believers to do (Ephesians 2: 10). See John 3: 3. Jesus promised that he will give rewards to believers for their faithfulness when he returns. Behold I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done (Revelation 22: 12). My prayer is that you will receive a rich reward. Sharing the good news of the Gospel is one of the good works which believers can do. Please send this study to friends and relatives and ask them to do the same. I pray God's richest blessings on your life and on the lives of your loved ones. Please read all the Scriptures. Matthew 25: 31 - 46 and Revelation 21: 1 - 8. Also Ephesians 3: 6 and Galatians 3: 26 - 29. If you do not have a Bible, please borrow one or better still buy one. I would like to recommend New International Version. Thanks for your involvement. Joseph Joseph E. Mahabir (Rev.) GOD LOVES YOU + JESUS DIED FOR YOU The Bible declares that there is one God (Deut. 6: 4) but He is revealed in three persons - God the Father (Matt. 3: 17; John 17: 24), God the Son (Jesus Christ) (John 1: 18; John 3; 16) and God the Holy Spirit (Gen. 1: 2; John 14: 26; Acts 16: 6 - 7; Eph. 4: 30). The first man and the first woman, Adam and Eve, were created to live forever but they gave in to the temptation that Satan, the devil, brought to them, thus causing death, spiritual death (separation from God) and physical death. You see when they gave in to Satan they broke God's commandment (Gen. 2: 17; Gen. 3: 6). Thus sin came into the human race. The sin of Adam and Eve has been passed on to all mankind; so whether we live good lives or not, do kind acts or not, we are still sinners because we cannot do anything to rid ourselves of this inherited or original sin. King David said that he was sinful from the time he was conceived (Psalm 51: 5). The Bible clearly teaches that all have sinned (Rom. 3: 23) and all will die because of sin (Rom. 6: 23). However, there is good news! God has provided a way out for mankind because he loves us. God the Father sent his one and only Son (John 3: 16), who is himself God (Isa. 9: 6; John 1: 1 - 3, 14; Heb. 1: 8, 10), to die for the sins of the world so that those who believe in Him will have everlasting life (John 3: 16; John 3: 36). We are informed that Jesus' death for us is a gift (Rom. 6: 23). This means that we do not have to work for the salvation that his death on the cross provides. We are saved by grace (God's kindness) through faith (a gift from God) and not by works (Eph. 2: 8 - 9). Jesus died for us while we were still sinners (Rom. 5: 8). He died for our sins and rose from the dead for our justification (clearing us from blame or guilt) (Rom. 4: 25). Once and for all times the death of Jesus on the cross paid the penalty for sin (Heb. 9: 28). This included all original or inherited sin as well as all the sins that have been committed, that are being committed and that will be committed by all human beings. Listen to the testimony of the prophet, the angel, the apostles and Jesus himself, 1) The virgin's child (Jesus) will be called Immanuel (Isa. 7: 14). Immanuel means God with us (Matt. 1: 23). This prophecy was recorded in about 700 B. C. 2) The son (Jesus) will be called - Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isa. 9: 6). 3) Jesus will save his people from their sins (Matt. 1: 21). 4) Jesus died for the sins of the world (Rom. 5: 8). 5) Jesus is the end of the law so that there is righteousness (righteous standing before God) for everyone who believes - Jews and Gentiles (see John 3: 16 - 17). 6) Jesus answered: I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14: 6). 7) Jesus will judge the living and the dead (2 Tim. 4: 1). The Bible teaches that although there is death, in the future all human beings will live eternally. The righteous (those who have received the gift of eternal life through Jesus) will live with God in bliss (great joy) (Rev. 21: 1 - 7) and the unrighteous (those who have rejected the gift of eternal life through Jesus) will live with Satan, the angels who rebelled with him and all unbelievers in torment (great pain - in the fiery lake of burning sulfur (Matt. 25: 41; Rev. 14: 9 - 11; Rev. 20: 10, 15; Rev. 21: 8). Anyone who receives Jesus, that is, believes that He is the Son of God and puts his/her trust in Him, becomes a child of God. We read in Scripture: Yet to all who received him , to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God (John 1; 12 -13; John 3: 16). As a child of God, He seals you with his Holy Spirit (Eph. 1: 13 - 14). Dear friend, will you receive Jesus or will you reject him? Perhaps the following prayer or one like it will be fitting. Remember, what is important is the faith that Jesus will save you. He is the only one who can save you (Acts 4: 12). Jesus said: I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life. I am the bread of life (John 6: 47 - 48). THE FOLLOWING PRAYER OR ONE LIKE IT WILL BE APPROPRIATE.
PRAYER Almighty God, I thank you that you sent Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of the world. Lord Jesus, I thank you that you died for my sins. Heavenly Father I believe that you raised him from the dead as the Bible declares. Jesus, I confess my sins to you and I repent of them. Thank you Jesus for forgiving me of my sins. I now receive you into my heart as my Savior/Messiah and Lord. Lord Jesus, please fulfil your plan for my life through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
What follows your acceptance of Jesus Christ as your Savior/Messiah? Your faithfulness to Jesus is important. The Holy Spirit who seals believers (Eph. 1: 13 - 14) can enable you to be faithful (Eph. 4: 30). Jesus said: Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved (Matt. 24: 12 - 13). The author of the Book of Hebrews wrote: We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first (Hebrews 3: 14). FAITHFULNESS You can show your faithfulness by: 1) Praying regularly (1 Thess. 5: 17) 2) Reading the Bible daily (Psalm 119: 105, 160) 3) Making Jesus Lord of your life (Prov. 3: 5 - 12) 4) Meeting with believers (Heb. 10: 25) 5) Doing the good works which God has prepared in advance for you to do (Eph. 2: 10) 6) Giving to God's work (Mal. 3: 8 - 10; Luke 6: 38; 2 Cor. 9: 6 - 8) 7) Soul winning (telling others about Jesus) (Prov. 11: 30; John 15: 8, 16) 8) Loving others (John 15: 12; 1 John 3: 18) As Christians, we are not perfect. We still make mistakes. When we do, we can confess our sins to Jesus and he will forgive us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1: 9). REWARDS When Jesus comes He will give rewards to believers for faithfulness (Matt. 10: 42; Luke 14: 13 - 14; 1 Cor. 9: 25; Rev. 22: 12). Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done (Rev. 22: 12). ETERNITY With whom will you spend eternity? Will you spend it with God in bliss (great joy) or with Satan in torment (great pain)? Remember, God loves you and He wants you to spend eternity with Him (1 Tim. 2: 3 - 4; 2 Pet. 3: 9). May God use this study to bring honor and glory to His name. Please click the following links for more information.
http://blogs.christiansunite.com/mahabir
http://blogs.christiansunite.com/hpesoj
NOTE - (italic mine) purple - scriptural quotation red - explanation
CopyrightⒸ 2006 by Rev. Joseph E. Mahabir (B.A Hons. (York University), M.Ed. (University of Toronto), Divinity M. A. (magna cum laude), (Regent University, Virginia Beach, V
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Wed, Jul 30th - 11:57AM
CORRECTING THEOLOGICAL ERRORS HANDBOOK FOR CHRISTIAN LIVING Dr. Charles F. Stanley Dr. Charles Stanley was an excellent Bible teacher but when writing on the end times he made several errors. He wrote: 1) Paul believed that Jesus' return was imminent ( p. 279). UNSCRIPTURAL In writing to the Thessalonian believers, the apostle Paul cautioned them about deceivers. He informed them that the coming of the Lord and the rapture will take place on the day of the Lord. He also told them that those events will be preceded by two signs. 1) There will be a rebellion against God (many believers will fall away from the faith). 2) The man of lawlessness (the Antichrist) will be revealed. Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction (2 Thess. 2: 3). The apostle Peter states that the day of the Lord is the day of judgment (2 Pet. 3: 7, 10). He writes: But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare ( 2 Pet. 3: 10). The conclusion is that Jesus will remain in heaven until the day of judgment, making the second coming and the coming down from heaven for the rapture a single event. When he comes he will gather all nations before him. He will carry out the judgment. The righteous will go into eternal life and the unrighteous into eternal punishment. God will create a new heaven and a new earth and he will reign eternally (Matt. 25: 31 - 46; Rev. 11: 15 - 18). After the seventh angel sounded his trumpet, loud voices in heaven proclaimed: The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever (Rev. 11: 15). 2) Because the saints of God had been raptured before all this, the restraining power of the Holy Spirit is gone (2 Thess. 2: 6 - 8) (p. 267). UNSCRIPTURAL Our Lord Jesus Christ assured his disciples that he will be with them till the very end of the age. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age (Matt. 28: 20). If Jesus will be with believers till the very end of the age, then the Holy Spirit will be with us till the end of the age because the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Jesus. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus (the Holy Spirit) would not allow them to (Acts 16: 7). Also, Jesus said to his disciples - If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor (the Holy Spirit) to be with you forever - the Spirit of truth (John 14: 15 - 17). The restraining power of the Holy Spirit will be with us till the very end of the age. 3)3Dr. Stanley taught two future comings, one at the time of the rapture and the other at the end of the tribulation. UNSCRIPTURAL Our Lord Jesus Christ taught one future coming. When Jesus comes in his glory with all the angels, he will sit on his heavenly throne. He will gather all nations before him. He will place the righteous on his right and the unrighteous on his left. ... The unrighteous will go away to eternal punishment and the righteous to eternal life (Matt. 25: 31 - 33, 46). The righteous will spend eternity in the Holy City, the new Jerusalem and the unrighteous in the fiery lake of burning sulfur (Rev. 21: 1 - 8). 4) In the premillennial scheme of things, Israel and the church are two distinct entities. (p. 276). UNSCRIPTURAL Under the new covenant, there is no distinction between a Gentile born again believer and a Jewish born again believer. The apostle Paul explained the mystery of Christ to the Ephesian believers. He wrote: This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus (Eph. 3: 6). | | 5) The peace that has escaped the world thus far will be the benchmark of the thousand year reign of Christ known as the Millennium. Satan will be bound and Christ will be in charge (p. 274). UNSCRIPTURAL Dr. Stanley saw the thousand years as being fulfilled in the future. The word of God shows that the thousand years are now in progress. Dr. Luke tells us that Jesus must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything. He writes: "He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets" (Acts 3: 21). The apostle Peter informs us that God will restore everything on the day of judgment by creating a new heaven and a new earth ( 2 Pet. 3: 13). “But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness” ( 2 Pet. 3: 13). The conclusion is that Jesus will remain in heaven until the day of judgment; proving that the second coming and the coming down from heaven for the rapture are the same event ( Matt. 24: 29 - 31; Matt. 25: 31 - 46; Col. 3: 4; 1 Thess. 4: 16 - 17; 2 Tim. 4: 1; Titus 2: 13;Heb. 9: 27 - 28; Rev. 14: 14 - 20). Since eternity will commence on the day of judgment at the coming of Jesus ( Matt. 25: 31 - 32, 46). therefore the thousand years recorded in Revelation 20 : 1 - 7 cannot follow the second coming as some teach. The thousand years must precede the second coming since time and eternity cannot coexist. Also, Scripture informs us that the resurrection will take place after the thousand years are ended. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years are ended (Rev. 20: 5). This means that the second coming, the resurrection, the rapture and the judgment will take place at the end of the millennial reign. We read in Scripture after the sounding of the seventh trumpet: The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever (Rev. 11: 15).
NOTE - (italic - mine) blue - scriptural quotation purple - scriptural paraphrase red - Dr. Stanley's concepts
"Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright c 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers." CopyrightⒸ 2024 by Rev. Joseph E. Mahabir (B.A Hons. (York University), M.Ed. (University of Toronto), Divinity M. A, (magna cum laude), (Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA).
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Wed, Jul 30th - 11:55AM
THE BOOK OF SIGNS Dr. David Jeremiah
Dr. David Jeremiah is an excellent Bible teacher but he made several errors in his writing on the end times. He writes: 1) I believe there will be two stages to the second coming of Christ. First, He will come suddenly in the air to snatch up his own. This is the Rapture, the "catching up" of the church, which will occur at the beginning of the Tribulation that is coming upon the earth (p. 156). UNSCRIPTURAL A two-stage second coming imply two future resurrections. But Scripture unequivocally teaches one future resurrection of all the dead. Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out - those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned (John 5: 28 - 29). See also Daniel 12: 2; Acts 24: 15
A two stage second coming is not supported by Scripture. When writing to believers in Thessalonica, the apostle Paul informed them that the coming of our Lord and the rapture will take place on the day of the Lord. He gave them strict warning about deceivers (2 Thess. 2: 1 - 3). Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction (2 Thess. 2: 3).
The apostle Peter tells us that the day of the Lord is the day of judgment.
Mockers will say, he promised that he would come. Where is his coming? ... The day of the Lord will come in the same manner as a thief - unexpectedly! (see 2 Thess. 2: 1 - 3). ...The heavens will disappear with a loud noise; fire will destroy the elements, and the earth and everything in it will be flattened. ... But we are looking out for a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness, as he has promised (2 Pet. 3: 4, 10, 13). Since the coming of our Lord and the rapture will occur on the day of the Lord (2 Thess., 2: 1 - 3), and since the day of the Lord is the day of judgment (2 Pet. 3: 3, 7, 10, 13), therefore, the second coming and the coming down from heaven for the rapture will be the same event (Matt. 24: 29 - 31; Matt. 25: 31 - 34; Col. 3: 4; 1 Thess. 4: 16 - 17; 2 Tim. 4: 1; Titus 2: 13; Heb. 9: 27 - 28; Rev. 14: 14 - 20).
2) No signs will be given to prepare us for the arrival of the Rapture. It can occur at any moment - possibly before you finish reading this chapter (p. 157). UNSCRIPTURAL There are three verses in Scripture which Dr. Jeremiah did not consider. 2 Thessalonians 2 : 1 - 3 tell that the coming of our Lord and the rapture will occur on the day of the Lord and they will be preceded by two signs. 1) There will be a rebellion and 2) The man of lawlessness (the Antichrist) will be revealed. Regarding the coming of Jesus and our gathering before him, we request you not to become concerned by a prophecy, letter or report stating that it came from us telling that the day of the Lord has already happened. Don't be deceived in any way. There will be a rebellion and the Antichrist will be revealed before the rapture takes place (2 Thess. 2: 3).
3) The Rapture is the event in which all who have put their trust in Jesus Christ will be suddenly caught up from the earth and taken into heaven by Him. It is set to occur at an unspecified time in the future (p. 155). UNSCRIPTURAL Contrary to Dr. Jeremiah's teaching the rapture will involve all humanity from the creation of the world to the last person to be born before the second coming of our Lord. When Jesus comes in his glory accompanied by all the angels, he will sit on his heavenly throne. He will gather all people before him. He will place the righteous on his right and the unrighteous on his left. Jesus will say to the righteous: 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ... (Matt. 25: 31 - 34). Jesus will say to the unrighteous: 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels (Matt. 25: 41).
4) The millennium is a literal period of a thousand years, which is scheduled for the future and will begin when Jesus comes again at the end of history to set up His earthly kingdom (p. 366). UNSCRIPTURAL
THE THOUSAND YEARS (Rev. 20: 1 - 7) INTERPRETING SCRIPTURE
We do not use our own understanding to interpret Scripture. We use Scripture to interpret Scripture. Dr. Luke tells us that Jesus must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything. He writes: "He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets" (Acts 3: 21). The apostle Peter informs us that God will restore everything on the day of judgment by creating a new heaven and a new earth ( 2 Pet. 3: 13). “But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness” ( 2 Pet. 3: 13). The conclusion is that Jesus will remain in heaven until the day of judgment; showing that the second coming and the coming down from heaven for the rapture will be the same event ( Matt. 24: 29 - 31; Matt. 25: 31 - 33; Col. 3: 4; 2 Tim. 4: 1; Titus 2: 13; Heb. 9: 27 - 28; Rev. 14: 14 - 20).
Since eternity will commence on the day of judgment at the coming of Jesus ( Matt. 25: 31 - 32, 46; Rev. 11: 15 - 18). therefore the thousand years recorded in Revelation 20 : 1 - 7 cannot follow the second coming as some teach. The thousand years must precede the second coming since time and eternity cannot coexist. Also, Scripture informs us that the resurrection will take place after the thousand years are ended. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years are ended (Rev. 20: 5). This means that the second coming, the resurrection, the rapture and the judgment will take place at the end of the millennial reign. We read in Scripture after the sounding of the seventh trumpet: The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever (Rev. 11: 15).
NOTE - (italic - mine) blue - scriptural quotation purple - scriptural paraphrase red - Dr. Jeremiah's concepts
"Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright c 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible
ESCHATOLOGY What is eschatology?
Eschatology is the study of theology dealing with the four last things – death, judgment, heaven and hell. Eschatology is derived from the Greek word, eschatos, meaning last or final. Eschatological theories are named using Latin and English words. There are four theories. 1) HISTORIC PREMILLENNIALISM 2)DISPENSATIONAL PREMILLENNIALISM 3) POSTMILLENNIALISM 4) AMILLENNIALISM
Millennium, meaning a thousand years, is made up of two Latin words mille (a thousand) and annus (year). Millennium is used for the thousand years recorded in Revelation 20: 1 - 7.
Historic Premillennialism teaches that the second coming of Jesus will occur at the end of the Tribulation before the commencement of the thousand years recorded in Revelation 20: 1 - 7.
Dispensational Premillennialism teaches two future comings of Jesus, one at the time of the rapture and one at the end of the Tribulation. The Tribulation will be followed by a thousand years as recorded in Revelation 20: 1-7. The thousand years are literal. There are three groups of dispensational premillennialists. The pretribulation rapture group, the mid-tribulation rapture group and the pre-wrath rapture group.
Postmillennialism teaches that the Second Coming of Jesus will take place after the thousand years. The thousand years are literal. Postmillennialism teaches that the world will be Christianized.
Amillennialism teaches that the Second Coming of Jesus will take place at the close of the Tribulation. The thousand years of Revelation 20: 1-7 are not literal and future. They are symbolic and cover an extended period of time. They are in progress now.
A careful study of the Scriptures will show that Amillennialism is the only valid theory.
THE MILLENNIAL REIGN
Since our Lord is reigning now ( 1 Cor. 15: 25 - 26), and since he will commence his eternal reign after he judges all nations ( Matt. 25: 31 - 32, 46; Rev. 11: 15 - 18), therefore his present reign must be his millennial. The millennial reign is now in progress. It is in heaven. Our Lord is reigning with his saints, those in heaven ( Rev. 6: 9 - 11) and those on earth (John 14: 20; Col. 3: 1 - 3).
THE FIRST RESURRECTION
Many authors, pastors, Bible College professors and ministries teach that the first resurrection (Revelation 20: 4) is a physical (bodily) resurrection. Absolutely not! We read: I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years (Rev. 20: 4). ... This is the first resurrection. The first resurrection is a spiritual one. As believers die their souls go to heaven and they join in the millennial reign. When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained (Rev. 6: 9). These souls are in heaven before the resurrection which will take place at the last day. For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day (John 6: 39 - 40). The apostle Paul expressed: ... I desire to depart and be with Christ, ... (Phil. 1: 23).
THE GENERAL RESURRECTION When will the resurrection take place? 1) At the last day (John 6: 39 - 40). 2) At the last trumpet (1 Cor. 15: 50 - 52). 3) After the seventh angel sounds his trumpet (Rev. 11: 15 - 18). 4) When the thousand years are ended (Rev. 20: 5). The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. That is, at the end of the millennial reign.
Scripture unequivocally teaches one future resurrection of all the dead. Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out - those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned (John 5: 28 - 29). See also Daniel 12: 2; Acts 24: 15 and Revelation 14: 14 - 20. Since the coming of our Lord and the rapture will occur when the resurrection happens, and since the resurrection will occur when the thousand years are ended, therefore the coming of our Lord and the rapture will take place at the end of the thousand years, that is, at the end of the millennial reign (Rev. 20: 5). THE SECOND COMING - THE RESURRECTION - THE RAPTURE - THE JUDGMENT - THE ETERNAL REIGN
Dr. Charles Stanley was a dispensational premillennialist (HANDBOOK FOR CHRISTIAN LIVING). Dr. David Jeremiah is a dispensational premillennialist (WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GOING ON? , ESCAPE THE COMING NIGHT, THE GREAT DISAPPEARANCE, THE BOOK OF SIGNS). Rev. John Hagee is a dispensational premillennialist (Video - THE REVELATION OF THE RAPTURE). Dr. Paul B. Smith and Dr. Pat Robertson were historic premillennialists. The following authors were postmillennialists - John Owen, Jonathan Edwards and Charles Hodge. Historic premillennialism, Dispensational premillennialism and Postmillennialism are not only unscriptural but also Satanic. They reject the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ, his apostles and that of Dr. Luke.
Scripture unequivocally teaches that the second coming and the coming down from heaven for the rapture are a single event (Matt. 24: 29 - 31; Matt. 25: 31 - 33; Acts 3: 21; Col. 3: 4; 1 Pet. 4: 4; 2 Pet. 3: 3 - 7, 10, 13; 2 Tim. 4: 1; Titus 2: 13; Heb. 9; 27 - 28).
The second coming, the resurrection, the rapture and the judgment will occur at the last day, at the last trumpet, at the end of this age after the seventh angel sounds his trumpet, and at the end of the thousand years (John 6: 39 - 40; 1 Cor. 15: 50 - 54; Rev. 11: 15 - 18; Rev. 20: 5).
When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him,(this is the rapture) and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. ... Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life (Matt. 25: 31 - 33, 46).
THE FOLLOWING DIAGRAM SHOWS THE ACTIVITIES OF THE END TIMES
Our calculation shows that our Lord ministered for three and a half years or forty two months.
CopyrightⒸ 1985 by Rev. Joseph E. Mahabir (B.A Hons. (York University), M.Ed. (University of Toronto), Divinity M. A. (magna cum laude), (Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA). "Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright c 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible
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Wed, Jul 30th - 11:53AM
THE FIRST COVENANT God made the first covenant with the Israelites as they were on their way to the promised land. The covenant contained laws, regulations, holy days, sacrifices with the blood of animals and the ten commandments. The majority of the Israelites were not faithful to the covenant and God allowed all who came out of Egypt to die except Joshua and Caleb. God promised the people that he would make a new covenant with them. Under the first covenant the Israelites were the chosen people (Exod. 19: 5 - 6; Psalm 33: 12). "The time is coming," declares the Lord, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah" (Jer. 31: 31). THE NEW COVENANT The new covenant was put into effect through the precious blood of our Savior/ Messiah and LORD, Jesus Christ. Although God through the prophet Jeremiah, announced the new covenant to the people of Israel and the people of Judah (Jer. 31: 31), Scripture asserts that the new covenant is for the world. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3: 16). IS SALVATION PERMANENT OR CONDITIONAL? A number of people including pastors, authors, ministries and Bible Colleges teach that once a person is saved, he or she is always saved. Dr. Charles F. Stanley wrote: "Eternal life is received by grace through faith. It is a once-and-for-all-transaction that can never be undone. Because of the nature of God's grace, once you become a Christian, you are always a Christian" (p. 191, Handbook For Christian Living). Our Lord Jesus Christ taught: "Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved" (Matt. 24: 12).
Jesus said: "He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels" (Rev. 3: 5).
The author of the Book of Hebrews recorded: We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first (Heb. 3: 14). Our Lord encouraged believers as follows - Hold on to what you have so that you will have your crown when I come. I am coming soon (Rev. 3: 11). Could a person shipwreck his/her faith? Certainly! Let us read what the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy. Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that following them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith. Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme (1 Tim. 1: 18 - 20).
Is salvation permanent or conditional? You be the judge.
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Tue, Jul 29th - 5:50PM
THE SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH TEACHES 1) The observance of the Sabbath law The Sabbath Law was given to the Israelites. They are to keep my laws and my decrees for all my appointed feasts, and they are to keep my Sabbaths (Ezek. 44: 24). What did the Sabbath law require? Moses said to the Israelites, this is what you are commanded to do. "For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day shall be your holy day, a Sabbath of rest to the Lord. Whoever does any work on it must be put to death. Do not light a fire in any of your dwellings on the Sabbath day (Exod. 35: When the first covenant became obsolete (Heb. 8: 13), the Sabbath law also became obsolete. All the laws and regulations under the first covenant were done away with. When our Lord and Savior breathed his last, the curtain in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom exposing the Holy of Holies (Matt. 27: 50 - 51). No longer was there need for a human high priest and animal sacrifices. Jesus was the final sacrifice. He is our heavenly high priest "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess" (Heb. 4: 14). When the first covenant became obsolete, Judaism had run its course. The new covenant was now in effect. Under the new covenant, there are no laws and regulations. Born again believers operate on the fruit of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit (Gal. 5: 22 - 23; Rom. 12: 6 - 8; 1 Cor. 12: 7 - 11). "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law" (Gal. 5: 22 - 23). " We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully" (Rom. 12: 6 - 8). The Colossians had strict counsel from the apostle Paul: Do not allow anyone judge you by what you eat or drink or regarding a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath Day. These were only a shadow. The reality is found in Chris (Col. 2: 16 - 17).
The new covenant is based on faith and faith alone.
2) Two future resurrections separated by a thousand years.
2 This concept is not found in Scripture. Scripture consistently teaches one future resurrection of all the dead.
Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out - those who have done good will rise to live and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned (John 5: 28 - 29). See also Daniel 12: 2; Acts 24: 15. 3) The souls of the righteous go to heaven for a thousand years after the resurrection at the second coming
No! The souls of the righteous go to heaven when they die and they will remain there until the second coming. Jesus will bring those souls with him and they will take part in the resurrection (1 Thess. 4: 14). After the judgment, those souls with all the righteous, in their glorious bodies, will live with God eternally in the Holy City, the new Jerusalem (Phil. 1: 23; 1 Thess. 4: 14 - 17; Matt. 25: 31 - 34, 46; Rev. 21: 1 - 7).
4) The souls of the wicked remain in the grave until the resurrection.
No! The souls of the wicked go to a prison in the lower, earthly regions. For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. ... (1 Pet. 3: 18 - 20). What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions (Eph. 4: 9).
5) Two future comings of our Lord, one at the time of the rapture and the other a thousand years later.
This teaching is not supported by Scripture. The apostle Peter informs us that there will be one future coming. It will take place on the day of judgment (the day of the Lord - the day of God). In the last days scoffers will ask where is the coming he promised (2 Pet. 3: 3 - 4). But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare" (2 Pet. 3: 10). ''But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness (2 Pet. 3: 13). But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare" (2 Pet. 3; 10). "But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness" (2 Pet. 3: 13).
6) The wicked will be slain at the time of the second coming of Christ and will be raised a thousand years later to receive their judgment and reward.
At the second coming of Christ, he will judge all nations (Matt. 25: 31 - 46). The righteous will go into eternal life and the unrighteous (the wicked) into eternal punishment. Eternity will commence then. There will be no more time (Matt. 25: 46; Rev. 11: 15 - 18).
7) The wicked will be destroyed forever at the end of the thousand years.
The wicked (the unrighteous) will not be destroyed forever. On the day of judgment, the wicked (the unrighteous) will go into eternal punishment (Matt. 25: 46).( 8) Satan and his evil angels will be confined to the desolated earth for a thousand years.
No! They will not be confined to the earth. After the judgment, Satan and his evil angels as well as all the unrighteous will go into eternal punishment (Matt. 25: 46). Their place of punishment will be the fiery lake of burning sulfur (Rev. 21: 8). Most likely in the lower, earthly regions (Eph. 4: 9; 1 Pet. 3: 1`8 - 20). "Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright c 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers." CopyrightⒸ 2024 by Rev. Joseph E. Mahabir (B.A Hons. (York University), M.Ed. (University of Toronto), Divinity M. A, (magna cum laude), (Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA).
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Tue, Jul 29th - 5:46PM
THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST The concept of the judgment seat of Christ is found in the apostle Paul's letter to the Corinthians. He writes: For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad (2 Cor. 5: 10). One day in the future which is known only by God the Father (Matt. 24: 36) all humanity will stand before our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. When Jesus comes in his glory with all his angels, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All nations will be made to stand before him. He will place the righteous on his right and the unrighteous on his left. Jesus will say to the righteous: Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance; the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. To those on his left, Jesus will say: Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels (Matt. 25: 31 - 34; 41). Believers will be evaluated (have been evaluated) by Jesus to receive rewards based on their work done during their lifetime. This judgment is based on the quality and faithfulness of the believers' work and how they used their time, gifts and resources for the Kingdom of God. (All born again believers have received gifts from the Holy Spirit to serve God). Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good (1 Cor. 12: 7). The prophet Micah was motivated by the Holy Spirit to address the social ills of his day. Judah had enjoyed economic prosperity which placed wealth and power in the hands of a few. This resulted in social injustice. He wrote: He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6: 8). The prophet's words to those in Judah who were engaged in unacceptable behavior apply to all people.
Note: italic - mine blue - scriptural quotation red - scriptural quotation (emphasis)
God has prepared good works in advance for born again believers to do (Ephesians 2: 10). See John 3: 3. Jesus promised that he will give rewards to believers for their faithfulness when he returns. Behold I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done (Revelation 22: 12). My prayer is that you will receive a rich reward. Sharing the good news of the Gospel is one of the good works which believers can do. Please send this study to friends and relatives and ask them to do the same. I pray God's richest blessings on your life and on the lives of your loved ones. Please read all the Scriptures. Matthew 25: 31 - 46 and Revelation 21: 1 - 8. Also Ephesians 3: 6 and Galatians 3: 26 - 29. If you do not have a Bible, please borrow one or better still buy one. I would like to recommend New International Version. Thanks for your involvement. Joseph Joseph E. Mahabir (Rev.) GOD LOVES YOU + JESUS DIED FOR YOU The Bible declares that there is one God (Deut. 6: 4) but He is revealed in three persons - God the Father (Matt. 3: 17; John 17: 24), God the Son (Jesus Christ) (John 1: 18; John 3; 16) and God the Holy Spirit (Gen. 1: 2; John 14: 26; Acts 16: 6 - 7; Eph. 4: 30). The first man and the first woman, Adam and Eve, were created to live forever but they gave in to the temptation that Satan, the devil, brought to them, thus causing death, spiritual death (separation from God) and physical death. You see when they gave in to Satan they broke God's commandment (Gen. 2: 17; Gen. 3: 6). Thus sin came into the human race. The sin of Adam and Eve has been passed on to all mankind; so whether we live good lives or not, do kind acts or not, we are still sinners because we cannot do anything to rid ourselves of this inherited or original sin. King David said that he was sinful from the time he was conceived (Psalm 51: 5). The Bible clearly teaches that all have sinned (Rom. 3: 23) and all will die because of sin (Rom. 6: 23). However, there is good news! God has provided a way out for mankind because he loves us. God the Father sent his one and only Son (John 3: 16), who is himself God (Isa. 9: 6; John 1: 1 - 3, 14; Heb. 1: 8, 10), to die for the sins of the world so that those who believe in Him will have everlasting life (John 3: 16; John 3: 36). We are informed that Jesus' death for us is a gift (Rom. 6: 23). This means that we do not have to work for the salvation that his death on the cross provides. We are saved by grace (God's kindness) through faith (a gift from God) and not by works (Eph. 2: 8 - 9). Jesus died for us while we were still sinners (Rom. 5: 8). He died for our sins and rose from the dead for our justification (clearing us from blame or guilt) (Rom. 4: 25). Once and for all times the death of Jesus on the cross paid the penalty for sin (Heb. 9: 28). This included all original or inherited sin as well as all the sins that have been committed, that are being committed and that will be committed by all human beings. Listen to the testimony of the prophet, the angel, the apostles and Jesus himself, 1) The virgin's child (Jesus) will be called Immanuel (Isa. 7: 14). Immanuel means God with us (Matt. 1: 23). This prophecy was recorded in about 700 B. C. 2) The son (Jesus) will be called - Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isa. 9: 6). 3) Jesus will save his people from their sins (Matt. 1: 21). 4) Jesus died for the sins of the world (Rom. 5: 8). 5) Jesus is the end of the law so that there is righteousness (righteous standing before God) for everyone who believes - Jews and Gentiles (see John 3: 16 - 17). 6) Jesus answered: I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14: 6). 7) Jesus will judge the living and the dead (2 Tim. 4: 1). The Bible teaches that although there is death, in the future all human beings will live eternally. The righteous (those who have received the gift of eternal life through Jesus) will live with God in bliss (great joy) (Rev. 21: 1 - 7) and the unrighteous (those who have rejected the gift of eternal life through Jesus) will live with Satan, the angels who rebelled with him and all unbelievers in torment (great pain - in the fiery lake of burning sulfur (Matt. 25: 41; Rev. 14: 9 - 11; Rev. 20: 10, 15; Rev. 21: 8). Anyone who receives Jesus, that is, believes that He is the Son of God and puts his/her trust in Him, becomes a child of God. We read in Scripture: Yet to all who received him , to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God (John 1; 12 -13; John 3: 16). As a child of God, He seals you with his Holy Spirit (Eph. 1: 13 - 14). Dear friend, will you receive Jesus or will you reject him? Perhaps the following prayer or one like it will be fitting. Remember, what is important is the faith that Jesus will save you. He is the only one who can save you (Acts 4: 12). Jesus said: I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life. I am the bread of life (John 6: 47 - 48). THE FOLLOWING PRAYER OR ONE LIKE IT WILL BE APPROPRIATE.
PRAYER Almighty God, I thank you that you sent Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of the world. Lord Jesus, I thank you that you died for my sins. Heavenly Father I believe that you raised him from the dead as the Bible declares. Jesus, I confess my sins to you and I repent of them. Thank you Jesus for forgiving me of my sins. I now receive you into my heart as my Savior/Messiah and Lord. Lord Jesus, please fulfil your plan for my life through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
What follows your acceptance of Jesus Christ as your Savior/Messiah? Your faithfulness to Jesus is important. The Holy Spirit who seals believers (Eph. 1: 13 - 14) can enable you to be faithful (Eph. 4: 30). Jesus said: Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved (Matt. 24: 12 - 13). The author of the Book of Hebrews wrote: We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first (Hebrews 3: 14). FAITHFULNESS You can show your faithfulness by: 1) Praying regularly (1 Thess. 5: 17) 2) Reading the Bible daily (Psalm 119: 105, 160) 3) Making Jesus Lord of your life (Prov. 3: 5 - 12) 4) Meeting with believers (Heb. 10: 25) 5) Doing the good works which God has prepared in advance for you to do (Eph. 2: 10) 6) Giving to God's work (Mal. 3: 8 - 10; Luke 6: 38; 2 Cor. 9: 6 - 8) 7) Soul winning (telling others about Jesus) (Prov. 11: 30; John 15: 8, 16) 8) Loving others (John 15: 12; 1 John 3: 18) As Christians, we are not perfect. We still make mistakes. When we do, we can confess our sins to Jesus and he will forgive us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1: 9). REWARDS When Jesus comes He will give rewards to believers for faithfulness (Matt. 10: 42; Luke 14: 13 - 14; 1 Cor. 9: 25; Rev. 22: 12). Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done (Rev. 22: 12). ETERNITY With whom will you spend eternity? Will you spend it with God in bliss (great joy) or with Satan in torment (great pain)? Remember, God loves you and He wants you to spend eternity with Him (1 Tim. 2: 3 - 4; 2 Pet. 3: 9). May God use this study to bring honor and glory to His name. Please click the following links for more information.
http://blogs.christiansunite.com/mahabir
http://blogs.christiansunite.com/hpesoj
NOTE - (italic mine) purple - scriptural quotation red - explanation
CopyrightⒸ 2006 by Rev. Joseph E. Mahabir (B.A Hons. (York University), M.Ed. (University of Toronto), Divinity M. A. (magna cum laude), (Regent University, Virginia Beach, V
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Tue, Jul 29th - 5:40PM
CORRECTING THEOLOGICAL ERRORS HANDBOOK FOR CHRISTIAN LIVING Dr. Charles F. Stanley Dr. Charles Stanley was an excellent Bible teacher but when writing on the end times he made several errors. He wrote: 1) Paul believed that Jesus' return was imminent ( p. 279). UNSCRIPTURAL In writing to the Thessalonian believers, the apostle Paul cautioned them about deceivers. He informed them that the coming of the Lord and the rapture will take place on the day of the Lord. He also told them that those events will be preceded by two signs. 1) There will be a rebellion against God (many believers will fall away from the faith). 2) The man of lawlessness (the Antichrist) will be revealed. Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction (2 Thess. 2: 3). The apostle Peter states that the day of the Lord is the day of judgment (2 Pet. 3: 7, 10). He writes: But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare ( 2 Pet. 3: 10). The conclusion is that Jesus will remain in heaven until the day of judgment, making the second coming and the coming down from heaven for the rapture a single event. When he comes he will gather all nations before him. He will carry out the judgment. The righteous will go into eternal life and the unrighteous into eternal punishment. God will create a new heaven and a new earth and he will reign eternally (Matt. 25: 31 - 46; Rev. 11: 15 - 18). After the seventh angel sounded his trumpet, loud voices in heaven proclaimed: The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever (Rev. 11: 15). 2) Because the saints of God had been raptured before all this, the restraining power of the Holy Spirit is gone (2 Thess. 2: 6 - 8) (p. 267). UNSCRIPTURAL Our Lord Jesus Christ assured his disciples that he will be with them till the very end of the age. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age (Matt. 28: 20). If Jesus will be with believers till the very end of the age, then the Holy Spirit will be with us till the end of the age because the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Jesus. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus (the Holy Spirit) would not allow them to (Acts 16: 7). Also, Jesus said to his disciples - If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor (the Holy Spirit) to be with you forever - the Spirit of truth (John 14: 15 - 17). The restraining power of the Holy Spirit will be with us till the very end of the age. 3)3Dr. Stanley taught two future comings, one at the time of the rapture and the other at the end of the tribulation. UNSCRIPTURAL Our Lord Jesus Christ taught one future coming. When Jesus comes in his glory with all the angels, he will sit on his heavenly throne. He will gather all nations before him. He will place the righteous on his right and the unrighteous on his left. ... The unrighteous will go away to eternal punishment and the righteous to eternal life (Matt. 25: 31 - 33, 46). The righteous will spend eternity in the Holy City, the new Jerusalem and the unrighteous in the fiery lake of burning sulfur (Rev. 21: 1 - 8). 4) In the premillennial scheme of things, Israel and the church are two distinct entities. (p. 276). UNSCRIPTURAL Under the new covenant, there is no distinction between a Gentile born again believer and a Jewish born again believer. The apostle Paul explained the mystery of Christ to the Ephesian believers. He wrote: This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus (Eph. 3: 6). | | 5) The peace that has escaped the world thus far will be the benchmark of the thousand year reign of Christ known as the Millennium. Satan will be bound and Christ will be in charge (p. 274). UNSCRIPTURAL Dr. Stanley saw the thousand years as being fulfilled in the future. The word of God shows that the thousand years are now in progress. Dr. Luke tells us that Jesus must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything. He writes: "He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets" (Acts 3: 21). The apostle Peter informs us that God will restore everything on the day of judgment by creating a new heaven and a new earth ( 2 Pet. 3: 13). “But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness” ( 2 Pet. 3: 13). The conclusion is that Jesus will remain in heaven until the day of judgment; proving that the second coming and the coming down from heaven for the rapture are the same event ( Matt. 24: 29 - 31; Matt. 25: 31 - 46; Col. 3: 4; 1 Thess. 4: 16 - 17; 2 Tim. 4: 1; Titus 2: 13;Heb. 9: 27 - 28; Rev. 14: 14 - 20). Since eternity will commence on the day of judgment at the coming of Jesus ( Matt. 25: 31 - 32, 46). therefore the thousand years recorded in Revelation 20 : 1 - 7 cannot follow the second coming as some teach. The thousand years must precede the second coming since time and eternity cannot coexist. Also, Scripture informs us that the resurrection will take place after the thousand years are ended. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years are ended (Rev. 20: 5). This means that the second coming, the resurrection, the rapture and the judgment will take place at the end of the millennial reign. We read in Scripture after the sounding of the seventh trumpet: The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever (Rev. 11: 15).
NOTE - (italic - mine) blue - scriptural quotation purple - scriptural paraphrase red - Dr. Stanley's concepts
"Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright c 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers." CopyrightⒸ 2024 by Rev. Joseph E. Mahabir (B.A Hons. (York University), M.Ed. (University of Toronto), Divinity M. A, (magna cum laude), (Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA).
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Tue, Jul 29th - 5:38PM
THE BOOK OF SIGNS Dr. David Jeremiah
Dr. David Jeremiah is an excellent Bible teacher but he made several errors in his writing on the end times. He writes: 1) I believe there will be two stages to the second coming of Christ. First, He will come suddenly in the air to snatch up his own. This is the Rapture, the "catching up" of the church, which will occur at the beginning of the Tribulation that is coming upon the earth (p. 156). UNSCRIPTURAL A two-stage second coming imply two future resurrections. But Scripture unequivocally teaches one future resurrection of all the dead. Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out - those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned (John 5: 28 - 29). See also Daniel 12: 2; Acts 24: 15
A two stage second coming is not supported by Scripture. When writing to believers in Thessalonica, the apostle Paul informed them that the coming of our Lord and the rapture will take place on the day of the Lord. He gave them strict warning about deceivers (2 Thess. 2: 1 - 3). Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction (2 Thess. 2: 3).
The apostle Peter tells us that the day of the Lord is the day of judgment.
Mockers will say, he promised that he would come. Where is his coming? ... The day of the Lord will come in the same manner as a thief - unexpectedly! (see 2 Thess. 2: 1 - 3). ...The heavens will disappear with a loud noise; fire will destroy the elements, and the earth and everything in it will be flattened. ... But we are looking out for a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness, as he has promised (2 Pet. 3: 4, 10, 13). Since the coming of our Lord and the rapture will occur on the day of the Lord (2 Thess., 2: 1 - 3), and since the day of the Lord is the day of judgment (2 Pet. 3: 3, 7, 10, 13), therefore, the second coming and the coming down from heaven for the rapture will be the same event (Matt. 24: 29 - 31; Matt. 25: 31 - 34; Col. 3: 4; 1 Thess. 4: 16 - 17; 2 Tim. 4: 1; Titus 2: 13; Heb. 9: 27 - 28; Rev. 14: 14 - 20).
2) No signs will be given to prepare us for the arrival of the Rapture. It can occur at any moment - possibly before you finish reading this chapter (p. 157). UNSCRIPTURAL There are three verses in Scripture which Dr. Jeremiah did not consider. 2 Thessalonians 2 : 1 - 3 tell that the coming of our Lord and the rapture will occur on the day of the Lord and they will be preceded by two signs. 1) There will be a rebellion and 2) The man of lawlessness (the Antichrist) will be revealed. Regarding the coming of Jesus and our gathering before him, we request you not to become concerned by a prophecy, letter or report stating that it came from us telling that the day of the Lord has already happened. Don't be deceived in any way. There will be a rebellion and the Antichrist will be revealed before the rapture takes place (2 Thess. 2: 3).
3) The Rapture is the event in which all who have put their trust in Jesus Christ will be suddenly caught up from the earth and taken into heaven by Him. It is set to occur at an unspecified time in the future (p. 155). UNSCRIPTURAL Contrary to Dr. Jeremiah's teaching the rapture will involve all humanity from the creation of the world to the last person to be born before the second coming of our Lord. When Jesus comes in his glory accompanied by all the angels, he will sit on his heavenly throne. He will gather all people before him. He will place the righteous on his right and the unrighteous on his left. Jesus will say to the righteous: 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ... (Matt. 25: 31 - 34). Jesus will say to the unrighteous: 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels (Matt. 25: 41).
4) The millennium is a literal period of a thousand years, which is scheduled for the future and will begin when Jesus comes again at the end of history to set up His earthly kingdom (p. 366). UNSCRIPTURAL
THE THOUSAND YEARS (Rev. 20: 1 - 7) INTERPRETING SCRIPTURE
We do not use our own understanding to interpret Scripture. We use Scripture to interpret Scripture. Dr. Luke tells us that Jesus must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything. He writes: "He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets" (Acts 3: 21). The apostle Peter informs us that God will restore everything on the day of judgment by creating a new heaven and a new earth ( 2 Pet. 3: 13). “But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness” ( 2 Pet. 3: 13). The conclusion is that Jesus will remain in heaven until the day of judgment; showing that the second coming and the coming down from heaven for the rapture will be the same event ( Matt. 24: 29 - 31; Matt. 25: 31 - 33; Col. 3: 4; 2 Tim. 4: 1; Titus 2: 13; Heb. 9: 27 - 28; Rev. 14: 14 - 20).
Since eternity will commence on the day of judgment at the coming of Jesus ( Matt. 25: 31 - 32, 46; Rev. 11: 15 - 18). therefore the thousand years recorded in Revelation 20 : 1 - 7 cannot follow the second coming as some teach. The thousand years must precede the second coming since time and eternity cannot coexist. Also, Scripture informs us that the resurrection will take place after the thousand years are ended. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years are ended (Rev. 20: 5). This means that the second coming, the resurrection, the rapture and the judgment will take place at the end of the millennial reign. We read in Scripture after the sounding of the seventh trumpet: The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever (Rev. 11: 15).
NOTE - (italic - mine) blue - scriptural quotation purple - scriptural paraphrase red - Dr. Jeremiah's concepts
"Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright c 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible
ESCHATOLOGY What is eschatology?
Eschatology is the study of theology dealing with the four last things – death, judgment, heaven and hell. Eschatology is derived from the Greek word, eschatos, meaning last or final. Eschatological theories are named using Latin and English words. There are four theories. 1) HISTORIC PREMILLENNIALISM 2)DISPENSATIONAL PREMILLENNIALISM 3) POSTMILLENNIALISM 4) AMILLENNIALISM
Millennium, meaning a thousand years, is made up of two Latin words mille (a thousand) and annus (year). Millennium is used for the thousand years recorded in Revelation 20: 1 - 7.
Historic Premillennialism teaches that the second coming of Jesus will occur at the end of the Tribulation before the commencement of the thousand years recorded in Revelation 20: 1 - 7.
Dispensational Premillennialism teaches two future comings of Jesus, one at the time of the rapture and one at the end of the Tribulation. The Tribulation will be followed by a thousand years as recorded in Revelation 20: 1-7. The thousand years are literal. There are three groups of dispensational premillennialists. The pretribulation rapture group, the mid-tribulation rapture group and the pre-wrath rapture group.
Postmillennialism teaches that the Second Coming of Jesus will take place after the thousand years. The thousand years are literal. Postmillennialism teaches that the world will be Christianized.
Amillennialism teaches that the Second Coming of Jesus will take place at the close of the Tribulation. The thousand years of Revelation 20: 1-7 are not literal and future. They are symbolic and cover an extended period of time. They are in progress now.
A careful study of the Scriptures will show that Amillennialism is the only valid theory.
THE MILLENNIAL REIGN
Since our Lord is reigning now ( 1 Cor. 15: 25 - 26), and since he will commence his eternal reign after he judges all nations ( Matt. 25: 31 - 32, 46; Rev. 11: 15 - 18), therefore his present reign must be his millennial. The millennial reign is now in progress. It is in heaven. Our Lord is reigning with his saints, those in heaven ( Rev. 6: 9 - 11) and those on earth (John 14: 20; Col. 3: 1 - 3).
THE FIRST RESURRECTION
Many authors, pastors, Bible College professors and ministries teach that the first resurrection (Revelation 20: 4) is a physical (bodily) resurrection. Absolutely not! We read: I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years (Rev. 20: 4). ... This is the first resurrection. The first resurrection is a spiritual one. As believers die their souls go to heaven and they join in the millennial reign. When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained (Rev. 6: 9). These souls are in heaven before the resurrection which will take place at the last day. For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day (John 6: 39 - 40). The apostle Paul expressed: ... I desire to depart and be with Christ, ... (Phil. 1: 23).
THE GENERAL RESURRECTION When will the resurrection take place? 1) At the last day (John 6: 39 - 40). 2) At the last trumpet (1 Cor. 15: 50 - 52). 3) After the seventh angel sounds his trumpet (Rev. 11: 15 - 18). 4) When the thousand years are ended (Rev. 20: 5). The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. That is, at the end of the millennial reign.
Scripture unequivocally teaches one future resurrection of all the dead. Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out - those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned (John 5: 28 - 29). See also Daniel 12: 2; Acts 24: 15 and Revelation 14: 14 - 20. Since the coming of our Lord and the rapture will occur when the resurrection happens, and since the resurrection will occur when the thousand years are ended, therefore the coming of our Lord and the rapture will take place at the end of the thousand years, that is, at the end of the millennial reign (Rev. 20: 5). THE SECOND COMING - THE RESURRECTION - THE RAPTURE - THE JUDGMENT - THE ETERNAL REIGN
Dr. Charles Stanley was a dispensational premillennialist (HANDBOOK FOR CHRISTIAN LIVING). Dr. David Jeremiah is a dispensational premillennialist (WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GOING ON? , ESCAPE THE COMING NIGHT, THE GREAT DISAPPEARANCE, THE BOOK OF SIGNS). Rev. John Hagee is a dispensational premillennialist (Video - THE REVELATION OF THE RAPTURE). Dr. Paul B. Smith and Dr. Pat Robertson were historic premillennialists. The following authors were postmillennialists - John Owen, Jonathan Edwards and Charles Hodge. Historic premillennialism, Dispensational premillennialism and Postmillennialism are not only unscriptural but also Satanic. They reject the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ, his apostles and that of Dr. Luke.
Scripture unequivocally teaches that the second coming and the coming down from heaven for the rapture are a single event (Matt. 24: 29 - 31; Matt. 25: 31 - 33; Acts 3: 21; Col. 3: 4; 1 Pet. 4: 4; 2 Pet. 3: 3 - 7, 10, 13; 2 Tim. 4: 1; Titus 2: 13; Heb. 9; 27 - 28).
The second coming, the resurrection, the rapture and the judgment will occur at the last day, at the last trumpet, at the end of this age after the seventh angel sounds his trumpet, and at the end of the thousand years (John 6: 39 - 40; 1 Cor. 15: 50 - 54; Rev. 11: 15 - 18; Rev. 20: 5).
When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him,(this is the rapture) and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. ... Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life (Matt. 25: 31 - 33, 46).
THE FOLLOWING DIAGRAM SHOWS THE ACTIVITIES OF THE END TIMES
Our calculation shows that our Lord ministered for three and a half years or forty two months.
CopyrightⒸ 1985 by Rev. Joseph E. Mahabir (B.A Hons. (York University), M.Ed. (University of Toronto), Divinity M. A. (magna cum laude), (Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA). "Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright c 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible
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Tue, Jul 29th - 5:34PM
THE FIRST COVENANT God made the first covenant with the Israelites as they were on their way to the promised land. The covenant contained laws, regulations, holy days, sacrifices with the blood of animals and the ten commandments. The majority of the Israelites were not faithful to the covenant and God allowed all who came out of Egypt to die except Joshua and Caleb. God promised the people that he would make a new covenant with them. Under the first covenant the Israelites were the chosen people (Exod. 19: 5 - 6; Psalm 33: 12). "The time is coming," declares the Lord, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah" (Jer. 31: 31). THE NEW COVENANT The new covenant was put into effect through the precious blood of our Savior/ Messiah and LORD, Jesus Christ. Although God through the prophet Jeremiah, announced the new covenant to the people of Israel and the people of Judah (Jer. 31: 31), Scripture asserts that the new covenant is for the world. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3: 16). IS SALVATION PERMANENT OR CONDITIONAL? A number of people including pastors, authors, ministries and Bible Colleges teach that once a person is saved, he or she is always saved. Dr. Charles F. Stanley wrote: "Eternal life is received by grace through faith. It is a once-and-for-all-transaction that can never be undone. Because of the nature of God's grace, once you become a Christian, you are always a Christian" (p. 191, Handbook For Christian Living). Our Lord Jesus Christ taught: "Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved" (Matt. 24: 12).
Jesus said: "He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels" (Rev. 3: 5).
The author of the Book of Hebrews recorded: We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first (Heb. 3: 14). Our Lord encouraged believers as follows - Hold on to what you have so that you will have your crown when I come. I am coming soon (Rev. 3: 11). Could a person shipwreck his/her faith? Certainly! Let us read what the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy. Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that following them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith. Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme (1 Tim. 1: 18 - 20).
Is salvation permanent or conditional? You be the judge.
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Sun, Jul 27th - 3:06PM
THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST The concept of the judgment seat of Christ is found in the apostle Paul's letter to the Corinthians. He writes: For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad (2 Cor. 5: 10). One day in the future which is known only by God the Father (Matt. 24: 36) all humanity will stand before our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. When Jesus comes in his glory with all his angels, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All nations will be made to stand before him. He will place the righteous on his right and the unrighteous on his left. Jesus will say to the righteous: Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance; the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. To those on his left, Jesus will say: Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels (Matt. 25: 31 - 34; 41). Believers will be evaluated (have been evaluated) by Jesus to receive rewards based on their work done during their lifetime. This judgment is based on the quality and faithfulness of the believers' work and how they used their time, gifts and resources for the Kingdom of God. (All born again believers have received gifts from the Holy Spirit to serve God). Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good (1 Cor. 12: 7). The prophet Micah was motivated by the Holy Spirit to address the social ills of his day. Judah had enjoyed economic prosperity which placed wealth and power in the hands of a few. This resulted in social injustice. He wrote: He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6: 8). The prophet's words to those in Judah who were engaged in unacceptable behavior applies to all people.
Note: italic - mine blue - scriptural quotation red - scriptural quotation (emphasis)
God has prepared good works in advance for born again believers to do (Ephesians 2: 10). See John 3: 3. Jesus promised that he will give rewards to believers for their faithfulness when he returns. Behold I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done (Revelation 22: 12). My prayer is that you will receive a rich reward. Sharing the good news of the Gospel is one of the good works which believers can do. Please send this study to friends and relatives and ask them to do the same. I pray God's richest blessings on your life and on the lives of your loved ones. Please read all the Scriptures. Matthew 25: 31 - 46 and Revelation 21: 1 - 8. Also Ephesians 3: 6 and Galatians 3: 26 - 29. If you do not have a Bible, please borrow one or better still buy one. I would like to recommend New International Version. Thanks for your involvement. Joseph Joseph E. Mahabir (Rev.) GOD LOVES YOU + JESUS DIED FOR YOU The Bible declares that there is one God (Deut. 6: 4) but He is revealed in three persons - God the Father (Matt. 3: 17; John 17: 24), God the Son (Jesus Christ) (John 1: 18; John 3; 16) and God the Holy Spirit (Gen. 1: 2; John 14: 26; Acts 16: 6 - 7; Eph. 4: 30). The first man and the first woman, Adam and Eve, were created to live forever but they gave in to the temptation that Satan, the devil, brought to them, thus causing death, spiritual death (separation from God) and physical death. You see when they gave in to Satan they broke God's commandment (Gen. 2: 17; Gen. 3: 6). Thus sin came into the human race. The sin of Adam and Eve has been passed on to all mankind; so whether we live good lives or not, do kind acts or not, we are still sinners because we cannot do anything to rid ourselves of this inherited or original sin. King David said that he was sinful from the time he was conceived (Psalm 51: 5). The Bible clearly teaches that all have sinned (Rom. 3: 23) and all will die because of sin (Rom. 6: 23). However, there is good news! God has provided a way out for mankind because he loves us. God the Father sent his one and only Son (John 3: 16), who is himself God (Isa. 9: 6; John 1: 1 - 3, 14; Heb. 1: 8, 10), to die for the sins of the world so that those who believe in Him will have everlasting life (John 3: 16; John 3: 36). We are informed that Jesus' death for us is a gift (Rom. 6: 23). This means that we do not have to work for the salvation that his death on the cross provides. We are saved by grace (God's kindness) through faith (a gift from God) and not by works (Eph. 2: 8 - 9). Jesus died for us while we were still sinners (Rom. 5: 8). He died for our sins and rose from the dead for our justification (clearing us from blame or guilt) (Rom. 4: 25). Once and for all times the death of Jesus on the cross paid the penalty for sin (Heb. 9: 28). This included all original or inherited sin as well as all the sins that have been committed, that are being committed and that will be committed by all human beings. Listen to the testimony of the prophet, the angel, the apostles and Jesus himself, 1) The virgin's child (Jesus) will be called Immanuel (Isa. 7: 14). Immanuel means God with us (Matt. 1: 23). This prophecy was recorded in about 700 B. C. 2) The son (Jesus) will be called - Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isa. 9: 6). 3) Jesus will save his people from their sins (Matt. 1: 21). 4) Jesus died for the sins of the world (Rom. 5: 8). 5) Jesus is the end of the law so that there is righteousness (righteous standing before God) for everyone who believes - Jews and Gentiles (see John 3: 16 - 17). 6) Jesus answered: I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14: 6). 7) Jesus will judge the living and the dead (2 Tim. 4: 1). The Bible teaches that although there is death, in the future all human beings will live eternally. The righteous (those who have received the gift of eternal life through Jesus) will live with God in bliss (great joy) (Rev. 21: 1 - 7) and the unrighteous (those who have rejected the gift of eternal life through Jesus) will live with Satan, the angels who rebelled with him and all unbelievers in torment (great pain - in the fiery lake of burning sulfur (Matt. 25: 41; Rev. 14: 9 - 11; Rev. 20: 10, 15; Rev. 21: 8). Anyone who receives Jesus, that is, believes that He is the Son of God and puts his/her trust in Him, becomes a child of God. We read in Scripture: Yet to all who received him , to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God (John 1; 12 -13; John 3: 16). As a child of God, He seals you with his Holy Spirit (Eph. 1: 13 - 14). Dear friend, will you receive Jesus or will you reject him? Perhaps the following prayer or one like it will be fitting. Remember, what is important is the faith that Jesus will save you. He is the only one who can save you (Acts 4: 12). Jesus said: I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life. I am the bread of life (John 6: 47 - 48). THE FOLLOWING PRAYER OR ONE LIKE IT WILL BE APPROPRIATE.
PRAYER Almighty God, I thank you that you sent Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of the world. Lord Jesus, I thank you that you died for my sins. Heavenly Father I believe that you raised him from the dead as the Bible declares. Jesus, I confess my sins to you and I repent of them. Thank you Jesus for forgiving me of my sins. I now receive you into my heart as my Savior/Messiah and Lord. Lord Jesus, please fulfil your plan for my life through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
What follows your acceptance of Jesus Christ as your Savior/Messiah? Your faithfulness to Jesus is important. The Holy Spirit who seals believers (Eph. 1: 13 - 14) can enable you to be faithful (Eph. 4: 30). Jesus said: Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved (Matt. 24: 12 - 13). The author of the Book of Hebrews wrote: We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first (Hebrews 3: 14). FAITHFULNESS You can show your faithfulness by: 1) Praying regularly (1 Thess. 5: 17) 2) Reading the Bible daily (Psalm 119: 105, 160) 3) Making Jesus Lord of your life (Prov. 3: 5 - 12) 4) Meeting with believers (Heb. 10: 25) 5) Doing the good works which God has prepared in advance for you to do (Eph. 2: 10) 6) Giving to God's work (Mal. 3: 8 - 10; Luke 6: 38; 2 Cor. 9: 6 - 8) 7) Soul winning (telling others about Jesus) (Prov. 11: 30; John 15: 8, 16) 8) Loving others (John 15: 12; 1 John 3: 18) As Christians, we are not perfect. We still make mistakes. When we do, we can confess our sins to Jesus and he will forgive us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1: 9). REWARDS When Jesus comes He will give rewards to believers for faithfulness (Matt. 10: 42; Luke 14: 13 - 14; 1 Cor. 9: 25; Rev. 22: 12). Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done (Rev. 22: 12). ETERNITY With whom will you spend eternity? Will you spend it with God in bliss (great joy) or with Satan in torment (great pain)? Remember, God loves you and He wants you to spend eternity with Him (1 Tim. 2: 3 - 4; 2 Pet. 3: 9). May God use this study to bring honor and glory to His name. Please click the following links for more information.
http://blogs.christiansunite.com/mahabir
http://blogs.christiansunite.com/hpesoj
NOTE - (italic mine) purple - scriptural quotation red - explanation
CopyrightⒸ 2006 by Rev. Joseph E. Mahabir (B.A Hons. (York University), M.Ed. (University of Toronto), Divinity M. A. (magna cum laude), (Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA). "Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright c 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible
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Name: Joseph Mahabir
