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BY WILLIE WONG

-This article is written to let you know the wicked are the problems of the world. No wicked peoples, No problems.

Why do the wicked? Evil comes out of the wicked, the origin of evil is the devil. The wicked are children of the devil, like father they exist to do evil.

Western leaders and politicians cannot rest if they do not lie against, do harm, target, sanction and slander China and Russia.

These are stupid questions: What should the United States do about Russia? What should the United States do about China? White and black supremacists ask stupid questions. To achieve strategic stability and just and lasting peace in the world. NOTHING. The United State must do nothing about Russia and China. Leave them alone, do not interfere and meddle in the internal affairs of Russia and China and any other nations. There cannot be a New America until white and black supremacists give up the evil empire and regain the respectable Republic. The United States should mind its own business and solve its pressing problems of dictatorship, abuse of power, corrupt government, climate change, unaccountable bureaucracies, self-serving political parties, foreign policies of aggression and sanction, racial discrimination, legal injustice, police brutality, polarized politics, largest national debts and deficits in the world, largest income gap in the world, massive illegal alien invasion, dysfunctional governance, economic decline, restricted trade and unfair tariffs, high crime rate, public disturbance and unrest, riots and terror, social problems of welfare, drug addiction, unemployment, homeless peoples; run down infrastructure, ineffective educational system, fraudulent and predatory health care system, legal terrorism, monopolistic banking and finance system, low corporate tax, environmental pollution, and waste and fraud in defense, etc.

Jesus Christ never tells the Church to reform the world or any nation. The West represents and practices a wrong version of Christianity in imperialism, colonialism, capitalism, and hegemonism. The Western powers claim to be Christian nations have disgraced and distorted Christianity in the last 500 years. The mission of the Church is to preach and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the whole world. The world will get worse and worse until Jesus Christ returns. Winning souls for Christ and live godly lives and wait for the appearance of our Lord is what every Christian must do in this evil generation. The night is far spent, the dawn is at hand. All theologies are man-made are wrong and flawed, only the Biblical Theology is right. I am for Israel because I am also a son of Abraham.  The God of Israel will protect Israel, we also pray that the Jewish people to come to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Messiah.

9/19/2020

American government needs a baptism of repentance, giving up the evil empire. Cease aggression and warmongering. Cease sanctions and oppression of China, Russia, and many weak nations. Abolish all American foreign military bases more than 700. Stop interfering with the internal affairs of any nation, and mind its own businesses. Honor international laws and agreements and fulfill its responsibilities. Cooperate with the United Nations, WTO, WHO, International Criminal Court of Justice in pursuit of just and lasting peace for the world!

Willie Wong, 9/4/2020

WHAT is a scientific question? HOW is a technological question? WHEN is a chronological question? WHERE is a geographical question? WHICH is an identical question? WHY is a philosophical question, the most difficult of all questions. 

This article is written in an attempt to answer the perennial and persistent philosophical question, Why do the wicked still …….? In the long conflict of good and evil, man is helpless. History attests to the truth that the great majority of people suffer under the hands of the few wicked. On the surface, it seems the world is out of order. 

The Holy Scripture assures us, Psa 47:8:

“God reigns over the nations; God is seated on His holy throne.”

Note: Reign in Hebrew is malak which means to rule; to cause to reign; to take control; to become king; to exercises sovereign power; to have dominion; to have supreme authority; – which occurs 520 times in the Old Testament. It seems people forget that God reigns over the nations including superpower and rules the whole universe. What the wicked do does not disturb or surprise God at all. God is seated on His holy throne. Throne in Hebrew is kicce’ which means royal seat; seat of honor and power; seat of sovereignty; – which occurs 136 times in the Old Testament. Amid the chaos, darkness, violence, difficulty, disturbance in the world, God is at ease with Himself, seated on His holy throne. For God is still in charge, high above all the nations and everything and everyone else.

Job 21:7 ,“ Why do the wicked still live , 
 Continue on, also become very powerful?” 

Note: The wicked in Hebrew is rasha`    which means the criminal,   guilty one, one guilty of crime, hostile to God, guilty of sin (against God or man), morally wrong, an actively bad person, condemned and ungodly; unrighteous; – it occurs 293 times in the Old Testament. Live in Hebrew is  chayah which means to have life, remain alive, sustain life, live prosperously, be alive, to continue safe and sound; – it occurs 322 times in the Old Testament. Continue in Hebrew is `athaq which means to move forward, proceed, move on, to advance in years, become old; – it occurs 11 times in the Old Testament. This reminds me of a wicked Chinese traitor who had lived long . Very powerful in Hebrew is chayil which means of strength or might, strong, mighty, wealthy; – it occurs 245 times in the Old Testament.  There is an ancient philosophical question: “Why do the wicked still live, continue on, also become very powerful?” 

Jer 12:1 , “Righteous are You, O LORD, that I would plead my case with You; Indeed I would discuss matters of justice with You: 
Why has the way of the wicked prospered? 
 Why are all those who deal in treachery at ease?” 

Note: Plead in Hebrew is riyb  which means to strive with word, contend; to conduct a legal case or suit; to make complaint; to quarrel; to plead a cause – it occurs 72 times in the Old Testament. Discuss in Hebrew is  dabar  which means to   speak, declare, converse; to speak with one another, talk; to communicate, put words in order; to consult; – it occurs 1,140 times in the Old Testament. Justice in Hebrew is  mishpat  which means   act of deciding a case; case, cause presented for judgment;  right, rectitude; right or privilege (statutory or customary); due order, doing no unrighteousness in judgment; that which is just, lawful according to law; doing what is right; – it occurs 426 times in the Old Testament. God cares about matters of justice. Prophet Jeremiah had a case, he wanted to talk to God about some matters of justice: Why has the way of the wicked prospered? Why are all those who deal in treachery at ease? Since Abel the first righteous man, all want to know the answers of the Jeremiah’s questions. All suffering saints want to know the answer to those questions. The questions are raised not because of unbelief, but because lack of understanding. It is a confession of ignorance, limitation, and weakness. It is also a confrontation with reality. Our perception is blinded by darkness, ignorance and doubt, as well as disappointment but not despair. It is a fundamental realization of human incompetence and incomprehension of things that matter.  Why …?  Why …? It is not only the ordinary believers having these problems; they are also the problems of prophets and apostles, the strong in faith. The way of the wicked prospered. Prosper in Hebrew is  tsalach which means to advance, make progress, succeed, and be profitable; to push forward; to go on well; to experience prosperity or success; – it occurs 81 times in the Old Testament. The way of the wicked prospers! How uncomfortable! How discouraging! How disappointing! How desperate! 

I.  THE NATURE OF THE WICKED 

1Sa 24:13 ,“As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness‘; but my hand shall not be against you.” 

Note: The wicked in the original language is the same of     Job 21:7. Wickedness in Hebrew is resha`  which means wrong, guilt; wickedness (as violence and crime against civil law); wickedness (in ethical relations); something evil against good; iniquity; fraud, falsehood, unrighteousness; – it occurs 32 times in the Old Testament. This is the eternal truth: Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness. Wickedness comes from the wicked. All the evil in the world comes from evildoers and their father the evil one. It is simple like that, although wickedness and evil are no simple matters. There is mystery in evil just as there is mystery in the Devil. The evil tree bears evil fruits. It is impossible for a good tree to bear bad fruits. A man does wickedness because he is wicked. Funny is the American defense: “I am not bad, I just did bad things.” Good people cannot do bad things. Bad people do bad things is clear as the light. Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness. A warmonger starts war of aggression. A capitalist commits fraud and monopoly. An imperialist colonizes other nations. A terrorist does terrors and kills. 

Job 8:22  ,“Those who hate you will be clothed with shame, 
And the tent of the wicked will be no longer.” 

Note: The nature of the wicked is such that the tent of the wicked will not last. An evil empire will collapse sooner or later. All evil empires come to an end. The house of the wicked will be destroyed. 

Eze 18:20  , “The person who sins will die. The son will not bear the punishment for the father’s iniquity, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son’s iniquity; the righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself.” 

Note: To sin in Hebrew is chata’  which means to miss, miss the way, go wrong, incur guilt; to miss the goal or path of right and duty; to miss the mark; to bring into guilt or condemnation or punishment; to make a false step; to commit trespass; – it occurs 252 times. Sin has consequences. Sin has punishment.  To die in Hebrew is  muwth    which means to be killed, to be executed; to die as penalty, be put to death; to perish, to be destroyed; – it occurs 984 times in the Old Testament. Sin has penalty and the penalty is death. Sin is a personal responsibility. The son will not die for the iniquity of the father; the father will not die for the sin of the son. Iniquity in Hebrew is  `avon   which means  perversity, depravity, guilt or punishment of iniquity; consequence of or punishment for iniquity; fault; mischief; a depraved action; – it occurs 237 times in the Old Testament. The righteous will not die for the wicked; the wicked will die for his sins. The only historical exception is that Jesus Christ the Righteous died for the unrighteous so that sinners can be saved by grace through faith. 

Pro 12:21  , “No harm befalls the righteous, 
But  the wicked are filled with trouble .” 

Note: Harm in Hebrew is ‘aven  which means trouble, wickedness, sorrow; emptiness, vanity; misfortune, adverse circumstances, calamity; – it occurs 77 times in the Old Testament. The idea that the wicked is free of all troubles is false. The wicked rich and powerful are filled with troubles, harms, sorrows, misfortunes and calamities. You must have heard of the calamities of the Kennedy clan. Trouble in Hebrew is  ra`  which means bad, evil (giving pain, unhappiness, misery); harm, affliction; distress, injury, adversity; wretchedness; – it occurs 690 times. You know your own troubles; but the troubles of the wicked you might not know. 

Pro 10:24  , “What the wicked fears will come upon him, 
But the desire of the righteous will be granted.” 

Note: I can testify to the grace and mercy of the Lord. There was a time when economy was so bad in America and millions were unemployed and even Ph.D.s could not find a  job; I was afraid to become a beggar. Thanks for the promise of God: the descendants of the righteous will not beg for bread.  Psa 37:25 , 

“I have been young and now I am old, 
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken 
Or his descendants begging bread.” 

A white colleague of mine told me he had once looking for food in the garbage can. 

Warmongers, imperialists, capitalists, militarists, monopolists, supremacist, terrorists – the wicked, what you fear will come upon you – so says the Word of God. So do not envy the wicked for their power, position, possessions, luxury and glamour. 

Heb 3:13 , “But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” 

Note: To harden in Greek is sklērynō  which means to make hard; to become obstinate or stubborn; – it occurs 7 times in the New Testament. The wicked is hardened. The wicked becomes obstinate and stubborn. That explains why Japanese leaders deny, deny and deny historical facts of Japanese war crimes, genocide, sex slavery, slave labor, germ warfare, chemical warfare, and inhuman atrocities. That explains why Japanese leaders distort history; whitewash Japanese inglorious past and worship convicted and executed war crime criminals as national heroes and true gods. This explains why the imperialists continue to wage war and threaten China and Russia and having killed millions and millions of innocent peoples since the end of World War II because their hearts are hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. How tragic and terrible is the deceitfulness of sin. Evil  leaders believe by conquest and world domination they can rule and dictate the world. Deceitfulness in Greek is  apatē which means deceit, deceivableness, deception, deceiving; deceitful influence exerted by sin; – it occurs 7 times in the New Testament. Sin is deceitful. Sin deceives sinners. Sin deceives the wicked. The deceitfulness of sin can harden people. American leaders knew it was illegal to give administrative control of Diaoyu Islands of China in 1971 to the unconditionally surrendered war crime nation of Japan; not only they did not apologize and right the wrong; at first Obama said the U.S. took no position on the sovereignty of Diaoyu Islands; later he said American defense treaty with Japan covers Diaoyu Islands. How the deceitfulness of sin has hardened  evil leaders, evil doers and Islamic terrorists. The worst thing is that the wicked people do not realized they are hardened by the deceitfulness of sin; they think they are strong and smart. 

The deceitfulness of sin is so terrible, awful, and horrible that it blinds otherwise intelligent leaders in the most consequential ways: 

1. The evil Western leaders have killed millions and millions of innocent peoples in hundreds of unjust wars and bloody military interventions around the world since the end of World War II to present day, and yet not one American leader (although most American leaders confess to be Christians) admits he is wrong and repents of his sins. They are deceived by the deceitfulness of sin so much so they think they represent good and not evil. They fool themselves in a distorting way in the name of freedom, liberty, democracy, capitalism, rule of law, human rights, and civil rights so incredibly to cover up their evil deeds. They are the devils disguising themselves as angels of light. 
2. American leaders wasted trillions and trillions of dollars in conducting wars, defense and destruction. In fact, there is no nation openly or actually threatens America. What American leaders do is deceived by sin in pursuit of absolute military supremacy and world domination – not defense. 
3. American leaders wasted trillions and trillions in building weapons of mass destruction, all instruments of war, preparations for war and arming Japan, etc. in preparation of the coming war of aggression. 
4. American leaders encircle China and Russia with hundreds of overseas military bases around the world and with most advanced weapons of mass destruction. American leaders are hardened by deceitfulness of sin because they are able to destroy the world in one hour. 
5. American leaders put 65 percent of all its most advanced weaponry and armed forces of more than 360,000 troops stationed in Japan, Singapore, Australia, etc. at China’s doorsteps continuously conducting military exercises with aircraft carriers, 7  ^th  Fleet, nuclear submarines, war planes, spy planes, war ships, and the largest 4 radars (in Japan, Korea, Philippines, Taiwan) intending and targeting to launch attacks on China’s nuclear facilities and aiming to destroy China’s strike back nuclear capabilities. 
6. American leaders deceive themselves in believing and acting they have the right to conduct military operations in the territorial and defense zones of other nations. China does not operate militarily near Guam or Hawaii, or in the West coast or East coast of America. China does not demand  freedom of navigation at American doorsteps. 
7. American leaders deceive themselves in fabricating the rumor of China’s threat or Russian threat because they are in fact the no. 1 threat to the world today, Japanese resurgent militarism being no. 2, and Islamic terrorism no. 3. 
8. Common people can see the truth from falsehood, American leaders blinded by deceitfulness of sin cannot see the truth or they want to believe in lies. 
9. American people are fooled by their leaders who are betraying their country by enriching special interests like the military-industrial complex, Wall Street and Hollywood at public expenses of huge annual deficits and the largest national debt exceeding $27 trillion. 
10. American leaders represent the evil force that divides the world as they divide South Korea from North Korea since the Korean War, Taiwan from China since 1949, and NATO from Russia since the Cold War and continuously destroys the world. 

Jhn 8:34  , “Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you,   everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.” 

Rom 6:6 , “Knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin.” 

Rom 6:17 , “But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed.” 

Note: Slave in Greek isdoulos which means a bondman, man of servile condition; one who gives himself up wholly to another’s will; an indentured servant; – it occurs 130 times in the New Testament. The imperialists, hegemonists, militarists, terrorists, capitalists, monopolists, warmongers, dictators, oppressors, violators of law, crooks and criminals are slaves of sin and to sin although they think they are the masters of the universe. Believers are obedient from the heart to the Christ’s teaching to which they are committed. 

Rom 6:13 , “And do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.” 

Note: The bodies of the wicked are instruments of unrighteousness and the slaves of sin. The bodies of the righteous are instruments of righteousness. The instruments of unrighteousness commit lies and killings. 

Rom 7:13 , “Therefore did that which is good become a cause of death for me? May it never be! Rather it was sin, in order that it might be shown to be sin by effecting my death through that which is good, so that through the commandment sin would become utterly sinful.” 

Note: Sin effects death through the commandment makes sin utterly sinful. Sin is utterly sinful because law is holy. 

Rom 7:14 , “For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin.” 

Note: All people including the wicked are of flesh and sold into bondage to sin. Sin is bondage. Sin is slavery. There is no liberty in sin. There is the funny slavery of sin which evil leaders think doing evil is liberty and glory. 

Deu 9:27 , “Remember Your servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; do not look at the stubbornness of this people or at their wickedness or their sin.” 

Note: The nature of mankind is stubbornness, and the nature of sin is wickedness. 

Rom 7:23 , “But I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members.” 

Note: Law in Greek is nomos which means anything established, anything received by usage, a custom; controlling principle; – it occurs 196 times in the New Testament. The law of sin makes a sinner (the wicked) a prisoner and wages war against the members of his body. 

Psa 38:3 , “There is no soundness in my flesh because of Your indignation; There is no health in my bones because of my sin.” 

Note: In the flesh of the wicked (sinner) there is no soundness, because of sin in his bones there is no health. The human body is not spiritually sound. Man is by nature depraved. 

Psa 38:18 , “For I confess my iniquity; 
I am full of anxiety because of my sin.” 

Note: Because of sin the wicked is full of anxiety. The wicked has no peace of mind. The wicked lives in fear. 

Psa 51:3 , “For I know my transgressions, 
And my sin is ever before me.” 

Note: The wicked knows his transgressions; the consciousness of sin is ever before him. 

Psa 51:5 , “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, 
And in sin my mother conceived me.” 

Note: The fact a man was conceived in sin by his mother and brought forth in iniquity explains the nature of his wickedness. There is no glory in wickedness, but shameless Japanese leaders believe they do and so they whitewash their inglorious past and worship convicted and executed war crime criminals as their national heroes and true gods. 

Rom 7:25 , “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.” 

Note: There are two sides of human nature: Through Jesus Christ our Lord with our mind we are serving the law of God; but on the other, with our flesh we are serving the law of sin. That is why Jesus says, You must be born again. Born of the flesh is of the flesh, born of the Spirit is of the Spirit.   

1Jo 1:8 , “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.” 

Note: Those who say they have no sin, they are deceiving themselves and the truth is not in them. There is no man who does not sin. Jesus Christ came down from Heaven to save sinners. Evil  leaders are deceiving themselves and the truth is not in them. 

Pro 14:34 , “Righteousness exalts a nation, 
 But sin is a disgrace to any people.” 

Note:  Recently I heard the titular head of a Western nation apologized to an African nation for its colonial wound. In the last 500 years Western imperialists and colonialists had done much evil in the world, not just colonial wound, but massacre, robberies, exploitation, oppression, injustice and brutality.  During the infamous Opium Wars, Western nations led by Great Britain, America, Japan, etc. attacked and killed Chinese, burned, robbed and looted China national treasures in millions of items worth at the market value more than US$100,000 trillion dollars, not counting the interest of so many years. These Western nations still interfere in China’s internal affairs, practice lies and falsehoods, aggression and hostilities, commit oppression and sanctions against China without cause. The most ludicrous is the recent CORONAVIRUS pandemic, they blamed and charged China for creating and spreading of the virus, they shamelessly want to charge or sue China for damages and collect monies!

Sin is a disgrace to any people. Do you know any righteous nation in the world today? For that reason, the sins of Japanese leaders  are   grave because they deny Japanese war crimes, genocide, sex slavery, slave labor, germ warfare, chemical warfare, and atrocities of most inhuman kind. They want to exalt  and glorify a war crime nation. The sins of   evil leaders are grievous because they exalt their sin of aggression, oppression, exploitation and suppression by killing millions and millions of innocent peoples and making millions of war refugees and peoples who live an abject poverty since the end of World War II to this day. They glorify disgrace and distort facts in pursuit of military supremacy and world domination. 

1Pe 2:22 , “WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH.” 

Note: There is plenty of deceit in the mouth of evil  leaders and Islamic terrorists.  Western leaders and politicians and media reporters daily and persistently tell lies, make fake news, fake views, fake reports, and fake charges against Russian and China and others.

Rom 3:9 , “What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin.” 

Note: There is no exception; both Jews and Greeks are all under sin. Both men and women are under sin. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. 

Jhn 8:34 , “Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.” 

Note: Everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. Everyone includes the wicked, and there is no exception. There are wicked people who consider committing sin is a smart and sophisticated thing such as those in Washington, Wall Street and Hollywood. 

Rom 3:20 , “Because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.” 

Note: No flesh can be justified in God’s sight for all have sinned. Through the Law comes the knowledge of sin. The knowledge of sin does not and cannot save anyone. It only tells you how terrible and awful sin is. The good news of Jesus Christ is that sinners can be justified by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. 

II.   The Acts of the Wicked. 

Rom 7:17 , “So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.” 

Rom 7:20 , “But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.” 

Note: The sin that dwells within controls and propels the acts of the wicked. It is human nature to sin. Human nature has a tendency to do wrong. 

1Jo 5:17 , “All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not leading to death.” 

Note: The wicked commits acts of unrighteousness; all unrighteousness is sin.  Lies, aggression, oppression, sanction, deception, killing, robbery,  etc. are unrighteousness.

Rom 7:23  , “But I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members.” 

Note: All humans (including the wicked) are prisoners of the law of sin. The war within is more fierce than the war outside. Only Jesus Christ is able to set us free. 

Deu 24:16 ,“Fathers shall not be put to death for their sons, nor shall sons be put to death for their fathers; everyone shall be put to death for his own sin.” 

2Ch 25:4 , “However, he did not put their children to death, but did as it is written in the law in the book of Moses, which the LORD commanded, saying, “Fathers shall not be put to death for sons, nor sons be put to death for fathers, but each shall be put to death for his own sin.” 

Note: Everyone is responsible for his own acts of sin. Everyone shall be put to death for his own sin. The wages of sin is death. For that reason, all will die. 

Hab 1:4  , “Therefore the law is ignored 
And justice is never upheld. 
For the wicked surround the righteous; 
Therefore justice comes out perverted.” 

Note: The wicked ignore the law.  Evil leaders ignore international law. Ignore in Hebrew is puwgwhich means to be torpid, to be feeble, to   be numbed; – it occurs 4 times in the Old Testament. To uphold in Hebrew is yatsa’   which means to proceed, to go forth, to go forth, to bring out; to run through; – it occurs 1,214 times in the Old Testament. The West has perverted justice for the last 500 years, and still does. Evil leaders extol the law in a crafty way by violating the law. For example, they sing freedom of navigation, by this they violate the territorial waters and defense zones of China with their aircraft carriers, nuclear submarines, war ships, war planes and provocatively navigate their weapons of mass destruction at China’s doorsteps. Evil leaders sing praises of justice, but they never uphold international justice. They surround China and Russia with hundreds of overseas military bases. Pervert in Hebrew is  `aqal which means to twist,  to be bent out of shape, be distorted, be crooked; – it occurs only once in the Old Testament. They make rumors of China’s threat to pervert justice. Ignoring law, surround the righteous and perverting justice are acts and characteristics of the wicked. American and Japanese justice come out perverted. 

Jas 2:9, “But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors   .” 

Note: Show partiality in Greek is  prosōpolēmpteō    which means to    have respect of persons, discriminate; to favor an individual; – it occurs only twice in the New Testament. The wicked show partiality and are convicted by the law as transgressors. The American leaders violated China’s sovereignty by illegally giving administrative control of China’s Diaoyu Islands in 1971. American leaders favor Japan because Japanese leaders are running dogs of America. Not only they do not right the wrong and apologize for their transgression, at first they said they took no position on the sovereignty of China’s Diaoyu Islands, later Obama said to defend Japan against China over Diaoyu Islands.    Evil  leaders despise international law and act lawlessly repeatedly over and over. 

Jas 4:17 , “Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.” 

Note: To know the right thing and do not do it is sin.   Evil    leaders know the right thing, since the end of World War II they have been doing the wrong thing and killing millions and millions in hundreds of unjust wars and bloody military interventions around the world. Except President Richard Nixon who sought a just and last peace. Wall Street executives know the right but they do the wrong thing. In 2008 Wall Street executives created the largest economic and financial crisis in history and robbed the world more than $50 trillion. The American legal system does not execute justice; only one Jewish crook was sent o jail. Islamic terrorists know the right thing but they choose to believe in a lie by killing many innocent peoples. American leaders know Diaoyu Islands belong to China, and yet they declare to defend Japan against China. 

2Pe 2:14 , “Having eyes full of adultery that never cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having a heart trained in greed, accursed children.” 

Note: Hollywood can fitly be described as “having eyes full of adultery that never cease from sin, enticing unstable souls” – the lust. Washington and Wall Street fit into the description “having a heart trained in greed.” They are very sophisticated people, Washington represents greed for power, and Wall Street represents greed for money. There is nothing like it in the world, the evil trinity of Washington, Wall Street and Hollywood. They are well trained and products of American Ivy League universities. Those who love money, power and sex are accursed children. Washington leaders have been proven liars and killers, children of the devil. 

1Jo 3:4 , “Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.” 

Note: The wicked practices sin also practices lawlessness. Sin is lawlessness. Lawlessness is sin. The most sinful are those who practice lawlessness accusing others of violations of law. 

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: The wicked practices sin, the wicked is of the devil. The devil sinned from the beginning by rebellion. The Son of God appeared to destroy the works of the devil. All sin, lawlessness, transgression, iniquity and evil are the works of the devil. Liars and killers are children of the devil. 

Pro 5:22 , “His own iniquities will capture the wicked, 
And he will be held with the cords of his sin.” 

Note: The iniquities of the wicked will capture the wicked. There is an English saying: hoist by one’s own petard. The wicked will be hoist by their own petard. The wicked will be destroyed by the very devices with which they meant to destroy others. Those who lift up the sword will be destroyed by the sword. For that reason, America is committing suicide. The aggressor is committing suicide. American imperialists are spreading cords to capture others will be held with the cords of their sin. 

Rom 7:8 , “But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind; for apart from the Law sin is dead.” 

Note: Sin taking opportunity produces in the wicked coveting of every kind. Greed is the root of all evil. 

Ecc 5:6 , “Do not let your speech cause you to sin and do not say in the presence of the messenger of God that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry on account of your voice and destroy the work of your hands?” 

Note: God can be angry on account of the voice of the wicked. The wicked boast and brag and speak craftily. 

2Ki 21:11 , “Because Manasseh king of Judah has done these abominations, having done wickedly more than all the Amorites did who were before him, and has also made Judah sin with his idols.” 

Note: Idols are abominations. The two Taiwanese traitors both professed to be Christians but they have worshiped idols in public. 

2Ch 6:36 , “When they sin against You (for there is no man who does not sin) and You are angry with them and deliver them to an enemy, so that they take them away captive to a land far off or near.” 

Note: All acts of sin are sins that the wicked sin against God. There is no man who does not sin. Thus all sinners will die eventually. 

Neh 13:26 , “Did not Solomon king of Israel sin regarding these things? Yet among the many nations there was no king like him, and he was loved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel; nevertheless the foreign women caused even him to sin.” 

Note: Foreign women caused even Solomon king of Israel to sin. So it is unwise to marry unbelieving women. Bad women can cause men to sin. Bad men can cause women to sin. Christians must not marry those who worship idols or false gods. 

Job 2:10 , “But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.” 

Note: Foolish women speak foolish things. The wicked sins with their lips. The wicked Japanese leaders deny Japanese war crimes, genocide, sex slavery, slave labor, germ warfare, chemical warfare, atrocities of most inhuman kind and distorts facts by revising history textbooks. God will judge the wicked according to his thoughts, words and deeds. Evil leaders are skillful to sin with their lips, distorting facts and perverting justice. They have violated China’s territories and looted China’s resources, and yet they spread the rumor of China’s threat. 

Pro 24:9 , “The devising of folly is sin, 
And the scoffer is an abomination to men.” 

Note: The devising of folly is sin, not only devising of wickedness. Hollywood and Wall Street and Washington are expert in devising folly. Many who make ads are most devious people and Western media that makes fake news are most diabolical. Those who scoff at truth are an abomination. Those who distort history are an abomination. Those who seduce and fool people are an abomination. 

Isa 3:9, “The expression of their faces bears witness against them, 
And they display their sin like Sodom; 
They do not even conceal it. 
Woe to them! 
For they have brought evil on themselves.” 

Note: This Scripture reminds me of those evil   leaders when they say Diaoyu Islands belong to Japan, the expression of their faces bears witness against them. When they say China or Russia is a threat, they display their sin like Sodom. They will bring evil on themselves. 

2Ch 6:36  ,“When they sin against You (for there is no man who does not sin) and You are angry with them and deliver them to an enemy, so that they take them away captive to a land far off or near.” 

Note: All sins are against God. There is no man who does not sin. God is angry with the wicked. God will judge the wicked. 

Num 18:22 , “The sons of Israel shall not come near the tent of meeting again, or they will bear sin and die.” 

Note: The wicked will bear sin and die. 

Deu 9:18 , “I fell down before the LORD, as at the first, forty days and nights; I neither ate bread nor drank water, because of all your sin which you had committed in doing what was evil in the sight of the LORD to provoke Him to anger.” 

Note: All the sin of the wicked which they have committed in doing what was evil in the sight of God provokes God to anger. God is angry with the wicked. The wrath of God is on the wicked. 

Gen 4:7,“If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.” 

Note: Sin is crouching at your door, especially at the door of the wicked. If you do well, your countenance is lifted up – your face shines. If you do not do well, sin desires you to enslave you. 

Gen 18:20 , “And the LORD said, “The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave.” 

Note: God said, the outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah was indeed great, and the sin was exceedingly grave. The sin of homosexuality and same-sex marriage are indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave. Yet the American Supreme Court decreed that same-sex marriage is lawful; and Obama even glorifies it. How can they meet God at the Day of Judgment? Do you know the outcry of America and EU have reached the God of the universe?

Gen 39:9 ,“There is no one greater in this house than I, and he has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do this great evil and sin against God?” 

Note: It is a great evil and sin against God to have sex with another man’s wife. Adultery is a great evil and sin against God. 

Exo 32:31, “Then Moses returned to the LORD, and said, “Alas, this people have committed a great sin, and they have made a god of gold for themselves.” 

Note: To worship a god of gold is a great sin. Greed is idolatry. 

Num 12:11 , “Then Aaron said to Moses, “Oh, my lord, I beg you, do not account this sin to us, in which we have acted foolishly and in which we have sinned.” 

Note: All sin is acting foolishly. There is no smart sin. Japanese   leaders  think they are  smart by denying all Japanese war crimes so that Japan does not have to pay compensation and war reparation. The sex slaves that the Japanese troops violated are dying out. But the eternal God will take vengeance on the Japanese militarists and Japan.   Evil leaders acting craftily whenever they want to do evil in committing aggression other nations, but they cannot fool God. 

Num 16:26 , “And he spoke to the congregation, saying, “Depart now from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing that belongs to them, or you will be swept away in all their sin.” 

Note: Depart from the tents of the wicked, and touch nothing that belongs to them, or you will be swept away in all their sin. Do not do business or associate with the wicked, or you will be swept away in all their sin. Some silly nations have alliance with the imperialist will be swept away in all their sin. All American overseas military bases will be swept away in all their sin once the global nuclear war started by the United States. 

1Sa 15:23  ,“For rebellion is as the sin of divination, 
And insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry. 
Because you have rejected the Word of the LORD, 
He has also rejected you from being king.” 

Note: Rebellion is as the sin of divination, and insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry. Those who reject the Word of the Lord, God will reject them   

Job 34:37 , “For he adds rebellion to his sin; 
He claps his hands among us, 
And multiplies his words against God.’” 

Note: Rebellion to God is sin, and some add rebellion to their sins. To speak against God is sin; the infidels multiply their words against God. 

Psa 32:3 , “When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away 
Through my groaning all day long.” 

Note: If an individual who kept silent about his sin, his body wasted away, and groaning all day long; how much is Japan that denies all its war crimes, genocide, sex slavery, slave labor, germ warfare, chemical warfare, atrocities of the most inhuman kind. American leaders cannot keep silent about their sins since the end of World War II, and waste away America. 

Psa 59:12 , “On account of the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips, 
Let them even be caught in their pride, 
And on account of curses and lies which they utter.” 

Note: The leaders of Japan are caught on account of the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips in their pride. If Diaoyu Islands really belong to Japan, why Japan had to pretentiously buy the islands? If Diaoyu Islands really belong to Japan, why Japan had to pretentiously nationalize them? If American leaders are for peace, why do they make alliances and establish hundreds of overseas military bases and put their advanced weaponry and more than 360,000 troops at China’s doorsteps and continuously prepare for war? They are caught by their lies in their pride. The sins of the foul mouths of evil  leaders are grave and the words of their lips are full of lies, deceits and falsehoods. 

Psa 109:14 , “Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered before the LORD, 
And do not let the sin of his mother be blotted out.” 

Note: The iniquity of the fathers of the wicked will be remembered before the Lord, and the sin of their mothers will not be blotted out. 

Jer 16:10 , “Now when you tell this people all these words, they will say to you, ‘For what reason has the LORD declared all this great calamity against us? And what is our iniquity, or what is our sin which we have committed against the LORD our God?’” 

Note: The Lord will declare great calamity against the evil empire of Japan for their iniquities and sins. God will judge America for its iniquities and sins committed since the end of World War II to this day. 

Jer 16:18 ,“I will first doubly repay their iniquity and their sin, because they have polluted My land; they have filled My inheritance with the carcasses of their detestable idols and with their abominations.” 

Note: God will doubly repay the iniquity and sin of the lands of the wicked for they pollute the lands with detestable idols and abominations. God will repay the iniquity and sin of America for they pollute the world with violence and greed and oppression. 

Deu 19:15 ,  “A single witness shall not rise up against a man on account of any iniquity or any sin which he has committed; on the evidence of two or three witnesses a matter shall be confirmed.” 

Note: Major offense of the wicked must be confirmed on the evidence of two or three witnesses. Thousands and even millions have confirmed the war crimes, genocide, sex slavery, slave labor, germ warfare, chemical warfare, and most inhuman atrocities, and yet Japanese leaders deny them all.   

Deu 20:18 , “So that they may not teach you to do according to all their detestable things which they have done for their gods, so that you would sin against the LORD your God.” 

Note: Homosexual prostitution was done as one of the detestable things which pagans have done for their gods; it is a grave sin against God. 

Deu 21:22 ,  “If a man has committed a sin worthy of death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree.” 

Note: Death penalty or capital punishment is for sin or crime worthy of death. What is the difference between sin and crime? Sin is a violation of God’s law; crime is a violation of human law. All crimes are sins, but not all sins are crimes. Adultery is not a crime in many nations, but it is a grave sin in the sight of God. God institutes death penalty, all nations should have capital punishment for crimes worthy of death. Crimes worthy of death include treason committed by traitors, etc.; bombing, murder, serial rape, massive arson, human trafficking, drug trafficking, terrorism, drunk driving, high crime of corruption and abuse of power, etc. Jesus Christ died on the cross for sinners, the Righteous for the sins of the unrighteous. 

Deu 15:9 , “Beware that there is no base thought in your heart, saying, ‘The seventh year, the year of remission, is near,’ and your eye is hostile toward your poor brother, and you give him nothing; then he may cry to the LORD against you, and it will be a sin in you.” 

Note: Discrimination and abusive and unfair practices committed by employers against employees are acts of the wicked and considered as sins. 

Deu 24:15 ,“You shall give him his wages on his day before the sun sets, for he is poor and sets his heart on it; so that he will not cry against you to the LORD and it become sin in you.” 

Note: Years ago in America, you got pay once a month. It was unfair and withholding employee wages to earn interest for the company. Outrageous Chinese construction companies hold employee wages for a long period of time. Unfair withholding of employee wages is a sin. 

Isa 5:18 , “Woe to those who drag iniquity with the cords of falsehood, 
And sin as if with cart ropes.” 

Note: Japanese leaders drag their iniquities with the cords of falsehood by denial and distortion of historical facts. American leaders drag their iniquities since the end of World War II with the cords of falsehood and distortion of facts. The wicked drag their sins as if with cart ropes. 

Isa 30:1 ,  “Woe to the rebellious children,” declares the LORD, 
“Who execute a plan, but not Mine, 
And make an alliance, but not of My Spirit, 
In order to add sin to sin.” 

Note: Woe to the Axis of Evil with their military alliances in a global strategic plan to target China and Russia, evil  leaders add sin to sin, iniquity to iniquity. American leaders seek absolute military supremacy for world domination. 

Heb 12:1 , “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” 

Note: Sin enslaves the wicked, even entangles the saints. 

Jas 1:15 . “Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.” 

Note: This is the etiology of sin: When lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin. When a man lusts over a woman in his heart, it gives birth to adultery. When sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Just as lust is related to sin, so is death the result of sin. 

IIl.  THE END OF THE WICKED. 

Job 21:30,  “For the wicked is reserved for the day of calamity; 
They will be led forth at the day of fury.” 

Note: This is one of the reasons the righteous should not envy the wicked. For the wicked is reserved for the day of calamity. They will be led out at the day of fury. The day of calamity is reserved for the wicked. What is the day of fury? The day of fury is the Day of Judgment. There is no escape; the wicked will be brought out to face the judgment. 

Psa 7:9 , “O let the evil of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous; 
For the righteous God tries the hearts and minds.” 

Note: The evil of the wicked will come to an end. The evil of Japan will come to an end. The evil empire will come to an end. The evil of Islamic terrorists will come to end. The evil of Washington, Wall Street and Hollywood will come to an end.   The evil of the wicked will come to an end. The righteous God knows the hearts and minds of man. No one can fool God. 

Jhn 8:21  , “Then He said again to them, “I go away, and you will seek Me, and will die in your sin; where I am going, you cannot come.” 

Note: The wicked will die in their sin. They cannot go to Heaven. They will go to Hell. 

Hos 13:12 , “The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; 
His sin is stored up.” 

Note: The iniquity of the wicked is bound up; his sin is stored up. The sins of the wicked are stored up for the wrath to come. 

Mic 6:7, “Does the LORD take delight in thousands of rams, 
In ten thousand rivers of oil? 
Shall I present my firstborn for my rebellious acts, 
The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” 

Note: Even in the old dispensation you offer in thousands of rams and in ten thousand rives of oil, the Lord does not like the rebellious acts of the wicked or the sin of their soul. 

Rom 7:20 , “But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.” 

Note: The sin dwells in the wicked do the wicked things. 

Rom 7:23 , “But I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members.” 

Note: Sinners including the wicked are prisoners of the law of sin. 

Mat 13:49 , “So it will be at the end of the world; the angels will come forth and take out the wicked from among the righteous.” 

Note: At the end of the world, the angels will come forth to separate the wicked from among the righteous. The wicked cannot disguise themselves and have no place to hide. In the end the wicked will be forever separated from the righteous. 

Num 9:13 ,‘But the man who is clean and is not on a journey, and yet neglects to observe the Passover, that person shall then be cut off from his people, for he did not present the offering of the LORD at its appointed time. That man will bear his sin.” 

Note: In the past the man who neglected to observe the Passover would be cut off. Today whoever neglects the salvation of God will go to Hell. 

Job 10:6 , “That You should seek for my guilt 
And search after my sin?” 

Note: Who can stand when the Lord should seek for his guilt and search after his sin? No wicked will be able to stand before God. 

Job 10:14, “If I sin, then You would take note of me, 
And would not acquit me of my guilt.” 

Note: The wicked have the wrong idea that when they sin, God would not take note of them. When they commit crime, God would acquit their guilt. God has taken note of all the war crimes, genocide, sex slavery, slave labor, germ warfare, chemical warfare, and atrocities committed by Japanese aggressors in World War II. God has taken note of all the war crimes, lies and killings committed by American leaders since the end of World War II to this present day. God has taken notice of American imperialists who prepare war of aggression against China and Russia. God also has taken notice of all the bombings and killings committed by Islamic terrorists. 

Pro 11:5 , “The righteousness of the blameless will smooth his way, 
But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.” 

Note: The wicked will fall by his own wickedness. Some wicked nations think they have the largest quantities of weapons of mass destruction and so they are strong and invincible. The Word of God says the wicked will fall by their own wickedness. The Babylon had fallen. The Roman Empire had fallen. The British empire had fallen. The Japanese empire will fall. The American empire will fall. The Islamic State will fall. 

IV.  TURN FROM WICKED WAYS. 

2Ch 7:14 , “and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 

Note: God in His mercy had provided the way of salvation. Even the wicked may repent and turn from their wicked ways. If the wicked repent and believe in Jesus Christ, their sins can be forgiven. 

Isa 53:12, “Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, 
And He will divide the booty with the strong; 
Because He poured out Himself to death, 
And was numbered with the transgressors; 
Yet He Himself bore the sin of many, 
And interceded for the transgressors.” 

Note: The Son of God, the Savior of the world, poured our Himself to death for the sins of the world and He Himself bore the sins of many. The righteous are saved by grace through faith in the Lord. The Lord intercedes for His own and will save them to the end. 

Psa 32:5 , “I acknowledged my sin to You, 
And my iniquity I did not hide; 
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD”; 
And You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah.” 

Note: Sinners including the wicked may acknowledge their sin to God, and not to hide their iniquity. They can confess the transgressions to the Lord and ask forgiveness for the guilt of their sin. Repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved. 

Gal 3:22 , “But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.” 

Note: The Scripture has shut up everyone (including the wicked) under sin. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. There is no man who does not sin. But God has provided salvation in Christ Jesus to all who repent and believe. You are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. 

Eze 33:19 ,“But when the wicked turns from his wickedness and practices justice and righteousness, he will live by them.” 

Note: When the wicked turns from his wickedness and practices justice and righteousness, repents of his sins and believes in Jesus Christ, he can be saved. 

1Jo 3:9 , “No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” 

Note: The wicked practices sin and wickedness. Those who are born of God practice righteousness. Evil leaders have proven to be liars and killers and robbers and they practice wickedness. They falsely claim to be Christians. 

V.  GOD WILL PUNISH THE WICKED. 

Psa 1:6 , “For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, 
But the way of the wicked will perish.” 

Note: God will punish the wicked is as sure as God lives. The way of the wicked will perish is for sure. Hitler was an example. It is a matter of time. The Day of Judgment is at hand. The way of the wicked is not smart because it is the way of death and destruction. 

Exo 34:7 , “Who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.” 

Note: God will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. God will punish the wicked. God has many ways to punish the wicked. God can visit the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to many generations. Is the clan of Kennedy an example? Another example, mother who has AIDS gives birth to child infected by AIDS. There are also diseases by heredity. 

Exo 32:34 , “But go now, lead the people where I told you. Behold, My angel shall go before you; nevertheless in the day when I punish, I will punish them for their sin.” 

Note: Be patient, saints. God will punish the wicked for their sins. God has set the day to punish the wicked. God may punish the wicked in their lifetime, if not surely after death. After death there is the judgment. Jesus Christ is with the saints until the end of the world. 

Jhn 15:22 , “If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.” 

Note: There is no excuse for the sins and iniquities of the wicked. God has spoken through the Bible. God has spoken through Jesus Christ and prophets and apostles. There is no excuse for any sinner or the wicked. 

Pro 11:10 , “When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, 
And when the wicked perish, there is joyful shouting.” 

Note: It will go well with the righteous. The righteous will go well no matter how terrible is the world. The righteous will have hope for the second coming of Jesus Christ and to reign with the Lord. When the Day of Judgment comes, the wicked will perish and go to Hell forever and ever. 

1Co 15:56 , “The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.” 

Note: The sting of death will finally sting the wicked. In Hell the wicked will suffer eternal punishment with body and soul. 

Rom 5:12 , “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned— 

Note: Through Adam sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all have sinned. Through Jesus Christ salvation enters into the world. All who repent and believe in Jesus Christ may receive the eternal life in Heaven. 

Rom 6:12  , “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts.” 

Note: Sin reigns in the mortal body of the wicked so that they obey its lusts. This is the etiology of sin and lusts. 

Rom 6:14 , “For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” 

Note: All sinners including the wicked are mastered and enslaved by sin. The righteous are under grace. Those under law are cursed. 

Rom 7:11, “For sin, taking an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me.” 

Note: Sins deceives the wicked sinners and kills them. 

The  wicked brags and is jealous and arrogant and domineering. The wicked acts unbecomingly, seeks its own interest, rejoices in unrighteousness.  Why the wicked do wicked? The wicked do wicked just because they are wicked. Bad trees bear bad fruits. It is simple as that although its ramifications and consequences are not simple. The children of God can rest in the hands of God. 

Psa 46:1-11, “For the choir director. A Psalm of the sons of Korah, set to Alamoth. A Song. 
God is our refuge and strength, 
A very present help in trouble. 

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change 
And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea. 

Though its waters roar and foam, 
Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah 

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, 
The holy dwelling places of the Most High. 

God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; 
God will help her when morning dawns. 

The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered; 
He raised His voice, the earth melted. 

The LORD of hosts is with us; 
The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah. 

Come, behold the works of the LORD, 
Who has wrought desolations in the earth. 

He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; 
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; 
He burns the chariots with fire. 

Cease striving and know that I am God; 
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.

The LORD of hosts is with us; 
The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah. “

Now you have learned a lot about the wicked and why. It is hoped you will not choose the wicked way, the way of death and destruction.

American and European leaders and politicians may escape the International Criminal Court of Justice, they surely cannot escape the Supreme Court of Heaven. No one is exempt from the judgment of God, be it president, prime minister, king, queen, general, strategist.

Let  the wicked turn away from their wicked way, repent and live! 

Will you repent of your sins and believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior so that you may be saved?

You can do it right now.

WILLIE WONG THOUGHT
WILLIE WONG
AUGUST 9, 2025
https://williewong.cw.center/wp-admin
Copyright © 2018 – 2025 by Willie Wong

ARE DEPORTATION EFFORTS HURTING THE ECONOMY? WRONG QUESTION. RIGHT QUESTION: ARE ILLEGAL ALIENS HURTING AMERICA? Most of illegal aliens are on welfare, there are 45 million unlawful migrants already residing in America, including their children born in America who are not citizens. America needs to deport illegal aliens without further delay. To warn Mexico not to be an unlawful door for unlawful migrants to invade America, America needs to drop a few bombs on Mexico City to DETER them.

ON September 3, 2025 for China to mark 80^th 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.

*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. 

BY WILLIE WONG

This article is written to let you know the Christian Faith is unlike the different faiths in the world. This is the Christian Manifesto that declares to the world, Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. There is no other.

Many are confused about what “faith” is. Even many church members cannot differentiate what is “faith” and what is “the Faith“. This article is written so that you not only know what “faith” is, you have faith in God, and believe the Christian Faith with all your heart and mind.

Faith is the first important thing of the three great things which remain, namely: Faith, Love, Hope. People speak loosely about “faith” and “the faith” because many do not understand and confuse between “faith” and “the faith”. Even among church members, they do not have a clear conception of faith and the faith. Keep in mind we speak of the faith, not the faiths. In this article we are not interested in other faiths. There are other faiths than the Christian faith, other religions than the Christian religion. However, we focus here on “faith” and the “Christian faith” only. They have different meanings although they are very closely related. The first term “faith” refers to one’s belief and attitude toward God and the Savior. The second term “the Faith” refers to the whole body of the Christian belief, the dogmas and doctrines as taught by Jesus Christ and through His apostles. Henceforth, “faith” in small letter means your or my “personal faith” in God or Christ WHOM we trust. The “Faith” in capital letter means the “common faith” of all believers of all generations believe WHAT to be in the body of the Christian belief as it is written in the Holy Bible and handed down from Jesus Christ and the holy Apostles.

Mar 11:22

“And Jesus answered saying to them, “Have faith in God.”

Note: Faith in Greek is pistis which means assurance; belief; fidelity; conviction of the truth; conviction of God and divine things; trust; belief that Jesus is the Messiah; the Christian beliefs; faithfulness; persuasion; moral conviction of the truthfulness of God; reliance upon Christ for salvation; the system of the Gospel truth itself; belief and truth in God; – which occurs 243 times in the New Testament.

Faith is synonymous with belief, the act of believing. Faith is not a proposition. Faith is not a theological system. Faith is personal and individual act from the heart. To have faith in someone is to believe in someone. Faith is to have faith means to believe, to believe means to put your trust in someone. Faith is in “Whom” you believe. Have faith in God means to put your trust in God. The Faith is ‘What’ you believe. The Faith is common and collective. The “Faith” is the Christian Faith what all Christians of all ages believe as it is written in the Holy Bible, and nothing else. To prevent confusion, in this article your “personal faith” in Christ or God, “faith” is used in small letter. The whole body of what all Christians believe collectively, the body of truth believed is called the Faith, the “common faith” of what we all believe is the “Faith” in capital letter.

Faith in Christ is not superstition, although all other religious faiths are superstition. Christianity is not superstition. Faith is not religion, religion does not save anyone. Faith in Christ is a saving grace. If a rustic believes in Jesus Christ, he will be saved. If an intellectual believes in a false god, he will perish. So it is not faith that saves you, it is the faith in the Savior who saves you from eternal death. Jesus rose from the death by the power of God is not superstition. When you believe in something which is historically true, it is not superstition. If you believe in something which is not true, your faith is worthless. Faith in all religions is worthless and useless.

Act 25:19, “But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.”

Note: Superstition in Greek is deisidaimonia which means fear of the gods; false belief about gods; an irrational abject attitude of mind; irrational belief or practice; – which occurs 1 time in the New Testament. There are many superstitions in Chinese culture, one example is the welcome of the god of wealth during Chinese New Year; and the use of firecrackers to chase away evil spirits. Another is the upside down character of ‘blessing’ to bring blessing.

Faith is not tradition. Roman Catholic Church is full of un-scriptural traditions. Mat 15:3, “And He answered and said to them, “Why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?” Pharisees and scribes of Judaism often violated the commandment of God for the sake of their tradition.

There is nothing parallel to Christianity. Christianity is the true religion that does not depend or require so-and-so to make declaration. Christianity does not need any country, government, institution, or individual to validate or recognize it. There is no such a thing called ‘Christian Protestantism’. Protestantism is simply an attempt to return to the original Christianity established by Jesus Christ and the Apostles. If there is such a thing called un-Christian Protestantism, it has nothing to do with the the great Reformation started by Martin Luther to expose the apostate Roman Catholic Church. There is no such a thing called ‘Reformed Christianity’, there is only one Biblical Christianity. There is no Christendom. There is no Christian nation on earth. There is no Christian nationalism.

When we talk about faith and the Faith in Christ, it has nothing to do with the universality of religion among all races at all times. It is the fancy and baloney talk of unbelieving theologians that God is continuously wrestling with man. It is blasphemous to suggest that God is wrestling with Himself. Among Christians the Bible is the only and sole authority. There is no church or human or papal infallibility. Christians reject any ideology, scientific or philosophic, pretending to be authority. It is not narrow or arbitrary, the Word of God is the only and final and supreme and ultimate authority.

Act 11:1, “Now the apostles and the brethren who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the Word of God.”

Note: Faith is not a venture of the soul, it is full acceptance of the Word of God. There is no such a thing called unconscious faith, faith is constantly conscious of humbly taking God at His Word and obey Him. 

The character of faith is not propaedeutic, it is receiving the Word like the simplicity of a child. Jhn 1:40-41, “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).” Andrew heard John the Baptist speak about Jesus and followed Jesus. Andrew found first his own brother Peter and said to him, “We have found the Messiah.”

Faith is not speculative. When two blind men sitting by the road that Jesus was passing by; they cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” And Jesus stopped and said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?” Mat 20:33, “They said to Him, “Lord, we want our eyes to be opened.” There is nothing speculative about what the two blind men want, they want their eyes to be opened.

Rom 14:22, “The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.”

Note: The faith which you have (personal faith) is your own conviction before God. If what you approve does not condemn you, happy are you.

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: Faith is in accordance with grace, it has nothing to do with your efforts, works or merit. The promise of faith is guaranteed to all the descendants of Abraham and to all who believe.

Act 3:16, “And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all.”

Note: Perter healed a man who had been lame from his mother’s womb on the basis of the lame’s faith in the name of Jesus Christ. This is an exact example of what faith is. The lame from his mother’s womb had faith in Jesus Christ and he was given the perfect health. The lame was healed on the basis of his faith in Jesus. Faith in Greek is pistis which means firm belief; fidelity; a conviction of the truth; trust in God or Christ; belief that Jesus is the Messiah; reliance upon Christ for salvation; – which occurs 234 times in the New Testament.

Sometimes in the Bible, even though it says the faith, it does not mean the body of Christian belief, in the context as your own conviction or trust in God. To prevent confusion, henceforth I use personal faith in God or Christ as faith in small letter, but referring the body of the Christian Faith in capital letter. For example, 2Co 13:5, “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?” Here it hits the nail in the head. Christians must not only believe in the dogmas and doctrines of Jesus Christ, you must test and examine yourself from time to time to see whether you have faith in Christ, whether Christ is in you. You can have all the theological knowledge of the Christian Faith, but Christ is not in your heart. That is the problem of unbelieving theologians who do not have Christ and the Holy Spirit.

1Ti 4:1, “But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the Faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons.”

Note: The Spirit explicitly says that in later times (which is now) some will fall away from the Faith. You see not a few theologians and false preachers have fallen away from the Faith, although they may call themselves modernists or evangelicals. Anyone who pays attention to deceitful spirits and doctrine of demons has fallen away from the Faith. An anti-christ is he who denies the divinity of Jesus Christ. He who rejects the infallibility and inspiration of the Holy Bible and the divinity of Jesus Christ has fallen away from the Faith.

1Ti 5:8, “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the Faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

Note: If anyone claims to be a Christian but does not provide for his own household, he has denied the Faith and is worse than an unbeliever. A person who has denied the Faith is worse than an unbeliever. This is a definitive statement, there is no doubt or confusion about it. So all men who desert their wives are worse than unbelievers. All fathers who abandon their children are worse than unbelievers. It is possible for a so-called believer to deny the Faith by his mouth. It is also possible for a so-called believer to deny the Faith by her disobedience to the Faith. Some Taiwanese politicians who claim to be Christians, and yet they publicly burn incense and worship idols. These Taiwanese so-called believers have denied the Faith. They are false brothers, not genuine Christians; and they are worse than unbelievers. Many American and European leaders and politicians claim and pretend to be Christians, and yet deny the Faith by lying, killing, and robbing many nations and peoples in the world. Imperialism is not compatible with Christianity. Capitalism is not compatible with Christianity. White supremacy is not compatible with Christianity. The West has practiced a false version of Christianity for a long, long time. Corrupt, fraudulent and greedy doctors, dentists and hospital owners who claim to be Christians, their predatory practices are not compatible with Christianity.

1Ti 6:10, “For the love of money is the root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the Faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

Note: This is most serious. Almost all know that the love of money is the root of all sorts of evil. The love of money can make you wander away from the Faith. Just as Jesus says, 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.” The deceitfulness of riches, the love of money and other things can choke the Word of God so that people hear the Gospel and become unfruitful.

2Ti 2:18, “men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the Faith of some.”

Note: There are unbelieving preachers and church members who go astray from the truth because they do not believe in the resurrection, and they upset the Faith of some. Christians should stick to the Faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.

2Ti 3:8, “Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, rejected in regard to the Faith.”

Note: Just as in the ancient time Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, nowadays the liars and impostors also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, rejected in regard to the Faith. In fact, all the works of secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and scholars are intended to oppose the Christian Faith. God says they are men of depraved mind, rejected in regard to the Faith. Depraved in Greek is kataphtheirō which means corrupt; to perish utterly; to spoil entirely; to destroy; to be perverted; – which occurs 1 time in the New Testament. A depraved mind is a corrupt and perverted mind. Secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and scholars may think they have brilliant mind; but God says they are men of depraved mind, corrupt and perverted because they oppose the truth.

It is wrong to say that Martin Luther agreed with the Catholic outlook far more than he differed from it. This is a revisionist view of the great Reformation. The Roman Catholic Church had strayed so far away from the Biblical Faith, that it must be considered as another religion, another Faith, strange from Christianity. It is not what Luther accepted or not accepted that matters, it is the Faith that all believers from the beginning had accepted and believed that matters. It is what the Word of God says that matters. Protestantism is nothing but a total return to the original Christianity, and the written Word of God (the Holy Bible) as the sole and final and ultimate authority of the Faith.

1Co 13:13, “But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

Note: There are three most important things abide in this world. They are faith, hope, and love. To unbelievers, they are money, power, and sex. To Christians they are faith, hope, and love. Faith is the first and foremost; without faith, there cannot be hope and love. Faith and hope are necessary on earth, in Heaven it will be love forever. Love is the greatest, for God is love.

1Ti 1:5, “But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.”

Note: The goal of every true servant of Christ is that our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Sincere faith is honest, pure and true faith without ulterior mo

I.  FAITH

The common and important question: What is faith? To give you a head start: you must know first that faith is personal. Whether you believe in God or not is a personal matter. It is not transferable. You and your household can have faith in God, but each of you must believe in God personally. Faith is individually accomplished. Believing in God is personal just like eating a meal is personal. No one can eat for you. Just as you cannot eat for someone else, so you cannot believe for someone else. You can only believe for yourself. No one can believe on your behalf. Faith is a trusting and personal relationship with God or Christ. If you want to be saved, you must have faith in Christ and have a personal relationship with Christ for your salvation, you as a sinner, and Christ as your Lord and Savior.

Mar 11:22, “And Jesus answered saying to them, “Have faith in God.”

Note: This is the command of Jesus Christ to all, “Have faith in God.” Have in Greek is echō which means to hold; to have possession of; to own; to possess; to keep; to lay hold of; – which occurs 651 times in the New Testament. Faith is receptive to God’s Word. Faith says yes to God. To have faith in God is to lay hold and trust in God. To have faith in God is to have possession of faith and reliance in God. To hold possession of faith is better than to have possession of the most expensive properties in the world in Hong Kong. There are many well organized terrorists trained, funded and supported by Western powers (2019) in the name of democracy and freedom and independence trying to possess Hong Kong because they want to possess the most expensive properties in the world and use Hong Kong as a money-making center and as a military base to destroy China. Have faith in God is not like to have faith in man, power, money, and nuclear weapons. Man, power, money, and nuclear umbrella will fail. God cannot and will not fail.

Heb 11:6, “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”

Note: Without faith it is impossible to please God. To have faith is to be obedient to the Faith.

Follow faith does not mean playing fast and loose with the requirements of rational thought, the canons of logic or the canons of reason. Follow faith is not being intellectually dishonest. The mind of the flesh is spiritually dead. Rom 8:7-8, “because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” For example, what rational thought can explain miracles and wonders, the supernatural, and the power of God? What cannons of logic can explain the creation of the universe by God in six days? It is not possible for faith to adjust itself to human reasoning. Jesus says explicitly, Luk 18:27, “Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” Mar 10:27, “Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” God is almighty and the greatest mystery before time and space in the universe, for God is Spirit and cannot be explained by rational thought. To unbelievers, God is not plausible. Science and philosophy cannot know or understand Spirit, it is beyond their range and sphere of ability. Secular academics and unbelieving theologians try to diminish and disparage, vitiate and vilify God so that they can create god in their own image. Their god is not the God Omnipotent, Omnipresent, and Omniscient of the Bible. These unbelieving scientists and scholars prize themselves as the ‘intellectuals’ of the world, and they demand the thoughts and ways of God to be acceptable to them. In fact, the secular academics and unbelieving theologians do not want God, they make themselves gods. By their writings you can judge secularists, unbelieving scientists and theologians and philosophers are very hostile toward God, and they do not subject themselves to the sovereign rule of God. They want to overthrow God in order to set up their kingdom. The unbelieving philosophers treacherously have the delusion to erect a temple of reason on sacred ground, and welcome the Man of Lawlessness to take his seat in this temple as the object of worship. They may call it a new religion, the One World Religion.

1Co 2:5, “so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.”

Note: There is nothing more clear than the Word of God. Faith is the act of believing, the Faith is the thing believed. Faith is personal, the Faith is common. Our faith in God does not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. For that reason, faith cannot rest on science or philosophy, the wisdom of men. Those who do not know the power of God would not believe. Science and philosophy the so-called reason rest on the wisdom of men, not on the power of God. Therefore, the wisdom of men is constantly in conflict with the power of God. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

2Th 2:13, “But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.”

Note: Believers are saved through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. Other faiths believe in lie or falsehood. Christianity is not superstition. Christianity is faith in the truth. Christians have faith in the truth, the truth of Christ. Faith in falsehood is useless.

(1). Meanings of faith in the Old Testament.

Hab 2:4, “Behold, as for the proud one,
His soul is not right within him;
But the righteous will live by his faith.”

Note: For the proud one, his soul is not right within him. Have you ever met secularists who are humble? The righteous will live by his faith. Faith is personal, the righteous will live by his faith in God. Faith in Hebrew is ’emuwnah which means moral fidelity; firmness; stability; verity; truthfulness; faithfulness; – which occurs 48 times in the Old Testament. The righteous will live by his faith in God.

Exo 4:5,“that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.”

Note: Believe in Hebrew is ‘aman which means to trust; to have assurance; to stand fast; to confirm; to stand firm; to be certain; to sustain; to support; to lean on; to confide in; – which occurs 117 times in the Old Testament. To believe in the Lord is to trust the Lord, to lean on Him.

It is not the Jewish religion from which God has turned away His face. The Jewish religion was established by God through Moses. It was the rebellious and stubborn people that provoked the Lord to wrath. Deu 9:6-8, “Know, then, it is not because of your righteousness that the LORD your God is giving you this good land to possess, for you are a stubborn people. Remember, do not forget how you provoked the LORD your God to wrath in the wilderness; from the day that you left the land of Egypt until you arrived at this place, you have been rebellious against the LORD. Even at Horeb you provoked the LORD to wrath, and the LORD was so angry with you that He would have destroyed you.” Eze 18:30-32, “Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, each according to his conduct,” declares the Lord GOD. “Repent and turn away from all your transgressions, so that iniquity may not become a stumbling block to you. Cast away from you all your transgressions which you have committed and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! For why will you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,” declares the Lord GOD. “Therefore, repent and live.” Even when the Messiah appeared on earth, the Jews wanted to kill Him. 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.” The Jews claimed to be Abraham’s children. Jhn 8:39, “They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you are Abraham’s children, do the deeds of Abraham.” During the early Church, Act 14:2, “But the Jews who disbelieved stirred up the minds of the Gentiles and embittered them against the brethren.”

Note: There was nothing wrong with the Jewish religion. What was wrong is the conduct of the sons of Israel, their transgressions, iniquity and evil deeds that provoked the Lord to wrath. The Lord wants the Jews to repent and live. For the Lord has no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies. The Jews did not know their own religion and wanted to kill Jesus Christ who is their Messiah. The Jews who disbelieved stirred up the minds of the Gentiles and embittered them against the Christians.

Psa 119:66, “Teach me good discernment and knowledge,
For I believe in Your commandments.”

Note: The word “believe” in this verse is the same original word in Exo 4:5. To believe in God is to believe in His commandments.

Isa 43:10, “You are My witnesses,” declares the LORD,
“And My servant whom I have chosen,
So that you may know and believe Me
And understand that I am He.
Before Me there was no God formed,
And there will be none after Me.”

Note: Believe in Hebrew in the verse cited above is the same believe in Psa 110:66. In things of the world including science, you know and believe. In things of God, you believe and know and understand. By human wisdom no one can know and understand God.

Psa 78:22, “Because they did not believe in God
And did not trust in His salvation.”

Note: Believe in Hebrew in this verse is the same in original word in Isa 43:10. Trust in Hebrew is batach which means to have confidence; to hope; to be sure; to confide; to persuade to trust; – which occurs 129 times in the Old Testament. To believe and to trust are synonymous. To believe in God is to trust in His salvation.

Isa 50:10, “Who is among you that fears the LORD,
That obeys the voice of His servant,
That walks in darkness and has no light?
Let him trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.”

Note: Trust in the original word here in this verse is the same original word in Isa 43:10. Rely in Hebrew is sha`an which means to rest on; to lean on; to rely; to trust in; to trust in God; to repose confidence in; – which occurs 23 times in the Old Testament. He who trusts in the name of the Lord also relies on God.

Pro 3:5-6, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

Note: If you trust in the Lord with all your heart, then you do not lean on your own understanding. That is the problem of secularists and unbelieving scientists and philosophers who lean on their own understanding so-called reason or cannons of logic. Acknowledge in Hebrew is yada` which means to know; to consider; to understand; to declare; to find out and discern; to recognize; to admit; to confess; to be aware; to comprehend; to regard; to have respect; to see about; – which occurs 1,008 times in the Old Testament. Acknowledge God means to give cognition and recognition to God. Acknowledge God in all our ways and God will make our paths straight. The paths of unbelievers are crooked.

Psa 7:1, “A Shiggaion of David, which he sang to the LORD concerning Cush, a Benjamite.
O LORD my God, in You I have taken refuge;
Save me from all those who pursue me, and deliver me.”

Note: David expressed his faith in God by saying, “O Lord my God, in You I have taken refuge.” To take refuge in Hebrew is chacah which means to trust; to have hope; to make a refuge; to seek refuge; to flee for protection; to confide in; to put trust; – which occurs 74 times in the Old Testament. So to believe in God is to have taken refuge in God. And also to believe God will deliver you and save you from all those who pursue you. More important, to save you from your sins.

Psa 118:8-9, “It is better to take refuge in the LORD
Than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD
Than to trust in princes.”

Note: It is amusing that Korea and Japan complain that the American protection fees are too high for them, they ask for a discount. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man, than to to trust in princes, than to trust in the superpower, than to trust in nuclear umbrella. The Lord does not charge protection fees.

Psa 33:22, “Let Your lovingkindness, O LORD, be upon us,
According as we have hoped in You.”

Note: To have hoped in God is to have faith in God, to trust God. There is no hope in this world, no matter who you are.

Psa 33:20, “Our soul waits for the LORD;
He is our help and our shield.”

Note: To wait for the Lord is to have faith in Lord. Shield in Hebrew is magen which means buckler; protector; armed defense; – which occurs 63 times in the Old Testament. To wait for the Lord is to trust in the Lord. For God is our help and our shield. God is better than nuclear shield. There are foolish leaders of foolish nations who trust in nuclear shield. In a nuclear war they will perish with the their nuclear weapons and as well as their nuclear shield.

Deu 9:23, “When the LORD sent you from Kadesh-barnea, saying, ‘Go up and possess the land which I have given you,’ then you rebelled against the command of the LORD your God; you neither believed Him nor listened to His voice.”

Note: Believe in Hebrew is ‘aman which means to trust; to assure; to stand fast; to support; to confirm; to uphold; to be faithful; to make firm; to be certain; to turn to the right; to lean on; to confide in; – which occurs 117 times in the Old Testament. Listen in Hebrew is shama` which means to obey; to understand; to hearken; to give heed; to give ear; to attend to; – which occurs 1,169 times in the Old Testament. To believe God is to listen to His voice. To listen to the voice of God is to obey Him.

Gen 15:6, “Then he believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.”

Note: Abraham believed in the Lord means Abraham put his trust completely to the Lord. Abraham did not count himself anything or worth anything before God. So God reckoned or counted his faith as righteousness. When you come to God, you must come as nobody. The problems of secularists are they think they are somebodies. Whoever comes to God must come to believe God is. God not only exists, God is the Self-Existent Eternal Almighty God, and God may reward a believer by grace. There is nothing between God and man, only a sincere faith can link man to God. On the basis of faith man begs God for mercy. That is the meaning, the righteous shall live by faith. The meaning of faith in the Old Testament is made on promise. The meaning of faith in the New Testament is based on the manifestation of truth in the person of Jesus Christ.

(2). Meanings of faith in the New Testament.

Heb 11:1, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

Note: Faith in Greek is pistis which means firm belief; assurance; fidelity; conviction of the truth; conviction that God exists; a conviction of divine things; belief that Jesus is the Messiah; trust; confidence; persuasion; credence; moral conviction; reliance upon; – which occurs 243 times in the New Testament. Faith is the assurance of things hoped for. Assurance in Greek is hypostasis which means confidence; substance; foundation; that which has actual existence; essence; firm trust; – which occurs 5 times in the New Testament. Hope in Greek is elpizō which means to trust; to expect; to wait for; to want something to happen; – which occurs 36 times in the New Testament. Conviction in Greek is elegchos which means evidence; proof; – which occurs 1 time in the New Testament. Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Faith involves at least 3 elements: firm trust or firm belief, things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen. If you have faith in God, such faith involves at least 3 things: you believe in the actual existence of God, you hope God provides you salvation and eternal life; all these things are not seen yet, they are to happen in the future. Faith in not about the past, not even today, it focuses on tomorrow. No one hopes what he has seen. Here focuses on “personal faith” in God or Christ. The New Testament does not redefine faith, the New Testament clarifies faith in Christ.

Faith is the assurance that because of the sacrifice of Christ on the cross for sinners, our sin is not to be held against us, that the divine wrath has been appeased through faith in the righteousness of Christ, and that with the grace of Omnipotence on our side, we are now and forever safe. Without faith, there cannot be assurance. Without faith, there is no hope. Our assurance and hope come from our faith in Jesus Christ.

Deu 28:66, “So your life shall hang in doubt before you; and you will be in dread night and day, and shall have no assurance of your life.”

Job 24:22, “But He drags off the valiant by His power;
He rises, but no one has assurance of life.”

Note: Death is certain, no one has assurance of his life. Your life shall hang in doubt before you. Man is in dread night and day. No one has assurance of life. The uncertainty of life and lacking assurance drive people to have faith in God. This is how a religion is born.

It is stupid and torpid to say because the moral degradation of all people becomes the occasion of God’s saving activity. It is like saying God is obligated to do saving activity because of man’s sin, it is like saying sinful men are doing God’s a favor, and prompted God to show His mercy. This mind set of the flesh puts God in a passive position and sinful man in the driving seat. It is like the Prodigal Son made the converse statement, “Father, although I have sinned, I am worthy to be called your son, worthy to have double honor.” God does not owe sinful men anything. No man is worthy of God’s mercy. 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.” John the Baptist said he is not worthy to untie the sandals of Jesus’ feet. Sinners are not worthy even to kiss the feet of the Lord. Rom 9:15-16, “For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.” So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.”

It is wrong and incorrect to say Paul in his letter to the church in Rome variously described this salvation using the analogies of justification, redemption, reconciliation, and freedom. The limitation of language employs speaking in human terms. However, things divine are never analogies, they are more real than E=mc2. The process of salvation involves repentance, faith, regeneration, justification, redemption, reconciliation, sanctification, and glorification. There is a tendency for academics to use terms that may reflect favorably their mental acuity and spiritual superficiality, but cast a shadow of doubt on the Word of God.

Jde 1:20-21, “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy Faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.”

Note: Christians build ourselves up on our most holy faith. The Christian Faith is the most holy Faith because it is faith in the love of God, and waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.

THE PROCESS OF SALVATION:

(1). Repentance

Act 20:21, “solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Note: Repentance in Greek is metanoia which means a change of mind; compunction for guilt; reversal of one’s decision; shame for sin; – which occurs 22 times in the New Testament. Repentance is made toward God, turning from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God.

Luk 5:32, “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

Note: Secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers are self-righteous, and so they would not repent. Jesus Christ has come to call sinners to repentance.

Act 26:20, “but kept declaring both to those of Damascus first, and also at Jerusalem and then throughout all the region of Judea, and even to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance.”

Note: Repentance is not a slogan or talk. When a man repents and turns to God, he automatically performs deeds appropriate to repentance. Study the history of Zaccheus, Luk 19:1-10.

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.”

Note: A man who truly repents of his sins will produce a sorrow leading to salvation. Without repentance there is no leading to salvation.

2Ti 2:25, “with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth.”

Note: Repentance leads to the knowledge of the truth. Those who do not want to repent will not have the knowledge of the truth. This is exactly the problem of secularists and unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers. That is why they do not have the knowledge of the truth.

2Pe 3:9, “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”

Note: The Lord is patient, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. God is waiting for you to repent.

(2). Faith

Act 20:21, “solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Note: Faith in Greek is pistis which means belief; assurance; fidelity; conviction of the truth; conviction that God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe; conviction or belief that Jesus is the Messiah; moral conviction; reliance on Christ for salvation; trust; – which occurs 243 times in the New Testament. Faith in itself does not save. Faith cannot save anyone. Faith in science cannot save you. Faith in philosophy cannot save you. Faith in religion cannot save you. Faith in anything cannot save you. Religion cannot save you. The most ludicrous are the Western nations who have faith in nuclear umbrella. They may realize their mistake in ashes too late. Faith in any man cannot save you. Repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the only One who can save you.

Rom 1:5, “through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake.”

Note: Faith obeys God, it is called obedience of faith. Faith is impossible without action. Faith without action is dead. Obedience in Greek is hypakoē which means compliance; submission; observing the requirements of faith; attentive hearkening; conformity; – which occurs 15 times in the New Testament. Faith is perfected in obedience. Any true believer automatically obeys the Lord, obeys the truth, obeys the Gospel of our Lord Jesus. Faith without obedience is rebellion. Believe and be saved.

Gal 5:22, “And the fruit of the Spirit is: Love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

Note: It is important to know that faith is a fruit of the Spirit. He who is full of faith is full of the Spirit. Remember, Stephen was a man full of faith and full of the Holy Spirit. (Act 6:5)

Mar 1:15, “and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel.”

Note: Repent alone cannot save you, repent and believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ you will be saved.

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.”

Note: The good news is so simple that if you believe in the Son of God, you will not be judged. If you do not believe you have been judged already because you have not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

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: 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. Those who have head knowledge of the Gospel are not saved. To be saved you need to believe the Lord Jesus in your heart.

 (3). Regeneration

Tit 3:5, “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.”

Note: Regeneration in Greek is paliggenesia which means new birth; production of a new life; born again; spiritual renovation; internal change; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. By birth human nature is corrupt and depraved, by regeneration the Holy Spirit gives the believer a divine nature; or rather to participate in the divine nature. As Jesus says, Jhn 3:6, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” That which is born of the Spirit is spirit. A born again Christian has the Spirit of Christ dwelling in him. Secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers do not have the Holy Spirit, so they will never have the knowledge of God. Once you have a new birth instantaneously you have a new life. Birth is once and instantaneous, life is continuous. New life in Christ is eternal life.

1Pe 1:3, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

Note: It is the Lord Jesus Christ who has caused believers to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Regeneration means to be born again, to have a new life in Christ.

2Co 3:6, “Who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”

Note: The Spirit of the Lord gives life. Science cannot give life. Philosophy cannot give life. Religion cannot give life. If you have the Spirit of Christ, then you belong to Christ.

(4). Justification

Rom 4:25, “He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.”

Note: Justification in Greek is dikaiōsis which means acquittal; the act of God declaring men free from guilt and acceptable to Him (Strong’s Concordance); adjudging to be righteous; counted as righteous; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead to justify us before God. The righteousness of Christ is imputed or credited to believers as the righteousness of God.

Rom 5:16, “The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification.”

Note: Justification is the free gift of God arose from transgressions to all who believe in Jesus Christ.

Rom 5:18, “So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men.”

Note: The act of righteousness done by Jesus Christ has resulted justification of life to all men and women who believe in Jesus Christ.

(5). Redemption

Rom 3:24, “being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.”

Note: Redemption in Greek is apolytrōsis which means deliverance; a releasing effected by payment of ransom; ransom in full; riddance; – which occurs 10 times in the New Testament. Where can you find redemption? The redemption is in Christ Jesus. Without Jesus Christ there is no redemption.

1Co 1:30, “But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption.”

Note: Jesus Christ became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption.

Col 1:14, “in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

Note: What is redemption? Redemption is the forgiveness of sins in Christ Jesus.

Eph 1:7, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.”

Note: How redemption is accomplished? We have redemption in Christ Jesus through His blood. To obtain redemption, the forgiveness of sins, Jesus Christ died for our sins on the cross, the Just for the unjust. Jesus paid for our redemption with His precious blood.

Heb 9:15, “For this reason He is the Mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.”

Note: What kind of redemption that Jesus accomplished? It is the redemption of the transgressions. Once the redemption of our transgressions is done, we have passed out of death into life and our soul is saved and may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

Heb 9:12, “and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.”

Note: How good is the redemption of Jesus Christ? It is eternal redemption, good for eternity. Once a believer is redeemed, she is redeemed for eternity.

Rom 8:23, “And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.”

Note: The redemption of our soul is done now while we are on earth. The redemption of our body will take place when Jesus Christ returns to judge the living and the dead and reign with the saints. Our natural body will be transformed into spiritual, glorious and immortal body. 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.” The Christian body in the future is spiritual, glorious and eternal or immortal.

(6). Reconciliation

Rom 5:11, “And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.”

Note: Why do we need reconciliation? Sinners are enemies of God. Reconciliation in Greek is katallagē which means atonement; restoration of the favor of God to sinners that repent and put their trust in the expiatory death of Christ (Strong’s Concordance); exchange; – which occurs 4 times in the New Testament. Through our Lord Jesus Christ who died for sinners we have now received the reconciliation. We have made peace with God by the blood of Jesus.

2Co 5:18-19, “Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 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: The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the Word of reconciliation. God reconciled us believers to Himself through Christ. God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting our trespasses against us.

(7). Sanctification

Rom 6:22, “But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.”

Note: Sanctification in Greek is hagiasmos which means holiness; purification; consecration; – which occurs 11 times in the New Testament. The suffering and death of Jesus Christ resulted in sanctification of believers. Believers have been freed from sin and enslaved to God. The outcome of sanctification is eternal life.

Rom 6:19, “I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification.”

Note: Sanctification has two meanings: positional and conditional. Believers freed from sin is sanctified by the Holy Spirit in Christ which is positional sanctification once and for all. Conditional sanctification is the will of God that we abstain from sexual immorality, and live daily a life or purity in faith and in the truth. Our position in Christ in perfect, our condition in the world is not. We need to be sanctified daily and progressively.

1Th 4:3, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality.”

Note: Sanctification is the will of God. Christians abstain from sexual immorality. Homosexuality and same-sex marriage is sexual immorality. Fornication and adultery are also sexual immorality.

1Th 4:7, “For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification.”

Note: Impurity is the opposite of sanctification.

2Th 2:13, “But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.”

Heb 12:14, “Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.”

Note: Christians pursue peace and purity in hope of the second coming of Jesus Christ, for without sanctification no one will see the Lord.

(8). Glorification

1Co 2:7, “But we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God decreed before the ages for our glorification.”

Note: Glorification in Greek is doxa which means honor; praise; dignity; glory; splendor; brightness; magnificence; excellence; preeminence; dignity; grace; majesty; a most glorious and exalted state; the glorious condition of blessedness; exaltation; – which occurs 168 times in the New Testament. 

The last stage of salvation is culminated in the glorification of believers when Jesus Christ returns to share glory with saints, and reign with saints in the Kingdom of Heaven, forever and ever.

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: Christians do not have glory in this world. The children of the ruler of this world have all the power, wealth, and glory. The sufferings which Christians share with Christ of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. The glory to be revealed at the second coming of Jesus Christ in great power and glory.

Rev 14:7, “and he said with a loud voice, “Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who made the Heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters.”

Note: An angel said with a loud voice, “Fear God, and give Him glory.” The hour is coming when the judgment of God has come. All the world must worship God who made the Heaven and the earth.

The Word of God (the Old Testament and the New Testament) is not defined or influenced by the uniqueness of historical and cultural setting. The continuity of the Old Testament and the New Testament is summed up in the person of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament is the shadow of things to come, the New Testament is the substance that grace and truth have come. The Old Testament is fulfilled in the New Testament just as the Messiah has fulfilled the Messianic prophecies. The unity of the Holy Scriptures is the central revelation of Jesus Christ. The central message of the revelation is that Jesus Christ, the time is fulfilled in the Son of God, who is the Way to God. 

Col 2:2, “that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining 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.”

Note: A true knowledge of God’s mystery comes from the personal knowledge of Jesus Christ. All the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding springs from the Spirit of Christ so that our hearts may be encouraged and having been knit together in love. Unbelievers do not have a true knowledge of God’s mystery.

Heb 3:14, “For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end.”

Note: Born again believers have become partakers of Christ, by faith we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end, until the Lord comes.

Heb 6:11, “And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end.”

Note: Partakers of Christ need to apply all diligence, not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord so as to realize the full assurance of the blessed hope until the Lord returns.

Heb 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: Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience, cleansing our hearts by faith, and leading to the obedience of faith. Faith without obedience is like a tree without fruit.

(3). The New Testament describes the nature of personal (individual) faith, various sizes of faith, and various degree and quality.

(A). Little faith.

Mat 6:30, “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!”

Note: Little faith in Greek is oligopistos which means trusting too little; lacking confidence; – which occurs 13 times in the New Testament. Little faith is bad.

(B). Great faith.

Mat 8:10, “Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who were following, “Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel.”

Note: Great in Greek is tosoutos which means so much; as large; so vast as this; – which occurs 40 times in the New Testament. Great faith is good.

Mat 15:28, “Then Jesus said to her, “O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed at once.”

Note: Great here in Greek is megas which means huge; loud; great mass and weight; abundant; mighty; strong; powerful; eminent; excellent; splendid; grand; preeminent; stately; distinguished; something higher, more exalted, more majestic; notable; – which occurs 256 times in the New Testament. In the sight of Christ, megas faith is greater than tosoutos faith.

(C). Size of a mustard seed.

Mat 17:20, “And He said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.”

Note: Mustard in Greek is sinapi which means “the name of a plant which in oriental countries grows from a very small seed and attains to the height of a tree, 10 feet (3 m) and more; hence a very small quantity of a thing is likened to a mustard seed, and also a thing which grows to a remarkable size” (Strong’s Concordance); – which occurs 5 times in the New Testament. Apparently and sadly, almost all believers (including me) do not even have faith the size of a mustard seed.

(D). Faith can be seen.

Mar 2:5, “And Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

Note: Jesus Christ can see the faith of the four men who carried the paralytic, they removed the roof above Christ, and when they had dug an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic was lying. I do not have the gift of seeing the faith of others. I do not know anyone who has the gift to see the faith of others. Jesus Christ sees your faith.

(E). No faith.

Mar 4:40, “And He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

Note: It is clear those who still have no faith will be afraid. No faith can never be introduced into grace. No faith is unbelief. Unbelief is evil.

(F). Great confidence in the Faith.

1Ti 3:13, “For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the Faith that is in Christ Jesus.”

Note: Faith varies in quality and quantity. Those who have served well in Christ obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the Faith that is in Christ Jesus. For example, 2Ti 4:8, “in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.” Apostle Paul has great confidence that in the future there is laid up for him the crown of righteousness. Not all believers have such great confidence. I never consider myself having a high standing in the Kingdom of God. I am most thankful just being a member of God’s household, a lowly servant. Jas 1:12, “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” I met a man of God in China just one year before his death, Wang Ming Tao, who suffered in prison for many years. I believe he will also receive the crown of life.

(4). Blessings of true faith in Christ.

Col 2:2, “that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining 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.”

Note: A personal faith in Christ attains the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself.

Heb 3:14, “For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end.”

Note: True faith in Christ makes one a partaker of Christ. Believers must hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the coming again of Jesus Christ.

Heb 6:11, “And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end.”

Note: Believers must show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end. True faith does not give up in the middle. True faith does not go half way, but to the end.

Heb 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: You can have full assurance of faith only with a sincere heart. With a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, children of God may draw near to God, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and out bodies washed with pure water.

Phl 1:25, “Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith.”

Note: It is normal for a Christian to have progress and joy in the faith, in the Christian life by faith.

II.  FAITH IS PERSONAL

Faith is personal or individual means each man has to have faith in God personally like the same you eat food or drink personally. Faith is the act of believing. Just as no one can eat food or drink for you, so no one can believe on your behalf. Your parents cannot believe on your behalf. You spouse can not have faith on your behalf. Your sibling cannot believe on your behalf. No one can believe for you, you have to believe yourself and for yourself. The Bible is full of heroes of faith, here we selectively pick some giants of faith in the Hall of Fame of Faith described in Hebrews Chapter 11.

Mat 9:22, “But Jesus turning and seeing her said, “Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well.” At once the woman was made well.”

Note: There is no doubt what God can do. But the power of God applies only to those who believe. Only by faith can a believer appropriates the power of God. Jesus heals the woman because she has faith in Him. So Jesus said to her, “Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well.” Faith is personal or individual and the outcome of faith is also personal.

Mat 21:21, “And Jesus answered and said to them, “Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will happen.”

Note: To have faith is not to doubt. When you doubt, you do not have faith. Faith and doubt cannot and do not coexist.

Mat 14:25-32, “And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind stopped.”

A real story cited above can be used to illustrate what faith is. Jesus was walking on the sea. Peter asked the Lord to grant him walking on the sea to Him. Peter was afraid seeing the wind and wave, as he began sinking he cried out, “Lord, save me!” The Lord stretched out His hand to Peter. Faith is a spiritual act, and indeed the most important of all such acts, for our fate depends on it. Faith is personal, like the sinking Peter letting Jesus stretched out Hand to take hold of him. (Mat 14:31) 1Ti 6:19, “storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.” Faith is taking hold of that which is life indeed.

Mar 4:40, “And He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

Note: If you are afraid, you do not have faith. If you have faith, you are not afraid. 

Jhn 9:38, “And he said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped Him.

Note: The correct attitude is like the man blind from birth who says, “Lord, I believe.” Lord, I believe and I worship Jesus Christ.

You maybe a pure Barthian and not a Christian. By the same token you can be a Calvinist or a Lutheran and not a Christian. A Christian does not need to be a Barthian or Lutheran or Calvinist or anything else. Once I met a young student nurse at a Lutheran hospital, she said she was a Lutheran, but not a Christian. If Luther were alive, hearing this statement would certainly infuriate him. A Christian is not anything else but a believer, disciple, and follower of Jesus Christ. It is not of pagan origin. Act 11:26, “and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” It is strange and the noun ‘Christian’ is misused particularly by the white race. Those who are born in Europe or America automatically think or consider themselves Christians. There are quite a few Chinese in Shanghai who wear the cross necklace as a fashion but they are not Christians.

Luk 22:32, “but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

Note: The Lord prayed for Peter that his faith may not fail. Although Peter denied the Lord three times, he turned again and served the Lord to his death. Judas the betrayer is different, for Judas from the beginning did not believe. God help us so that our faith may not fail.

1Th 1:3, “constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father.”

Note: Bear in mind, whatever Christians work is the work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father.

Heroes of faith are examples of faith; examples of faith are those who are worthy of our imitation and admiration listed as follows:

  (1).  Abel

Gen 4:1-17, “Now the man had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain, and she said, “I have gotten a manchild with the help of the LORD.” Again, she gave birth to his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of flocks, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the LORD of the fruit of the ground. Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and for his offering; but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell. Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?“  If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.” Cain told Abel his brother. And it came about when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.  Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” And he said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to Me from the ground. Now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you cultivate the ground, it will no longer yield its strength to you; you will be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth.” Cain said to the LORD, “My punishment is too great to bear! Behold, You have driven me this day from the face of the ground; and from Your face I will be hidden, and I will be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.”  So the LORD said to him, “Therefore whoever kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold.” And the LORD appointed a sign for Cain, so that no one finding him would slay him.  Then Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden. Cain had relations with his wife and she conceived, and gave birth to Enoch; and he built a city, and called the name of the city Enoch, after the name of his son.”

Note: Cain in Hebrew is Qayin which means possession; – which occurs 19 times in the Old Testament. Abel in Hebrew is Hebel which means breath; something vain and empty; exhalation; vapor; mist; darkness; shortness of life; – which occurs 8 times in the Old Testament. Abel is the second son of Adam and Eve. Why did Adam and Eve give Abel a good man with a bad name? Some grandparents or parents who give a bad nickname to their descendant may have a negative impact on her life. Just see how wrong were Adam and Eve. They thought they got a possession in Cain which turned out to be a murderer, the first fratricide in the history of mankind. They called Abel the first righteous man breath, short life like a vapor. A good man may have a bad name, a bad man may have a good name. You cannot know a man just by his name. But from the beginning, God separates two groups of people: The unrighteous like Cain on the left, the righteous like Abel on the right.

The Scriptures cited above provide the background history of Abel and his brother Cain. Cain is the archetype of the wicked. Cain is the first (human) murderer, the first fratricide, the first (human) liar, the first hypocrite or pretender, the first angry man, the first vagrant and wanderer on the earth. The way of Cain is the way of murder and lie. Western colonialists, imperialists, militarists, capitalists, warmongers, terrorists, Western media and Islamic terrorists are the descendants of Cain. Cain was the first murderer who complained death penalty was too great to bear. Cain never repented of his sin, never expressed regret or remorse for killing his own brother. Cain was a professional liar who denied what he had done and pretended ignorance. Cain covered himself with hypocrisy and jealousy. Cain did nothing to seek the righteousness of God. Western leaders and Western media are descendants of Cain, they lie, lie, and lie; kill, kill, and kill; rob, rob, and rob even to these days. Abel was the first victim of murder, the first righteous man who suffers. It is false to say when Cain suddenly struck Abel down, dying Abel took all the blame on himself. Unbelieving secularists have the habit of adding to the Word of God and also subtracting. From the beginning, the history of mankind is the history of the righteous suffering under the hands of the wicked to this day.

Heb 11:4, “By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.”

Note: What does it mean that “By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain”? Although the Bible does not explain its meaning. In all probability, Abel by faith offered to God a better sacrifice because a lamb was slain signifying shedding of blood to atone for his sin, and Abel had a better attitude and manner toward God. While Cain offered the fruit of the ground which had been cursed, and probably Cain had an arrogant attitude displaying his work, not by faith. Why did Cain kill Abel? I believe it is more than just jealousy. Cain is evil, evil is a mystery. 1Sa 24:13, “As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness’; but my hand shall not be against you.” The heart of Cain inclined toward wickedness, with the leaven of malice and wickedness Cain killed his brother, and apparently took pleasure in wickedness. Cain asked God for more lenient punishment, but he did not express his regret and remorse, and much less repentance. Wickedness is as mysterious as the devil. In comparison, Abel was the first man to worship God in a way that pleased God by faith. Sadly, Abel was also the first man to be murdered, the first victim of fratricide. This depicts the depravity of humanity. Even today Western leaders and warmongers still lie, kill, and rob other human beings for the last 500 years. Though Abel is dead, he still speaks means the righteousness of the righteous will live on and speak. The wickedness of the wicked will stink for a thousand years and rot in Hell.

Clearly the occupation of Cain as a a tiller of the ground (farmer) has nothing to do with his wickedness. The view of the superiority of the pastoral over the agricultural occupation is unfounded. In fact, when I was a child the best human being I had ever met was a farmer who was a total stranger. We happened to wander to his farm house, and he treated us with boiling fresh peanuts which I have never tasted more delicious ever since. However, some occupations do influence and incline to do evil such as executives of Washington, Wall Street, Hollywood, military-industrial-security complex, and Islamic terrorists. You will not find a righteous prostitute except Rahab. Heb 11:31, “By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace.” By experience I have found additionally those who are in finance, treasury, banking, medicine, hospital, drug, insurance, funds management, stocks and bonds, government, charity, foundation; etc. are more greedy than ordinary people. Any honest job is more honorable than the richest and most powerful crooks in the world. When I was working in hospital, janitors were friendly to me because I told them their jobs are so important. You know how terrible it could be if the floor is slippery and patients fall and injure themselves. The following Scripture gives a summary comment on Cain. 1Jo 3:12, “not as Cain, who was of the evil one and slew his brother. And for what reason did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother’s were righteous.” The Scripture says Cain was of the evil one, it means Cain was of the devil. Cain’s deeds were evil. It looks like the conflict of good and evil will continue until the end of the world. Are you on the wrong side, on the side with the devil? The most shocking happening in the last days is American and Western leaders and Western media that call good evil, and evil good, killing and destroying and robbing under false pretenses, constantly and continuously making fake news, fake reports, and spread lies and wrong views in the world without shame. They have gone the way of Cain. I reject the idea that Cain is a type of the Jew. Just as Abel is the type of the righteous, Cain is the type of the wicked. Cain and Abel were not twins.

Heb 12:24, “and to Jesus, the Mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.”

Note: Jesus the Son of God, the Savior of the world, the Mediator of a new covenant, whose blood speaks better than the blood of Abel. The blood of Abel was innocent, but the blood of Jesus is precious. The precious blood of Christ not only can cleanse the sins of believers, also make propitiation for the sins of the people, bring us near to God, release us from our sins, and cleanse our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

Abel was was a keeper of flocks or a shepherd. It is wrong to believe being a shepherd would automatically make a man righteous. Although a shepherd reflects nicely Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, the Great Shepherd and the Chief Shepherd. Even a king is viewed as a shepherd of a nation. Significantly, Jesus calls Abel the righteous. Mat 23:35, “so that upon you may fall the guilt of all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.” The blood of Abel was shed by his own brother. What a sad tragedy. The amazing thing about the blood of Abel is the fact the voice of Abel’s blood was crying to God from the ground. Millions of innocent blood around the world killed by American presidents and congressional leaders since the end of World War II to the present must be crying out aloud to God. Thirty five millions of the innocent blood of Chinese killed by Japanese militarists in 14 years of the war of Japanese aggression must be crying out aloud from the ground to God. How many thousands of the innocent blood killed by Islamic terrorists to this day must be crying out aloud to God. Abel was the first martyr. Second most amazing thing is the fact, through faith, though Abel is dead, he still speaks. The Bible does not explain what Abel still speaks about. I believe Abel speaks by his act of faith. If you want to please God, you must offer to God a better sacrifice by faith. Your attitude toward God is important. God will judge the wicked. Vengeance belongs to God. No one can escape the wrath of God. 

Academics are guilty of pride in pretending what they really do not know. It is pseudo scholarship to say that Abel was killed about the year of the world, 130. It was the folly of another scholar who counted the world was created 6,000 years ago. A little knowledge spoils and soils the truth.

(2).  Enoch

The Bible speaks very little about Enoch. However, the following is a list of facts about Enoch:

(A). Oldest son of Cain (Gen 4:17, “Cain had relations with his wife and she conceived, and gave birth to Enoch; and he built a city, and called the name of the city Enoch, after the name of his son.”

(B). A city built in his name by Cain (Gen 4:17)

(C). Father of Methuselah (Gen 5:21, “ Enoch lived sixty-five years, and became the father of Methuselah.”

(D). Walked with God 300 years (Gen 5:22, “Then Enoch walked with God three hundred years after he became the father of Methuselah, and he had other sons and daughters.”

(E). Lived 365 years (Gen 5:23, “So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years.”

(F). God took Enoch (Gen 5:24, “Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.” Heb 11:5, “By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; AND HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD TOOK HIM UP; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God.”

(G). Pleasing to God (Heb 11:5, “By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; AND HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD TOOK HIM UP; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God.”

(H). Prophesied second coming of Christ (Jde 1:14-15, “It was also about these men that Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord came with many thousands of His holy ones, 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: Enoch is known as the man who walked with God. What does it mean to walk with God? Could it be a literal walk? If it is a literal walk, how could it be done, how can Enoch walk in steps with God? How can Enoch walk with God 300 years, what did he do for a living, did he not have to eat, drink and sleep? I believe it was not literally walking with God. I believe it means Enoch had perfect fellowship with God and obedience to God, the daily actions of Enoch were upright, conducting himself in a manner worthy of God, conducting himself with wisdom, conducting himself honorably in all things, conducting himself in the fear of God, to be in holy conduct and godliness, pleasing God by doing His will. How interesting and fascinating that Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death. Enoch was not a legend of any kind, he was a Biblical history. I dislike some academics who habitually exaggerate human tradition and making parallel with other nations and civilizations. The so-called Book of Enoch is not a part of the Holy Bible, and there is no need to quote it or use it as a reference. It is fatally wrong to assert that certain legends, civilizations, customs, traditions, histories, ideologies, myths, mythologies, religions, etc. have exerted influence on the doctrines of the Bible. The Holy Bible is the Word of God, not influenced by anything or anyone any place any time. Any scholar who holds the Holy Bible (The Old Testament and the New Testament) is the influence or parallel or result of other outside sources is a false teacher, an antichrist, an agent of the devil. These false and facetious, incorrect and invalid assertions appear a great deal in the works of secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers. The Apocalyptic literature is not the Word of God.

(3).  Noah

Heb 11:7, “By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.”

Note: Noah in Greek is Nōe which means rest; the second father of the human race; – which occurs 8 times in the New Testament. Warn in Greek is chrēmatizō which means to be warned of God; to be admonished of God; to be warned from God; to be divinely instructed; to be divinely commanded; – which occurs 9 times in the New Testament. When God spoke to Noah about things not yet seen, by faith Noah received the command of God to prepare an ark for the salvation of his household.

The following is a list of facts about Noah:

(A). Lamech is the father of Noah (Gen 5:28-30, “Lamech lived one hundred and eighty-two years, and became the father of a son. Now he called his name Noah, saying, “This one will give us rest from our work and from the toil of our hands arising from the ground which the LORD has cursed. ”Then Lamech lived five hundred and ninety-five years after he became the father of Noah, and he had other sons and daughters.”

(B). Noah became the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth (Gen 5:32, “Noah was five hundred years old, and Noah became the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth.”

(C). Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord (Gen 6:8-9, “But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.  These are the records of the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time; Noah walked with God.” The reasons Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord are clear: Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time; Noah walked with God. Enoch was the first man mentioned in the Scripture who walked with God, Noah was the second man mentioned in the Bible that he walked with God. 

(D). Noah was the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth (Gen 6:10, 

“Noah became the father of three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.”

(E). The days of Noah (Gen 6:5-7, “Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.  The LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. The LORD said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I have made them.” To say that God was sorry and He was grieved in His heart is completely anthropomorphic expression. God is not man that He feels sorry or grieves in His heart. God knows everything. God knows the end from the beginning. God knows and controls whatever comes to pass. Nothing surprises or upsets God.

(F). Gen 6:11-12, “Now the earth was corrupt in the sight of God, and the earth was filled with violence. God looked on the earth, and behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth.”

Note: Corrupt in Hebrew is shachath which means to be destroyed; to be marred; to be spoiled; to be battered; to go to ruin; to be rotted; to be decayed; – which occurs 164 times in the Old Testament. Violence in Hebrew is chamac which means cruelty; wrong; injustice; damage; oppression; unrighteousness; – which occurs 60 times. The whole world today is also corrupt in the sight of God and filled with violence, especially the United States of America. How insane is any government that makes guns available to crooks and criminals and terrorists!

(G). God told Noah to build an ark (Gen 6:13-22, “Then God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence because of them; and behold, I am about to destroy them with the earth. Make for yourself an ark of gopher wood; you shall make the ark with rooms, and shall cover it inside and out with pitch. This is how you shall make it: the length of the ark three hundred cubits, its breadth fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits. You shall make a window for the ark, and finish it to a cubit from the top; and set the door of the ark in the side of it; you shall make it with lower, second, and third decks. Behold, I, even I am bringing the flood of water upon the earth, to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life, from under heaven; everything that is on the earth shall perish. But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every kind into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female. Of the birds after their kind, and of the animals after their kind, of every creeping thing of the ground after its kind, two of every kind will come to you to keep them alive. As for you, take for yourself some of all food which is edible, and gather it to yourself; and it shall be for food for you and for them.” Thus Noah did; according to all that God had commanded him, so he did.”

Note: Noah was not only a righteous man, Noah was a great achiever who did all that God had commanded him.

(H). Noah was 600 years old when the flood of water came upon the earth (Gen 7:6), “ Now Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of water came upon the earth.”

Note: The Bible does not say when Noah began the task of building the Ark, it says clearly when Noah was 600 years old the Flood came.

(I). The Deluge lasted 150 days.

Gen 7:1-24, “Then the LORD said to Noah, “Enter the ark, you and all your household, for you alone I have seen to be righteous before Me in this time. You shall take with you of every clean animal by sevens, a male and his female; and of the animals that are not clean two, a male and his female; also of the birds of the sky, by sevens, male and female, to keep offspring alive on the face of all the earth. “For after seven more days, I will send rain on the earth forty days and forty nights; and I will blot out from the face of the land every living thing that I have made.” Noah did according to all that the LORD had commanded him. Now Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of water came upon the earth. Then Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives with him entered the ark because of the water of the flood. Of clean animals and animals that are not clean and birds and everything that creeps on the ground, there went into the ark to Noah by twos, male and female, as God had commanded Noah. It came about after the seven days, that the water of the flood came upon the earth.  In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on the same day all the fountains of the great deep burst open, and the floodgates of the sky were opened.  The rain fell upon the earth for forty days and forty nights. On the very same day Noah and Shem and Ham and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah’s wife and the three wives of his sons with them, entered the ark,  they and every beast after its kind, and all the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth after its kind, and every bird after its kind, all sorts of birds.  So they went into the ark to Noah, by twos of all flesh in which was the breath of life. Those that entered, male and female of all flesh, entered as God had commanded him; and the LORD closed it behind him. Then the flood came upon the earth for forty days, and the water increased and lifted up the ark, so that it rose above the earth. The water prevailed and increased greatly upon the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the water. The water prevailed more and more upon the earth, so that all the high mountains everywhere under the heavens were covered. The water prevailed fifteen cubits higher, and the mountains were covered. All flesh that moved on the earth perished, birds and cattle and beasts and every swarming thing that swarms upon the earth, and all mankind; of all that was on the dry land, all in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life, died. Thus He blotted out every living thing that was upon the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky, and they were blotted out from the earth; and only Noah was left, together with those that were with him in the ark. The water prevailed upon the earth one hundred and fifty days.”

(J). Eight persons entered the Ark.

Gen 7:13, “On the very same day Noah and Shem and Ham and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah’s wife and the three wives of his sons with them, entered the ark.”

Note: The persons entered the Ark: Noah, Noah’s wife (name unknown); Noah’s three sons Shem, Ham, and Japheth; and the three wives of Noah’s sons (names unknown). 

Ark in Hebrew is  tebah  which means a chest, coffer; the ship which Noah made like a chest or coffer; – it occurs 28 times in the Old Testament. 

Something is most interesting and amazing about the Chinese character for “ship”. Chinese characters are square. The etymology of the Chinese word ” ship ”   船 ,  舟  (big boat)   八  (eight) ,  口  (mouth).   One mouth means one person. So the Chinese character   船  means in a big boat, there were 8 mouths or 8 persons. Thus ship is written with “boat” on the left, “eight mouths” on the right. In the big ship there were  8 persons, one mouth stands for one person. For the Chinese in counting population, you count how many mouths. It is historically significant because Noah, his wife, their three sons and three daughters-in-law made up a family of 8 persons who entered the Ark and were saved from the Flood or the Deluge. And so the Chinese character  “ ship ”  is written that there are 8 mouths in the Ark. 

1 Pe 3:20,   “Who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water.” 
Note: Ark in Greek is  kibōtos   which means  a wooden chest or box, Noah’s vessel built in the form of an ark; – it occurs 6 times in the New Testament.    

2 Pe 2:5 , “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.” 

Note: Was the Flood only a story or a myth? Jesus Christ confirmed it as a historical event. Jesus Christ confirms both the creation and the Ark as true historical facts.

Luk 17:27, “They were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, they were being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.”  

Note: I would rather believe my Lord and my God, Jesus Christ, than all the scientists and philosophers and theologians of all generations put together. Jesus Christ died for sinners and rose from the dead and lives forever; all scientists and philosophers and theologians not only will die, they do not even know the day of their death. 

(K). God remembered Noah.

Gen 8:1-22, “But God remembered Noah and all the beasts and all the cattle that were with him in the ark; and God caused a wind to pass over the earth, and the water subsided. Also the fountains of the deep and the floodgates of the sky were closed, and the rain from the sky was restrained; and the water receded steadily from the earth, and at the end of one hundred and fifty days the water decreased. In the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, the ark rested upon the mountains of Ararat. The water decreased steadily until the tenth month; in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, the tops of the mountains became visible. Then it came about at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made; and he sent out a raven, and it flew here and there until the water was dried up from the earth. Then he sent out a dove from him, to see if the water was abated from the face of the land; but the dove found no resting place for the sole of her foot, so she returned to him into the ark, for the water was on the surface of all the earth. Then he put out his hand and took her, and brought her into the ark to himself. So he waited yet another seven days; and again he sent out the dove from the ark. The dove came to him toward evening, and behold, in her beak was a freshly picked olive leaf. So Noah knew that the water was abated from the earth. Then he waited yet another seven days, and sent out the dove; but she did not return to him again. Now it came about in the six hundred and first year, in the first month, on the first of the month, the water was dried up from the earth. Then Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and behold, the surface of the ground was dried up. In the second month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, the earth was dry. Then God spoke to Noah, saying, “Go out of the ark, you and your wife and your sons and your sons’ wives with you. Bring out with you every living thing of all flesh that is with you, birds and animals and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, that they may breed abundantly on the earth, and be fruitful and multiply on the earth. ”So Noah went out, and his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives with him. Every beast, every creeping thing, and every bird, everything that moves on the earth, went out by their families from the ark.”

Apparently, the Deluge was geographically universal, only 8 persons were saved. The Ark rested upon the mountains of Ararat. Mount Ararat is in Turkey. All Biblical places are real geographical places. All Biblical characters are real historical persons.

(L). Noah built an altar to the Lord, and offered burnt offerings.

Gen 8:20-22, “Then Noah built an altar to the LORD, and took of every clean animal and of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar. The LORD smelled the soothing aroma; and the LORD said to Himself, “I will never again curse the ground on account of man, for the intent of man’s heart is evil from his youth; and I will never again destroy every living thing, as I have done.“  While the earth remains,
Seedtime and harvest,
And cold and heat,
And summer and winter,
And day and night
Shall not cease.”

(M). God blessed Noah and his sons.

Gen 9:1-19, “And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.“  The fear of you and the terror of you will be on every beast of the earth and on every bird of the sky; with everything that creeps on the ground, and all the fish of the sea, into your hand they are given. “Every moving thing that is alive shall be food for you; I give all to you, as I gave the green plant. Only you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood. “Surely I will require your lifeblood; from every beast I will require it. And from every man, from every man’s brother I will require the life of man. Whoever sheds man’s blood,
By man his blood shall be shed,
For in the image of God
He made man. As for you, be fruitful and multiply;
Populate the earth abundantly and multiply in it.” Then God spoke to Noah and to his sons with him, saying, “Now behold, I Myself do establish My covenant with you, and with your descendants after you;  and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the cattle, and every beast of the earth with you; of all that comes out of the ark, even every beast of the earth. I establish My covenant with you; and all flesh shall never again be cut off by the water of the flood, neither shall there again be a flood to destroy the earth.” God said, “This is the sign of the covenant which I am making between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all successive generations; I set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth. It shall come about, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow will be seen in the cloud, and I will remember My covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and never again shall the water become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the cloud, then I will look upon it, to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” And God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant which I have established between Me and all flesh that is on the earth.” Now the sons of Noah who came out of the ark were Shem and Ham and Japheth; and Ham was the father of Canaan.  These three were the sons of Noah, and from these the whole earth was populated.”

(N). Noah lived to be 950 years old and died.

Gen 9:28-29, “Noah lived three hundred and fifty years after the flood. So all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years, and he died.”

(O). The second coming of Jesus will be just like the days of Noah.

Mat 24:37-42,“For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. 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, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left. Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.”

Note: Christians must be on the alert, for we do not know which day the Lord is coming again.

(P). Fire will destroy the present Heavens and earth.

2Pe 2:5, “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.”

2Pe 3:6-7, “through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. 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: As water destroyed the ancient world, so fire will destroy the present world. The day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men is near. The days of warmongers, imperialists, militarists, monopolists, capitalists, supremacists, and terrorists are numbered.

I reject totally the practice of some academics or pseudo scholars who quote the Midrash or any outside sources or influences to so-called fill in gaps in Biblical texts. The Biblical account is not derived from the Babylonian or any primitive civilizations. The correct attitude toward the Word of God is absolute and complete and independent. It is clearly blasphemous to think that God has to borrow from human sources or resources. We stress what the Bibles stresses. We discuss what is written in the Bible. We do not indulge in any subject which the Word of God is silent. We do not speculate. Some people like to pretend the breadth of their knowledge by quoting legends, myths, mythologies, fables, secular unverifiable histories, traditions, etc. as if they were facts. I practice using the Word of God to explain the Word of God. Let the Word of God explain the Scripture.

I reject also the history of the world covering 6,000 years. I reject any hypothesis or theory which is not validated by the Word of God. I do not care what self-appointed scholars think or say. There are so many types proposed by some self-claimed theologians, but they are like cattle heads connected to horse mouths. I believe nothing is impossible with God. The authority of Jesus Christ is absolute, perfect, supreme, and ultimate. 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.” I have discovered that it is a waste of time and effort to study the works of philosophy of empty deception, traditions of men and the elementary principles of the world.

It has been said, the brevity of the Biblical history satisfies not human curiosity. However, the Bible is not a book to satisfy human curiosity, depravity, and vanity. The central message of the Bible is Jesus Christ, not anything or anybody else. The purpose of revelation is Rom 16:25, “Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my Gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past.” The mystery of Christ is the mystery of God. Eph 1:17, “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.” The purpose of revelation is that you may have the knowledge of Christ. Col 1:9, “For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” Christians want to be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. Science and philosophy do not and cannot offer you real knowledge, spiritual wisdom and understanding.

(4).  Abraham

Heb 11:8, “By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.”

Note: The faith of Abraham was great, in obedience to God he went out not knowing where he was going. There are people who do not know where they are going because they are lost in the world. Abraham followed God and did not question God.

Here is a list of facts about Abraham:

(A). Originally called ABRAM.

Gen 11:26, “Terah lived seventy years, and became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran.”

(B). God appeared to Abram when he was 99 years old.

Gen 17:1-4, “ Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him,
“I am God Almighty;
Walk before Me, and be blameless. I will establish My covenant between Me and you,
And I will multiply you exceedingly.” Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying, “As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you,
And you will be the father of a multitude of nations.”

Note: It is no small thing that Abraham is called the friend of God. Jas 2:23, “and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS,” and he was called the friend of God.”

(C). Terah was the father of Abram.

Gen 11:26, “Terah lived seventy years, and became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran.”

(D). Sarai was Abram’s wife.

Gen 11:29, “ Abram and Nahor took wives for themselves. The name of Abram’s wife was Sarai; and the name of Nahor’s wife was Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah and Iscah.”

(E). Abram Left Ur and Moved to Haran.

Gen 11:31, “Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran, his grandson, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram’s wife; and they went out together from Ur of the Chaldeans in order to enter the land of Canaan; and they went as far as Haran, and settled there.”

Act 7:2-3, “And he said, “Hear me, brethren and fathers! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, and said to him, ‘LEAVE YOUR COUNTRY AND YOUR RELATIVES, AND COME INTO THE LAND THAT I WILL SHOW YOU.”

Act 7:4, “Then he left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. From there, after his father died, God had him move to this country in which you are now living.”

(F). The Lord told Abram to go to the land which God will show him.

Gen 12:1, “Now the LORD said to Abram,
“Go forth from your country,
And from your relatives
And from your father’s house,
To the land which I will show you.”

Jos 24:3, “Then I took your father Abraham from beyond the River, and led him through all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his descendants and gave him Isaac.”

Heb 11:8, “By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.”

(G). Abram departed from Haran to the land of Canaan.

Gen 12:4-5, “So Abram went forth as the LORD had spoken to him; and Lot went with him. Now Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his nephew, and all their possessions which they had accumulated, and the persons which they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan; thus they came to the land of Canaan.”

(H). God gave the land of Canaan to Abraham’s descendants.

Gen 12:7-8, “The LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” So he built an altar there to the LORD who had appeared to him. Then he proceeded from there to the mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; and there he built an altar to the LORD and called upon the name of the LORD.”

Note: The land of Canaan was given by God to the descendants of Abraham, not Palestinians, not Arabs, not Hamas or any other races, and cannot be determined by the United Nations. Abraham never lived in a house, but his descendants have the right to build houses in the Promised Land.

(I). Due to famine, Abram went down to sojourn in Egypt.

Gen 12:10, “Now there was a famine in the land; so Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land.”

(J). Lot separated from Abram.

Gen 13:8-9, “So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, nor between my herdsmen and your herdsmen, for we are brothers. Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me; if to the left, then I will go to the right; or if to the right, then I will go to the left.”

Note: The possessions of Abram and Lot were so great that they were not able to remain together. Abram appeared most noble, he acceded the right to Lot to choose to go to the right or to the left. Hebron was where Abram had sojourned.

(K). Abram defeated Chedorlaomer and saved his relative Lot.

Gen 14:14-17, “When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he led out his trained men, born in his house, three hundred and eighteen, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. He divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them, and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus. He brought back all the goods, and also brought back his relative Lot with his possessions, and also the women, and the people. Then after his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley).”

(L). Melchizedek blessed Abram and Abram gave him a tenth of all.

Gen 14:18-20, “And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High. He blessed him and said,
“Blessed be Abram of God Most High,
Possessor of Heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High,
Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.”
He gave him a tenth of all.”

Heb 7:1-2, “For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth part of all the spoils, was first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace.”

(M). God made covenant with Abram.

Gen 15:1, “ After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying,
“Do not fear, Abram,
I am a shield to you;
Your reward shall be very great.”

Gen 17:1-4, “Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him,
“I am God Almighty;
Walk before Me, and be blameless.“  I will establish My covenant between Me and you, And I will multiply you exceedingly.” Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying, “As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you will be the father of a multitude of nations.”

Rom 4:13, “For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith.”

(N). Hagar bore Abram a son called Ishmael.

Gen 16:3-5, “After Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, Abram’s wife Sarai took Hagar the Egyptian, her maid, and gave her to her husband Abram as his wife. He went in to Hagar, and she conceived; and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her sight. And Sarai said to Abram, “May the wrong done me be upon you. I gave my maid into your arms, but when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her sight. May the LORD judge between you and me.”

Note: Hagar represents a slave that despised her mistress. When a little man is elevated, he becomes abusive and oppressive. 

Gen 16:15-16, “So Hagar bore Abram a son; and Abram called the name of his son, whom Hagar bore, Ishmael. Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to him.”

(O). God changed the name of Abram into Abraham.

Gen 17:5, “No longer shall your name be called Abram,
But your name shall be Abraham;
For I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.”

Neh 9:7, “You are the LORD God,
Who chose Abram
And brought him out from Ur of the Chaldees,
And gave him the name Abraham.”

1Ch 1:27, “Abram, that is Abraham.”

(P). Circumcision the sign of the covenant between God and Abraham.

Gen 17:10-11, “This is My covenant, which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: every male among you shall be circumcised. And you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and you.”

Gen 17:24, “Now Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.”

(Q). The Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre. 

Gen 18:1-5, “Now the LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, while he was sitting at the tent door in the heat of the day. When he lifted up his eyes and looked, behold, three men were standing opposite him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth, and said, “My Lord, if now I have found favor in Your sight, please do not pass Your servant by. Please let a little water be brought and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree; and I will bring a piece of bread, that you may refresh yourselves; after that you may go on, since you have visited your servant.” And they said, “So do, as you have said.”

Note: I believe “three men” were the Triune God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit appeared in human forms.

(R). Abraham pleaded for Sodom.

Gen 18:32-33, “Then he said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak only this once; suppose ten are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the ten.” As soon as He had finished speaking to Abraham the LORD departed, and Abraham returned to his place.”

Note: God eventually destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. There could not be found 10 righteous men in Sodom. Probably, there could not be found 10 righteous men in Washington, D.C. or London or Paris today.

(S). Abraham sojourned in Gerar.

Gen 20:1, “Now Abraham journeyed from there toward the land of the Negev, and settled between Kadesh and Shur; then he sojourned in Gerar.”

Gen 20:2-3, “ Abraham said of Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.” So Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah. But God came to Abimelech in a dream of the night, and said to him, “Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is married.”

Note: God prevented Abimelech king of Gerar from violating Sarah.

(T). Sarah bore a son to Abraham called Isaac.

Gen 21:1-3, “Then the LORD took note of Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah as He had promised. So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the appointed time of which God had spoken to him. Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore to him, Isaac.”

Gal 4:22-23, “For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman and one by the free woman. But the son by the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and the son by the free woman through the promise.”

Note: The Lord did for Sarah as He had promised. The Lord always performs what He promised.

(U). God tested Abraham.

Gen 22:1-14, “Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.” So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and Isaac his son; and he split wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. On the third day Abraham raised his eyes and saw the place from a distance. Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey, and I and the lad will go over there; and we will worship and return to you.” Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son, and he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together. Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” And he said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham said, “God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” So the two of them walked on together. Then they came to the place of which God had told him; and Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood, and bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” Then Abraham raised his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him a ram caught in the thicket by his horns; and Abraham went and took the ram and offered him up for a burnt offering in the place of his son. Abraham called the name of that place The LORD Will Provide, as it is said to this day, “In the mount of the LORD it will be provided.”

Heb 11:17, “ By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son.”

Note: This is an interesting account of Abraham’s complete obedience of faith in willing to sacrifice even his only son. There have been much fusses and noises in reaction to this passage of the Scripture. Who am I to question what the Lord God Almighty is doing? God does whatever He pleases. Whatever God does is right. There are some damned souls who think that God has to please them.

(V). Sarah dies and Abraham bought a field to bury Sarah.

Gen 23:1-16, “Now Sarah lived one hundred and twenty-seven years; these were the years of the life of Sarah. Sarah died in Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan; and Abraham went in to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her. Then Abraham rose from before his dead, and spoke to the sons of Heth, saying, “I am a stranger and a sojourner among you; give me a burial site among you that I may bury my dead out of my sight.” The sons of Heth answered Abraham, saying to him, “Hear us, my lord, you are a mighty prince among us; bury your dead in the choicest of our graves; none of us will refuse you his grave for burying your dead.” So Abraham rose and bowed to the people of the land, the sons of Heth. And he spoke with them, saying, “If it is your wish for me to bury my dead out of my sight, hear me, and approach Ephron the son of Zohar for me, that he may give me the cave of Machpelah which he owns, which is at the end of his field; for the full price let him give it to me in your presence for a burial site.” Now Ephron was sitting among the sons of Heth; and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the hearing of the sons of Heth; even of all who went in at the gate of his city, saying, “No, my lord, hear me; I give you the field, and I give you the cave that is in it. In the presence of the sons of my people I give it to you; bury your dead.” And Abraham bowed before the people of the land. He spoke to Ephron in the hearing of the people of the land, saying, “If you will only please listen to me; I will give the price of the field, accept it from me that I may bury my dead there.” Then Ephron answered Abraham, saying to him, “My lord, listen to me; a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver, what is that between me and you? So bury your dead.” Abraham listened to Ephron; and Abraham weighed out for Ephron the silver which he had named in the hearing of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, commercial standard.”

Note: This incident is another one to reflect the magnificent character of Abraham. He did not want to get something for free, he paid the full price for a piece of land. America is doomed to bankruptcy because so many in America want something for nothing. All interest groups want a piece of America. Only the military-industrial-security complex alone like black hole will swallow up America. They all want free entitlements. They want welfare without work. In business today you cannot find another Abraham. There are evildoers today who rejoiced without shame in being able to defraud billions of dollars as a badge of honor. The Chinese TV reports all kinds of frauds everyday.

(W). Abraham died of old age and buried with Sarah his wife.

Gen 25:7-10, “These are all the years of Abraham’s life that he lived, one hundred and seventy-five years. Abraham breathed his last and died in a ripe old age, an old man and satisfied with life; and he was gathered to his people. Then his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, facing Mamre, the field which Abraham purchased from the sons of Heth; there Abraham was buried with Sarah his wife.”

Isa 41:8, “But you, Israel, My servant,
Jacob whom I have chosen,
Descendant of Abraham My friend.”

Jas 2:23, “and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS,” and he was called the friend of God.”

Note: Historically there is no one like Abraham who by faith pleased God so much that he earned the title the friend of God.

(X). Abraham is the father of all who believe in God.

Heb 11:8-12, “By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised. Therefore there was born even of one man, and him as good as dead at that, as many descendants AS THE STARS OF HEAVEN IN NUMBER, AND INNUMERABLE AS THE SAND WHICH IS BY THE SEASHORE.” 

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: Abraham is the father of all of us who have faith in God. Abraham has the most magnificent, noble, and remarkable character as the patriarch of the Jewish race, the chosen people. In my opinion, Abraham is the greatest man ever lived in the history of mankind. Martin Luther is the greatest man in history outside of the Holy Bible. I also follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham, desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. I am looking for the Holy City, the New Jerusalem; waiting for the second coming of Jesus Christ in great power and glory.

(5).  Joseph

Heb 11:22, “By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones.”

Note: Joseph in Greek is Iōsēph which means let him add; the patriarch, the eleventh son of Jacob; which occurs 35 times in the New Testament. Do not confuse the Joseph of the Old Testament, favorite son of Jacob and the Joseph of the New Testament who is the husband of Mary. The story of Joseph is among the most favorite Bible stories of all Sunday School children, and most beneficial for young minds.

The following is a list of facts about Joseph:

(A). Rachel bore Jacob no children.

Gen 30:1-2, “Now when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, she became jealous of her sister; and she said to Jacob, “Give me children, or else I die.” Then Jacob’s anger burned against Rachel, and he said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?”

Note: In any culture, East or West, it is of prime importance that a woman bears children. Barrenness is considered a shame even to this day.  To be jealous in Hebrew is qana’ which means to envy; to be jealous of; to be envious of; to excite to jealous anger; – which occurs 42 times in the Old Testament. Job 5:2, “For anger slays the foolish man, and jealousy kills the simple.” Jealousy kills. Do you know jealousy has geopolitical significance? America and European nations are jealous of the spectacular successes of China, for that reason they want to have war with China to eliminate a competitor. America and Europe want to maintain status quo of world domination and dictatorship. Jacob was right being angry because he is not in the place of God. No one is in the place of God. Warmongers, imperialists, militarists, supremacists, capitalists, monopolists, and terrorists want to be in the place of God to rule the world. For better or worse, today science has enabled test tube fertilization so that the barren couple may have children.

(B). God remembered Rachel and she bore a son named Joseph.

Gen 30:22-25, “Then God remembered Rachel, and God gave heed to her and opened her womb. So she conceived and bore a son and said, “God has taken away my reproach.” She named him Joseph, saying, “May the LORD give me another son.” Now it came about when Rachel had borne Joseph, that Jacob said to Laban, “Send me away, that I may go to my own place and to my own country.” 

Note: Remember in Hebrew is zakar which means to think; to be mindful of; to call to mind; to keep in remembrance; to recollect; to bring to mind; to bear in mind; to bring to remembrance; – which occurs 240 times in the Old Testament. It is wonderful to be remembered by God. May God remember me. Reproach in Hebrew is ḥerpâ which means shame; rebuke; scorn; disgrace; contempt; a thing or person considered despised; – which occurs 73 times in the Old Testament. In any culture, barrenness is more or less still a shame.

(C). Jacob loved Joseph more and his brothers hated him.

Gen 37:1-4, “ Now Jacob lived in the land where his father had sojourned, in the land of Canaan. These are the records of the generations of Jacob. Joseph, when seventeen years of age, was pasturing the flock with his brothers while he was still a youth, along with the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives. And Joseph brought back a bad report about them to their father. Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his sons, because he was the son of his old age; and he made him a varicolored tunic. His brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers; and so they hated him and could not speak to him on friendly terms.”

Note: General speaking, parental favoritism may cause sibling conflict. Different character, personality, temperament, value, behavior, interest, disorder, tone of voice, etc. may also contribute to the conflict. Is it right for Jacob to love Joseph more than all his sons? As a rule, parental favoritism is not good. If you look to the end of the story, Joseph was the savior of the whole family. Doesn’t Joseph deserve more love? Who am I to criticize Jacob. Do you know Exo 3:6, “He said also, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Then Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.” God said to Moses, God is the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. 

How to handle sibling fighting? Just stop it. Tons of psychological counseling is not worth as much as Biblical teaching. Darwin’s notion of survival of the fittest is detrimental to Christian family of love.

Pro 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go,
Even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

A simple suggestion on how to train up children:

(1). Set good parental example.

Example: Quarreling parents produce quarreling children. Shouting and yelling parents produce shouting and yelling children.

(2). Establish principles of conduct.

Examples: No cheating, no lying, no shouting, no physical fighting, no cursing, no dirty name calling, no malice, no stealing, no physical abuse, no verbal abuse, etc. Love each other. Pray for each other. Help each other.

(3). Enforce harmony by punishment.

Punishment is necessary to correct and discipline children and maintain order.

(D). Joseph had a dream.

Gen 37:5-8, “Then Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more. He said to them, “Please listen to this dream which I have had; for behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and lo, my sheaf rose up and also stood erect; and behold, your sheaves gathered around and bowed down to my sheaf.” Then his brothers said to him, “Are you actually going to reign over us? Or are you really going to rule over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.”

Perhaps it is better to keep your dream to yourself.

(E). Joseph had still another dream.

Gen 37:9-11, “Now he had still another dream, and related it to his brothers, and said, “Lo, I have had still another dream; and behold, the sun and the moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” He related it to his father and to his brothers; and his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have had? Shall I and your mother and your brothers actually come to bow ourselves down before you to the ground?” His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind.”

Pro 6:34, “For jealousy enrages a man,
And he will not spare in the day of vengeance.”

Note: Jealousy is a dangerous passion which enrages a man and is rotten to the bones. Maybe it is a good idea not to tell your dream to anyone.

(F). The dreamer was sold to Egypt.

Gen 37:12-36, “ Then his brothers went to pasture their father’s flock in Shechem. Israel said to Joseph, “Are not your brothers pasturing the flock in Shechem? Come, and I will send you to them.” And he said to him, “I will go.” Then he said to him, “Go now and see about the welfare of your brothers and the welfare of the flock, and bring word back to me.” So he sent him from the valley of Hebron, and he came to Shechem. A man found him, and behold, he was wandering in the field; and the man asked him, “What are you looking for?” He said, “I am looking for my brothers; please tell me where they are pasturing the flock.” Then the man said, “They have moved from here; for I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’” So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan. When they saw him from a distance and before he came close to them, they plotted against him to put him to death. They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer!“ Now then, come and let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits; and we will say, ‘A wild beast devoured him.’ Then let us see what will become of his dreams!” But Reuben heard this and rescued him out of their hands and said, “Let us not take his life.” Reuben further said to them, “Shed no blood. Throw him into this pit that is in the wilderness, but do not lay hands on him”—that he might rescue him out of their hands, to restore him to his father. So it came about, when Joseph reached his brothers, that they stripped Joseph of his tunic, the varicolored tunic that was on him; and they took him and threw him into the pit. Now the pit was empty, without any water in it. Then they sat down to eat a meal. And as they raised their eyes and looked, behold, a caravan of Ishmaelites was coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing aromatic gum and balm and myrrh, on their way to bring them down to Egypt. Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it for us to kill our brother and cover up his blood? Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him. Then some Midianite traders passed by, so they pulled him up and lifted Joseph out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. Thus they brought Joseph into Egypt. Now Reuben returned to the pit, and behold, Joseph was not in the pit; so he tore his garments. He returned to his brothers and said, “The boy is not there; as for me, where am I to go?” So they took Joseph’s tunic, and slaughtered a male goat and dipped the tunic in the blood; and they sent the varicolored tunic and brought it to their father and said, “We found this; please examine it to see whether it is your son’s tunic or not.” Then he examined it and said, “It is my son’s tunic. A wild beast has devoured him; Joseph has surely been torn to pieces!” So Jacob tore his clothes, and put sackcloth on his loins and mourned for his son many days. Then all his sons and all his daughters arose to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. And he said, “Surely I will go down to Sheol in mourning for my son.” So his father wept for him. Meanwhile, the Midianites sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, Pharaoh’s officer, the captain of the bodyguard.”

Note: How cruel were Jacob’s 10 sons to deceive their father with fake news that Joseph was killed by the beasts so that Jacob mourned and wept for Joseph many days. How cruel is Western media that daily and continuously make fake news, fake reports, and spread lies and false views to damage and destroy other nations not bowing to America and Europe. The sin of withholding true information is great. False report or fake news can do great damage and harm to the people. How Jacob suffered because of false report made by his ten sons. Western media daily make false reports, fake news, false representations, false views in the world and spread lies and falsehoods without shame to support warmongers, militarists, imperialist, supremacists, capitalists, monopolists, crooks and criminals, and terrorists.

(G). Joseph was sold to Potiphar and became a successful man.

Gen 39:1-5, “Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an Egyptian officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the bodyguard, bought him from the Ishmaelites, who had taken him down there. The LORD was with Joseph, so he became a successful man. And he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian. Now his master saw that the LORD was with him and how the LORD caused all that he did to prosper in his hand. So Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal servant; and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he owned he put in his charge. It came about that from the time he made him overseer in his house and over all that he owned, the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house on account of Joseph; thus the LORD’S blessing was upon all that he owned, in the house and in the field.”

Note: Destiny is an interesting and profound subject. Do you think it was an accident that Joseph was sold to Potiphar an Egyptian officer of Pharaoh? Apparently it was appointed by God. The secret of success is alluded in this passage. The Lord was with Joseph, so he became a successful man. So is the secret. Joseph became a successful man because the Lord was with him. Do not think a person is successful must be due to the fact that the Lord is with him. The most successful people in the world today are executives of Washington, Wall Street, Hollywood, military-industrial-security complex and Western media, who own most of the power and wealth in the world, yet they are children of the devil who lie, kill, and rob. The richest man in the world is a monopolist and a predator.

(H). Joseph was handsome and his master’s wife seduced him.

Gen 39:6-23, “So he left everything he owned in Joseph’s charge; 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. It came about after these events that his master’s wife looked with desire at Joseph, and she said, “Lie with me.” But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Behold, with me here, my master does not concern himself with anything in the house, and he has put all that he owns in my charge. There is no one greater in this house than I, and he has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do this great evil and sin against God?”As she spoke to Joseph day after day, he did not listen to her to lie beside her or be with her. Now it happened one day that he went into the house to do his work, and none of the men of the household was there inside. She caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me!” And he left his garment in her hand and fled, and went outside. When she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and had fled outside, she called to the men of her household and said to them, “See, he has brought in a Hebrew to us to make sport of us; he came in to me to lie with me, and I screamed.“  When he heard that I raised my voice and screamed, he left his garment beside me and fled and went outside. ”So she left his garment beside her until his master came home. Then she spoke to him with these words, “The Hebrew slave, whom you brought to us, came in to me to make sport of me; and as I raised my voice and screamed, he left his garment beside me and fled outside.”  Now when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spoke to him, saying, “This is what your slave did to me,” his anger burned.  So Joseph’s master took him and put him into the jail, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined; and he was there in the jail. But the LORD was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer. The chief jailer committed to Joseph’s charge all the prisoners who were in the jail; so that whatever was done there, he was responsible for it. The chief jailer did not supervise anything under Joseph’s charge because the LORD was with him; and whatever he did, the LORD made to prosper.”

Note: Being handsome for a man and beautiful for a woman have advantages and dangers. Adulterous women lust after handsome young men. Wicked men want to rape beautiful women. When a criminal failed to achieve her goal, she is likely to resort to false accusations and other crooked means. Do you know that the righteous might suffer and be falsely accused? More and more the world witnesses the sufferings of the righteous in this evil and corrupt world.

(I). Joseph interpreted the dreams of cupbearer and baker.

Gen 40:1-23, “Then it came about after these things, the cupbearer and the baker for the king of Egypt offended their lord, the king of Egypt. Pharaoh was furious with his two officials, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker. So he put them in confinement in the house of the captain of the bodyguard, in the jail, the same place where Joseph was imprisoned. The captain of the bodyguard put Joseph in charge of them, and he took care of them; and they were in confinement for some time. Then the cupbearer and the baker for the king of Egypt, who were confined in jail, both had a dream the same night, each man with his own dream and each dream with its own interpretation. When Joseph came to them in the morning and observed them, behold, they were dejected. He asked Pharaoh’s officials who were with him in confinement in his master’s house, “Why are your faces so sad today?” Then they said to him, “We have had a dream and there is no one to interpret it.” Then Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell it to me, please.” So the chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, “In my dream, behold, there was a vine in front of me; and on the vine were three branches. And as it was budding, its blossoms came out, and its clusters produced ripe grapes. Now Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand; so I took the grapes and squeezed them into Pharaoh’s cup, and I put the cup into Pharaoh’s hand.” Then Joseph said to him, “This is the interpretation of it: the three branches are three days; within three more days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your office; and you will put Pharaoh’s cup into his hand according to your former custom when you were his cupbearer. Only keep me in mind when it goes well with you, and please do me a kindness by mentioning me to Pharaoh and get me out of this house. For I was in fact kidnapped from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing that they should have put me into the dungeon.” When the chief baker saw that he had interpreted favorably, he said to Joseph, “I also saw in my dream, and behold, there were three baskets of white bread on my head; and in the top basket there were some of all sorts of baked food for Pharaoh, and the birds were eating them out of the basket on my head.” Then Joseph answered and said, “This is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days; within three more days Pharaoh will lift up your head from you and will hang you on a tree, and the birds will eat your flesh off you.”  Thus it came about on the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, that he made a feast for all his servants; and he lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants. He restored the chief cupbearer to his office, and he put the cup into Pharaoh’s hand; but he hanged the chief baker, just as Joseph had interpreted to them.  Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.”

Note: This is a penetrating lesson about ingratitude of man. When Pharaoh restored the chief cupbearer to his office; the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him. I have found 90 percent of people whom you have helped will not remember but forget you. The trial is harder and heavier when you face with outright ingratitude. When you help anyone, do not expect any good return or you will be disappointed.

(J). Delayed deliverance is hard to bear, but God controls event and timing.

Gen 41:1-13, “Now it happened at the end of two full years that Pharaoh had a dream, and behold, he was standing by the Nile. And lo, from the Nile there came up seven cows, sleek and fat; and they grazed in the marsh grass. Then behold, seven other cows came up after them from the Nile, ugly and gaunt, and they stood by the other cows on the bank of the Nile. The ugly and gaunt cows ate up the seven sleek and fat cows. Then Pharaoh awoke. He fell asleep and dreamed a second time; and behold, seven ears of grain came up on a single stalk, plump and good. Then behold, seven ears, thin and scorched by the east wind, sprouted up after them. The thin ears swallowed up the seven plump and full ears. Then Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream. Now in the morning his spirit was troubled, so he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all its wise men. And Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them to Pharaoh. Then the chief cupbearer spoke to Pharaoh, saying, “I would make mention today of my own offenses. “Pharaoh was furious with his servants, and he put me in confinement in the house of the captain of the bodyguard, both me and the chief baker. We had a dream on the same night, he and I; each of us dreamed according to the interpretation of his own dream. Now a Hebrew youth was with us there, a servant of the captain of the bodyguard, and we related them to him, and he interpreted our dreams for us. To each one he interpreted according to his own dream. And just as he interpreted for us, so it happened; he restored me in my office, but he hanged him.”

Pro 13:12, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
But desire fulfilled is a tree of life.”

Note: You can imagine how heart sick was Joseph for waiting extra two full years for deliverance. I do not know whether Joseph knew when he was falsely imprisoned, that God controls events and timing. No one is wise enough or powerful enough to control any event or timing. If God is with you, don’t worry, your time will come sooner or later.

(K). Pharaoh called for Joseph, Joseph interpreted the dreams, and Pharaoh made him the second ruler in Egypt.

Gen 41:14-46, “Then Pharaoh sent and called for Joseph, and they hurriedly brought him out of the dungeon; and when he had shaved himself and changed his clothes, he came to Pharaoh. Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, but no one can interpret it; and I have heard it said about you, that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” Joseph then answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.” So Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, “In my dream, behold, I was standing on the bank of the Nile; and behold, seven cows, fat and sleek came up out of the Nile, and they grazed in the marsh grass. Lo, seven other cows came up after them, poor and very ugly and gaunt, such as I had never seen for ugliness in all the land of Egypt; and the lean and ugly cows ate up the first seven fat cows. Yet when they had devoured them, it could not be detected that they had devoured them, for they were just as ugly as before. Then I awoke. I saw also in my dream, and behold, seven ears, full and good, came up on a single stalk; and lo, seven ears, withered, thin, and scorched by the east wind, sprouted up after them; and the thin ears swallowed the seven good ears. Then I told it to the magicians, but there was no one who could explain it to me.” Now Joseph said to Pharaoh, “Pharaoh’s dreams are one and the same; God has told to Pharaoh what He is about to do. The seven good cows are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years; the dreams are one and the same. The seven lean and ugly cows that came up after them are seven years, and the seven thin ears scorched by the east wind will be seven years of famine. It is as I have spoken to Pharaoh: God has shown to Pharaoh what He is about to do. Behold, seven years of great abundance are coming in all the land of Egypt; and after them seven years of famine will come, and all the abundance will be forgotten in the land of Egypt, and the famine will ravage the land. So the abundance will be unknown in the land because of that subsequent famine; for it will be very severe. Now as for the repeating of the dream to Pharaoh twice, it means that the matter is determined by God, and God will quickly bring it about. Now let Pharaoh look for a man discerning and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh take action to appoint overseers in charge of the land, and let him exact a fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven years of abundance. Then let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming, and store up the grain for food in the cities under Pharaoh’s authority, and let them guard it. Let the food become as a reserve for the land for the seven years of famine which will occur in the land of Egypt, so that the land will not perish during the famine.” Now the proposal seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his servants. Then Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is a divine spirit?” So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has informed you of all this, there is no one so discerning and wise as you are. You shall be over my house, and according to your command all my people shall do homage; only in the throne I will be greater than you.” Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put the gold necklace around his neck. He had him ride in his second chariot; and they proclaimed before him, “Bow the knee!” And he set him over all the land of Egypt. Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Though I am Pharaoh, yet without your permission no one shall raise his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh named Joseph Zaphenath-paneah; and he gave him Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, as his wife. And Joseph went forth over the land of Egypt. Now Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh and went through all the land of Egypt.”

Note: The life of Joseph is a testimony to the wonderful providence of God. It was memorable and remarkable how God raised him from prison to palace. Joseph had the correct attitude and gave God all the honor. He said to Pharaoh, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.” A good servant never exalts himself; a good servant of God gives God all the glory. Joseph did not marry a Jewish girl. Pharaoh gave Joseph a new name Zaphenath-paneah and new wife Asenath he could not refuse. Zaphenath-paneah in Egyptian is Tsophnath Pa`neach which means “treasury of the glorious rest”; salvation or savior of the age; revealer of a secret; – which occurs 1 time in the Old Testament. Asenath in Egyptian is ‘Acĕnath which means “belonging to the goddess Neith”; she who is of Neith; – which occurs 3 times in the Old Testament. The Bible gives no clue on the married life of Joseph. Probably Joseph had only one wife. It does not seem God objected to the marriage of Joseph and Asenath arranged by Pharaoh.

Act 7:9-10, “The patriarchs became jealous of Joseph and sold him into Egypt. Yet God was with him, and rescued him from all his afflictions, and granted him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and he made him governor over Egypt and all his household.”

Note: Become jealous in Greek is zēloō which means to burn with zeal; to boil with envy; to covet earnestly; to feel resentful toward; – which occurs 18 times in the New Testament. Envy or jealousy can produce evil deeds. American president and congressional leaders are doing everything without cause or reason to curb the peaceful rise of China, because they want to maintain status quo to dictate and dominate the world, and also because they are jealous of the great successes achieved by China in many fronts. The secret of security and success in life is to have God be with you. God grants favor and wisdom. You will do well or succeed in this life if God grants you His favor and wisdom. Joseph became more than the governor of Egypt. In modern language, Joseph became the Prime Minister of Egypt, second only to Pharaoh. 

(L). Joseph was wise to prepare for the inevitable and God blessed him to forget all his trouble and be comforted with two sons.

Gen 41:47-57, “During the seven years of plenty the land brought forth abundantly. So he gathered all the food of these seven years which occurred in the land of Egypt and placed the food in the cities; he placed in every city the food from its own surrounding fields. Thus Joseph stored up grain in great abundance like the sand of the sea, until he stopped measuring it, for it was beyond measure. Now before the year of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, bore to him. Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, “For,” he said, “God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.” He named the second Ephraim, “For,” he said, “God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.” When the seven years of plenty which had been in the land of Egypt came to an end, and the seven years of famine began to come, just as Joseph had said, then there was famine in all the lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. So when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried out to Pharaoh for bread; and Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph; whatever he says to you, you shall do.” When the famine was spread over all the face of the earth, then Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold to the Egyptians; and the famine was severe in the land of Egypt. The people of all the earth came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe in all the earth.”

Note: Years of plenty will always come to an end. All good things come to an end. Famine comes after abundance. Joseph was a great nation manager and administrator, he knew how to store the surplus grain in time of plenty for the time of famine. A nation that squanders its resources is going to bankrupt and suffer poverty. A nation that borrows and spends beyond its means is going to ruin. It was wonderful that Joseph said that God has made him forget all his trouble. It is a shout of triumph. It is even better when God made Joseph fruitful in the land of his affliction. It is better than winning great wealth. The nation that has bread or food is stronger than nuclear weapons.

(M). Jacob sent his 10 sons down to Egypt to buy grain.

Gen 42:1-38, “Now Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, and Jacob said to his sons, “Why are you staring at one another?” He said, “Behold, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down there and buy some for us from that place, so that we may live and not die.” Then ten brothers of Joseph went down to buy grain from Egypt. But Jacob did not send Joseph’s brother Benjamin with his brothers, for he said, “I am afraid that harm may befall him.” So the sons of Israel came to buy grain among those who were coming, for the famine was in the land of Canaan also. Now Joseph was the ruler over the land; he was the one who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph’s brothers came and bowed down to him with their faces to the ground. When Joseph saw his brothers he recognized them, but he disguised himself to them and spoke to them harshly. And he said to them, “Where have you come from?” And they said, “From the land of Canaan, to buy food.” But Joseph had recognized his brothers, although they did not recognize him. Joseph remembered the dreams which he had about them, and said to them, “You are spies; you have come to look at the undefended parts of our land.” Then they said to him, “No, my lord, but your servants have come to buy food. We are all sons of one man; we are honest men, your servants are not spies.” Yet he said to them, “No, but you have come to look at the undefended parts of our land!” But they said, “Your servants are twelve brothers in all, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and behold, the youngest is with our father today, and one is no longer alive.” Joseph said to them, “It is as I said to you, you are spies; by this you will be tested: by the life of Pharaoh, you shall not go from this place unless your youngest brother comes here! Send one of you that he may get your brother, while you remain confined, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you. But if not, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies.” So he put them all together in prison for three days. Now Joseph said to them on the third day, “Do this and live, for I fear God: if you are honest men, let one of your brothers be confined in your prison; but as for the rest of you, go, carry grain for the famine of your households, and bring your youngest brother to me, so your words may be verified, and you will not die.” And they did so. Then they said to one another, “Truly we are guilty concerning our brother, because we saw the distress of his soul when he pleaded with us, yet we would not listen; therefore this distress has come upon us.” Reuben answered them, saying, “Did I not tell you, ‘Do not sin against the boy’; and you would not listen? Now comes the reckoning for his blood.” They did not know, however, that Joseph understood, for there was an interpreter between them. He turned away from them and wept. But when he returned to them and spoke to them, he took Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes. Then Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain and to restore every man’s money in his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. And thus it was done for them. So they loaded their donkeys with their grain and departed from there. As one of them opened his sack to give his donkey fodder at the lodging place, he saw his money; and behold, it was in the mouth of his sack. Then he said to his brothers, “My money has been returned, and behold, it is even in my sack.” And their hearts sank, and they turned trembling to one another, saying, “What is this that God has done to us?” When they came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan, they told him all that had happened to them, saying,“ The man, the lord of the land, spoke harshly with us, and took us for spies of the country. But we said to him, ‘We are honest men; we are not spies. We are twelve brothers, sons of our father; one is no longer alive, and the youngest is with our father today in the land of Canaan.’ The man, the lord of the land, said to us, ‘By this I will know that you are honest men: leave one of your brothers with me and take grain for the famine of your households, and go. But bring your youngest brother to me that I may know that you are not spies, but honest men. I will give your brother to you, and you may trade in the land.’ Now it came about as they were emptying their sacks, that behold, every man’s bundle of money was in his sack; and when they and their father saw their bundles of money, they were dismayed. Their father Jacob said to them, “You have bereaved me of my children: Joseph is no more, and Simeon is no more, and you would take Benjamin; all these things are against me.” Then Reuben spoke to his father, saying, “You may put my two sons to death if I do not bring him back to you; put him in my care, and I will return him to you.” But Jacob said, “My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he alone is left. If harm should befall him on the journey you are taking, then you will bring my gray hair down to Sheol in sorrow.”

Note: Jacob saw means Jacob learned about or Jacob had heard. In a famine what is more important than grain? This is the most moving part of the story when the ten brothers encountered Joseph in buying grain from the ruler of the land not recognizing Joseph although Joseph recognized them. Especially when they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground and Joseph remembered the dreams which he had about them. The ten brothers were conscious of their sins that they were truly guilty. Reuben answered them, saying, “Did I not tell you, ‘Do not sin against the boy’; and you would not listen? Now comes the reckoning for his blood.” Reckoning means making inquisition. European nations have done so much evil in this world in the last 500 years, the reckoning will come. American presidents and congressional leaders have killed millions and millions of innocent people around the world since the end of World War II, the reckoning for their blood by God will come upon America soon. Japanese military killed 35 million Chinese in 14 years of war of aggression, yet Japanese leaders denied them all and refused to pay compensations. The reckoning for their blood by God will soon come upon Japan. There is a reckoning for every evil deed committed. 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.” Retribution in Greek is ekdikēsis which means vengeance; revenge; punishment; – which occurs 10 times in the New Testament. God’s retribution or punishment upon warmongers, dictators, predators, deceivers, oppressors, aggressors, imperialists, militarists, capitalists, monopolists, and terrorists is sure and certain. Their days are numbered. Hell is opening up to swallow them.

Jacob said to his sons, “You will bring my gray hair down to Sheol in sorrow.” This verse is often misunderstood. Through much of the Old Testament period, Sheol was believed to be the place where all the dead went. It was not Hell.

(N). Jacob sent his 11 sons down to Egypt the second time to buy food.

Gen 43:1-34, “Now the famine was severe in the land. So it came about when they had finished eating the grain which they had brought from Egypt, that their father said to them, “Go back, buy us a little food.” Judah spoke to him, however, saying, “The man solemnly warned us, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’ If you send our brother with us, we will go down and buy you food.“ But if you do not send him, we will not go down; for the man said to us, ‘You will not see my face unless your brother is with you.’ Then Israel said, “Why did you treat me so badly by telling the man whether you still had another brother?” But they said, “The man questioned particularly about us and our relatives, saying, ‘Is your father still alive? Have you another brother?’ So we answered his questions. Could we possibly know that he would say, ‘Bring your brother down’?” Judah said to his father Israel, “Send the lad with me and we will arise and go, that we may live and not die, we as well as you and our little ones. I myself will be surety for him; you may hold me responsible for him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame before you forever. For if we had not delayed, surely by now we could have returned twice.” Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: take some of the best products of the land in your bags, and carry down to the man as a present, a little balm and a little honey, aromatic gum and myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds. Take double the money in your hand, and take back in your hand the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks; perhaps it was a mistake. Take your brother also, and arise, return to the man; and may God Almighty grant you compassion in the sight of the man, so that he will release to you your other brother and Benjamin. And as for me, if I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.” So the men took this present, and they took double the money in their hand, and Benjamin; then they arose and went down to Egypt and stood before Joseph. When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to his house steward, “Bring the men into the house, and slay an animal and make ready; for the men are to dine with me at noon.” So the man did as Joseph said, and brought the men to Joseph’s house. Now the men were afraid, because they were brought to Joseph’s house; and they said, “It is because of the money that was returned in our sacks the first time that we are being brought in, that he may seek occasion against us and fall upon us, and take us for slaves with our donkeys.” So they came near to Joseph’s house steward, and spoke to him at the entrance of the house, and said, “Oh, my lord, we indeed came down the first time to buy food, and it came about when we came to the lodging place, that we opened our sacks, and behold, each man’s money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full. So we have brought it back in our hand. We have also brought down other money in our hand to buy food; we do not know who put our money in our sacks.” He said, “Be at ease, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks; I had your money.” Then he brought Simeon out to them. Then the man brought the men into Joseph’s house and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their donkeys fodder. So they prepared the present for Joseph’s coming at noon; for they had heard that they were to eat a meal there. When Joseph came home, they brought into the house to him the present which was in their hand and bowed to the ground before him. Then he asked them about their welfare, and said, “Is your old father well, of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?” They said, “Your servant our father is well; he is still alive.” They bowed down in homage. As he lifted his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, he said, “Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me?” And he said, “May God be gracious to you, my son.” Joseph hurried out for he was deeply stirred over his brother, and he sought a place to weep; and he entered his chamber and wept there. Then he washed his face and came out; and he controlled himself and said, “Serve the meal.” So they served him by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because the Egyptians could not eat bread with the Hebrews, for that is loathsome to the Egyptians. Now they were seated before him, the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth, and the men looked at one another in astonishment. He took portions to them from his own table, but Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. So they feasted and drank freely with him.”

Note: This is the most emotionally charged meeting when Joseph saw his younger brother Benjamin after that many years, he was so deeply stirred over his brother that he sought a place to weep; and Joseph entered his chamber and wept there. The story of Joseph is a classic masterpiece. But it is a real history, not fiction, unlike other masterpieces. God has done in a mysterious way as exemplified in the life of Joseph, His wonders to perform.

(O). Joseph gave his 10 brothers a reality test of good and evil, true and false.

Gen 44:1-34, “Then he commanded his house steward, saying, “Fill the men’s sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put each man’s money in the mouth of his sack. Put my cup, the silver cup, in the mouth of the sack of the youngest, and his money for the grain.” And he did as Joseph had told him. As soon as it was light, the men were sent away, they with their donkeys. They had just gone out of the city, and were not far off, when Joseph said to his house steward, “Up, follow the men; and when you overtake them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid evil for good? Is not this the one from which my lord drinks and which he indeed uses for divination? You have done wrong in doing this.’ So he overtook them and spoke these words to them. They said to him, “Why does my lord speak such words as these? Far be it from your servants to do such a thing.“ Behold, the money which we found in the mouth of our sacks we have brought back to you from the land of Canaan. How then could we steal silver or gold from your lord’s house? With whomever of your servants it is found, let him die, and we also will be my lord’s slaves.” So he said, “Now let it also be according to your words; he with whom it is found shall be my slave, and the rest of you shall be innocent.” Then they hurried, each man lowered his sack to the ground, and each man opened his sack. He searched, beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest, and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. Then they tore their clothes, and when each man loaded his donkey, they returned to the city. When Judah and his brothers came to Joseph’s house, he was still there, and they fell to the ground before him. Joseph said to them, “What is this deed that you have done? Do you not know that such a man as I can indeed practice divination?” So Judah said, “What can we say to my lord? What can we speak? And how can we justify ourselves? God has found out the iniquity of your servants; behold, we are my lord’s slaves, both we and the one in whose possession the cup has been found.” But he said, “Far be it from me to do this. The man in whose possession the cup has been found, he shall be my slave; but as for you, go up in peace to your father.” Then Judah approached him, and said, “Oh my lord, may your servant please speak a word in my lord’s ears, and do not be angry with your servant; for you are equal to Pharaoh.“My lord asked his servants, saying, ‘Have you a father or a brother? We said to my lord, ‘We have an old father and a little child of his old age. Now his brother is dead, so he alone is left of his mother, and his father loves him. Then you said to your servants, ‘Bring him down to me that I may set my eyes on him. But we said to my lord, ‘The lad cannot leave his father, for if he should leave his father, his father would die. You said to your servants, however, ‘Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you will not see my face again.’ Thus it came about when we went up to your servant my father, we told him the words of my lord. Our father said, ‘Go back, buy us a little food.’ But we said, ‘We cannot go down. If our youngest brother is with us, then we will go down; for we cannot see the man’s face unless our youngest brother is with us.’ Your servant my father said to us, ‘You know that my wife bore me two sons; and the one went out from me, and I said, “Surely he is torn in pieces,” and I have not seen him since. If you take this one also from me, and harm befalls him, you will bring my gray hair down to Sheol in sorrow.’ Now, therefore, when I come to your servant my father, and the lad is not with us, since his life is bound up in the lad’s life, when he sees that the lad is not with us, he will die. Thus your servants will bring the gray hair of your servant our father down to Sheol in sorrow. For your servant became surety for the lad to my father, saying, ‘If I do not bring him back to you, then let me bear the blame before my father forever.’ Now, therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the lad a slave to my lord, and let the lad go up with his brothers. “For how shall I go up to my father if the lad is not with me—for fear that I see the evil that would overtake my father?”

Note: It is such dramatic attempt to save Benjamin that Judah is willing to face all the consequences for the sake of Benjamin and his old father. When a man begins to decide to bear his responsibility, his conduct becomes good and correct and decent.

(P). Joseph made himself known and declared God did a great deliverance.

Gen 45:1-28, “Then Joseph could not control himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried, “Have everyone go out from me.” So there was no man with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. He wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard of it. Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed at his presence. Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come closer to me.” And they came closer. And he said, “I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. Now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in the earth, and to keep you alive by a great deliverance. Now, therefore, it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh and lord of all his household and ruler over all the land of Egypt. Hurry and go up to my father, and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph, “God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not delay. “You shall live in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children’s children and your flocks and your herds and all that you have. There I will also provide for you, for there are still five years of famine to come, and you and your household and all that you have would be impoverished.” Behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see, that it is my mouth which is speaking to you. Now you must tell my father of all my splendor in Egypt, and all that you have seen; and you must hurry and bring my father down here.” Then he fell on his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck. He kissed all his brothers and wept on them, and afterward his brothers talked with him. Now when the news was heard in Pharaoh’s house that Joseph’s brothers had come, it pleased Pharaoh and his servants. Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Say to your brothers, ‘Do this: load your beasts and go to the land of Canaan, and take your father and your households and come to me, and I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you will eat the fat of the land.’ Now you are ordered, ‘Do this: take wagons from the land of Egypt for your little ones and for your wives, and bring your father and come. Do not concern yourselves with your goods, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.’ Then the sons of Israel did so; and Joseph gave them wagons according to the command of Pharaoh, and gave them provisions for the journey. To each of them he gave changes of garments, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of garments. To his father he sent as follows: ten donkeys loaded with the best things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and sustenance for his father on the journey. So he sent his brothers away, and as they departed, he said to them, “Do not quarrel on the journey.” Then they went up from Egypt, and came to the land of Canaan to their father Jacob. They told him, saying, “Joseph is still alive, and indeed he is ruler over all the land of Egypt.” But he was stunned, for he did not believe them. When they told him all the words of Joseph that he had spoken to them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. Then Israel said, “It is enough; my son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”

Note: Joseph was convinced it was God who controlled everything, and his destiny. A spiritual man should be able to see beyond the surface. God controls whatever comes to pass, God controls events and timing. Joseph was so successful and so confident that he declared that God has made him a father to Pharaoh, not only the ruler of Egypt. When news is too good to be true, the recipient is stunned. Why Jacob did not believe his sons? Because they had lied and deceived him before. A man’s credibility is determined by his previous history. You cannot trust any man who had lied and deceived you before. Pharaoh was so generous that he said the best of all the land of Egypt belongs to Jacob’s family. When Jacob saw the wagons, he realized it was true. Is there anything more happier than his spirit revived? What you must do you must do it in a hurry before you die.

(Q). Joseph presented his father to Pharaoh, and he managed and ruled Egypt to make Pharaoh very wealthy.

Gen 47:7-31, “Then Joseph brought his father Jacob and presented him to Pharaoh; and Jacob blessed Pharaoh. Pharaoh said to Jacob, “How many years have you lived?” So Jacob said to Pharaoh, “The years of my sojourning are one hundred and thirty; few and unpleasant have been the years of my life, nor have they attained the years that my fathers lived during the days of their sojourning.” And Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from his presence. So Joseph settled his father and his brothers and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had ordered. Joseph provided his father and his brothers and all his father’s household with food, according to their little ones. Now there was no food in all the land, because the famine was very severe, so that the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan languished because of the famine. Joseph gathered all the money that was found in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan for the grain which they bought, and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh’s house. When the money was all spent in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came to Joseph and said, “Give us food, for why should we die in your presence? For our money is gone.” Then Joseph said, “Give up your livestock, and I will give you food for your livestock, since your money is gone.” So they brought their livestock to Joseph, and Joseph gave them food in exchange for the horses and the flocks and the herds and the donkeys; and he fed them with food in exchange for all their livestock that year. When that year was ended, they came to him the next year and said to him, “We will not hide from my lord that our money is all spent, and the cattle are my lord’s. There is nothing left for my lord except our bodies and our lands. Why should we die before your eyes, both we and our land? Buy us and our land for food, and we and our land will be slaves to Pharaoh. So give us seed, that we may live and not die, and that the land may not be desolate.” So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh, for every Egyptian sold his field, because the famine was severe upon them. Thus the land became Pharaoh’s. As for the people, he removed them to the cities from one end of Egypt’s border to the other. Only the land of the priests he did not buy, for the priests had an allotment from Pharaoh, and they lived off the allotment which Pharaoh gave them. Therefore, they did not sell their land. Then Joseph said to the people, “Behold, I have today bought you and your land for Pharaoh; now, here is seed for you, and you may sow the land. At the harvest you shall give a fifth to Pharaoh, and four-fifths shall be your own for seed of the field and for your food and for those of your households and as food for your little ones.” So they said, “You have saved our lives! Let us find favor in the sight of my lord, and we will be Pharaoh’s slaves.” Joseph made it a statute concerning the land of Egypt valid to this day, that Pharaoh should have the fifth; only the land of the priests did not become Pharaoh’s. Now Israel lived in the land of Egypt, in Goshen, and they acquired property in it and were fruitful and became very numerous. Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years; so the length of Jacob’s life was one hundred and forty-seven years. When the time for Israel to die drew near, he called his son Joseph and said to him, “Please, if I have found favor in your sight, place now your hand under my thigh and deal with me in kindness and faithfulness. Please do not bury me in Egypt, but when I lie down with my fathers, you shall carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burial place.” And he said, “I will do as you have said.” He said, “Swear to me.” So he swore to him. Then Israel bowed in worship at the head of the bed.”

Note: Joseph made it a statute that Pharaoh should have the fifth as tax. America has higher taxes. Once I was in charge of an important corporate project, when it was accomplished the executive vice president awarded me $2,000 as a bonus. I was shocked and stunned because the U.S. government took $1,000 which was one third of what I earned. It is even more atrocious when the American richest billionaires pay a lower tax rate than their secretaries. In Scandinavia, peoples pay high rate of taxes but they get the best social benefits in the world, totally free from the high cost of medical care like that in America which bankrupted millions of families. There are no poor or destitute or homeless people in Scandinavia.

(R). Joseph buried his father Jacob in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre, and his brothers begged for forgiveness; Joseph gave orders concerning his bones.

Gen 50:15-26, “When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong which we did to him!” So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father charged before he died, saying, ‘Thus you shall say to Joseph, “Please forgive, I beg you, the transgression of your brothers and their sin, for they did you wrong.”’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” And Joseph wept when they spoke to him. Then his brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place? “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. Now Joseph stayed in Egypt, he and his father’s household, and Joseph lived one hundred and ten years. Joseph saw the third generation of Ephraim’s sons; also the sons of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were born on Joseph’s knees. Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will surely take care of you and bring you up from this land to the land which He promised on oath to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob.” Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, “God will surely take care of you, and you shall carry my bones up from here.” So Joseph died at the age of one hundred and ten years; and he was embalmed and placed in a coffin in Egypt.”

Note: In the history of mankind, you can hardly find anyone comparable to the life of Joseph, true but not idealized. The story of Joseph was my favorite Bible story as a child, and perhaps the story of Daniel was the second best in the Bible. Joseph was a dreamer and whose dreams came true. I was a dreamer too, and my small dream also came true. Although I did not come to be a ruler. I never dreamed of becoming a ruler. I worked my way the hard way through university to achieve the advanced degree in higher education. Joseph rose from slavery to the highest office in Egypt, from pit to prison and to palace all because God was with him. For the suffering life of Joseph, a great truth emerges before us is the fact that God controls events and timing, and God rules over the destiny of men. The ten brothers of Joseph meant evil against him, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this great result, to preserve many people alive. No matter what men do, however evil, God is able to turn evil into good, to control the results. Rom 8:28, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” The great power and glory of God is manifested in the fact we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God. If you study a little about cause and effect you know how complicated to identify cause and effect. God causes all things to work together is beyond human understanding or scientific inquiry or cannons of logic. The wonder of wonders God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God. Joseph by faith made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones. Faith is seeing the invisible. Faith is looking into the future.

(6).  Moses

Heb 11:23-29, “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that he who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them. By faith they passed through the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were drowned.”

Note: Moses in Greek is Mōÿsēs which means “drawing out”; the Hebrew lawgiver; – which occurs 80 times in the New Testament. The most important historical fact is summed up by Jesus, Jhn 1:17, “For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”

Here is a list of facts about Moses:

(A). Moses war born a beautiful son, adopted by the daughter of Pharaoh.

Exo 2:1-10, “Now a man from the house of Levi went and married a daughter of Levi. The woman conceived and bore a son; and when she saw that he was beautiful, she hid him for three months. But when she could hide him no longer, she got him a wicker basket and covered it over with tar and pitch. Then she put the child into it and set it among the reeds by the bank of the Nile. His sister stood at a distance to find out what would happen to him. The daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the Nile, with her maidens walking alongside the Nile; and she saw the basket among the reeds and sent her maid, and she brought it to her. When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the boy was crying. And she had pity on him and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.” Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women that she may nurse the child for you?” Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go ahead.” So the girl went and called the child’s mother. Then Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away and nurse him for me and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed him. The child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter and he became her son. And she named him Moses, and said, “Because I drew him out of the water.”

Note: Moses was a Levite, a son of Amram. Moses was lovely in the sight of God. Imagine it is enough to be beautiful in the sight of man. How much more to be lovely in the sight of God.

Exo 6:20, “Amram married his father’s sister Jochebed, and she bore him Aaron and Moses; and the length of Amram’s life was one hundred and thirty-seven years.”

Act 7:20, “It was at this time that Moses was born; and he was lovely in the sight of God, and he was nurtured three months in his father’s home.”

Here again is an illustrious example of how God controls events and timing. The daughter of Pharaoh came down to the Nile to bathe when the wicker basket of Moses was floating. When the daughter of Pharaoh opened the basket, and behold, the boy was crying. The daughter of Pharaoh had pity on him. Moses’ sister was the smartest girl and knew what to say to the princess. “Shall I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women that she may nurse the child for you?” She received the go ahead that paid Moses true mother wages for nursing her own son. Is there anything better than that providential arrangement?

(B). Moses grew up, identified with the people of God, and fled from Pharaoh.

Exo 2:11-25, “Now it came about in those days, when Moses had grown up, that he went out to his brethren and looked on their hard labors; and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren. So he looked this way and that, and when he saw there was no one around, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. He went out the next day, and behold, two Hebrews were fighting with each other; and he said to the offender, “Why are you striking your companion?” But he said, “Who made you a prince or a judge over us? Are you intending to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid and said, “Surely the matter has become known.” When Pharaoh heard of this matter, he tried to kill Moses. But Moses fled from the presence of Pharaoh and settled in the land of Midian, and he sat down by a well. Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters; and they came to draw water and filled the troughs to water their father’s flock. Then the shepherds came and drove them away, but Moses stood up and helped them and watered their flock. When they came to Reuel their father, he said, “Why have you come back so soon today?” So they said, “An Egyptian delivered us from the hand of the shepherds, and what is more, he even drew the water for us and watered the flock.” He said to his daughters, “Where is he then? Why is it that you have left the man behind? Invite him to have something to eat.” Moses was willing to dwell with the man, and he gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses. Then she gave birth to a son, and he named him Gershom, for he said, “I have been a sojourner in a foreign land.” Now it came about in the course of those many days that the king of Egypt died. And the sons of Israel sighed because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry for help because of their bondage rose up to God. So God heard their groaning; and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God saw the sons of Israel, and God took notice of them.”

Note: How most people seek and want to be a part of royalty. Yet Moses grown up refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. What a choice Moses made. Moses chose rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin in Egyptian palace. Moses considered the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt. Moses did what most people of the world would not. Yet there are so many ministers who would consider it glory to be invited to the White House whose boss is a liar and killer and robber!

(C). God appeared to Moses in the burning bush and called him to lead the children of Israel exodus Egypt to the Promised Land.

Exo 3:1-12, “Now Moses was pasturing the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian; and he led the flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 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.” When the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then He said, “Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” He said also, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Then Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. The LORD said, “I have surely seen the affliction of My people who are in Egypt, and have given heed to their cry because of their taskmasters, for I am aware of their sufferings. So I have come down to deliver them from the power of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and spacious land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Amorite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite. Now, behold, the cry of the sons of Israel has come to Me; furthermore, I have seen the oppression with which the Egyptians are oppressing them. Therefore, come now, and I will send you to Pharaoh, so that you may bring My people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?” And He said, “Certainly I will be with you, and this shall be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God at this mountain.”

Act 7:31-34, “When Moses saw it, he marveled at the sight; and as he approached to look more closely, there came the voice of the Lord: ‘I AM THE GOD OF YOUR FATHERS, THE GOD OF ABRAHAM AND ISAAC AND JACOB.’ Moses shook with fear and would not venture to look.“ BUT THE LORD SAID TO HIM, ‘TAKE OFF THE SANDALS FROM YOUR FEET, FOR THE PLACE ON WHICH YOU ARE STANDING IS HOLY GROUND. ‘I HAVE CERTAINLY SEEN THE OPPRESSION OF MY PEOPLE IN EGYPT AND HAVE HEARD THEIR GROANS, AND I HAVE COME DOWN TO RESCUE THEM; COME NOW, AND I WILL SEND YOU TO EGYPT.”

Note: The bush was burning with fire, yet the bush was not consumed. The burning bush is a big problem for unbelieving scientists and theologians because no rational thought or cannons of logic can explain it. Why the bush is not consumed? What God does is beyond natural, beyond human reason can figure out. There is nothing impossible with God. For that reason, Revelation is a trillion times superior to reason. The existence and presence of God is the holy ground where no scientists, scholars, philosophers and theologians may tread or stand.

(D). God revealed His name to Moses and commissioned him.

Exo 3:13-22, “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?” God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ God, furthermore, said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is My name forever, and this is My memorial-name to all generations. Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I am indeed concerned about you and what has been done to you in Egypt. So I said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Amorite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite, to a land flowing with milk and honey. They will pay heed to what you say; and you with the elders of Israel will come to the king of Egypt and you will say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. So now, please, let us go a three days’ journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God. But I know that the king of Egypt will not permit you to go, except under compulsion. So I will stretch out My hand and strike Egypt with all My miracles which I shall do in the midst of it; and after that he will let you go. I will grant this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and it shall be that when you go, you will not go empty-handed. But every woman shall ask of her neighbor and the woman who lives in her house, articles of silver and articles of gold, and clothing; and you will put them on your sons and daughters. Thus you will plunder the Egyptians.”

Note: It is wrong to ask what God is, because God is not a thing. It is also wrong to ask who God is for God is not a man. God is Spirit, neither man nor thing. But the Lord God Almighty declares Himself to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’ Jehovah who is the ‘I AM WHO I AM’ of the Old Testament is the ‘I AM’ of Jesus Christ in the New Testament. This knowledge is beyond comprehension of unbelieving scientists and philosophers.

(E). Moses’ life is divided into three forty years period.

The life of Moses is divided into three periods, each of forty years. The first 40 years extend from his infancy to his life in the palace as son of the daughter of Pharaoh. Act 7:22-23,“Moses was educated in all the learning of the Egyptians, and he was a man of power in words and deeds. But when he was approaching the age of forty, it entered his mind to visit his brethren, the sons of Israel.” In the first period of his life, Moses was educated in all the learning of the Egyptians, and he was a man of power in words and deeds. For whatever its worth, the pyramids reflect the high level of Egyptian civilization, probably the profoundest at that period of time. I believe during these years Moses also mastered the Hebrew language, prepared and equipped him to write the Pentateuch. Anyway you look at the Pentateuch (the First Five Books of the Bible) literally, they are world masterpieces. 

The second period of forty years, Moses fled and became an alien in the land of Midian where he was pasturing the flock of Jethro his father-in-law. Act 7:29, “At this remark, MOSES FLED AND BECAME AN ALIEN IN THE LAND OF MIDIAN, where he became the father of two sons.” The first period Moses learned all the learning of the world. The second period of forty years he was in the school of hard knocks, the University of God where God taught Moses how to shepherd flocks to prepare him to lead the Israelites exodus from Egypt. Act 7:30, “After forty years had passed, AN ANGEL APPEARED TO HIM IN THE WILDERNESS OF MOUNT Sinai, IN THE FLAME OF A BURNING THORN BUSH.” Exo 5:1, “And afterward Moses and Aaron came and said to Pharaoh, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘Let My people go that they may celebrate a feast to Me in the wilderness.’”

The third period of forty years Moses led the Jewish people marching toward the Promised Land through the wilderness. Deu 29:5-6, “I have led you forty years in the wilderness; your clothes have not worn out on you, and your sandal has not worn out on your foot. You have not eaten bread, nor have you drunk wine or strong drink, in order that you might know that I am the LORD your God.” For forty years the Lord kept the Jewish people alive with a multitude of miracles, and yet they often complained and rebelled against God. During the third period of his life, which extends from the exodus out of Egypt to his death on mount Nebo. In this interval how much did Moses accomplish under many circumstances, as the servant and immediate agent of the Most High. 

I hold the position and dislike the Bible scholars who make too much of typing Bible characters with Jesus Christ with seeming parallels. We should not use too much typing carelessly and unnecessarily. For I believe Jesus Christ is singularly incomparable. It is unproductive and futile to compare anyone with Jesus Christ. Rom 5:14, “Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.” Type in Greek is typos which means ensample; a figure or image; example; pattern; fashion; manner; form; a type i.e. a person or thing prefiguring a future (Messianic) person or thing (Strong’s Concordance); style or resemblance; – which occurs 15 times in the New Testament. It is proper to use Christ as the model for all believers to imitate. It falls short for any man to be a model. 1Co 10:4-6, “and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the Rock was Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness. Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved.” There are many things in history written in the Bible for our instruction. Rom 15:4-5, “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus.” Our mind should focus on Jesus Christ, the Author and Perfecter of our faith. Any attempt to shift the focus from Jesus Christ to any man is not sound doctrine, not sound theology.

(F). Moses and Aaron said to Pharaoh what God said, Let My people go!

Exo 5:1-9, “And afterward Moses and Aaron came and said to Pharaoh, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘Let My people go that they may celebrate a feast to Me in the wilderness.’ But Pharaoh said, “Who is the LORD that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and besides, I will not let Israel go.” Then they said, “The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Please, let us go a three days’ journey into the wilderness that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God, otherwise He will fall upon us with pestilence or with the sword.” But the king of Egypt said to them, “Moses and Aaron, why do you draw the people away from their work? Get back to your labors!” Again Pharaoh said, “Look, the people of the land are now many, and you would have them cease from their labors!” So the same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters over the people and their foremen, saying, “You are no longer to give the people straw to make brick as previously; let them go and gather straw for themselves. But the quota of bricks which they were making previously, you shall impose on them; you are not to reduce any of it. Because they are lazy, therefore they cry out, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’ Let the labor be heavier on the men, and let them work at it so that they will pay no attention to false words.”

Note: Pharaoh insulted God and said he did not know the Lord, and would not let Israel go. In the next stage of drama how God would compel Pharaoh, and the children of Israel would go free and not empty-handed.

Exo 7:7, “Moses was eighty years old and Aaron eighty-three, when they spoke to Pharaoh.”

(G). How the Lord put Pharaoh under compulsion to let the Jews go.

Exo 6:1, “Then the LORD said to Moses, “Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh; for under compulsion he will let them go, and under compulsion he will drive them out of his land.”

Note: Under compulsion in Hebrew means under strong hand. Under the strong hand of God even Pharaoh gave in and caved under. No one can withstand the strong Hand of God. You will see what the Lord will do to Pharaoh, and how God puts Pharaoh under compulsion so he will let the children of Israel leave Egypt.

Ten Plagues described in Exodus Chapters 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 are awesome miracles and power of God.

First plague: The water of Nile was turned to blood.

Exo 7:20-21, “ So Moses and Aaron did even as the LORD had commanded. And he lifted up the staff and struck the water that was in the Nile, in the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants, and all the water that was in the Nile was turned to blood. The fish that were in the Nile died, and the Nile became foul, so that the Egyptians could not drink water from the Nile. And the blood was through all the land of Egypt.”

Note: Water is essential to life. Man cannot exist without water. When water turns to blood, that is the worst. You cannot drink blood, take a bath in blood, or clean and wash in blood, or cook food in blood.

Second plague: Frogs came up and covered the land of Egypt.

Exo 8:5-6, “Then the LORD said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Stretch out your hand with your staff over the rivers, over the streams and over the pools, and make frogs come up on the land of Egypt.’ So Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt, and the frogs came up and covered the land of Egypt.”

Note: Frogs are carnivores, leaping or jumping is used as a means for evading predators, and imagine millions of frogs making unique calls to disturb you. Imagine frogs cover up the whole land, including your homes and beds and kitchens.

Third plague: God sent gnats on man and beast through all the land of Egypt.

Exo 8:16-17, “Then the LORD said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the earth, that it may become gnats through all the land of Egypt.’”They did so; and Aaron stretched out his hand with his staff, and struck the dust of the earth, and there were gnats on man and beast. All the dust of the earth became gnats through all the land of Egypt.”

Note: Gnats are flying insects that can be biting in the house and through out the land. Imagine gnats on man and beast.

Fourth plague: The Lord sent swarms of flies on people and on ground. 

Exo 8:21-22, “For if you do not let My people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies on you and on your servants and on your people and into your houses; and the houses of the Egyptians will be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground on which they dwell. But on that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, where My people are living, so that no swarms of flies will be there, in order that you may know that I, the LORD, am in the midst of the land.”

Note: What is the experience when flies compete with what you are going to eat, like falling into your soup?

Fifth plagues: God sent a very severe pestilence to kill Egyptian livestock.

Exo 9:3-4, “behold, the hand of the LORD will come with a very severe pestilence on your livestock which are in the field, on the horses, on the donkeys, on the camels, on the herds, and on the flocks. But the LORD will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt, so that nothing will die of all that belongs to the sons of Israel.”

Exo 9:6, “So the LORD did this thing on the next day, and all the livestock of Egypt died; but of the livestock of the sons of Israel, not one died.”

Note: Pestilence is a fatal epidemic disease which God sent to kill Egyptian livestock. Imagine mountains of dead livestock everywhere and the stinking smell of them.

Sixth plague: Boils breaking out with sores on man and beast.

Exo 9:8-10, “Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Take for yourselves handfuls of soot from a kiln, and let Moses throw it toward the sky in the sight of Pharaoh. “It will become fine dust over all the land of Egypt, and will become boils breaking out with sores on man and beast through all the land of Egypt.” So they took soot from a kiln, and stood before Pharaoh; and Moses threw it toward the sky, and it became boils breaking out with sores on man and beast.”

Note: Boils are the painful sores turning white as pus collects under the skin and appear on the face, neck, armpits, shoulders, and buttocks. Now Egyptians feel the pain of boils.

Seventh plague: A very heavy hail and thunder came down to kill livestock and men.

Exo 9:18-19, “Behold, about this time tomorrow, I will send a very heavy hail, such as has not been seen in Egypt from the day it was founded until now. Now therefore send, bring your livestock and whatever you have in the field to safety. Every man and beast that is found in the field and is not brought home, when the hail comes down on them, will die.”

Note: It must be a very heavy hail and thunder that kills livestock and men. My first experience of hail was during the funeral of President Nixon at Yorba Linda, in Orange County, hail and rain with thousands and thousands of people lining up to pay tribute to the great president. The hail was small and did not kill anyone.

Exo 9:23-24, “Moses stretched out his staff toward the sky, and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and fire ran down to the earth. And the LORD rained hail on the land of Egypt. So there was hail, and fire flashing continually in the midst of the hail, very severe, such as had not been in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation.”

Eighth plague: Locusts came and covered the surface of Egypt and ate every green in the field.

Exo 10:4-5, “For if you refuse to let My people go, behold, tomorrow I will bring locusts into your territory.‘They shall cover the surface of the land, so that no one will be able to see the land. They will also eat the rest of what has escaped—what is left to you from the hail—and they will eat every tree which sprouts for you out of the field.”

Note: Locusts are large grasshoppers with strong powers of flight, and they migrate in vast swarms that can eat up crops and green plants. The swarms of locusts were so large that no one will be able to see the land.

Ninth plague: Thick darkness which can be felt covered Egypt.

Exo 10:21-23, “Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward the sky, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even a darkness which may be felt.” So Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and there was thick darkness in all the land of Egypt for three days. They did not see one another, nor did anyone rise from his place for three days, but all the sons of Israel had light in their dwellings.”

Note: Most people are afraid of darkness, it is a proof when massive power is out at night. Very few people have ever experienced thick darkness which can be felt. In my life time I have never heard of such thick darkness which can be felt happening anywhere.

Tenth plague: God killed the firstborn of the Pharaoh and all the firstborn even the cattle.

Exo 11:4-5, “Moses said, “Thus says the LORD, ‘About midnight I am going out into the midst of Egypt,and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of the Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the slave girl who is behind the millstones; all the firstborn of the cattle as well.”

Moses instituted the Passover. Exo 12:7-8, “And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.”

Exo 12:11-13, “And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD’S passover. For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.”

Note: Passover is derived from the fact that when God sees the blood on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the Jewish houses, God will pass over them, and the plague shall not be upon them to destroy them. The Passover lamb symbolizes the Lamb of God who was sacrificed on our behalf. 1Co 5:7, “Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed.” Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for our sins.

(H). Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, and God led them on the way.

Exo 13:19, “Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had made the sons of Israel solemnly swear, saying, “God will surely take care of you, and you shall carry my bones from here with you.” Then they set out from Succoth and camped in Etham on the edge of the wilderness. The LORD was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.”

Note: So in the journey of the Christian to the celestial city, we need the Lord going before us, a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night to guide us in the figure of speech. For Christians today, the Word of God and the Holy Spirit guide and lead us.

(I). God destroyed Pharaoh’s entire army, the people feared the Lord.

Exo 14:5-31, “When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his servants had a change of heart toward the people, and they said, “What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?” So he made his chariot ready and took his people with him; and he took six hundred select chariots, and all the other chariots of Egypt with officers over all of them. The LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and he chased after the sons of Israel as the sons of Israel were going out boldly. Then the Egyptians chased after them with all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen and his army, and they overtook them camping by the sea, beside Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon. As Pharaoh drew near, the sons of Israel looked, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they became very frightened; so the sons of Israel cried out to the LORD. Then they said to Moses, “Is it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you dealt with us in this way, bringing us out of Egypt? Is this not the word that we spoke to you in Egypt, saying, ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness. But Moses said to the people, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent.” Then the LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward. As for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, and the sons of Israel shall go through the midst of the sea on dry land. As for Me, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them; and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. Then the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD, when I am honored through Pharaoh, through his chariots and his horsemen.” The angel of God, who had been going before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them. So it came between the camp of Egypt and the camp of Israel; and there was the cloud along with the darkness, yet it gave light at night. Thus the one did not come near the other all night. Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD swept the sea back by a strong east wind all night and turned the sea into dry land, so the waters were divided. The sons of Israel went through the midst of the sea on the dry land, and the waters were like a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. Then the Egyptians took up the pursuit, and all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots and his horsemen went in after them into the midst of the sea. At the morning watch, the LORD looked down on the army of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and cloud and brought the army of the Egyptians into confusion. He caused their chariot wheels to swerve, and He made them drive with difficulty; so the Egyptians said, “Let us flee from Israel, for the LORD is fighting for them against the Egyptians.” Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may come back over the Egyptians, over their chariots and their horsemen.” So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal state at daybreak, while the Egyptians were fleeing right into it; then the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen, even Pharaoh’s entire army that had gone into the sea after them; not even one of them remained. But the sons of Israel walked on dry land through the midst of the sea, and the waters were like a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. When Israel saw the great power which the LORD had used against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in His servant Moses.”

Note: Moses led the sons of Israel to go through the midst of the Red Sea on dry land is one of the greatest historical miracles, besides God destroyed or drowned Pharaoh’s entire army. Consequently, the Jewish people feared the Lord and believed in the Lord.

(J). Jethro brought Moses’ wife and her two sons to meet Moses at the mount of God. 

Exo 18:1-12, “Now Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel His people, how the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt. Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took Moses’ wife Zipporah, after he had sent her away, and her two sons, of whom one was named Gershom, for Moses said, “I have been a sojourner in a foreign land.” The other was named Eliezer, for he said, “The God of my father was my help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh.” Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife to Moses in the wilderness where he was camped, at the mount of God. He sent word to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons with her.” Then Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, and he bowed down and kissed him; and they asked each other of their welfare and went into the tent. Moses told his father-in-law all that the LORD had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, all the hardship that had befallen them on the journey, and how the LORD had delivered them. Jethro rejoiced over all the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel, in delivering them from the hand of the Egyptians. So Jethro said, “Blessed be the LORD who delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of Pharaoh, and who delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. Now I know that the LORD is greater than all the gods; indeed, it was proven when they dealt proudly against the people.” Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat a meal with Moses’ father-in-law before God.”

Note: Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, was a great man in his own right. He made a declaration: “Now I know that the LORD is greater than all the gods.” 

(K). Moses listened to his father-in-law and appointed heads and leaders in the legal system of court and government.

Exo 18:24-27, “So Moses listened to his father-in-law and did all that he had said. Moses chose able men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people, leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens. They judged the people at all times; the difficult dispute they would bring to Moses, but every minor dispute they themselves would judge. Then Moses bade his father-in-law farewell, and he went his way into his own land.”

Note: Jethro, Moses father-in-law, was a wise man. He could be properly called the forefather of modern management. Jethro understood management principles, especially the principle of delegation of authority and management effectiveness. Num 11:16-17, “The LORD therefore said to Moses, “Gather for Me seventy men from the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and their officers and bring them to the tent of meeting, and let them take their stand there with you. Then I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take of the Spirit who is upon you, and will put Him upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you will not bear it all alone.”

(L). Moses came up to receive the Ten Commandments (Decalogue).

Exo 24:12-18, “Now the LORD said to Moses, “Come up to Me on the mountain and remain there, and I will give you the stone tablets with the law and the commandment which I have written for their instruction.”  So Moses arose with Joshua his servant, and Moses went up to the mountain of God. But to the elders he said, “Wait here for us until we return to you. And behold, Aaron and Hur are with you; whoever has a legal matter, let him approach them.” Then Moses went up to the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. The glory of the LORD rested on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; and on the seventh day He called to Moses from the midst of the cloud. And to the eyes of the sons of Israel the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a consuming fire on the mountain top. Moses entered the midst of the cloud as he went up to the mountain; and Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.”

Note: The law of Moses are contained in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

Exo 34:28-35, “So he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did not eat bread or drink water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments. It came about when Moses was coming down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of the testimony were in Moses’ hand as he was coming down from the mountain), that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because of his speaking with Him. So when Aaron and all the sons of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him. Then Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the rulers in the congregation returned to him; and Moses spoke to them. Afterward all the sons of Israel came near, and he commanded them to do everything that the LORD had spoken to him on Mount Sinai. When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face. But whenever Moses went in before the LORD to speak with Him, he would take off the veil until he came out; and whenever he came out and spoke to the sons of Israel what he had been commanded, the sons of Israel would see the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face shone. So Moses would replace the veil over his face until he went in to speak with Him.”

Note: The life of Moses was sustained by the grace and power of God although he was with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he did not eat bread or drink water. Moses the man of God, talking with God about the law, the face of Moses shone. How much more the Son of God who brought grace and truth, Mat 17:2, “And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light.” Heb 3:1-3, “Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession; He was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was in all His house. For He has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, by just so much as the builder of the house has more honor than the house.” Heb 3:5-6, “Now Moses was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken later; but Christ was faithful as the Son over His house—whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end.”

Deu 33:1-2, “Now this is the blessing with which Moses the man of God blessed the sons of Israel before his death. He said,
“The LORD came from Sinai,
And dawned on them from Seir;
He shone forth from Mount Paran,
And He came from the midst of ten thousand holy ones;
At His right hand there was flashing lightning for them.”

Gal 3:23-26, “But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.”

2Co 3:13-18, “and are not like Moses, who used to put a veil over his face so that the sons of Israel would not look intently at the end of what was fading away. But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ. But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 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: The old covenant (the law) was fading away, the veil is removed in Christ. Christians are under grace, not under law. Whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away, Jhn 1:14, “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

(M). Moses prayed to the glory of God, God showed him only His back.

Exo 33:17-23, “The LORD said to Moses, “I will also do this thing of which you have spoken; for you have found favor in My sight and I have known you by name.” Then Moses said, “I pray You, show me Your glory!” And He said, “I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the LORD before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion.” But He said, “You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!” Then the LORD said, “Behold, there is a place by Me, and you shall stand there on the rock; and it will come about, while My glory is passing by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. Then I will take My hand away and you shall see My back, but My face shall not be seen.”

Note: No man has ever seen God, not even Moses.

(N). God showed the pattern and told Moses to build the tabernacle.

Exo 40:33-38, “He erected the court all around the tabernacle and the altar, and hung up the veil for the gateway of the court. Thus Moses finished the work. Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Throughout all their journeys whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the sons of Israel would set out; but if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out until the day when it was taken up. For throughout all their journeys, the cloud of the LORD was on the tabernacle by day, and there was fire in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel.”

Note: Throughout all the journeys of the sons of Israel, they followed the directions of the Lord. Whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the sons of Israel would set out; but if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out until the day when it was taken up. The tabernacle was replaced by Solomon’s temple.

Heb 8:5, “who serve a copy and shadow of the Heavenly things, just as Moses was warned by God when he was about to erect the tabernacle; for, “SEE,” He says, “THAT YOU MAKE all things ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN WHICH WAS SHOWN YOU ON THE MOUNTAIN.”

Heb 9:11-14, “But when Christ appeared as the High Priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation; and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”

Note: Some scholars are so stupid to say that God is clean. God is far beyond clean, God is holy. Christ entered though the greater and more perfect tabernacle than that made by Moses. The Holy Place is not where clean people can enter. Through His own blood, Christ entered into the way of the Holiest of all, the Holy of Holies, having obtained eternal redemption for all believers in Christ, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

Rev 21:1-5, “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. And I saw the Holy City, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, 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.” 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.”

(O). God told Moses to lay his hand on Joshua and commission him as his successor.

Num 27:18-23, “So the LORD said to Moses, “Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him; and have him stand before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation, and commission him in their sight.“ You shall put some of your authority on him, in order that all the congregation of the sons of Israel may obey him. Moreover, he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before the LORD. At his command they shall go out and at his command they shall come in, both he and the sons of Israel with him, even all the congregation.” Moses did just as the LORD commanded him; and he took Joshua and set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation. Then he laid his hands on him and commissioned him, just as the LORD had spoken through Moses.”

Note: Joshua was chosen by God to succeed Moses because he was a man in whom is the Spirit. At the command of Joshua the congregation of the sons of Israel shall go out or come in and obey him.

(P). The Lord on the top of Pisgah showed Moses the Promised Land but Moses would not go over there. 

Deu 34:1-8, “Now Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho. And the LORD showed him all the land, Gilead as far as Dan, and all Naphtali and the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, and all the land of Judah as far as the western sea, and the Negev and the plain in the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, as far as Zoar. Then the LORD said to him, “This is the land which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants’; I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there.” So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the Word of the LORD. And He buried him in the valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth-peor; but no man knows his burial place to this day. Although Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died, his eye was not dim, nor his vigor abated. So the sons of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days; then the days of weeping and mourning for Moses came to an end.”

Note: Moses had remarkable health, when he died at 120 years old, his eye was not dim (he did not have cataract), nor his vigor abated. But Moses came to an end. No matter who you are, everybody sooner or later comes to an end. This serves as a warning to all dictators, warmongers, oppressors, imperialists, colonialists, capitalists, monopolists, militarists, supremacists, and terrorists. They all will soon come to an end.

Jde 1:9, “But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”

Note: Why did the devil want the body of Moses? The devil does not have good intention. I cannot tell why the devil want the body of Moses. I think the devil can do many evil deeds with the body of Moses. For one, the devil may make the dead body of Moses as an object of worship, to seduce people to commit the sin of idolatry.

(Q). During the transfiguration of Jesus, Moses and Elijah, appearing in glory, were speaking about the departure or death of Jesus Christ.

Luk 9:28-36, “Some eight days after these sayings, He took along Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming. And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah, who, appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions had been overcome with sleep; but when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men standing with Him. And as these were leaving Him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles: one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not realizing what he was saying. While he was saying this, a cloud formed and began to overshadow them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!” And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent, and reported to no one in those days any of the things which they had seen.”

Note: The crucifixion must be so important because that is subject Moses and Elijah were talking with Jesus. The death of Jesus Christ on the cross for the sin of mankind is one of the greatest events in the universe. When Peter was talking about making three tabernacles: one for Jesus, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah; God seemed to be displeased and corrected him by saying, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!” God does not want disciples to listen to Moses or Elijah. God wants the whole world to listen to His Son, His Chose One, Jesus Christ. They saw no one but Jesus. Moses and Elijah are servants of God, Jesus Christ is the Son of God. We believers must fix our eyes on no one but Jesus Christ.

(R). The difference between the Old Testament and the New Testament.

Jhn 1:17, “For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came  through Jesus Christ.”

In studying the Scriptures, I hold the position there is absolutely no need to quote Josephus, Apocrypha and other secular sources as if they are important to validate the Word of God. I think secular academics do so to display how much is their learning or knowledge. I think it is facetious and malicious to cite the pilgrim fathers of New England that the institutions that they founded to be ascribed to the influence of the Hebrew legislator Moses. Moses was the Hebrew lawgiver, not legislator. Don’t you know the historical fact that the White Europeans so-called pilgrim fathers not only they robbed the land of the original natives of America, they almost terminated the Red Indian race from the surface of the earth. Indeed in the last 500 years Europeans, and later Americans, have lied, killed, and robbed the whole world in the name of democracy, freedom, independence, human right, justice falsely so called. It is blasphemous to associate Christianity with Western nations or its corrupt civilization. Do you know American presidents and congressional leaders have killed millions and millions of innocent peoples around the world since the end of World War II and to this day?

It is wrong to say Moses had absolute rule over Israel. It is God who had and who has absolute rule over the universe.

(7).  Stephen

Act 6:5-15, “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. And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them. 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 miracles 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.”

Note: The management of a church is based on to be found approval with the whole congregation. The greater in the faith lay hands on the lesser. The greater blesses the lesser, not the other way around. Stephen in Greek is Stephanos which means “crowned”; one of the seven deacons of the church in Jerusalem and the first Christian martyr; – which occurs 7 times in the New Testament. No one is able to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit of God. Stephen performed great wonders and miracles among the people. Wonders and miracles do not affect people who do not want to believe and who practice lawlessness and injustice.

These so-called freedmen, secretly induced men by collusion or bribery to bear false testimony against Stephen. The elders and the scribes were the establishment of the Jewish religion and yet they were corrupt and lawless. Often the religious or political establishment is the most corrupt and lawless one. America and Western nations that dominate and dictate the world are the most corrupt and lawless people in the world. In fact, the hypocrites always act in most hypocritical way. They dragged and brought Stephen to the Council or Sanhedrin, the high court of justice and supreme council in Jerusalem. The same today America and its allies employ illegal legislation, false witnesses, fake news, fake reports, false views, false legislation, fake laws, sanctions, etc. to interfere, target, oppress, violate, attack nations that do not follow their dictatorship or leadership. No matter how the wicked want to smear and soil the righteousness, Stephen had a face shining like that of an angel. 

Act 7:2-60, “And he said, “Hear me, brethren and fathers! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, and said to him, ‘LEAVE YOUR COUNTRY AND YOUR RELATIVES, AND COME INTO THE LAND THAT I WILL SHOW YOU.’ Then he left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. From there, after his father died, God had him move to this country in which you are now living. But He gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot of ground, and yet, even when he had no child, He promised that HE WOULD GIVE IT TO HIM AS A POSSESSION, AND TO HIS DESCENDANTS AFTER HIM. But God spoke to this effect, that his DESCENDANTS WOULD BE ALIENS IN A FOREIGN LAND, AND THAT THEY WOULD BE ENSLAVED AND MISTREATED FOR FOUR HUNDRED YEARS. AND WHATEVER NATION TO WHICH THEY WILL BE IN BONDAGE I MYSELF WILL JUDGE,’ said God, ‘AND AFTER THAT THEY WILL COME OUT AND SERVE ME IN THIS PLACE.’ And He gave him the covenant of circumcision; and so Abraham became the father of Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs. The patriarchs became jealous of Joseph and sold him into Egypt. Yet God was with him, and rescued him from all his afflictions, and granted him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and he made him governor over Egypt and all his household. Now a famine came over all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction with it, and our fathers could find no food. But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our fathers there the first time. On the second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph’s family was disclosed to Pharaoh. Then Joseph sent word and invited Jacob his father and all his relatives to come to him, seventy-five persons in all. And Jacob went down to Egypt and there he and our fathers died. From there they were removed to Shechem and laid in the tomb which Abraham had purchased for a sum of money from the sons of Hamor in Shechem. But as the time of the promise was approaching which God had assured to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt, until THERE AROSE ANOTHER KING OVER EGYPT WHO KNEW NOTHING ABOUT JOSEPH. It was he who took shrewd advantage of our race and mistreated our fathers so that they would expose their infants and they would not survive. It was at this time that Moses was born; and he was lovely in the sight of God, and he was nurtured three months in his father’s home. And after he had been set outside, Pharaoh’s daughter took him away and nurtured him as her own son. Moses was educated in all the learning of the Egyptians, and he was a man of power in words and deeds. But when he was approaching the age of forty, it entered his mind to visit his brethren, the sons of Israel. And when he saw one of them being treated unjustly, he defended him and took vengeance for the oppressed by striking down the Egyptian. And he supposed that his brethren understood that God was granting them deliverance through him, but they did not understand. On the following day he appeared to them as they were fighting together, and he tried to reconcile them in peace, saying, ‘Men, you are brethren, why do you injure one another?’ But the one who was injuring his neighbor pushed him away, saying, ‘WHO MADE YOU A RULER AND JUDGE OVER US? ‘YOU DO NOT MEAN TO KILL ME AS YOU KILLED THE EGYPTIAN YESTERDAY, DO YOU?’ At this remark, MOSES FLED AND BECAME AN ALIEN IN THE LAND OF MIDIAN, where he became the father of two sons. After forty years had passed, AN ANGEL APPEARED TO HIM IN THE WILDERNESS OF MOUNT Sinai, IN THE FLAME OF A BURNING THORN BUSH. When Moses saw it, he marveled at the sight; and as he approached to look more closely, there came the voice of the Lord: ‘I AM THE GOD OF YOUR FATHERS, THE GOD OF ABRAHAM AND ISAAC AND JACOB.’ Moses shook with fear and would not venture to look. BUT THE LORD SAID TO HIM,‘TAKE OFF THE SANDALS FROM YOUR FEET, FOR THE PLACE ON WHICH YOU ARE STANDING IS HOLY GROUND. I HAVE CERTAINLY SEEN THE OPPRESSION OF MY PEOPLE IN EGYPT AND HAVE HEARD THEIR GROANS, AND I HAVE COME DOWN TO RESCUE THEM; COME NOW, AND I WILL SEND YOU TO EGYPT.’ This Moses whom they disowned, saying, ‘WHO MADE YOU A RULER AND A JUDGE?’ is the one whom God sent to be both a ruler and a deliverer with the help of the angel. This man led them out, performing wonders and miracles in the land of Egypt and in the Red Sea and in the wilderness for forty years. This is the Moses who said to the sons of Israel, ‘GOD WILL RAISE UP FOR YOU A PROPHET LIKE ME FROM YOUR BRETHREN.’ This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness together with the angel who was speaking to him on Mount Sinai, and who was with our fathers; and he received living oracles to pass on to you. Our fathers were unwilling to be obedient to him, but repudiated him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt, SAYING TO AARON, ‘MAKE FOR US GODS WHO WILL GO BEFORE US; FOR THIS MOSES WHO LED US OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT—WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM.’ At that time they made a calf and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and were rejoicing in the works of their hands. But God turned away and delivered them up to serve the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, ‘IT WAS NOT TO ME THAT YOU OFFERED VICTIMS AND SACRIFICES FORTY YEARS IN THE WILDERNESS, WAS IT, O HOUSE OF ISRAEL? YOU ALSO TOOK ALONG THE TABERNACLE OF MOLOCH AND THE STAR OF THE GOD ROMPHA, THE IMAGES WHICH YOU MADE TO WORSHIP. I ALSO WILL REMOVE YOU BEYOND BABYLON.’ Our fathers had the tabernacle of testimony in the wilderness, just as He who spoke to Moses directed him to make it according to the pattern which he had seen.“ And having received it in their turn, our fathers brought it in with Joshua upon dispossessing the nations whom God drove out before our fathers, until the time of David. David found favor in God’s sight, and asked that he might find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. But it was Solomon who built a house for Him. However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands; as the prophet says: ‘HEAVEN IS MY THRONE,
AND EARTH IS THE FOOTSTOOL OF MY FEET;
WHAT KIND OF HOUSE WILL YOU BUILD FOR ME?’ says the Lord, ‘OR WHAT PLACE IS THERE FOR MY REPOSE? WAS IT NOT MY HAND WHICH MADE ALL THESE THINGS? You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did. Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become; you who received the law as ordained by angels, and yet did not keep it. Now when they heard this, they were cut to the quick, and they began gnashing their teeth at him. 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; and he said, “Behold, I see the Heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” But they cried out with a loud voice, and covered their ears and rushed at him with one impulse. When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul. They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” Having said this, he fell asleep.”

Note: In the beginning Stephen gave a most brilliant summary of the Jewish history from Abraham, to Joseph, to Moses, to Solomon, to the prophets. But when Stephen preached the sins of the Jews who have become betrayers and murderers, they were cut to the quick, and they began gnashing their teeth at him. Outbreak of sudden fit of rage with one impulse rushed at Stephen. When a preacher preaches against sins, he cannot expect a favorable response from the audience. That is why so many false preachers will speak what the audience like to hear, such as ‘something good is going to happen to you’. God will bless you with prosperity and you will do well in this world…’ That is why in the American history, no preacher ever dares to preach against the sins of American presidents and congressional leaders. Where are the American preachers who preach against the evil of imperialism, capitalism, interventionism, and militarism? Those who preach the truth hope to see the glory of God. Stephen was being full of the Holy Spirit, he saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. The false preachers preach peace and prosperity when there is no peace and prosperity. False preachers preach “I have a dream! I have a dream!” When there is nightmare, injustice, lawlessness, and unrighteousness, violence and blood covers the hands of the national leaders. The false preachers enjoy national popularity and prosperity on TV and at megachurches and they are invited to the White House. The preachers of truth and righteousness suffer national obscurity and poverty. The capitalism version of Christianity is deceiving and deluding America, Europe, and minuscule Taiwan and Hong Kong. It is most revealing that those who murdered Stephen cried out with a loud voice and covered their ears. The Western leaders who practice lies, killings, and robberies habitually and facetiously cry out in the global propaganda of democracy, freedom, independence, and other phony slogans, but they cover their ears to the truth and justice. We know nothing about the marriage status of Stephen or his children. Stephen is the protomartyr of the Christian Church. Apparently, Stephen was not married and did not have children. The martyrdom already sacrificed the life of Stephen, and it would be more devastating if he had wife and children. Paul is also believed to be single and having no children. Those who bear the brunt of the cross and sacrifice their lives for the Gospel would be better off not having family. Stephen courageously set as an example for countless Christians later on killed by the Roman Catholic Church, Islam, and other heresies and forces of darkness and evil.

III.  THE COMMON FAITH 

As faith is individual or personal, so the common Faith refers to the Faith that all Christians of all generations have in common, accepting and believing in the body of Christian dogmas and doctrines deemed essential and fundamental to the Faith which was once for all handed down to the saints by Jesus Christ and the Apostles from the beginning as it is written in the New Testament.

Act 3:16,“And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the Faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all.”

Note: The Faith which we believe comes through Jesus Christ, not from Augustine, Aquinas, Calvin, Erasmus, Barth or Kierkegaard, etc. The body of beliefs which all Christians believe from the beginning is the Faith, not Roman Catholic theology, black theology, natural theology, Eastern Orthodox theology, liberal theology, Calvinism, moral theology, polemic theology, liberation theology, feminist theology, not even Protestant theology. There is no Protestant theology, or Lutheran theology; Protestantism is only an attempt to return to the Bible and original Christianity. So the Christian Faith is based absolutely on the Biblical theology, that is as it is written in the New Testament.

All Christians of all generations accept and believe the body of Faith common to all as a whole, usually it summarized in a creed. When church leaders and believes accept some and reject other doctrines, they turn at best into denominations, and at worst they turn into cults and heresies. Some denominations practice over emphasizing some aspects of doctrines, while some de-emphasizing other doctrines. All persons mentioned in the Bible were historical figures, and all places mentioned in the Bible were real geographical places, and all events took place written in the Bible were real historical events. The Word of God is true, and worthy of all acceptance. Let God be true, and man a liar — particularly unbelieving scientists and theologians and philosophers.

It is wrong to say that Martin Luther agreed with the Catholic outlook far more than he differed from it. This is a revisionist view of the great Reformation. The Roman Catholic Church had strayed so far away from the Biblical Faith, that it can be considered as another religion, strange from Christianity. It is not what Luther accepted or not accepted that matters, it is the Faith that all believers from the beginning had believed that matters. It is what the Word of God says that matters. Protestantism is nothing but a total return to the original Christianity.

The secularists and unbelieving theologians without basis hypothesized that Paul got the Gospel from what was floating in the Jewish thought of his time; he adopted it because it balanced so naturally his theory of redemption. This is a lie comes right up from Hell to say the Gospel is so vague and universal sin is somewhat arbitrary. Gal 1:11-12, “For I would have you know, brethren, that the Gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.” 2Co 4:3-4, “And even if our Gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 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.” The Gospel is neither vague nor veiled, only the god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelieving, including secular academics, unbelieving scientists, theologians and philosophers. Act 15:7, “After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brethren, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the Gospel and believe” 1Pe 1:9, “obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.” Peter testified to the same Gospel as Paul did. 1Jo 5:4-6, “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood. It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.” Paul, Peter, John and all the apostles of Jesus Christ testified to the same definite Gospel truth in Christ without compromise or retreat.

Mar 12:24, “Jesus said to them, “Is this not the reason you are mistaken, that you do not understand the Scriptures or the power of God?

Note: Regarding the Christian Faith, so many secular academics, theologians and philosophers are mistaken, because they do not understand the Scriptures or the power of God. Because they do not understand the Scriptures or the power of God, so they distort, misrepresent, misinterpret, and mislead people to their destruction. Believing the Scriptures is not deliberate ignorance or intellectual dishonesty. Heb 3:12-14, “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end.” Secularists and unbelieving theologians are departing from the living God because of their evil heart of unbelief, hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. They have been deceived by the sin of vain glory, guilty at times of undue pride, and belief in themselves. Only Christians are partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end. The devil’s scheme is to disrupt and destroy that confidence in the Scripture. Secularists and unbelieving philosophers and theologians have been catastrophically wrong in advocating their so-called science and reason that are retarding for centuries the advance of truth and integrity in the West. In the last 500 years or more the West, and later America, have done so much evil in the world under imperialism, colonialism, capitalism, militarism, white supremacism, and terrorism. The West and America worship money, power, and sex; not the God of Christianity.

Secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers demonstrate the indulgence of human pride and vanity of self-glorification. Reason is incompetent and incapable in the sphere of divine truth, and the knowledge of God. What is worst, they deliberately distort, misrepresent, and misinterpret the Word of God with their unbelief and bias, riddles and metaphors. Little they know that evil heart of unbelief will lead them to destruction and eternal death.

Tit 1:4, “To Titus, my true child in a common Faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.”

Note: If you have grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior, you are a child in the common Faith.

Jde 1:3, “Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the Faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.”

Note: The Faith refers to the doctrines and dogmas given that which all saints must believe; it is what we believe, it is Christianity itself. Our common salvation is the result of our common Faith in Christ which was once for all handed down to the saints. The Common Faith is that we sinners are all saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ the Son of God. Salvation is the gift of God, not because of our efforts or work or merit.

The authority of the Bible is final and infallible and incorruptible. This is the Scripture. 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 is lyō which means to break up; to break down; to destroy; to dissolve; to put off; to dismiss; to annul; to subvert; to do away with; to deprive of authority; to overthrow; – which occurs 45 times in the New Testament. The Scripture cannot be dismissed or subverted or overthrown. 

The Word of God does not depend on the interpretation of so-called reputable authorities. No man or institution can claim to be the reputable authority of the Bible. There are no reputable interpreters of the Bible. The Bible interprets and explains itself in the light of the Holy Spirit. Luk 11:34-36,  “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. Then watch out that the light in you is not darkness. If therefore your whole body is full of light, with no dark part in it, it will be wholly illumined, as when the lamp illumines you with its rays.” Eph 1:17-19, “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might.” This is the truth of Christ. What Christians need is not any so-called reputable theologian or so-called authority to interpret the Bible. To have the knowledge of God, we need the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation, and the eyes of our heart may be enlightened, so that we will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.

1Ti 5:8, “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the Faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

Note: If anyone claims to be a Christian and does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the Faith and is worse than an unbeliever. Here the Faith refers to Christianity, the Christian Faith. To believe in the Faith, you must act according to the Faith. Faith must express itself obedient to the Faith.

Rev 13:10, “If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the Faith of the saints.”

Note: To be destined is to be appointed by God. What God has destined, no one can escape. Destiny is an interesting concept. Let secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers ponder whether there is such a thing called destiny. In reality can anyone escape from his destiny? Has anyone ever avoided his destiny? There is a conceptual problem, if God destines or appoints, who can oppose the power of God? If God destines, where there is the free will? Can anyone decide or determine his own destiny? According to the Scripture, how a man dies is destined. If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the Faith of the saints. To the unbelievers they have no hope. For the saints require perseverance and the Faith. We put our faith and our destiny in the Lord’s hand, whatever God destines for His children will be good.

The Apostles’ Creed is a little misleading because it was not written by the apostles. Probably it was written soon after all the apostles had passed away. It is believed to be the oldest creed of the Christian church and is the basis that most Christians of all generations believe and follow. The Apostles’ Creed is not the Scripture, but it is a summary of the Christian Faith.

“I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; The Holy catholic Church, the Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body, And the Life everlasting. Amen.”

The word “catholic” is also misleading because it does not mean the Roman Catholic Church; it relates to the universal invisible Church of Christ, which is the Body of Christ. The phrase, “He descended into hell,” was not part of the original creed form.

My modernized version of the Apostles’ Creed would be as follows:

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord, Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven, and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit; the Holy universal Church, the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the Resurrection of the body, and the Life everlasting. Amen.

IV.  IF YOU HAVE FAITH

Faith is of utmost importance that it can determine your destiny.

(1). Faith can move mountain.

Mat 17:20, “And He said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.”

Faith is power, for faith appropriates the power of God. The power of God can move mountain, remove all obstacles or hindrances. Nothing is impossible with faith, for nothing is impossible with God. Faith is not magic, faith is not superstition. God is pleased when anyone has faith in Him. The power of faith is the power of God. Problems in life are like mountain, but faith can move mountain.

(2). Faith can cast mountain into the sea.

Mat 21:21, “And Jesus answered and said to them, “Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will happen.”

Note: By faith you can cast your doubt into the sea.

(3). Perfect health on the basis of faith.

Act 3:16,“And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the Faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all.”

Note: Pentecostal churches have a wrong emphasis on heath and on faith healing. The primary purpose of Jesus Christ coming into the world is to save souls, to heal the sick is secondary. No matter how healthy you are, you are going to die anyway. It is important for Christians to be concerned about health matters. Do not drink or smoke or use drugs, and do not eat unhealthy food. Do not practice sexual immorality. So that we can live long to serve the Lord. Christians get sick anyway. God can heal the sick. But it is not always God’s will to heal the sick. Christians can use doctors and medicine, but must acknowledge God in everything. Physicians also get sick and die. I do not have the gift of speaking in tongues, although I understand a few languages. I do not have the gift of healing, but God healed me many times and saved my life many times. I am upset by so many fake healings and fake healers practiced today. If God heals your blindness or paralysis, it should be good for life until you die. It is not possible for God to heal paralysis only temporarily.

(4). The righteousness of God comes on the basis of faith.

Phl 3:9, “and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith.”

Note: The righteousness of God can only be obtained through faith in Jesus Christ, and there is no other way.

(5). Our hearts are cleansed by faith through the precious blood of Jesus.

Act 15:9, “and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.”

Note: The cleansing of our hearts is done by faith in Christ through the Holy Spirit. There is no holy water able to cleanse your heart.

(6). Believers are sanctified by faith in Christ through the Holy Spirit.

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.”

Note: No ritual, no abstinence, no food, no celibacy, no meditation, no hermitage, no acetic practices, and nothing can sanctify you. Believers can be sanctified by faith in Christ through the Holy Spirit.

(7). The righteous shall live by faith.

Rom 1:17, “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.”

Heb 10:38, “BUT MY RIGHTEOUS ONE SHALL LIVE BY FAITH;
AND IF HE SHRINKS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM.”

Note: The righteous are those who are counted righteous by God. The righteous shall live by faith, not by sight, not by science, not by sex, not by sports, not by subsidy, etc. From faith to faith means completely by faith and nothing else.

(8). Man is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

Rom 3:28, “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.”

Rom 9:32, “Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone.”

Gal 2:16, “nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.” Gal 3:11, “Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.”

Gal 3:24, “Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.”

Note: Man is justified (counted as righteous) by faith in Christ apart from works of the Law. No one can fulfil the requirements of the Law to earn the righteousness of God.

(9). God will justify the circumcised and the uncircumcised through faith.

Rom 3:30, “since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one.”

Rom 9:30, “What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, even the righteousness which is by faith.”

Gal 3:8, “The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the Gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU.”

Note: The circumcised are the Jews, and the uncircumcised are the Gentiles. God will justify both the Jews and the Gentiles by faith. There is no other way to God. Unrighteous men cannot approach God.

(10). You are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

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: Salvation is a gift of God, according to His grace. To accept the gift of God you must have faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. This is the only way you are saved by grace and through faith in Christ, there is no other way.

(11). Having justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Rom 5:1, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Note: Through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ we are reconciled to God, and thus we have peace with God. For sinners are enemies of God.

(12). Through Christ by faith we obtained introduction to God.

Rom 5:2, “through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.”

Note: By faith in Jesus Christ, we are introduced to God by grace in which we stand, and we exult in hope of the glory of God.

(13). Believers walk by faith, not by sight.

2Co 5:7, “for we walk by faith, not by sight—”

Note: Christians cannot walk by science, by philosophy, by sight, or by human wisdom. We walk by faith following the steps in Jesus Christ.

(14). Christians live by faith in the Son of God.

Gal 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”

Note: A Christian life is the life to live by faith in the Son of God. Self-seeking is not the Christian life.

(15). The promise by faith in Jesus is given to those who believe.

Gal 3:22, “But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.”

Note: The promise by faith in Jesus Christ is eternal life and eternal inheritance in Heaven.

(16). Through the Spirit, by faith, Christians are waiting for the hope of righteousness.

Gal 5:5, “For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness.”

Note: The hope of righteousness is the hope of the redemption of our body, the hope in Christ to the praise of His Glory, the hope of His calling what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints laid up for us in Heaven, the hope of glory and the hope of eternal life.

(17). Preach the Gospel is to further the administration of God by faith.

1Ti 1:4, “nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith.”

Note: By preaching the Gospel, Christians everywhere can further the administration of God which is by faith.

(18). Hearing the good news must be united by faith.

Heb 4:2, “For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard.”

Note: To profit those who hear the good news preached to them, the word must be united by faith in those who heard.

(19). By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the Word of God.

Heb 11:3, “By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the Word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.”

Note: By faith we understand the worlds were created by the Word of God, seeing things which are not visible.

(20). By faith Abel, though dead, he still speaks.

Heb 11:4, “By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.”

Note: By faith though the righteous is dead, yet his work speaks.

(21). By faith Enoch was taken up because he was pleasing to God.

Heb 11:5, “By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; AND HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD TOOK HIM UP; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God.”

Note: Only by faith can a man be pleasing to God.

(22). By faith Noah, became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

Heb 11:7, “By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.”

Note: By faith Noah was being warned by God about things not yet seen. Noah became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

(23). By faith Abraham obeyed, and he went out not knowing where he was going.

Heb 11:8, “By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.”

Note: Abraham in obedience of faith went out, not knowing where he was going.

(24). By faith Abraham lived in tents, waiting for the mansions above.

Heb 11:9, “By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise.”

Note: By faith Abraham lived as an alien in tents because he was looking for a better country in Heaven.

(25). By faith Sarah beyond the proper time of life, received ability to conceive.

Heb 11:11, “By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised.”

Note: By faith Sarah an old lady beyond the proper time of life, received ability to conceive and bore a son of promise. Gen 17:17, “Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, “Will a child be born to a man one hundred years old? And will Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” By faith, Sarah did.

(26). By faith Abraham when he was tested offered up Isaac.

Heb 11:17, “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son.”

Note: By faith Abraham was willing to offer up Isaac. Abraham did not keep anything left for himself. He obeyed God 100%.

(27). By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come.

Heb 11:20, “By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come.”

Note: By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau regarding things to come.

(28). By faith Jacob when dying blessed his 12 sons.

Heb 11:21, “By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.”

Note: By faith Jacob when dying blessed his 12 sons and grandsons.

(29). By faith Joseph when dying, mentioned the exodus and gave orders concerning his bones.

Heb 11:22, “By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones.”

Note: By faith Joseph gave order concerning his bones.

(30). By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for 3 months by his parents, not afraid of the king’s edict.

Heb 11:23, “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.”

Note: By faith parents of Moses were not afraid of the king’s edict.

(31). By faith Moses, when grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.

Heb 11:24, “By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.”

Note: Most people would seek somehow to connect or relate to the king or the rich and powerful, but by faith Moses refused to be called the son of the princess of Pharaoh. Pharaoh was an absolute monarch with wealth and power no current kings and queens could match.

(32). By faith Moses left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king.

Heb 11:27, “By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen.”

Note: By faith Moses feared God, left Egypt and not fearing the wrath of the king.

(33). By faith Moses kept the Passover to save the firstborn of the Jews.

Heb 11:28, “By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that he who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them.”

Note: By faith Moses kept the Passover so that he who destroyed the firstborn of Egyptians would not touch the sons of Israel.

(34). By faith the sons of Israel passed through the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry land.

Heb 11:29, “By faith they passed through the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were drowned.”

Note: By faith the sons of Israel passed through the Red Sea, this is one of historical greatest miracles of God.

(35). By faith the walls of Jericho fell down as God said.

Heb 11:30, “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.”

Note: By faith the walls of Jericho fell down. By faith the walls of obstruction in our lives may fall down too.

(36). By faith Rahab and her family were saved.

Heb 11:31, “By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace.”

Note: Although prostitutes are the lowest of females, yet by faith Rahab the harlot and her family were saved. So prostitutes can be saved if they give up greed for money, repent and believe in Jesus Christ.

(37). Who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions.

Heb 11:33, “who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions.”

Note: There is no tension between the power of God and anyone or anything. No one and nothing can stand in the way of God. Faith is not what you wish it considered just as astronomy or chemistry is. There are two kinds of knowledge, human and divine, which in themselves clear enough. Human knowledge is a result of reason and research. For example, astronomy or chemistry. However, human knowledge cannot go beyond the visible and natural and temporal. Divine knowledge is the knowledge of God, spiritual, supernatural, infinite and eternal unaided by the light of reason and nature. It is impossible by human means to discover God and to have knowledge of God. The knowledge of God can only be achieved by revelation through faith. Some objected a revealed knowledge of God as arbitrary. Yes, God is absolute, supreme, and ultimate, Self-Existent and Eternal. God is not negotiable. Truth is not negotiable. What is misleading can never be truth. The longer I live, the more I know, the more I hear and see, the less I have confidence in humanity and human institutions, or products of human efforts, science and philosophy. Let God be found true, though every man be found a liar. It does not matter what Hume, Kant, Aristotle, Karl Barth, Plato, Einstein, Darwin, Confucius, Mozi, Laozi, etc. all dead persons had said. I know my Redeemer lives forever. So I have unequivocally complete faith in the absolute, Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent, Creator and Ruler of the universe, the eternal Almighty God. That is one of the reasons I write this article so that you may believe in God and Jesus Christ our Lord.

V.  WHAT OR WHO TO BELIEVE

(A).  God

Jhn 14:1, “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.”

Heb 6:1, “Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God.”

Note: God is Who He Is, the Creator and the Ruler of the universe. No man, no one can question the ultimate authority of God. Man’s duty is to believe, bow, listen and worship God. Whatever God does is right because He does it, and hence it is right whatever it is. To believe in God is to have faith toward God. This is the first principle. To have faith toward God, you cannot have faith toward anyone, any religion, any institution, any tradition, any custom, any system, any ideology, anything. God is supreme. If you put anything or anyone in the place of God, it becomes your idol or false god. In America, only primitive immigrants worship idols, but most Americans worship money, power, and sex. Whatever you put in the place of God, it becomes an idol or false god. The Bible does not say believe in theology, for theology is made by men. There are different types of theology which is flawed and misleading. The only correct is Biblical Theology. Only the Word of God is absolute and infallible.

Psa 78:22, “Because they did not believe in God
And did not trust in His salvation.”

Note: To believe in God is of paramount importance because those who disbelieve God trying to call God a liar. Unbelief insults God. Faith in God is not the acceptance of a proposition, faith in God is the full acceptance of His Word. Faith is the act of believing, trusting in God. God is the Creator and the Ruler of the universe. Before time and space God is. God is Who He Is. God declares, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’ It is fundamental to have faith in God, it is impossible to come to God without believing He is. To believe in God means to trust in His salvation.

God is faithful and worthy of worship, it presents no difficulty whether majority of scientists, scholastics, theologians and philosophers believe or not. There is no such a thing called the natural knowledge of God. Rom 11:33, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!” No one can discover the knowledge of God except by revelation. Mar 12:27, “He is not the God of the dead, but of the living; you are greatly mistaken.” It is pathetic to find scholars and scientists who are greatly mistaken and they do not even know it. God does not need anyone to demonstrate His existence more than the Sun needs the blind to prove its existence. God is not a first cause. 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.” After all scholars, scientists, theologians and philosophers are dead and buried a priori or a posteriori, God is and God will be forever and ever.

Rev 4:8-11, “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 and 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 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.”

Note: Sinful men have no idea what it means “HOLY, HOLY, HOLY is THE LORD GOD, THE ALMIGHTY, WHO WAS AND WHO IS AND WHO IS TO COME.” The will of God is supreme, even nuclear weapons cannot destroy it.

Psa 78:32, “In spite of all this they still sinned
And did not believe in His wonderful works.

Note: To believe in God also believe in His wonderful works. The wonderful works of God are written in the Holy Bible.

It is absurd and abhorrent for a sinful and immoral man to question God is good in what sense. It is worse than an elementary student asking how good is Einstein in mathematics. Mat 19:17, “And He said to him, “Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” Good in Greek is agathos which means that which is good; the thing which is good; excellent; distinguished; upright; honorable; benevolent; kind; generous; beneficent; free of evil; – which occurs 128 times in the New Testament. The goodness of God is beyond the scope of this article. Suffice it to say God is the only One who is good. Mar 10:17-18, “As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.” What is good or not is in the sight of God. If it is in the sight of God it is good, it is good. If in the sight of God it is evil, it is evil. Jesus definitely says, “No one is good except God alone.”

Rom 3:12, “ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS;
THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD,
THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE.”

Note: This is the verdict of God, There is none who does good, there is not even one. The problem of secularists, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers is the fact they think they are good for something. In the sight of God, all are good for nothing.

Rom 7:18, “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not.”

Note: Even the great Apostle Paul admits that he knows that nothing good dwells in him, that is, in his flesh. This is the correct view, this is the truth about man, all men and women and children.

3Jo 1:11, “Beloved, 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: The one who does good is of God. On the contrary, secularists want to philosophize that there is good in themselves. For Christians who imitate what is good, and if there is any good it is not of themselves, it is of God. God is the fountain of all goodness.

Psa 106:24, “Then they despised the pleasant land;
They did not believe in His Word.”

Note: To believe in God is to believe in His Word. The Holy Bible is the Word of God (written), and Jesus Christ is the Word of God (living).

Psa 119:66, “Teach me good discernment and knowledge,
For I believe in Your commandments.”

Note: To believe in God is to believe in His commandments.

2Co 1:20, “For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.”

Note: To believe in God is to believe in the promises of God. The promises of God are yes and true.

Eph 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Note: To believe in God is to believe salvation by grace through faith is the gift of God; not as a result of works or merits. No one is deserved to be saved, it is by grace you have been saved through faith in Christ.

Deu 32:51, “because you broke faith with Me in the midst of the sons of Israel at the waters of Meribah-kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin, because you did not treat Me as holy in the midst of the sons of Israel.”

Num 27:14, “for in the wilderness of Zin, during the strife of the congregation, you rebelled against My command to treat Me as holy before their eyes at the water.” (These are the waters of Meribah of Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.)

Num 20:1-13, “Then the sons of Israel, the whole congregation, came to the wilderness of Zin in the first month; and the people stayed at Kadesh. Now Miriam died there and was buried there. There was no water for the congregation, and they assembled themselves against Moses and Aaron. The people thus contended with Moses and spoke, saying, “If only we had perished when our brothers perished before the LORD! Why then have you brought the LORD’S assembly into this wilderness, for us and our beasts to die here? Why have you made us come up from Egypt, to bring us in to this wretched place? It is not a place of grain or figs or vines or pomegranates, nor is there water to drink.” Then Moses and Aaron came in from the presence of the assembly to the doorway of the tent of meeting and fell on their faces. Then the glory of the LORD appeared to them; and the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,  “Take the rod; and you and your brother Aaron assemble the congregation and speak to the rock before their eyes, that it may yield its water. You shall thus bring forth water for them out of the rock and let the congregation and their beasts drink.” So Moses took the rod from before the LORD, just as He had commanded him; and Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly before the rock. And he said to them, “Listen now, you rebels; shall we bring forth water for you out of this rock?” Then Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came forth abundantly, and the congregation and their beasts drank. But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you have not believed Me, to treat Me as holy in the sight of the sons of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.” Those were the waters of Meribah, because the sons of Israel contended with the LORD, and He proved Himself holy among them.”

Note: This is no small matter. To obey the command of the Lord and to treat the Lord as holy is never a small matter. Let us tremble before the Lord. Let me always treat the Lord as holy in my sight. The Lord told Moses to speak to the rock before the eyes of the Lord’s assembly, that it may yield its water. What a terrible thing that Moses struck the rock twice with his rod. Thus Moses had not believed the Lord, to treat the Lord as holy in the sight of the sons of Israel. For this reason, the Lord did not allow him to enter the Promised Land. 

Deu 32:51-52, “because you broke faith with Me in the midst of the sons of Israel at the waters of Meribah-kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin, because you did not treat Me as holy in the midst of the sons of Israel. For you shall see the land at a distance, but you shall not go there, into the land which I am giving the sons of Israel.”

Note: May God help us under no circumstances to break faith with the Lord, or not to treat Him as holy.

(B).  Christ

Jhn 20:31, “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.”

Note: It is not enough to believe in God, to believe in God you must also believe in Christ as God commanded. To believe in Christ is to believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you have life in His name. To have life in the name of Jesus Christ is to have eternal life.

Rom 3:9, “What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin.”

Note: In the sight of God, there is no one group of heathen better than another group of heathen. There is no one group of sinners better than another group of sinners. The heathen can never in their own way rely upon divine grace, it means the unsaved no matter who they are in no way less heathen, poor and utterly lost. There is absolutely nothing in a lost sinner that deserves any grace from God. There is no any other way, indigenous or meritorious, than the way of Christ to God. Both Jews and Gentiles, including Karl Barth, Emil Brunner, etc. are all under sin.

Jhn 1:18, “No one has ever seen God. The one and only Son, who is himself God and is at the Father’s side —He has revealed Him.”

Note: Do not let anyone fool you. No one has ever seen God, not even Moses. Jesus Christ the only begotten of God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has revealed and explained Him. To know Jesus Christ is to know God. To see Jesus Christ is to see God. 

Only one thing is really decisive for the distinction of truth and falsehood, it is not providential disposition. That one thing is the truth in Christ. Rom 9:1, “I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit.” The truth in Christ is testified by the Holy Spirit. A whole range of other religions do not have the truth in Christ nor the testimony of the Holy Spirit. It is a false teacher who places Christianity on a par with all pagan religions devoid of divine revelation. Without doubt, the revelation of God’s righteousness in Christ is the Truth, the only Truth, without whom no man comes to the Father.

Act 8:37, “[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.”]

Note: To believe in Christ is to believe with all your heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

Gal 2:16, “nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.”

Note: A man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ. No flesh will be justified by the works of the Law.

Rom 3:22, “even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction.”

Note: To believe in Christ is to believe the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ is a gift of God for all those who believe; for there is no distinction whether you are a Jew or Gentile, male or female.

Rom 6:8, “Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him.”

Note: To believe in Christ is to believe we have died with Christ to sin and the world, we believe that we shall also live with Him for eternity.

Gal 3:22, “But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.”

Note: To believe in Christ is to believe that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. These are the promises of God to Abraham, and believers are heirs according to promise.

1Ti 1:16, “Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.”

Note: To believe in Christ is to find mercy, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.

1Jo 3:23, “This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.”

Note: This is the commandment of God that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ. There is a religion that claims to believe in God but does not believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, that religion disobeys the commandment of God, and so it is a false religion. To believe in Christ is to obey the commandment of God, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us. It is impossible for anyone who claims to a Christian and yet he lies, kills and robs. It is impossible for Christians to be warmongers, oppressors, aggressors and terrorists. Christians love one another as Christ has commanded.

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.”

Note: To believe in Christ is to fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of faith. The Christian faith does not fix our eyes on anyone else or anything.

Phm 1:5, “because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints.”

Note: If you have faith toward the Lord Jesus, you will also love Him and love toward all the saints.

(C).  The Gospel

The Gospel is the message of good news from God to mankind. This is what you must do with the Gospel of God.

(1). Repent and believe in the Gospel.

Mar 1:15, “and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel.”

Note: To believe in God and to believe in Christ is to repent and believe in the Gospel. Only Christianity has the Gospel (good news), and no other religion has gospel. When Christians gather we always sing praises to the Lord, in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with our hearts to the Lord; singing with thankfulness in our hearts to God. When I was a boy, I did not like Buddhist temples because people inside moaned and groaned. Surprisingly, today Buddhist temples have people singing imitating Christian churches.

(2). Believe the Gospel so that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus.

Act 15:7-11, “After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brethren, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the Word of the Gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. Now therefore why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are.”

Note: To believe in the Gospel is to believe the Word of the Gospel, receiving the Holy Spirit for cleansing our hearts by faith, and to be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus.

Rom 10:8, “But what does it say? “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”—that is, the Word of faith which we are preaching.”

Note: The Gospel is the Word of faith. If you have faith in Jesus Christ, the Gospel becomes the power of God for your salvation.

(3). The essence of the Gospel ministry of Jesus.

Mat 11:5, “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.”

Note: The poor have the Gospel preached to them. When Christ preached the Gospel on earth, the blind receive sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up.

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.”

Note: This is the prophesy fulfilled in Jesus Christ anointed to preach the Gospel to the poor and to save the souls of sinners.

Luk 7:22, “And He answered and said to them, “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.”

Note: This statement cited above is a concise summary of the ministry of Jesus on earth.

(4). The Gospel must be preached in the whole world before the end will come.

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.”

Note: The Gospel of Jesus Christ shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end of the world will come. My websites through the Internet are intended to preach the Gospel in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations absolutely free.

(5). The Gospel must first be preached to all the nations.

Mar 13:10, “The Gospel must first be preached to all the nations.”

Note: To preach the Gospel to all the nations is the first task for the Church to do. It is not social work. It is the duty of Christians to preach the Gospel to all nations.

(6). Jesus Christ commanded disciples to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation.

Mar 16:15, “And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation.”

Note: During the Ascension, the Lord Jesus commanded and commissioned all disciples to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation. The primary task of the Church is to preach the Gospel to all creation, not social work, not charity work, not any other work.

(7). To believe in the Gospel is to turn from idols to the living God.

Act 14:15, “and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the Gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to the living God, WHO MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM.”

Note: To preach the Gospel is to call people turn from idolatry (idols are vain things) to the living God who made the universe. There are many kinds of idols, not only those made of stones, wood, and metal. Some Taiwanese politicians claim to be Christians and yet they publicly burn incense and worship idols broadcast on TV. They are fake and false believers. No one who worships the vain things can be called a Christian. In America only primitive immigrants worship idols made of hands. But most Americans worship money, power, and sex as their idols.

(8). To testify solemnly of the Gospel of the grace of God is more important than our lives.

Act 20:24, “But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the Gospel of the grace of God.”

Note: True servants of Christ like Apostle Paul do not consider their lives of any accounts as dear to themselves, so that they may finish their course and the ministry which they receive from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the Gospel of the grace of God. The Gospel is about the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ that men may be saved.

(9). To believe in the Gospel is to believe in the Gospel of His Son.

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: Why the present-day unbelieving theologians regard the Gospel of John as the least reliable of the gospels facetiously, because its clear central message is Jesus Christ the Son of God. It is in this Gospel Jesus Christ declares to the world, 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.” It is also in this Gospel the purpose is clear, 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.” When I was a lad, an American professor advised me to read the Gospel of John 100 times, and study the Book of Romans 100 times. My understanding of the Faith is invariably endowed and enhanced by my study especially of the Gospel of John and and the Book of Romans. Let me tell you the enemies of the cross especially hate these two books of the Bible.

(10). The Gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.

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 Gentile.”

Note: A secular academics incredibly and incoherently said, “it is one thing to call him a sinner when he has actually sinned, and another thing to call him a sinner because he is capable of sinning. For man is capable also of noble deeds, of self-sacrifice and heroism; yet one would not call him a saint or a hero until his deeds have actually merited such an appellation. There is no reason why this moral plasticity of man… should be equated with sin rather than with virtue.” This worldly scholar seems to say he is not a sinner, and he has not sinned. Rather he can be equated with virtue. How do I debate with a man so blind that he cannot see the fact of sins, crimes and evil committed by men everyday. He is even oblivious to the historical facts of how European nations and America have done so much evil in the world, lying, killing, and robbing to this day. He seems to be oblivious to the atrocities and wickedness of World War I and World War II, not to say the coming nuclear war that will destroy the world. If man is so virtuous and noble by nature, which world is he living in, why do we face with so many problems and so much evil and wickedness in this world anyway? I have no problems with people doing good and doing right. The problem is the evil man who does evil daily and continuously and deliberately. Just take a look of Washington, Wall Street, Hollywood, military-industrial-security complex and Islamic terrorists what they are doing. Jesus Christ says, Mat 12:33-37, “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

No man will die because of Adam’s sin or the original sin. No one will die or be judged for involuntary sin. Jesus says emphatically, 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.” Don’t worry about Adam’s sin, worry about your own sins. You will not die because of Adam’s sin or the original sin. Jesus says you will die in your sins. Unless you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Savior of Mankind, you will die in your sins. Rom 3:23, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” The funny part is that secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers think they are the exception, they have not sinned. Since they have not sinned, let us watch and see if they will die. You will have the answer.

(11). According to the Gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.

Rom 2:16, “on the day when, according to my Gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.”

Note: This is very significant, God also knows the secrets of secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers which no one knows; God will judge them through Jesus Christ. I am not interested in the secrets of any man.

(12). The Gospel is the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past.

Rom 16:25, “Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my Gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past.”

Note: The Gospel is not made by man, it is the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past.

(13). To preach the Gospel not in cleverness of speech.

1Co 1:17, “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the Gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void.”

Note: To preach the Gospel is to preach Jesus Christ who died for our sins on the cross, not in cleverness of speech. I recall a prosperity gospel preacher who invented a series of cleverness of speech, such as ‘something good is going to happen to you.’

(14). Preachers endure all things so that they cause no hindrance to the Gospel of Christ.

1Co 9:12, “If others share the right over you, do we not more? Nevertheless, we did not use this right, but we endure all things so that we will cause no hindrance to the Gospel of Christ.”

Note: Anyone is accursed if she causes hindrance to the Gospel of Christ. Instead Christians must endure all things so that we will cause no hindrance to the Gospel of Christ. In the last 500 years Western nations (later America) have lied, killed, robbed, and attacked nations in Asia, Latin America and Africa and pretend to be Christians, indeed they cause hindrance to the Gospel of Christ. The history of Western (Europe and America) powers is the history of aggression, atrocities, cruelties, brutalities, exploitation, oppression, suppression, subjugation, injustice, and destruction.

(15). Offer the Gospel without charge.

1Co 9:18, “What then is my reward? That, when I preach the Gospel, I may offer the Gospel without charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the Gospel.”

Note: On the Internet I preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ absolutely free. We do not want donation, we only want you to know the truth.

(16). Do all things for the sake of the Gospel.

Co 9:23, “I do all things for the sake of the Gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.”

Note: True servants of Christ do all things for the sake the Gospel. Many preachers today do all things for the sake of money.

(17). Unbelievers are blinded and they might see the light of the Gospel.

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. The devil blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ. Christ is the image of God. That is the reason secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers do not believe because their minds have been blinded by the god of this world. Not only they do not know the god of this world has blinded their minds, on the contrary they think they have brilliant minds.

(18). Any man is preaching another gospel is to be accursed.

Gal 1:7-9, “which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the Gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from Heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!”

Note: There are deceivers who distort the Gospel of Christ, including secular academics and unbelieving theologians. There is one true Gospel of Jesus Christ. If any man or even an angel who is preaching a different gospel, contrary to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, he is to be accursed, he is to be damned.

(19). The Gospel of your salvation is the message of truth.

Eph 1:13-14, “In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the Gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.”

Note: The Gospel of our salvation is the message of truth, sealed in God with the Holy Spirit of promise, given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory. Poor thing, secularists, philosophers, scientists and unbelieving theologians could not recognize the message of truth.

(20). The Gospel is revealed as the mystery of Christ.

Eph 3:3-6, “that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel.”

Note: The Gospel is the revealed mystery of Christ, to be specific, that the Gentile believers are fellow heirs and fellow members of the Body of Christ, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus. The mystery of Christ is beyond comprehension of secularists, scientists, philosophers, and unbelieving theologians who consider it contrary to the rational thought.

(21). Christ is the mystery of the Gospel.

Eph 6:19, “and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the Gospel.”

Note: Christ is the mystery of the Gospel, which was not made known to the sons of men in ages past, now revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; that whoever believes in the Son of God may receive the eternal life.

(22). Christians must conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ.

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: Believers only conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ, standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the Faith of the Gospel.

(23). True believers share the struggle in the cause of the Gospel.

Phl 4:3, “Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the Gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.”

Note: True believers share the struggle in the cause of the Gospel, their names are in the Book of Life. Since my websites have become globally known, it is funny there are many men suddenly appear on the Internet  with their pictures as Willie Wong. Once I found a Chinese woman who even called herself Willie Wong with her picture on her website quoting my writings verbatim. Because I never put my picture on the Internet, she might not know that Willie Wong is a man. Could there be any problem since there are so many Willie Wong(s), which one whose name is written in the Book of Life? No problem at all. My Heavenly Father has known and called me before the foundation of the world, so God only knows which one is the Willie Wong, whose name is in the Book of Life. Just like there are millions of Paul in the history of the world, there is only one Apostle Paul whose name is on the wall of the Holy City twelve foundation stones, Paul is one of the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

(24). The Gospel is the Word of truth.

Col 1:5, “because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the Word of truth, the Gospel.”

Note: The Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Christian Gospel is the Word of truth. It is worthy for all to accept and believe.

(25). The Gospel comes in power and in the Holy Spirit.

1Th 1:5, “for our Gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.”

Note: The Gospel is not in word only, it is also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction to those who believe. The power of God and the Holy Spirit changes liars, thieves, robbers, murderers, prostitutes, crooks and criminals, the worst of sinners.

(26). Those who do not know God and do not obey the Gospel will pay the penalty of eternal destruction.

2Th 1:8-10, “dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed—for our testimony to you was believed.”

Note: I do not know why secularists, scientists, philosophers, and unbelieving theologians are so stubborn in refusing and disobeying the Gospel, don’t they know the penalty is eternal destruction?

(27). True ministers of Christ are not ashamed to join in suffering for the Gospel.

2Ti 1:8, “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the Gospel according to the power of God.”

Note: True servants of Christ are not ashamed to join in suffering for the Gospel. Funny it is that prosperity gospel preachers and followers not only they do not suffer for the Gospel, they want to get rich and become popular in this world.

(28). Our Savior Christ Jesus appeared to bring life and immortality to light through the Gospel.

2Ti 1:10, “but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel.”

Note: To believe in the Gospel is to believe in the Savior Jesus Christ who gives you life and immortality.

(29). The Gospel is the fact Jesus Christ dies and rose from the dead.

2Ti 2:8, “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my Gospel.”

Note: The complete Gospel is that Jesus Christ our Savior came down from Heaven to die on the cross for sinners, the Righteous for the unrighteous; and the third day Jesus Christ rose from the dead to justify all who believe in Him, to receive the forgiveness of sins, and by grace to be counted as righteousness in the sight of God. We are saved by grace though faith in Jesus Christ. Salvation is the gift of God, not our work.

(30). The Gospel preached by the Holy Spirit sent from Heaven.

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.”

Note: Jesus proclaimed the Gospel while He was on earth. Jesus returned to Heaven and sent the Holy Spirit to preach the Gospel through the apostles and disciples. Gospel is the most interesting things into which angels long to look.

(31). Hear the Word of the Gospel and believe.

Act 15:7, “After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brethren, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the Word of the Gospel and believe.”

Note: Those who the Word of the Gospel must believe.

(32). Judgment is for those who do not obey the Gospel 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?”

Note: The judgment to come will begin with the household of God. The outcome for those who do not obey the Gospel of God will be more devastating. But there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. The Gospel is preached all over the world, but people must believe and obey the Gospel.

(D).  The Prophets

Act 26:27, “King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know that you do.”

Note: Christians believe the Prophets of the Lord as it is written in the Bible.

2Ch 20:20, “They rose early in the morning and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa; and when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, O Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, put your trust in the LORD your God and you will be established. Put your trust in His prophets and succeed.”

Note: In old times, the children of Israel were admonished to put their trust in God’s prophets and succeed.

Jer 29:19, “because they have not listened to My words,’ declares the LORD, ‘which I sent to them again and again by My servants the prophets; but you did not listen,’ declares the LORD.”

Note: God called His prophets His servants. To listen the prophets of the Lord is to listen to God’s words.

Jer 35:15, “Also I have sent to you all My servants the prophets, sending them again and again, saying: ‘Turn now every man from his evil way and amend your deeds, and do not go after other gods to worship them. Then you will dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your forefathers; but you have not inclined your ear or listened to Me.”

Note: God had sent all His servants the prophets again and again, saying: Turn now every man from his evil way and amend your deeds, and do not go after other gods to worship them. The sons of Israel had not inclined their ears or listened to God.

Dan 9:10, “nor have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in His teachings which He set before us through His servants the prophets.”

Note: The teachings of God were set before the Jews through His servants the prophets, yet they had not obeyed the voice of the Lord.

Amo 3:7, “Surely the Lord GOD does nothing
Unless He reveals His secret counsel
To His servants the prophets.”

Note: Why do we believe the prophets? Because in old time the Lord God did nothing unless He revealed His secret counsel to His servants the prophets.

Mat 2:23, “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.”

Note: What were spoken through the prophets about Jesus were fulfilled.

Mat 5:12,“Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Note: Jesus says that Christians will be persecuted in the same way the prophets were persecuted.

Mat 5:17,“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.”

Note: This is the difference between the Old Testament and the New Testament: Jesus Christ did not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets, He came to fulfill them. The Old Testament is fulfilled in the New Testament. Judaism is fulfilled in Christianity.

Luk 6:31, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

Note: This is one of the most famous and precious teachings of Jesus Christ, later known as the Golden Rule. 

Mat 7:12, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

Note: Jesus Christ sums up the Law and the Prophets: In everything treat people the same way you want them to treat you. Do to others as you would have them do to you. This simple but profound doctrine remembers and resonates through the ages. The truth of Christ is not an abstracted conception of logic, it is the moral precept of everyday Christian practice. Warmongers, aggressors, dictators, oppressors, troublemakers, imperialists, colonialists, capitalists, monopolists, supremacists, militarists, and terrorist practice exactly the opposite of Christ’s teachings.

Mat 7:15, “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”

Note: Western aggressors and warmongers are just like false prophets, who come to the international forum in sheep’s clothing, and pretending to advocate democracy, freedom, independence, equality, justice, etc. but inwardly and outwardly they are worse than ravenous wolves, because they lie, kill, and rob without shame.

Mat 24:11, “Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.”

Note: Jesus predicts that in the last days many false prophets will arise and mislead many. Just in the United States alone how many false prophets there are. The work of false prophets is to mislead many. False prophets mislead many to depart from the faith. False Western political leaders use democracy, freedom, independence, justice, etc. to deceive and violate and attack other nations. Western media daily and habitually mislead the world with fake news, fake reports, fake views, falsehoods, and spread lies without shame.

Mat 24:24, “For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great miracles and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.”

Note: What is worse is the fact that false Christs and false prophets will show great miracles and wonders to mislead many. There are fake miracles and fake wonders to mislead believers. There are innumerable fake things in the world today, who ever thought of fake miracles and fake wonders!

Luk 1:70, “ As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old—”

Note: Rarely God spoke to individual like Abraham. God spoke to Moses face to face. Usually God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old. For this reason, what holy prophets spoke in the name of God are the Word of God. Therefore, Christians believe in the books of prophets in the Old Testament. Prophets are spokesmen of God. However, there are no longer prophets of old like those in the Old Testament. The Old Testament is completed. There are also no prophets of the New Testament, for the revelation of Jesus Christ in the New Testament is also completed. Since the deaths of the apostles and elders, there has not been a new prophet. For it is not possible for a new prophet to add anything to the completed revelation of the New Testament. Since then New Testament prophets are not the servants of Christ who predict things to come. The New Testaments prophets now are those who are filled of the Holy Spirit and who are equipped to explain, expound, and preach the Word of God and the truth of the Gospel in power with great results. In my lifetime I have not known any servant of Christ who can be qualified to be called a New Testament prophet. There are some evangelists and preachers and Bible scholars known in these last days. We need to pray for servants of Christ who are able to preach the Word in great power and with great results. You will not find them in American mega-churches or on TV. Sadly although I have known a great number of preachers worldwide, I cannot name one who was or who is filled with the Holy Spirit with great power. What you can find are so many false prophets and false preachers today.

Luk 18:31, “Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things which are written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished.”

Note: Everything written through the prophets in the Old Testament about the Son of God had been accomplished. The only thing that has not been fulfilled is the second coming of Jesus Christ to judge the living and the dead, to reign with the saints in the Kingdom of Heaven.

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: The most revealing and enlightening was the fact that Jesus Christ beginning with Moses and with all the prophets explained to disciples the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures (the Old Testament).

Jhn 1:45, “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.”

Note: Whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote is Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God. The central message of the Holy Bible (both the Old and New Testaments) is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Savior of the world.

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.”

Note: The things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets concerning the sufferings of Christ had been fulfilled. Remember, prophecy is always announced beforehand, before things happen. When things happened according to prophecy they become history. In America there have been many false prophets who made big money prophesying the date of the second coming of Christ. False prophecy never comes true, and these false prophets have no shame to again and again make false prophecy for money. So many gullible and ignorant Americans believed and gave false prophets large sums of money and their properties. 

Act 10:43, “Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.”

Note: This prophecy is still true, of Jesus Christ all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Jesus Christ receives forgiveness of sins. Although I am no prophet, I also bear witness through my websites that all who believe in Christ will be saved by grace. For that reason we preach the Gospel absolutely free. We do not want donation, we only want you to know the truth.

Act 15:15-18, “With this the words of the Prophets agree, just as it is written, ‘AFTER THESE THINGS I will return,
AND I WILL REBUILD THE TABERNACLE OF DAVID WHICH HAS FALLEN,
AND I WILL REBUILD ITS RUINS,
AND I WILL RESTORE IT, SO THAT THE REST OF MANKIND MAY SEEK THE LORD,
AND ALL THE GENTILES WHO ARE CALLED BY MY NAME,’SAYS THE LORD, WHO MAKES THESE THINGS KNOWN FROM LONG AGO.”

Note: The words of all the Prophets agree, the Gospel of God has been revealed in Jesus Christ, whosoever believes in Him receive eternal life.

Act 24:14, “But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets.”

Note: The Way, the Christian Way, Jesus Christ the Way to God is everything in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets. There is no other way.

Rom 1:1-5, “Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the Gospel of God, which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake.”

Note: The Gospel of God was promised beforehand through the prophets of God in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son, the Son of God, Jesus Christ our Lord. Those who received grace also brought about the obedience of faith. Faith always leads to obedience of faith. If you have faith in Christ, you obey Christ and follow Him.

Rom 16:26, “but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith.”

Note: The commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations by the Scriptures of the prophets, leading all believers to obedience of faith to Jesus Christ. Faith is obedience to Jesus Christ.

Heb 1:1-2, “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.”

Note: God spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways (the Old Testament). In these last days God has spoken to the world in His Son Jesus Christ. When Jesus Christ speaks God speaks. So the Word of Christ is far more important than the prophets because it is the last, absolute, and ultimate.

2Pe 3:2, “that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles.”

Note: The Word of God was spoken beforehand by the holy prophets, in these last days concluded by Jesus Christ, and what the Lord and Savior spoken by His apostles. So the Old Testament is the Word of God. Not only the Gospels, the whole New Testament is the Word of God. That is the meaning we believe in the holy prophets and apostles. Jhn 20:31, “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.” 2Ti 3:15, “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.”

In summary, we believe in God, we believe in Christ, we believe in the Gospel, and we believe the holy prophets in the Holy Scriptures (the Sacred Writings) which give wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

VI.  THROUGH FAITH

(1). Receive forgiveness of sins.

Act 10:43, “Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.”

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.”

Note: This is the good news that sinners and everyone who believers in Jesus Christ receives forgiveness of sins. You cannot pay money to get forgiveness of your sins. You cannot do the work of the Law to receive forgiveness of your sins. You cannot earn merit to receive forgiveness of your sins. You can do nothing to receive forgiveness of your sins. You receive forgiveness of your sins freely and simply by believing in the name of Jesus Christ because it is the grace of God on account of the righteousness of Christ who died for sinners.

(2). The righteousness of God.

Rom 3:22, “even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction.”

Phl 3:9, “and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith.”

Note: You are counted or credited righteous through faith in Jesus Christ, believers receive the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith in His Son Jesus Christ.

(3). A propitiation in His blood.

Rom 3:25, “ whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed.”

Note: Propitiation in Greek is hilastērion which means relating to an appeasing or expiating, having placating or expiating force, expiatory; a means of appeasing or expiating (Strong’s Concordance); a means of appeasing or expiating; an expiatory sacrifice; appeasement; – which occurs 3 times in the New Testament. Jesus died on the cross in His blood as an appeasement to God so that God passed over our sins through faith.

(4). Justification in Christ.

Rom 3:30, “since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one.”

Gal 2:16, “nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.”

Note: Justify in Greek is dikaioō which means to be freed; to render righteous; to declare one to be just; to regard as innocent; to declare not guilty; to be acquitted of a charge; to be absolved; – which occurs 40 times in the New Testament. God justifies sinners not by works of the Law, but through faith in Christ Jesus.

(5). Receive the promise of the Spirit.

Gal 3:14, “in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”

Gal 3:22, “But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.”

Note: To receive the promise of the Spirit is to receive the promise in Jesus Christ by faith.

(6). Become children of God. 

Jhn 1:12, “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.”

Gal 3:26, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.”

Note: As many as received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, to them God gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name. What an honor and privilege for unworthy sinners.

(7). Have been saved.

Eph 2:8, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.”

Mar 16:16, “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.”

Note: He who has believed and repented and baptized shall be saved through faith.

(8). Into this grace in which we stand.

Rom 5:2, “through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.”

Note: No one can stand before the Holy God. Believers have obtained introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand. 

(9). To please God.

Heb 11:6, “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”

Note: Faith pleases God. God is pleased with him who comes to God and believes that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

(10). Have boldness and confident access.

Eph 3:12, “in Whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.”

Note: Sinners are afraid of the Holy God, having no access to God, much less boldness and confidence. Through faith in Jesus Christ who opened the way to the God by His blood, we have boldness and confident access to God for mercy.

(11). Christ dwells in our hearts.

Eph 3:17, “so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love.”

Note: The wonder of all wonders is the fact that Christ dwells in the heart of a believer, being rooted and grounded in love. A Christian can know for sure that Christ lives in his heart through faith by the Holy Spirit.

(12). Raised up with Christ from the dead.

Col 2:12, “having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.”

Note: Believers are raised up with Jesus Christ through faith to receive the new life and participate in the nature of God.

(13). Salvation which is in Christ Jesus.

2Ti 3:15, “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.”

Note: The Sacred Writings (the Holy Scriptures) which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

(14). Cleansing our hearts.

Act 15:9, “and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.”

Note: Our hearts are cleansed by faith in Christ through the Holy Spirit.

(15). To be Sanctified.

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.”

Note: God opens the eyes of believers 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 Jesus Christ.

(16). Inherit the promises.

Heb 6:12, “so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”

Note: Christians should not be sluggish or lazy, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

(17). The Word of God performs its work in you.

1Th 2:13, “For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the Word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the Word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.”

Note: Wonderful is the Word of God which also performs its work in those who believe.

(18). Become sons of Light.

Jhn 12:36, “While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light.” These things Jesus spoke, and He went away and hid Himself from them.”

Jhn 12:46, “I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness.”

Note: Jesus Christ is the Light of Life, the Light of the World. Believe in the Light so that you may become sons of Light. Sons of Light will not remain in darkness. Western leaders and politicians who lie, kill, and rob  other nations without shame are sons of darkness and children of the devil. Western media that lie, lie, and lie without shame; make fake news, fake reports, fake views and spreads lies and falsehoods to deceive the world are sons of darkness and children of the devil. They may feel triumphant and arrogant now, but the Day of Judgment is near. Clearly, those who believe in Jesus Christ will not remain in darkness. You remain in darkness because you are sons of darkness.

(19). Live by faith in the Son of God.

Gal 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”

Note: Christians do not live for themselves, do not live for money, power, and sex; they live by faith in the Son of God.

(20). Have eternal life.

Jhn 3:15, “so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.”

1Jo 5:1, “ Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him.”

Note: Whoever believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God have eternal life. 

(21). Enter the rest of God.

Heb 4:3, “For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said,
“AS I SWORE IN MY WRATH,
THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST,”
although His works were finished from the foundation of the world.”

Note: We who have believed enter the rest of God. The rest and joy in Heaven is eternal.

(22). Building ourselves up.

Jde 1:20, “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.”

Note: The most holy faith can build up believers in Christ, praying in the Holy Spirit.

(23). Fight the good fight.

1Ti 1:18-19, “This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith.”

Note: To keep faith and a good conscience is to fight the good fight.

(24). Working through love.

Gal 5:6, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.”

Note: Neither circumcision nor uncircumsicion means anything. Many falsely believe ritual means anything. The important thing is faith working through love. It is not possible to have faith without love. It is not possible for warmongers, oppressors, liars, killers, robbers, and terrorists to claim they have faith.

(25). Fill with all joy and peace.

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.”

Note: This is the joy and peace unbelievers do not know. The God of hope can fill believers with all joy and peace in believing, so that we will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

(26). Overcome the world.

1Jo 5:4, “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.”

Note: American and European leaders want to conquer the world by superior military power and nuclear weapons, and they will meet mutual destruction. Christians overcome the world by faith.

(27). Extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

Eph 6:16, “in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”

Note: Taking up the shield of faith with which we Christians will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

(28). Protected by the power of God.

1Pe 1:4-5, “to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in Heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for the salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

Note: Little Flock, do not be afraid, for you are protected by the power of God through faith for the salvation ready to be revealed in the last time when Jesus Christ is coming again soon to redeem our body.

VII.  WHAT TO DO WITH FAITH

Faith is active, by faith doing the will of God. Believers by faith perform.

(1). Have faith in God.

Mar 11:22, “And Jesus answered saying to them, “Have faith in God.”

Heb 6:1, “Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God.”

Rom 14:22, “The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.”

Note: Man cannot have faith in science, philosophy, religion, man, institution or anything. Man can have faith only in God. Faith in God brings grace. Faith is toward God, not man, not thing, not science, not philosophy, not religion, not anyone or anything. The faith which you have personally is your conviction before God. People in the West have faith toward money, power and sex and their nuclear weapons.

(2). Have faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Act 20:21, “solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Note: Have faith in God is not enough, for Christ is the way to God. To be saved, you need to repent toward God and have faith in Christ who is the Son of God and died for our sins. Sinners cannot come to God without going through Jesus Christ.

(3). To cleanse the heart by faith.

Act 15:9, “and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.”

Note: God made no distinction between the Jews and the Gentiles, cleansing our hearts by faith in Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit.

(4). To have a propitiation in His blood through faith.

Rom 3:25-26, “whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the Justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”

Note: Propitiation in Greek is hilastērion which means a means of appeasing or expiating; the blood of Jesus for the atonement of our sins; appeasement; sacrifice to appease God; an atoning sacrifice; – which occurs 3 times in the New Testament. Jesus died on the cross for our sins as a propitiation in His blood to appease to God who passed over our sins previously committed. To demonstrate the righteousness of God at the present time, so that God would be just and the Justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

(5). To be justified by faith. 

Rom 1:17, “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.”

Note: The righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith means a sinner begins to come to God from faith by grace and saved through faith in Jesus Christ to receiving the eternal life. The whole process of salvation is from faith to faith, a sinner is saved by faith in Christ alone and nothing else.

Gal 2:16, “nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.”

Note: Justify in Greek is dikaioō which means to render righteous; to be freed; to declare righteous; to be counted righteous; to regard as just or innocent; to be considered righteous; to declare guiltless; to be acquitted of a charge; to deem right; – which occurs 40 times in the New Testament. No flesh will be justified by the works of the Law. No one can be justified before God by his own good deeds or merit. We all have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law. To be justified by faith in Christ means to be counted or credited as righteous before God because of the righteousness of Jesus Christ.

Rom 3:28, “ For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.”

Rom 4:5, “But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness.

Note: Man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. Faith is credited as righteousness.

(6). To be sanctified by faith in Christ.

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.”

Note: The precious blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sins, and by this faith we are sanctified in Christ.

(7). To receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Gal 3:14, “in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”

Note: Just as believers are saved through faith, we would also receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

(8). To have eternal life.

1Jo 5:13, “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.”

Note: This is for sure, everyone who believes in the name of the Son of God, may know that you have eternal life.

(9). Saved through faith.

Eph 2:8, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.”

Note: By grace of God we believers have been saved through faith; and that not of ourselves, because it is the gift of God. Salvation is the gift of God. The gift of God is free. 

(10). To have obedience of faith.

Rom 1:5, “through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake.”

Rom 16:26, “but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith.”

Note: Believers have faith in Christ, through Whom we have received grace to bring about obedience of faith for His name’s sake. Faith obeys Jesus Christ. The commandment of the eternal God has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith in Christ.

(11). Increase our faith. 

Luk 17:5, “The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”

2Co 10:15, “not boasting beyond our measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but with the hope that as your faith grows, we will be, within our sphere, enlarged even more by you.”

2Th 1:3, “We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater.”

Note: Faith can grow and faith grows. Faith can increase. We need to pray to the Lord to increase our faith. Your faith can be greatly enlarged.

(12). Grow strong in faith.

Rom 4:20, “yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God.”

Note: Believers must grow strong in faith, giving glory to God. To be strong in faith is not self-glory.

Col 2:7, “Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”

Note: The secret to grow strong in faith is to go strong in the truth.

(13). Faith may not fail.

Luk 22:32, “but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

Note: We need to pray that our faith may not fail. God is faithful. God will not fail us.

(14). Faith is the basis.

Act 3:16, “And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all.”

Rom 10:6, “But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: “DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART, ‘WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN?’ (that is, to bring Christ down).”

Note: Basis is foundation or the ground in matters relating to God. On the basis means according to or by virtue of. Christianity is based on faith in the truth of Jesus Christ. Without faith is like a building without foundation. Faith opens the way to God by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. We come to God on the basis of faith in the name of Jesus Christ. No one can come to God on any other basis or on any other name. The righteousness in Christ is obtained based on faith.

(15). To be full of faith.

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 11:24, “for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord.”

Note: Stephen is a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit. Barnabas is a man full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. We do not know whether a man is full of faith because he is full of the Holy Spirit, or a man is full of the Holy Spirit because he is full of faith. It does not matter, God knows which is which and what is what. So we pray to the Lord for believers to be full of faith and full of the Holy Spirit.

(16). To be revealed from faith to faith.

Rom 1:17, “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.”

Note: The righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith means  the righteousness of God can be obtained through faith alone in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is distinction. It begins with faith and completes by faith. From start to finish, it is on the basis of faith, from faith to faith.

(17). Follow in the steps of the faith of 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: All believers follow in the steps of the faith of Abraham.

(18). Introduction by faith into grace.

Rom 5:2, “through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.”

Note: Sinful men through faith in Jesus Christ can obtain introduction by faith into the grace of God in which we stand. Believers can stand on nothing else but the grace of God.

(19). Faith rests on the power of God.

1Co 2:5, “so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.”

Note: Faith rests on the power of God means faith exists on the power of God, faith is subject to the power of God. That is the problem of secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers who exist on the wisdom of men. Wisdom of men is contrary to the power of God. The wisdom of men do not co-exist with the power of God.

(20). Walk by faith.

2Co 5:7, “for we walk by faith, not by sight—”

Note: Walk in Greek is peripateō which means to conduct oneself; to regulate one’s life; to live; to make one’s way; to pass one’s life; to deport oneself; – which occurs 105 times. To walk by faith does not mean to move along on foot. Christians not only live by faith, we walk by faith. Walking by faith covers the the totality of one’s way of life, how one lives, and how one conducts oneself. Faith is seeing the invisible. God is invisible for God is Spirit. Christians do not walk according to the tradition of men, do not walk in the darkness, do not walk according to the customs of nations, do not walk according to the flesh, do not walk according to the elementary principles of the world. To walk by faith means to walk according to the Spirit, to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, to walk as children of Light walk in a manner worthy of the Lord. 

(21). See if you are in the Faith.

2Co 13:5, “Test yourselves to see if you are in the Faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?”

Note: If you in Jesus Christ, you are in the Faith. From time to time, we must examine and test ourselves to see if we are in the Faith.

(22). Live by faith.

Gal 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”

Note: The meaning of this verse “live by faith” is different from and the verse Rom 1:17, “THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.” Gal 2:20 is talking about to live your life by faith for Christ, exemplified by the ministry of Apostle Paul. Rom 1:17 refers to how a man receives the new life by faith in Jesus Christ. 

(23). Preach the Word of faith.

Rom 10:8, “But what does it say? “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”—that is, the Word of faith which we are preaching.”

Note: The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the Word of faith. From Jesus Christ to Apostles to disciples today, Christians are preaching the Word of faith.

(24). In God we have boldness and confident access through faith in Christ.

Eph 3:12, “in Whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.”

Note: In Christ we have boldness and confident access to God through faith in Jesus. No one has access to God through anyone or anything else.

(25). Have stability of your faith in Christ.

Col 2:5, “For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ.”

Note: Discipline in Greek is taxis which means right order; orderly condition; character; style; quality; fashion; official dignity; orderly conduct or pattern of behavior; – which occurs 11 times in the New Testament. Christians discipline themselves for the purpose of godliness. Stability in Greek is stereōma which means steadfastness; firmness; solid front; – which occurs 1 time in the New Testament. True faith in Christ has stability.

(26). Take up the shield of faith.

Eph 6:16, “in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”

Note: Shield in Greek is thyreos which means a large door-shaped shield; a protective structure; – which occurs 1 time in the New Testament. The shield of faith is used to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. The flaming arrows of the evil one are many, including false gospel, false doctrine, heresy, unbelief like higher criticism, deceptive teaching; etc. 

(27). Do the work of faith. 

1Th 1:3, “constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father.”

Note: Faith is not lazy or inactive. Faith works. Faith performs. True believers have work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father. For believers everything is in the presence of our God and Father.

(28). Love from a sincere faith.

1Ti 1:5, “But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.”

2Ti 1:5, “For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.”

Note: Sincere in Greek is anypokritos which means unfeigned; without hypocrisy; without dissimulation; undisguised; undissembled; pure; honest; true; – which occurs 8 times in the New Testament. Faith is internal. All true believers have a sincere faith within them. Love is from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

(29). Keeping faith.

1Ti 1:19, “keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith.”

Note: Faith needs to be kept. All good things need to be kept. Without keeping faith and a good conscience, people have suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith.

(30). Continue in faith.

1Ti 2:15, “But women will be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint.”

Note: Not only child-bearing women need to continue in faith, all believers need to continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint.

(31). Pursue faith …

1Ti 6:11, “But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.”

Note: Pursue in Greek is diōkō which means to follow after; to run after; to seek after eagerly, earnestly endeavor to acquire (Strong’s Concordance); to press forward; – which occurs 47 times in the New Testament. Christians must pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. In the world people pursue money, power, and sex; especially in Europe and America.

(32). Fight the good fight of faith.

1Ti 6:12, “Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

Note: Faith not only needs to be kept and it must be fought. To fight the good fight of faith you need to take hold of the eternal life and make good confession of the Faith.

(33). To be sound in faith.

Tit 2:2, “Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance.”

Note: Sound in Greek is hygiainō which means to be whole and complete; to be wholesome; of the Christian faith which is free from any mixture of error; to be uncorrupt; to be true in doctrine; – which occurs 15 times in the New Testament.To be sound in faith you need to be rooted in the Word of God. John Calvin was not sound in faith because he taught a false doctrine that God predetermined some groups of people to go to Hell.

(34). Show good faith to adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.

Tit 2:10, “not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.”

Note: Those who profess to be Christians yet they are liars, thieves and robbers and pilfering and killers do not show all good faith, and do not adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. Believers strive to adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.

(35). To be united by faith.

Heb 4:2, “For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard.”

Note: Hearing the Word of God must be united by faith to make profitable. The church of Satan wants to unite people in one world religion contrary to the Faith.

(36). Testing of faith produces endurance.

Jas 1:3, “knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.”

Heb 6:12, “so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”

Note: It is the will of God for Christians to be imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Those who have faith must also have patience. Patience is never easy. In the Chinese character of ‘patience’, there is a knife in your heart. The testing of your faith produces endurance, endurance strengthens patience. Through faith and patience we will inherit the promises.

(37). Have faith to the preserving of the soul.

Heb 10:39, “ But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.”

Note: Those who backslide or shrink back meet destruction, but true believers are those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.

(38). By faith we understand.

Heb 11:3, “By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the Word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.”

Note: In the matters of the world we understand and then believe. In the things of God by faith we understand, we believe in order to understand. If you believe and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you into all truth, you will understand the Word of God.  I could not understand God and Jesus Christ by reason and human wisdom. I understand by faith that God is my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ the Son of God is my Lord and Savior. The knowledge of the Most High can be obtained only by revelation through Jesus Christ.

(39). Fix our eyes of Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of faith.

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.”

Note: You are blessed to have learned so much about faith in Christ. Fix your eyes on Jesus who is the Author and Perfecter of faith. If I have to live my life over again, I will still be a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ. There is no such a thing called reincarnation. To believe in Jesus Christ is the greatest thing in anybody’s life.

(40). Ask in faith without any doubting.

Jas 1:6, “But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.”

Note: Prayer is asking God. To pray we must ask God in faith without any doubting. I can testify God answers my prayers without number, therefore I continue to pray all the time.

(41). To be rich in faith.

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?”

Note: Many want to get rich in this world. Everybody is getting mad to make money by all means. There are so many crooks, liars and frauds in this evil generation and they terrify me. Even if you are rich it can last only a short time. I would rather be rich in faith than to be the richest crooked man on earth who is without God and without hope.

(42). Faith pleases God.

Heb 11:6, “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”

Note: Faith pleases God. For that reason, unbelievers are doomed. You do not need to kill or rape or rob to go to Hell. Unbelief will send anyone straight to Hell.

(43). Faith without works is useless.

Jas 2:20, “But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?”

Jas 2:26, “For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.”

Note: It does not mean you are saved by works. No matter how good your works are, they cannot save you or earn you the righteousness of God. If one says he believes but does not repent, he deceives himself. Faith is not inactive or passive. Faith rises up in action. Faith obeys God, that is called obedience of faith. Faith without works is useless. The righteous lives by faith. For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. Faith without obedience is dead.

(44). Prayer offered in faith.

Jas 5:15, “and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.”

Note: The importance of prayer is not how long you pray, but how the prayer is offered earnestly in faith to God.

(45). Proof of your faith.

1Pe 1:7-9, “so that the proof of your 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; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.”

Note: Mark you, faith has proof. The proof of a believer’s faith is more precious than gold, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the coming of Jesus Christ. Christianity is based on faith. Though Christians have not seen Christ, we love Him, and though we do not see Him now, but we believe in Him, obtaining the outcome of our faith the salvation of our souls.

(46). Faith and hope are in God.

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.”

Note: Faith is linked to hope. It is impossible to have hope without faith. Our faith and hope are in God.

(47). Faith overcomes the world.

1Jo 5:4, “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.”

Note: Overcome in Greek is nikaō which means to conquer; to prevail; to get the victory; to win the case; to subdue; to surmount; to defeat; – which occurs 28 times in the New Testament. Heb 11:33-34, “who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.” By faith Christians have overcome the world.

(48). Build yourselves up on your most holy faith.

Jde 1:20, “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.”

Note: By studying and obeying the Word of God and praying in the Holy Spirit, you can build up yourself on your most holy faith. The faith in God and Christ is most holy.

Rev 14:12, “Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.”

Note: Faith in God is not like faith in man. Faith in Jesus is the most holy faith that builds up believers, praying in the Holy Spirit.

(49). Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

Eph 3:17, “so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love.”

Note: It is also through faith so that Christ may dwell in our hearts, and that we are being rooted and grounded in love. Through faith means by means of faith, or through the use of faith.

(50). Offer the sacrifice and service of your faith.

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.”

Note: The service you do for yourself may last a lifetime. The service you offer to mankind may last several generations. True faith will produce sacrifice and service to the Lord. The sacrifice and service of your faith will last for eternity. 

(51). Not all have faith.

2Th 3:2, “and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith.”

Note: Do not be surprised. Not all people have faith. Judging from the Word of Jesus, Mat 7:14,“For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” There seems to be more unbelievers than believers. But don’t you get the wrong idea that Heaven will be a lonely place, sparsely populated. Jde 1:14, “Enoch, who lived in the seventh generation after Adam, prophesied about these people. He said, “Listen! The Lord is coming with countless thousands of his holy ones.” Rev 5:11, “Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels around the throne, and also of the living creatures and of the elders. Their number was countless thousands, plus thousands of thousands.” Heb 12:22, “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels.” I have met millions of people around the world, but one good man is worth a billion wicked men. Besides one thing you may not know, all those aborted and killed infants by the grace of God go to Heaven.

Perverse and evil men do not have faith. May God rescue us from perverse and evil men. Those who preach good news and those who heard must be united by faith. Christians everywhere are united by faith. It is hoped you have faith in Christ Jesus so that you may be saved from your sins and judgment to come and have the eternal life.

(52). I do believe; help my unbelief.

Mar 9:24, “Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.”

Note: We should pray like the father whose son, possessed with a spirit which makes him mute; the spirit threw him into a convulsion, and falling to the ground, he began rolling around and foam it at the mouth; the boy had the condition from childhood. But the father prayed, “I do believe, help my unbelief.” Lord, I do believe, help my unbelief.

IN CONCLUSION

Scholars and theologians are usually turgid and pompous in expressing their so-called knowledge and views as fact. Do not waste your time and efforts to study secular academics who put Christianity on a par with Islam, Buddhism, Shintoism, animism, totemism and many more, who do not consider the distinction between Christian and non-Christian religion, and who use so-called higher criticism to discredit the Holy Bible. They attempt to know God from their own standpoint. They bolt and bar themselves against revelation of Jesus Christ by providing a substitute of their own views. Unbelief is always man’s belief in himself. Self, Sin, and Satan prevent oneself from believing and knowing the truth in Christ.

You have learned a lot what faith is. Faith is the act of believing, full of conviction. Faith in God and Christ is personal and individual matter. No one can believe on your behalf just as no one can eat for you. Jesus offers you the bread of life and the eternal life. Come and get it. It is for you to decide whether you want to believe in the Son of God, the Savior of mankind or not. No one can force you. Not even God will force you, for God has given you free will, free to choose life or death. The Faith is the thing we believe. The Christian Faith is the Faith all Christians believe in all generations collectively, the truth in Christ, so that we may receive the eternal salvation and inheritance in Heaven. The Faith is the Holy Faith because none in other religions, it was bought by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. The Faith is the Way, Christianity.

The Christian Faith is holy because it was backed and guaranteed and substantiated by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 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.” The Apostles and early disciples made a decision, Jhn 6:68-69, “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.” Our faith is holy because we believe in the Holy One of God.

Rom 10:12-13, “ For there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.”

1Jo 5:20, “And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may 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: It is hoped you have the understanding so that you may know the Son of God who is true, His Son Jesus Christ. To believe and know the true God is eternal life.

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.”

Note: Jesus says, Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes God who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.

It was reported that Franklin Delano Roosevelt was killed by a brain hemorrhage after his last words, “I have a terrific headache.” Truly, no matter who you are, powerful, wealthy, and famous, you have no control how you are going to die. Even secular academics and scientists do not know when they are going to die, not to say how they are going to die. A French atheist philosopher was dying, his followers gathered to watch his last moment; and he was struggling desperately to grab for something. They asked him what he was grabbing at. The atheist said, “I have nothing to hold to.” Watch how a Christian martyr died, Steven was stoned to death. 

Act 7:59-60, “They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” Having said this, he fell asleep.” To die in Christ is like falling asleep. It will be the day of resurrection when Jesus Christ returns to the earth to judge the living and the dead and to reign forever with the saints.

Everyone dies not knowing when and how. But you can be sure like Paul who said, 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.” If you know Whom you have believed is the Lord of life, you do not worry. 

Once upon a time there was an old lady who lived in a remote village. One day severe earthquake struck the small village, people were frightened running to and fro. A little girl asked her grandma, “Are you not afraid?” The grandma said, “No, I rejoice to know that my God can shake the world.”

David says, Psa 23:4-6, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil;
My cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

Note: Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow Christians all the days of their lives, and we will live in the House of the Lord forever.

Now you know what “faith” is, and what the “Faith” is. It is up to you to act. Faith requires action.

Jesus Christ is calling you, Come and receive eternal life by faith without cost.

You can come now no matter who you are and where you are to accept and believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

WILLIE WONG THOUGHT
WILLIE WONG
AUGUST 9, 2025
https://williewong.cw.center/wp-admin
Copyright © 2018 – 2025 by Willie Wong

ON September 3, 2025 for China to mark 80^th 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.