Mon, Apr 20th - 5:48PM
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FUTURE AND ANSWERS FROM THE WORD OF GOD This study will enable you to detect unscriptural (false) teaching.
God speaks to us through his Word. When we reject his Word, we are disobedient. There will be a consequence for disobedience. Remember Moses and Aaron (Num. 20: 6)!
We read concerning Scripture:
All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training for righteous living so that a servant of God will be well prepared for works of service (2 Tim. 3:16).
No prophecy was given by the prophet's own understanding. But prophets spoke as they were inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Pet. 1: 20-21).
A servant of God must make every effort to correctly explain the truth of Scripture (2 Tim. 2: 15).
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1) Will the saints be exposed to the rule of the Antichrist? Certainly!
a) The saints will be handed over to him.
" ... The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times and half a time" (Dan. 7: 25).
b) The Antichrist will make war against the saints.
"He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. ..." (Rev.13:7).
2) How long will the tribulation last?
There is scriptural evidence that the tribulation will last for three and a half years or forty-two months.
a) "He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints and try to change the set times and the laws. The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times and half a time" (Dan. 7:25).
b) "The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for forty-two months" (Rev. 13:5).
3) Will there be more than one coming (appearing) of our LORD? No! (Matt. 24: 29-31, 36-41; Matt. 25: 31-46; Col.3:4; 2 Thess. 1:6-10; 2 Tim. 4:1; Titus 2:13; Heb. 9:27-28; 2 Pet.3; Rev. 1:7).
4) Will there be more than one resurrection? No! (Dan. 12:2; John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15).
5) Will there be more than one day of judgment? No! (John 12: 48; Acts 17: 31; 2 Tim. 4: 1; Heb. 9 ; 27; 1 Pet. 4: 4 - 5; 2 Pet. 3: 7; Rev. 11: 18).(John 12:48; Acts 17:31; 2 Tim. 4:1; Heb. 9:27; 1 Pet. 4
6) What is the rapture?
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.
The rapture is:
a) The gathering of people before Jesus (Matt. 25:32).
b) The gathering of people to Jesus (2 Thess. 2:1)
c) The catching up of people in the clouds to meet Jesus (1 Thess. 4:17).
d) Appearing with Christ in glory (Col 3:4).
e) The gathering of the Lord's elect (Matt. 24: 31).
7) When will the rapture take place?
Since there will be only one resurrection of all the dead, therefore, the rapture will take place when the resurrection occurs (Dan. 12:2; John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15).
8) When will the resurrection happen?
a) On the day of the LORD, after the man of lawlessness (NIV), (the Antichrist), is revealed (2 Thess. 2:1-4).
b) At the last day (John 6:39-40).
c) At the last trumpet (1 Cor. 15:50-52).
d) On the day of restoration (Acts 3:21).
e) After the seventh angel sounds his trumpet (Rev. 11:18).
f) On the day of judgment ( the day of the LORD, the day of God (2 Pet. 3:3-13). (see 1 Cor. 15:20-23; 1 Thess. 4: 16-17).
g) At the end of the thousand years (Rev. 20: 5).
9) What is the day of the LORD?
The day of the LORD is not an extended period of time, as some teach. The day of the LORD is a moment in the future known only by God the Father.
"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in haven nor the Son, but only the Father" (Matt. 24: 29 - 31; Mark 13: 32 ).
When that moment arrives, God the Father through our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit will interrupt and terminate time and usher in eternity.
" ... 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).
10) When will the thousand years be fulfilled?
The apostle Peter informs us that there will be one coming of our LORD. It will occur on the day of judgement (the day of the LORD- the day of God), when God will restore everything by creating a new heaven and a new earth (2 Pet. 3:3-13).
We read:
"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).
Since God will create a new heaven and a new earth on the day of judgement at the second coming of our LORD, therefore, the thousand years (Rev. 20:1-7) cannot follow the second coming. THEY MUST PRECEDE IT because time and eternity cannot coexist.
11) Are the thousand years literal?
The thousand years are not literal. They are symbolic and cover an extended period of time.
12) Are both thousand years of the same duration (Rev. 20:2; Rev 20:4)?
Both thousand years are of the same duration, since our calculation of the length of our LORD's ministry was shown to be three and a half years long and the tribulation period will be three and a half years long (Dan 7: 25; Rev. 13:5-8).
The events of the end times are presented in the following diagram. The calculation shows that our LORD ministered for three and a half years or forty- two months.
13) When did the thousand years begin?
In the case of Satan, the thousand years began at the commencement of our LORD's ministry ( Rev. 20: 2; Matt. 12: 29), and they will end when he is set free for a short time ( Rev. 12: 12; Rev. 20: 3).
Regarding our LORD, the thousand years began at his ascension ( Rev. 20: 4; Acts 1: 9 - 11), and they will end when he comes again (Matt. 25: 31; 1 Cor. 15: 22 - 23; 1 Thess. 4: 16 - 17; 2 Thess. 1: 6 - 10; Heb. 9: 27 - 28; 1 Pet. 4: 4 - 5; 2 Pet. 3: 7 - 10). 14)
14) When will the eternal reign commence? The eternal reign will commence after the sounding of the seventh trumpet. The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: '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). We learn from the apostle Peter that God will restore everything on the day of judgment by creating a new heaven and a new earth ( 2 Pet. 3: 7 - 13). When our LORD, Jesus Christ, comes on the day of judgment, at the last day, at the last trumpet, the resurrection of all the dead will occur and he will judge all nations (Matt. 13: 36 - 43; Matt. 25: 31 - 46; John 5: 28 - 29; John 6: 39 - 40; 1 Cor. 15: 22 - 23; 1 Cor. 15: 50 - 52; 1 Thess. 4: 16 - 17; 1 Pet. 4: 4 - 5; 2 Pet. 3: 4, 7, 10, 13; Rev. 11: 18). The righteous will go into eternal life in glorious bodies in their new home, the Holy City, the new Jerusalem and the unrighteous into eternal punishment, in the fiery lake of burning sulfur ( Matt. 13: 36 - 43; Matt. 25: 31 - 46; Rev. 11: 18; Rev. 14: 14 - 20).
15) What about God's eternal day?
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the LORD Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body ( Phil. 3: 20 - 21 ).
… Then the LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with him. On that day there will be no light, no cold or frost. It will be a unique day, without daytime or nighttime - a day known to the LORD" ( Zech. 14: 5 - 7, 9).
16) What is the mystery of God ( Rev. 10: 7).
Is it the mystery that the apostle Paul revealed to the Corinthians: 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 (1 Cor. 15: 51 - 52).
NOTE Since there will be only one coming of our LORD, therefore, the second coming and the coming down from heaven for the rapture must be the same event ( 2 Pet. 3: 3 - 13; Matt. 25: 31; 1 Thess. 4: 16 - 17).
Since God will create a new heaven and a new earth on the day of judgment, at the second coming of our LORD, therefore, the thousand years recorded in Revelation 20: 1-7 cannot follow the second coming. THEY MUST PRECEDE IT BECAUSE TIME AND ETERNITY CANNOT COEXIST. The millennium is now in progress.
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 Publishers."
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Mon, Apr 20th - 5:42PM
GOD'S PURPOSE FOR ISRAEL AND THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST
GOD'S PURPOSE FOR ISRAEL
1) To create a people for himself "... I will say, 'They are my people', and they will say, 'The Lord is our God'" (Zech.13:9). (See also Psalm 33:12). 2) To bring forth the Messiah God said to Abram: "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you" (Gen. 12:2-3)."The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say 'and to seeds,’ meaning many people, but 'and to your seed,’ meaning one person, who is Christ" (Gal. 3: 16). Abraham and his offspring did not receive the promise that he would be heir of the world through the law but through righteousness as a result of faith (Rom.4: 13). When the appointed time came, God sent his son, born of a woman. He was born under the law to ransom those who were under the law so that they would receive all the rights of sons. Since they are sons, God sent the Holy Spirit into their hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father’ “ (Gal. 4: 4-6). 3)To record the Scriptures The entire Bible, with the exception of the Gospel of Luke and Acts, was written by Jewish authors. The Gospel of Luke and Acts were written by Dr. Luke, a medical doctor (Col. 4:14). All Scripture comes from God. It is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in morality. With the Scripture, servants of God will be well prepared for works of service (2Tim. 3:16). All prophecy came from God. Man had no input in prophecy. Man’s role was to record what the Holy Spirit revealed (2 Pet. 1: 20-21). 4) To expand the Kingdom of God Israel failed to expand the Kingdom. As a result, the Kingdom was taken away from her. Jesus said: "Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit" (Matt. 21:43). Jesus told his disciples that they will be empowered when the Holy Spirit comes on them and they will be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and all over the earth (Acts 1:8). Jesus informed his apostles that his Father gave him all authority in heaven and on earth. He commanded them to go out and make disciples in all nations. The disciples were to be baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The disciples were to obey everything that our Lord commanded his apostles. Our Lord promised his apostles that he will be with them till the end of the age (Matt. 28: 18-20). 5) To receive her Messiah The religious leaders of the Jews and the majority of the Jewish people rejected our Lord Jesus Christ as their Messiah. The high priest stood up and addressed Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?' But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, 'I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God. ‘Yes, it is as you say,’ Jesus replied. ‘But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.’ When Jesus said that, the high priest tore his clothes and said that Jesus had spoken blasphemy. We do not need any more witnesses. You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” “He is worthy of death,” they answered. Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him and said, 'Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you?” (Matt. 26: 62-68). Because Jesus was doing various things on the Sabbath, the Jews persecuted him. Jesus said to them: "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working" (John 5: 17). Because of that, the Jews tried harder to kill him. They claimed that he was not only breaking the Sabbath but he was making himself equal with God by calling God his own Father (John 5: 18). Let us recall what God the Father said about Jesus. "But about the Son he says, 'Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom. …' “ (Heb 1:8). Jesus said to the Jewish leaders that he was telling them the truth when he said that he existed before Abraham was born. At the mention of that, they picked up stones to stone him but he hid and escaped from the temple grounds (John 8:58-59). "As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, ‘Crucify! Crucify!" (John 19:6). THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST The apostle Paul was given the privilege of revealing the mystery of Christ. "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).
THE POWER OF GOD The apostle Paul was a devout Jew. He practiced Judaism to the fullest extent. He persecuted Christians. However, when Jesus confronted him on the road to Damascus there was a transformation. Saul of Tarsus, by God's grace, became the apostle Paul, the greatest soul winner the church has known. Jesus said: Go; i will send you far away to the Gentiles (Acts 22: 21). When writing to the Roman church he declared: " I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile (Rom. 1: 16). AT JACOB'S WELL Jesus informed the Samaritan woman that salvation is from the Jews. Samaritans worship what they don't know and Jews worship what they know, for salvation is from the Jews (John 4: 22). The woman said to him that when Messiah comes he will explain everything to us. Jesus declared: " I who speak to you am he" (John 4: 26). Please read Galatians 3: 26 - 29; Colossians 3: 11 - 12 GOD WARNED THE ISRAELITES THROUGH MOSES " I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. If anyone does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name, I myself will call him to account " (Deut. 18: 18 - 19).
WHAT ABOUT ISRAEL? The prophet Isaiah penned the following : “The Redeemer will come to Zion to those in Jacob who repent of their sins,” declares the LORD (Isa. 59: 20). The prophet Zechariah paints a bleak picture for the Israelites. The Lord declares: Two-thirds of Israel will be struck down and perish. The remaining third will pass through the fire and will call on my name. ... They will call on me and I will answer them. The Lord will say: “They are my people,' and they will say, 'The LORD is our God”(Zech. 13: 9). If Israel repents, God will relent. Remember Nineveh! When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened (Jonah 3: 10).
THE DAY OF JUDGMENT On the day of judgment, our Lord Jesus Christ will gather all nations before him. He will place the righteous on his right (those who have received the gift of eternal life) and the unrighteous on his left ( those who have rejected the gift of eternal life) ( Matt 25: 33). He will say to those on his right: “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world” (Matt. 25: 34). To those on his left, he will say: “Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels” ( Matt. 25: 41). YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN Jesus loves you. He died for you. He wants you to spend eternity with him. Will you confess your sins, repent of them and receive him into your heart? Jesus said to Nicodemus, a member of the Sanhedrin - the Jewish Ruling Council, You must be born again to get into heaven ( John 3: 3). Please read John 3: 3 - 18. A PRAYER TO BE SAVED/TO BE BORN AGAIN Almighty God, I thank you that you sent your one and only Son, Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of the world. Lord Jesus, I thank you that you died on the cross for my sins. Almighty God, I believe that you raised him from the dead as the Bible declares. Jesus, I confess my sins to you. I repent of them. Please forgive me I pray. Jesus, I now receive you into my heart as my Savior/Messiah and LORD. Please fulfill your plan for my life through the ministry of your Spirit (the Holy Spirit). Amen, NOTE - (italic - mine) blue - scriptural quotation purple - scriptural paraphrase red - regular print (explanation) FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK- http://blogs.christiansunite.com/mahabir 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).
"Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright c 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers."
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Mon, Apr 20th - 5:30PM
This study will enable you to detect unscriptural (false) teaching.
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 (millennial) 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 teaching, 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 function for a 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 later rededicated.
"Antiochus 1V (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 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 W 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).
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 Publishers."
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Mon, Apr 20th - 4:57PM
WHAT IS THE RAPTURE? WHEN WILL IT OCCUR?
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 pretribulation
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 pretribulation 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 pretribulation, midtribulation and prewrath rapture theories are BIG LIES. The pretribulation 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 pretribulation 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 are the same 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 pretribulation, mid-tribulation and pre-wrath rapture theories are not only unscriptural but also Satanic. They reject the teaching of our LORD and 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 time when God will 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. Thus making the second coming and the coming down from heaven for the rapture a single event (Matt. 25: 31, 1 Thess 4: 16 - 17).
" ... Come, Lord Jesus" (Rev. 22: 20).
NOTE - (italic - mine) scriptural quotation scriptural paraphrase
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK
http://blogs.christiansunite.com/mahabir
"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 Bea
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Mon, Dec 9th - 4:19PM
STUDY # 2
GOD'S PURPOSE FOR ISRAEL AND THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST
GOD'S PURPOSE FOR ISRAEL
1) To create a people for himself "... I will say, 'They are my people', and they will say, 'The Lord is our God'" (Zech.13:9). (See also Psalm 33:12). 2) To bring forth the Messiah God said to Abram: "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you" (Gen. 12:2-3)."The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say 'and to seeds,’ meaning many people, but 'and to your seed,’ meaning one person, who is Christ" (Gal. 3: 16). Abraham and his offspring did not receive the promise that he would be heir of the world through the law but through righteousness as a result of faith (Rom.4: 13). When the appointed time came, God sent his son, born of a woman. He was born under the law to ransom those who were under the law so that they would receive all the rights of sons. Since they are sons, God sent the Holy Spirit into their hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father’ “ (Gal. 4: 4-6). 3)To record the Scriptures The entire Bible, with the exception of the Gospel of Luke and Acts, was written by Jewish authors. The Gospel of Luke and Acts were written by Dr. Luke, a medical doctor (Col. 4:14). All Scripture comes from God. It is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in morality. With the Scripture, servants of God will be well prepared for works of service (2Tim. 3:16). All prophecy came from God. Man had no input in prophecy. Man’s role was to record what the Holy Spirit revealed (2 Pet. 1: 20-21). 4) To expand the Kingdom of God Israel failed to expand the Kingdom. As a result, the Kingdom was taken away from her. Jesus said: "Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit" (Matt. 21:43). Jesus told his disciples that they will be empowered when the Holy Spirit comes on them and they will be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and all over the earth (Acts 1:8). Jesus informed his apostles that his Father gave him all authority in heaven and on earth. He commanded them to go out and make disciples in all nations. The disciples were to be baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The disciples were to obey everything that our Lord commanded his apostles. Our Lord promised his apostles that he will be with them till the end of the age (Matt. 28: 18-20). 5) To receive her Messiah The religious leaders of the Jews and the majority of the Jewish people rejected our Lord Jesus Christ as their Messiah. The high priest stood up and addressed Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?' But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, 'I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God. ‘Yes, it is as you say,’ Jesus replied. ‘But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.’ When Jesus said that, the high priest tore his clothes and said that Jesus had spoken blasphemy. We do not need any more witnesses. You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” “He is worthy of death,” they answered. Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him and said, 'Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you?” (Matt. 26: 62-68). Because Jesus was doing various things on the Sabbath, the Jews persecuted him. Jesus said to them: "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working" (John 5: 17). Because of that, the Jews tried harder to kill him. They claimed that he was not only breaking the Sabbath but he was making himself equal with God by calling God his own Father (John 5: 18). Let us recall what God the Father said about Jesus. "But about the Son he says, 'Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom. …' “ (Heb 1:8). Jesus said to the Jewish leaders that he was telling them the truth when he said that he existed before Abraham was born. At the mention of that, they picked up stones to stone him but he hid and escaped from the temple grounds (John 8:58-59). "As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, ‘Crucify! Crucify!" (John 19:6). THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST The apostle Paul was given the privilege of revealing the mystery of Christ. "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).
THE POWER OF GOD The apostle Paul was a devout Jew. He practiced Judaism to the fullest extent. He persecuted Christians. However, when Jesus confronted him on the road to Damascus there was a transformation. Saul of Tarsus, by God's grace, became the apostle Paul, the greatest soul winner the church has known. Jesus said: Go; i will send you far away to the Gentiles (Acts 22: 21). When writing to the Roman church he declared: " I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile (Rom. 1: 16). AT JACOB'S WELL Jesus informed the Samaritan woman that salvation is from the Jews. Samaritans worship what they don't know and Jews worship what they know, for salvation is from the Jews (John 4: 22). The woman said to him that when Messiah comes he will explain everything to us. Jesus declared: " I who speak to you am he" (John 4: 26). Please read Galatians 3: 26 - 29; Colossians 3: 11 - 12 GOD WARNED THE ISRAELITES THROUGH MOSES " I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. If anyone does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name, I myself will call him to account " (Deut. 18: 18 - 19).
WHAT ABOUT ISRAEL? The prophet Isaiah penned the following : “The Redeemer will come to Zion to those in Jacob who repent of their sins,” declares the LORD (Isa. 59: 20). The prophet Zechariah paints a bleak picture for the Israelites. The Lord declares: Two-thirds of Israel will be struck down and perish. The remaining third will pass through the fire and will call on my name. ... They will call on me and I will answer them. The Lord will say: “They are my people,' and they will say, 'The LORD is our God”(Zech. 13: 9). If Israel repents, God will relent. Remember Nineveh! When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened (Jonah 3: 10).
THE DAY OF JUDGMENT On the day of judgment, our Lord Jesus Christ will gather all nations before him. He will place the righteous on his right (those who have received the gift of eternal life) and the unrighteous on his left ( those who have rejected the gift of eternal life) ( Matt 25: 33). He will say to those on his right: “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world” (Matt. 25: 34). To those on his left, he will say: “Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels” ( Matt. 25: 41). YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN Jesus loves you. He died for you. He wants you to spend eternity with him. Will you confess your sins, repent of them and receive him into your heart? Jesus said to Nicodemus, a member of the Sanhedrin - the Jewish Ruling Council, You must be born again to get into heaven ( John 3: 3). Please read John 3: 3 - 18. A PRAYER TO BE SAVED/TO BE BORN AGAIN Almighty God, I thank you that you sent your one and only Son, Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of the world. Lord Jesus, I thank you that you died on the cross for my sins. Almighty God, I believe that you raised him from the dead as the Bible declares. Jesus, I confess my sins to you. I repent of them. Please forgive me I pray. Jesus, I now receive you into my heart as my Savior/Messiah and LORD. Please fulfill your plan for my life through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Amen, NOTE - (italic - mine) blue - scriptural quotation purple - scriptural paraphrase red - regular print (explanation) FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINKS - http://blogs.christiansunite.com/mahabir youtube.com/user/777JEM333 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).
"Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright c 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers." |
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Name: Joseph Emmanuel Mahabir
