Mon, Dec 1st - 7:50PM
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." |
Comment (0)
|
Wed, Jul 2nd - 8:39AM
MORE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
WILL THE KINGDOM BE RESTORED TO ISRAEL? One of God's purposes for Israel was 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). Will the kingdom be restored to Israel? Absolutely not! When Jesus was asked about restoring the kingdom to Israel (Acts 1: 6), he did not say that he would. We cannot assume anything in Scripture. We have to deal with given information. We can come to conclusions which are supported by Scripture.
ROSHASHANAH? NO! YOM KIPPUR? NO! Please read what the apostle Paul wrote to the Colossians: Don't 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 forerunners of the things that were to come. The reality is found in Christ (Col. 2: 16 - 17). The apostle Paul informed the Ephesians: In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding (Ephesians 1: 7). WHAT IS A COVENANT? A covenant is an agreement between God and man. God initiates the covenant (Exod. 19: 5 - 6; Psalm 33: 12; Jer. 31: 31). WHO WERE THE CHOSEN PEOPLE UNDER THE FIRST COVENANT? The Israelites were God's chosen people under the first covenant. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant , then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession (Exod. 19: 5). God made the covenant with them through Moses as they were on their way to the promised land. The covenant contained laws, regulations, holy days, sacrifices with the blood of animals, a tabernacle, a high priest and the ten commandments. Because of unfaithfulness to the covenant only two people of the many who came out of Egypt entered the promised land - Joshua and Caleb. When the Israelites entered the promised land, tabernacle worship was replaced by temple worship. God promised the people that he would make a new covenant with them. "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). WHO ARE THE CHOSEN PEOPLE UNDER 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). There was no longer a need for the blood of animals, a temple and a high priest who met with God once a year in the Holy of Holies to atone for his sins and the sins of the Jewish people. God provided his own Son to die on the cross for the sins of the world. Jesus is our heavenly high priest (Heb. 9: 11 - 12). Under the new covenant, believers, both Jews and Gentiles are God's chosen people. The apostle Paul wrote to the Colossians: Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved. clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Col. 3: 12). The apostle Peter writing to believers, who were mostly Jewish, scattered over the Roman world, recorded: But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light (1 Pet. 2: 9). Under the new covenant, there is no ethnic distinction, no status distinction and no gender distinction. The apostle Paul made this clear to believers in the Galatian church. He wrote: You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek (Gentile), slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise (Gal. 3: 26 - 29). WHAT IS 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) For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. ... For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit (Eph. 2: 14 - 16, 18).
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
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINKS http://blogs.christiansunite.com/mahabir
http://blogs.christiansunite.com/hpesoj
MORE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
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?
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).
Comment (0)
|
Tue, Jul 1st - 5:31PM
JUDAISM AND THE POWER OF GOD Dear Friend, Greetings in the precious name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The Lord gave me the following message to send out by email to as many Jewish people as possible. I need your help to do this. Please send it out to Jewish people you know and encourage those with whom you communicate to do the same. Please send it out to as many Rabbis as possible. I trust that I will see you and your loved ones, and others with whom you will share this message in the Holy City, the new Jerusalem. (Please read Revelation 21: 1 - 8). Thanks. Jesus will give rewards for 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. PLEASE READ AND REREAD THIS STUDY. Shalom, Joseph
JUDAISM SCRIPTURE Scripture informs us that God has prepared good works in advance for born again believers to do (Ephesians 2: 10). All Scripture is inspired by God (2 Timothy 3: 16). God does not want anyone to perish (spend eternity in the fiery lake of burning sulfur). He wants everyone to repent (spend eternity with him in the Holy City, the new Jerusalem (2 Peter 3: 9; Revelation 21: 1 - 8). Jesus taught that more people will spend eternity with Satan in the fiery lake of burning sulfur than with God in the Holy City, the new Jerusalem (Matthew 7: 13 - 14; Revelation 21: 1 - 8). WHO IS JESUS? He is the Alpha and Omega, meaning that he has always existed and always will exist as the Almighty. We read: I am the Alpha and the Omega who is , and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty (Revelation 1: 8). He is the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9: 6). Everything that has been created in the universe has been created through him (John 1: 10). Jesus is the light of the world and he gives light to every man (John 1: 9 - 10). Jesus is the Savior of mankind (John 3: 16; 1 John 4: 14). Jesus is Immanuel which means God with us (Matt. 1: 23). After his crucifixion Jesus descended into the lower earthly regions (Eph. 4: 9). He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe (Eph. 4: 10). We read in Scripture: 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). Long ago God spoke to people through the prophets many times and in different ways but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven (Heb. 1: 1 - 3). Jesus is the lamp that will give light to the inhabitants of the Holy City, the new Jerusalem (Revelation 21: 23). Jesus will give rewards. 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). When Jesus comes again, he will come as the King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 17: 14). He will judge the living and the dead. In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom ... (2 Tim. 4: 1) Please read what God said to the Israelites through Moses concerning Jesus of Nazareth: I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I willIput 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). ANCIENT (BIBLICAL) JUDAISM Since there is so much confusion in the minds of many concerning Judaism, the Lord gave me a study to share with the Jewish people. THE FIRST COVENANT God made the first covenant with the Israelites. Under this covenant they were his chosen people. He ordered them to make a sanctuary for Him. Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you (Exod. 25: 8 - 9). The tabernacle was used for the offering up of sacrifices but it was also used for worship and the reading of Scripture. When the Israelites entered the promised land tabernacle worship was replaced with temple worship. Judaism called for animal sacrifice. Once a year on the day of atonement, the high priest went into the Holy of Holies with the blood of an animal to atone for his sins and the sins of the Jewish people. When Jesus breathed his last as he hung on the cross, the curtain in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. This was clearly a supernatural act (Matt. 27: 50 - 51). This miracle brought the first covenant to an end as well as Biblical Judaism. The day of atonement was gone forever. The new covenant was now in effect. By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear (Heb. 8: 13). There is absolutely no scriptural justification for the practice of Judaism following the death of Jesus, since his death provided mankind’s redemption (1 Peter 1: 18 - 20; 1 John 1: 7 - 10; Ephesians 1: 7). For you know that God ransomed you from the empty life you received from your fore parents. The ransom he paid was not with things that could perish. He used the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. God chose him before the creation of the world and he has revealed it to us at this time (1 Peter 1: 18 - 20). We read in Scripture: If we walk in the light as God is in the light we have fellowship with other believers and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we state that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves. We are not telling the truth. 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: 7 - 10).
Comment (0)
|
Tue, Jul 1st - 5:30PM
The apostle Paul informed the Ephesians: In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding (Ephesians 1: 7). Those who were faithful to the first covenant had their sins covered. They did not receive salvation because the blood of animals could not wash away sins. Those who were unfaithful to the first covenant died in their sins. What will happen to those Israelites who had their sins covered? The precious blood of Jesus washed away the sins of those Israelites whose sins were covered. We read in the Book of Hebrews: When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here , he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. He did not enter through the blood of animals. He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood. Thereby obtaining mankind's redemption. … Because of this Jesus is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance - now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant (Heb. 9: 11, 12, 15). The apostle Paul addressed the Colossian church as follows: For God was pleased to have all his fulness dwell in him (Jesus), and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross (Colossians 1: 19 - 20). THE NEW COVENANT There was no longer a need for the blood of animals, a sanctuary and a high priest. God provided his own Son to die on the cross for the sins of the world. Under the new covenant, believers both Jews and Gentiles are God’s chosen people. There is no ethnic distinction, no status distinction and no gender distinction. The apostle Paul made this clear to believers in the Galatian church. He wrote: You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek (Gentile), slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise (Galatians 3: 26 - 29). THE POWER OF GOD Saul of Tarsus was a Pharisee of Pharisees. He was schooled under Gamaliel, a renowned teacher of the Law. Saul was a devout Jew and practiced Judaism to the fullest extent. He persecuted believers in Jesus and had them put in prison. When Stephen was stoned to death, he consented to it. But his life was transformed when Jesus confronted him on the road to Damascus. Saul of Tarsus became the great apostle Paul. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he wrote the majority of books in the New Testament. Paul is the greatest soul winner the church has known. This one time persecutor of the church after his conversion remarked: 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 (Romans 1: 16). (Please read Ephesians 3: 6). GOD HAS APPOINTED A DAY In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead (Acts 17: 31). (Please read Matthew 28: 1 - 10). MODERN (MAN FORMULATED) JUDAISM People who practiced Judaism since the death of Jesus and died practicing Judaism, died in their sins. If you are practicing Judaism now and you die practicing it, you, too, will die in your sins. On the day of judgment, all those who died in their sins and those who are living and practicing Judaism and all unbelievers will be numbered with the unrighteous. They will be standing to the left of Jesus (Matthew 25: 33). They will hear him say to them: Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25: 41). The righteous will be standing on his right (Matthew 25: 33). They will hear him say to them: Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world (Matthew 25: 34). 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). 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 - (emphasis) red - regular print (highlight) FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINKS http://blogs.christiansunite.com/mahabir
http://blogs.christiansunite.com/hpesoj
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."
Comment (0)
|
Mon, Dec 9th - 5:13PM
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 pretribulation
2) The midtribulation
3) The prewrath
4) The posttribulation (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 pretribulation, midtribulation and the prewrath rapture theories are false. The pretribulation, midtribulation and prewrath 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
"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 Joseph E. Mahabir (B.A Hons. (York University), M.Ed. (University of Toronto), Divinity M. A. (magna cum laude, (Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA).
PLEASE CHECK THE FOLLOWING LINK FOR MORE INFORMATION
Comment (0)
|
|
|
| About Me |
|
| Dec. 2025 |
|
| |
1
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
|
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
|
14 |
15 |
16 |
17 |
18 |
19 |
20 |
|
21 |
22 |
23 |
24 |
25 |
26 |
27 |
|
28 |
29 |
30 |
31 |
|
|
|
|
prev
|
|
next
|
|
|
Archives
|
| |
Name: Joseph Emmanuel Mahabir
