Bible Class Curricula - The Book of Revelation - Lesson 13 - Revelation 21 & 22

Interpretation:  Revelation 21:1–27

1. Final judgment had been passed on the harlot, the beast, the false prophet, and the dragon.  This is the last vision of the apostle John - the city of God.  It is important to understand the “already, but not yet” phases of inaugurated/consummated eschatology.  The big eschatological picture is that Christians have entered the inaugurated phase of the holy city (Galatians 4:25,26; Hebrews 12:22–24), yet have not entered the consummative phase of the holy city (Hebrews 13:14).   

2. For example, if Revelation 21-22 means the consummative phase only, then if Christians subtract or add from the Scriptures, they will be thrown out of heaven.  But if Christians are living in the new creation, there is no possibility of sin.  Therefore, this must be talking about both phases.       

3. The word “new” is kainos.  It means in some contexts the idea of quality, not time.  For example, you might buy a new car.  It is much better than your old car.  The first dwelling place was temporary and running down.  The new one is enduring and will never run down.  It may also be the case that John is writing in an inaugurated phase in that Judaism was the “first heavens and first earth” that has passed away.  The law of Moses was nailed to the cross (Colossians 2:14-17).  The temple was destroyed in A.D. 70.  

4. Christianity, the “new heavens and the new earth,” has arrived as the new world order.  The old creation has been cursed by God (Romans 8:18-25).  Sin has dominion over a lost humanity.  Jesus has inaugurated the new creation in His death, burial, and resurrection.  Jesus has come to translate humanity out of the old creation in its inaugurated phase.  The sinner who dies to sin in repentance (Acts 17:30; 1 John 2:15-17), buried with Christ via water into death (Romans 6:3,4), and raised to walk in newness of life (2 Corinthians 5:17). Those who have identified with Christ are a part of the inauguration of the new creation. 

5. Why is the sea singled out as no longer existing?  It was known previously as the origin of cosmic evil (Revelation 12:18; 13:1; Isaiah 57:20,21).  It is also where unbelieving, rebellious nations who persecuted God’s people dwell (Revelation 12:18; 13:1; 17:2,6).  In the old creation, there was discord and division.  In the new creation, there is harmony and peace (Luke 2:14; Romans 5:1). 

6. John had been discussing the old Jerusalem for most of Revelation.  The old Jerusalem was no longer the people of God. The new Jerusalem, the church, is God’s new people.  People would have to acknowledge who the true people of God were, especially after the fall of Jerusalem.  She was prepared to meet her husband, Christ, by remaining faithful to Him. 

7. The whole Bible can be summarized in the fact that God wants to come dwell in fellowship with His people.  He did this in various ways over the centuries (Genesis 3:8; Exodus 40:34,35; 1 Kings 8:10,11; John 1:14; 2:18,19; Isaiah 2:2-4).  Those who have identified with Christ are a part of the inauguration of the new temple (1 Corinthians 3:16,17; 2 Corinthians 6:16-18). 

8. The faithful church would triumph over their persecutors.  When old Jerusalem was destroyed, there would be:  (1) no more death, (2) no more sorrow, (3) no more crying, and (4) no more pain.  This has both an inaugurated and consummative sense.  In a sense, there would be no more persecutions from the Jews.  In another sense, this is fulfilled in the ultimate sense in that physical death will be destroyed at the end when Christ returns and we will be in new, glorified resurrected bodies (1 Corinthians 15:24-28).   

9. In verse 5, Jesus has made everything new.  He has made it better in an escalated manner.  Jesus brought forth a new covenant (Hebrews 8), a new song of redemption to be praised (Revelation 5:9), a new sacrifice that could take away sins (Hebrews 10), a new temple (1 Corinthians 3:16,17), a new priesthood (1 Peter 2:9), a new life (Romans 6:3,4), a new nation (1 Peter 2:9), a new Jerusalem (Revelation 21:1,2), a new name (Isaiah 62:2), and a new creation (Revelation 21:1,2).

10. Alpha is the first Greek letter of its alphabet.  Omega is the last Greek letter of its alphabet.  Jesus stated He was the Beginning and the End.  Jesus is the author and finisher of the faith.  He brings everything to pass (Hebrews 12:1,2).  Jesus offers the invitation to come partake of the blessings (John 4:9-14; 7:37-39; Zechariah 13:1). 

11. There is the encouragement to overcome because Jesus will give the everlasting inheritance to that faithful child of God (Revelation 2:10).  

12. Next, John mentions a list of sins in verse 8 that will lead to eternal death.  The first on the list is the cowardly.  It could be a reference to those who gave into the persecution or gave up being a Christian.  There are the unbelieving.  Many of the Jews did not believe Jesus was the true Messiah (John 3:36; Hebrews 11:6).  There are the abominable, which are sins that God detests and abhors (Proverbs 6:16-19).  There are those who intentionally kill those made in the image of God.  It is a probable reference to putting to death innocent Christians.  Fornication can be both used in a literal and figurative way to unlawful sexual intercourse (Matthew 19:9), yet in a figurative sense to idolatry (Revelation 2).  The sorcerers are those who use drugs in the practice of their black arts associated with idolatry.  There are the idolators (Matthew 6:33; Colossians 3:5-8)  who associated with the beast, the false prophet, or the harlot.  There are the liars (Ephesians 4:25) who unfortunately gave up the truth by denying Christ and turned their back on Christianity.  

13. John is carried away by the Spirit again and sees something that pales beyond the imagination.  When John saw the harlot (the old Jerusalem), he saw spiritual ugliness.  She was destroyed by God in A.D. 70.  The church (the new Jerusalem), to whom Jesus was married, was shown in all of her spiritual beauty. 

14. These visions are reminiscent of Ezekiel’s vision of the temple (Ezekiel 40;1,2; 43:1-5).  The same temple that Ezekiel saw is the same temple that John sees in his vision.  The details in each vision are different.  Why the difference?  It probably has to do with Ezekiel having to write to his audience in terms of “old covenant” language so that they would understand.  Here is a helpful illustration.  

15. Beale states:  “A father promises in 1900 to give his son a horse and buggy when he grows up and marries.  During the early years of expectation, the son reflects on the particular size of the buggy he would like, its contours and style, its beautiful red-leather seat, and also the size and breed of horse that would draw the buggy.  Perhaps the father even had knowledge from early experimentation elsewhere that the invention of the “horseless carriage” was on the horizon, but he coined the promise to his son in familiar terms that the son could readily understand. Years later, say in 1925, when the son marries, the father gives the couple an automobile, which has since been invented and mass-produced.  Is the son disappointed in receiving an automobile instead of a horse and buggy? In fact, the essence of the father’s word has remained the same: a convenient mode of transportation. What has changed is the precise form of transportation promised. The progress of technology has escalated the fulfillment of the pledge in a way that earlier could not have been conceived of fully by the son when he was young.  Nevertheless, in the light of the later development of technology, the promise is viewed as “literally” and faithfully carried out in a greater way than could have earlier been apprehended.” (G.K. Beale, A New Testament Biblical Theology: The Unfolding of the Old Testament In The New, (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2011), Kindle edition, ch. 19: “The Story of the Eden Sanctuary, Israel’s Temple, and Christ and the Church as the Ongoing Transformed Eschatological Temple of the Spirit in the New- Creational Kingdom.”) 

16. Ezekiel was living in the “horse and buggy” times.  Ezekiel saw glimpses of the glories of this new temple.  John was living in the “automobile” era - the realization of the temple that Christ had made.  They both were gloriously made because this is where God dwells.  

17. The city had a great light like a precious stone.  When you think about how dark this world is now, do you have a greater appreciation for the city of light? (Philippians 2:14,15)  The city of light can help overcome the darkness of this world.  The only way that can happen is if every Christian is personally involved.

18. The city had a great and high wall for its perfect fortification and protection.  Christians are to be watchmen guarding the walls of Zion in its inaugurated stage (Revelation 20:9). There are twelve angels who are stationed at the gates.  They remain opened, not closed.  In the old Jerusalem, sometimes the city gates were closed (Matthew 24:20).  But the gates of the new Jerusalem are open because they give the opportunity for anyone wanting to obey the gospel and enter into the inaugurated state of the city (Revelation 22:14,17).  

19. There are names written on these gates, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.  This could be a reference back to Rev 7 and 14 that is speaking of the spiritual and faithful remnant (Galatians 6:16).   The city has as its foundations the twelve apostles of the Lamb.  This could be a reference to the fact that we are built on the doctrine of the apostles (Acts 2:42; Ephesians 2:20-22).  They were guided into all truth by the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:42; Ephesians 2:20-22).   

20. It is laid out as a square because it is the Holy of Holies par excellence.  The same precious stones were displayed on the breastplate of the high priest (Exodus 28:17-21).  It is the true dwelling place of God.  From every nation, there have been Christians and they have brought everything into it if they are faithful into it (Isaiah 60:1-5).  There is a street that reminds of Isaiah 35:8.  
    
    Interpretation:  Revelation 22:1–21
     

21. John then sees a river that is flowing out of the throne.  It is a reminder of  Ezekiel 47:1–10.  It brings renewal and refreshment.  It also contains trees that bear different types of fruit for the healing of the nations.  

22. There was also found no more curse.  The curse had been lifted from Genesis 3:14–19.  The servants of God will continue to serve Him.  The glory of God will overwhelm it so much that it has no need of sun, moon, or stars.   

23. In verse 6, there can be full confidence and assurance that the words of God are trustworthy because He cannot lie (Titus 1:2).  It is also a reminder back to Rev 1:1–3.  After John wrote the letter, the events in it would start to come to pass.  The reason that John is not to seal the book is because it was going to immediately start to unfold.  In contrast, the book of Daniel’s prophecies would not occur in the immediate future (Daniel 12:9).  The destruction of Jerusalem was looming near.  There was no time for repentance and true obedience.  It was important to be true to God in these difficult times.  This is not in reference to the second coming of Jesus.  It is in reference to His representative comings of judgment on these wicked nations such as the harlot and the beast.  Because of Christ’s resurrection, He brought about a new age.  He will bring everything to pass that He said He would.  People who remain outside of the holy city will be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 21:8).  Jesus is reminding us that He is the ruler that was promised in David’s covenant (2 Samuel 7:12-15).  An invitation is offered to come into the city of God.   We have a responsibility to hear and handle the words of God carefully.

24. When Jesus states, “Surely I am coming quickly,” this is not a reference to the second coming of Jesus.  There is an application that we are to be ready to meet the Lord though in His second coming.  Do you have the fervor and joy that John had?  
    
    Applications
     

25. First, is sin my master?  (Romans 6:12)  Was the old man of sin truly buried? (Colossians 3:9,10)  Am I walking in the newness of life? (Galatians 5:22,23)  In other words, am I really living as if I am a part of the inaugurated new creation?

26. Second, Christians do not have to be a part of this chaotic, turbulent sea of worldliness.  If Christians stand fast, they can arrive on the bright and peaceful shore in the new creation. 

27. Third, in the old creation, there was divorce for any reason, polygamy, homosexuality, adultery, spousal abuse and neglect.  If a person becomes a part of the inaugurated new creation, then he ought to value faithfulness, commitment, oneness, sacrificial love, and respect.  We must have the types of marriages that point ultimately to Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:22-33).

28. 28. Fourth, everyone wants to go to heaven, but not very many want to put forth the effort to go there (Matthew 7:13,14). 

29. Fifth, it will be an everlasting joy to know that in the new creation there is no more sorrow, pain, death, or crying.  Everything that had to do with sin and the curse will be gone.

30. Sixth, can you not see that trusting and obeying God is what you have been searching for all this time?  For example, think about the Samaritan woman.  She was in need of the spiritual, everlasting water that could quench her soul.

31. Seventh, this imagery of the lake of fire and brimstone that is the second death ought to make a lasting impression on us that we do not want to go there.  We do not want this eternal separation from God forever. 

32. Eighth, there are several things that should be mentioned about Christ and the church.  First, she is His lover because Christ shows His love to the church.  Second, Christ is her Redeemer because Christ redeemed the church with His own blood.  Third, Christ is her Husband because Christ meets the needs of the church.  Fourth, Christ is her sanctifier because Christ is able to sanctify His bride.

33. Ninth, are you in the “glorious church”? (Ephesians 5:27)  Only those in the glorious church and remain faithful are those who will be in eternal glory.

34. Tenth, will you choose to enter into the city or stay outside of the city?  Do we have apostles in the Lord’s church today?

35. Eleventh, there are far too many who are not preaching the apostles’ doctrine. They are standing on an unstable and sandy foundation.  Question:  “Does baptism save us?”  Example:  “What saves you according to 1 Pet. 3:21?”

36. 36. Twelfth, what kind of water are you drinking?  Is it the pure word of God that can quench your thirst?  Is it the dirty potholes of man’s teachings and doctrines?  Is it the dirty sinful habits that can never satisfy your soul? (Zechariah 14:8; John 4:7-14; Jeremiah 2:13)

37. Thirteenth, do you have the desire to be healed of your disease called sin?  The great Physician now is near, the sympathizing Jesus, who can change that matter.

38. Fourteenth, there was paradise lost and now there is paradise regained.  There are three gardens in the Bible that are important: (1) The garden of Eden, (2) the garden of Gethsemane, and (3) the garden of heaven.  Jesus was able to reverse the curse.

39. Fifteenth, do you have the heart of a servant?  (Philippians 2:5-11) Those who are willing to serve are those who will be entering the everlasting kingdom of God (Matthew 18:1-4).

40. Sixteenth, time is still here.  The second coming of Jesus is coming.  There is still time and opportunity.  It is so important to make our lives right with God while we still can.  We ought to come to Jesus and partake of the true river of life!

41. Seventeenth, we are to be looking forward to the second coming (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Do you look forward to the second coming?  Would you be trembling or joyful?

42. Eighteenth, you have the choice to choose whether or not you want to be saved.  God will not force you to choose His will.

43. Nineteenth, some people are very haphazard with the word of God.  There are many people who add to the word of God (Proverbs 30:6).  Do you want the plagues to be added to you?  There are many people who take away the word of God such as king Jehoiakim (Jeremiah 36:20-32). 
    
    BIBLIOGRAPHY

Aune, David E.  Revelation 1–5. Word Biblical Commentary 52A.  Accordance electronic ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997.

Beale, G.K.  A New Testament Biblical Theology: The Unfolding of the Old Testament In The New. Grand Rapids, MI:  Baker Academic, 2011. Kindle edition.

Blomberg, Craig L.  From Pentecost To Patmos:  An Introduction To Acts Through Revelation.  Nashville, TN:  B&H Publishing Group, 2006.  

Carson, D.A. and Douglas J. Moo.  An Introduction to the New Testament, 2nd. Accordance electronic ed.  Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005.

Clarke, B.J.  “By Approaching With Right Attitudes.”  How Can We Understand The Bible Alike?  ed. B.J. Clarke.  Southaven, MS:  POWER Publications, 2006.

Hailey, Homer.  Revelation:  An Introduction and Commentary.  Grand Rapids, Michigan:  Baker Book House, 1979.

Houwelingen, P.H.R. van. “Fleeing Forward:  The Departure of Christians From Jerusalem To Pella.”  Westminister Theological Journal 65 (2003):  181–200.  

Josephus. Translated by H. St. J. Thackeray et al. 10 vols. LCL. Cambridge:  Harvard University Press, 1926-1965. 

Keener, Craig.  Revelation. The New International Version Application Commentary.  Grand Rapids, Michigan:  Zondervan, 1999.

Koester, Craig.  “The Origin and Significance of the Flight to Pella Tradition.” Catholic Biblical Quarterly 51 (1989):  90–106.

Mounce, Robert H.  The Book of Revelation.  New International Commentary on the New Testament.  Grand Rapids, Michigan:  William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1997.

Osburne, Grant R.  Revelation. Baker Exegetical Commentary On The New Testament.  Grand Rapids, Michigan:  Baker Academic, 2002.

Phillips, John.  Exploring Revelation. John Phillips Commentary Series. Accordance electronic ed. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 2004.   

Roper, David L. Revelation 1–11.  Truth For Today Commentary.  Searcy, Arkansas:  Resource Publications, 2002.

Taylor, Donald.  The Apocalypse:  A Revelation of Jesus Christ.  Memphis, Tennessee:  WriteWay Publishing, 1996.

West, D. Gene.  Avenging His Holy Saints, Apostles and Prophets.  Pulaski, TN:  Sain Publications, 2003.

West, Jr.  W.B.  Revelation Through First-Century Glasses.  Nashville, TN:  Gospel Advocate, 1997.

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Bible Class Curricula - The Book of Revelation - Lesson 12 - Revelation 19 & 20

Lesson 12 - Revelation 19 & 20

Interpretation:  Revelation 19:1–21

In chapter 18, there were three great lamentations from three groups of people over the loss of Babylon the great.

In chapter 19, there are three great scenes of rejoicing over her fall.

There is a great scene of the multitude of praise in verses 1–3, the second scene is the elders and four living creatures giving praise in verse 4, and the obedience to the command to give praise in verses 5–7.  In verses 8–10,  there is a blessing brought about to those who come to the supper of the Lamb.

The first and second scene is to give us a reminder that God is the perfect and righteous Judge.

The third scene gives us a reminder that we are to fear God and respect Him greatly.

There are two contrasts John gives:  (1) an unfaithful harlot who committed spiritual fornication represented by the old Jerusalem and (2) a pure and faithful wife represented by the new Jerusalem - the church.

The unfaithful wife had been divorced by God for her spiritual fornication.  God has brought Himself into relationship in a new covenant with a new bride - the bride of Christ.  There is an “already-not yet” tension being stated here in that the consummation of the marriage supper has not occurred yet (Isaiah 25:6-8), but has in its inaugurated stage.

In a Jewish wedding, there were two stages:  (1) a betrothal and (2) the actual wedding.  It must be the case that the church is still in its betrothal status because we are awaiting the actual wedding supper, and the servants are still inviting guests to the wedding (Matthew 22:1-14).

The way that the bride makes herself ready is to work out her salvation with fear and trembling and living in the light of the grand reality that is to come in the future (Philippians 2:12,13; Ephesians 2:8-10).  The invitation is still being extended to come obey the gospel (Revelation 22:17,18).  John is so overwhelmed by this vision that he worships the angel and receives a rebuke.  There is the command to worship God because Jesus is the essence and heart of prophecy.

    10. John sees a new vision where heaven opened and he sees Jesus on a white horse.  In Matt 22:1–14, the parable of the marriage feast is given.  The Jews were invited, but they rejected it.  As a result, God destroyed them in A.D. 70.  After that destruction, the inaugurated marriage feast is introduced.  God had married OT Israel at Mt. Sinai (Exodus 24:1-8; Ezekiel 16:1-8).  God divorced OT Israel for spiritual fornication (idolatry).  God had the right to remarry someone who would remain faithful to Him, which would be the church of Christ (Romans 7:1-4; 2 Corinthians 11:2).  Paul spoke of the fact that there was a present spiritual marriage (Ephesians 5:20-33).  After the harlot fell, the bride (the church) would be recognized as the bride of Christ because the harlot was destroyed and Christ was free to present His new bride to the world.

    11.Jesus is on a white horse, which is a metaphor for His victory as a conqueror of His enemies and His perfect and righteous judgment to judge them.  Jesus does not possess the attitude of past bloodthirsty conquerors.  He is faithful and true because His character is perfect.  The description of His eyes reminds us that He knows and sees everything.  The imagery of His many crowns is to denote that He is the supreme King of everything and is above every other king.  His clothes were immersed in blood because it is picture of the bloodshed of His enemies (Isaiah 63:1-6).  He is known as the Word of God because He is God’s message to man (John 1:14).  The sword that comes out of His mouth is the word of God (Hebrews 4:12).

    12.He treads out the winepress, which is imagery of judgment upon Babylon (OT Jerusalem) reminiscent of Revelation 14.

    14. There is also a reversal occurring with the enemies of God.

    15.Notice how God is dealing with His enemies.  First, He deals with the harlot in Rev 17 and 18.  Second, he deals with the beast and the false prophet in Rev 19:19–21.  Jesus will deal with the ultimate enemy, Satan, in Revelation 20.          

Applications

16. First, whose side are we on?  Are we on the victorious or the losing side?  Can we sing honestly that we are on the Lord’s side?

17. Second, God showed His love, mercy, and grace through the cross of Christ to those who are willing to obey Him.  But God also shows His justice and wrath to those who are wicked and will not obey Him.

18. Third, we belong exclusively to Jesus if we are in the church.  He is faithful and true to us.  Should we not do the same?  (James 4:4)

19. Fourth, it is reassuring to know that we can conquer the enemy while we are marching under the cross.

20. Fifth, which supper do we wish to be apart?  Do we wish to attend the supper of the judgment of enemies on the final day of judgment or the blessed marriage supper of the Lamb?

Interpretation:  Revelation 20:1–14

21. There needs to be some preliminary remarks made concerning this chapter.  This is a highly symbolic and figurative text as we have seen elsewhere in the book (Revelation 1:1).  It has been greatly disputed and differed by those who hold to the views that are known as premillennialism, millennialism, post-millennialism, and other views.

22. Although the book does contain prophecies that would soon come to pass as it states at the beginning of the book (Revelation 1:3),  Jesus wants us to recognize that an exception is made that there are some sections of this chapter that will not shortly come to pass due to the highly symbolic number known as a 1,000 years, which gives us a hint that it means a long and indefinite period of time.

23. In Revelation 20:1, John now sees a vision of an angel come down out of heaven who had the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

24. The angel represents the authority of God to execute His will upon the earth.  This angel had a key and a great chain.

25. A key symbolizes the power to open or to close.  A chain was used to bind captives when taken into captivity (Jeremiah 52:8-11).

26. This vision John had represented a prison for Satan.  He had been bound showing he had some restraint and limitation of his power.  Notice though that Satan still holds some type of influence.  He is like a dog tied to a leash.  He has the power to roam his territory, but he only has some limitation within that territory.   Notice in this text that the great enemy is called “the dragon,” “the serpent of old”, “the devil”, and “Satan.”  John is referring back to Revelation 12 where he uses the same order of names for the devil.  John is reminding us that the devil was defeated by the work of Christ through His personal ministry, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension.  The gospel accounts refer to Christ and His victory over the evil works of the devil.  During the personal ministry of Jesus, he was binding Satan's power (Matthew 12:29-30; Luke 10:17,18; John 12:31,32).

27. Demons, the allies of Satan, had been physically binding the bodies of Jews during that time.  Jesus and His disciples were performing exorcisms upon the demons and they were cast out.  Jesus made it explicit that he was triumphing over Satan in Jn 12:31,32.  In Hebrews 2:14, it records that the work of Jesus Christ was triumphing over Satan.  Jesus, in some sense, has defeated him, but there is some activities that he is still doing.  He is still tempting man to sin.  Satan still held some power over the world (1 Peter 5:8,9; 1 John 5:18).  Although Satan had suffered a great blow, he still could roam about like a lion trying to destroy souls.

28. In what sense had Satan deceived the nations?  This pictures for us Satan as the serpent of old in the garden of Eden in Genesis 3 who had deceived Eve, an image bearer of God.  In Romans 1 and 2, Paul reports how the nations were greatly deceived because they had given themselves over to idolatry and immorality.  Even Israel, who was to be a light to the nations, was given over to the same deception by adhering to idolatry and immorality.  That is the sense in which Satan had been deceiving the nations.  When the gospel was spreading, many people in the Gentile nations were influenced by the gospel and obeyed it.  They were turning away from their idolatry and immoral lifestyles to a life of righteousness.  They are coming to know the one true God.  We see this being shown to us in the book of Acts.  Many of the places that the apostles traveled were places where the Gentiles lived.  Many of the Gentiles sought to be under the reign of God rather than under the reign of Satan.

29. In Revelation 20:3c, there is at some point after this symbolic thousand year period that Satan will be released from the prison.  God, in His sovereignty, allows this to take place.

30. Whenever thrones are mentioned, they are located in heaven always.  Notice that these thrones are currently occupied.  They are occupied by “souls.”  These souls are the same souls we saw earlier who were found under the altar because they had given themselves as a sacrifice (Revelation 6:9-11). Notice that judgment is given to these souls.  This should remind us of Dan. 7 when judgment was given to the saints.  Notice that these Christians were willing to lay down their lives for Jesus.  They would not deny their Lord now in the midst of persecution.  Notice these Christians have a disembodied existence.  Their souls are separated from their bodies.  This teaches the reunification that Christians desire to have their souls connected to their newly transformed bodies that will be raised from the grave (1 Corinthians 15:1-58).  The plea in their prayer has been granted and they were thus vindicated.  These martyred saints were being translated from the altar of sacrifice to the thrones of victory.  This is based on God's mighty work of deliverance and judgment.

31. In Revelation 2:25, Jesus had encouraged the church that they could reign with Him if they remained faithful to Him.  In Revelation 2:10, notice that Jesus states that some of the saints were to be cast into prison by the devil for ten days.  This is a symbolic number.  It is probably taken from the book of Daniel when Daniel and his friends were tested for ten days.  These Christians were going to go through a rough, yet short period of persecution.  Notice the number 1000 is 10 times 10 times 10.  This teaches that although there will be a long period of persecution and tribulation, according to 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, this period of persecution is only temporary compared to eternity where all things will be made well.  This “first resurrection” takes place at physical death for the faithful Christian during this time of persecution because he is going from the altar of sacrifice to heaven itself where Christ is reigning in heaven.  We have to remember though that this is a symbolic picture.  This was to encourage the saints at that time to remain faithful to Jesus.  We have to remember that this does not contradict what we learn elsewhere.  We learn that the faithful saint will go into the compartment of Hades known as Paradise.  Paul still sees Paradise as where Jesus can be found when he writes in 2 Cor 5:8:  “We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.”

32. In Revelation 20:6, Christians are urged at this time to remain faithful by taking part in the first resurrection.  We learn the words “first” and “second” are used in pairs in Revelation and have different meanings.  We learn that this “first resurrection” is the soul rising from the altar of sacrifice to a throne of victory.  The “second resurrection” will be a physical, bodily resurrection in which the body will be raised from the grave to live upon the “new heavens and new earth in which righteousness dwells.” (John 5:28,29; Revelation 21:1,2; 2 Peter 3:10-13)  We learn that the “first death” is temporary, yet the “second death” is eternal because a person who is wicked will have their soul and resurrected body (Matthew 10:28; 25:46) cast into hell fire and darkness.  The first heavens and earth is temporary because it has only been here a few thousand years.  It will be destroyed by fire (2 Peter 3:10).  God will create a second or new heavens and new earth that will last for the righteous for all eternity (Revelation 21:1,2). It states that the martyred saints shall be priests of God and Christ and shall reign with Christ for a thousand years.  This shows this is what God desired all along.  Adam was the first priestly king to have dominion over the earth in the first temple, the garden of Eden.  He was to expand the glory of God across the earth.  Adam failed due to his sin.  Israel was given the commission just as Adam was (Exodus 19:6). They were to be a kingdom of priests who were to establish God's holy abode upon a mountain in the land of Canaan to bring glory to the nations, but they failed to be the kingdom of priests.  It is these martyred saints, the church of Christ, who are fulfilling Adam's commission.  They have become a part of the true temple of God, Jesus Christ (John 2:18-22; 1 Corinthians 3:16,17) and they are a holy priesthood (1 Peter 2:9,10). When they die, God will grant them to be priests (as they were already priests upon the first earth) who will reign upon the new heavens and new earth in which righteousness dwells.  Paradise will be restored.

33. In Revelation 20:7–10, the text states that after this indefinite, symbolic long period of time expires Satan will be released from his prison.  His mission will be:  (1) to deceive the nations and (2) gather them together to battle.  Satan is bringing together a wicked coalition to destroy the church of Christ.  He gathers this wicked coalition from everywhere.  This wicked coalition is called Gog and Magog, which is reminiscent of Ezekiel 38.  We will turn there soon to find out why God named this wicked army these names.

34. Notice the vast number of this great army.  It is counted like the sand in the sea.  Several enemies of God's people in the OT were described like the sand in the sea (Joshua 11:4; Judges 7:12; 1 Samuel 13:5).  This seems to give a grim and intimidating picture of defeat because of the overwhelming odds against the church and it seems to be outmatched in every way in that there is no way of possible victory.  Just as the OT Israelites faced some overwhelming odds, so it would be the case for the true, spiritual Israel (the church).  They will have to fight against these overwhelming odds.  We need to see with the eye of faith that this is how the Lord works.  We have seen the OT pattern where God did not use some clever human strategy to overcome His enemies.  God is eager to demonstrate His deliverance in the power of the paradox of the weakest circumstances.

35. For example, in Exodus 14, Moses had brought the children of Israel near the shore of the Red Sea.  Pharaoh's army is on its way to subdue them and the people of Israel are afraid and complain to Moses as to why they have been brought out here to die.  Moses responded:  “Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord!”  By the power of God in those dire circumstances, we see a way of escape is opened up for the children of Israel to cross through the waters of the Red Sea while we see the end of Pharaoh's army drown in it.  God demonstrates His deliverance and salvation unto His people!      

36. In Joshua 6, the children of Israel are to walk by faith and obedience by obeying the exact instructions of the Lord in conquering the city of Jericho by walking around it, shouting, and blowing the trumpets.  The faith to take that city was indeed a paradox because it seemed so strange compared to an ordinary siege of military conquest against the city.  The Lord showed that He was in charge of delivering the wicked city of Jericho into the hands of His people.  In 1 Samuel 16, small David came up against a great Philistine giant named Goliath.  From a human point of view, it would seem that Goliath has the odds in his favor.  It was through God's power that David was able to slay the great giant.  John is likely deriving the imagery of the fire coming down from heaven in 2 Kings 1:9-14.  We have the soldiers of the wicked king, Ahaziah, coming to seize Elijah because Elijah had stated that the king was going to die.  Ahaziah dispatches soldiers to go seize Elijah.  When the soldiers arrive at the hill where Elijah is, it would seem to be the case from a human point of view that Elijah is going to be captured because there is no way he is going to be able to get away from these soldiers.  Ahaziah sends fifty soldiers up the hill, but the prophet calls down fire upon those soldiers.  Another batch of fifty soldiers is sent up the hill and they are consumed by fire.  God does work through what seems to be the weakest circumstances.  He will also do that for His precious people, the church, who are surrounded, outnumbered, and outmatched by enemies of God's people.

37. The focus will turn to the names of Gog and Magog, which are found in Ezekiel 38 and 39.  These are enemies of God's people and are unidentifiable.  We clearly just do not have enough information to know who they were. Gog and Magog are found to be descendants of Noah (Genesis 10:2; 1 Chronicles 5:4), but that is all we can clearly say.  That is the point though.  God wants us to know that these are unidentifiable foes.  They are not meant to be specific, but generic to us.  Notice in Ezekiel 38 and 39, God has set judgment against others besides Gog and Magog (Ezekiel 38:1; 39:1,2). Tubal and Magog had already been identified earlier along with Egypt as being found in the pit under the judgment of God in Ezekiel 32.  The point that God is making through Ezekiel is that we have this unknown, unidentifiable army that opposes God's people, but it stands under God's judgment.  This big wicked army is not going to get away with wiping out God's people.  God is going to save His remnant of people while rendering righteous judgment upon the wicked.  This grand wicked army of Gog and Magog that serves as an evil ally to Satan in Rev 20 is surrounding the camp of the saints and the beloved city.  The identity of the camp of the saints and the beloved city is referring to the same entity – the new Jerusalem – the church of Christ.

38. Why is it being called the camp of the saints? This is a symbol that is rooted in the OT to show that just as Israel was camping with the tabernacle in the wilderness wanderings and heading to their promised land of Canaan, so it is with the church who are camping in this world and are exiles heading toward the new heavens and the new earth in which righteousness dwells (1 Peter 1:1; 2:11,12; 2 Pet 3:10–13).  Just as Israel faced some dire threats in the wilderness with enemies of God's people, so it would also be the case that the new Israel – the church – would face enemies while they are traveling through the wilderness.

39. Why is it being called the beloved city?  We have identified earlier that the “great city” that is a harlot is referring to physical Jerusalem that was persecuting the true people of God.  It was a wicked city that would be destroyed by Rome.  But there is another city that has the apple of God's eye – the new Jerusalem.  God has His eyes set on that city because it is a city that is righteous and holy.  This city will be further described in Rev 21 and 22.  We are in the city of the new Jerusalem right now in its inaugurated state, but we have not been established in its consummated state in the new heavens and new earth.  God has always designed it to be that there would be a (1) people and a (2) place.  In the beginning of creation, God placed people – Adam and Eve into a place – the garden of Eden. In Egypt, God formed a people – the nation of Israel and set them to go toward a place – Canaan.  God has set forth a new people in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17) – the church of Christ – and they are heading toward a new place that has not been fully consummated – “the new heavens and new earth.” (Revelation 21:1,2)  Suffering, persecution, and defeat will not be the last words for the Christian.  God will destroy those who oppose the church.  This is good news for the people of God.

40. In Revelation 20:10, earlier in book the devil is the “main boss” behind the beast, the false prophet, and the harlot.  We have seen how the beast, the false prophet, and the harlot were defeated (Revelation 18; 19:20). God goes after the arch nemesis – the devil – the one who is behind it all.  God is going to condemn the devil to hell.  His judgment will not be temporary.  It will be forever and ever.  Those who ally with Satan will likewise suffer the same type of eternal punishment as the devil.  They will be tormented day and night forever and ever (Matthew 25:41-46). The reason hell was created was that it was prepared originally for the devil and his angels who rebelled against the Lord.  This ought to create a legitimate motivation of fear for those who have not obeyed the gospel (2 Corinthians 5:10,11).  God's ultimate wrath over evil will finally be accomplished.  There will be no more evil, no more sorrow, or pain.  God's people will no longer have to endure suffering.  It will finally all be over.  What a great comfort to those who are faithful servants of God.  We should not oppose God and make sure that we are living lives for God.  We are living worthy of the gospel of Christ (Philippians 1:26,27). There is a reality worse than physical death and that is eternal punishment.

41. In Revelation 20:11–15, John sees a vision of a great white throne and the One who occupies it before him.  It denotes vastness.  It is not insignificant.  If you want to picture the sovereignty, authority, and great power of God, then to picture this great white throne.  The color of white represents purity, righteousness, and holiness because the One who occupies the throne is pure, righteous, and holy.  God will judge righteously.  Whatever he does, he is not wrong to sentence the final judgment of unbelievers.  He will do all things well.  There is no one that can accuse God of wrongdoing.  John also saw the “earth and heaven flee away.”  This is not referring to the destruction of heaven and earth as is taught elsewhere (2 Peter 3:10-13).  This is a personification of the earth and the heavens fleeing away in terror.  In Psalm 114, it shows the geographical features trembling at the presence of God.  It is communicating the majesty and glory of God.  Nothing is able to come into His presence that is truly like Him.

42. John is here intertwining the implication of the “second resurrection” because it was implied by the “first resurrection” of Revelation 20:6.  The “second resurrection” is referring to the general bodily resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked that will be raised from their graves (Daniel 12:2; John 5:28,29; Acts 24:15). Physical death, the ruling power that was reigning over the human race, the final enemy of God (1 Corinthians 15:26) is destroyed.  Since its power has depleted, it is now giving up the bodies and God is bringing them back to resurrected life.  There is a connection between the resurrection of the dead and the day of judgment.  In Matthew 12:41,42, the men of Nineveh and the queen of Sheba will rise up (a strong connection to the general resurrection of the dead) against the contemporary generation of Jesus' day because they will rise up “with” them and will condemn them because the men of Nineveh repented while most of the Jews did not believe on Jesus and thus did not turn away from their sins.   After everyone is resurrected from the dead, there will be a great judgment that takes place of those who were dead and those who are now living (2 Timothy 4:1,2; Acts 17:30,31). God will decree those who are righteous to live upon the new heavens and the new earth (2 Peter 3:13).  Those who are wicked will be cast into hell fire (Revelation 21:8; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).

43. John sees the “great and small.”  This encompasses everybody.  Nobody is too great to be exempted from the day of judgment, even those who are in high government positions.  It does not matter if you are a king, teacher, professor, lawyer, doctor, or preacher.  You will be judged by God.  In Matthew 25:31–46, we see another picture of the day of judgment.

44. The risen Christ has been given the right to judge all men.  There are books that are opened.  We do not know what those books are.  They could represent the omniscience of God since God knows everything we have ever done whether it be past, present, or future.  We are told though about the Lamb's Book of Life.  It is called the Lamb’s Book of Life because Jesus was slain to make redemption available through His shedding blood (Revelation 1:5,6; 5:8–13; 7:10; 13:8).  It is the Book of eternal Life because only people whose names are written in it will enter into eternal life in the heavenly city (Revelation 7:17; 21:10,27; 22:3–5).  Those whose names are not written in God’s Book will be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14,15).  Therefore, only the names of God’s children are written in the Book.  But even a child of God can have his name taken out of the Lamb’s Book and, hence, forfeit his eternal salvation. For instance, children of God of the OT were taken out of God’s book because of their impenitent sin and because they turned their hearts away from God (Exodus 32:31-33; Deuteronomy 29:14,15,18-20).  Children of God of the NT are taken out of it because they do not overcome/remain faithful and/or they take away from God’s words (Revelation 2:10; 3:5; 22:19).  Other names not found in the Book of Life are those who worshiped the sea beast and those who defile, cause an abomination or lie (Revelation 13:1,8,17; 17:8; 21:27).

45. It is very hard to know whether “the sea” here is talking about the literal oceans or is it being a symbol.  In the OT, the sea is rooted in meaning that its origin represents sinister evil, chaos, and death that needs to be defeated and is destroyed.  In Daniel 7, it speaks of the four beasts (that represented Babylon, Medo-Persia, Macedonia, and Rome) that arose from the sea.  John speaks of Rev 21:1 that the sea will be no more.  It will finally have vanquished because it was an evil entity.  Death was a sinister enemy because it was an intrusion into God's good creation.  Hades was the “partner in crime” because it held those who were dead by separating the souls from the physical bodies.  Since the general physical resurrection has taken place, death will have been conquered because God's power overcame Death, and Hades will no longer be able to hold the souls captive and therefore it is destroyed in hell.

Applications

46. First, there is a story about a boy who wanted to help his father with plowing the field.  The father said to his son, “Now son, keep your eyes focused on something ahead of you and you will always plow a straight line.” The son started to plow and was doing a very fine job. The dad decided to leave for a little bit, but when he came back he was shocked at the horrible scene of so many “zig-zags” across the field. He said to his son, “Son, what did you do? I told you to stare at an object in front of you and you would never go wrong.” The son replied, “I did what you told me to do dad, but I kept on staring at that dog who kept moving around everywhere!”  We have to give the boy credit for setting his eyes on the object of his goal. We as Christian runners need to focus our eyes on the Lord Jesus Christ.  He is our perfect example.  We need to always be looking at Jesus just like the little boy did with the dog.  Don’t ever take your eyes off Him.

47. Second, God allows hardships, suffering, and difficult events to happen in order to teach us, reprove us, discipline us, and conform us to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29).

48. Third, remember that these times of suffering are only temporary compared to eternity (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).  If you want to be in the Book of Life (and stay in it), you must be a faithful Christian worker who endures to the end (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:4,5; Malachi 3:16,17).  Is your name in the Book of Life?  Has it been taken out?  Examine yourself whether you are in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5).

49. Fourth, works are examined by God (Matthew 16:27; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Ecclesiastes 12:13,14). Why does God look and examine our deeds?  Because they will testify for or against you.  Faith always entails action.  If you were a faithful Christian, then you are going to show works that are worthy of repentance and show that you devoted your life to Jesus Christ throughout your life.  But if you have lived an evil life, then it shows that you have been living a heart of unbelief and did not conform to a life of obedience.

50. Fifth, John speaks of the second death – separation from God forever and ever.  He states that those who are not in Christ will not be found written in the Book of Life.  In Christ, faithful Christians are not condemned because they continually have access to the blood of Jesus Christ (1 John 1:7-9).  Believers will not experience what will happen to death, Hades, and the devil if they will remain faithful to the end.

51. Sixth, people sometimes say:  “God does not send people to hell.  People send themselves there.”  That is false.  The casting was done by God himself.  This is where people must go if they do not want to live a righteous and holy life that is pleasing to God.  God does not take any pleasure in the death of the wicked and He certainly wants all to come to repentance before it is too late (2 Peter 3:9).

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Five Rules For Prosperous Bible Study

1. Study the Bible Prayerfully. Before a person ever opens his Bible, he should fall down on his knees and ask for God’s blessings. Paul reminds us of this principle as he prays for the Christians at Colossae: “For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding” (Col. 1:9).

2. Study the Bible Carefully. One must never study the Bible with a flippant and irreverent view of God and His Word. Paul taught Timothy to, “Study to show yourself approved unto God a workman who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15).

3. Study the Bible Practically. For the Word of God to do us any good in this life, we must apply its’ teachings to our daily life. Paul reminded the Christians in Phillipi of this when he said, “The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do and the God of peace will be with you” (Phil 4:9).

4. Study the Bible Impartially. To study God’s word correctly a person must put aside all prejudice, bias and preconceived notions of God and His Will. We must have the attitude of Samuel who said, “Speak Lord, for your servant hears” (1 Sam. 3:10). We must remember the words of the Proverbs writer; “There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof is the way of death (Prov. 16:25).

5. Study the Bible Expectantly.  For a person to receive the full blessings of Bible study, he must study it expecting several things.  For example, we should study the Bible expecting to understand it (Eph. 3:4).  We should study the Bible expecting its principles to bless us as they are applied to our life (Ps. 1:1-3).  We should study the Bible expecting to learn how to be set free from sin (John 8:32).  We should study the Bible expecting to learn how to be saved (Acts 2:38).

May God bless each one of us as we apply His will to our lives!

"Matters of the Mind (Sins of the flesh #2)" - Amy Lawrence

Matters of the Mind

Sins of the Flesh #2

As we all survive this thing we call life, our experiences and the choices we make during our experiences mold our minds and thus our characters. I think we all can agree that the mind is a powerful thing. As the human race has advanced in technology, medicine, and science, all of the above has made such an impact on the length of this existence. Unfortunately, this existence has a terminus. Death is inevitable. James wrote, “What is your life? It is but a vapor that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away.” (James 4:14) In the end, what matters?

A war is being waged as we speak; a war for our minds. Some might picture this by the old cartoon maxim, with Mephistopheles sitting on one shoulder while an angel, bedecked with wings and a halo, perches on the other; both sides are whispering in our ear trying to convince us while we make a choice. That is, of course, just an illustration of an idea, one that is often misrepresented to the populous. Despite the fiction that is varying and prominent, we who are interested in truth seek out truth. I hope that is your motivation as we study these topics.

There are two forces fighting for our minds. Satan sits at the forefront of the side of evil. He is cunning, Gen. 3:1, deceptive, 2 Cor. 11:12-15, and he has an arsenal of weapons - all aimed at us, 2 Cor. 2:11, Eph. 6:11. HIs goal is to grieve God by hurting US, Job 1:6-12. He casts his three-fold net (lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, 1 Jn. 2:16) and sees who he can snare. Satan’s goal is to accrue as much company as he can, saving a seat for everyone in eternal punishment. Yes, Satan is fighting for our minds. But so is God. He fights for us, Ex. 14:14, He fights with us, Heb. 13:5, and He provides us with both defensive and offensive tools to defeat that old serpent, Eph. 6:10-17. The battlefield is the mind, and the helmet of salvation is given to shore up our ability to withstand Satan’s fiery darts. But…will a helmet do us any good if we don’t wear it? In the Christian armor, there is only one offensive tool: the sword, Eph. 6:17. A good sword is sharp, but the word of God is sharper, and two-edged, Heb. 4:12, so it cuts both coming and going. But will a sword help us if we don’t know how to use it? Paul told Timothy to “…be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth,” 2 Tim. 2:15. We as soldiers of Christ have a responsibility to learn to use the equipment He has provided in order to withstand Satan.

As I said before, the mind - the conscience - is the battlefield. Many incorrectly assume that this war against the Devil is a physical war - but it’s not. It is spiritual, Eph. 6:12. Our conscience is ever growing, ever changing. It takes time and training for a mind to become either carnal or spiritual, Rom. 8, but the great thing is that we get to decide which it becomes. Paul would state in chapter 7 of Romans that the war within himself was that of the flesh against the spirit. We all have these two wolves fighting within us. The wolf that wins is the one we feed. We’re studying sins of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21), and so we’ve been discussing first the junk food that the majority feed their wolves.

In my last article, we discussed the first four of the fleshly sins found in Galatians 5:19-21: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, and lewdness. In this article, I’d like to study the next two on the list: idolatry and sorcery.

What is idolatry? Colossians 3:5 tells us that idolatry is covetousness. What is covetousness? The best description scripture gives of covetousness is found in the book of Exodus. The children of Israel left Egypt following God. As one studies their journey, though, one learns that their hearts remained in Egypt, Ex. 14:11-12; 16:3; 17:3; 32:1. Covetousness is a deep-seated dedication to or longing for something that we shouldn’t desire, something that distracts our hearts from following God. Their distraction was idolatry, but idolatry can be anything from worshipping a false god to worshipping athletics, money, beauty, sexual preferences, etc. Satan will throw everything he can at us to get our minds to lose focus on God.

What is sorcery? To understand this, we have to do a bit of a history lesson of the nations that surrounded Israel…but before we get into that, let me ask some questions: did Harry Houdini really walk straight through a solid brick wall? Did David Copperfield really make the Statue of Liberty disappear? Could Derren Brown or David Berglas really control others’ minds or predict lottery numbers? We have people today that are talented with misdirection, illusion, elaborate engineering, psychology, and trickery. We call them “magicians”. They leave audiences stunned at what is seemingly unexplainable, all the while remaining within the limits of this physical existence.

I say all of this to help anyone reading to understand that illusionists are not exclusive to just the last few centuries. One can find illusionists in scripture. Words that scripture uses to illustrate this type of person are: magician, Gen. 41:8, diviner, Num. 22:7, medium, Lev. 20:27, astrologer, Is. 47:13, soothsayer, Is. 2:6, sorcerer, Acts 13:6,8, or wizard, Is. 8:19. I also mentioned before that a bit of a crash course in Israel’s history would be needed in order to understand. Before I lose your attention, what we need to know is summarized in 2 Chr. 33. Manasseh is recorded to be one of the worst kings of Judah. As you read this chapter, you learn of what Manasseh did to make him so terrible. He practiced “the abominations of the heathen”, worshipping the false gods of the surrounding nations. This worship included the use of divinations that God explicitly commanded against, Deut. 18:9-14. As we can see, sorcery has dangerous roots.

As sorcery (and any form of divination) is illusory, what could have made people in the 1st century believe what they were seeing and/or hearing, even though it was a trick? This answer can be found in the original Greek word for “sorcery” in Gal. 5:20: φαρμακεία (pharmakeia). We have an English word that is very similar to this word. Even in the culture of this day and age, we all know that a pharmacy is where we acquire drugs (legally, of course). One really must bear in mind, though, that drugs were not widely understood in the 1st century. Many that did understand them used them in harmful, selfish ways. Persons such as this were called “sorcerers”. Some of the drugs used were hallucinatory drugs from sources such as mandrake, opium, or certain mushrooms. Fermented drink would also be included. These would be used to alter the mind of a person before an audience, giving those watching a show. Drugs were also used as “cures” for varying illnesses, but the “cure” would only last so long and the ailing person would return for more. Addiction was as real then as it is now.

I feel I need to make something very clear before we move on. There are some that hold to this idea that reading fictional books such as Harry Potter, the Chronicles of Narnia, or the DaVinci Code is sinful. These written works are called fiction by their authors. They are not advertised as truth, but some try and make them so. I do not hold to the idea that it is wrong to read them nor do I entertain the notion that they are non-fiction. They are fantastical stories written to entertain. Nothing more. There are, however, minds that do believe that magic is real. They practice visiting fortune-tellers, check their horoscope daily, or allow other superstitions to guide their lives. Such beliefs are dangerous and warned against in scripture, and for good reason. Putting our faith in illusion, coincidence, and superstition takes faith away from God.

It matters what we put into our minds as much as it matters what comes out - because what we allow in determines what it will produce. A mind that receives garbage will produce garbage. A mind that receives intelligent health will produce intelligent health. One of the many things I love about the word of God is that it has an answer to every question I’ve ever asked or will ever ask God. How are we to know the ways to keep our mind healthy that are God-approved? The answer can be found in Phil. 4:4-9.

Our daily battle against the prince of this world is frequently exhausting…but Jesus promised that overcoming ends with rewards. Jesus will:

-give us fruit from the tree of life, which is in the middle of Paradise, Rev. 2:7.

-keep us from suffering the second death, Rev. 2:11.

-allow us to eat of the hidden manna and give us a name all our own, Rev. 2:17.

-give us the power over nations, just as He was given by God, Rev. 2:26-28

-clothe us in white, show us our name written in the Book of Life, and confess that He knows us before God the Father, Rev. 3:5.

-secure us a place we will never wish to leave - and never have to, Rev. 3:12.

-grant us the privilege of sitting on a throne next God the Father and His Son, Rev. 3:21.
We can also trust that it can be done, because we have the perfect Example to look to when we get discouraged: Jesus, Heb. 12:1-2.

Everything we are has to be rooted in God before we can grow in God, Mk. 12:30. I can confidently attest to the fact that dedication to this will direct one’s life in a way that shows what Christ meant when He called this life “abundant”, John 10:10. I have an abundant life; not because I have money, family, health, and more, but because putting God first has blessed me with all of the above. If I can do it, so can you. Put God first. Everything you need will follow, Mt. 6:33.

"Matters of the Mind (Sins of the flesh #1)" - Amy Lawrence

Walking in the Spirit

Matters of the Mind (Sins of the Flesh #1)

It matters what we think. Proverbs 23:7 states, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he…” Thought leads to action, action to character, character to behavior. Scripture often metaphorically describes the heart as the center of thought and intent, Heb. 4:12. There are so many things in this world battling for our attention, our heart, and our mind.  When Paul wrote his letter to the Galatians, he contrasted two mindsets - the carnal (fleshly) mind, and the spiritual mind. He contrasted the same two mindsets in Romans chapter 8 and attested that only one, the spiritual mind, is acceptable to God. Paul listed in Galatians the kind of actions that are produced from each type of mind. This list can be found in Galatians 5:16-26. I’d like to dive into a study of this list, but there is so much material involved with each term. It would be valuable to our study to discuss each one individually and how we as women can benefit from such a study, and so I’d like to do this as a series. 

The first list of terms are those that are of a carnal-minded person. They are known as the lusts of the flesh. Whether a person has only one of these bad habits or all, each one is an action that is born of a mind that is contrary to the spiritual mind. We will begin with the first four (vs.19): “adultery”, “fornication”, “uncleanness”, and “lewdness”. These four can be categorized as sexual sins. This type of sin is listed first, and not only here, but also in 1 Cor. 6:9 and Eph. 5:5. 

“Adultery”
This sexual sin is prominent in our society. It permeates every form of media and is so commonplace it is considered ‘normal’. The original Greek word for adultery is μοιχεία (moicheia). It denotes one who is unfaithful in the physical sense…which is why the word is used interchangeably to either mean an unfaithful spouse in a sexual context, Mt. 19:9, or an unfaithful child of God in an idolatrous context, James 4:4. One of the Ten Commandments uses the Hebrew word נָאַף (naaph), Ex. 20:14. It was an offense punishable by death, Lev. 20:10, but one that was still commonly practiced by Israel as a part of their idolatry, Jer. 7:9-10. Ongoing adultery is still punishable by death, but a very different kind - a spiritual death, Rev. 21:8. Only discontinuation of the adultery and forgiveness from God will save one from such a death, 1 Cor. 6:11. 

As we are discussing the heart, and since this is where adultery begins (Mt. 5:28), let us avoid the things that we know are precursors for adultery. Mt. 5:28 tells us that lust is where the heart begins to go astray. Knowing where adultery starts gives us the ability to nip it in the bud before it grows to something much more sinister. Avoiding lust can only be done through gratitude. Being thankful for and content with what we have keeps us from focusing more on what we cannot have, Heb. 13:4-5.

“Fornication”
We have seen the gradual disintegration of our society toward sexual immorality over the decades, but fornication is not a new concept to us. It was as common then as it is now. Today, though, what used to be shameful and hidden is paraded as an innate human right. No matter the excuses or the relationship in which it is happening, fornication is a sin. Sexual intercourse is strictly limited to that between an non-adulterous, male+female, married couple, Heb. 13:4. What most refuse to acknowledge is that there is a very good reason for this. All things work together for the good that God has purposed, Rom. 8:28, OUR good. God knows His Creation, and He knows the damage that fornication can do to a person, emotionally and physically. To remedy this, God tells us to marry, 1 Cor. 7:1-2. But note verse 2: “…let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.” We can’t have someone else’s husband or wife. Before we marry, we’d better make sure that person doesn’t already belong to another. 

“Uncleanness”
This isn’t a commonly used term in what we would consider a sexual sense. The original Greek word is ἀκαθαρσία (akatharsia), and is defined as one who is “impure, physically and/or morally.” This word is found 10 times in the New Testament, and each time it denotes an unholiness in a sexual sense. Its use in Romans 1:24 shows that this can mean any sexual sin, whether the act itself, or the impure mindset that leads to sexual sins. The root Greek term is καθαρός (katharos), meaning “clean, clear, pure.” We are commanded to be holy as God is holy, in everything that we think and do, 1 Pet. 1:14-16. This includes abstaining from anything that God has deemed sexual deviance; pornography, petting, sexting, etc.

“Lewdness”
The KJV uses the word “lasciviousness”, and the original Greek is ἀσέλγεια (aselgeia), meaning “incontinence, filthy wantonness.” The word is used in 2 Pet. 2:18 and speaks of one that draws others into sexual sins. We can get a picture of such a woman from Proverbs 5-7. The description of the harlot in Prov. 5 and the adulteress in Prov. 6 and 7 share a common warning: “…her feet go down to death, her steps lay hold of Hell.” The advice Solomon gives? “Drink water from your own cistern, and running water from your own well.” (Prov. 5:15) To sin is bad; to entice others to sin is far worse, Rom. 1:28-32. Both lead to death.

By their fruits, you will know them, Mt. 7:17-20. Our study is of the spiritual mind, and the attitude behind any sexual sin is a subject that is frequently unaddressed. Paul speaks of a constant internal war in Romans 7:14-25, a war that we all experience - our fleshly desires versus the will of God. Every commandment God gives is for OUR good, to give US rest for OUR souls, Deut. 10:12-13, Jer. 6:16…but we have to WANT IT. No one, if they could see their future misery that came about because of their poor decisions today, would want that future. Obeying God’s commandments doesn’t just give us a worthwhile future, He promises that His obedient servants will receive a home in Heaven that makes even the best future in this life pale in comparison, Heb. 3-4. 

Our study on the matters of the mind will continue in my next article, but I ask that you diligently give yourself over to personal study and see for yourself what is that good, acceptable, perfect will of God, Rom. 12:1-2.

True Religion: Separating Fact from Fiction #fakereligion

           When watching television, reading the newspaper, or listening to the radio sometimes it is hard to separate fact from fiction.  Of course, the only way to do this is to analyze the facts and the source to ascertain if what is said is true.  The same is true four some people’s religion. Some people talk a good talk but do they have true religion. James deals with true religion and teaches us how to separate fact from fiction in James 1:26-27.

            The fictitious view of some people’s religion is clearly evident by their words.  There are many who believe they can be a faithful Christian and talk about others and still possess the religion of Christ.  James tells us this is false religion.  The Scripture says, “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless” (James 1:26 ESV).  James clearly teaches us that what we say and how we use our tongue is a direct indicator of our religion because it peers inside our souls to who we really are on the inside.  This is why James tells us we must bridle the tongue and  “let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak and slow to wrath” (James 1:19; James 3:1ff).

            True religion is also evident by a person’s character and actions.  The Holy Spirit says, “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27 NKJ).  How can we know we have “true” religion in our hearts. By our willingness to “do good unto all men especially those of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10).  Do we really love our  neighbor as our self (Mark 12:30ff)?  Do we strive every day  to make our bodies a living sacrifice to God separated from the world and holy in God’s sight (Luke 9:23; 1 Cor. 6:19-20; 2 Cor. 6:17-18)? 

            As we think about these indicators of true religion, we must each examine our own lives and see if we have true religion or if we are just “playing church".

I'm Glad I Didn't Baptize You! - Joey Ferrell

"I'm glad I didn't baptize you!" - Joey Ferrell

Some years ago, I posted a couple of articles on my personal blog online that gained not only a lot of popularity, but also a lot of negativity. One of those articles was titled “5 reasons NOT to be baptized…and 1 reason TO!” The other, "What must I do to be saved? Oh...well, I don't want to do that..."

The first one got a lot of traffic on social media, a lot of concern by fellow Christians (because the title caused questions and the reader didn’t read the article in full), and actually a little one-on-one discussion on baptism. The second one…oh boy! There was possibly as much negative response from similar and different ideas than maybe there were positive.

Let me explain:

You see, the Bible teaches truth…and truth only. The Bible teaches salvation…and salvation only. The Bible teaches ONE truth and ONE form of doctrine to obey that truth…so where did the negativity come from? Ephesians 4:4-6 says this:

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Did you see that? ONE baptism. Not many…and the emphasis should also be noted that baptism is among these other important “ones.” But, regardless of this verse that would seem simple to see in context, there are so many people who want to question that one form of doctrine when it comes to the nature and obedience of baptism. We could spend days probably on every single objection to baptism, but in this article, I want to focus on one specific argument that has been heard many times over…

“Paul didn’t baptize” or “Paul said it wasn’t important because of 1 Corinthians 1.”

Both of these are similar in argument, but let’s break this down a bit, starting with the context. 1 Corinthians 1:14-15 says this,

I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name.

So, yes…Paul DID say that he was glad that he didn’t baptize them. That is a hard statement to read…or is it really? Let’s focus a little more on the context at hand. Paul is addressing a major problem in the church in Corinth. There was sectarian division. Some were claiming to be of Paul…others Apollos and so on. Paul answers this with the question of “Is Christ divided?” He also posed the question of “Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” (v. 10-13)

Here is the problem with this statement that some will want to use to say that we do not have to be baptized to be saved. Paul NEVER said that one must not be baptized…nor did he say that he never baptized anyone!

While I am not sure how many will read this article, I can BOLDLY state something similar to what Paul said in verses 14-15 - “I baptized none of you except…”. It would be a blessing to know that someone I baptized into Christ (as the steward of God’s baptismal commands) is reading this very article…but in all likelihood, that is not going to be the case! I don’t keep a record of dates and names, but I can assure you that the list of people that I have personally baptized into Christ is much shorter than Paul’s would ever be! How can I say that? Well, remember what he said…”except Crispus and Gaius”. Wait…wouldn’t that indicate that they were both in that audience? I believe that to be the absolute case…and thus, Paul’s statement is a resounding truth in that the audience that included these men as well as possibly many others in this epistle as it was read had not personally been baptized by him…and his point is referring exactly back to what he had already stated about feeling some importance by the one who baptized a person instead of the One in which they were baptized into!

So, how many people DID Paul actually baptize? Well…I don’t know. We can ask him in heaven if the question is that important for us to know…but…notice this passage where we find that Crispus obeyed the gospel in Acts 18:8:

Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.

So…yes, Paul baptized Crispus, who was in the audience in the letter to the Corinthians, along with his household…and notice the last part of the verse - “and MANY…heard, believed, and were baptized.”

So, what about Gaius?

Turn to Romans 16 and you will find this Christian brother listed in his good work with the church that he is a member. We don’t seem to have a record of his actual baptism, but 6 times in scripture, this brother is listed. Most of these indicate that he is a Christian and doing work for God. In Romans 16, he is part of the church…and who knows how many in that congregation were baptized at the same setting that Gaius was with Paul. Only God and Paul would know.

So…using this argument to “debunk” baptism is a fallible argument at best. Paul baptized. He baptized at least 2 men and as the record would speculate…many others at these same settings.

With that said…I personally did not baptize any of you…except those that I actually baptized. Paul is no different…and God’s word is clear.

Do you need to be baptized for the remission of sins? Do you know someone who is unsettled on this command from God? If so, we would love to help.

Why do I read the Bible every year? - Joey Ferrell

I began preaching one Sunday a month in 2009 at a small congregation in Cannon County, Tennessee where we lived at that time. The congregation was made up of mostly older saints, but there were a few younger families attending too. This was a bit difficult for a “green” yet older man’s journey to be a preacher.

You see, as a 38 year old man who had been around the church all of my life from the time I was born, I had a false sense of confidence in my knowledge of the Bible. Sure, I had memorized many single verses, and even a few multiple verse passages in bible school, or was assigned to read as I grew and became a young Christian being baptized for the remission of my sin…but I did not (and can honestly say still do not) claim to know every “jot and tittle” of the Bible.

I grew up in a Christian home. The Bible was important. There were several on the bookshelves - many different translations or paraphrases as my mother had grown up in a denominational setting - so we had some of their preferred paraphrased works. I grew up reading mostly the KJV as the NKJV would not be published until I was a teenager. I also was introduced to a few other translations in my younger adult years and have probably 7-8 at my fingertips in my bookshelf next to where I sit daily. But…with that said…I had NEVER read all the way through the Bible in a purposed event until I was in my 40s. I had pieced it together, reading one book, or another, or studying one lesson, or another parable. But, from Genesis to Revelation, or in my preferred method of reading - chronological, I had never…not once…opened up my Bible, hardcopy or digital and read it from cover to cover until then. And what a shame. I had missed so much opportunity.

Now, am I saying that if you do this you will have all knowledge of God’s word absorbed? Absolutely not. What I am saying though is that if you do not, you may miss what God wants you to know!

One thing that prompted me was one of the older ladies in the congregation that I first preached. I had been preaching there a couple of years and she and I had a peculiar relationship. She had an interesting personality. But, she encouraged me being in older years and many times not feeling well, she was always so attentive.

I was hired to preach at another congregation after a few years. There was a man at that congregation that was a friend of hers and he pulled me aside one Sunday to talk to me. He told me as a constructive criticism that this sister had discussed with him that although she felt like I was doing a good job, that I did not know my Bible as well as I should. This upset me. I was mad at first, then hurt. But, after a while, I realized…she was right. And, it became a challenge. I visited with this sister shortly before she passed away. She had asked her family if I would come by, and I did. She never mentioned what was shared with me, and neither did I, but I did thank her for helping shape my spiritual life a little better through our acquaintance.

While I am still short on the knowledge that God has given in His word, I am still working on it! Since that very time, I have committed to reading through the entire Bible once every single year. Sometimes I have time left over even. It can be done! This year marked my 10th year of reading through at least one time each year and my life has been blessed through this reading. And…I just started my new plan a little early this morning!

So, why do I read the Bible every year? Well, because it is what God wants me to do. He wants me to know His word. He has prepared His word to be handed down through generations, now in many languages, many translations, and many formats. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells me that this word will help me to grow as well as teach others how to become a Christian and to grow.

Want to join me reading? The Gospel of Christ has a reading plan that you can follow along with. This year it is in the NKJV in a chronological order. Here is a link if you would like to join.

https://faithlife.com/tgocmedia/activity

Happy reading and many blessings for 2025!

Are New Testament Miracles Occurring Today? - Ben Bailey

Are New Testament Miracles Occurring Today?

Herod had wanted to meet Jesus for a long time (Luke 9:7-9).  While initially this seems like a very good thing, we learn a little later in the New Testament why Herod wanted to meet Jesus.  Luke 23:8 records their encounter this way: “Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him.”  Herod was indeed curious, but really, he just wanted to see a miracle.  Did you know a lot of people today still put the focus of Jesus and Christianity in that same light—They just want to see a miracle.  What does the Bible teach about New Testament Miracles occurring today?  Is that happening today like it did when Jesus walked the Earth?

The Bible teaches that miracles were to come to an end with the completion of God’s Revelation in the New Testament.  The purpose of miracles in the first century was to confirm the truth of God’s Word (Mk. 16:20; Heb. 2:3-4).  Miracles were never for physical gratification alone.  For example, Paul had the power to heal Trophimus, yet he left him in Miletus sick because miracles were not for physical gratification alone (2 Tim. 4:20).  The premiere passage that teaches miracles have ended is 1 Cor. 13:8-10.  Paul states, “Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.  For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.  But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.”  In this passage Paul teaches prophecies, tongue-speaking, and miraculous knowledge will come to an end when that which is perfect comes.  We must determine what the “perfect” is.  The word for perfect in the original language carries the idea of complete or absolute.  In the Bible there are only four things that are perfect: God, Christ, the Holy Spirit and God’s Word.  Of these four perfect items, God (Mt. 1:21), Christ (Jn. 1:1-4) and the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4ff) have already come by the time Paul wrote 1 Corinthians.  The only thing left to come is the “perfect law of liberty” (Jas. 1:25).  Therefore, Paul is saying that when the perfect law of liberty is completed (perfected) that which is partial (prophecy, tongue-speaking and miraculous knowledge) will end.  Dear friend, the Bible does not teach miracles still exist today. 

                  Also, it is evident if you look around honestly today that there are no genuine miracles happening today like they did in the New Testament.  These are the kinds of miracles we read of in the Bible: a man is raised from the dead (Jn. 11), a lame man walks instantaneously (Acts 3), blind people are given their sight immediately (Mk. 10:49-52), a man’s ear is attached back to his head automatically (Lk. 22:50-51).  If we are honest, we must admit these kinds of miracles are not happening today.  Now please don’t mistake a miracle for the Power of Prayer.  We believe God can heal people through prayer and providence (James 5:13-15).  In His time and way God will heal people, but people no longer have the power to do biblical miracles.  Why is it that not one miracle worker can go down to the cemetery today and raise a dead person?  Because that power no longer exists for us!

                  Like Herod, we live in a day and age when lots of people focus on the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit.   Would we not be better of spiritually by turning our attention to the product of the Holy Spirit—The Word of God (John 16:13) and letting it lead our lives.  Instead of getting worked up about miracles today, Christians need to be fired up for the Words of the Holy Spirit (Jer. 20:9).