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How does a person get to heaven?
If you ask most people
this question, they will say something like, "If you do more good things than bad things, God will probably let you into heaven."
The above thinking will reserve your place in hell. There are no good deeds that we can do that will erase the sins that we
have committed. In the Bible, God tells us what we need to do to get right with Him so that we can go to heaven. You are about
to read the most important information that you will ever read. It is called the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Is there a place called
heaven? Yes! The Bible, the word of God teaches very clearly that there is. The Bible also teaches that there is only one
way to get to heaven and that is by Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
1).
Heaven is a place of happiness - "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" (Revelation 21:4).
2). In heaven God will dwell with man - "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 21:3).
3).
No sin will be allowed there - "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers,
and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second
death" (Revelation 21:8).
4). No night there - "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 " (Revelation 21:23).
5). Heaven's New Jerusalem
- is an unspeakable beauty, a city and streets of gold, gates of
pearl, and precious stones (Revelation 21:10-21).
6). A righteous person or a true Christian (is someone who makes Jesus Lord and Savior
of their life) will go to heaven at death -"We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and
to be present with the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:8).
7).
Christians will live with Jesus in heaven - Jesus said, "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. 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" (John 14:2-3).
8).
The reunion of Christian loved ones - "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice
of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall
be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord" (1
Thessalonians 4:16-17).
9).
A Christian's eternal inheritance - "To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away,
reserved in heaven for you" (1 Peter 1:4).
10).
God's saints (Christians) will reign - And they shall reign forever and forever. (See Revelation 22:3-5).
To
be sure of eternal life in Heaven we must turn away from sin and let Jesus Christ rule and reign in our lives. He must become
our Lord and Saviour.
1
John 2:3 says, "And The Christian life is to deny ourselves and to take up the cross on a daily basis.
It
is far more important to store up treasures in heaven which is for eternity than to spend our whole lives storing up treasure
here on earth that shortly fades away.
"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt,
and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth
corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matthew
6:19-21).
To know Jesus Christ as our personal savior is a wonderful, fulfilling way to live this life. Happiness and
joy comes when we look away from ourselves and look first to God and then to others. Our hope and peace is to look forward
to spending all eternity with our precious Lord in heaven. "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 (1 Corinthians 2:9).hereby
we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments".
THE
TEST MOST PEOPLE NEVER TAKE
The most critical subject that the human mind can ever ponder is the central question:
"Am I a true believer in Jesus? How can I really know? How can I really be sure that I am a true believer in Christ?" Paul
tells us to do in 2 Corinthians 13. He says, "Examine yourselves," test yourselves, know for sure that you have truly
placed saving faith in Jesus Christ First John 5:13 gives us the purpose of the book. John says:
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"These things
have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye
may believe on the name of the Son of God." |
1. SAVING FAITH
The first test that John lists for us is found in 1 John 5:13; the test is this: Have you believed in Jesus Christ as your
Savior? This is the first and foundational test. You notice I did not say, "Have you prayed the sinner's prayer? Have
you walked an aisle in a church? Have you believed in certain facts about Jesus Christ?" I said, "Have you believed?" That
is, have you put saving faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior? Many people think that they are believers because they have
gone through some act, or prayed a prayer, or made some type of assent to a group of facts about Christ. But true saving faith
is the committal of a person's trust and faith and rest in Christ, and Christ alone, for his salvation, realizing that there
is nothing he can possibly do to earn it. In fact, realizing that all of their righteousness is like filthy rags, they come
to Him and rest in the wonderful, finished work of Christ
John 20:31, where John says:
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"But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing
ye might have life through his name." |
That is why John wrote the gospel of John.
John 3:36 says:
"He who believes in the Son
has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God on him" |
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2. FELLOWSHIP
Another test that John sets forth for us in his epistle is in 1 John 1:2-3: Do you enjoy fellowship with the Father
and the Son?
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"(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear
witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen
and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and
with his Son Jesus Christ.
"Second Peter 1:4
tells us that we become "partakers of the divine nature." The word "partakers" is the same as the word "fellowship."
We have "fellowship" with God with the very nature of who He is. God is a spirit. We have fellowship with Him in our
spirit; we know Him intimatelyIs there an active sharing in what you have in common with God and His Son? Is there a personal
relationship? 17:3 says:
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"And this is life
eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." |
Do you know God? Do you know Christ? Do you have personal relationship with God through His Son? Do you have fellowship
with Him, and enjoy the sharing of the common life and the common nature that you have with God and with His Son?
Do you enjoy an intimate, close relationship with the Father and Jesus Christ? Do you experience communion with God?
Do you sense His presence in your life? Do you have a love for Him that draws you to His presence? If so, you have experienced
the fellowship of salvation. |
Another test that John sets forth for us in his epistle is in 1 John 1:2-3: Do you enjoy fellowship with the Father
and the Son?
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"(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear
witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen
and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and
with his Son Jesus Christ.
"Second Peter 1:4
tells us that we become "partakers of the divine nature." The word "partakers" is the same as the word "fellowship."
We have "fellowship" with God with the very nature of who He is. God is a spirit. We have fellowship with Him in our
spirit; we know Him intimatelyIs there an active sharing in what you have in common with God and His Son? Is there a personal
relationship? 17:3 says:
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"And this is life
eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." |
Do you know God? Do you know Christ? Do you have personal relationship with God through His Son? Do you have fellowship
with Him, and enjoy the sharing of the common life and the common nature that you have with God and with His Son?
Do you enjoy an intimate, close relationship with the Father and Jesus Christ? Do you experience communion with God?
Do you sense His presence in your life? Do you have a love for Him that draws you to His presence? If so, you have experienced
the fellowship of salvation. |
Another test that John sets forth for us in his epistle is in 1 John 1:2-3: Do you enjoy fellowship with the Father
and the Son?
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"(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear
witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen
and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and
with his Son Jesus Christ.
"Second Peter 1:4
tells us that we become "partakers of the divine nature." The word "partakers" is the same as the word "fellowship."
We have "fellowship" with God with the very nature of who He is. God is a spirit. We have fellowship with Him in our
spirit; we know Him intimatelyIs there an active sharing in what you have in common with God and His Son? Is there a personal
relationship? 17:3 says:
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"And this is life
eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." |
Do you know God? Do you know Christ? Do you have personal relationship with God through His Son? Do you have fellowship
with Him, and enjoy the sharing of the common life and the common nature that you have with God and with His Son?
Do you enjoy an intimate, close relationship with the Father and Jesus Christ? Do you experience communion with God?
Do you sense His presence in your life? Do you have a love for Him that draws you to His presence? If so, you have experienced
the fellowship of salvation. |
3. SENSITIVITY TO SIN
Another important criteria that we need to consider in this matter of whether we are indeed true believers is found
in 1 John 1:5-10, and the test is this, simply stated: Are you sensitive to sin? First John 1:5-10 says:
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"This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and
in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
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. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess
our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have
not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." |
The Bible is clear that light and darkness do not coexist. First Peter 2:9 tells us that we have been called "out
of darkness into his marvellous light." We are called in Ephesians 5:8 "children of light." In 1 Thessalonians
5:5, it talks about the "children of light" and "children of the day," referring to believers. A true believer,
according to 1 John 1:7, walks in the light as Christ and the Father are in the light.
Now we know that the true believer is not perfect. Verse eight says, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive
ourselves, and the truth is not in us. " So a true believer is not perfect, but what we are saying is that the true believer
walks in the light as the pattern of life, but when he does sin, he confesses the sin to the Father through his advocate Jesus
Christ. True believers have a right sense of sin. As a pattern of their life they "walk in the light" but when they
do fall and stumble and sin, there is a sensitivity to it. They go to God and
Are you aware of the spiritual battle raging within you? Do you realize that you cannot walk in darkness and claim
to have fellowship with God? Do you know when you have sinned, and do you confess it? Is there a desire to go to God and to
confess your sin, to agree with Him about what you have done and to make it right? If this is true in your life, this is another
part of the criteria, it is another test that you are a true child of God. confess it.
Are you aware of the spiritual battle raging within you? Do you realize that you cannot walk in darkness and claim
to have fellowship with God? Do you know when you have sinned, and do you confess it? Is there a desire to go to God and to
confess your sin, to agree with Him about what you have done and to make it right? If this is true in your life, this is another
part of the criteria, it is another test that you are a true child of God.
5. REJECT THE WORLD
Another important test for us to consider in this matter of whether we are true believers in Jesus Christ is given
to us in 1 John 2:15-17, and that is: Do you reject the world?
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"Love not
the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For
all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but
is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." |
Another verse in conjunction with this is 1 John 4:4:
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"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them:
because greater is he that is in you, than he that is
in the world." |
When John speaks here of "the world," he also tells us in 1 John 5:19 that the whole world is under the control
of the evil one. Second Corinthians 4:4 tells us that Satan is the god of this world.
In John 17 (which contains Jesus' high priestly prayer), verses fourteen through sixteen say:
"I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of
the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They
are not of the world, even as I am not of the world."
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The Fear Of The Lord
What does “the fear of the Lord” mean? If God is love and is our loving Father, why should
we fear Him? After all, when we accept Jesus as the “propitiation and “expiation” ; whereas both meant complete
repayment for our sins and reconciliation back to God, “propitiation” includes removal of God wrath as well. He is the same God who in Exodos 20:5 states, “I am the Lord your God, am a
jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me.”
tNo wonder the writer to the book of Hebrews(10:31) proclaimed for those who once believed and now practice apostasy, “It
is dreadful thing to fall into the hands, of the living God.” Because God is just God. He wil punish those who sin deliberately
against Him; and the more blessed they are, the more is expected of them. Take the examples of two men who were hand-picked
by God for their respective purposes. One was Moses whom God chose to lead the people out of Egypt; and the other was Saul, God chosen first king of Israel. Remember God loved
Moses so much that He called him His friend and talked to him face to face; and Saul stood head and shoulders above ordinary
men and was pleasing to God, What was God’s reaction when they compromised with God’s word? Moses in Exodos 4:
24 Why did God, after choosing Moses and on the brink of one of the most important events of history, disput it by wanting
to kill Moses, the sole executor of His plan? The reason: Moses’ sin in not circumcising his son. To God, dealing with
Moses’ sin was more important than the deliverance of Israel,
and for a very good reason too. Before maximum” cleansed by God. Our God is holy God and demands absolute obedience
to his holy laws, before He can use us effectively. Then in Number 20, we read of the reason why God forbade Moss to enter
the promised land, the sole purpose of his commission for 40 years. God had instructed Moses to speak to the rock at Meribah
to pour forth water but, instead Moses, for reason of his own, decided to strike the rock with the rod. Out gushed water as
was the desired outcome. But God was not pleased. Because of that act of disobedience, Moses was permitted only to see foot
on it. Was God to harsh on His friend, Moses, who not only was His faithful servant, but also the humblest man on earth? All
I can learn from Moses’ experience is that God treats sin, particulary disobedience, in a more serious way than my early
standard can tolerate. In Isaiah 55:8-9, God says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my
ways. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts”
Saul was hand picked by God, and served as a great warrior king of Israel for 32 years. But as often happens, he was spoiled
by success and became arrogant. He began to question and even bypass God’s direct instruction. Before battle with the
Philistines impatient and unable to wait for Samuel to offer the sacrifices, knowing full well that only priests were allowed
to do so( 1 Samuel 13). When Samuel asked why, he blamed the people for dispersing from him and stated the need to get into
battle quckly. From that day on, God rejected Saul as king and vowed to find another. Saul, using his own wisdom, again disobeyed
a direct instruction of the Lord during the battle with the Amalekites (1 Samuel 15). God had instructed Saul to destroy everything
but Saul brought back the best of the cattle and sheep whereas he had obeyed the Lord(1 Samuel 15:20) Then Samuel said in v. 23 “For ebbellion
is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.” Samuel continued, “You have rejected
the word of the Lord and the lord has rejected you as king over Israel.’’ So Saul,
despire winning great battles for the Lord, Lost his soul in compromise on God’s word. The book of proverbs says “
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” Here Solomon, the wisest man on earth, is revealing his secret
for his wisdom. How does the fear of the Lord brings wisdom? Does it mean that we have to be so frightened that we hide every
time the Lord’s name that, like Adam in the garden of Eden. We who are redeemed. will glory in the Lord’s presence.
The writer in Psalm 128 describes what happens when a man fears the Lord:“Blessed
are all who fear the Lord, who walk in His ways. You will eat the fruit of your labour; blessings and prosperity will
be yours. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house.”
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 The Beast is Coming
There is a man coming to the world who will bring about great tribulation and will turn many to the worship of Satan.
In the Bible, he is called the Beast. He will be worshipped and will rule the entire world. People are going to think that
he is just great--but in reality he is the Antichrist himself.There will be a few that won't worship him--and they'll pay
with their lives. The Beast is indeed coming and the world stage is being set right now.
And I stood
upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea,...and all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose
names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
And whosoever
was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
If any man have
an ear, let him hear.
REVELATION 13:1, 8, 9; 20:15
There are so many signs of his coming--organizing what I see almost overwhelms me at times. An infrastructure
for worldwide domination is being set up on many different levels (spiritual, technological, psychological) but the main focus
is on the minds of men. The duped people are calling these happenings progress and freedom. The "progress and freedom" that
they are fighting for are the nets that will one day ensnare them and cast them into the lake of fire.
The Two Witnesses (Rev. 11)
In the last days, there shall be two witnesses of God who shall prophesy for 1,260 days. If any man
tries to hurt them, fire will come out of their mouths and devour him. These witnesses shall have the power to keep it from
raining, power to turn waters into blood and power to smite the earth with plagues whenever they desire.
When these two have finished their testimony, the Beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit
will make war against them and kill them. Their dead bodies shall lie in the street where the Lord was crucified and people
of different nations and languages shall see their bodies for 3.5 days. The people won't let them be buried--the world is
going to be rejoicing over the death of the two witnesses because they tormented them. They are even going to make merry and
send each other gifts. They'll be celebrating and partying back. The world will hate the witnesses. After the witnesses lay
in the street 3.5 days, the Spirit of life from God will enter them and they will stand up on their feet. Great fear will
fall on those that see them. The witnesses will ascend up to heaven in a cloud and their enemies will see them. In that same
hour there will be a great earthquake where 1/10th of the city will fall and 7,000 men shall die. The remnant of them will
be afraid and will give glory to the God of heaven.
An Unholy Trinity
Three main
powers shall be at work during the reign of the Beast:
1. Satan
Satan will
give the Beast power, a powerful position, and great authority over the whole world. The Bible says that Satan is the god
of this world and as such, the things of this world are his to give. Remember when the devil tempted Jesus by showing Him
all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time? After showing his wares, Satan made Jesus an offer:
"All this power
will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will give it. If thou therefore
wilt worship me, all shall be thine."
Of course,
the Lord Jesus was not impressed by Satan's parlor trick; however, a man is coming that will take Satan's offer. In return,
Satan will give him power over the whole world.
2. The
Beast
The Beast is
not an animal in a physical sense. He is a man that will be completely sold out to Satan. In exchange, Satan is going to give
him unadulterated power over the earth. One prominent characteristic of the Beast is the fact that one of his seven heads
(the heads are symbolic) is going to have some kind of deadly wound that is going to be healed. The world is going to wonder
after the Beast when they see this severe wound healed. People will be so impressed. Many will probably think that he is god.
The Bible says
that people will worship the Beast and the Dragon (Satan) that gives power to the Beast. Folks will be saying things like,
"Who's like
the Beast?"
"Who can make
war with the Beast?"
"The Beast
is the greatest!"
"Isn't the
Beast just wonderful! What a dream!"
I can see it
now. He'll be in all the headlines--"The Beast Will Meet with England's Prime Minister", "The Beast, Man of the Year" and
on and on. You know how the press beats everything into the ground. I personally believe that the Beast will be attractive
looking, a great speaker, and religious. He'll be on the "peace and unity" kick--something that everyone will go for--a world
religious leader that doesn't condemn sin. But they won't realize that he is indeed condemning them--to the lake of fire.
The Beast is
going to be given a mouth by Satan speaking great things against God--just like today's fools. He's going to blasphemy:
- against God
- against His name
- against His tabernacle
- against them that
dwell in heaven
He's going
to continue his unholy reign for forty and two months which is three and a half years. Read on for more characteristics of
his reign.
3. The
False Prophet
Revelation
13:11 says that another beast will arise who speaks like a dragon.
This deceitful worker of iniquity will be a master liar and spokesman for the Beast. "Deceit" is the word I associate with
him. This second beast is called the False Prophet in the Bible. He not only exercises all the power of the first Beast, but
he makes people worldwide worship the Beast whose deadly wound was healed. The False Prophet will be flippin' up miracles
like a short order cook and, oh, the people will be so impressed.
This deceiver
will mesmerize people with his lying wonders. He'll make fire come down out of the sky to the earth in front of people. The
headlines might read, "Deputy Beast Demonstrates His Awesome Power." The whole wicked world will be enamored with him--except
for God's elect.
Once he gets
the people hooked, the False Prophet is gonna tell them that they should make an image to the Beast which had the wound by
a sword and did live. Jesus told the disciples in Matthew that if it were possible, these two would even deceive God's elect--but
this won't happen because Jesus told us what's going to happen before hand.
Matthew 24:24
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were
possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
After they
make the image, the false prophet will use his power to give life to it. I don't know the nature of the image--it could be
a statue or hologram--who knows what kind of imagination it will be? Whatever the case, that thing is going to be speaking.
I'm sure that people will be trippin' when they see it. It is also going to cause those that do not worship it to be killed.
The False Prophet
is going to make EVERYBODY--small and great, rich and poor, free and bond,--receive a mark either in their right hand, or
in their foreheads. Those that don't get that mark, will be outlaws worldwide running and hiding like hunted rabbits. They
won't be able to buy or sell anything. That means no going to the grocery store to buy food. No buying a house. No selling
their products and services in order to make a living. No going to the hospital. No going to the drug store for some aspirin.
No beauty parlor. No going to the barber. They will be outlaws. Those that are caught are killed without mercy. The devil
knows his time is short and he is full of wrath.
The Mark of the
Beast
The mark that
they receive is the mark of the beast. The mark is the number of a man: six hundred, threescore (sixty), and six. Some people
say that the number is already in barcodes and credit cards as if people will take the mark unknowingly. I STRONGLY disagree.
The scriptures says that the people that get that mark are selling out to Satan and the Beast. The people that receive that
mark will know EXACTLY what they are doing (see Rev. 13:4, 8). They'll be outright worshipping Satan (the dragon) and the
Beast. It ain't gonna be some kind of sneak attack. They will be pledging allegiance to the devil and against Jesus Christ.
Sound far-fetched? It's not. In fact, something very similar is occurring right now. Other parts of this series of articles
will address this issue of rejection of the God of the Bible and the acceptance of Lucifer, Satan, the lightbearer, the dragon.
The Bible says
that the Beast is going to make war with the saints (Christians) and he's going to overcome them--they'll be martyred. It
is not surprising that people will kill those who have done nothing to them--it's happening right now. I've personally been
threatened but the Lord delivered me. James was killed by the sword, John the Baptist was beheaded, Paul killed, Zechariah
slain between the altar and the temple, Abel killed by his brother, and the list goes on and on.
The world will
be a nightmare. Blasphemy, sanctioned murder, people running for their lives, lying miracles and wonders, sin abounding, truth
suppressed, evil spirits manifesting--horror of horrors. The Bible says that it will be a time of evil unrivaled throughout
human history.
Christians
during this time must have patience and endure knowing that: 1) a crown of life awaits them and 2) the reward of unrighteousness
waits on their persecutors. Christians that die at this time are called blessed for they will rest from their labors and their
works follow them into glory. They will sing the song of Moses, and the song of the Lamb, saying:
Great and marvellous
are they works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify
thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest. | |
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8. REJECTION
In 1 John 3:13.
Do you suffer rejection because of your faith in Jesus Christ?
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"Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate
you." |
In this passage,
John goes on to talk about how Cain slew Abel because he (Cain) was wicked. Acts 14:22 says it is by many tribulations that we will enter into the kingdom of God. Second Timothy 3:12 says:
9. LOVE
In 1 John 3:10-14, and that is: Do you love other
believers? First John 3:14 says it very clearly.
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"We know that we have passed from death
unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death." |
What is "love"?
It is not just some type of feeling that we have; it is sacrifice for other people. Notice verse seventeen, where it says:
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"But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth
his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?" |
You see, love
is action; it is sacrificial service and action for other people. It is very clear here that this is not, as J. Vernon McGee often calls it, "just some
kind of sloppy agape" that is out there. It is a committed, dedicated, sacrificial service for other people. In John 13:35,
Jesus says:
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"By this shall all men know that ye are my
disciples, if ye have love one to another." |
We are to fervently
and deeply love one another from the heart, according to 1 Peter 1:22 and 4:8. This goes beyond feelings. It encompasses dutiful
responsibility, sacrificial service, and compassionate concern. Do you really care about other believers? Do you have a desire
to reach out and meet their needs, or are you cold and indifferent? Do you look forward to fellowship with other believers,
to study the Bible with them, to discuss the things of God with them, to being with them on Sunday and possibly on Wednesday
nights, to being with the brethren?
First John 3:19 says:
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"And hereby we know that we are of the
truth, and [we] shall assure our hearts before him." |
That is, if we
love one another. The word "assure" here means to be soothed, or tranquilized, or pacified. You can have a soothed,
tranquilized, pacified heart before God if you love the brethren, if you desire to be with them, to sacrificially serve and
have compassionate concern for them.
10. ANSWERED PRAYER
"Are your prayers answered?" First John 3:22 says:
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"And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him,
because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight." |
First John 5:14-15
says:
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"And this is the confidence that we have in
him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we
know that we have the petitions that we desired of him." |
First of all,
of course, we have to pray; secondly, according to 1 John 5:14, we have to pray according to His will; and thirdly, according
to 1 John 3:22,
we have to be obedient. When those things are in our lives, when we pray, things should happen. I just simply ask you this
question: When you pray does anything happen? Can you cite examples of God working in response to your prayers? This is another
sign that you are a child of God; when you pray in God's will and you're obedient in your life. God hears and He responds
to the requests that you make. |
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The Return of the Lord Jesus Christ - Part One
Jesus Christ
will return for all those who are believers in Him.This is called the rapture of the Church. Remember the Church is the Church
is all those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior
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Let's look at some Bible verses that teach us
about what we call the rapture or when Jesus returns for his church. For
"For the Lord himself shall descend from
heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then
we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall
we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words" (1Thessalonians 4:16-18).
First -"For the Lord himself shall
descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God"This verse teaches us that Jesus Christ Himself will return descending from heaven.
Second-"and the dead in Christ shall rise first" Jesus will rise up the bodies of those who have already died that were believers
in him. Anytime the Bible speaks about those who sleep or the dead in Christ, this means those who knew Jesus as their Lord
and savior, but have already died.
Third-"Then we which are alive and remain shall be
caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord".Christians who are alive at the time of Jesus Christ's return, He will also rise up to be with him.
Those who have died and those who are alive
will be caught up together in the clouds to meet Jesus Christ in the air, and will be with the Lord forever and ever. Millions
of Christians will go to heaven without ever having to die! This is an awesome promise! |
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The Return of the Lord Jesus Christ - Part 2
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In part one of our study on the return of the Lord Jesus Christ,
we took a look at the rapture of the Church ( 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18)
Jesus promised that He would return for those who believe
in Him (John 14:1-3). |
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As a believer in Jesus Christ
we are commanded to watch for His return because it could happen anytime. We are to live a life that would make Jesus proud
of us.
 Let's take a look at what the book of Titus says about this. Titus 2:11-13 say; "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching
us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking
for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ".
Lets look at each of these above verses in detail:
Verse 11 - "For
the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men," This is the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. To believe that Jesus died for our sins and then
he was buried and rose from the dead. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Every person must believe in Him and accept Him as their Lord
and Savior.
Verse 12 -"Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly,
in this present world;" - This verse teaches us as Christians to stay away from all things ungodly (ungodly means anything that is not pleasing
to God or does not have Him in it). |
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We should live a godly life - this means to put Jesus Christ first in everything you do. We can only live this kind of life when we become a Christian. When we become a Christian we
receive the Holy Spirit and He dwells in us and guides us. We must be obedient to Him.
Verse 13 -"Looking
for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ". - Looking for the blessed hope is the return of Jesus Christ for His church (all
those who believe in Him). This hope is far more important than a million dollars or anything in this life. Because this hope
leads to everlasting life with Jesus!
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Christians should
always be looking for Him and praying to be accounted worthy. The greatest joy and blessing is to live each day for Jesus! |
All believers should live a pure and obedient life."Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth
not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he (Jesus)shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him
as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure" (1 John 3:2-3).
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Every believer
that has the hope that Jesus could return anytime will want to live a pure (a godly) life each day. |
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