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Saturday, March 30, 2019

Daniel's Rise and Fall of Empires

Daniel's Rise and Fall of Empires
Kings of the South and the North
Daniel 11:23 "And after the league [made] with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people."
after the league made... This has to do with Epiphanes receiving the throne. This has nothing to do with power, but is trickery in action. The agreement between Antiochus Epiphanes and Jason was broken and Antiochus put wicked Menelaus in the position of high priest because he offered him more money than Jason did. Thus he acted deceitfully in his agreement with Jason (Dan. 11:22).
for he shall... This refers to his coming back from Rome where he had been a hostage for the payment of the tax laid on his father. On his return Antiochus found but few to espouse his cause of becoming king, for the people were divided among many claimants to the throne. Antiochus developed an alliance with Ptolemy VI Euergetes II (distinct from the leader in v.7). By this alliance, Antiochus deceitfully plotted to gain greater power in Egypt. With a “small force,” he conquered Memphis and the rest of Egypt all the way to Alexandria. Being supported by the king of Pergamos and his brother, his few followers increased until he became strong enough to get the throne.

My Sheep Hear My Voice

My Sheep Hear My Voice

Before Jesus was crucified He told the disciples to watch and pray, something so simple, but they let their physical bodies take over and they fell back asleep. In these last hours of time you need to hear His voice. When He tells you something, it is very important, but most ignore my voice or just discuss it and go on with what they were doing. You will see many things start to happen shortly and if you do not hear and obey His voice,... it will mean death for some of you....Jesus has only your best interest in mind. Christ knows you heart, and if you are truly His you will hear His voice. He awakes many of you at 3am on the dot, but most will roll over and go back to sleep. There are a few who will get up and pray. Your day is filled with so many things and Jesus is the last thing many of you give your time to. But Christ needs to talk to you,... to fellowship with you and only when you are still and quite (3am) can you hear Him,... the rest of your day is so busy you do not have time for Him,... but you need to make time, for time is short and the Lord has instructions for you.



Revelation Chapter 8
The Seven Trumpet Angels and the Priestly Angel
(Parenthetical, Rev. 8:2-6)



"And the smoke of the incense, [which came] with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand" (Rev. 8:4).
the smoke of... What a glimpse is here afforded of the intercession of our great High Priest! The smoke of the incense of His great merit arises with the prayers of the saints. Pray on, believer, though your voice be feeble, and so much imperfection mingles with your efforts to serve God. The incense of Christ’s intercession is fragrant enough to make even you acceptable.
What a contrast that pause (vs. 1) must have been to the jubilant songs of the great multitude! In the Jewish temple, we are told, the musical instruments and chanting resounded during the offering of the sacrifices, which occupied the first part of the service; but at the offering of the incense a solemn silence was observed, Psm. 62:1. The people prayed quietly without, at the time of incense.
The Bible speaks of this as a sweet smelling savor (Ezra 6:10).
Ezra 6:10 That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savours unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons.

Thursday, March 28, 2019

1 Thessalonians Chapter 1


In Thessalonica Paul's main subject to the people was the resurrection of Jesus Christ and His second coming. Paul was definitely the founder of the church in Thessalonica. It was on his second journey that Paul founded the church. There was not as much resistance from the Jews here, as in some of the other areas. Let me say there was much persecution here, but not from Judaizers in the church.
It is believed that this is the first of the letters of Paul to be written. It is also believed that Paul wrote this from Corinth. It was written somewhere around 50 A.D. Give or take a year or two.
Now let us get right into the verse by verse study of the book of Thessalonians.
1 Thessalonians 1:1 
"Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians [which is] in God the Father and [in] the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace [be] unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ."
Silvanus”, a companion of Paul on the second missionary journey (Acts 15-18), later a writer for Peter (1 Peter 5:12), also called Silas.
Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus”: Paul’s salutation takes the form of an everyday letter of the Hellenistic world. The names Silas and Timotheus (Timothy) are given here in their Latin forms. Silas and Timothy are mentioned not as coauthors but as a courtesy since they were Paul’s companions while he was in Thessalonica.
Timothy” was Paul’s most notable disciple (Phil. 3:17-23) who traveled on the second and third missionary journeys and stayed near Paul during his first Roman imprisonment (Phil. 1:1; Col.1:1; Philemon 1). Later he served in Ephesus (1 Tim. 1:3) and spend some time in prison (Heb. 13:23).
Paul’s first letter to Timothy, while he was ministering in the church at Ephesus, instructed him regarding life in the church (1 Tim. 3:15). In his second letter, Paul called Timothy to be strong (2 Tim. 2:1) and faithfully preach as he faced death and was about to turn his ministry over to Timothy (2 Tim. 4:1-8).
God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ”: Since Paul’s initial converts were Jewish, he made it unmistakably clear that this “church” was not a Jewish assembly, but rather one which gathered in the name of Jesus, the Son of God (Acts 17:2-3), who is both Lord God and Messiah. This emphasis on the equality between God and the Lord Jesus is a part of the introduction in all Paul’s epistles (1 John 2:23).
Silas had taken the place of Barnabas on Paul’s second missionary journey (Acts 15:22-18:15). Timothy had joined them at Lystra, his hometown (Acts 16:1-3), and had also just recently visited the Thessalonians at Paul’s request (3:2).

The Church”: Greek ekklesia, “assembly”): Since Jesus used this term (Matt. 16:18) it had become a technical term among the early believers for a local group of baptized Christians.
In the New Testament the word never refers to a building, and in its technical sense is carefully distinguished from Israel as designating those who are “in the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ.”
While local churches are implied, the more normative sense of the term may also signify all believers in Christ (Acts 8:3; 9:31; 1 Cor. 12:28; 15:9; Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18).
This is a typical Pauline greeting to these people he loved so well. In Corinthians Paul was defending his right to lead them and he reminded them that he was an apostle, called of God. He does not call himself that here, because he knows these people already believe that he was called of God to do this work. He feels that no explanation of who he is will be necessary.
Silvanus is the same person as Silas. We know that Paul had high regard for him. They had been imprisoned together for the gospel of Jesus. Of course, Timotheus is Timothy. It was not unusual for them to be with Paul. Timothy was an understudy of Paul. It seems that both Timothy and Silas had helped Paul in the founding of the church at Thessalonica.
Paul is very proud of this church. He feels they are grounded in the Truth of the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We have mentioned in other lessons that there is a message in the name "Lord Jesus Christ". Jesus means Jehovah Savior, Christ means Messiah, the Anointed One.
To call Him Lord means that you have turned your will over to Him. Paul wishes unmerited favor for them (grace). If they know the King of Peace (Jesus Christ) they have perfect peace. Grace and peace are free blessings poured out on mankind by the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 1:2 "We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;"
Our prayers”: Paul and his companions prayed frequently for the entire flock and 3 of those prayers are offered in this letter (1:2, 3; 3:11-13; 5:23-24).
Paul never stopped being concerned about the churches that he had begun. He prayed for them regularly. Paul had very little to reprimand them for, he gave thanks to God for them.
1 Thessalonians 1:3 
"Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;"
Your work of faith”: refers to the Thessalonians’ conversion when they “turned to God from idols” (verse 9).
The 3 fold combination of faith, hope and love is a Pauline favorite (5:8; 1 Cor. 13-13; Col. 1:4-5) Paul refers here to the fulfillment of ministry duties which resulted from these three spiritual attitudes (verses 9-10).
Labor of love”: concerns their practice of serving the “living and true God” (verse 9), and the “Patience” (i.e., perseverance). “Of hope” has to do with their steadfastly waiting “for His Son from heaven” (verse 10).
It appears from the praise that Paul has for the church at Thessalonica that he is very pleased with their faithfulness to Christianity. We see the main things that are important in the faithful Christian in, faith, hope and love.
1 Corinthians 13:13 "And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these [is] charity."
Charity, here is agape, which means God's kind of love. These three, faith, hope and love sum up a Christian. We have faith in Jesus, love His people as he would, and have hope of our resurrection in Him.
1 Thessalonians 1:4 
"Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God."
Knowing … your election”: Paul’s conviction of the genuineness of his readers’ conversion was based on subjective and objective factors.
The church is commonly called “the elect” (Rom. 8:33; Col., 3:12; 2 Tim. 2:10; Titus 1:1). In salvation, the initiating will is God’s, not man’s (John 1:13; Acts 13:46-48; Rom. 9:15-16; 1 Cor. 1:30; Col. 1:13; 2 Thess. 2:13; 2 Peter 1:1-2).
Man’s will participates in response to God’s promptings as Paul makes clear when he says the Thessalonians received the Word (verse 6) and they turned to God from idols (verse 9). These two responses describe faith and repentance, which God repeatedly calls sinners to do throughout Scripture (Acts 20-21).
The former relates to his own assurance of the gospel, the propriety of his Christian life, and to the effectiveness of his ministry produced by the Spirit’s power (verse 5). The objective factor concerns the Thessalonians’ becoming followers of Christ (verse 6), being examples to other believers (verse 7), and their gospel witness (verse 8).
Because of the faith, love, and hope in the previous verse, God has predestined us to the election of sonship in Him. We had to activate our will and have the faith, love and hope. He elected us to be His because of our decision. Paul says here, there is no question about it, you belong to God.
1 Thessalonians 1:5 
"For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake."
Our Gospel”: Paul called his message “our gospel,” because it was for him and all sinners to believer and especially for him to preach. He knew it did not originate with him, but was divinely authored; thus he also called it “the gospel of God” (2:2, 9; Rom. 1:1). Because the person who made forgiveness possible is the Lord Jesus, he also referred to it as “the gospel of Christ” (3:2).
Word only” It had to come in word (Rom. 10-13-17), and not word only, but in Holy Spirit power (1 Cor. 2:4-5) and in confidence (Isa. 55:11).
What manner of men”: The quality of the message was confirmed by the character of the lives of the preachers. Paul’s exemplary life served as an open book for all men to read, establishing the credibility of the power and grace of God essential to making the message of redemption believable to sinners.
Greek euaggelion, (“Good News”) is a technical term for the Christian message, stated succinctly in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.
Paul was not a man of just words, but of deeds as well. His deeds proved to all that he truly believed the words he brought to them. Paul's power to heal, his power to preach, and his power to endure persecution came from the power of the Holy Ghost within him.
Paul is assured that he does not have to explain who he is or what he stands for to these people. They believe in the work of Paul. The "we" in this indicates that Timothy and Silas are known of them, also.
1 Thessalonians 1:6 
"And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:"
Followers”: means “imitators.” The Thessalonians had become third generation mimics of Christ. Christ is the first; Paul is the second; and the Thessalonians are the third (1 Cor. 4:16; 11:1).
Joy of the Holy Ghost”: (Rom. 14:17). Joy in the midst of suffering evidenced the reality of their salvation, which included the indwelling Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19). It is a joy inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Received”: (Greek dechomai) means to “receive in a respectful, obedient, and favorable way.”
Paul does not mean that these people became Paulites. They were Christians. They followed Paul because he showed them the way to follow Christ. We know from the book of Acts that Paul was so persecuted here by the Jews that Paul had to depart.
This was not Jews, in the church. They were Jews who did not believe in Christ. They were not Judaizers. It is so strange that the greatest growth in the church is in time of persecution. The joy, they experienced, then, were not experienced because of things that happened around them, but the opposite. This joy was from within, in spite of the persecutions around them.
1 Thessalonians 1:7 
"So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia."
Example” The Greek word tupos was used to describe a seal that marked wax or a stamp that minted coins. Having become imitators of Christ (verse 6a), the readers were moral examples themselves (leaving their mark on others.) that others could emulate. And the Thessalonians were fine examples in joyfully receiving the gospel amidst persecution (Verse 6b) and in sharing their faith with others (verse 8).
This is just saying that this church was doing so well that the other churches could look to them as an example of how the church was to function.
1 Thessalonians 1:8 
"For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing."
The Greek word execheo, translated “sounded out,” means to “ring out.” The Thessalonians’ faith in Jesus resounded everywhere abroad. The idea is to reverberate. Wherever the Thessalonians went, the gospel given by the word of the Lord was heard. It resulted in a local outreach to Thessalonica, a national outreach to Macedonia and Achaia, and an international outreach to regions beyond.
Paul is saying here, that their good works speak for them wherever it is known of them. It seems that the gospel had spread from this city to other cities. We do not know whether people off the ships in the harbor came to church and carried the good news of their faith in God to other areas or whether they actually sent ministers forth with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We need not to speak anything”: Though it may appear that this church developed such a testimony in only 3 Sabbaths of preaching (Acts 17:2) spanning as little as 15 days, it is better to understand that Paul preached 3 Sabbaths in the synagogue before he had to relocate elsewhere in the city.
In all likelihood, Paul spent months not weeks, which account for: (1) the two collections he received from Philippi (Phil. 4:16); (2) the time he worked night and day (2:9; 2 Thess. 3:8); and (3) the depth of pastoral care evidenced in the letter (2:7-8, 11).
We do know that the verse above speaks of a spreading of the Word of God by these Thessalonians to other places, some quite far away. Paul, is just saying, it is a well-known fact of how you are spreading the true Word of God.
He, also, says, it was not necessary for him to carry the good news about them. The good news of their faith and work in God had spoken for itself.
1 Thessalonians 1:9 
"For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;"
Ye turned”: (Greek epistrepho) describes their “conversion”, which is both positive (to God) and negative (from idols). This word describes what the bible elsewhere calls repentance (Matt. 3:1-2; 4:17; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 5:31; 20:21). Salvation involves a person’s turning from sin and trusting in false gods to Christ.
Serve”: (Greek douleuo, “to perform the duties of a bondslave”): A bondslave was a person who had been sold to another, thus becoming his personal property. Socially this was a very undesirable condition; but spiritually being God’s servant was a privilege. Such was the readers’ relation to the Lord. Those converted to Christ abandoned the worship of dead idols to become willing slaves to the living God.
Not only does Paul not have to tell the other churches about Thessalonica, but the people in the other churches are telling Paul. This had been a society of idol worshippers, but when the Truth was presented to them, they had turned from idol worship, to the worship of the One True God.
We had spoken earlier in this lesson how Paul had been empowered by the Holy Ghost. It seems that this church at Thessalonica had been filled with this same power. These people were bearing fruit for Jesus, because they were filled with the Holy Spirit and power. They were living and ministering to others through the power of the Holy Ghost.
1 Thessalonians 1:10 
"And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, [even] Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come."
To wait”: signifies waiting with expectation – looking ahead in faith, to the fulfillment of Christ’s promises to return to the saints.
This is a recurring theme in the Thessalonian letters (3:13; 4:15-17; 5:8, 23; 2 Thess. 3:6-13; Acts 1:11; 2 Tim. 4:8; Titus 2:11-13). These passages indicate the immanency of the deliverance; it was something Paul felt could happen in their lifetime.
Wrath to come”: (5:9; Rev. 6:16) refers to the time of the Great Tribulation (spoken of by
Christ, Matt. 24:21) from which the saints of the church will be delivered. This can mean to evacuate out of a current distress (Rom. 7:24; Col. 1:13) or to exempt from entering into a distress (John 12:27; 2 Cor. 1:10).
The wrath can refer either to God’s temporal wrath to come on the earth (Rev. 6:16-17; 19:15) or to God’s eternal wrath (John 3:36; Rom. 5:9-10). 1 Thessalonians 5:9 develops the same idea. The emphasis in both passages on Christ’s work of salvation from sin favors this being understood as the deliverance from the eternal wrath of God in hell because of salvation.
Paul felt that the coming of the Lord was very near. Of course it was for him, because none of us live much beyond one hundred years old. It is near for each of us, whether we are part of those physical dead who rise first, or whether we are those living who will be changed in the twinkling of an eye. We shall rise, because He arose.
Our hope is of the resurrection in Him (Jesus). Notice, we are delivered from the wrath to come, and the tribulation to come. The wrath of God occurs the last three and one half years of the great tribulation period. When the wrath of God falls on this earth at the end of the Gentile age, we Christians will be standing around the throne of God in heaven.
Revelation 7:14 "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." These Tribulation saints will be saved as we are in faith in Jesus Christ.
The tribulation is going to happen and we will be taken out before it at the Rapture. The wrath falls on the unbelievers.
Ephesians 5:6 "Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience."
Noah was not delivered from the flood; he was delivered in the flood. We are delivered from tribulation, not in the tribulation. We are saved completely from the wrath of God.
Romans 5:9 "Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him."
The Son from heaven, of course, is Jesus Christ our Lord. Notice, that Paul brings up the fact that Jesus was raised from the dead. This letter is about the hope of the resurrection that Christians have because Jesus arose, and also the second coming of Christ. Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life.

Colossians Chapter 3 Part One


Colossians 3:1 
"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God."
If ye then be raised” (or, “therefore, since you were raised”): This verb actually means “to be co-resurrected.” Because of their union with Christ, believers spiritually entered His death and resurrection at the moment of their conversion (see Rom. 6:3-4; Gal 2:20) and have been and are now alive in Him so as to understand spiritual truths, realities, blessings, and the will of God.
Those glorious benedictions (Eph. 1:3) are the privileges and riches of the heavenly kingdom, all of which are at our disposal. Paul called them “things above.” To understand what these are, see 2:3.
The word “risen” therefore infers a corollary truth from 2:20 (“you died with Christ”) – not only have the Colossian believers been freed from sin, they have also turned to a new life, leaving behind old ways, habits, values, vices, interests, and sins.
Seek those things which are above”: These “things” include deeper knowledge of Christ, closer fellowship with Him, experience of His resurrection power, victory over sin (verses 5-11); the development of godly virtues (verses 12-17); the fulfillment of domestic and social responsibilities (3:18 – 4:1); and effective prayer life (4:2); fruitfulness in witnessing (4:3-6).
Sitteth on the right hand of God”: The position of honor and majesty (Psalm 110:1; Luke 22:69; Acts 2:33; 5:31; 7:56; Eph. 1:20; Heb. 1:3; 8:1; 1 Pet. 3:22) that Christ enjoys as the exalted Son of God (see Phil. 2:9). That exaltation makes Him the fountain of blessing for His people (John 14:13-14; 2 Cor. 1:20).
In a word, the attainment of Christian maturity, and all the spiritual benefits God has for His people during their days on earth. To have been raised with Christ and not to seek these blessings would be a contradiction.
Christians are in this world, but not of this world. Our home is in heaven. We are seated in heavenly places with Christ Jesus. We are strangers in this land. We are foreigners, since our homeland is heaven. We are to lay up our treasures in heaven, not here on this earth.
We should get our eyes off the circumstances which surround us on this earth. We should keep our eyes on Jesus and heaven. The desires of this earth, and of our flesh, should be far from us. We should be looking to heavenly rewards. Jesus is seated in heaven at the right hand of the Father, because His work is done. It was done when He said, “It is finished”, on the cross.
Colossians 3:2 
"Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."
Set your affection on things above”: The Greek word literally says, “Set your mind on things above.”
This can also be translated “think,” or “have this inner disposition.” As a compass points north, the believer’s entire disposition should point itself toward the things of heaven. Heavenly thoughts can only come by understanding heavenly realities from Scripture (Rom. 8:5; 12:2; Phil. 1:23; 4:8; 1 John 2:15-17; see Matt. 6:33).
The readers are not to be preoccupied with “things on the earth,” such as current heretical philosophies (2:8), legalistic practices (2:16, 21-23), and vices (verse 5); nor are they to dwell on things that are not wrong in themselves (houses, jobs, careers, ambitions, etc.), but can be wrong should they become priorities above Christ.
Our affections should be for our home in heaven. We should not love the earth.
Colossians 3:3 
"For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God."
Ye are dead”: See Rom. 6:1-11; 2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:14. The verb’s tense indicates that a death occurred in the past, in this case at the death of Jesus Christ, where believers were united with Him, their penalty of sin was paid, and they arose with Him in new life.
Your life is hid with Christ in God” (or, “Your life is deposited with Christ, who is in intimate relation with God”).
This rich expression has a threefold meaning: (1) believers have a common spiritual life with the Father and Son (1 Cor. 6:17; 2 Pet. 1:4); (2) the world cannot understand the full import of the believer’s new life (1 Cor. 2:14; 1 John 3:2); and (3) believers are eternally secure, protected from all spiritual enemies, and with access to all God’s blessings (John 10:28; Rom. 8:-31-39; Heb. 7:25; 1 Pet. 1:4).
As all wisdom and knowledge reside in Christ (2:3), so the believer’s new life is stored up in Him. This means that the Christian life belongs to the spiritual or heavenly realm.
Jesus is in intimate relation with God; they should seek those matters and interests pertaining to heaven and not to earth.
We are dead to this world, dead to fleshly desires, even dead to sin, itself. We must be buried with Him, to rise to new life in Him. It is a mystery, indeed that we are in Christ and He is in us. We are seated in the heavenlies with Him, and yet He dwells within us here on the earth.
This has to be the omnipresence of God. This is saying that Christians are dead to the lusts of this earth, but alive to heavenly thoughts and deeds.
Romans 5:21 "That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord."
Colossians 3:4 
"When Christ, [who is] our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory."
When Christ … shall appear”: At His second coming (Rev. 19:11-13, 15-16).
Paul says it best when he says, absent in body, but present in spirit. All of our hopes are caught up in Him. We are in Him and He is our life.
Colossians 3:5 
"Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:"
Mortify therefore”: See Rom. 8:13; Zech. 4:6; Eph. 5:18; 6:17; 1 John 2:14. This refers to a conscious effort to slay the remaining sin in our flesh.
Mortify” means to “put to death.” By a figure of speech “members” is put in place of the various sins that exist in, and seek to express themselves through, different “members” of the human body. Paul urges his readers to “put to death all sins residing in your bodily members.”
Therefore” looks back to verse 3: inasmuch as they “are dead” to sin, they are to make this death to the old life a reality in daily living.
Fornication”: This refers to any form of sexual sin (see Gal. 5:19; 1 Thess. 4:3).
Uncleanness”: This term goes beyond sexual acts of sin to encompass evil thoughts and intentions as well (see Gal. 5:19; Matt. 5:28; Mark 7:21-22; 1 Thess. 4:7).
Inordinate affection, evil concupiscence”: Similar terms that refer to sexual lust. “Inordinate affection” is the physical side of that vice and “evil concupiscence” is the mental side (see Rom. 1:26; 1 Thess. 4:3; James 1:15).
Covetousness”: Literally this term means “to have more.” It is the insatiable desire to gain more, especially of things that are forbidden (Exodus 20:17; Deut. 5:21; James 4:2).
Which is Idolatry”: When people engage in either greed or the sexual sins Paul has cataloged, they follow their desires rather that God’s, in essence worshiping themselves – which is idolatry (Num. 25:1-3; Eph. 5:3-5).
All of these things are earthly things. These are sins of the flesh. These things are no longer part of a Christian's life, when they become born of the spirit. "Mortify" means to totally do away with. These are all sins of flesh man. They are not part of the life of a spirit man. The desire to commit any of these sins must be put to death that the spirit might live.
I have mentioned so many times, that we are a spirit living in a body of flesh, and that one of the two will rule the soul, or will of man. If we follow the flesh, we are flesh man. If we do away with fleshly desires and let the spirit rule, we are spirit. If the sins mentioned above are active in your life, you are not spirit man. You are of the flesh.
Colossians 3:6 
"For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:"
Wrath of God”: His constant, invariable reaction against sin (see John 3:36; Rom. 1:18; Rev. 11:18).
Children of disobedience”: See Eph. 2:2. This expression designates unbelievers as bearing the very nature and character of the disobedient, rebellious sinfulness they love.
Notice the word children, in the verse above. This could mean then, that these are people who profess Christianity but are not Christians. Wrath is when God cannot look the other way any longer. His fury (wrath) comes up in His face, and He rains terror upon those disobedient. God will not overlook the sins mentioned in verse 5.
Colossians 3:7 
"In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them."
In which ye also walked”: Before their conversion (Eph. 2:1-5; Titus 3:3-4).
This is saying that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, when they were walking in the flesh, before they were saved. This is the walk of the flesh.
Colossians 3:8 
"But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth."
Put … off” A Greek word used for taking off clothes. (Acts 7:58; Rom. 13:12-14; 1 Pet. 2:1). Like one who removes his dirty clothes at day’s end, believers must discard the filthy garments of their old, sinful lives.
Anger”: A deep, smoldering bitterness; the settled heart attitude of an angry person (Eph. 4:31; James 1:19-20).
Wrath”: Unlike God’s settled and righteous wrath (see Rom. 1:18), this is a sudden outburst of sinful anger, usually the eruption that flows out of “anger” (see Gal. 5:20; Luke 4:28; Acts 19:28; Eph. 4:31).
Malice”: From the Greek term that denotes general moral evil. Here it probably refers to the damage caused by evil speech (1 Pet. 2:1).
The normal translation when using the word “slander” when it refers to God is “blasphemy.” But here, since it refers to people, it is better translated “slander.” To slander people, however is to blaspheme God (James 3:9; Matt. 5:22; James 3:10).
All of these sins are part of that old flesh man that must be buried for the spirit man to live. All of the things above such as anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, and filthy communication should not be a part of the Christian.
The Christian is a new creature in Christ. The spirit is in control. The Life within them is Christ living through them. The words of our mouth speak what is in our heart. Filthy communication comes from the mouth of the lost.
Verses 3:9-10: Lie not … put on”: See verse 8; Eph. 4:24-25. These words are the basis for the command of verse 8. Because the old man died in Christ, and the new man lives in Christ – because that is the fact of new creation or regeneration (2 Cor. 5:17) – believers must put off remaining sinful deeds and be continually renewed into the Christ likeness to which they are called.
Colossians 3:9 
"Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;"
Old man”: The old, unregenerate self, originating in Adam (see Rom. 5:12-14; 6:6; Eph. 4:22).
Seeing” means “since.” The “old man” is all that a person was prior to salvation: his worldly thinking and sinful acts. Since all this was renounced at conversion, one should “lie not.” Falsehood ill becomes the person claiming to be a disciple of Him who said, “I am the … truth.”
We can see from the following Scripture, where lies come from.
John 8:44 "Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."
Look with me at the seriousness of lying in the next verse.
Revelation 22:15 "For without [are] dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie."
Colossians 3:10 
"And have put on the new [man], which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:"
The new man” is the person one becomes after conversion: he possesses a new nature, values, aspirations, and a new life-style. This “new man” is constantly being “renewed” or developed until he attains a mature “knowledge” of the God who (re)”created” him. The more a believer knows and understands of God, the more he will be like God in character and conduct.
The new, regenerate self, which replaces the old self; this is the essence of what believers are in Christ (Eph. 4:17; 5:1, 8, 15). The reason believers still sin is their unredeemed flesh (see Rom. 6:6, 12; 7:5).
Renewed”: See 2 Cor. 4:16; Rom. 12:2; 2 Cor. 3:18. This Greek verb contains a sense of contrast with the former reality. It describes a new quality of life that never before existed (Rom. 12:2; Eph. 4:22). Just like a baby is born complete but immature, the new self is complete, but has the capacity to grow.
Knowledge”: See 1:9. A deep, thorough knowledge, without which there can be no spiritual growth or renewal (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 1 Peter 2:2).
Image of him that created him”: It is God’s plan that believers become progressively more like Jesus Christ, the one who made them (Rom. 8:29; 1 Cor. 15:49; 1 John 3:2). See Phil. 3:12-14, 19-20.
When we become Christians, we have turned our will over to the spirit and have taken all authority away from the flesh.
Romans 8:5 "For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit."
God is a Spirit, if we are in His image; we are a spirit man, as well. Christians should be Christ like. We should reflect the Light of Jesus in our lives.
Colossians 3:11 
"Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond [nor] free: but Christ [is] all, and in all."
Even as individual believers must discard old, sinful habits, the body of Christ must realize its unity and destroy the old barriers that separated people (Gal. 3:28; Eph. 2:15).
Greek”: A Gentile or non-Jew (see Romans 1:14).
Jew”: A descendant of Abraham through Isaac (see Rom. 2:17).
Barbarian”: See Rom. 1:14.
Scythian”: An ancient nomadic and warlike people that invaded the Fertile Crescent in the seventh century B.C. Noted for their savagery, they were the most hated and feared of all the so-called barbarians.
Bond … free”: A social barrier had always existed between slave and freemen; Aristotle had referred to slaves as “a living tool.” But faith in Christ removed the separation (1 Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:28; Philemon 6).
Christ is all, and in all”: Because Jesus Christ is the Savior of all believers, He is equally the all-sufficient Lord of them all.
Not only is the “new man” to put sin to death, he is also to put away man-made barriers that divide people and that nourish the vices of the old life. Among renewed humanity there are no national, ceremonial, cultural, or social distinctions. To the redeemed “Christ is all;” that is, He is everything, and He is what matters most to them. And “Christ is … in all;” that is, He dwells in all believers.
We find a companion Scripture to this in Galatians 3:28 "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."
God looks on the spirit of mankind, and not on the flesh. All of the separations mentioned in both verses above are in the flesh. A spirit does not segregate because of nationality, or color, or gender. Circumcision is not even important in the spirit, because the flesh has been done away with.
Those who are free are Christ's servants, and those who are slaves, are Christ's freeman. The Spirit of Christ is in all who believe.
Colossians 3:12 
"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;"
In view of what God has done through Jesus Christ for the believer, Paul described the behavior and attitude God expects in response (verses 12-17).
Put on” literally means to “dress oneself” (with clothes); here, used metaphorically, it means to take on or assume certain virtues and qualities.
Elect of God”: This designates true Christians as those who have been chosen by God. No one is converted solely by his own choice, but only in response to God’s effectual, free, uninfluenced and sovereign grace (see John 15:16; Rom. 8:29; 9:14-23; Eph. 1:4; 2 Thess. 2:13-14; 2 Tim. 1:8-9; 1 Pet. 1-2; Acts 13:46-48; Rom. 11:4-5).
Beloved”: Election means believers are the objects of God’s incomprehensible special love (John 13:1; Eph. 1:4-5).
Bowels of mercies” means heartfelt compassion. It is a Hebraism that connotes the internal organs of the human body as used figuratively to describe the seat of the emotions (Matt. 9:36; Luke 6:36; James 5:11).
Kindness”: Refers to a goodness toward others that pervades the entire person, mellowing all harsh aspects (Matt. 11:29-30; Luke 10:25-37).
Humbleness of mind”: See Rom. 12:3, 10; Phil. 2:3; Matt. 18:4; John 13:14-16; James 4:6, 10. This is the perfect antidote to the self-love that poisons human relationships.
Meekness”: See Matt. 5:5; Gal. 5:23. Sometimes referred to as “Humility”, it is the willingness to suffer injury or insult rather than to inflict such hurts.
Longsuffering”: See 1:11; Rom. 2:4. It is also translated “Patience”, the opposite of quick anger, resentment, or revenge and thus epitomizes Jesus Christ (1 Tim. 1:16; 2 Pet. 3:15). It endures injustice and troublesome circumstances with hope for coming relief.
This is describing the personality of those who have Christ living in them. These are really the gifts of the Spirit that come to us, when we are baptized in the Holy Spirit of God.
Paul is saying, you are the elect of God, now do your part by living like the elect of God. We are to be holy, for He is holy. These virtues of kindness, mercy, humbleness of mind, meekness, and longsuffering are descriptions of the Lord's personality. If we have taken on Christ, then they are our personality, too.
Colossians 3:13 
"Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also [do] ye."
As Christ forgave you”: See Matt. 18:23-34; Eph. 4:32. Because Christ; as the model of forgiveness has forgiven all our sins totally (1:14; 2:13-14), believers must be willing to forgive others.
The fact of believers being urged to assume the virtues of verse 12 signifies that none has yet “arrived” spiritually. As the believer is developing these virtues, he must be “forbearing” and “forgiving” toward his fellow church member.
For his Christian brother is also in the process of acquiring the virtues of verse 12 and therefore retains some flaws, deficiencies, and weaknesses hence the need of forbearance and forgiveness.
God loves the unlovable, as He loved us while we were yet in sin. Forgive, and you shall be forgiven.
Matthew 18:21-22 "Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?" "Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, until seven times: but, until seventy times seven."
This is just saying; forgive him every time he asks for forgiveness. Don't let the sun go down on your wrath. Do not be angry without a cause.
Colossians 3:14 
"And above all these things [put on] charity, which is the bond of perfectness."
Bond of perfectness”: See Eph. 4:3; Phil. 1:27; 2:2. Supernatural love poured into the hearts of believers is the adhesive of the church. Rom. 5:5; 1 Thess. 4:9.
Charity” is love, here called the “bond of perfectness.” Love is the crowning grace completing the list of virtues required for perfectness or spiritual maturity. As a “bond” it binds all other virtues together in harmony and unity.
The charity that this is speaking of is a Godly kind of love. This is love in spite of what a person has done to you, not because of what they can do for you. Jesus told the rich young ruler, if he would be perfect, to sell what he had and give it to the poor.
Charity covers a multitude of sin. God deals with us in the manner we have treated others with. There is no greater gift than Agape love.

Daniel's Rise and Fall of Empires

Daniel's Rise and Fall of Empires
Kings of the South and the North

Daniel 11:22 "And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant."
with the arms... With the help of the arms of his supporters, his competitors for the throne were overthrown and broken.
also the prince... Not only were his competitors overthrown but the high priest, Onias, was deposed and Jason, who had given him a great sum of money, was installed in his place (2 Macc. 4:4-10).
Antiochus IV is introduced as a contemptible (vile) person in vs. 21. He took to himself the name Epiphanes which means “the Illustrious One.” But he was considered so untrustworthy that he was nicknamed Epimanes which means “the Madman.” The throne rightly belonged to Demetrius Soter, a son of Seleucus IV Philopator, but Antiochus IV Epiphanes seized the throne and had himself proclaimed king. Thus he did not come to the throne by rightful succession; he seized it through intrigue. He was accepted as ruler because he was able to turn aside the invading army, of the Egyptians. He also deposed Onias III, the high priest mentioned above, called here a prince of the covenant.
The prince that had made covenant was on the side of this one, who took over without a fight. Egypt’s armies were swept away by Antiochus’ invading forces as by a flood.

My Sheep Hear My Voice

My Sheep Hear My Voice

Before Jesus was crucified He told the disciples to watch and pray, something so simple, but they let their physical bodies take over and they fell back asleep. In these last hours of time you need to hear His voice. When He tells you something, it is very important, but most ignore my voice or just discuss it and go on with what they were doing. You will see many things start to happen shortly and if you do not hear and obey His voice,... it will mean death for some of you....Jesus has only your best interest in mind. Christ knows you heart, and if you are truly His you will hear His voice. He awakes many of you at 3am on the dot, but most will roll over and go back to sleep. There are a few who will get up and pray. Your day is filled with so many things and Jesus is the last thing many of you give your time to. But Christ needs to talk to you,... to fellowship with you and only when you are still and quite (3am) can you hear Him,... the rest of your day is so busy you do not have time for Him,... but you need to make time, for time is short and the Lord has instructions for you.



Revelation Chapter 8
The Seven Trumpet Angels and the Priestly Angel
(Parenthetical, Rev. 8:2-6)



"And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer [it] with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne" (Rev. 8:3).

And another angel came... Following the vision of the seven angels and their reception of the seven trumpets “another” angel came to the golden alter to minister, as clearly stated in the above quotation, which with Heb. 4:14-16; 6:20-7:28; 13:15 seems to indicate that this angel is Christ in His present ministry as our High Priest.
having a golden... The “censer” is always mentioned in connection with the High Priest, Lev. 16:12; Heb. 9:4.
that he should... This angel offers up prayers of the saints as do the living creatures and elders in Rev. 5:8-10, which shows that those who offer prayers of saints are not necessarily all redeemed.
upon the golden... After this ministry of Christ at the alter, the seven angels prepare to sound. They take their turn in blowing their trumpets which further shows that they are not a part of the seals or contained in them.
Golden censer”: A golden pan, suspended on a rope or chain, that was used to transport fiery coals from the brazen altar to the altar of incense, in order to ignite the incense, symbolizing the prayers of the people (Rev. 5:8; Exodus 27:3; Luke 1:8-9). This occurred twice daily at the time of the morning and evening sacrifices.
Verse 3 tells us this mighty angel stands before the heavenly golden altar of incense, which is before the Throne of the Almighty God. The prayers of all the believers are mingled with heavenly incense and offered up to God. These prayers contain the martyrs' and the suffering saints' cries for relief and justice. The answer to these prayers is the Seven Trumpets and then the Seven Golden Vials in their respective order in events as God has established.
We must realize that the tabernacle in the wilderness (with its Holy place and most Holy Place), was a miniature of the arrangement in heaven. The altar constructed by Moses for Israel's Tabernacle was copied from this one.
When Jesus died on the cross, His blood had to be carried to the mercy seat in heaven, just as the lamb in the temple had its blood sprinkled on the mercy seat in the most Holy place.
The very throne of God is the most holy place in heaven. Jesus is our High Priest forever, who intercedes for us at the throne of God.
This vessel had to be made of gold to be in the close proximity of God. Just as everything in the most Holy place in the Tabernacle in the Wilderness had to be pure gold, or pure gold overlay.
Some of the writers believe the word "censer" here should be frankincense. That is not a terribly important point. The "incense" (in verse 3), probably does indicate frankincense.
Notice that the prayers of the saints with their offering is upon the golden altar at the throne of God. Sometimes we feel our prayers go nowhere, but here we see them at the throne of God.
We were not praying to the angel, and never should as we will see in many messages in Revelation scriptures. The angel's only job was to transport them and keep them safe until they were received. We pray to the Father in the name of Jesus. We must never pray to an angel to a person or an image.
The important thing, to see here, is that our prayers go to the throne of God, to the most Holy place.

Tuesday, March 26, 2019

Daniel's Rise and Fall of Empires

Daniel's Rise and Fall of Empires
Kings of the South and the North
Daniel 11:21 "And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries."
in his estate... This refers to Antiochus IV, called Epiphanes, the Illustrious, who reigned 175-163 B.C. All of Dan. 11:21-34 refers to him. Several details are given concerning things which the last Syrian king, the Antichrist, will also do, and that more completely.
to whom they... The true heir, Demetrius, another son of Seleucus IV, was being held in Rome as a hostage. This gave Antiochus Epiphanes the opportunity of seizing the throne.
How Antiochus Epiphanes Became King
but he shall come... Antiochus Epiphanes was on his way from Rome when his father, Seleucus IV, died. Heliodorus who poisoned the king had already declared himself king, as had several others, but Antiochus came home peaceably (not in war) and obtained the kingdom with flattery. He flattered Eumenes, king of Pergamos, and Attalus his brother, and got their assistance. He flattered the Romans, and sent ambassadors to court their favor, paying them tribute which was in arrears. He flattered the Syrians, gained their favor, and took the throne with their backing. Here Antiochus Epiphanes is called a "vile person" because he was every man’s companion. He resorted to the common shops and taverns, drank with the lowest characters, and sang debauched songs with them. For this he was called by some Epimanes, the Madman.

My Sheep Hear My Voice

My Sheep Hear My Voice

Before Jesus was crucified He told the disciples to watch and pray, something so simple, but they let their physical bodies take over and they fell back asleep. In these last hours of time you need to hear His voice. When He tells you something, it is very important, but most ignore my voice or just discuss it and go on with what they were doing. You will see many things start to happen shortly and if you do not hear and obey His voice,... it will mean death for some of you....Jesus has only your best interest in mind. Christ knows you heart, and if you are truly His you will hear His voice. He awakes many of you at 3am on the dot, but most will roll over and go back to sleep. There are a few who will get up and pray. Your day is filled with so many things and Jesus is the last thing many of you give your time to. But Christ needs to talk to you,... to fellowship with you and only when you are still and quite (3am) can you hear Him,... the rest of your day is so busy you do not have time for Him,... but you need to make time, for time is short and the Lord has instructions for you.



Revelation Chapter 8
The Seven Trumpet Angels and the Priestly Angel
(Parenthetical, Rev. 8:2-6)



Revelation 8:2 "And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets."
And I saw the... this is the 2nd parenthetical passage and explain events in heaven between the 7th seal and the first trumpet. They are preparatory to the blowing of the 7 trumpets which complete the first 3 1/2 years of Daniel’s 70th week (Rev. 11:15).
and to them... By whom the trumpets were given is not stated, but perhaps it was one of the elders as was the case of the vials in Rev. 15:7. The 7 trumpets are to be blown successively between the seals and vials. The first will be blown after the 7th seal and the last in the middle of the week (Rev. 11:15).
An apocryphal book called Enoch (chapter twenty) gives the names of six archangels: Uriel, Raphael, Raguel, Michael, Sarakiel and Gabriel and in Chapter Fifty-four gives another, named Phanuel. In another apocryphal book, Tobiah, 12:15, Raphael is mentioned as being one of the seven angels who present prayers of saints before God. Whether these things be true or not, we do know that those seen by John are trusted angels. Whether of an official or higher order than common angels is not stated here. The seven trumpets which will be blown by seven angels in the order as given by God and after the seven seals and before the seven vials. When each is blown, certain judgments and events will transpire on earth. They are to blown successively, and each after the preceding one has been completed. The first will be blown soon after the seventh seal and the last one in the middle of the Week. Thus we have the seven seals and seven trumpets as fourteen consecutive events from the beginning to the middle of the Week.
Seven trumpets”: The trumpets are of greater intensity than the seals, but not as destructive as the final vial or bowl judgments will be (compare 16:1-21). They the vials occur during the final 3-1/2 years, but the time of each is indefinite, except the effects of the fifth trumpet judgment, which will last 5 months (9:10). The first 4 announce the divine destruction of earth’s ecology (verses 6-12), while the final 3 involve demonic devastation of earth’s inhabitants (9:1-21; 11:15).
These "angels" are prepared to carry out God's orders. These "seven trumpets" were to sound the alarm. Trumpets are loud and send out a clear note. There will be no question of the message. The trumpet throughout the Bible is used for two specific purposes:
1: To assemble the people for worship.
2: To assemble the people for war. At any rate, this is to alarm and prepare.
This encourages the Christians and means judgment to the apostate and worldly. The Wrath of God is here.
In the first period of the Tribulation the earth has known the wrath of the Antichrist; now it will begin to feel the wrath of God Almighty.