This sermon is still in the making , i.e., has some "editing " needed; however, much is already here so I am posting it:

Rev 1: 1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;

20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.KJV

 

Revelation 2

 

2:1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churchs; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.

25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.28 And I will give him the morning star.29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

 

Revelation 3

 

3:1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

 

Rev 4

8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

 

Jesus as Creator

 

John 1: 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.2 The same was in the beginning with God.3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.KJV

 

Acts 17:24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

 

Eph 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:KJV

 

Col 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

 

Heb 1: 1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;……….8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:11 They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;12 And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?KJV

 

Rev 10:5 And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:KJV

 

Heb 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.KJV

 

1 Peter 4:19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.KJV

 

Rev 4:10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

 

Revelation 5

Jesus looses the seven seals:

5:1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, thy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.  6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

Jesus having the seven spirits of God:

Seven spirits of God commonly thought of as: Isa 11:1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

2 And the   spirit of the LORD (1) shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom (2)and understanding (3), the spirit of counsel (4) and might (5), the spirit of knowledge (6) and of the fear of the LORD (7);3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.5 And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.KJV

 

Rev 5  continued:     

Jesus receiving worship:

7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

 

Rev 6

Jesus opens up seals that result in great tribulation on the earth:6:1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.3 And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.4 And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.7 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

{Note : the dead in Christ can communicate with Him.}

11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. 14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

 

 JESUS IS CAPABLE OF GREAT WRATH AGAINST SIN AND SINNERS!!!

Ps 2::1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displesure.6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.

10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

 

Ps 110:4 The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.5 The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.6 He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.

 

2 Thess 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

 

Rev 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.KJV

 

Ps 21:8 Thine hand shall find out all thine enemies: thy right hand shall find out those that hate thee.9 Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger: the LORD shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour them.10 Their fruit shalt thou destroy from the earth, and their seed from among the children of men.KJV

 

Ps 47:O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.2 For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.3 He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet.KJV

 

Ps 68:1 Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.2 As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.3 But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.KJV

 

Zech 14: 2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.

3 Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.5 And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.6 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark:7 But it shall be one day which shall be known to the LORD, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light.8 And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.9 And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.KJV

 

John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him

 

 

Jesus is the one who gives power to His two end time witnesses:  Rev 11:3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.

5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.

 

Jesus reigns forever over all the kingdoms of the world:Rev 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

 

 

Rev 12::1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

 

The devil hates those who obey God’s commands and are witness to /for Jesus Christ:  Rev 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

 

 

Following Jesus in purity brings us into a place of high honor:

Rev 14::1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.

2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:

3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

 

 

The Lord will harshly judge the world system and witness their punishment: Rev 14:8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:  11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.Patience here =NT:5281 hupomone (hoop-om-on-ay'); from NT:5278; cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy:

KJV - enduring, patience, patient continuance (waiting).

 

This is how we can overcome in the times of the world system being destroyed!

Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

 

Rev 14 continued:

The rest received by those who die in Christ in trying times!

13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

 

Jesus with the sickle that takes the wicked away

Rev 14: 14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.17 And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. 18 And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.

 

Rev 19:15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

 

 

Joel 3:13 Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great.14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.

15 The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining.

16 The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.17 So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.KJV

 

Matt 24:37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken , and the other left.

41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken , and the other left.

42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.KJV

 

Luke 17:28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.31 In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.32 Remember Lot's wife.33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken , and the other shall be left.35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken , and the other left.36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken , and the other left.37 And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.

 

2 Peter 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:KJV

 

Matt 13:24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.30 Let both grow together until the harvest : and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.KJV

Matt 13:36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;

38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Matt 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

 

Ps 37:37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.

38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.40 And the LORD shall help them and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.KJV

 

The elect are also gathered:Matt 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

 

Mark 13:27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.KJV

 

Matt 13:49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.KJV

 

Matt 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.KJV

 

John 15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.KJV

 

1 Thess 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

 

WHAT PLEASES THE LORD:

Rev 14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.

2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:

3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

 

The Saints prevail in the midst of the destruction of the world kingdom by keeping God’s commands and having the faith of Jesus Christ

14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,

10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

 

WE MAY BE KILLED DURING THIS TIME; HOWEVER, THE LORD SAYS THAT WILL BE A BLESSING…WE REST FROM OUR LABORS WHEN THAT HAPPENS. THE LORD HAS AN ETERNAL, NOT WORLDLY, POINT OF VIEW!Rev 14: 13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

 

The saints who go to Heaven are rejoicing…they are being rewarded for their victory in not giving in to the mark of the beast or the beast. Their song reflects their love for the Lord.

Perhaps the strongest deterrent from taking on the mark of the beast so we can buy and sell is to LOVE THE LORD MORE THAN THE WORLD AND ITS COMFORTS!!!

Rev 15:1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.

4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

 

The coming of the Lord will be as a thief:

Rev 16: 12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.

13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.

14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.

17 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.

18 And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.

19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.KJV

 

Matt 24:43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

 

 

1 Thess 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.

8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,KJV

 

Matthew 24:45 and 46  makes it plain we must be faithful and wise servants who consistently do God’s will or else we will be caught faithless when the Lord comes and He will put us into punishment right along with all the hypocrites!

 

2 Peter 3:7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

 

Luke 21:29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

 

Matt 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

 

Many will die for Jesus!Rev 17:5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.KJV

 

Being a martyr is heroic! 

Acts 22:20 And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.

Rev 2: 13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

 

Rev 6:9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:

10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.KJV

 

Being willing to die for the Lord is part of our ability to be able to overcome the devil:

Rev 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death

 

Meaning of the word “martyr”:NT:3144 martus (mar'-toos); of uncertain affinity; a witness (literally [judicially] or figuratively [genitive case]); by analogy, a "martyr":

KJV - martyr, record, witness.

 

English dictionary:  a person who willingly suffers death rather than renounce his or her religion. 2. a person who is put to death or endures great suffering on behalf of any belief, principle, or cause: a martyr to the cause of social justice. Origin: bef. 900; (n.) ME marter,  OE martyr  < LL < LGk mártyr,  var. of Gk mártys, mártyros  witness; (v.) ME martiren,  OE martyrian,  deriv. of n.

 

Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary : one who bears witness of the truth, and suffers death in the cause of Christ (Acts 22:20; Rev. 2:13; 17:6). In this sense Stephen was the first martyr. The Greek word so rendered in all other cases is translated "witness." (1.) In a court of justice (Matt. 18:16; 26:65; Acts 6:13; 7:58; Heb. 10:28; 1 Tim. 5:19). (2.) As of one bearing testimony to the truth of what he has seen or known (Luke 24:48; Acts 1:8, 22; Rom. 1:9; 1 Thess. 2:5, 10; 1 John 1:2).

 

Jesus  is coming in fierce judgment; he is the KING:  Rev 19: 9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;

18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

 

Ps 47:2 For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.

3 He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet.4 He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.5 God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.6 Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.7 For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.8 God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.

 

Ps 93:1 The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.2 Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting.

Isa 52:7How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!8 Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion.9 Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the LORD hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem.10 The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.

 

Matt 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

 

Rev 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.KJV

 

Rev 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

 

Zech 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

Phil 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.KJV

 

1 Tim 6:13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

 

Num 24:15 And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:16 He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.

18 And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly.19 Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city.

 

Deut 10:17 For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:KJV

 

Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.KJV

 

Isa 33:22 For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us KJV

 

Mic 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

 

Zech 14:16 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.17 And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain.

Matt 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.KJV

 

1 Tim 1:17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.KJV

 

Rev 15:3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.

 

 

A supper of God (one more traditional , not gory as in the Rev 19 passage):

Matt 22:1 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,

2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,

3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.

11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.14 For many are called, but few are chosen.KJV

 

These  passages speak of that which sounds like the gory supper in Rev. 19:

Matt 24: 27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

Ezek 39:17 And, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD; Speak unto every feathered fowl, and to every beast of the field, Assemble yourselves, and come; gather yourselves on every side to my sacrifice that I do sacrifice for you, even a great sacrifice upon the mountains of Israel, that ye may eat flesh, and drink blood.18 Ye shall eat the flesh of the mighty, and drink the blood of the princes of the earth, of rams, of lambs, and of goats, of bullocks, all of them fatlings of Bashan.19 And ye shall eat fat till ye be full, and drink blood till ye be drunken, of my sacrifice which I have sacrificed for you.20 Thus ye shall be filled at my table with horses and chariots, with mighty men, and with all men of war, saith the Lord GOD.

 

The 1000 year reign with Christ:

 Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

 

 

The Lord as Judge:

Rev 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

 

Rom 14:10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.KJV

 

1 Cor 4:4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.KJV

 

2 Cor 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

 

Rev 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

Rev 223 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.KJV

 

Ps 9:7 But the LORD shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment.

8 And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.9 The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.11 Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.KJV

 

Ps 50:6 And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah.

Matt 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

 

Luke 12:2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.KJV

 

John 5:19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.20 For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

 

1 Cor 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; 1 Peter 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

 

Jude 14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.KJV

 

Rev 11: 17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.

18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.KJV

 

 

 

The final plan comes into place.  Jesus tells us what He will do.,..we know it is Him because in verse 6 He again identifies Himself as the “Alpha and Omega”.    He is also the Bridegroom here of the church.

Rev 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious,

 

Jesus is the Alpha and Omega:

Rev 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

 

 

 

 

 

The Lord is the Light and the temple in the new Heaven and Earth – only the pure are there; only those in His book of Life:

Rev  21:22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.26 And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

 

The beauty of the “Happily ever after”  in eternity with the Lord; what He has prepared for us reveals His LOVE for us!!

Revelation 22:1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.

9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you KJV

 

 

Marriage

Marriage was Ordained by God at the time of creation:  Gen 2:18--24

God’s purpose in giving Eve to Adam:   The purpose of the wife given by God to Adam was to be his “help meet” , I.e., to surround Adam with aid. Eve would become his life partner aiding him, surrounding , and protecting him. David uses the word used the word here used for “help” word in Ps 33:20 ; Ps 70:5;, and in Ps. 124.8.  In these verses, David calls God his helper.

We can see that -- because God Himself is called a “helper”-- that being a “help meet” does not imply inferiority, but rather being someone who can give what is lacking to someone else. We would never say God is our servant at our “beck and call” because He is willing to be our helper!

Meaning of “Alone” and “Meet”:  Adam was apparently incomplete while alone. Eve completed him. God said it was not good for Adam to be alone. Used in that verse “alone “ means “solitary, separate, divided”. God said he would make Adam a “help meet”. “Meet” is a “front, an opposite part, or a mate”. From this definition (all word definitions in this paper are from the Strong’s concordance) it sounds as if a part of Adam was missing until God made Eve. In fact, God called them ADAM when he created Adam. Together they make up one “Adam“.

Both called “Adam”:  It sounds as if in Genesis 5:1 when God created Adam He made him with Eve already inside of him because God called them “Adam” in the day they were created.Gen 5:1 This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him; 2 Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.(KJV)

God given roles in marriage:   Husbands provide vision and direction to the wife; the wife walks along side him to help him accomplish the things he is setting out to be and to do as well as what he sees for them as a couple and for the family as a whole.

The husband is to make plans for his wife and family to follow:  It is exciting to have a husband with vision. If we wives  are created to assist him, to fit in with His plans, there is not much to do for him  if he has no plans or vision! Some men do not take their position as the head of the woman seriously. They have no plans to lead us into!  

Sadly there are some husbands whose biggest “plan” is to make sure their wife never tries to lead them (even when they are not leading in any particular direction themselves!).

Because the wife was created to fit in with the husband’s  plans, it is extremely frustrating to a woman to be rejected when she tries to find ways to help her husband . If he has made no plans for the two of them to work towards, perhaps she will begin to make some plans of her own in order to find some fulfillment in her life. Sometimes when a wife does that, then the husband becomes resentful and even cruel to her because she has found a way to make sure the home prospers when he has failed to do so.

The New Covenant writings make it clear that the husband is the “head” of the wife. Eph 5:21Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.(KJV)

Two of the things mentioned in this passage stand out in that they would make the relationship easier  to handle: 1) If the husband loved his wife as Christ loved the church, it would be easier for her to obey him and 2) if the wife would reverence her husband, it would make being her head easier! “Reverence” means exactly what it sounds like it means, I.e., to be in awe of him and to fear him.

Another thing that would make obeying the husband easier would be if he acknowledges that he too is under authority and if he would hold that authority in awe with reverence and quick obedience!  1 Cor 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

If the husband requests things that are ungodly, then the wife does not have to obey that! Col 3:18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.    We never have to obey man when we are asked to do something that will cause us to disobey God.

An example of believers  disobeying those they were ordinarily commanded to obey:  Peter and the apostles were told by their God given authority to not teach anymore about Jesus. They disobeyed.　Acts 5:21 And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.22 But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told,23 Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.24 Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.25 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.(KJV)

In the same way wives are told to obey their husbands , the apostles  were taught to obey the priests:  Deut 17:8 If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being matters of controversy within thy gates: then shalt thou arise, and get thee up into the place which the LORD thy God shall choose;9 And thou shalt come unto the priests the Levites, and unto the judge that shall be in those days, and inquire; and they shall shew thee the sentence of judgment:10 And thou shalt do according to the sentence, which they of that place which the LORD shall choose shall shew thee; and thou shalt observe to do according to all that they inform thee:11 According to the sentence of the law which they shall teach thee, and according to the judgment which they shall tell thee, thou shalt do: thou shalt not decline from the sentence which they shall shew thee, to the right hand, nor to the left.12 And the man that will do presumptuously, and will not hearken unto the priest that standeth to minister there before the LORD thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shall die: and thou shalt put away the evil from Israel.

But, no one should ever obey man when man’s “rule” is totally contrary to God’s!!  

If a wife is unable to obey her husband because his request is contrary to the ways of God, she should very quietly and meekly let him know that. A wife should not be looking for ways to be disobedient and then be glad when she finds one!

Even if the husband is not saved , we still are to be in subjection to them so they can be won to the Lord.1 Pet 3:1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

Some women may want to wiggle out of their obligation to be “under” the authority of their husband because “in Christ” there is no male nor female.    The word does say that IN CHRIST there is no male or female. Gal 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.(KJV)

But in the marriage -- and institution during this age for earthly needs -- the husband is assigned to be the “head“ of the wife. IF both husband and wife walked IN CHRIST all the time, there is no need for mutual submission because -- when both are submitted to Christ -- everything is in order. Both will be fully satisfied that the other is acting perfectly well. No one has to remind anyone of any rules when all the rules are being kept. Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

The issue of the authority of the husband and the submission of the wife:  The husband is the head of the wife--what does that mean regarding the roles of husband and wife? Is the wife like one of the children “under “ the husband? Is the wife supposed to “dumb down” in order to be sure to make her husband feel as if he is the smartest? Are the women to be treated as if they are the property of a man ? What kind of work can they do without making their husband look to be “under” them?

Historically there has been much confusion regarding the role of a wife. Sometimes in past decades (and centuries)  it seemed as if a twenty-one year old son in the household was given more respect and authority  than his mother. For instance, he could vote when she could not; he could drive into another city when it was unthinkable that a woman could drive herself to that city; and he could buy land when it was against the law to do so. That son, furthermore , could go to college when that mom would have been asked, “Why would a woman, designed by God simply to be a wife, mom, and homemaker need or even want to go to college?” (Sometimes people might think at that time, “Well, maybe it is all right for her to be there if she is learning until she is married. Maybe she will meet her husband there and then she will get a better degree, I.e., an “MRS. degree”).

The virtuous woman:  Meaning of the word “virtuous”:  OT:2428 chayil (khah'-yil); from OT:2342; probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength.        As you can see, this word speaks of a STRONG woman!

The Bible describes what a virtuous woman acts  like. This woman was free to do all she was able to do! What would be the level of strength, intelligence, and leadership abilities a woman like this would have to have in order to do these things.

Remember to that the passage was spoken by a mother to her son, the king. This is a woman fit for a king! All of us should be queens and our men should aspire to the honor befitting a king.A king is not threatened by a strong woman. It is only a very weak man that believes he looks bad in comparison to his wife when his wife is flourishing and he is not.

Prov 31:10 --31 We see here a woman who is the full time administrator of the household business. She buys land. She is a business woman. She is a philanthropist. She is in command of the household staff. She is in charge of seeing to it that all necessary things are accomplished. In the midst of all these responsibilities, she also makes sure her clothing is beautifully regal. Her values are higher than those of the ungodly, I.e., she knows that popularity and external beauty are empty, lying things. She knows that the woman who fears God is wise in choosing the best thing.

The New Testament confirms the role of a woman to be in charge of the household in 1 Timothy 5:14:     1 Tim 5:14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.(KJV)   When we look up the Greek definition of the word “guide the house” {all one word in Greek} in that verse we see : NT:3616 oikodespoteo (oy-kod-es-pot-eh'-o); from NT:3617; to be the head of (i.e. rule) a family:     NT:3617 oikodespotes (oy-kod-es-pot'-ace); from NT:3624 and NT:1203; the head of a family:KJV - goodman (of the house), householder, master of the house.

Sometimes we say the husband is the “head of the household” -- what is the “household”? Is the husband the head of the household simply because he is the head of the wife?   In what way is the woman an overseer in her home and what role does the husband have?

We could derive from both Proverbs 31 and from this passage from Timothy that although  the husband is the head of the wife, the wife takes care of the household. He is her commander in chief in the overall vision for her and for the family ; but, the Lord gives her the right to be in charge of the household.

A very confident Chief Executive Officer hires people to be under him that are bold, confident, intelligent, etc. He is not threatened by them because he knows his place of authority is secure and that even if they know more than him, that does not mean they are to take the ultimate leadership role.

The accomplishments of the ones under a CEO only add to how well he is doing his job! He had the sense to hire people who knew some things that he did not know so that the job could get done. He remains the CEO even if he does not know how to do the job of the one under his authority. That is why he hired that person, I.e., he needed their help to get the job done well.

As is the case when an employee of the boss falters in their job, it is the bosses’ job to speak to the employee to improve in their work, the husband is the ultimate overseer of the wife so he surely has the authority to tell her to get back in order with what she is to be doing if she begins to neglect her duties .  But, the husband should not micromanage his wife because it will interfere with her plans to be what she is to be. E.g., a husband who would demand a particular product for cleaning, a particular meal each time they eat, or a particular way to make the bed would take the joy out of homemaking for the wife and cause her to feel like a servant or a child instead of a woman of God fulfilling her role in the home.

No man would want to be assigned a particular role in his job in which his boss was constantly looking over his shoulder in order to make sure he was doing every detail right! He would not want a job either in which his boss was constantly reminding him that he was the boss. Once we learn our jobs, we all like the respect demonstrated to us when we are given liberty !

It is up to that husband to tell that wife what to be and to do in order to be his help meet. For one husband he may not need her to work outside the home; another man may need that help from his wife. For one husband the wife may need to write the checks to pay the bills; for another husband that may seem like too much authority to give her because he knows his wife. The husband sets the plans for the vision of the couple and the family in order; the wife does whatever the husband wants done in order to fulfill those plans.

Moms and spiritual moms should be available to teach the younger women how to be good wives.  There are certain principles all men would love their wives to follow, i.e., it is fairly universal:  Good homemaking skills,  excellent meals, a tender , loving heart are a few.   Titus 2:3 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.4 Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to **be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. NIV

** “busy at home” means”:  NT:3626 oikourgos (oy-koor-gos') or oikouros (oy-koo-ros'); from NT:3624 and ouros (a guard; be "ware"); a stayer at home, i.e. domestically inclined (a "good housekeeper"):KJV - keeper at home.

Pertaining to intimacy issues, we are to submit to one another:   1Cor 7:1 –5:

Shared parental authority: Children are to honor both the authority of the dad and the mom.   Exod 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.(KJV)

“Honour”” means to give weight to -- it is the same word sometimes translated as “glory” in the Old Testament. Children are to take very seriously whatever their mom or dad say to them.Prov 1:8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:9 For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.

There is a curse to the one who does not honor and a blessing to the one who does; therefore, the parents need to make sure the child learns to honor both of them.  Prov 30:17 The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.(KJV)     Eph 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

We see then that it would be unwise for either parent to overturn a ruling given by the other parent or to interfere with the discipline that the other parent chooses to put in place when the child disobeys.

Both parents are to be obeyed; both, therefore, have the authority to rule the children and to give out punishment when those rules are not obeyed.

When we face the difficult moments in which we disagree with one another, we need to withdraw from the presence of the child and discuss the issue alone. When we come into the presence of the child again, we need to be united. Never should it be that either parent disrespects and disregards the word of the other parent that were given to the child. The parent who said the words initially should be able to say, “Dad and I discussed this so now WE have decided to tell you this what you must do”.

Parents stand united in their authority over their children. Neither the mom or the dad should ever find themselves in a humiliating position of being corrected or ordered about in front of the children in a way that dishonors .

No example of dishonoring by either parent should be exhibited to the children! The fact that God gave the father a higher rank than mom in their personal relationship has no direct bearing on the children when mom , in her parental authority, is dealing with them.

I have heard it taught that nowhere in the Word are women told to love their husbands; however, this passage implies we are to love them too: Titus 2:3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.(KJV)

Husbands and wives are both to walk in love towards one another! Col 3:19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.   Rom 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

 The husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church. Just how much does Christ love the church ?   He died for her.  He gives her all of His  fruits and gifts.    He shares His glory with us.  He uses His power to bring us to a place in Him above all other authority:   John 17:22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.KJV

He wants us to be filled with all that He is: Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

God actually likes His bride to be dressed well:Ezek 16:10-14

Yes,  His love was proven when He gave His life for her so that now we can be in communion with Him; but, there is a future goal yet to happen. What is the goal of our Heavenly Bridegroom for His beloved bride? Just how much authority is he willing to share with her?  Our Lord wants us to rise up into such a great level authority that we actually reign WITH Him for all eternity! Dan 7:7, 18—22; Rev 3:21 ;Rev 1:5-6

 

 

Marriage

Marriage was Ordained by God at the time of creation:

Gen 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.19 And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. 20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

God’s purpose in giving Eve to Adam:

The purpose of the wife given by God to Adam was to be his “help meet” , I.e., to surround Adam with aid. Eve would become his life partner aiding him, surrounding , and protecting him.

David uses the word used the word here used for “help” word in

Ps 33:20 Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.

And in Ps 70:5 the Word says “But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying.”

In Ps 124:8 it says “Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.”

We can see that -- because God Himself is called a “helper”-- that being a “help meet” does not imply inferiority, but rather being someone who can give what is lacking to someone else. We would never say God is our servant at our “beck and call” because He is willing to be our helper!

Adam was apparently incomplete while alone. Eve completed him.

God said it was not good for Adam to be alone. Used in that verse “alone “ means “solitary, separate, divided”. God said he would make Adam a “help meet”. “Meet” is a “front, an opposite part, or a mate”.

From this definition (all word definitions in this paper are from the Strong’s concordance) it sounds as if a part of Adam was missing until God made Eve. In fact, God called them ADAM when he created Adam. Together they make up one “Adam“.

It sounds as if in Genesis 5:1 when God created Adam He made him with Eve already inside of him because God called them “Adam” in the day they were created.

Gen 5:1 This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him; 2 Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.(KJV)

God given roles in marriage

Husbands provide vision and direction to the wife; the wife walks along side him to help him accomplish the things he is setting out to be and to do as well as what he sees for them as a couple and for the family as a whole.

It is exciting to have a husband with vision. If we are created to assist him, to fit in with His plans, there is not much to do if he has no plans or vision!

Some men do not take their position as the head of the woman seriously.They have no plans to lead.

Sadly there are some husbands whose biggest “plan” is to make sure their wife never tries to lead them.

Because she was created to fit in with his plans, it is extremely frustrating to a woman to be rejected when she tries to find ways to help her husband . She has no plans to fit into that he has establish for the two of them; therefore, perhaps she will begin to make some plans of her own in order to find some fulfillment in her life. Sometimes when a wife does that, then the husband becomes resentful and even cruel to her because she has found a way to make sure the home prospers when he has failed to do so.

When a Godly woman is forced to make sure, e.g., the bills are paid (perhaps both by having a job outside her home as well as doing the administrative work of handling the bills), she should continue to pray for her husband to take his place as well. When her prayers are answered, then she needs to be very sensitive to what now to take as her place in the home. If her husband needs her to continue in what she is already doing, fine. But, if now that he has risen up our of his previous “slumbering state” into a state of wide awake vision planning and carrying out the steps towards that vision, he wants her in another sort of supportive role, she needs to be sensitive to what she then needs to do.

Adam had to have some things he was working to accomplish in order to need someone to assist him. Wives fit into their husbands plans and vision.

Adam must have had some needs for her to fulfill for him , to cause his life to be of a higher quality than it was when he was alone.

Wives are to anticipate and to see their husband’s needs and to meet those needs whenever possible.

The New Covenant writings make it clear that the husband is the “head” of the wife. Eph 5:21Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.(KJV)

Two of the things mentioned in this passage stand out in that they would make the relationship easy to handle: 1) If the husband loved his wife as Christ loved the church, it would be easy for her to obey him and 2) if the wife would reverence her husband, it would make being her head easier! “Reverence” means exactly what it sounds like it means, I.e., to be in awe of him and to fear him.

Another thing that would make obeying the husband easier would be if he acknowledge that he too is under authority and if he would hold that authority in awe with reverence and quick obedience!  1 Cor 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

If the husband requests things that are ungodly, then the wife does not have to obey that!Col 3:18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

We never have to obey man when we are asked to do something that will cause us to disobey God.

Peter and the apostles were told by their God given authority to not teach anymore about Jesus. They disobeyed.

　Acts 5:21 And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.22 But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told,23 Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.24 Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.25 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.(KJV)

They were taught to obey the priests:

Deut 17:8 If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being matters of controversy within thy gates: then shalt thou arise, and get thee up into the place which the LORD thy God shall choose;9 And thou shalt come unto the priests the Levites, and unto the judge that shall be in those days, and inquire; and they shall shew thee the sentence of judgment:10 And thou shalt do according to the sentence, which they of that place which the LORD shall choose shall shew thee; and thou shalt observe to do according to all that they inform thee:11 According to the sentence of the law which they shall teach thee, and according to the judgment which they shall tell thee, thou shalt do: thou shalt not decline from the sentence which they shall shew thee, to the right hand, nor to the left.12 And the man that will do presumptuously, and will not hearken unto the priest that standeth to minister there before the LORD thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shall die: and thou shalt put away the evil from Israel.

If a wife is unable to obey her husband because his request is contrary to the ways of God, she should very quietly and meekly let him know that. A wife should not be looking for ways to be disobedient and then be glad when she finds one!

Even if the husband is not saved , we still are to be in subjection to them so they can be won to the Lord.

1 Pet 3:1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

Some women may want to wiggle out of their obligation to be “under” the authority of their husband because “in Christ” there is no male nor female.

The word does say that IN CHRIST there is no male or female. Gal 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.(KJV)

But in the marriage -- and institution during this age for earthly needs -- the husband is assigned to be the “head“ of the wife. IF both husband and wife walked IN CHRIST all the time, there is no need for mutual submission because -- when both are submitted to Christ -- everything is in order. Both will be fully satisfied that the other is acting perfectly well. No one has to remind anyone of any rules when all the rules are being kept.

Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.(KJV)

The issue of the authority of the husband and the submission of the wife

The husband is the head of the wife--what does that mean regarding the roles of husband and wife? Is the wife like one of the children “under “ the husband? Is the wife supposed to “dumb down” in order to be sure to make her husband feel as if he is the smartest? Are the women to be treated as if they are the property of a man ? What kind of work can they do without making their husband look to be “under” them?

Historically there has been much confusion regarding the role of a wife. Sometimes in past decades (and centuries)  it seemed as if a twenty-one year old son in the household was given more respect and authority  than his mother. For instance, he could vote when she could not; he could drive into another city when it was unthinkable that a woman could drive herself to that city; and he could buy land when it was against the law to do so. That son, furthermore , could go to college when that mom would have been asked, “Why would a woman, designed by God simply to be a wife, mom, and homemaker need or even want to go to college?” (Sometimes people might think at that time, “Well, maybe it is all right for her to be there if she is learning until she is married. Maybe she will meet her husband there and then she will get a better degree, I.e., an “MRS. degree”).

　The Bible describes what a virtuous wife looks like. This woman was free to do all she was able to do! What would be the level of strength, intelligence, and leadership abilities a woman like this would have to have in order to do these things.

Remember to that the passage was spoken by a mother to her son, the king. This is a woman fit for a king! All of us should be queens and our men should aspire to the honor befitting a king.A king is not threatened by a strong woman. It is only a very weak man that believes he looks bad in comparison to his wife when his wife is flourishing and he is not.

Know that the word “virtuous” in the first verse in Proverbs 31 means “a force, valor, an army, wealth” . The implication is that she is STRONG.

Prov 31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.(KJV)

We see here a woman who is the full time administrator of the household business. She buys land. She is a business woman. She is a philanthropist. She is in command of the household staff. She is in charge of seeing to it that all necessary things are accomplished. In the midst of all these responsibilities, she also makes sure her clothing is beautifully regal. Her values are higher than those of the ungodly, I.e., she knows that popularity and external beauty are empty, lying things. She knows that the woman who fears God is wise in choosing the best thing.

The New Testament confirms the role of a woman to be in charge of the household in 1 Timothy 5:14:

1 Tim 5:14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.(KJV)

When we look up the Greek definition of the word “guide” in that verse we see that it means and discuss what that means “ to be the head of or to rule a family”-- another word that means “absolute ruler” is in the root of this word.

Sometimes we say the husband is the “head of the household” -- what is the “household”? In what way is the woman an overseer in her home and what role does the husband have?

The husband is the head of the wife, the wife takes care of the household. He is her commander in chief; but, the Lord gives her the right to be in charge of the household.

A very confident Chief Executive Officer hires people to be under him that are bold, confident, intelligent, etc. He is not threatened by them because he knows his place of authority is secure and that even if they know more than him, that does not mean they are to take the ultimate leadership role.

The accomplishments of the ones under a CEO only add to how well he is doing his job! He had the sense to hire people who knew some things that he did not know so that the job could get done. He remains the CEO even if he does not know how to do the job of the one under his authority. That is why he hired that person, I.e., he needed their help to get the job done well.

　As is the case when an employee of the boss falters in their job, it is the bosses’ job to speak to the employee to improve in their work, the husband is the ultimate overseer of the wife so he surely has the authority to tell her to get back in order with what she is to be doing if she begins to neglect her duties .  But, the husband should not micromanage his wife because it will interfere with her plans to be what she is to be. E.g., a husband who would demand a particular product for cleaning, a particular meal each time they eat, or a particular way to make the bed would take the joy out of homemaking for the wife and cause her to feel like a servant or a child instead of a woman of God fulfilling her role in the home.

The husband should not micromanage his wife because it will interfere with her plans to be what she is to be. E.g., a husband who would demand a particular product for cleaning, a particular meal each time they eat, or a particular way to make the bed would take the joy out of homemaking for the wife and cause her to feel like a servant or a child instead of a woman of God fulfilling her role in the home.

It is up to that husband to tell that wife what to be and to do in order to be his help meet. For one husband he may not need her to work outside the home; another man may need that help from his wife. For one husband the wife may need to write the checks to pay the bills; for another husband that may seem like too much authority to give her because he knows his wife. The husband sets the plans for the vision of the couple and the family in order; the wife does whatever the husband wants done in order to fulfill those plans.

Pertaining to intimacy issues, we are to submit to one another:

1 Cor 7:1 Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

　　Shared parental authority: Children are to honor both the authority of the dad and the mom.

Exod 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.(KJV)

“Honour”” means to give weight to -- it is the same word sometimes translated as “glory” in the Old Testament. Children are to take very seriously whatever their mom or dad say to them.

Prov 1:8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:9 For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck. (KJV)

There is a curse to the one who does not honor and a blessing to the one who does; therefore, the parents need to make sure the child learns to honor both of them.

Prov 30:17 The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.(KJV)

Eph 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. (KJV)

We see then that it would be unwise for either parent to overturn a ruling given by the other parent or to interfere with the discipline that the other parent chooses to put in place when the child disobeys.

Both parents are to be obeyed; both, therefore, have the authority to rule the children and to give out punishment when those rules are not obeyed.

When we face the difficult moments in which we disagree with one another, we need to withdraw from the presence of the child and discuss the issue alone. When we come into the presence of the child again, we need to be united. Never should it be that either parent disrespects and disregards the word of the other parent that were given to the child. The parent who said the words initially should be able to say, “Dad and I discussed this so now WE have decided to tell you this what you must do”.

Parents stand united in their authority over their children. Neither the mom or the dad should ever find themselves in a humiliating position of being corrected or ordered about in front of the children in a way that dishonors .

No example of dishonoring by either parent should be exhibited to the children! The fact that God gave the father a higher rank than mom in their personal relationship has no direct bearing on the children when mom , in her parental authority, is dealing with them.

I have heard it taught that nowhere in the Word are women told to love their husbands; however, this passage implies we are to love them too:

Titus 2:3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.(KJV)

Husbands and wives are both to walk in love towards one another!

Col 3:19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

Rom 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.(KJV)

 

The husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church. Just how much does Christ love the church ?

He uses His power to bring us to a place in Him above all other authority:

Eph 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

He wants us to be filled with all that He is:

Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

Yes,  His love was proven when He gave His life for her so that now we can be in communion with Him; but, there is a future goal yet to happen. What is the goal of our Heavenly Bridegroom for His beloved bride? Just how much authority is he willing to share with her?

Our Lord wants us to rise up into such a great level authority that we actually reign WITH Him for all eternity!

Dan 7:18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever….22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.(KJV)

Dan 7:7 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.(KJV)

1 Cor 6:2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

Rev 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

　Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

 

I wrote this up to be what I share at George Slawson's funeral. But, I doubt if there will be time for the entire sermon.

Know that we in Christ will ALL live with the Lord forever

 

For a Christian,  physical death is part of the process towards the day we will be with the Lord forever.  We , therefore, can face death filled with hope for the time to come. It is not an ending, but a new beginning. 

For an unbeliever, all good times come to an end so it makes sense why they would say, “Eat , drink , and be merry for tomorrow we die.  For them death  is “the end”.

For Christians , death does not hold the same grief as it does for an unbeliever: We have hope in the Lord. He says we will live even if we die. And, one day He is coming back  and we will be with Him forever.
1 Thess 4:13 Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.

 14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.

15 According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.

16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage each other with these words. NIV

Job 19:25 "But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and that he will stand upon the earth at last. 26 And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! 27 I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought! NLT

 

To be with the Lord is to be in joy!

Ps 16: 11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.KJV

Everyone will come out of their grave one day; however only the Christians will arise into eternal life

(Jesus is speaking in this verse) John 5:28 "Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29 and come out — those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.NIV

 

The apostle Paul said that to die is gain…that dying is better than life here on earth because departing from this earth means to be with Christ.

Phil 1: 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.

 

All those who have invited the Spirit of the Lord to live in them will rise again one day

Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.KJV

 

1 Cor 6:14 By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also.

 

2 Cor 4:14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence.NIV

 

In eternity we will have a glorified body:

We await with eagerness  the resurrection and the glorified bodies He will give us     Phil 3: 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. NIV

 

1 Cor 15:50 I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 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. 53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."   55 "Where, O death, is your victory?

Where, O death, is your sting?"   NIV

 

2 Cor 5:1:For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down — when we die and leave these bodies — we will have a home in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. 2 We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long for the day when we will put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. 3 For we will not be spirits without bodies, but we will put on new heavenly bodies. 4 Our dying bodies make us groan and sigh, but it's not that we want to die and have no bodies at all. We want to slip into our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by everlasting life. 5 God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit.

6 So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. 7 That is why we live by believing and not by seeing. 8 Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. 9 So our aim is to please him always, whether we are here in this body or away from this body. 10 For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in our bodies.NLT

 

In Christ , we have victory over death

John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? KJV

 

 

Those who live for self, those who walk in impurity will have eternal destruction; we who eagerly away Him will have an eternal body like Christ.

Phil 3:17 Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. 18 For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their future is eternal destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and all they think about is this life here on earth. 20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. 21 He will take these weak mortal bodies of ours and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same mighty power that he will use to conquer everything, everywhere. NLT

 

I think of the story Uncle Charlie of  Children’s Bible Hour told me :

A dying mom was putting her 2 boys to bed.  To one she said, “Good night – see you in the morning” to the other she simply said, “Good bye”

That son asked her why she said “Good bye” to him and not to his brother. The mom said it was because  his brother was a Christian, but he was not. She said his brother and her would one day see one another; but , it was “good bye “ for him because she would never see him again. He was an unbeliever.

 

Believers die;however, we have hope that God has given us eternal life. This life comes into us when we accept the Holy Spirit of the Lord. 

 

6 4 10     Courage, Comfort, and Direction in crisis and in its aftermath

We all will face some sort of tribulation, sickness, and probably death (if Jesus does not return first).   John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Definition of Tribulation:NT:2347 thlipsis (thlip'-sis); from NT:2346; pressure (literally or figuratively):KJV - afflicted (-tion), anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble.NT:2346 thlibo (thlee'-bo); akin to the base of NT:5147; to crowd (literally or figuratively):KJV - afflict, narrow, throng, suffer tribulation, trouble.

NT:5147 tribos (tree'-bos); from tribo (to "rub"; akin to teiro, truo, and the base of NT:5131, NT:5134); a rut or worn track:

My , Rosemary’s, current situation of “tribulation” (and , therefore, the inspiration to do a fresh study on how to face it):  :  As most of you know , last Wednesday, 6 - 2-10,  I was told I have breast cancer. Although the prognosis is excellent, the fact remains that I face surgery followed by radiation and a pill form of chemo therapy for quite some time and daily radiation  on week days for some weeks.    Facing death:   Before I heard that most who have the same cancer I have who  get treatment  are most likely to be  cancer free , of course the word “cancer” immediately sounded like someone said to me , “You are dying…maybe quite soon”.     As soon as I thought about this, I remembered that when I came into the world I had NO control over any aspect of my life. I was dependent on the Lord to place me in a loving home (because my birth mom could not keep me). And the Lord cared for me  then without any help from me.  He will do the same at my death. There’s a path into the earth; there is a path out – my Savior carried me in; He will carry me out.     I do NOT believe I will die from this; however, it was probably good for me to have the thought that it is possible  so that I can remember that our earthly life is very short compared to  eternity!  I need to make sure at all times in this short life  that I am ready for eternity!

Tribulation:   I told Robert how I was feeling as a result of what I am now facing in health care.  After I read the Word concerning “tribulation”  I could see that what I was feeling was “tribulation”.   I saw that “tribulation” can imply being “crowded” , being put on a narrow path and pressed hard into it!       When I had talked to Robert I told him  that my life time effort to make sure I never got under the control of some medical problem for any significant length of time  is being threatened right now. From the time I spent 9 months straight in bed at  age 13 with infectious mononucleosis, I have hated the thought of prolonged illness that demanded a lot of time and attention and/or time away from what I think is much more important.

Yet, I don’t see a choice here – I am told the treatment results are expected to be  excellent  and that .I should be able to live a long life after this is taken care of.

But, no matter how thankful I am that it is reported to be an excellent treatment plan,  the treatment feels like a tight path, like pressure – what I found later to be the definition of tribulation.  In view of the probable forth coming radiation and the usual fatigue resulting from that as well as having to go so much, my life will apparently be  harnessed into  somewhat of a rut for awhile – a routine  that is beyond my control.

. I feel pinned against a wall.  I  feel like I am suddenly out of my depth of knowledge in this situation  and therefore dependent on others – medical people – to pretty much tell me what is best for me.

All of us must face tribulation!    We humans live in fragile bodies and those bodies are on a time clock.   Yes, we have some control over that clock in that we can serve God properly,  rest, eat right, exercise, take vitamins, etc. and have probably a better forecast concerning a long and active life than those who don’t act wisely in these areas.

 On the other hand , we could get hit by a truck this very day and be in a wheel chair like Joni Erickson for decades .

 Or , the USA could become a place of religious persecution and we could be tossed in prison for the hate crime of  openly disrespecting homosexual behavior .

We want to believe that just quoting scripture and making declarations can prevent illness, death, persecution and other bad things  from occurring; however, testimonies of millions of Christians over the ages proves that to be untrue. 

 So what do we do  when we DO have to  face tribulation?

1.  The verse quoted above, John 16:33,  says to be of good cheer.  Stay full of courage!!  Be brave. Receive God’s comfort and face every fear and hardship trusting Him.

Definition of Be of good cheer (all one word):     NT:2293 tharseo (thar-seh'-o); from NT:2294; to have courage:KJV - be of good cheer (comfort). Compare NT:2292.  same word used in     Acts 23:11 And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer , Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.KJV (This   was said when the Lord appeared  to Paul during a horrendous ocean storm!   Can you imagine being totally overwhelmed by a huge storm and Jesus shows up to tell you to be of good cheer?  This storm was so bad and all was so dark that all around him totally lost hope! But Paul did listen to the Lord and he did end up in Rome boldly teaching for a couple of years.

 NT:2294 tharsos (thar'-sos); akin (by transp.) to thrasos (daring); boldness (subjectively):KJV - courage. 

Dictionary definition:  COURAGE  the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery.    Origin: 1250–1300; ME corage < OF, equiv. to cuer heart (< L cor; see heart) + -age -age —Synonyms 1. fearlessness, dauntlessness, intrepidity, pluck, spirit. Courage, bravery, valor, bravado refer to qualities of spirit and conduct. Courage permits one to face extreme dangers and difficulties without fear: to take (or lose) courage. Bravery implies true courage

WE WILL ALL HAVE SEASONS TO exercise  “GOOD CHEER”  in the midst of  TRIBULATION!

 We must be full of faith , not fear! Faith fuels our courage!   Phil 4:1313 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.KJV

If we are tempted to say, “I just can’t take it anymore”. We should go one step further and say, “But Christ in me CAN face everything and overcome the problems!”

Fear is NOT what pleases God!  

Rev 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.8 But the fearful , and unbelieving , and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

 Fear is the opposite of courage!  We are told to be courageous – to be fearful is to distrust God.  Don’t get condemned if what you fear is pain or hurt when it is coming at you  – the fear that would displease God would be the kind of fear that says there is no hope, no ultimate deliverance, only reason for complete despair.

 

2. PRAY

Ps 55: 1 6 But I call to God,and the LORD saves me. 17 Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress,and he hears my voice

Phil 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.KJV

Rom 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

Heb 4:16Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.KJV

Ps 55: 22 Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.

Fall here is :OT:4131 mowt (mote); a primitive root; to waver; by implication to slip, shake, fall:KJV - be carried, cast, be out of course, be fallen in decay, exceedingly, fall (-ing down), be (re-) moved, be ready, shake, slide, slip.

IF what you ask for is not given the way you want it, trust that God is most concerned about your character, not necessarily always about what would make you happier in the immediate sense.   2 Cor 12: 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.KJV

 

3.  Make SURE you have all you sins taken care of as you seek Him for direction and help!

Ps 33:1  Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

2 Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.3 When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.4 For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.6 For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him. 7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.9 Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.11 Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.

 God will not even hear us if we have sin we want to keep indulging in!!

Ps 66:16 Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.17 I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue.18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:19 But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.20 Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.KJV

Even if it is possible that what has come upon us is because of some sin we have committed or for some disobedience to the Lord’s instructions to us, we must remember that this chastisement will result in our becoming more mature in Him IF we submit to His dealings in our life!

Heb 12:9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:KJV

 

4.  Give out to others all you receive from the Lord and His body during your time of tribulation

We need to be very alert to all we experience from the Lord during the time of distress so we can give out of what we receive to others

2 Cor 1:4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

 

I interviewed a couple, a doctor and his wife, Greg and Jolynn Van Wienen, on TV this past Thursday. Their adopted son, Seth, 10 years old (they got him at 5) , ran into the street and was struck by a vehicle a few years ago. He died the next day.  Their grief was overwhelming and their children’s grief was just as intense. 

Their response was to do research  on starting  a Christian  center of support for kids from 3 to 12^th grade  who are grieving the loss of a loved one.

I asked them if this ministry to others  was ministering healing to them and they responded vigorously in a “Yes”.

 

Look at all the comfort going around with Paul, Titus, and the Corinthians – God used them to comfort each other!

2 Cor 7:5 For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn — conflicts on the outside, fears within. 6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.

 

4 Praise and worship Him in the midst of it all.

Here is a good example of praise words:

Ps 34:8 I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.

2 My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

3 Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.

4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.

5 Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.

6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,

and he delivers them.8 Taste and see that the LORD is good;

blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

 

1 Thess 5: 16 Rejoice evermore.17 Pray without ceasing.18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

  

5. Remember and act upon all the principles of spiritual warfare! 

Don’t’ give in to fear and worry! Be a warrior full of courage!

1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.KJV

Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

 

1 Peter 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

 

The source of all of our strength in warfare is God:  1 Sam 30:6 David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God.

 

6. Begin to take inventory of your life. Eliminate all toxic relationships, snares, negative activities that are not appointed to  you by the Lord – get free of all unnecessary distractions …. Let your heart be free to receive and grow God’s Word that it results in a harvest of fruit!;

Matt 13:18 "Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. 22 The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. 23 But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown." 

Luke 10:40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" 41 "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." 

 

7.  Wait patiently for Him to take you through the problems or to eliminate them miraculously.

Ps 62:5 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. 6 He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

7 My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

Ps 27:14- Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

 Ps 40:1I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.

2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. 3 He put a new song in my mouth,

a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.

 Ps 33:20 We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. 21 In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. 22 May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you. NIV

 Sometimes during our “wait” , we can experience extreme sadness; however, we keep waiting for the strength from Him!

Ps 119:28 My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.

Ps 61:1Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.3 For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.4 I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.KJV

 

8.  FILL yourself up with the Word and Spiritual songs

Col 3:16 A     Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom;

 Reading the Word builds up our faith – faith will give us the courage to endure the tribulation!!

.Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing , and hearing by the word of God.KJV

 

The Word gives us LIFE and spiritual nourishment:  John 6: 63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.

 The word gives us a light on our path, i.e.,  it give us direction:  Ps 119: 105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

 The Word is sure and eternal – it is with us in this earthly  life , passes through death with us, and we forever will know it during our eternal life.   Luke 21: 33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

 

9.  Do not fear death .

Depending on the trial, death may be a very real threat. But, for a Christian, death ushers us into the presence of God – it is not a fearful passing into eternity; it is something to look forward to with joyful expectation.

 2 Cor 5:6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:7(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body , and to be present with the Lord.

Ps 16:11 You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Ps 17:15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.KJV

Eccl 7::1 A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.  2 It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.

 Luke 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.KJV

 

10. Make  every effort to  do all we should with our respective ministries and all  appointed tasks appointed to us by the Lord  before we depart this earth

2 Peter 1:12 So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. 13 I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, 14 because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.

 

Acts 20:23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.

26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.

27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

 

Paul was very mindful of all the work he was called to do and the value of that work. So, although he saw leaving the earth as better than staying, he knew that his work was valuable so he continued to live to be able to meet the needs of the saints. 

Phil 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: 24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;KJV

 

11.  Conclusion:   We must  fight through the means He provides in His Word and in the natural too  through every trial and tribulation time  so we can continue here on earth  to complete everything the Lord has given us to do for Him  and for others (and we all have different gifts and callings, professions ,  work details, families – many areas in which we are needed).  But, if it is obvious we are facing death, we should leave here fearlessly with a testimony of hope and joy to all around us.

 

 

Prayer and sermon material for 5 12 10:  This word was the Elijah list email that came to me today.  In it are several things that confirm what I have been studying/sharing over the last several weeks and months (and even years (re: the blood of Jesus)), some things I sensed at the board meeting last night, and the burden felt in Robert and my devotional time this morning for our nation.  (Many times in our prayer together we pray for the USA.)  

Obviously all that is written below is far too lengthy for what we can accomplish in tonight’s service. But we can continue to meditate on these things in our own devotional times.

In the prayer below (for tonight) I have outlined some special themes for us to pray about.  If you are a speed reader you can add more from what you pick up in this word; however, we can all continue to absorb this Word more thoroughly at home.  In the prayer items I will also state the themes I have sensed from the Spirit to pray about in the past months and/or to emphasize in church.

Prayer points:

1.       Pray that – especially when God sends a shaking in the earth -- we stand in Christ in all things so that there is nothing in us to “shake off”. Pray that His shaking only serves to strengthen us.   Pray that we do daily, diligent self examination -- that we are ruthless with crucifying the flesh in our lives! Winds shake and uproot.  God can send winds in lives and in our nation and even in the entire world to completely destroy that which is not of Him. He does that periodically and then there will be a final, huge shaking.   Heb 12: 26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken , as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:29 For our God is a consuming fire.

2.      Pray that we stand in Christ in all things so that there is nothing in us to “shake off”. Pray that His shaking only serves to strengthen us.   Pray that we do daily, diligent self examination -- that we are ruthless with crucifying the flesh in our lives! I started my sermon on TV 25 on Monday night with the verses, Isa 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil ; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!       As we examine media we partake in, we are emphasizing exercising discerning good and evil. We know that – if like something a lot personally – it is hard to be objective in our examination.

3.      Pray that we are willing to love truth more than we love our own soul’s preferences! Pray that we make Jesus, not ourselves, the Lord of our life with each and every choice we make.  EF prophesied, “The spirit of rebellion is crossing your land rapidly, and rebellion is witchcraft. For it is leading others astray, saying, 'Seek your own, seek your own.”

4.       Pray that those in ROL who SHOULD be mature enough now to exercise discernment will not fear rejection from those who are not when they declare truth about good and evil!  Pray that anyone clinging to childlike ignorance will repent and rise to the level of maturity they should be at by now!  Heb 5:11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

5.         Pray for our church to be only concerned about our reputation with the Lord and, therefore, arise as His pure ambassadors even if it means standing alone at times in our statements that are truth, but are not even received by other Christians. E.F. prophesied, “But," He said, "there is going to come a conviction of My Spirit that will cause your nation to come back and align with the royal priesthood. For I have a multitude of holy priests walking this land." He said, "Look around, you are My holy priests. For you are the temple of the Holy Spirit. And I say unto you, even a few of you can put ten thousand to flight”. Last night the board meeting we were preparing for the youth seminar on media.  One point brought up was the question of how the well known and received Christian singers could make it plain that they do NOT want to receive wrongful adulation, that they do NOT want to be glorified but that they are there to lift up the Lord and glorify Him.  We all agreed that things are completely out of hand in this area at this time and I said that it must start with those who do see this problem as SIN and are willing to be an outspoken remnant setting things back in order.

John 15:18 "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.

Gal 1:10 Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.    John 5:19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

1 Sam 17:40 –57 (David vs. Goliath)

2 Chron 20:15 And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.16 To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel.17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.KJV

2 Chron 32:6 He appointed military officers over the people and assembled them before him in the square at the city gate and encouraged them with these words: 7 "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. 8 With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles." And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said. NIV

1 Sam 14:6 And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armor, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that Jehovah will work for us; for there is no restraint to Jehovah to save by many or by few.ASV

6.        Pray that we all remember every hour to Whom be belong! Pray that we also submit to and speak the truth into the lives of the body of Christ, particularly those He has aligned us with in our local church.  Pray that we and our nation repent of the rebellion that says it is up to ME to choose what I want in life and my choices are MY business.   Especially pray regarding the spirit of murder seducing women with “It is YOUR body”, you can decide to kill the baby.  Pray that they know the baby is a body separate from themselves – that abortion is murdering another person! EF prophesies, “The spirit of rebellion is crossing your land rapidly, and rebellion is witchcraft. For it is leading others astray, saying, 'Seek your own, seek your own.'”  1 Cor 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?20 For ye are bought with a price : therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

RB note re: prayer point # 7: Once more it is wonderful to see that a revelation God put in my heart about the blood of Christ – as I have been teaching it before we do communion for quite a few years now and as I emphasized in a recent series on the New Covenant – is a revelation He is revealing all over!  WHEN the body of Christ “gets this” , we will rise up in a  new awareness of our power IN HIM to walk in HIS righteousness!

                                   End of prayer points………………………………

In the following prophetic word, I am the one who enlarged some fonts for emphasis..

KJVEileen Fisher: I Will Cause Things to Be Blown Out of the Way...I Will Cause the Wind to Come at Your Back   May 12, 2010    The following corporate prophetic word was given by Eileen Fisher on April 27, 2010 during her weekly Prophetic School of the Holy Spirit meeting in Colorado Springs, Colorado(Eileen lives there rb):     A "Strange" Wind is Blowing:    As I was singing, the Lord was showing me a strange wind. And it was a strange wind because it wasn't going the normal direction, it was going the opposite—like how you would see a tornado going a certain way, but it would be unwinding.   And the Lord said, "Many of you have been caught up, and things have been wound up around you. And it's like you're not sure where you're going to be set down—and it's kind of like this wind that is out of control. It's like an unknown wind—something that's not familiar, that you can go back to and say, 'This is that.'"

And I heard the Lord say, "I am the One who holds the wind in My hand. And I will cause things to blow into place that need to be blown into place. I will cause things to be blown out of the way that need to be removed out of the way. I will cause the wind to come at your back—to push you and to place you where I would have you."For," He said, "the wind is going to come stronger and stronger and stronger." He said, "You will even hear your own weather channels talking about the strange wind. I will confirm this strange wind to you, because you will need to be prepared to recognize what is My wind and what is not.

"For some will come and they will preach a gospel and it will sound like a gospel of purity and love, but it will not be the Gospel of power and a sound mind. And it will play and do tricks in the soulish realm, but it will not be moved nor led by My Spirit. And," He said, "the wind will come against you, and you will feel this wind, and you will say, 'This is strange, for this is not the wind of the Holy Spirit of God.'"

"There is Going to Come a Conviction of  My Spirit that Will Cause Your Nation to Come Back..."      God said, "I am raising up an army." He said, "The giant is merely stretching, but the giant is going to stand. When this giant comes, it will be Me. And it will be Me who comes as the God of fire; the God who brings down purification and holiness over this land; the God that rains down justice."For I am about to start to remove things like dominoes. For I am taking the dominoes that are really out of place and I'm taking them off of the table. You are going to see even those that I have had encased come forth, and they will speak My tongue. And they will say, 'This is good, and it will be good.' And they will say, 'This is bad, and it will be bad.'"For your nation is in a season of calling good evil and evil good”:    But," He said, "there is going to come a conviction of My Spirit that will cause your nation to come back and align with the royal priesthood. For I have a multitude of holy priests walking this land." He said, "Look around, you are My holy priests. For you are the temple of the Holy Spirit. And I say unto you, even a few of you can put ten thousand to flight.

"But remember this: Do not, do not, do not pick up the battle in the soulish realm, but stay in the Spirit. For your battle is not against flesh and blood. It (the soulish realm) may manifest, but it is not the moving force. You are to go after the moving force. The spirit of rebellion is crossing your land rapidly, and rebellion is witchcraft. For it is leading others astray, saying, 'Seek your own, seek your own.' For it is saying, 'Unjust! Unjust! Justify me!'

"Man Can Only Be Justified by the Blood of My Son":    "I say unto you, man can only be justified by the Blood of My Son. And this will be the battle cry of My move: 'There is power in the Blood, there is power in the Blood.' How I long to hear the songs of Blood, rejoicing in the knowledge of the death and the resurrection of My Son."How I long to hear people speak and apply My Blood, and know that there is life in My Blood. For I say unto you, the blood of the innocent that has been poured over your land is going to be cleansed when My holy fire and Blood come back over this nation.

"For this is My nation. And I shall not yield it to another," says the Lord your God. "In fact, you are going to see My hand come so heavy from the top to the bottom. And I tell you this, it is in a cupped position. And I will tip My hand over so slightly, where My Blood will be poured out in hidden places. And they will cry out for mercy, because they will not be able to stand, and they will not be able to understand what has touched them. And it will have been the knowledge of the Blood of My Son.

"For I say unto you, tonight I am giving each one of you a unique gift. You are going to see the Scriptures become more fully alive to you about My Son's Blood. You will see it in the quiet of your own private time. You are to meditate on My Son's Blood. You are to recall the power of the death and the resurrection of My Son. You are not to shelve it for Easter, but you are to practice it for ecstasy—and I say ecstasy which will bring down My presence. For it will be Heaven has entered the earth. For it did in My Son, and so it does in you. For did I not say in My Word, My Kingdom dwells within you?   "Let My Kingdom flow. Let My Spirit flow. Do not look to the left nor to the right. Do not listen to those that would compromise, afraid of offending—but, set your face like flint. Do not compromise, but offer the power of My Spirit, for in this is victory," says the Lord your God.     Thank You, Father.     Eileen Fisher    Eileen Fisher Ministries Email: Eileen@eileenfisher.org

 

To make choices between good and evil -- in any area of our lives -- we must .know God and His Word.  His Spirit has been sent to guide and teach us. We must listen to His voice!

 It is dangerous to call something good or bad before we weigh in with the Lord about it!

Isa 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil ; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!  KJV

Prov 3:7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;fear the LORD and shun evil. 8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Jer 9:23-23 This is what the LORD says:"Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast about this:that he understands and knows me,that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness,justice and righteousness on earth,for in these I delight," declares the LORD. NIV

 

Choosing excellence in media:    The basis of our being able to discuss together  learning how to rightly judge media is our common relationship with God and His Spirit. Only those who care about not grieving Him will care about this topic!

All the content of all forms of media must be wholesome!

Eph 4: 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. NIV

“unwholesome”= sapros  NT:4550 sapros (sap-ros'); from NT:4595; rotten, i.e. worthless (literally or morally):KJV - bad, corrupt. Compare NT:4190.    Rotten: stinking, morally offensive, corrupt:   Corrupt:  Made inferior by errors or alterations

Phil 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things .KJV

Each of us here who say we are Christians MUST have this in common – we must be in active fellowship with our Father through His Word and His Spirit  -- it is only through communication with His Spirit and knowledge of His Word that we can judge media:

1 John 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.KJV

If someone is  in fellowship with  God and walks in the light of God, only then can she or he  agree together with the body of Christ  that we must be careful about what we hear , read, and see.

  If someone is “doing their own thing” and does not want any input from the body of Christ, there is nothing we can say to them to convince them of the gift of helping one another grow up into Christ by making sure we hold forth the ways of His Spirit and truth!

The righteous will hear truth; those who are not righteous will not hear it:

1 John 4:4Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.KJV

There is probably no measurement of  their current spiritual health  and closeness to the Lord  quite as revealing as our  choices in music, movies, video games, books, etc.   

Some honest, brave  folks may be able to come right out and admit exactly where they are at in this area. Others, perhaps knowing that their choices are not what the rest of their church family would affirm, keep a very quiet, low profile on what they really like . They fear being  corrected and/or challenged. And perhaps they fear rejection. 

 Perhaps they are proud and do not want to be wrong in front of everyone concerning their first assessment of something. I.e., they are more self conscious about man's response than they are about learning more about God's nature and ways!

Whether the person is keeping quiet or not, among discerning Christians it is quite apparent who is growing in the Lord and who is beginning to drift. 

Sometimes the drifting is birthed from media choices.    Consistently choosing a Word filled  album with strong Christian musicians to listen to versus choosing  albums made by those whose lyrics are pretty much watered down from being a strong gospel message to being an ambiguous message that seems unconnected with the Word and the Spirit  can result in either helping to build  a strong faith or  weakening ones  boldness in aggressively maintaining  faith.

The Bible is clear on making wise choices, on having all we think upon being  in harmony with the Lord.    IF you love the Lord, you will strive to maintain that standard. If you don’t, you won’t.  If one person loves the Lord and the other does not, there will be a separation!

We are always to be discerning of whether the source of anything we read or listen to or see is God, the flesh, or the devil!  Furthermore, when we can prove from the Word what is the nature of something, those who are of God will listen; those who are not of God will not listen.

1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.KJV

Rom 16:19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.KJV

Phil 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.KJV

Phil 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.KJV

Colossians 2:1 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. {Christ is the STANDARD of truth! RB}

Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God

When someone refuses wisdom, walk away from him

Prov 14:7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.

Matt 7:6  Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine , lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.KJV

The person who exalts themselves against God has an antichrist spirit; the one with the Spirit of God submits their thoughts to His Spirit.

It is not MY opinion or YOURS that counts: We must all submit our minds to the mind of Christ! SELF WILL is an anti Christ spirit!!!

The Christian WARS against that spirit:  2 Cor 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

KJV

2 Thess 2:3 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. 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God. NIV

Wise people examine their path to make sure they are in harmony with God; foolish people do not want to analyze right and wrong.    Prov 7:1415 The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.

Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.KJV

1 Thess 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

Rev 2:2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:KJV

If we have not met people who want to corrupt the body of Christ , then it is very hard for us to even think there are such people! But the Bible warns us against such people!

The fact is too: IF you are someone who is sarcastic and mocking when someone suggests we check out a certain product before using it, if you are someone who taunts with “goody, goody”, “you are a brainwashed robot”, “you are not fun to be around”, etc., then YOU have an anti Christ spirit! We are commanded to walk circumspectly.

You are being like Eve in the garden: You believe that the tree of the knowledge of good and evil is BETTER than the TREE OF LIFE!

YOU have the makings of a WOLF if you are like this!

Acts 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.KJV

I believe MOST ALL of those who twist the Word and try to make the grace of God into a license to sin would probably whine and say “I am a Christian” if you confronted them with the fact that they either have or are momentarily working in harmony with an antichrist spirit. They are honestly deceived. But it IS their own fault because gradually doing “our own thing” brings us into the realm of believing lies.

2 Cor 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.KJV

 

We who have the Spirit of Christ do NOT want to grieve Him; therefore, we submit everything to Him.

We GROW into this maturity of submission! 

1 Tim 4:7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.KJV

 

The evaluation verdict when we look at media:  Trash or Treasure? Black or White?    Good or evil.

 

How do we evaluate what to listen to? 

The evaluation results are not often a conclusive “YES, get this “ or “NO!” – it is more like a “scale of 1 to 10 “ situation  because very few things we find under the label “Christian” are all good or all bad!  Mixture is usually present in all we do or say! BUT, some things are WAY more EXCELLENT than others. We must strive to find excellence in the media we choose.

 

At the day of judgment, the final pronouncement will be made on what each one’s works were worth.  The following passage makes it plain that some folk’s works are worth much more than others!  1 Cor 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

 

“Christian” Media Evaluation criteria, by Rosemary Barnes

1.  –-The effect on my body, soul (mind, will, emotions) and spirit

At the 5/23/10 seminar we listened to clips of secular music. We analyzed what pictures and emotions the music brought to mind.

Although most songs had no lyrics and were unknown us, we had some pretty common responses to each one.

There are GOOD emotions (healing,, uplifting, inspirational) and bad ones (discouraging, weakening, stirring up negative responses) – this is a partial list of something Briana found on the internet to list various emotions. We all know which ones are “good” and which are “bad”.:

Caring,  Tenderness, Compassion, Longing, Passion, Enthusiasm, Excitement, Contentment, Pleasure, Hope, Optimism, Amazement,   Irritation,  Annoyance,  Frustration, Anger,  Bitterness,  Scorn,  Resentment, Disgust, Torment, Suffering, Hurt, Depression, Grief, Hopelessness, Disappointment, Guilt, Regret, Isolation, Loneliness, Rejection,  Defeat, Embarrassment, Humiliation, Fear, Horror, Anxiety, Nervousness, Uneasiness, Worry, Dread, Discovery, Surprise, Wonder, Happiness, Rawness, Caring, Courage, Pity, Repentance, Pride, Relaxation, Alertness, Hope, Understanding, Anxiety

Delight, Elation, Sadness, Boredom, Joy, Satisfaction, Calmness, Serene,Empathy,Hyper,Confusion,Amused,Entertained,Unrest,Frustration,Meditative,

Industrious, Captivated,Carefree,Creative,Fun,Inspired,Spirited,Apathetic,Thoughtful,Concern

 

All these emotions (and more!) can be stirred up through any media we encounter!  What builds me up in Christ ; what tears me down from Him and His high calling in my life? 

 

2.--Appearance of those who created and/or performed it – what “image” is being communicated? 

Some of today’s and yesterday’s images: Clean cut; biker; preppie; hippie; gypsy; angry rocker; punk; Goth; playboy or girl; professional worker; surfer; blue collar worker; southern good old boy; druggie, US Army soldier; sexually deviant, etc…Which ones are appropriate for a Christian?   1 Thess 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.KJV     1 Cor 3: 16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.KJV

3.  -Appearance of logo, advertisements, covers, T shirts that they sell, movie trailer, book cover, social network site skin,  etc.

4.  --If there are media interviews, what does the content say about the character of the person(s) involved?

5.  -Interpersonal relationships (e.g.,  when a “Christian musician” “come out of the closet”, is that cause to stop buying their music?  Or, when they admit to an affair with the drummer?  Should a public performer have a public repentance before we restore them to their place of media ministry?)

6.  –Reputation/character of those involved:    Eph 4:17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.20 But ye have not so learned Christ;21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.KJV

7.  –-Their relationship and faithful connection to their local church and the authority in that church – their service in their local church

8—Lyrics, script – does the message conform to the Word and to the Spirit of God? Does the message fulfill the great commission in either bringing people to Christ or teaching them how to live according to the ways of Christ? Is there compromise, distortion , or pollution of the Word of God?  Is there consistent  avoidance of the mention of the Lord Jesus Christ or of His cross? (I.e., each and every song does not have to mention the cross or have an evangelistic message; however, is it avoided over and over again?) 

Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:11 Whose mouths must be stopped , who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.KJV

Titus 2:7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.KJV

2 Cor 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;KJV

Mark 8:38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels." 

9—If music, what does the sound alone communicate? The rhythm?

10--Financial integrity

11--Reception of adulation (i.e., excessive admiration)— is there humility or pride?

12—Motive for their media production:  For self promotion – lust of eyes, lust of the flesh, and pride of life? – or to minister? In Christian media , is there a place for “entertainment” and “performance”?  For seeking popularity and money?  Do they covet being recognized by the world, i.e., by “mainstream” festivals and award programs?  Do they think that  to really “succeed” the world must give their praise to them?

John 6:26 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."

13 --  Relationship with the world and its values; partnership with the world  (either literally in business with  or in agreement with the principles and practices of the  world) 1 John 2:15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For everything in the world — the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does — comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.NIV

James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

John 15:18 "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.

 

Gal 1:10 Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

 

1 John 5:19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

 

2 Chron 19: 19:1 When Jehoshaphat king of Judah returned safely to his palace in Jerusalem, 2 Jehu the seer, the son of Hanani, went out to meet him and said to the king, "Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, the wrath of the LORD is upon you. 3 There is, however, some good in you, for you have rid the land of the Asherah poles and have set your heart on seeking God." NIV

 

Matt 6:24 "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. NIV

 

2 Cor 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.KJV

Luke 6:26 Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets. NIV

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Note: I would love to have people email me any other criteria that comes to mind and even corresponding verses. rbarnesrol@aol.com

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Some say we have to mingle with the world and/or write about our own pitiful humanity issues  in order to let them know we understand them, that we are “there for” them?

Would it suffice to hear the heart of the Spirit for that person and the answers He prompts us to give them without necessarily having to get glued to learning all the details of  the issues the person is warring with? 

Some would say we are “being fake” when we concentrate on the “good things” in our walk with the Lord and do not admit to how dark our souls can sometimes feel in the midst of some really rough warfare. They think that for us to choose to stay full of hope and joy is putting on a mask to cover reality. They do not understand that reality IS in the heavenly realm in Christ far above all those spiritual enemies that are attacking us!

Do we need to focus on the pain and obsess over problems for others who are in pain to believe we are “real”? Do we have to go a step even further down and actually the  prodigal in the pig pen in order to reach that prodigal? Or can we consistently role model a  life transcending base concerns by being in Christ  and therefore show that there is a path available out of that pig pen? 

 

     Some groups think they have to sing about the pain of being in the world’s life style or write a book (or movie ) with a BIG portion concentrating on a worldly lifestyle and then a just a few words(by comparison) on how salvation showed up in Christ.  They then let everyone know they are knowledgeable about being a part of the world.  There is a school of thought that says we must have been a drug addict to really understand an addict. We must have been a mom who lost a baby to really understand that grief. Along this line of thought one could say, “We need to let the unsaved person know we identify with where we are at in order to reach them ; therefore, admit openly the darkness once  dwelling in us (an sometimes what is STILL in us!) so as to let them know we are just like them in many ways. The thinking is , “They don’t like stuffy, distant, “religious, legalistic “Christians so let’s get down and dirty with the world so they will like us and then we can win them to Christ.   Meet them where they are. Jesus was friends with publicans and sinners and prostitutes, we should be too.”

What is wrong with this kind of thinking?     James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God ? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

Eph 5:10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;KJV

Phil 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.16Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.18(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:KJV

We are to walk in LIGHT!! We are not to look dark, angry , and unhappy. We are to reckon ourselves dead to that which is soulish and fleshly and alive to the nature of Christ inside!

Isa 60: 60:1 Arise, shine ; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.3 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.KJV

 

Isa 52: wake, awake, O Zion,clothe yourself with strength.Put on your garments of splendor,O Jerusalem, the holy city.The uncircumcised and defiled will not enter you again. 2 Shake off your dust;rise up, sit enthroned, O Jerusalem.Free yourself from the chains on your neck,O captive Daughter of Zion.

 

Matt 5: 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

 

Eph 5: For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret……….14 for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." 15 Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. NIV

 

Phil 2:14 Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universeNIV

 

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.NIV

 

Does that mean we cannot testify of the depth of captivity we were in and how grateful we are to the Lord for delivering us into His freedom and light?  No, it just means that our motive is not to be “one with “ those still in that lifestyle so as to look “cool” to them nor should our motive me to glorify our past life. Enough should be mentioned to show the grace of God…no more, no less.  It is for HIS glory, not to draw people to be friends with ME, but to reconcile them to GOD!

 

The danger of developing soul ties with unbelievers:

If I “hang out with”  the world and/or fleshly Christians, I will begin to get attached to and have affection for them.  I will inevitably come to the place that I realize that their choices are not what the Lord is happy with (i.e., if I remain in Christ).  Then I will be in the uncomfortable position of drawing back from them after having gotten entangled with them. Unless they desire the high ground I want to remain on (or return to), we WILL be separated from any close relationship we have developed.

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A problem in church  comes into all of our lives when the time comes to  make choices  of lifestyle  “on our own” , i.e., apart from parents and other Christian leaders telling us what is right and wrong. 

 

 All of us must face the day when we must  bear the responsibility to choose the appropriate lifestyle  for ourselves. This age comes quite normally to all of us and it is a good thing; however,  it is also a time when -- if we don't know the Word -- our conclusions may be based on shallow, worldly, peer influenced thinking rather than our diligently entering into a relationship with God and His Spirit, carefully weighing the Word and His voice in the formulation of deciding what we personally think and believe. :

While growing up in church, being a part of the church family , and not  even thinking to question the beliefs of our parents and Christian leaders, we can experience such a warm, close family involvement in that safe, known environment.

But, when a person reaches an age when they must choose what they believe for themselves, the added burden to one raised in this environment is that – unlike our natural family – acceptance in the church family can be severed by choosing the world instead of the Lord!

    When we realize that our own choices are totally different from what those closer to the Lord  are choosing, we begin to feel alienated, out of place, in church.  We could then also become a problem to our church if we try to convince our closest friends to also rebel against the teachings of the Spirit and the Word.

For the rest of us there is pain too: We could lose  those we  love when they decide to reject their upbringing and choose the current worldly culture instead. When we begin to see the rebellion leak here and there (and it does!), we know deep inside that the person is leaving our church family and there is not one thing we can do to make that beloved one choose the Lord around whom we have our basis for fellowship.

 What we cannot do: 

n  We cannot pretend that their choices in worldly amusements and entertainments are all right with God – even worse, try to incorporate their tastes into our services even when we know those tastes are mixed with ungodliness!

n   We cannot get so upset that they might leave us that we look the other way when we see that they are getting more and more worldly. We stop obeying God’s directive to “exhort, admonish, edify – speak the truth in love” for fear we will offend them.

What we must do:

Remain true to the Lord and continue to pray that the prodigal son or daughter gets enough of the world and returns to the Lord and to fellowship with His body at a local church.

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Media issues involving “old material”:

Sometimes we find a  movie that communicates the heart of God and/or one of His teachings.  But it is in black and white. It was created in 1958. The clothes and hair styles are way out of date.  The language seems corny.  Young people may mock it for these reasons.

When we are thwarted by that, what are we saying?  That it matters to be fashionable? That the message should take a back seat to whether or not the movie is visually pleasing? 

Are we planting seeds that justify eye rolling when the  King James version of the Bible  is read? 

Can someone’s thoughts from 1892 be valuable to us now or are ideas from this year better than all others?

Matthew 13:52 He said to them, "Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old ." 

 

Refusing to partake in a powerful piece of media and/ or mocking that media simply because it is “old” shows a shallow soul and immaturity.  We should look for content that speaks to our spirit man in the name of the Lord, not  for the “latest” in presentation style or what’s fashionable currently.

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Ministry or Performance?   Is the gift of music given to a Christian ever to be used in a “performance” or should it always be a “ministry”?

One set of criteria fits all?  There is much Christian  media out there today to examine:  Movies, books, poetry, video games, application downloads, social networking blogs; internet surfing “opportunities”, art museums; magazines, newspapers, YouTube – the list could go on. Do the same criteria listed above apply to ALL Christian produced media? Because every point is backed with Biblical principles for the Christian life, the answer is “Yes”.  We cannot do something in the name of art that grieves the One who gives us the gift to be artists!

 

Is what I choose in media my own personal,  PRIVATE  choice?  Do I have a right to make choices independent of the Word if I call myself a Christian?

1 Cor 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?20 For ye are bought with a price : therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

 

If I do make really , obviously bad choices without repenting, is that anyone else’s business?  Yes, and if the choices are really bad, there comes a time a separation from the body of Christ is called for!

1 Cor 5:6 b….. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? {RB  note: I.e., sin in the church can affect everyone negatively!} 7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.KJV

 

Those who refuse to live self examined lives in the light of the Word could fall into extreme sin and then that sin could corrupt the local church!   Those who fall but also confess their sin and do warfare against the world, the flesh , and the devil  can continue in fellowship while they press on into the mark of the high calling in Christ.

Prov 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.KJV

Ps 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.             

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"Judging":

Many people think Christians are to “Judge not”. But, that is NOT TRUE. We are to judge righteously.

   We are to Try the spirits…. Be circumspect…

We are not to be PASSIVE! NO BLANK MINDS!!!

passive – a couple of definitions: 5. influenced, acted upon, or affected by some external force., cause, or agency; being the object of action rather than causing action (opposed to active)..8.  enduring, or submitting without resistance: a passive hypnotic subject.Synonyms 8. submissive, unresisting.    —more: (1) : lethargic or lacking in energy or will  (2) : tending not to take an active or dominant part                                               End of definitions

We are commanded  to discern, judge, evaluate; the command to do everything in the name of the Lord:    In the interest of learning to evaluate, we evaluated the lyrics and the sound of a particular song on 5 5 10 at church:  We shared these lyrics and questioned whether there was anything in them that ministered.

Whether or not the band members are saved was not AT ALL the issue being evaluated.  Whether or not their song was edifying was the issue at hand for our discussion on 5 5 and whether or not one really bad song warns us to go elsewhere for our  music ministry selections.

We shared the sound and discussed the effects of the sound on our bodies and souls. Most everyone agreed that this song was pretty empty when judged by ministry standards.

 We questioned how much “junk” there could be in a song on an album before we think of the album as being “polluted”. The “joke “ about the mom who was about to serve brownies to her kids saying that she used only a little bit of dog waste in the brownies  -- did the kids still want the brownies?

Admittedly, just about anything and everything (starting with our very own selves) contains contamination on one level or another; therefore these issues are not “no braiders”.

Biggest principle we wish to transmit: Evaluate everything! Passively accept nothing.  Go from the  weak response of “there is nothing wrong with it”,  then past just “ok” and  “good enough”  on to the “excellent.

For anyone who missed the 5 5 service, here are the Monster lyrics:  Songwriters: Brown, Gavin; Cooper, John Landrum;

The secret side of me, I never let you see    I keep it caged but I can't control it

So stay away from me, the beast is ugly      I feel the rage and I just can't hold it

It's scratching on the walls, in the closet, in the halls        It comes awake and I can't control it

Hiding under the bed, in my body, in my head       Why won't somebody come and save me from this, make it end?

I feel it deep within, it's just beneath the skin            I must confess that I feel like a monster

I hate what I've become, the nightmare's just begun       I must confess that I feel like a monster

I, I feel like a monster      I, I feel like a monster

My secret side I keep hid under lock and key     I keep it caged but I can't control it

'Cause if I let him out he'll tear me up, break me down     Why won't somebody come and save me from this, make it end?

I feel it deep within, it's just beneath the skin     I must confess that I feel like a monster

I hate what I've become, the nightmare's just begun    I must confess that I feel like a monster

I feel it deep within, it's just beneath the skin     I must confess that I feel like a monster

I, I feel like a monster               I, I feel like a monster

It's hiding in the dark, it's teeth are razor sharp      There's no escape for me, it wants my soul, it wants my heart

No one can hear me scream, maybe it's just a dream   Maybe it's inside of me, stop this monster

I feel it deep within, it's just beneath the skin    I must confess that I feel like a monster

I hate what I've become, the nightmare's just begun   I must confess that I feel like a monster

I feel it deep within, it's just beneath the skin    I must confess that I feel like a monster

I've gotta lose control, he something radical    I must confess that I feel like a monster

I, I feel like a monster    I, I feel like a monster      I, I feel like a monster    I, I feel like a monster

© EMI APRIL MUSIC CANADA LTD; LANDRUM PUBLISHING; NOODLES FOR EVERYONE; PHOTON MUSIC; WARNER-TAMERLANE PUBLISHING CORP;these lyrics are submitted by Skillet

Most everyone agreed that these lyrics were NOT edifying…they do not minister!  Some also mentioned that this same band has put out many good songs. 

Trash or Treasure? Black or White?  How then do we evaluate what to listen to?  It has occurred to me that the evaluation results are not often a conclusive “YES, get this “or “NO!” – it is more like a “scale of 1 to 10 “ situation  because very few things we find under the label “Christian” are all good or all bad!  Mixture is usually present in all we do or say! BUT, some things are WAY more EXCELLENT than others. Is it not the most excellent we must look for and choose?

At the Day of Judgment, the final pronouncement will be made on what each one’s works were worth.  The following passage makes it plain that some folk’s works are worth much more than others!

1 Cor 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Secular music and media:  It is not within the realm of this paper to discuss in detail judging secular music or media (movies, literature, etc.) . Surely we do not expect the world to conform to most of the items on our criteria list and surely there are many of us who enjoy listening to a jazz trio or some country music or some other secular music forms or when we go to see a movie we believe will be fun to watch and not offensive to God. 

The fact is, for me anyway, e.g., that when a group saying their music is “Christian” puts out a CD, I expect it to MINISTER to my spirit man. When that group contains a significant mixture of worldliness, then I am deeply disappointed in them.

A secular group is just that. Not pretending to be Christian, not pretending to be a source of ministry to my spirit. I actually can receive that group (if they are not obviously WICKED in their lyrics, sounds, etc.) more quickly  than a group saying they are Christian but they are obviously very worldly minded.  (When I say “receive”, I mean, e.g., to stop in the town square when the pan flutist is playing or in a park where the three piece light jazz group is performing and enjoy their sounds.)

We Christians are responsible to keep one another on the right path, the highway of holiness.  We are responsible to exhort each other to walk in the Spirit!

Col 3: 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. NIV

 

 

Out of the following points, for the rollwms the following are mandatory to address: 1,4,5,7,8,11,15,16,17,18,19, &21.  That is 12 items. Out of the rest of the items, you may choose 5 more to deal with.  That is 17 points for you to address out of the following 23 points.

Understanding  Communion , the Lord’s Supper,

 through understanding the New Covenant

{4 2 10 additions  to previous paper    in blue}

  At the first “Lord’s Supper”, the Lord declared that the wine was His blood and it was the “New Covenant”. The New Covenant gives us a new birth, the presence of His Holy Spirit dwelling within us.  God writes His laws on our hearts and the Spirit enables us to keep the laws of the Lord. We are a new creation in Christ walking in the fruit of His Spirit, our new personality in Him.

Ps 25: 12 What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.13 His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.14 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant .KJV

Questions answered in this paper:

1.        What did the Old Testament say that the New Covenant would be ?

2.         Where in the New Testament is the “New Covenant” writings from the Old Testament repeated?

3.         If someone  sins against the New Covenant, will it go easier with him than with the one who sinned against the Old Covenant?

4.       How do we prepare ourselves  to celebrate the Lord’s Supper?

Jesus said the blood He was about to shed would bring in the New Covenant:

The New Covenant:     1 Cor 11:23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me."  25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ****"This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me."  26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. 27 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31 But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. 32 When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.

Jesus’ celebration of the “Lord’s Supper” on  Passover with this supper:  

Jesus is the Passover Lamb: 

John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.KJV

1 Peter 1: 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

1 Cor 5:6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.KJV

It was during the time of Passover that Jesus had His last supper with the disciples.

Mark 14:So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, "Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. 14 Say to the owner of the house he enters, 'The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?' 15 He will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there."  16 The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. 17 When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. 18 While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me — one who is eating with me."  19 They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, "Surely not I?" 20 "It is one of the Twelve," he replied, "one who dips bread into the bowl with me. 21 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born."  22 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take it; this is my body."  23 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many," he said to them.

Luke 22:10 17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes."  19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me."  20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.NIV

Note:  The life is in the blood  – it was HIS life being poured out for us that brought about the New Covenant.  The blood of Jesus is the drink that brings His life into us.

Lev 17:13 "'Any Israelite or any alien living among you who hunts any animal or bird that may be eaten must drain out the blood and cover it with earth, 14 because the life of every creature is its blood. That is why I have said to the Israelites, "You must not eat the blood of any creature, because the life of every creature is its blood; anyone who eats it must be cut off." NIV

Jesus told us to eat His body and to drink His blood:

John 6:26 Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. 27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.30 They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?31 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.32 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.34 Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.36 But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.41 The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.42 And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?43 Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves.44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.46 Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.48 I am that bread of life.49 Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.52 The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.59 These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.60 Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?61 When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?62 What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?

63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? 68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

What is the New Covenant according to Old Covenant writings?      Jer 31:31 Be hold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD; for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.KJV

Ezek 11:19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:20 That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God. KJV

Note:   “A new spirit” in verse 19:  This is speaking of the “born again “ experience as spoken of in John 3 : 3—7 and in 2 Cor. 5: 7:

John 3:3 In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."  4 "How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!" 5 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."  NIV

2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.KJV

Ezek 36:2525 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.KJV

These Old Testament writings are repeated in the New Testament:   Heb 8:6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: 9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.KJV

Heb 10: 7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. 19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;21 And having an high priest over the house of God;22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: {Question # 3 is answered in the following verse}

29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?  30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

  4  How do we prepare ourselves to celebrate the Lord’s Supper?

1 Cor 11:23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me."  25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ****"This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me."  26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. 27 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31 But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. 32 When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.

1.        Make sure all leaven (sin) has been dealt with:

1 Cor 5:6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?

7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.KJV

2.        Make sure the life of Christ is operating inside  ( not the life of the flesh! Make sure  of abiding in the Vine 24/7 with the fruit of the Spirit…the primary one being LOVE – coming forth 24/7!:

Gal 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.KJV

John 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.KJV

We must stay in communion with the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ whom we “drink in”. He helps us in our 24/7 walk with the Lord!

John 14: 15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. KJV

It is the holy life of the new nature that we look for in ourselves:

1 Peter 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: 18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:23 Being born again , not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.KJV

Eph 4:17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. 20 You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 21 Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. NIV

Col 1:9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. NIV

Rom 7:21 So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23 but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God — through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin. Romans 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,   2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man,   4 in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. 5 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. 8 Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. 9 You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. 12 Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation — but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 14 because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba,  Father." 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs — heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. NIV

Rom 10::1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;  9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.10 For with the heart man

Rom 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

Rom 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.KJV

 

 

When we started River of Life on 1 5 80 in our livingroom at 301 Burton SE, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, us three , me , EG, and Robert , were the only ones who were "for sure" members.

    So , you see, when people say "We started a church 'from scratch' and then we discover they were sent out with 30 people from a mother, sending, supporting  church to plant a church, we like to tell them what "from scratch" really is!  No  church sent us. It was just Robert , EG, and I  with a mandate from the Lord to start a church.  And you know what?  That was  enough . God has been faithful!