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1.) Mat 22:29, “But Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, since you do not understand the Scriptures nor the power of God.”
Scientists and scholars are mistken often because they do not understand the Scriptures nor the power of God. There are countless mistakes simply because people do not understand the Scriptures nor the power of God.
Ye do err, not knowing … – They had taken a wrong view of the doctrine of the resurrection.
It was not taught that people would marry there. The “Scriptures,” here, mean the books of the Old Testament. By appealing to them, Jesus showed that the doctrine of the future state was there, and that the Sadducees should have believed it as it was, and not have added the absurd doctrine to it that people must live there as they do here. The way in which the enemies of the truth often attempt to make a doctrine of the Bible ridiculous is by adding to it, and then calling it absurd. The reason why the Saviour produced a passage from the books of Moses Matthew 22:32 was that they had also appealed to his writings, Matthew 22:24. Other places of the Old Testament, in fact, asserted the doctrine more clearly Daniel 12:2; Isaiah 26:19, but he wished to meet them on their own ground. None of those scriptures asserted that people would live there as they do here, and therefore their reasoning was false.
Nor the power of God – They probably denied, as many have done since, that God could gather the scattered dust of the dead and remould it into a body. On this ground they affirmed that the doctrine could not be true – opposing reason to revelation, and supposing that infinite power could not reorganize a body that it had at first organized, and raise a body from its own dust which it had at first raised from nothing.”
2.) Luk 22:69, “But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.”
By the power of God, Jesus rose from the dead and ascended the highest Heaven and sits at the right hand of the power of God.
(69) Hereafter shall the Son of man sit.—Literally, From this time forth shall the Son of Man be sitting. In St. Luke’s shorter record the immediate sequence of this confession upon an apparent refusal to answer seems hardly consistent. The narrative of St. Matthew shows that the change of purpose or of action was caused by the solemn adjuration of the high priest, which no longer left Him the alternative of silence. The form of the answer, too, is somewhat altered. Not “ye shall see,” but simply “shall be sitting,” as though the dominant thought in St. Luke’s mind in reporting the words was that even in the agony and death that were so soon to come on Him, our Lord found Himself glorified (John 12:23). The Cross was-His Throne, and while hanging on it, He was in spirit sitting at the right hand of the Father.”
3.) Rom 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”
(16) The Apostle will not be ashamed of his mission, even in the metropolis of the world. He cannot be ashamed of a scheme so beneficent and so grand. The gospel that he preaches is that mighty agency which God Himself has set in motion, and the object of which is the salvation of all who put their faith in it, to whatever nation or race they may belong. He has, perhaps, in his mind the reception he had met with in other highly civilised cities. (Comp. Acts 17:32.) He had himself once found a “stumbling-block” in the humiliation of the Cross; now, so far from being ashamed of it, it is just that of which he is most proud. The preaching of the Cross is the cardinal point of the whole gospel.
Of Christ.—These words are wanting in the oldest MSS., and should be omitted.
Power of God.—A powerful agency put forth by God Himself—the lever, as it were, by which He would move the world.
Unto salvation.—The object of this gospel is salvation—to open the blessings of the Messianic kingdom to mankind.
To the Jew first.—Here again we have another exhaustive division of mankind. “Greek” is intended to cover all who are not “Jews.” Before the Apostle was making, what may be called, the secular classification of men, here he makes the religious classification. From his exceptional privileges the Jew was literally placed in a class alone.
It is not quite certain that the word “first” ought not to be omitted. In any case the sense is the same. St. Paul certainly assigns a prerogative position to the Jews. They have an “advantage” (Romans 3:1-2). To them belong the special privileges of the first dispensation (Romans 9:4-5). They are the original stock of the olive tree, in comparison with which the Gentiles are only as wild branches grafted in (Romans 11:17et seq.). It was only right that the salvation promised to their forefathers should be offered first to them, as it is also said expressly in the Fourth Gospel, that “salvation is of the Jews” (John 4:22).
First.—A difficult question of textual criticism is raised here. The word is not found in the Vatican MS. in a citation by Tertullian (circ. 200 A.D.), and in the Græco-Latin Codex Boernerianus at Dresden. In all other MSS. and versions it appears. The evidence for the omission is thus small in quantity, though good in quality; and though it shows, in any case, a considerable diffusion in Egypt and Africa as far back as the second century, internal considerations do not tell strongly either way, but it seems a degree more probable that the word was accidentally dropped in some early copy. Of recent editions, it is bracketed by Lachmann, and placed in the margin by Tregelles and Vaughan.”
4.) 1Co 1:18, “For the Word of the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
There are two groups of people: the unbelieving who are perishing; and the believing who are being saved. The Word of the Cross is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Verses 18-25. – The nature of true Christian preaching. Verse 18. – For the preaching of the cross; rather, the word of the cross. To them that are perishing; rather, to the perishing; to all those who are now walking in the paths that lead to destruction (2 Corinthians 2:15). To them it was foolishness, because it requires spiritual discernment (1 Corinthians 2:14); and, on the other hand, human wisdom is foolishness with God (1 Corinthians 3:19). Foolishness. It shows the heroic character of the faith of St. Paul that he deliberately preached the doctrine of the cross because he felt that therein lay the conversion and salvation of the world, although he was well aware that he could preach no truth so certain at first to revolt the unregenerate hearts of his hearers. To the Jews “the cross” was the tree of shame and horror; and a crucified person was “accursed of God” (Deuteronomy 21:23; Galatians 3:13). To the Greeks the cross was the gibbet of a slave’s infamy and a murderer’s punishment. There was not a single association connected with it except those of shame and agony. The thought of “a crucified Messiah” seemed to the Jews a revolting folly; the worship of a crucified malefactor seemed to the Greeks “an execrable superstition” (Tacitus, ‘Ann.,’ 15:44; Pliny, ‘Epp.’ 10:97); yet so little did St. Paul seek for popularity or immediate success, that this was the very doctrine which he put in the forefront, even at a city so refined and so voluptuous as Corinth. And the result proved his inspired wisdom. That very cross became the recognized badge of Christianity, and when three centuries had elapsed it was woven in gold upon the banners and set in jewels on the diadems of the Roman empire. For had not Christ prophesied, And I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto me”? Unto us which are being saved; who are on the way of salvation. The same present participle is used in Luke 13:23; Acts 2:47; 2 Corinthians 2:15; Revelation 21:24. It is the power of God. Because the cross is at the heart of that gospel which is “the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth” (Romans 1:16; Romans 8:3), though many were tempted to be ashamed of it. It could never be a carnal weapon of warfare, and yet was mighty for every purpose (1 Corinthians 1:18.”
5.) 1Co 2:5, “so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of mankind, but on the power of God.”
Philosophers use human reason to challege the Christian faith. But the Christian Faith does not rest on the wisdom of mankind, but on the power of God.
That your faith – That is, that your belief of the divine origin of the Christian religion.
Should not stand – Greek, “should not be;” that is, should not rest upon this; or be sustained by this. God intended to furnish you a firm and solid demonstration that the religion which you embraced was from Him; and this could not be if its preaching had been attended with the graces of eloquence, or the abstractions of refined metaphysical reasoning. It would then appear to rest upon human wisdom.
In the power of God – In the evidence of divine power accompanying the preaching of the gospel. The power of God would attend the exhibition of truth everywhere; and would be a demonstration that would be irresistible that the religion was not originated by man, but was from heaven. That power was seen in changing the heart; in overcoming the strong propensities of our nature to sin; in subduing the soul; and making the sinner a new creature in Christ Jesus. Every Christian has thus, in his own experience, furnished demonstration that the religion which he loves is from God, and not from man. man could not subdue these sins; and man could not so entirely transform the soul. And although the unlearned Christian may not be able to investigate all the evidences of religion; although he cannot meet all the objections of cunning and subtle infidels, although he may be greatly perplexed and embarrassed by them, yet he may have the fullest proof that he loves God, that he is different from what he once was; and that all this has been accomplished by the religion of the cross.
The blind man that was made to see by the Saviour John 10, might have been wholly unable to tell how his eyes were opened, and unable to meet all the cavils of those who might doubt it, or all the subtle and cunning objections of physiologists, but of one thing he certainly could not doubt, that “whereas he was blind, he then saw;” John 10:25. A man may have no doubt that the sun shines, that the wind blows, that the tides rise, that the blood flows in his veins, that the flowers bloom, and that this could not be except it was from God, while he may have no power to explain these facts; and no power to meet the objections and cavils of those who might choose to embarrass him. So people may know that their hearts are changed; and it is on this ground that no small part of the Christian world, as in everything else, depend for the most satisfactory evidence of their religion. On this ground humble and unlearned Christians have been often willing to go to the stake as martyrs – just as a humble and unlearned patriot is willing to die for his country. He loves it; and he is willing to die for it. A Christian loves his God and Saviour; and is willing to die for his sake.”
6.) 1Co 1:24, “but to those who are the called, both
But unto them which are called – To all true Christians. See the note at 1 Corinthians 1:9.
Both Jews and Greeks – Whether originally of Jewish or Gentile extraction, they have here a common, similar view of the crucified Saviour.
Christ the power of God – Christ appears to them as the power of God; or it is through him that the power of salvation is communicated to them. See the note at 1 Corinthians 1:18.
And the wisdom of God – The way in which God evinces his wisdom in the salvation of people. They see the plan to be wise. They see that it is adapted to the end. They see it to be suited to procure pardon, and sanctification, and eternal life. It is God’s wise plan for the salvation of people; and it is seen by those who are Christians, to be adapted to this end. They see that there is a beauty in his character; an excellency in his doctrines; and an efficacy in his atonement, to secure their salvation. – We may remark on this verse:
(1) That when people become Christians, their hearts are changed. The views of Christians are here represented as diametrically opposite to those of other people. To one class, Christ is a stumbling-block; to others, folly; to Christians he is full of beauty. But those views of the Christian, can be obtained only by a change of heart. And the change from regarding an object or being as foolishness to regarding it as full of beauty, must be a radical and a mighty change.
(2) all Christians have similar views of the Saviour. It matters not whether they were Jew or Greek; it matters not whether they were born in a northern or southern clime – “whether an Indian or an African sun has burned upon them;” whether they speak the same or different languages; whether they were born amidst the same or different denominations of Christians; whether in the same or different countries; or whether they are people in the same or different Christian communities, they have the same views of the Saviour. They see him to be the power and the wisdom of God. They are united in him, and therefore united to each other; and should regard themselves as belonging to the same family, and as bound to the same eternal home.
(3) there is real efficacy in the plan of salvation. It is a scheme of power. It is adapted to the end, and is admirably suited to accomplish the great effects which God designs to accomplish. It is not a scheme intended to show its own imbecility, and the need of another and an independent agent to accomplish the work. All the effects which the Holy Spirit produces on the soul, are such, and only such, as the truth of the gospel is adapted to produce in the mind. The gospel is God’s plan of putting forth power to save people. It seizes upon great elements in human nature; and is adapted to enlist them in the service of God. It is just suited to man as a being capable of reasoning and susceptible of emotion; as a being who maybe influenced by hope and fear; who may be excited and impelled to duty by conscience, and who may be roused from a state of lethargy and sin by the prospect of eternal life, and the apprehension of eternal death. “As such” it should always be preached – as a system “wise,” and “adapted” to the great end in view, as a system most powerful and “mighty to the pulling down of strong holds.”
7.) 2Co 13:4, “For indeed He was crucified because
of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God.
For we too are weak in Him, yet we will live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you.”
4. For though he was crucified through weakness] Chrysostom observes that these words were a great difficulty to the weaker sort. But he explains them by John 11:3-4; Php 2:27; 1 Timothy 5:23, where the word in the original is the same as, or cognate to, that employed here. There is another reading here, which by omitting ‘though,’ or rather ‘if,’ in the original, strengthens the Apostle’s statement. There need be no difficulty. Our Lord assumed our human nature with all its infirmities (Hebrews 2:10-18; Hebrews 4:15; Hebrews 5:2-3; see also ch. 2 Corinthians 8:9, and Php 2:7-8), although they were the result of sin. He bore all those infirmities, death itself included. And then He shook them all off for ever when He rose again ‘by the power of God.’ Cf. Romans 1:4; 1 Corinthians 1:24. For we also are weak in him] In this present life the Apostles of Christ were like their Master. Upborne by the power of God within, they had nevertheless to bear the load of human infirmity, to ‘take up their Cross and follow Him.’ See notes on ch. 2 Corinthians 4:10-12, and cf. Galatians 6:17. And not only so, but the words ‘in Him’ shew that it was a necessary part of their union with Him that they should be partakers of His tribulation, before they were translated into the fulness of His glory. See 2 Thessalonians 1:4-7; 1 Peter 1:5-7; 1 Peter 5:10. we shall live with him] Not, as the following words shew, hereafter, but in the Apostle’s ministry to the Corinthians. Cf. 2 Corinthians 13:3. Also Romans 1:16; John 14:19; 1 Corinthians 1:18, and ch. 2 Corinthians 10:4-6, and note on ch. 2 Corinthians 4:14. The Gospel was a power which enabled men to change their lives, in that it was a ministering to them of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Compare ch. 2 Corinthians 3:3; 2 Corinthians 3:6; 2 Corinthians 3:8-9 with Romans 8:9-10 and Php 1:19.”
(8) Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord.—Seeing, then—remembering, then, that God gave you and me (notice the beautiful courtesy of the old martyr waiting for death, death the human guerdon of his fearless life, coupling, as he has been doing, his sorrow-stricken, dispirited friend with himself, whom no danger, no failure had ever affected)—remembering, then, the spirit of power, love, and self-control given to us, do not thou be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord. This “testimony” of which Timothy was not to be ashamed, of course includes the sufferings and the shame of Christ. In these, before mocking, scornful men, must Timothy, as an example to the flock, rather glory; but “the testimony” signifies much more than what relates only to the Passion story. The Christian, instead of being ashamed of his “profession,” must before the world show fearlessly that its hopes and its promises are his most precious treasure.
Nor of me his prisoner.—Nor must Timothy either then, or in days to come, be afraid of confessing before men that he had been the disciple and friend of the prisoner St. Paul, who had paid so dearly for the courage of his opinions. Nor Timothy, nor any Christian must shrink from openly espousing the unpopular cause of the Crucified, or from publicly declaring their sympathy with its hated martyrs.
But be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel.—More accurately rendered, but rathersuffer afflictions for the gospel. But, on the contrary, instead of injuring the good cause by faint-hearted conduct, should Timothy rather be ready to suffer, if need be, with St. Paul, ready to bear some shame with him, ready to incur, perhaps, sore danger for the gospel’s sake; and then St. Paul, emphasising his words, and strengthening with a new strength his argument and his exhortation, adds, “in accordance with the power of God”—yes, join with me in suffering, if needs be, for the gospel. Mighty and pitiful was God’s power towards us: great, surely, in proportion should be our readiness to suffer in return, if He asks this—as He is now doing from you and me—at our hands.
According to the power of God.—What power of God? has been asked. Not according to the power we get from God, but according to the power which God has displayed towards us in our calling and in our marvellous salvation. In other words, God, with great power, has succoured us; surely we may be confident that He will never leave us, never desert us, but in the hour of our sorest trouble incurred for Him will help us, and will bring us safely through it. So Chrysostom, who, while asserting that suffering will be borne, but not in our strength but in God’s, says, “Consider how thou hast been saved, and how thou hast been called;” inferring that He who has done so great things for man, in his calling and in his salvation, will never let him want for strength.”
9.) 1Pe 1:4-5, “to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away, reserved in Heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
1 Peter 1:5. Who are kept — Who, though now surrounded with many apparent dangers, are not left defenceless, but are guarded, kept as in a garrison, as the word φρουρουμενους signifies; by the power of God — Which worketh all in all; or secured from all real harm, under the observation of his all-seeing eye, and the protection of his almighty hand; through faith — Through the continued exercise of that faith, by which alone salvation is both received and retained. The clause is very emphatical: “It represents,” says Macknight, “believers as attacked by evil spirits and wicked men, their enemies, but defended against those attacks by the power of God, through the influence of their faith, (1 John 5:4,) just as those who remain in an impregnable fortress are secured from the attacks of their enemies by its ramparts and walls.” Ready — Ετοιμην, prepared, to be revealed — In all its glory; in the last time — The time of Christ’s second coming; the grand period, in which all the mysteries of divine providence shall beautifully and gloriously terminate. Some have thought that by the salvation here spoken of, the apostle meant the preservation from the destruction brought on the Jewish nation by the Romans, which preservation the disciples of Christ “obtained, by observing the signs mentioned in their Master’s prophecy concerning that event. For, when they saw these signs take place, they fled from Jerusalem to places of safety, agreeably to their Master’s order, Matthew 24:16. But what is said, 1 Peter 1:9-12, concerning this salvation; that it is a salvation, not of the body, but of the soul, to be bestowed as the reward of faith; that the prophets, who foretold this salvation, searched diligently among what people, and at what time, the means of procuring it were accomplished; that it was revealed to the prophets that these means were to be accomplished, not among them, but among us; and that these things were to be preached by the apostles as actually come to pass: I say, the above- mentioned particulars concerning the salvation to be revealed in the last time, do not agree to the deliverance of the Christians from the destruction of Jerusalem, but are applicable only to the salvation of believers in general from eternal death, by a resurrection to an immortal life in heaven, at the time of Christ’s coming, when this salvation is to be revealed; and that time is called the last time, because it will be the concluding scene of God’s dispensations relating to our world.” — Macknight.”
10.) 2Co 6:7, “in the Word of truth, and in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left.”
By the word of truth – That is, by making known the truths of the gospel. It was his object to make known the simple truth. He did not corrupt it by false mixtures of philosophy and human wisdom, but communicated it as it had been revealed to him. The object of the appointment of the Christian ministry is to make known the truth, and when that is done it cannot but be that they will commend their office and work to the favorable regards of people.
By the power of God – By the divine power which attended the preaching of the gospel. Most of the ancient commentators explain this of the power of working miracles – Bloomfield. But it probably includes all the displays of divine power which attended the propagation of the gospel, whether in the working of miracles, or in the conversion of people. If it be asked how Paul used this power so as to give no offence in the work of the ministry, it may be replied, that the miraculous endowments bestowed upon the apostles, the power of speaking foreign languages, etc., seem to have been bestowed upon them to be employed in the same way as were their natural faculties; see the notes on 1 Corinthians 14:32. The idea here is, that they used the great powers entrusted to them by God, not as impostors would have done, for the purposes of gain and ambition, or for vain display, but solely for the furtherance of the true religion, and the salvation of people. They thus showed that they were sent from God, as well by the nature of the powers with which they were entrusted, as by the manner in which they used them.
By the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left – Interpreters bare varied much in the exposition of this passage; and many have run into utter wildness. Grotius says, that it refers to the manner in which the ancient soldiers were armed. They bore a spear in their right hand, and a shield in the left. With the former they attacked their foes, with the later they made defense. Some have supposed that it refers to the fact that they were taught to use the sword with the left hand as well as with the right. The simple idea is, that they were completely armed. To be armed on the right hand and on the left is to be well armed, or entirely equipped. They went forth to conflict. They met persecution, opposition, and slander. As the soldier went well armed to battle, so did they. But the armor with which they met their foes, and which constituted their entire panoply, was a holy life. With that they met all the assaults of their enemies; with that all slander and persecution. That was their defense, and by that they hoped and expected to achieve their conquests. They had no swords, and spears, and helmets, and shields; no carnal weapons of offence and defense; but they expected to meet all their assaults, and to gain all their victories, by an upright and holy life.”
11.) Luk 1:35, “The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you;
for that reason also the holy Child will be called the Son of God.”
The Virgin Birth is so supernatural only it can be explained by the Holy Spirit and the power of the Most High.
And the angel answered and said unto her,…. The angel gave her an account of the manner in which what he had said should be effected, as well as observed some things for the strengthening of her faith,
The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee. The words, “upon thee”, are left out in the Syriac and Persic versions; but are retained in others, and in all copies: the formation of Christ’s human nature, though common to all the three persons, yet is particularly, and most properly ascribed to the Spirit; not to the first person, the Father, lest it should be thought that he is only the Father of him, as man; nor to the second person, the Son, since it is to him that the human nature is personally united; but to the third person, the Spirit, who is the sanctifier; and who separated, and sanctified it, the first moment of its conception, and preserved it from the taint of original sin. His coming upon the virgin must be understood in consistence with his omnipresence, and immensity; and cannot design any local motion, but an effectual operation in forming the human nature of her flesh and substance; and not in the ordinary manner in which he is concerned in the formation of all men, Job 33:4 but in an extraordinary way, not to be conceived of, and explained. The phrase most plainly answers to , in frequent use with the Jews (x), as expressive of coition,
And the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee. By “the power of the Highest” is not meant the Lord Jesus Christ, who is sometimes called the power of God; but rather the Holy Ghost, as before, who is styled the finger of God, and power from on high, Luke 11:20 unless it should be thought that the perfection of divine power common to all the three persons is intended: and so points out the means by which the wondrous thing should be performed, even by the power of God; and which should not only be employed in forming the human nature of Christ, but in protecting the virgin from any suspicion and charge of sin, and defending her innocence and virtue, by moving upon Joseph to take her to wife. In the word, “overshadow”, some think there is an allusion to the Spirit of God moving upon the face of the waters, in Genesis 1:2 when, he brooded upon them, as the word may be rendered; and which is the sense of it, according to the Jewish writers (y) as a hen, or any other bird broods on its eggs to exclude its young: and others have thought the allusion may be to , (z), “the nuptial covering”: which was a veil, or canopy, like a tent, supported on four staves, under which the bridegroom and bride were betrothed; or, as Dr. Lightfoot thinks, it is a modest phrase alluding to the conjugal embraces, signified by a man’s spreading the skirt of his garment over the woman, which Ruth desired of Boaz, Ruth 3:9 though the Jewish writers say (a), that phrase is expressive of the act of marriage, or taking to wife. The phrase of being “overshadowed”, or “covered with the spirit of prophecy”, as the virgin also was, is used by the Targumist, on 1 Chronicles 2:55.
therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. The human nature of Christ is here called a “thing”; for it was not a person; it never subsisted of itself, but was taken at once into union with the person of the Son of God, otherwise there would be two persons in Christ, whereas he is God, and man, in one person; and it is said to be “holy”, being free from that original pollution and sin, in which all that descend from Adam, by ordinary generation, are conceived, and brought forth; and is, moreover, said to be born of a virgin, “of thee”, or “out of thee”. Christ’s flesh was formed out of the Virgin’s; he took flesh of her; his body did not descend from heaven, or pass through her, as water through a pipe, as some heretics of old said: nor did his human nature, either as to soul or body, pre-exist his incarnation; but in the fulness of time he was made of a woman, and took a true body of her, and a reasonable soul, into union with his divine person; and “therefore should be called the Son of God”: not that he was now to become the “the Son of God”; he was so before his incarnation, and even from all eternity; but he was now to be manifested as such in human nature: nor does the angel predict, that he should, for this reason, be called the Son of God; for he never was, on this account, so called, either by himself, or others: nor is the particle, “therefore”, causal, but consequential: the angel is not giving a reason why Christ should be the Son of God, but why he should be owned, and acknowledged, as such by his people: who would infer, and conclude from his wonderful conception and birth, that he is the “Emmanuel”, God with us, the child that was to be born, and the Son given, whose name should be Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, &c. Isaiah 7:14. Moreover, the word, “also”, is not to be overlooked; and the sense is, that seeing that human nature, which should be born of the virgin, would be united to the Son of God, it likewise should bear the same name, being in personal union with him, who was so from all eternity.”
12.) Act 2:24, “But God raised Him from the dead, putting an end
to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.”
Whom God hath raised up – This was the main point, in this part of his argument, which Peter wished to establish. He could not but admit that the Messiah had been in an ignominious manner put to death. But he now shows them that God had also raised him up; had thus given his attestation to his doctrine; and had sent down his Spirit according to the promise which the Lord Jesus made before his death.
Having loosed the pains of death – The word “loosed,” λύσας lusas, is opposed to bind, and is properly applied to a cord, or to anything which is bound. See Matthew 21:2; Mark 1:7. Hence, it means to free or to liberate, Luke 13:16; 1 Corinthians 7:27. It is used in this sense here; though the idea of untying or loosing a band is retained, because the word translated “pains” often means “a cord or band.”
The pains of death – ὠδῖνας τοῦ θάνατου ōdinas tou thanatou. The word translated “pains” denotes properly “the extreme sufferings of parturition, and then any severe or excruciating pangs.” Hence, it is applied also to death, as being a state of extreme suffering. A very frequent meaning of the Hebrew word of which this is the translation is cord or band. This, perhaps, was the original idea of the word; and the Hebrews expressed any extreme agony under the idea of bands or cords closely drawn, binding and constricting the limbs, and producing severe pain. Thus, death was represented under this image of a band that confined people, that pressed closely on them, that prevented escape, and produced severe suffering. For this use of the word חבל chebel, see Psalm 119:61; Isaiah 66:7; Jeremiah 22:23; Hosea 13:13. It is applied to death, Psalm 18:5, “The snares of death prevented me”; corresponding to the word “sorrows” in the previous part of the verse; Psalm 116:3, “The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell (Hades or Sheol, the cords or pains that were binding me down to the grave) gat held on me.”
We are not to infer from this that our Lord suffered anything after death. It means simply that he could not be held by the grave, but that God loosed the bonds which had held him there; that he now set him free who had been encompassed by these pains or bonds until they had brought him down to the grave. Pain, mighty pain, will encompass us all like the constrictions and bindings of a cord which we cannot loose, and will fasten our limbs and bodies in the grave. Those bands begin to be thrown around us in early life, and they are drawn closer and closer, until we lie panting under the stricture on a bed of pain, and then are still and immovable in the grave – subdued in a manner not a little resembling the mortal agonies of the tiger in the convolutions of the boa constrictor, or like Laocoon and his sons in the folds of the serpents from the Island of Tenedos.
It was not possible – This does not refer to any natural impossibility, or to any inherent efficacy or power in the body of Jesus itself, but simply means that “in the circumstances of the case such an event could not be.” Why it could not be he proceeds at once to show. It could not be consistently with the promises of the Scriptures. Jesus was the “Prince of life” Acts 3:15; he had life in himself John 1:4; John 5:26; he had power to lay down his life and to take it again Judges 10:18; and it was indispensable that he should rise. He came, also, that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death that is, the devil Hebrews 2:14; and as it was his purpose to gain this victory, he could not be defeated in it by being confined to the grave.”
Just as the Scripture says, Rom 1:4, “who was declared the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
4. declared] Better, defined, marked out by sure signs. Same word as Hebrews 4:7 (“He limiteth a certain day”). His Resurrection shewed Him to be none other than the Son. The same Greek word is used in e.g. Acts 10:42; Acts 17:31; and rendered there “ordained;” perhaps rightly so. But obviously its meaning will slightly vary as connected with the Sonship or with the Judgeship of Christ. the Son of God] Cp. Acts 13:32-33, for a close parallel; one of the many between St Paul’s Discourses and Epistles. The Sonship of the Redeemer, the truth proclaimed at His baptism (Matthew 3:17), is enforced and illustrated through the N. T. In this Epistle see especially cch. Romans 5:10, Romans 8:3; Romans 8:29; Romans 8:32. with power] Lit. in power. Cp. 1 Corinthians 15:43. Power attended and characterized His Resurrection, both as cause and as effect. The practical reference here is to the fulness of the proof of the fact. The true Resurrection was not such as that imagined by e.g. Schleiermacher; the creeping forth of a half-slain Man from his grave. It was miracle and triumph. according to the Spirit of holiness] This phrase presents two questions: (1) what is “the Spirit of Holiness”? (2) what is meant by “according to”? We take them in order. A. “The Spirit of Holiness” must mean either the Holy Paraclete, or the sacred Human Spirit of Christ, or His Deity regarded as (what it is, John 4:24,) Spirit. The reference here seems to be to the Paraclete; for (1) in this Epistle He is very frequently referred to, in a way which makes an initial reference here highly probable; (2) the expression “Holy Spirit” is so closely akin to “Spirit of Holiness” that any reference of the words other than that to the Paraclete would need special evidence; and such evidence can hardly be found in St Paul. (See 1 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 9:14; for the nearest approaches to it in N. T.) B. The words “according to” may refer to the Paraclete, either (1) as the Agent in the Incarnation (Luke 1:35), or (2) as concerned in the Resurrection (see Romans 8:11 for a very partial parallel), or (3) as the Inspirer of the Prophets. Of these possibilities (1) is most unlikely, for the Sonship of Christ here in question is plainly the Eternal Sonship (see Romans 9:5), not that of the Incarnation; (2) accords better with Scripture usage; but (3) far more so, in view of the frequent mention of the Holy Spirit as the Inspirer. See Acts 20:23; 1 Timothy 4:1; Hebrews 3:7; Hebrews 9:8; Hebrews 10:15, (and cp. 1 Peter 1:11); for places where “the Spirit” is evidently the Holy Spirit as the Author of Prophecy. The present passage will thus mean: “He was declared to be the Son of God, with power, (even as the Holy Ghost foretold,) in consequence of the resurrection.” by the resurrection] Lit. out of, from; i.e. in consequence, as a result, of. The same construction and meaning occur e.g. 2 Corinthians 13:4, where lit. “He was crucified out of weakness; He liveth out of the power of God; we shall live out of, &c.” The grand result of the resurrection here stated is that His prophesied character and dignity were, by the resurrection, made unmistakably clear.”
13.) Rev 20:6, “Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they
will be priests of God and of Christ, and will reign with Him for a thousand years.”
Blessed – That is, his condition is to be regarded as a happy or a favored one. This is designed apparently to support and encourage those who, in the time of John, suffered persecution, or who might suffer persecution afterward.
And holy – That is, no one will be thus honored who has not an established character for holiness. Holy principles will then reign, and none will be exalted to that honor who have not a character for eminent sanctity.
That hath part in the first resurrection – That participated in it; that is, who is associated with those who are thus raised up.
On such the second death hath no power – The “second death” is properly the death which the wicked will experience in the world of woe. See Revelation 20:14. The meaning here is, that all who are here referred to as having part in the first resurrection will be secure against that. It will be one of the blessed privileges of heaven that there will be absolute security against death in any and every form; and when we think of what death is here, and still more when we think of “the bitter pains of the second death,” we may well call that state “blessed” in which there will be eternal exemption from either.
But they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him – notes at Revelation 1:6; Revelation 5:10.
Section b. – Condition of the world in the period referred to in Revelation 20:4-6.
I. It is well known that this passage is the principal one which is relied on by those who advocate the doctrine of the literal reign of Christ on the earth for a thousand years, or who hold what are called the doctrines of the “second advent.” The points which are maintained by those who advocate these views are substantially:
(a) that at that period Christ will descend from heaven to reign personally upon the earth;
(b) that he will have a central place of power and authority, probably Jerusalem;
(c) that the righteous dead will then be raised, in such bodies as are to be immortal;
(d) that they will be his attendants, and will participate with him in the government of the world;
(e) that this will continue during the period of a thousand years;
(f) that the world will be subdued and converted during this period, not by moral means, but by “a new dispensation” – by the power of the Son of God; and,
(g) that at the close of this period all the remaining dead will be raised, the judgment will take place, and the affairs of the earth will be consummated.
continued…”
14.) Rom 15:13, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Now the God of hope,…. This character is taken from the latter part of Romans 15:12, and is occasioned by it, “in him shall the Gentiles trust”, or “hope”; and is proper to God as he is the author and giver of this grace; for naturally men are without it; that which is a good hope is the gift of God, and through his grace, and is wrought in the heart in regeneration; for to this are the children of God begotten again. Moreover, God is the object of it; not wealth and riches, nor works of righteousness, but Jehovah, Father, Son, and Spirit, particularly Christ, is called the believer’s hope; that is, the object of it, in whom the Gentiles hope and trust. Likewise, it is God that encourages to the exercise of it by the proclamations of his grace, and mercy, and plenteous redemption; by the discoveries of his love, and views of interest in him; and by bringing to mind the past experiences of his goodness: he preserves and maintains this grace useful and lively, firm and steadfast, at least in being, which sometimes seems almost perished and gone; he increases it, and causes his people to abound in the exercise of it, and continues it even unto death. The Ethiopic version reads, “the God of our promises”, which are what hope has respect unto, and builds upon:
fill you with all joy and peace in believing. This is a petition to the God of hope. The apostle has recourse again to prayer, knowing that all his exhortations would be useless, without the grace of God accompanying them: and it is observable, that he prays for the same things mentioned in the above prophecies and promises, as joy, peace, and hope; for though God has promised ever so great things concerning his people, he will be inquired of by them to do them for them. One part of this petition is, that God would “fill them with all joy”; not with every kind of joy; not with worldly joy, or with the joy of hypocrites, who rejoice in sin, or in their own boastings, which is evil; but with spiritual joy, joy in God as a covenant God and Father; in Christ, in his person, righteousness, and salvation; and in the Holy Ghost, the author of it, whose fruit it is; and in the Gospel, doctrines, blessings, and promises of it; and in the view and hope of the heavenly glory, amidst various afflictions and tribulations: and it designs an abundance of it, even a fulness thereof; though the petition implies, that as yet it is not full; it is frequently interrupted and broke in upon by the corruption of nature, and falls into sin, by the temptations of Satan, through divine desertions, and various trials and exercises; yet it supposes it may be increased, as by the renewed discoveries of the love of God, of interest in Christ, and through the gracious influences of the Spirit; and even made full and complete, though not in this, yet in the other world: another branch of the petition is, that God would fill with “peace”, with a sense of their peace with him, made by the blood of Christ; with a conscience peace in their own breasts, arising from a view of their justification by the righteousness of Christ, and from the sprinklings of his blood upon them; and also with peace one among another, which was much wanting, and the apostle was very desirous of: and all this he asks, that it might come to them “in believing”; in the way of faith, and the exercise of that grace; for joy comes this way; faith and joy go together; where one is, the other is also; and as the one increases, so does the other; a believing view of interest in Christ is attended with joy unspeakable, and full of glory: and so peace comes in at the door of faith: there is no true peace till a soul is brought to believe in Christ; and that is promoted and increased by repeated acts of faith on Christ, or by a constant living by faith on him; see Isaiah 26:3. The end for which this petition is made is,
that ye may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost. By hope is meant that grace which God is the author, object, and promoter of; and the Syriac version reads it, “in his hope”, or “the hope of him”; of enjoying him, of meeting with him, and having communion with him in his house and ordinances; of having fresh supplies of grace from him, and of being favoured with all the blessings of grace laid up in an everlasting covenant, and at last with eternal life and glory: to “abound” herein, is to be in the free and frequent exercise of this grace, being encouraged by the grace of God, and an enlarged experience of it, and supported by faith, the substance of things hoped for: and this “through the power of the Holy Ghost”; not by might or power of man, but by that same divine power which first began the good work, and must fulfil it; which at first implanted the grace of hope, and must perform the work of that, as of faith. The same power is requisite to cause grace to abound, or saints to abound in the exercise of it, as was to the first production of it. The Vulgate Latin reads, “that ye may abound in hope, and in the power of the Holy Ghost”; but there is no copulative in the Greek text.”
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1.) Mat 5:3, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.”
2.). Mat 5:4, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
3.) Mat 5:5, “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.”
4.). Mat 5:6, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”
5.). Mat 5:7, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”
6.).Mat 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
7.) Mat 11:29, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.”
8.) Mat 16:17, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in Heaven.”
9.) Mat 16:24, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.”
10.) Mat 19:26, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
11.) Mat 19:28, “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
12.) Mat 20:19, “and will hand Him over to the Gentiles to mock and scourge and crucify Him, and on the third day He will be raised up.”
13.)Mat 20:28, “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
14.) Mat 21:22, “And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”
15.)Mat 21:42, “Did you never read in the Scriptures, ‘THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone; THIS CAME ABOUT FROM THE LORD, AND IT IS MARVELOUS IN OUR EYES’?”
16.)Mat 22:21, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.”
17.)Mat 22:29, “You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures nor the power of God.”
18.)Mat 22:32, ‘I AM THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND THE GOD OF JACOB’? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.”
19.) Mat 23:33, “You serpents, you brood of vipers, how will you escape the sentence of Hell?”
20.) Mat 24:4, “See to it that no one misleads you.”
21.)Mat 24:7, “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in many places there will be famines and earthquakes.”
22.)Mat 24:11, “Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.”
23.)Mat 24:13, “But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.”
24.). Mat 24:14, “This Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.”
25.)Mat 24:24, “For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.”
26.)Mat 24:30, “And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory.”
27.) Mat 24:33, “so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door.”
28.)Mat 24:35, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Words will not pass away.”
29.) Mat 24:38, “For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark,”
30.) Mat 24:42, “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.”
31.) Mat 25:21, “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your Master.’”
32.)Mat 25:30, “Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
33.) Mat 25:31, “But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne.”
34.) Mat 25:33, “and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left.”
35.)Mat 25:34, “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”
36.)Mat 25:40, “The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’
37.) Mat 25:41, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels.”
38.) Mat 25:46, “These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
39.)Mat 26:28, “for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.”
40.)Mat 26:41, “Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
41.) Mat 26:52, “Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword.”
42.) Mat 26:64, “You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you will see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, and COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN.”
43.)Mat 28:18, “All authority has been given to Me in Heaven and on earth.”
44.)Mat 28:19, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,”
45.) Mat 28:20, “teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world.”
46.)Mar 1:15, “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel.”
47.)Mar 2:10, “But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”
48.) Mar 2:17, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
49.) Mar 3:24, “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.”
50.)Mar 3:25, “If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.”
51.)Mar 3:29, “but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”—
52.)Mar 3:35, “For whoever does the will of God, he is My brother and sister and mother.”
53.)Mar 4:9, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
54.)Mar 4:19, “but the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the Word, and it becomes unfruitful.”
55.) Mar 4:25, “For whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him.”
56.)Mar 5:36, “Do not be afraid any longer, only believe.”
57.)Mar 6:4, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and among his own relatives and in his own household.”
58.)Mar 7:6, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME.”
59.) Mar 7:10, “For Moses said, ‘HONOR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER’; and, ‘HE WHO SPEAKS EVIL OF FATHER OR MOTHER, IS TO BE PUT TO DEATH’;
60.) Mar 7:13, “thus invalidating the Word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that.”
61.)Mar 7:21, “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries,”
62.)Mar 9:44, [where THEIR WORM DOES NOT DIE, AND THE FIRE IS NOT QUENCHED.]
63.) Mar 10:6, “But from the beginning of creation, God MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE.”
64.)Mar 10:11, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her;”
65.) Mar 10:14, “Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”
66.).Mar 10:18, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.”
67.) Mar 10:25, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.”
68.) Mar 10:44, “and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all.”
69.)Mar 11:22, “Have faith in God.”
70.)Mar 11:26, [But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in Heaven forgive your transgressions.”
71.) Mar 12:11, “THIS CAME ABOUT FROM THE LORD, AND IT IS MARVELOUS IN OUR EYES’?”
72.) Mar 12:17, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
73.). Mar 12:30, “AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.’
74.) Mar 13:7, “When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be frightened; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end.”
75.) Mar 13:10, “The Gospel must first be preached to all the nations.”
76.) Mar 13:13, “You will be hated by all because of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.”
77.)Mar 8:36, “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?”
78.)Mar 8:38, “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My Words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”
79.)Mar 9:23, “ ‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.”
80.)Mar 9:31, “The Son of Man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him; and when He has been killed, He will rise three days later.”
81.)Mar 9:35, “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”
82.)Mar 9:40, “For he who is not against us is for us.”
83.)Mar 10:15, “Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”
84.) Mar 10:25, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.”
85.)Mar 10:34, “They will mock Him and spit on Him, and scourge Him and kill Him, and three days later He will rise again.”rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.”
86.)Mar 10:27, “With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.”
87.) Mar 11:22, “Have faith in God.”
88.) Mar 13:8, “For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in many places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.”
89.)Mar 13:31, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Words will not pass away.”
90.)Mar 13:37, “What I say to you I say to all, ‘Be on the alert!’”
91.)Mar 14:38, “Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
92.) Mar 16:16, “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.”
93.)Luk 4:4, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE.’”
94.)Luk 5:27, “Follow Me.”
95.)Luk 5:32, “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”
96.)Luk 6:5, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
97.)Luk 6:21, “Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.”
98.)Luk 6:38, “Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”
99.)Luk 6:39, “A blind man cannot guide a blind man, can he? Will they not both fall into a pit?”
100.)Luk 6:40, “A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher.”
101.) Luk 6:41, “Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?”
102.)Luk 6:43, “For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit.”
103.)Luk 6:44, “For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush.”
104.)Luk 6:45, “The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.”
105.)Luk 6:46, “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?”
106.)Luk 7:22, “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: the BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM.”
107.)Luk 7:35, “Yet wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”
108.)Luk 8:17, “For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light.”
109.)Luk 8:21, “My mother and My brothers are these who hear the Word of God and do it.”
110.)Luk 9:23, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.”
111.) Luk 9:24, “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it.”
112.) Luk 9:62, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God.”
113.)Luk 10:3, “Go; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.”
114.)Luk 10:16, “The one who listens to you listens to Me, and the one who rejects you rejects Me; and he who rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me.”
115.)Luk 10:20, “Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in Heaven.”
116.)Luk 10:22, “All things have been handed over to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.”
117.)Luk 10:42, “but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
118.Luk 11:9, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”
119.) Luk 11:23, “He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me, scatters.”
120.) Luk 11:28, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the Word of God and observe it.”
121.) Luk 11:34, “The eye is the lamp of your body; when your eye is clear, your whole body also is full of light; but when it is bad, your body also is full of darkness.”
122.) Luk 12:2, “But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.”
123.) Luk 12:5, “But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into Hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!”
124.) Luk 12:15, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.”
125.) Luk 12:20, “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’”
126.) Luk 12:23, “For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.”
127.) Luk 12:26, “If then you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about other matters?”
128.) Luk 12:27, “Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.”
129.) Luk 12:32, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the Kingdom.”
130.) Luk 12:34, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
131.) Luk 12:35, “Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit.”
132.) Luk 13:3, “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
133.) Luk 13:24, “Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.”
134.) Luk 13:29, “And they will come from east and west and from north and south, and will recline at the table in the Kingdom of God.”
135.) Luk 14:11, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
136.) Luk 14:13, “But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind.”
137.) Luk 14:27, “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.”
138.) Luk 14:33, “So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.”
139.) Luk 15:10, “In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
140.) Luk 15:18, ‘I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against Heaven, and in your sight.”
141.) Luk 15:24, “for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.”
142.) Luk 16:10, “He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.”
143.) Luk 16:13, “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”
144.) Luk 16:15, “You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God.”
145.) Luk 16:31, “But he said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’”
146.) Luk 17:26, “And just as it happened in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man:”
147.) Luk 17:32, “Remember Lot’s wife.”
148.) Luk 17:33, “Whoever seeks to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.”
149.) Luk 18:27, “The things that are impossible with people are possible with God.”
150.) Luk 19:10, “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
151.) Luk 19:46, “It is written, ‘AND MY HOUSE SHALL BE A HOUSE OF PRAYER,’ but you have made it a ROBBERS’ DEN.”
152.) Luk 20:25, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
153.) Luk 20:38, “Now He is not the God of the dead but of the living; for all live to Him.”
154.) Luk 21:8, “See to it that you are not misled; for many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not go after them.”
155.) Luk 22:40, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
156.) Luk 22:69, “But from now on THE SON OF MAN WILL BE SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND of the power OF GOD.”
157.) Luk 23:34, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”
158.) Luk 24:25, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!”
159.) Luk 24:39, “See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.”
160.) Luk 24:46, “Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day,”
161.) Luk 24:49, “And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
162.) Jhn 1:43, “Follow Me.”
163.) Jhn 3:3,“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
164.) Jhn 3:5, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God.”
165.) Jhn 3:6, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
166.) Jhn 3:7, “Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’
167.) Jhn 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
168.) Jhn 3:18, “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
169.) Jhn 3:20, “For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.”
170.) Jhn 3:21, “But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.’
171.) Jhn 4:14, “but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”
172.) Jhn 4:24, “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in Spirit and truth.”
173.) Jhn 4:34, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work.”
174.) Jhn 4:37, “For in this case the saying is true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’
175.) Jhn 5:6, “Do you wish to get well?”
176.) Jhn 5:17, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.”
177.) Jhn 5:21, “For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes.”
178.) Jhn 5:22, “For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son.”
179.) Jhn 5:23, ”so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.”
180.) Jhn 5:24, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My Word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.”
181.) Jhn 5:29, “and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.”
182.) Jhn 5:30, “I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”
183.) Jhn 6:12, “Gather up the leftover fragments so that nothing will be lost.”
184.) Jhn 6:29, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”
185.) Jhn 6:35, “I AM the Bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.”
186.) Jhn 6:37, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.”
187.) Jhn 6:38, “For I have come down from Heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”
188.) Jhn 6:40, “For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”
189.) Jhn 6:47, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.”
190.) Jhn 6:51, “I AM the living Bread that came down out of Heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh.”
191.) Jhn 6:63, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the Words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.”
192.) Jhn 7:7, “The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it, that its deeds are evil.”
193.) Jhn 7:17, “If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself.”
194.) Jhn 7:24, “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”
195.) Jhn 7:37, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.”
196.) Jhn 8:58, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I AM.”
197.) Jhn 9:5, “While I AM in the world, I AM the Light of the world.”
198.) Jhn 10:9, “I AM the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.”
199.) Jhn 10:11, “I AM the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”
200.) Jhn 10:14, “I AM the good Shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me,”
201.) Jhn 10:26, “But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep.”
202.) Jhn 10:27, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;”
203.) Jhn 10:30, “I and the Father are ONE.”
204.) Jhn 11:9, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world
205.) Jhn 11:25, “I AM the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies,”
206.) Jhn 11:40, “Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
207.) Jhn 12:25, “He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal.”
208.) Jhn 12:26, “If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.”
209.) Jhn 12:31, “Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.”
210.) Jhn 12:32, “And I, if I AM lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.”
211.) Jhn 12:36, “While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light.”
212.) Jhn 12:44, “He who believes in Me, does not believe in Me but in Him who sent Me.”
213.) Jhn 12:45, “He who sees Me sees the One who sent Me.”
214.) Jhn 12:46, “I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness.”
215.) Jhn 12:48, “He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the Word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.”
216.) Jhn 12:50, “I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me.”
217.) Jhn 13:13, “You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I AM.”
218.) Jhn 13:15, “For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.”
219.) Jhn 13:16, “Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him.”
220.) Jhn 13:17, “If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.”
221.) Jhn 13:19, “From now on I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I AM He.”
222.) Jhn 13:20, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.”
223.) Jhn 13:34, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”
224.) Jhn 13:35, “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
225.) Jhn 14:1, “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.”
226.) Jhn 14:2, “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.”
227.) Jhn 14:3, “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.”
228.) Jhn 14:6, “I AM the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”
229.) Jhn 14:7, “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.”
230.) Jhn 14:10, “Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The Words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works.”
231.) Jhn 14:11, “Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves.”
232.) Jhn 14:13, “Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”
233.) Jhn 14:15, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”
234.) Jhn 14:16, “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter, that He may be with you forever;”
235.) Jhn 14:17, “that is the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.”
236.) Jhn 14:19, “After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also.”
237.) Jhn 14:20, “In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.”
238.) Jhn 14:21, “He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.”
239.) Jhn 14:23, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My Word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.”
240.) Jhn 14:26, “But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.”
241.) Jhn 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”
242.) Jhn 15:1, “I AM the true Vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.”
243.) Jhn 15:3, “You are already clean because of the Word which I have spoken to you.”
244.) Jhn 15:4, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.”
245.) Jhn 15:5, “I AM the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”
246.) Jhn 15:7, “If you abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
247.) Jhn 15:9, “Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.”
248.) Jhn 15:10, “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.”
249.) Jhn 15:12, “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.”
250.) Jhn 15:14, “You are My friends if you do what I command you.”
251.) Jhn 15:16, “You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.”
252.) Jhn 15:17, “This I command you, that you love one another.”
253.) Jhn 15:20, “Remember the Word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My Word, they will keep yours also.”
254.) Jhn 15:26, “When the Comforter comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me,”
255.) Jhn 16:12, “I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.”
256.) Jhn 16:13, “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.”
257.) Jhn 16:15, “All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.”
258.) Jhn 16:20, “Truly, truly, I say to you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will grieve, but your grief will be turned into joy.”
259.) Jhn 16:23, “In that day you will not question Me about anything. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you.”
260.) Jhn 16:27, “for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came forth from the Father.”
261.) Jhn 16:28, “I came forth from the Father and have come into the world; I am leaving the world again and going to the Father.”
262.) Jhn 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
263.) Jhn 17:3, “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”
264.) Jhn 17:10, “and all things that are Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine; and I have been glorified in them.”
265.) Jhn 17:14, “I have given them Your Word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.”
266.) Jhn 17:15, “I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one.”
267.) Jhn 17:16, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.”
268.) Jhn 17:17, “Sanctify them in the truth; Your Word is truth.”
269.) Jhn 17:18, “As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.”
270.) Jhn 17:21, “that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.”
271.) Jhn 17:21, “that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.”
272.) Jhn 18:20, “I have spoken openly to the world; I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together; and I spoke nothing in secret.”
273.) Jhn 18:23, “If I have spoken wrongly, testify of the wrong; but if rightly, why do you strike Me?”
274.) Jhn 18:36, Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not of this world. If My Kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My Kingdom is not of this realm.”
275.) Jhn 18:37, Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I AM a King. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My Voice.”
276.) Jhn 19:11, “You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.”
277.) Jhn 19:30, “It is finished!”
278.) Jhn 20:17, “Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.’”
279.) Jhn 20:27, “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.”
280.) Jhn 20:29, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.”
281.) Act 1:8, “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
282.) Act 18:9, “Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent;”
283.) Act 20:35, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
284.) Act 26:18, “to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.’
285.) 2Co 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”
286.) Rev 1:18, “and the Living One; and I was dead, and behold, I AM alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.”
287.) Rev 2:5, ‘Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent.”
288.) Rev 2:7, ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.’”
289.) Rev 2:17, ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.’
290.) Rev 2:25, ‘Nevertheless what you have, hold fast until I come.”
291.) Rev 22:12, “Behold, I AM coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.”
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This is the philosophy of life for all Christians. If you do not know how to live, and do not know what to do with your life; the Holy Bible tells you these are what you should do at all times. At all times means all the times.
1) . Call on God at all times.
Job 27:10, “Or will he take pleasure in the Almighty?
Will he call on God at all times?”
Do you know believers have the right and privilege to call on our Heavenly Father at all times?
Will he delight himself in the Almighty?…. That is, the hypocrite; no, he will not; he may seem to delight in, him, but he does not truly and sincerely; not in him as the Almighty, or in his omnipotence, into whose hands it is a fearful thing to fall, and who is able to destroy soul and body in hell; nor his omniscience, who, searches and knows the hearts of all men, and the insincerity of the hypocrite, covert to men soever he is; nor in his holiness, which at heart he loves not; nor in his ways and worship, word, ordinances, and people, though he makes a show of it, Isaiah 58:2;
will he always call upon God? God only is to be called upon, and it becomes all men to call upon him for all blessings, temporal and spiritual; and this should be done in faith, with fervency, in sincerity and uprightness of soul, and with constancy, always, at all times both of prosperity and adversity; but an hypocrite does not, and cannot call upon God in a sincere and spiritual manner; nor is he constant in this work, only by fits and starts, when it is for his worldly interest and external honour so to do. Now Job was one that delighted in God, was uneasy at his absence, longed for communion with him, sought earnestly after him, frequently and constantly called upon him, though he was wrongly charged with casting off the fear of God, and restraining prayer before him, and therefore no hypocrite. Some understand (f) all this as affirmed of the hypocrite, setting forth his present seeming state of happiness; as that he has a hope of divine favour, and of eternal felicity; has much peace and tranquillity of mind in life, and at death; is heard of God when trouble comes, and so gets out of it, and enjoys great prosperity; professes much delight and pleasure in God, and his ways, and is a constant caller upon him, and keeps close to the external duties of religion; and yet, notwithstanding all this, is in the issue, when death comes, exceeding miserable, as the following part of the chapter shows.”
Conciously for twice I called upon God when I was drowning and He saved me:
When I was a stupid boy with another boy went swimming in a lake of crocodiels when we did not know how to swim. When I was drowning, I physically shouted: Lord save me; not knowing one can pray with the heart and swallowed much water. This was the first time God saved me from drowning and not to be eaten by a crodile. The second time, was the son of a pastor who got my brother and I to a vast dry sea picking soft-shell crabs which was a totally new experience and new environment. The pastor’s boy unpon reflection not only did not inform us of the danger of the tide, he intently wanted to use the tide to drown us. Suddenly, water overflowing dry sea at flood tide high near my kneck, my angel was helping me to run in the water to the shore safely. So was my stupid brother. The pastor’s son did not report to his parents, we were too stupid and too polite to say anything. Unknowingly, I believe the good Lord has saved me many times. Another time, although I was a stupid boy not knowing how to swim, we went island hopping in a sampan. The first time I encounted so many mosquitoes in my life, and we could have drown and eaten by crocodiles. Parents, wathch out your stupid children. I hold the opinion, every child is born stupid except the baby Jesus, the Son of God.
His ways are always grievous;his whole course and carriage is vexatious to all that are within his reach, but especially to the poor, who cannot right themselves; and to just and good men, whom he hateth and persecuteth. Or, His ways, i.e. his designs and enterprises, at all times are prosperous, or successful, or do bring forth; for this verb signifies, as the pains and trouble, so also the success and comfort, of child-bearing, or the bringing forth children, as Psalm 29:9Isaiah 54:1Jeremiah 4:31. And the accomplishment or disappointment of designs is frequently expressed by this metaphor; of which see 2 Kings 19:23Psalm 7:14Isaiah 59:4, &c. And this sense seems best to suit with the context. Thy judgments; either, 1. Thy laws, which are oft called judgments. Or rather, 2. Thy threatenings denounced against and punishments inflicted upon sinners. Are far above out of his sight; either, 1. He doth not feel them; thou removest them far from him; which indulgence of thine is the cause of his insolency. Or rather, 2. He doth not discern, nor regard, nor fear them, nor think of them, but goes on securely and resolvedly in his wicked courses. He hath not so much faith nor reason as to apprehend or consider them, but, like a brute beast, looks only downward to the earth, and minds not things above him. And thus it seems best to agree with the foregoing and following clauses. His devices succeed, and therefore he neither fears God’s judgments, nor the power of his enemies, but fancies his happiness to be unchangeable, as it follows, Psalm 10:6. He puffeth at them, i.e. he despiseth them, being confident that he can blow them away with a breath. This is a gesture of contempt or disdain, both in Scripture, as Psalm 12:5Malachi 1:13, and in other authors, as in Plautus; where one speaks thus to a proud and bragging captain, Thou hast blown away whole legions with thy breath, as leaves are blown away by a wind.”
It is God’s ways that brought me any success in this world. I am eternally grateful for what my Heavenly Father has done for me. I used to envy children of families who had much better success factors than mine, but now as an old man I would not exchange my lifef with any of them.
3.) Bless the Lord at all times.
Psa 34:1, “A Psalm of David, when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed.I will bless the LORD at all times;His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
I will bless the Lord – I will praise him; I will be thankful for his mercies, and will always express my sense of his goodness.
At all times – In every situation of life; in every event that occurs. The idea is, that he would do it publicly and privately; in prosperity and in adversity; in safety and in danger; in joy and in sorrow. It would be a great principle of his life, expressive of the deep feeling of his soul, that God was always to be regarded as an object of adoration and praise.
His praise shall continually be in my mouth – I will be constantly uttering his praises; or, my thanks shall be unceasing. This expresses the “purpose” of the psalmist; and this is an indication of the nature of true piety. With a truly pious man the praise of God is constant; and it is an indication of true religion when a man is “disposed” always to bless God, whatever may occur. Irreligion, unbelief, scepticism, worldliness, false philosophy, murmur and complain under the trials and amidst the dark things of life; true religion, faith, love, spirituality of mind, Christian philosophy, see in God always an object of praise. People who have no real piety, but who make pretensions to it, are disposed to praise and bless God in times of sunshine and prosperity; true piety always regards him as worthy of praise – in the storm as well as in the sunshine; in the dark night of calamity, as well as in the bright days of prosperity. Compare Job 13:15.”
The good Lord had bestowed so many blessings on me which I was not worthy of. They remind me of the Scriptures:Rom 9:15, “For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOMEVER I HAVE MERCY, AND
I WILL SHOW COMPASSION TO WHOMEVER I SHOW
COMPASSION.”
Rom 9:16, “So then, it does not depend on the person
who wants it nor the one who runs, but on God who has mercy.”
Unless the LORD builds a house, they who build it labor in vain;
Unless the LORD guards a city, the watchman stays awake in vain.”
4). Trust in God at all times.
Psa 62:8, “Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your hearts before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah.”
If you live to an advanced age, you will learn that no one is dependable. No one is trustworthy. ONLY God is trustworshu at all times. I had three trusted friends who became traitors. Remember, you enemies can never becoome your traitors.
Trust in him at all times, ye people,…. Of the house of Israel, as the Targum; or of God, as Aben Ezra; all that are Israelites indeed, and are the Lord’s covenant people; these are exhorted and encouraged to trust in him; not in a creature, nor in any outward thing, in riches, wisdom, strength, birth, privileges, the law, and the works of it; in their own righteousness, in their hearts, in themselves or in others; but in the Lord only, both for temporal and spiritual blessings: the Targum is, “in his Word”; his essential Word, by whom the world was made, and who, in the fulness of time, was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and who is a proper object of trust; in him should the people of God trust; in his person for acceptance with God, in his righteousness for justification, in his blood for pardon, in his grace for supply, and in his strength for support, deliverance, and salvation, and that “at all times”: there is no time excepted; there is not a moment in which the Lord is not to be trusted in: he is to be trusted in in adversity as well as in prosperity; in times of affliction, when he is present, and will not forsake; in times of temptation, when his grace is sufficient for them; and in times of darkness, when he will arise and appear unto them;
pour out your heart before him: as Hannah did, 1 Samuel 1:15; and as water is poured out, Lamentations 2:19; it means the desires of the heart, the complaints of the soul, the whole of their case which they should spread before the Lord, and make known unto him; see Psalm 102:1, title, and Psalm 142:2; the phrase denotes the abundance of the heart, and of its requests, and the freedom with which they should be made to the Lord; for through the blood and sacrifice of Christ a believer may come to the throne of grace with boldness and liberty, and there freely tell the Lord all his mind, and all that is in his heart;
God is a refuge for us; to whom the saints may have recourse in all their times of trouble, and where they find safety and plenty, Isaiah 33:16.
Blessed are they that keep judgment,…. Or “observe” (k) it; the righteous judgment of God on wicked men; by which he is known in his justice, holiness, truth, and faithfulness; and by which the inhabitants of the earth observing it, learn to do righteousness, as follows: or else it may intend the word of God, his laws, statutes, and ordinances, after called his judgments, Psalm 19:9, which should be observed and kept, as the rule of our actions, walk, and conversation.
And he that doeth righteousness at all times; continually believes in Christ for righteousness, and puts on that as his justifying righteousness; whereby he becomes righteous as he is, 1 John 3:7, and performs acts of righteousness from a principle of grace, as a fruit of regeneration, and an evidence of it, 1 John 2:29, that does it with right views, aims, and ends; not to be justified and saved by it, but because God requires it; and it is for his glory, and to testify subjection to him, and thankfulness for favours received from him. And this is to be done at all times; we should never be weary of well doing, but be always abounding in good works; and happy are those that will be found so doing, such are “blessed” persons: not that their blessedness lies in or arises from righteousness done by them; but this is descriptive of such that are blessed in Christ with the remission of sins, and his justifying righteousness. And these are the proper persons to show forth the mighty acts and praise of the Lord; they are most capable of it, and more likely to perform it with acceptance than any other; see Psalm 50:14.”
Ordinance in Hebrew ismišpāṭwhich means judgment; verdict; decicion; formal decree; law; rule; precept; canon; — which occurs 424 times in the Old Testament.
My soul breaketh for the longing,…. His heart was just ready to break, and his soul fainted; he was ready to die, through a vehement desire of enjoying the object longed for, after mentioned; “hope deferred makes the heart sick”, Proverbs 13:1; the phrase is expressive of the greatness, vehemence, and eagerness of his mind after the thing he desired, which follows:that it hath unto thy judgments at all times; not the judgments of God on wicked men, though these are desirable for the glorifying of his justice; nor his dark dispensations of providence, though good men cannot but desire and long for the time when these judgments shall be made manifest: but rather the righteous laws and precepts of God are designed, which he desired to have a more perfect knowledge of, and yield a more constant obedience unto; or, best of all, the doctrines of grace and righteousness, that should be more clearly revealed in the times of the Messiah; who was to set judgment in the earth, his Gospel; and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and glorify the justice of God; than which nothing was more earnestly and importunately wished and longed for by Old Testament saints; see Psalm 119:81.”
7). Love at all times.
Pro 17:17, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
Verse 17. – A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Some find a climax in the two clauses, and translate the last as Revised Version margin, “And is born as a brother for adversity,” the same person being meant in both members of the sentence. A real friend loves his friend in prosperity and adversity; yea, he is more than a friend in time of need – he is a brother, as affectionate and as trusty as one connected by the closest ties of relationship (comp. Proverbs 18:24). Siracides gives a very cruel version of this proverb, “A friend cannot be known in prosperity; and an enemy cannot be hidden in adversity. In the prosperity of a man enemies will be grieved; but in his adversity even a friend will depart” (Ecclus. 12:8, etc.). Cicero had a truer notion of the stability of friendship when he quoted Ennius’s dictum, “Amicus certus in re incerta cernitur” (‘De Amicit.,’ 17.). Misfortune, says our maxim, is the touchstone of friendship; and one Greek gnome enjoins – Ἰδίας νόμιζε τῶν φίλων τὰς συμφοράς “Thy friend’s misfortunes deem to be thine own;” while another runs – Κρίνει φίλους ὁ καιρὸς ὥς χρυσὸν τὸ πῦρ. “The crisis tests a friend, as fire the gold.” Septuagint, “Have thou a friend forevery crisis, and let brethren be useful in adversities; for for this they are made.” Commenting on the expression, “is born,” Wordsworth fancifully remarks, “Adversity brings him forth. He comes, as it were, out of the womb of calamity, and seems to be born for it.” Proverbs 17:17,”
8. ) Pray at all times and not become discouraged.
Luk 18:1, “Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not become discouraged.”
And he spoke a parable unto them,…. To his own disciples, as the Ethiopic version reads, in order to encourage them to prayer, with perseverance in it; since such sore times of trial and affliction were coming upon the Jews, of which he had spoken in the preceding chapter; and such times more especially call for prayer; see Psalm 50:15to this end, that men ought always to pray. This is opposed to them, who pray not at all, or have left off prayer before God, or who pray only in distress; and suggests, that a man should pray as often as he has an opportunity; should be constant and assiduous at the throne of grace, and continue putting up his requests to God, though he does not presently return an answer:
and not to faint; by reason of afflictions, temptations, desertions, and delays in answering prayer; and prayer itself is an admirable antidote against fainting under afflictive providences: it is with the Jews an affirmative precept that a man should pray, , “every day” (k); it was usual with them to pray three times a day; see Psalm 55:17 there is no set time fixed by Christ; men should be always praying. This is not to be understood, that a man should be always actually engaged in the work of prayer; that he should be continually either in his closet, in private devotion to God, or attending exercises of more public prayer, with the saints; for there are other religious exercises to be performed, besides prayer; and besides, there are many civil affairs of life, it is every man’s indispensable duty to regard: nor does our Lord mean in the least to break in upon, or interrupt the natural and civil duties of life; but his meaning is, that a man should persevere in prayer, and not leave off, or be dejected, because he has not an immediate answer; and this is clear from the following case.”
9). Pray that you will have strength to escape.
Luk 21:36, “But stay alert at all times, praying that you will have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Watch ye therefore, and pray always,…. Watch against every sin, snare, and temptation; particularly, against the above things, surfeiting, drunkenness, and worldly cares; pray continually, for fresh supplies of grace: that ye may be counted worthy; not for watchfulness and prayer, but through the grace and goodness of God: to escape all these things that shall come to pass; the dreadful miseries and distress, that shall come upon the Jews:
and to stand before the Son of man; with intrepidity, confidence, and pleasure; and meet him at his coming in this way, with joy and comfort; and likewise at death, and at judgment; see 1 John 2:28.”
10.) Pray at all times in the Spirit.
Eph 6:18, “With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be alert with all perseverance and every request for all
18. praying always] Lit., praying on every occasion, every incident of life, especially every incident of temptation. Cp. the yet broader and deeper precept, 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “pray without intermission.” See too Luke 18:1; Php 4:6; Colossians 1:3; Colossians 1:9; Colossians 4:2. The attitude of the believer’s mind is to be one of perpetual prayer, in the sense of continuously maintaining a trustful and humble reference of all parts of life to his Lord’s will and grace. This will express itself in acts, if only momentary and wholly internal acts, of adoration and petition at each felt crisis of need. See Hebrews 4:16. with] Lit., by means of; the expressions being the instruments of the spiritual state. all prayer and supplication] “All:”—every variety; deliberate, ejaculatory; public, private, secret; confessing, asking, praising. Or again, more simply, with a full, not partial and stubborn, employment of the privilege and resource of prayer. “Prayer” is the larger word, “supplication” the more definite. The former includes the whole attitude and action of the creature’s approach to God; the latter denotes only petition. “Prayer,” however, is very often used in this narrower sense. See out of many passages Matthew 5:44; Luke 22:40.—The two words occur together, as here, Php 4:6; 1 Timothy 2:1; 1 Timothy 5:5. in the Spirit] So also R. V. Lit., “in spirit;” but see last note on Ephesians 2:22 above.—The Holy Spirit was to be “the Place” of the prayer, in the sense of being the surrounding, penetrating, transforming atmosphere of the spirit of the praying Christian. Cp. Zechariah 12:10; Romans 8:26; Judges 20. watching] Keeping awake. The Gr. word occurs also Mark 13:33; Luke 21:36; Hebrews 13:17. There was to be no indolent, somnolent oblivion of the need of prayer, or of the fact of offered prayer. For similar precepts (with another Gr. word) see Matthew 26:41; Colossians 4:2; 1 Peter 4:7. with all perseverance] Lit., in (as R. V.).—“All:”—that is, “full,” “utmost;” so “all faith” (1 Corinthians 13:2).—For a close parallel to the thought see Romans 12:12; where lit., “in the (matter of) prayer, persevering.” Our Lord’s parable (Luke 18:1, &c.), makes it plain that persistency as well as trust has a mysterious value in the efficacy of prayer. supplication] “All supplication;” the “all” being implied from the previous words. “All:”—with the full particularity and thoughtfulness proper to faithful intercessions. for all saints] Lit., for all the saints. With a noble abruptness the thought, long detained upon the combat and resources of the individual, and of the single community, now runs out to the great circle of the Church. The inner connexion of ideas is close and strong. The Christian cannot really arm himself with Christ, and use his armour, without getting nearer in sympathy to the brotherhood of the saints of Christ. Cp. 1 Peter 5:9 for the same connexion otherwise indicated. “Saints:”—see on Ephesians 1:1 above.”
11.) Fear sin and its consequences at all times.
Pro 28:14, “Blessed and favored by God is the man who fears sin and its consequence at all times, but he who hardens his heart and is determined to sin will fall into disaster.”
Verse 14. – Happy is the man that feareth alway. Some have taken the fear mentioned to be the fear with which God is to be regarded. Thus Aben Ezra. But it is rather the fear of sin which is meant – that tender conscience and watchful heart which lead a man robe prepared for temptation and able to resist it when it arises. Such a one distrusts himself, takes heed lest he fall (1 Corinthians 10:12), and works out his salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12; comp. Proverbs 14:16). “Grow not thoughtless of retribution” (‘Pirke Aboth,’ 1:8). A horror of sin cannot be instilled too early into the young. Septuagint, “Happy is the man who piously (δἰ εὐλάβειαν) fears all things.” St. Bernard (‘In Cant. Serm.,’ 54:9),” In veritate didici, nil aeque efficax esse ad gratiam promerendam, retinendam, recuperandam, quam si omni tempore coram Deo inveniaris non altum sapere, sed timere. Time ergo cum arriserit gratia, time cum abierit, time cum denuo revertetur; et hoc est semper pavidum esse.” He that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief; or, calamity (Proverbs 17:20). A man hardens his heart who attends not to the voice of conscience, the restraints of religion, the counsel of friends, the warnings of experience (comp. ver. 26; Proverbs 29:1; Exodus 8:15; Psalm 95:8). This man scorns the grace of God, loses his protection, and must come to misery. Proverbs 28:14.”
12.) Let your speech at all times be gracious and pleasant.
Col 4:6, “Let your speech at all times be gracious and
pleasant, seasoned with salt, so that you will know how to answer each one who questions you.”
6. your speech] Talking, discourse. The precept here may well be applied to the Christian’s whole use of the tongue (see Ephesians 4:29). But the context gives it a special reference, surely, to his discourse about the Gospel with those “without.” alway] Observe the characteristic absoluteness of the Christian precept. with grace] Lit., in grace. See above, on Colossians 3:16. Lightfoot explains, “with acceptance, pleasingness”; and quotes from the Greek of Psalms 44 :(Heb. and Eng. 45)2; Sir 21:16. But would not this be a unique, and so unlikely, use of the word in St Paul? seasoned with salt] which they were (Mark 9:50) to “have in themselves.” The reference of the metaphor is fixed by the practical parallel, Ephesians 4:29; “corrupt, decayed, discourse.” The “salt” is the power of Christ’s grace, banishing all impurity of motive, and all uncleanness of allusion, and at the same time giving the pleasant “savour” of sound and nourishing “food for thought.”—The classics, Latin and (less commonly) Greek, use the “salt” of speech as a metaphor; but almost always in the sense of wit, pleasantry, often of the very kind censured Ephesians 5:4. Seneca speaks of “poisoned salt,” venenati sales, meaning malicious jests.—“Seasoned &c.” here is constructed in the Greek with “speech.” that you may know] As those will who, in the grace of God, remember this sound rule of discourse. to answer every man] “who asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15), in whatever spirit. The thought is, surely, not so much of cleverly adjusted repartee, as of the clear, kindly candour and good sense which would so state the truth of Christ, in the “answer,” as to meet any and every questioner with conciliation.”
13.) May the Lord grant you His peace at all times.
2Th 3:16, “Now may the Lord of peace Himself grant you His peace at all times and in every way that peace and spiritual well-being that comes to those who walk with Him, regardless of life’s circumstances. The Lord be with you all.”
Conclusion of the Letter. Ch. 2 Thessalonians 3:16-1816. Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means] Lit., But may the Lord, &c.; for there is a contrast between the directions just given and the peace for which the Apostle prays. Peace was disturbed by an irritating kind of disorder in the Church, by wild rumours and alarms respecting the Parousia (ch. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2), as well as by the unrelenting persecution from without. St Paul has done his best to tranquillize his readers’ minds, and bring them all to a sober and orderly condition. But he looks to “the Lord of peace Himself” to shed on them His all-controlling and all-reconciling influence. Christ is invoked as the Lord of peace (comp. 2 Thessalonians 3:5), just as God was called “the God of peace” in 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (see note; and on the import of “peace” in St Paul, note to 1 Thessalonians 1:1). Christ is Lord and Disposer of the peace which the Gospel brings (comp. Colossians 3:15, R.V.). This St Paul asks, first (ch. 2 Thessalonians 1:2) and last, for the troubled and harassed Thessalonians. “Always” represents a different Greek adverb from that so often used in these letters (1 Thessalonians 1:2, &c.); it denotes not on every occasion, but through all,—“continually,” as the same adverb is rendered in Luke 24:53, Hebrews 13:15 : the Lord … give you peace at all times in all ways (R.V.). Nor is it the Lord’s sovereign peace alone, but the Lord Himself, in His personal presence and authority (comp. Matthew 28:18; Matthew 28:20), Whom the Apostle invokes. The Lord be with you all, as in 2 Thessalonians 3:18,—not excluding the “brother walking disorderly,” who even more than others needs the presence of the Lord and the virtue of His peace. Comp. 1 Corinthians 16:24, 2 Corinthians 13:14, where the “all” of the Benediction has a like pointed significance; also note on 1 Thessalonians 5:27.”
14.) Let us at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise.
Heb 13:15, “Through Him, therefore, let us at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name.”
By him, therefore – The Jews approached God by the blood of the sacrifice and by the ministry of their high priest. The exhortation of the apostle here is founded on the general course of argument in the Epistle “In view of all the considerations presented respecting the Christian High Priest – his dignity, purity, and love; his sacrifice and his intercession, let us persevere in offering through him praise to God.” That is, let us persevere in adherence to our religion.
The sacrifice of praise – For all the mercies of redemption. The Jews, says Rosenmuller (Alte u. neue Morgenland, in loc.), had a species of offerings which they called “peace-offerings, or friendship-offerings.” They were designed not to produce peace or friendship with God, but to preserve it. Burnt-offerings, sin-offerings, and trespass-offerings, were all on account of transgression, and were designed to remove transgression. But in their peace-offerings, the offerer was regarded as one who stood in the relation of a friend with God, and the oblation was a sign of thankful acknowledgment for favors received. or they were connected with vows in order that further blessings might be obtained, or they were brought voluntarily as a means to continue themselves in the friendship and favor of God; Leviticus 7:11-12; compare Jenning’s Jew. Ant. i.335.
That is, the fruit of our lips – The phrase “fruit of the lips.” is a Hebraism, meaning what the lips produce; that is, words; compare Proverbs 18:20; Hosea 14:2.
Giving thanks to his name – To God; the name of one being often put for the person himself. “Praise” now is one of the great duties of the redeemed. It will be their employment forever.”
15.) Be alert and cautious at all times.
1Pe 5:8, “Be sober, be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion , seeking someone to devour.”
Verse 8. – Be sober, be vigilant (comp. 1 Thessalonians 5:6). For the first word, νήψατε, see note on 1 Peter 4:7. The second γρηγόρησατε, is the word so often and so emphatically used by our Lord (Mark 13:35, 37; Matthew 26:40, 41, etc.). The imperatives are aorist, as in 1 Peter 4:7; and, as there, either imply that the exhortation was needed by the readers, or are used to express vividly the necessity of instant attention. Because your adversary the devil. The conjunction “because” is omitted in the best manuscripts. The asyndeten, as in the last clause, increases the emphasis. The word rendered “adversary” ἀντίδικος means properly an opponent in a lawsuit, as in Matthew 5:25; but it is also used generally for “adversary,” and so is a translation of the Hebrew word Satan. The word διάβολος, devil, means “slanderer,” “false accuser.” As a roaring lion. He is called a serpent to denote his subtlety, a lion to express his fierceness and strength. The word rendered “roaring” ὠρυόμενος is used especially of the cries of wild beasts when ravenous with hunger (see Psalm 104:21; and comp. Psalm 22:13, 21). Walketh about, seeking whom he may devour (comp. Job 1:7; Job 2:2). The words express the restless energy of the wicked one. He cannot touch those who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation; but he walketh about, looking eagerly after any lost sheep that may have wandered from the fold. He roars in the craving of his heart for prey, like a hungry lion, seeking whom he may devour, or (for the reading here is somewhat uncertain) to devour some one, or simply to devour. The Greek word means literally “to drink down;” it implies utter destruction. It is the word in 1 Corinthians 15:54, “Death is swallowed up κατεπόθη in victory.” Satan now seeks whom he may destroy: “The Lord will destroy him that hath the power of death, that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14). 1 Peter 5:8.”
THE WORST OF ALL ARE THOSE WHO HAVE NO CAUTION FOR BEING THROWN INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE. YOU CAN AVOID THE ETERNAL SUFFERINGS BY SIMPLY REPENT OF YOUR SINS AND BELIEVE IN THE LORD JESUS AS YOUR GOD AND SAVIOR. DO IT NOW WHILE YOU CAN.
To know the truth is not enough, you must act upon it.
Will you now accept and believe in the Son of God, Jesus Christ, to be your Lord and Savior. Now is the accepted time. Now is the day of salvation. Would you do it now?
*Our mission is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ absolutely free. We do not want donation. We only want you to know the truth.
If the Texas flooding is an act of God; Ukraine conflict, and conflicts of Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthis must be acts of the devil.
India must coexist with China, at the same time India and South Africa must be expelled from BRICS besause they do not remain true to BRICS’ founding mission, they do not belong, must be replaced by Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. US and EU must not rearm Ukraine, let Russia destroy it, and never to be rebuilt. The leader of Ukraine must also be executed.
Palestinian Authorities are guilty for leading Palestinians to a path of death, children died and suffer malnutrition. Palestian Authorities do not lead Palestinians (who are Arabs) to a land of Arabs to work for a living and build the Palestinian state.
GOD
1. What or Who is God?
It is wrong to ask what is God because God is not a thing or subject. It is also wrong to ask who is God because God is not a man. God is the most difficult to define. God is the Mystery of all mysteries. God is the Creator and Ruler and Protector of the universe. God is Spirit, Holy Father, Heavenly Father and Eternal Father.
JESUS
2. Who is Jesus?
Jesus means Savior. God sent His Son from Heaven to the earth to save sinners. He died for the sins of the BELIEVERS, rose from death by the power of God. Jesus is coming again to reign with the saints for ever because He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords.
The Holy Spirit
3. Who is the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Lord Jesus; He regenerates believers in Christ, sanctifies them and leads them into all truth.
The Trinity
4. What is the Trinity?
The Trinity is not the doctrine of three Gods. The Trinity means the Holy Father, the Holy Son, and the Holy Spirit — the triune God in One.
Salvation
5. What is salvation?
Salvation is the way of God: by grace God justifies whoever believes in Jesus Christ, by gift He grants eternal life to whoever accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Faith
6. What is faith?
Faith is taking the Word of God at face value, and trust He is able to do what He says.
Hope
7. What is hope?
Hope is believing in the assurance that God will accomplish blessed things He promises.
Love
8. What is love?
Love is genuinely directing your hearts toward God and toward those in the faith.
Sin
9. What is sin?
Sin is disobedience to the Word of God. Sin is the violation of the law.
Heaven
10. What is heaven?
Heaven is the paradise of God and to be with God.
Hell
11. What is hell?
Hell is the Lake of Fire and Brimstone, place of eternal suffering in darkness.
Sanctification
12. What is sanctificatin?
Sanctification is making yourself slave to righteousnes, doing the will of God, and abstaining form sexual immorality.
Baptism
13. What is baptism?
Baptism is a Christian rite, symbolizing the old man buried with Christ and rising the new man with good conscience through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The Lord’s Supper
14. What is the Lord’s Supper.
A Christian ritual is done to remember the Body of Christ who died for our sins and the Blood of Jesus who released and cleanses us from our sins.
Justification
15. What is justification?
Through transgression God condemned the sins of all men, and God through the righteousness of Jesus Christ by grace and through faith resulted in justification of life.
The Churh
16. What is the Church?
The Church is the Body of Christ — a body of which Christ is the Head, a body made by one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all. Often misunderstood, you can be a member of a local church –the organized religion, and not a member of the Church of Christ.
The Scriptures
17. What are the Scriptures?
The Scriptures are the Word of God, written in the Holy Bible. The Word of God is supreme and ultimate and eternal.
The Christian
18. Who is the Christian?
A saved believer in Christ, a saint on earth who is working, witnessing, and waiting for the second coming of Jesus Christ. It is not an equivalent of evangelical or fundamentalist. In other words, you can be an evangelical or fundamentalist and not a Christian.
Christianity
19. What is Chritianity?
The Christian Faith or the Christian Religion.
Christendom
20. What is Christendom?
A misnomer of the nonexisten Christian nations on earth.
Grace
21. What is grace?
The undeserved favor that God grants to believers.
The Kingdom of God
22. What is the Kingdom of God?
The dispensation of grace when Jesus Christ began to proclaim the Gospel of God so that sinners may repent and believe to receive the forginness of sins. The Kingdom of God will close when Jesus Christ returns to reign.
The Kingdom of Heaven
23. What is the Kindom of Heaven?
The Kingdom of Heaven is the last phase of the second coming, it fulfils the Kingdom of God when the devil and the wicked will be thrown down to the Lake of Fire and Brimstone for eternal suffering, and the Lord Jesus will begin His eternal reign with the saints. The Kingdom of Heaven is located in the Holy City, the New Jerusalem.
The Rapture
24. What is the Rapture
The Rapture is the first phase to begin the second coming of Christ when those who died in Christ will rise from the dead first and the living saints will be transformed or changed together to meet the Lord in the space. It is a secret process and to be accomplished in the twinkling of an eye.
The Great Tribulation
25. What is the Great Tribulation?
After the Rapture will begin the Great Tribulation a period has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will again. Those days had been cut short. No one knows how many days had been cut short, then Jesus Christ will descend with angels and saints in great power and glory, visible and audible.
The Millennium
26. What is the Millennium?
When Jesus appears again, He will establish the Millennium — a 1,000 year of peaceful reign after the devil has been cast into the abyss so that he can no more deceive the world. Isa 11:6-10 describe the blessed state.
The Armageddon
27. What is the Armageddon?
When the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison, to deceive nations and lead many for the war. The King of kings and the Lord of lords will never need to fight a war, for fire comes
down from Heaven and devours the followers of the devil.
The White Throne judgment
28. What is the White Throne judgment?
After the Armageddon, it is the last judgment for the devil, the beast and the false prophet and all the wicked to be thrown into the Lake of Fire and
Brimstone, where they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.Then ultimately Jesus Christ and the saints will reign in the Kingdom of Heaven forever and ever.
Repentance
29. What is repentance?
Sinners need to repent, a change of heart, feeling sorry for the sins committed, and sorrowful to the point of repentance; turning from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God,and performing deeds consistent with repentance.
The Old Testament
30. What is the Old Testament?
It is the covenant of God with the Jewish people, composed of 39 books, from Genesis to Malachi.
The New Testament
31. What is the New Testament?
It is the covenant of Jesus with the chosen people called Christians. It is composed of 27 books, from the Gospel of Matthew to Revelation.
Idolatry
32. What is idolatry?
The worship of idols or false gods. Money, power and sex can also be idols, the objects of worship.
Adultery
33. What is adultery?
Sexual intercourse committed outside of marriage.
Fornication
34. What is fornication?
Sexual intercouse committed by unmarried persons.
Reconciliation
35. What is reconciliation?
The enmity between God and sinners is made right through the redemption in Jesus Christ.
Adoption
36. What is adoption?
God adopts sinners through the redemption in Christ as sons (children) with inheritance.
Blessed Hope
37. What is the Blessed Hope?
The second coming of Christ for the redemption of the bodies of believers.
The Gospel
38. What is the Gospel?
The good news for all the people that Jesus Christ died for sinners; all who repent and believe in the Lord will receive forgiveness of sins and inherit the eternal life.
Blasphemy
39. What is blasphemy?
Blasphemy is speaking irreverently against God. Jesus warns that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall never be forgiven.
Apostle
40. What is an Apostle?
An Apostle is a special disciple of Jesus Christ. The 12 Apostles of the Lamb are: Peter, Andrew, John, James, Philip, Bartolomew, Thomas, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus;Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariotwas replaced by Paul.
Crucifixion
41. What is crucifixion?
Crucifixion is the Roman cruelest way to execute a person by nailing him/her with metal spikes. Jesus Christ who had no sin, was crucified for our sins.
Devil
42. Who is the devil?
The devil is the deceiver, a fallen angel called Lucifer; a liar and murderer, also called Satan, the dragon, the old serpent.
Hypocrite
43. What is a hypocrite?
A hypocrite is a pretender who sees only the faults of others, but not his own.
Amen
44. What is amen?
Amen, according to Strong’s Concordance:
“The word “amen” is a most remarkable word. It was transliterated directly from the Hebrew into the Greek of the New Testament, then into Latin and into English and many other languages, so that it is practically a universal word. It has been called the best known word in human speech. The word is directly related — in fact, almost identical — to the Hebrew word for “believe” (aman), or faithful. Thus, it came to mean “sure” or “truly”, an expression of absolute trust and confidence. ”
Rabbi
45. What is Rabbi?
Rabbi in Hebrew means “my teacher”, a title of respect for Jewish teachers.
Sabbath
46. What is Sabbath?
It is the seventh day (Saturday) of the week which God sets aside for the Jews to rest.
Satan
47. Who is Satan?
Santan means “accuser.” Another name for the devil who is an enemy of God and God’s children.
Soul
48. What is soul?
Soul is the innermost being of a person. When the soul of a person is departing, the person is dead. God can kill a person’s body and soul in Hell.
Spirit
49. What is spirit?
Spirit is the essence from God, opposed to the flesh. Spirit does not have flesh and bones. We are to worship God in spirit and truth. An angel is a spirit. The spirit of your minds can be renewed. Christians can unite in spirit, stand firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the Gospel. A gentle spirit can be known. OUR spirit and soul and body may be kept complete.
Tripartite OR Trigotomy
50. What is tripartite or trigotomy of mankind?
Holy Trinity is spoken about God, never about man. Man is a tripartite, namely, body, soul and spirit.
sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete, without blame at the coming
of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
This is a new knowledge even the scientists do not know: the entire man is made of spirit and soul and body. Every person knows about body, we should not magnify the obvious. How few know the difference between soul and spirit.
(23) And.—The logic of such an expression as, “Do this, and may you be happy,” lies in the writer’s own connection with both the command and the prayer: “I bid you abstain from every evil kind of thing, and I pray that God Himself may enable you to keep the commandment.”
The very God of peace.—In more usual English, “the God of peace Himself:” the contrast is between the futile efforts after holiness of which they in themselves were capable, and the almighty power of sanctification exercised by God. This sanctification (which is the special work of the Third Person) is here ascribed to the First Person of the Holy Trinity, from whom the Holy Ghost proceeds. He is called (as in Hebrews 13:20) the “God of peace,” not in reference to any dissensions between the Thessalonians (1Thessalonians 5:13), but because of the peace which His sanctification brings into the soul, so that it fears neither temptation’s power nor persecution’s rage. (Comp. the Second Collect for Evensong).
Sanctify you wholly.—Rather, sanctify you whole. The idea is rather that of leaving no part unsanctified, than that of doing the work completely so far as it goes: thus it serves to introduce the next sentence, which explains it.
And I pray God.—If there were need of any insertion, it should have been “We pray God:” Silas and Timothy are never forgotten throughout.
Spirit and soul and body.—This is St. Paul’s fullest and most scientific psychology, not merely a rhetorical piling up of words without any particular meaning being assigned to them. Elsewhere, he merely divides man according to popular language, into two parts, visible and invisible, “body and spirit” (1Corinthians 6:20; 1Corinthians 7:34, et al.); the division into “body and soul” he never uses. (Comp. Note on 1Corinthians 2:14.) The “spirit” (pneuma) is the part by which we apprehend realities intuitively—i.e., without reasoning upon them; with it we touch, see, serve, worship God (John 4:23-24; Romans 1:9; 1Corinthians 6:17; Revelation 1:10, et al.); it is the very inmost consciousness of the man (see, e.g., 1Corinthians 2:11); it is the part of him which survives death (Hebrews 12:23; 1Peter 3:19; comp. Luke 23:46; Acts 7:59). The “soul.” (psyche) includes the intellect, the affections, and the will: and it is of the very essence of the gospel to force sharply upon men the distinction between it and the spirit (Hebrews 4:12). Low-living men may have soul (i.e., intellect, affection, will) in abundance, but their spirit falls into complete abeyance (Jude 1:19); the soul belongs altogether to the lower nature, so that when St. Paul uses the two-fold division, “body and spirit,” the soul is reckoned (not, probably, as Bishop Ellicott says on our present passage, as part of the spirit, but) as part of the body; and when St. Paul describes the “works of the flesh,” he includes among them such distinctly soul-sins as “heresies” (Galatians 5:20). Sanctification preserves all these three divisions entire, and in their due relation to each other; without sanctification, the spirit might be overwhelmed by the other parts gaining the predominance, which would, of course, eventually be the ruin both of “soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28. N.B., that our Lord says nothing of the destruction of the “spirit” in hell: the question is whether He there definitely meant to exclude “spirit,” or used “soul” popularly as including it). Where the New Testament writers acquired such a psychology cannot be determined, but it was probably derived from experimental knowledge of life, not from books, and all experience confirms its accuracy. Modern science tends more and more to show that “soul” is a function of “body.”
Unto the coming.—A mistranslation for “at the coming,” caused by the slight difficulty in understanding the true version. The idea is not so much that of their preservation from sin during the interval, but rather the writers hasten in eager anticipation to the Coming itself, and hope that the Thessalonians at the Coming will be found to have been preserved. “Blameless” should have been “blamelessly.”
At the moment, we do not want to ask the question: What is the soul?
The view taken of this verse will depend on the answer to the question whether תּזכר is second or third pers. fem. Following in the wake of Luther (“Thou wilt assuredly think thereon”), C. B. Michaelis, Pareau, Rosenmller, and Kalkschmidt take it as second pers.: “Think, yea, think wilt Thou, that my soul is bowed down in me,” or “that my soul is at rest within me” (Ngelsbach). But it is impossible to maintain either of these views in the face of the language employed. To take the ו before תּשׁיח in the meaning of quod is characterized by Ngelsbach as an arbitrary procedure, unwarranted either by Genesis 30:27 or Ezekiel 13:11; but neither can the meaning of resting, being at east, which is attributed to שׁוּח or שׁיח by that writer, be established. The verb means to sink down, Proverbs 2:18, and metaphorically, to be bowed down, Psalm 44:26. The latter meaning is required in the present passage, from the simple fact that the sentence undeniably refers to Psalm 42:6.
(Note: Luther’s translation, “for my soul tells me,” is founded on the circumstance that the lxx have mistaken שׁיח for שׂיח: καταδολεσχήσει ἐπ ̓ ἐμὲ ἡ ψυχή μου.)
ותּשׁ expresses the consequence of זכר תּזכר, which therefore can only be the third pers., and “my soul” the subject of both clauses; for there is no logical consecution of the meaning given by such a rendering as, “If Thou wilt remember, my soul shall be bowed within me.” The expression, “If my soul duly meditates thereon (on the deep suffering), it becomes depressed within me,” forms the foundation of the request that God would think of his distress, his misery; and Lamentations 3:21, “I will lay this to heart,” connects itself with the leading thought set forth in Lamentations 3:19, the reason for which is given in Lamentations 3:20, viz., that my soul is only bowed down within me over the thought of my distress, and must complain of it to God, that He may think of it and alleviate it: This will I lay to heart and set my hope upon. על־כּן is a strong inferential expression: “therefore,” because God alone can help, will I hope. This self-encouragement begins with Lamentations 3:22, inasmuch as the prophet strengthens his hope by a consideration of the infinite compassion of the Lord. (It is) חסדי, “the mercies of God,” i.e., proofs of His mercy (cf. Psalm 89:2; Psalm 107:43; Isaiah 63:7), “that we are not utterly consumed,” as Luther and similarly our English translators have excellently rendered תּמנוּ. This form stands for תּמּונוּ, as in Jeremiah 44:18; Numbers 17:1-13 :28, not for תּמּוּ, third pers., as Pareau, Thenius, Vaihinger, and Ewald, referring to his Grammar, 84, b, would take it. The proofs of the grace of God have their foundation in His compassion, from which they flow. In Lamentations 3:23 we take חסדי as the subject of חדשׁים; it is the proofs of the grace of God that are new every morning, not “His compassions,” although the idea remains the same. לבּקרים, every morning, as in Isaiah 33:2; Psalm 73:14. Ubi sol et dies oritur, simul et radii hujus inexhaustae bonitatis erumpunt (Tarnovius in Rosenmller). The consciousness of this constant renewal of the divine favour impels to the prayerful exclamation, “great is Thy faithfulness;” cf. Psalm 36:6.”
Therefore will I hope in him – A more full expression of the confidence present in the prophet’s mind in Lamentations 3:21, but based now upon God’s faithfulness in showing mercy.”
Eze 18:4, “Behold, all souls are Mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine. The
Verse 4. – Behold, all souls are mine, etc. The words imply, not only creation, ownership, absolute authority, on the part of God, but, as even Calvin could recognize (in loc.), “a paternal affection towards the whole human race which he created and formed.” Ezekiel anticipates here, and yet more fully in ver. 32. the teaching of St. Paul, that “God willeth that all men should be saved” (1 Timothy 2:4). The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The sentence, though taken from the Law, which ordered capital punishment for the offences named, cannot be limited to that punishment. “Death” and “life” are both used in their highest and widest meaning – “life” as including all that makes it worth living, “death” for the loss of that only true life which is found in knowing God (John 17:3). Ezekiel 18:4.”
Mat 10:28, “And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear
Him who is able to destroy both soul and body
in Hell.”
God destroys the wicked both soul and body in Hell.
Mat 16:26, “For what good will it do a person if he gains the whole world, but forfeits his soul? Or what will a person give in exchange for his soul?”
For what is a man profited … – To gain the whole world means to possess it as our own – all its riches, its honors, and its pleasures.
“To lose his own soul” means to be cast away, to be shut out from heaven, to be sent to hell. Two things are implied by Christ in these questions:
1. That they who are striving to gain the world, and are unwilling to give it up for the sake of religion, will lose their souls; and,
2. That if the soul is lost, nothing can be given in exchange for it, or that it can never afterward be saved. There is no redemption in hell.”
Luk 1:46-47, “And Mary said:“My soul exalts the Lord,
and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.”
Mary, the mother of Jesus, knew the difference between soul and spirit. Her soul exalts the Lord and her spirit has rejoiced in God her Savior. Do you know how to exalt the Lord with your soul, and rejoice in God your Savior with your spirit? I want to; but I don’t know how. Whatever inside me exalt the Lord, whatever inside me rejoice in God my Savior. But I do not know which is which, which does what.
46–56. The Magnificat 46. And Mary said] This chapter is remarkable for preserving a record of two inspired hymns—the Magnificat and the Benedictus—which have been used for more than a thousand years in the public services of Christendom. The Magnificat first appears in the office of Lauds in the rule of St Caesarius of Arles, a. d. 507. (Blunt, Annotated Prayer Book, p. 33.) It is so full of Hebraisms as almost to form a mosaic of quotations from the Old Testament, and it is closely analogous to the Song of Hannah (1 Samuel 2:1-10). It may also be compared with the Hymn of Judith (Jdg 16:1-17). But it is animated by a new and more exalted spirit, and is specially precious as forming a link of continuity between the eucharistic poetry of the Old and New Dispensation. (See Bp Wordsworth, ad loc.) My soul doth magnify the Lord] 1 Samuel 2:1; Psalm 34:2-3. The soul (ψυχὴ) is the natural life with all its affections and emotions; the spirit (πνεῦμα) is the diviner and loftier region of our being, 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 1 Corinthians 2:10.”
Here is the answer. What is the soul? The soul is the natural life with all its affections and emotions. What is the spirit? The Spirit is the diviner and loftier region of our being. Suffice to say I am not going to debate these definitions.
Luk 24:39, “See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, because a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you plainly see that I have.”
Behold my hands … – Jesus proceeds to give them evidence that he was truly the same person that had been crucified. He first showed them his hands and his feet – still, pierced, and with the wounds made by the nails still open. Compare John 20:27. He told them to handle him and see him. He ate before them. All this was to satisfy them that he was not, as they supposed, a spirit. Nor could better evidence have been given. He appealed to their senses, and performed acts which a disembodied spirit could not do.
Handle me – Or touch me; feel of me. Compare John 20:27.
And see – Be convinced, for you could not thus handle a spirit. The object here was to convince them that his body had really come to life.
For a spirit … – He appeals here to what they well knew; and this implies that the spirit may exist separate from the body. That was the view of the apostles, and our Saviour distinctly countenances that belief.”
A spirit does not have flesh and bones. This is a true knowledge.
Luk 12:20, “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is demanded of you; and as for all that you have prepared, who will own it now?’
20. Thou fool] Literally, “Senseless]” 1 Corinthians 15:36. this night] Compare the death of Nabal, 1 Samuel 25:36. thy soul shall be required of thee] Rather, they demand thy soul of thee. Who are ‘they’? Some say God (Job 27:8), or His death- angels (Job 33:22), or robbers whom they suppose to attack the rich man on the night that his wealth has flowed in. There is however no definite pronoun, the phrase is impersonal, as often in Hebrew. then whose shall those things be] “He heapeth up riches and knoweth not who shall gather them,” Psalm 39:6; Psalm 49:16-17; comp. Psalm 52:7 and James 4:13-15. St James seems to have been deeply impressed with this teaching.”
According to the Scriptures, the fool lost his soul this very night!
Heb 4:12, “For the Word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even
penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
{4} For the {e} word of God is {f} quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of {g} soul and {h} spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
(4) An amplification taken from the nature of the word of God, so powerful that it enters even to the deepest and most inward and secret parts of the heart, fatally wounding the stubborn, and openly reviving the believers.
(e) The doctrine of God which is preached both in the law and in the gospel.
(f) He calls the word of God living, because of the effect it has on those to whom it is preached.
(g) He calls the seat of emotions soul.
(h) By spirit he means the mind.”
I believe in the Scripture, but I know nothing of the division of soul and spirit. Can we accept the definition? The soul is the seat of emotions. The spirit is the mind?
1Pe 2:11, “Beloved, I urge you as foreigners and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts,which wage
11. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims] This is manifestly the beginning of a fresh section of the Epistle. Somewhat after the manner of St Paul, the Apostle, alter having allowed his thoughts to travel through the mysteries of redemption, reaches, as it were, the highest region of the truth, and then pauses in the act of writing or dictating, and takes a fresh start. In doing so, however, he goes back to the opening words of the Epistle (see note on chap. 1 Peter 1:1). Those to whom he wrote were “strangers and pilgrims” (the English reader must remember that “pilgrim” is but another form of peregrinus), not only as belonging to the Jews of the dispersion, but as being, like the patriarchs of old (Hebrews 11:13), men who, in whatever country they might be, felt that their true home was elsewhere. In the LXX. version of Psalm 39:12 we find both the words and the thoughts to which St Peter now gives utterance. It is obvious that the special local position of the disciples, though not, it may be, altogether excluded, is now thrown quite into the background. abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul] The negative aspect of the Christian life is put forward first, as being prior, both in order of thought, and often in that of time, to its more positive development. The entreaty rests upon the character implied in the previous words. Travellers in a strange land, yet more in the land of enemies, do not care commonly to adopt all its customs. They retain their nationality. The exiles who hung their harps by the waters of Babylon did not forget Jerusalem, and would not profane its hymns by singing them at idolfeasts (Psalm 137:1-3). The citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem were in like manner to keep themselves from all that would render them unfit for their true home. The words “fleshly lusts” have, perhaps, a somewhat wider range than the English term suggests, and take in all desires that originate in man’s corrupt nature, as well as those directly connected with the appetites of the body: comp. St Paul’s list of the “works of the flesh” in Galatians 5:19-21. In the description of these as “warring against the soul,” we have another striking coincidence of language with St James (James 4:1) and St Paul (Romans 7:23). “Soul” stands here, as in chap. 1 Peter 1:9, for the higher element of man’s nature which, in the more elaborate threefold division of man’s nature, adopted by St Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:23 and elsewhere, includes both “soul and spirit.”
3Jo 1:2, “Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health,just as your soul
Wrong. This sense of περί is contrary to New Testament usage. The preposition means concerning. So Rev. “I pray that in all things thou mayst prosper.” Εὔχομαι I pray or wish, occurs only here in John’s writings, and not often elsewhere. See Acts 26:29; Romans 9:3; James 5:16.
Mayst prosper (εὐοδοῦσθαι)
Lit., have a prosperous journey. From ἐν well, and ὁδός a way. In this original sense, Romans 1:10. The word occurs only three times in the New Testament. See 1 Corinthians 16:2.
Be in health (ὑγιαίνειν)
Used in the New Testament both in a physical and moral sense. The former is found only here and in Luke’s Gospel. See Luke 5:31; Luke 7:10; Luke 15:27. Paul uses it of soundness in faith or doctrine. See 1 Timothy 1:10; 1 Timothy 6:3; 2 Timothy 1:13; Titus 2:2. Here of Gaius’ bodily health, as is shown by soul in the next clause.
Soul (ψυχή)
See on Mark 12:30; see on Luke 1:46. The soul (ψυχή) is the principle of individuality, the seat of personal impressions. It has a side in contact with both the material and the spiritual element of humanity, and is thus the mediating organ between body and spirit. Its meaning, therefore, constantly rises above life or the living individual, and takes color from its relation to either the emotional or the spiritual side of life, from the fact of its being the seat of the feelings, desires, affections, aversions, and the bearer and manifester of the divine life-principle (πνεῦμα). Consequently ψυχή is often used in our sense of heart (Luke 1:46; Luke 2:35; John 10:24; Acts 14:2); and the meanings of ψυχή soul and πνεῦμα spirit, occasionally approach each other very closely. Compare John 12:27, and John 11:33; Matthew 11:29, and 1 Corinthians 16:18. Also both words in Luke 1:47. In this passage ψυχή soul, expresses the soul regarded as moral being designed for everlasting life. See Hebrews 6:19; Hebrews 10:39; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 2:11; 1 Peter 4:19. John commonly uses the word to denote the principle of the natural life. See John 10:11, John 10:15; John 13:37; John 15:13; 1 John 3:16; Revelation 8:9; Revelation 12:11; Revelation 16:3.”
I think Vincent’s Word Studieshas a better definition of the soul: the principle of individuality, the seat of personal impressions.
Gen 41:38, “Then Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom there is a divine
37–46. Joseph as Grand Vizier 38. such a one as this] Pharaoh and his servants are represented as discerning in Joseph the supreme gifts of one who combined the supernatural power of interpreting dreams with the practical wisdom and sagacity of a statesman. in whom the spirit of God is] The same phrase is employed by Belshazzar when he addresses Daniel: Daniel 5:14, “I have heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee.” The presence and operation of the Spirit of God, in the O.T., account for those special manifestations which surpass the limits of ordinary human capacity, in wisdom or prowess. Cf. Exodus 31:3; Numbers 27:18; Jdg 3:10; Jdg 14:6.”
Divine spirit is the Spirit of God.
Exo 28:3, “You shall speak to all the skillful people
whom I have endowed with the spirit of wisdom, that they make Aaron’s garments to consecrate him, that he may serve as priest to Me.”
Only God can endow with the spirit of wisdom.
1Sa 1:15, “But Hannah answered and said, “No, my lord, I am a woman despairing in spirit; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have poured out my soul before the LORD.”
Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the citizens of Shechem, so that they became treacherous towards him. “An evil spirit” is not merely “an evil disposition,” but an evil demon, which produced discord and strife, just as an evil spirit came upon Saul (1 Samuel 16:14-15; 1 Samuel 18:10); not Satan himself, but a supernatural spiritual power which was under his influence. This evil spirit God sent to punish the wickedness of Abimelech and the Shechemites. Elohim, not Jehovah, because the working of the divine justice is referred to here. “That the wickedness to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood (the blood of these sons that had been shed), to lay it upon Abimelech. ” “And their blood” is only a more precise definition of “the wickedness to the seventy sons;” and “to lay it” is an explanation of the expression “might come.” The introduction of לשׂוּם, however, brings an anakolouthon into the construction, since the transitive שׂוּם presupposes Elohim as the subject and דּמם as the object, whereas the parallel חמס is the subject to the intransitive לבוא: that the wickedness might come, and that God might lay the blood not only upon Abimelech, the author of the crime, but also upon the lords of Shechem, who had strengthened his hands to slay his brethren; had supported him by money, that he might be able to hire worthless fellows to execute his crime (Judges 9:4, Judges 9:5).”
It appears to me, everything, good or evil, is under God’s sovereignty.
1Sa 16:14, “Now the Spirit of the LORD left Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD terrified him.”
This is equally a diffucult passage of the Scripture.
14–23. David’s introduction to the Court of Saul 14. But the spirit of the Lord departed from Saul] Note the contrast to 1 Samuel 16:13. As David rose, Saul sank. an evil spirit from the Lord] The cause of Saul’s mental disorder is described as “an evil spirit from Jehovah,” or “of Jehovah” (1 Samuel 19:9); “an evil spirit of God” (1 Samuel 16:15-16, 1 Samuel 18:10); “the spirit of evil” (1 Samuel 16:23); even “the spirit of God” (1 Samuel 16:23); because it was God’s messenger of judgment. Cp. 1 Kings 22:19-22. It is never called “the spirit of Jehovah,” which always designates the spirit of holiness. Saul’s apostasy was punished not merely by the withdrawal of the grace which had been given as the endowment of his office, but by positive assaults from the powers of evil, akin to the demoniacal possession of the N. T. The result was a form of melancholy madness. The cause of the disease was (as we commonly speak) “supernatural,” the cure employed “natural.” The inference is that it is impossible to draw a sharp line of distinction between the two spheres. They are in closer connexion than is commonly recognised.”
1Sa 16:23, “So it came about whenever the evil spirit from God came to Saul, David would take the harp and play it with his hand; and Saul would feel relieved and become well, and the evil spirit would leave him.”
When David came to Saul and stood before him, i.e., served him by playing upon his harp, Saul took a great liking to him, and nominated him his armour-bearer, i.e., his adjutant, as a proof of his satisfaction with him, and sent to Jesse to say, “Let David stand before me,” i.e., remain in my service, “for he has found favour in my sight.” The historian then adds (1 Samuel 16:23): “When the (evil) spirit of God came to Saul (אל, as in 1 Samuel 19:9, is really equivalent to על), and David took the harp and played, there came refreshing to Saul, and he became well, and the evil spirit departed from him.” Thus David came to Saul’s court, and that as his benefactor, without Saul having any suspicion of David’s divine election to be king of Israel. This guidance on the part of God was a school of preparation to David for his future calling. In the first place, he was thereby lifted out of his quiet and homely calling in the country into the higher sphere of court-life; and thus an opportunity was afforded him not only for intercourse with men of high rank, and to become acquainted with the affairs of the kingdom, but also to display those superior gifts of his intellect and heart with which God had endowed him, and thereby to gain the love and confidence of the people. But at the same time he was also brought into a severe school of affliction, in which his inner man was to be trained by conflicts from without and within, so that he might become a man after God’s heart, who should be well fitted to found the true monarchy in Israel.”
1Sa 28:8, “Then Saul disguised himself by putting on different clothes, and went, he and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night; and he said, “Consult the spirit for me, please, and bring up for me the one whom I shall name for you.”
8. they came to the woman by night] It was an adventurous journey. They had to pass over the shoulder of the hill on which the Philistines were encamped, and traverse a distance of not less than ten or twelve miles. The darkness around was a fit emblem of the darkness in Saul’s soul. Cp. John 13:30, and Augustine’s comment “Nox erat, et ipse qui exivit erat nox,” (It was night, and he who went forth was night). bring me him up, &c.] A more precise definition of the method of divination “by Ob.” Cp. Deuteronomy 18:10-11. Probably Saul expected to hear a voice, but not to see a form. Necromancy was practised among the Greeks and other heathen nations. There was a famous oracle of this kind on the River Acheron in Epirus (νεκυομαντεῖον). 1 Samuel 28:8.”
1Sa 30:12, “They also gave him a slice of fig cake and two cakes of raisins, and he ate; then his spirit revived. For he had not eaten bread or drunk water for three
1 Samuel 30:12-13. Three days and nights — One whole day, and part of two others, as appears from the next verse, where he says, Three days ago I fell sick; but in the Hebrew it is, This is the third day since I fell sick. A young man of Egypt — God of his providence so ordering it that he was not one of the race of the Amalekites, devoted to destruction, but an Egyptian, that might be spared. And my master left me — In this place and condition; a barbarous act this, to leave him there to perish, when they had good store of camels for the carriage of men, as well as of their spoil, 1 Samuel 30:17. But this inhumanity cost them dear; for, through it, they lost their own lives, and David recovered what they had taken at Ziklag. Such is the wonderful providence of God, ordering or overruling every thing for his own glory and the good of those that trust in him, even the thoughts and desires, the counsels, works, and ways of men, both the good and the bad! So that there is no fighting against him, who can make the smallest actions serviceable to the production of the greatest effects.”
1Ki 21:5, “But Jezebel his wife came to him and said to him, “How is it that your spirit is so sullen that you are not eating food?”
21:5-16 When, instead of a help meet, a man has an agent for Satan, in the form of an artful, unprincipled, yet beloved wife, fatal effects may be expected. Never were more wicked orders given by any prince, than those Jezebel sent to the rulers of Jezreel. Naboth must be murdered under colour of religion. There is no wickedness so vile, so horrid, but religion has sometimes been made a cover for it. Also, it must be done under colour of justice, and with the formalities of legal process. Let us, from this sad story, be amazed at the wickedness of the wicked, and the power of Satan in the children of disobedience. Let us commit the keeping of our lives and comforts to God, for innocence will not always be our security; and let us rejoice in the knowledge that all will be set to rights in the great day.”
1Ki 22:23, “Now then, behold, the LORD has put a deceiving spirit in the mouth of all these prophets of yours; and the LORD has declared disaster against
The difficulties which attach to this passage are considerable. On the one hand, it is hard to suppose one of the holy Angels a “lying spirit;” on the other, hard to find Satan, or an evil spirit, included among “the host of heaven” 1 Kings 22:19 and acting as the minister of God. Still, Job 1:6; Job 2:1, lend countenance to the latter point, and 2 Thessalonians 2:11 to the former. But it may be doubted whether we ought to take literally, and seek to interpret exactly, each statement of the present narrative. Visions of the invisible world can only be a sort of parables; revelations, not of the truth as it actually is, but of so much of the truth as can be shown through such a medium. The details of a vision, therefore, cannot safely be pressed, anymore than the details of a parable. Portions of each must be accommodations to human modes of thought, and may very inadequately express the realities which they are employed to shadow forth to us.”
And when the sons of the prophets, which were to view at Jericho, saw him,…. Who went out from thence towards Jordan, to have a sight if they could of the assumption of Elijah; these, when they saw Elisha come over Jordan, the waters being parted by him:
they said, the spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha; or he has the same power and spirit to work miracles as he had, which they discerned by his dividing the waters of Jordan with his mantle:
and they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him; in reverence of him as their master, in the room of Elijah.”
2Ki 19:7, “Behold, I am going to put a spirit in him so that he will hear news and return to his own land. And I will make him fall by the sword in his own land.”
I will send a blast upon him,Heb. a wind, a storm or tempest, by which name God’s judgments are oft called, i.e. a violent, and sudden, and terrible stroke; namely, that miraculous destruction of his army, of which 2 Kings 19:35. Although the place may be rendered thus, I will put a spirit within him, so that he shall hear a rumour, and return, &c. For by spirit is many times understood an imagination, or inclination, or affliction; in which sense we read of the spirit of fear, 2 Timothy 1:7; of the spirit of jealousy, Numbers 5:14; of the spirit of slumber, Romans 11:8. Or, a spirit against (for so the Hebrew preposition beth is oft used, as hath been noted before) him; of whom this word is elsewhere used, as Judges 9:231 Samuel 16:14,23 1 Kings 22:23; as it is also given to man’s soul, Job 12:10Ecclesiastes 12:7, which is a spiritual substance, as the angels are. And this interpretation seems most agreeable to the design of this verse, which is in brief to represent all the judgments of God which were to befall him, and which are related in the following history; and therefore all the other particulars being contained in the following branches of this verse; the tidings of Tirhakah, 2 Kings 19:9, in these words, he shall hear a rumour; his returning to his own land, and being slain there, 2 Kings 19:36,37, in the next words; it seems most probable that the chiefest of all the judgments, to wit, the destruction of 185,000 soldiers in one night, 2 Kings 19:35, is not omitted here, but expressed in the first branch of the verse; and the spirit here is the same thing which is there called an angel; this latter word being there used to limit and explain the former, which otherwise was of a doubtful signification.”
2Ch 36:22, “Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia—in order to fulfill the Word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah—the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia so that he sent a proclamation
throughout his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying.”
To point out still further how exactly God had fulfilled His word by the mouth of the prophet Jeremiah, it is in conclusion briefly mentioned that God, in the first year of Coresh king of Persia, stirred up the spirit of this king to cause a command to go forth in all his kingdom, that Jahve, the God of heaven, who had given him all the kingdoms of the earth, had commanded him to build again His temple in Jerusalem, and that whoever belonged to the people of God might go up to Jerusalem. With this comforting prospect for the future, the author of the Chronicle closes his consideration of the prae-exilic history of the people of God without completely communicating the contents of the royal edict of Cyrus, since he purposed to narrate the history of the restoration of Judah to their own land in a separate work. This we have in the book of Ezra, which commences by giving us the whole of the edict of Cyrus the king of the Persians (Ezra 1:1-3), and then narrates the return of a great part of the people to Jerusalem and Judah, the rebuilding of the temple, and the re-settlement in the land of their fathers of those who had returned.”
Job 7:11, “Therefore I will not restrain my mouth;
I will speak in the anguish of my spirit,
I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.”
It appears to be a parallelism: the anguish of my spirit, the bitterness of my soul.
Verse 11. – Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; rather, I moreoverwill not refrain my lips; that is, “You may do as you like under affliction, I claim the right of complaining.” Job has already pointed out that nature teaches the animals to complain when they suffer (Job 6:5). Why, then, should not he? Complaint is not necessarily murmuring; it is sometimes merely expostulation, which God allows (comp. Psalm 4:2; Psalm 77:3; Psalm 142:2, etc.). I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul. Extreme “anguish” and “bitter” suffering excuse complaints that would otherwise be, blare-able (comp. Job 6:2-4). Job 7:11.”
Job 17:1, “My spirit is broken, my days are extinguished, the grave is ready for me.”
1. my breath] Rather as margin, my spirit is spent, i. e. consumed. The “spirit” is the principle of life. the graves are ready for me] lit. graves are mine; the meaning being: the grave is my portion; cf. Job 17:13seq. Coverdale: I am harde at deathes dore.”
Verse 6. – I call to remembrance my song in the night. He bethought himself of the songs of thanksgiving which he used to sing to God in the night (comp. Job 35:10) on account of mercies received; but this did not comfort him. “Nessun maggior dolore che ricordarsi di tempo felice nella miseria.” I commune with mine own heart, and my spirit made diligent search; or, “and I diligently searched out my spirit” (Cheyne). The results of the searchings out seem to be given in vers. 7-10. Psalm 77:6.”
Psa 143:4, “Therefore my spirit feels weak within me;
My heart is appalled within me.”
The spirit can feel weak. As the Lord says, Mat 26:41,
“Keep watching and praying, so that you do not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Luk 1:17, “And it is he who will go as a forerunner
before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, TO TURN THE HEARTS OF FATHERS BACK TO
THEIR CHILDREN, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
17. And he shall go before him] Shall go before the Messiah. The English version should have added, “in His (God’s) presence” (ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ). in the spirit and power of Elias] From the last words of Malachi (Luke 4:4-6, Luke 3:1), the Jews universally believed (as they do to this day) that Elijah would visibly return to earth as a herald of the Messiah. It required the explanation of our Lord to open the eyes of the Apostles on this subject. “This is Elias which was for to come,” Matthew 11:14. “Elias truly shall first come and restore all things … Then the disciples understood that He spake unto them of John the Baptist,” Matthew 17:10-14. The resemblance was partly in external aspect (2 Kings 1:8; Matthew 3:4); and partly in his mission of stern rebuke and invitation to repentance (1 Kings 18:21; 1 Kings 21:20). to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children] Rather, of fathers to children; i. e. as in the original meaning of Malachi, to remedy disunion and restore family life. to the wisdom] Rather, in or by the wisdom.”
Luk 1:47, “And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.”
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. Which also, may be understood, either of God the Father, who was her Saviour, both as the God of nature and providence; so the Persic version renders it, “in God that gives me life”; and who had supported, maintained, and preserved her life; and as the God of grace, who has contrived the scheme of salvation, fixed upon, and appointed Christ to be the Saviour; and who saves by him, and therefore is sometimes said to be our Saviour. Titus 3:4 or of Christ, the Son of God, who being truly and properly God, was fit to be a Saviour; and is a very suitable, able, and willing one; and which is the great encouragement to sensible sinners, to look up to him, and be saved; and lays a solid foundation for rejoicing in him, since what he did as man, had hereby an infinite virtue and efficacy put into it, as was put into his blood, sacrifice, and righteousness; whereby the purposes designed were answered by them; and since he must be able to keep their immortal souls, which they commit unto him, and must have an interest with his Father, as their advocate, and a fulness, to supply all their wants: the consideration of Christ, by Mary, as God her Saviour, as having an interest in him, as a Saviour, and this her Saviour, God, gave her greater joy, than being the mother of him as man; and this her joy was not carnal, nor merely external, but inward and spiritual: it was a joy in her own spirit, and was excited there by the holy Spirit of God.”
Luke 1:80. And the child grew, &c. — The years of John’s infancy expiring, he grew daily in wisdom and stature; and was in the deserts, &c. — During the whole course of his private life, he continued in the deserts, or hill- country of Judea, Luke 1:39, till his ministry commenced, about the thirtieth year of his age. It is probable that the deserts here mentioned were those of Ziph and Maon, where Saul pursued David. Though there were several country towns and villages in these deserts, yet, as they were but thinly inhabited, they were in the Jewish idiom called deserts. Now it was wisely ordered, to prevent a personal acquaintance between Jesus and John, that the latter should continue in one of these deserts, at the distance of probably one hundred miles from Nazareth, till the time of his entering upon his ministry. There, in a state of solitude and retirement from the world, he lived an austere and mortified life, that his character might be suited to his office — the preaching of repentance, self-denial, and deadness to the world and sin.”
Luk 8:55, “And her spirit returned, and she got up
immediately; and He ordered that something be given her to eat.”
And her spirit came again,…. Her soul, which was departed from her, upon the all-powerful voice of Christ, returned to her body; and “re-entered”, as the Ethiopic version adds: this shows that the soul is immortal, and dies not with the body; that it exists in a separate state from it after death, and will hereafter re-enter the body, and be again united to it in the resurrection, of which this instance was a kind of pledge and emblem: where her spirit was during this time of separation, is needless, and would be curious and rash to inquire; it is enough to say with the Scripture, that it had returned, to God, that gave it, Ecclesiastes 12:7 and by whom it was sent back to its body again:
and she arose straightway: from off the bed, and as Mark says, “walked”; for she was at an age capable of it, and which actions of arising and walking, clearly proved that she was alive, and in health:
and he commanded to give her meat; which was done, partly to show, not only that she was alive, but that her disorder was removed, and her appetite restored, and that she could eat and drink, as she had done before her illness; and partly, to observe that she was raised not to an immortal life, as none were before Christ, but to an animate life, which was to be supported by eating and drinking, and so a mortal one; See Gill on Mark 5:43.”
Because of my ignorance, this only compounds my confusion. The Scripture says her spirit returned, not her soul.
I REACH THE CONCLUSION:
ALL THEOLOGIANS ERR.
ALL COMMENTATORS AND EXPOSITORS ERR.
ALL HUMANS ERR.
THEREFORE, I BELIEVE THE DOCTRINE OF THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SOUL AND SPIRIT IN MANKIND, WE HAVE NOT REACHED A SOUND DOCTRINE THAT WE ONLY SEE DIMPLY, WE SHALL KNOW IT CLEARLY WHEN THE PERFECT ONE COMES, WHEN WE DO FACE TO FACE. 1Co 13:12,
“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully, just as I also have been fully known.”
I ADMIT MY IGNORANCE, AND WAIT EAGERLY FOR THE SECOND COMING OF THE LORD JESUS.
You have learned a lot about the Bible knowledge, so do not neglect so great a salvation. Today is the day of salvation, Repent of your sins and Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as your God and Savior.
To receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior is to receive the eternal life.
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This article is written to let you know that all witnesses of Jesus Christ were true firsthand witnesses who were present and saw and heard Jesus. They all had impeccable moral character and honesty.
The Holy Bible was not written down over a long period by a few individuals. The books of the Bible (39 in the Old Testament, 27 in the New Testament) were written over a long period of time by prophets and holy people inspired by God. For thousands of years, the Holy Bible has stood the test of time. Even today the Holy Bible is the most popular Book in the world and has more translations than any other book.
Unbelieving secular academics, theologians and scientists, philosophers and historians attack the historical Jesus and the authenticity of the Holy Bible. The enemies of Jesus make fake history with fake evidence by making false statements:
They claim there are no eyewitness accounts of the life or teachings of Jesus anywhere in the Bible or elsewhere. They claim all the New Testament gospels were written anonymously and that they were not attributed to Matthew, Mark, Luke and John until later in the second century. They say that the Gospels of Matthew and John were unlikely to have been written by the disciples of those names, so that even these gospels were not eyewitness accounts. This article is written so that you may have the knowledge of Jesus Christ, the Lord and Savior as it is written in the Holy Bible. You do not need to trust men who claim to know so much, yet they do not even know a little thing like when they are going to die. You need to believe and obey the Son of God, Jesus Christ who died for the sins of mankind, rose from the dead, ascended to Heaven, and He is coming again to judge the living and dead, and reign with the saints forever and ever.
2Ti 3:13-17, “But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”
Note: Evil in Greek is ponēros which means wicked; bad; diseased or blind; hurtful; sinful; degenerate; calamitous; culpable; vicious ; facinorous ; malicious; grievous; pernicious; wrong; morally reprehensible; – which occurs 90 times in the New Testament. 2Th 3:2, “and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men ; for not all have faith. ” Take note, perverse and evil men do not have faith. Impostor in Greek is goēs which means seducer; deceiver; howler; one that assumes false identity; – which occurs 1 time in the New Testament. Take heed the greatest impostor is the devil who disguised him as an angel of light. This article is written so that you will be rescued from perverse and evil men and impostors who assume as secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers who deny Jesus Christ as the Son of God and distort the Holy Bible.
Firstly, evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. Those who deny Jesus Christ and distort the Holy Bible are evil men and impostors. You do not need to waste your time on what they said or did. Secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers are walking in craftiness or adulterating the Word of God. They do not have credibility or reliability.
Secondly, we learn from Jesus through the Holy Spirit. Mat 11:29 , “ Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. ” We do not learn from man, and we do not want to learn from evil men and impostors. Eph 5:10 , “trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord .” Isa 1:17 , “Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow. ”
Thirdly, learn the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. If anyone wants to be saved, the Bible especially the Gospels and the New Testament are able to give you wisdom that leads to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. There is not one book in the world can do that. No science, history, philosophy, or any human wisdom can save you from sins and from the judgment to come.
Fourthly, the Scripture is not like other books, be it historical or scientific. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness . The Bible does not teach you to deceive or defraud, not for training in greed. All Scripture is able to make the man of God adequate, equipped for every good work. No tradition, history, science or philosophy can invalidate the Word of God. The Word of God cannot fail, does not fail, and will not fail. The Word of God is not imprisoned. The Scripture cannot be broken. Jhn 10:35 , “If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken ) .” To be broken in Greek islyō which means to break up; to break down; to destroy; to annul; to put off; to dissolve; to subvert; to do away with; to demolish; to overthrow; – which occurs 45 times in the New Testament. Friends, don’t you see evil men and impostors try to pervert and subvert the Word of God and deny Jesus Christ?
We Christians of all generations would rather believe and obey the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ than all the words and writings and empty words of all secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists, and philosophers combined since the ancient times.Col 2:8 , “ See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. ”
For this reason may I present to you two moral principles for your deliberation which I am sure you will accept and agree:
1. Reliability of a witness depends on who the witness is.
For example, the witness of a thief or robber, a liar or a killer has no value. Although demons and evil spirits recognize Jesus as the Son of the Living God, because of their bad character, their testimonies are rejected. For the same reason, the testimony of the wicked cannot be accepted as evidence. The testimony of a liar has no value.
2. The value of internal evidence is dependable.
The intrinsic value is worth more than others. For example, the proof of pudding is in the eating. A true diamond can be verified. If a diamond is fake, ten thousand witnesses can not make it true. If a diamond is true, a million witnesses cannot make fake. The people mentioned in the Bible are real people in history, and the places mentioned in the Bible are real geographical places. The Biblical writers inspired by God are real persons, their witnesses are real and factual. Their character is impeccable and they had written in truth and integrity. You can examine their works. They had conducted themselves honorably and uprightly in all things.
Here I present the facts and evidence of the testimonies of Jesus’ firsthand witnesses, not exhaustively, but comprehensively. When you have God the Father, the Holy Spirit, the Holy Scriptures, Angels, John the Baptist, Apostles and early disciples, peoples from all walks of lives, and Jesus Christ Himself to testify about Jesus, who needs Josephus, Herodotus, etc. to confirm anything. Lest you face the problem who and how to confirm and verify Josephus, Herodotus, etc. who were humans and dead. As to secular academics who do not believe, they don’t bother true believers because they will die in their sins. For all they claim to know, they do not know when they are going to die. There is not one single reason that we should trust secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers. The testimony of Paul (who was Saul an enemy of Christ, turned into a great Apostle) alone has more weight than the unreliable opinions, profane and vain babblings of all secular academics put together.
I. God the Father Jhn 8:18 , “I am He who testifies about Myself, and the Father who sent Me testifies about Me.”
Mat 3:17, “and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “ This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.”
Mat 17:5 , “While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, “ This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!”
Mar 1:9 -11, “In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the Heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him; and a voice came out of the heavens: “ You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.”
Mar 9:7-8, “Then a cloud formed, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “ This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!” All at once they looked around and saw no one with them anymore, except Jesus alone. ”
Luk 3:21-22, “ Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus was also baptized, and while He was praying, Heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, “ You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased. ”
Jhn 5:37 , “And the Father who sent Me, He has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time nor seen His form. ”
Jhn 12:28-30, “Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came out of heaven: “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.” So the crowd of people who stood by and heard it were saying that it had thundered; others were saying, “An angel has spoken to Him.” Jesus answered and said, “ This voice has not come for My sake, but for your sakes. ”
Act 13:33-39, “that God has fulfilled this promise to our children in that He raised up Jesus, as it is also written in the second Psalm,‘ YOU ARE MY SON; TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU. ’ As for the fact that He raised Him up from the dead, no longer to return to decay, He has spoken in this way: ‘I WILL GIVE YOU THE HOLY and SURE blessings OF DAVID.’ Therefore He also says in another Psalm, ‘ YOU WILL NOT ALLOW YOUR HOLY ONE TO UNDERGO DECAY .’ For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep, and was laid among his fathers and underwent decay; but He whom God raised did not undergo decay. Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you , and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses.”
So, first and foremost, the Holy Father has testified of His Son Jesus Christ.
II. The Holy Spirit
Mat 3:16-17, “ After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the Heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, and behold, a voice out of the Heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.”
Mar 1:10 , “Immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the Heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him.”
Mat 1:18 , “ Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. ”
Mat 1:20 , “ But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. ”
Mar 1:8 , “I baptized you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Mar 3:29 , “but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”—
Note: The Holy Spirit testifies Jesus Christ is the Son of God, whoever denies Jesus Christ as the Son of God is guilty of an eternal sin. To deny Jesus Christ is the Son of God is to blaspheme against the Holy Spirit and never has forgiveness.
Mar 12:36 , “David himself said in the Holy Spirit , ‘THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD, “SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I PUT YOUR ENEMIES BENEATH YOUR FEET.”’
Luk 1:35 , “The angel answered and said to her, “ The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. ”
Luk 2:25-26, “ And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon ; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. ”
Luk 3:22 , “and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.”
Luk 4:1 , “Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness .”
Luk 12:10 , “And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him. ”
Act 1:2 , “until the day when He was taken up to Heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen. ”
Act 4:31 , “And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the Word of God with boldness. ”
Act 10:38 , “You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. ”
Act 13:2 , “While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
1Co 12:3 , “Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. ”
Note: Secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers do not have the Holy Spirit in them. In fact they have the spirit of falsehood. 1Jo 4:6 , “We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood. ”
1Pe 1:12 , “It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the Gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from Heaven—things into which angels long to look. ”
The Holy Spirit also testified of Jesus the Son of God.
III. The Holy Scriptures
The biggest lie told by the enemies of truth is the false statement that there are different “Bibles” and so one cannot be sure which one is the true one. Just as there are claims to be different “gospels” such as the gospel of Thomas, the gospel of Judas, etc. Just as there are counterfeit money, so there are counterfeit bibles and gospels. Well, interesting enough. Unknowingly the enemies of truth admit the value of the Holy Bible and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, so they attempted to make counterfeits of them to confuse and deceive the people. No one ever attempt to counterfeit trash or garbage. There are many fake diamonds. A true diamond can stand appraisal and under microscopic examination. The Holy Bible stands the test of time for several thousands of years. The Gospel of Jesus Christ can validate by billions of Christians who have been saved, including the transformation of an enemy of Jesus called Saul into Paul an Apostle of Jesus Christ. The proof of the pudding is in the eating. You can seriously study the Bible to find it out for yourself. May I suggest you start with the Gospel of John, in particularly concentrate on the words and deeds of Jesus Christ. Just as a true diamond can prove itself and differentiate from rocks or stones, the Holy Bible can prove itself to be the Word of God. Jesus Christ can prove to be your Lord and Savior if only you accept and believe in Him. A good medicine cannot heal you unless you take it. Fake bibles and fake gospels appeared only after the true Bible and the four Gospels were completed and recognized by the Apostles and early disciples of Jesus Christ.
Jhn 1:1-5, “ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”
Jhn 5:39-40, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life. ”
Jhn 5:46-47, “For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me.But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My Words?”
Note: Jesus Christ validates the Old Testament. Jesus Christ validates the creation of the Universe and mankind by God. One U.S. president who advertises himself as a born again Christian and yet he believes in evolution. You cannot believe in Jesus Christ and believe in evolution at the same time.
Isa 7:14 , “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a Son, and she will call His name Immanuel. ”
Isa 9:6 , “For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. ”
Mat 2:17-18 , “Then what had been spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “A VOICE WAS HEARD IN RAMAH, WEEPING AND GREAT MOURNING, RACHEL WEEPING FOR HER CHILDREN; AND SHE REFUSED TO BE COMFORTED, BECAUSE THEY WERE NO MORE.”
Mat 26:53-54, “Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? How then will the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must happen this way?”
Mat 27:8-10, “For this reason that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “AND THEY TOOK THE THIRTY PIECES OF SILVER, THE PRICE OF THE ONE WHOSE PRICE HAD BEEN SET by the sons of Israel; AND THEY GAVE THEM FOR THE POTTER’S FIELD, AS THE LORD DIRECTED ME.”
Mar 15:27-28 , “They crucified two robbers with Him, one on His right and one on His left. And the Scripture was fulfilledwhich says, “And He was numbered with transgressors.”
Luk 3:23 , “When He began His ministry, Jesus Himself was about thirty years of age, being, as was supposed, the son of Joseph, the son of Eli .”
Note: Suppose in Greek is nomizō which means to think; to deem; to hold by custom; to assume; – which occurs 15 times in the New Testament. Jesus was assumed to be the son of Joseph because Mary the mother of Jesus, was his wife. Joseph knew Jesus was not his son. Mary knew Jesus was not the son of Joseph. Jesus was both Human and Divine. Jesus pre-existed and was from the beginning with God. God became Man in the person of Jesus Christ. Because Mary was conceived by the Holy Spirit, before she had sex with Joseph, to give birth to Jesus the Son of God. As planned, Jesus began His ministry about thirty years of age. The ministry of Jesus consisted of preaching, teaching, healing, performing miracles and casting out demons and evil spirits. Above all, Jesus came into the world to save sinners.
Luk 4:17-22, “And the Book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written, “THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED, TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD.” And He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing. ” And all were speaking well of Him, and wondering at the gracious words which were falling from His lips; and they were saying, “Is this not Joseph’s son?”
Luk 24:44-49 , “Now He said to them,“These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled. ” Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and He said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
Note: All Christians believe and know that the central message of the New Testament is Jesus Christ. Not many know that the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms speak about Jesus Christ. Even the early disciples did not know that. Jesus opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. For all that secular academics might know, they are blind to the things of God and Jesus Christ. The supernatural is beyond the inquiry of science and philosophy. The disciples would receive the promise of God and the power from on high to be witnesses of Jesus Christ.
Jhn 2:22 , “So when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He said this; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken. ”
Jhn 6:66-69, “As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore. So Jesus said to the twelve, “You do not want to go away also, do you?” Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have Words of eternal life. We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God. ”
Jhn 19:23-24 , “Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His outer garments and made four parts, a part to every soldier and also the tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece. So they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, to decide whose it shall be”; this was to fulfill the Scripture: “ THEY DIVIDED MY OUTER GARMENTS AMONG THEM, AND FOR MY CLOTHING THEY CAST LOTS. ”
Jhn 19:33-37, “but coming to Jesus, when they saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear , and immediately blood and water came out. And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe.For these things came to pass to fulfill the Scripture, “ NOT A BONE OF HIM SHALL BE BROKEN .” And again another Scripture says, “THEY SHALL LOOK ON HIM WHOM THEY PIERCED.”
Note: The Gospels are not anonymous works, they are firsthand witnesses of Jesus Christ. They write down what they have heard and seen and inspired by God.
Act 1:16 , “Brethren, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. ”
Act 3:18 , “But the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. ”
Act 8:35 , “ Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him. ”
Luk 1:1-4 , “Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the Word,it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning , to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus ; so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught. ”
Note: Account in Greek is diēgēsis which means declaration; narration; a statement of happenings; a description of facts or events; – which occurs 1 time in the New Testament. Eyewitness in Greek is autoptēs which means seeing with one’s own eyes; one who sees an occurrence or event; one who gives a report what he has heard or seen; – which occurs 1 time in the New Testament. Eyewitness testimony is an account given by people who have witnessed an event. Biblical accounts of Jesus Christ were given by people who were eyewitnesses of what they had heard and seen. They did not have ulterior or commercial motive like many who write books or reports today. Fit in Greek is dokeō which means to seem; to suppose; to believe; to think; to have opinion; to judge; to determine; to seem proper; – which occurs 70 times in the New Testament. Investigate in Greek is parakoloutheō which means to follow after; to examine thoroughly; to fully know; to have understanding; to trace out; to follow up a thing in mind so as to attain to the knowledge of it ; to observe by close examination; – which occurs 4 times in the New Testament. Exact truth means undoubted truth, certain and sure truth. The Holy Bible contains nothing but exact truths about Jesus Christ and the things of God. You shall know the truth and the truth will make you free from falsehood.
Jhn 20:30-31, “Therefore many other miracles Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name. ”
Jhn 21:25 , “And there are also many other things which Jesus did , which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written. ”
Note: We are grateful for the 27 books of the New Testament. The Holy Scriptures also testify of Jesus Christ the Son of God, and all early disciples saw all the miracles performed by Jesus and heard the Words of life as first-hand witnesses and believed with all their hearts.
IV. Angels
Mat 1:18-21, “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. “She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
Mat 1:24-25, “ And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus. ”
Mat 2:13-15, “ Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.” When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt,and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”
Mat 2:19-23, “But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, and said, “Get up, take the Child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel; for those who sought the Child’s life are dead.” So Joseph got up, took the Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Then after being warned by God in a dream, he left for the regions of Galilee, and came and lived in a city called Nazareth. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophets: “He shall be called a Nazarene.”
Mat 28:1-15, “Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified.“ He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you.” And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me.” Now while they were on their way, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all that had happened. And when they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, and said, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep.’“ And if this should come to the governor ’s ears, we will win him over and keep you out of trouble.” And they took the money and did as they had been instructed; and this story was widely spread among the Jews, and is to this day. ”
Luk 1:11-16, “And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. Zacharias was troubled when he saw the angel, and fear gripped him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John .“ You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. “For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother’s womb.“ And he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God. ”
Luk 1:18-23, “Zacharias said to the angel, “How will I know this for certain? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years.” The angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. And behold, you shall be silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.” The people were waiting for Zacharias, and were wondering at his delay in the temple. But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them; and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple; and he kept making signs to them, and remained mute. When the days of his priestly service were ended, he went back home. ”
Luk 1:26-38 , “ Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin ?” The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. ”
Luk 2:8-20, “In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lordsuddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you the Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly hostpraising God and saying,“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” When the angels had gone away from them into Heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the Baby as He lay in the manger. When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them. ”
Luk 2:21 , “ And when eight days had passed, before His circumcision, His name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angelbefore He was conceived in the womb. ”
Luk 22:41-43, “And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” Now an angel from Heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. ”
Rev 11:15-17, “Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in Heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.” And the twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying, “We give You thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, who are and who were, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign.”
The angels also testified of Jesus Christ the Son of God, and they as messengers of God visited many people.
V. John the Baptist
Mat 3:11-12,“As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I , and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
Note: His wheat stands for believers, children of God. The chaff stands for unbelievers, children of the devil. The unquenchable fire is Hell fire. Unbelievers and the wicked will be burnt up and tormented in Hell forever and ever.
Mat 3:14-16, “But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” But Jesus answering said to him, “Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he permitted Him. After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the Heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him.”
Mar 1:7-8, “And he was preaching, and saying, “After me One is coming who is mightier than I , and I am not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals.I baptized you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Mar 1:9-11, “In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the Heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him; and a voice came out of the Heavens: “ You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.”
Jhn 1:6-13, “There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light. There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”
Jhn 1:15 , “ John testified about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘ He who comes after me has a higher rank than I , for He existed before me.’”
Jhn 1:23 , “ He said, “I am A VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, ‘MAKE STRAIGHT THE WAY OF THE LORD,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.”
Jhn 1:27 , “ It is He who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.”
Jhn 1:29-34, “The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! “ This is He on behalf of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.I did not recognize Him, but so that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water.” John testified saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. “I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.”
Jhn 1:35-37, “Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God! ” The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. ”
Jhn 1:40-42, “ One of the two who heard John speak and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He found first his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which translated means Christ). He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas ” (which is translated Peter). ”
Jhn 3:28 , “You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘ I have been sent ahead of Him. ‘
Jhn 5:33-35, “You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth. But the testimony which I receive is not from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. He was the lamp that was burning and was shining and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. ”
Note: God sent John the Baptist to testify to the truth, Jesus Christ.
Act 13:25 , “And while John was completing his course, he kept saying, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not He. But behold, one is coming after me the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie . ”
A word must be said about the character and courage of John the Baptist, Mat 14:3-12, “ For when Herod had John arrested, he bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. For John had been saying to him, “ It is not lawful for you to have her.” Although Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded John as a prophet. But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod, so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. Having been prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” Although he was grieved, the king commanded it to be given because of his oaths, and because of his dinner guests. He sent and had John beheaded in the prison. And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. His disciples came and took away the body and buried it; and they went and reported to Jesus. ”
Here the great prophet John the Baptist dared to point out the sin of King Herod, it was not lawful for Herod to have the wife of his brother Philip. So John the Baptist was beheaded. John testified for Jesus Christ, the Lamb God who takes away the sins of the world. John the Baptist testified to the truth and his head was worth more than half a kingdom. In comparison, not one American preacher ever dares to preach against the sins of American presidents.
The testimony of John the Baptist matters because he was the prophet who was not afraid to die for the truth. His head was worth half a kingdom.
The great prophet John the Baptist also testified to the truth, Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
VI. Apostles and disciples
Mat 10:1-15, “Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon , who is called Peter , and Andrew his brother; and James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew ; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot , the one who betrayed Him. These twelve Jesus sent out after instructing them: “Do not go in the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter any city of the Samaritans; but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, ‘ The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give. Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, or a bag for your journey, or even two coats, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is worthy of his support.And whatever city or village you enter, inquire who is worthy in it, and stay at his house until you leave that city. As you enter the house, give it your greeting. If the house is worthy, give it your blessing of peace. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace. Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet.Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city. ”
Mat 10:16-18, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. But beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues; and you will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.”
Mat 11:4-6 , “Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: the BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM. And blessed is he who does not take offense at Me.”
Mat 17:1-4 , “ Six days later Jesus *took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
Mat 17:5-8, “While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him! ” When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground and were terrified. And Jesus came to them and touched them and said, “Get up, and do not be afraid .” And lifting up their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus Himself alone. ”
Mat 20:17-19, “ As Jesus was about to go up to Jerusalem, He took the twelve disciples aside by themselves, and on the way He said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death, and will hand Him over to the Gentiles to mock and scourge and crucify Him, andon the third day He will be raised up.”
Mat 20:29-34, “As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed Him. And two blind men sitting by the road, hearing that Jesus was passing by, cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” The crowd sternly told them to be quiet, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” And Jesus stopped and called them, and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” They *said to Him, “Lord, we want our eyes to be opened.” Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him.”
Mat 26:2 -25, “Now when evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples. As they were eating, He said, “Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me.” Being deeply grieved, they each one began to say to Him, “Surely not I, Lord?” And He answered, “He who dipped his hand with Me in the bowl is the one who will betray Me. The Son of Man is to go, just as it is written of Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.” And Judas, who was betraying Him, said, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” Jesus said to him, “You have said it yourself.”
Mat 26:55-56, “At that time Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would against a robber? Every day I used to sit in the temple teaching and you did not seize Me. But all this has taken place to fulfill the Scriptures of the prophets.” Then all the disciples left Him and fled . ”
Mar 3:7-11, “Jesus withdrew to the sea with His disciples ; and a great multitude from Galilee followed ; and also from Judea, and from Jerusalem, and from Idumea, and beyond the Jordan, and the vicinity of Tyre and Sidon, a great number of people heard of all that He was doing and came to Him. And He told His disciples that a boat should stand ready for Him because of the crowd, so that they would not crowd Him; for He had healed many, with the result that all those who had afflictions pressed around Him in order to touch Him . Whenever the unclean spirits saw Him, they would fall down before Him and shout, “ You are the Son of God!”
Mar 10:46-52, “Then they came to Jericho . And as He was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a large crowd , a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the road. When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me !” Many were sternly telling him to be quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him here. ” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage, stand up! He is calling for you.” Throwing aside his cloak, he jumped up and came to Jesus. And answering him, Jesus said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” And the blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, I want to regain my sight! ” And Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road. ”
Mar 13:9-10, “But be on your guard; for they will deliver you to the courts , and you will be flogged in the synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them. The Gospel must first be preached to all the nations. ”
Luk 6:17-19, “ Jesus came down with them and stood on a level place; and there was a large crowd of His disciples, and a great throng of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon, who had come to hear Him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were being cured. And all the people were trying to touch Him, for power was coming from Him and healing them all. ”
Luk 7:11-17, “ Soon afterwards He went to a city called Nain ; and His disciples were going along with Him, accompanied by a large crowd. Now as He approached the gate of the city, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and a sizeable crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, He felt compassion for her, and said to her, “Do not weep.” And He came up and touched the coffin; and the bearers came to a halt. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise!” The dead man sat up and began to speak. And Jesus gave him back to his mother. Fear gripped them all, and they began glorifying God, saying, “ A great prophet has arisen among us!” and, “God has visited His people!” This report concerning Him went out all over Judea and in all the surrounding district. ”
Luk 10:23-24, “ Turning to the disciples, He said privately, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see, for I say to you, that many prophets and kings wished to see the things which you see, and did not see them, and to hear the things which you hear, and did not hear them. ”
Luk 22:33 , “ But he said to Him, “ Lord, with You I am ready to go both to prison and to death!”
Jhn 1:43-51, “The next day He purposed to go into Galilee , and He *found Philip . And Jesus *said to him, “Follow Me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida , of the city of Andrew and Peter.Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote—Jesus of Nazareth , the son of Joseph.” Nathanael said to him, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God ; You are the King of Israel.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You will see greater things than these. And He said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see the Heavens opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
Act 5:18-26 , “ They laid hands on the apostles and put them in a public jail. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the gates of the prison, and taking them out he said, “Go, stand and speak to the people in the temple the whole message of this Life. ” Upon hearing this, they entered into the temple about daybreak and began to teach. Now when the high priest and his associates came, they called the Council together, even all the Senate of the sons of Israel, and sent orders to the prison house for them to be brought. But the officers who came did not find them in the prison; and they returned and reported back, saying, “We found the prison house locked quite securely and the guards standing at the doors; but when we had opened up, we found no one inside.” Now when the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them as to what would come of this. But someone came and reported to them, “The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people !” Then the captain went along with the officers and proceeded to bring them back without violence (for they were afraid of the people , that they might be stoned). ”
Act 6:5 , “ The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip , Prochorus , Nicanor , Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas , a proselyte from Antioch. ”
Act 6:7-15, “ The Word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith. And Stephen , full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. But some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and argued with Stephen. But they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.” And they stirred up the people, the elders and the scribes, and they came up to him and dragged him away and brought him before the Council. They put forward false witnesses who said, “This man incessantly speaks against this holy place and the Law; for we have heard him say that this Nazarene, Jesus, will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down to us.” And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Council saw his face like the face of an angel . ”
Act 7:55 , “But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into Heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.”
Act 8:26-39, “ But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, “Get up and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza .” (This is a desert road. ) So he got up and went; and there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians , who was in charge of all her treasure; and he had come to Jerusalem to worship, and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah . Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go up and join this chariot.” Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Now the passage of Scripture which he was reading was this: “HE WAS LED AS A SHEEP TO SLAUGHTER; AND AS A LAMB BEFORE ITS SHEARER IS SILENT, SO HE DOES NOT OPEN HIS MOUTH. IN HUMILIATION HIS JUDGMENT WAS TAKEN AWAY; WHO WILL RELATE HIS GENERATION? FOR HIS LIFE IS REMOVED FROM THE EARTH.” The eunuch answered Philip and said, “Please tell me, of whom does the prophet say this? Of himself or of someone else?” Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him. As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch *said, “Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?” And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God .” And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch no longer saw him, but went on his way rejoicing. ”
Act 9:10 , “ Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias ; and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”
Act 10:1-8, “ Now there was a man at Caesarea named Cornelius , a centurion of what was called the Italian cohort, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, and gave many alms to the Jewish people and prayed to God continually. About the ninth hour of the day he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God who had just come in and said to him, “Cornelius!” And fixing his gaze on him and being much alarmed, he said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and alms have ascended as a memorial before God. Now dispatch some men to Joppa and send for a man named Simon , who is also called Peter ; he is staying with a tanner named Simon , whose house is by the sea.” When the angel who was speaking to him had left, he summoned two of his servants and a devout soldier of those who were his personal attendants, and after he had explained everything to them, he sent them to Joppa. ”
Act 10:22-24, “ They said, “ Cornelius, a centurion , a righteous and God-fearing man well spoken of by the entire nation of the Jews, was divinely directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and hear a message from you.” So he invited them in and gave them lodging. And on the next day he got up and went away with them, and some of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him. ”
Act 10:38 , “You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. ”
Act 11:11-18, “And behold, at that moment three men appeared at the house in which we were staying, having been sent to me from Caesarea. The Spirit told me to go with them without misgivings. These six brethren also went with me and we entered the man’s house. And he reported to us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying, ‘Send to Joppa and have Simon, who is also called Peter , brought here; and he will speak words to you by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’ And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as He did upon us at the beginning. And I remembered the Word of the Lord , how He used to say, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ Therefore if God gave to them the same gift as He gave to us also after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way? When they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, “Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life.”
Act 12:6-19, “ On the very night when Herod was about to bring him forward, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers , bound with two chains, and guards in front of the door were watching over the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter’s side and woke him up, saying, “Get up quickly.” And his chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” And he went out and continued to follow, and he did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they had passed the first and second guard , they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened for them by itself; and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I know for sure that the Lord has sent forth His angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.” And when he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was also called Mark , where many were gathered together and were praying. When he knocked at the door of the gate, a servant-girl named Rhoda came to answer. When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her joy she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter was standing in front of the gate. They said to her, “You are out of your mind!” But she kept insisting that it was so. They kept saying, “It is his angel.” But Peter continued knocking; and when they had opened the door, they saw him and were amazed. But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had led him out of the prison. And he said, “Report these things to James and the brethren .” Then he left and went to another place. Now when day came, there was no small disturbance among the soldiers as to what could have become of Peter. When Herod had searched for him and had not found him, he examined the guards and ordered that they be led away to execution. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and was spending time there.”
Act 12:21-23, “On an appointed day Herod , having put on his royal apparel, took his seat on the rostrum and began delivering an address to them. The people kept crying out, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” And immediately an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died. ”
Act 27:23-25 , “For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar ; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you.’ Therefore, keep up your courage, men, for I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told. ”
Rom 1:16 , “ For I am not ashamed of the Gospel , for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. ”
Rom 8:38-39 , “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. ”
Rom 9:1 , “ I am telling the truth in Christ , I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit .”
Rom 11:13 , “ But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry .”
Rom 16:9 , “ Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ , and Stachys my beloved. ”
1Co 4:17 , “ For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord , and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church. ”
1Co 9:2 , “ If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. ”
1Co 15:9-10, “For I am the least of the apostles , and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the Church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me. ”
2Co 11:31 , “ The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, He who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying . ”
Eph 6:20 , “ for which I am an ambassador in chains ; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. ”
Act 21:13 , “ Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus .”
Phl 2:17 , “But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. ”
1Ti 1:15 , “It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. ”
1Ti 2:7 , “For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying) as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. ”
2Ti 1:12 , “For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed ; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day. ”
2Ti 4:6 , “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering , and the time of my departure has come. ”
2Pe 1:16-18, “ For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, “This is My beloved Son with whom I amwell-pleased”—and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. ”
1Co 16:10 , “ Now if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without cause to be afraid, for he is doing the Lord’s work , as I also am. ”
Gal 1:10 , “ For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ . ”
Eph 6:21 , “ But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus , the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you. ”
Rev 22:8-9, “ I, John , am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw , I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed me these things. But he said to me, “Do not do that. I am a fellow servant of yours and of your brethren the prophets and of those who heed the words of this book. Worship God.”
You find more truth and integrity and credibility of the testimonies of the Apostles and early disciples than any men in history.
VII. People from all walks of life
1. Wise men from the East
Mat 2:1-2, “ Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, wise men from the East arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him .”
Mat 2:9-12, “ After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star , which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him . Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way. ”
The fool said in his heart there is no God. The wise worships God.
2. The Shepherds
Luk 2:8-20 , “ In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you the Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” When the angels had gone away from them into Heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph , and the Baby as He lay in the manger. When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child . And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them. ”
3. The Woman of Samaria
Jhn 4:7-42 , “There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus *said to her, “Give Me a drink.” For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. Therefore the Samaritan woman said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink since I am a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God , and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water .” She *said to Him, “Sir, You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep; where then do You get that living water? You are not greater than our father Jacob, are You, who gave us the well, and drank of it himself and his sons and his cattle?” Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life. ” The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, so I will not be thirsty nor come all the way here to draw.” He said to her, “Go, call your husband and come here.” The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.” Jesus *said to her, “You have correctly said, ‘I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; this you have said truly.” The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is Spirit , and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He. ” At this point His disciples came, and they were amazed that He had been speaking with a woman, yet no one said, “What do You seek?” or, “Why do You speak with her?” So the woman left her waterpot, and went into the city and said to the men, “Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done ; this is not the Christ, is it?” They went out of the city, and were coming to Him. Meanwhile the disciples were urging Him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” But He said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” So the disciples were saying to one another, “No one brought Him anything to eat, did he?” Jesus said to them, “ My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work. Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest. Already he who reaps is receiving wages and is gathering fruit for life eternal; so that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this case the saying is true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored and you have entered into their labor.” From that city many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified , “He told me all the things that I have done.” So when the Samaritans came to Jesus, they were asking Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. Many more believed because of His Word; and they were saying to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world.”
4. Mary, Martha and Lazarus
Luk 10:38-42 , “ Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary , who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His Word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; butonly one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
Jhn 11:1-57, “Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany , the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. So the sisters sent word to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.” But when Jesus heard this, He said, “This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when He heard that he was sick, He then stayed two days longer in the place where He was. Then after this He said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone You, and are You going there again?” Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” This He said, and after that He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, so that I may awaken him out of sleep.” The disciples then said to Him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He was speaking of literal sleep . So Jesus then said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe; but let us go to him.” Therefore Thomas, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, so that we may die with Him.” So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off; and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to console them concerning their brother. Martha therefore, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went to meet Him, but Mary stayed at the house.Martha then said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. “Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.”Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “ I AM the Resurrection and the Life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” She said to Him, “Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God , even He who comes into the world.” When she had said this, she went away and called Mary her sister, saying secretly, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” And when she heard it, she got up quickly and was coming to Him. Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha met Him.Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and consoling her, when they saw that Mary got up quickly and went out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. Therefore, when Mary came where Jesus was, she saw Him, and fell at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled, and said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept.So the Jews were saying, “See how He loved him!” But some of them said, “Could not this man, who opened the eyes of the blind man, have kept this man also from dying?” So Jesus, again being deeply moved within, came to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. Jesus said, “Remove the stone.” Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there will be a stench, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised His eyes, and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me.” When He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth.” The man who had died came forth, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”
Therefore many of the Jew s who came to Mary, and saw what He had done, believed in Him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them the things which Jesus had done. Therefore the chief priests and the Pharisees convened a council, and were saying, “What are we doing? For this man is performing many miracles. If we let Him go on like this, all men will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” But one of them, Caiaphas , who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, nor do you take into account that it is expedient for you that one man die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish. ” Now he did not say this on his own initiative, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but in order that He might also gather together into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. So from that day on they planned together to kill Him. Therefore Jesus no longer continued to walk publicly among the Jews, but went away from there to the country near the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim ; and there He stayed with the disciples . Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went up to Jerusalem out of the country before the Passover to purify themselves. So they were seeking for Jesus, and were saying to one another as they stood in the temple, “What do you think; that He will not come to the feast at all?” Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where He was, he was to report it, so that they might seize Him.”
Jhn 12:1-11 , “Jesus, therefore, six days before the Passover , came to Bethany where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they made Him a supper there, and Martha was serving; but Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him. Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot , one of His disciples, who was intending to betray Him, said, “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to poor people? ” Now he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to pilfer what was put into it. Therefore Jesus said, “Let her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of My burial. For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me.” The large crowd of the Jews then learned that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He raised from the dead. But the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death also; because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and were believing in Jesus. ”
5. Zaccheus
Luk 19:1-10, “ He entered Jericho and was passing through. And there was a man called by the name of Zaccheus ; he was a chief tax collector and he was rich. Zaccheus was trying to see who Jesus was, and was unable because of the crowd, for he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree in order to see Him, for He was about to pass through that way. When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” And he hurried and came down and received Him gladly. When they saw it, they all began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
6. The Man Born Blind
Jhn 9:1-41 , “ As He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth . And His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?” Jesus answered, “ It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world .” When He had said this, He spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and applied the clay to his eyes, and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam ” (which is translated, Sent). So he went away and washed, and came back seeing. Therefore the neighbors, and those who previously saw him as a beggar , were saying, “Is not this the one who used to sit and beg?” Others were saying, “This is he,” still others were saying, “No, but he is like him.” He kept saying, “ I am the one. ” So they were saying to him, “How then were your eyes opened?” He answered, “ The man who is called Jesus made clay, and anointed my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash; so I went away and washed, and I received sight.” They said to him, “Where is He?” He said, “I do not know.” They brought to the Pharisees the man who was formerly blind. Now it was a Sabbath on the day when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes . Then the Pharisees also were asking him again how he received his sight. And he said to them, “He applied clay to my eyes, and I washed, and I see.” Therefore some of the Pharisees were saying, “This man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath.” But others were saying, “How can a man who is a sinner perform such miracles? ” And there was a division among them. So they *said to the blind man again, “What do you say about Him, since He opened your eyes?” And he said, “ He is a prophet .” The Jews then did not believe it of him, that he had been blind and had received sight, until they called the parents of the very one who had received his sight, and questioned them, saying, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? Then how does he now see?” His parents answered them and said, “ We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but how he now sees, we do not know; or who opened his eyes, we do not know. Ask him; he is of age, he will speak for himself. ” His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews ; for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone confessed Him to be Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue. For this reason his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.” So a second time they called the man who had been blind, and said to him, “Give glory to God; we know that this man is a sinner.” He then answered, “ Whether He is a sinner, I do not know; one thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see. ” So they said to him, “What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?” He answered them, “ I told you already and you did not listen ; why do you want to hear it again? You do not want to become His disciples too, do you?” They reviled him and said, “You are His disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where He is from.” The man answered and said to them, “Well, here is an amazing thing, that you do not know where He is from, and yet He opened my eyes. We know that God does not hear sinners ; but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him. Since the beginning of time it has never been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, He could do nothing.” They answered him, “You were born entirely in sins, and are you teaching us?” So they put him out . Jesus heard that they had put him out, and finding him, He said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answered, “Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?” Jesus said to him, “ You have both seen Him, and He is the one who is talking with you .” And he said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped Him. And Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind.” Those of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these things and said to Him, “We are not blind too, are we?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but since you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.”
Mat 27:54 , “Now the centurion , and those who were with him keeping guard over Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the things that were happening , became very frightened and said, “ Truly this was the Son of God!”
Mat 27:55-56, “ Many women were there looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee while ministering to Him. Among them was Mary Magdalene , and Mary the mother of James and Joseph , and the mother of the sons of Zebedee . ”
Mat 28:1-10, “Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from Heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. he guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead ; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you.” And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me.”
Thus the testimonies of the peoples from all walks of life cited above about the Lord Jesus Christ are true.
VIII. More important than all human witnesses, Jesus Christ testifies about Himself:
Jhn 5:31-32, “If I alone testify about Myself, My testimony is not true. There is Another who testifies of Me, and I know that the testimony which He gives about Me is true.”
Note: Another who testifies of Jesus is God the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Jhn 5:36 , “But the testimony which I have is greater than the testimony of John; for the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works that I do—testify about Me, that the Father has sent Me. ”
Note: Jesus Christ testifies about Himself by His words and works (deeds).
Mat 11:27 , “All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. ”
Mat 11:29 , “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart , and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. ”
Mat 27:43 , “HE TRUSTS IN GOD; LET GOD RESCUE Him now, IF HE DELIGHTS IN HIM; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God. ’”
Mat 28:20 , “teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world . ”
Mar 1:41 , “ Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I AM willing; be cleansed. ”
Luk 5:13 , “ And He stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, “I AM willing; be cleansed. ” And immediately the leprosy left him. ”
Luk 22:70 , “ And they all said, “Are You the Son of God, then?” And He said to them, “Yes, I AM. ”
Jhn 3:13-18, “No one has ascended into Heaven, but He who descended from Heaven: the Son of Man. “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. ”
Jhn 5:36 , “But the testimony which I have is greater than the testimony of John; for the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works that I do—testify about Me, that the Father has sent Me. ”
Jhn 6:35 , “ Jesus said to them, “I AM the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.
Jhn 6:41 , “ Therefore the Jews were grumbling about Him, because He said, “ I AM the Bread that came down out of Heaven.”
Jhn 6:51 , “I AM the Living Bread that came down out of Heaven ; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh.”
Jhn 7:29 , “I know Him, becauseI AM from Him, and He sent Me .”
Jhn 8:12 , “ Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “ I AM the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”
Jhn 8:23 , “ And He was saying to them, “You are from below, I AM from above; you are of this world, I AM not of this world. ”
Jhn 8:24 , “Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I AM He, you will die in your sins.”
Jhn 8:28 , “ So Jesus said, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I AM He, and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me. ”
Jhn 8:58 , “ Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I AM .”
Jhn 9:5 , “While I am in the world, I AM the Light of the world.”
Jhn 10:7 , “ So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I AM the Door of the Sheep. ”
Jhn 10:9 , “I AM the Door ; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. ”
Jhn 10:11 , “I AM the Good Shepherd; the Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. ”
Jhn 10:14 , “ I AM the Good Shepherd , and I know My own and My own know Me.”
Jhn 10:36 , “ do you say of Him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘ I AM the Son of God’ ? ”
Jhn 11:25 , “ Jesus said to her, “I AM the Resurrection and the Life ; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies .”
J hn 14:6 , “ Jesus said to him, “I AM the Way, and the Truth, and the Life ; no one comes to the Father but through Me. ”
Jhn 14:10 , “Do you not believe that I AM in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. ”
Jhn 14:11 , “Believe Me that I AM in the Father and the Father is in Me;otherwise believe because of the works themselves. ”
Jhn 14:20 , “In that day you will know that I AM in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. ”
Jhn 15:1 , “ I AM the True Vine, and My Father is the vine dresser. ”
Jhn 15:5 , “ I AM the Vine , you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. ”
Jhn 16:32 , “Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I AM not alone, because the Father is with Me.”
Jhn 17:14 , “I have given them Your Word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I AM not of the world. ”
Jhn 17:16 , “They are not of the world, even as I AM not of the world . ”
Jhn 18:37 , “ Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly thatI AM a King. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”
Jhn 19:21 , “ So the chief priests of the Jews were saying to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews’; but that He said, ‘I AM King of the Jews.’”
Jhn 19:30 , “ Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished! ” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. ”
Note: Finish in Greek is teleō which means to fulfill; to accomplish; to perform; to complete; to discharge; to end; to execute; to carry out; to conclude; – which occurs 28 times in the New Testament. Jesus finished the redemptive work God sent Him to do on earth.
Act 22:8 , “And I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I AM Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting. ”
NO PROPHET OR ANY MAN EVER SAID THE WAY JESUS CHRIST SAYS ABOUT HIMSELF.
Jesus Affirms His Deity
Col 2:9 , “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form. ”
Note: Deity in Greek is theotēswhich means the state of being God, godhood, Godhead; – it occurs only once in the New Testament. God became Man in Jesus Christ in human form. Only God could have the mode of existence of God. By creation alone no one can know God; for that reason Jesus Christ, the Son of God came into the world to reveal God. God reveals Himself in His Son. Paul is declaring that in the Son there dwells all the fullness of absolute Godhead; they were no mere rays of divine glory which gilded Him, lighting up His person for a season and with a splendor not His own; but He was, and is, absolute and perfect God; and the Scripture teaches this essential and personal Godhead of the Son in bodily form. The Scripture means Jesus is God in human form.
For this reason Jesus declares,
Jhn 14:7, “ If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also ; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.”
You may know the different etymologies of the Greek words, theiotēs(divinity) and theotēs (deity) and still do not know God and our Savior.
The divinity of Christ means “God was in Christ.The divinity of Christ means Christ is divine, Christ is God. The divinity of Christ means Christ has divine nature. The divinity of Christ means Jesus Christ is my God and my Lord. Those who do not believe God are without excuse. God’s everlasting power and divinity dwells fully in Jesus Christ.
Unbelieving liberals or modernists, who are crafty in distorting the Bible, claim that in fact, mankind possesses a “spark of divinity,” a spark which relates him to God. If a “spark of divinity” means man was created in the image of God, that is true. If it means everyone can potentially become a son of God by his own efforts, it is false and un-Scriptural. A fallen man cannot perfect himself. A sinful man cannot save himself. The human conscience is NOT the “divine spark.”
Hbr 10:22, “Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”
Note: Conscience in Greek is syneidēsiswhich means the consciousness of right and wrong, the soul as distinguishing between what is morally good and bad, prompting to do the former and shun the latter, commending one, condemning the other; moral consciousness, free from guilt; – it occurs 32 times in the New Testament. Sinful man has an “evil conscience.” An unbeliever does not have a good conscience. American leaders violated China’s sovereignty and gave control of China’s Diaoyu Islands in 1971 to the war crime nation of Japan and passed law to defend Japan are liars and killers who have an evil conscience. The leaders of the evil empire of Japan who bought and nationalized China’s Diaoyu Islands and say they belong to Japan, not negotiable, and rely on the protection of the sole superpower and prepare war with China are liars and killers and have an evil conscience.
1Ti 1:19 ,“Keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith.” Liars and killers do not have a “good conscience.”
1 Ti 4:2 , “By means of the hypocrisy of liars their own conscience is seared as with a branding iron.” A dead conscience cannot have a “spark of divinity.” The conscience of America and Japan has been seared with a red hot iron. Japanese leaders are pagans and idol worshipers, liars and killers who are sons of the devil defined by Jesus Christ, Jhn 8:44 . Although American leaders claim to be Christians, they are proven liars and killers and children of the devil who have an evil conscience. People who have an evil conscience do not know God and Savior.
There is no doubt or debate or division, the divinity of Jesus Christ is clearly and definitely taught and written in the Bible. Let the Word of God explain the Word of God.
Mat 16:16,“Simon Peter answered: You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jhn 6:69,“And we believe and are sure that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Cf. Jhn 11:27,“She said to him: Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, He who is coming into the world.”
Jhn 20:31,“But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.”
Act 8:37,“And Philip said: If you believe with all your heart, you may. And he replied: I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
2 Cr 1:19, “For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we preached among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No; but in Him it is always Yes.”
1 Jo 1:3,“That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you may have fellowship with us; and our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.”
1 Jo 5:20 , “And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, to know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.”
Note: Christ in Greek isChristoswhich means the Lord’s “anointed”, the Messiah, the Son of God; – it occurs 569 times in the New Testament. Christ is used in generic sense, unlike prophet, as an appellative, One and Only, the Messiah. There is no other Christ, there are antichrists. Foolish unbelieving scientists and scholars, don’t you know by your own understanding you cannot know God who is true? You need Jesus Christ, the Son of God to give you understanding, spiritual understanding, not scientific understanding.
It does not matter if you do not know the difference between divinity and deity, it matters if you believe or not Jesus Christ is God. This is the fatal mistake of Unitarianism. Doubting Thomas made the confession after the convincing evidence,
Jhn 20:28-29 , “ Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed. ”
Note: After Jesus ascended to the highest Heaven, all subsequent believers did not see, and yet believed. Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.
Jesus Christ says:
Jhn 10:1-5, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber.“ But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep.“ To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.“ When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. “A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.”
Jhn 10:7-18, “ So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I AM the door of the sheep. All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I AM the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. I AM the Good Shepherd ; the Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep. I AM the Good Shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.”
Note: The Father and the Son are One. The Jehovah of the Old Testament is the Jesus of the New Testament. God and Jesus are One. The unbelieving Jews knew exactly what Jesus said and claimed that He and God are One, for that reason all the more they wanted to kill Him. There is no debate or doubt or division that Jesus Christ claims of His Divinity.
Mat 2:11 , “ After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. ”
Note: Wise men from the East were truly wise men, they fell to the ground and worshiped the Child Jesus; unlike the Roman Catholics who worship Mary.
Mat 8:2-3, “ And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
Note: A leper came and worshiped Jesus even before He cleansed him. The leper’s prayer indicated his faith, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”
Mat 9:18 , “ While he spoke these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshiped Him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live. ”
Note: The ruler worshiped Jesus Christ even before He restored the life of his little girl.
Mat 14:33 , “ And those who were in the boat worshiped Him , saying, “You are certainly God’s Son !”
Note: After seeing Jesus walking on the sea, the disciples worshiped Him, saying, “You are certainly God’s Son.”
Mat 15:25 , “Then came she and worshiped Him , saying, Lord, help me. ”
Note: A Syrophoenician woman worshiped Jesus to ask the Lord to help her, whose daughter was cruelly demon-possessed. Her daughter was healed at once by the Word of the Lord.
Jhn 9:38 , “And he said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped Him. ”
Note: Jesus healed a man born blind. Because he testified for Jesus, the Jewish religious establishment excommunicated him. Jesus found him and asked him whether he would believe in Him. The former blind man said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped Jesus.
Mat 28:9 , “ And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him . ”
Note: On the day of Resurrection, the women who saw the angel and the empty tomb and ran to report to Jesus’ disciples, Jesus met them. They came up and took hold of Jesus’ feet and worshiped Him.
Mat 28:17 , “ When they saw Him, they worshiped Him ; but some were doubtful. ”
Note: During the Great Commission, the disciples saw and worshiped Jesus, but some were doubtful. Be doubtful in Greek is distazō which means to waiver mentally; to be fearful; to be uncertain; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. We can know with certainty that 1Pe 1:21 , “who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.”
Luk 24:51-52, “ While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they, after worshiping Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy .”
Note: The disciples witnessed Jesus ascending to Heaven, as He blessed them and parted from them. After worshiping Jesus, they returned to Jerusalem with great joy. Joy in Greek ischara which means gladness; joyfulness; cheerfulness; blessedness; – which occurs 59 times in the New Testament. Why the great joy? Act 1:10-11, “ And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.” Cheer up, Jesus Christ is coming again with great power an glory. All Christians in the world, get ready to welcome the King of kings and the Lord of lords.
We may only worship God. Christians do not worship Apostles, Angels, Mary, idols, ancestors, Sun, Moon, Stars, the pope, dead saints, or any man or object. The people cited above all worshiped Jesus. When people worship Jesus they worship God. There is no slightest doubt or debate that the Divinity of Jesus Christ is a clear and sure doctrine taught in the Bible. Disciples universally practiced worshiping of Jesus Christ as God, the Son.
Rev 5:6-10, “ And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb , each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.”
Note: Lamb in Greek is arnion, which is used of Christ, innocently suffering and dying to expiate the sins of men ; the Lamb of God who is the Son of God; – which occurs 30 times in the New Testament. In Heaven the four living creatures, the twenty-four elders, saints and angels, worship the Lamb. The Lamb purchased for God with His blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. Jesus Christ made them to be a kingdom and priests to God, and they will reign with Him upon the earth. In Heaven, Christians will sing the song of the Lamb.
Rev 5:11-14 , “ Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “ Worthy is the Lambthat was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.” And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, “To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever. And the four living creatures kept saying, “Amen.” And the elders fell down and worshiped .”
Note: Myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands mean innumerable, too many to be counted. Many angels, the living creatures, the elders, and innumerable number of the Elect, and every created thing which is in Heaven and on the Earth, under the Earth and on the sea, and all thing in them saying, “To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever. They worship God and the Lamb.
Rev 7:9-12 , “ After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count , from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, “ Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb .” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”
Note: No one could count means no one could enumerate or number which is innumerable or countless. The stars in the sky are also innumerable, too many to be counted. So it is a wrong idea to think the numbers of the saved are few. Heaven will be a lonely place. For a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, will stand before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches are in their hands; and they cry our with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” Salvation belongs to our God the Father and to the Lamb the Son. The way of salvation is the way of God. Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior. Outside of Christ, there is no other salvation. Countless saved believers, all the angels, the elders and the four living creatures fall on their faces and worship God the Father, and Lamb the Son forever and ever.
Jhn 8:12-19 , “ Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “ I am the Light of the world ; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” So the Pharisees said to Him, “You are testifying about Yourself; Your testimony is not true.” Jesus answered and said to them, “ Even if I testify about Myself, My testimony is true , for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. You judge according to the flesh; I am not judging anyone. But even if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone in it, but I and the Father who sent Me . Even in your law it has been written that the testimony of two men is true. I am He who testifies about Myself, and the Father who sent Me testifies about Me .” So they were saying to Him, “Where is Your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither Me nor My Father; if you knew Me, you would know My Father also.”
Rev 1:8 , “ I AM the Alpha and the Omega ,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Rev 1:17 -18, “ When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I AM the First and the Last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I AM alive forevermore , and I have the keys of death and of Hades. ”
Rev 3:11 , “ I AM coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown. ”
Rev 16:15 , (“Behold, I AM coming like a thief . Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and men will not see his shame.”)
Rev 21:6 , “ Then He said to me, “It is done. I AM the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. ”
Rev 22:7 , “And behold, I AM coming quickly . Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book.”
Rev 22:12 , “Behold, I AM coming quickly , and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. ”
Rev 22:13 , “ I AM the Alpha and the Omega , the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
Rev 22:16 , “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I AM the Root and the Descendant of David,the Bright Morning Star.”
Rev 22:20 , “ He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I AM coming quickly. ” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. ”
Jesus Christ answers directly to the skeptics then and now:
Jhn 7:15-18, “The Jews then were astonished, saying, “How has this man become learned, having never been educated?” So Jesus answered them and said, “My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself. He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him. ”
Note: The Jews who were the Apostles and early disciples in Jesus’ time were the firsthand witnesses of what Jesus said or did. Astonish in Greek is thaumazō which means to marvel; wonder; admire; amaze, have in admiration; to strike with great wonder or surprise; to surprise very much; – which occurs 45 times in the New Testament. Will in Greek is thelō which means to desire; would; intend; wish; love; determine; take delight in; have pleasure; choose or prefer; have rather; inclined to; – which occurs 212 times in the New Testament. If anyone is willing to do God’s will, he will know the teaching of Jesus is the teaching of God. Secular academics do not have the knowledge of Christ and they are not willing to do the will of God; therefore they bear false witness against Jesus Christ and exploit people with false words.
Jhn 8:43-47, “Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My Word.You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me. Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not believe Me? He who is of God hears the Words of God ; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God.”
Note: Understand in Greek is ginōskō which means to know; perceive; get a knowledge; comprehend; have knowledge of; be aware of; to grasp the meaning of; – which occurs 225 times in the New Testament. Why secular academics and unbelievers cannot understand what Jesus is saying? It is because they cannot hear the Word of Jesus. Why don’t they understand? 1Co 1:18 , “ For the Word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. ” To the self-conceited intelligentsia of the world, the Word of the cross (Gospel) is foolishness to them. To the perishing, the salvation of God is foolishness. For this reason, secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers do not hear the Words of God, because they are not of God. Just as Jesus says, Jhn 10:25, “ Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me. But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. ”
My friend, if you have not believed in Jesus Christ, don’t pay attention to the arrogant words and blasphemies of secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers because they are perishing. It is better for you to believe and follow Jesus Christ to receive eternal life.
If you are already a believer, listen to the Word of God:
1Co 16:13 , “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. ”
Eph 6:11-13, “Put on the full armor of God , so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil . For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God , so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm . ”
Eph 6:17, “ And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. ”
Note: The more you study the Word of God, the more you will be able to wield the Sword of the Spirit to cut down lies and falsehoods.
1Jo 4:6 , “We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error. ”
Note: Those who are Apostles of Jesus are from God, all Christians who know God also listen to them for they have the Spirit of truth. Unbelieving theologians, scholars and scientists, who reject the teachings of Apostles because they have the spirit of error. Any teaching contrary to the teaching of the New Testament is of the spirit of error.
Pray for wisdom to know who are from God and who are from the Devil. Those who have the Spirit of truth accept the testimony of Jesus and the testimonies of the Apostles who were firsthand eye-witnesses of Jesus Christ as they had heard and seen themselves..
IN CONCLUSION
This article is written so that you can know the exact truth for sure.
There is no one like the historical Jesus, because He is the Son of God, the Savior of mankind, and He is the great God and Savior of all believers.
To the Lord Jesus Christ, I bow, worship and serve in truth with all my heart, my mind, my strength and my soul; and I sincerely acknowledge Him before the world as My Lord and my God.
After presenting to you the overwhelming facts and evidence of the testimonies of Jesus’ firsthand eyewitnesses, will you now accept the testimony Jesus Christ Himself and believe in Him to be your Lord and Savior?
ON September 3, 2025 for China to mark 80th anniversary of victory over Japanese aggression and fascism is a historical necessity and hard-earned victory. All foreigners who heroically sacrificed their lives for China in their fight against Japanese aggression must individually be commemorated and remembered, their relatives are eternal friends of China. I have never seen such a great parade before, the size and scope of it would overwhelm your mind; every aspect of it was systematically planned, every step of male and female soldiers was of uniform procedures, every military vehicle with all nuclear missiles and every war airplane in the sky well performed; the words such as grand, massive, superb, magnificent fail to describe the whole celebration. I wholeheartedly salute every Chinese military man and woman who participated. From 1931-1945, the brutal behavior of Japanese and its inhuman atrocities were worse than wild beasts and deserve ten atomic bombs in recompense. Even today Japanese government and leaders do not admit and repent of their war crimes, they worship executed war criminals as their national heroes and living gods. Japan never apologizes and pays compensation for killing 35 million Chinese, made hundreds of thousands sex slaves, millions of labor slaves and untold atrocities. Never again will China be oppressed. I am sure the militant Japan is deterred, but America is on the wrong side of history. Thank God it did not rain.
The mayors of Los Angeles, Washington, D.C. and Chicago are for crooks and criminals, they must be dismissed and deported. All the facts point to the need, Ukraine must be destroyed and its leader executed in order to end the war. Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis are terrorists and the countries that harbor them must be destroyed all together.
Since Gaza, West Bank, etc. are the Jewish lands, Palestinians must evacuate from all Jewish lands and flee to Arab lands where they are safe to receive international aid and build a Palestinian state of their choice.
The leader of Ukraine is corrupt and evil. Ukrainians are stupid to follow the path of destruction. He was the one who instigated war with Russia. Now he asks for security guarantees. The nincompoop should be executed to end the war.
Palestinians, Africans, and others serve as example of peoples who want to eat and do not want to work. UN, WHO, EU, etc. champion their cause. Palestinians do not want evacuate from Gaza, Jewish lands to resettle in Arab lands. Because they will lose their status as refugees where they can get their food, fuel, water, medicine and everything for free from international community. These problems multiply with the passage of time.
UN, EU, GERMANY, UK, FRANCE, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZELAND, ETC. are strange and unreasonable peoples. Who is stopping Palestinians to build a Palestinian state in an Arab land? It is wrong and illegal to build a Palestinian state in Jewish land (Gaza, West Bank, etc.). That is the cause of conflict.
The fact that National Guards have to patrol Washington, D.C. with weapons speaks loudly and badly of the capital. The mayor of Washington, D.C. should be dismissed and deported. All the more urgent the national capital should move to Lincoln, Nebraska, without delay.
The mayor of Washington, D.C. bowed to the illegal acts of street people who set up tents on public streets. She should be dismissed and deported. The National Guards are empowered to trash the tents, clear the streets and vanish street people. Los Angeles is a disgraced city because the California Governor and Los Angeles mayor failed to solve the problems of street people who not only set up tents on public streets, but also urinate and defecate. All the more urgent for the national capital to move to Lincoln, Nebraska. In the face of national debt exceeding $37 trillion, the people can save money by abolishing the House, retain the unicameral legislation of Senate to move also to Lincoln Nebraska. All this can be accomplished legally by a national referendum. America is ruined by dark and evil forces.
Heroes of all races who sacrificed their lives for China in the war against Japanese aggression should be celebrated and remembered. The descendants of them are eternal friends of China. Descendants of American Flying Tiers whose forefathers had sacrificed their lives in the war against Japanese aggression and atrocities must always be honored and remembered. The Chinese government must treat them as eternal friends, and they are welcome to China anytime. Such blood bonds must be appreciated and maintained forever.
The world wrongly marks the anniversary of dropping atomic bomb on Hiroshima while neglecting the Japanese aggression and atrocities of killing 35 million innocent Chinese without remorse or reparations. UN over–appointed unqualified blacks and media have given too much coverage to unworthy black spoke-persons. It is amazing no matter how beautifully white organizations and individuals hail human rights, civil rights, democracy, development, technology, benefits, justice, etc., what they are actually after is MONEY. This can be said equally true about blacks.
Pet economy is wasted economy. Money should better be spent on nutrition and education of children and orphans. In cities all dogs must have annual license of Y5,000, cats Y4,000, and birds Y3,000. It is exempt for rural areas. If a dog defecates in public place, it shall be fined Y3,000 plus cleanup by owner or walker.
Global media highlight the number of Palestinians who have died, but fail to consider why Palestinian Authority and Palestinians do not want to evacuate from Jewish land and resettle in Arab land. Palestinians, men and women, young and old, are shameless beggars. They remain in Gaza to qualify for refugees so that they can get everything free from international community. The international community is ignorant of the fact that GAZA and related territories all belong to the Jews. Israel has every right to take back and take over Gaza and related territories. Palestinians must evacuate and relocate to Arab lands, make a living and establish its own Palestinian state without further delay.
French nincompoop Macron recognized Palestine as a state but failed to know that Palestine does not have territory and sovereignty. Leaders of UK, GERMANY, AUSTRLALIA would commit the same mistake by supporting terrorists. Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis are wicked terrorists, they should be destroyed without mercy. Leaders of Palestinian Authority are guilty for the death and malnutrition of children because they lead Palestinians to the path of destruction. They could have led Palestinians to lands of Arabs to earn a living and build their own Palestinian state. Palestinians (young & old, man & woman) are most shameless beggars for food & water, they don’t want to go to an Arab land to earn a living and build their own Palestinian state. Africa amid famine has the most fat people in the world, they are also shameless beggars. Ukrainians are shameless beggars for weapons, they do not have reason for existence. Harvard though the richest university in the world is a shameless beggar for US aid. Japan claims to practice democracy, its ruling party lost election miserably, yet its prime minister shamelessly wants to stay in power. The world must realize years of aid to Africa produced nothing, trillions of dollars went to black holes. Africa is corrupt, unmotivated and useless. Black leaders and politicians take advantage of it; dress well, eat well, and live a luxurious life style. Black problems can be solved only by Blacks. Let Africa alone to survive on its own. Blacks create most of the problems in the world, given too much coverage and platform in world media, over–appointed and given too many spokespersons and positions in UN. Any nation who shares destiny with Africa will be doomed. Nothing good comes out of Africa: primitive religion, superstition, spiritism, orgies, black magic, tribalism, voodooism.
If the Texas flooding is an act of God; Ukraine conflict, and conflicts of Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthis must be acts of the devil.
India must coexist with China, at the same time India and South Africa must be expelled from BRICS besause they do not remain true to BRICS’ founding mission, they do not belong, must be replaced by Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. US and EU must not rearm Ukraine, let Russia destroy it, and never to be rebuilt. The leader of Ukraine must also be executed.
Palestinian Authorities are guilty for leading Palestinians to a path of death, children died and suffer malnutrition. Palestian Authorities do not lead Palestinians (who are Arabs) to a land of Arabs to work for a living and build the Palestinian state.
American forces have successfully wiped out three Iranian nuclear sites through B-2 bombers. The “everlasting consequence” is Iran cannot be a nuclear threat anymore. I stand with the overwhelming majority of Dutch people to demolish NATO — the war machine.
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No one in the whole universe, can honestly say, “I AM” as Jesus Christ has declared. Let us tremble, bow, and worship the Lord.
This article is written to let you know that the Incomparable Jesus Christ is the greatest, in Heaven and on earth, there is no one like Jesus Christ. The New Testament ‘I AM’ is the same Old Testament “I AM WHO I AM.” For the Father and Son are ONE.
God called Moses and wanted to send him to see Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, with the message: “Let My people go!” Moses did not know what the name of God was.
Exd 3:13-14 , “Then Moses said to God: Behold, I am going to the sons of Israel, and I will say to them: The God of your fathers has sent me to you. Now they may say to me: What is His name? What shall I say to them? And God said to Moses: I AM WHO I AM. And He said: Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, I AM has sent me to you.”
In the Gospel of John alone, Jesus Christ declares His “ I AM ” as follows:
1. I AM the Bread of life.
Jhn 6:35 , “Jesus said to them, I AM the Bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” See also Jhn 6:48.
Note: Bread in Greek is artos which means food composed of flour mixed with water and baked; food of any kind; sustenance; loaf; – which occurs 97 times in the New Testament. Jesus also says, Mat 4:4, “But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’” Man lives on bread, but man shall not live on bread alone. Just as man needs bread to live, so all men need Jesus the Bread of life. The Bread of life means the body of Jesus Christ suffered and died on the cross for our sins. Those who come to Christ have the Bread of life and will not hunger, and those who believe in Christ will never thirst because they have the water of life. The eternal life does not hunger or thirst. Bread is the main food for the Jews just as rice is the main food for the Chinese. Just as food is vital to our body, so is Jesus the Bread of life for our spiritual life. He who has Jesus Christ has life, and he who does not have Jesus Christ does not have life, the real life, the eternal life.
2. I AM the Light of the world.
Jhn 8:12 , “Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, I AM the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”
Note: Light in Greek is phōs which means something emitted by a lamp; the physical light can be emitted by a torch, a star or electricity; something that shines and manifests; brightness; something that makes vision or sight possible; metaphorically God is Light because of its pure and brilliant quality; truth (spiritual light); reason (mental light); – which occurs 72 times in the New Testament. Without light man walks in the darkness. Jesus does not mean He is the Visible light which is usually defined as having wavelengths in the range of 400–700 nanometers (nm), or 4.00 × 10⁻⁷ to 7.00 × 10⁻⁷ m, between the infrared (with longer wavelengths) and the ultraviolet (with shorter wavelengths). God is Light because God is true; there is no darkness in Him. Jesus Christ is the Light of the world who leads people to God and those who believe have the Light of life. The light of science and knowledge cannot lead man to the Light of life. Religion cannot save you. To know Jesus Christ is to know God and will have the Light of life.
3. I AM from above.
Jhn 8:23 , “And He was saying to them, You are from below, I AM from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world.”
Note: This is the contrast between the Son of God and mankind. Christ is from above, we are from below. Above means Heaven, below means the Earth. Men are of this world; Christ is not of this world. Christians are also not of this world. Christians do not belong to this world. The world to come is the Kingdom of Heaven. Warmongers, supremacists, militarists, capitalists, imperialists, terrorists, monopolists, hegemonists, etc. are of this world and they will perish and vanish. Nothing in this world lasts. There is no Christendom in this world. There is no Christian nation on earth. There is no Christian nationalism. Jesus Christ is not of this world. The Kingdom of Jesus Christ is not of this world.
4. I AM the Door.
Jhn 10:9 , “I AM the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.”
Note: Door in Greek is thyra which means gate; a portal or entrance; something by which entry is opened or closed; way of passage; in a metaphor Jesus is the door through which sheep go in and out; Jesus is the Person who brings salvation and gives life to those who come and believe in Him; – which occurs 39 times in the New Testament.
Figuratively and spiritually speaking, Jesus Christ is the Door; just as through a door you enter a house. Through Jesus Christ you enter the Kingdom of God and are saved. Believers also enjoy Christian liberty and God provides their needs. All other religions have no door to God, no door to truth, no door to salvation
5. I AM the Good Shepherd.
Jhn 10:11 , “I AM the Good Shepherd; the Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”
Note: Sphepherd in Greek is poimēn which means a person who tends sheep; a herdsman; a pastor; metaphorically Jesus Christ is the Savior and Head of the Church (His sheep); – which occurs 18 times in the New Testament. The Savior is the Good Shepherd, the Christians are His sheep. Jesus Christ laid down His life means He died on the cross for our sins. The Good Shepherd knows His sheep and they follow Him. If you do not follow Jesus Christ, it means you are not His sheep. The sheep of Jesus hear His voice.
Almost all religions teach you to be good. You save yourself by good needs or merit. All founders of religions are dead and buried. But Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd, the Savior, who died on the cross for our sins, rose again from the dead by the power of God, to justify all who believe and come to Him for salvation. You are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the only ONE WHO HAS THE EMPTY TOMB. FOR JESUS CHRIST LIVES FOREVER AND EVER.
6. I AM the Son of God.
Jhn 10:36 , “Do you say of Him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, You are blaspheming, because I said, I AM the Son of God?”
Note: Jesus Christ is the Son of God means the Father sanctified and sent Him into the world; born of a virgin, filled with the Holy Spirit, died on the cross and rose from the death by the power of God. Christ ascended to Heaven and now sits at the right hand of God. Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and Christians are children of God.
Jesus Christ is the Son of God means God the Father sent Jesus Christ down to the earth from Heaven to be the Lamb of God, to die for sinners. Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin Mary, without sins. Only the sinless and holy Jesus can be the Savior of the world. Jesus was bodily dead and buried, but rose again from the dead the third day to be declared the Son of God. Jesus Christ after the Resurrection appeared to the disciples in many occasions and many places. Before their eyes, Jesus ascended to the highest Heaven and sits on the right hand of God. Jesus Christ, the Judge of the living and dead, is coming again to judge the world and reign with the saints for eternity.
7. I AM the Resurrection and the Life.
Jhn 11:25 , “Jesus said to her, I AM the Resurrection and the Life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies.”
Note: Resurrection in Greek is anastasis which means rising again; raised to life again; a rising from the dead; the rising of Christ from the dead; – which occurs 42 times in the New Testament. Jesus Christ is the Resurrection literally and spiritually. Jesus Christ not only rose from death, He is the Resurrection. Jesus Christ not only gives life, He is the Life, the Lord of life; and He has life in Himself. Those who believe in Christ even if they die, someday they will rise and live forever. Because my Redeemer lives, so I will live forever.
Look around you see only tombs, graves, and death. Look up you see Jesus Christ the Resurrection and the Life.
8. I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Jhn 14:6 , “Jesus said to him, I AM the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”
Note: This is the Manifesto of the incomparable Jesus Christ.
This is one of the most important statements by Jesus. Jesus Christ is the Way, the only Way to God, the Way of salvation. There is no other way. There is no other truth. There is no other life. This is the Truth that Christ proclaims to the world. Christ is the Life; he who believes in Him will have eternal life. Truth is exclusive; the Way, the Truth, and the Life are exclusive of all others. There is only one Way, one Truth, and one Life who is Jesus Christ.
Science and philosophy cannot find God by human efforts or wisdom. God is the greatest mystery of all. Humanly speaking, there is no way to God, no truth, and no life. So Jesus Christ came to reveal God, that is called Incarnation. Incarnation means God became Man in the body of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ did not become God. Jesus Christ is the Word of God who was with God from the beginning. The Word was God. Jesus Christ reveals God the Father to the world. Christianity, unlike all other religions, is the only Revealed religion. God is Spirit. Science and philosophy cannot find God or the absolute truth. Thus Jesus Christ declares, He is the Way, no one comes to the Father but through Him. Jesus is the Way to God is the Truth, whoever believes in the truth of Christ has eternal life.
Look the whole world is lost, you cannot find the way, there is no truth but lies (most despicable are world leaders who lie, lie, and lie; kill, kill, and kill; rob, rob, and rob), and death fills up the earth. Behold, Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
9. I AM the Vine.
Jhn 15:5 , “I AM the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”
Note: Vine in Greek is ampelos which means a plant that produces grapes; Christ calls Himself a vine, because, as the vine imparts to its branches sap and productiveness, so Christ infuses into His followers His own divine strength and life (Strong’s Concordance); – which occurs 9 times in the New Testament.
The relationship between Christ and Christians is so personal like the vine and the branches. The branches cannot live without the vine, so believers do not have life without Jesus Christ. Those who abide in Christ, Christ lives in them and they bear much fruit. Apart from the Vine, the branches wither and die. Apart from Christ, Christians can do nothing. A full Christian life is to live for Christ and have Christ lives in you.
10. I AM the King of the Jews.
Jhn 19:21 , “So the chief priests of the Jews were saying to Pilate, Do not write, The King of the Jews; but that He said, I AM the King of the Jews.”
Note: Sadly, the Jews did not know the Messiah had come. They have not accepted their King as a nation. The day is coming, not only Jesus Christ is the King of the Jews, He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Rev 17:14 , “These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”
Jesus Christ is the King of the Jews. God some 4,000 years ago gave the Promised Land to Abraham and his descendants. There was Israel and the Jews. There was no Palestinian, Arab or Hamas. The UNITED NATIONS or any agency has no authority to give the Holy Land to Palestinians, Arabs or Hamas. The Jews are the Chosen People of God. When the Jews rebelled against God, they were scattered all over the world. During the British colonial rule of the Holy Land, it was known as the Palestine, illegal Arabs moved in to occupy the Holy Land without payment. The leaders of the United Kingdom have the No one in the whole universe, can honestly say, “I AM” as Jesus Christ has declared. Let us tremble, bow, and worship the Lord.
This article is written to let you know that the Incomparable Jesus Christ is the greatest, in Heaven and on earth, there is no one like Jesus Christ. The New Testament ‘I AM’ is the same Old Testament “I AM WHO I AM.” For the Father and Son are ONE.
God called Moses and wanted to send him to see Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, with the message: “Let My people go!” Moses did not know what the name of God was.
Exd 3:13-14 , “Then Moses said to God: Behold, I am going to the sons of Israel, and I will say to them: The God of your fathers has sent me to you. Now they may say to me: What is His name? What shall I say to them? And God said to Moses: I AM WHO I AM. And He said: Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, I AM has sent me to you.”
In the Gospel of John alone, Jesus Christ declares His “ I AM ” as follows:
1. I AM the Bread of life.
Jhn 6:35 , “Jesus said to them, I AM the Bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” See also Jhn 6:48.
Note: Bread in Greek is artos which means food composed of flour mixed with water and baked; food of any kind; sustenance; loaf; – which occurs 97 times in the New Testament. Jesus also says, Mat 4:4, “But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’” Man lives on bread, but man shall not live on bread alone. Just as man needs bread to live, so all men need Jesus the Bread of life. The Bread of life means the body of Jesus Christ suffered and died on the cross for our sins. Those who come to Christ have the Bread of life and will not hunger, and those who believe in Christ will never thirst because they have the water of life. The eternal life does not hunger or thirst. Bread is the main food for the Jews just as rice is the main food for the Chinese. Just as food is vital to our body, so is Jesus the Bread of life for our spiritual life. He who has Jesus Christ has life, and he who does not have Jesus Christ does not have life, the real life, the eternal life.
2. I AM the Light of the world.
Jhn 8:12 , “Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, I AM the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”
Note: Light in Greek is phōs which means something emitted by a lamp; the physical light can be emitted by a torch, a star or electricity; something that shines and manifests; brightness; something that makes vision or sight possible; metaphorically God is Light because of its pure and brilliant quality; truth (spiritual light); reason (mental light); – which occurs 72 times in the New Testament. Without light man walks in the darkness. Jesus does not mean He is the Visible light which is usually defined as having wavelengths in the range of 400–700 nanometers (nm), or 4.00 × 10⁻⁷ to 7.00 × 10⁻⁷ m, between the infrared (with longer wavelengths) and the ultraviolet (with shorter wavelengths). God is Light because God is true; there is no darkness in Him. Jesus Christ is the Light of the world who leads people to God and those who believe have the Light of life. The light of science and knowledge cannot lead man to the Light of life. Religion cannot save you. To know Jesus Christ is to know God and will have the Light of life.
3. I AM from above.
Jhn 8:23 , “And He was saying to them, You are from below, I AM from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world.”
Note: This is the contrast between the Son of God and mankind. Christ is from above, we are from below. Above means Heaven, below means the Earth. Men are of this world; Christ is not of this world. Christians are also not of this world. Christians do not belong to this world. The world to come is the Kingdom of Heaven. Warmongers, supremacists, militarists, capitalists, imperialists, terrorists, monopolists, hegemonists, etc. are of this world and they will perish and vanish. Nothing in this world lasts. There is no Christendom in this world. There is no Christian nation on earth. There is no Christian nationalism. Jesus Christ is not of this world. The Kingdom of Jesus Christ is not of this world.
4. I AM the Door.
Jhn 10:9 , “I AM the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.”
Note: Door in Greek is thyra which means gate; a portal or entrance; something by which entry is opened or closed; way of passage; in a metaphor Jesus is the door through which sheep go in and out; Jesus is the Person who brings salvation and gives life to those who come and believe in Him; – which occurs 39 times in the New Testament.
Figuratively and spiritually speaking, Jesus Christ is the Door; just as through a door you enter a house. Through Jesus Christ you enter the Kingdom of God and are saved. Believers also enjoy Christian liberty and God provides their needs. All other religions have no door to God, no door to truth, no door to salvation
5. I AM the Good Shepherd.
Jhn 10:11 , “I AM the Good Shepherd; the Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”
Note: Sphepherd in Greek is poimēn which means a person who tends sheep; a herdsman; a pastor; metaphorically Jesus Christ is the Savior and Head of the Church (His sheep); – which occurs 18 times in the New Testament. The Savior is the Good Shepherd, the Christians are His sheep. Jesus Christ laid down His life means He died on the cross for our sins. The Good Shepherd knows His sheep and they follow Him. If you do not follow Jesus Christ, it means you are not His sheep. The sheep of Jesus hear His voice.
Almost all religions teach you to be good. You save yourself by good needs or merit. All founders of religions are dead and buried. But Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd, the Savior, who died on the cross for our sins, rose again from the dead by the power of God, to justify all who believe and come to Him for salvation. You are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the only ONE WHO HAS THE EMPTY TOMB. FOR JESUS CHRIST LIVES FOREVER AND EVER.
6. I AM the Son of God.
Jhn 10:36 , “Do you say of Him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, You are blaspheming, because I said, I AM the Son of God?”
Note: Jesus Christ is the Son of God means the Father sanctified and sent Him into the world; born of a virgin, filled with the Holy Spirit, died on the cross and rose from the death by the power of God. Christ ascended to Heaven and now sits at the right hand of God. Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and Christians are children of God.
Jesus Christ is the Son of God means God the Father sent Jesus Christ down to the earth from Heaven to be the Lamb of God, to die for sinners. Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin Mary, without sins. Only the sinless and holy Jesus can be the Savior of the world. Jesus was bodily dead and buried, but rose again from the dead the third day to be declared the Son of God. Jesus Christ after the Resurrection appeared to the disciples in many occasions and many places. Before their eyes, Jesus ascended to the highest Heaven and sits on the right hand of God. Jesus Christ, the Judge of the living and dead, is coming again to judge the world and reign with the saints for eternity.
7. I AM the Resurrection and the Life.
Jhn 11:25 , “Jesus said to her, I AM the Resurrection and the Life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies.”
Note: Resurrection in Greek is anastasis which means rising again; raised to life again; a rising from the dead; the rising of Christ from the dead; – which occurs 42 times in the New Testament. Jesus Christ is the Resurrection literally and spiritually. Jesus Christ not only rose from death, He is the Resurrection. Jesus Christ not only gives life, He is the Life, the Lord of life; and He has life in Himself. Those who believe in Christ even if they die, someday they will rise and live forever. Because my Redeemer lives, so I will live forever.
Look around you see only tombs, graves, and death. Look up you see Jesus Christ the Resurrection and the Life.
8. I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Jhn 14:6 , “Jesus said to him, I AM the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”
Note: This is the Manifesto of the incomparable Jesus Christ.
This is one of the most important statements by Jesus. Jesus Christ is the Way, the only Way to God, the Way of salvation. There is no other way. There is no other truth. There is no other life. This is the Truth that Christ proclaims to the world. Christ is the Life; he who believes in Him will have eternal life. Truth is exclusive; the Way, the Truth, and the Life are exclusive of all others. There is only one Way, one Truth, and one Life who is Jesus Christ.
Science and philosophy cannot find God by human efforts or wisdom. God is the greatest mystery of all. Humanly speaking, there is no way to God, no truth, and no life. So Jesus Christ came to reveal God, that is called Incarnation. Incarnation means God became Man in the body of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ did not become God. Jesus Christ is the Word of God who was with God from the beginning. The Word was God. Jesus Christ reveals God the Father to the world. Christianity, unlike all other religions, is the only Revealed religion. God is Spirit. Science and philosophy cannot find God or the absolute truth. Thus Jesus Christ declares, He is the Way, no one comes to the Father but through Him. Jesus is the Way to God is the Truth, whoever believes in the truth of Christ has eternal life.
Look the whole world is lost, you cannot find the way, there is no truth but lies (most despicable are world leaders who lie, lie, and lie; kill, kill, and kill; rob, rob, and rob), and death fills up the earth. Behold, Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
9. I AM the Vine.
Jhn 15:5 , “I AM the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”
Note: Vine in Greek is ampelos which means a plant that produces grapes; Christ calls Himself a vine, because, as the vine imparts to its branches sap and productiveness, so Christ infuses into His followers His own divine strength and life (Strong’s Concordance); – which occurs 9 times in the New Testament.
The relationship between Christ and Christians is so personal like the vine and the branches. The branches cannot live without the vine, so believers do not have life without Jesus Christ. Those who abide in Christ, Christ lives in them and they bear much fruit. Apart from the Vine, the branches wither and die. Apart from Christ, Christians can do nothing. A full Christian life is to live for Christ and have Christ lives in you.
10. I AM the King of the Jews.
Jhn 19:21 , “So the chief priests of the Jews were saying to Pilate, Do not write, The King of the Jews; but that He said, I AM the King of the Jews.”
Note: Sadly, the Jews did not know the Messiah had come. They have not accepted their King as a nation. The day is coming, not only Jesus Christ is the King of the Jews, He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Rev 17:14 , “These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”
Jesus Christ is the King of the Jews. God some 4,000 years ago gave the Promised Land to Abraham and his descendants. There was Israel and the Jews. There was no Palestinian, Arab or Hamas. The UNITED NATIONS or any agency has no authority to give the Holy Land to Palestinians, Arabs or Hamas. The Jews are the Chosen People of God. When the Jews rebelled against God, they were scattered all over the world. During the British colonial rule of the Holy Land, it was known as the Palestine, illegal Arabs moved in to occupy the Holy Land without payment. The leaders of the United Kingdom have the moral obligation to come out and inform the Palestinians, Arabs and Hamas that they do not have any claim to the Holy Land, and they do not have the resettlement right in the Holy Land. Thus, Palestinians do not have any right to establish a Palestinian state in the Jewish land. Jerusalem is forever the capital of the great King David. Palestinians, Arabs and Hamas should get out of the Holy Land in peace, or they will be evicted by force. God will fight for Jerusalem and God is the Protector of Israel.
The world is coming to an end. Jesus Christ is coming again to establish the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus Christ is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. All the kingdoms of the world will become the Kingdom of God and Jesus Christ. Let the enemies of Israel beware!
This is the last word of the coming King of kings and Lord of lords:
Rev 22:11-13, “Let the one who does wrong, still do wrong; and the one who is filthy, still be filthy; and let the one who is righteous, still practice righteousness; and the one who is holy, still keep himself holy. Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
The “ I AM WHO I AM ” of the Old Testament is the “ I AM ” of the New Testament. Jesus Christ is Jehovah of the Old Testament. Jehovah of the Old Testament and Jesus Christ of the New Testament are One and the Same.
Jesus Christ was, Jesus Christ is, and Jesus Christ is to come. My Redeemer lives forever and so I will live.
Israel, don’t be afraid, Jesus Christ is the King of the Jews. Repent, believe and acknowledge your Messiah!
Do you want to accept Jesus Christ as your Redeemer, your Savior? No matter who you are and where you are, you can come to Him now. For today is the day of salvation, now is the accepted time.
*Our mission is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ absolutely free. We do not want donation. We only want you to know the truth.
The West (Europe and America) pretending and claiming to be Christian nations have not followed the steps and teachings of Jesus Christ for hundreds or even thousand of years to this day.
Jesus Christ is our Savior to save our souls, and to save us from dying in our sins. Jesus Christ is also our Example for Christians to follow in His steps.
This article is written to let you know what imitation of Christ really means. We have to be careful in using words respecting spiritual things or pertaining divine things. Jesus says, “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”( Mat 12:37 ) It is dangerous and unsafe to use the words or concepts of man to depict the things of God. Nowhere in the Bible tells Christians to reflect Christ. In the things of God, sinners cannot be self-creative or self-reflective to say you reflect Christ. You must follow the Word of God. Sinners are a vessel of wrath can never reflect the glory of God. A little candle cannot reflect the Sun of Righteousness. However, the Bible teaches all believers to imitate Christ, no exception. Even the great Apostle Paul imitated Christ.
There is no doubt and it is very plain and clear, that all Christians who follow Christ and must imitate Christ. The two important questions are: What does it mean to imitate Christ? And how to imitate Christ? There was a good Christian and servant of Christ who wrote a book long ago called The Imitation of Christ , by Thomas a Kempis. He was a Catholic monk and it is a good and great book, in spite of some errors influenced by the Roman Catholicism.
This article is written by searching the Scriptures to find out the truth. What is the meaning of imitation of Christ? Fundamentally what do we imitate Christ?
I. The imitation of Christ involves three principles: (A.) Imitate the Person of Christ.
1Co 11:1 , “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ. ”
Note: Be imitator in Greek is mimētēs which means to be a follower, to follow as an example, model or pattern; to be or appear like; to copy; – which occurs 6 times in the New Testament. Apostle Paul wanted believers to imitate him just as he also imitated Christ.
The most important thing for Christians to do is to imitate Christ. To imitate Christ is to imitate the Person of Christ. We cannot imitate the power and glory of Christ in performing miracles and wonders. We cannot imitate Christ to turn water into wine. We cannot imitate Christ to take the five loaves and the two fish to feed the five thousand men . We cannot calm the winds and the sea. We cannot raise the dead. We cannot imitate Christ walking on the sea. Remember what happened to Peter when he tried?
Psa 100:3 , “Know that the LORD Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.”
Note: To know God is to know the Lord Himself is God. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. We must know Jesus is our Good Shepherd and we are His sheep. This personal relationship is the basis to imitate the Person of Jesus Christ.
Luk 24:27 , “Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. ”
Note: Beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, Jesus explained to the disciples the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. From the Old Testament to the New Testament, the central message of the Bible is Jesus Christ. Explain in Greek is diermēneuō which means to expound, interpret, translate, unfold; to make known or plain; clarify thoroughly; – which occurs 6 times in the New Testament. The Scriptures is the Holy Bible. The Scriptures in Greek is graphē which means the Holy Writ, the Bible; – which occurs 51 times in the New Testament. To imitate the Person of Christ, we must learn from the things concerning Himself in the Bible. We do not accept the speculations and lofty ideas of unbelieving theologians or philosophers.
Jhn 5:26 , “For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself .”
Note: God has life in Himself, Christ also has life in Himself. To know Christ personally is to have life. Without life, you cannot imitate Christ.
Act 1:3 , “To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the Kingdom of God. ”
Note: After His suffering, Christ rose from death and presented Himself alive, by many convincing proofs and speaking of the things concerning the Kingdom of God. Convincing proof in Greek is tekmērion which means infallible proof; indubitable evidence; validity of fact; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. After resurrection Jesus appeared to the disciples over a period of forty days. It is based on the things concerning Jesus Christ written in the Bible which we are to follow and imitate Jesus the Person.
Gal 1:4 , “Who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father .”
Note: According to the will of our God and Father, Jesus gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age. How did Jesus rescue us?
1Pe 2:24 , “and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. ”
Note: Christ Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, it was not symbolic or imaginary. This personal Lord and Savior is who Christians follow and imitate.
(B.) Imitate the faith of your leaders.
Heb 13:7 , “ Remember your leaders who have spoken God’s Word to you. As you carefully observe the outcome of their lives, imitate their faith. ”
Note: Imitate in Greek is mimeomai which means to follow, to come after, to be or act in accordance with; to obey; – which occurs 6 times in the New Testament. Apostles were Christian leaders who had spoken God’s Word to the Church. Christian leaders are those who speak God’s Word, not their own word or the word of man. To observe in Greek is anatheōreō which means to consider well, to look at attentively, to behold accurately, to look up; to watch carefully; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Outcome in Greek is ekbasis which means end, result, the manner in which they spent their life; – which occurs 3 times in the New Testament. Christians are to imitate the faith of their leaders including the Apostles. Preachers who seek fame and fortune or are greedy for money or commit sexual immorality are false preachers, not Christian leaders. Watch out the outcome of the lives of prosperity gospel preachers. Crystal Cathedral went bankrupt and was sold for millions of dollars to the Catholic Church and the work of its founder was discredited. Christians imitate the faith of our leaders such as Paul, Stephen, the Apostles and those described in Hebrews Chapter 11.
(C.) Imitate what is good.
3Jo 1:11 , “Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.”
Note: No one can imitate Christ while he imitates what is evil. A liar and killer and robber cannot imitate Christ. A greedy capitalist, a warmongering imperialist and bloody militarist cannot imitate Christ. For hundreds or even a thousand years Western imperialism, colonialism and capitalism produce bad fruits although they pretend to be Christians. All evildoers imitate the Devil. The one who does good is of God. The one who does evil is of the Devil. Imitate Christ is to imitate what is good. We cannot imitate the power and glory of Christ.
2Co 10:5 , “We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ .”
Note: Speculation in Greek is logismos which means imagination, thought; reasoning which is hostile to the Christian faith; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Lofty thing in Greek is hypsōma which means high-minded thing, elevated thing; – which occurs 3 times in the New Testament. As I study theology and philosophy, I become aware of the imagination and speculation of unbelieving theologians and philosophers. I am often infuriated by the speculations and loft things of liberal theologians and secular philosophers. Speculations and lofty things such as Higher Criticism, Textual Criticism, conviction of the supremacy and efficacy of human reason above the Wisdom of God. Higher criticism contradicts the Christian faith (as with the Gospels) or even the words of the Bible itself. Destroy in Greek is kathaireō which means to take down, pull down, put down, throw down, cast down, demolish; vanquish; – which occurs 15 times in the New Testament. So Christians must destroy speculations and every lofty thing raised up by secularists, unbelieving theologians and scientists and scholars against the knowledge of God. There are two kinds of knowledge: human and divine. Human knowledge is limited, incomplete, defined by time and place, often erroneous and tentative. Divine knowledge is absolute, infinite, perfect, ultimate and infallible. Just as the Heavens are higher than the earth, so the Divine Knowledge is higher than the human knowledge.Take captive in Greek is aichmalōtizō which means to bring into captivity, to lead away captive, to make captive, to capture one’s mind; to captivate; to subjugate; – which occurs 7 times in the New Testament. So Christians must take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. Every human opinion must be subjugated to the Word of God. Obedience in Greek is hypakoē which means obeying, compliance, submission, conformity, subordination; – which occurs 15 times in the New Testament. We are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
II. To imitate Christ is to learn from Christ.
Mat 11:29 , “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I AM gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. ”
Note: Yoke in Greek is zygos which means metaphorically, used of any burden or bondage, it is so transferred to the commands of Christ unlike the Mosaic Law; – which occurs 7 times in the New Testament. I believe it spiritually refers to the cross. So Jesus says, Mat 10:38, “And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. ” Gentle in Greek is praÿs which means mild, kind, meek; not violent; – which occurs 4 times in the New Testament. 1Pe 3:4, “but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. ” Humble in Greek is tapeinos which means lowly, lowly in spirit, of low degree, not arrogant or haughty; – which occurs 8 times in the New Testament. In heart means not in appearance. As a comparison, there was an American prosperity gospel TV evangelist. He was so arrogant that he pushed a flight attendant and declared, Do you know who I am? Those who learn from Christ gentle and quiet and take up the cross to follow him will find rest for their souls.
Heb 12:2 , “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ” Endure in Greek is hypomenō which means to suffer, to take patiently; to persevere; under misfortunes and trials to hold fast to one’s faith in Christ; – which occurs 20 times in the New Testament. So to learn from Christ is to take up the cross, endure the cross, fixing our eyes on Jesus and follow after Jesus. The people of the world fix their eyes on money, power, and sex.
John Calvin was a false teacher who taught a false doctrine of predestination. Listen to Christ who says whoever comes to Him, He will not kick them out.
(A). Christians must learn the obedience of Christ.
Heb 5:8 , “Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. ”
Note: Learn in Greek is manthanō which means to understand, to increase one’s knowledge; to gain knowledge or understanding; – which occurs 26 times in the New Testament. Obedience in Greek is hypakoē which means compliance, submission, act of obeying; – which occurs 15 times in the New Testament. We can learn obedience from sufferings. To suffer is to feel pain. Sufferings cause pain. Pain makes man think. We learn many things from sufferings. Psa 119:71 , “It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes. ”
We learn obedience from the things we suffer.
2Co 2:9 , “For to this end also I wrote, so that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things. ”
Note: Can we put ourselves to the test to prove our trustworthiness? Christians must learn to be obedient in all things the Lord commands.
Rom 15:18 , “For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed.”
Note: What Christ has accomplished for us are tremendous and precious and eternal. What Christ has accomplished through His servants are recorded in Heaven. What we have accomplished for Christ will be remembered forever. Our obedience to Christ must be proved by word and deed.
2Co 9:13 , “Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the Gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all.”
Note: Our obedience is to our confession of the Gospel of Christ. Our obedience to the Gospel of Christ glorifies God.
2Co 10:5 , “We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”
Note: All speculations and imaginations against the knowledge of God must be destroyed and we are taking everything thought captive to the obedience of Christ. To obey Christ we must reject all speculations and lofty ideas of unbelieving theologians and philosophers raised up against the Word of God. I have studied the so-called lofty ideas of theologians and philosophers, they are vain and not worthwhile. Christians are not only obedient to Christ in our will, we are obedient to Christ also in our thoughts.
(B). Christians must learn from the humility of Christ.
Phl 2:8 , “Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. ”
Note: Humble in Greek is tapeinoō which means to make low, bring low, metaphorically to bring into a humble condition; to abase oneself by humble living; to have a modest opinion of one’s self; to behave in an unassuming manner; – which occurs 18 times in the New Testament. Our glorious Lord became Man in appearance as a man; obeyed the will of the Holy Father by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Death on a cross was the cruelest form of Roman empire punishment. Our death on the cross means our self-denial in obedience to the will of God. The highest form of obedience is obedient to the point of death. Our obedience to the point of death means through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Jhn 13:12-17, “Then, when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done for you? You call Me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord’; and you are correct, for so I am. So if I, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an EXAMPLE, so that you also would do just as I did for you. Truly, truly I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.”
Jesus washing the feet of the disciples is an example of doing humility. Humility is a Christian virtue.
Phl 2:5-7 , “Have this mindset in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. ”
In my life experience having met all races of people throughout the years, I discover white and black supremacists are the people so full of themselves. They like to exalt themselves, never to empty themselves as Christ demands.
Note: Humility of Christ is revealed in the mind of Christ. Mind or mindset in Greek is phroneō which means thought, opinion, view, concern, affection; the complex of elements in an individual that feels, perceives, thinks, wills, and especially reasons; mentality; intellectual ability; mental capabilities; a mental attitude or inclination; a person’s way of feeling and thinking; – which occurs 36 times in the New Testament. God wants believers to have the mind or mindset of Christ, to deny oneself. Christ preexisted in the form of God, but He emptied Himself. Grasp in Greek is harpagmos which means to rob, seize, hold fast, retain; to clutch; to lay hold of; to take or seize eagerly; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Unbelievers live and labor to grasp fame and fortune, money, power, and pleasure. Empty in Greek is kenoō which means to make void, to make of no reputation, to abase; to lay aside; – which occurs 9 times in the New Testament. Jesus Christ emptied Himself so as not to grasp equality with God.
Christians must have the mind (or mindset) of Christ. We must learn to empty ourselves – empty our pride, position, pleasure, power, influence, possession, privilege, prerogative, perspective, prejudice, bias, preconception, prejudgment, presumption, pretext, purse, knowledge; etc. To be filled with the Holy Spirit, we must first empty ourselves.
2Co 10:1 , “By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away! ”
Note: Most believers know about the power and glory of Christ, not many learn the humility and gentleness of Christ. Humility in Greek is praÿtēs which means meekness, gentleness of spirit, mildness of disposition, lack of pride or arrogance; – which occurs 11 times in the New Testament. The exalted Son of God has humility.
Act 20:19, “serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews .”
Note: Serving the Lord requires all humility.
Col 3:12 , “So, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
Note: The elect of God must put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. How can a violent, oppressive, aggressive, arrogant, greedy and unjust warmonger claim to be a Christian?
Tit 3:2 , “to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. ”
Note: Most people think you need to show all humility to the rich and powerful and people of high position. Christians in imitating Christ show all humility to all men. Humility is a special quality: If you think you are humble enough, you are not humble at all.
1Pe 5:5 , “You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE. ”
Note: The reward of humility is the blessing God gives grace to the humble.
(C). Christians must learn from the sufferings of Christ.
Phl 3:10 , “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.”
Note: To have fellowship of the sufferings of Christ is a higher level of knowing and following Christ. Fellowship in Greek is koinōnia which means communion, communication, joint participation, sharing, intimacy, partnership, social intercourse, association; companionship; – which occurs 19 times in the New Testament. To deny oneself is to be conformed to His death. The highest form of fellowship with Christ is the fellowship of His sufferings. I personally think Paul really did. You do not know the meaning of spirituality if you have never suffered for Christ. It is ludicrous for those preachers who get rich by preaching the gospel and think they are suffering for Christ.
Why we must learn from the sufferings of Christ? At least 4 reasons:
(1.) Col 1:24 , “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the Church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions. ”
Note: To do our share of sufferings on behalf of the body of Christ which is the Church is to fill up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions. This is a high spiritual truth. The meaning is what is wanting in Christ’s affliction on behalf of His body the Church is to be borne by me willingly in order to repay for all the benefits freely I have received from the Lord. Affliction in Greek is thlipsis which means tribulation, persecution, trouble, anguish, oppression, burden; – which occurs 45 times in the New Testament. To share Christ’s afflictions is to suffer with Him. Those who suffer for Christ will someday glorify with Him.
(2.) 1Pe 4:13 , “but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. ”
Note: To share the sufferings of Christ is a guarantee to rejoice with exultation at the revelation of His glory. To suffer for Christ now is to rejoice with Christ when He comes in great power and glory.
(3.) 2Co 1:5 , “For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. ”
Note: To have sufferings of Christ in abundance is to have abundant comfort through Christ. This is the abundant spiritual life. Do you think those American preachers who have assets of millions of dollars do any suffering for Christ?
(4.) Rom 8:18 , “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. ”
Note: It is important to know what is worthy or not worthy. How can one know what is worthy or not worthy? By comparison. Comparison is to judge of one thing in connection with another. Comparison is a measure to wear the merit or value of something against another thing. The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us when Jesus Christ returns to reign. So it is worthy to suffer for Christ.
1Pe 1:22, “Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart .”
If I distort the truth and speak a lie that American imperialism, colonialism, capitalism, monopolism, militarism, hegemonism are good and right; I am sure American leaders and politicians would be glad. But I cannot do anything against the truth, but for the truth, and be obedient to the truth in Christ.
Note: Purify in Greek is hagnizō which means to make pure, cleanse; to sanctify morally; – which occurs 7 times in the New Testament. Obedience to the truth can purify our souls. Not only we must know the truth, believe in the truth, speak the truth, testify to the truth, listen to the truth, practice the truth, walk in truth, and we must also obey the truth. We must learn obedience to the truth. Jhn 17:17 , “Sanctify them in the truth; Your Word is truth.” The more you know the truth in Jesus Christ the more you can be sanctified. The more you are obedient to the truth, the more you can be sanctified.
Heb 12:10 , “For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. ”
Note: Discipline in Greek is paideuō which means to train up, chasten, chastise, teach, instruct, correct, educate, penalize, punish; – which occurs 13 times in the New Testament. God disciplines His children for our good so that we may share His holiness. Heb 12:14 , “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Without holiness no one will see the Lord. European and American supremacists do not want to live in peace with every nation and people. They do and say anything to dictate and dominate the world. European and American warmongers do not want peace, they want conquest.
III. What does it mean to imitate Christ?
1. To imitate Christ is to follow Christ.
What does it mean to follow Christ?
Mat 4:19 , “And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Mar 1:17 , “And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”
Note: Follow in Greek is akoloutheō which means to become a disciple, to follow one who proceeds, to accompany, come after, walk behind, obey ; to be in the same way with; – which occurs 89 times in the New Testament. Beware of false teachers and false prophets who want people to follow them. True Christians only follow Jesus the Leader, not anyone who sets himself up as teacher. Jesus called Peter, John, James, etc. to be disciples to become fishers of men, to win people for Christ.
Mat 8:22 , “But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and allow the dead to bury their own dead.”
Note: Allow in Greek is aphiēmi which means to let, leave, let alone, permit, not to hinder or prevent, lay aside; – which occurs 155 times in the New Testament. The first dead means the spiritually dead, the second dead means the physically dead. To follow Jesus is so important and even more important than to bury the dead.
Mat 19:21 , “Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven; and come, follow Me.”
Note: Complete in Greek is teleios which means perfect, mature, – which occurs 20 times in the New Testament. A rich man is not complete. If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven; and come, follow Jesus. Most people want to have treasure on earth. Do you know anyone who wants treasure in Heaven? False prophets and false preachers want to have treasure on earth. The funny part of preachers and followers of prosperity gospel is the fact they want to get rich in this world!!!.
Mat 10:38 , “And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. ”
Note: Worthy in Greek is axios which means befitting, congruous, having weight, having worth, deserving, suitable; – which occurs 41 times in the New Testament. To take the cross means self-denial. He who does not take his cross and follow after Jesus is not worthy of Him. He who does not deny himself is not worthy to be a follower of Jesus.
2. To follow Christ is to deny oneself.
To follow Christ, one must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Christ.
Mar 8:34 , “And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. ”
Note: That is the problem with Supremacists (white and black) for they want to be no. 1 in the world, they want to dictate and dominate the world. For that reason they are warmongers, aggressors, trouble-makers, imperialists, colonialists, militarists, capitalists, oppressors.
Wish in Greek is thelō which means to will, desire, intend, purpose, determine, choose or prefer, want; – which occurs 212 times in the New Testament. Deny in Greek is aparneomai which means to forget one’s self, lose sight of one’s self and one’s own interests; disown; – which occurs 11 times in the New Testament. A self-centered and self-seeking person cannot follow Jesus Christ. If anyone wants to come after Jesus, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Jesus. To deny oneself is not to trust oneself, not to seek oneself, not to advance oneself. I discover all supremacists are self-centered persons.
Tit 2:12 , “instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age .”
Do you want to know how to live a Christian life on earth? The Bible has the answer: Live sensibly, righteously and godly in this present age.
Note: To deny oneself is to say no to oneself. To deny oneself is to deny ungodliness and worldly desires. Desire in Greek is epithymia which means lust, concupiscence, a forbidden longing or craving; – which occurs 38 times in the New Testament. Worldly desires include love of money, power and sex. Sensibly in Greek is sōphronōs which means soberly; temperately; discreetly; with sound mind; – which occurs 1 times in the New Testament. To get drunk or get high is not to live sensibly. Righteously in Greek is dikaiōs which means justly; honestly; properly; uprightly; lawfully; equitably; – which occurs 5 times in the New Testament. Corrupt politicians, lawyers, corporate executives, monopolists, and predatory and fraudulent doctors and hospital owners, etc. do not live righteously. Godly in Greek is eusebōs which means piously, devoutly; obeying God;- which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. To imitate Christ is to live sensibly, righteously and godly in this world.
3. To follow Christ is to take up one’s cross daily.
Luk 9:23 , “And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. ”
Note: Daily means all the days of one’s life. If anyone wishes to come after Jesus, he must deny himself, and take up his cross all the days of his life and follow Jesus. To be a Christian is not for one day, it is for the whole life.
Act 17:11 , “Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. ”
Note: Noble-minded in Greek is eugenēs which means well born; high in rank; generous; noblesse oblige; notable; very good or excellent; lofty; – which occurs 4 times in the New Testament. The noble-minded want to know the truth, and so they examine the Scriptures. Eagerness in Greek is prothymia which means readiness of mind; willing mind; forwardness of mind; zeal; spirit; inclination; predisposition; – which occurs 5 times in the New Testament. Examine in Greek is anakrinō which means to search; ask question; investigate; scrutinize; inquire into carefully; determine; discern; – which occurs 19 times in the New Testament. To take up the cross to follow Jesus includes receiving the Word with great eagerness, and to read and examine the Scriptures daily. We must not use the things of the world to test the Word of God, we must use the Word of God to test the things of the world.
Eph 6:18 , “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.”
Note: To follow Christ, Christians need to pray at all times in the Spirit and be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints. All the saints in this Scripture means all Christians who are living.
Mar 16:15 , “And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation. ”
Act 2:46 , “Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart.”
Note: The early Christians followed Jesus with one mind and with gladness and sincerity of heart. To follow Christ not only to take up the cross daily, to study the Bible daily, and to pray at all times in the Spirit, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and also to preach the Gospel to all the peoples. To follow Christ is a daily business, not just for Easter and Christmas.
4. To follow Christ is to minister to Him.
Mar 15:41 , “When He was in Galilee, they used to follow Him and minister to Him; and there were many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem. ”
Note: Minister in Greek is diakoneō which means to serve, wait upon; to supply food and necessities of life; to take care of; to attend to anything; to be a servant; – which occurs 45 times in the New Testament. There were many women who followed Jesus and supplied Jesus’ food and necessities of life as well as the needs of the disciples. To minister to the servants of Christ is also to minister to Him.
Mat 25:35-36 , “For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.”
Jesus was never sick, for He healed all the sick who came to Him. Jesus was never in prison. To take care of the sick in Christ is to visit Christ. To visit a brother in prison for the sake of the Gospel is to visit Christ.
Mat 25:40, “The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.”
Whatever services we do to other Christians for Jesus’ sake, we do it to Jesus. So to minister our brothers and sisters in Christ is to minister to Jesus. To take care of them is to take care of Christ, because believers are the Body of Christ. To share in spiritual things and material things with our brothers and sisters is to minister to the Lord. Ministry of the Word refers to those who are called to preach and teach the Word. According to the gifts we can minister to the Lord. For example, believers ministered to Paul in his imprisonment for the Gospel.
1Co 12:28 , “And God has appointed in the Church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues.”
So Christians minister to the Lord according to the gifts given. Do you know helps and administrations are also gifts. For example, taking care of the poor, the sick and invalid, providing financial aid, varieties of assistance, relief and services to the leaders and saints.
Luk 5:28 , “And he left everything behind, and got up and began to follow Him. ”
Note: Whatever hinders you from following Jesus, you need to forsake or leave behind or abandon it.
5. To follow Christ is to hear His voice.
Jhn 10:27 , “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. ”
Note: Hear in Greek is akouō which means to hearken, listen with attention; attend to; give ear to; understand; – which occurs 436 times. The Great Shepherd goes ahead of His sheep, and the sheep follow Him because they know His voice. To hear His voice is to hear the Word of God and accept it and bear fruit. Very funny about supremacists, not only they do not hear the voice of Christ, they want the world to follow them!!!
Jhn 10:4 , “When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. ”
Note: When you follow Christ, Christ goes ahead of you to lead you. Do not run ahead of Christ. Western leaders and politicians want Jesus Christ to follow them.
Mar 9:7, “Then a cloud formed, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!”
Note: The word hear in the original language in John 10:27 is the same word used in Mark 9:7 listen. To hear the voice of Jesus is to listen to Him. To listen to Jesus is to follow Him. To follow Jesus is to obey Him.
1Jo 4:6, “We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error. ”
Note: Those who have the Spirit of truth listen to Apostolic teachings written in the New Testament. Unbelieving theologians and secular philosophers have the spirit of error and so they reject the Word of God.
6. To follow Christ is to serve Him.
Jhn 12:26 , “If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him. ”
Note: Serve in Greek is to diakoneō which means to minister to, to be a servant, to wait upon; – which occurs 45 times in the New Testament. A Christian is a follower of Jesus Christ. A follower of Jesus is a servant of Christ. If we follow Christ we must serve Him. Honor in Greek is timaō which means to value, revere, venerate; to show great respect; – which occurs 21 times in the New Testament. If we serve Jesus Christ, God will honor us. Think how much it is if the head of a state honors you. In ancient time this was the way the man whom the king desires to honor:
Est 6:7-9 , “Then Haman said to the king, “For the man whom the king desires to honor,let them bring a royal robe which the king has worn, and the horse on which the king has ridden, and on whose head a royal crown has been placed; and let the robe and the horse be handed over to one of the king’s most noble princes and let them array the man whom the king desires to honor and lead him on horseback through the city square, and proclaim before him, ‘Thus it shall be done to the man whom the king desires to honor.’”
Think how glorious it will be when the Lord of the universe honors a person who serves Jesus Christ. The world serves money, power and sex. Christians can serve only Christ our Lord and Savior.
Mat 6:24 , “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. ”
Note: No one can serve two masters, that is exactly what many church members and preachers do. In name they serve God, in fact they serve wealth, especially false gospel preachers such as prosperity gospel preachers and followers. Those who serve wealth cannot serve God.
Luk 4:8 , “Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD AND SERVE HIM ONLY.’”
Note: Jesus demands those who follow Him serve God only.
Rom 1:9 , “For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the Gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you .”
Note: Those who serve in spirit in the preaching of the Gospel of His Son is serving Jesus Christ. For this reason we preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ absolutely free. We do not want donation.
Rom 7:6 , “But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter. ”
Note: Those who serve Christ must serve in newness of the Spirit, not according to the flesh.
Gal 5:13, “For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. ”
It is absurd and ludicrous that American leaders and politicians distort the fact by calling it freedom of navigation. Freedom of navigation does not mean you violate the space and territorial waters of another sovereign state by your spy plans, bombers, war ships, etc. Ask yourself why American and Europeans aircraft carriers, spy planes, bombers, etc. are in the South China Sea, Yellow Sea, the East China Sea and the Black Sea to provoke conflict.
Note: Christians serve Christ through love serving one another. Christians must love one another. Denominations divide the Church.
2Ti 1:3 , “I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day.”
Note: To serve Christ one needs to serve with a clear conscience. Imperialists, colonialists, supremacists, militarists, monopolists, capitalists, warmongers, oppressors, dictators, terrorists, greedy Wall Street and bank executives, corrupt lawyers, crooked doctors and hospital owners, etc. cannot serve Christ with a clear conscience. Conscience in Greek is syneidēsis which means moral consciousness; moral integrity; perception of what is morally good and bad, prompting to do the former and shun the latter, commending the one and condemning the other; a feeling of obligation to do good and right; – which occurs 30 times in the New Testament. To imitate Christ is to serve Christ with a clear conscience and constantly pray night and day.
7. To follow Christ is to follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham.
Rom 4:12 , “and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which he had while uncircumcised. ”
Note: To follow in the steps is to walk in the steps. Abraham is a pattern of faith. All believers in Christ have a claim to the title of sons or descendants of Abraham. To follow Christ is to follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham. Whenever I meet Jewish people, I always tell them I am also a son of Abraham.
Rom 4:16 , “For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all.”
Note: It is by faith in Jesus Christ through grace we are saved and follow our Lord and Savior.
8. To follow Christ is to follow the example of the Apostles.
2Th 3:7 , “For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example , because we did not act in an undisciplined manner among you .”
Note: To follow the example of Apostles, among other things, we need also to act in a disciplined manner.
2Th 3:9, “not because we do not have the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would follow our example. ”
Note: Follow in Greek is mimeomai which means to imitate, to behave in a similar way; to copy the behavior of; – which occurs 6 times in the New Testament. Apostles offered themselves as a model for believers. Christians ought to follow the example of Apostles like Paul and imitate them. How can greedy and rich American preachers be a model to American believers?
Phl 3:17 , “Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. ”
Note: Observe in Greek is skopeō which means to look at; mark; notice; take heed; consider; contemplate; to fix one’s eyes upon; direct one’s attention to; watch carefully; – which occurs 7 times in the New Testament. Pattern in Greek is typos which means example, manner, form; fashion, model; a particular way; image; – which occurs 15 times in the New Testament. Christians walk according to the pattern of Apostles.
2Ti 1:13 , “Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.”
Tit 2:7, “in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility.”
Note: The Scriptures provide three patterns: the pattern of life, the pattern of sound words, and the pattern of good works. False preachers and false prophets do not follow the pattern of life, the pattern of sound words and the pattern of good works. As I study theology and philosophy, I am often infuriated by their pattern of unsound words and unsound works. In the last days you find most people do not show integrity. Greed is prevalent.
What is the example of a servant of Christ?
Tit 2:7-8 , “in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us. ”
Note: Example in Greek is typos which means pattern, figure, fashion, manner, image, model, ; – which occurs 15 times in the New Testament. You have nothing bad about the example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, and sound in speech which is beyond reproach. If your pastor is like that, you have found a servant of Christ. Apostles acted in very disciplined manner. False teachers and false prophets remarkably do not have purity in doctrine or example of good deeds.
Phl 1:27, “Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the Gospel.”
Note: Apostles acted orderly. The manner of life of Apostles offers a model as worthy servants of Christ for Christians and example for us to follow. Apostles offer believers a model so that we are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the Gospel.
9. To follow Christ is NOT to turn aside to follow Satan.
1Ti 5:15 , “for some have already turned aside to follow Satan. ”
Note: Turn aside in Greek is ektrepō which means to turn out of the way; go astray; fall from grace; to deviate; – which occurs 9 times in the New Testament. Many deviate from the truth to follow Satan. Satan has schemes to trap people. Beware, Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Satan deceives the whole world. Evil world leaders are influenced by the Ruler of the world, the Devil. To follow Christ is never to turn from the right way to follow Satan. Those who follow Satan cannot and do not follow Christ.
Psa 125:5 , “But as for those who turn aside to their crooked ways, The LORD will lead them away with the doers of iniquity. Peace be upon Israel. ”
Note: Crooked way in Hebrew is `aqalqal which means devious way; tortuous way; dishonest way; – which occurs 3 times in the Old Testament. If you watch TV and observe how corrupt world leaders speak and act you will realize the meaning of their crooked ways. They are the doers of iniquity, lying and killing and robbing. Those who turn aside to their crooked ways turn aside to follow Satan.
2Ti 4:4 , “and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. ”
Note: In the last days many will turn away their ears from the truth and turn aside to myths, rumors, fake news, disinformation. Unbelieving theologians and secular philosophers teach myths and turn aside to follow Satan. The West has turned aside from the truth, they have followed the way of Satan.
10. To follow Christ is to follow in His steps.
1Pe 2:21 , “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps .”
What does it mean to follow in Christ’s steps?
Years ago in America some presumptuous preachers fashionably preached the stupid and Satanic question WHAT WOULD JESUS DO specifically applicable to American general election. The idea that Jesus was an average man is blasphemous and facetious and fallacious. To compare a man with Jesus Christ is like to compare a worm with the Lord God the Almighty. Jesus was not an average man, Jesus is the only begotten Son of God, unlike any man. Being the Son of God, Jesus would freely do infinite things that we cannot do. We must do many things that Jesus would never do.
Some false teachers come up with the idea of asking the question What would Jesus do? – to follow in His steps. For example, in an election. Ask yourself whom would Jesus vote for. This is the most stupid and Satanic idea. Jesus would never vote for any candidate. Do you think Jesus would vote for any leader who is a liar and killer and robber? There are world leaders who claim to be Christians and yet they are liars and killers and robbers. How many American candidates claimed that God wanted them to run for the president? All of them failed. Do you think the Lord Jesus Christ is interested in the American empire?
Jesus says, Jhn 18:36, “Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My Kingdom is not of this realm .”
Do you really think Jesus Christ would join the Republican Party or the Democratic Party? Perish the thought that the Holy Redeemer would endorse any corrupt organization! Realm in Greek is enteuthen which means from this side, from this place, here; sphere, domain; area; – which occurs 11 times in the New Testament. The Kingdom of Christ does not belong to the domain of this world. This is not my own judgment, but based on the authority of Jesus Christ (Jhn 8:44) and the record of history, from Truman to Trump, I do not believe any American president was or is a Christian.
Jesus says, Mat 7:16 , “You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?” Fruits mean deeds. A man is judged by his words and deeds. The United States, Europe and Japan are an open record for anyone to examine. In the last 500 years or more to the present, the world has been dominated by European and American imperialists and colonialists and Japanese militarists who killed hundreds of millions of people all over the world and robbed the resources and wealth of Asia, Africa, American Indians and Latin America. The Chinese national treasures, relics and antiques, etc. alone worth US$100,000 trillions can be found in European, American and Japanese palaces, libraries, public and private museums, etc. and in the hands of very rich private collectors all over the world.
In politics, you cannot intelligently ask what would Jesus do? You should ask what would Jesus want you to do. For example, Obama was the first American president who supported and legalized homosexuality and same-sex marriage which is condemned by the Word of God. You would not want to share his sins. In politics what should Christians do? The topic is not what I am writing now. Search the Scriptures how you should support justice and righteousness, peace and equality and not corrupted by the world order.
For a Christian to live in this world is not easy. There are many things you must do and prepare which did not concern Jesus personally in His earthly life. For example, education, employment, career, marriage, family, residency, health care, sickness, retirement, death, etc. did not concern Jesus when He was on earth.
Take education. Jesus never needed to be educated. The Son of God is the Wisdom of God and He did not need to be educated or go to university. Jhn 7:15 , “The Jews then were astonished, saying,“How has this man become learned, having never been educated?” Astonish in Greek is thaumazō which means to marvel, wonder, to be had in admiration; to strike with great wonder or surprise; – which occurs 45 times in the New Testament. The Jews were greatly surprised or amazed how Jesus become learned, having never been educated. Learn in Greek is oida which means to know of anything, to gain knowledge and understanding; perceive; to be skilled in; – which occurs 335 times in the New Testament. Educate in Greek is manthanō which means to learn, understand, increase one’s knowledge, to be trained; – which occurs 26 times in the New Testament.
Jesus could read the Scriptures having never been taught which no man can do. I want to assure you Hebrew is not an easy language.
Luk 4:16 , “And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read. ”
Luk 4:17 , “And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written,
Luk 4:18 , “THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED,
Luk 4:19 , “TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD.”
Luk 4:20 , “And He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him. ”
Luk 4:21 , “And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
Luk 4:22 , “And all were speaking well of Him, and wondering at the gracious words which were falling from His lips; and they were saying, “Is this not Joseph’s son?”
So never ask what would Jesus do with respect to your education. Once a pastor asked me what should his son study. I asked him what was his son good at. The pastor answered he did not know. You should study at a university what you are good at and interested in. The field of studies are vast. What you choose to study may determine your destiny. For example, if I choose to study Engineering, surely I would fail. Your education is to prepare you for a career or a profession. What you do with your life will determine your destiny. For example, Abraham Lincoln was a logger, but he wanted to be a lawyer. He studied law self-educated. The career as a lawyer prepared Lincoln to become an American president. Lincoln became the greatest American president. I thank God I am not an accountant. If I am forced by corporation to lie daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, semi-annually and annually I would hate my life… I would never want to be a CPA. Thank God for leading me to study at a top American university where Dr. Harold Koontz, the King of Management, was a famous professor. Studying under Professor Koontz and knowing Dr. Koontz personally helped shaped my career and life.
You cannot ask the stupid question what would Jesus do with respect to your attending a university. There are many factors involved: your qualifications and test scores, your finance situation, your major and interest, your home town, acceptance of your application, etc., may determine what university you attend. I got my higher education the hard way by working my way. That was an American dream for a son of poor missionaries – working my way through college. That was the most difficult years of my life: getting up 5 o’clock in the morning and going to bed at 11 p.m. and lived like Robinson Crusoe. I earned my B.A. and Master’s degrees without owing anyone a penny. American dream was possible in my generation if you worked very hard and very thrifty. If I have to do it all over again, I could not succeed today. For the costs of higher education and living are so high now, it is impossible for one no matter how hard he tries to earn enough minimum wages to live and study at university in America today.
Where you want to live, your residency. One good thing about America, if you have money you can live anywhere. There is no legal residency requirement for an American citizen. However, beyond one’s control or imagination, I have learned where you were born, what language do you speak, where do you live, what university you attend, who do you know, and what you do for a living may determine your destiny. For example, if you were born in Africa, you may probably die of hunger or disease, or die as a victim of war. At university we had a joke, if Einstein were born in Africa, he would not be a nuclear physicist, he probably would become a head hunter.
With respect to your marriage, you cannot ask a blasphemous question who would Jesus marry. Jesus never married and never had sexual relation with any woman. Jesus never had a wife. The important thing is that you should marry the person who belongs to the Lord. Some preacher preached, Marriage is made in Heaven. This may not be true. The only marriages made in Heaven were those of Adam and Eve, Isaac and Rebekah, Boaz and Ruth, Joseph and Mary. I do not know if God would provide you a mate or let you find one successfully.
Regarding raising a family, don’t ask the stupid question what would Jesus do. I believe you should not bring children to this world if you cannot love and support them…We can learn from Apostle Paul: Phl 4:11-12 , “Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. ” There are many things we may ask the Holy Spirit to lead and teach us how to conduct our lives on earth. Christians do not live for money, power and sex. The highest meaning and the supreme goal of a Christian life is to find out and do the Will of God. Blessed is the person who finds out what God wants him/her to do in this life and do it willingly. This article is written so that you may imitate Christ and follow in His steps.
Years ago Charles Monroe Sheldon wrote a Christian novel called In His Steps: What Would Jesus Do. It is a good book which I read many years ago. I could not remember what I have learned from the book. The author meant well when he proposed the question: What Would Jesus Do. False preachers have misinterpreted and misapplied the question presumptuously. The premise that Jesus Christ was an average man is absolutely false and spurious. Jesus Christ was not an average person. Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God. Therefore, it is presumptuous to ask WHAT WOULD JESUS DO? Jesus would do freely many things that we cannot do. We must do many things that Jesus would never do. The correct question to be raised is not WHAT WOULD JESUS DO? But WHAT WOULD JESUS WANT ME TO DO? I am not writing a fiction, I am writing about IMITATION OF CHRIST and rightly explaining the Word of God.
Mat 5:9 , “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. ”
Note: To follow in His steps is to be peacemakers. There are warmongers, imperialists, colonialists, militarists, supremacists, aggressors, robbers, oppressors, capitalists, monopolists, liars and killers and robbers, and terrorists who claim to be Christians–in fact they are children of the Devil.
1Pe 2:9 , “But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light .”
Note: Christians have been called out of darkness into His marvelous light. Jhn 8:12 , “Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I AM the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” Those who follow Jesus will not walk in darkness. Imperialists, colonialists, militarists, capitalists, terrorists, liars and killers and robbers walk in darkness. 1Jo 1:6 , “If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth .” 1Jo 2:11, “ But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes. ” So many evil world leaders walk in darkness and the darkness have blinded their eyes, and they do not know where they are going.
Gal 5:13 , “For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. ”
Note: To imitate Jesus, Christians serve one another through love. Do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh.
1Th 4:7 , “For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification. ”
Note: God has called Christians for the purpose of sanctification. 1Th 4:3 , “For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality.” Sanctification is the will of God for His children, that is, to abstain from sexual immorality. There are false preachers who act and think as if they were exempt from sexual immorality because of their fame and popularity. They think God won’t mind even they commit sexual immorality. Their followers even make excuses for them.
Eph 1:3-4 , “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love .”
Note: To imitate the Holy One of God, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. Blameless in Greek is amōmos which means without rebuke; without blame; without spot; without fault; without blemish; faultless; unblamable; unblemished; free from faultiness; not responsible for anything bad; – which occurs 10 times in the New Testament. Jesus Christ wants His followers to be holy and blameless before Him.
1Pe 3:9 , “not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.”
Note: To imitate Jesus, Christians do not return evil for evil or insult for insult. Those who give a blessing might inherit a blessing.
1Pe 5:10 , “After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. ”
Note: Christians have been called. Called for what purpose? The sons of God are called to be peacemakers. Warmongers, imperialists, capitalists, militarists, supremacists and terrorists are not called by God. God has called a Chosen Race, a royal Priesthood, a Holy Nation, a People for God’s own possession, out of darkness into His marvelous light. Evildoers and the wicked are in the domain of darkness. Christians were called to freedom and through love serve one another. So do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh. God has called believers not for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification. Christians were called for the very purpose that we might inherit a blessing. So we cannot return evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead. God called believers to His eternal glory in Christ after we have suffered for a little while.
Christ has suffered many things in the flesh for believers. The glorified Christ is leaving us an example for us to follow in His steps. What an example? Believers were called to emulate Jesus’ life. Jesus’ life on earth was a life of sufferings, the Man of sorrows, as prophesied by Prophet Isaiah:
Isa 53:2 , “For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, And like a root out of parched ground; He has no stately form or majesty That we should look upon Him, Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. “
Isa 53:3 , “He was despised and forsaken of men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. “
Isa 53:4 , “Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. “
Isa 53:5, “But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed. “
Isa 53:6, “All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him. “
Isa 53:7 , “He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth.”
Isa 53:8 , “By oppression and judgment He was taken away; And as for His generation, who considered That He was cut off out of the land of the living For the transgression of my people, to whom the stroke was due?”
Isa 53:9 , “His grave was assigned with wicked men, Yet He was with a rich man in His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was there any deceit in His mouth. ”
Mat 8:20, “Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
Note: Beware of mega-church pastors or TV evangelists who own multi-million-dollar mansions, fly private jet, drive Mercedes, have large bank account and live luxuriously. They do not follow in Jesus’ steps.
Christians were called to suffer, if it is God’s will. The mind of Christ exemplifies the submissiveness to the will of God. Jhn 6:38 , “For I have come down from Heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. ” The fact that Christ suffered patiently lifts Christian suffering to a new and higher plane. We are to imitate Christ in suffering. Christ did not only suffer for believers as an example, He did leave us His example for us to copy. Christians should follow in His steps. That Christians were called to suffer is a shocking statement contrary to the Western value in terms of “what is it for me?” For that reason prosperity gospel is popular and has fooled many Americans who seek health, wealth, pleasure and power in this world. Prosperity gospel is a false gospel but fashionable although Crystal Cathedral went bankrupt and the work of its founder was discredited.
1Pe 2:22-25 , “WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.”
Apostle Peter points out 4 great truths connected with the suffering of Christ:
(A.) Christ is our example. 1Pe 2:21 , “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps .”
Note: Example in Greek is hypogrammos which means a pattern, copy for imitation, model, type, – which occurs 1 time in the New Testament. Christ is the pattern or model we must copy.
(B.) Christ bore our sins in His body on the cross. 1Pe 2:24, “ and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. ”
Note: Bear in Greek is anapherō which means to carry up, to take upon one’s self; assume; endure; – which occurs 9 times in the New Testament. Christ bore our sins in His body on the cross. It was so heavy and painful that Christ cried out to the Father, Mar 15:34 , “At the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “ELOI, ELOI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?” which is translated, “MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?”
(C.) Christ’s work caused us to die to sin and live to righteousness.
1Pe 2:24 , “and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. ”
Note: Christ bore our sins so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.
(D.) Christ is the Shepherd and Guardian of our souls.
1Pe 2:25 , “For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.”
Note: Stray in Greek is planaō which means to wander, err, go astray, roam about, depart from the truth; sin; to be out of the way; get lost; – which occurs 46 times in the New Testament. Sinners are like sheep that continually get lost. The prodigal son returned. All sinners who are lost in this world may repent and return to the Shepherd and Guardian of our souls who is Jesus Christ.
Some stupid preachers teach their followers to ask their cleverly devised question what would Jesus do? For example, false teachers teach their followers to ask how would Jesus vote in this election? Whom Jesus would vote for? Do you think Jesus Christ is interested in American election?
The right question is not what would Jesus do? The right question is what would Jesus want me to do?
1Co 11:1 , “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ . ”
1Co 4:16 , “Therefore I urge you, imitate me. ”
Heb 6:12 , “that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. ”
Heb 13:7 , “Remember those who led you, who spoke the Word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. ”
3Jo 1:11 , “Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.”
Eph 5:1 , “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.”
1Jo 3:10 , “By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother.”
Note: The children of God practice righteousness and love the brotherhood. The children of the devil do not practice righteousness and they lie and kill the masses.
11. To follow Christ is not to follow one’s sensuality.
2Pe 2:2 , “Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned.”
Note: Sensuality in Greek is aselgeia which means unbridled lust, lasciviousness, wantonness, licentuousness, insolence, filthiness, shamelessness; gratification of the senses; carnality; sexual promiscuity; – which occurs 10 times in the New Testament. Malign in Greek is blasphēmeō which means to speak evil of; blaspheme; defame; revile; rail at; calumniate; – which occurs 14 times in the New Testament. Is it not a fact that not a few American preachers, pastors or evangelists who were known to commit greed and sexual immorality give the enemies of truth an occasion to speak evil of the way of the truth and defame Christianity? A well-known fact is that many Catholic priests and nuns have committed molesting or raping Catholic children for years. Those who follow their sensuality cannot follow Christ. The way of Christ is the way of the truth.
Rom 13:13 , “Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. ”
Note: Properly in Greek is euschēmonōs which means honestly, decently, in a seemly manner; in an acceptable way; – which occurs 3 times in the New Testament. To behave properly is to conduct oneself in an acceptable way. Carousing in Greek is euschēmonōs which means reveling, rioting; drinking, eating and playing with males and females; – which occurs 3 times in the New Testament. Many American parties fit into carousing. Drunkenness is intoxication. Many do not know drunkards will not enter the Kingdom of God. Gal 5:21 , “envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God. ”Sexual promiscuity and sensuality include fornication, adultery and homosexuality. Strife in Greek is eris which means contention, conflict, quarrel, wrangling, angry tempers; – which occurs 9 times in the New Testament. The fighting and wrangling of Taiwanese politicians in their meetings fit the description of strife. Jealousy in Greek is zēlos which means envying, indignation, malice; a feeling of anger and unhappiness because of someone’s success or possession; – which occurs 16 times in the New Testament. Sadly. Western nations are jealous of the recent great successes and spectacular achievements of China and so they want to suppress, sanction and destroy China.
To follow Christ is to behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy.
12. To follow Christ is to suffer for His name.
Act 5:41 , “So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name. ”
Act 9:16 , “for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake. ”
Note: The Apostles had been flogged before the Council, taking the advice of Gamaliel, the Council released them. Rejoice in Greek is chairō which means to be glad, to be cheerful, to feel joy; to show happiness; – which occurs 75 times in the New Testament. Would you be glad if you had been flogged? Consider worthy in Greek is kataxioō which means to count worthy, to judge worthy; to deem entirely deserving; – which occurs 6 times in the New Testament. Suffer shame in Greek is atimazō which means to be treated with contempt, to be insulted; entreat shamefully; to render infamous; – which occurs 8 times in the New Testament. Apostles were flogged but they rejoiced because they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for Jesus’ name. To witness for Christ may be insulted by the world. Do you consider it is worthy to suffer shame for the sake of Jesus? Because those who suffer shame for His name will share glory with Him when He returns with great power and honor to reign with the saints.
13. To follow Christ is to suffer with Him.
Rom 8:17, “and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.”
Note: There is a difference between suffering for Christ and suffering with Christ. Suffer with in Greek is sympaschō which means to feel pain together, to share troubles or persecution; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Being fellow heirs with Christ, we need to suffer with Him. To suffer with Christ is to make sure we may also be glorified with Him. Glorify together in Greek is syndoxazō which means to approve together; to join in approving; to exalt to dignity in accompany with; – which occurs 1 times in the New Testament. To follow Christ basically is to suffer with Him. 2Co 4:17, “ For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison.” Momentary in Greek is parautika which means but for a moment, at the very instant; continuing only for a moment; lasting for a very short time; – which occurs 1 time in the New Testament. Light in Greek is elaphros which means light in weight, quick, easy, not heavy; trivial; easily endurable; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Affliction in Greek is thlipsis which means tribulation, trouble, anguish, burden, persecution, oppression, pressure, persistent pain, distress, straits; – which occurs 45 times in the New Testament. Far beyond all comparison means far more excellent, beyond measure. The eternal weight of glory is far beyond all comparison with momentary light suffering with Christ.
Col 1:24 , “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions. ”
Note: Paul had abundant spiritual life that he could say that he rejoiced in his sufferings. Ordinary people rejoice in pleasure and cry in suffering. On behalf in Greek is hyper which means for the sake of, in the interest of; – which occurs 67 times in the New Testament. Fill up in Greek is antanaplēroō which means to supplement, to fulfill requirements; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Are we like Paul for the sake of the Body of Christ (the Church) able to fill up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions? Are we willing to share the afflictions of Christ?
1Pe 4:13 , “but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. ”
Note: Share in Greek is koinōneō which means to be partaker, become a sharer, to be a partner; to enter into fellowship; to have a share; – which occurs 8 times in the New Testament. Rejoice with exultation means to be glad exceedingly, to jump for joy; to express with great pleasure. To the degree that we share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the coming of Christ’s glory we may rejoice exceedingly.
14. To follow Christ is to suffer for His sake.
Phl 1:29 , “For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.”
Note: To follow Christ is not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake. Believe in Greek is pisteuō which means to put in trust with; commit to one’s trust; commit to; place confidence in; to trust in; to accept something as true; – which occurs 244 times in the New Testament. Mar 1:15 , “and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel.” To believe in the Gospel you need first to repent of your sins. Repent in Greek is metanoeō which means to change one’s mind; to think differently; heartily to amend with abhorrence of one’s past sins ; to feel very sorry for one’s sins; – which occurs 34 times in the New Testament.
To believe in Christ, you need to repent of your sins. To believe in Christ, you need to follow Christ. To follow Christ you need also to suffer for His sake. You do not really believe in Christ if you do not follow Him. You do not really follow Christ, if you are not willing to suffer for His sake.
15. To follow Christ is to suffer hardship as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
2Ti 2:3 , “Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. ”
Note: Do you know a Christian is a soldier of Christ Jesus? Soldier in Greek is stratiōtēs which means a warrior; one engaged in military service; a trained fighter; a champion of the cause of Christ; – which occurs 26 times in the New Testament. Every follower of Christ is a Christian soldier. Every follower of Christ needs to be a good soldier of Christ. As a good soldier of Christ Jesus, we suffer hardship with all fellow Christian soldiers. A good soldier fights for Christ. Fight the good fight of faith.
2Ti 2:9 , “for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned. ”
Note: A good soldier of Christ Jesus suffers hardship, does not live a luxurious life as some American preachers do. Paul suffered hardship as a prisoner of Christ. The New Testament records all the afflictions Paul had endured, anyone of them would kill me instantly. Some years ago I met a Chinese preacher called Wang Ming Tao in Shanghai and he suffered hardship even to imprisonment for the Word of God. Many servants of Christ fought the good fight of faith and suffered persecution and even death. Even today many Christians are killed by followers of evil religion.
16. To follow Christ is to suffer for doing what is right (righteousness).
1Pe 2:20 , “For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.”
Note: Credit in Greek is kleos which means glory, praise, honor, good report, good name; recognition; approval; – which occurs 1 time in the New Testament. If you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience – that is no honor or approval of you. Do what is right in Greek is agathopoieō which means to do good, to be a well-doer; to do something which benefits or profits others; – which occurs 20 times in the New Testament. Favor in Greek is charis which means grace, thanks, that which affords delight, joy, pleasure, loveliness, sweetness; – which occurs 159 times in the New Testament. But if when you do what is right and suffer for it and you patiently endure it – this finds approval of God. To follow Christ one may need to suffer for doing what is right. Most people think if one does wrong, he will suffer for it. In this evil world, the wicked thrive and flourish. Look at who are the most powerful and richest people in the world. Not only they do not suffer, they rule the world. Many do not know if you do good or do right, you may suffer for it.
Western powers claim to be Christian nations, but they have been doing wrong and doing evil in the world for the last 500 years or more.
1Pe 3:14 , “But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED.”
Note: Righteousness in Greek is dikaiosynē which means the condition acceptable to God; justice or virtue; moral goodness; – which occurs 91 times in the New Testament. Blessed in Greek is makarios which means happy; fortunate, well-off; supremely blest; bringing one blessing; – which occurs 50 times in the New Testament. Intimidation in Greek is phobos which means fear, terror, dread, threat, alarm or fright; – which occurs 47 times in the New Testament. Even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, do not fear their threat and do not be troubled.
17. To follow Christ is to suffer according to the will of God.
1Pe 3:17 , “ For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong. ”
Note: Better in Greek is kreittōn which means more useful, more excellent, more servicable, more advantageous, nobler; – which occurs 20 times in the New Testament. For example, it is very much better to depart and be with Christ. Psa 37:16 , “Better is the little of the righteous than the abundance of many wicked. ” It is better to be a poor honest man than to be the richest crook in the world. Ecc 9:4, “For whoever is joined with all the living, there is hope; surely a live dog is better than a dead lion. ” Will in Greek is thelō which means to desire, intend, would have, wish, purpose; to take delight in; have pleasure; to be inclined; – which occurs 212 times in the New Testament. If it is God’s will for you to suffer for doing what is right, it is better than doing what is wrong. Christians must do according to the will of God.
1Pe 4:19 , “Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.”
Note: Entrust in Greek is paratithēmi which means to commit the keeping of; entrust, commit to one’s charge; to commit to another with confidence; – which occurs 26 times in the New Testament. Christians entrust their souls to the faithful Creator. 2Co 7:10 , “For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death. ” The highest meaning and the supreme goal of a Christian life is to do the will of God. 1Jo 2:17 , “The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever. ” God is the faithful Creator. 2Th 3:3, “But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.”
18. To follow Christ is to have something to share with the needy.
Eph 4:28 , “He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need. ”
Note: Steal in Greek is kleptō which means to commit a theft, take away by theft, take away by stealth; to take the property of another wrongfully; to take away by force or unjust means; – which occurs 15 times in the New Testament. The English word kleptomania is derived from the Greek word. A monopolist robs and steals. Corrupt officials rob and steal the public funds to benefit themselves. Corrupt doctors and hospitals rob and steal by predatory practices, fraudulent charges, overcharges, and excessive charges. Corrupt officials rob and steal by not laboring and doing anything useful but get high pay, high pension and benefits. Wall Street crooks do not labor, they rob and steal by manipulating markets and gambling on investors’ money. Corrupt bankers rob and steal by establishing rules that favor themselves. For example, bankers pay almost zero interest for your deposits but charge you high interest for your loans. Do not fancy that you can be a Christian and still steal. Labor in Greek is kopiaō which means to toil; to work with wearisome effort; to do hard work; to exert oneself with strenuous efforts; – which occurs 28 times in the New Testament. Minorities are usually underemployed and underpaid in America. I earned every penny the old-fashioned way. When I worked my way through college I was paid the minimum wage of $1.25 an hour. It is terrible to observe many employees in big corporations are not performing, even more people at all levels of government are not performing yet they receive high pay, high pension and great benefits. Share in Greek is metadidōmi which means to give, impart, to grant what you have with others; – which occurs 5 times in the New Testament. Christians must labor and perform and share the fruit of their labor with the needy.
1Ti 6:18 , “Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share .”
Note: Servants of Jesus Christ instruct believers to follow the Word of God. Do good in Greek is agathoergeō which means to work good, to do well, act rightly, to exert one’s efforts on charity; – which occurs 4 times in the New Testament. Most people only know to be rich is to be rich in money, possessions and worldly goods. One can be rich in good works. Jas 2:5, “Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?” Those who have the knowledge of God, heirs of the Kingdom, and love Jesus Christ are rich in faith. Those who are rich in this present world, without hope and without God, are really poor and naked and miserable. Generous in Greek is eumetadotos which means ready or free to share or distribute; – which occurs 1 time in New Testament. Followers of Jesus Christ must do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share.
19. To follow Christ is to share with God’s servants in affliction.
Phl 4:14 , “Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction. ”
Note: To share what you have with God’s servants in affliction is to share the sufferings of Jesus Christ. I used to fancy if I were living in the generation of John Bunyan with the salary of a manger I could support his family in affliction. Remember, if you support a prosperity gospel preacher who is a false gospel preacher, your resources are wasted. I do not believe a preacher should eat a $1,000 dinner, drive a Mercedes, live in a million dollar mansion, wear $10,000 suit, his wive wears $30,000 mink coat, having large bank account, flying a private jet, and living a luxurious life style, etc. A preacher who is greedy, seeking fame and fortune, and commits sexual immorality is not qualified to be a servant of Christ. Beware of false teachers and false prophets.
1Ti 3:15 , “but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the Church of the Living God, the Pillar and Support of the truth. ”
Note: In these days of apostasy, it is shocking to find out that many so-called Christian churches do not belong to the Church of the Living God, the Pillar and Support of the truth. Therefore support only the Church of the Living God. Some churches support aggression, oppression and sanction of imperial powers, and accept imperialism and capitalism which are contrary to Christianity.
3Jo 1:8 , “Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth. ”
Note: Christians, support only such preachers so that we may be fellow workers with the truth. Prosperity gospel is another gospel, it is not the Gospel of truth. Therefore do not waste your money on false preachers, for God will not open the windows of Heaven to pour you out a blessing.
20. To follow Christ is to share His holiness.
Heb 12:10 , “For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. ”
Note: Discipline in Greek is paideuō which means to teach, instruct, chastise, chasten; to train children, to correct with punishment; t o chasten by the affliction of evils and calamities; to punish for enforcing obedience; – which occurs 13 times in the New Testament. Our earthly fathers discipline us for a short time as seemed best to them. Our Heavenly Father disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. Share in Greek is metalambanō which means to partake of, to participate, to have; – which occurs 9 times in the New Testament. We respect our earthly fathers when they disciplined us. How much more we should be subject to the Father of spirits and live. Heb 12:14 , “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. ” It is a most sober truth, without holiness no one will see the Lord.
Western leaders and politicians do not share God’s holiness, do not live in peace with other countries, they only want to dictate and dominate the world.
21. To follow Christ is to believe and obey Him.
Jhn 3:36 , “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
Note: Believe in Greek is pisteuō which means to put in trust with, to commit to, to place confidence in, to consider to be true, to trust in Jesus, to have faith in; – which occurs 244 times in the New Testament. To believe in Jesus Christ is to have faith in Him to be your Lord and Savior. To believe in Christ is to have eternal life. Do not obey is to disbelieve, refuse belief and obedience, absolutely of those who reject the Gospel. To believe in Christ is to have eternal life, not to obey Christ will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him. Wrath in Greek is orgē which means anger, indignation, vengeance, a strong feeling of displeasure; – which occurs 36 times in the New Testament. Abide in Greek is menō which means to remain, to continue to be present, to stay on, dwell; – which occurs 118 times in the New Testament. The wrath of God stays on him who rejects Christ in this life, and eternal punishment in Hell. Faith is followed by obedience. It is impossible to believe in Christ and not to obey Him. Do not fool yourself by thinking you believe in Christ but not necessarily to obey Him.
Act 5:29 , “But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. ”
Note: To obey Christ is to obey God. Obey in Greek is peitharcheō which means to hearken to,to listen to,to comply with, to follow the command, to submit to authority; – which occurs 5 times in the New Testament. This is a basic doctrine: We must obey God rather than men. Sometimes to obey God is to disobey men. That is one of the major reasons why Christians suffer persecution. I could not keep a job which requires me to lie or violate the law. I could not participate in any form of corruption. I pity those marketing people who continue lying and exaggerating about their products and services in words or writings. I abhor politicians who lie and kill and rob as well as media that manufacture fake news, false views and misrepresentation. It was amusing to watch the EU leaders who complained that America was spying on them. However, in front of the sole superpower, they were quiet like a chicken. This tells the world that Might Rules. Might Matters in a world devoid of truth and integrity.
Act 5:32 , “And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.”
Note: We witness to the truth in Christ Jesus. God has given the Holy Spirit to those who obey Him. A liar and killer is without the Holy Spirit.
Rom 2:8 , “but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. ”
Note: Selfishly ambitious in Greek is eritheia which means contentious; a courting distinction, a desire to put one’s self forward, a partisan and fractious spirit which does not disdain low arts, intrigue or trickery; a self-seeking pursuit of political office by unfair means ; – which occurs 11 times in the New Testament. The description precisely fits American election and partisan politics today. So many selfishly ambitious politicians who do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness. Not a few self-seeking politicians even claimed God wanted to run for the American president. They will incur God’s wrath and indignation.
Eph 6:1 , “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ”
Note: Right in Greek is dikaios which means righteous, observing divine laws; virtuous; just; upright; approved or acceptable to God; – which occurs 96 times in the New Testament. Obey your parents in the Lord. However, for Chinese Christians, if your parents want you to worship your ancestors or marry someone who is not a Christian, that is not obeying your parents in the Lord.
Col 3:22 , “Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. ”
Note: I remember, an unbelieving politician mocked at the Scripture. Remember the New Testament was written in the world when and where there were masters and slaves. This does not mean the Bible endorses slavery. It was not the duty of Christians to change the world order or system or start a revolution… The Scripture commands Christian slaves in all things obey their masters on earth, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Even today, the Biblical principle still applies: Servants or employees obey your employers, fearing the Lord.
2Th 1:8 , “dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus. ”
Note: Dealing out in Greek is didōmi which means giving out what is due or obligatory; to administer; to pay back; – which occurs 414 times in the New Testament. Retribution in Greek is ekdikēsis which means vengeance, punishment, repayment; revenge; dispensing punishment; – which occurs 10 times in the New Testament. When Christ returns in power and great glory, He will deal out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus.
Heb 5:9 , “And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation.”
Note: Jesus Christ is the source of our eternal salvation and so we must obey Christ. Once you are saved by Jesus Christ, you are saved forever.
Heb 13:17 , “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you. ”
Note: To follow Christ we must obey our leaders (here refers to Christian leaders such as Apostles, etc.) and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account to the Lord. Watch out those Christian leaders who are only interested in raising money, not keeping watch over your souls. Prosperity gospel preachers are usually interested in your offerings. To waste your money on false preachers is unprofitable for you.
1Pe 1:2 , “according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure. ”
Note: Foreknowledge in Greek is prognōsis which means forethought, pre-arrangement, knowledge beforehand, knowledge of something before it happens; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. The omniscient God not only has foreknowledge, but absolute, supreme, complete and ultimate knowledge. True believers are called according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, born again by the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ, so that we may grow to the fullest measure. Only God who has foreknowledge because God knows from the beginning to the end, from everlasting past to eternity. The smartest scientists don’t even know when they are going to die. The Holy Trinity works together so that we grow in grace and knowledge to the fullest measure.
22. To follow Christ so as to have confidence at His coming.
1Jo 2:28 , “Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.”
Note: Abide in Greek is menō which means to remain, dwell, to continue to be; to stay; endure; conform to; – which occurs 118 times in the New Testament. To abide in Christ is to remain in His teaching. No one can follow Christ and disobey His commandments. Confidence in Greek is parrēsia which means boldness, cheerful courage; assurance; feeling secure; being certain; – which occurs 32 times in the New Testament. The purpose of imitating and following Christ so as to have confidence at His coming, not shrink away from Him in shame.
1Jo 3:19-21 , “We will know by this that we are of the truth, and will assure our heart before Him in whatever our heart condemns us; for God is greater than our heart and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God.”
Note: How can a Christian be sure he has confidence before God at His coming? If your heart does not condemn you. Do the hearts of corrupt leaders and politicians, fraudulent and predatory doctors and hospital owners, insurance and drug executives, warmongering militarists and generals … do not condemn them?
Assure in Greek is peithō which means to persuade, have confidence, convince; give confidence; – which occurs 64 times in the New Testament. Condemn in Greek is kataginōskō which means blame; accuse; to find fault with; note against; convict; – which occurs 3 times in the New Testament. God is greater than our heart and knows all things. If our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God.
1Jo 4:17 , “By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. ”
Note: When love is perfected with us, we may have confidence in the day of judgment. The Day of Judgment is when Jesus Christ returns to the earth to judge the world.
1Pe 4:17 , “For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the Gospel of God? ”
Note: Judgement in Greek is krima which means condemnation of wrong, sentence, ; – which occurs 29 times in the New Testament. Judgement here refers to judgment to come, the judgment of God. When God renders judgment, it will be eternal judgement.
In the Day of Judgment we are reminded of the facts:
(1.) Jesus Christ will be the Judge of the living and dead.
Jhn 5:22 , “For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son .”
Note: In the Day of Judgment, the Father will not judge anyone, He has given all judgment to the Son. Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior has been appointed by God as the Judge of the living and dead. Many believe death is the end of everything. Wrong. The dead will rise to face the judgment of Jesus Christ. The punishment in Hell is not just the punishment of soul. Mat 10:28, “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Hell.” Both soul and body of those who do not obey the Gospel of God will be tormented in Hell. After judgment, Jesus Christ will send those who disobey Him to Hell for eternal punishment. Eph 5:5 , “You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him.” 1Pe 4:17, “ For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the Gospel of God?”
Act 10:42 , “And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead. ”
2Ti 4:1 , “I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His Kingdom.”
No one can escape the judgement of God. So many wicked world leaders have committed war crimes and atrocities like those of imperialists, colonialists, militarists, capitalists and terrorists, etc. Although they escape the International Court of Justice , not one will escape the Supreme Court of Heaven.
(2.) The judgement will begin with the household of God.
1Pe 4:17 , “For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? ”
1Co 3:13-15 , “each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.”
2Co 5:10 , “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. ”
Note: Christians will be judged not of their sins, but the quality of each man’s work. What you do for Christ will be judged.
(3.) There is no judgement for those who have been saved.
Jhn 5:24 , “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. ”
Jhn 10:28 , “and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. ”
The salvation that Jesus Christ accomplished on the cross, believers will never perish — this is eternal security in Christ.
Act 10:43 , “Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.”
Rom 8:1 , “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. ”
1Co 11:32 , “But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world. ”
(4). The Devil, the beast and the false prophet will be executed first.
There has been a wrong belief about the power of the Devil. In the final war, some believe, the Devil is a strong enemy, so Christ has to lead a great army of God to fight against the Devil. Wrong!
Rev 20:1-3 , “Then I saw an angel coming down from Heaven, holding the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he threw him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed; after these things he must be released for a short time. ”
Note: For Jesus Christ to establish the Millennium on earth, He sends an angel coming down from Heaven, holding the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. The angel lays hold of the Dragon, the Serpent of Old, who is the Devil and Satan, and binds him for a thousand years; and the angel throws the Devil into the abyss, and shuts it and seals it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years are completed.
Rev 16:13-16 , “Then I saw three impure spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the Dragon, out of the mouth of the Beast and out of the mouth of the False Prophet.They are demonic spirits that perform signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty. “Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.”Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon. ”
Note: In the last war of Armageddon, when the thousand years of Jesus’ reign are completed, Satan will gather his followers, like the sand of the seashore together for the war. But Satan and his followers will lose for good.
Rev 20:7-10 , “When the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison, and will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the war; the number of them is like the sand of the seashore. And they came up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, and fire came down from heaven and devoured them. And the Devil who deceived them was thrown into the Lake of Fire and Brimstone, where the Beast and the False Prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. ”
Note: There will be hardly any battle. For fire comes down from Heaven and devours them. In the last Judgment, the Devil, the Beast and the False Prophet will be executed first and they will be thrown into the Lake of Fire and Brimstone, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Apparently and probably the same mighty angel who threw the Devil into the abyss will finally throw the Devil into the Lake of Fire and Brimstone.
(5). The judgment of all the peoples.
Jhn 5:28-29 , “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment. ”
Note: There will be two resurrections: the resurrection of those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, and the resurrection of judgment of those who committed the evil deeds. Evil deeds include wrath and anger to those who are self-seeking and disobey the truth while obeying unrighteousness.
Psa 1:5 , “Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. ”
Note: The wicked and sinners are the same.
2Pe 3:7, “But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. ”
Note: The wicked, sinners and ungodly will face judgement and suffer destruction by fire.
Jde 1:15 , “to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.”
Note: The harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against the Lord Jesus will be judged as well as their ungodly deeds.
Mat 25:31-46 , “But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. ‘For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? ‘And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? ‘When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’ Then they themselves also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?’ Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Note: Eternal punishment in Hell will be the fate of the accursed ones. Eternal life is given to the righteous.
Rev 20:11-15 , “Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the Book of Life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the Lake of Fire. ”
Conclusively, the outcome of all peoples is clear and sure. Those who obey and serve Christ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven and reign with the Lord forever and ever. Those who do not obey the Gospel will perish and suffer eternal punishment in Hell.
IV. The New Testament gives reasons why Jesus Christ came into the world:
(A.) Christ came down from Heaven to do the will of the Father.
Jhn 6:38 , “For I have come down from Heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. ”
Note: Will in Greek is thelēma which means desire, pleasure, wish, purpose, choice, command, inclination, intention, determination, decree; – which occurs 59 times in the New Testament. Jesus came down from Heaven to do the will of the Father. The highest meaning and the supreme goal of a Christian life is to do the will of God.
Mat 26:42, “He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done.”
Heb 10:8-10 , “After saying above, “SACRIFICES AND OFFERINGS AND WHOLE BURNT OFFERINGS AND sacrifices FOR SIN YOU HAVE NOT DESIRED, NOR HAVE YOU TAKEN PLEASURE in them ” (which are offered according to the Law), then He said, “BEHOLD, I HAVE COME TO DO YOUR WILL.” He takes away the first in order to establish the second. By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. ”
Note: Jesus Christ came to do the will of God, sacrificed His body once for all to save and sanctify all believers.
(B.) Christ came into the world to save sinners.
Mat 18:11, “For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.”
Jhn 12:47 , “If anyone hears My sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. ”
1Ti 1:15 , “It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.”
Jhn 1:29 , “The next day he *saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! ”
Rom 5:6 , “For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. ”
Rom 5:8 , “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. ”
1Co 15:3 , “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.”
1Pe 3:18 , “For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit .”
Rom 5:6, “For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. ”
Rom 5:8, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. ”
1Pe 3:18 , “For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit .”
Note: Save in Greek is sōzō which means to make whole, rescue from danger or destruction; deliver from sin; – which occurs 123 times in the New Testament. How does Christ save sinners? Christ died for our sins, the just for the unjust, the righteous for the unrighteous – substitionary death to reconcile with God. He was the Lamb of God who sacrificed Himself to atone for our sins and save us from everlasting death.
(C.) Christ came to destroy the works of the devil.
1Jo 3:8 , “the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. ”
Note: Destroy in Greek is lyō which means to break up, break down, dissolve, melt, loose, put off, annul, subvert, overthrow, do away with; ruin, kill; annihilate, vanquish; – which occurs 45 times in the New Testament. Christ came to destroy the works of the Devil. Who is the Devil? Devil in Greek is diabolos which means a calumniator, false accuser, slanderer; a traducer, Satan; the supreme evil spirit; the evil force and enemy of God; – which occurs 40 times in the New Testament. Rev 12:9 , “And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. ” The Devil is also called the Great Dragon, the Serpent of Old and Satan. The Chinese unknowingly and proudly claim to be the children of the Dragon. What are the works of the Devil? Jhn 8:44 , “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. ” The works of the Devil are to kill and deceive (lie). If you hear a world leader who is a liar and killer and claims to be a Christian, by the authority of Jesus Christ, he is a son of the Devil.
(D.) Christ the true Light came to enlighten every man.
Jhn 1:9 , “There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. ”
Note: Jesus Christ was the true Light who came down from Heaven, all founders of other religions are false lights. Enlighten in Greek is phōtizō which means to give light, illuminate, instruct, bring to light, make to see, light up, illumine, imbue with spiritual knowledge; to give spiritual insight; – which occurs 14 times in the New Testament. Every man and woman who comes to Christ will see the Light.
(E.) Christ came to explain God.
Jhn 1:18 , “No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.”
Note: God is Spirit, invisible. No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son of God has very loving relationship with the Father because He is in the bosom of the Father. Explain in Greek is exēgeomai which means to declare, tell, unfold, to draw out in narrative; recount, interprete; to make known; clarify; make something clear; – which occurs 6 times in the New Testament. Jesus Christ has made God known. To see Jesus is to see God. To know Jesus is to know God.
Act 18:24 , “And a certain Jew, Apollos by name, an Alexandrian by birth, a man of eloquence, being mighty in the Writings, came to Ephesus, this one was instructed in the way of the Lord, and being fervent in the Spirit, was speaking and teaching exactly the things about the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John; this one also began to speak boldly in the synagogue, and Aquilas and Priscilla having heard of him, took him to them, and did more exactly explain to him the way of God.”
Note: Explain in Greek is ektithēmi which means metaphorically to set forth, declare, expound; expose; cast out; to make plain; – which occurs 5 times in the New Testament. Apollos only knew the baptism of John, so Aquilas and Priscilla took him and explained more exactly the way of God.
Christ came to explain God more exactly than Moses and the Prophets because the Son of God reveals the Father.
(F.) Christ came to reveal the Father.
Jhn 14:9 , “Jesus said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? ”
Note: Show in Greek is to deiknyō which means to expose to the eyes, give evidence of proof; exhibit; reveal; to make it to be seen; – which occurs 33 times in the New Testament. To know Christ is to know the Father. To see Christ is to see the Father.
Mat 11:27 , “All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.”
Note: Hand over in Greek is paradidōmi which means to deliver up, to give into the hands of; commit, commend; entrust; transmit; give over; – which occurs 134 times in the New Testament. The Father has handed over all things to the Son. No one knows the Son except the Father. Not anyone knows the Father except the Son. Reveal in Greek is apokalyptō which means to uncover, lay open what has been covered up; to make known, disclose; display; to take off the cover; manifest; – which occurs 27 times in the New Testament. Christ will make know God to anyone He wills.
Luk 10:22 , “All things have been handed over to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. ”
Note: Show in Greek is deiknyō which means to expose to the eyes, give evidence or proof of; exhibit; make to appear; – which occurs 33 times in the New Testament. To see Jesus is to see God, for Jesus is God. Reveal in Greek is apokalyptō which means to disclose, lay open, uncover, make known; make manifest; to take off the cover; – which occurs 27 times in the New Testament. The Son makes known the Father to whoever He wills. To know Jesus is to know God.
(G.) Christ came to be example for believers.
1Pe 2:21 , “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps.”
Note: Christ is the example for Christians to emulate or imitate.
Some stupid preachers teach their followers to ask their cleverly devised question what would Jesus do? For example, false teachers teach their followers to ask how would Jesus vote in this election? Whom Jesus would vote for?
The right question is not what would Jesus do? The right question is what would Jesus want me to do?
1Co 11:1, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. ”
1Co 4:16 , “Therefore I urge you, imitate me.”
Heb 6:12 , “that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. ”
Heb 13:7 , “Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. ”
3Jo 1:11 , “Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God. ”
Eph 5:1 , “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. ”
False teachers misinterpret and misunderstand and misapply a good book In His Steps: What Would Jesus Do , by Charles Monroe Sheldon. Jesus is not an average man. Jesus is the only begotten Son of God. Instead of asking what would Jesus Do, in every case and situation, Christians should ask What Would Jesus Want Me To Do ?
V. Christ Is the Image of God.
It is stupid and Satanic to think Jesus Christ was an average man. Jesus Christ is the perfect Man and perfect God. Something is seriously wrong with any man who compares Jesus Christ with any man. Such a man evidently has no knowledge of Jesus Christ, just like a blind man does not see light.
Col 1:15 , “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. ”
Note: God is Spirit therefore invisible. Christ is the image of the invisible God. To know Christ is to know God. To see Christ is to see God. For Jesus Christ is our great God and Savior.
Gen 1:26-27 , “Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. ”
Note: Image in Hebrew is tselem which means likeness (of resemblance); a representative figure; a shadow; semblance; – which occurs 16 times in the Old Testament. Likeness in Hebrew is dĕmuwth which means manner, fashion, similitude; shape; similarity, model; – which occurs 29 times in the Old Testament. I believe image and likeness are hendiadys, the expression of single concept using two words; such as in the phrase “rough and tough.” Image and likeness are probably synonymous. However, to say God created man in His own image is quite different from saying Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God. Here in Jesus Christ not only represents the attributes of God, He is of the same nature of God, Col 2:9-10, “ For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the Head over all rule and authority.” In Christ the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form. Christ is the Incarnate God. Christ is the Head over all rule and authority.
Phl 2:6 , “who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped.” Jesus Christ preexisted in the form of God and has equality with God. Jhn 17:5, “Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.” Jhn 17:24 , “Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. ” Jesus Christ had the glory with the Father before the world was.
Jhn 5:18 , “For this reason therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God. ” For this reason therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Jesus, because Jesus was making Himself equal with God. Jesus Christ made most startling statement when He was on earth, Jhn 10:30, “I and My Father are One.” Jesus Christ and God are One. There is only One God, and there is no other.
Col 3:10 , “and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— .”
2Co 4:4 , “in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. ”
Note: The god of this world is the Devil who has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, this explains why otherwise intelligent scientists and philosophers could not understand the things of God. Unbelievers are blind so they cannot see the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ. Image in Greek is eikōn which means likeness, figure, semblance; mental conception; incarnation; profile; resemblance; representation; a picture in your mind; – which occurs 23 times in the New Testament. Jesus Christ is the image of God.
How can you know that Jesus Christ is perfect Man and perfect God? The answer is Col 2:9 , “For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form.” Deity in Greek is theotēs which means Godhead, the state or fact of being God; the essential nature of being God; Divinity; – which occurs 1 time in the New Testament. For in Christ all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form. In other words, God manifested in the person of Jesus Christ. For that reason to know Christ is to know God. To see Christ to see God. Jesus Christ is our great God and Savior.
Jas 3:9 , “With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God.”
Note: Likeness in Greek is homoiōsis which means similitude, a making like; appearance, resemblance; assimilation; – which occurs 1 time in the New Testament.
Phl 2:6 , “who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped .”
Note: Form in Greek is morphē which means external appearance, shape; portrait; figure; – which occurs 3 times in the New Testament. Jesus Christ existed in the form of God. It appears the three words, image, likeness and form have similar meanings. The most important truth is that God is Spirit, invisible. So what does it means the image of God, the likeness of God and the form of God. Jesus Christ is the incarnation of God. Jesus Christ is the image of God. For us to understand the image of God is explained by the Scripture.
Eph 4:24 , “and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.”
Note: Righteousness in Greek is dikaiosynē which means the condition acceptable to God, integrity; virtue; purity of life; rightness; justice; equity; uprightness; – which occurs 91 times in the New Testament. Holiness in Greek is hosiotēs which means piety towards God; godliness; sanctity; moral or spiritual integrity; – which means 2 times in the New Testament. Truth in Greek is alētheia which means verity, in reality; which is free from falsehood; actuality; what is true; – which occurs 110 times in the New Testament. To think of God one must think of the divine attributes or qualities. Divine attributes are righteousness, holiness and truth. So the image of God is righteousness, holiness and truth. What is contrary to righteousness, holiness and truth cannot be the image of God. To imitate Christ is to imitate God, to imitate God is to conform to righteousness, holiness and truth.
Rom 8:29 , “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren.”
2Co 3:18 , “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. ”
Note: Transform in Greek is metamorphoō which means to transfigure; to change into another form; to transform; – which occurs 4 times in the New Testament. To imitate Christ is not to seek self-perfection or self-glorification, it is to be transformed into the same image of Christ by the Spirit. Now we behold the glory of the Lord as in a mirror. Then we will see the Lord face to face.
CONCLUSION
Imitation of Christ involves three principles of imitating the person of Christ, the faith of Christians leaders, and what is good. To imitate Christ is to learn from Christ. To learn from Christ is to learn the obedience of Christ, the humility of Christ, and the sufferings of Christ. To imitate Christ is to follow Christ. To follow Christ involves observing the 22 rules cited above.
Rom 12:2 , “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. ”
1Pe 1:14 , “As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. ”
The final goal of imitating Christ is:
Phl 3:21 , “who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself. ”
Note: Transform in Greek is metaschēmatizō which means to transfer in a figure; change completely; to change the figure of; to undergo fundamental transformation; – which occurs 6 times in the New Testament. Finally the Lord Jesus Christ will transform our lowly and humble body into conformity with His glorious body, by the exertion of the power that subjects all things to Himself.
1Co 15:42-44 , “So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; it is sown in dishonor, 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. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. ”
Note: Christians who died in the Lord will have first resurrection when Jesus Christ returns to earth, and those who are alive will be transformed to meet the Lord in the space. Imperishable in Greek is aphtharsia which means incorruptible; immortal; unending existence; perpetual; pure; opposite of perishable; not subject to decay; eternal; – which occurs 7 times in the New Testament. Spiritual in Greek is pneumatikos which means non-carnal; supernatural; opposite of natural; belonging to the Divine Spirit; – which occurs 29 times in the New Testament. In the eternal state of believers, all who have been saved will possess an imperishable, spiritual and glorious body in conformity to the glorious body of Christ.
Rom 12:2 , “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is— His good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Note: Those who follow and imitate Christ do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of their mind, to have the mind of Christ. Those whose mind has been renewed will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will. Jesus came to do the will of God, Christians follow the pattern of Jesus to do the will of God.
Eph 1:11 , “In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will.”
Note: Predestine in Greek is proorizō which means to predestinate; determine beforehand; decide or appoint beforehand; predetermine; foreordain by God; God decreeing from eternity; – which occurs 6 times in the New Testament. God has a plan that works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will. In God’s plan believers were chosen and have been predestined. John Calvin was wrong. God did not predestinate some groups of people to go to Hell. Whoever comes to Christ will not be rejected.
Rom 6:5, “For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection.”
Note: Christians have become united with Christ in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection. United with in Greek is symphytos which means planted together; born together with; implanted by birth; – which occurs 1 time in the New Testament. As we have become united with the likeness of Jesus’ death, we shall be united also with the likeness of His resurrection. It is through the regeneration of the Holy Spirit that believers become united with Christ. Tit 3:5, “He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.” Christians are united by faith and in spirit with Christ.
2Co 4:4 , “Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.”
Note: Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe including unbelieving scientists, theologians and philosophers. The glory of Christ is the exact likeness of God.
1Jo 3:2 , “Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. ”
Note: Some have the wrong idea in believing we who believe in Christ will become children of God in Heaven. Beloved, now we are children of God. All those who have been saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ are now, at the present time, children of God. Appear in Greek is phaneroō which means to be or come in sight; to make manifest; show; show one’s self; become visible or known; – which occurs 57 times in the New Testament. Appearances are deceptive. Do not look down at that lowly and humble man, he may be a son of God. Do not look up to a rich and powerful man, he may be a disguised angel of light, a son of the Devil.
Outwardly, Christians do not appear as children of God yet. For our lowly and humble bodies have not been transformed in conformity to the glorious and spiritual body of Christ. When Christ appears that is when Jesus Christ returns to the world, then the great transformation will take place. How this is going to happen?
1Co 15:50-57 , “Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. “O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Note: Mystery in Greek is mystērion which means a hidden or secret thing; something hidden from ungodly and wicked men; secret made known through divine relation; a truth that one can know only by revelation and cannot fully understand; – which occurs 27 times in the New Testament. The fact that believers will be changed is a mystery to the world, even scientists and philosophers. Moment in Greek is atomos which means an instant; the smallest unit of time; a point of time; – which occurs 1 time in the New Testament. Twinkling in Greek is rhipē which means a jerk of the eye; an instant; a moment of time; the time required for wink; – which occurs 1 time in the New Testament. In the twinkling of an eye means in a moment of time, instantly. The transformation of believers will take place in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. Immortality in Greek is athanasia which means deathlessness; unending existence; eternal life; – which occurs 3 times in the New Testament. How wonderful for the Elect to put on immortality just like we put on a coat. Eternal life is the ultimate victory the Lord Jesus gives to His followers.
What is the ultimate goal of imitation of Christ?
1Jo 3:2 , “Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. ”
Note: Like in Greek is homoios which means resembling; corresponding to; similar; having the same character or quality; – which occurs 48 times in the New Testament. The end of imitation of Christ is to be like Christ.
1Th 4:17 , “Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. ”
Note: Always in Greek is pantote which means ever; at all times; evermore; forever; all the time; – which occurs 42 times in the New Testament. Children of God shall always be with the Lord.
Jhn 12:26 , “If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him. ”
Note: Those who serve Christ must follow Christ. Where Christ is, there His servants will be also. If anyone serves Christ, God will honor him.
Jhn 14:3 , “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.”
Note: Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven to prepare a place for children of God. I believe the place has been prepared long ago, the Holy City, the New Jerusalem. Jesus Christ is coming again and receive His followers to Him. Where Jesus Christ is, there all the children of God may be also. Those who will be like Christ will always be with the Lord. Always is eternity without end, time with end, forever and ever. We who believe in Christ and follow Him, serve Him and imitate Him will be like Him and will always be with Him. The process of salvation encompasses from start to finish: regeneration, sanctification to glorification.
For the children of God, the ultimate purpose of imitation of Christ is to culminate in the blessed eternity: We will be like Jesus, and we will be always with the Lord.
You cannot imitate Christ if you are lost in sins. You must first be saved and become a Christian first to imitate Christ.
Rev 22:20 , “He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Do you want to follow Jesus Christ? First accept the fact you are a sinner who cannot save yourself, but believe in Jesus Christ the Son of God, and the Savior of the world to save you. You can do it right now where you are.
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IN the Kingdom of Heaven, not only saints have ability not to do wrong, they have ability to do what is right. Whatever is the command or will of God, saints will naturally obey and do it voluntarily. SO in the Kingdom of Heaven there will be no man-made disasters because saints by nature and character will not do man-made disasters. God by His power forbids any natural disaster to happen. So in the Kingdom of God there will be no man-made disasters and no nutral-disasters. No problems. No troubles.
Without revelation, no one would know the present world will pass away.
1Ti 6:17, “Instruct those who are rich in this present
world not to be conceited or to set their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.”
Not only Demas, most people love this present world. I do not have all the knowledge. In particular regarding the Kingdom of Heaven when the Revealed Knowledge is not given. I would say “I believe”, it means I do not actually know. When I do not know, I say I do not know. I loathe those false teachers who pretend they know everything. They make up theories and provide private interpretations of the Scriptures. Not only that they merchandise the false teachings as true knowledge for money and in addition they shamelessly ask for donation.
1Co 7:31, “and those who use the world, as though
they did not make full use of it; for the present form of this world is passing away.”
Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
And they that use this world – That make a necessary and proper use of it to furnish raiment, food, clothing, medicine, protection, etc. It is right so to use the world, for it was made for these purposes. The word using here refers to the lawful use of it (χρώμενοι chrōmenoi).
For the fashion of this world – (τὸ σχῆμα to schēma.) The form, the appearance. In 1 John 2:17, it is said that “the world passeth away and the lust thereof.” The worst “fashion” here is probably taken from the shifting scenes of the drama where, when the scene changes, the imposing and splendid pageantry passes off. The form, the fashion of the world is like a splendid, gilded pageant. It is unreal and illusive. It continues but a little time; and soon the scene changes, and the fashion that allured and enticed us now passes away, and we pass to other scenes.
Passeth away – (παράγει paragei). Passes off like the splendid, gaudy, shifting scenes of the stage. What a striking description of the changing, unstable, and unreal pageantry of this world! Now it is frivilous, splendid, gorgeous, lovely; tomorrow it is gone, and is succeeded by new actors and new scenes. Now all is busy with one set of actors; tomorrow a new company appears, and again they are succeeded by another, and all are engaged in scenes that are equally changing, vain, gorgeous, and delusive. If there are few people who know this present world is passing away, there are even fewer people who know that the present world will be burned up.
2Pe 3:10, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.”
Pulpit Commentary
Verse 11. – Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved; rather, seeing that all these things are being dissolved. The participle is present, and implies the certainty of the event foretold, and, perhaps, also that the germs of that coming dissolution are already in being, that the forces which are ultimately to bring about the final catastrophe are even now at work. Some of the better manuscripts read, instead of οϋν, then, οὕτως, thus: “seeing that all these things are thus being dissolved.” What manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness? The Greek word for “what manner of persons” means literally, “of what country;” it seems to point to the great truth that God’s people are fellow-citizens of the saints, that the commonwealth of which they are citizens is in heaven. The word for “to be” is the emphatic ὑπάρχειν, which denotes original, essential, continuous being. (On the word for “conversation” (ἀναστροφαῖς, behaviour, conduct), see note on 1 Peter 1:15.) Both this noun and the following are plural in the Greek, and therefore mean “in all aspects and forms of holy conduct and godliness.” Some commentators connect these last words, “in all holy conversation and godliness,” with the next verse: “looking in all holy conversation,” etc. Some, again, understand this verse as asking a question, which is answered in the next; but the Greek word for “what manner of persons” (ποταπός) seems to be used in the New Testament as an exclamation only, not interrogatively. 2 Peter 3:11.”
For many would be unbelievable to see the White House, the Capital, the Pentagon, Eiffel Tower, the Great Wall, the Buckingham Palace, Palace of Versailles, Taj Mahal, etc. to be dissovled.
Regarding the Kingdom of Heaven, without direct and plain revelation, we do not know many things. No one knows anything about the “new things.” When I say I believe regarding the Kingdom of Heaven, it actually means I do not know. When I do not know I say I do not know.
If you ask American preachers or pastors, almost 100% will give you the generous answer you want to hear: that is, you will recognize your spouse, members of your family and good friends. I, for one, understand the Scriptures just the opposite. I do not get pay for teaching otherwise. You will not recognize your spouse, members of your family, and good friends because the former things have passed away; the earthly things have passed away. If your spouse goes to Hell, you will not know him/her and suffer in Heaven for eternity. If any member of your family goes to Hell, you will not recognize him/her and suffer for the memory in Heaven. If your good friend goes to Hell, you will not suffer in Heaven knowing him/her. So I believe the Scriptures do not teach that earthly relationships will be remembered or recognized anymore. It is impossible for saints to suffer in Heaven for remembrance of past relationships or earthly matters. The worst of all, pet industries for the sake of money, preach a false gospel that pets go to Heaven. No animals WHO die and go to Heaven, no animals who die and go to Hell either.
Yes, God has created special creatures for Heaven,
Rev 4:6-11, “and before the throne there was something like a sea of glass, like crystal; and in the center and around the throne, four living
creatures full of eyes in front and behind. The first living creature was like a lion, the second creature like a calf, the third creature had a face like that of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle. And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say,
“HOLY, HOLY, HOLY IS THE LORD GOD, THE
ALMIGHTY, Who was and Who is and Who is to come.” And when the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to Him Who sits on the throne, to Him Who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him Who sits on the throne, and they will worship Him Who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before
the throne, saying, “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.”
Beware, the Scriptures call those “four living creatures” not animals. Those four living creatures also can speak. Apparently, they have higher authority than the twenty-four elders. The Bible does not say where did the twenty-four elders come from. Apparently, the twenty-four elders are humans.
Yes, there are some animals God specifically creates for the Kingdom of Heaven, some little birds and some white horses.
Mat 10:29, “Are two sparrows not sold for an assarion? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.”
There are no animals who die and go to Heaven.
Ecc 3:21, “Who knows the spirit of the sons of men, which goes upward, and the spirit of the animal, which goes down to the earth?”
The Lord says, Rev 21:5, “And He Who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I AM making all things new.”
And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”
We do not know anything about the Administration of the Kingdom of Heaven. One thing we can be sure that the leaders of the world will not be the leaders of the Kingdom of Heaven. If possible, I will requests two private audiences. One with the HEAVENLY FATHER, I shall bow three times saying HOLY, HOLY, HOLY; Heavenly Father, I am eternally grateful.
Another private audience with the LORD JESUS:
I have said I do not believe I will be awarded any crown. If I do, I shall place my crown at the feet of my God and Savior, bow three times and say HOLY, HOLY, HOLY my LORD and REDEEMER: I love Thee for ever.
NO MORE NATIONS & NATIONALITIES, NO MORE WORLD LEADERS & POLITICIANS.
Rev 11:15, “Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of the world has become the
Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.”
According to https://www.worldometers.info/geography/how-many-countries-are-there-in-the-world/
“There are 195 countries in the world today. This total comprises 193 countries that are member states of the United Nations and 2 countries that are non-member observer states: the Holy See and the State of Palestine.
Not in the list Not included in this total count of 195 countries are:
· Taiwan – the United Nations considers it represented by the People’s Republic of China · The Cook Islands and Niue, both states in free association with New Zealand which are members of several UN specialized agencies and have been recognized “full treaty-making capacity”, but are neither member states nor non-member observer states. · Dependencies (or dependent territories, dependent areas, dependencies) and Areas of Special Sovereignty (autonomous territories) NB. Taiwan is a province of China, can never be a nation or country. Palestine does not have territory or sovereignty, can never be a state or country. Anyway, all nations or states including America, Japan, Russia, China, Canada, Australia, etc. will be gone for good in the Kingdom of Heaven.All nations and nationalities on earth will be no more. The Kingdom of Heaven will be One and Only. Jesus Christ will be the Supreme Ruler because He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. The Lord Jesus will reign forever and ever with the saints.
Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
And there were great voices in Heaven – As of exultation and praise. The grand consummation had come, the period so long anticipated and desired when God should reign on the earth had arrived, and this lays the foundation for joy and thanksgiving in heaven.
The kingdoms of this world – The modern editions of the New Testament (see Tittmann and Hahn) read this in the singular number – “The kingdom of this world has become,” etc. According to this reading, the meaning would be, either that the sole reign over this world had become that of the Lord Jesus; or, more probably, that the dominion over the earth had been regarded as one in the sense that Satan had reigned over it, but had now become the kingdom of God; that is, that “the kingdoms of this world are many considered in themselves; but in reference to the sway of Satan, there is only one kingdom ruled over by the ‘god of this world'” (Prof. Stuart). The sense is not materially different whichever reading is adopted; though the authority is in favor of the latter (Wetstein). According to the common reading, the sense is, that all the kingdoms of the earth, being many in themselves, had been now brought under the one scepter of Christ; according to the other, the whole world was regarded as in fact one kingdom – that of Satan – and the scepter had now passed from his hands into those of the Saviour.
The kingdoms of our Lord – Or, the kingdom of our Lord, according to the reading adopted in the previous part of the verse. The word “Lord” here evidently has reference to God as such – represented as the original source of authority, and as giving the kingdom to his Son. See the notes on Daniel 7:13-14; compare Psalm 2:8. The word “Lord” – Κυριος Kurios – implies the notion of possessor, owner, sovereign, supreme ruler – and is thus properly given to God. See Matthew 1:22; Matthew 5:33; Mark 5:19; Luke 1:6, Luke 1:28; Acts 7:33; Hebrews 8:2, Hebrews 8:10; James 4:15, al. saepe.
And of his Christ – Of his anointed; of him who is set apart as the Messiah, and consecrated to this high office. See the notes on Matthew 1:1. He is called “his Christ,” because he is set apart by him, or appointed by him to perform the work appropriate to that office on earth. Such language as what occurs here is often employed, in which God and Christ are spoken of as, in some respects, distinct – as sustaining different offices, and performing different works. The essential meaning here is, that the kingdom of this world had now become the kingdom of God under Christ; that is, that that kingdom is administered by the Son of God.
And he shall reign forever and ever – A kingdom is commenced which shall never terminate. It is not said that this would be on the earth; but the essential idea is, that the scepter of the world had now, after so long a time, come into his hands never more to pass away. The fuller characteristics of this reign are stated in a subsequent part of this book Revelation 20-22. What is here stated is in accordance with all the predictions in the Bible. A time is to come when, in the proper sense of the term, God is to reign on the earth; when his kingdom is to be universal; when his laws shall be everywhere recognized as binding; when all idolatry shall come to an end; and when the understandings and the hearts of people everywhere shall bow to his authority.”
Superpower, supremacy, monopoly, domination, oppression, suppression, exploitation will be no more. Military and political alliance like NATO or QUAD will also be no more. World civilization and culture will also be gone.
What will be the administration of the Kingdom of Heaven we do not know. We only know the Kingdom of Heaven is one and only. The Supreme Ruler is Jesus Christ who is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. We know it is not democracy, it is absolute Theocracy. The angels will be the armies of God. There will be no rebellion, tension, CONFLICT or violence. There will be only peace, righteousnes, truth and love forever. Saints will not grow old anymore, and they cannot die.
NO MORE HUMAN RACES.
Since there will be no more races, racism also will be done away with. Frankly, the White race has done more evil deeds in the world in terms of time and place. They claim to be Christians. They are the most self-interested and prejudiced peoples on earth. It is also known as the West (Europe, America, Canada, Australia, New Zeland, etc.) who killed the aborigenees and have not paid compensation and reparation to their colonies OR victims. They had robbed their colonies and made themselves very rich. Its imperialism and capitalism and hegemonism have dominated the world to these days. The evident arrogance of white people is beyond description. The second most evil people are the Japanese who killed more than 30 million Chinese in a 14-year war of aggression and occupation. The Japanese government has denied its genocide and atrocities and refused to pay compensation and reparation even to these days. Africa has committed and created most of the problems in the world, in terms of conflicts, civil wars, tensions, kidnappings, killings, refugees, brutalities, protests, contagious diseases, debts and deficits, primitive ways, promiscuity and shortages of every kind while its leaders practice official corruption, dress well and live in luxurious life style. Its peoples are lazy and unmotivated, eat and drink beer, play games and sports, sing and dance, enjoy sex and produce many children they cannot support. For hundreds of years, Africa has demontrated as nations and peoples who have all bad things in the world, NOT produced anything good or worthwhile. YET Africa has been given a large coverage of world media, performing loud and empty voice on the world stage. Evidently Affirmartive Action has done in or ruined American Blacks. In the Kingdom of Heaven, all races will be no more. Racism will be gone too. Saints are a holy nation. 1Pe 2:9, “But you are A CHOSEN PEOPLE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR GOD’S OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
The saints will be like Angels, there is no black angel. There is no black person in the Kingdom of Heaven.
I see on TV many ugly faces, in the Kingdom of Heaven there will be no more ugly peoples. Whether one saint is more beautiful than other saints, I do not know. I am sure no saint will have scars, blemishes or spots or deformity.
Will some saints look better than other saints? I think so. Gen 39:6, “So he left Joseph in charge of everything that he owned; and with him there he did not concern himself with anything except the food which he ate. Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance.”
Dan 1:4-6, “youths in whom there was no impairment, who were good-looking, suitable for instruction in every kind of expertise, endowed with understanding and discerning knowledge, and who had ability to serve in the king’s court; and he ordered Ashpenaz to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans. The king also allotted for them a daily ration from the king’s choice food and from the wine which he drank, and ordered that they be educated for three years, at the end of which they were to enter the king’s personal service. Now among them from the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.”
Act 6:15, “And all who were sitting in the Council stared at him, and they saw his face, which was like the face of an angel.”
Millions AND millions of senior citizens, you have got to hear this good news: In the Kingdom of Heaven, you do not grow old — you are forever young; forever healthy; forever strong!
NO MORE MOVIE STARS – – ACTORS & ACTRESSES.
NO MORE GUNS, WEAPONS AND NUCLEAR WEAPONS.
According to https://usafacts.org/answers/how-many-people-die-from-gun-related-injuries-in-the-us-each-month/country/united-states/
“How many people die from gun-related injuries in the US each month?
An estimated 3.8K in August 2024, the most recent month for which data is available. This includes homicides, suicides, accidents, and other incidents where a shooting was considered the primary cause of death.
According to preliminary data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), gun-related deaths were 2% lower in August 2024 than they were the previous month. Data updated March 11, 2025.”
According to https://247wallst.com/military/2024/02/24/the-9-places-where-america-stores-its-nuclear-weapons/
“The current active stockpile of nuclear warheads is split between ICBMs, SLBMs, and various other strategic bombers. The land-based ICBMs are spread between 450 operational missile launch facilities in three launch areas over five states. These launch facilities are staffed and maintained by the Air Force Global Strike Command.
These launch locations were picked because they are far away from the coasts, which would be the first places lost in any invasion and the farthest place from any submarine attack (maximizing the time they have to prepare and launch). They are also far from populated areas since nuclear weapons would probably be the top targets during a nuclear war. Finally, they were as close as they could reasonably be to the Soviet Union when firing over the North Pole. The sea-based SLBMs are staffed and maintained by the Navy on ballistic missile submarines. Nuclear gravity bombs and air-launched nuclear missiles are maintained by the Air Force.
The total cost of maintaining the current nuclear stockpile is around $60 billion every year, as of 2021.”
In the Kingdom of Heaven, there will be no guns, no weapons, no nuclear weapons.
NO MORE LANGUAGES.
Languages are obstacles and hold-backs that separate peoples because they cannot communicate. Hebrew, Greek, Russian, Chinese, etc. seal their doom by virtue of their difficult form of writing. There was no accident that English becomes dominant among German, French, and Spanish. The British empire had a lot to do with it. Had German won WWII, probably we all will speak German. On top of if, America, the sole superpower after WWII makes the English language prominent and popular. For personal reason, I am grateful that I speak English from childhood. I say English is the most useful and powerful language in the world today. However, in the Kingdom of Heaven, all languages will be gone. I believe all saints will be automatically equipped with the language of angels. (1Co 13:1)
Mat 24:35
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Words will not pass away.”
(Mar 13:32–37; Luk 17:26, 27, 34, 35; 21:34–36 )
Since the Old Testament was written in Hebrew and the New Testament was written in Greek, I believe the two languages will be preserved eternally as historial languages. I am almost sure that God will give saints higher intelligence than the highest intelligent person in the world, so the saints will easily master the two historical languages, and keep the language of angels as the daily spoken language in the Kingdom of Heaven. All other languages (including English and Chinese, etc.) will pass away into oblivion.
What language do people use in Hell?
Luk 13:28, “In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God, but yourselves being thrown out.”
That place is the Lake of Fire, its universal language is weeping and gnashing of teeth.
“Today there are 7,164 languages spoken across the world. However, these languages are not evenly distributed across populations. Over 3.6 billion people speak the 20 most spoken languages in the world, accounting for only 0.3% of the world’s total languages.”
Any language is nationalistic and ethnocentric. In the Kingdom of Heaven, only the lannguage of Angels will be used. I am sure it will be more beautiful, useful and powerful than any language we know on earth. We will have one universal language which is contrary to the historical Babel. Gen 11:9, “Therefore it was named Babel, because there the LORD confused
the language of all the earth; and from there the LORD scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.” There will be no more confusion of languages since the saints will have only one language. I believe when we get to Heaven, all the saints will be naturally equipped with the language of Angels. You do not need to learn. However, I do not think I will have language proficiency as Apostle Paul. Will there be universities or academies that where we will learn language, science and other knowledge?
NO MORE MONEY.
The world is centered and driven by money. Without money, all related economies, economics, finances, funding, investment, banking, contracts, businesses, corporations, stocks, markets, etc. all come to nothing. I do not know how the Kingdom of Heaven is run without cash, currency, or money. I do not know what are the treasures in Heaven, and what are the true riches of Heaven. I also know saints do not need money because their housing, food, drink, clothing, transportation, lights, etc. are all provided free of charge. Saints are citizens of Heaven who do not have any needs that I am aware of. I also do not know whether the masions of the Holy City need cleaning or not; if so, how cleaning is done.
God will be with His children, the sons of God can ask Heavenly Father for anything. They live abundant lives without worry and without labor.
NO MORE WAR.
According to https://www.britannica.com/event/World-War-I/Killed-wounded-and-missing
“The casualties suffered by the participants in World War I dwarfed those of previous wars: some 8,500,000 soldiers died as a result of wounds and/or disease. The greatest number of casualties and wounds were inflicted by artillery, followed by small arms, and then by poison gas. ”
“It has been estimated that the number of civilian deaths attributable to the war was higher than the military casualties, or around 13,000,000. These civilian deaths were largely caused by starvation, exposure, disease, military encounters, and massacres.”
According to https://www.nationalww2museum.org/students-teachers/student-resources/research-starters/research-starters-worldwide-deaths-world-war
“Worldwide Casualties*
Battle Deaths
15,000,000
Battle Wounded
25,000,000
Civilian Deaths
45,000,000
*Worldwide casualty estimates vary widely in several sources. The number of civilian deaths in China alone might well be more than 50,000,000.”
According to https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-hccc-worldhistory2/chapter/casualties-of-world-war-ii/
“Casualties of World War II
Some 75 million people died in World War II, including about 20 million military personnel and 40 million civilians, many of whom died because of deliberate genocide, massacres, mass-bombings, disease, and starvation.”
After getting the casualities of World War2, I am getting tired to know how many died in all American wars starting from the Korean war … to the present time. God knows! War will be abolished for ever; there will be peace, truth, righteousness, justice and joy in the Kingdom of Heaven.
NO MORE SCULPTORS, SCULPTURES, STATUES, STATUETTES AND IMAGES OF false gods.
I think they were all burned up long ago in the old earth with the passing of the world.
NO MORE SEA.
Rev 21:1, “Then I saw a New Heaven and a New Earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea.”
Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
And there was no more sea – This change struck John more forcibly, it would appear, than anything else. Now, the seas and oceans occupy about three-fourths of the surface of the globe, and, of course, to that extent prevent the world from being occupied by people – except by the comparatively small number that are mariners. There, the idea of John seems to be, the whole world will be inhabitable, and no part will be given up to the wastes of oceans. In the present state of things, these vast oceans are necessary to render the world a fit abode for human beings, as well as to give life and happiness to the numberless tribes of animals that find their homes in the waters. In the future state, it would seem, the present arrangement will be unnecessary; and if man dwells upon the earth at all, or if he visits it as a temporary abode (see the notes on 2 Peter 3:13), these vast wastes of water will be needless. It should be remembered that the earth, in its changes, according to the teachings of geology, has undergone many revolutions quite as remarkable as it would be if all the lakes, and seas, and oceans of the earth should disappear. Still, it is not certain that it was intended that this language should be understood literally as applied to the material globe. The object is to describe the future blessedness of the righteous; and the idea is, that that will be a world where there will be no such wastes as those produced by oceans.”
I do not want to waste time and efforts on false teachers who pontificate that God did not creat a New Heaven and a New Eath, He just renews the heaven and the earth. When God says “New”, I believe with all my heart it is “New.”
According to https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/all-about-the-ocean/
“The ocean covers 70 percent of Earth’s surface. It contains about 1.35 billion cubic kilometers (324 million cubic miles) of water, which is about 97 percent of all the water on Earth.”
The Bible does not reveal what God is going to do with 70 percent of Earth’s surface. To plant green grass or make green valley? No one knows what God is going to do with 97 percent of all the water on Earth.
Without the ocean, there will be no tide, no ocean floor, no sound navigation and ranging. No ocean crust. No continental shelf. No ocean’s treches. No more marine animals. NO more ships or boats; no more navigation. No more fishing. Without the ocean and without the sun and moon, I conclude there will be no four seasons. No tsunamis.
God in His wisdom does away with the sea. I am sure God will make the New Earth even better than our imaginations. I am sure there will be no bad effects or negative impacts on the New Earth. All things will become new as God determines. The New Earth without the sea is one of the new things.
NO MORE SUN AND MOON.
Rev 21:23, “And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illuminated it, and its lamp is the Lamb.”
According to https://science.nasa.gov/sun/facts/
“Our Sun is a 4.5 billion-year-old yellow dwarf star – a hot glowing ball of hydrogen and helium – at the center of our solar system. It’s about 93 million miles (150 million kilometers) from Earth and it’s our solar system’s only star. Without the Sun’s energy, life as we know it could not exist on our home planet.
From our vantage point on Earth, the Sun may appear like an unchanging source of light and heat in the sky. But the Sun is a dynamic star, constantly changing and sending energy out into space. The science of studying the Sun and its influence throughout the solar system is called heliophysics.
The Sun is the largest object in our solar system. Its diameter is about 865,000 miles (1.4 million kilometers). Its gravity holds the solar system together, keeping everything from the biggest planets to the smallest bits of debris in orbit around it.
Even though the Sun is the center of our solar system and essential to our survival, it’s only an average star in terms of its size. Stars up to 100 times larger have been found. And many solar systems have more than one star. By studying our Sun, scientists can better understand the workings of distant stars.
The hottest part of the Sun is its core, where temperatures top 27 million °F (15 million °C). The part of the Sun we call its surface – the photosphere – is a relatively cool 10,000 °F (5,500 °C). In one of the Sun’s biggest mysteries, the Sun’s outer atmosphere, the corona, gets hotter the farther it stretches from the surface. The corona reaches up to 3.5 million °F (2 million °C) – much, much hotter than the photosphere.”
According to https://www.newscientist.com/lastword/mg25133441-100-what-would-happen-to-our-planet-if-the-sun-suddenly-disappeared/
“Without sunshine there can be no photosynthesis. Crops would stop growing. We would soon begin to starve” ”photosynthesis, the process by which green plants and certain other organisms transform light energy into chemical energy. During photosynthesis in green plants, light energy is captured and used to convert water, carbon dioxide, and minerals into oxygen and energy-rich organic compounds.”
I do not know whether photosynthesis is required in the Kingdom of Heaven or not. The glory of God and the lamp of the Lamb can do much better than the Sun and Moon. The Kingdom of Heaven will not be dark because “the glory of God has illuminated it, and its lamp is the Lamb.”
In the Kingdom of Heaven, there is no need for crops.
The saints will not starve because they eat the Fruit of Life and drink the Water of Life. They will not die because they live forever.
Rev 22:2, “in the middle of its street. On either
side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve
kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”
I do not know whether the saints eat the fruit life once, or every month.
Rev 22:17, “The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires, take the water of life without cost.”
I do not know whether the saints take the water of life once, or when they are thirsty.
One thing is sure, the food and drink of the saints are no longer when they were on earth.
NO MORE ANIMALS.
2Pe 2:12, “But these, like unreasoning animals, born as creatures of instinct to be captured and killed, using abusive speech where they have no knowledge, will in the destruction of those creatures also be destroyed.”
Wild and predatory animals will be gone in the Kingdom of Heaven. Pets (dogs and cats) will be gone too. Pets owners do not want you to know dogs are dirty animals which defecate any place. The most unsighly thing on earth is to watch dog owners or dog walkers to go out in the morning to have their dogs defecate and urinate in public places. Pet industries for money preach a false gospel that pets go to heaven. No pets die and go to Heaven. No aimals go to Heaven
Ecc 3:21, “Who knows that the spirit of the sons of mankind ascends upward and the spirit of the animal descends downward to the earth?”
I specially don’t like aligators or crocodiles and snakes. When I was a stupid boy, I was almost drowned and eaten by a crocodile. A nephew of mine went fishing and was eaten by a crocodile that his body was never found.
However, I believe God will spare some sparrows and little birds in the Kingdom of Heaven, I do not their species.
Mat 10:29, “What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it.”
I am sure all the sea and land animals will be gone too. Rev 19:14, “And the armies which are in Heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses.”
I think there are white horses in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Of course there are four living creatures:
Rev 4:6-11, “and before the throne there was something like a sea of glass, like crystal; and in the center and around the throne, four living
creatures full of eyes in front and behind.
The first living creature was like a lion, the second creature like a calf, the third creature had a face like that of a man, and the fourth creature
was like a flying eagle. And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say,
“HOLY, HOLY, HOLY IS THE LORD GOD, THE
ALMIGHTY, who was and who is and who is to come.”
And when the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and they will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
“Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive
glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.”
There is nothing that exists by accident or by itself in the Kingdom of Heaven.
According to https://www.coastalwiki.org/wiki/Number_of_marine_species#:~:text
“Based on the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS), there are currently (2022 census) about 242,000 known and described marine species living in the world’s oceans. Marine biota continue to be discovered and named at a current average of 2,332 new species per year.”
Since there is no more sea, all sea animals will be gone. Land animals will be gone too; predatory animals like lion, tiger, snake, alligator or crocodile, vultures, etc. will vanish also.
According to https://www.animalsaroundtheglobe.com/how-many-animals-are-in-the-5-29629/
“The number of species in just the animal kingdom is estimated to range from 1 to 2 million, however, some sources place the number as high as 50 million.”
No more animals include the meat we ate on earth, such as beef, chicken, fish, pork, duck, etc.
NO MORE MEDICAL COSTS.
ACCORDING TO https://www.unbiased.com/discover/banking/healthcare-costs-statistics
“What is the cost of healthcare in America?
The United States stands out globally for its exorbitant healthcare cost statistics.
With an annual expenditure of $4.5 trillion, averaging $13,493 per person, the US is ahead of other developed nations in terms of healthcare expenditure per capita.
What’s striking is the consistently rising healthcare costs in America.
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, which further strained healthcare resources, the cost of healthcare in America was climbing steadily.
From constituting a mere 5% of GDP in 1962, healthcare spending has ballooned to a staggering 17% in 2022.
This relentless rising healthcare costs statistics pose significant financial challenges for individuals, families, and the healthcare system as a whole. ”
I believe the healthcare cost per year is more than $4.5 trillion in America, the highest cost in the world. I know the American healthcare is run by organized crime, fraud and overcharge with immunity, and has bankrupted millions of families. In the Kingdom of Heaven, there will be no healthcare cost because there will be no sickness or disease.
NO MORE GAMES AND SPORTS. NO MORE GRAND PRIX, NO MORE BOXING, NO MORE FENCING, NO MORE HORSE RACING, NO MORE WORLD CUP, etc.
Sports and games as we know on earth will be no more. What will be new games and sports in the Kingdom of Heaven I do not know, and it is useless to speculate.
NO MORE INSECTS.
According to https://www4.bing.com/search?q=how+many+insects+in+the+world&qs=SC&pq=how+many+insect+
“There are an estimated 10 quintillion (10,000,000,000,000,000,000) individual insects alive at any given time. This is a large number, and it is a testament to the incredible diversity and abundance of insects in the world.”
According to https://www.si.edu/spotlight/buginfo/bugnos
“It has long been recognized and documented that insects are the most diverse group of organisms, meaning that the numbers of species of insects are more than any other group. In the world, some 900 thousand different kinds of living insects are known. This representation approximates 80 percent of the world’s species. The true figure of living species of insects can only be estimated from present and past studies. Most authorities agree that there are more insect species that have not been described (named by science) than there are insect species that have been previously named. Conservative estimates suggest that this figure is 2 million, but estimates extend to 30 million. In the last decade, much attention has been given to the entomofauna that exists in the canopies of tropical forests of the world. From studies conducted by Terry Erwin of the Smithsonian Institution’s Department of Entomology in Latin American forest canopies, the number of living species of insects has been estimated to be 30 million. Insects also probably have the largest biomass of the terrestrial animals. At any time, it is estimated that there are some 10 quintillion (10,000,000,000,000,000,000) individual insects alive.
In the United States, the number of described species is approximately 91,000. The undescribed species of insects in the United States, however, is estimated at some 73,000. The largest numbers of described species in the U.S. fall into four insect Orders: Coleoptera (beetles) at 23,700, Diptera (flies) at 19,600, Hymenoptera (ants, bees, wasps) at 17,500, and Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies) at 11,500.
Several enlightening studies have been conducted involving the numbers of individual insects in a given area. In North Carolina, soil samples to a depth of 5 inches yielded a calculation that there were approximately 124 million animals per acre, of which 90 million were mites, 28 million were springtails, and 4.5 million were other insects. A similar study in Pennsylvania yielded figures of 425 million animals per acre, with 209 million mites, 119 million springtails, and 11 million other arthropods. Even specific insect species have been found to be quite numerous, with calculations of from 3 to 25 million per acre for wireworms (larvae of click beetles).
Certain social insects have large numbers in their nests. An ant nest in Jamaica was calculated to include 630,000 individuals. A South American termite nest was found to have 3 million individuals. Locust swarms are said to hold up to one billion individuals.
These great numbers of insect species and individuals were created by a number of factors including their long geological history, the capability of flight, their small size that allows survival in many various habitats, their ability to store sperm for delayed fertilization, and their general adaptive abilities to the environment. Insects have remarkable fertility and reproductive abilities, which have usually led to the vast numbers of individuals in nature. East African termite queens have been recorded to lay an egg every two seconds, amounting to 43,000 eggs each day. To appreciate the population potentials of insects the example of the housefly is sometimes used, stating that the descendants of one pair of this insect, provided that they all survived during a five month season, would total 190 quintillion individuals.
Recent figures indicate that there are more than 200 million insects for each human on the planet! A recent article in The New York Times claimed that the world holds 300 pounds of insects for every pound of humans.”
Some children love insects. I dislike insects from the beginning. When I was a stupid boy with other boys we used a sampan to hop islands. In one island alone I encountered so many mosquitoes in my life. Thank Heavenly Father, my angel protected me from drowning or eaten by a crocodile.
According to https://www.nsf.gov/news/seven-degrees-one-trillion-species-microbes
“The Earth contains an estimated one trillion species of microbes — with 99.999% of them remaining undiscovered. A human can house 100 trillion microbes, creating a microbiome that serves an ecosystem of microbes.”
According to https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/there-are-more-viruses-earth-there-are-stars-universe-180974433/
“This begs bigger questions, though—like what makes viruses so adaptable, and are they really “alive?”
First, their total number is staggering. It is estimated that there are 10 viruses for every bacterium on Earth. Curtis Suttle from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver compared the number of viruses in the oceans alone to the number of stars in the Universe, which is estimated to be 1023. Viruses outnumber stars by a factor of 10 million. If you lined them all up, that line would be 10 million light years long! To put it on a more conceivable scale, it’s been estimated that each day, more than 700 million viruses, mainly of marine origin, are deposited from Earth’s atmosphere onto every square meter of our planet’s surface.
The diversity of viruses is just as impressive. Some use DNA to pass on genetic information, some use RNA, and some use both during their life cycle. The information carrier can be single-stranded, double-stranded, or double-stranded with some regions being single-stranded. Viruses are like a natural lab seemingly playing around with genetic permutations and combinations. While most viruses are so small that they can only be observed directly with an electron microscope, others, like the giant Mimiviruses, reach the size of bacteria. When I worked in my lab with viruses that kill bacteria—called bacteriophages—we did not count the actual viruses, but the number of bacteria they killed.”
With that many insects, bacteria and viruses in the world, it is a wonder that I am still alive — thanks to my Heavenly Father who controls whatever comes to pass. Thank God there will be no more mosquitoes, cockroaches, flies, worms, bed bugs, scorpions, black widow spiders, etc. I recalled of giving lecture on management in the evening at the Overseas Chinese University in Quanzhou, Fujian, some mosquitoes might have flown into my mouth. I was grateful that in California we do not have mosquitoes, while in Florida there were various of flying insects. Thank God in the Kingdom of Heaven there will be absolutely no insects.
NO MORE THE WICKED.
Psa 37:10, “Yet a little while and the wicked person will be no more; and you will look carefully for his place and he will not be there.”
Psa 104:35, “May sinners be removed from the earth
And may the wicked be no more.
Bless the LORD, my soul.
Praise the LORD!”
Pro 10:25, “When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more, but the righteous has an everlasting foundation.”
Pro 12:7, “The wicked are overthrown and are no more,
but the house of the righteous will stand.”
Years ago I learned in America: as long as I need a job, I am not free, and I fear layoffs. All the bad people, the wicked, I encountered in my life I met them at work. If I did not need to make a living, I would have never met them. This will be one of the best features in the Kingdom of Heaven: the wicked will be no more.
How often I wished I had the power to execute some known individuals on TV but I could not. At the present world, the wicked do harm more than all the insects put together and the saints are helpless. The days are coming, God will get rid of all bad people, the wicked will be no more. Some stupid philosophers argued why God has not got rid of evil in this world. The false teachers do not know there is a Judgment Day when the wicked will be punished for their evil deeds and cast them into Hell forever and ever.
NO MORE STOCK EXCHANGES.
According to https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/investing/types-of-stocks#
“Types of stock
1. Common stock
If you’re new to investing in stock and looking to buy a few shares, you likely want to invest in common stock, which is exactly what the name suggests: the most common type of stock.
When you own common stock, you own a share in the company’s profits as well as the right to vote. Common stock owners may also earn dividends — a payment made to stock owners on a regular basis — but those dividends are typically variable and not guaranteed.
2. Preferred stock
The other main type of stock, preferred stock, is frequently compared to bonds. It typically pays investors a fixed dividend. Preferred shareholders also get preferential treatment: Dividends are paid to preferred shareholders before common shareholders, including in the case of bankruptcy or liquidation.
Preferred stock prices are less volatile than common stock prices, which means shares are less prone to losing value, but they’re also less prone to gaining value. In general, preferred stock is best for investors who prioritize income over long-term growth.
3. Large-cap stocks, mid-cap stocks and small-cap stocks
You might’ve heard the words large-cap or mid-cap before; they refer to market capitalization, or the value of a company.
Companies are generally divided into three buckets by size: Large cap (market value of $10 billion or more), mid-cap (market value between $2 billion and $10 billion) and small-cap (market value between $300 million and $2 billion).
4. Sector stocks
Companies can also be classified into sectors based on what their core business is. The Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) divides the market into 11 sectors:
5. Domestic and international stocks
Stocks are frequently grouped by geographic location.
You can diversify your investment portfolio by investing not only in companies that do business in the U.S., but also in companies based internationally and in emerging markets, which are areas that are poised for expansion. (Here’s more on how to invest in international stocks.)
6. Growth and value stocks
You might hear stocks described as growth or value. Growth stocks are from companies that are either growing quickly or poised to grow quickly. Investors are typically willing to pay more for these stocks, because they’re expecting bigger returns.
Value stocks are essentially on sale: These are stocks investors have deemed to be underpriced and undervalued. The assumption is these stocks will increase in price, because they’re either currently flying under the radar or suffering from a short-term event.
How the rich pay attention to stock price up and down. In the Kingdom of Heaven, no more stocks and bonds.
NO MORE JOB & CORPORATION.
On earth most ordinary people need a job to make a living. Poor people cannot live without a job. Years ago in America I learned I cannot be free as long as I need a job. Almost all the bad and wicked people I encountered in my life, I met them at work. If I did not need a job, I would never have known them anyway. The rich do not need to work. Saints are free forever in the Kingdom of Heaven because they do not need to earn a living and they never fear layoffs. I also learn in America it was not enough to have authorized and supported by the President; employees, supervisors, mangers, directors and vice presidents can be the undercurrent to obstruct your corporate project. Why, they did not want you to succeed; to succeed means to get higher pay and promoted. If you know American corporations are the fiercest battlefields, then you will understand the extreme why some employees killed their supervisors and colleagues. The most incredible top exective I have ever met was Jim King who appointed me to lead a corporate project, and put the Vice President of Finance, Controller, and General Manager the line supervisors under my direction. In American corporations, abilities without opportunities are like a bird without wings. My supervisors were always White men who were less educated and less qualified. They want absolute loyaly — the yes man. It is easier for them to play you down. They do not know anything about management. To them managing a corporation is to advance themselves.
There will be no more stock exchange, no more foreign currency exchange, etc. And NO MORE markets. There will be no more business of any kind. There will be no more funds, even the largest Norwegian Wealth Fund.
NO MORE WOMEN, GENDER, SEX AND PROCREATION AND NO MORE CHILDREN, NO MORE PROSTITUTES, NO MORE PIMPS. NO MORE SEXUAL INTERCOURSE.
According to https://www.johnfitch.com/research/sex-offense-study-2025-worst-states-and-statistics/#:~:text=In%20the
“Every day, an average of 559 sex offenses are reported across the United States. This disturbing statistic translates to one offense occurring every 2.57 minutes. With over 204,000 incidents reported in the past year alone, the prevalence of sexual violence continues to pose a significant challenge to public safety and victim support services.
Fondling and rape are the most commonly reported offenses, making up the majority of cases. Women, particularly those aged 11-20, are the most affected. While the issue spans the entire nation, states like Alaska, South Dakota, and Arkansas report some of the highest rates of rape, while Montana and Utah lead in fondling incidents.
Child rape is also a major concern, with South Dakota, Massachusetts, and Wisconsin reporting the highest rates among children under 18.
This study, completed by the Columbus personal injury lawyers at The Fitch Law Firm, delves into the data from the FBI Crime Data Explorer to spotlight the states most affected by sexual offenses in 2025.”
Not only there will be no more sex offenses in the Kingdom of Heaven, the will be no more sex, no more sexual intercourse, no more giving births or procreation, no children, no genders, no females.
Do prostitutes love their work or money? I believe they love money and have wrong values. The most incredible is how a black pimp can coach and hoax a group of young white women to sell their bodies to support the luxurious lifestyle of a black pimp is incredible and unimaginable.
I believe the aborted futuses will become adults and by the grace of God will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. In Heaven, there will be no children. Since there will be no women in the Kingdom of Heaven, all saints will become sons of God, it will not be appropriate to have the female name like Mary. There are at least three Mary(s) that I want to befriend: they are Mary Magdalene, Mary of Bethany, and Mary the mother of Jeus. If they have new names, won’t they recognize themselves, and will all saints recognize who they were? Unlike the famous Biblical figures like Abraham, Noah, Enoch, Moses, Eliyah, Isaiah, David, Joseph, Paul, John, Stephene, John the Baptist, the archangel Michael, Gabriel, etc. — I believe we will recognize them instinctively. I do not know how we shall recognize Martin Luther, Augustine, John Bunyan, Charles Spurgeon, J. C. Ryle, C.H. Mackintosh, G. Campbell Morgan, Athanasius of Alexandria, George Whitefield, etc. whom we had never met.
It is a big sigh of relief that in the Kingdom of Heaven sex will be no more. Women will be no more. No more cosmetics. No more vanity.
It is a big sigh or relief in the Kingdom of Heaven sex will be no more.
NO MORE SICKNESS OR DISEASE.
According to https://wellwisp.com/how-many-illnesses-are-in-the-world/
“Human health is a multifaceted concept, intricately woven into the fabric of our daily lives. Each day, millions grapple with various ailments, from common colds to rare genetic disorders. The sheer number of diseases can be staggering; current estimates suggest that there are over 10,000 recognized illnesses worldwide. This figure encompasses a vast range of conditions, including infectious diseases, chronic illnesses, mental health disorders, and more. Understanding this complexity not only sheds light on our health systems but also emphasizes the importance of medical research and public health initiatives.”
With over 10,000 illnesses and diseases, it is a miracle I live to an advanced age.
In the Kingdom of Heaven there willl be no more doctors, dentists, hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, medical supplies, insurance companies, etc. Since there will be no sickness or disease, itch or pain, fracture or broken bone, doctors, dentists, hospitals, drug companies, and hospitals can no longer fleece and defraud patients anymore like in America.
NO MORE HOSPITAL, CLINIC, PHARMACY, DRUG STORE, NURSERY, MATERNITY, SURGERY, CHILD CARE, GERIACTRIC CARE, ELDERLY HOME, DELIVERY, KINDER GARTEN, ETC.
NO MORE DOCTOR (PHYSICIAN), DENTIST, NURSE PRACTITIONER, SURGEON, ANETHESIOLOGIST, PEDIATRICIAN, GYNOCOLOGIST, OBSTETRICIAN, RADIOLOGIST, NURSE, PARAMEDIC, ORDERLY, X-RAY TECHNICAN, ETC. IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.
NO MORE FACTORY, WAREHOUSE, MANUFACTURING, SUPER MARKET, STORE, SHOP, SHOPPING CENTER, MARKET OF ANY KIND.
NO MORE POSTAL SERVICE, TELEGRAM, EMAIL, ANNOUCEMENT, COMMERCIAL, SPECIAL DELIVERY, ETC.
NO MORE GIANTS AND DWARFS.
FALSE teachers pontificate that angels had sexual intercourse with human females and produced giants. This theory has not been proved by the Word of God. It is sure that in the Kingdom of Heaven, saints will have spiritual bodies and look like angels. Therefore, there will be no giants and dwarfs. Each saint will have about the same size and height like an angel. There is no disabled or handicapped saint in Heaven. There will be no ugly saints in the Kingdom of Heaven.
NO MORE TROUBLE AND TRAGEDY.
Pro 31:7, “Let him drink and forget his poverty,
And remember his trouble no more.”
I think in the Kingdom of God, saints do not drink. Saints will not have any trouble in the Kingdom of Heaven. Saints will also not remember their troubles on earth anymore. There will be no problems in the Kingdom of Heaven. In the Kingdom of Heaven, there will be no trouble and tragedy of any kind.
NO MORE NIGHT.
Rev 22:5, “And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illuminate them; and they will reign forever and ever.”
Only the spiritual body can stand without sleep or rest.
Since there will be no longer any night, it is more important to learn the new Heavenly Calander, Date, and Time, although the saints have eternity.
KNOWLEDGE WILL BE DONE AWAY WITH.
1Co 13:8, “Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away with; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away with.”
Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Charity never faileth – Paul here proceeds to illustrate the value of love, from its “permanency” as compared with other valued endowments. It is valuable, and is to be sought because it will always abide; may be always exercised; is adapted to all circumstances, and to all worlds in which we may be placed, or in which we may dwell. The word rendered “faileth” (ἐκπίπτει ekpiptei) denotes properly to fall out of, to fall from or off; and may be applied to the stars of heaven falling Mark 13:25, or to flowers that fall or fade James 1:11; 1 Peter 1:24, or to chains falling from the hands, etc.; Acts 12:7. Here it means to fall away, to fail; to be without effect, to cease to be in existence. The expression may mean that it will be adapted to all the situations of life, and is of a nature to be always exercised; or it may mean that it will continue to all eternity, and he exercised in heaven forever. The connection demands that the latter should be regarded as the true interpretation; see 1 Corinthians 13:13. The sense is, that while other endowments of the Holy Spirit must soon cease and be valueless, love would abide, and would always exist. The “argument” is, that we ought to seek that which is of enduring value; and that, therefore, love should be preferred to those endowments of the Spirit on which so high a value had been set by the Corinthians.
But whether there be prophecies – That is, the “gift” of prophecy, or the power of speaking as a prophet; that is, of delivering the truth of God in an intelligible manner under the influence of inspiration; the gift of being a public speaker, of instructing and edifying the church, and foretelling future events; see the note at 1 Corinthians 14:1.
They shall fail – The gift shall cease to be exercised; shall be abolished, come to nothing. There shall be no further use for this gift in the light and glory of the world above, and it shall cease. God shall be the teacher there. And as there will be no need of confirming the truth of religion by the prediction of future events, and no need of warning against impending dangers there, the gift of foretelling future events will be of course unknown. In heaven, also, there will be no need that the faith of God’s people shall be encouraged, or their devotions excited, by such exhortations and instructions as are needful now; and the endowment of prophecy will be, therefore, unknown.
There be tongues – The power of speaking foreign languages.
They shall cease – Macknight supposes this means that they shall cease in the church after the gospel shall have been preached to all nations. But the more natural interpretation is, to refer it to the future life; since the main idea which Paul is urging here is the value of love above all other endowments, from the fact that it would be “abiding,” or permanent – an idea which is more certainly and fully met by a reference to the future world than by a reference to the state of things in the church on earth. If it refers to heaven, it means that the power of communicating thoughts there will not be by the medium of learned and foreign tongues. What will be the mode is unknown. But as the diversity of tongues is one of the fruits of sin Genesis 11, it is evident that in those who are saved there will be deliverance from all the disadvantages which have resulted from the confusion of tongues. Yet love will not cease to be necessary; and love will live forever.
Whether there be knowledge – See the note at 1 Corinthians 14:8. This refers, I think, to knowledge as “we now possess it.” It cannot mean that there will be no knowledge in heaven; for there must be a vast increase of knowledge in that world among all its inhabitants. The idea in the passage here, I think, is, “All the knowledge which we now possess, valuable as it is, will be obscured and lost, and rendered comparatively valueless, in the fuller splendors of the eternal world; as the feeble light of the stars, beautiful and valuable as it is, “vanishes,” or is lost in the splendors of the rising sun. The knowledge which we now have is valuable, as the gift of prophecy and the power of speaking foreign languages is valuable, but it will be lost in the brighter visions of the world above.”
Whether there be knowledge – See the note at 1 Corinthians 14:8. This refers, I think, to knowledge as “we now possess it.” It cannot mean that there will be no knowledge in heaven; for there must be a vast increase of knowledge in that world among all its inhabitants. The idea in the passage here, I think, is, “All the knowledge which we now possess, valuable as it is, will be obscured and lost, and rendered comparatively valueless, in the fuller splendors of the eternal world; as the feeble light of the stars, beautiful and valuable as it is, “vanishes,” or is lost in the splendors of the rising sun. The knowledge which we now have is valuable, as the gift of prophecy and the power of speaking foreign languages is valuable, but it will be lost in the brighter visions of the world above.” That this is the sense is evident from what Paul says in illustration of the sentiment in 1 Corinthians 13:9-10. “Now” we know in part. What we deem ourselves acquainted with, we imperfectly understand. There are many obscurities and many difficulties. But in that future world we shall know distinctly and clearly 1 Corinthians 13:12; and then the knowledge which we now possess will appear so dim and obscure, that it will seem to have vanished away and disappeared,
“As a dim candle dies at noon.”
Macknight and others understand this of the knowledge of the mysteries of the Old Testament, or “the inspired knowledge of the ancient revelations, which should be abolished when the church should have attained its mature state;” a most meagre, jejune, and frigid interpretation. It is true, also, that not only shall our imperfect knowledge seem to have vanished in the superior light and glory of the eternal world but that much of that which here passes for knowledge shall be then unknown. Much of that which is called “science” is “falsely so called;” and much that is connected with literature that has attracted so much attention, will be unknown in the eternal world. It is evident that much that is connected with criticism, and the knowledge of language, with the different systems of mental philosophy which are erroneous; perhaps much that is connected with anatomy, physiology, and geology; and much of the science which now is connected with the arts, and which is of use only as tributary to the arts, will be then unknown. Other subjects may rise into importance which are now unknown; and possibly things connected with science which are now regarded as of the least importance will then become objects of great moment, and ripen and expand into sciences that shall contribute much to the eternal happiness of heaven. The essential idea in this passage is, that all the knowledge which we now possess shall lose its effulgence, be dimmed and lost in the superior light of heaven. But love shall live there; and we should, therefore, seek that which is permanent and eternal.”
I do not know will there be seminars for higher learning such as the Tabernacle of God, the emptying of oneself, the filling of the Holy Spirit, the sanctification, the love in sincerity, the doing the will of God, etc. conducted by the Apostles. I do not know will there be a general question and answer session. I do not know whether we can sit at Jesus feet and listen to His Words.
What will be the heavenly knowledge? That will be topics among the new things which we will pursue for eternity?
Partial knowledge will be replaced with complete knowledge. Thus, the partial knowledge we have now will pass away. EARTHLY AND HUMAN KNOWLEDGE WILL PASS AWAY.
Knowledge will pass away when we have enough pieces that we can take a step back and see the whole picture so to speak. 2Pe 1:19-21, “And so we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.”
When the Lord Jesus returns is the Day dawns and the Morning Star arises in our hearts. At that time we shall know as we are known.
As regards the eternal knowledge, I do not know how we will get it. Do we have to “grow in grace and knowledge” 2Pe 3:18, to the day of eternity?
NO MORE CARS, ELECTRIC BIKES, SHIPS OR BOATS, AIRPLANES BECASE THERE IS NO SEA AND BECAUSE WE CAN FLY LIKE ANGELS.
CRIMES AND COURTS WILL BE NO MORE.
Courts, Prisons or Jails will be no more. These are not tennis courts — they are law courts. For example,
According to https://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/court-role-and-structure
US court structure: District court Court of appeal Supreme court
General trial courts Appellate review courts Highest court authority
According to https://www.democracydocket.com/analysis/the-u-s-court-system-explained/
“District courts are the starting points for federal cases and where a trial takes place.
There are 94 active district courts across the country. Each U.S. state has between one and four districts, and Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia both have one district court. Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands also have their own territorial courts that function as district courts.
Circuit courts are the first level of appeal.
There are 13 circuit courts: 12 are organized geographically and one is the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which hears specific national jurisdiction cases including patent lawsuits and appeals from the U.S. Court of International Trade. For example, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals includes Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee, so any case decided within the nine districts in this geographic region will head to the 6th Circuit.
The U.S. Supreme Court is the highest court and final level of appeal. It chooses which cases it hears.
Parties who disagree with the decision made by a circuit court can petition the U.S. Supreme Court to take the case. Less frequently, parties can petition the Supreme Court to review the decision made by a state Supreme Court if the case deals with a federal question.
Unlike intermediate appellate courts, the U.S. Supreme Court is not required to hear cases. Instead, parties ask the court to grant a writ of certiorari. The Supreme Court hears around 80 cases per year, selected from over 7,000 cases that it is asked to review.”
IN the Kingdom of Heaven, all human courts will be gone. Lawyers will vanish for good. Jesus Christ is the Judge of the living and the dead. Codes and law books are useless.
NO MORE PAIN.
I believe pain of any kind is the most unbearable suffering that mankind has encountered on earth. Pain
is universal that even a child understands it. Ask a little boy or girl about tooth ache, he/she will tell you what pain is. For that reason, children are afraid of dentists.
According to https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/pain-types-and-classifications
“Pain is most often grouped by the kind of damage that causes it. The two main types are pain caused by tissue damage (also called nociceptive pain) and pain caused by nerve damage (also called neuropathic pain). A third category is psychogenic pain, which is pain that is affected by psychological factors. Psychogenic pain most often has a physical origin either in tissue damage or nerve damage. But the pain gets worse or lasts longer because of things like fear, depression, stress, or anxiety. In some cases, pain comes from a psychological condition.
Pain is also classified by the type of tissue that’s involved or by the part of the body that’s affected. For example, pain may be referred to as muscle pain or joint pain. Or a doctor may ask you about chest pain or back pain.
Chronic pain lasts longer than acute pain. It generally can somewhat resist medical treatment. It’s usually linked to a long-term illness, such as osteoarthritis. In some cases, such as with fibromyalgia, pain is one of the main traits of the condition. Chronic pain can be the result of damaged tissue. But very often, nerve damage is behind it.
Both acute and chronic pain can be overwhelming. And both can affect and be affected by a person’s state of mind. But the nature of chronic pain – the fact that it’s ongoing and in some cases seems almost constant – can make you more likely to get mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. At the same time, these issues can make the pain worse.
About 70% of people who take medication for chronic pain have what’s called breakthrough pain. Those are flare-ups of pain that happen even when you’re taking your pain meds regularly. Sometimes breakthrough pain can come out of the blue. Or it can be set off by something that seems unimportant, such as rolling over in bed. And sometimes it may happen when pain medication wears off before it’s time for the next dose.
Certain types of pain are referred to as syndromes. For instance, myofascial pain syndrome refers to pain that starts in trigger points in the body’s muscles. Fibromyalgia is an example.
Pain Caused by Tissue Damage
Most pain comes from tissue damage – when your body’s tissues are injured. The injury can be to bone, soft tissue, or organs. It can come from a disease such as cancer. Or it can come from a physical injury, like a cut or a broken bone.”
No more pain, no more suffering, no more tears and no more death are some of the most attractive features of the Kingdom of Heaven.
1. Adamic Suffering: When Adam sinned, all of us were implicated, and we inherited a sin nature(a) and were born into a fallen world.(b) As a result, some suffering is simply the result of being part of Adam’s race. Everyone will suffer to varying degrees and ways because of Adam’s sin, our sin, the sins of others, and the curse that permeates all of creation. This will remain the case until Jesus returns, removes the presence of all sin and its effects, resurrects Christians from death, and ushers in a new creation. Subsequently, suffering is a painful and tragic part of life on this side of the kingdom.
2. Demonic Suffering: Because Satan is alive and at work in the world, demonic affliction is very real. This includes torment,(c) physical injury,(d) deception arising from false miracles,(e) accusation,(f) and even death.(g) Sometimes demonic suffering can be difficult to discern; unfortunately, Satan is too often blamed for suffering when we’re really experiencing consequential affliction from our own decisions. Nonetheless, demonic affliction is real for some and therefore should not be discounted just because some people wrongly blame shift most everything to Satan.
3. Victim Suffering: Victims endure affliction by being sinned against. This is a constant and heavy part of pastoral ministry. Evil is real, and its devastating effects are evident in the lives of many.
4. Collective Suffering: Sometimes we suffer as a result of being part of a people who are suffering. A biblical example is the Old Testament prophets’ frequent repentance of not only their own sins but also the sins of their forefathers and their nation as they lamented the suffering God had permitted to come upon them for chastisement. We’re not isolated, autonomous individuals. We’re members of families, nations, and cultures—all of whom suffer. Subsequently, we can suffer simply because of such things family ties or our nationality. Likewise, those born into poverty, famine, hardship, war, and the like experience suffering simply because of where and when they were born.
5. Disciplinary Suffering: God chastens believers in order to mature them. Examples can be found in such places as the Wisdom Literature,(h) the Prophets,(i) and the New Testament.(j) The Scriptures are clear that discipline comes from God, who loves us and is like an honorable father who corrects us to mature and save us from the harm that sin causes. While this kind of suffering is not pleasant at the time, we later see the effects of God’s work and thank him for continually working for our growth in holiness and fruitfulness.
6. Vicarious Suffering: Sometimes those in Christ suffer because the ungodly oppose them. Examples include the Old Testament prophets and the New Testament apostles. Vicarious affliction comes in varying degrees, from opposition to persecution. Physical persecution causes some to painfully die for Christ, whereas those who experience verbal opposition painfully live for Christ, as they are maligned, lied about, falsely accused, mocked, and harassed.
7. Empathetic Suffering: This is the suffering that comes when someone we love is hurting. The Bible says this will be common in the church because when people we love suffer, we suffer as well.(k)
8. Testimonial Suffering: Some suffering is a demonstration of the gospel so that others will have a deeper appreciation and understanding of Jesus. This kind of suffering tests our identity in Christ, confirms to us that we are true believers, strengthens our fellow Christians, and evangelizes non-Christians. The classic example is Hosea’s marriage to Gomer. God called the prophet to marry and stay married to an unfaithful woman as an example of Jesus’ devotion to the church.
9. Providential Suffering: Some of us suffer to teach a lesson about God so that worship of him increases. Examples include Joseph’s imprisonment in Egypt, where his suffering resulted in many people being saved physically from starvation and spiritually from sin. The truth is that God can have more purposes for allowing some suffering than can be easily discerned at first glance.
10. Preventative Suffering: Sometimes suffering warns us of greater suffering that will happen if we don’t heed God’s warnings. This kind of suffering is indicative of the very loving nature of God, who, for instance, allows us to experience lesser degrees of pain (e.g., an ache in our side) in order to warn us of greater degrees of pain (e.g., a burst appendix).
11. Mysterious Suffering: Sometimes God, in his providence, has chosen not to reveal why we suffer. As Scripture says, we know in part.(l) Job is the most obvious example of this kind of suffering, because during his trouble he was unaware of what was occurring between God and Satan. I believe that this category is incredibly important because, if we are humble and honest, the truth is that life is often not as clear as the categories listed in this blog.
12. Punishment Suffering: God judges unbelievers and punishes them for sin. This kind of punishment brings the work of horrendous sin to an end so that those suffering at the hands of evildoers are given reprieve, reveals to unbelievers the urgent need to repent of sin and place their faith in God to avoid eternal punishment, and encourages believers that God will not be mocked and that faith in him is not in vain. It should be noted that God does not punish those in Christ in the same sense that he punishes non-Christians, because Jesus already paid the penalty for his people’s sins. Subsequently, even though a Christian and a non-Christian may endure the same suffering, there is often a different use by God for each.
13. Consequential Suffering: Sometimes we suffer because of foolish decisions. We see examples of this throughout Proverbs: the lazy become hungry, adulterers reap what they sow, fools suffer harm, and poor financial stewards are impoverished. Practically, much of life’s suffering is consequential, resulting from our decisions.
14. Apocalyptic Suffering: The Bible speaks of increased suffering that will signal the end of this age, as seen in the prophecies of the Old Testament(m) and of Jesus.(n) While we don’t know when the end of this age will be or when Jesus will return, we do know that Christians living in the final chapter of human history will suffer greatly as a result of being in Christ. While we shouldn’t live in fear of this future, nor seek to predict its timing, these scriptures will serve as a particularly helpful guide when they are needed most.”
I do not want to take time, examine and argue with the author whther the 14 sufferings he presented are Biblical or not. Among good things in the Kingdom of Heaven, there will be no pain or itch any longer, no more suffering. I believe including no more poverty.
NO MORE MORTUARY SERVICE, NO FUNERAL, NO COFFIN, NO CEMETERY.
Becase saints will no longer die, but live forever.
NO MORE SMOKING, CANNABIS AND DRINKING. NO MORE POLLUTIONS — NO MORE AIR POLLUTON, NO MORE LAND POLLUTION, NO MORE WATER POLLUTION — NO MORE POLLUTION OF ANY KIND.
NO MORE ANIMAL FARMS.
When I was hired as a professor by the Ministry of Education at Overseas Chinese University at Quanzhou, Fujian, I thought the air would be fresh in the countryside. So I rode a bike and visited the countryside; I was so disappointed by the stench of pig farms. I went to the countryside no more. In the Kingdom of Heaven, I can assure you the air will be fresher than it is in Xinjiang Kanas.
NO MORE PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL. BECAUSE FAITH IS FULFILLED WHEN SAINTS MEET THE LORD FACE TO FACE AND HOPE IS COMPLETED IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.
The saint are saved. I do not know whether there will be churches (meeting places) to hold regular Sunday services; I do know denominations will be gone.
NO MORE POLICE. NO MORE SOLDIER. NO MORE MILITARY. NO MORE ENEMIES. ANGELS ARE THE ARMIES OF GOD.
AMERICAN SOCIETY IS THE MOST VIOLENT BECAUSE PEOPLE POSSESS GUNS.
According to https://www.thetrace.org/projects/gun-violence-archive-data-injury-deaths/
“A Decade of American Gun Violence
The Gun Violence Archive is America’s sole source for detailed data on gun injuries and deaths, a decade of which became available for the first time at the end of 2023. We’re mining the data for insights into one of the most devastating public health crises in the United States.
· 491,000 The number of people who were fatally shot or injured by firearms between 2014 and 2023.
· 400% The increase in road rage shootings that resulted in an injury or death over the 2014-to-2023 period.
· 17.6 per 100,000 The shooting rate in Southern towns and rural areas in 2023, an increase of 70 percent over a decade prior.”
According to https://www.statista.com/topics/10904/gun-violence-in-the-united-states/
“In the United States, acts of violence committed with the use of firearms have become an everyday phenomenon plaguing the nation. Averaging almost 50,000 deaths from firearms annually, the United States is the only high-income country to report such a high death toll from gun violence. From 2016 onwards, there has been over 10,000 homicides by firearm in the U.S. each year and firearms were the most used murder weapon in the nation by far. In addition, the number of mass shootings and school shootings has been increasing over the last few years, with younger Americans emphasizing the reduction of gun violence and mass shootings as one of the most important issues to their generation. Despite rising rates of gun violence, however, many Americans remain fiercely protective of their constitutional right to bear arms.”
PARTIAL KNOWLEDGE WILL BE GONE.
Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
And though I have the gift of prophecy,…. Either of foretelling future events, as Balaam, who foretold many things concerning the Messiah and the people of Israel, and yet had no true love for either; and Caiaphas, who was high priest the year Christ suffered, and prophesied of his death, and was himself concerned in it, being a bitter enemy to him; or of explaining the prophecies of the Old Testament, by virtue of an extraordinary gift which some persons had; or of the ordinary preaching of the word, which is sometimes expressed by prophesying, which gift some have had, and yet not the grace of God; see Philippians 1:15
and understand all mysteries; either the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, the mysterious doctrines of the Gospel; such as the trinity of persons in the Godhead, the incarnation of Christ, the unity of the two natures, human and divine, in him, eternal predestination, the doctrines of regeneration, justification, satisfaction, and the resurrection of the dead; all which a man may have a speculative understanding of, and be without love to God or Christ, or to his people: or else the mystical sense of the types, figures, and shadows of the old law; as the meaning of the passover, brazen serpent, and the rock in the wilderness, the tabernacle, temple, sacrifices, and all things appertaining thereunto. The Jews give us an instance (c) of one who was no lover of Christ, and lived in the times of the apostle; R. Jochanan ben Zaccai, of whom they boast, and who they say was the least of the disciples of Hillell, and yet
“perfectly understood the Scripture, the Misna, the Gemara, the traditions, the allegorical interpretations, the niceties of the law, and the subtleties of the Scribes, the lighter and weightier matters of the law (or the arguments from the greater to the lesser, and “vice versa”), the arguments taken from a parity of reason, the revolution of the sun and moon, rules of interpretation by gematry, parables, &c.”
Science by nature is never complete. So cientific knowledge is partial knowledge which will be gone forever.
The most interesting question is what the saints do in the Kingdom of Heaven besides worshipping and praising God? Fo that reason I want to participate or observe in all worship services. I want to attend every concert conducted by angels. I know I am not qualified to participate in many worship services. For example, Rev 4:6-11, “and before the throne there was something like a sea of glass, like crystal; and in the center and around the throne, four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind.
The first living creature was like a lion, the second creature like a calf, the third creature had a face like that of a man, and the fourth creature was
like a flying eagle. And the four living creatures,
each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say,
“HOLY, HOLY, HOLY IS THE LORD GOD, THE ALMIGHTY,
who was and who is and who is to come.”
And when the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and they will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
“Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.”
Even the twenty-four elders are under authority of the four living creatures. I would like to observe the worship service nevertheless.
Another situation is the new song sang by 144,000, although I was not among them, I sure would like to hear their singing.
Rev 14:1-5, “Then I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him 144,000 who had His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads.
And I heard a voice from heaven, like the sound of so many waters and like the sound of loud thunder, and the voice which I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps. And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one was able to learn the song except the 144,000 who had been purchased from the earth. These are the ones who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are celibate. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been purchased from mankind as first fruits to God and to the Lamb. And no lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.”
So I plan to participate, if not qualified, observe all worship services, the singing of 144,000 and every concert conducted by angels. I also want to get acquainted with the Holy City. I shall pay a visit to every resident of the Holy City. Since it is 1,400 miles long, wide, and high — it will take a long time; but I have eternity anyway. I will also explore the New Earth, the New Heavens.
NO MORE DISTORTION, FALSE STATEMENTS, MISREPRENTATIONS, FAKE COMMERCIALS ON TV, DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS, ETC.
In the Kingdom of Heaven, there will be only truth, righteousness, peace and justice, joy and happiness.
I think TV, computer, mobile phone will be no more. I do not know what better communication system God will have for us.
NO MORE DEATH, TEARS, SUFFERING, PAIN, CRYING.
Rev 21:4, “and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”
The most important features of the Kingdom of Heaven are no more tears, no more death, no more morning, no more crying, no more pain.
NEW THINGS.
Rev 21:5, “And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I AM making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”
“The all things new” in the Kingdom of Heaven, no one knows anything about it. So do not waste your money to subcribe to the false knowledge of false teachers which are so rampant on the Internet.
In the Kingdom of Heaven, there will be neither natural disasters nor man-made disasters.
Heavenly Calendar, Date and Time, will be new things we know nothing about.
The Kingdom administration will be a new thing.
The authorities of the Twelve Apostles vs the authorities of the Twelve Tribes belong to the new things we still do not know.
We do not know what role will Abraham play in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Do the Twelve Apostles have ministry in the Kingdom of Heaven? If so, what are they?
The common and universal means of Communication also belong to the new thing. I presume TV, computer, mobile phone, etc. will be no more.
Will there be New knowledge, and Perfect Knowledge that saints will pursue for all eternity?
NEW KNOLEDGE.
The saints can learn something “new” to have a ”new earth” without sun and moon. Although without moon, the street of the Holy City is pure gold.
Rev 21:21, “And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each separate gate was of one single pearl. And the street (broad way) of the city was pure gold, like transparent crystal.”
One must quickly learn, the Kingdom of Heaven on a New Earth is not what we know from experience on the old earth. There can have perfect weather (and climate) and perfect temperature and atmosphere without sun and moon we used to know. Who knows the glory of God and the Lamp of the Lamb will do photosynthesis and other functions that we do not know. It is a mystery where will God put Sun and Moon. All natural sciences will be done away with.
All because we have a New Earth. Because we have New Heavens and a New Earth, we have to study new
SCIENCES.
WILL THERE BE REGULAR SUNDAY SERVICE, OR WORSHIP SERVICE IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD?
WILL THERE BE PREACHING, AND WHAT KIND OF PREACHING SINCE THE GOSPEL PREACHING WILL BE NO MORE?
I THINK THERE WILL BE NEW KIND OF UNIVERSITY OR SEMINAR OR TRAINING SCHOOL.
Hos 6:6,”For I desire loyalty rather than sacrifice,
and the knowledge of God rather than burnt
offerings.”
2. Discerning knowledge
Dan 1:4, “youths in whom there was no impairment, who were good-looking, suitable for instruction in every kind of expertise, endowed with understanding and discerning knowledge, and who had ability to serve in the king’s court; and he ordered Ashpenaz to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans.”
3. Knowledge of the glory of the Lord
Hab 2:14, “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.”
4. Knowledge of Salvation
Luk 1:77, “To give His people the knowledge of salvation
by the forgiveness of their sins.”
5. Key of knowledge
Luk 11:52, “Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken
way the key of knowledge; you yourselves did not enter,
and you hindered those who were entering.”
6. Accurate knowledge about the Way
Act 24:22, “But Felix, having quite accurate knowledge
about the Way, adjourned them, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.”
7. Embodiment of knowledge
Rom 2:20, “a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of the
immature, possessing in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth—”
8. Knowledge of sin
Rom 3:20, “because by the works of the Law none of mankind will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes knowledge of sin.”
9. Word of knowledge
1Co 12:8, “For to one is given the Word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the Word of knowledge according to the same Spirit.”
9. Fragrance of the knowledge
2Co 2:14, “But thanks be to God, who always leads
us in triumph in Christ, and through us reveals the
fragrance of the knowledge of Him in every place.”
10. Light of the knowledge
2Co 4:6, “For God, who said, “Light shall shine out
of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts
to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”
11. Knowledge of the Son of God
Eph 4:13, “until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the
knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.”
12. Real knowledge
Phl 1:9, “And this I pray, that your love may overflow
still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment.”
13. Knowledge of His will
Col 1:9, “For this reason we also, since the day we
heard about it, have not ceased praying for you and
asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of
His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.”
14. True knowledge of God’s Mystery
Col 2:2, “that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and that they would attain to all the wealth that comes from the full
assurance of understanding, resulting in a true
knowledge of God’s Mystery, that is, Christ Himself.”
15. True knowledge
Col 3:10, “and have put on the new self, which is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created it—”
The theory of Evolution is not true knowledge.
16. Knowledge of the truth
1Ti 2:4, “who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
17. Knowledge of every good thing
Phm 1:6, “and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for the sake of Christ.”
18. Knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord
2Pe 1:2, “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.”
19. True knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2Pe 1:8, “For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they do not make you useless nor unproductive in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
20. Knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
2Pe 2:20, “For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again
entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.”
These twenty items of knowledge are relating on the earth, if we are ignorant of them, what will be the heavenly knowledge which we know nothing about?
Since we will have a spiritual, glorious, immortal body, we will have to learn about new Anatomy and Phisiology. How does a saint can eat and drink but no need to defecate and urinate? How does spiritual body will never get sick or pain?
The old medical knowledge will do away with.
THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS A NEW WORD — FREE, JUST AND HAPPY WORLD.
DO SAINTS NEED TO GROW IN KNOWLEDGE AND GRACE?
I think we will have new kind of university and higher learning.
Oceanography will be done away with since there is no more sea.
Medicine will be done away with because the spiritual body will not get sick and will not die.
Accounting will be done away with since there will be no more business, corporation, finance, investment, money, development.
Criminology will be done away with since there will be no crimes and no criminals.
Defence will be done away with since there will be no enemies. Angels are more than enough to maintain peace and order.
Pharmacology will be done away with since the saints will not get sick or need any drug or medication.
Cemetery, COFFIN and funeral will be done away with since nobody will die.
Animal husbandry will be done away with since saints do not eat meat anymore.
Agriculture will be done away with since saints have no need to grow crops.
There will be new earth sciences and geoscience because of the New Earth.
Because sun and moon will be no more, there will be new Climatology, Meteorology, Photosynthesis, etc.
The old Geology will be done away with, for the New Earth does not have the sea, sun and moon.
The New Heavens will require new space science, new Astronomy, new Cosmology, etc.
A new Architecture is needed because God created the Holy City 1,400 miles long, 1,400 miles wide, and 1,400 miles high. Rev 21:16, “When he measured it, he found it was a square, as wide as it was long. In fact, its length and width and height were each 1,400 miles.”
Saints are People for God, citizens of Heaven.
Rev 3:12, “All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it. And I will write on them the name of my God, and they will be citizens in the city of my God—the new Jerusalem that comes down from Heaven from my God. And I will also write on them my new name.”
There must be new Anthropology to aacount for the chosen people, the children of God.
Maybe saints will have new names in the Kingdom of Heaven. Isa 62:2, “The nations will see your righteousness, and all kings your glory; and
you will be called by a new name which the
mouth of the LORD will designate.”
For the sake of making money, Microsoft accepts any gender, race, rascal, crook or criminal to be on images of Willie Wong. I know in Hong Kong alone there are many Willie Wong(s). If friendship is allowable in the Kingdom of Heaven, I want to befriend WITH at least three Mary(s): Mary Magdalene, Mary of Bethany, Mary the mother of Jesus. Since there are no females in the Kingdom Heaven, they are all sons of God, would it be strange to have the name Mary? If every saint is designated a new name, how will the person know it and recognize it? Will I know myself is myself? How will Mary Magdalene know herself and be recognized by others? There are many things we do not know in the Kingdom of Heaven. I believe we will instinctively know and recognize Abraham, Enoch, Noah, Moses, Joseph, Daniel, Elijah, Isaiah, Paul, John, Stephen, etc. I do not know how do we recognize Martin Luther, John Bunyan, Augustine, Charles Spurgen, J.C. Ryle, G. Campbell Morgan, C.H. Mackintosh, etc. that we have never met.
WHAT SAINTS SHOULD DO UNDER THE PRESENT WORLD WHICH GETS WORSE AND WORSE?
The saints have to do at least three things:
1. Work
Col 3:23, “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people.”
2. Witness
Act 22:15, “For you will be a witness for Him to all people of what you have seen and heard.”
3. Wait
Phl 3:20, “For our citizenship is in Heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
I used to worry a lot; worry about this and worry about that. God controls whatever comes to pass. What will come may come, no worry. The end of the world is the coming of Jesus Christ who will reign forever and ever.
In the Kingdom of Heaven, there are so many bad things on earth which will be no more; so many good things will become new things. How can you neglect so great a salvation which money cannot buy? You may inherit the Kingdom of Heaven by repent of your sins and believe in the Lord Jesus as your Lord and Savior. You can do it now!
To receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior is to receive the eternal life.
The mayors of Los Angeles, Washington, D.C. and Chicago are for crooks and criminals, they must be dismissed and deported. All the facts point to the need, Ukraine must be destroyed and its leader executed in order to end the war. Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis are terrorists and the countries that harbor them must be destroyed all together.
Since Gaza, West Bank, etc. are the Jewish lands, Palestinians must evacuate from all Jewish lands and flee to Arab lands where they are safe to receive international aid and build a Palestinian state of their choice.
The leader of Ukraine is corrupt and evil. Ukrainians are stupid to follow the path of destruction. He was the one who instigated war with Russia. Now he asks for security guarantees. The nincompoop should be executed to end the war.
Palestinians, Africans, and others serve as example of peoples who want to eat and do not want to work. UN, WHO, EU, etc. champion their cause. Palestinians do not want evacuate from Gaza, Jewish lands to resettle in Arab lands. Because they will lose their status as refugees where they can get their food, fuel, water, medicine and everything for free from international community. These problems multiply with the passage of time.
UN, EU, GERMANY, UK, FRANCE, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZELAND, ETC. are strange and unreasonable peoples. Who is stopping Palestinians to build a Palestinian state in an Arab land? It is wrong and illegal to build a Palestinian state in Jewish land (Gaza, West Bank, etc.). That is the cause of conflict.
The fact that National Guards have to patrol Washington, D.C. with weapons speaks loudly and badly of the capital. The mayor of Washington, D.C. should be dismissed and deported. All the more urgent the national capital should move to Lincoln, Nebraska, without delay.
The mayor of Washington, D.C. bowed to the illegal acts of street people who set up tents on public streets. She should be dismissed and deported. The National Guards are empowered to trash the tents, clear the streets and vanish street people. Los Angeles is a disgraced city because the California Governor and Los Angeles mayor failed to solve the problems of street people who not only set up tents on public streets, but also urinate and defecate. All the more urgent for the national capital to move to Lincoln, Nebraska. In the face of national debt exceeding $37 trillion, the people can save money by abolishing the House, retain the unicameral legislation of Senate to move also to Lincoln Nebraska. All this can be accomplished legally by a national refrerendum. America is ruined by dark and evil forces.
Heroes of all races who sacrified their lives for China in the war against Japanese aggression should be celebrated and remembered. The descendants of them are eternal friends of China. Descendants of American Flying Tiers whose forefathers had sacrified their lives in the war against Japanese aggression and atrocities must always be honored and remembered. The Chinse government must treat them as eternal friends, and they are welcome to China anytime. Such blood bonds must be appreciated and maintained forever.
The world wrongly marks the anniversary of dropping atomic bomb on Hiroshima while neglecting the Japanse aggression and atrocities of killing 35 million innocent Chinese without remorse or reparations. UN overappointed unqualified blacks and media have given too much covergage to unworthy black spoke-persons. It is amazing no matter how beautifully white organizations and individuals hail human rights, civil rights, democracy, development, technology, benefits, justice, etc., what they are actually after is MONEY. This can be said equally true about blacks.
Pet economy is wasted economy. Money should better be spent on nutrition and education of children and orphanes. In cities all dogs must have annual license of Y5,000, cats Y4,000, and birds Y3,000. It is exempt for rural areas. If a dog defecates in public place, it shall be fined Y3,000 plus cleanup by owner or walker.
Global media highlight the number of Palestinians who have died, but fail to consider why Palestinian Authority and Palestinians do not want to evacuate from Jewish land and resettle in Arab land. Palestinians, men and women, young and old, are shameless beggars. They remain in Gaza to qualify for refugees so that they can get everything free from international community. The international community is ignorant of the fact that GAZA and related territories all belong to the Jews. Israel has every right to take back and take over Gaza and related territories. Palestinians must evacuate and relocate to Arab lands, make a living and establish its own Palestinian state without further delay.
French nincompoop Macron reognized Palestine as a state but failed to know that Palestine does not have territory and sovereignty. Leaders of UK, GERMANY, AUSTRLALIA would commit the same mistake by supporting terrorists. Hamas, Hezebolla, Houthis are wicked terrorists, they should be destroyed without mercy. Leaders of Palestinian Authority are guilty for the death and malnutrition of children because they lead Palestinians to the path of destruction. They could have led Palestinians to lands of Arabs to earn a living and build their own Palestinian state. Palestinians (young & old, man & woman) are most shameless beggars for food & water, they don’t want to go to an Arab land to earn a living and build their own Palestinian state. Africa amid famine has the most fat people in the world, they are also shameless beggars. Ukranians are shameless beggars for weapons, they do not have reason for existence. Harvard though the richest university in the world is a shameless beggar for US aid. Japan claims to practice democracy, its ruling party lost election miserably, yet its prime minister shamelessly wants to stay in power. The world must realize years of aid to Africa produced nothing, trillions of dollars went to black holes. Africa is corrupt, unmotivated and useless. Black leaders and politicians take advantage of it; dress well, eat well, and live a luxurious life style. Black problems can be solved only by Blacks. Let Africa alone to survive on its own. Blacks create most of the problems in the world, given too much coverage and platform in world media, overappointed and given too many spokespersons and positions in UN. Any nation who shares destiny with Africa will be doomed. Nothing good comes out of Africa: primitive religion, superstition, spiritism, orgies, black magic, tribalism, voordoism.
If the Texas flooding is an act of God; Ukraine conflict, and conflicts of Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthis must be acts of the devil.
India must coexist with China, at the same time India and South Africa must be expelled from BRICS besause they do not remain true to BRICS’ founding mission, they do not belong, must be replaced by Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. US and EU must not rearm Ukraine, let Russia destroy it, and never to be rebuilt. The leader of Ukraine must also be executed.
Palestinian Authorities are guilty for leading Palestinians to a path of death, children died and suffer malnutrition. Palestian Authorities do not lead Palestinians (who are Arabs) to a land of Arabs to work for a living and build the Palestinian state.
American forces have successfully wiped out three Iranian nuclear sites through B-2 bombers. The “everlasting consequence” is Iran cannot be a nuclear threat anymore. I stand with the overwhelming majority of Dutch people to demolish NATO — the war machine.
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This article is written so that you know who Jesus Christ really is. It does not matter if you do not know who is the leader of the United States of America. It does not matter if you do not know the leader of EU. It does not matter if you do not know the richest man in the world. You are greatly mistaken if you think Jesus Christ is one among the great prophets. You are greatly mistaken if you think Jesus Christ is only the greatest teacher. You are mistaken if you think Jesus Christ is the greatest and good man ever lived in history. You are mistaken if you think Jesus Christ is only the founder of a great religion.
If Jesus Christ were only a great man and a good man, then there is no hope for the world. Jesus Christ was perfect Man and perfect God that made possible salvation for mankind. God was not man. God is Spirit. If Jesus Christ is the greatest teacher, that still cannot save mankind. There is no doubt about it, from the beginning, the historical Jesus of Christianity is our Great God and Savior. God became Man in the Person of Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ did not become God. That is the meaning of Incarnation. All apostles and disciples from the beginning believed Jesus Christ is the Son of God, even doubting Thomas finally confessed, Jhn 20:28, “Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Rom 1:20 ,“For the invisible things of God since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even His everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse.” Divinity in Greek is theiotēs which means divine nature, power, attributes; the divine being, Godhead; – it occurs only once in the New Testament. The invisible things of God can be perceived through the visible things God had made. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Apostle Paul is declaring how much of God may be known from the revelation of Himself through the creation He has made in nature and the universe, from those vestiges of Himself which men may everywhere trace in the world around them. For example, the wonders of snow flake, plants, water, innumerable stars and planets, the distance between the Sun and the Earth, the expanding universe, the human body, etc. and a billion other infinite things. Paul uses this more abstract, vaguer, and less personal word, just because he would affirm that men may know God’s power and majesty and wisdom from His works; but would not imply that they may know Himself from these, or from anything short of the revelation of His Eternal Word, Jesus Christ. Just as you may know the power, genius, skill, ability, etc. of a master painter through his masterpiece although you do not know the man himself.
Col 2:9 , “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.”
Note: Deity in Greek is theotēs which means the state of being God, godhood, Godhead; – it occurs only once in the New Testament. God became Man in Jesus Christ in human form. Only God could have the mode of existence of God. By creation alone no one can know God; for that reason Jesus Christ, the Son of God came into the world to reveal God. God reveals Himself in His Son. Paul is declaring that in the Son there dwells all the fullness of absolute Godhead; they were no mere rays of divine glory which gilded Him, lighting up His person for a season and with a splendor not His own; but He was, and is, absolute and perfect God; and the Scripture teaches this essential and personal Godhead of the Son in bodily form. “In Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form” simply means Jesus Christ is our God.
For this reason Jesus declares,
Jhn 14:7 , “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.”
You may know the different etymologies of the Greek words, theiotēs (divinity) and theotēs (deity) and still do not know God and our Savior.
The divinity of Christ means “God was in Christ.” The divinity of Christ means Christ is divine, Christ is God. The divinity of Christ means Christ has divine nature. The divinity of Christ means Jesus Christ is my God and my Lord. Those who do not believe God are without excuse. God’s everlasting power and divinity dwells fully in Jesus Christ.
Unbelieving liberals or modernists, who are crafty in distorting the Bible, claim that in fact, mankind possesses a “spark of divinity,” a spark which relates him to God. If a “spark of divinity” means man was created in the image of God, that is true. If it means everyone can potentially become a son of God by his own efforts, it is false and un-Scriptural. A fallen man cannot perfect himself. A sinful man cannot save himself. The human conscience is NOT the “divine spark.”
Hbr 10:22 ,“Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”
Note: Conscience in Greek is syneidēsis which means the consciousness of right and wrong, the soul as distinguishing between what is morally good and bad, prompting to do the former and shun the latter, commending one, condemning the other; moral consciousness, free from guilt; – it occurs 32 times in the New Testament. Sinful man has an “evil conscience.” An unbeliever does not have a good conscience. American leaders violated China’s sovereignty and gave control of China’s Diaoyu Islands in 1971 to the war crime nation of Japan and passed law to defend Japan are liars and killers who have an evil conscience. The leaders of Japan who bought and nationalized China’s Diaoyu Islands and say they belong to Japan, not negotiable, and rely on the protection of the sole superpower and prepare war with China are liars and killers and have an evil conscience.
It is from an evil conscience that Western leaders and politicians and media falsely charge and wrongly accuse China of committing genocide, abuses of human rights and forced labor in Xinjiang. These people lie, lie, lie; kill, kill, kill; rob, rob, and rob because they want to dominate the world and they are jealous of China many successes.
1Ti 1:19 ,“Keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith.” Liars and killers do not have a “good conscience.”
1 Ti 4:2 , “By means of the hypocrisy of liars their own conscience is seared as with a branding iron.” A dead conscience cannot have a “spark of divinity.” The conscience of America and Japan has been seared with a red hot iron. Japanese leaders are pagans and idol worshipers, liars and killers who are sons of the devil defined by Jesus Christ, Jhn 8:44 . Although American leaders claim to be Christians, they are proven liars and killers and robbers and children of the devil who have an evil conscience. People who have an evil conscience do not know God and Savior.
The divinity of Jesus Christ is clearly and definitely taught and written in the Bible. Let the Word of God explain the Word of God.
1. The Son of the living God. Mat 16:16 ,“Simon Peter answered: You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jhn 6:69 ,“And we believe and are sure that You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”
There are many things you are not sure. There are somethings you believe but not sure. The early Christians and disciples of Jesus Christ they believed and were sure that Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God.
Cf. Jhn 11:27 ,“She said to him: Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, He who is coming into the world.”
Jhn 20:31,“But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.”
The Holy Bible was written so that you can be sure that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and the Savior of the world.
Act 8:37 ,“And Philip said: If you believe with all your heart, you may. And he replied: I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
2 Cr 1:19 , “For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we preached among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No; but in Him it is always Yes.”
1 Jo 1:3 ,“That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you may have fellowship with us; and our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.”
1 Jo 5:20 ,“And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, to know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.”
Note: Christ in Greek is Christos which means the “anointed”, the Messiah, the Son of God; – it occurs 569 times in the New Testament. Christ is used in generic sense, unlike prophet, as an appellative, One and Only, the Messiah. There is no other Christ, there are anti-christs. Foolish unbelieving scientists and scholars, don’t you know by your own understanding you cannot know God who is true? You need Jesus Christ, the Son of God to give you understanding, spiritual understanding, not scientific understanding.
It does not matter if you do not know the difference between divinity and deity, it matters if you believe or not Jesus Christ is God. This is the fatal mistake of Unitarianism. Doubting Thomas made the confession after the convincing evidence,
Jhn 20:28 , “Thomas answered and said to Him (Christ): My Lord and my God!”
Jesus Christ says,
Jhn 10:30 , “I and the Father are One.” The Father and the Son are One. The Jehovah of the Old Testament is the Jesus of the New Testament. God and Jesus are One.
2. Jesus the Christ. Mat 16:20 , “Then He (Christ) charged His disciples that they should tell no man that He was Jesus the Christ.”
Note: Christ in Greek is Christos which means the “anointed”, in Hebrew is the Messiah; the Son of God.
1 Jo 2:22 ,“Who is a liar but he that denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is anti-christ, that denies the Father and the Son.”
Note: Anyone who denies that Jesus is the Christ is a liar. Whoever denies the Father and the Son is anti-christ.
1 Jo 5:1 ,“Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God; and everyone who loves the Father loves also whoever has been born of Him.”
3. Christ the Master. Mat 23:8 , “But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Master, and you are all brothers.”
Note: Master in Greek is didaskalos which by preeminence is used of Jesus by Himself, unlike other teachers. There is only one Master who is the Christ.
4. Christ the Lord. Luk 2:11, “For to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
Note: The Lord in Greek is kyrios; this title is given to God, the Messiah. Only God can be called the Lord.
5. The Lord’s Christ. Luk 2:26, “And it was revealed to him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.”
6. The Christ of God. Luk 9:20, “He (Christ) said to them: But whom do you say that I am? Peter answering said: The Christ of God.”
7. The Chosen of God. Luk 23:35, “And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided Him, saying: He saved others; let Him save Himself, if He is Christ, the chosen of God.”
Note: Unlike Moses and prophets who were chosen as servants of God and they were human, but Christ was divine, only begotten and chosen as the Son of God who came from above.
8. The Messiah. Jhn 1:41, “He (Andrew) first found his own brother Simon, and said to him: We have found the Messiah, which is translated, the Christ.”
Note: Messias , the Greek form of Messiah , or Christos in Greek. It refers to Christ only whom God anointed. There were many holy prophets, there is only one Messiah, the Savior of the world.
9. Indeed the Christ.
Jhn 4:42 ,“And said to the woman: Now we believe, not because of your saying; for we have heard Him (Jesus) ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.”
Note: Christ is the Savior of the world, no one else.
Tts 2:13, “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.”
Note: Jesus Christ is our great God and Savior.
10. Truly the Christ. Jhn 7:26 , “But, look! He (Christ) speaks boldly, and they say nothing to Him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is truly the Christ?”
11. Christ abides for ever. Jhn 12:34 , “The people answered Him: We have heard out of the law that Christ abides for ever; and how do you say, The Son of man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of man?”
Note: Christ was crucified and died, but He rose from death and lives forever. Jesus is the eternal Christ.
12. Whom God has sent. Jhn 17:3 ,“And this is life eternal, that they might know You the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.”
Note: To know the only true God and Jesus Christ whom God sent is eternal life.
13. Lord of all. Act 10:36, “The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (He is Lord of all.)”
Note: Jesus Christ is the Lord of Abraham, Moses, David, all the Prophets, the Apostles, all the angels and believers – the Lord of the universe, world without end. The Lord of glory is the Lord God Almighty.
14. The Lord Jesus Christ. Act 11:17, “Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as He did to us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?”
Note: This title “the Lord Jesus Christ” signifies the full deity and divinity of Jesus that no one can claim or have.
15. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. Act 15:11 , “But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.” Rom 16:20 , “And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.”
Note: Grace in Greek is charis which means good will, loving-kindness, unmerited favor; the merciful kindness by which God, exerting His holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, hope, love, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues; kindness bestowed upon the undeserving; – it occurs 156 times in the New Testament. Only God has the saving grace for mankind. You are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
Cf. 2 Cr 8:9 ,“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that by His poverty you might become rich.”
A human being no matter how important or rich cannot have grace. Only God has grace. Jesus Christ is God who has grace.
2 Cr 13:14 ,“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”
Note: The triune God is working together for the good of believers as the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with them until the Lord comes.
Gal 6:18 ,“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.”
16. The name of Jesus Christ. Act 16:18,“And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit: I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.”
Note: The name of Jesus Christ has authority and power. Even the evil spirits obey Christ and submit themselves to the name of Jesus Christ.
Phl 2:10 ,“So that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in Heaven and on earth and under the earth.”
Note: At the name of Jesus, those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth – every knee will bow. There is no one anywhere who will not bow to Jesus Christ.
Act 18:28 , “For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, showing by the Scriptures that Jesus was Christ.”
Note: The Scriptures are the basis of Christian faith. There is an evil religion that copies partially and inaccurately from both the Old and New Testaments claimed to be the word of God. Christianity does not borrow from any source, for it is based on the Scriptures, the Word of God. Jesus Christ is the central message of the Bible. You cannot know the Holy Bible without knowing Jesus Christ.
18. Faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. Act 20:21,“Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Note: Just faith in God cannot save you. You must have repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ. For Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world.
19. The Gospel of Christ. Rom 1:16 , “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
Note: A Christian cannot be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ. There are certain groups of people who think they are socially respectable intelligentsia and that they are ashamed of the Gospel of Christ and believe in evolution. You cannot be a Christian and be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ. If you are ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, then you are not a Christian at all. You cannot believe in Jesus Christ and believe in evolution at the same time, for evolution denies the teaching of Jesus Christ.
Rom 15:29,“And I am sure that, when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ.”
Note: The Gospel of Christ is the power of God.
Cf. 2 Cr 4:4 , “In whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the Image of God .”
Note: Jesus Christ is the Image of God. If you have seen Christ, you have seen God.
2 Cr 9:13 , “Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the Gospel of Christ and for the generosity of your contribution to them and to all,”
20. The redemption in Christ Jesus. Rom 3:24 ,“Being justified freely by His (God’s) grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:”
Note: Redemption in Greek is apolytrōsis which means deliverance procured by the payment of a ransom. Jesus Christ the Righteous died for the unrighteous (sinners) in order to redeem all who come to Him by paying the price with His precious blood. There is no redemption outside Christ Jesus – not in Mary, not apostles, not anyone else. Jesus Christ is the only Redeemer who is able to save. It is helpful to remember the work of the Triune God: The Father – creation, the Son – redemption, the Holy Spirit – regeneration. The Holy Trinity works together to save mankind.
21. The reconciliation by Jesus Christ. Rom 5:11 , “And not only so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the reconciliation.”
Note: Reconciliation in Greek is katallagē which means the restoration of the favor of God to sinners who repent and put their trust in the expiatory death of Christ. Atonement is an important Biblical doctrine which teaches reconciliation with God made possible only by sacrifice of atonement that is the expiatory or vicarious death of Christ. The three words, redemption, reconciliation (atonement) and propitiation are closely related.
22. Eternal life by Jesus Christ. Rom 5:21,“So that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Note: There is no eternal life by anyone else except through Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ gives eternal life to His followers because He is the Eternal God.
Rom 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Note: Eternal life is the gift of God. To receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior is to receive eternal life.
23. Christ is the end of the law. Rom 10:4 , “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”
Note: Christ has brought the law to an end, not by abolishing it but by fulfilling it. No one is able to keep the law to be justified, and so outside the law the righteousness of God is awarded by grace to all who put their trust in Jesus Christ. Christ is the end of the law because He fulfilled all the laws of God required of men and obtains the righteousness of God which He bestows upon all those who trust in Him.
24. Sanctified in Christ Jesus. 1Cr 1:2 ,“To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both theirs and ours.”
Note: Sanctify in Greek is hagiazō which means to render or acknowledge, or to be venerable or hallow; to separate from profane things and dedicate to God; to purify by expiation; free from the guilt of sin; to purify internally by renewing of the soul; to be made holy in the sight of God; – it occurs 29 times in the New Testament. The precious blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sins, and so those who are in Christ are sanctified positionally once for all in the sight of God. The position of the children of God is eternally safe and secure because of the righteousness of Christ. Only Christ Jesus can sanctify sinners because He is the Holy God.
25. Christ the power of God. 1 Cr 1:24 ,“But to them who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.”
Note: Only Jesus Christ is able to save sinners because He is the power of God.
1Cr 1:18 , “For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
Note: Religion has no power to save. The church has not power to save. No organization, no individual has power to save. Christ is the power of God that saves us from eternal damnation. If you think the Word of the cross is foolishness, it means you are perishing no matter if you are a scientist or scholar.
26. Christ the wisdom of God. 1 Cr 1:24 , “But to them who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.”
Note: Scientists and philosophers do not know what wisdom is. They do not have wisdom to find God. They do not know Christ is the wisdom of God. If you find Christ, you find God.
Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God, so He is able to save believers to the end.
Eph 3:10 , “So that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.”
27. The victory through Jesus Christ. 1 Cr 15:57 ,“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Note: The victory that Christ gives is the victory over Satan, over the world, over self, over sin, and the victory over death.
No human efforts can gain victory, the victory of believers is obtained through the victory of Christ over all and above all.
28. Triumph in Christ. 2Cr 2:14 , “But thanks be to God, who always causes us to triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the fragrance of the knowledge of Him in every place.”
The day is coming when you see the Lord Jesus Christ appearing in great power and glory, you will begin to know the meaning of triumph in Christ.
29. The judgment seat of Christ. 2 Cr 5:10 , “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he has done, whether it be good or bad.”
Note: Evil American and European, UK, Australian, Canadian and Japanese leaders will not escape the judgment of God for all lies, the evil deeds, genocide, atrocities and robberies they have done in many unjust wars and military interventions.
2 Ti 4:1 , “I charge you therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His Kingdom.”
Note: Jesus Christ shall judge the living and the dead at His second coming. The end of the world shall come when Jesus Christ returns to judge the world and reign with the saints forever and ever. Only God can judge the world. Jesus Christ will judge the world because He is the Judge of the living and the dead.
30. God was in Christ. 2Cr 5:19 ,“Namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.”
Note: God was in Christ defines the divinity of Christ. The divinity of Christ means God was in Christ. Reconcile in Greek is katallassō which means to reconcile those who are at variance, return to favor with, be reconciled to one; – it occurs 6 times in the New Testament. Sinners are enemies of God; by dying on the cross for sinners Jesus brings sinners reconciled to God and avoids the wrath of God. Those who believe in Christ are given the right to become children of God.
Jesus Christ says:
Jhn 14:11 ,“Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves.”
Note：This is the mystery of mysteries: God is in Christ, Christ is in God. The Father is in the Son, the Son is in the Father. The Father and the Son are One.
31. The glory of Christ. 2Cr 4:4 ,“In whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the Image of God.”
Note: American and Japanese leaders bent on world domination are blinded by the god of this world, the devil. They lie and kill and rob, do not have truth in them. The light of the Gospel shines at repentant sinners so that they see the glory of Christ, Jesus Christ who is the Image of God.
32. The truth of Christ. 2 Cr 11:10, “As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia.”
Please read the article: https://williewongthought.hpage.com/the-truth-of-christ.html
Jhn 14:6 , “Jesus said to him: I AM the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”
Note: Jesus is the truth that can set you free.
33. The power of Christ. 2 Cr 12:9, “And He (Christ) said to me (Paul): My grace is sufficient for you; for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
Note: The power of Christ protects our weaknesses.
Cf. Rev 12:10 , “And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying: Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.”
Note: When Christ returns, His authority will be completely manifested.
34. The faith of Jesus Christ. Gal 2:16 , “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”
Note: Not the works of the law, but the faith in Jesus Christ is the basis of our salvation. Not only you need to believe in God, you need to believe in Christ who is the Redeemer, the Savior of the world. All believers of all religions who just believe in God cannot be saved. For Christ is the only Way to God.
35. All are one in Christ Jesus. Gal 3:28 , “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Note: The body of Jesus Christ (Church) is one. In Christ there is no distinction of race, class, color, nationality, etc. All believers (both Jewish and Gentile) are one in Christ.
36. All things gathered in one in Christ. Eph 1:10 ,“That in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in Heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him.”
37. God seated Christ at His right hand in the Heavenly places. Eph 1:20 , “Which He (God) brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the Heavenly places.”
Cf. Col 3:1 , “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.”
Note: If you belong to Christ, you seek those things which are above, heavenly. If you belong to the world, you seek those things which are below, earthly. The things of the world which most people seek are money, power and sex. This is the flaw of prosperity gospel, social gospel, political gospel, capitalistic gospel, all false gospels – their believers seek the things of the world.
38. Brought near by the blood of Christ. Eph 2:13 , “But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”
Note: God is holy, sinful men cannot approach God. By the blood of Christ believers are made near to God. Without the blood of Christ, no flesh has access to God.
39. Being the Chief Corner Stone. Eph 2:20, “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone.”
The church is the body of Christ, and Christ is the Head of the church.
40. The mystery of Christ. Eph 3:4 ,“Whereby, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ.”
Note: The mystery of Christ is the mystery of God. The knowledge in the mystery of Christ is not what scientists and scholars can discover. For God and Christ are One. The knowledge in the mystery of Christ was revealed by the Holy Spirit to the Apostles.
41. The unfathomable riches of Christ. Eph 3:8, “To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ.”
Note: The riches of Christ are unfathomable because God is unfathomable. The unfathomable riches of Christ include the truth of Christ, the wisdom of Christ, and the power and glory of Christ.
42. God created all things by Jesus Christ. Eph 3:9, “And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world has been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.”
Note: God created all things by Jesus Christ, not by evolution or big bang.
43. God accomplished the eternal purpose in Christ Jesus. Eph 3:11 , “This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He (God) accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Note: Outside of Jesus Christ, there is no God’s purpose. The eternal purpose in Christ Jesus is that whoever believes in Jesus Christ may be saved by grace and have the eternal life and share the glory of Christ in the Kingdom of Heaven forever and ever.
44. Christ is the Head in all things. Eph 4:15 , “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, who is the Head, even Christ.”
Note: Jesus Christ is Supreme, the Head in all things, and no one is higher than the Lord of lords. Christ is the Head of all things; there is no exception.
45. Christ is the Head of the Church. Eph 5:23 , “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the Head of the Church; and He is the Savior of the body.”
Note: Feminist movement is contrary to the teaching of the Bible, for husband is the head of the wife. Those who treat their wives as slaves violate the teaching of Christ to love your wife as Christ loves the church. The Bible does not recognize pope. Pope was invented by the Roman Catholic Church, not based on the Word of God.
46. The Church is subject to Christ. Eph 5:24, “Therefore as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.”
Note: Except Christ, anyone who claims to be the head of the Church is an anti-christ. The Church is subject to Christ, not the pope, not Peter, not anyone else. The Bible does not recognize the pope. The Bible does not recognize other authority except the authority of Jesus Christ above all. The Church does not subject to any government or power. The Church does not need the recognition of government or power.
47. Jesus Christ is Lord. Phl 2:11 , “And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
48. The Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Phl 3:20 , “For our citizenship is in Heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Note: The most important mission of our Lord Jesus is that He is the Savior of the world. If Jesus was just a great teacher, the world would be hopeless.
1Ti 1:15 , “It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.”
Note: Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. That is the work of the Savior of the world.
Jhn 10:10-11 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. I am the Good Shepherd; the Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”
Note: The Western supremacists have been stealing and killing and destroying for hundreds of years. They have enslaved the world. Jesus Christ came so that believers may have abundant life. The word come in Greek is erchomai which means to come from one place to another, to appear, make one’s appearance, come before the public: – it occurs 635 times in the New Testament. The word is used to denote the Lord Jesus who came into the world as the Divine Logos among men, God became Man and manifested in human form.
Come in Chinese is 來 which has an etymological meaning as follows:
十字架 十 （cross）， 人 （man）。
Jesus was crucified on the cross, there was a little man (thief) on the left and a little man on the right (robber). In the center there was a big Man (Jesus).
Jesus Christ was crucified and died on the cross for sinners, this was an invitation of God to man:
Isa 1:18 ,“Come now, and let us reason together,”
Says the LORD, “Though your sins are as scarlet,
They will be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They will be like wool.”
Mat 18:11,“For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.”
Mat 11:28, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”
Jhn 6:37-38 , “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”
Note: No matter who you are and from where, if you come to Jesus Christ, He will certainly not cast you out. All is welcome.
49. Christ is the hope of glory. Col 1:27 , “To whom God would make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
Note: Christians may be poor and humble on earth, but believers have the hope of glory in Christ. When Christ returns, saints will reign with Christ forever and ever.
50. Perfect in Christ Jesus. Col 1:28 , “Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.”
Note: Man can never perfect himself; he can only be perfect in Christ.
51. Christ is our life. Col 3:4 , “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then you shall also appear with Him in glory.”
Note: Christ is the life of believers is not only the literal truth, it is spiritual truth and eternal truth. Christ lives forever and so believers will live forever.
52. Christ is all. Col 3:11, “Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor un-circumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, neither bond nor free; but Christ is all, and in all.”
Note: Christ is all and in all because everything else is nothing.
53. Salvation by Jesus Christ. 1 Th 5:9, “For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.”
2 Ti 2:10 , “For this reason I endure all things for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” Cf.
2 Ti 3:15, “And that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
Hbr 9:28 ,“So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for Him.”
Note: Salvation is the way of God, not the way of man. There is no salvation in any man, except in Jesus Christ the Savior of the world. Truth is exclusive, not inclusive and often offensive. No religion can save you. No man can save you. Jesus Christ is the only Way to God, this is the Truth; and if you believe in Jesus Christ you will receive Life, eternal life.
54. The eternal Kingdom of our Lord. 2Pe 1:11 ,“For in this way the entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.”
Cf. Rev 11:15 , “Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying: The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign for ever and ever.”
Note: Jesus Christ when He was on earth said,
Jhn 18:36 , “Jesus answered: My Kingdom is not of this world. If My Kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My Kingdom is not of this realm.”
Soon the kingdoms of the world will become the Kingdom of our Lord. All evil empires, America, Japan, UK, Western powers and all other nations of the world including China and Russia will also pass away. Our Lord will reign as King of kings and Lord of lords for all eternity without end. His Kingdom will never end or fail.
55. The blood of Jesus Christ. 1 Jo 1:7, “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. ”
Note: The blood of Jesus Christ is effective to cleanse all those who repent and walk in the light from all sin. The sins of the children of darkness cannot be forgiven unless they repent and believe in Christ. Those who sin against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven.
56. My Lord and my God. Jhn 20:28 ,“Thomas answered and said to Him: My Lord and my God!”
You have read the historical account how Jesus Christ rose from the dead and appeared to the disciples in the midst of them when the doors were shut for fear of the Jews. When He showed them both His hands and His side, then the disciples rejoiced. Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. When the other disciples said to him: We have seen the Lord! But Thomas said to them: Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe! After eight days Jesus appeared to them again and said to Thomas: Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side. Do not disbelieve, but believe. Confronting with reality, the doubting Thomas made the confession and said to Christ: My Lord and my God! There is no doubt, no question, the resurrected Jesus Chris is our Lord and our God. There is no doubt, Jesus Christ is Lord and God.
Mat 8:9, “And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him.”
Come! Let all believers kneel down and worship Jesus Christ, our Lord and our God. It is wrong to worship Mary, Peter, angel, or any saint. It is right for all to worship Jesus Christ for He is our God and Savior.
57. The second coming of Jesus Christ. 1 Cr 1:7 , “So that you come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:”
Note：When Jesus was born, that was the Incarnation, the first coming. Jesus Christ came first to save sinners. This Scripture refers the second coming of Christ to reign with the saints for ever. The coming of Jesus Christ will be the most important event to take place in the whole universe.
1 Th 3:13 , “To the end he may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.”
Cf. 1 Th 5:23 , “May the God of peace Himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Ti 6:14 , “That you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,”
2 Ti 1:10 , “But has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel,”
1 Pe 1:7 , “So that your proved faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;”
1 Pe 1:13 , “Therefore gird up your minds, be sober, set your hope fully upon the grace that is coming to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
Note: The divinity of Christ is based on the nature of His person and work as declared by God, Himself, and the Holy Scriptures. The Scriptures cited above clearly teach the Divinity or Deity of Christ or His divine nature and simply explain its meanings and ministry. If you hold a Th.D. or Ph.D. and have studied tons of theological books and do not know and believe in the Divinity of Christ, your knowledge is in vain. Whoever (be it theologian, bishop, preacher, etc.) denies that Jesus Christ who came as a human being was the Son of God is an anti-Christ. No matter how good you are, be it Leo Tolstoy or Ralph Waldo Emerson or Gandhi, if you do not believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, the Savior of the world, you cannot be saved.
You have learned a great deal about Jesus Christ. The divinity of Christ explains not only Jesus was a Man, He was at the same time God and our Savior. No one can have the salvation of God, the forgiveness of sins without Jesus Christ. No one can get to God without Jesus Christ. Only those who repent and believe in Jesus Christ will have the eternal life.
To believe in the divinity of Christ simply means to believe Jesus Christ is the only God and our Savior.
Would you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Savior of the world as your Lord and your God now?
*Our mission is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ absolutely free. We do not want donation. We only want you to know the truth.
This article is written to let you know Hell is a real place that God has prepared for the devil and his angels to suffer for eternity. The devil is the father of all liars and killers and robbers. The children of the devil will definitely go to Hell with their father and all evil spirits and demons. There are also other peoples who will go to Hell as specified by the Word of God, including all unbelievers and the wicked and evildoers.
The Bible does not say Washington politicians, lawmakers, and officials will go to Hell. The Bible says liars and killers and robbers are children of the devil who will go to Hell. Jesus Christ defines liars and killers and robbers as children of the devil. Children of the devil and their father will go to Hell. The Bible does not say Wall Street bankers and executives will go to Hell. The Bible says the greedy people and fraudulent thieves and robbers will go to Hell. The Bible does not say American doctors and hospital owners, drug and insurance executives and lawyers will go to Hell. The Bible says the greedy; corrupt thieves and robbers who commit predatory and fraudulent practices and overcharges will go to Hell. The Bible does not say military-industrial-security complex and Western media will go to Hell. The Bible indeed says liars, killers, robbers and thieves and those who practice unrighteousness will go to Hell.
The word Hell occurs 54 times in the King James Version.
Deu 32:22 , “For a fire is kindled in My anger, and burns to the lowest part of Hell, and consumes the earth with its yield, and sets on fire the foundations of the mountains.”
Note: The Hebrew word for Hell is shĕ’owl which means Sheol, underworld, grave, pit; the Old Testament designation for the abode of the dead, place of no return; wicked sent there for punishment, place full of darkness; – it occurs 65 times in the Old Testament. Clearly, Hell has different levels. The worst of sinners go into the lowest part of Hell. Hell is the Bottomless Pit. Hell is a place where God’s anger is kindled forever and ever with unquenchable fire. Mar 9:43,
“If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life crippled, than, having your two hands, to go into Hell, into the unquenchable fire, Mar 9:44:
[where THEIR WORM DOES NOT DIE, AND THE FIRE IS NOT QUENCHED.] The above statement is made by Jesus Christ who has the last word and who have the keys of Hell and of death. 2Sa 22:6 ,“The sorrows of Hell surrounded me; the snares of death confronted me.”
Note: The Hebrew word for sorrows is chebel which means pain, travail, pang; – it occurs 60 times in the Old Testament. When the snares of death confront you, whether you are president, prime minister, politician, pimp or prostitute, the rich and powerful — no one can help you and you are helpless and powerless to do anything. Hell is the place where you have sorrows for eternity.
Mat 10:28 ,“Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Hell.”
Note: The devil and his wicked agents can kill the body but they are unable to kill the soul. The Greek word for Hell is geenna which means ‘Gehenna’ or ‘Gehenna of fire’, the place of the wicked and their eternal punishment; – it occurs 13 times in the New Testament of the New American Standard Bible (NASB).
In Hell there are no kings or queens, princes or princesses, presidents or prime ministers, doctors or dentists, judges or lawyers, bankers or executives, tycoons or monopolists, hospital owners, supremacists or militarists, aggressors or warmongers, actors or actresses, professors or teachers, pimps or prostitutes, etc. – there are only damned and condemned sinners to be tortured forever and ever.
I. Hell is a place.
Job 11:7-8 ,“Can you search out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limits of the Almighty? They are higher than Heaven–what can you do? Deeper than Hell–what can you know?”
Note: Hell is a deep place. No one can know or measure the depth of Hell. Because Hell is the Bottomless Pit.
Rev 9:2 ,“He opened the Bottomless Pit , and smoke went up out of the Pit, like the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by the smoke of the Pit.”
Note: The New Testament gives a clearer explanation why no one can know or measure the depth of Hell because it is the Bottomless Pit. Hell is a Pit, the Bottomless Pit.
Job 26:6 ,“Hell is naked before Him, and destruction has no covering.”
Note: The Hebrew word for naked is ` arowm which means bare, stripped; – it occurs 16 times in the Old Testament. The Hebrew word for destruction is ‘ abaddown which means place of destruction, ruin, abyss; – it occurs 6 times in the Old Testament. Hell is a place of destruction. God sees Hell and destruction has no covering. Nothing and no one can cover itself or himself from God.
Psa 9:17 ,“The wicked shall be turned into Hell, and all the nations that forget God.”
Note: The final destination of the wicked is Hell, and all the nations that forget God. All the nations that forget God include Europe and the United States of America, Australia, United Kingdom, Canada, etc.
Japan is a primitive pagan nation that glorifies its executed war criminal as national heroes and true gods. Leaders and politicians of any nation who are abnormal, based, crooked, diabolical, deceitful, evil, facetious, gangrenous, hell-bent, irresponsible, jerky, kinky, lowbred , shameless … will go to Hell.
Evil leaders have 3 NOs:
NO MORALS, NO CONSCIENCE, NO JUSTICE.
One Japanese militarist confessed in writing that he killed more than 10,000 Chinese civilians. It was documented and reported Japanese aggressors made thousands of young Chinese and Korean women sex slaves, Japanese animals raped a Chinese woman 178 times a day!
2Jo 1:11 ,“For the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds.” If you receive an evil leader or evildoer, you participate in his evil deeds. If you give a greeting to an evildoer, you participate in his evil deeds. Evil leaders practice an evil philosophy in believing by mass propaganda, by speaking loudly and long enough they can turn lies into truth. That is why they keep trumpeting the lie of China threat or Russian threat; in fact they are the aggressors and warmongers who are the greatest threats to peace and security in the world. Do not be fooled! A bad tree does not bear good fruit. You will know them by their fruits (deeds). Actions speak louder than words.
The peoples of the world have no moral character and courage to do what is right and what is necessary. The time is short and the disaster looms large in the horizon.
On June 29, 2014 a Japanese citizen in Tokyo in protest against the regime of Japan for changing a peace constitution into a war constitution set himself on fire (self-immolation) and killed himself rather than to live in a Fascist and warmongering Japan repeating the tragic history of World War II. Not one Japanese media reported such newsworthy incident of protest for Japanese media are agents and tools of Japanese government the same like American media are agents of American government. Peace-loving people should not kill themselves, unite and organize to overthrow the evil regime by force. Peaceful protest can never change an evil regime of aggression and corruption. Take up guns and bombs to defend your right and freedom to live in peace. Let the media of the world take notice of the deception and deceitfulness and distortion of evil nations. Let leaders of nations awake and alert to the coming disaster of war of aggression and expansion. Let Americans arise to protest the American government involving in unjust wars and brutal interventions.
Psa 16:10 ,“For You will not abandon my soul to Hell; nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.”
Note: This Scripture speaks of the death of Christ the Savior. Jesus is the Holy One of God. The Hebrew word for decay is shachath which means pit, destruction, decay; – it occurs 23 times in the Old Testament. The wicked will be abandoned to Hell and see corruption. Hell is the place of corruption.
Psa 86:13 ,“For Your lovingkindness toward me is great, and You have delivered my soul from the lowest Hell.”
Note: Hell has levels, the lowest Hell for the meanest and most wicked evildoers.
Pro 5:5 ,“Her feet go down to death; her steps go straight to Hell.”
Note: The feet of a strange woman, prostitute, or harlot go down to death; and her steps go straight to Hell.
Pro 7:27 ,“Her house is the way to Hell, going down to the chambers of death.”
Note: The house of prostitution is the way to Hell. You have heard about the former New York governor who paid prostitutes at $5,000 an hour and lost his job. Even in this world the way of prostitute leads to disgrace and failure; not to mention going down to Hell.
Pro 9:18 ,“But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Hell.”
Note: A playboy does not know the guests of prostitutes are in the depths of Hell.
Pro 15:11 ,“Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?”
Note: God sees Hell the place of destruction, how much more then God knows the hearts of the children of men.
Pro 15:24 ,“The path of life leads upward for the wise that he may keep away from Hell below.”
Note: The path of life leads upward, the path of death leads downward. The wise keeps away from Hell below.
Pro 27:20 , “Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.”
Note: In a big city you often encounter the parking is full. Hell and destruction are never full because Hell is the Bottomless Pit.
Isa 5:14 ,“Therefore Hell has enlarged herself and opened her mouth without measure; her glory and her multitude and her pomp and the jubilant within her shall descend into it. ”
Note: The mouth of Hell is without measure. The glory and pomp of Wall Street, Washington, and Hollywood and the jubilant crowd shall descend into Hell. The iniquities committed by Wall Street, Washington, and Hollywood are beyond measure.
Isa 14:9 ,“Hell beneath is excited about you, to meet you at your coming; it stirs up the dead for you, all who were leaders of the earth; it has raised up all the kings of the nations from their thrones.”
Note: Hell is the place where many leaders of the earth and the kings of nations and the wicked will suffer.
Mat 5:22 ,“But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, Raca! shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says: You fool! shall be in danger of Hell fire.”
Note: Go into denotes entrance into and presupposes a direction. You do not enter into nothing and you do not go to no direction. When you enter and go to the direction of somewhere it implies a place. Hell is the fiery place as Jesus says.
2Pe 2:4 ,“For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into Hell and committed them to Pits of Darkness, reserved for judgment.”
Note: There is something many people do not know about Hell. Most people think fire brightens and shines. The fire of Hell is very peculiar, it burns that the wicked in Hell can feel the pain unceasingly, and the fire of Hell is eternal, but it never quenches. Hell in spite of Hell fire is not a bright place. Hell is forever the Pits of Darkness. The wicked suffer in Hell and feel pain and thirst and the bite of the worm in darkness forever and ever.
Sinners will be cast into Hell also, and after death to face judgment.
All the Scriptures cited above and more prove clearly and repeatedly that Hell is a place, not just a state of mind, and certainly not the figment of imagination. Jesus Christ validates the existence of Hell beyond doubt.
II. Hell is a place of suffering.
Mat 23:33 ,“You serpents, you brood of vipers, how will you escape the sentence of Hell?”
Note: Once a sinner or evildoer is sentenced to Hell, he can never escape. The Greek word for escape is pheugō which means to flee away, seek safety by flight, shun or avoid by flight; – it occurs 31 times in the New Testament. Once you go into Hell, you will never come out. Many killers and robbers escape punishment on earth, they will not escape the punishment of Hell.
Psa 116:3 ,“The sorrows of death encompassed me and the pains of Hell get hold of me; I found distress and sorrow.”
Note: The Hebrew word for pain is metsar which means straits, distress, anguish; – it occurs 3 times in the Old Testament. There are sorrows and distresses in Hell; for Hell is a place of suffering.
Luk 16:24-25, “Then he cried and said: Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said: Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented.”
Note: The evildoers of Wall Street, Washington and Hollywood, military-industrial-security complex, corrupt and predatory and fraudulent doctors and hospital owners and dentists, wicked drug and insurance companies executives, take warning from the word of Abraham, lest you should be tormented in the flame of Hell fire.
Mar 9:43-48 ,“If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to Hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched– where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into Hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched– where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into Hell fire– where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.”
Note: The Scriptures cited above are the warning words of Jesus Christ, loud and clear. Why does Jesus Christ speak of the Hell so explicitly and plainly? So that you will not go to Hell.
Mat 8:29 ,“What do you want with us, Son of God? they shouted. Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”
Note: The Greek word for torture is basanizō which means to torment, vex with grievous pains of body or mind; – it occurs 12 times in the New Testament. Sinners shall be tortured in Hell. The United States has illegally tortured prisoners of war, but the torture in Hell is eternal.
Mar 5:7 ,“And shouting with a loud voice, he said: What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God, do not torment me!”
Luk 8:28 ,“Seeing Jesus, he cried out and fell before Him, and said in a loud voice: What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me.”
Note: Demons and evil spirits know they are appointed or condemned to Hell and Hell is a place of torment or torture.
Jam 3:6 ,“And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by Hell.”
Note: Examining the evidence, it is clear the Western machine of propaganda is set on fire by Hell, full of lies, fake news and endless deceits, disinformation and misinformation.
Rev 14:10 ,“He also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.”
Note: The beast or the devil and his followers will be tormented with fire and brimstone in Hell forever.
III. Hell is a place of eternal suffering.
Mat 10:28 ,“Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Hell.”
Note: The Greek word for destroy is apollymi which means to kill, put out of the way entirely, abolish, put an end to ruin, render useless, perish, devote or give over to eternal misery in hell; – it occurs 92 times in the New Testament. This Scripture explains how sinners are destroyed in Hell both soul and body. As you know body is mortal; but after the second resurrection the wicked will have a body which is dying in Hell but not dead. Soul does not die. Both body and soul of the wicked will suffer and feel pain with eternal misery in Hell. As an illustration,
Exd 3:2-3 ,“The angel of the LORD appeared to him in a blazing fire from the midst of a bush; and he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, yet the bush was not consumed. So Moses said: I must turn aside now and see this marvelous sight, why the bush is not burned up.”
Note: God in His power appeared to Moses in a blazing fire from the midst of a bush. The bush was burning with fire, yet the bush was not consumed. So God prepares bodies for the wicked to be burned with Hell fire; the bodies are eternally burning but they are not burned up. They are continuously dying but they are not dead. They are constantly in pain, but the pain is endless.
Hell is not a place that you can get out. Once you are in, there is no way out forever and ever.
Mar 9:43 ,“If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life crippled, than, having your two hands, to go into Hell, into the unquenchable fire.”
Note: The Greek word for unquenchable is asbestos which means unquenched, never shall be quenched, of eternal Hell fire to punish the damned, perpetual; – it occurs 4 times in the New Testament. The Hell fire is unquenchable, it is eternal.
Mat 25:46 , “These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Note: The Greek word for eternal is aiōnios which means without end, never to cease, everlasting, that which always will be, immeasurable eternity; – it occurs 71 times in the New Testament. The Greek word for punishment is kolasis which means penalty, torment, suffering; – it occurs only twice in the New Testament. Jesus makes it clear Hell is a place, a place of punishment, eternal punishment. The wicked will go away into eternal punishment because they do not repent and believe in Christ. The righteous are believers in Christ who are saved and counted as righteous before God. No one is good enough to go into heaven. No one deserves to have eternal life. They are saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus.
2Pe 2:4 ,“For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into Hell and committed them to Pits of Darkness, reserved for judgment.”
Note: Hell is the Pits of Darkness, absolutely without light.
Jud 1:7 ,“Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire.”
Note: According to the Scripture, homosexuals may enjoy special rights and privileges in America; gross immorality and after strange flesh means homosexuality and same-sex marriage. Those who practice homosexuality and same-sex marriage will be tormented in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire.
A false teacher taught that fire can burn away sin. Sin cannot be burned away. Even eternal Hell fire cannot burn away sin. Sin can be taken away only by Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ purchased the Church with His own blood. Believers are justified by the blood of Jesus. We have redemption through the blood of Jesus. Christians made peace with God through the blood of His cross. The precious blood of His Son cleanses us from all sin. This is the good news that sinners may receive the forgiveness of sins.
Hell punishment is undergoing but never ends because it is eternal punishment with eternal fire.
IV. How sinners get to Hell.
Mat 5:22 ,“But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother: Raca! shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says: You fool! shall be in danger of Hell fire.”
Note: American and European leaders and politicians attack, oppress, smear, sanction, spy and target China and Russia without a cause. The most malicious and vicious is the former American president who deliberately called the Coronovirus the Chinese virus without shame and conscience!
Some leaders have blood on their hands because of their neglect of duty. The most tragic is the liar who calls himself a Christian.
Mat 5:30 ,“If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into Hell.”
Note: The Greek word for go is aperchomai which means to go away, depart; – it occurs 120 times in the New Testament. Go into denotes entrance into a place and presupposes a direction. You do not enter into nothing and you do not go to no direction. Sinners depart from the earth and go away to hell. Sinners with whole body and soul go into hell.
Mat 5:29 ,“If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into Hell.”
Note: The Greek word for throw in ballō which means to let go of a thing without caring where it falls, cast into, put into; – it occurs 125 times in the New Testament. To throw implies with force and effort. Sinners do not go into Hell voluntarily; they are thrown into Hell with whole body. Who will throw sinners with whole body into Hell? Angels do. It does not take a mighty angel much force and effort to throw a big man, a big general, into Hell. I noticed the big black man who trampled and stamped on a small Asian woman.
Mat 18:9 ,“If your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it from you. It is better for you to enter life with one eye, than to have two eyes and be cast into the fiery Hell.”
Note: The Greek word of cast into in Mat 18:9 is the same original word of throw into in Mat 5:29 . The wicked will be cast into the fiery Hell.
Psa 55:15 ,“Let death seize upon them, and let them go down alive into Hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings and among them.”
Note: The wicked will go down alive into Hell, it means with body and soul. For death is not the end of everything, it is the beginning of eternal suffering for the wicked.
Eze 31:16 , “I made the nations to shake at the sound of his fall, when I cast him down to Hell with them that descend into the Pit: and all the trees of Eden, the choice and best of Lebanon, all that drink water, shall be comforted in the nether parts of the earth.”
Note: The Hebrew word for cast down yarad which means to go down, descend, march down, sink down, bring down, send down, take down; – it occurs 380 times in the Old Testament. God will cast the wicked down to Hell with them that descend into the Pit. The Hell is the Pit, the Bottomless Pit. Not even scientists know anything about the nether parts of the earth. One thing is clear and sure, those who go down to Hell, the Bottomless Pit, have no chance to get back to earth.
V. Who will go to Hell.
Isa 28:15 ,“Because ye have said: We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves。”
Note: Under falsehood Western powers have done so much evil in the world. The wicked have made lies their refuge, and under falsehood the evildoers have hid themselves. American and Europeans leaders and politicians have made lies their refuge, and under falsehood they have hid themselves for the last 500 years.
No one can hide themselves from God. Japanese leaders lie, lie and lie without shame and they are pagans without God. American leaders know about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and yet they lie, lie, and lie; kill and kill and kill; rob and rob and rob also without fear of God and without fear of going to Hell.
Isa 28:18 ,“And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.”
Note: No covenant with death shall be valid, and no agreement with Hell shall stand.
1 Cr 6:9-10 ,“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards , nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the Kingdom of God.”
Note: The Greek word for the unrighteous is adikos which means unjust, sinful, deceitful, one who violates or has violated justice, one who deals fraudulently with others; – it occurs 12 times in the New Testament. Examples of the unrighteous are fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, effeminate, homosexuals, thieves, the covetous (greedy), drunkards, revilers, swindlers. These unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God mean they will go into Hell. These Scriptures list 10 kinds of people (the doers) who will go into Hell. Those who drink and drive and kill people may not know that drunkards will go to Hell. In the United States the legal system is so flawed that drunken drivers who killed and killed were not executed. The greatest swindlers in America are corrupt and fraudulent and predatory and overcharged doctors, dentists, hospital owners, drug and insurance executives, labs and medical suppliers.
(1). The Greek word for fornicator is pornos which means a man who prostitutes his body to another’s lust for hire, a male prostitute, a man who indulges in unlawful sexual intercourse, a whoremonger; – it occurs 10 times in the New Testament. Fornicators will go into Hell.
(2). The Greek word for idolater is eidōlolatrēs which means a worshiper of false gods, a covetous man as a worshiper of Mammon; – it occurs 7 times in the New Testament. Even if a believer is participating in any way in the worship of the heathen gods, esp. one who attends their sacrificial feasts and eats of the remains of things offered is guilty of idolatry. Some Taiwanese leaders and politicians who claim to be Christians and yet they are idolaters and who publicly worship idols. The Taiwanese preachers dare not to rebuke them.
Note: Taiwan preachers and ministers are very strange people because they do not warn the Taiwan leaders and politicians for being idolaters as required by the Scripture. This message is to the Taiwanese leaders and politicians: You cannot claim to be a Christian and an idolater at the same time. If you are a Christian, you cannot worship idols. If you worship idols, you should not claim to be a Christian. You must come clean one way or another. Especially another old former Taiwan leader who is a traitor has practiced the same; to be an idolater in order to win votes from idol worshipers, and claiming to be a Christian in order to win American military support. In America only primitive immigrants worship idols, but most Americans, Wall Street, Washington, and Hollywood worship money or Mammon; greed is the same sin as idolatry. Idolaters will go into Hell. Most Americans worships the gods of money, power and sex.
(3). The Greek word for adulterer is moichos which means a married person who is guilty of sexually immorality, a person unfaithful to God; – it occurs 4 times in the New Testament. An idolater is also an adulterer because he is unfaithful to God by worshiping false gods. Adulterers do not go to Heaven, they will go into Hell.
(4). The Greek word for effeminate is malakos which means of a catamite, of a boy kept for homosexual relations with a man, of a male who submits his body to unnatural lewdness, of a male who submits his body to unnatural lewdness, of a male prostitute; – it occurs 4 times in the New Testament.
Sodomites and male prostitutes will go into Hell. And yet Obama who claims to be a Christian supports same-sex marriage and advocates homosexuality and uses executive order to advance their causes.
(5). The Greek word for homosexual is arsenokoitēs which means one who has sex with a male as with a female, sodomite, a male who has sex with a male, a female who has sex with a female, an abuser of oneself; – it occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Homosexuals will go into Hell according to the Word of God.
(6). The Greek word for thief is kleptēs which means an embezzler, pilferer, misappropriator, robber and plunderer, one who steals; – it occurs 16 times in the New Testament. The word kleptomaniac is derived from the Greek word. The American healthcare providers (such as doctors, hospital owners, drug and insurance companies executives, labs and medical suppliers, etc.) are thieves because they routinely defraud and fleece and overcharge patients and have bankrupted millions of families with immunity. Thieves will go into Hell. Japanese leaders rely on the sole superpower to rob territories from China. The reason the United States has huge annual deficits and the largest national debt of more than $28 trillion is because the government serves special interests and there are so many thieves and robbers in American government.
(7). The Greek word for the covetous is pleonektēs which means one eager to have more, esp. what belongs to others, the greedy, greedy of gain; – it occurs 4 times in the New Testament. The executives of Wall Street, big banks, healthcare, mortgage and insurance companies, drugs and defense contractors, etc. are the greediest. Corrupt doctors and hospital owners habitually make fraudulent, predatory and overcharged billing to bankrupt patients with immunity. It is certain the greedy will go into Hell.
(8). The Greek word for drunkard is methysos which means a drunken person, the intoxicated; – it occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Most people may not realize that drunkards will go into Hell. It is more evil for those who are habitual drunkards and drive to kill people.
(9). The Greek word for reviler is loidoros which means a railer, one who uses bad language, one who uses abusive and contemptuous language; – it occurs 2 times in the New Testament. If I understand the Bible correctly, those who use F work (which is prevalent in America) and filthy language will go into Hell. Many writers of mainstream media are also revilers who produce fake news.
(10). The Greek word for swindler is harpax which means an extortioner, a robber; – it occurs 5 times in the New Testament. As I understand the meaning of this Scripture and what doctors, hospital owners, drug and insurance companies, labs and medical suppliers are doing – they are guilty of being a swindler, defrauding and extorting and bankrupting millions of American families. Obviously Wall Street executives who created the economic and financial crisis beginning in 2008 and looted the world more than $50 trillion are also guilty of this sin and will be cast into Hell. Those who manufacture and sell fake and deadly drug, food and drink will also go into Hell. All corrupt politicians and officials will also go into Hell.
Gal 5:19-21 ,“Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.”
Note: These Scriptures list 15 deeds of the flesh; those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Those who will not inherit the Kingdom of God will go into Hell. Among many crimes and sins of European and American leaders and politicians, envying of China’s successes alone enough to send them to Hell.
(1). The Greek word for immorality is porneia which means illicit sexual intercourse, adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animals etc., sexual intercourse with close relatives, Lev Chapter 18; sexual intercourse with a divorced man or woman,
Mar 10:11-12 ,“And He said to them: Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her; and if she herself divorces her husband and marries another man, she is committing adultery.”
Note: In the West people practice a wrong way of marriage, not only they divorce, even preachers divorce. Divorced men are not qualified to be ministers or pastors. A divorced man or woman who remarries commits adultery, as defined by Jesus Christ. Those who are guilty of immorality will go into Hell.
(2). The Greek word for impurity is akatharsia which means physical uncleanness, impurity of lustful, luxurious, profligate living; of impure motives; – it occurs 10 times in the New Testament. Those who are guilty of impurity will go into Hell.
(3). The Greek word for sensuality is aselgeia which means unbridled lust, excess, licentiousness, lasciviousness, wantonness, outrageousness, shamelessness, insolence, molestation; – it occurs 9 times in the New Testament. I believe those who sexually molest children commit this deed of flesh. Those who are guilty of sensuality will go into Hell. Hollywood movies are characterized by sensuality (sexual immorality) and violence.
(4). The Greek word for idolatry is eidōlolatria which means the worship of false gods, formal sacrificial feats held in honor of false gods (as Taiwanese do to their local god which I have no pleasure to name); avarice, as a worship of Mammon; – it occurs 4 times in the New Testament. Those who are guilty of idolatry will go into Hell.
(5). The Greek word for sorcery is pharmakeia which means the use or the administering of addictive or hallucinative drugs, magical or black arts, often found in connection with idolatry and fostered by it, deceptions and seductions of idolatry; – it occurs 3 times in the New Testament. I believe people who consult astrologers, fortunetellers, fengshui masters, evil spirits, spirits of the dead, etc. are guilty of sorcery. Those who are guilty of sorcery will go into Hell.
(6). The Greek word for enmity is echthra which means hatred, hostility, animosity; – it occurs 6 times in the New Testament. Warmongers, aggressors, oppressors, supremacists, hegemonists, imperialists, colonialists, militarists, and terrorists are guilty of this deed of the flesh. There are people who hate China and bent on destruction of China and Russia without cause. Many white supremacists are jealous of China’s spectacular successes and achievements and so they harbor animosity and enmity against China. As a matter of fact it was the Western powers since the infamous Opium Wars that oppressed and abused and threatened China even today. Western powers, USA, Japan and others robbed and looted China’s national treasures at market value of US $100,000 trillion dollars not counting the interest of so many years. America is leading a wild pack of nations in preparation for war against China in order to be the supreme power in Asia Pacific and in order to seize the natural resources of the South China Sea and the East China Sea. Those who are guilty of enmity will go into Hell.
(7). The Greek word for strife is eris which means contention, strife, wrangling; – it occurs 9 times in the New Testament. Those who are guilty of strife will go into Hell. American leaders since the end of World War II had instigated hundreds of unjust wars and bloody military interventions which killed millions and millions of innocent peoples around the world. American leaders have recently supported the re-militarization of Japan, and incited some nations, etc. to make false claims to China’s territories in the South China Sea and the East China Sea and making preparation to have a war of aggression against China. In fact, the United States is the biggest war-maker and trouble-maker in the world today.
(8). The Greek word for jealousy is zēlos which means the fierceness of indignation used only in a bad sense, punitive zeal, an envious and contentious rivalry, a mean passion of rivalry, outburst and manifestation of indignation or contentious rivalry, envy in an evil and unworthy sense; – it occurs 17 times in the New Testament. Those who are guilty of jealousy will go into Hell. Apparently American and European leaders and politicians are jealous of China for all its successes.
(9). The Greek word for outbursts of anger is thymos which means boiling up anger, inflaming anger, passion of anger, boiling wrath, rage; – it occurs 18 times in the New Testament. If I understand the meaning of this Scripture correct, those who commit the American road rage or the like will go into Hell.
(10). The Greek word for disputes is eritheia which means electioneering or intriguing for office, a desire to put one’s self forward, a partisan and fractious spirit which does not disdain low arts and trickery, partisanship, fractiousness; – it occurs 7 times in the New Testament. If I understand the meaning of this word, I am afraid American presidential campaign and election characterized by having shameless selfishness or self-promoting, unfair means and smear tactics fits into this sin. The wrangling partisanship of running the U.S. government is also guilty of this sin. Those nations who make false claims of the South China Sea and the East China Sea are also guilty of this deed of the flesh. Those who are guilty of disputes will go into Hell.
(11). The Greek word for dissensionf is dichostasia which means division, sedition; – it occurs 3 times in the New Testament. The nations that practice “divide and conquer” tactics are guilty of this deed of the flesh. Denomination promoters that divide the church of Jesus Christ and preachers who form factions are guilty of this deed of the flesh. All imperialists, hegemonists, militarists and warmongers are guilty of this sin and will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
(12). The Greek word for envying is phthonos which means a feeling of discontent and ill because of another achievement or success; resentful dislike of another for what it possesses; – it occurs 9 times in the New Testament. It was prompted by envy that a black-supremacist-journalist wrote, “China has changed, but it is not free.” The black journalist wrote about the smog in Beijing, but silent about the smog in Los Angeles. The black supremacist wrote about the small lanes and small houses in Shanghai without plumbing, ignoring Lujiazui the most modern city in the world, and being silent about the black ghettos of Washington, D.C., New York, and Los Angels. Out of jealousy supremacists and hegemonists want to beat or destroy China; out of envy they say China is not playing by the rules and the rise of China is a threat to peace. They are guilty of both sins. Those who are guilty of envying will go into Hell.
(13). The Greek word for drunkenness is methē which means intoxication; extravagant indulgence in drinking; – it occurs 3 times in the New Testament. Those who are drunk and kill people in driving will go into the depth of Hell. Those who are guilty of drunkenness will go into Hell.
(14). The Greek word for carousing is kōmos which means a revel, carousal, nocturnal and riotous indulgence of frolicsome males and females, all night drinking and wild sex party; – it occurs 3 times in the New Testament. A sex-driven society like America is famous for its playboy and wife-swapping parties of drink, drug and sex. Many college and middle age men and women are guilty of this deed of the flesh. Those who are guilty of carousing will go into Hell.
Rev 22:15 ,“Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying. “
Note: Outside of Heaven are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying. The Greek word for dog is kyōn which means the canine animal, sodomite, a man of impure mind, an impudent man; – it occurs 5 times in the New Testament. There will be no dog in Heaven. The Greek word for sorcerer is pharmakos which means a person who practices black magic or sorcery; – it occurs only once in the New Testament. I believe Chinese who practice Fengshui also are sorcerers. All those who possess and practice evil supernatural powers will go into Hell. You witness sorcery in Africa, India and other Asian and Latin American nations among primitive peoples. The Greek word for immoral person is pornos, it is the same original word used as fornicator in 1Cr 6:9. Immoral persons will go into Hell. The Greek word for murderer is phoneus which means one who committed a homicide, a killer; – it occurs 7 times in the New Testament. Warmongers are the mass murderers, they will go into Hell. Serial killers will also go into Hell. The word idolaters in the original word used in Rev 22:15 is also used in
1Cr 6:9 “Idolaters will go into Hell. The Greek word for lying is pseudos which means a lie, conscious and intentional falsehood, deceiving with a treacherous purpose; – it occurs 9 times in the New Testament. The billing of doctors and hospital is a conscious and intentional falsehood, deceiving poor patients to fleece and bankrupt them. All doctors, hospital owners, drug and insurance companies, labs and medical suppliers who habitually lie and defraud people will be outside of the Kingdom of God and go straight into Hell. The economic and financial crisis beginning in 2008 was created by Wall Street executives who looted the world more than $50 trillion, the biggest fraud ever perpetrated in history. Supremacists and hegemonists have started many unjust wars with lies and have killed millions of people since the infamous Opium Wars, they earn the deepest Hell. Terrorists and warmongers will go into Hell, the depths of Hell. Everyone who loves and practices lying will go into Hell. Do you know any political leader and official who do not lie? Do you know any rich and powerful people who do not lie?
Mat 5:22 , “But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother: Raca! shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says: You fool! shall be in danger of Hell fire.”
Note: Those who say: God is love, and therefore there is no hell, think again what Jesus Christ says. Again and again Jesus warns of Hell fire.
Mat 23:15 , “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of Hell as yourselves.”
Note: Jesus Christ calls a religious hypocrite a son of Hell. Preachers of prosperity gospel have private planes to travel to preach the false gospel to get rich. Even among the sons of Hell, some are worse than others. So Hell has different levels of depth for punishment, the deepest Hell for the worst of sinners. Judas the traitor deserves the deepest, so with all false prophets and false preachers and false teachers and false brothers.
2Pe 2:4-19, “For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to Pits of Darkness, reserved for judgment; and did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; and if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly lives thereafter; and if He rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the Day of Judgment, and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, they do not tremble when they revile angelic majesties, whereas angels who are greater in might and power do not bring a reviling judgment against them before the Lord. But these, like unreasoning animals, born as creatures of instinct to be captured and killed, reviling where they have no knowledge, will in the destruction of those creatures also be destroyed, suffering wrong as the wages of doing wrong. They count it a pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are stains and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, as they carouse with you, having eyes full of adultery that never cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having a heart trained in greed, accursed children; forsaking the right way, they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; but he received a rebuke for his own transgression, for a mute donkey, speaking with a voice of a man, restrained the madness of the prophet. These are springs without water and mists driven by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved. For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved.”
Do you know any rich American who does not love wages of unrighteousness?
Note: Hell is not only dark, it is black darkness which no man on earth has ever experienced. Peter gives a detailed description and explanation of the sons of Hell. Executives of Wall Street, Washington, and Hollywood and big banks and insurance companies, etc. are most arrogant people on earth and they love the wages of unrighteousness. If God did not spare angels when they sinned, why would God spare sinners who are lower creatures? Hell is the Pit of Darkness. God did not spare the ancient world and brought flood to destroy it, only saving eight persons. Supremacists and imperialists promised freedom but they destroyed and enslaved hundreds of millions of people. They are slaves of money, power and sex.
Needless to say, those who violate the Ten Commandments will go into Hell.
1Cr 15:50 , “Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.”
Note: Sinners are flesh and blood and they cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. Men are mortal and cannot inherit the immortal.
After years of observations, it is most shocking to conclude that Western media, anti-China politicians and officials and supremacists routinely, regularly, and relentlessly make false accusations, fake news, fake reports, and manufacture all sorts of lies against China and Russia. For example, even although China does not have one overseas military base and does not occupy any nation while the sole superpower has more than 700 military bases all over the world to encircle China and with a defense budget more than all nations combined and started many wars and occupied other nations and incited other nations to make false claims to China’s territories in the South China Sea and the East China, but they shamelessly and unconscionably broadcast the big lie of China’s threat. These people claim to be Christians and yet they do not heed the warning of the Bible,
Rev 21:8 , “But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
I think the leaders and politicians of the United Kingdom are moral cowards. They do not come out and inform Palestinians, Arabs and Hamas that they have no claim and no resettlement rights to the Holy Land. Because during the British colonial rule, the Holy Land was called Palestine. Illegal Arabs moved into the Holy Land without payment and called themselves Palestinians. The United Nations or any agency has no authority to give the Holy Land which God gave to Abraham and his descendant, to Palestinians or Arabs or Hamas. The two-state proposal is not the two-state solution. Palestinians have no right to establish a Palestinian state in the Jewish land. Palestinians and Arabs and Hamas must get out the Holy Land in peace. Of they will be evicted by force. For Jerusalem is forever the capital of the great King David. God will fight for Jerusalem. God is the Protector of Israel.
During the British rule of India. The British empire wanted to make the empire look big, and so they incorporated large areas of Chinese territories into the Indian Map. The leaders and politicians of the United Kingdom should have moral courage to come out and inform India what they had done was wrong and so to prevent China-India border conflict once and for all.
American contagion of healthcare terrorism has infected China. Something frightening and fearful has happened in China! The American fraudulent and predatory practices of doctors and hospitals have come to China. It was reported that one man was treated in a Harbin hospital emergency and intensive care and died; his medical bill was 5.5 million yuan. One recent case of a patient who had gall stone surgery which was told the cost would be a couple thousand yuan. Under the pretext of saving life, then doctors and the hospital made the patient very ill but prohibited the family to visit and told them the patient was getting better but never mentioned or demanded to advance payment or disclosed the amount. Later a simple gall stone surgery killed the patient and the bill was RMB 450,000 with a dead patient. I watched on TV how the responsible doctor shamelessly and unconscionably rationalized the costs and justified the high fees of RMB 450,000 as normal and not much. Apparently the doctor had seared his conscience and lost his sense of morality and honesty and respectability. Since healthcare is a monopoly, what evil doctors and hospitals can do is inestimable and immeasurable. It is hoped the Chinese government would take drastic action now to stop the deadly contagion of American capitalistic greed before it becomes unstoppable and devastates the Chinese society. The simple but effective remedy is to execute doctors who commit fraudulent and predatory practices (such as charging large sums for unnecessary or unperformed tests, procedures, treatments, drugs, etc., excessive and fake billing, fake medical record, lies about patient condition, malpractice, misinformation, misrepresentation, etc.) and execute hospital owners who participate in the organized crime and seize their assets to pay victims. Doctors and hospitals that commit outrageous and malicious illegal practices must be put to death and put out of business. There are already American and Western doctors and dentists who practice medicine in China’s big cities and charge the rich Chinese high fees (many times what Chinese public hospitals charge). This dual medical system cannot be tolerated in a just society. Do not allow doctors and dentists and hospitals become healthcare terrorists in China. Under the Chinese legal system, no one is allowed to prey on another person. Do not let the Chinese health-care system fall into the monopolistic, fraudulent, abusive and oppressive and most costly health-care like that of the United States which sucks the blood of American people and bankrupted millions of American families with impunity.
Chinese businesses are usually more honest. When I first went to China in 1985 the morality of Chinese people was so high that they would not even defraud or overcharge you ¥1. Since then American greedy capitalism has infected China severely and the morality of Chinese people has gone down rapidly. Today there maybe some Chinese crooks who would defraud you gladly for millions of dollars and laugh at it as an achievement. A small example for your information: On April 15, 2013 I went shopping at Shanghai Yuyuan Garden at the basement of a commercial building. The woman shop owner said, Panasonic Rechargeable Shaver (ES-RW30) is sold outside at ¥400-500; she sold to me for ¥350. To my shocking I discovered the same Panasonic Shaver is sold at ¥299 at Carrefour Supermarket. Yuyuan shops do not give receipt and do not refund. I called the male store owner and he would not acknowledge it was a lie and would not give refund. Carrefour already makes a profit of the Panasonic Shaver at the price of ¥299, the dishonest woman on top of it defrauded extra profit of ¥51. Sadly, man would be willing to go to hell for a lie of ¥51. The lesson learned: It is not wise to believe what Chinese merchants say. You should know the product and the price before you buy. Carrefour probably would be a good reference point of price comparison.
I bought a scale from the store of a woman. The battery needed to be replaced, the woman said 8 yuan a piece; I bargained for 5 yuan, she said no on account it was a good quality battery. Then I found out and bought a set of five of the same kind battery for only 5 yuan, which is 1 yuan a piece. I returned the 8 yuan battery intact (without use or open) ten minutes later for refund; the woman refused and claimed hers was superior, although it was the same kind. How China has changed. The China I knew in 1985 is not the China I know today. Can a human go the Hell for lying for 8 yuan? Over the years I have discovered people in government and business regularly and habitually lie. Even people of small business lie. This is what Jesus says,
Mat 5:26 , “Truly I say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid up the last cent.”
Note: Cent in Greek is kodrantēs , which means in the New Testament a coin equal to one half the Attic chalcus worth about 3/8 of a cent. In business, a woman was willing to lie for 8 yuan. How sad it is! How cheap is the human value! Wall Street in 2008 economic and financial crisis cheated $50 trillion . Doctors and hospital owners and other healthcare providers annually and routinely cheat billions of dollars OR trillions.
Rev 21:8 , “But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
The year 2020 was perhaps the most critical in American history. The American government has declared to defend Japan against China. Poor Americans do not know to have war with China would mean a global nuclear holocaust of mutual destruction. The biggest American enemies are not outsiders; they are those who are in power – those who are leading the nation to decline and self-destruction. Americans need to rise up to change leaders and change the course of direction, change the wrong system and wrong way of life, and change America from pursuing world domination to pursuing peace and harmony and prosperity in the world! If Americans do nothing, there is no one to blame but themselves. If Americans choose war, death and destruction, God would not help them.
Isn’t it strange that the U.S. which is located in North America but its forces are maintaining a naval base in the Philippine province of Zambales? The motive is transparent when the South China Sea is endowed with oil and gas deposits, rich fishing grounds and proximity to busy commercial sea lanes and above all for its strategic importance. It is reported the current wise and brave president of the Philippines wants to sever military ties with America. Do not let a rat enter into the elephant ear.
Psa 10:7 , “His mouth is full of curses and deceit and oppression; under his tongue is mischief and wickedness.”
Note: This Scripture describes the mouth of the wicked, fitly describes the mouths of evil leaders. The Scripture fits the description of the statements of supremacists, imperialists, hegemonists, militarists, warmongers, capitalists and their agents and journalists. China is wise to prepare for the inevitable. Alert! Let the world beware. The maneuver of the U.S. and its allies look increasingly ominous and dangerous.
The islands and territorial waters of the South China Sea belong to China longer than the United States existed and much much longer than Japan, Australia, United Kingdom, etc. became a nation.
China does not seek enemy and does not want war, but if any nation thinks and acts as if it can violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China under the nuclear umbrella of the sole superpower, it will be a great blunder of immense consequences. Historically, the U.S. has wronged China too many times already, including the Taiwan issue. This may be the last straw that breaks the camel’s back. China will be resolute and never again let the imperialists trample on China. The 1.45 billion Chinese world-wide will rise up to support Chinese leaders and defend the fatherland at any cost that the world has never witnessed before. China is able to defend itself and protect its territory. Let no nation think a nuclear war is a child play because it means the end of the world.
Gal 5:19-21 , “Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.”
Note: These Scriptures list 15 deeds of the flesh; those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Those who will not inherit the Kingdom of God will go into Hell.
As I understand the Scripture, those who make fake ads, in particular medical ads that threaten health and life, will go into Hell. There are some outrageous people even dare to use the name of the Chinese People’s Court to use telephone messages to defraud people will also go into Hell. I also understand those who falsify books and records, alter receipts and revenues, etc. to defraud and mislead the public will go into Hell. People who manufacture deadly drug, food and drink that harm or kill people will go into Hell.
For example, various types of powdered infant formula have killed babies.
Of some 6,500 swindling spams (not advertising) I have received through e-mails and messages since the Christmas season of 2011, most of them are Africans and Muslims, most are women black and white, some Muslims call themselves doctors, some Muslims call themselves princes, a few call themselves princesses, one calls himself a prince with an English name, most are Nigerian con artists, some whites, many women who want to sell their bodies, few men want to sell sex, one Chinese, one crook from Taiwan offering phony partnership, one used the name of the United Nations Office to beg for money (the beggar has an English name), a Microsoft Award of Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand Great British Pound (£950,000.00) from the Event Manager Dr. Christopher Baker, Australian National Lottery Department cash prize of $1,000,000 even though you never play the lottery with a winning ticket number, EUROPEAN LOTTERY WINNING NOTIFICATION of TWO MILLION EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS ($2,800,000.00) from JAMES WALTER even you never bought a ticket, a cheque of $500,000 approved by the World Bank director Robert Zoellick from KRISTINALINA .G SECRETARY GENERAL of WORLD BANK for no reason, various investment scams and phony business proposals, phony winning of lottery without buying or awards, one who calls himself a pastor in Sweden, and two who claimed to be pastors want to do business with me by selling my products (writings) although I preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ for free, most shamelessly call their intended victims dearest, all demand urgent attention. Their methods of deception vary: some appeal in the name of charity, some sheer begging, most use baits, a few even use the name of God in vain – they are all liars and swindlers. These shameless, lawless, artless, senseless, wicked and conscienceless people have only one in common; they con people for money, money, and money. Some women solicit sex for money. Deviousness and shamelessness characterize all scam artists and swindlers. These swindlers are so shameless, low, degenerate and depraved that they even ask their intended victims to trust them. They are everything what a human being should not be; the scums of the earth. They lie and lie and lie because they are the children of the father of lies, the children of darkness.
The crux of fraud through spams is that crooks and criminals fraudulently offer you money as bait, but their intent is to defraud lots of money from you. Using money as a bait to get money is a satanic trick, because what these con artists offer you are empty false promises, what they will get from you is real money. So wise up, do not fall into the trap. The best thing is to mark their e-mails as “spam” and delete them without even reading because they are not worth wasting your time. The origins of these crooks and criminals reflect the true color and character of their countries and cultures.
Scam and spam through email is predominantly committed by one racial and religious group. They are the shameless scums of the earth, the enemies of truth, the parasites of humanity, and the children of darkness. They have no shame, no sense, no self-esteem, no scruples – they exist to deceive, defraud and debase.
Now Chinese in Singapore (probably Singaporeans) also engaged in global scam, using the name of RHB BANK Singapore. There are so many evil people and liars in the world. Remind you hell is the bottomless pit with infinite capacity! A Singaporean claimed he works as an External auditor of RHB BANK Singapore and a family member of mine left behind an estate/capital of USD12.5 Million. Singapore is known to be a law and order city state, it is time RHB BANK Singapore take Freddie Chee Ng to court to be prosecuted.
Spams used to be the defrauding game of Africans, now Europeans and Americans also get into the very act. The following is a real example of a spam. To evaluate a spam, you need to do internal and external evidence check analysis.
(1)． Internal
There are many inconsistencies and inappropriate and illogical statements with incongruous procedure.
A. The man who calls him a pastor in Sweden wrote me the following e-mail without specified the name to.
B. “I am the new beneficiary of partner.” – This does not specify who is the partner, who was the “old beneficiary.”
C. “I am contacting you in respect of compensation.” – I do not work for any of them, so compensation does not exist. You do not get something for nothing.
D. “I was related of your formal participation longed to run a transaction which failed you at a stage.” – I never had a formal participation, nor any transaction which failed at a stage (whatever stage).
E. “I have received the amount to start my project.” – He did not specify receive what amount from whom to start what project; anyhow it does not concern me; it must be a simple and pure bait.
F. “I hope you should thank God with me in succeeding the privilege, through the instruction of your partner that you were the first person to have had the accomplishment of this transaction with him but for one reason and another you could not achieve the process.” – This gobbledygook comes right from hell, using the name of God in vain, since I never had a partner. The deceitful process gets deeper and darker.
G. “Admitting to his guide lines I dropped a cashier cheque of “HALF A MILLION” Five Hundred Thousand Dollar (500, 000.00 Dollar) for your compensation.” – Deliberately “his guide lines” does not identify the person, perhaps is the devil disguised as an angel of light. He dropped a cashier check of half a million, amazing – maybe it dropped right back to hell. Again, a hallucination that anyone can be compensated for nothing.
H. “Being that I am busy with my project and I have no address or your destination you should contact my representative in Burkina Faso Mr. Adams.Kabour to receive the cashier cheque or transfer the cash to you under your instruction through; Email; mr_adamskabouri01@yahoo.co.jp ” – How convenient to be busy in dropping half a million dollar, it gets more and more ludicrous and ridiculous. How could a man being a pastor of church in Sweden having no address? The name of his representative is of great suspect, and the country mentioned is in Africa abnormally strange in relation to Sweden.
(2). No waste of time is needed to go into further analysis. I waste my time so that you will not be fooled.
(3). As regards external evidence, my friends in Scandinavia can easily verify the identity of the man who calls himself a pastor in Sweden.
There is an international ring of organized crime to defraud and scam people who are gullible, because the con artists always use large sum of money of fictitious existence as a bait. Only fools fall into their traps.
(4). Yahoo email service should not be made available to crooks and criminals who swindle and defraud unsuspecting people in the world. I wonder why Yahoo knowingly carries spams nonetheless.
FELLOWSHIP GREETING TO YOU,
FROM: Pas Lsolss
TO:
Saturday, February 25, 2012 7:27 PM
FELLOWSHIP GREETING TO YOU,
You are reading from Pastor. Nils W. Olsson, the G. O. S of Agape Love Ministry, Sweden (Sverige). I am the new beneficiary of partner. I am contacting you in respect of compensation. I was related of your formal participation longed to run a transaction which failed you at a stage. I have received the amount to start my project.
I hope you should thank God with me in succeeding the privilege, through the instruction of your partner that you were the first person to have had the accomplishment of this transaction with him but for one reason and another you could not achieve the process. Admitting to his guide lines I dropped a cashier cheque of “HALF A MILLION” Five Hundred Thousand Dollar (500, 000.00 Dollar) for your compensation. Being that I am busy with my project and I have no address or your destination you should contact my representative in Burkina Faso Mr. Adams. Kabour to receive the cashier cheque or transfer the cash to you under your instruction through; Email; mr_adamskabouri01@yahoo.co.jp
Write me back sooner or later you receive the cashier cheque. Moreover it will later be a great pleasure to know you in person maybe I can visit you or you pay me a visit in my church in Sweden.
Thank you very much and may good God continue to shower his abundant blessing upon us and every member of your family.
Pastor. Nils W. Olsson. ____________________________________________________________
The following probably is the most incredible spam I have ever received so far because it claims to be from the World Bank president Jim Yong Kim which I copied exactly from the email received. Notice the email does not address my name personally. Without name is a trick of mass production for mass circulation.
Attention / From World Bank
Hide Details
FROM:
· Jim Yong Kim
Message flagged
Thursday, August 9, 2012 5:09 PM
Attention / From World Bank RE/NO: 002-Rbs/0047/2012
Attention
On behalf of the entire staff of the World Bank and the United Kingdom in collaboration with IMF and EU Office. We apologize for the delay of your contract payment, and all the inconveniences you encountered while pursuing this payment. However, from the records of outstanding due payment with the United Kingdom, your name was discovered as next on the list of the outstanding beneficiary who have not yet received their payments.
I wish to inform you now that the square peg is now in square hole and your payment is being processed and will be released to you as soon as you respond to this letter via diplomatic means of payment. so if you like to receive your fund this way, please let us know by contacting Diplomat Allan Bowler, and also re-confirm to him the following information’s, in order to proceed immediately:
Your Full Name: ______________________________ Your Contact House Address: ______________________ Name of City of Residence:_______________________________ Country:____________________________________ Direct Telephone Number:________________________ Mobile Number:____________________________________ Working Identity Card/Int’l Passport:________________________________ AGE: ________________________________ OCCUPATION: ________________________________ However, kindly find below the contact person: Diplomat Allan Bowler A Diplomatic Agent by profession Email: deliveredofficeuk@voila.fr
Note that from the record in the file, your outstanding payment is US$5,500,000.00 (Five Million five hundred United States Dollars). So as soon as the you re-confirm to Diplomat Allan Bowler the above mentioned details, your fund will be deliver to you immediately via diplomatic means of delivery without any holdup.
You are hereby advice to stop dealing with some non-officials in the bank as this is an illegal act and will have to stop if you so wish to receive your payment immediately. We discovered with dismay that your payment has been unnecessarily Delayed by corrupt officials of the Bank who are Trying to divert your funds into their private accounts. You are further advised to STOP further contact with any offices or agency related on your transactions and in your best interest.
Yours Sincerely, Jim Yong Kim World Bank president
—————————–
Crooks and criminals get bolder and bolder, more and more blatant. Here is a case of using the name of the secretary of the United Nations:
UNITED NATIONS 2012/2013 SCAM VICTIMS COMPENSATION PAYMENT VIA OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL OVERSIGHT SERVICES Internal Audit, Monitoring, Consulting And Investigations Division. website http:http://www.un.org/sg/biography.shtml
Attn: Funds Beneficiary,
With all due respect, Ban Ki-moon is the eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations; I wish to inform you that I just arrived London The United Kingdom few days ago with the United Nation Deputy-Secretary General (JAN ELIASSON) on a two days official visit to London with the queen of England, but was directed to Central London-England, United Kingdom yesterday from Manchester on a special duty, after series of complains from the FBI and other Security agencies from Asia, Europe, Oceania, Antarctica, South America and the United States of America respectively, against the Federal Government of Nigeria and the British Government for the rate of scam Activities going on in these two nations..
I have spoken with the adviser on international matters to the Prime minister here in London and have also spoken to the president of Nigeria Dr. Good luck Jonathan of Nigeria since the problem originated from Nigeria which he is the president of “On our telephone conversation, He told me that he has been trying his best to make sure you receive your fund since the assumption of office as the president sometime this year. Right now,i am the secretary general Mr. Ban Ki-Moon after his recent meeting with the President of America on his recent trip to America for the United Nation Peace keeping talk with the world leaders, We are working in collaborations with the Republic of Ghana cybercrime Commission (GCC) and have decided to waive away all your clearance fees/Charges and authorize the Government of England through an apex bank here in England to effect the payment of your compensation of an amount of (US$3.6 Million United state Dollar) approved by the UNITED NATION,
Sincerely, you are a lucky person because I have just discovered that some top Nigerian and British Government Officials are interested in your fund and they are working in collaboration with One FAKE ROBERT MUILLER who claimed to work with the FBI from USA to frustrate you and there after divert your fund into their personal account. On the acceptance of this email, I will advise you to reconfirm me with your present phone number and address to enable me cross-check with what I have here in our database.
I have a very limited time to stay in London here so I would like you to urgently respond to this message so that I can advise you on what next to do as soon as you can take care of the Notarization fees of US$400 as written above.
You can contact our United nation agent in LAGOS NIGERIA through this Email address only: (ms5geh01@yahoo.cn)
Yours Sincerely, Mr. Ban Ki-moon. the eighth Secretary-General Of the United Nations
———————– Note: This letter was produced for mass distribution, although I received it but it does not address to me is the proof. This crook cannot spell and use capitalization, etc. The U.N. should investigate and prosecute the so-called United Nation agent in Lagos Nigeria with the email address only listed. Why so many crooks and criminals come from Africa, in particular Nigeria?
Here is a scam in the name of the Prime Minister of Britain. If the United Kingdom has any sense of law and order, it is about time to investigate Rt Hon William Hague MP and Mrs. Elaine Rooker Smith. How ridiculous that a poor British government wants to give me £2,000,000.00 (Two Million, Great British Pounds Sterling)? What a bait and trap for fools!
OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTE R TREASURY AND MINISTER FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, LONDON,UNITED KINGDOM.
Our ref: BRT/3470/IDR our ref:..14/03/2013
BRITISH GOVERNMENT (2013) POVERTY ALLEVIATION AND FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM.
On Behalf of the British Government, i wish to inform you of your selection as one of the Beneficiary for the on going 2013 British Government Poverty Alleviation and Financial Empowerment Program worldwide. All participants/beneficiaries were selected randomly from Worldwide online networks Directories as a beneficiary of £2,000,000.00 (Two Million, Great British Pounds Sterling).
So, this letter is to officially inform you that two(2) option of payment has been opened for you. 1) Issuance of an ATM Card 2) Bank Wire transfer
Please do indicate your PAYMENT OPTION.
As this office will mail you a Visa/ATM CARD which you will use to withdraw your funds in any ATM MACHINE CENTER or Visa card outlet in the world with a maximum of £5000 GBP daily or our contracted paying bank here in London, United Kingdom will make the transfer to you depending on your OPTION OF PAYMENT you have indicated. Further more, You will be required to re-confirm your Bio-Data as stated below to enable; Rt Hon William Hague MP, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, begin in processing your awarded funds.
Forward all your details reply to: ——————————————————- Rt Hon William Hague MP Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs ukgovt_ssfca@hotmail.co.uk Tel:+44 703-592-5923 Fax:+44-742-356-7161 ——————————————————
Regards, Mrs. Elaine Rooker Smith. Liaison Officer On Foreign Payment
———————————————————————————-
(A). The Greek word for immorality is porneia which means illicit sexual intercourse, adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animals etc., sexual intercourse with close relatives, Lev Chapter 18; sexual intercourse with a divorced man or woman,
Mar 10:11-12 , “And He said to them: Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her; and if she herself divorces her husband and marries another man, she is committing adultery.”
Note: In the West people practice a wrong way of marriage, not only they divorce, even preachers divorce. Divorced men are not qualified to be ministers or pastors. A divorced man or woman who remarries commits adultery, as defined by Jesus Christ. Those who are guilty of immorality will go into Hell.
(B). The Greek word for impurity is akatharsia which means physical uncleanness, impurity of lustful, luxurious, profligate living; of impure motives; – it occurs 10 times in the New Testament. Those who are guilty of impurity will go into Hell.
(C). The Greek word for sensuality is aselgeia which means unbridled lust, excess, licentiousness, lasciviousness, wantonness, outrageousness, shamelessness, insolence, molestation; – it occurs 9 times in the New Testament. I believe those who sexually molest children commit this deed of flesh. Those who are guilty of sensuality will go into Hell.
(D). The Greek word for idolatry is eidōlolatria which means the worship of false gods, formal sacrificial feats held in honor of false gods (as Taiwanese do to their local god which I have no pleasure to name); avarice, as a worship of Mammon; – it occurs 4 times in the New Testament. Those who are guilty of idolatry will go into Hell.
(E). The Greek word for sorcery is pharmakeia which means the use or the administering of addictive or hallucinative drugs, magical or black arts, often found in connection with idolatry and fostered by it, deceptions and seductions of idolatry; – it occurs 3 times in the New Testament. I believe people who consult astrologers, fortunetellers, fengshui masters, evil spirits, spirits of the dead, etc. are guilty of sorcery. Those who are guilty of sorcery will go into Hell.
(F). The Greek word for enmity is echthra which means hatred, hostility, animosity; – it occurs 6 times in the New Testament. Warmongers, aggressors, oppressors, supremacists, hegemonists, imperialists, colonialists, militarists, and terrorists are guilty of this deed of the flesh. There age people who hate China and bent on destruction of China without cause. Many white supremacists are jealous of China’s spectacular successes and achievements and so they harbor animosity and enmity against China. As a matter of fact it was the Western powers since the infamous Opium War that oppressed and abused and threatened China even today. America is leading a wild pack of nations in preparation for war against China in order to be the supreme power in Asia Pacific and in order to seize the natural resources of the South China Sea and the East China Sea. Those who are guilty of enmity will go into Hell. American leaders since the infamous Opium Wars had demonstrated enmity towards China, intensified in 1949 by sending the 7th Fleet to protect the defeated Chiang Kai-shek’s regime, prevented Taiwan from reunification with Mainland China, making Taiwan an American colony and Taiwanese leaders American running dogs. In 1971 American leaders violated international law and China’s sovereignty by illegally giving administrative control of China’s Diaoyu Islands to the unconditionally surrendered war crime nation of Japan. Because of enmity towards China and pursuit of world domination, the U.S. re-militarized Japan, changed its peace constitution into War constitution and armed Japan with the most advanced weaponry, and support Philippines and Vietnam to launch a coming war of aggression against China in order to rob China’s territories and loot China’s resources.
The doctrine of intervention is diabolical and destructive in nature. Intervention is not a prevalent principle of foreign policy; it is the foreign policy of imperial aggression. Intervention can never be a principle of national security, self-defense is. Humanitarian intervention has been used as a pretext of military aggression by the West against Libya no matter how unpleasant was the dictator. Imperial and hegemonic leaders have used national security as phony reasons for aggression and world domination. No national interest of one nation can violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of another nation. For that reason the US-Taiwan Relations Act, Taiwan Act, and Hong Kong Act are illegal and unconstitutional because they have violated the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China, and unconstitutional because it is beyond the U.S. jurisdiction. The United States has neither jurisdiction nor authority to make laws involving and enslaving other sovereign states.
No nation has the right to force so-called democratic reconstruction on any other nation. The lodestar of any national policy should be seeking peace and harmony and respect for the sovereignty of all nations big and small. There is no consensus that the United States is morally obliged to align with revolutionary movements in any part of the world as a kind of compensation for Cold War policies. American Cold War policies created conflict and wars in many parts of the world. As a compensation the U.S. should pay to those nations it has wronged. It is a pretext to divide nations as between democratic and non-democratic government. Who has the conscience to say the U.S. government is democratic when it serves the narrow interests of special groups? It is a vicious and malicious concept that any nation that sides its alliance with the U.S. is democratic, and that any nation that rejects the U.S. policy of world domination is undemocratic. Any nation that uses security objectives to engage in wars of aggression is fundamentally evil. It is none of American business whether the government of a nation is fragile or not. The right thing is that whatever the U.S. does should not generate short-or-long term international instability. Every nation should mind its own business; it has no right to intervene in the internal affairs of other nations. Policies do not exist because they have utility; for example the U.S. “containment of China” policy exists since 1949. It is an evil policy because it violates the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China. Taiwan is a case in point. Hong Kong is another point. To support Dalai Lama and Tibet riots, and rebellions in Xinjiang, and stirring up discontent in Hong Kong, etc. are examples of evil deeds. The policy may have utility of an evil empire, but it is immoral and wicked nonetheless.
The prevalent principles of U.S. foreign policy are unacceptable and completely wrong if not malicious. U.S. military efforts have been used to suppress and oppress weaker nations for the self-interest of America. American national security has been the excuse and pretext of so many unjustified military conflicts and wars in recent history. The so-called humanitarian intervention is the most outrageously hypocritical and highfalutin of the misguided U.S. policy. Democratic reconstruction may be in American interest, definitely not the lodestar of the nation involved. The litmus test between democracy and other forms of government is whether or not ordinary people — in a democracy, citizens — are in charge. They, in some sense, choose what the government does. In reality, the Western powers practice phony democracy where 1 percent of population controls and dictates 99 percent of people. A universal ideology should be peace and prosperity. Any democratic value will have to be judged by its outcome, not its propaganda or proclamations; by its destination, not its origin. It is indefensible and unsustainable to link a concept of American national security to a doctrine of general humanitarian intervention.
It is facetious and vicious to assume America is a nation good by nature and all its interventions are good in practice. God does not grant right to the U.S. to transform any nation. In the first place, the U.S. is no model for the world. The U.S. is not in a position to evaluate the old or new regime of any nation. The U.S. is obligated to clean its own house and cut down its big deficits and debt and practices of injustice and discrimination. The U.S. has no right to threaten any other nation as it has threatened China and Russia. The world does not care about U.S. public opinion. The world cares about justice, harmony, peace and prosperity. No nation is under any obligation to be compatible with America’s core strategic interests in whatever region. By admitting that the U.S. has core strategic interests in a certain region implies America is really an empire with intent of world domination. It does not matter whether America has preference as to which groups come to power in any nation. It does matter whether which groups come to power in any nation are supported by the great majority. The doctrine of universal humanitarian intervention, if it exists, must exist in the frame work of the United Nations, not in any power imperial or democratic. The issue is not whether any intervention is humanitarian or not, the issue is whether it is legal or not. The sole superpower being the hegemon of the world is not acceptable or desirable under the pretext of humanitarian and democratic values. Intervention in internal affairs of other nation by definition is unlawful and illegal. Intervention of any kind, political or military, by definition disturbs international order and violates humane institution.
Rev 22:15 , “Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.”
Note: Outside of Heaven are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying. The Greek word for dog is kyōn which means the canine animal, sodomite, a man of impure mind, an impudent man; – it occurs 5 times in the New Testament. There will be no dog in heaven. The Greek word for sorcerer is pharmakos which means a person who practices black magic or sorcery; – it occurs only once in the New Testament. All those who possess and practice evil supernatural powers will go into Hell. You witness sorcery in Africa, India and other Asian and Latin American nations among primitive peoples. The Greek word for immoral person is pornos, it is the same original word used as fornicator in 1Cr 6:9. Immoral persons will go into Hell. The Greek word for murderer is phoneus which means one who committed a homicide, a killer; – it occurs 7 times in the New Testament. Warmongers are the mass murderers, they will go into Hell. Serial killers will also go into Hell. The word idolaters in the original word used in Rev 22:15 is also used in 1Cr 6:9 . Idolaters will go into Hell.
The Greek word for lying is pseudos which means a lie, conscious and intentional falsehood, deceiving with a treacherous purpose; – it occurs 9 times in the New Testament. The fraudulent billing of doctors and hospital is a conscious and intentional falsehood, deceiving poor patients to fleece and bankrupt them. All doctors, hospital owners, drug and insurance companies, labs and medical suppliers who habitually lie will be outside of the Kingdom of God and go straight into Hell. The economic and financial crisis beginning in 2008 was created by Wall Street executives who looted the world more than $50 trillion, the biggest fraud ever perpetrated in history. Supremacists and hegemonists have started many unjust wars with lies and have killed millions of people since the infamous Opium Wars, they earn the deepest Hell. Terrorists and warmongers will go into Hell, the depths of Hell. Everyone who loves and practices lying will go into Hell. Do you know any political leader and official who do not lie? Do you know any rich and powerful people who do not lie?
A journalist wrote, “Among the attributes I most envy in a public man (or woman) is the ability to lie. If that ability is coupled with no sense of humor, you have the sort of man who can be a successful football coach, a CEO or, when you come right down to it, a presidential candidate. Such a man is Mitt Romney… A marathon of debates and an eon of campaigning have toughened and honed Romney. He commands the heights of great assurance, and he knows, as some of us learn too late in life, that the truth is not always a moral obligation but sometimes merely what works. He often cites his business background as commending him for the presidency. That’s his forgivable absurdity. Instead, what his career has given him is the businessman’s concept of self — that what he does is not who he is. This is what enables the slumlord to be a charitable man. This is what enables the corporate raider to endow his university. Business is business. It’s what you do. It is not who you are. Lying isn’t a sin. It’s a business plan.”
Sad and tragic is the American way of life. Sad and dirty is American politics. Such is the abnormality and absurdity of American mentality. Do you know any American president or who wants to be president that does not lie? Let Christians everywhere beware this is contrary to the teaching of Jesus Christ.
Jhn 8:44 , “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
Clearly Jesus Christ defines liars and killers as children of the devil.
1Jo 2:21, “I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie is of the truth.”
1Cr 6:9-10 , “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the Kingdom of God.” The Word of God speaks clearly; I do not need to explain.
1Ti 1:9-10 , “We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers–and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine.”
A terrorist said he was proud to kill in the name of God. Absolutely not, no killer has done in the name of God, for the Devil was the first killer and all killers are children of the Devil. “The righteous servants of Allah inherit the world.” The god of evil religion is a false god who is unrighteous. The children of devil will not inherit the world. Jesus Christ says,
Mat 5:5 , “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
Warmongers and terrorists will not inherit the earth, they will be sent to Hell for eternal punishment.
Mat 5:22 , “But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother: Raca! shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says: You fool! shall be in danger of Hell fire.”
Note: Those who say: God is love, and therefore there is no hell, think again what Jesus Christ says. Again and again Jesus warns of Hell fire.
Mat 23:15, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of Hell as yourselves. ”
Note: There are many sons of Hell among American and European leaders and politicians. Jesus Christ calls a religious hypocrite a son of Hell. Preachers of prosperity gospel have private planes to travel to preach the false gospel to get rich. Even among the sons of Hell, some are worse than others. So Hell has different levels of depth for punishment, the deepest Hell for the worst of sinners. Judas the traitor deserves the deepest, so with all false prophets and false preachers and false teachers and false brothers.
2Pe 2:4-19, “For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to Pits of Darkness, reserved for judgment; and did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; and if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly lives thereafter; and if He rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the Day of Judgment, and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, they do not tremble when they revile angelic majesties, whereas angels who are greater in might and power do not bring a reviling judgment against them before the Lord. But these, like unreasoning animals, born as creatures of instinct to be captured and killed, reviling where they have no knowledge, will in the destruction of those creatures also be destroyed, suffering wrong as the wages of doing wrong. They count it a pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are stains and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, as they carouse with you, having eyes full of adultery that never cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having a heart trained in greed, accursed children; forsaking the right way, they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; but he received a rebuke for his own transgression, for a mute donkey, speaking with a voice of a man, restrained the madness of the prophet. These are springs without water and mists driven by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved. For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved.”
Note: Peter gives a detailed description and explanation of the sons of Hell. Executives of Wall Street, Washington, and Hollywood are most arrogant people on earth and they love the wages of unrighteousness. If God did not spare angels when they sinned, why would God spare sinners who are lower creatures? Hell is the Pit of Darkness. God did not spare the ancient world and brought flood to destroy it, only saving eight persons. Supremacists and imperialists promised freedom but they destroyed and enslaved hundreds of millions of people. They are slaves of money, power and sex.
Needless to say, those who violate the Ten Commandments will go into Hell.
Rom 1:18-32 ,“For the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.”
The Scriptures cited above reinforce and further explain who will go into Hell. They are clearly self-explanatory. These are serious matters, there cannot be any mistaken idea about who will go into Hell. However, the words in the original language are further explained so that you will not misunderstand their meanings.
(1). Rom 1: 18-20 declares those who do not believe in creation (evolutionists) will go into Hell.
(2). Rom 1:20-25 declares those who worship idols (idolaters) will go into Hell.
(3). Rom 1:26-27 declares homosexuals and sodomites will go into Hell.
(4). Rom 1:28-32 declares those who commit varieties of sin will also go into Hell.
(5). Rom 1:18, ungodliness in Greek is asebeia which means lack of reverence towards God, impiety, ungodly thoughts and deeds, works of ungodliness. Unrighteousness in Greek is adikia which means injustice, a deed violating law and justice, unrighteousness of heart and life，iniquity, unjust act. Ungodly and unrighteous men always suppress the truth.
(6). Rom 1:20, without excuse in Greek is anapologētos which means without defense, that which cannot be defended, inexcusable. Ungodly and unrighteous men are without excuse.
(7). Rom 1:21, foolish in Greek is asynetos which means unintelligent, without understanding, stupid. The heart of the wick ed is foolish and darkened.
(8). Rom 1:23, corruptible in Greek is phthartos which means perishing, liable to corruption, mortal.
(9). Rom 1:24, lust in Greek is epithymia which means desire, craving, longing, desire for what is forbidden. People who have lusts and impurity in their hearts dishonor their bodies.
(10). Rom 1:26 , passion in Greek is pathos which refers passionate deed, depraved passion, vile passion, passion of lust. Degrading passions are unnatural.
(11). Rom 1:27, indecent act in Greek is aschēmosynē which means an unseemly deed, shameful deed. Homosexuality is unnatural and shameful. Homosexuality is a wrong way of life.
(12). Rom 1:28, depraved in Greek is adokimos which means not standing the test, not approved, that which does not prove itself such as it ought, unfit for, unproved, spurious, reprobate, rejected, castaway. A depraved mind is a damned mind. Those who practice those things listed in the Scriptures are damned.
(13). Rom 1:30, haters of God are ungodly, unrighteous, unnatural, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful.
1Cr 15:50, “Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.”
Note: Sinners are flesh and blood and they cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. Men are mortal and cannot inherit the immortal.
Many deceive themselves in thinking they are not mass murderers, warmongers, rapists, terrorists, etc. and so they will not go to Hell. What you think who should go to Hell does not count. What God says who will go to Hell matters. Just go over the list of God and be warned of eternal damnation.
VI. You don’t have to go to Hell.
Rev 1:17-18 ,“When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying: Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the Living One. I am He who lives, and was dead; and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hell.”
Note: The notion that Satan rules in Hell is absolutely wrong. It is Jesus Christ who has the keys of death and of Hell. The devil and his agents shall be tormented in Hell forever. The Greek word for key is kleis which denotes power and authority of various kinds; – it occurs 6 times in the New Testament. Keys symbolize the authority and power to open and shut and to control over them. There are two keys: the key of death and the key of Hell. Jesus Christ has absolute authority and power over death and Hell. Thus Jesus Christ is able to save you and me from death and Hell. He who lives and was dead and alive forevermore is the Lord and Savior. John Calvin was wrong, and God did not predestinate some people to go to Hell. The good news is you do not have to go to Hell. All you have to do is to repent and believe in Jesus Christ. You can be saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Act 10:42 , “And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead.”
Note: Jesus Christ who rose from the dead has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and dead.
Rom 2:16 , “On the day when, according to my Gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.”
Note: God not only knows the secrets (evil deeds) of America, Europe, Japan and terrorists, God will judge them. When Jesus Christ returns to the world, that is the Day of Judgment when He will judge the world. God knows the secrets of men, their thoughts, words and deeds. It is not possible to have a cover-up or denial. The American legal system is so flawed that judges would routinely make ‘not guilty’ plea on behalf of crooks and criminals. But no one can escape the judgement of God.
Rev 20:13-14, “And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and Hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and Hell were cast into the Lake of Fire. This is the second death.” The second death is eternal death; dying every moment, but not completely dead.
Note: Jesus Christ will judge every man according to their works or deeds, their thoughts and words. The final punishment is the second death which is the eternal death.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ proclaims the way of salvation to you. If you don’t know how terrible Hell is, you cannot know how wonderful Heaven is. The way of salvation is the way of God. The salvation of God can only be known by way of revelation. God has inaugurated a new and living way through Jesus Christ who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. There is no other way. Outside of Jesus Christ there is no salvation.
Act 4:12 , “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under Heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”
Note: Here is the good news, the true meaning of Christmas, that you can be saved by the name of Jesus Christ through faith and repentance. Despite John Calvin, a false teacher, who taught that God predestinated a certain group of people go to Hell; Jesus guarantees if you come to Him, He will not throw you out.
VII. How can anyone be saved from Hell?
(A). Know that you are a sinner unable to save yourself.
Rom 3:23 ,“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Note: There is no exception, all have sinned, that is why all will die for the wages of sin is death. Not only you cannot save yourself, no one can save you either. But there is hope; when Christ was born, hope was born.
(B). God loves you and gave His Son to be our Savior.
Jhn 1:29 , “The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said: Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
Note: The Son of God became the Lamb of God who died for our sins on the cross in order to take away the sin of the world. Jesus died for sinners in order to save us from our sins and to obtain the forgiveness of sins; the Righteous died for the unrighteous. Jesus rose again from the dead in order to fulfil the righteousness of God so that all who come to Him may be justified, or to be counted righteous before God.
(C). Believe and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
Mar 1:15, “And saying: The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel.”
Note: Belief requires repentance. Repentance is to turn away from sin and darkness and turn to God. Be sorry for your sins and have a change of heart. Belief is to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior with all your heart.
Rom 10:9 , “That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Note: The Greek word for confess is homologeō which means to admit or declare openly and freely, agree with, being convinced to be true; – it occurs 24 times in the New Testament. The Greek word for believe is pisteuō which means to think to be true, to be persuaded of, place confidence in, trust; – it occurs 248 times in the New Testament. The Christian faith requires the unity of mouth and heart. If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and Savior and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. It is not your deed or merit, but what Christ has done for you that saves you. This is the greatest Christmas gift from God to have eternal life in Jesus Christ. The good news is you don’t have to go into Hell; you can have Heaven as your eternal home.
There was a false teacher called John Calvin. He taught that God divides mankind into two groups: the Elect, who will be saved and go to Heaven; and the Reprobates, or damned, who will spend eternity in Hell. This doctrine is called predestination.
Don’t worry, in matter of salvation what God says matters. What false teachers, false prophets and unbelieving theologians say do not matter. This is the Word of God, Jhn 3:16,“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son Jesus Christ who came down from Heaven to die on the cross in order to save sinners. God loves you too. God wants to save you, only if you believe in Jesus Christ and accept Him as your Lord and Savior and you will be saved. The word “whoever” in Greek is pas which means all, all men and women and children; anyone; everyone; whatsoever; individually; collectively; the whole; as many as; any and every; the highest degree; the maximum; no matter who; – which occurs 1,410 times in the New Testament. So the word of God “whoever” must include you, and every and anyone who wants to be saved can be saved.
What is more, Jesus Christ, the Savior of mankind, who has the keys of Hell, has the final say: Jhn 6:37,
“All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.” Jesus Christ assures you, all that the Father gives Him and the one who comes to Him, He will certainly not cast out. All means any and everyone, whoever, that includes you. The one who comes to Jesus means anyone and everyone who comes to Jesus, that definitely includes you. “Certainly not” means never. “Cast out” in Greek is ekballō which means to pull out; to drive out; to send out; to kick out; to throw out with violence or force; to expel; to banish; to compel one to depart; to command to depart in haste; to tear out; to draw out; to reject with contempt; to pluck out; to boot out; to send away; – which occurs 84 times in the New Testament. It is very clear, if you come to Jesus Christ for salvation, He will certain not kick you out. I wrote this article so that you will be WARNED,
SO, YOU DON’T HAVE TO GO TO HELL! THAT IS THE GOOD NEWS.
No matter who you are, where you are, or whatever your situation, you can be saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Would you now accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior?
