Mon, Dec 1st - 7:46PM

GOD THE SON

Fri, Nov 14th - 2:54AM

   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).

Fri, Oct 17th - 10:53PM

CORRECTING THEOLOGICAL ERRORS

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 (Eph. 2: 6; Col. 3: 1 - 3).   

THE FIRST RESURRECTION 

  Many authors, pastors, Bible College professors and ministries teach that the first resurrection (Rev. 20: 4) is a physical 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 born again 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: 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 will be 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; Rev. 14: 14 - 20).

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.

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 will be the same event.

The second coming, the resurrection, the rapture and the judgment will occur at the last day, at the last trumpet, after the seventh angel sounds his trumpet at the end of the millennial reign (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 events of the end times are presented in the following diagram. The calculation shows that our LORD ministered for three and a half years. 

 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).

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).

     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).

To the unrighteous he will say: Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels (Matt. 25: 41).D

    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

  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.

 This means that the second coming, the resurrection, the rapture and the judgment will take place at the end of the millennial reign (Matt. 25: 31; Rev. 20: 5; Matt. 25: 32; 1 Thess. 4: 16 - 17; Matt. 25: 33, 34, 41).

Fri, Oct 17th - 10:51PM

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

 "Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright c 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers."

 FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINKS 

http://blogs.christiansunite.com/mahabir

http://blogs.christiansunite.com/hpesoj

  "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).

HANDBOOK FOR CHRISTIAN LIVING 

Dr. Charles F. Stanley

  Dr. Charles Stanley, author and pastor, was an excellent Bible teacher. But when he wrote on the end times, he made the same errors which Dr. David Jeremiah made.

   1) He wrote: 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).

    Dr. Luke informs us that Jesus must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything (Acts 3: 21). The apostle Peter tells us that God will restore everything on the day of judgment by creating a new heaven and a new earth (2 Pet. 3: 3 - 13).

    The conclusion is that Jesus will remain in heaven until the day of judgment. When Jesus comes, all nations will be gathered unto him. He will place the righteous on his right and the unrighteous on his left (Matt. 25: 31 - 33). The righteous will be invited into the kingdom: 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). 

 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).

     Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life (Matt. 25: 46).

 Since eternity will commence when Jesus returns and judges all nations, therefore the thousand years recorded in Revelation 20: 1 - 7 cannot follow the second coming of our Lord because time and eternity cannot coexist. The thousand years must precede the second coming.

 2) Premillennialists hold to the belief that the Jewish nation will be restored - including the repossession of their ancient land when Christ returns to earth (p. 276).

     When Jesus returns he will judge the world and eternity will commence (Matt. 25: 31 - 46). There will be no lands to possess or repossess.

 3) Paul believed that Jesus' return was imminent (p. 279).

     That statement is completely false. The apostle taught that two things must happen before the second coming of our Lord.

     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: 1 - 3).

 4) There are several theories, but two dominate. The first is the pretribulation view. This is the belief that the church will be raptured prior to the Tribulation. I believe this is the view Scripture supports. The second is the post- tribulation view, which is the belief that the church will not be raptured until the very end of Tribulation; that the rapture and the second coming of Christ are a single event rather than two separate events as held to by those who adhere to the pretribulation Rapture (p. 279). 

     In plain English, the apostle Paul informs us that the second coming and the rapture are a single event. He writes: Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, ... (2 Thess. 2: 1).

 "Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright c 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers."

 IS SALVATION PERMANENT OR CONDITIONAL?

    Dr. Charles F. Stanley, author and pastor, wrote: When you believe in Christ, you receive His life, and He forgives you of your sin. Christ's death was a permanent transaction. Because the transaction was permanent, so were the results: forgiveness and eternal life (John 6: 40). Your belief in Christ's death on the cross as the payment for your sin assures you of eternal life (HANDBOOK FOR CHRISTIAN LIVING, p. 187).

    Is anyone assured of eternal life?

    What did Jesus teach concerning the end of the age in Matthew's gospel?

 a) believers will be persecuted and put to death (Matt. 24: 9)

 b) many will give up their faith (Matt. 24: 10)

 c) people will betray and hate each other (Matt. 24: 10)

 d) people will be deceived by false prophets (Matt. 24: 11)

 e) wickedness will increase (Matt. 24: 12

 f) the love for others will decrease (Matt. 24: 12)

 ... but he who stands firm to the end will be saved (Matt. 24: 12)

 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 (Heb. 3: 14)

 Jesus said concerning the Church in Sardis: He who overcomes ... 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 converse must also be true. The names of those who do not overcome (stand firm) will be blotted out from the book of life. 

  How about you! Are you overcoming? Are you standing firm? My prayer is that the Holy Spirit will enable you to do so.

 "Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright c 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers."

Thu, Oct 16th - 1:46PM

WHERE DID THE SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS GO WRONG?

 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 holy (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.

 "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 Dan. 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).

 We are informed in Scripture that Jesus must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. Since the last enemy to be destroyed will be death and death will be destroyed when the resurrection occurs (1 Cor. 15: 22 - 26); therefore, Satan, who is an enemy (1 Pet. 5: 8), must be destroyed before death is destroyed. Most likely Satan will be destroyed by the splendor of our Lord's coming in the same manner as the Antichrist (2 Thess. 2: 8).

(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; 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; Heb. 9: 28).

   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.

    Are the thousand years literal? 

   The thousand years are not literal. They are symbolic and cover an extended period of time. 

   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).

  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)

 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).

Note: (italic - mine)   blue - scriptural quotation   purple - 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.

 WHY ARE JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES FALSE TEACHERS?

 Jehovah's Witnesses believe God, Jehovah, is the supreme God and Jesus Christ is his agent for reconciling sinners to God. The Holy Spirit is not a spirit but the active force of God on earth. 

  Scripture unequivocally teaches that there is one God and He is revealed in three persons - God the Father (Gal. 4: 4 - 6), God the Son - Jesus (Gal. 4: 4 - 6), and God the Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 1: 22; John 14: 26).

 Witnesses also believe that they are living in the final days before Christ's presence will establish the kingdom of God on earth. 

   Dr. Luke informs us that Jesus must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything (Acts 3: 21). The apostle Peter tells us that God will restore everything on the day of judgment by creating a new heaven and a new earth (2 Pet. 3: 3 - 13).

    The conclusion is that Jesus will remain in heaven until the day of judgment. When Jesus comes, all nations will be gathered unto him. He will place the righteous on his right and the unrighteous on his left (Matt. 25: 31 - 33). The righteous will be invited into the kingdom: 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). 

 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).

     Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life (Matt. 25: 46).

 We read in the Book of Revelation: 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).

Note: (italic - mine)   blue - scriptural quotation   purple - 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.

 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 distinction, status distinction 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."