Bible Questions Answered: Seek Ye The Lord

Bible Questions Answered:

“It says seek the Lord while he may be found, when is that and when will it be that he cannot be found?”

Pat/ New York, New York U.S.A.

Bible Answer:

Text: Isaiah 55:6 KJV

Seek ye the LORD while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near:

This is not some mystical time of appearance or disappearance of the Saviour, rather these words speak of the spiritual condition of the heart.

II Corinthians 6:2 KJV

(For He saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured (helped) thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

Many a person has heard the call of the Saviour, but delayed in their reaction to Him. Not today, they say, or after I graduate from school, after my business is a success, when I am older, etc. etc.

But delay, Is to refuse and the refusal of a day, becomes the refusal of a week, a month, a year. And before one realizes it, the refusal of a life time. And the heart that once could have turned to the Lord, has now become old and hardened to the ways of the world, and no longer desires to turn to the Lord.

This is the unpardonable sin, the total rejection of the calling of the Spirit of God.

Psalm 95:6-11 NLT

6 Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker,

7 for He is our God. We are the people He watches over, the flock under His care. If only you would listen to His voice today!

8 The Lord says, “Don’t harden your hearts as Israel did at Meribah, as they did at Massah in the wilderness.

9 For there your ancestors tested and tried My patience, even though they saw everything I did.

10 For forty years I was angry with them, and I said, ‘They are a people whose hearts turn away from Me. They refuse to do what I tell them.’

11 So in My anger I took an oath: ‘They will never enter My place of rest.’”

Hebrew 4:7 KJV

"...To day if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.

Hebrews 12:14-17 KJV

14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

Revelation 3:20 KJV

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.

Genesis 71,13,14,16,17 KJV

1 And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before Me in this generation.

13 In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah's wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, into the ark;

14 They, and every beast after his kind, and all the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind, and every fowl after his kind, every bird of every sort.

16 And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in.

17 And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth.

Righteous Noah and his family were shut in the ark, while others to whom Noah had preached warning for 120 years, and refused, were shut out.

Zechariah 7:11-13 NLT

11 “Your ancestors refused to listen to this message. They stubbornly turned away and put their fingers in their ears to keep from hearing.

12 They made their hearts as hard as stone, so they could not hear the instructions or the messages that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies had sent them by His Spirit through the earlier prophets. That is why the Lord of Heaven’s Armies was so angry with them.

13 “Since they refused to listen when I called to them, I would not listen when they called to Me, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

Brother to rejection, i.e. repentance and surrender postponed, is that of presumption.

Matthew 25:1-13 KJV

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.

The virgins are the bride of Christ, while the Bridegroom is Christ.

Matthew 7:16-23 KJV

16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

21 Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.

Workers of iniquity, because though their garments are white, and their hands filled with lamps, yet they are without oil, and blind leaders, “of the dark,” blind.

Matthew 7:21 KJV

Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven.

To refuse to be surrendered to the Lord, as Master, is to rely upon fleshly works that perish. All the rituals, creeds, pomp and circumstance, degrees of great learning all will be as an empty lamp in the dark, on that secret day of the Bridegrooms coming.

Ephesians 2:8,9 KJV

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

I Samuel 15:22 KJV

And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

Hebrews 12:14 KJV

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

The hour is late, the night far spent, each one must decide for himself, whether “poor in spirit,” or “full and self satisfied.”

Once the Bridegroom comes and takes His bride to heavens marriage feast, the doors will be shut.

Hebrew 4:7 KJV

"...To day if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.

Deuteronomy 4:29 KJV

But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find Him, if thou seek Him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

I Chronicles 16:11 KJV

Seek the LORD and His strength, seek His face continually.

Isaiah 31:1 KJV

Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!

Hosea 10:12 NLT

I said, ‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that He may come and shower righteousness upon you.’

Salvation Prayer

Bible Questions Answered: Christmas Celebrated

Bible Questions Answered:

“When was Christmas first celebrated?”

Camargo/ Temecula, California U.S.A.

Bible Answer:

Tradition tells us that in 220 A.D. The Eastern/ or Greek Christian church celebrated the nativity.

A century later the Latin (Western) church celebrated it.

In the year 380 A.D. a uniform date was agreed upon that of 5 B.C.

The celebration of Christmas was first observed upon January 6th, but at the end of the 4th century it was moved to December 25th.

The Christmas tree was first introduced to Europe in the 8th century, by a German.

The Magi, were thought to have come from Arabia, Egypt, Mesopotamia, or another location in the East.

Some early church traditions state, that there were three Magi Princes, and that their names were Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. It has been said of the Magians, that they were Semitic, and were known as Chaldeans.

These Magians Princes believed in one God, they had a hatred for idolatry and were diligent in looking for a coming Messiah.

Numbers 24:17 KJV

"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..."

When the Magians saw the star leading to Judah, they believed the prophecy, come to life.

Christmas Gifts For The Lord Jesus Christ

Shepherds Of Bethlehem

Bible Lesson: Miracles Of The Power Of The Holy Spirit: Angelic Deliverance

Bible Lesson: Miracles Of The Power Of The Holy Spirit: Angelic Deliverance.

God's Messenger: The Angel Of The Lord. (Could have been Gabriel.)

Bible Location: Jerusalem.

Bible Text: Acts 5:17-25 NLT

17 The high priest and his officials, who were Sadducees, were filled with jealousy.

18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.

19 But an angel of the Lord came at night, opened the gates of the jail, and brought them out. Then he told them,

20 “Go to the Temple and give the people this message of life!”

21 So at daybreak the apostles entered the Temple, as they were told, and immediately began teaching.

When the high priest and his officials arrived, they convened the high council—the full assembly of the elders of Israel. Then they sent for the apostles to be brought from the jail for trial.

22 But when the Temple guards went to the jail, the men were gone. So they returned to the council and reported, 23 “The jail was securely locked, with the guards standing outside, but when we opened the gates, no one was there!”

24 When the captain of the Temple guard and the leading priests heard this, they were perplexed, wondering where it would all end.

25 Then someone arrived with startling news: “The men you put in jail are standing in the Temple, teaching the people!”

Acts 5:17 NLT

The high priest and his officials, who were Sadducees, were filled with jealousy.

Only the gospel of the Apostles, had power and purpose, all the others were mad and jealous.

Luke 4:32 KJV

And they were astonished at His doctrine: for His word was with power.

Acts 5:18 NLT

They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.

Oh, the millions of saints who have been martyred for their faith in Jesus Christ, and the many yet to follow.

Revelation 6:9-11 KJV

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 fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

Persecution, Jesus said we should expect it.

The Word of the Lord:

Matthew 10:16-22 KJV

16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;

18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for My sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.

19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.

20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.

22 And ye shall be hated of all men for My name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Matthew 24:9 KJV

Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for My name's sake.

Luke 21:12-17 KJV

12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake.

13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony.

14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:

15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.

17 And ye shall be hated of all men for My name's sake.

John 15:20 KJV

Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept My saying, they will keep yours also.

John 16:1-3 KJV

1 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.

2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.

3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor Me.

II Timothy 3:12 KJV

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

Revelation 2:10 KJV

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.

Acts 5:19 NLT

“But an angel of the Lord came at night, opened the gates of the jail, and brought them out....”

Genesis 18:14 KJV (Our Lord asked Abraham.)

"Is any thing too hard for the LORD?..."

Daniel 3:16-18 KJV

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you.

17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty.

18 But even if He doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”

Daniel 3:19-25 KJV

19 Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.

20 And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.

21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

22 Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flames of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counselors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.

25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

God, can deliver, but we have no promise of that, instead we are called to be faithful til death.

Hebrews 11:36-38 KJV

36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

Whether it be by deliverance or by death, our Saviour has promised His people...

Hebrews 13:5 KJV

"...I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."

Acts 5:19-21 NLT

19 But an angel of the Lord came at night, opened the gates of the jail, and brought them out. Then he told them,

20 “Go to the Temple and give the people this message of life!”

21 So at daybreak the apostles entered the Temple, as they were told, and immediately began teaching.

The mighty angels of God, realized that the Apostles had the “message of life,” and that it is so important for them to share that gospel.

The angels are desirous to fully understand the gospel, one day, during the great tribulation, they will be preaching it to the nations of earth.

I Peter 1:12 KJV

Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

Revelation 14:6 KJV

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,

If the mighty angles of God, realize how important it is to tell the Good News of the gospel, how important do we think it is?

Mark 16:15,16 KJV

15 And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Acts 5:21-25 NLT

21 So at daybreak the apostles entered the Temple, as they were told, and immediately began teaching.

When the high priest and his officials arrived, they convened the high council—the full assembly of the elders of Israel. Then they sent for the apostles to be brought from the jail for trial.

22 But when the Temple guards went to the jail, the men were gone. So they returned to the council and reported,

23 “The jail was securely locked, with the guards standing outside, but when we opened the gates, no one was there!”

24 When the captain of the Temple guard and the leading priests heard this, they were perplexed, wondering where it would all end.

25 Then someone arrived with startling news: “The men you put in jail are standing in the Temple, teaching the people!”

Matthew 10:28 KJV (Jesus)

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

I Peter 4:16-19 KJV

16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

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.

Bible Questions Answered: Slander

Bible Questions Answered:

“...these people have said everything false about me....”

Brunella/ Archhamps, France

Bible Answer:

There has down through time, always been busy bodies, who spread gossip and malicious false stories.

But the people of God, have a great defense.

THE WORD OF THE LORD:

Genesis 15:1 KJV

After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy Shield, and thy exceeding Great Reward.

II Chronicles 16:9 KJV

For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him.

II Samuel 22:3 KJV

The God of my Rock; in Him will I trust: He is my Shield, and the Horn of my Salvation, my High Tower, and my Refuge, my Saviour; thou savest me from violence.

Psalm 5:11,12 KJV

11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

12 For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.

Psalm 18:2 KJV

The LORD is my Rock, and my Fortress, and my Deliverer; my God, my Strength, in whom I will trust; my Buckler, and the Horn of my Salvation, and my High Tower.

Psalm 31:2 KJV

Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong Rock, for an House of Defence to save me.

Psalm 33:20 KJV

Our soul waiteth for the LORD: He is our Help and our Shield.

Psalm 34:7 KJV

The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them.

Psalm 50:15 KJV

And call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.

Psalm 84:11 KJV

For the LORD God is a Sun and Shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.

Psalm 91:4 KJV

He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Psalm 144:2 KJV

My Goodness, and my Fortress; my High Tower, and my Deliverer; my Shield, and He in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.

Proverbs 30:5 KJV

Every word of God is pure: He is a Shield unto them that put their trust in Him.

Matthew 5:11,12 KJV (Beatitudes, Jesus.)

11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake.

12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Matthew 15:15-20 KJV (Mark 7:18-23)

15 Then answered Peter and said unto Him, Declare unto us this parable.

16 And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?

17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?

18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.

19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

Luke 6:22,23 KJV

22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man's sake.

23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

Galatians 5:19-21 NLT

19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures,

20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

I Peter 4:14 KJV

If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of Glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part He is evil spoken of, but on your part He is glorified.

Bible Questions Answered: God's Knowledge

Bible Questions Answered:

“...so how will God will know when the rapture comes who are the people to take or not to take...”

Bob/ Detroit, Michigan U.S.A.

Bible Answer:

God's knowledge is perfect.

I Samuel 2:3 KJV

"...the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by Him actions are weighed.

Job 26:6 KJV

Hell is naked before Him, and destruction hath no covering.

Job 31:4 KJV

Doth not He see my ways, and count all my steps?

Job 34:21 KJV

For His eyes are upon the ways of man, and He seeth all His goings.

Psalm 139:4-6 KJV

4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.

5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

Psalm 147:5 KJV

Great is our Lord, and of great power: His understanding is infinite.

Isaiah 40:28 KJV

Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of His understanding.

Daniel 2:22 KJV

He revealeth the deep and secret things: He knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with Him.

Hebrews 4:13 KJV

Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.

The Lord knows those that are His.

II Chronicles 16:9 KJV

For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him..."

II Timothy 2:19 KJV

Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

God knows our thoughts.

Psalm 44:21 KJV

Shall not God search this out? for He knoweth the secrets of the heart.

Luke 16:15 KJV

And He said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

I Corinthians 3:20 KJV

"... The Lord knoweth the thoughts..."

I John 3:20 KJV

For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

God knows those who trust in Him.

Nahum 1:7 KJV

The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him.

II Peter 2:9 KJV

The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations (trials), and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

God knows our physical limitations.

I Kings 19:5 KJV (Elijah running from Jezebel.)

And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.

Psalm 103:14 KJV

For He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust.

God knows what we need.

Matthew 6:8 KJV

"...your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him.

Philippians 4:19 KJV

But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

------

John 1:12 KJV

But as many as received Him (the Lord Jesus Christ), to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name:

Salvation Prayer

Bible Questions Answered: Blood Of Christ.

Bible Questions Answered:

“Abrahams sacrifice of ram and his blood this pleased God?”

Lesidi/ Berea, South Africa

Bible Answer:

Bible Text:

Genesis 22:13 KJV

And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.

God was pleased because Abraham, obeyed His call, even if it meant sacrificing his “only,” son.

Genesis 22:1-3 NLT

1 Some time later, God tested Abraham’s faith. “Abraham!” God called. “Yes,” he replied. “Here I am.”

2 “Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.”

3 The next morning Abraham got up early. He saddled his donkey and took two of his servants with him, along with his son, Isaac. Then he chopped wood for a fire for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had told him about.

But is was “never,” God's plan that, that would happen, but that He would test Abraham's love for Him. Yet it was and remains a great type of the sacrifice that God and His Son the Lord Jesus would make, that would have no, scape goat.

THE BLOOD OF CHRIST:

THE BLOOD OF CHRIST GIVES CLEANSING:

I John 1:7 KJV

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.

Revelation 1:5 KJV

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,

Revelation 7:14 KJV

And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in

the blood of the Lamb.

THE BLOOD OF CHRIST GIVES JUSTIFICATION:

Romans 3:30 AMP

Since it is one and the same God Who will justify the circumcised by faith [which germinated from Abraham] and the uncircumcised through their [newly acquired] faith. [For it is the same trusting faith in both cases, a firmly relying faith in Jesus Christ].

Romans 5:8,9 KJV

8 But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

9 Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

Galatians 3:8 AMP

And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify (declare righteous, put in right standing with Himself) the Gentiles in consequence of faith, proclaimed the Gospel [foretelling the glad tidings of a Savior long beforehand] to Abraham in the promise, saying, In you (Christ) shall all the nations [of the earth] be blessed.

THE BLOOD OF CHRIST ALONE GIVES REDEMPTION:

Colossians 1:19,20 NLT

19 For God in all His fullness was pleased to live in Christ,

20 and through Him God reconciled everything to Himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.

Ephesians 1:7 KJV

In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace;

Colossians 1:14 KJV

In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

I Peter 1:18,19 KJV

18 For as much 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:

Hebrews 9:11-14 KJV

11 But Christ being come an High Priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;

12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:

14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the Eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Hebrews 9:12 KJV

Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

Hebrews 10:4-14 NLT

4 For it is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

5 That is why, when Christ came into the world, He said to God, “You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings. But you have given Me a body to offer.

6 You were not pleased with burnt offerings or other offerings for sin.

7 Then I said, ‘Look, I have come to do your will, O God— as is written about Me in the Scriptures.’”

8 First, Christ said, “You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings or burnt offerings or other offerings for sin, nor were you pleased with them” (though they are required by the law of Moses).

9 Then He said, “Look, I have come to do your will.” He cancels the first covenant in order to put the second into effect.

10 For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.

11 Under the old covenant, the priest stands and ministers before the altar day after day, offering the same sacrifices again and again, which can never take away sins.

12 But our High Priest offered Himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then He sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand.

13 There He waits until His enemies are humbled and made a footstool under His feet.

14 For by that one offering He forever made perfect those who are being made holy.

THE BLOOD GIVES ENTRANCE INTO THE HOLY PLACE:

Hebrews 10:15-20 KJV

15 And the Holy Spirit also testifies that this is so. For He says,

16 “This is the new covenant I will make with My people on that day, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.”

17 Then He says, “I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds.”

18 And when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices.

19 And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place

because of the blood of Jesus.

20 By His death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into

the Most Holy Place.

THE BLOOD OF CHRIST HAS FOREVER DEFEATED THE ENEMY:

Revelation 12:11 KJV

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 BLOOD OF CHRIST FOREVER BRINGS REJOICING IN HEAVEN:

Revelation 5:1-14 NLT

1 Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the One who was sitting on the throne. There was writing on the inside and the outside of the scroll, and it was sealed with seven seals.

2 And I saw a strong angel, who shouted with a loud voice: “Who is worthy to break the seals on this scroll and open it?”

3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it.

4 Then I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll and read it.

5 But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

6 Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the Sevenfold Spirit of God that is sent out into every part of the earth.

7 He stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the One sitting on the throne.

8 And when He took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.

9 And they sang a new song with these words: “You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.

10 And you have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God. And they will reign on the earth.”

11 Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders.

12 And they sang in a mighty chorus: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered— to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.”

13 And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang: “Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the One sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.”

14 And the four living beings said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb.

Bible Questions Answered: Heaven

Bible Questions Answered:

“...so he said, angels are spirits, and so is heaven...”

Jerome/ Houston, Texas U.S.A.

Bible Answer:

Heaven, is a real place, the promise of the Saviour, with location, dimensions, and occupants.

John 14:1-3 KJV

1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me.

2 In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Heaven is a real place, a place our Lord, called “My Father's house.”

In the Father's house are, “many mansions.”

Jesus told His followers, that He was going to prepare a place in His Father's house for them.

Jesus also tells us to lay up treasures in heaven.

Matthew 6:19,20 KJV

19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

Revelation 22:4 KJV

And they shall see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads.

Heaven is where God and His people will forever be one.

Revelation 21:3 KJV

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.

Revelation 22:4 KJV

And they shall see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads.

Revelation 21 and 22 describe heaven, a place with great and high walls of jasper*.

Jasper: An opaque variety of colored, cryptocrystalline quartz, reddish.

New World Dictionary

The walls speak of entrance into this city only by the blood of the lamb of God.

Hebrews 10:19 KJV

Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

This city has 12 gates, three on the north, three on the south, three on the west, and three on the east.

Each gate is a pearl, which speaks of sins covered, resulting in beauty and value.

This city has a foundation of stone, 12 layers of precious stones.

Isaiah 28:16 KJV

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a Foundation a Stone, a tried Stone, a Precious Corner Stone, a Sure Foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste (be shaken).

I Corinthians 3:11 KJV

For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

This city has dimensions.

Revelation 21:15,16 NLT

15 The angel who talked to me held in his hand a gold measuring stick to measure the city, its gates, and its wall.

16 When he measured it, he found it was a square, as wide as it was long. In fact, its length and width and height were each 1,400 miles.

This city has the river of life, and tree of life, which yields a different fruit every month.

Revelation 22:1,2 KJV

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.

Revelation 21, and 22 describe this beautiful city, someone who had been there and returned said...

I Corinthians 2:9 KJV

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.

Heaven in all of its beauty, is said to be a place of rest.

Revelation 14:13 KJV

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 labors; and their works do follow them.

And heaven is a place of perfect understanding.

I Corinthians 13:12 NLT

Now we see things imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.

If heaven is a real place, is there a real location for heaven? Yes.

Isaiah 14:12-17 KJV (Speaking of Lucifer.)

12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High.

15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

Here we read about “the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north.”

Heaven, is "far away in the north (NLT verse 13)"

Psalm 75:6,7 KJV

6 For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.

7 But God is the judge: He putteth down one, and setteth up another.

By inference, we can see that “promotion,” does come from the north, because that is where God's throne is.

Isaiah 66:1 KJV

Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool: where is the house that ye build unto Me? and where is the place of My rest?

The Word of God, speaks of three heavens, and that is, the first heaven being the atmosphere around earth as the first heaven. The second heaven, being the starry universe, and the third heaven, being where God's throne, and the celestial city are.

II Corinthians 12:2-4 KJV

2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.

3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)

4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

HEAVEN:

Revelation 21:1-27 KJV

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 whore mongers, 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, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;

12 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:

13 On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.

14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

15 And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.

16 And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.

17 And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.

18 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.

19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;

20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.

21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

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 honor 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 honor 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.

Revelation 22:1-21 KJV

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 fellow servant, 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 whore mongers, 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 all. Amen.

Much more can and, Lord willing, will be said on the subject of heaven but the all important thing is are you going there?

Dear friend, lets meet there.

Salvation Prayer

Bible Questions Answered: False Religions.

Bible Questions Answered:

“I don't think its very wise to pit one faith against another. Believe what you wish and leave others alone!”

Karen/ Topeka, Kansas

Bible Answer:

You realize of course, you and Almighty God, “do not,” share the same opinion!

Not only that, but perhaps the church of the Lord Jesus Christ, should speak up more often to point out the errors of others. We can be so loving and so caring, that we encourage our friends to freely enter the gates of judgment and wrath.

How wonderfully brave were the first century Christians who so lovingly laid down their lives rather than bow to Roman relics or pay homage to their pagan leaders.

One wonders indeed, were Christian people, put to the test today, where would their faith be?

II Timothy 1:7 KJV

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Hebrews 11:32-40 KJV (Read the whole chapter-10 other heroes of faith mentioned.)

32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barack, and of Samson, and of Jephthah; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:

33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.

34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

God's answer to unmasking false religion:

I Kings 18:17-39 KJV

17 And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?

18 And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim.

19 Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table.

20 So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel.

21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow Him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

22 Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men.

23 Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under:

24 And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let Him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.

25 And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under.

26 And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.

27 And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.

28 And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.

29 And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.

30 And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down.

31 And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name:

32 And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed.

33 And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood.

34 And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time.

35 And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water.

36 And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.

37 Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.

38 Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.

39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, He is the God; the LORD, He is the God.

Acts 5:17-20 KJV (Apostles arrested for speaking the truth of the gospel.)

17 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,

18 And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.

19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,

20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

Acts 26:25 KJV (Paul before King Agrippa.)

"...speak forth the words of truth and soberness.

II Timothy 4:1-4 KJV

1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom;

2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Bible Lesson: Miracles Of The Power Of The Holy Spirit:Judgment of Ananias And Sapphira

Bible Lesson: Miracles Of The Power Of The Holy Spirit: Judgment of Ananias And Sapphira.

Bible Messenger: Peter.

Bible Location: Jerusalem.

Bible Text: Acts 4:32-37/ Acts 5:1-11 KJV

Acts 4:32-37 KJV

32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,

37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

Acts 5:1-11 KJV

1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.

7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.

8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.

9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

This story was the early church in action, in power, and in the blessing of the Lord.

Acts 4:32-35 NLT

32 All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had.

33 The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all.

34 There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them 35 and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.

This was Christian communal living. There were no big shots, hot shots, land barons, or secret multimillionaires. Everything was "open and honest,”"caring and sharing," in the early church of the Lord Jesus Christ.

And today, what features of this early church of power carry on yet? The Eucharist, and that is all (Communion).

What a difference when the heart and life is “honestly,” controlled by the Spirit of Grace.

Into this open and giving atmosphere, came Ananias, with Sapphira. Yes they had observed all too well the giving, love, and untold appreciation of gifts and givers not with standing congregational adoration to the Living God.

They had a plan, a “dishonest,” plan, a plan of collusion. Ananias, would appear before Peter first. He would present a financial gift representing the sale of land he once owned. Surely he too would be praised “in the congregation,” for his great “sacrifice”!

But Ananias was a liar, for the greater part of the sales price, he and Sapphira, kept back for themselves.

Acts 5:1,2 KJV

1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

One thing Ananias and Sapphira hadn't counted on was the fact that God sees and knows all things!

I Samuel 2:3 NLT

“Stop acting so proud and haughty! Don’t speak with such arrogance! For the Lord is a God who knows what you have done; He will judge your actions.

I Chronicles 28:9 KJV

And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve Him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts..."

Job 34:21 KJV

For His eyes are upon the ways of man, and He seeth all his goings.

Psalm 1:6 KJV

For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Psalm 69:5 KJV

O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee.

Psalm 119:168 KJV

I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.

Psalm 139:1-4 KJV

1 O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.

2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.

Proverbs 5:21 KJV

For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and He pondereth all his goings.

Isaiah 40:28 KJV

Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of His understanding.

Jeremiah 16:17 KJV

For Mine eyes are upon all their ways: they are not hid from My face, neither is their iniquity hid from Mine eyes.

Jeremiah 17:10 KJV

I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

Jeremiah 23:24 KJV

Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 32:17-19 KJV

17 Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:

18 Thou shewest loving kindness unto thousands, and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them: the Great, the Mighty God, the LORD of Hosts, is His name,

19 Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings:

Daniel 2:20-22 KJV

20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are His:

21 And He changeth the times and the seasons: He removeth kings, and setteth up kings: He giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:

22 He revealeth the deep and secret things: He knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with Him.

Acts 5:3-6 KJV

3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear* came on all them that heard these things.

6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.

*Fear-Greek-Phobos (Fob-os): To be put in fear; alarm or fright: be afraid, exceedingly, fear, terror.

Just in case you needed the instruction, our God wishes to inform those who cherish wisdom, “not all works done in the church of the Lord Jesus Christ are, holy works! Nay, and if the works appear holy, the presenters may not be.

Matthew 7:21-23 KJV

21 Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me,

ye that work iniquity.

How could a loving Saviour, say such a hurtful thing regarding Christian workers in the House of God?

How indeed.

Charismatic Christians, Prophesying, exorcising evil spirits, doing many wonderful spiritual works!

Christ call them “workers of iniquity”!

How can this be? We had better understand this for the sake of our church today!

He called them workers of iniquity, because of verse 21

Matthew 7:21 KJV

Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but

he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven.

They in their pomp and circumstance were “not,” living in the will of the Father. They went through great rituals, and ceremonies, but their lives were corrupt.

Matthew 23:27 KJV

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.

Why did our Lord, call these spiritual workers in the church “workers of iniquity?'

He did because not only were their lives evil and not Christian, but through their beguiling religious works, lead countless others to be just like them.

I Corinthians 9:13,14 KJV

13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?

14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

James 3:1 KJV

My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation (Judgment).

The works of Ananias, had judged him. Not only was Ananias a liar, but one who taught his own wife to be one as well.

Acts 5:7-11 KJV

7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.

8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.

9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

11 And great fear* came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

*Fear-Greek-Phobos (Fob-os): To be put in fear; alarm or fright: be afraid, exceedingly, fear, terror.

These two individuals, had forgotten that God sees and knows all, and one thing more. The church of the Lord Jesus Christ, is just that the Lord's Church, not mans!

Matthew 16:18 KJV

"...I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

The Fear of God, is not, for the most part in the church of Jesus Christ today.

And because it is not, in its place are darkness, dishonesty, and hypocrisy.

Leviticus 19:30 KJV

Ye shall keep My sabbaths, and reverence* My sanctuary: I am the LORD.

*Reverence-Hebrew-Yare (Yaw-ray): To fear; to revere; cause to frighten;: affright, be made-afraid, dreadful-put in fear-be had in reverence.

Deuteronomy 10:12 KJV

And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear* the LORD thy God, to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,

*Fear-Hebrew-Yare (Yaw-ray)

Joshua 24:14 KJV

Now therefore fear* the LORD, and serve Him in sincerity and in truth... serve ye the LORD.

*Fear-Hebrew-Yare (Yaw-ray)

Ecclesiastes 12:13,14 KJV

13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear* God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

*Fear-Hebrew-Yare (Yaw-ray)

Psalm 33:8 KJV

Let all the earth fear* the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.

*Fear-Hebrew-Yare (Yaw-ray)

Psalm 89:7 KJV

God is greatly to be feared* in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence* of all them that are about Him.

*Feared-Hebrew-Arats (Aw-rats): To awe or to dread; hence to be affrighted, afraid, dread, feared, terrified, dread, fear, shake terribly.

*Reverence-Hebrew-Yare (Yaw-ray):

Isaiah 8:13 KJV

Sanctify the LORD of hosts Himself; and let Him be your fear*, and let Him be your dread*.

*Fear-Hebrew-Mowra/Mora/Morah (Mo-raw): Fear, fearful thing or deed: dread, (that ought to be feared), terribleness, terror.

*Dread-Hebrew-Arats (Aw-rats):

Matthew 10:28 KJV

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear* Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

*Fear-Greek-Phobeo (Fob-eh-o): To frighten, i.e. to be alarmed; to be in awe of i.e. revere: be (sore) afraid, fear (exceedingly), reverence.

Luke 1:50 KJV

And His mercy is on them that fear* Him from generation to generation.

*Fear-Greek-Phobeo (Fob-eh-o)

Acts 10:35 KJV

But in every nation he that feareth* Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him.

*Fear-Greek-Phobeo (Fob-eh-o)

Philippians 2:12 KJV

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear* and trembling*.

*Fear-Greek-Phobos (Fob-os): To be put in fear; alarm or fright: be afraid, exceedingly, fear, terror.

*Trembling-Greek-Tromos (Trom-os): Quaking with fear: tremble, trembling.

I Peter 1:17 KJV

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*:

*Fear-Greek-Phobos (Fob-os)

I Peter 2:17 KJV

Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear* God. Honour the king.

*Fear-Greek-Phobeo (Fob-eh-o)

Regarding gifts in the church. We are “not,” to recognize gifts by name, nor by the amounts of gifts!

Matthew 6:1-4 NLT

1 “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven.

2 When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get.

3 But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.

4 Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

If men do not “give as unto the Lord,” then their gifts no matter how munificent is worthless.

Oh how the evil one has had his way in the church.

Oh how the evil one has had his way in the church.

And as a result, the presence and power of the Lord, are absent.

We cannot name our “own,” spiritual terms, when it come to the church of the Lord Jesus Christ, who purchased her with His own blood.

Acts 20:28 KJV

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood.

In the days of the early church Ananias and Sapphira, met immediate judgment.

And they did because they were made examples to all who would come after them, that God sees and knows all and that we must walk in Godly fear.

Ecclesiastes 8:11 KJV

Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.

Think this only true of murders and thieves? Ask Ananias and Sapphira.

Matthew 7:21 KJV

Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but

he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven.

Selah

Bible Lesson: Thanksgiving-George Washington

Bible Lesson: THANKSGIVING- George Washington

George Washington 1732-1799 1st president of the United States (1789-1797).

George Washington issued a “Proclamation of Thanksgiving” in 1789.

“Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both House of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to “recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:”

Now therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th cay of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all soverigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone know to be best.”

GEORGE WASHINGTON October 1789

Psalm 50:14 KJV

Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the Most High:

Psalm 100:4 KJV

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.

Colossians 4:2 KJV

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

Bible Questions Answered: Baptism Of Fire

Bible Questions Answered:

“I want to know what it is to be baptized in fire.”

Nathan/ Henderson Nevada U.S.A.

Bible Answer:

Bible Text:

Matthew 3:11 KJV (John the Baptist, speaking of Christ.)

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:

Did John speak with inspiration? Yes.

Luke 1:15 KJV (Angel Gabriel.)

For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.

What was the fire that John referred to?

It was the fiery baptism of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

Acts 2:1-4 KJV

1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues (languages), as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Exodus 19:16-18 KJV (The appearance of the Lord at Sinai.)

16 And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.

17 And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount.

18 And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.

God's presence is an awesome presence.

Matthew 17:1-8 KJV

1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,

2 And was transfigured before them: and His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light.

3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with Him.

4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him.

6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.

Acts 2:2,3 KJV

2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

Before Calvary, believers in the Lord Jesus Christ had the Spirit of God...and how do we know this?

I Corinthians 12:3 KJV (Apostle Paul)

Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

Before Calvary:

Mark 8:29 KJV

And He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto Him, Thou art the Christ.

John 11:27 KJV (Martha)

She saith unto Him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

Christ before His disciples.

John 20:22 KJV

And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

What then, was Acts 2:1-4?

It was what Jesus said it would be, and “enduement with power from on high", from the Holy Spirit, to equip those who would go forth confessing their faith.

Luke 24:49 KJV

And, behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued* with power* from on high.

Endued-Greek-Enduo (En-doo-o): To invest with clothing (literal or figurative) array, clothe (with), endue, have (put) on.

Power-Greek-Dunamis (Doo-nam-is): Miraculous power: ability, abundance, meaning, might (ily,-y,- deed), worker of miracles, power, strength, violence, mighty (wonderful) work.

And the Apostle Paul listed these works in first Corinthians chapter twelve.

Tongues of fire may or may not be seen today, but surely miraculous works of faith are seen by those who fearlessly proclaim the gospel of the risen Lord Jesus Christ.

Is this promise of power for God's people, for today? Let's ask Peter.

Acts 2:39 KJV

For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.