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i know He is able: October 2004

Sunday, October 31, 2004

The Precise Manner of Christ's Second Coming


What promise is made to those who look for the appearing of Christ?
"So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation." Hebrews 9:28.

How many will receive a reward when He comes?
"For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works." Matthew 16:27.

Did the disciples think that death would be the second coming of Christ?
"Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. Then went this
saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?" John
21:21-23.

If death is not the coming of Christ, how will He come?
"And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;"Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go
into heaven."
Acts 1:9-11 (Rev. 14:14).

How many will behold Him when He comes?
"Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen." Revelation 1:7.

What wonderful demonstration will accompany the Lord's coming?
"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." 1 Thessalonians 4:16.

What will then take place?
"Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." 1 Corinthians 15:52. (1
Thessalonians 4:16-17)

Have not the martyrs of old gone to their reward?
"And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect." Hebrews 11:39,40.

When were the disciples to be recompensed?
"And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just." Luke 14:14.

How is this to be brought about?
"If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself."
John 14:3.

What was Enoch's belief about this event?
"And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have
spoken against him." Jude 1:14,15.

What was Job's hope when in the depths of affliction?
"For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me." Job 19:25-27.

How did David express himself on this point?
"Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth." Psalms 96:13.

Did Daniel teach this same sentiment?
"And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book." Daniel 12:1.

In what splendor will the Saviour come?
"For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels." Luke 9:26.

When Christ, at the transfiguration, represented His future glory, how did He
appear?
"And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light." Matthew 17:2.

What is the appearance of an angel?
"His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude." Daniel 10:6.

What is the appearance of the glory of God Himself?
"And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about. As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness
of the glory of the LORD.
And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake." Ezekiel 1:27,28.

For what was Paul waiting when in his Roman dungeon?
"Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." 2 Timothy 4:8.

How will the Saviour be seen of those who are finally permitted to behold Him?
"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." 1 John 3:2.

What description does the beloved John give of His appearance?
"His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; "And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. "And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun
shineth in his strength." Revelation 1:14-16.

When He shall have gathered together His elect (Matt. 24:31), if we are among them, what shall we hear from the Saviour?
"Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:" Matthew 25:34.



Saturday, October 30, 2004

The Day of the Lord Cometh ...


What did Jesus say would be the condition of the world just prior to His coming?
"And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man." Luke 17:26. (See also Luke 17:27-30, and Matthew 24:37-39.)
"And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." Genesis 6:5.
"The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence." Genesis 6:11.

According to the parable of the wheat and tares, how long do the good and bad remain together?
"The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one. The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels." Matthew 13:38,39.

"Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn." Matthew 13:30.

Did Christ tell us that worldwide preaching of the gospel would result in world conversion?
"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." Matthew 24:14.

How did Paul describe the last days?
"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come." 2 Timothy 3:1.
"But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived." 2 Timothy 3:13.

How does Scripture describe the state of international affairs?
"Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up. Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong." Joel 3:9,10.

What statement by Jeremiah about conditions in his day equally applies to our own time?
"They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace." Jeremiah 6:14.

Will talking about world peace create a false security?
"Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own
lusts. And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation." 2 Peter 3:3,4.
"For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief." 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4.

What warning to Isaiah to the faithful in his day should also be the Christian's reaction to last-day conditions?
"Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid." Isaiah 8:12. (See 1 Peter 3:14.)
"And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." Luke 21:28.


Friday, October 29, 2004

GOD's Just Recompense

As we study these Scriptures, think of the life of Jesus and how He lived.

What principle of justice should govern us in our dealings with one another?
"Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it." Prov. 3:27.

What general rule of recompense is given in the Scriptures?
"Judge not, that ye be not judged, for with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged, and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." Matt. 7:1, 2.

Should one, in any case, render evil for evil?
"Recompense to no man evil for evil." Rom. 12:17. "Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing, but contrariwise, blessing." 1 Peter 3:9.

What is said of those who render evil for good?
"Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house." Prov. 17:13.

Will all men be rewarded irrespective of character?
"Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner." Prov. 11:31.

Will each man's work be fully brought to light and tested?
"Every man's work shall be made manifest; for the day
shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire: and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is." 1 Cor. 3:13.

Will partiality be shown in decisions rendered?
"Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" Gen. 18:25.
"Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne; mercy and truth shall go before thy face. Ps. 89:14. "Who will render to every man according to his deeds;" "for there is no
respect of persons
with God." Rom. 2:6, 11.

May we not in reality decide for ourselves what our recompense shall be?
"See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil." Deut. 30:15. "Thus saith the Lord: Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death." Jer. 21:8.

Will the cases of any be overlooked in the judgment?
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." 2 Cor.
5:10.

What shall determine the nature of the reward in each case?
"Be not deceived: God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." Gal. 6:7.

What is the harvest of the wrong doer.
"For he that soweth to his flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption." Gal. 6:8. "Tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that doeth evil." Rom. 2:9.

What shall be the recompense of the righteous?
"But he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." Gal. 6:8. "But
glory, honor, and peace to every man that worketh good." Rom. 2:10.

This scripture brings to view the cases of all as decided forever, and the time when it
is accomplished.
"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. And, behold, I come quickly." Rev. 22:11, 12.

Then with what force is this "just recompense" brought home to each heart?
"For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?" Heb. 2:2, 3.

These scriptures tell us that there is a time coming when our character is "sealed" and it is no longer changeable. (Rev. 21: 11,12) We can be sure that this happens now when one dies. This scripture says that there is a time coming when the living will be "sealed" so that if they are holy then they will be holy still, but if they be evil then they will be evil still. God wants to save us and He also wants to reproduce His character in us, if we will let Him. Let us pray that each of us will let God accomplish this work in us.

Thursday, October 28, 2004

GOD Warns Us About False Shepherds

We are in a warfare against evil, The enemy is extremely cunning and he will use false shepherds that preach what seems to be the truth to those who do not search the scriptures.

Who is emphatically the good shepherd?
"I [Jesus Christ]
am the good Shepherd." John 10:11.

To what extent did Christ sacrifice for the sheep?
"The good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep." John 10:11.

Will false shepherds do this?
"The hireling fleeth because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep." John 10:13. "They are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, everyone for his gain, from his quarter." Isa. 56:11.

Will the true shepherd see that the sheep are provided with food?
"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." Acts 20:28. See also 1 Peter 5:2.

With what kind of food will he feed the flock?
"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; Preach the word." 2 Tim. 4:1, 2. (See also Rev. 10:9, 10 and Eze. 2:8, Eze. 3:1-3.)

Will the true shepherd set a good example to the flock?
"In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works." Titus 2:7.

Will he warn the sheep of coming danger?
"O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at My mouth, and warn them from Me." Eze. 33:7.

What does the Lord say to the watchman or shepherd who does not warn the wicked?
"If thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood will I require at thine hand." Eze. 33:8.

What does our Saviour call false shepherds?
"Let them alone, they be blind leaders of the blind." Matt. 15:14.

Do such warn the flock of coming danger?
"His watchmen are blind, that are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark, sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber." Isa. 56:10. "They have healed also the hurt of the
daughter of My people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace." Jer. 6:14.

Has the Lord given us another means by which to distinguish between true and false shepherds?
"To the law and to the testimony;
if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isa. 8:20. "For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth... But ye are departed out of the way: ye have caused many to stumble at the law." Mal. 2:7, 8.

Will the shepherds who are unfaithful give to the flock the sense of those prophecies
relating to "the time of the end" (Dan. 12:14)?
"And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot, for it is sealed." Isa. 29:11. Read also verses 13-16.

Was there to come a time when people would not listen to Bible truth?
"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, and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." 2 Tim. 4:3, 4.

Will such like to have plain words spoken to them?
"Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy unto us deceits." Isa. 30:10.

What does the Lord say further concerning false shepherds?
"My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray; they have turned them away on the mountains; they have gone from mountain to hill; they have forgotten their resting place." Jer. 50:6. "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds:
Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool: ye kill them that are fed, but ye feed not the flock." Eze. 34:2, 3. "As I live, saith the Lord God, surely because My flock became a prey, and My flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did My shepherds search for My flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not My flock, therefore, a ye shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: Thus saith the Lord God:
Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require My flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more, for I will deliver My flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them. For thus saith the Lord God: Behold, I, even I, will both searth My sheep, and seek them out. As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered, so will I seek out My sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they had been scattered in the cloudy and dark day." Eze. 34:8-12.

What is to be the future of those who "add unto" or "take away from " the words of prophecy?
"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: 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." Rev. 22:18, 19. "Howl, ye shepherds, and cry: and wallow yourselves in the ashes, ye principal of the flock; for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are accomplished; and ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel, and the shepherds shall have no way to flee, nor the principal of the flock to escape. A voice of the cry of the shepherds, and a howling of the principal of the flock, shall be heard; for the Lord hath spoiled their pasture, and the peaceable habitations are cut down because of the fierce anger of the Lord." Jer. 25:34-37.

What promise has Peter left on record for faithful shepherds?
"And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." 1 Peter 5:4.

Dear God, thank you for your teaching that leads us to know the truth. Use us Lord to help otheres to know that truth also. Thank you for empowering us to serve you. We pray and give thanks in the name of Jesus. Amen

Wednesday, October 27, 2004

God's Exaltation and Satan's Counterfeit

Jesus says, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. John 12:32

Who is exalted above all that exists?
"For thou, Lord, art high above all the earth; thou art exalted far above all gods." Ps. 97:9. "Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth." Ps. 57:5.

Why should God be thus exalted?
"Thou, even thou, art Lord alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshipeth thee." Neh. 9:6.

How high is Christ exalted?
"The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour." Acts 5:30, 31.

Who will be exalted by God?
"He that shall humble himself shall be exalted." Matt. 23:12.

What, then, must precede exaltation?
"Before honor is humility." Prov. 15:33.

What is the foundation of true humility?
"Charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up." 1 Cor. 13:4.

What is necessary, therefore, in order that we may obtain exaltation?
"Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Matt. 18:4.

In what only should we desire to be exalted?
"For thou [Lord] art the glory of their strength: and in thy favor our horn shall be exalted." Ps. 89:17.

What means does God sometimes employ to keep us from self exaltation?
"And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure." 2 Cor. 12:7.

By what means may self exaltation be overcome?
"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." 2 Cor. 10:4, 5.

What are these weapons of our warfare?
The girdle of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the sandals of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit. Eph. 6:13-17.

What caused Satan's fall, and brought into existence all the sin and evil which are in the world?
"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! 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: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High." Isa. 14:12-14.

There is a most striking example of self exaltation found in the annals of history.
"Let no man deceive you by any means; for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in
the temple of God, showing himself that he is God." 2 Thess. 2:3, 4.


NOTE. - Satan exalted himself above the stars of God, i.e.,the angels, and wanted to be equal with Christ; but the "man of sin," the papacy, has gone beyond this, and exalted himself even above the God of the universe by presuming to change His eternal and immutable law. Dan.7:25


What will be the end of self exaltation?
"Whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased." Matt. 23:12. "For the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon everyone that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low." Isa. 2:12.

When will the humble be exalted?
"Wait on the Lord, and keep His way, and He shall exalt thee to inherit the land when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it." Ps. 37:34.

Dear God, we pray that you will give us your wisdom so that we will not be deceived by false teachings, we only want to exalt Jesus so all men will be drawn to Him. In Jesus name we pray and give thanks. Amen

Tuesday, October 26, 2004

GOD says, "Thou shalt not covet..."

We know it is a sin to break any one of GOD's Ten Commandment Laws of Love, but somehow, our culture has grown so accepting of certain sins that we forget that they are sin, and therefore they are destructive to us. Covetousness is one ot those sins.

It is not wrong to covet GOD's gifts, His Character, His Love or His Spirit.

It is a sin, however, to covet our neigbors belongings or his wife.

In what way has the Lord spoken of covetousness?
"And He said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." Luke 12:15.

What showed this principle to be strong in the rich man who had already more than he knew how well to take care of?
"And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry." Luke 12:18, 19.

But what did God say to him?
"But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee; then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?" Luke 12:20.

What application of this parable did the Saviour make?
"So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." Luke 12:21.

What does the apostle call covetousness?
"Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry." Col. 3:5.

What does he say the things here enumerated have brought upon mankind?
"For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience." Col. 3:6.

What did Judas' covetousness lead him to do?
"And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray Him to them. And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray Him." Mark 14:10, 11.

How does the lord regard the covetous man?
"For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth." Ps. 10:3.

Then can God trust such men to bear responsibilities in His work?
"Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens." Ex. 18:21 (1 Tim. 3:2, 3).

What is certain to follow the desire to be rich?
"But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition." 1 Tim. 6:9.

Will covetousness be one of the specially prevalent sins of the last days?
"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers." 2 Tim. 3:1, 2.

What will these selfish ones be doing for themselves?
"Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as It were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days." James 5:3.

What admonition does the apostle give to the rich?
"Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate." 1 Tim.
6:17, 18.

What does the Lord say of giving?
"I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20:35 (Prov. 11:24, 25).

To whom does the money we have belong?
"The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts." Haggai 2:8.

Men are simply stewards of God's treasures. (Luke 16:1-8). As such, what does the Lord admonish us to do?
"And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations." Luke 16:9. "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." 1 Peter 4:10.

How does God regard the spirit of sacrifice?
"I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:18, 19.

Whom will Christ gather to Himself when He comes?
"He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that He may judge His people. Gather My saints together unto Me; those that have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice." Ps. 50:4, 5.

Heaven gave its choicest Treasure to redeem us. (1 Peter 1:18, 19). Will we not
partake of the same spirit, if we are God's children?
"And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together." Rom. 8:17.

Dear God, we pray that we would be more and more like Jesus every day. Forgive us were we have sinned and send you Spirit to empower us to resist that temptation the next time it attacks us. We want to let your light shine through us, so cleanse us so that no sin blocks that light from your throne. Thank you for hearing us and for your answer. In Jesus' name we pray...Amen

Monday, October 25, 2004

GOD Warns Us About the Dangers of Riches

GOD wants us to be rich. (don't take my word for it, study to see what GOD says)

From what source comes the power to get wealth?
"But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God; for it is He that giveth thee power to get wealth." Deut. 8:18.

How may we honor God?
"Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first-fruits of all thine increase." Prov. 3:9.

What caution is given concerning riches?
"If riches increase, set not your heart upon them." Ps. 62:10.

Can riches be retained to our own hurt?
"There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners hereof to their hurt." Eccl. 5:13.

Here is an example of this.
"Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow Me, But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions." Matt. 19:21, 22,

Is it easy for the rich to enter the kingdom of God?
"And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto His disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!" Mark 10:23.

What charge is given to the rich?
"Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy." 1 Tim. 6:17.

What are they further instructed to do?
"That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life." l Tim. 6:18, 19.

What dangers attend the getting of riches?
"But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition." 1 Tim. 6:9.

What makes rich without adding sorrow?
"The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and He addeth no sorrow with it." Prov. 10:22.

How are true riches obtained?
"By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honor, and life." Prov. 22:4.

Does happiness depend on earthly possessions?
"And He said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness; for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." Luke 12:15.

Will silver or gold be able to deliver in the day of wrath?
"Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord's wrath." Zeph. 1:18.

How did Moses esteem the reproach of Christ?
"Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward." Heb. 11:26.

There are two classes of rich men.
"There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing; there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches." Prov. 13:7.

Here is an example of the first class.
"And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?" Luke 12:16-20

What lesson may we learn from this parable?
"So is he
that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." Luke 12:21.

What fearful words are addressed to the rich oppressor?
"Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth eaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days." James 5:2, 3.

How may the poor of this world be counted rich?
"Hearken, my beloved brethren; hath not God chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He hath promised to them that love Him?" James 2:5.

Can we estimate the worth of the eternal inheritance?
"For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside Thee, what He hath prepared for him that waiteth for Him." Isa. 64:4.

Dear GOD, help us to partake of all of the riches that offer to us and give us the wisdom to help others partake of all of your gifts. Amen

Sunday, October 24, 2004

GOD Warns Us Against Pride

GOD uses our life experiences to teach us some things that we may not know we need to learn until we have those experiences. This Bible reading is based on what He has taught me today that I needed to know.

What will pride do for him who cherishes it? (even if he is unaware that he has it)
"A man's pride shall bring him low." Prov. 29:23.

How does the Lord regard the proud?
"God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." James 4:6. "Him that hath a high look and a proud heart will not I suffer." Ps. 101:5.

Will Jesus dwell with the proud?
"The proud He knoweth afar off." Ps 138:6.

Can those who are filled with pride be truly wise?
"He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words." 1 Tim. 6:4.

Why should we not indulge in pride?
"A high look and a proud heart... is sin." Prov. 21:4.

Will the Lord bless the proud?
"Blessed is that man that... respecteth not the proud." Ps. 40:4.

What will be one great sin of the last days?
"Men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud." 2 Tim. 3:2. "The child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient." Isa. 3:5.

How are the proud generally regarded at the present time?
"Now we call the proud happy." Mal. 3:15.

What does the prophet say will be their fate?
"Behold, the day cometh that shall burn as an oven, and all the proud... shall be stubble, and the day that cometh shall burn them up." Mal. 4:1.

Praise GOD that He givcs us forgiveness when we confess our sins, and He also gives us His power to overcome the temptation and the sin.

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

Saturday, October 23, 2004

GOD's Word Regarding Two Families

I’m so glad I’m apart of the family of God,

filled with His Spirit and washed by His blood!

Joint heirs with Jesus as I travel this sod,

I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God

By what means may the mother largely bind home hearts together?
"She openeth her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue is the law of kindness." Prov. 31:26.

Is it proper to speak words of encouragement to the pains taking keeper of home?
"Her children arise up and call her blessed: her husband also, and he praiseth her." "Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates." Prov. 31:28, 31.

Is mutual obligation enjoined in a well appointed home?
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord; for this is right. Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath; but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." Eph. 6:1-4.

In what scriptures are two families brought to view?
"The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom, but the tares are the children of the wicked one." Matt. 13:38. "In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the Devil." 1 John 3:10.

How are the children of God manifest?
"Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin." 1 John 3:9.
"He that hath My commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me; and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him." John 14:21.

How may the children of the wicked one be known?
"He that committeth sin is of the Devil." 1 John 3:8.
"Ye are of your father the Devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do." John 8:44.

Are there counterfeit children of God?
"Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof." 2 Tim. 3:5. "They profess that they know God, but in works, they deny Him, being abominable and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate." Titus 1:16.

How may we judge between the true and the false?
"Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." Matt. 7:20.

To what family do they belong who are not the children of God?
"And you hath He quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins, ...and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others." Eph. 2:1-3.

If one desires to escape from the snare of the enemy, what must he do?
"Submit
yourselves therefore to God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. Draw
nigh to God,
and He will draw nigh to you." James 4:7, 8.

How may we know that we are accepted of God, and thus are members of the royal
family?
"But whoso keepeth His word, in Him verily is the love of God perfected; hereby know we that we are in Him." 1 John 2:5.
"And he that keepeth His commandments dwelleth in Him and He in him, and hereby we know that He abideth in us by the Spirit which He hath given us." 1 John 3:24.

How has God manifested His great love to the children of men?
"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God." 1 John 3:1.

How strong is His desire, and how urgent the invitation that all men should share in
this wonderful love?
"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." Rev. 22:17.

Will the time come when one class will forever pass out of sight?
"For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be." Ps. 37:10.

What is said of the universal family that remains?
"And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth. and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing and honor and glory and power be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne and unto the Lamb forever and ever." Rev.
5:13.

Dear God, Thank you for your willingness to adopt us into your family.

"Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will," Ephesians 1:5

Friday, October 22, 2004

GOD's Word Regarding Two Resurrections

God teaches us that there are two resurrections. He wants us to understand this clearly because Satan draws believers away by confusing them and preparing them to accept strong deceptions, false miracles and false christs.

Job 14:14 If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. 15. Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands.

Because of the Fall, what comes to every man?
"In Adam all die." 1 Corinthians 15:22. (See also Romans 5:12.)

In what condition is man while in death?
"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest." Ecclesiastes 9:10.

NOTE. - That is, man, when dead, has no use of the powers of mind or body. He cannot, therefore, while in the grave, praise God, or even think of Him (Psalm 6:5); for in
the day he dies his thoughts perish. Psalm 146:2-4. (See preceding Bible Reading)

What promise has been given in order that man may be redeemed from this condition?
"I will ransom them from the power of the grave; will redeem them from death:
O
death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction." Hosea 13:14.

Through whom will come this redemption from the grave?
"For since by man came death, by man came also the res
urrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." 1 Corinthians 15:21, 22.

What would have been the result to the dead had not Christ obtained their release from the grave?
"For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: and if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished." 1 Corinthians 15 Verses 16-18.


Why did God give His only-begotten Son to the world?
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16.

What did the Sadducees in Christ's time deny?
"Then came to Him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection." Luke 20:27.

Referring to the Old Testament, how did Christ prove the resurrection?
"Now that the dead are raised, even Moses showed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. For He is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto Him." Luke 20 Verses 37-38.


What example from nature is used to illustrate the resurrection and the final salvation of the righteous?
"That which thou sowest
is not quickened, except it die." 1 Corinthians 15:36. " Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit." John 12:24.


Whose voice raises the dead?
"Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth." John 5:28, 29.

How many distinct groups, or classes, of people will have a resurrection?
"There shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust." Acts 24:15.

How does Christ describe these two resurrections?
"All that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." John 5:28, 29.

When will the resurrection of the just occur?
"For The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the arch-angel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first." 1 Thessalonians 4:16. (See also 1 Corinthians 15:23.)

When are the righteous to receive their final reward?
"For thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just." Luke 14:14.


How did the Psalmist describe that moment when he comes to life and leaves the grave?
"As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness." Psalm 17:15.

Will our resurrection bodies be like our present bodies?
"So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: it is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness,. it is raised in power: it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body." 1 Corinthians 15:42-44.

After whose body will these resurrected ones be fashioned like unto?
"We look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body." Philippians 3:20, 21.

In what words is the ultimate triumph over death and the grave expressed?
"O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" 1 Corinthians 15:55.

How long will the righteous live?
"Neither can they die any more:
for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection." Luke 20:36.

How long does the other class wait after the first resurrection before they are
raised?
"And they [ the righteous] lived and reigned with Christ a
thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished." Rev. 20:4, 5.

What is to be their fate?
"And fire came down from heaven and devoured them." Rev. 20 Verse 9.

Who are to share this fate?
"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." Rev. 21:8.

What is the last enemy that will be destroyed?
"The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death." 1 Corinthians 15:26. (See Revelation 20:13, 14.)

I pray that each of us will continue in GOD's Word, so that we will be able to determine what is true and what is false or a counterfiet. Remember that Jesus says that if possible that the false teachers will deceive the very elect.

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."

Mark 13:22 "For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect."

Thursday, October 21, 2004

Eternal Life According to GOD's Word

Who suffered Christ to die, and then raised Him again?
"Therefore doth My Father love Me because I lay down My life that I might take it again. No man taketh it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of My Father." John 10:17, 18.
"Whom [Christ] God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death; because it was not possible that He should be holden of it." Acts. 2:24.

How came death into the world?
"Wherefore as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." Rom. 5:12. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Rom. 6:23.

Why could not death hold Christ under its dominion?
"Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth." 1 Peter 2:22.

What did Christ's resurrection gain for all men?
"For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." 1 Cor. 15:21, 22.

Why did God give His son to die? and who alone are benefited by His death?
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." "He that believeth not the Son shall not see [everlasting] life, but the wrath of God abideth or him." John 3:16, 36.

With whom is the eternal life of the believer hid?
"For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." Col. 3:3. "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son." 1 John 5:11.

When will eternal life be received?
"Behold, I show you a mystery: we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump.
For the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed, For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality." 1 Cor. 15:51-53.

Is there any exemption from the first, or temporal, death?
"For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." 1 Cor. 15:22.

Who have part in the first resurrection?
"And I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshiped the beast, ...and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years... This is the first resurrection. .On such the second death hath no power."
Rev. 20:4-6.

Who have part in the second resurrection?
"But the rest of the dead [the wicked] lived not again until the thousand years were finished." "And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them." Rev. 20:5, 9 (Daniel 12:2 "And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.") (also see verses at Heb. 11:35).


What is the second, or eternal, death? and who suffer it?
"And death and hell [margin, the grave] were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." Rev. 20:14, 15. "The lake which burneth with fire and brimstone... is the second death." Rev. 21:8. "He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death." Rev. 2:11. See Eze. 18:26.

What is then said of those who share the first resurrection, and so escape the
second death?
"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. And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new." Rev. 21:4,5.

Wednesday, October 20, 2004

GOD's Creation and Salvation of Man

The first lie recorded in God's word was told by Satan. (Genesis 3:4 "And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:") Satan would have us confused about the nature of man and the soul, and he has been able to cause much confusion. God has given His clear word so we need not be confused.

In what condition was man created?

"What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that Thou visitest him? Thou madest him a little lower than the angels." Heb. 2:6, 7.

What is the nature of angels?
"But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage; neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the
resurrection."
Luke 20:35, 36.

What are angels called?
"And of the angels he saith, Who maketh His angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire." Heb. 1:7.

What is the difference between the two Adams?
"And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit." 1 Cor. 15:45.

Adam was made a living soul; but was he not a spiritual man?
"Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual." 1 Cor. 15:46.

When does man become a spiritual being?
"It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body, There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body." 1 Cor. 15:44.

To what does the sowing refer?
"That which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die." 1 Cor. 15:36.

NOTE. - Man does not have the undying, spiritual nature of the angels until the resurrection. Then, if righteous, he cannot die anymore ( Luke 20:36 "Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection".), because he is "equal unto the angels."

How is man's nature defined?
"Shall mortal man be more just than God?" Job 4:17.

NOTE.- Mortal. "Subject to death." Webster.

What is God's nature?
"Now unto the King, eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen." 1 Tim. 1:17.


NOTE. - Immortal. "Exempt from liability to die." Webster.

Of what was man formed in the beginning?
"And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground." Gen. 2:7.

NOTE- First God formed man's body

What act made him a living soul?
"And [God] breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." Gen. 2:7.

NOTE - Body plus the "breath of life" = a "living soul".

Are others besides man called "living souls" in the Bible?
"And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea, and it became as the blood of a dead man; and every living soul died in the sea." Rev. 16:3. (See Gen. 1:30, margin.)

Do other creatures besides man have the "breath of life?"
"And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of foul, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man; all in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land, died." Gen. 7:21, 22.

Is theirs the same breath as man's?
"As the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all
one breath; so that a
man hath no pre-eminence above a beast; for all is vanity." Ecc. 3:19.

The breath of life from God was breathed into man's nostrils in the beginning. What
does Job call that which is in the nostrils?
"All the while my breath is in me. and the spirit of God is in my nostrils." Job 27:3.

When man gives up the spirit, what becomes of it?
"Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." Eccl. 12:7.

NOTE. - That is, the spirit of life by which man lived, and which was only loaned to him of God, goes back to the great Author of life. It is His, and man can have it eternally, only as a gift from God, through Jesus Christ. (Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.".)When the spirit goes back to God, the dust, which was in the beginning made a "living soul," goes back as it was, to the earth.

Can one have the spirit of life with him eternally. unless he has Christ?
"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." 1 John 5:12.

Why were the first guilty pair driven from the tree of life?
"And now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever." Gen. 3:22.

What was done to keep man away from the tree of life?
"So He drove out the man; and He placed at the east of the garden of Eden cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life." Gen. 3:24.

How are all men in the natural state regarded?
"We all... were by nature the children of wrath, even as others." Eph. 2:3.

If the wrath of God abides on a person, of what does it deprive him?
"He that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." John 3:36.

Through whom is the sinner saved from wrath?
"Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him." Rom. 5:9.

When the sinner has been converted, what then is his prospect for life?
"For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory." Col. 3:3, 4.

The word immortal occurs but once in the English Bible (1 Tim. 1:17) , and is there
applied to God; is any other said to have immortality?
"Who is the blessed and only potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords: who only hath immortality." 1 Tim. 6:15, 16.

How is this desirable boon brought to light?
"But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." 2 Tim 1:10.

NOTE. - Then without the gospel one cannot have immortality, but the death penalty must abide on him.

How does man obtain immortality?
"To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life." Rom. 2:7.

NOTE. - One does not need to seek for a thing which he already possesses.

When will the faithful receive immortality?
"Behold, I show you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." 1 Cor. 15:51, 52.

What is then to be swallowed up?
"So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory." 1 Cor. 15:54.

How is this victory gained?
"But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Cor. 15:51.

SUMMARY. - We have found that man was made of the dust of the ground, and caused to live by the breath, or spirit, of life from God. The body plus the breath of life, is called a "living soul:" or creature, according to the original text. Other creatures live by the same process, and some of them, at least, are plainly called living souls. When man dies, he knows nothing until he lives again, simply because the vitalizing element that caused him to live and move and think has been taken from him, and gone back to its original Possessor. Unless that were brought back to man, he would be forever unconscious in death. But Christ, who is the believer's life, is to appear, and bring back to those who seek for it, that life which they forfeited through sin. It is thus that man obtains immortality.

Monday, October 18, 2004

Two Covenants in God's Word

When God was about to speak the law to Israel, of what did He tell Moses to remind them?
"And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself." Exodus 19:3,4.

What covenant did He propose to make with them?
"Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel." Exodus 19:5,6.

What is a covenant?
"A mutual agreement of two or more persons or parties, in writing and under seal, to do or to refrain from some act or thing; a contract." Webster.

When Moses told the people what the Lord had proposed, what did they say?
"And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him. And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD." Exodus 19:7,8.

In the Covenant which the Lord proposed to make with Israel, what did He say that they were to do?
"Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine." Exodus 19:5.

What was His covenant which they were to keep as their part of the mutual agreement or covenant between Him and them?"
"And the LORD spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice. And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone." Deuteronomy 4:12,13.

What relation did the ten commandments bear to the covenant made between God and the children of Israel?
As seen by the last text quoted, the ten commandments were the "covenant" to which the Lord referred, when in proposing a covenant with Israel, He said, "Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:" Exodus 19:5.

NOTE. - The ten commandments were termed God's covenant before the covenant was made with Israel. They were not an agreement made, but something which God commanded them to perform, and He promised them something, provided they would keep them. Thus the ten commandments, God's covenant, became the basis of the covenant made between Him and Israel. The ten commandments, in all their details, are "all these words," concerning which the covenant was made. See Ex. 24:8.

After God had spoken His law (the "covenant which He commanded," Exodus 20:3-17), did He continue speaking to the people?
"These words the LORD spake unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: and he added no more. And he wrote them in two tables of stone, and delivered them unto me." Deuteronomy 5:22.

What was the nature of the instruction afterward given to Moses (Exodus 20:22,23)?
It was a practical application or explanation of the ten commandments, so that the people might be able better to understand what was involved in the keeping of them. The reference to the altar, how it should be built, and how approached, in Exodus 20:24-26, simply shows the care that God would have taken in His worship. In Exodus 23:14-19 we have other commandments also concerning worship.

As reported in Exodus 24:3, Moses told the people all the words of the Lord, and they promised to be obedient. What did Moses then do, that there might be no misunderstanding?
"And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel." Exodus
24:4.
"And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient." Exodus 24:7.

When the people had again heard the words of the Lord, and again promised obedience (verse 7), what was done to ratify the covenant which had thus been made?
"And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words." Exodus 24:8.
"For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you." Hebrews 9:19,20.

NOTE. - We have here the complete account of the making of the first covenant. It consisted of a promise of obedience to the ten commandments, on the part of the children of Israel, and the statement by the Lord of what He would do for them provided they obeyed His voice.

Is the covenant made at Sinai the only covenant which God made with Israel?
"Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:" Jeremiah 31:31,32.

What comparison does God make between the two covenants?
"But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second." Hebrews 8:6,7.

In what respect was the first covenant faulty?
It must have been faulty in the very particulars wherein the second was better, namely, in the promises, as seen by the last part of Hebrews 8:6: "But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises." Hebrews 8:6. God's promises rather than man's promises.

What are the promises of the new covenant?
"For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more." Hebrews 8:10-12.
"And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." Jeremiah 31:34.

Are these promises stated in the order of their fulfillment?
It is evident that in Jeremiah 31:33,34, where the promises of the new covenant are more fully stated than in Hebrews 8:10,11, those promises are not stated in the regular order of their fulfillment; because forgiveness of sins is mentioned last, whereas it must necessarily precede the writing of the law in the heart; remembering sin no more, or blotting out of sin;
and translating the people to the heavenly Jerusalem, where all shall see and know the Lord. See Isaiah 54:11-13; Revelation 21:2-4.

In the first covenant, to what was Israel's promise really equivalent?
In the first covenant the people promised to keep all the commandments of God, so as to be worthy of a place in His kingdom. This was a virtual promise to make themselves righteous; for God did not promise to help them. But says Christ,

"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."
John 15:5.
And the prophet says, "But we are all as an unclean thing, and
all our righteousnesses
are as filthy rags;
and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." Isaiah 64:6.
The only perfect righteousness is God's righteousness, and that can be obtained only through faith in Christ. See Romans 3:20-26. The only righteousness that will insure us an entrance into the kingdom of God, is
"And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith." Philippians 3:9.
Of those who shall inherit the kingdom of God, the Lord says,
"No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD." Isaiah 54:17.

And the prophet says of Christ, when He has taken His place as king over all the true Israel,
"In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS." Jeremiah 23:6.
Yet what must be done in order to have eternal life?
"And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." Matthew 19:17. (See also
Revelation. 22:14.)

Then how could ancient Israel have any chance for eternal life?

"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? And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are
called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance." Hebrews 9:14,15.

NOTE. - The fact that Christ, as mediator of the second covenant, died for the remission of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, shows that there was no forgiveness by virtue of that first covenant. They could be forgiven by their faith in the coming of Christ and His sacrifice for them that was demonstrated by the sacrifice of the lamb which pointed forward to Jesus Christ..

How alone can the good works required by the law be manifested in the lives of men?
See John 15:4,5; Philippians 2:13; Ephesians 2:10; Hebrews 13:20,21; 1 Corinthians 15:10; Galatians 2:20.

In order to have God make us "perfect in every good work to do His will," what must be our position?
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7.
"Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God." Romans 6:13.

What is said of the law in the second, or new covenant?
"But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people." Jeremiah 31:33.

Since no such promise was made in the old covenant (see Exodus 19: 5-8; 24:3-7), were not the promises of the new covenant much "better" than those of the old?
When and how was the second covenant ratified?
By the death of Christ:
"And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate." Daniel 9:27.
"For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth." Hebrews 9:16,17.

Then how could the Israelites, or any people before the first advent, derive any benefit from it?
By faith in the promised Redeemer. See. Hebrews 6:13, 16-20; Romans 4:17.

How and in whom was the covenant with Abraham confirmed?
In Christ. See Hebrews 6:13, 16-20; Galatians 3:17.

Is there anything in the second covenant that was not in the Abrahamic covenant?
"And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." Galatians 3:29.

NOTE. - None should allow themselves to be confused by the terms first covenant and second covenant. While the covenant made at Sinai is called "the first covenant," it is by no means the first covenant that God ever made with man. Long before He made a covenant with Abraham, and He also made a covenant with Noah, and with Adam. Neither must it be supposed that the first or old covenant existed for a period of time as the only covenant with the people before the promise of the second or new covenant could be shared. If that had been the case, then during that time there would have been no pardon for the people. What is called the "second covenant" virtually existed before the covenant was made at Sinai; for the covenant with Abraham was confirmed in Christ (Galatians 3:17), and it is only through Christ that there is any value to what is known as the second covenant. There is no blessing that can be gained by virtue of the second covenant, that was not promised to Abraham. And we, with whom the second covenant is made, can share the inheritance which it promises, only by being children of Abraham. To be Christ's is the same as to be children of Abraham (Galatians 3:29); all who are of faith are the children of Abraham, and share in his blessing (Galatians 3:7-9); and since no one can have anything except as children of Abraham, it follows that there is nothing in what is called the second covenant that was not in the covenant made with Abraham.The second covenant existed in every feature long before the first, even from the days of Adam. It is called "second" because both its ratification by blood and its more minute statement, were after the ratification of the covenant made at Sinai. More than this, it was the second covenant made with the Jewish people. The one from Sinai was the first made with that nation.

Then why was the covenant made at Sinai?
The Lord was just giving His law. The promise of the Israelites to keep it perfectly, and their failure, brought them face to face with the consequences of violating the law of God. The consciousness of guilt, and a sense of its consequences, would be much more forcibly impressed upon their minds than if they had not made the promise which they did. And being thus brought face to face with their sin, and realizing its full enormity, they would be driven to the only source of help, ample provision for which had been made in the covenant with their father Abraham. Thus it might be said that the first covenant was made in order to bring the
second covenant (all the terms of which were the Abrahamic covenant) into bolder relief, and to secure its acceptance by the people.

When it was demonstrated that the first covenant, the Sinai covenant, contained no provisions for pardon of sins, some will at once say, "But they did have pardon under that covenant." The trouble arises from a confusion of terms. It is not denial that under the old covenant, i.e., during the time when it was specially in force, there was pardon of sins, but that pardon was not offered in the old covenant, and could not be secured by virtue of something else, as shown by Hebrews 9:15. Not only was there the opportunity of finding free pardon of sins, and grace to help in time of need, during the time of the old covenant, but the same opportunity existed before that covenant was made, by virtue of God's covenant with Abraham, which differs in no respect from that made with Adam and Eve, except that we have the particulars given more in detail. We see, then, that there was not necessity for provisions to be made in the Sinai covenant for forgiveness of sins. The plan of salvation
was developed long before the gospel was preached to Abraham (Galatians 3:8), and was amply sufficient to save to the uttermost all who would accept it; the covenant at Sinai was made for the purpose of making the people see the necessity of accepting the gospel.
Hebrews 9:1 is a text that hinders many from seeing that all God's blessings to man are gained by virtue of the second covenant, and not by the first. That text reads
: "Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary." This, together with the fact that when men complied with these ordinances of divine service, they were forgiven (Leviticus 4), seems to some conclusive evidence that the old covenant contained the gospel and its blessings. But forgiveness of sins was not secured by virtue of those offerings.
"for it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins." Hebrews 10:4. Forgiveness was obtained only by virtue of the promised sacrifice of Christ (Hebrews 9:15), the mediator of the new covenant, their faith in whom was shown by their offerings. So it was by virtue of the second or new covenant that pardon was secured to those who offered the sacrifices provided for in the ordinances of divine service connected with the old or first covenant.

Moreover, those "ordinances of divine service" formed no part of the first covenant. If they had, they must have been mentioned in the making of that covenant; but they were not. They were connected with it, but not a part of it. They were simply the means by which the people
acknowledged the justice of their condemnation to death for the violation of the law which they had covenanted to keep, and their faith in the mediator of the new covenant.

In brief, then, God's plan in the salvation of sinners, whether now or in the days of Moses, is: The law went home emphatically to the individual, to produce conviction of sin, and thus to drive the sinner to seek freedom; then the acceptance of Christ's gracious invitation, which was extended long before, but which the sinner would not listen to; and lastly, having accepted Christ, and being justified by faith, the manifestation of the faith, through the ordinances of. the gospel, and the living of a life of righteousness by faith in Christ.


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